Common Core: 2nd Grade English Language Arts : Reading

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: 2nd Grade English Language Arts

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All Common Core: 2nd Grade English Language Arts Resources

2 Diagnostic Tests 68 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept

Example Questions

Example Question #7 : 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 are herbivores, which means they only eat plants. Elephants eat fruit, leaves and grass. Adult elephants eat 300-400 pounds of food a day.

Elephants suck up water in their trunks and spray it onto themselves to stay clean. They also use their trunks as snorkels to help them breathe when they are swimming or in deep water. 

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 the largest ears of any animal. Elephants use their ears to hear, stay cool, and show feelings. Elephants flap their ears to cool off and keep insects away.

Wrinkled Skin

Elephants have wrinkled skin. Their skin looks rough and tough but it is very sensitive. Elephants cover their skin in mud and dirt to protect themselves from getting a sunburn and bug bites.

Feet

Just like the rest of its body, an elephant has very large feet. Elephants have pads on the bottom of their feet to protect them and help them walk quietly.

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

Which two features help an elephant stay safe and protected from predators?

Possible Answers:

Skin and Ears

Trunk and Feet

Trunk and tusks

Tusks and Ears

Correct answer:

Trunk and tusks

Explanation:

An elephant’s trunk helps it stay safe because it uses its trunk to make a loud sound to scare off predators and warn of danger. An elephant’s tusks help it stay safe because it uses its tusks to fight predators and enemies.

 

 

Example Question #8 : Identify Key Details

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, 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 comfort people who are sick. 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 with disabilities. These dogs are called service dogs. Many people who cannot see or hear have service dogs. Service dogs are trained to help their owners in their everyday lives. 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, like search-and-rescue dogs, use their sense of smell to help find people who are lost. Other 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!

 

Dogs that help keep people who are sick are called _______

Possible Answers:

search-and-rescue dogs.

therapy dogs.

hospital dogs.

detection dogs.

Correct answer:

therapy dogs.

Explanation:

 The text says “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 comfort people who are sick.”

 

Example Question #9 : Identify Key Details

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, 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 comfort people who are sick. 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 with disabilities. These dogs are called service dogs. Many people who cannot see or hear have service dogs. Service dogs are trained to help their owners in their everyday lives. 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, like search-and-rescue dogs, use their sense of smell to help find people who are lost. Other 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!

What do detection dogs help find?

Possible Answers:

People who break the law

People who are sick

People who cannot see well

People who are trapped

Correct answer:

People who break the law

Explanation:

The text states “Other dogs use their sense of smell to find things that are hidden. These dogs are called detection dogs.” Therapy dogs help people who are sick, Service dogs help people who cannot see, Search-and-Rescue dogs help people who are trapped.

Example Question #10 : Identify Key Details

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, 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 comfort people who are sick. 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 with disabilities. These dogs are called service dogs. Many people who cannot see or hear have service dogs. Service dogs are trained to help their owners in their everyday lives. 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, like search-and-rescue dogs, use their sense of smell to help find people who are lost. Other 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!

What do search-and-rescue dogs help find?

Possible Answers:

People who are sick

People who cannot see well

People who are missing

People who break the law

Correct answer:

People who are missing

Explanation:

The text states “Search-and-Rescue dogs help find people who are lost or trapped.” Therapy dogs help people who are sick, Service dogs help people who cannot see, Detection dogs help people who break the law and are hiding.

Example Question #31 : Reading

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, 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 comfort people who are sick. 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 with disabilities. These dogs are called service dogs. Many people who cannot see or hear have service dogs. Service dogs are trained to help their owners in their everyday lives. 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, like search-and-rescue dogs, use their sense of smell to help find people who are lost. Other 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!

According to the text, why can dogs do jobs that people can’t do?

Possible Answers:

They run better than people

They see better than people

They see and hear better than people

They smell better than people

Correct answer:

They smell better than people

Explanation:

 The text states “Dogs have a very good sense of smell – much better than humans.” Detection dogs and Search-and-Rescue dogs use their excellent sense of smell to help find people using their scent.

