FCAT text, Gra - ClassZone the writing benchmarks we have provided writing prompts based on the...

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INTRODUCTION

Standardized testing is a necessary part of today’s curriculum. As educators in this age ofaccountability, we need to be ready, willing, and able to prepare our students for these mandatedassessment tests. In Florida, one such test is the FCAT (Florida Comprehensive AssessmentTest). The FCAT was developed to provide a measure of students’ success in the areas ofreading, writing, and mathematics and to judge whether students are meeting the Sunshine StateStandards, which were adopted by the State Board of Education in 1996.

Because helping our students prepare for the FCAT is so important, Language Network FCATConnection has been provided as a support to McDougal Littell’s Language Network. We feelit is a valuable addition to the variety of resource material already provided to Florida teachers,offering one more option in preparing students for academic success.

Language Network FCAT Connection was written by Florida teachers for Florida teachers. Itis unique in that it is not a separate curriculum, but a way to offer students continued practice allyear long through use of the textbook—simply by asking them the questions provided in thisbooklet about the readings and graphics used in the text to teach grammar and writing skills.

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A NOTE TO THE TEACHER ON HOW TO USE THIS BOOKLET

Language Network FCAT Connection was written by Florida teachers for Florida teachers. Itis designed to show middle school teachers how even a grammar and writing book can be used toteach reading comprehension skills. After using the FCAT practice questions that correlate withthe themes, writing models, and exercises throughout the Language Network, you will be able tolook at printed material with new eyes—FCAT Eyes.

The reading section of FCAT asks students to read and answer comprehension questions aboutpieces of informational or literary text, along with graphics such as photographs, charts, graphs,and maps. Our Language Network offers a wide variety of both literary and informationalpassages as well as graphic images for practicing not only writing and grammar skills, but alsoreading comprehension skills such as those tested on FCAT. It is filled with well-written,themed paragraphs, passages taken from longer works, comic strips, charts, and maps—theperfect fodder for FCAT-styled questions.

So this FCAT Connection booklet is filled with comprehension questions—multiple choice,short response, and extended response—based on material from cover to cover in LanguageNetwork. Busy teachers can photocopy these ready-made lessons or put them on transparenciesfor quick and easy FCAT practice all year long. In addition, teachers can copy the short andextended response answer boxes in the back of this booklet to give students practice with theactual FCAT format. These lessons also demonstrate how, once you have FCAT Eyes,everything is game for an extended or short response question. Of course, not every opportunityin the Language Network has been exploited, so you are still left with plenty of readingpassages with which to practice creating your own FCAT questions.

For the writing benchmarks we have provided writing prompts based on the themes of thechapters. The readings in the chapters will serve as background information to enable students toprovide more support for the main ideas in their essays.

We hope you will enjoy using the Language Network as we know it can be used. Use entirelessons or only a question here and there. We know you will find the Language Networktextbook and the FCAT Connection booklet a joy to use in the classroom.

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Chapter One FCAT PracticeTheme: Storytelling

Comparison and Contrast1. “Cinderella in Asia” on page 7 and “An Endless Tale” on page 13 are both alike and

different. Support this statement with details from the text. Use the extended response box toanswer this question. (You may want to use a Venn Diagram to help you organize yourthoughts for writing.)

Cinderella Endless Tale

Elements of the Story:2. Read “The Ant and the Grasshopper” on page 15.

What is the conflict of this story? Support your answer with details from the story. Use theshort response box to answer this question.

Context Clues3. Read “Arachne” on page 28.

“Arachne was used to being wondered at, and she was immensely proud of the skill that hadbrought so many to look on her.” The best meaning of wondered is

A. respected.B. feared.C. dishonored.D. disrespected.

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Elements of the Story4. Read “The Hare and the Tortoise” on page 29.

A character word that could be used to describe the tortoise is determination. Do you agree?Support your answer with details from the text. Use the short response box to answer thisquestion.

Cause and Effect5. Read the selection “A Storytelling Tapestry” on page 29.

The main reason that the tapestry was made was

A. to pay honor to William of Normandy.B. to tell the story of the life of William of Normandy.C. to highlight the kingdom of Normandy.D. to teach about life in the Middle Ages.

FCAT Writing Prompt

WRITING SITUATIONMost students have heard stories that have a moral or lesson.

Think about one of these stories and how it could be used to teach your friend a lesson.

WRITING INSTRUCTIONSNow write to explain your story choice and the lesson that your friend will learn.

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Chapter One Answer Key

1. LA.A.2.2.7 Recognizes the use of comparison and contrast in a text.

A top-score response would be similar to the following:

“Cinderella in Asia” and “An Endless Tale” are both alike and different. China’s“Cinderella” is the oldest version. Cinderella who has a bad home life receives a dead goldfish from a wise old man. She attends a party and loses her slipper. The king then seeks her.On the other hand, in “An Endless Tale” it is the princess that is hunting for a husbandwho must be a good storyteller. The man she chooses to marry tells a story about a locustand corn. Both stories are alike because they are tales that have been passed on over time ,and both have the main character finding a person to marry.

2. LA.E.2.3.2 Recognizes complex elements of plot, including setting, characterdevelopment, conflicts, and resolutions.A top-score response would be similar to the following:

The conflict is hard work vs playtime. The ant worked hard and prepared for the upcomingcold weather. Meanwhile, the grasshopper played and sang, acts which led to his suffering.In the end, the ant’s hard work led to success.

3. LA.A.1.3.2. Uses a variety of strategies to analyze words and text, draw conclusions,use context and word structure clues, and recognize organizational patterns.

The correct answer is A.

-oldest version fromChina-dead gold fish fromwise man-loses slipper at party-king searches for her

-storiespassed on-both finda husband

-princess searchingfor a husband-man must be a goodstoryteller-marries him-tell story about locustand corn

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4. LA.E.2.3.2 Recognizes complex elements of plot, including setting, characterdevelopment, conflicts, and resolutions.A top-score response would be similar to the following:

The tortoise could be characterized as determined because the tortoise never stopped. Hewent without food and water, and he never rested. He was determined to beat the hare in therace.

5. LA.E.2.2.1 The student recognizes cause-and-effect relationships in literary texts.

The correct answer is D.

