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Grade 5 Reading Comprehension Practice Set 6

Question

Number

Code Standard Student Mastery

1 RI.5.1.

W.5.2.

W.5.9.

Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. _________/ 2 points

2 RI.5.4.

W.5.2.

W.5.9.

Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 5 topic or subject area.



3 RI.5.9.

W.5.2.

W.5.9.

Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.



1

Capoeira: Brazilian Dance

Used with permission by ReadWorks.org

Read the passage. Then answer question 1 in the space provided.

1 More than 400 years ago, African slaves in Brazil created capoeira (kapoo-air-uh) as a form of martial art.1 Martial arts, like karate, are used for self defense. They combine balance and power into graceful moves. The word “martial” comes from Mars, the Roman god of war. The sports are “arts” because they require a lot of study and practice—like music, painting, or any other art. Today, capoeira combines dance and music into a game of fight.

2 In capoeira, the dancers form a circle, or “roda.” The musicians play from the bottom of the circle. The dancers often enter the circle with a cartwheel or flip. Then the game starts. Whirling, flipping, and pretending to fight without actually hurting each other, the men in the circle move around. The players flip and kick, interacting with headstands and handstands in a pattern.

3 The music in capoeira is very important. The music can make the dance seem like a friendly exercise or like a dangerous competition. Three different “berimbau” are used. A berimbau is an instrument shaped like a hunting bow. A stick is used to pluck the string. A hollow gourd at the bottom of the bow makes the sound reverberate.2 One of the berimbau plays low bass notes, the gunga. Medium notes are played by the medio. The rhythm of the music is plucked on the berimbau. The viola plays the high notes and the melody--like the voice of a person singing a tune.

4 Capoeira weaves through Brazilian history. No one knows exactly how it developed. Some people believe that former slaves set up their own towns in the wilderness and practiced the first forms of capoeira there, learning how to protect themselves. For a while, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, capoeira was outlawed.3 The Brazilian government feared its aggressive tone. Back then, people would actually hurt each other using capoeira. Also, the government wanted to break up the strong cultural bond that African communities and former slaves shared. Capoeira was one of those bonds.

5 Gradually, the government changed its policy. It began to see the sense of community and identity expressed by capoeira as a positive thing. Capoeira schools were opened. The dance became a philosophy.4 Now, capoeira is considered a national sport of Brazil.

1 martial art-- types of combat and self-defense (like karate and judo) that are widely practiced as a sport 2 reverberate—to continue like a series of echoes3 outlaw—to make illegal 4 philosophy—someone’s basic beliefs about the way people should live

2

Score Response Features2 • Valid inferences and/or claims from the text where required by the prompt

• Evidence of analysis of the text where required by the prompt• Relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, and/or other information from the text to develop response according to the requirements of the prompt• Sufficient number of facts, definitions, concrete details, and/or other information from the text as required by the prompt• Complete sentences where errors do not impact readability

1 • A mostly literal recounting of events or details from the text as required by the prompt• Some relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, and/or other information from the text to develop response according to the requirements of the prompt• Incomplete sentences or bullets

0 • A response that does not address any of the requirements of the prompt or is totally inaccurate• A response that is not written in English• A response that is unintelligible or indecipherable

3

1. Why did the Brazilian government outlaw capoeira in the late 19th and early 20th centuries? Use at least two details from the text to support your answer.

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Carnaval! The Celebration of Brazil

Used with permission by ReadWorks.org

Read the passage. Then answer question 2 in the space provided.

1 Brazil’s warm climate and beautiful beaches attract people from all over the world. What else attracts people to Brazil? The country’s reputation for fun! During Carnaval, seven weeks before Easter, for four straight days, Brazil turns into one big party. It is Carnaval time!

2 Carnaval began similar to the tradition5 of Mardi Gras in the United States. Both started as a feast and celebration before the fasting of Lent. But today, Carnaval is not as much about religion as about fun and pleasure. People parade, dance, play music, and wear costumes and masks. Everyone catches the spirit of Carnaval. Bright colors are everywhere and people become more outgoing.

