Grade 4 Reading - 2011 Released Test

Directions: Read the story and answer the questions 1 - 8.

Hidden Talents

1 The raindrops danced across the roof of the Oak Camp art room like a million tapping feet. The campers inside didn’t mind, though, because they were busy making kites.

2 “Look,” Nina told the other girls from Bear Cabin. “I added feathers to my kite.”

3 “Wow! It looks like a peacock’s tail,” said Claudia.

4 “Let me fix yours,” offered Nina, and she glued feathers to Claudia’s kite. Then she changed Sara’s and Gaby’s kites too.

5 Their kites look so much better now, Nina thought.

6 Not all the girls were happy, though. “I wanted to make my kite different. It was supposed to look like a dragon,” Gaby whispered to Sara.

7 “I’ll help you fix it later,” Sara responded.

8 Just then, the sun started to poke through the clouds, and the campers walked outside.

9 “Everyone, gather around,” Mrs. Henderson, the camp director, called. “We’re going to play a game called clothespin tag,” she said. “You each get two clothespins to clip on your shirt. Then everyone runs around and tries to capture one another’s clothespins. The girls from the cabin with the highest number of clothespins are declared the winners.”

10 Squeals and shouts filled the air as the campers raced around and chased one another. Everyone had sweaty faces when Mrs. Henderson blew her whistle.

11 “Okay, it’s time to count your clothespins,” she announced. The girls from Bear Cabin reported their total numbers.

12 “I have one,” sighed Claudia.

13 “I captured six,” laughed Gaby.

14 “I have nine,” Nina bragged. “I can teach you how to dodge the other players so you can capture more next time,” she added. Gaby’s smile quickly turned into a frown.

15 “The Bears won,” said Mrs. Henderson a moment later, “and the Eagles came in second place.”

16 “Yes!” cheered Nina as they went inside to eat dinner. The Bears are lucky to have me on their team, she thought. With my help, we’ll get first place in the talent show tonight!

17 However, after dinner, disaster struck! Nina twisted her ankle on her way to the cabin. Even though Nina insisted her ankle was fine, the nurse called her father so he could take her to the doctor.

18 “You still have time to watch the talent show before he arrives,” the nurse said.

19 “Great,” grumbled Nina as the nurse helped her limp into the dining hall. What will the Bears do without me? she thought.

20 The lights in the hall dimmed, and Nina watched the stage. First the Eagles performed a play about an exciting hiking adventure. Then the Foxes told lots of silly jokes. At last it was the Bears’ turn.

21 Nina listened as Sara started to sing in a strong voice. Gaby and Claudia stood next to her and danced a funny jig. Everyone loved their show! Suddenly Nina realized she was always so busy showing the Bears what she could do that she had never given them a chance to be the stars.

22 “You were great,” Nina told the Bears after they won blue ribbons. “I hope we’re in the same cabin next year.”

23 “Sure,” said Sara, but she didn’t sound excited.

24 “Then you can teach me some songs,” Nina quickly added, “and Gaby and Claudia can teach me to dance. There’s a lot I’d like to learn from the three of you.”

25 “Sure,” said Sara again, but this time she was grinning. A moment later, all the Bears gave Nina a big high-five.

Read "Hidden Talents" before answering the following questions.

In paragraph 1, the author uses the phrase “a million tapping feet” to show that —
1. the roof leaks
2. it is raining hard
3. it is difficult to hear inside
4. thunder is booming outside
Read this sentence from paragraph 8.

This sentence mostly appeals to the reader’s sense of —
1. hearing
2. sight
3. smell
4. touch
The main idea of paragraph 9 is —
1. how to capture the clothespins
2. where the game will be played
3. how to play the game
4. when the winners will receive the prize
What does dimmed mean in paragraph 3?
1. glowed
2. flashed
3. disappeared
4. faded
Why does Nina add feathers to the other campers’ kites?
1. They ask her to fix their kites.
2. She thinks their kites will look better.
3. She believes their kites will have trouble flying.
4. They want to have kites that look like peacocks.
Why does Nina insist her ankle is fine?
1. She wants to perform in the talent show.
2. She does not want to see the nurse.
3. She does not think she has hurt herself.
4. She wants to walk to the dining hall by herself.
Which sentence describes Nina before the talent show?
1. She is usually telling others what to do.
2. She is careless when she plays outdoors.
3. She is an important leader for the Bear Cabin campers.
4. She is a good friend to everyone at Oak Camp.
The main reason the author wrote this story is to —
1. tell about the different events held at summer camp
2. describe the acts in a talent contest
3. show how a girl learns about herself and others
4. explain how friends try to solve a problem

Grade 4 Reading - 2011 Released Test - Passage 3

Hidden Talents