Common Core: 1st Grade English Language Arts : Key Ideas and Details

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

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 #8 : Identify Key Details

The Best Pet

 

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.

 

Which of the following supports the author’s opinion that dogs are the best pet?

Possible Answers:

Dogs keep you safe

Dogs are quiet.

Dogs chew up their toys

Dogs take care of themselves

Correct answer:

Dogs keep you safe

Explanation:

The article talks about ways dogs keep you safe – they bark when they hear a strange noise or sense danger. Cats are quiet and take care of themselves, not people. Chewing up toys is not a reason dogs are good pets.

Example Question #9 : Identify Key Details

The Best Pet

 

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.

Which of the following supports the author’s opinion that cats are the best pet?

Possible Answers:

Cats chew up their toys

Cats keep you safe

Cats take care of themselves

Cats keep you healthy

Correct answer:

Cats take care of themselves

Explanation:

The article talks about ways cats take care of themselves– they do not need to go on walks and they clean themselves. Dogs keep you safe and keep you healthy, not cats. Cats do not chew up their toys.

Example Question #5 : Identify Key Details

The Best Pet

 

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.

Which of the following is not a reason the author gives to support their opinion that dogs are the best pet?

Possible Answers:

Dogs are fun to play with

Dogs keep you healthy

Dogs protect you

Dogs are clean

Correct answer:

Dogs are clean

Explanation:

The article explains that dogs keep people healthy because when you walk your dog you get fresh air. Dogs protect you by barking at a strange noise or stranger. Dogs are fun to play with because they love to play games like tug-of-war and chase. The text does not explain that dogs are clean. In “Cats are the Best Pet” the author states that cats are clean because they lick themselves to give themselves a bath.

Example Question #21 : Key Ideas And Details

The Best Pet

 

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.

Which of the following is not a reason the author gives to support their opinion that cats are the best pet?

Possible Answers:

Cats love to play

Cats keep you safe

Cats are quiet

Cats take care of themselves

Correct answer:

Cats keep you safe

Explanation:

The article explains that cats are quiet – they make soft purring sounds. Cats take care of themselves – they give themselves a bath and do not need to go on walks. Cats love to play – they like to chase toys. The author does not talk about cats keeping you safe. In “Dogs are the Best Pet” the author states that dogs keep you safe by barking at strange sounds or danger.

Example Question #12 : Identify Key Details

African Elephants

Elephants are the biggest animals living on land. An adult male elephant can weigh as much as 11,000 pounds and be more than 13 feet tall. The biggest elephants live in Africa.

Trunk

Elephants have a long trunk. An elephant uses its trunk in many ways. 

An elephant’s trunk is its nose. It uses its trunk to smell and breathe. Elephants also use their trunks like a hand. An elephant can pick up grass and branches with its trunk. It uses its trunk to reach high up and grab food from trees. Elephants eat fruit, leaves and plants. 

Elephants suck up water in their trunks and spray it onto themselves to stay clean. 

Elephants use their trunks to make sounds. Elephants roar, rumble and growl. When there is danger, elephants use their trunks make a loud horn noise to warn others and scare away predators.

Tusks

African elephants have 2 tusks on either side of their trunk. Elephants use their tusks to dig holes and find food and water. They also use their tusks to carry things and even rest their trunks on their tusks. An elephant’s tusks also help it stay safe. Elephants can use their tusks to battle and protect themselves from enemies.

Ears

Elephants have big ears. Elephants use their ears to stay cool on hot days. Elephants flap their ears to cool off and keep insects away.

Wrinkled Skin

Elephants have wrinkled skin. Elephants cover their skin in mud and dirt to protect themselves from sunburn and bug bites.

Feet

Elephants have big feet. Elephants have pads on the bottom of their feet to help them walk quietly.

What has a long trunk, two big tusks, big ears and wrinkled skin? It’s an African elephant!

 

According to the text, how does an elephant protect itself from predators?

Possible Answers:

It makes a loud horn noise to scare predators away

It uses its long trunk to fight predators

It covers itself in mud and dirt to hide from predators

It walks away quietly so predators do not hear it

Correct answer:

It makes a loud horn noise to scare predators away

Explanation:

The text says “Elephants use their trunks to make sounds. Elephants roar, rumble and growl. When there is danger, elephants use their trunks make a loud horn noise to warn others and scare away predators.”

