2nd Grade

ELA Reading Test Prep

Materials Developed by Nancy Bruen for A+ Literature Guides.

© 2018 A+ Literature Guides. All rights reserved.

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1|©2018 A – PL US Lit era tur e Guides

 2nd Grade ELA/Reading Test Prep

Table of Contents
Self-Grading Google Form Links in Other Document with
Download.
Google Paperless Links for Passages and Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Passage 1 – Seagulls – Narrative Poem - Questions, and Answer Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Passage 2 – The Case of the Missing Pencil – Narrative Passage, Questions, and Key. . . . . . . 12

Extended Response Passages 1 and 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Passage 3 – History of “The Slinky” – Passage, Questions and Answer Key. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Extended Response Passage 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Coloring Pages for Bulletin Boards – Reading Questions Poster Set. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

A+ Literature Guides Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

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 Directions for Paperless Google Docs

What you need to get started:

1. Download link for Passage 1 (Google Docs)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wHENt-1jtgBYR3hxgIkkiRuXRPIVkgY_2S05c--tEYs/copy

(Answer Key page 9)

2. Download link for Passage 2 (Google Docs)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1httNgxr7RFTuYuQN8tgMC3TsTjw5Claq04glEd0Yjzo/copy

(Answer Key page 17)

Download Link for Passages 1 and 2 Extended Response:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1b5Eb_hYwdEnVWZPNjKivEnOIKAZ8qCjrPfoREu3q5B0/copy

3. Download link for Passage 3 (Google Docs)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pITomcTz_Lj3H1MAmtUlmJVXTP2IKbwNuc0ytuGKqUI/copy

(Answer Key page 25)

Download Link for Passages 3 Extended Response:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K6p_cwDIImoo4k_zGUR7UmKJkeaxYm7xwrEHkQflXjA/copy

4. Open the file on your own Google Drive. Log out of ALL your Google
accounts EXCEPT the one you will be using for the project.
Begin your Google Docs Project:
If you haven’t created a free Google account, you will need to do that
before beginning the project. Each student will need their own account
if they will be working on their own project using Google Docs.
Go to the links above. When you click these links, you’ll go to a screen
that says "Copy document." Click the blue button that says "Make a
copy" to transfer this file to your own Google Drive account. If you have

3|©2018 A – PL US Lit era tur e Guides

Google Drive accounts with multiple email addresses, make sure you log
out of all the accounts EXCEPT the one you will be using for the project.

When creating the assignment for students, select the option to

make a copy for every student. This ensures your students do not edit
your original file.

4|©2018 A – PL US Lit era tur e Guides

Read the poem and answer the questions that follow.

Seagulls
by Nancy Bruen

Seagulls are free,

Seagulls are fun.
They fly through the air,
I want to be one.

They like the sky,

They like the sea.
In the air is where
I want to be.

No more work,
No more chores.
Through the clouds
A seagull soars.

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1. Which word from the beginning of the poem rhymes with “fun”?
A. free
B. air
C. one
D. sky

2. Part A – How does the speaker in the poem feel about seagulls?
A. She likes them.
B. She doesn’t like them.
C. She is afraid of them.
D. She thinks they are silly.

3. Part B - Place a check mark BEFORE the line that BEST shows the feeling in
Part A.

________ They like the sky,

________ They like the sea.

________ In the air is where

________ I want to be.

4. What do seagulls like?

A. the chores
B. the ocean
C. the city
D. the work

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5. Which words use alliteration to describe seagulls?
Put a check mark in FRONT of TWO words that are alliteration.

________ Seagulls are ________free,

Seagulls are ________fun.

They fly through the ________air,

I want to be ________one.

6. Through the clouds

A seagull soars.
What does the word “soars” mean?
A. thinks
B. yells
C. cries
D. flies

7. How does the poem end?

A. The seagull is catching a little fish.
B. The seagull is working hard.
C. The seagull is doing chores.
D. The seagull is soaring through a cloud.

8. How does the speaker feel about chores?

A. She likes them.
B. She doesn’t like them.
C. She wants more.
D. She thinks they are silly.

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9. Part A - What word shows the central message?
A. ocean
B. freedom
C. summer
D. sky

10. Part B - Place a check mark BEFORE the line that BEST shows the theme in
Part A.
________ Seagulls are free,

________ Seagulls are fun.

________ They fly through the air,

________ I want to be one.

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 Answer Key – Seagulls

1. Which word from the beginning of the poem rhymes with “fun”?
A. free
B. air
C. one
D. sky

2. Part A – How does the speaker in the poem feel about seagulls?
A. She likes them.
B. She doesn’t like them.
C. She is afraid of them.
D. She thinks they are silly.

3. Part B - Place a check mark BEFORE the line that BEST shows the feeling in
Part A.

________ They like the sky,

________ They like the sea.

________ In the air is where

____X____ I want to be.

4. What do seagulls like?

A. the chores
B. the ocean
C. the city
D. the work

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5. Which words use alliteration to describe seagulls?
Put a check mark in FRONT of TWO words that are alliteration.

________ Seagulls are ____X____free,

Seagulls are ____X____fun.

They fly through the ________air,

I want to be ________one.

6. Through the clouds

A seagull soars.
What does the word “soars” mean?
A. thinks
B. yells
C. cries
D. flies

7. How does the poem end?

A. The seagull is catching a little fish.
B. The seagull is working hard.
C. The seagull is doing chores.
D. The seagull is soaring through a cloud.

8. How does the speaker feel about chores?

A. She likes them.
B. She doesn’t like them.
C. She wants more.
D. She thinks they are silly.

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9. Part A - What word shows the central message?
A. ocean
B. freedom
C. summer
D. sky

10. Part B - Place a check mark BEFORE the line that BEST shows the theme in
Part A.
____X____ Seagulls are free,

________ Seagulls are fun.

________ They fly through the air,

________ I want to be one.

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Read the mystery and answer the questions that follow.

The Case of the Missing Pencil

by Nancy Bruen

(1) Emma loves her new pink pencil. It has pink and black stripes. It also
has soft feathers instead of an eraser. Emma doesn’t really like math. Today she
is happy to do math because she can use her new pencil.

(2) “Okay class, put your pencils in your pencil cases. It is time to line up for
lunch,” said Miss Henry.

(3) Everyone put their pencils in their pencil cases. Everyone, except
Emma. She knows that Cara and Anna both like her new pencil. She is worried
that one of them will take her pencil. So when no one was looking, she hid it in
her desk.

(4) Everyone lined up for lunch. Everyone, except Jane. The teacher didn’t
realize she was missing until they were halfway down the hall. Anna told
Miss Henry, so they had to line up by the wall. Just then, Jane came scampering
down the hall and got in line.

(5) “Where were you?” asked Miss Henry.

(6) “My pencils fell on the ground, so I had to pick them up,” replied Jane.

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 (7) “Next time tell me,” warned Miss Henry.

(8) Everyone is anxious to get to the lunchroom since it is Friday. Friday is

pizza day. So, they quickly walked down the hall and got in line for pizza. Emma
bought three slices of pizza and sat down. It was a feast!

(9) After lunch, Miss Henry came to the cafeteria to pick them up. They
went back to their room and sat at their desks.

(10) “Take out your pencils again children. It is time to check your math
papers,” said Miss Henry.

(11) Emma smiled and looked in her desk for her pink pencil. It was gone!

(12) “Miss Henry! Someone took my new pink pencil with the feathers!”
yelled Emma.

(13) “Who took the pencil?” asked Miss Henry.

(14) Emma looks at Cara. She knows how much Cara likes the pencil. She
accuses her of taking it.

(15) “It wasn’t me. I didn’t take it,” Cara said angrily.

(16) Emma turns to look at Anna who also likes the pencil.
(17) “I didn’t take it,” said Anna. “I don’t like pink. My favorite color is
blue.”

(18) Finally, Emma turns around and looks at Jane.

(19) “It wasn’t me,” said Jane. “I’ve never looked in your desk.”

(20) Emma thought about the three suspects for a few moments.

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 (21) “Aha! I know who it is. You gave yourself away. Hand it over!” said
Emma.

(22) The suspect returned the pencil and had to write a letter to Emma
apologizing for taking it. She was very embarrassed.

(23) Who stole the pencil?

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1. What problem does Emma have?
A. She doesn’t have an eraser.
B. Someone stole her pencil.
C. Jane was late for lunch.
D. Cara wants her pencil.

2. What does the pencil look like?

A. It is blue with feathers.
B. It is only pink with feathers.
C. It is pink and black with feathers.
D. It is blue and yellow with feathers.

3. Number the events in the story from 1 – 5.

__________ Emma got her pencil back.

__________ The suspect was caught.

__________ Emma used her pencil for math.

__________ Emma got pizza for lunch.

__________ Emma lined up for lunch.

4. Part A - What does the word “feast” mean in Paragraph 8?

A. a cold meal
B. a big meal
C. a good time
D. a bad time

5. Part B – What word helps you understand what “feast” means in Part A? Put
a check mark in FRONT of the word.
Emma _______bought _______three slices of pizza and ________sat down.
________It was a feast!

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6. Why did Emma smile in Paragraph 11?
A. Miss Henry said she got an “A”.
B. She got to sit next to Anna.
C. Miss Henry gave her a new pencil.
D. She was going to use her new pencil.

7. How did Cara act when she was accused of taking the pencil?
A. She got angry.
B. She cried.
C. She gave the pencil back right away.
D. She said Anna was the one who took it.

8. How did the story end?

A. The suspect returned the pencil and had lunch detention.
B. The suspect was never found.
C. The suspect returned the pencil and wrote an apology letter.
D. The suspect ran out of the room.

9. Who stole the pencil?

A. Miss Henry because it was too distracting to the class.
B. Cara because she got very upset.
C. Anna because pink is her favorite color, and she likes the pencil.
D. Jane because she was late to lunch, and she knew it was in Emma’s desk.

10. What is the central lesson of the story?

A. Don’t bring pencils to school.
B. Always order three slices of pizza.
C. Always return erasers if you borrow them.
D. Do not take something that doesn’t belong to you.

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 Answer Key – The Case of the Missing Pencil

1. What problem does Emma have?

A. She doesn’t have an eraser.
B. Someone stole her pencil.
C. Jane was late for lunch.
D. Cara wants her pencil.

2. What does the pencil look like?

A. It is blue with feathers.
B. It is only pink with feathers.
C. It is pink and black with feathers.
D. It is blue and yellow with feathers.

3. Number the events in the story from 1 – 5.

_____5_____ Emma got her pencil back.

_____4_____ The suspect was caught.

_____1_____ Emma used her pencil for math.

_____3_____ Emma got pizza for lunch.

_____2_____ Emma lined up for lunch.

4. Part A - What does the word “feast” mean in Paragraph 8?

A. a cold meal
B. a big meal
C. a good time
D. a bad time

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5. Part B – What word helps you understand what “feast” means in Part A? Put
a check mark in FRONT of the word.
Emma _______bought ____X___three slices of pizza and ________sat down.
________It was a feast!

6. Why did Emma smile in Paragraph 11?

A. Miss Henry said she got an “A”.
B. She got to sit next to Anna.
C. Miss Henry gave her a new pencil.
D. She was going to use her new pencil.

7. How did Cara act when she was accused of taking the pencil?
A. She got angry.
B. She cried.
C. She gave the pencil back right away.
D. She said Anna was the one who took it.

8. How did the story end?

A. The suspect returned the pencil and had lunch detention.
B. The suspect was never found.
C. The suspect returned the pencil and wrote an apology letter.
D. The suspect ran out of the room.

9. Who stole the pencil?

A. Miss Henry because it was too distracting to the class.
B. Cara because she got very upset.
C. Anna because pink is her favorite color, and she likes the pencil.
D. Jane because she was late to lunch, and she knew it was in Emma’s desk.
(Emma never said she put it in her desk instead of the pencil case. How did Jane
know?)

10. What is the central lesson of the story?

A. Don’t bring pencils to school.
B. Always order three slices of pizza.
C. Always return erasers if you borrow them.
D. Do not take something that doesn’t belong to you.
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 Extended Response Passages 1 and 2
The structure of a passage has to do with how it was written. Passages are
sometimes poems, information writings, or make-believe stories. Sometimes
they share the same elements such as theme, and character growth.
How is Passage 1, Seagulls, and Passage 2, The Case of the Missing Pencil, both
the same and different? Explain your ideas.
Remember to –
--Write about how Passage 1 is like Passage 2.
--Write about how Passage 1 is different from Passage 2.
--Use details from both passages to support your answer.
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Read the following passage and answer the questions.

History of the Slinky

by Nancy Bruen

(1) Have you ever played with a Slinky? A Slinky is a spring toy that can
move down the stairs. Did you know that it was invented by accident?

(2) In 1943 Richard James, an engineer, was working on a project. He

wanted to invent a spring that would help ships. The spring would help keep ship
equipment steady at sea.

(3) One day he accidently knocked the spring off of a shelf. Boy was he
surprised when it began walking down the stairs!

(4) He thought it was so funny, that he brought it home to show his wife,
Betty. Betty loved it too! The couple, Richard and Betty, decided to turn the
invention into a new toy.

(5) Betty looked in the dictionary for the perfect name. She came across
the word “slinky” and thought it was great. To be “slinky” means to move
gracefully.

(6) Richard and Betty borrowed $500.00 to make Slinkys. At first, they
didn’t sell very many. Then, something happened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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The Gimbels Department Store gave demonstrations showing how they worked
during the Christmas season of 1945. They sold 400 of them within minutes!

