rskills progress monitoring test 5b - scholastic

Test 5b

rBook Stage C

NAME: DATE:

rSkills Test 5b, page

rSkills Progress Monitoring®

DIRECTIONS: This is a reading test. Follow the directions for each partof the test, and choose the best answer to each question.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS

1

Sample .A Lauren walked to the corner and looked to the left, then right. Shewas supposed to meet her friend Gail at the library, but she did notknow how to get there.What is the problem in this story?

Lauren and Gail do not get along.Lauren did not know how to find the library.Gail did not want to meet Lauren.Lauren looked for Gail.

Sample .B Which word best completes this sentence?Dylan _______ his bike to the repair shop.

taketakedtakingtook

See Answer Keyat end of test.

Go on to the next page to begin the test.© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

rBook Stage CrSkills Test 5b, page 2

ComprehensionRead the following life skills text. Then answer questions 1–5.

Cool JobsAre you thinking about looking for a job? Are you unsure what you want to

do? Getting a job may seem unavoidable, but it can also be a good opportunity.You could try to find a job based on a sport you like or a hobby you have, or youmight take a job that will lead to a career. Believe it or not, there are some greatjob options out there for teens.

For example, if you are passionate about protecting the environment orabout history, you might try the parks service. State and national parks often hireteens to help their scientists and biologists count populations of plants, insects,and wildlife. One team of biologists in New Mexico counts mice! Some parksinclude old buildings or historic sites. Teens often give tours of historic places orhelp visitors enjoy the sights.

Summer camps can also be a source of employment for people who lovethe outdoors. Camps always need counselors, but many also seek instructors forcrafts, archery, and other activities. One Colorado high school senior spent asummer teaching white-water kayaking. She dreamed about competing as anOlympic kayaker someday. Her job was ideal because it allowed her to earnmoney while practicing for the Olympic tryouts.

Many teens baby-sit for young children, but how about baby-sitting wildanimals at the zoo? Like human babies, newborn animals need close observationduring the first few days of life. An animal baby-sitter helps the zookeepers bywatching animal babies. Animal-sitters stay outside of the animal cages, so thejob isn’t dangerous.

If you love animals, there are other possibilities to consider. Pablo works ata wild-animal rescue center. People bring injured animals to the center for care.The professional staff heals the creatures so they can return to their naturalhabitats, and Pablo helps care for the animals until it is time for their release. Hisfavorite animal rescue involved a young mountain lion that was separated fromits mother. Pablo says that the day the lion was released was one of the happiestbut most difficult of his life because Pablo had developed a strong bond with themountain lion. This kind of connection is one of the benefits of the job.

Sports provide other job opportunities. An expert skier or snowboardermight consider becoming an instructor. It’s a good way to improve your skillswhile helping others learn the sport. Dante, a snowboarder who lives near themountains, found his dream job building snowboard parks. Janice plays for herhigh school basketball team and wanted to find a job related to basketball. Shecontacted the local women’s professional basketball team and was hired as anassistant trainer. Janice is now considering a career as a full-time trainer aftercollege.

Some teenagers take jobs in the family business. For example, Prak workspart-time in his family’s jewelry business. Prak is responsible for inspectingboxes of jewelry before they are shipped to various parts of the world. On anygiven day, he handles necklaces, bracelets, and rings worth thousands of dollars.Prak must work very carefully, since damaging a piece of jewelry can be costly.

To find a great job, it never hurts to dream. Decide what you would love todo with your life, even if it’s becoming a musician or an actor. Then spend sometime at the library or on the Internet researching that field. Share your dreamswith friends and family. Someone you know may be able to connect you with a professional in that field who can provide advice and guidance. Following yourdream could lead to a rewarding career.

GO ON© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company


Are you thinking about looking for a job? Are you unsure what you want todo? Getting a job may seem unavoidable, but it can also be a good opportunity.You could try to find a job based on a sport you like or a hobby you have, or youmight take a job that will lead to a career. Believe it or not, there are some greatjob options out there for teens.

