Common Core: 1st Grade English Language Arts : Common Core: 1st Grade English Language Arts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: 1st Grade English Language Arts

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All Common Core: 1st Grade English Language Arts Resources

2 Diagnostic Tests 76 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept

Example Questions

Example Question #301 : Common Core: 1st Grade English Language Arts

Dogs are the Best Pet

Dogs are the best pets!

Dogs are fun. Dogs love to play with you. Dogs love to play catch, fetch, tug-of-war, and chase. Dogs are so much fun to play with.

Dogs keep you healthy. Dogs love to go for walks. When you walk your dog you get exercise and fresh air.

Dogs keep you safe. Dogs will bark when they hear a strange noise or if they sense danger.

Dogs are smart. Dogs know their names and follow directions. Dogs can even learn how to do tricks.

Dogs are helpful. Some dogs work on farms. Other dogs are used to help people who cannot hear or see.

Dogs keep you company. Dogs love to cuddle and be with you. Dogs love you and want to make you happy.

 

Cats are the Best Pet

Cats are the best pets!

Cats love to play. Cats love to chase their toys around the house. Cats take care of their toys and do not chew them up.

Cats take care of themselves. You do not need to take your cat out for walks or give them a bath. Cats lick themselves clean and go to the bathroom in a litter box.

Cats are quiet. They do not bark. Cats make quiet purr sounds when they are happy or meow when they need something.

Cats love to cuddle. Happy cats will cuddle with you or rub against your legs. When cats purr they are happy.

What is one reason the author of “Cats are the Best Pet” gives that shows how cats are better pets than dogs?

Possible Answers:

Cats eat less than dogs

Cats like to chase their toys but dogs like to play tug of war

Cats like to cuddle but dogs like to go on walks

Cats are quiet but dogs are loud

Correct answer:

Cats are quiet but dogs are loud

Explanation:

 In “Cats are the Best Pet” the author compares the sounds of cats and dogs. The text says “Cats are quiet. They do not bark. Cats make quiet purr sounds when they are happy or meow when they need something.

 

 

Example Question #302 : Common Core: 1st Grade English Language Arts

Dogs at Work

 

Many people have dogs. Dogs are good friends. They love to play and cuddle. Dogs will keep you company and make you feel better. Dogs will keep you safe and protect you from danger. Dogs are smart. They know their names and can learn cool tricks. Dogs are great pets. But did you know that many dogs have important jobs?

Therapy Dogs

Many dogs work to help people feel better. These dogs are called therapy dogs. Many therapy dogs work in hospitals to keep people happy and to comfort people. Dogs make people feel happy and calm, which can help someone feel better when they are ill.

Some therapy dogs work with kids in schools. Kids can read to dogs and practice their skills to become better readers.

Service Dogs

Some dogs have jobs to help people who cannot see or hear. These dogs are called service dogs. Service dogs can help people who cannot see by telling them when it is safe to cross the street and leading their owners so they do not trip or run into something.

Other service dogs help people who have illnesses. These service dogs are trained to sense when their owner is going to get sick and warn their owner to take medicine or call for help.

Search-and-Rescue Dogs

Search-and-rescue dogs help find people who are lost or trapped. Dogs have a very good sense of smell – much better than humans. Search-and-rescue dogs use their senses to help locate missing people or people who are trapped in caves or fallen buildings.

Detection Dogs

Some dogs use their sense of smell to find things that are hidden. These dogs are called detection dogs.

Detection dogs can help police find people who have broken the law and are hiding. Detection dogs can also help find explosives or bombs before they can cause damage.

Dogs are great pets. They are smart, friendly and good companions. Dogs also work hard and help us in many ways. It’s a good thing there are dogs!

 

Search-and-Rescue dogs and Detection dogs are similar because they both _____

Possible Answers:

help find people who are lost.

help people who cannot see or hear.

use their sense of smell to find people.

sense when people are going to be sick.

Correct answer:

help find people who are lost.