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Chapter Two FCAT PracticeTheme: Ancient Civilizations

Author’s Purpose1. Read the corrected version below of “Garbage In, Knowledge Out” from page 40.

Can you imagine archaeologists going through your trash? People who excavate, or dig up,lost cities do exactly that! They find artifacts that provide us with echoes of the past. Anartifact is any object men, women, and children use in their daily lives. Today’s scientistsexamine pottery, tools, and other objects used by ancient communities. A future scientistmay examine your mattresses, your toothbrushes, or your baby toys! A scientist today maylook at bones to see which animals people ate, such as deer or buffalo. A future excavatormay examine the leftover tomatoes in your salad. Here’s a hint. Keep your old dishesclean, in case they’re ever seen!

The author’s purpose for writing this selection was

A. to educate the reader about what an archaeologist studies and does.B. to inform that an artifact is really a daily life item.C. to suggest what objects could be studied from the past.D. to amuse the reader with a joke about doing dishes.

Supporting Details2. Read the corrected version below of “Risen from a Watery Grave” from page 42.

The Mary Rose was one of England’s finest warships. She sank to the Portsmouth Harbor’sseabed during a battle with the French fleet in 1545. Many eyewitnesses’ accounts told ofher sad end. The Mary Rose quickly became covered with the seabed’s mud and sand.Alexander McKee located the wreck’s position in 1965. In 1982 the ship was raised andstored in the city’s dry dock. Bows, arrows, and other archers’ equipment were found on thegundeck. Other weapons were found in the sailors’ cabins. Netting kept the Mary Rose’ssailors from escaping when the ship sank. The Mary Rose and its artifacts tell us about theseamen’s lives onboard the ship.

The raising of the Mary Rose was like finding a treasure chest for archaeologists. Supportthis statement with details from the text. Use the following organizer to help you withwriting an extended response.

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Use the extended response box to answer the question.

Inference3. Read all the statements about the Aztecs on pages 43 and 44.

Why did the Spanish attack the Aztecs? Support your conclusion with details from the text.Use the short response box to answer this question.

NOTE: Writing Practice located on page 47 is written in the form of a cause-and-effect FCATquestion.

Comparison and Contrast4. Read “Nouns and Their Jobs” on page 48. The dinosaur and the other animals of that time were alike but different. Support this

statement with details from the text. Use the short response box to answer this question.

Mary Rose is like a treasure chest for archaeologists.

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Author’s Purpose5. Read the selection on page 49.

The author’s purpose for writing this text was

A. to inform who the Croatoans really were.B. to suggest why the colonists wrote Croatoan.C. to educate about the early English colonists.D. to draw a conclusion about the colonists’ disappearance.

Main Idea and Supporting Details6. Write a title for the selection about the English colonists on page 49, and support your title

with details from the text. Use the extended response box to answer this question.

FCAT Writing Prompt

WRITING SITUATIONBy the sixth grade students are aware of the problems of too much garbage.

Think about some ways trash disposal could be improved.

WRITING INSTRUCTIONSNow write to convince your local government officials to use your ideas to improve garbagedisposal in your area.

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Chapter Two Answer Key

Note to the teacher: The graphic organizer located in this section is a good way to help yourstudents with finding three to four details from the text to support their answers. Detailedanswers will receive a top score on the extended response portions of the FCAT.

1. LA.A.2.3.2 Identifies the author’s purpose and/or point of view in a variety of textsand uses the information to construct meaning.

The correct answer is C.

2. LA.A.2.3.1 Determines the main idea or essential message in a text and identifies therelevant details and facts and patterns of organization.

A top score would be similar to the following:

The finding of the Mary Rose was like a treasure chest because many artifacts were found.These artifacts were the weapons used during that time period. Because of the netting, theweapons were not washed away, and the archaeologists could see that the men had beenfighting using archery equipment. Other weapons were found in the cabins. This discoveryalso gave insight into what the life of a seaman was like at that time.


A top-score response should be similar to the following:

The Aztecs had many precious metals including gold and silver. Thus, the Aztecs hadenemies who wanted to steal their riches. The Spanish attacked the Aztecs during theSpanish conquest of Mexico and defeated their empire.



The dinosaur and the other animals of that time were different. The dinosaurs were veryhuge , only survived 160 million years, but became extinct without a sure reason why. Onthe other hand , the other animals were mammals, and they had a much easier time findingfood because of their smaller size. The only thing that the dinosaur and the other animalshad in common was the fact that both were life forms of that time.



6. LA.A.2.3.1 The student determines the main idea or essential message in a text andidentifies the relevant details and facts and pattern of organization.

Answers will vary, but students must have details from the selection to support their title.

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Chapter Three FCAT PracticeTheme: Friendships

Main Idea and Supporting Detail1. Read the corrected version below of “Revising: Substituting Pronouns for Nouns” from

page 56.

In ancient times, the idea of friendship was foreign to many people. They didn’t evenhave a word for “friend.” In Old English, though, the word friend did exist. It firstappeared in English in A.D. 1018. Most ancient people lived in close communities. They had litle contact with outsiders.These people did have a word for “stranger.” It meant “enemy.” Today, we meet “strangers” all the time. Are these strangers enemies? Most of themare not. In fact, many strangers will become our friends.

Write a title for this passage and support your title with details from the text. Use theextended response box to answer this question.

Inference2. You can conclude from the previous passage that our language has grown and changed.

Support this statement with details from the text. Use the short response box to answer thisquestion.

Context Clue3. The following statement came from “The Sailors’ Friend” on page 60.

“Pelorus Jack guided ships through the dangerous Cook Strait near New Zealand. The bestmeaning for strait is

A. distress.B. channel.C. isle.D. narrow.

Cause and Effect4. Read the Student Model selection on page 62.

An active volcanic eruption can have a chain of effects. (This is similar to acause-and-effect chain where a cause produces an effect which then becomes a cause toproduce another effect.) Support this statement with details from the selection. Use the shortresponse box for your answer.

Main Idea5. Read “All for One and One for All” on page 65.

What is the main idea for this selection?

A. Imitate the way the pros play to be good at the sport.B. “Don’t worry about how well you play; just enjoy it.”

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C. Your best friends will be those with whom you play sports.D. Team players think of others and not just themselves.

Author’s Purpose6. Read “Writing: Science Questions and Answers” on page 68.