Example Question #32 : Reading

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 are herbivores, which means they only eat plants. Elephants eat fruit, leaves and grass. Adult elephants eat 300-400 pounds of food a day.

Elephants suck up water in their trunks and spray it onto themselves to stay clean. They also use their trunks as snorkels to help them breathe when they are swimming or in deep water. 

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 the largest ears of any animal. Elephants use their ears to hear, stay cool, and show feelings. Elephants flap their ears to cool off and keep insects away.

Wrinkled Skin

Elephants have wrinkled skin. Their skin looks rough and tough but it is very sensitive. Elephants cover their skin in mud and dirt to protect themselves from getting a sunburn and bug bites.

Feet

Everything on an elephant is big, so of course an elephant also has very large feet. Elephants have pads on the bottom of their feet to protect them and 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 wave hello to other elephants

To swat away bugs

to hold hands with 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 to make a loud horn noise to warn others and scare away predators.”

 

Example Question #33 : Reading

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 are herbivores, which means they only eat plants. Elephants eat fruit, leaves and grass. Adult elephants eat 300-400 pounds of food a day.

Elephants suck up water in their trunks and spray it onto themselves to stay clean. They also use their trunks as snorkels to help them breathe when they are swimming or in deep water. 

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 the largest ears of any animal. Elephants use their ears to hear, stay cool, and show feelings. Elephants flap their ears to cool off and keep insects away.

Wrinkled Skin

Elephants have wrinkled skin. Their skin looks rough and tough but it is very sensitive. Elephants cover their skin in mud and dirt to protect themselves from getting a sunburn and bug bites.

Feet

Everything on an elephant is big, so of course an elephant also has very large feet. Elephants have pads on the bottom of their feet to protect them and 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 tusks?

Possible Answers:

to dig holes and find food and water

to chew its food

to move heavy trees that have fallen

to scratch itself when it gets a bug bite

Correct answer:

to dig holes and find food and water

Explanation:

 The text says “Elephants use their tusks to dig holes and find food and water.”

Example Question #34 : Reading

The Game of Soccer

The History

The game of soccer started a very long time ago in another country, England. They named the sport of soccer “football.” They called this game “football” because the players played the game on and with their feet. In America, we call the sport “soccer.” Although they may call it by different names, many people play the game of soccer all around the world.

The Teams

A soccer game has two teams. Each team has eleven players on the field at a time. One of those players is called the “goalie.” The goalie’s job is to stop the ball from going into the goal. The goalie is the only player that is able to touch the ball with his hands during a soccer game.

The Game

Most soccer games last 90 minutes, and there is only one break in the middle of the game. During a soccer game, each team tries to kick the ball into the opposite team’s goal. Unlike many other sports, soccer games can end in a tie, meaning there might not be a winner or a loser after each game because each team has the same score.

Where did the game of soccer begin?

Possible Answers:

All over the world

China

England

American

Correct answer:

England

Explanation:

The answer to this question can be found directly in the text under the "History" section. 

The game of soccer started a very long time ago in another country, England. They named the sport of soccer, “football.” They called this game “football” because the players played the game on and with their feet. In America, we call the sport “soccer.” Although they may call it by different names, many people play the game of soccer all around the world.

Example Question #35 : Reading

Text 1:

During the year, the weather has four seasons: summer, fall, winter, and spring. Each season can bring very different weather. When the weather changes, people have to make some changes too.

In the summer, the weather is normally very warm. There are green leaves on the trees and bright colored flowers blooming in gardens. To stay cool, people normally wear lightweight clothes in the summer.

The fall brings a change in the leaves and temperature. Tree leaves begin to turn from green to bright orange, yellow, and red. The temperature will begin to get cooler during the fall. People often put away their summer shorts and start wearing jeans in the fall.

Winter is a time for snow! The very cold temperatures of winter bring the snowflakes. The cold temperature also means that many plants won’t grow and trees are left with no leaves, just bare branches. In the winter many people wear thick winter coats, hats, and gloves to try to keep themselves warm.

