Common Core: Kindergarten English Language Arts : Reading
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: Kindergarten English Language Arts
All Common Core: Kindergarten English Language Arts Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Key Ideas And Details
Text 1
Pets are animals that live with people. Pets are fun to have. There are many types of pets that people have.
A gold fish is a type of pet. Gold fish live in fish tanks filled with water. Gold fish use fins to swim in fish tanks.
A cat is another type of pet. Cats can live outside or inside. Cats walk and run on four legs.
A dog is another type of pet. Dogs can be big or small in size. Like cats, dogs walk and run on four legs.
There are many other animals that people could have as a pet. But, fish, cats, and dogs are what most people have as pets.
Text 2
Dogs are great pets to have. Dogs can be big or small, but they all have fur and walk and run on four legs.
When dogs are first born they are called puppies. Once a puppy gets older it’s only called a dog.
Dogs can learn many tricks. Dogs can learn to sit, lay down, and shake. Most people give dogs treats when they are teaching them tricks.
Most dogs like to be around people. If you plan to get a dog as a pet, be ready to love the dog, because the dog will love you!
According to Text 1, what do cats and dogs have in common?
They can learn tricks
They like to be around people
They walk and run on four legs
They can live inside or outside
They walk and run on four legs
The question tells us to look at Text 1. We are looking for what cats and dogs have in common, so we should reread the section that talks about cats and dogs.
A cat is another type of pet. Cats can live outside or inside. Cats walk and run on four legs.
A dog is another type of pet. Dogs can be big or small in size. Like cats, dogs walk and run on four legs.
Cats and dogs both walk and run on four legs.
Example Question #1 : Reading
Grow Flower, Grow by Marie Smith
A flower starts out as a very small seed.
The seed gets planted in the dirt.
The seed needs lots of water to help it grow.
Soon, a green stem and green leaves will poke out of the dirt.
Then, a flower will start to bloom.
Water and sunlight are a flower's food.
So, water and sunlight will help keep a flower alive.
What do flowers need in order to live?
planted
grow
green
water
water
The text tells us that the seed needs water to grow, and that to keep the flower alive, water is needed.
"Water" is the correct answer.
Example Question #114 : Common Core: Kindergarten English Language Arts
Baby Animals
Baby animals have many different names.
A baby cat is called a kitten.
A baby dog is called a puppy.
A baby chicken is called a chick.
A baby lion is called a cub.
A baby cow is called a calf.
A baby goat is called a kid.
A baby sheep is called a lamb.
A baby horse is called a foal.
A baby elephant is called a calf.
A baby bear is called a cub.
A baby fox is called a pup.
Which two baby animals are called a calf?
lion and dog
cow and elephant
dog and fox
cow and goat
cow and elephant
In the text it says “a baby cow is called a calf” and “a baby elephant is called a calf.”
Example Question #2 : Find Connections
Baby Animals
Baby animals have many different names.
A baby cat is called a kitten.
A baby dog is called a puppy.
A baby chicken is called a chick.
A baby lion is called a cub.
A baby cow is called a calf.
A baby goat is called a kid.
A baby sheep is called a lamb.
A baby horse is called a foal.
A baby elephant is called a calf.
A baby bear is called a cub.
A baby fox is called a pup.
How are a kitten and a chick alike?
A kitten and a chick both hatch from an egg
A kitten and a chick are both nice
A kitten and a chick are both baby animals
A kitten and a chick are both good pets
A kitten and a chick are both baby animals
The words kitten and chick are both used when describing the name of the baby animal. The other choices are not stated in the text.
Example Question #3 : Find Connections
Baby Animals
Baby animals have many different names.
A baby cat is called a kitten.
A baby dog is called a puppy.
A baby chicken is called a chick.
A baby lion is called a cub.
A baby cow is called a calf.
A baby goat is called a kid.
A baby sheep is called a lamb.
A baby horse is called a foal.
A baby elephant is called a calf.
A baby bear is called a cub.
A baby fox is called a pup.
How are a kitten and a chick different?
A kitten is an adult and a chick is a baby
A kitten is a baby and a chick is an adult
A kitten is small and a chick is big
A kitten has 4 legs and a chick has 2 legs
A kitten has 4 legs and a chick has 2 legs
Students can use their background knowledge to determine that a kitten has 4 legs and a chick only has 2 legs. Options "A kitten is an adult and a chick is a baby" and "A kitten is a baby and a chick is an adult" are incorrect because kitten and chick are both the names of baby animals. Option "A kitten is small and a chick is big" is incorrect because the text does not talk about size.
Example Question #4 : Find Connections
Penguins
Penguins are birds.
Like all birds, penguins have feathers and lay eggs.
Penguins live on land and in water. Some penguins live in cold places. Some penguins live in warm places.
Penguins can be different sizes. Some penguins are big. Some penguins are small.
Penguins can be different colors. Some penguins are black and white. Some penguins are blue and white. Some penguins are all black. Some penguins have yellow or orange spots.
Penguins are birds but penguins cannot fly.
Some penguins walk. Penguins can walk on ice.
Some penguins slide. Penguins can slide on snow.
Some penguins hop. Penguins can hop on rocks.
All penguins are good swimmers. Penguins use their wings to help them swim.
Penguins are amazing birds.
According to the text, how are penguins different from most birds?
Penguins lay eggs
Penguins cannot fly
Penguins come in many sizes
Penguins cannot swim
Penguins cannot fly
The text says “penguins are birds BUT they cannot fly.” The word but shows that this is something different.
Example Question #1 : Find Connections
Penguins
Penguins are birds.
Like all birds, penguins have feathers and lay eggs.
Penguins live on land and in water. Some penguins live in cold places. Some penguins live in warm places.