A. to share Penny’s personal experience with Koko.B. to show how sign language can be taught to animals.C. to inform inform the reader about animals and their training.D. to entertain with an animal’s ability to communicate.

Elements of the Story7. Read the selection ”Number the Stars” on page 71.

What is the conflict in this selection? Support your answer with details from the text. Usethe short response box to answer this question.

Reading charts, graphs, etc.8. Read the selection “Drafting from a Timeline” on page 79.

Why was Harriet Tubman nicknamed Moses? Support your answer with details from thetext. Use the short response box to answer this question.

Main Idea and Supporting Details9. Read the selection “Writing: Using Pronouns in Dialogue” on page 81.

Clifton Davis had loyal friends. Support this statement with details from the text. Use theshort response box to answer this question.

FCAT Writing Prompt

WRITING SITUATIONMost teens are familiar with peer pressure.

Think about peer pressure and decide whether it is a good thing or a bad thing.

WRITING INSTRUCTIONS

Now write giving your opinion on peer pressure.

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Chapter Three Answer Key

1. LA.A.2.3.1 Determines the main idea or essential message in a text and identifies therelevant details and facts and patterns of organization.

The title chosen must be supported with details from the selection.

2. LA.A.1.3.2. Uses a variety of strategies to analyze words and text, draw conclusions,use content and word structure clues, and regular organizational patterns.


Our language has grown because we have had to add new words to name things. Forexample, the word friend was added in 1018. The word stranger also had to be addedbecause people lived in close communities and did not encounter many new people. Also,words changed their meanings as society changed; for example, stranger once meant enemy.


The correct answer is B.

4. LA.E.2.2.1 Recognizes cause-and-effect relationships in literary texts.


A volcanic eruption at sea causes the formation of a tsunami wave that heads toward land.This wave can move at a rate of 500 miles per hour and reach a height of 170 feet. Whenthis tsunami hits land, it destroys anything in its path. Thus, an eruption at sea will lead todevastating effects on land.

5. LA.A.2.3.1 Determines the main idea or essential message in a text and identifiesrelevant details and facts and patterns of organization.




7. LA.E.2.3.2 Recognizes complex elements of plot, including setting, characterdevelopment, conflicts, and resolutions.


The conflict is the Nazis vs the Jews or man vs man. This conflict is what changed the livesof Annemarie and Ellen. Ellen must go into hiding, and Annemarie supports her friend.

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8. LA.A.2.3.5 Locates, organizes, and interprets written information for a variety ofpurposes, including classroom research, collaborative decision making, andperforming a school or real-world task.


Harriet Tubman was nicknamed Moses because between 1849 and 1860 she helped leadpeople from slavery to freedom like Moses. She helped over three hundred people escapeby showing them the way on the Underground Railroad.



Clifton Davis’s friends were very loyal. When Clifton was denied entrance to the GlennEcho Amusement Park due to his color, his friends refused to go also. They all reallywanted to go, but they decided to stand up for their friend’s rights.

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Chapter Four FCAT PracticeTheme: Transportation

Supporting Details1. Read “They Got Around” on page 90.

Many forms of transportation were developed thousands of years ago, yet they are still in usetoday. Support this statement with details from the text. Use the extended response box toanswer this question.

Cause and Effect2. Read “The First Accidents” on page 93.

Nicholas-Joseph Cugnot became famous for several reasons. Support this statement withdetails from the text. Use the short response box to answer this question.

Use the following graphic organizer to help you prepare a written response.

Cause and Effect3. Read a “A Flying First” on page 95.

Bessie Coleman became the first African-American pilot because

A. she learned to fly from WW II pilots.B. she studied flying in France.C. she studied flying in Texas.D. she studied to overcome poverty.

Author’s Purpose and Reading Charts, Graphs, Timelines4. Read the corrected version below of “Moving Through History” from page 100.

Transportation began before civilization. For centuries, people walked and ran everywhere.They first rode in dugout canoes and reed boats nearly 10,000 years ago. They began usinganimals to carry their loads by 4000 B.C. They drove chariots with solid wheels by 2500B.C. They dug canals for ship traffic soon thereafter. Spoked wheels made their appearancearound 2000 B.C., and the Greeks built light fast ships around 400 B.C. The Roman Empire

Cause

Cause

Cause

Effect

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saw advances in road building, and in A.D. 80, Roman gladiators in the Coliseum wereraised to the arena on elevator-like lifting platforms.


A. to inform us about how people traveled 10,000 years ago.B. to educate us about travel developments as history progressed.C. to explain how the Roman gladiators made it to the Coliseum.D. to urge people to walk and run more today.

5. Use this selection to create a timeline that shows the development of transportation.

8,000 B.C.

.

Main Idea and Supporting Details6. Read the corrected version of “It’s Off to Work They Go” from page 110.

Commuters have used mass transit since the 1800’s. The first electric subway was opened inBudapest, Hungary, in 1893. In 1897 Boston became the first U.S. city with a subway.After subways had run for a few decades, they improved. They ran faster and were betterventilated. Now many cities enjoy computer-controlled trains. These automatic commutertrains carry millions of people every day. Bullet trains like those in Japan now travel around190 miles per hour over long distances. The next generation of subway trains will movewithout engines or rails. These “maglev” trains will float on a magnetic cushion at 300 milesper hour.

Mass transit has improved over time. Support this statement with details from the text. Usethe extended response box to answer this question.

Context Clues7. Reread the section above, paying careful attention to the word ventilated. The best

definition for “maglev” is

A. heavy.

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B. computer-controlled.C. strange.D. floating.

Author’s Purpose8. Read the corrected version below of the Mastery Test on page 117.

We are now living in the age of the automobile, but some people have worried about that factfor awhile. Cars give us freedom and mobility, but they also give us pollution, accidents, androad rage. Before the automobile age, there had been almost no pavement in the UnitedStates. Now we have 2.4 million miles of paved roads, which cost $200 million per day tokeep up and add to. Some futurists believe that as roads get more crowded, more people willturn to mass transit. Even now, subways, trains, and buses pollute less per person thanautomobiles do. Other people predict that communities will become more self-sufficient.After people finally work near their homes, they will abandon their cars. The air will becleaner, and people will be healthier.

