Read the passage Astro Bob to the Rescue before answering Numbers 1 through 5. UNIT 4 WEEK 4 Astro Bob to the Rescue As I watched Ari climb into the minivan, I suppressed the urge to groan. Ari was the sports king of Anson Middle School. But I dreaded gym class because all sports are boring to me. Science and history were my favorite subjects in school. Ari seemed like a nice guy, but we hardly ever spoke because we had nothing in common. Then one day we found ourselves stuck together inside a moving metal box for several hours. This summer, Ari and I were both going to Camp Saginaw. So, our mothers decided it would be a good idea to carpool. Relax, Parker, said my mom when I explained why I was dreading a long ride with Ari. I m sure you guys will find something to talk about. About an hour into the ride, it was clear to me that my mom was wrong because I had nothing to say about sports, and Ari had nothing to say about science. During an awkward silence, I desperately wished for a way to get to Camp Saginaw faster. Just then, Mom said, It looks like we re going to have a longer drive than I had planned, boys. The traffic is absolutely awful, and it looks like we re in the middle of a pretty big jam. I heard Ari stifle a sigh, and I thought with dread about trying to make conversation with him. Honestly, it would have been easier to chat with an alien from another planet. Thinking about aliens reminded me of something the Astro Bob comics I used to gobble up when I was a kid, and I heard myself mumbling, There are no aliens here, only friends we have not met yet. What did you say? Ari asked curiously. Oh, nothing, I said, embarrassed. It s just that I thought you were using that line from the Astro Bob comics, Ari said, sounding disappointed. I really liked Astro Bob, but it seems like nobody else remembers him. Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 4, Week 4 Grade 6 191
UNIT 4 WEEK 4 Wait, you were an Astro Bob fan? I exclaimed. Suddenly, Ari looked a whole lot less alien to me. I loved Astro Bob! When my parents started giving me an allowance, I used to blow the whole thing on Astro Bob comics every week. Really? Ari s face became animated. Do you still have them? I never read the episode where Astro Bob travels to Saturn and his friend Yelnar gets his antenna caught in the window. Yeah, I ve got it it s hilarious! Do you want to borrow it? Suddenly the conversation was flowing like a river. In the middle of a lively discussion about which book in the Space Explorers series was the best, I noticed that the traffic had cleared up and the minivan was now moving at a good, swift clip. Soon we would arrive at Camp Saginaw, and I was surprised to realize I was no longer in a hurry to get there. 192 Grade 6 Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 4, Week 4
Now answer Numbers 1 through 5. Base your answers on Astro Bob to the Rescue. 1 This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B. Part A: What is the theme of the passage? A Try to get along with everyone you meet. B Some classmates are friendlier than others. C People from different places are usually alike. D Do not judge a person before you know him or her. Part B: Which best shows the theme? A Ari gets into the minivan. B Parker thinks about aliens. C Ari says that he likes Astro Bob comics. D Parker notices that the traffic jam has cleared up. 2 Read the sentence from the passage. The traffic is absolutely awful, and it looks like we re in the middle of a pretty big jam. What does jam mean in the sentence? A a squeeze B a stoppage C a fruit preserve D a mechanical error Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 4, Week 4 Grade 6 193
3 Compare and contrast Parker and Ari. Write the descriptions from the box into the chart. Then write the number of the text evidence that supports each description. Parker Both Ari Description Text Evidence Descriptions: Likes sports Likes science Reads comics Text Evidence: 1 - Ari was the sports king of Anson Middle School. 2 - Science and history were my favorite subjects in school. 3 - Wait, you were an Astro Bob fan? I exclaimed. 4 Which sentence from the passage best helps to show the theme? A Then one day we found ourselves stuck together inside a moving metal box for several hours. B C During an awkward silence, I desperately wished for a way to get to Camp Saginaw faster. Honestly, it would have been easier to chat with an alien from another planet. D Suddenly, Ari looked a whole lot less alien to me. 194 Grade 6 Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 4, Week 4
5 This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B. Part A: Read the sentence from the passage. In the middle of a lively discussion about which book in the Space Explorers series was the best, I noticed that the traffic had cleared up and the minivan was now moving at a good, swift clip. What does clip mean in the sentence? A a movie scene B a rate of speed C a type of fastener D the act of trimming Part B: Which word from the sentence best shows what clip means? A middle B lively C good D swift Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 4, Week 4 Grade 6 195