For example, if you are passionate about protecting the environment orabout history, you might try the parks service. State and national parks often hireteens to help their scientists and biologists count populations of plants, insects,and wildlife. One team of biologists in New Mexico counts mice! Some parks include old buildings or historic sites. Teens often give tours of historic places orhelp visitors enjoy the sights.

Summer camps can also be a source of employment for people who lovethe outdoors. Camps always need counselors, but many also seek instructors forcrafts, archery, and other activities. One Colorado high school senior spent asummer teaching white-water kayaking. She dreamed about competing as anOlympic kayaker someday. Her job was ideal because it allowed her to earnmoney while practicing for the Olympic tryouts.

Many teens baby-sit for young children, but how about baby-sitting wildanimals at the zoo? Like human babies, newborn animals need close observationduring the first few days of life. An animal baby-sitter helps the zookeepers bywatching animal babies. Animal-sitters stay outside of the animal cages, so thejob isn’t dangerous.

If you love animals, there are other possibilities to consider. Pablo works ata wild-animal rescue center. People bring injured animals to the center for care.The professional staff heals the creatures so they can return to their naturalhabitats, and Pablo helps care for the animals until it is time for their release. Hisfavorite animal rescue involved a young mountain lion that was separated fromits mother. Pablo says that the day the lion was released was one of the happiestbut most difficult of his life because Pablo had developed a strong bond with themountain lion. This kind of connection is one of the benefits of the job.

Sports provide other job opportunities. An expert skier or snowboardermight consider becoming an instructor. It’s a good way to improve your skillswhile helping others learn the sport. Dante, a snowboarder who lives near themountains, found his dream job building snowboard parks. Janice plays for herhigh school basketball team and wanted to find a job related to basketball. Shecontacted the local women’s professional basketball team and was hired as anassistant trainer. Janice is now considering a career as a full-time trainer aftercollege.

Some teenagers take jobs in the family business. For example, Prak workspart-time in his family’s jewelry business. Prak is responsible for inspectingboxes of jewelry before they are shipped to various parts of the world. On anygiven day, he handles necklaces, bracelets, and rings worth thousands of dollars.Prak must work very carefully, since damaging a piece of jewelry can be costly.

To find a great job, it never hurts to dream. Decide what you would love todo with your life, even if it’s becoming a musician or an actor. Then spend sometime at the library or on the Internet researching that field. Share your dreamswith friends and family. Someone you know may be able to connect you with aprofessional in that field who can provide advice and guidance. Following yourdream could lead to a rewarding career.



1 According to this text, what is the best way for young people to solve theproblem of trying to find a job?

.

Dream about becoming a rock star or movie actor, and then do it.Call a professional person in the local area and ask for a job.Decide what they are interested in and research that field of interest.Improve their skills in a particular sport so they can teach others.



2. In this text, what problem did Janice want to solve?She did not know anything about basketball.She wanted to have a career working with animals.She was not qualified to become a sports trainer.She wanted to find a job related to basketball.

3. How does Pablo help solve problems at the animal rescue center?He takes care of injured animals until they are ready to be released.He brings injured animals to the center for help.He becomes attached to the animals and does not want to let them go.He decides when to release the animals.

4. Which sentence should be included in a summary of this text?Newborn animals at the zoo often need someone to watch them.Inspecting jewelry is a job with a lot of responsibility.To find a job, think of what you love and find a job related to it.If you can dream, you can create your own job.

5. Look at the graph of Top Career Choices for Teenagers. Which sentencebest summarizes the information shown in the graph?

Teenagers choose many different careers, but one of the most popularchoices is science/engineering.About 25 percent of teenagers want to be professional athletes.Doctors earn more than twice as much money as lawyers.The greatest number of teenagers picked business or law for their topchoice of career.



Read the following economics text. Then answer questions 6–10.