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A. to educate about the unwelcome results of the automobile.B. to explain how we can help with getting cleaner, healthier air.C. to urge communities to become more self-sufficient .D. to explain the high costs of roads and their upkeep.

Context Clues9. “Cars give us freedom and mobility, but they also give us pollution, accidents and road

rage.” The best definition for mobility could be

A. permanence.B. changeability.C. trailer.D. movability.

Context Clues10. “Other people predict that communities will become more self-sufficient.” The best

meaning for self- sufficient is

A. independent.B. dependent.C. helpless.D. conceited.

FCAT Writing Prompt

WRITING SITUATIONBy the time they are in sixth grade, most students are aware of the negative effects of the carused as transportation.

Think about the car and some ways you think the country could improve transportation.

WRITING INSTRUCTIONSNow, write to convince the government to use your ideas to improve the transportation system.

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Chapter Four Answer Key


A top-score response would resemble the following:

Thousands of years ago several forms of transportation were invented. First, they learned touse animals to help with transporting goods. Next, in 5000 BC they invented sledges to helpcarry heavy loads. Later in 500 BC the wheel was designed. Yet, all of these transportationforms can still be seen in use today.



Nicholas-Joseph Cugnot became famous for several reasons. First, he invented the first car,which had three wheels and only moved about three mph. He also was the first man to beinvolved in a car accident when he hit a wall. These two effects made Cugnot famous.


The answer is B.


The answer is B.

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5. LA.A.2.3.5 Locates, organizes, and interprets written information for a variety ofpurposes, including classroom research, collaborative decision-making, and performinga school or real-world task.

10,000 B.C. dugout canoes and reed boats

4000 B.C. animals and carrying

2500 B.C. solid wheeled chariots

canals for better shipping

2000 B.C. spoked wheels

400 B.C. Faster sailing vessels

80 A.D. Road construction/elevator



Mass transit has been improved over time. In1893 the first electric subway was started.Then improvements to the subway led to better ventilation and more speed. Later came thecomputer-controlled trains, which led to the bullet train that can reach speeds of 190 milesper hour. Next will be the “maglev” which will reach speeds of 300 miles per hour. Thus,mass transit has been improving over time.


The answer is D.


The answer is A.


The answer is D.

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The answer is A.

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Chapter Five FCAT PracticeTheme: Vacation Spots

Main Idea and Supporting Detail1. Read the Diagnostic Test on page 121.

Yellowstone is considered an American treasure. Support this statement with details fromthe text. Remember to organize your thoughts, using the graphic organizer to prepare yourresponse. Use the extended response box to answer this question.

Yellowstone- an American treasure

Inference2. Read “Why It Matters in Writing” on page 125.

You can infer that Mama’s childhood made a major impact on her adult views. Support thisstatement with details from the text. Use the short response box to answer this question.

Cause and Effect3. Read “Look Out” on page 126.

Volcanic eruptions can cause serious effects. Support this statement with details from thetext. Use the extended response box to answer this question.

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Inference4. Mt. St. Helen’s previous volcanic activity was in

A. 1850s.B. 1860s.C. 1870s.D. 1880s.

Context Clue5. Read “Climb Every Mountain” on page 129.

Urban climbers scale city buildings. The best definition for urban is

A. community.B. country.C. capitol.D. city.

Author’s Purpose6. Read the Mastery Test on page 143.


A. to entertain the reader about an influential biologist.B. to explain the harmful effects of the pesticide DDT.C. to inform the reader how Carson got DDT banned.D. to urge for more careful use of harmful pesticides.

Context Clues7. The pesticide DDT was finally banned in 1972. The best definition for banned is

A. permitted.B. allowed.C. prohibited.D. sanctioned.

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FCAT WRITING PROMPT

WRITING SITUATIONMost students have had an opportunity to visit a local or national park.

Think about parks and whether you feel they are needed or not.


Now write to explain your opinion on parks and why we need them.

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Chapter Five Answer Key


Details for graphic organizer and for use in the response:

-hot springs, mud pots, geysers like Old Faithful-Grand Prismatic Spring’s rainbow due to algae growth-wildlife like elk, buffalo, bighorn sheep-millions of tourists yearly



Since Mama grew up poor and lonely, as an adult she was concerned about others andwanted to help out. She also taught her children that indifference is a character fault so thatthey would learn to be kind and caring.



Volcanic eruptions have serious effects. They cause widespread damage due to fires that aresparked form the hot ashes. Second, mud slides cover the forests and make them appearflat. The eruption also pollutes the air with smoke and ash. Thus, volcanic eruptions haveserious effects



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Chapter Six FCAT PracticeTheme: Dragons

Context Clue1. Read about prepositional phrases and the examples on page 149.

Fifty people walk under the enormous dragon. The best definition for enormous is

A. tiny.B. vast.C. small.D. immense.

Comparison and Contrast2. Read “Dragon Tales” on page 150.

Eastern dragons are very different from the Western dragons. Support this statement withdetails from the text. Use the extended response box to answer this question.

Eastern dragon Western dragon

Cause and Effect3. Read the selection “The Largest Lizard” on page 153.

The best reason to fear the Komodo lizard is that

A. its saliva has bacteria in it.B. its teeth can tear up animal.C. it is the largest lizard in the world.D. it runs twelve and one-half miles an hour.

Supporting Details/Comparison and Contrast4. Read the selection “Crocodiles and Alligators” on page 156.

The best way to tell the difference between the crocodile and the alligator is

A. snout differences.B. hunting differences.C. teeth differences.D. climate differences.

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Supporting Details5. Read the corrected version below of “Famous Dragons” from page 160.

Dragons are famous around the world. The Eastern Spiritual Dragon-- Shen-Lung -- controlsthe wind and the rain. The Chinese Yellow Dragon gave the knowledge of writing toEmperor Fu Hsi. People fear but respect the European dragons. The Vikings put dragonfigureheads on their ships. They believed the dragons would give them keen sight and skill.Beowulf confronted a dragon in the epic poem Beowulf. The dragon has become an officialpart of the Prince of Wales’s armor. Sea serpents are dragons from the seas. “Nessie,” theLoch Ness Monster, is a sea serpent , but she lives in a lake in Scotland.

Some cultures give dragons credit for helping mankind. Support this statement with detailsfrom the text. Use the short response box to answer this question.

