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1. 1. Read the passage below: Bees are important insects that help plants grow. When bees visit flowers to drink nectar, pollen sticks to their bodies. They carry this pollen from one flower to another. This process is called pollination. Without pollination, many plants cannot make fruits or seeds. That is why bees are so valuable to farms and gardens. Which sentence best summarizes this passage? A) Bees drink nectar from flowers and like gardens. B) Bees help plants reproduce by carrying pollen between flowers. C) Pollination is when pollen moves from flower to flower. D) Farms need insects to survive.
2. 2. Read the passage below: Many cities are planting more trees along their streets. Trees provide shade that keeps sidewalks cooler during hot summer days. This shade helps people feel more comfortable when walking outside. Trees also clean the air by absorbing pollution. Their roots help prevent flooding by soaking up rainwater. For these reasons, city planners are making trees a priority. Which sentence best summarizes this passage? A) Trees make sidewalks cooler in summer. B) City planners like trees because they look nice. C) Cities are planting more trees because they provide shade, clean air, and prevent flooding. D) Trees have roots that soak up rainwater.
3. 3. Read the passage below: The desert tortoise lives in hot, dry areas of the southwestern United States. During the hottest parts of the day, it stays in underground burrows to keep cool. These burrows can be up to thirty feet long. Desert tortoises can live for more than fifty years. They eat grasses, flowers, and cacti. Because their habitat is shrinking, scientists are working to protect these special reptiles. Write a one-sentence summary of this passage.
4. 4. Read the passage below: Glass recycling helps the environment in several ways. When people recycle glass bottles and jars, factories can melt them down and make new glass products. This process uses less energy than making glass from raw materials like sand. Recycling glass also reduces the amount of waste in landfills. Since glass does not break down naturally, it can stay in landfills for thousands of years. By recycling, communities save space and resources. Finally, recycling programs create jobs for people who collect, sort, and process glass. This benefits local economies while protecting nature. Which sentence best summarizes this passage? A) Glass takes thousands of years to break down in landfills. B) Factories melt down old glass to make new products. C) Glass recycling saves energy, reduces landfill waste, and creates jobs. D) Recycling programs are good for local economies.
5. 5. Read the passage below: Lighthouses have guided sailors safely to shore for hundreds of years. These tall towers use bright lights that can be seen from many miles away. Each lighthouse flashes its light in a unique pattern so sailors can identify which lighthouse they are seeing. Before modern technology, lighthouse keepers lived in or near the towers. They climbed the stairs every day to maintain the lights and keep them burning. It was lonely work, but very important. Today, most lighthouses are automated and do not need keepers. Computers and sensors keep the lights working. However, many old lighthouses are now museums where visitors can learn about maritime history. Write a one-sentence summary of this passage.
6. 6. Read the passage below: Soil erosion happens when wind or water carries away the top layer of earth. This rich topsoil contains nutrients that plants need to grow. When it washes away, farmland becomes less productive and crops do not grow as well. Farmers use several methods to prevent erosion. They plant cover crops during seasons when fields would otherwise be bare. The roots of these plants hold soil in place. Farmers also build terraces on hillsides to slow down water runoff. Another technique is planting trees and shrubs along the edges of fields. These plants act as windbreaks, reducing the force of wind that can blow soil away. Together, these practices help protect valuable farmland. Which sentence best summarizes this passage? A) Soil erosion removes topsoil and reduces crop growth, but farmers can prevent it using cover crops, terraces, and windbreaks. B) Farmers plant trees and shrubs to stop the wind from blowing. C) Topsoil contains nutrients that plants need to survive. D) Cover crops have roots that hold soil in place during different seasons.

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