Common Core: 1st Grade English Language Arts : Reading
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: 1st Grade English Language Arts
All Common Core: 1st Grade English Language Arts Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #5 : Compare And Contrast
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, when temperatures drop, 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. Snowy owls have 2 layers of warm feathers. The snowy owl’s entire body is covered in warm feathers- even its legs and toes.
Arctic foxes live in the Arctic. When winter comes the Arctic fox changes its brown summer fur for a thicker coat of white fur. The Arctic fox’s warm, snowy coat keeps it warm in cold temperatures and protects it 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. The baby pup quickly builds its blubber and loses its fluffy coat.
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. When penguins are born they have a thick, fluffy coat of gray and white down feathers. Adult 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.
The Arctic is a difficult place to live but many animals have found ways to stay warm and survive here.
How are the Arctic hare and the Arctic fox similar?
They both hunt during the day
They both change their fur from brown to white in the winter
They both can swim
They both have a thick layer of blubber
They both change their fur from brown to white in the winter
The text says “In the winter, the hare grows more thick hair. Their fur also turns white in the winter.” The text also says “When winter comes the Arctic fox changes its brown summer fur for a thicker coat of white fur.” Both animals change their fur color from brown to white in the winter.
Example Question #5 : Compare And Contrast
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, when temperatures drop, 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. Snowy owls have 2 layers of warm feathers. The snowy owl’s entire body is covered in warm feathers- even its legs and toes.
Arctic foxes live in the Arctic. When winter comes the Arctic fox changes its brown summer fur for a thicker coat of white fur. The Arctic fox’s warm, snowy coat keeps it warm in cold temperatures and protects it 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. The baby pup quickly builds its blubber and loses its fluffy coat.
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. When penguins are born they have a thick, fluffy coat of gray and white down feathers. Adult 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.
The Arctic is a difficult place to live but many animals have found ways to stay warm and survive here.
How are the harp seal and the penguin different?
The harp seal swims and the penguin slides
The harp seal lives in the icy water but the penguin lives on icy land
The harp seal has blubber to stay warm but the penguin has waterproof feathers
The harp seal changes its fur in the winter but the penguin stays the same color
The harp seal has blubber to stay warm but the penguin has waterproof feathers
Both the harp seal and penguin swim in icy water. The seal stays warm using a thick layer of blubber when it swims but the penguins stays warm with waterproof feathers when they swim. Neither the harp seal nor the penguin change colors from summer to winter.
Example Question #4 : Compare And Contrast
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, when temperatures drop, 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. Snowy owls have 2 layers of warm feathers. The snowy owl’s entire body is covered in warm feathers- even its legs and toes.
Arctic foxes live in the Arctic. When winter comes the Arctic fox changes its brown summer fur for a thicker coat of white fur. The Arctic fox’s warm, snowy coat keeps it warm in cold temperatures and protects it 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. The baby pup quickly builds its blubber and loses its fluffy coat.
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. When penguins are born they have a thick, fluffy coat of gray and white down feathers. Adult 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.
The Arctic is a difficult place to live but many animals have found ways to stay warm and survive here.
How are the harp seal and the polar bear similar?
They both have a thick layer of blubber
They both swim in icy water
They both have thick, white fur
They both turn white in the winter
They both have a thick layer of blubber
The text says “Adult harp seals have a thick layer of fat, called blubber. Blubber keeps seals warm in the cold, icy water.” The text also says “Polar bears also have thick blubber.” Penguins have waterproof feathers to stay warm. The Arctic hare has thick, white fur to stay warm. The Arctic wolf has thick gray and white fur to stay warm.
Example Question #5 : Compare And Contrast
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, when temperatures drop, 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. Snowy owls have 2 layers of warm feathers. The snowy owl’s entire body is covered in warm feathers- even its legs and toes.
Arctic foxes live in the Arctic. When winter comes the Arctic fox changes its brown summer fur for a thicker coat of white fur. The Arctic fox’s warm, snowy coat keeps it warm in cold temperatures and protects it 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. The baby pup quickly builds its blubber and loses its fluffy coat.
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. When penguins are born they have a thick, fluffy coat of gray and white down feathers. Adult 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.
The Arctic is a difficult place to live but many animals have found ways to stay warm and survive here.
How are the harp seal and the penguin similar?
Their babies coats turn white in the winter
Their babies have thick blubber to stay warm
Their babies have waterproof feathers to stay warm
Their babies are born with fluffy coats to stay warm
Their babies are born with fluffy coats to stay warm
According to the text, when a baby seal is born it has fluffy, white fur to stay warm before it grows its blubber. When a baby penguin is born it has fluffy white feathers to stay warm before it grows waterproof feathers.
Example Question #1 : Compare And Contrast
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.
According to the text, how are dogs and cats similar?
They are clean
They love to cuddle
They can learn tricks
They like to go on walks
They love to cuddle
Both authors describe how their pet loves to cuddle. In “Dogs are the Best Pet,” the author states “Dogs keep you company. Dogs love to cuddle and be with you. Dogs love you and want to make you happy.” In “Cats are the Bets Pet” the author states “Cats love to cuddle. Happy cats will cuddle with you or rub against your legs. When cats purr they are happy.”
Example Question #1 : Compare And Contrast
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 a reason both authors use to support their opinion?
Both cats and dogs keep you safe
Both dogs and cats like to play
Both dogs and cats are helpful
Both cats and dogs are clean
Both dogs and cats like to play
One reason both authors use to support their opinion is that the pet likes to play. The author of text 1 states that dogs love to play catch, fetch, tug-of-war and chase. The author of text 2 states that cats love to play and chase their toys around the house. Only the author of the first text supports their opinion with ways dogs are helpful and keep you safe. Only the author of the second text supports their opinion with ways cats are clean.
Example Question #11 : Compare And Contrast
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?
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 eat less than dogs
Cats are quiet but dogs are loud
Cats are quiet but dogs are loud
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 #12 : Compare And Contrast
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 _____
use their sense of smell to find people.
help people who cannot see or hear.
sense when people are going to be sick.
help find people who are lost.
help find people who are lost.
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 #13 : Compare And Contrast
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?
They both help police
They both help people who are ill
They both help people who cannot hear or see
They both help find people
They both help people who are ill
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?
happy, friendly, sad
sad, friendly, playful
lonely, sad, friendly
happy, friendly, playful
happy, friendly, playful
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".
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All Common Core: 1st Grade English Language Arts Resources