FCAT Writing Prompt

WRITING SITUATIONPeople have strong feelings about the value of zoos.

Think about zoos and whether you feel they are a good or bad thing.


Now write to give your opinion of zoos.

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Chapter Six Answer Key





Eastern dragons are very different from Western dragons. The Easterndragons protect the waters, have no wings, hold a fan with their tails, and eats swallows. Onthe other hand, the Western dragons are associated with evil and have wings to fly abovetheir enemies. They also can change shapes and are usually in a struggle with a knight. Theonly thing that these two dragons have in common is that they are dragons.



4. LA.A.2.2.7 Recognizes the use of comparison and contrast in a text.LA.A.2.3.1 Determines the main idea or essential message in a text and identifiesrelevant details and facts and patterns of organization.




Some cultures give dragons credit for helping mankind. For example, the Chinese YellowDragon helped by giving writing ability to the emperor. Also, The Vikings believed that adragon symbol on their ships would enable them to have keen sight and skill.

-holds fan with tail-has no wings-protects waters-eats swallows

-is associated with evil-has wings to fly aboveenemies-changes shapes-is usually in conflict witha knight

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Chapter Seven FCAT PracticeTheme: Team Participation

Supporting Details1. Read the corrected version below of “Meet the Beatles” from page 168.

Rock critics consider the Beatles one of the most important groups in rock and roll history.Their musical development shows constant growth and exploration. In the late 1950s theywere playing other people’s songs in clubs. However, their own compositions werechanging popular music. Beatle songs attract listeners who like great melodies and cleverlyrics. By the mid-1960s they were performing to huge crowds in stadiums. Adultsremember mobs of young fans screaming at Beatles’ concerts. The Beatles were consideredwild in their day. Such popular groups affect clothing and hair styles. Today their music stillplays around the world.

The Beatles were considered important to rock and roll for several reasons. Support thisstatement with details from the text. Use the short response box to answer the question.

Context Clues2. Read the corrected version below of the Student Model on page 168.

Do you dislike order and discipline? Then you probably don’t belong in a marchingband. The band members must follow precise directions. A music director plans out everymovement? Often the musicians form words and patterns as they walk. Even theiruniforms match perfectly. Many schools hav e formed marching bands. The bands play atsporting events and other special occasions.

“The band members must follow precise directions. A music instructor plans out everymovement . Often the musicians form words and patterns as they walk.” The best meaningfor precise is

A. wrong.B. exact.C. loose.D. inaccurate.

Author’s Purpose3. Read the corrected version below of “Guiding Lights” from page 175.

Everyone has heard of seeing eye dogs. Few know the term hearing dogs. All of thesedogs alert their owners to sounds of danger. Several of the dog breeds are especially suitedfor work with visually challenged people. Some of the best dogs include Germanshepherds, Labrador retrievers, and golden retrievers. Most of the states guarantee accessrights to guide-dog users. No one in these states is allowed to keep people with guide-dogsfrom public places. Everyone recognizes a seeing-eye dog by its special harness and U-shaped handle. Many know that hearing dogs have a bright yellow or orange collar andleash. Both of the canine helpers give visually challenged and hearing-impaired peoplemore independence.

The author’s purpose for writing this selection is

A. to urge people to allow guide dogs into public places.B. to educate us about the two types of helping dogs and their jobs.

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C. to entertain us with a story about helping dogs and their duties.D. to inform the reader of the colors used for hearing dogs’ leashes.

FCAT Writing Prompt

WRITING SITUATIONAs sixth graders, many of you have already played on a team.

Think about that team and decide some ways a team helps you.

WRITING INSTRUCTIONSNow write to explain how being on a team has helped you.

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Chapter Seven Answer Key



The Beatles’ music changed and grew as they played together, and their development beganto change popular music. People were drawn to their songs because of the lyrics and thegreat melodies, which led to their performing huge concerts in stadiums. Their music is stillplayed worldwide today.





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Chapter Eight FCAT PracticeTheme: Names

Author’s Purpose1. Read the corrected version below of “Middle Names” from page 188.

Not long ago, I found a book of baby names in the attic that tells about how middle namesoriginated. It was written by Jonathan P. Algeron, Jr. Mom said it was the book she andDad used to pick my name. The book says that the Spanish began using middle namesabout 1000 A. D. Even though the early Americans did not give their children middlenames, by the mid-1800s German immigrants to the United States had made the practicepopular. President John Quincy Adams was the first president to use a middle name. Themost unusual middle name was chosen by a 13-year-old girl in 1965 who admired the folksong “Don’t Ya Weep, Don’t Ya Mourn.” Her name -Mary DontyaweepdontyamournSchulz.

What was the author’s purpose for writing this selection?

A. to explain how middle names began in the USAB. to persuade everyone to use their middle nameC. to share a girl’s choice of a strange middle nameD. to relate middle name facts and their popularity

Context Clues2. Reread the above passage. What is the best definition for originated?

A. endedB. concludedC. commencedD. started

3. Read the sentence with immigrants. What do immigrants do?

A. They come into a country.B. They leave from a country.C. They stay within a country.D. They live in a country.

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Supporting Details4. Read the corrected version below of “Naming the Land” from page 195.

In the early 1700s, French explorers began to colonize parts of what is now the South. Nearthe Gulf of Mexico, the French founded a fort in an area settled by a Native American groupcalled the Mauvila. The French translated that name to mobile. Around a nearby river, theFrench encountered the Alibamons (for whom the state of Alabama is named). Twocenturies later, paddle wheel boats with names like the Delta Queen would travel theMississippi River, but in the 1700s French explorers made their way upriver in canoes. Nearthe Great Plains, the French encountered a river called Ni (river) Bthaska (something flat andspread out). The French called it the Rivère Platte. Ni Bthaska became the name of the stateNebraska.

Several places in the United States were named for American Indians. Support thisstatement with details from the text. Use the extended response box to answer this question.

Charts, Graphs, Etc.5. Read and complete the assignment in “Concept Check: Capitalization in Graphs and Tables”

on page 199.

Create a line graph using the same information that you used to create the bar graph. Whichgraph relates the information the best? Support your answer with details from your graphs.Use the short response box to answer this question.

FCAT Writing Prompt

WRITING SITUATIONMany items have strange names.

Think of something that has an odd or unusual name.