3 Carnaval combines many elements6 of Brazil’s heritage: masked balls from the Portuguese aristocrat tradition, music handed down through the ages from West Africans in Brazil, and paint and marching from the Native American tradition. People from every background and social class take part in Carnaval in one way or another. One way to celebrate is through singing. Many people sing songs written for Carnaval as they parade. Here is a translation of the first simple words ever written for a Carnaval song. They are almost like a chant:

Hey, make way I want to pass I like parties I can’t deny that

4 Part of the Carnaval is the escolas de samba. Escolas de samba are groups, or almost like clubs that perform together. They spend a lot of time during the whole year preparing for Carnaval. The exhibitions7 involve parades with breathtaking floats made of crepe paper, flowers, and other materials. There is also music. Each parade lasts about 90 minutes. Judges choose the best groups of floats and the best songs written each year. Often the songs have political or historical themes. They are fun, but they are also passionate and smart. The songs speak to the people of Brazil. Brazilians are very loyal to their favorite escola. People from the community pour time and effort into the escola de samba to make their parade the best, loudest, and most dazzling.8

5 tradition—the passing down customs from one generation to the next6 elements—parts 7 exhibition—a display for the public8 dazzling—arousing admiration by an impressive display

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Score Response Features2 • Valid inferences and/or claims from the text where required by the prompt

• Evidence of analysis of the text where required by the prompt• Relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, and/or other information from the text to develop response according to the requirements of the prompt• Sufficient number of facts, definitions, concrete details, and/or other information from the text as required by the prompt• Complete sentences where errors do not impact readability



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2. What does the author mean when he says that the songs from the escolas de samba “speak to the people of Brazil”? Use at least two details from the text to support your answer.

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The following question refers to both passages. Reread them and answer question 3 in the space provided below.

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3. Does Brazil have strong cultural traditions? Use details from both passages to support your response.

In your response, be sure to:

Determine if Brazil has strong cultural traditions. Include details from “Capoeira: Brazilian Dance” in your response. Include details from “Carnaval! The Celebration of Brazil” in your response.

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ANSWER KEY

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ANSWER KEY

8

1. Why did the Brazilian government outlaw capoeira in the late 19th and early 20th centuries? Use at least two details from the text to support your answer.

Answers will vary. Use the enclosed rubric as a guideline for scoring.

Example of a 2-level answer:

The Brazilian government outlawed capoeira in the late 19th and early 20th centuries because the

government felt it was very aggressive. People were hurting each other when engaging in capoeira. It

was also associated with African communities and former slaves, and the government wanted to break

the bond of those groups.

Suggestions for class review:

This question requires students to determine why the Brazilian government outlawed capoeira. The

answer to this question is clearly in the text and requires students to go back to the text and find the

appropriate supporting details. Encourage students to scan the text for “buzz words” such as “outlaw”

and “government.” Once students locate the answer in paragraph 4, they will be able to answer the

question.

Score Response Features2 • Valid inferences and/or claims from the text where required by

the prompt• Evidence of analysis of the text where required by the prompt• Relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, and/or other information from the text to develop response according to the requirements of the prompt• Sufficient number of facts, definitions, concrete details, and/or other information from the text as required by the prompt• Complete sentences where errors do not impact readability



9

2. What does the author mean when he says that the songs from the escolas de samba “speak to the people of Brazil”? Use at least two details from the text to support your answer.



When the author says that the songs from the escolas de samba “speak to the people of Brazil,”

he means that the topics of the songs are relevant to Brazilian culture. The songs are usually related to

political or historical themes. The author explains that the songs are “passionate and smart.” This

shows that they are more important to Brazilians than to foreigners.


This question requires students to determine what the author means when he says that the songs of the

escola de samba “speak to the people of Brazil.” Students will need to recognize that this phrase is being

used figuratively. Ask students to annotate the text for additional information about the songs. Review

this information with students. They should identify details such as that the songs “have political or

historical themes,” and are “passionate and smart.” Ask students what this means and how it relates to

the Brazilian people. This should lead students to the correct answer. Note that in this case, the

supporting details come before the line, “The songs speak to the people of Brazil.” Students who do not

realize this might have a difficult time answering this question.

10

3. Does Brazil have strong cultural traditions? Use details from both passages to support your response.

In your response, be sure to:

Determine if Brazil has strong cultural traditions. Include details from “Capoeira: Brazilian Dance” in your response. Include details from “Carnaval! The Celebration of Brazil” in your response.



Brazil has several strong cultural traditions, including capoeira and carnaval. Capoeira is a

Brazilian tradition that developed over 400 years ago. It is a special type of martial art and has a

particular type of music. Capoeira schools exist throughout Brazil and the dance is considered a

national sport. This shows one strong cultural tradition in Brazil.

Another cultural tradition in Brazil is carnaval. Carnaval itself combines several Brazilian

traditions, including masks, music, and escolas de samba. Every year, Brazil celebrates carnaval. Escolas

de samba parade down the streets and sing songs related to Brazilian history and politics. This is yet

another example of a strong cultural tradition. Both passages show the strong traditions of Brazil.


This question requires students to examine both passages and determine whether or not they show

that Brazil has strong cultural traditions. Students should argue that Brazil does have strong cultural

traditions, as there is not sufficient evidence present to prove that they do not. Help students focus on

details related to culture and tradition. Point out to students that if a tradition has been around for a

long time or is very specific to Brazil, it will be considered a strong cultural tradition.

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