Explanation:

Both search and rescue dogs and detection dogs use their sense of smell to find people. Search and rescue dogs use their smell to find people who are lost or missing. Detection dogs use their sense of smell to find people who are hiding.

Example Question #303 : Common Core: 1st Grade English Language Arts

Dogs are the Best Pet

Dogs are the best pets!

Dogs are fun. Dogs love to play with you. Dogs love to play catch, fetch, tug-of-war, and chase. Dogs are so much fun to play with.

Dogs keep you healthy. Dogs love to go for walks. When you walk your dog you get exercise and fresh air.

Dogs keep you safe. Dogs will bark when they hear a strange noise or if they sense danger.

Dogs are smart. Dogs know their names and follow directions. Dogs can even learn how to do tricks.

Dogs are helpful. Some dogs work on farms. Other dogs are used to help people who cannot hear or see.

Dogs keep you company. Dogs love to cuddle and be with you. Dogs love you and want to make you happy.

 

Cats are the Best Pet

Cats are the best pets!

Cats love to play. Cats love to chase their toys around the house. Cats take care of their toys and do not chew them up.

Cats take care of themselves. You do not need to take your cat out for walks or give them a bath. Cats lick themselves clean and go to the bathroom in a litter box.

Cats are quiet. They do not bark. Cats make quiet purr sounds when they are happy or meow when they need something.

Cats love to cuddle. Happy cats will cuddle with you or rub against your legs. When cats purr they are happy.

How are therapy dogs and service dogs similar?

Possible Answers:

They both help police

They both help find people

They both help people who cannot hear or see

They both help people who are ill

Correct answer:

They both help people who are ill

Explanation:

The text explains the many different jobs dogs do; such as, helping people who are sick or have a disability, helping find people who are lost or trapped, and helping police find criminals and bombs.

Example Question #1 : Describe Characters, Setting, And Events

Fox and Friends

Today, I woke up feeling sad. In a forest full of other animals, I do not have a friend. No one wants to be friends with me because I am a fox. When animals see me coming they run away.

As I walk to the pond, I hear laughing and a lot of splashing. I see a deer and a rabbit playing in the water. The deer is laughing and smiling. He looks very happy.

I decide to hide behind a bush and ask them if I can play. This way they can hear me but not see me. “Can I come play with you?” I yell.

The deer and rabbit look for me, but they cannot see me. The deer says, “Yes, but you have to stop hiding!”

When I come out the rabbit seems scared, but the deer comes straight to me and gives me a big hug. As I play in the pond with my two friends, I feel so happy.

Which group of words describes the deer in the story?

Possible Answers:

sad, friendly, playful

lonely, sad, friendly

happy, friendly, sad

happy, friendly, playful

Correct answer:

happy, friendly, playful

Explanation:

We learn in the story that the deer is laughing and smiling as it is playing in the pond. We are also told the the deer looked very happy. 

As I walk to the pond, I hear laughing and a lot of splashing. I see a deer and a rabbit playing in the water. The deer is laughing and smiling. He looks very happy.

We are never told that the deer is sad or lonely. The correct answer is "happy, friendly, playful". 

Example Question #301 : Common Core: 1st Grade English Language Arts

Bella’s Birthday Surprise

Bella jumped out of bed as soon as the sun came up. “Today is my birthday!” she shouted.

Bella flew down the stairs. But where is everyone? She thought when she got downstairs. She looked and looked. “Where are my friends? Where are my presents? Where is my cake? Oh dear! Everyone forgot my birthday!”

“SURPRISE!” Bella heard. She jumped and turned around. 

“There are my friends! There are my presents! There is my cake!” she said.

“We didn’t forget your birthday,” said Neil!

“Thank you, thank you,” cried Bella. And they all ate cake.

 

Which word describes Bella in the beginning of the story?