Now write to explain how the name should be changed and your reasons for the change.

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Chapter Eight Answer Key









Several places in the United States got their names from the American Indian. For example,Alabama was named for the Alibamons, who were Indians living in that area. Even Mobile,Alabama, got its name from the Native Americans who lived there. They were called theMauvila, which was translated by the French to mobile. Another example is the state ofNebraska that was named for a river the Indians named Ni for river and bthaska forsomething flat and spread out.

5. LA.A.2.3.6 Uses a variety of reference materials including indexes, magazines,newspapers, and journals, and tools, including card catalogs and computer catalogs, togather information for research projects.

The students should prepare a line graph and answer the question using information fromthe two graphs.

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Chapter Nine FCAT PracticeTheme: Mistakes and Their Results

Cause and Effect1. Read the corrected version below of “Oil Takes Its Toll” from page 211.

In 1989, an oil tanker, the Exxon Valdez, went aground off the coast of Alaska. Elevenmillion gallons of smelly, sticky oil spilled out of the tanker. Spread by the ocean current,the oil slick soon coated 1,300 miles of Alaska’s shoreline. The magnificent, sparklingbeaches of Alaska turned oily and black. The spill killed approximately 5,000 otters, 300seals, 150 bald eagles, and 250,000 other birds.

Ten years later, there were signs of recovery. A council was established after the spill tohelp restore wildlife. Molly McCammon, its director, indicated that things were lookingbetter. The numbers of bald eagles and pink salmon were strong. She added, however, thatmore work needed to be done to improve the numbers of seals, herring, and ducks.

Human disasters in nature can cause terrible effects. Support this statement with detailsfrom the text. Use the extended response box to answer this question.

Cause and Effect2. Read the corrected version of “Breaking a Promise to the Wrong Woman” from page 221.

Isabella Baumfree was born into slavery in the late 1790’s (the exact date is not known).John Durmont, Baumfree’s owner, promised to give her freedom if she worked extra hard.However, Durmont -- scoundrel that he was -- refused to honor his word. In a bold move,Baumfree walked off Durmont’s farm in search of freedom. She found safety in the homeof neighbors -- they were peaceful Quakers -- who bought out the remainder of her time as aslave. At the age of about forty-six, Baumfree renamed herself Sojourner Truth and beganto speak publicly about her suffering. Truth was an eloquent preacher although she couldnot read or write (she never had a formal education). She traveled all over the country --even the White House -- speaking about abolishing slavery. Truth was an extremely tallwoman (over six feet tall), which helped her get an audience’s attention quite easily. Herquick wit and self-confidence helped Sojourner Truth become one of the nation’s mostpopular public figures.

Sojourner Truth became a popular public figure for several reasons. Support this statementwith details from the text. Use the short response box to answer this question.

Context CluesReread the above passage paying careful attention to the underlined words.

3. “Truth was an eloquent preacher although she could not read or write.” The best definitionfor eloquent is

A. stammering.B. articulate.C. inarticulate.D. persuasive.

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4. “However, Durmont -- scoundrel that he was -- refused to honor his word.” The bestdefinition for scoundrel is

A. villain.B. thief.C. comedian.D. bumpkin

Author’s Purpose5. Read the corrected version below of “Mistakes Turn to Triumph” from page 223.

A series of mistakes came just before the 1996 Olympic Games’most memorable moment. It was July 23, the last night of team competition in women’sgymnastics. Dominique Moceanu fell on both of her vaults. The U. S. team’s chances for agold medal looked bad. Keri Strug’s turn came next. Keri fell, too -- badly. She thoughtmaybe she’d broken her ankle. She didn’t know if she should take her second vault. Keri’scoach, Bela Karolyi, left the decision up to her. Keri didn’t think her team would win if shedidn’t try again; so she did. Everyone’s gaze was fixed on her as she sprinted down therunway, vaulted -- and landed perfectly. Seconds later, after gently lifting her aching foot,she crumpled to the mat. Her courage lifted a nation’s heart, and the women’s team wongold.

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A. to show the reader how the U.S. won the gold medalB. to relate Keri’s personal struggle to help the U.S. winC. to urge the reader to be as courageous as KeriD. to educate the reader about women’s gymnastics

Author’s Purpose6. Read the poem, “The Quarrel,” on page 226.

What was the author’s purpose for using the line “The afternoon turned black?”

A. to show how color can be used in poetryB. to relate how intensely they disliked each otherC. to urge the reader not to let arguments buildE. to explain how easily a disagreement can build

FCAT Writing Prompt

WRITING SITUATION

Most teenagers have gotten into an argument with a brother, a sister, or a friend.

Think of some ways the argument got started and was then resolved.


Now write to explain to your peers how to resolve an argument before it develops.

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Chapter Nine Answer Key



Human disasters can have terrible effects on nature. For example, 11,000,000 gallons of oilwere spilled due to human error. This oil then covered 1,300 miles of shoreline and causedthis shoreline to be black with oil. Much of the wildlife, such as eagles, otters, and seals,died because of this. Ten years after the spill, there are still species of wildlife trying tomake a comeback, such as seals, ducks, and herring. This disaster caused numerous horribleeffects on nature.



Sojourner Truth became a popular public figure because she was witty and hadconfidence in herself. She also was an extremely tall woman and could get an audience’sattention quickly. In addition, she spoke about slavery and her own personal experiencesand her suffering from it. She traveled all over the country and became a popular publicfigure.







6. LA.A.2.3.2 Identifies the author’s purpose and/or point of view in a variety of textsand uses the information to construct meaning


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Chapter Ten FCAT PracticeTheme: Steps to Great Writing

Supporting Details1. Read the selection about the trap-door spider on page 270.

The trap door spider’s home serves several purposes for the spider. Use the short responsebox to support this statement with details from the text.

Supporting Details2. The trap door spider has learned to protect itself from enemies. Support this statement with

details from the text. Use the short response box to answer this question.

FCAT Writing Prompt

WRITING SITUATION

By the time they are in the 6th grade, most students are familiar with book reports.Think about book reports and whether you feel that they are a good or bad assignment.


Now write to give your opinion of book reports.

Chapter Eleven FCAT PracticeTheme: Changes

Inference1. Look at the photo on page 277. What can you infer about a transformation? Support your

answer with details from the picture. Use the short response box to answer this question.

