Common Core: 2nd Grade English Language Arts : Reading
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: 2nd Grade English Language Arts
All Common Core: 2nd Grade English Language Arts Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Key Ideas And Details
Adapted from "The Pig Brother" by Laura E. Richards (1908)
There was once a child who was untidy. He left his books on the floor, and his muddy shoes on the table; he put his fingers in the jam-pots, and spilled ink on his best pinafore; there was really no end to his untidiness.
One day the Tidy Angel came into his nursery.
“This will never do!” said the Angel. “This is really shocking. You must go out and stay with your brother while I set things to rights here.”
“I have no brother!” said the child.
“Yes, you have!” said the Angel. “You may not know him, but he will know you. Go out in the garden and watch for him, and he will soon come.”
“I don’t know what you mean!” said the child; but he went out into the garden and waited.
Presently a squirrel came along, whisking his tail.
“Are you my brother?” asked the child.
The squirrel looked him over carefully.
“Well, I should hope not!” he said. “My fur is neat and smooth, my nest is handsomely made, and in perfect order, and my young ones are properly brought up. Why do you insult me by asking such a question?”
He whisked off, and the child waited.
Presently a wren came hopping by.
“Are you my brother?” asked the child.
“No indeed!” said the wren. “What impertinence! You will find no tidier person than I in the whole garden. Not a feather is out of place, and my eggs are the wonder of all for smoothness and beauty. Brother, indeed!” He hopped off, ruffling his feathers, and the child waited.
By and by a large Tommy Cat came along.
“Are you my brother?” asked the child.
“Go and look at yourself in the glass,” said the Tommy Cat haughtily, “and you will have your answer. I have been washing myself in the sun all the morning, while it is clear that no water has come near you for a long time. There are no such creatures as you in my family, I am humbly thankful to say.”
He walked on, waving his tail, and the child waited.
Presently a pig came trotting along.
The child did not wish to ask the pig if he were his brother, but the pig did not wait to be asked.
“Hallo, brother!” he grunted.
“I am not your brother!” said the child.
“Oh, yes, you are!” said the pig. “I confess I am not proud of you, but there is no mistaking the members of our family. Come along, and have a good roll in the barnyard! There is some lovely black mud there.”
“I don’t like to roll in mud!” said the child.
“Tell that to the hens!” said the pig brother. “Look at your hands, and your shoes, and your pinafore! Come along, I say! You may have some of the pig-wash for supper, if there is more than I want.”
“I don’t want pig-wash!” said the child; and he began to cry.
Just then the Tidy Angel came out.
“I have set everything to rights,” she said, “and so it must stay. Now, will you go with the Pig Brother, or will you come back with me, and be a tidy child?”
“With you, with you!” cried the child; and he clung to the Angel’s dress.
The Pig Brother grunted.
“Small loss!” he said. “There will be all the more wash for me!” and he trotted on.
How did the boy respond when he learned that the pig was his brother?
He was excited
He was happy
He did not care
He was upset
He was upset
The boy was upset when he found out the pig was his brother. He didn't want to ask the pig when he first saw him, because he didn't want to know the answer.
Presently a pig came trotting along.
The child did not wish to ask the pig if he were his brother, but the pig did not wait to be asked.
“Hallo, brother!” he grunted.
“I am not your brother!” said the child.
“Oh, yes, you are!” said the pig. “I confess I am not proud of you, but there is no mistaking the members of our family. Come along, and have a good roll in the barnyard! There is some lovely black mud there.”
“I don’t like to roll in mud!” said the child.
“Tell that to the hens!” said the pig brother. “Look at your hands, and your shoes, and your pinafore! Come along, I say! You may have some of the pig-wash for supper, if there is more than I want.”
“I don’t want pig-wash!” said the child; and he began to cry.
Because the boy began to cry, he was upset.
Example Question #2 : Key Ideas And Details
Seed to Plant
A plant starts as a small seed. Different seeds become different plants. It is a long journey from a seed to a plant.
First, a seed must travel and find its spot in the dirt. Seeds must travel before they find the spot they will call home. Some seeds travel very far before they finally land. Wind can spread seeds long distances. Other seeds are carried and dropped by animals, such as squirrels or birds. Animals can carry seeds many miles before dropping them in the dirt.