Penguins can be different sizes. Some penguins are big. Some penguins are small.
Penguins can be different colors. Some penguins are black and white. Some penguins are blue and white. Some penguins are all black. Some penguins have yellow or orange spots.
Penguins are birds but penguins cannot fly.
Some penguins walk. Penguins can walk on ice.
Some penguins slide. Penguins can slide on snow.
Some penguins hop. Penguins can hop on rocks.
All penguins are good swimmers. Penguins use their wings to help them swim.
Penguins are amazing birds.
According to the text, how are penguins similar to most birds?
Penguins fly
Penguins eat fish
Penguins live in water
Penguins have feathers
Penguins have feathers
In the second sentence the word "like" demonstrates that the facts are about both most birds and penguins.
Example Question #125 : Common Core: Kindergarten English Language Arts
Arctic Animals
The Arctic is one of the coldest places on Earth. It is covered in ice and snow and the temperature can drop below freezing. Living in the Arctic is very difficult but many animals call the Arctic home.
Arctic hares live in the Arctic. In the summer, the Arctic hare has brown fur. In the winter the hare’s fur grows thicker and warmer. Their fur also turns white in the winter.
Snowy owls live in the Arctic. They have small ears to keep in heat. Unlike most owls, the snowy owl hunts during the day.
Arctic foxes live in the Arctic. They have thick, white fur to keep them warm and stay safe from predators.
Wolves live in the Arctic. They have thick white and gray fur. Groups of arctic wolves hunt together in packs.
Harp seals live in the Arctic. Adult harp seals have a thick layer of fat, called blubber. Blubber keeps seals warm in the cold, icy arctic water. Baby seals have thick white fur.
Penguins live in the Arctic. Penguins have webbed feet to help them walk on the ice. Penguins are very good swimmers. They use their wings to help them swim. Penguins have a waterproof coat of feathers to help then stay dry and warm in the icy, Arctic water.
Polar bears live in the Arctic. Polar bears have thick, white fur to stay warm. They even have fur on the bottoms of their feet. Polar bears also have thick blubber.
Why does a hare’s fur turn white in the winter?
Because their fur is frozen.
To help them blend in with the snow.
To keep them warm.
To keep them warm in the icy water.
To help them blend in with the snow.
In the winter the hare’s fur changes to white to help them blend in with the white snow. There is more snow in the winter. The hare’s fur grows thicker to help them stay warm (the color of the fur does not help them stay warm).
Example Question #7 : Key Ideas And Details
Arctic Animals
The Arctic is one of the coldest places on Earth. It is covered in ice and snow and the temperature can drop below freezing. Living in the Arctic is very difficult but many animals call the Arctic home.
Arctic hares live in the Arctic. In the summer, the Arctic hare has brown fur. In the winter the hare’s fur grows thicker and warmer. Their fur also turns white in the winter.
Snowy owls live in the Arctic. They have small ears to keep in heat. Unlike most owls, the snowy owl hunts during the day.
Arctic foxes live in the Arctic. They have thick, white fur to keep them warm and stay safe from predators.
Wolves live in the Arctic. They have thick white and gray fur. Groups of arctic wolves hunt together in packs.
Harp seals live in the Arctic. Adult harp seals have a thick layer of fat, called blubber. Blubber keeps seals warm in the cold, icy arctic water. Baby seals have thick white fur.
Penguins live in the Arctic. Penguins have webbed feet to help them walk on the ice. Penguins are very good swimmers. They use their wings to help them swim. Penguins have a waterproof coat of feathers to help then stay dry and warm in the icy, Arctic water.
Polar bears live in the Arctic. Polar bears have thick, white fur to stay warm. They even have fur on the bottoms of their feet. Polar bears also have thick blubber.
How does a waterproof coat help the penguin survive in the Arctic?
It helps them blend in with the snow
It helps them walk on the ice
It helps them swim
It keeps away the cold water when they swim
It keeps away the cold water when they swim
Waterproof means keep away water. The text says “penguins have a waterproof coat of feathers to help them stay dry and warm in the icy Arctic water.”
Example Question #5 : Find Connections
Arctic Animals
The Arctic is one of the coldest places on Earth. It is covered in ice and snow and the temperature can drop below freezing. Living in the Arctic is very difficult but many animals call the Arctic home.
Arctic hares live in the Arctic. In the summer, the Arctic hare has brown fur. In the winter the hare’s fur grows thicker and warmer. Their fur also turns white in the winter.
Snowy owls live in the Arctic. They have small ears to keep in heat. Unlike most owls, the snowy owl hunts during the day.
Arctic foxes live in the Arctic. They have thick, white fur to keep them warm and stay safe from predators.
Wolves live in the Arctic. They have thick white and gray fur. Groups of arctic wolves hunt together in packs.
Harp seals live in the Arctic. Adult harp seals have a thick layer of fat, called blubber. Blubber keeps seals warm in the cold, icy arctic water. Baby seals have thick white fur.
Penguins live in the Arctic. Penguins have webbed feet to help them walk on the ice. Penguins are very good swimmers. They use their wings to help them swim. Penguins have a waterproof coat of feathers to help then stay dry and warm in the icy, Arctic water.
Polar bears live in the Arctic. Polar bears have thick, white fur to stay warm. They even have fur on the bottoms of their feet. Polar bears also have thick blubber.
How do small ears help the Snowy Owl survive in the Arctic?
To help the owl fly
To help the owl stay warm
To help them owl hear
To help the owl hunt
To help the owl stay warm
The text says “they have small ears to keep in heat.” Keeping in heat helps keep the owl warm.
All Common Core: Kindergarten English Language Arts Resources