In the spring the weather is still warm, but most places get a lot of rain in the spring. All of the rain helps the flowers start to grow. Because of the rain, it’s always smart to have a rain jacket and an umbrella in the spring.

Text 2:

As you are growing up, the four seasons can create a timeline for the year. As a new season starts, there is a new time in the year to look forward to.

Fall means the start of school and school sports! The temperatures start to get cool in the fall, but that’s perfect weather for school events like football and soccer games.

Though winter can bring very cold temperatures, it can also bring snow days! Some places can get a lot of snow, which sometimes means they have to miss some days of school in the winter. This means that instead of going to school, kids get to make snowmen and play outside.

When spring comes along the temperatures get warmer and melt the winter’s snow, but spring also means that school is coming to an end for the year. Teachers are busy trying to plan end of the year activities, and students can’t wait for summer break to begin!

When summer finally arrives, the temperatures are very warm and many kids spend afternoons playing at the pool. Long summer nights are spent catching fire flies in the backyard, or playing flashlight tag.

As the summer comes to end, back to school shopping begins. School supplies are picked out, and kids look forward to starting a new school year.

During which season do the leaves turn from green to orange? 

Possible Answers:

Spring

Summer

Winter

Fall

Correct answer:

Fall

Explanation:

The answer to this question can be found in Text 1. 

The fall brings a change in the leaves and temperature. Tree leaves being to turn from green to bright orange, yellow, and red. The temperature will begin to get cooler during the fall. People often put away their summer shorts and start wearing jeans in the fall.

Example Question #36 : Reading

Text 1:

During the year, the weather has four seasons: summer, fall, winter, and spring. Each season can bring very different weather. When the weather changes, people have to make some changes too.

In the summer, the weather is normally very warm. There are green leaves on the trees and bright colored flowers blooming in gardens. To stay cool, people normally wear lightweight clothes in the summer.

The fall brings a change in the leaves and temperature. Tree leaves begin to turn from green to bright orange, yellow, and red. The temperature will begin to get cooler during the fall. People often put away their summer shorts and start wearing jeans in the fall.

Winter is a time for snow! The very cold temperatures of winter bring the snowflakes. The cold temperature also means that many plants won’t grow and trees are left with no leaves, just bare branches. In the winter many people wear thick winter coats, hats, and gloves to try to keep themselves warm.

In the spring the weather is still warm, but most places get a lot of rain in the spring. All of the rain helps the flowers start to grow. Because of the rain, it’s always smart to have a rain jacket and an umbrella in the spring.

Text 2:

As you are growing up, the four seasons can create a timeline for the year. As a new season starts, there is a new time in the year to look forward to.

Fall means the start of school and school sports! The temperatures start to get cool in the fall, but that’s perfect weather for school events like football and soccer games.

Though winter can bring very cold temperatures, it can also bring snow days! Some places can get a lot of snow, which sometimes means they have to miss some days of school in the winter. This means that instead of going to school, kids get to make snowmen and play outside.

When spring comes along the temperatures get warmer and melt the winter’s snow, but spring also means that school is coming to an end for the year. Teachers are busy trying to plan end of the year activities, and students can’t wait for summer break to begin!

When summer finally arrives, the temperatures are very warm and many kids spend afternoons playing at the pool. Long summer nights are spent catching fire flies in the backyard, or playing flashlight tag.

As the summer comes to end, back to school shopping begins. School supplies are picked out, and kids look forward to starting a new school year.

Text 2 says that which two sports are played in the fall? 

Possible Answers:

Football and tennis

Soccer and football

Soccer and tennis 

Baseball and tennis

Correct answer:

Soccer and football

Explanation:

This answer can be found in Text 2.

Fall means the start of school and school sports! The temperatures start to get cool in the fall, but that’s perfect weather for school events like football and soccer games.

All Common Core: 2nd Grade English Language Arts Resources

2 Diagnostic Tests 68 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept
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