Next, seeds need water. Soon the seed breaks open and roots begin to grow down into the ground. The roots grow and grow. Roots soak up water and nutrients from the soil. The roots will also hold the plant in place. Roots have many important jobs. After the roots carry water and nutrients back to the seed, a small stem forms and pops out of the ground.
The small stem continues to grow. The stem grows up towards the sun, where the plant will get its food. Now leaves begin to form on the stem. The leaves soak up more water and sunlight to help the plant grow. Plants create their own food using the energy they get from the sun.
Seeds and plants depend on sunlight and water to grow. Water and sunlight are food for plants. Some plants have very large leaves, while others have smaller leaves or even no leaves at all. The size of the leaves depends on how much water and sunlight the plant gets. A plant in a shady area or a place with little sun has larger leaves than a plant in an area with lots of sunlight and water.
Many adult plants grow flowers and or fruit. Flowers and fruit make more seeds. These seeds will drop and spread and soon start their journey to becoming new plants.
What causes roots to begin to grow?
The stem grows leaves
The seeds gets plenty of sunlight
The seed gets plenty of water
The roots take in nutrient from the soil
The seed gets plenty of water
After the seed gets dropped in the dirt, it begins to soak up water. According to the text, “First a seed must travel and find its spot in the dirt…Next, seeds need water. Soon the seed breaks open and roots begin to grow.”
Example Question #3 : Key Ideas And Details
Seed to Plant
A plant starts as a small seed. Different seeds become different plants. It is a long journey from a seed to a plant.
First, a seed must travel and find its spot in the dirt. Seeds must travel before they find the spot they will call home. Some seeds travel very far before they finally land. Wind can spread seeds long distances. Other seeds are carried and dropped by animals, such as squirrels or birds. Animals can carry seeds many miles before dropping them in the dirt.
Next, seeds need water. Soon the seed breaks open and roots begin to grow down into the ground. The roots grow and grow. Roots soak up water and nutrients from the soil. The roots will also hold the plant in place. Roots have many important jobs. After the roots carry water and nutrients back to the seed, a small stem forms and pops out of the ground.
The small stem continues to grow. The stem grows up towards the sun, where the plant will get its food. Now leaves begin to form on the stem. The leaves soak up more water and sunlight to help the plant grow. Plants create their own food using the energy they get from the sun.
Seeds and plants depend on sunlight and water to grow. Water and sunlight are food for plants. Some plants have very large leaves, while others have smaller leaves or even no leaves at all. The size of the leaves depends on how much water and sunlight the plant gets. A plant in a shady area or a place with little sun has larger leaves than a plant in an area with lots of sunlight and water.
Many adult plants grow flowers and or fruit. Flowers and fruit make more seeds. These seeds will drop and spread and soon start their journey to becoming new plants.
What would happen if no roots grew?
The plant would grow fruit instead of flowers
The plant would not get enough nutrients to grow
The plant would not grow flowers
The plant would grow smaller leaves
The plant would not get enough nutrients to grow
If no roots grew no stem or plant would be able to grow. The roots soak up water and nutrient from the soil so the stem can begin to grow. Without the water or nutrients, no plant would grow.
Example Question #4 : Key Ideas And Details
Seed to Plant
A plant starts as a small seed. Different seeds become different plants. It is a long journey from a seed to a plant.
First, a seed must travel and find its spot in the dirt. Seeds must travel before they find the spot they will call home. Some seeds travel very far before they finally land. Wind can spread seeds long distances. Other seeds are carried and dropped by animals, such as squirrels or birds. Animals can carry seeds many miles before dropping them in the dirt.
Next, seeds need water. Soon the seed breaks open and roots begin to grow down into the ground. The roots grow and grow. Roots soak up water and nutrients from the soil. The roots will also hold the plant in place. Roots have many important jobs. After the roots carry water and nutrients back to the seed, a small stem forms and pops out of the ground.
The small stem continues to grow. The stem grows up towards the sun, where the plant will get its food. Now leaves begin to form on the stem. The leaves soak up more water and sunlight to help the plant grow. Plants create their own food using the energy they get from the sun.
Seeds and plants depend on sunlight and water to grow. Water and sunlight are food for plants. Some plants have very large leaves, while others have smaller leaves or even no leaves at all. The size of the leaves depends on how much water and sunlight the plant gets. A plant in a shady area or a place with little sun has larger leaves than a plant in an area with lots of sunlight and water.
