8th Grade Reading Basic Set 1

Read the paragraph.
Some people don’t like to use computers. They think that it is too hard and they break down too often. Don’t they realize that computers save us time and effort? Surely, these anti-computer people are confused.
What assumption is underlying this paragraph?

Read the passage
One is more likely to be killed by another hunter than a bear. You should have fear when out in the wilderness. That is the wildlife’s home, and they did not invite you, that is the risk you take for being out there. I have nothing against hunters; I used to be one myself. But, I am against unnecessary slaughter of wildlife. To me it is the true act of a coward.
In the author’s opinion, people should

Read the statement.
“I am so glad the 1st grade students remembered to clean up their art project before they went home!”
Who would most likely agree with this statement?

Read the paragraph.
Cells make up all living things. There are millions of different types of cells in the human body. Scientists believe that further study of the make-up of cells can lead to a cure for cancer. Scientists continue their research in laboratories everyday.
Which sentence best describes an assumption in this paragraph?

Read the paragraph.
Scientific and medical research has improved over the years. Our use of monkeys, rats, mice, rabbits, and other animals has helped us make numerous advances in medicine. We need to continue those practices to find cures and treatments for more illnesses.
Which person would be most likely to disagree with this paragraph?

Evaluative Reading Comprehension—Classify, Thinking Skills–RIT 201 – 210
Read the list of terms.
Baste – to moisten meat with melted drippings while cooking
Darn – to mend by sewing stitches across a gap
Quilt – a bed cover filled with down
Seam – a line that marks joining edges
Given the definitions, which technique is a sewing method?

Read the passage.
A.) And even though I didn’t agree with her then, I knew that she understood how much I had suffered during the evening’s dinner.
B.) Robert was a star basketball.
C.) It wasn’t until many years later – long after I had gotten over my crush on Robert – that I was able to fully appreciate her lesson and the true purpose behind our particular menu.
D.) For Christmas Eve that year, she had chosen all my favorite foods.

Copyright Info: Not enough information. Fish Cheeks, page 137. (Teacher authors: Phillips, Blackman,
Felts).
Which sentence does not belong?

Read the paragraph.
I love to go boating. First of all, rivers are so beautiful. I love watching the trees and green hills as I float by. Next, I love to fish on the boat. There are many kinds of trout in my state and they make a delicious meal.
Match the paragraph to the correct outline below.

Read the list.
Chair      floor         door
Bench     couch       seat
Recliner  wall          window
If you were going to split these words into two categories, which words would be in the
‘furniture’ category?

Read the following definitions.
Banana – A sweet, grainy, yellow fruit with a thick peeling
Orange – A tart, pulpy, orange fruit with a bumpy rind.
Grapes – Sweet, juicy, fruit that can be seedless or have seeds and comes in numerous colors.
Lemon – A sour, yellow fruit used in juices and recipes with a thick peeling.
Which fruit is different from the others?

Read the paragraph.
Dogs and cats make great pets. They’re both soft, furry, and affectionate. Both can be trained to respect their owner’s property. Cats are lot quieter than dogs, but a dog’s barking is often valued for protecting its owner’s house and valuables.
How are cats and dogs different according to the paragraph?

Read the outline.
My Favorite Classes
I. Art
A. Water Coloring
B. Crayons
C. Painting
II. Computers
A. Typing
B. Creating Presentations
C. Searching the Internet
III. Math
A. Word Problems
B. Measurement
C. ?
Which of the following topics could be added to the outline?

Which object does not belong in the same category as the others?

Read the following definitions.
Anger: expressing extreme dislike
Sadness: a feeling of sorrow or gloom
Elation: great happiness or satisfaction
Horror: to be extremely shocked or frightened
Apathy: an attitude of not caring
How are the defined words alike?

If you were writing an essay that argued that summer is a better season than winter, which fact would you include?

Read the following passage.
The temperature hit 104 degrees. All of the kids were miserable. There was nothing to do. The movies at the theater were all boring. At the pool, the lifeguards were mean and enforced the rules by whistling and yelling at us. Winter would be so much better.
Which phrase from the passage is a fact?

Where would you find the best information for a report about Chinese architecture?

Read the following reasons for getting good grades in school.
A. Good grades open up doors for the future. A person who earns high marks has a better chance of securing a well-paying, exciting job as an adult.
B. Kids who get good grades are often rewarded. They are honored at academic assemblies and many teachers offer free time or treats to good students,
C. Students with bad grades aren’t allowed to participate in sports teams or student council. They’re left out of a lot of fun opportunities.
D. Smart kids like to eat lunch together. They usually get to the cafeteria first and have the  best table.
Which reason would be best in an essay about getting good grades?

Read the following paragraph.
My worst camping trip was to Yellowstone Park. While we were hiking, a bear came into our camp, knocked over our tent, and ate most of our food. When we arrived back in camp, we gathered up what we could find and headed back to the car only to find that we had a flat tire. Worst of all, we had locked our keys in the car and it started to rain. The next time we went to Yellowstone we rented a room at the lodge.
Which fact supports the conclusion that the author did not camp in Yellowstone again?

Read the paragraph.
Mary loves animals. She has had cats, dogs, horses, hamsters, and even a snake! There is not a pet she doesn’t love. Barbara is allergic to fur and has only one pet: a turtle.
Which sentence do you know is true?