UNIT 4 WEEK 4 Read the passage Worth Saving before answering Numbers 6 through 10. Worth Saving Ms. Alvarez, the Harrison Middle School board president, rose to her feet and called the meeting to order. I m glad to see that so many members of our community are present to discuss the future of the music program, she said. To begin, Principal Hopkins will explain the proposed changes, and after that we ll take comments from the audience. As you all know, Mr. Hopkins began after rising to face the audience, I am a big fan of our music program, but unfortunately, we have to confront the realities of our budget. Then he explained the case for cutting back music classes and eliminating the choir. Ayellah felt herself longing to jump up and interrupt Mr. Hopkins. She loved music and Mrs. Zelinski, the music teacher, was a favorite of all the students. She could coax beautiful sounds out of even the most reluctant singers. Mr. Hopkins finished his presentation, saying, I know some people in this room will object to this plan because they want to continue our wonderful music program without changes, but I m afraid I do not see an alternative to making cuts. Unable to sit still for a moment longer, Ayellah shot to her feet and exclaimed, That s just wrong! There was a startled hush in the room. Ayellah realized that she had heard three voices, her own and two others, speaking the exact same words. She looked around in confusion. She noticed two other girls Julia and Tegan standing with identical looks of surprise. Ayellah turned forward again just as Ms. Alvarez spoke. Well, it seems we have some students here who share an appreciation for the music program. Addressing Ayellah, she asked, Would you please speak for your fellow students and explain your side of this argument? Ayellah took a deep breath and said, The music program means more to students than anyone can imagine. She spoke from her heart for ten long minutes, and then the meeting went on until Ms. Alvarez finally spoke. Let s meet again in a week to finish this conversation and come to a decision. 196 Grade 6 Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 4, Week 4
UNIT 4 WEEK 4 As the room emptied, Ayellah, Julia, and Tegan made their way toward each other. I didn t know you guys were into music! I play trumpet, Tegan replied. I don t know what I ll do if they cut band classes. Julia nodded and said she played piano. We ve got a week to think about it, said Ayellah. Immediately, the girls began talking about gathering support and starting fundraising projects. Absorbed in conversation, none of the girls noticed Mr. Hopkins. Now that I see how excited you are about the music program, he said, I believe we may be able to avoid the worst of the cuts. I can t wait to hear what you have to say at the next meeting, and I ll certainly root for you to succeed! Ayellah smiled at the other girls and was pleased to see the confidence in their eyes. He s right, she said. Let s do this together! Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 4, Week 4 Grade 6 197
Now answer Numbers 6 through 10. Base your answers on Worth Saving. 6 Underline the word in the sentence that is a homograph for a word meaning gift. I m glad to see that so many members of our community are present to discuss the future of the music program, she said. 7 This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B. Part A: What is the theme of the passage? A Any two people can work together if they try. B It is good to talk to people with different ideas. C People who share a passion should work together. D It can be hard to find people who share your interests. Part B: Which action from the passage supports the theme? A Ayellah leaps to her feet during the meeting. B Ayellah speaks to the school board from her heart. C Ayellah encourages Julia and Tegan to work with her. D Ayellah thinks about the music teacher that the students love. 8 Which sentence from the passage best states the author s message? A There was a startled hush in the room. B Ayellah turned forward again just as Ms. Alvarez spoke. C I play trumpet, Tegan replied. D Let s do this together! 198 Grade 6 Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 4, Week 4
9 This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B. Part A: Read the sentence from the passage. Mr. Hopkins finished his presentation, saying, I know some people in this room will object to this plan because they want to continue our wonderful music program without changes, but I m afraid I do not see an alternative to making cuts. What does object mean in the sentence? A go against B a goal to achieve C the focus of attention D something seen or touched Part B: Which phrase from the sentence best helps to show what object means? A his presentation B some people C in this room D without changes 10 Read the sentence from the passage. Now that I see how excited you are about the music program, he said, I believe we may be able to avoid the worst of the cuts. How does the sentence support the theme? A It shows that the principal is friendly to students. B C D It shows that the principal has to make cuts somewhere. It shows how excited the girls are about the music program. It shows that the girls can make a difference by working together. STOP Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 4, Week 4 Grade 6 199