Many adult plants grow flowers and or fruit. Flowers and fruit make more seeds. These seeds will drop and spread and soon start their journey to becoming new plants.
Why does the stem of a plant grow up?
To get soak up water and nutrients from the soil
To grow closer to the sun
To attract animals and insects
To get more wind and breeze on hot days
To grow closer to the sun
The stem of a plant grows up towards the sun. Plants make their own food from energy from the sun. Plants want to get closer to the sun to get more energy and food to grow.
Example Question #2 : Key Ideas And Details
What determines the size and shape of a plant’s leaves?
What kind of animal carries the seed to its home
How many petals the flower has
How long a seed’s roots grow into the soil
How much sunlight and water the plant has access to
How much sunlight and water the plant has access to
The size and shape of a plant’s leaves depends on how much sun and water it has access to. A plant in a shady area with little sun will grow large leaves in order to get as much sunlight and water as possible. A plant in an environment with a lot of sun will grow smaller leaves.
Example Question #6 : Key Ideas And Details
No Big Deal
Last weekend David invited me to go camping with him and his dad. I had never been camping before and I didn’t know what to expect.
We packed the car early in the morning and got on the road. A little while later we heard a loud POP then a “SCREEEETCH” sound. The car tire had popped. Out we went to help David’s dad change the tire. “No big deal,” said David’s dad.
When we finally got to the campsite we were starving, but we had to set up the tents and find wood for the fire. I had never made dinner using a campfire before – I wonder what it will taste like. David and I were putting together our tent when I felt something drop on my head…then again…and next on my nose. When I looked up the rain started to pour down.
“No big deal!” David’s dad smiled and said as we hurried into the tent. He pulled out some sandwiches and sodas to eat while we waited for the rain to stop. Before long the sky cleared and we finished setting up the tents.
“Time for a campfire and spooky stories,” yelled David as he came running over with the matches.
David’s dad tried and tried but the wood was too wet from the rain. “No big deal,” said David’s dad as he pulled out 3 flashlights. We sat around the flashlights telling silly, spooky stories until finally we headed to bed.
The next morning the sky was clear and blue and the temperature was nice and warm. Perfect for fishing! We pushed the canoe off the banks and paddled out to the middle of the lake, casting our lines into the clear water. After an hour we still hadn’t caught any fish. I looked at David’s dad, whose smile, which he had kept through the flat tire, rain and lack of campfire, had turned into a frown.
But then I had an idea! “NO BIG DEAL!” I exclaimed, as I grabbed my backpack from the back of the canoe. “Fish for everyone!” I shouted and pulled out the bag of Sweedish fish I had packed for our trip. David’s dad looked up and his smile was back!
We started to eat our candy fish and make fishy faces when we noticed the water below our feet. The boat had a leak and was quickly filling with water. David and I bucketed out the rising water while David’s dad paddled as fast as he could back to the shore. By nightfall the wood had all dried from the rain the night before. We made s’mores and told funny stories around the campfire.
I never knew camping could be so eventful. I can’t wait until my next camping trip!
How does the narrator feel about going camping in the beginning of the story?
Disappointed
Excited
Angry
Nervous
Nervous
The narrator was nervous, or worried, because he had never been camping before and did not know what it would be like.
Example Question #7 : Key Ideas And Details
No Big Deal
Last weekend David invited me to go camping with him and his dad. I had never been camping before and I didn’t know what to expect.
We packed the car early in the morning and got on the road. A little while later we heard a loud POP then a “SCREEEETCH” sound. The car tire had popped. Out we went to help David’s dad change the tire. “No big deal,” said David’s dad.
When we finally got to the campsite we were starving, but we had to set up the tents and find wood for the fire. I had never made dinner using a campfire before – I wonder what it will taste like. David and I were putting together our tent when I felt something drop on my head…then again…and next on my nose. When I looked up the rain started to pour down.
“No big deal!” David’s dad smiled and said as we hurried into the tent. He pulled out some sandwiches and sodas to eat while we waited for the rain to stop. Before long the sky cleared and we finished setting up the tents.
“Time for a campfire and spooky stories,” yelled David as he came running over with the matches.
David’s dad tried and tried but the wood was too wet from the rain. “No big deal,” said David’s dad as he pulled out 3 flashlights. We sat around the flashlights telling silly, spooky stories until finally we headed to bed.