Top QualityYou have to be really skilled to be trusted with repairs on the Statue of

Liberty. Kalimex, a small construction company in Ocean View, New Jersey, isthat good. Its work allowed the statue’s crown to reopen to visitors for the firsttime in eight years.

The crown had been closed to the public since the attacks of September 11,2001, because the government wanted to protect it. When the National ParkService decided it was time to reopen the area, it hired Kalimex. The companydesigned and built handrails and guardrails for the famous double-helix stairwayleading to the observation area. One group of people can climb the shiny metalstairs as another descends. Besides looking good, this kind of work has to bestrong and safe.

Because the Statue of Liberty is a historic structure, Kalimex had to staywithin strict guidelines to preserve the original design. In addition, the companyhad to meet all the local and federal safety standards. All its work had to becompleted in time for a big July 4, 2009, reopening celebration. Now, 50,000visitors per year can climb the 168 steps to the crown with its stunning views ofNew York’s harbor and skyline.

Kalimex succeeded in this important job because of its owner, AnneO’Brien, and how well the company is managed. Before Anne O’Brien startedKalimex in 1996, she worked for a large steel company. In 1980, she started herown steel company. As steel became less profitable, she moved into construction.Now her son and his wife are also Kalimex employees.

In 2010, Kalimex won National Prime Contractor of the Year from theSmall Business Administration. The Statue of Liberty work is one reason for theaward. The firm also restored part of Philadelphia’s historic Edgar Allan Poe house.

Anne O’Brien doesn’t take all the credit. “A company is only as good asthe sum total of its people,” she said. She went on to praise the quality of workand the commitment of her workers, smaller companies that helped Kalimex with the project.

Kalimex became known for completing work on time or early and hiringonly the best workers. That explains why the government chose Kalimex tocomplete $30 million worth of projects in nine years. In addition, Kalimex’ssmall size helps keep its costs down. It can charge less money for its work thanlarger companies because it has fewer employees and lower costs.

For its work on the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Kalimex drew praise forfinishing three months ahead of schedule. According to the shipyard manager,each worker and manager showed “a high level of pride in their workmanship.”It’s this sort of pride that wins awards and keeps Kalimex in business.



You have to be really skilled to be trusted with repairs on the Statue ofLiberty. Kalimex, a small construction company in Ocean View, New Jersey, isthat good. Its work allowed the statue’s crown to reopen to visitors for the firsttime in eight years.

The crown had been closed to the public since the attacks of September 11,2001, because the government wanted to protect it. When the National ParkService decided it was time to reopen the area, it hired Kalimex. The companydesigned and built handrails and guardrails for the famous double-helix stairwayleading to the observation area. One group of people can climb the shiny metalstairs as another descends. Besides looking good, this kind of work has to bestrong and safe.

Because the Statue of Liberty is a historic structure, Kalimex had to stay within strict guidelines to preserve the original design. In addition, the companyhad to meet all the local and federal safety standards. All its work had to becompleted in time for a big July 4, 2009, reopening celebration. Now, 50,000visitors per year can climb the 168 steps to the crown with its stunning views of New York’s harbor and skyline.

Kalimex succeeded in this important job because of its owner, AnneO’Brien, and how well the company is managed. Before Anne O’Brien startedKalimex in 1996, she worked for a large steel company. In 1980, she started herown steel company. As steel became less profitable, she moved into construction.Now her son and his wife are also Kalimex employees.

In 2010, Kalimex won National Prime Contractor of the Year from theSmall Business Administration. The Statue of Liberty work is one reason for theaward. The firm also restored part of Philadelphia’s historic Edgar Allan Poehouse.

Anne O’Brien doesn’t take all the credit. “A company is only as good asthe sum total of its people,” she said. She went on to praise the quality of workand the commitment of her workers, smaller companies that helped Kalimex withthe project.

Kalimex became known for completing work on time or early and hiringonly the best workers. That explains why the government chose Kalimex tocomplete $30 million worth of projects in nine years. In addition, Kalimex’ssmall size helps keep its costs down. It can charge less money for its work thanlarger companies because it has fewer employees and lower costs.