Possible Answers:

Worried

Disappointed

Excited

Kind

Correct answer:

Excited

Explanation:

 In the beginning of the story Bella is excited because it is her birthday. We know she is excited because she jumps out of bed and shouts “today is my birthday!” Then she runs downstairs.

Example Question #302 : Common Core: 1st Grade English Language Arts

Bella’s Birthday Surprise

Bella jumped out of bed as soon as the sun came up. “Today is my birthday!” she shouted.

Bella flew down the stairs. But where is everyone? She thought when she got downstairs. She looked and looked. “Where are my friends? Where are my presents? Where is my cake? Oh dear! Everyone forgot my birthday!”

“SURPRISE!” Bella heard. She jumped and turned around. 

“There are my friends! There are my presents! There is my cake!” she said.

“We didn’t forget your birthday,” said Neil!

“Thank you, thank you,” cried Bella. And they all ate cake.

Which word describes Bella in the middle of the story?

Possible Answers:

Worried

Excited

Kind

Happy

Correct answer:

Worried

Explanation:

 In the middle of the story Bella is worried because she thinks her friends forgot her birthday. When she got downstairs she did not see any of her friends or her party.

Example Question #303 : Common Core: 1st Grade English Language Arts

Bella’s Birthday Surprise

Bella jumped out of bed as soon as the sun came up. “Today is my birthday!” she shouted.

Bella flew down the stairs. But where is everyone? She thought when she got downstairs. She looked and looked. “Where are my friends? Where are my presents? Where is my cake? Oh dear! Everyone forgot my birthday!”

“SURPRISE!” Bella heard. She jumped and turned around. 

“There are my friends! There are my presents! There is my cake!” she said.

“We didn’t forget your birthday,” said Neil!

“Thank you, thank you,” cried Bella. And they all ate cake.

Why was Bella upset in the middle of the story?

Possible Answers:

She thought her friends forgot her birthday

Her friends were all coming over today

Her friends brought her cake and presents

Today was her birthday

Correct answer:

She thought her friends forgot her birthday

Explanation:

In the middle of the story Bella is worried because she thinks her friends forgot her birthday. When she got downstairs she did not see any of her friends or her party. Bella says, “Where are my friends? Where are my presents? Oh dear! Everyone forgot my birthday.”

Example Question #304 : Common Core: 1st Grade English Language Arts

Bella’s Birthday Surprise

Bella jumped out of bed as soon as the sun came up. “Today is my birthday!” she shouted.

Bella flew down the stairs. But where is everyone? She thought when she got downstairs. She looked and looked. “Where are my friends? Where are my presents? Where is my cake? Oh dear! Everyone forgot my birthday!”

“SURPRISE!” Bella heard. She jumped and turned around. 

“There are my friends! There are my presents! There is my cake!” she said.

“We didn’t forget your birthday,” said Neil!

“Thank you, thank you,” cried Bella. And they all ate cake.

Why was Bella happy at the end of the story?

Possible Answers:

Her friends surprised her

She got a lot of presents

Her friends forgot her birthday

She ate 2 pieces of cake

Correct answer:

Her friends surprised her

Explanation:

At the end of the story her friends surprised her and jumped out of their hiding spots. Bella was happy because her friends did not forget her birthday after all.

Example Question #6 : Describe Characters, Setting, And Events

Hardworking Holly and Sporty Sarah

 

Holly and Sarah are identical twins. They both have long, brown hair and big blue eyes. They look and sound so similar that even their teachers mix them up. But Holly and Sarah are very different.

This morning Holly woke up bright and early, an hour before her alarm was set. She made her bed, folded her clothes and did her chores. She had a spelling test on Monday so during breakfast she practiced her spelling words. After breakfast Holly made a “Get Well Soon” card for one of her classmates who had broken his leg on the playground last week and had to get a cast. She took her time to draw a detailed picture of Josh in his bright blue cast and even used bubble letters on the front. Holly was quiet and shy, but she was always ready to help anyone who needed it. She preferred to read and play with her pet dog Buddy than with kids her own age. At the soccer game that afternoon Holly sat quietly on the bench cheering on her teammates. Holly was not very athletic and usually helped the team by passing out water during breaks, but she was happy to help.  