The next morning the sky was clear and blue and the temperature was nice and warm. Perfect for fishing! We pushed the canoe off the banks and paddled out to the middle of the lake, casting our lines into the clear water. After an hour we still hadn’t caught any fish. I looked at David’s dad, whose smile, which he had kept through the flat tire, rain and lack of campfire, had turned into a frown.
But then I had an idea! “NO BIG DEAL!” I exclaimed, as I grabbed my backpack from the back of the canoe. “Fish for everyone!” I shouted and pulled out the bag of Sweedish fish I had packed for our trip. David’s dad looked up and his smile was back!
We started to eat our candy fish and make fishy faces when we noticed the water below our feet. The boat had a leak and was quickly filling with water. David and I bucketed out the rising water while David’s dad paddled as fast as he could back to the shore. By nightfall the wood had all dried from the rain the night before. We made s’mores and told funny stories around the campfire.
I never knew camping could be so eventful. I can’t wait until my next camping trip!
What problem did the characters face on their way to the camp site?
The tire popped
The boat was sinking
It started to rain
There was no food
The tire popped
A problem is something that goes wrong. On the way to the campsite the car tire popped, and the characters had to fix it.
Example Question #2 : Determine How Characters Respond To Events
No Big Deal
Last weekend David invited me to go camping with him and his dad. I had never been camping before and I didn’t know what to expect.
We packed the car early in the morning and got on the road. A little while later we heard a loud POP then a “SCREEEETCH” sound. The car tire had popped. Out we went to help David’s dad change the tire. “No big deal,” said David’s dad.
When we finally got to the campsite we were starving, but we had to set up the tents and find wood for the fire. I had never made dinner using a campfire before – I wonder what it will taste like. David and I were putting together our tent when I felt something drop on my head…then again…and next on my nose. When I looked up the rain started to pour down.
“No big deal!” David’s dad smiled and said as we hurried into the tent. He pulled out some sandwiches and sodas to eat while we waited for the rain to stop. Before long the sky cleared and we finished setting up the tents.
“Time for a campfire and spooky stories,” yelled David as he came running over with the matches.
David’s dad tried and tried but the wood was too wet from the rain. “No big deal,” said David’s dad as he pulled out 3 flashlights. We sat around the flashlights telling silly, spooky stories until finally we headed to bed.
The next morning the sky was clear and blue and the temperature was nice and warm. Perfect for fishing! We pushed the canoe off the banks and paddled out to the middle of the lake, casting our lines into the clear water. After an hour we still hadn’t caught any fish. I looked at David’s dad, whose smile, which he had kept through the flat tire, rain and lack of campfire, had turned into a frown.
But then I had an idea! “NO BIG DEAL!” I exclaimed, as I grabbed my backpack from the back of the canoe. “Fish for everyone!” I shouted and pulled out the bag of Sweedish fish I had packed for our trip. David’s dad looked up and his smile was back!
We started to eat our candy fish and make fishy faces when we noticed the water below our feet. The boat had a leak and was quickly filling with water. David and I bucketed out the rising water while David’s dad paddled as fast as he could back to the shore. By nightfall the wood had all dried from the rain the night before. We made s’mores and told funny stories around the campfire.
I never knew camping could be so eventful. I can’t wait until my next camping trip!
How does David’s dad feel when it starts to rain?
He is excited because he loves to jump in puddles
He is angry that the rain is ruining the camping trip
He is worried because he did not bring his rain jacket
He is not worried because it will pass
He is not worried because it will pass
David’s dad is not worried. He says “No big deal!” which shows that he is not angry or upset. He has the characters go into the tent to have a snack until it stops raining.
Example Question #9 : Key Ideas And Details
No Big Deal
Last weekend David invited me to go camping with him and his dad. I had never been camping before and I didn’t know what to expect.
We packed the car early in the morning and got on the road. A little while later we heard a loud POP then a “SCREEEETCH” sound. The car tire had popped. Out we went to help David’s dad change the tire. “No big deal,” said David’s dad.
When we finally got to the campsite we were starving, but we had to set up the tents and find wood for the fire. I had never made dinner using a campfire before – I wonder what it will taste like. David and I were putting together our tent when I felt something drop on my head…then again…and next on my nose. When I looked up the rain started to pour down.