Example Question #13 : Identify Key Details

African Elephants

Elephants are the biggest animals living on land. An adult male elephant can weigh as much as 11,000 pounds and be more than 13 feet tall. The biggest elephants live in Africa.

Trunk

Elephants have a long trunk. An elephant uses its trunk in many ways. 

An elephant’s trunk is its nose. It uses its trunk to smell and breathe. Elephants also use their trunks like a hand. An elephant can pick up grass and branches with its trunk. It uses its trunk to reach high up and grab food from trees. Elephants eat fruit, leaves and plants. 

Elephants suck up water in their trunks and spray it onto themselves to stay clean. 

Elephants use their trunks to make sounds. Elephants roar, rumble and growl. When there is danger, elephants use their trunks to make a loud horn noise to warn others and scare away predators.

Tusks

African elephants have 2 tusks on either side of their trunk. Elephants use their tusks to dig holes and find food and water. They also use their tusks to carry things and even rest their trunks on their tusks. An elephant’s tusks also help it stay safe. Elephants can use their tusks to battle and protect themselves from enemies.

Ears

Elephants have big ears. Elephants use their ears to stay cool on hot days. Elephants flap their ears to cool off and keep insects away.

Wrinkled Skin

Elephants have wrinkled skin. Elephants cover their skin in mud and dirt to protect themselves from sunburn and bug bites.

Feet

Elephants have big feet. Elephants have pads on the bottom of their feet to help them walk quietly.

What has a long trunk, two big tusks, big ears and wrinkled skin? It’s an African elephant!

According to the text, how does an elephant use its trunk?

Possible Answers:

to talk to other elephants

to swat away bugs

to hold hands with other elephants

to wave hello to other elephants

Correct answer:

to talk to other elephants

Explanation:

The text says “Elephants use their trunks to make sounds. Elephants roar, rumble and growl. When there is danger, elephants use their trunks make a loud horn noise to warn others and scare away predators.”

Example Question #14 : Identify Key Details

African Elephants

Elephants are the biggest animals living on land. An adult male elephant can weigh as much as 11,000 pounds and be more than 13 feet tall. The biggest elephants live in Africa.

Trunk

Elephants have a long trunk. An elephant uses its trunk in many ways. 

An elephant’s trunk is its nose. It uses its trunk to smell and breathe. Elephants also use their trunks like a hand. An elephant can pick up grass and branches with its trunk. It uses its trunk to reach high up and grab food from trees. Elephants eat fruit, leaves and plants. 

Elephants suck up water in their trunks and spray it onto themselves to stay clean. 

Elephants use their trunks to make sounds. Elephants roar, rumble and growl. When there is danger, elephants use their trunks to make a loud horn noise to warn others and scare away predators.

Tusks

African elephants have 2 tusks on either side of their trunk. Elephants use their tusks to dig holes and find food and water. They also use their tusks to carry things and even rest their trunks on their tusks. An elephant’s tusks also help it stay safe. Elephants can use their tusks to battle and protect themselves from enemies.

Ears

Elephants have big ears. Elephants use their ears to stay cool on hot days. Elephants flap their ears to cool off and keep insects away.

Wrinkled Skin

Elephants have wrinkled skin. Elephants cover their skin in mud and dirt to protect themselves from sunburn and bug bites.

Feet

Elephants have big feet. Elephants have pads on the bottom of their feet to help them walk quietly.

What has a long trunk, two big tusks, big ears and wrinkled skin? It’s an African elephant!

According to the text, why does an elephant cover itself in dirt?

Possible Answers:

to protect itself from getting a sunburn

to clean itself

to play

to hide from predators

Correct answer:

to protect itself from getting a sunburn

Explanation:

The text says “Elephants cover their skin in mud and dirt to protect themselves from sunburn and bug bites.

Example Question #15 : Identify Key Details

African Elephants

Elephants are the biggest animals living on land. An adult male elephant can weigh as much as 11,000 pounds and be more than 13 feet tall. The biggest elephants live in Africa.

Trunk

Elephants have a long trunk. An elephant uses its trunk in many ways. 