FCAT Writing PromptWRITING SITUATIONAs a sixth grader, you have already made a change in friends.

Think about this change and why it happened.WRITING INSTRUCTIONSNow write to explain why you made a change in friends.

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Chapter Ten Answer Key


A top score response would resemble the following:

The trap door spider’s home serves several purposes. First, it is waterproof and is six totwelve inches deep to serve as protection from enemies. Also, the home serves as a trap forthe spider to catch its food.



The trap-door spider has learned to protect itself from enemies. It uses its home as a refugefrom enemies. The spider uses its jaw and legs to hold the door shut to keep enemies fromentering its home. It also will spin silk to secure the door even more strongly from enemies.

Chapter Eleven Answer Key



The picture has a caterpillar forming a cocoon and then emerging as a butterfly. Thus, atransformation must be taking place.

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Chapter Twelve FCAT PracticeTheme: Improving Your Writing

Cause and Effect1. Read the Professional Model on page 293.

The climate caused extreme difficulty in the discovery of the North Pole. Support thisstatement with details from the text. Use the extended response box to answer this question.

FCAT Writing Prompt

WRITING SITUATION

Most teens are familiar with the idea of extraterrestrial life.

Think about extraterrestrial life and whether it is possible or just a hoax.


Now write to explain your opinions about extraterrestrial life.

Chapter Fourteen FCAT PracticeTheme: Tornado Effects

Cause and EffectRead all the student models on pages 315, 317, and 318 before answering question 1.

1. Tornadoes are acts of nature that can produce strange events in life. Support this statementwith details from the text. Use the extended response box to answer this question.

FCAT Writing PromptWRITING SITUATIONAs a teen you have heard of a strange or bizarre happening in nature.

Think about this event and whether it was real or imaginary.WRITING INSTRUCTIONS

Now write to give your opinion of this event.

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Chapter Twelve Answer Key



The climate caused problems with discovery of the North Pole. First, the temperature wasfifty degrees below zero, causing frostbite and exhaustion for the explorers. The extremetemperatures also caused freezing water and thin ice conditions, leading to an explorer’sfalling through the water and drowning.

Chapter Fourteen Answer Key



Tornadoes have caused strange events to happen. First, in one town the people saw, flyingthrough the air, chimneys that had been torn away from homes. Next, frogs were lifted intothe air from their ponds and later due to gravity came down like rain. Another instance waswhen a family lost all of their business papers, but the tornado dropped them in a town 150miles away. Also, chickens have had their feathers plucked by tornado winds and have notbeen harmed. Another example is that people and their homes have been moved withoutharm to nearby areas. These are just a few examples of how tornadoes can cause strangeevents.

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Chapter Twenty-two FCAT PracticeTheme: Problem-Solving

Author’s Purpose1. Read “How Racism Affects Children” on page 391.


A. to explain to the reader how racism is learned by childrenB. to inform the reader how racism can be passed to othersC. to demonstrate to the reader ways to stop racism from happeningD. to suggest to the reader that parents should not model racism

FCAT Writing Prompt

WRITING SITUATIONEveryone has experienced different problems in life.

Think about a problem that you have faced and how you handled it.


Now write to explain the problem and how you resolved it.

Chapter Twenty-two Answer Key

Author’s Purpose1. LA.A.2.3.2 Identifies the author’s purpose and/or point of view in a variety of texts

and uses the information to construct meaning.


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Chapter Twenty-four FCAT PracticeTheme:Short Story and Poems

Read “The Lion and the Peculiar Purple Peach” on page 407 to answer the following questions.

Elements of the Story1. What is the conflict of this story? Support your answer with details from the text. Use the

short response box to answer this question.

2. How would you describe the tigress’s character? Support your answer with details from thetext. Use the short answer box to answer the question.

Main Idea and Supporting Details3. Read “Who” on page 412.

Martin Luther King Jr. made a stand for equal rights. Support this statement with detailsfrom the text. Use the graphic organizer to gather details; then use the extended responsebox to answer the question.

Martin Luther King Jr. stood for equal rights.

FCAT Writing Prompt

WRITING SITUATIONYou have heard that your school district is considering year round school.

Think about year round school and whether it is a good or a bad thing.

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Now write to explain your opinion on year round school.

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Chapter Twenty-four Answer Key

1 LA.E.2.3.1 Understands how character and plot development, point of view, and toneare used in various selections to support a central conflict or story line.


The conflict of this story is that the lion is in a struggle with the other animals. He is intenton stealing their goods. This can be seen when he takes the blackberries from the panther,the bananas from the lion, the coconuts from the monkey, the fox’s strawberries, and theother fruits from the various animals.

2. LA.E.2.3.1 Understands how character and plot development, point of view, and toneare used in various selections to support a central conflict or story line.


The tigress was sly because she watched what the lion was doing and set a trap for him toget all the fruit back to its original owner. She was also honest since she could not let thelion do all this stealing, and she was helpful because she got all the fruit back to the rightfulowner.


Answers for chart: stood up for rights speeches said “Let freedom ring.” judge a person by his character not his color said let all be free

These details can be used to complete the extended response.

LA.A.2.3.1 Determines the main idea or essential message in a text and identifiesrelevant details and facts and patterns of organization.


Martin Luther King Jr. stood for equal rights. He made many speeches that said, “Letfreedom ring.” He also made it known that you should not judge a person by his color butby his character. He also stated that all should be free. Thus, he stood up for the rights ofall.

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Student Resources FCAT Practice

Supporting Details1. Read “What Is a Noun?” on page 533.

Archaeological discoveries have been found by accident. Support this statement with detailsfrom the text. Use the short response box to answer this question.

Supporting Details/Cause and Effect2. Read “What Is an Adverb?” on page 547.

Because Sacajawea was a Native American, she became a valuable member of the Lewisand Clark exploration team. Support this statement with details from the text. Use the shortresponse box to answer this question.

Main Idea3. Read the corrected version below of “Commas in Sentences,” from pages 557 – 558.

In 1928, Alexander Fleming, a British scientist, accidentally discovered a solution to aserious medical problem. While working at a London hospital, Fleming had begun to studystaphylococci, a strain of bacteria. His research involved preparing bacteria cultures,examining any changes in the cultures, and recording any important findings.