For its work on the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Kalimex drew praise forfinishing three months ahead of schedule. According to the shipyard manager,each worker and manager showed “a high level of pride in their workmanship.”It’s this sort of pride that wins awards and keeps Kalimex in business.

6 What problem did Kalimex have to solve in its project on the Statue ofLiberty?

.

The statue had to be restored so it could win an award.The work had to be done in time for a celebration.More than 50,000 people wanted to climb to the statue's crown.The project had to end three months ahead of schedule.



7. Why did Anne O’Brien start a construction company?Her family wanted someone to run their company.Her steel company didn’t get the Statue of Liberty job.She couldn’t win any government contracts.Her steel company wasn’t profitable anymore.

8. How can Kalimex charge less for its work than other constructioncompanies?

It hires only the best contractors.Its costs are low because it’s small.It completes work on time or early.It only hires contractors who charge the least.

9. Which sentence should be included in a summary of the text?There are 168 stairs in the Statue of Liberty’s crown.Ocean View is a town in New Jersey.O’Brien ran a steel company before she started Kalimex.The manager of a naval shipyard really likes Kalimex.



10. Which sentence best summarizes the challenges Kalimex faced in its workon the Statue of Liberty?

The work had a firm deadline, had to follow many rules, and had to fitin with the original historic design.The work had to be strong enough for a big opening celebration withfireworks and groups of people.The Statue of Liberty couldn’t be changed because it’s a famoushistoric structure.Kalimex’s work had to withstand attacks like those on September 11th.



Vocabulary/Word StudyRead each question and decide which is the best answer. Fill in the circle nextto the answer you have chosen.

11. Which word fits in the blank in both sentences?Geometry is the only math _____ she really likes.As it passed the lighthouse, the ship took a southern _______.

directioncourserouteclass

12. Look at the dictionary entry for the word apply.

apply verb 1. to put to use especially for some practical purpose. 2. torequest or seek admittance, assistance, or employment. 3. to lay or spreadon. 4. to put effort into something.

Which meaning of apply is used in the following sentence?Brandon and I went to Pepino’s Pizza to apply for jobs.

meaning 1meaning 2meaning 3meaning 4



13. Look at the dictionary entry for the word apply.

apply verb 1. to put to use especially for some practical purpose. 2. torequest or seek admittance, assistance, or employment. 3. to lay or spreadon. 4. to put effort into something.

Which meaning of apply is used in the following sentence?Mr. Mathisen said we’ll pass the test if we apply ourselves


14. In which answer does the word play have the same meaning as in thesentence below?

We saw a play about a small town.The school play will take place next weekend.We can play with the puppy after dinner.My mother knows how to play the drums.Let’s play soccer right after school tomorrow.

15. Which meaning best fits the word volume as it is used in this sentence?Juan turned up the volume on his TV.

degree of loudnessone book in a setamount of space; capacitya large quantity



16. Look at the dictionary entry for the word qualify.

qualify verb 1. to be or become fit; to meet the required standard. 2. tomake less harsh or severe. 3. to provide (someone) with the skills neededfor a job. 4. to describe, characterize, or give a quality to.

Which meaning of qualify is used in the following sentence?Purchases made at other stores do not qualify for this offer.


17. In which answer does the word spring have the same meaning as in thesentence below?

More than one spring feeds Lake Huron.A pair of pigeons seemed to spring out of nowhere.A spring had popped out of the old sofa cushion.Spring is my father’s favorite season.We drank from a cold mountain spring.



18. Look at the dictionary entry for the word system.

system noun 1. a combination of things or parts that form a whole. 2. aplan for getting something done. 3. a group of organs or tissues in thehuman body. 4. a group of heavenly bodies, such as planets and a sun.

Which meaning fits the word system as it is used in the sentence below?Ryan has a rare illness that affects his nervous system.