An elephant’s trunk is its nose. It uses its trunk to smell and breathe. Elephants also use their trunks like a hand. An elephant can pick up grass and branches with its trunk. It uses its trunk to reach high up and grab food from trees. Elephants eat fruit, leaves and plants. 

Elephants suck up water in their trunks and spray it onto themselves to stay clean. 

Elephants use their trunks to make sounds. Elephants roar, rumble and growl. When there is danger, elephants use their trunks to make a loud horn noise to warn others and scare away predators.

Tusks

African elephants have 2 tusks on either side of their trunk. Elephants use their tusks to dig holes and find food and water. They also use their tusks to carry things and even rest their trunks on their tusks. An elephant’s tusks also help it stay safe. Elephants can use their tusks to battle and protect themselves from enemies.

Ears

Elephants have big ears. Elephants use their ears to stay cool on hot days. Elephants flap their ears to cool off and keep insects away.

Wrinkled Skin

Elephants have wrinkled skin. Elephants cover their skin in mud and dirt to protect themselves from sunburn and bug bites.

Feet

Elephants have big feet. Elephants have pads on the bottom of their feet to help them walk quietly.

What has a long trunk, two big tusks, big ears and wrinkled skin? It’s an African elephant!

According to the text, how is an elephant’s trunk like a hand?

Possible Answers:

It uses its trunk to smell and breathe

It uses its trunk to wave hello to other elephants

It uses its trunk to pick food and feed itself

It uses its trunk to hold hands with other elephants

Correct answer:

It uses its trunk to pick food and feed itself

Explanation:

 The text says “Elephants also use their trunks like a hand. An elephant can pick up grass and branches with its trunk. It uses its trunk to reach high up and grab food from trees.”

Example Question #16 : Identify Key Details

The Best Pet

 

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.

Which of the following is not a reason the author gives to support their opinion that cats are the best pet?

How do dogs keep you healthy?

Possible Answers:

When your dog hears a strange sound it barks

When you play tug-of-war with your dog you get strong

When you walk your dog you get fresh air and exercise 

When you work on a farm you eat heathy food

Correct answer:

When you walk your dog you get fresh air and exercise 

Explanation:

The article explains that dogs keep people healthy because when you walk your dog you get fresh air and exercise.

Example Question #17 : Identify Key Details

African Elephants

Elephants are the biggest animals living on land. An adult male elephant can weigh as much as 11,000 pounds and be more than 13 feet tall. The biggest elephants live in Africa.

Trunk

Elephants have a long trunk. An elephant uses its trunk in many ways. 

An elephant’s trunk is its nose. It uses its trunk to smell and breathe. Elephants also use their trunks like a hand. An elephant can pick up grass and branches with its trunk. It uses its trunk to reach high up and grab food from trees. Elephants eat fruit, leaves and plants. 

Elephants suck up water in their trunks and spray it onto themselves to stay clean. 

Elephants use their trunks to make sounds. Elephants roar, rumble and growl. When there is danger, elephants use their trunks to make a loud horn noise to warn others and scare away predators.

Tusks

African elephants have 2 tusks on either side of their trunk. Elephants use their tusks to dig holes and find food and water. They also use their tusks to carry things and even rest their trunks on their tusks. An elephant’s tusks also help it stay safe. Elephants can use their tusks to battle and protect themselves from enemies.

Ears

Elephants have big ears. Elephants use their ears to stay cool on hot days. Elephants flap their ears to cool off and keep insects away.

Wrinkled Skin

Elephants have wrinkled skin. Elephants cover their skin in mud and dirt to protect themselves from sunburn and bug bites.

Feet

Elephants have big feet. Elephants have pads on the bottom of their feet to help them walk quietly.

What has a long trunk, two big tusks, big ears and wrinkled skin? It’s an African elephant!

According to the text, why does an elephant have pads on the bottom of its feet?

Possible Answers:

To help it stomp on branches

To help it walk quietly

To help protect it from the hot ground

To help it fight off predators

Correct answer:

To help it walk quietly

Explanation:

The text says “Elephants have pads on the bottom of their feet to help them walk quietly.”

All Common Core: 1st Grade English Language Arts Resources

2 Diagnostic Tests 76 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept
Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors