Grade 4 Reading - 2011 Released Test

Read the article and answer the questions 1 - 10.

Life in the Wolf Pack

1 Deep in a den, some wolf pups huddle against their mother. They cannot stay warm without her body heat. The helpless pups cannot see or hear either, but the newest members of the pack do not need to worry. Their whole family will help take care of them.

2 The leaders of the pack are a male and female wolf. They are usually the strongest and oldest wolves too. When they walk, they hold their tails high like flags because this shows that they are in charge. In contrast, the other members of the wolf pack hold their tails low to show respect to the leaders. Being wolf pack leaders is an important job. They often decide when it is time to hunt. They also decide when the pups should leave the den.

3 When the time has arrived, the pack moves to a place close to new hunting grounds. This place also becomes a nursery area for the pups. It often contains big rocks or bushes to hide the pups, and it is located near a river or a lake so the wolves have fresh water to drink. Sometimes the wolf pack uses several different nursery areas during one summer.

4 The nursery grounds give the pups a safe place to grow and play. The pups wrestle one another and roll in the grass. Their games prove who will be a strong leader one day. They also chase small animals, such as mice and rabbits. The pups are beginning to learn important hunting skills.

5 The young pups are never left alone. When the pack goes off to hunt, one wolf stays behind to baby-sit. It watches over the pups and protects them. The other wolves help too. They bring back food for the pups and spend time playing with them.

6 As the pups grow, they begin to follow the pack when it leaves to hunt. At first, the young wolves tag along only for a short distance before they give up and return to the nursery. By the end of the summer, however, they are exploring areas two or three miles away.

7 The young wolves must grow fast. Winter will arrive soon. As the snow falls, it becomes more difficult to find food, and the pack may travel 30 miles each day in its search! Now the once-helpless pups are ready to join the hunt. With the care of their family, they have become working members of the pack.

Which question is answered in paragraph 7?
1. How do wolves find food in the snow?
2. How far may wolves travel in search of food?
3. How do the pups help the pack hunt for food?
4. How old are the pups when they join the hunt for food?
Based on the article, wolves use their tails as a way of —
1. letting the pups know when to leave the den
2. showing they are leaders in the pack
3. showing pride within their pack
4. teaching the pups how to play
According to this article, where can wolf pups hide for safety?
1. In the grass
2. Near the family den
3. Behind rocks or bushes
4. Alongside rivers or lakes
What is the most important reason that wolf pups play with one another?
1. Playing makes them stronger.
2. Playing teaches them how to hunt for food.
3. Playing shows them which ones will be the future leaders.
4. Playing keeps them busy while the pack hunts.
Young wolves can explore areas a few miles away by the end of the summer most likely because —
1. they are bigger and able to travel farther
2. it is easier to travel when the weather is cooler
3. they know how far the pack needs to move in a day
4. the nursery area has become too small for them
The author’s main purpose for writing this article is to —
1. describe how wolves hunt in the wild
2. show the different jobs in a wolf pack
3. explain why wolf pups must be watched
4. give information about wolves and their pups
This article would most likely be found in a book titled —
1. Places Wolves Live
2. Protecting Wolves From Danger
3. Jobs and Duties of Wolf Pack Leaders
4. Growing Up in a Wolf Family
You do not need to read a passage to answer the following questions.
Read this sentence and dictionary entry.

Which meaning of spring is used in this sentence?
1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4
Read this sentence.

Which sentence uses cast the same way it is used in this sentence?
1. Audrey wanted to become part of the cast for the school play.
2. They had to cast a plan to surprise their mother.
3. The doctor made a cast for John’s broken arm.
4. The clouds cast a dark shadow just before it started to rain.
In which pair do the words sound the same but have different meanings?
1. stake, stack
2. main, mean
3. write, white
4. peace, piece

Grade 4 Reading - 2011 Released Test - Passage 4

Life in the Wolf Pack