ConventionsRead each question and decide which is the best answer. Fill in the circle next to the answer you have chosen.

19. Which word best completes this sentence?Mr. Johnson _______ some corn to the cookout.

bringedbroughtbrungbringing

20. Which sentence shows the correct use of commas?Most of all the family, wanted to rescue, the stray dog.Most, of all the family, wanted to rescue the stray dog.Most of all the family, wanted to rescue the stray dog.Most of all, the family wanted to rescue the stray dog.

21. Choose the word that fits best in this sentence.Dante can’t come because he _____ a cold.

catchedcaughtcaughtedcatching



22. Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly.Happy, Independence Day everybody!Later, that day Darla had her hair cut.Unfortunately, the chair broke as I sat down.No it didn’t happen, that way.

23. Which sentence shows the correct use of commas?After all there is, no guarantee she’ll be here.After all there is no guarantee, she’ll be here.After all, there is no guarantee she’ll be here.After, all there is no guarantee she’ll be here.

24. Choose the verb form that best completes the sentence.Cody couldn’t believe his team _____ the game.

lostloostlosedloosed

25. Which word best completes the sentence?In the seventh inning, the Blizzards _____ the Cougars by two runs.

leddedleadleadedled


Write your answer in your own words on the lines below or on theanswer document. Use complete sentences.

Open Response


26 Review the text “Top Quality.” In one or two sentences, explain howKalimex became a successful small business.

.


Write your answer in your own words on the lines below or on theanswer document. Use complete sentences.

Open Response


27 Review the text “Cool Jobs.” Which job mentioned in the text is mostappealing to you? Write two or three sentences to explain your choice.

.


Writing Prompt


Read the prompt. Write your response below or on the answer document.If you need more space, continue writing on a separate paper.

STOP

28 Should teenagers be required to get summer jobs? Write an argument essay todefend your point of view. Remember to

• identify the issue in the introductory statement,• present a claim in the thesis statement,• connect convincing details with transition words,• offer a recommendation in the conclusion, and• use correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.

.

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Writing Prompt


Read the prompt. Write your response below or on the answer document.If you need more space, continue writing on a separate paper.

STOP

.


Test 5b Answer KeySample Questions


A.B.

Comprehension1. Problem and Solution2. Problem and Solution3. Problem and Solution4. Summarize5. Summarize6. Problem and Solution7. Problem and Solution8. Problem and Solution9. Summarize

10. Summarize

Vocabulary/Word Study11. Multiple-Meaning Words12. Using a Dictionary13. Using a Dictionary14. Multiple-Meaning Words15. Multiple-Meaning Words16. Using a Dictionary17. Multiple-Meaning Words18. Using a Dictionary

Conventions19. Using Irregular Verbs20. Using Commas With Introductory Words21. Using Irregular Verbs22. Using Commas With Introductory Words23. Using Commas With Introductory Words24. Using Irregular Verbs25. Using Irregular Verbs


Test 5b Answer KeyOpen Response (sample answers):


26 . Kalimex became a successful business because it did high-qualitywork on time or ahead of schedule. It hired workers and contractorswho took pride in their work.(2 points: Analyze)

27 . Working for the parks service is most appealing to me. I like to workoutside, and I enjoy visiting historic places. I would like to have a jobthat involves working with scientists or giving tours for visitors.(4 points: Evaluate)


28. Answers will vary. Use the rubrics from the SAM Portfolio tab toassess student responses.

Writing Prompt:

NAME: DATE:

Test 5b Answer Document

Multiple Choice Questions


1 .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9 .

10 .11 .12 .13 .14 .15 .16 .17 .18 .19 .20 .21 .22 .23 .24 .25 .


NAME: DATE:


Open Response


26 .


NAME: DATE:


Open Response


27 .


NAME: DATE:


Writing Prompt


28 .


NAME: DATE:


Writing Prompt


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rskills progress monitoring test 5b - scholastic

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