“No big deal!” David’s dad smiled and said as we hurried into the tent. He pulled out some sandwiches and sodas to eat while we waited for the rain to stop. Before long the sky cleared and we finished setting up the tents.
“Time for a campfire and spooky stories,” yelled David as he came running over with the matches.
David’s dad tried and tried but the wood was too wet from the rain. “No big deal,” said David’s dad as he pulled out 3 flashlights. We sat around the flashlights telling silly, spooky stories until finally we headed to bed.
The next morning the sky was clear and blue and the temperature was nice and warm. Perfect for fishing! We pushed the canoe off the banks and paddled out to the middle of the lake, casting our lines into the clear water. After an hour we still hadn’t caught any fish. I looked at David’s dad, whose smile, which he had kept through the flat tire, rain and lack of campfire, had turned into a frown.
But then I had an idea! “NO BIG DEAL!” I exclaimed, as I grabbed my backpack from the back of the canoe. “Fish for everyone!” I shouted and pulled out the bag of Sweedish fish I had packed for our trip. David’s dad looked up and his smile was back!
We started to eat our candy fish and make fishy faces when we noticed the water below our feet. The boat had a leak and was quickly filling with water. David and I bucketed out the rising water while David’s dad paddled as fast as he could back to the shore. By nightfall the wood had all dried from the rain the night before. We made s’mores and told funny stories around the campfire.
I never knew camping could be so eventful. I can’t wait until my next camping trip!
How do the characters solve the problem when water begins to fill the boat?
They work together to get back to shore
They fix the boat using tools in the narrator’s backpack.
They call for help
They jump into the water to swim to shore
They work together to get back to shore
When the boat begins to sink the characters work together to get back to shore. The narrator and David begin scooping water out of the boat and David’s dad rows quickly.
Example Question #10 : Key Ideas And Details
No Big Deal
Last weekend David invited me to go camping with him and his dad. I had never been camping before and I didn’t know what to expect.
We packed the car early in the morning and got on the road. A little while later we heard a loud POP then a “SCREEEETCH” sound. The car tire had popped. Out we went to help David’s dad change the tire. “No big deal,” said David’s dad.
When we finally got to the campsite we were starving, but we had to set up the tents and find wood for the fire. I had never made dinner using a campfire before – I wonder what it will taste like. David and I were putting together our tent when I felt something drop on my head…then again…and next on my nose. When I looked up the rain started to pour down.
“No big deal!” David’s dad smiled and said as we hurried into the tent. He pulled out some sandwiches and sodas to eat while we waited for the rain to stop. Before long the sky cleared and we finished setting up the tents.
“Time for a campfire and spooky stories,” yelled David as he came running over with the matches.
David’s dad tried and tried but the wood was too wet from the rain. “No big deal,” said David’s dad as he pulled out 3 flashlights. We sat around the flashlights telling silly, spooky stories until finally we headed to bed.
The next morning the sky was clear and blue and the temperature was nice and warm. Perfect for fishing! We pushed the canoe off the banks and paddled out to the middle of the lake, casting our lines into the clear water. After an hour we still hadn’t caught any fish. I looked at David’s dad, whose smile, which he had kept through the flat tire, rain and lack of campfire, had turned into a frown.
But then I had an idea! “NO BIG DEAL!” I exclaimed, as I grabbed my backpack from the back of the canoe. “Fish for everyone!” I shouted and pulled out the bag of Sweedish fish I had packed for our trip. David’s dad looked up and his smile was back!
We started to eat our candy fish and make fishy faces when we noticed the water below our feet. The boat had a leak and was quickly filling with water. David and I bucketed out the rising water while David’s dad paddled as fast as he could back to the shore. By nightfall the wood had all dried from the rain the night before. We made s’mores and told funny stories around the campfire.
I never knew camping could be so eventful. I can’t wait until my next camping trip!
How did the narrator respond when the characters couldn’t catch any fish?
He made David’s dad feel better with a surprise treat
He was relieved because he did not like fish
He was worried they would not have anything to eat for dinner
He was sad and frowning
He made David’s dad feel better with a surprise treat
When the characters could not catch any fish David’s dad was disappointed and sad but the narrator made him feel better by sharing his candy fish instead.
All Common Core: 2nd Grade English Language Arts Resources
