READTHEORY Passage and Questions

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• Reading Comprehension Assessment
Directions: Read the passage. Then answer the questions below.

Tree Types
The world is full of trees. There are thousands of kinds of trees.
But there are only two main types of trees. The first type of tree is the
coniferous tree. The second type of tree is the deciduous tree.

Coniferous trees are the oldest and largest type of tree. They
have been around the longest. There were coniferous trees before there
were deciduous trees. And coniferous trees can become much larger
and taller than deciduous trees. This is because of the way they grow.

Coniferous trees grow upward toward the sun. As the years go by, they become taller and taller.
If left alone, they can become very tall. Some coniferous trees can even grow to be nearly 400 feet tall!
Because they grow mostly upward, they have a triangular shape.

Coniferous trees have special leaves. Their leaves are like green, pointy needles. And they stay
green all year. They do not fall off during the winter. Sometimes they are called “evergreens” because of
this.

Deciduous trees are very different from coniferous trees. Instead of growing upward, they grow
mostly outward. Their branches like to spread out. For this reason, deciduous trees have a more round
shape than coniferous trees.

The leaves of a deciduous tree look different from the leaves of a coniferous tree. Their leaves
are green. But they are not like pointy needles. They are flat and wide. They also change color. They are
green in the spring and the summer. But in the fall they change to bright red and orange. Finally, in the
winter, they fall off.

Both coniferous trees and deciduous trees are common. You can see them almost anywhere.
And you probably see both types every day. The most common coniferous trees are fir trees, spruce
trees, and pine trees. The most common deciduous trees are oak trees and maple trees.

1) In paragraph 3, the passage says, “Some coniferous trees can even grow to be nearly 400 feet tall!”
What is the purpose of this sentence?

A. to question something
B. to argue something
C. to highlight something
D. to explain something

2) According to the passage, what are the leaves of a coniferous tree like?

A. green and round

B. wide and flat
C. green and pointy
D. flat and pointy
 READTHEORY Questions

3) According to the passage, why do deciduous trees have a more round shape than coniferous trees?

A. because deciduous trees grow mostly outward

B. because deciduous trees grow mostly upward
C. because deciduous trees come from round seeds
D. because deciduous trees are not as tall as coniferous trees

4) In the final paragraph, we learn that, "Both coniferous trees and deciduous trees are common." Which
of these is also common?

A. diamonds
B. famous people
C. gold
D. dirt

5) Emma is looking at a very tall tree with leaves like pointy green needles. What kind of tree is she
most likely looking at?

A. beech tree
B. fir tree
C. maple tree
D. oak tree

6) What is the main purpose of this passage?

A. to explain why the leaves of a tree fall off in the winter

B. to compare the leaves of deciduous trees and coniferous trees
C. to explain what deciduous trees are like
D. to describe the two main types of trees

7) Based on the information you have just read, explain the main differences between coniferous and
deciduous trees using your own words. Summarize only the most important parts.

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 READTHEORY Questions

8) Martina lives in a cold place where the winters can last for a very long time. She’d like to have a tree
in her yard that will look nice even during the long, dark winters. What kind of tree do you think she
should plant? Why?

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9) Imagine you find a tree, but you don’t know what kind of tree it is. How would you figure out whether
the tree was coniferous or deciduous? What would you look for? Why?

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 READTHEORY Answers and Explanations

1) C
Question Type: Inference
In paragraph 3, the passage discusses coniferous trees. It lets us know that coniferous trees “grow upward toward the sun.” It also
lets us know that “as the years go by, they become taller and taller.” How tall can they become? In the next sentence we are told
that “they can become very tall.” We then read: “some coniferous trees can even grow to be nearly 400 feet tall!” This sentence lets
us know just how very tall a coniferous tree can become. Because in the previous sentence we had been told that “they can become
very tall,” we can now understand that this sentence, which tells us they can grow to be “nearly 400 feet tall,” highlights the idea that
coniferous trees can “become very tall.” From this we can tell that the purpose of the sentence, “Some coniferous trees can even
grow to be nearly 400 feet tall!” must be to highlight something. Therefore (C) is correct. In paragraph 3, the passage tells us about
just how tall coniferous trees can become. It tells us that they grow “upward toward the sun.” It tells us that they “become taller and
taller.” It tells us that, “if left alone, they can become very tall.” It tells us that they can “become nearly 400 feet tall.” And, in the final
sentence, it tells us that because it grows upward, it has a triangular shape. All of these sentences are telling us things. None of
these sentences asks a question. From this we can tell that the purpose of the sentence, “Some coniferous trees can even grow to
be nearly 400 feet tall!” cannot be to question something. Therefore (A) is incorrect. When you make an argument, you give reasons
for why some idea or statement is correct. In paragraph 3, the passage lets us know that coniferous trees can “become very tall.”
We then read: “Some coniferous trees can even grow to be nearly 400 feet tall!” This sentence does not give a reason for why an
idea (the idea that coniferous trees can become very tall) is correct. Instead, it highlights just how tall they can become. From this
we can tell that the purpose of the sentence, “Some coniferous trees can even grow to be nearly 400 feet tall!” cannot be to argue
something. Therefore (B) is incorrect. When you explain something, you show why something happens. In paragraph 3, the
passage lets us know that coniferous trees can “become very tall.” We then read: “Some coniferous trees can even grow to be
nearly 400 feet tall!” The sentence does not explain why coniferous trees can become very tall. Instead, it highlights just how tall
they can become. From this we can tell that the purpose of the sentence, “Some coniferous trees can even grow to be nearly 400
feet tall!” cannot be to explain something. Therefore (D) is incorrect.