This morning when Sarah’s alarm went off she unplugged it and went back to sleep. Finally Buddy woke her up with slobbery kisses and licks. She threw on an old t-shirt and shorts that she found crumpled up on her bedroom floor along with the rest of her laundry that she forgot to fold. She laced up her shoes and took Buddy out for a run. Sarah’s soccer team had their championship game today and she wanted to warm up so she was ready. One of their best players had broken his leg on the playground last week and she knew she would need to play her best for the team to win. After she got home Sarah glanced at her calendar and saw she had a spelling test on Monday. “I’ll study later” she thought, as she headed downstairs for breakfast. Sarah grabbed a bowl of cereal and turned on the TV, searching for the Saturday morning Cartoons. Sarah was the star of the soccer game that afternoon. She made 3 assists and scored 4 goals, winning the game for her team! After the game Sarah and her friends went and played on the playground until it was time to go home.

 

Which set of words best describe Holly?

Possible Answers:

artistic, athletic, popular

shy, athletic, hardworking

hardworking, kind, shy

messy, athletic, shy

Correct answer:

hardworking, kind, shy

Explanation:

 Holly is hardworking, kind and shy. She is hardworking because she woke up early to study for her spelling test. She is kind because she made a card for her classmate who had broken his leg and passed out water and cheered for her teammates at the soccer game. She is shy because she likes to play with her dog instead of a lot of kids.

Example Question #7 : Describe Characters, Setting, And Events

Hardworking Holly and Sporty Sarah

 

Holly and Sarah are identical twins. They both have long, brown hair and big blue eyes. They look and sound so similar that even their teachers mix them up. But Holly and Sarah are very different.

This morning Holly woke up bright and early, an hour before her alarm was set. She made her bed, folded her clothes and did her chores. She had a spelling test on Monday so during breakfast she practiced her spelling words. After breakfast Holly made a “Get Well Soon” card for one of her classmates who had broken his leg on the playground last week and had to get a cast. She took her time to draw a detailed picture of Josh in his bright blue cast and even used bubble letters on the front. Holly was quiet and shy, but she was always ready to help anyone who needed it. She preferred to read and play with her pet dog Buddy than with kids her own age. At the soccer game that afternoon Holly sat quietly on the bench cheering on her teammates. Holly was not very athletic and usually helped the team by passing out water during breaks, but she was happy to help.  

This morning when Sarah’s alarm went off she unplugged it and went back to sleep. Finally Buddy woke her up with slobbery kisses and licks. She threw on an old t-shirt and shorts that she found crumpled up on her bedroom floor along with the rest of her laundry that she forgot to fold. She laced up her shoes and took Buddy out for a run. Sarah’s soccer team had their championship game today and she wanted to warm up so she was ready. One of their best players had broken his leg on the playground last week and she knew she would need to play her best for the team to win. After she got home Sarah glanced at her calendar and saw she had a spelling test on Monday. “I’ll study later” she thought, as she headed downstairs for breakfast. Sarah grabbed a bowl of cereal and turned on the TV, searching for the Saturday morning Cartoons. Sarah was the star of the soccer game that afternoon. She made 3 assists and scored 4 goals, winning the game for her team! After the game Sarah and her friends went and played on the playground until it was time to go home.

Which set of words best describe Sarah?

Possible Answers:

messy, athletic, popular

kind, hardworking, helpful

hardworking, sporty, artistic

shy, organized, kind

Correct answer:

messy, athletic, popular

Explanation:

Sarah is messy, athletic and popular. She is messy because her clothes were all over her bedroom floor. She is athletic because she was a good soccer player. She is popular because she has many friends that she likes to play with.

All Common Core: 1st Grade English Language Arts Resources

2 Diagnostic Tests 76 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept
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