One day Fleming noticed something strange while cleaning his laboratory equipment.Inside one dish, a small patch of mold grew. Fleming wondered how this could be. Afterall, the bacteria were known to harm most living things. He realized almost instantly thatthis mold held the answer to the great medical problem. In time Fleming and otherscientists used the mold to develop penicillin, the world’s first antibiotic drug. Today, whenpatients recover from pneumonia, peritonitis, and other serious infections treated withpenicillin, they have Fleming to thank.

Give the reading a title. Support your title with details from the text. Use the short responsebox to answer this question.

Supporting Details4. The corrected version below of “Semicolons and Colons” from page 559.

In 1609, Galileo Galilei built his own telescope to study the night sky. Using this device,he made the following observation: spots on the sun, crags on the Earth’s moon, and moonscircling Jupiter. Galileo’s discoveries were remarkable; they eventually led to greateradvances in astronomy and physics. At the time, however, his work was widely criticizedby authorities.

Leaders were particularly upset by Galileo’s view of the Earth and its relationship to thesun. They believed that the Earth was the center of the universe. Galileo, however,supported an entirely different opinion; it caused him a great deal of trouble. Galileo

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observed scientifically that planets, including the Earth, all revolved around the sun. Galileopublished his theory in 1632; as a result, he was punished. Galileo experienced manyhardships at the hands of his enemies: trials, isolation, and house arrest. Through it all, heremained true to his beliefs and to science.

A good title for this selection could be “Galileo Sticks by Theory.” Support this title withdetails from the text. Use the short response box to answer this question.

Supporting Detail4. Read the corrected version below of “Apostrophes” from page 560.

Have you ever wondered how some places were named? Well, there’s an amusing storybehind Greenland’s name. Contrary to what you might think, Greenland, the largest islandin the world, was not named for its rich green fields. In fact, only the coasts of Greenlandturn green, and this change occurs only during the island’s summers. No, the name comesfrom an ancient trick.

According to historians, the Vikings’ interest in settling new areas prompted the namingof Greenland. The Vikings are said to have called this frigid place Greenland in order toentice people to move there, far away from their homes. Apparently, the Vikings’ trick wassuccessful in attracting some families to Greenland.

Today, Greenland is populated almost entirely by Inuit and Danish people. Thoughthey’re able to farm in the country’s southwestern coastal areas, Greenlanders spend moretime fishing, hunting, or sheep herding.

Even though they were duped into moving to Greenland, Greenland’s inhabitants havelearned to live on this island. Support this statement with details from the text. Use the shortresponse box to answer this question.

Comparison and Contrast6. Read the “Comparison-and-Contrast Essay” on page 565 to prepare a Venn Diagram to

compare and contrast potential and kinetic energy.

potential kinetic

Main Idea and Supporting Details7. Title this article and support your title with details from the text. Use the short response box

to answer this question.

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Student Resources Answer Key



Archaeological discoveries have been found by accident. For example, a young girl and herfather in Spain accidentally discovered 12,000-year-old paintings of animals in a cave inSpain. Another example is that of a Palestinian boy who was looking for his lost goat andstumbled upon a cave that held ancient biblical scrolls.


LA.E.2.2.1 Recognizes cause-and-effect relationships in literary texts.


Because Sacajawea was a Shoshone Indian, she was very familiar with Native Americanculture. This helped her to translate for the exploration to the Northwest and to reassure thedifferent tribes along the way of their intent. She also was able to help the expedition withfinding food.


An acceptable title must be supported with details from the selection.



Galileo did stick by his theory. As a result of its publication, he was punished by trials,isolation, and arrest. His enemies caused him a great deal of trouble, but none of this troublemade him change from his findings.


A top-score would be similar to the following:

Greenland’s people have learned to live on the island. Since it is an island, they havelearned to fish for food. Also, even though Greenland is not really green, the islanders havelearned to farm along the southwestern coast during the summer. They also hunt and herdsheep to make a living.


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Student responses for the Venn Diagram must be details taken from the text.


The title given for the selection must be supported with details from the text.

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FCAT BENCHMARKS

Context Clues/InferencesLA.A.1.3.2. Uses a variety of strategies to analyze words and text, draw conclusions, use context and word

structure clues, and recognize organizational patterns.

Comparison and ContrastLA.A.2.2.7 Recognizes the use of comparison and contrast in a text.

Main Idea and Supporting DetailsLA.A.2.3.1 Determines the main idea or essential message in a text and identifies relevant details and facts and

patterns of organization.

Author’s PurposeLA.A.2.3.2 Identifies the author’s purpose and/or point of view in a variety of texts and uses the information to

construct meaning.

Classroom ResearchLA.A.2.3.5 Locates, organizes, and interprets written information for a variety of purposes, including classroom

research, collaborative decision-making, and performing a school or real-world task.

Reference materialsLA.A.2.3.6 Uses a variety of reference materials including indexes, magazines, newspapers, journals, and tools,

including card catalogs and computer catalogs, to gather information for research projects.

Synthesizing InformationLA.A.2.3.7 Synthesizes and separates collected information into useful components using a variety of techniques,

such as source cards, note cards, spreadsheets, and outlines.

Cause and EffectLA.E.2.2.1 Recognizes cause-and-effect relationships in literary texts.

Strong Vs Weak / Fact and OpinionLA.A.2.3.8 Checks the validity and accuracy of information obtained from research, in such ways as differentiating

fact and opinion, identifying strong vs. weak arguments, and recognizing that personal values influence theconclusions an author draws.

Literary DevicesLA.E.2.3.1 Understands how character and plot development, point of view, and tone are used in various selections

to support a central conflict or story line.LA.E.2.3.2 Recognizes complex elements of plot, including setting, character development, conflicts, andresolutions.

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SHORT RESPONSE ANSWER BOXES

Short Response: Use details and information from the reading to explainyour answer.


READTHINK

EXPLAIN

READTHINK

EXPLAIN

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EXTENDED RESPONSE ANSWER BOX

Extended Response: Use details and information from the reading toexplain your answer.

READTHINK

EXPLAIN

__________________________________________________

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Extended Response: Use details and information from the reading toexplain your answer.


READTHINK

EXPLAIN

READTHINK

EXPLAIN

__________________________________________________

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