2) C
Question Type: Detail
In order to answer this detail question, we need to find where the passage talks about what the leaves of a coniferous tree are like.
To do this, it is helpful to scan the topic sentence (the first sentence) of each paragraph, since this sentence will likely tell us what
information will be found in the rest of that paragraph. The topic sentence of paragraph 4 reads: “Coniferous trees have special
leaves.” From this we can tell that paragraph 4 will likely talk about the leaves of coniferous trees, and that it will likely contain the
details we are looking for. In the next sentence, we read: “Their leaves are like green, pointy needles.” From this we can tell that the
leaves of a coniferous tree are green and pointy. Therefore (C) is correct. Although we learn in paragraph 4 that the leaves of a
coniferous tree are green, the passage does not tell us that they are round. Instead, it tells us that they are green, pointy, and like
needles. From this we can tell that the leaves of a coniferous tree are not green and round. Therefore (A) is incorrect. Although,
later in the passage, we read about some leaves that are “flat and wide,” we are not told that the leaves of a coniferous tree are flat
and wide. Instead, we are told that deciduous trees have leaves that are “flat and wide.” In paragraph 4, we learn that the leaves of
a coniferous tree are green, pointy, and like needles. From this we can tell that the leaves of a coniferous tree are not flat and wide.
Therefore (B) is incorrect. Although paragraph 4 does let us know that the leaves of a coniferous tree are pointy, it does not tell us
they are flat. Instead, it tells us that they are green, pointy, and like needles. From this we can tell that the leaves of a coniferous
tree are not flat and pointy. Therefore (D) is incorrect.

3) A
Question Type: Detail
In order to answer this detail question, we need to find where the passage talks about why deciduous trees are different from
coniferous trees. To do this it is helpful to scan the topic sentence (the first sentence) of each paragraph, since this sentence is likely
to tell us what the rest of the paragraph will talk about. The topic sentence of paragraph 5 reads: “Deciduous trees are very different
from coniferous trees.” From this, we can tell that paragraph 5 will likely talk about why deciduous trees are different from coniferous
trees. This lets us know that the details we are looking for may be found in this paragraph. We then read: “Instead of growing
upward, they grow mostly outward. Their branches like to spread out. For this reason, deciduous trees have a more round shape
than coniferous trees.” This lets us know the deciduous trees have a more round shape than coniferous trees because their
branches like to spread out, and because instead of growing upward they grow mostly outward. From this we can understand that
deciduous trees have a more round shape than coniferous trees because deciduous trees grow mostly outward. Therefore (A) is
correct. In paragraph 5, we read that deciduous trees are different from coniferous trees because “Instead of growing upward, they
grow mostly outward.” This lets us know that deciduous trees grow more outward than upward. From this we can understand that,
according to this passage, the reason deciduous trees have a more round shape than coniferous trees cannot be that deciduous
trees grow mostly upward. Therefore (B) is incorrect. This passage does not provide information to support choice (C). Therefore it
is incorrect. Although the passage does tell us that coniferous trees do “become much larger and taller than deciduous trees,” it
does not say that this is the reason that deciduous trees have a more round shape than coniferous trees. Instead, in paragraph 5, it
tells us that deciduous trees have a more round shape than coniferous trees because they grow mostly outward instead of mostly
upward, like coniferous trees. Therefore (D) is incorrect.