(7) Sales soared when they made a television commercial with a catchy
jingle. “What walks down stairs alone or in pairs and makes a slinkety sound? A
spring a spring, a marvelous thing. Everyone knows it's Slinky!” Everyone who
heard the song sang it, and wanted to buy one. They loved watching the Slinky
gracefully walk down the stairs in the commercial.

(8) People still buy them. By the end of the 20th century, they sold 250
million. Have you ever played with a Slinky?

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1. Why did Richard James make the first Slinky?
A. He liked to play with toys.
B. He was trying to make something for a ship.
C. He wanted to make a lot of money.
D. He was trying to make a part for his car.

2. Part A – What does the word “couple” mean in Paragraph 4?

A. two people who are together
B. three people who live in a house
C. two people who don’t know each other
D. three people who have an argument

3. Part B – Which words help you define “couple” from Part A? Put a
checkmark before the words.

_________Betty loved it too! The couple, _________Richard and Betty, decided

to ________turn the invention _________into a new toy.

4. How much money did Richard James borrow to start making Slinkys?
A. $20
B. $250
C. $400
D. $500

5. Before he made toys, what was Richard James’ job?

A. a department store worker
B. an engineer
C. a telephone line worker
D. a sailor

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6. Why did Slinkys become so popular? Write a checkmark BEFORE the TWO
reasons.
_________They did not cost a lot of money.
_________They were demonstrated at Christmas time.
_________They were sold on ships
_________They were part of a Broadway play.
_________They had a commercial with a catchy jingle.

7. Part A - In which paragraph would you find a definition of the word, slinky?
A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 7

8. Part B – What is the definition of the word from Part A?

A. a new toy
B. a fun time
C. to repair a ship
D. to move gracefully

9. How did Richard James react when he knocked the Slinky off the shelf?
A. surprised
B. angry
C. confused
D. frustrated

10. What is the central idea of the passage?

A. Slinkys make good Christmas presents.
B. A Slinky is a popular toy that was made by accident.
C. Richard and Betty are very nice people.
D. A Slinky is a toy that people don’t like anymore.

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 Answer Key – History of the Slinky

1. Why did Richard James make the first Slinky?

A. He liked to play with toys.
B. He was trying to make something for a ship.
C. He wanted to make a lot of money.
D. He was trying to make a part for his car.

2. Part A – What does the word “couple” mean in Paragraph 4?

A. two people who are together
B. three people who live in a house
C. two people who don’t know each other
D. three people who have an argument

3. Part B – Which words help you define “couple” from Part A? Put a
checkmark before the words.

_________Betty loved it too! The couple, ____X_____Richard and Betty, decided

to ________turn the invention _________into a new toy.

4. How much money did Richard James borrow to start making Slinkys?
A. $20
B. $250
C. $400
D. $500
5. Before he made toys, what was Richard James’ job?
A. a department store worker
B. an engineer
C. a telephone line worker
D. a sailor

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6. Why did Slinkys become so popular? Write a checkmark BEFORE the TWO
reasons.
_________They did not cost a lot of money.
____X_____They were demonstrated at Christmas time.
_________They were sold on ships
_________They were part of a Broadway play.
____X_____They had a commercial with a catchy jingle.

7. Part A - In which paragraph would you find a definition of the word, slinky?
A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 7

8. Part B – What is the definition of the word from Part A?

A. a new toy
B. a fun time
C. to repair a ship
D. to move gracefully

9. How did Richard James react when he knocked the Slinky off the shelf?
A. surprised
B. angry
C. confused
D. frustrated

10. What is the central idea of the passage?

A. Slinkys make good Christmas presents.
B. A Slinky is a popular toy that was made by accident.
C. Richard and Betty are very nice people.
D. A Slinky is a toy that people don’t like anymore.

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 Extended Response – History of the Slinky
There were many steps involved in turning Richard James’ spring into a
Slinky. Discuss, in order, the steps he had to take.
Remember to –
--Make sure to write about all of the steps Richard James had to take.
--Put the steps in order.
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(Press on the links to view)
A Christmas Carol
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• A Wrinkle in Time

• Among the Impostors

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• Bridge to Terabithia

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• The Hidden Girl

• The House of Dies Drear

• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

• The Little Prince

• The Outsiders

• The Storm Before Atlanta

• The Swiss Family Robinson

• The Time Machine

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• To Kill a Mockingbird

• Treasure Island

• Tuck Everlasting

• War Horse

• Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963

• We Beat the Street

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