4) D
Question Type: Vocabulary
common (adjective): occurring, found, or done often; prevalent.
In the final paragraph, we read: “Both coniferous trees and deciduous trees are common.” In order to answer this vocabulary
question correctly, we need first to figure out what the word common means. Then we need to decide which thing is also common.
We can use context clues—hints from known words or phrases around an unknown word or phrase—to help us figure out what the
word common nearly means. We are told that both types of trees are “common.” In the next sentence, we read: “You can see them
almost anywhere.” From this we can tell that the word common must have something to do with being able to be seen almost
anywhere. Dirt is something that you can see almost anywhere. It is always there in the ground you are walking on. From this we
 READTHEORY Answers and Explanations

can understand that dirt is also common. Therefore (D) is correct. Using the above information, we can tell that something that is
common is something that can be seen almost anywhere. Diamonds cannot be seen almost anywhere. In fact they are very rare.
From this we can understand that diamonds are not also common. This eliminates (A). Using the above information, we can tell that
something that is common is something that can be seen almost anywhere. Famous people cannot be seen almost anywhere. In
fact they are very rare. From this we can understand that famous people are not also common. This eliminates (B). Using the above
information, we can tell that something that is common is something that can be seen almost anywhere. Gold cannot be seen
almost anywhere. In fact it is very rare. From this we can understand that gold is not also common. This eliminates (C).

5) B
Question Type: Inference
Emma is looking at a very tall tree with leaves like pointy needles. In order to figure out what kind of tree she is most likely looking
at, we need to first figure out if it is a coniferous tree or a deciduous tree. Then we need to figure out which kind of tree it is. In
paragraph 3, we read that coniferous trees “can become very tall.” This lets us know that, if Emma is looking at a very tall tree, she
may be looking at a coniferous tree. In paragraph 4, we find out that coniferous trees have leaves that “are like green, pointy
needles.” This lets us know that, if Emma is looking at a tree with leaves like pointy green needles, then she must be looking at a
coniferous tree. Because Emma is looking at a tree that is very tall and has leaves like pointy green needles, and because
coniferous trees are very tall and have leaves like pointy green needles, we can be sure that Emma is looking at a coniferous tree.
In the final paragraph, we read: “The most common coniferous trees are fir trees, spruce trees, and pine trees.” From this we can tell
that a fir tree is a coniferous tree. We can now understand that Emma is most likely looking at a fir tree. Therefore (B) is correct.
Using the above information, we can tell that Emma is looking at a coniferous tree. But this passage does not discuss beech trees.
This means that we cannot say, according to this passage, whether a beech tree is a coniferous tree or a deciduous tree. We can
now understand that, because we do not have enough information about beech trees, we cannot say that Emma is most likely
looking at a beech tree. This eliminates (A). Using the above information, we can tell that Emma is looking at a coniferous tree. In
the final paragraph, we read: “The most common deciduous trees are oak trees and maple trees.” This lets us know that a maple
tree is not a coniferous tree. We can now understand that Emma is most likely not looking at a maple tree. This eliminates (C).
Using the above information, we can tell that Emma is looking at a coniferous tree. In the final paragraph, we read: “The most
common deciduous trees are oak trees and maple trees.” This lets us know that an oak tree is not a coniferous tree. We can now
understand that Emma is most likely not looking at an oak tree. This eliminates (D).

6) D
Question Type: Global
In this passage, we read about “two main types of trees.” We read about coniferous trees, and about deciduous trees. The passage
first tells us what coniferous trees are like. We learn that they are very large and tall, that they grow upward and have a triangular
shape, that they have green and pointy needle-like leaves, and that they stay green all year long. The passage next tells us about
deciduous trees and what they are like. We learn that deciduous trees grow mostly outward and have a round shape, that they have
wide and flat leaves, and that the leaves change color and fall off in the cold months of the year. Finally, we learn what some of the
most common coniferous and deciduous trees are. All of this helps to describe the two main types of trees. From this we can tell
that the main purpose of this passage must be to describe the two main types of trees. Therefore (D) is correct. Although this
passage does tell us that the leaves of deciduous trees fall off in the winter, it does not say that all leaves of all kinds of trees do this.
In fact, it lets us know that the leaves of coniferous trees “do not fall off during the winter.” Also, although the passage tells us that
the leaves of a deciduous tree fall off in the winter, it does not explain why they do that. It only tells us that they do. From this we can
tell that this passage does not explain why the leaves of a tree fall off in the winter. Also from this we can understand that the main
purpose of this passage cannot be to explain why the leaves of a tree fall off in the winter. Therefore (A) is incorrect. Although this
passage does compare the leaves of a deciduous tree with the leaves of a coniferous tree, it also does many other things. For
example, it tells us about the size, height, and shape of both types of trees, it lets us know that coniferous trees are the oldest type
of tree, and it tells us what the most common kinds of each type of tree are. From this we can understand that the main purpose of
this passage cannot be simply to compare the leaves of deciduous and coniferous trees. Therefore (B) is incorrect. Although this
passage does explain what deciduous trees are like, it also explains what coniferous trees are alike. From this we can tell that the
main purpose of this passage cannot be simply to explain what deciduous trees are like. Therefore (C) is incorrect.