Summarize an article
Grade 6 Reading Worksheet - Challenge Me
Circle the best answer.
Read this first
How a Coral Reef Grows (article)
[1] A coral reef begins when tiny animals called polyps attach to a hard surface in warm, shallow ocean water. [2] Each polyp builds a small cup of limestone around its soft body, which gives it protection.
[3] Microscopic algae live inside the polyps and make food from sunlight, and the polyps share their shelter with the algae. [4] Because of this partnership, reefs grow best in clear water where sunlight reaches the bottom.
[5] Over time, old polyps are replaced, yet their limestone cups stay in place, and new polyps build on top of them. [6] Over thousands of years these layers form a huge structure that shelters fish, crabs, and many other creatures.
[7] When the water grows too warm, the polyps push out their algae, and the coral turns pale. [8] A reef can recover if cooler water returns soon enough, but a long heat wave may be too much for the polyps to survive. Draft summary: Tiny animals called polyps attach to a hard surface in warm, shallow water and build limestone cups around their soft bodies. Over time, new polyps build on the old cups until the layers form a huge structure that shelters fish and crabs. If the water grows too warm, the polyps push out their algae, and the coral turns pale.
Ari checks a draft summary of the article. What is the one problem with the draft?
- It leaves out the step about algae making food from sunlight inside the polyps.
- It spends most of its words on the limestone cups and rushes through the other steps.
- It puts the layers that build up over thousands of years before the polyps build their cups.
- It adds a view about coral reefs that the article does not give to readers.
How a Coral Reef Grows (article)
[1] A coral reef begins when tiny animals called polyps attach to a hard surface in warm, shallow ocean water. [2] Each polyp builds a small cup of limestone around its soft body, which gives it protection.
[3] Microscopic algae live inside the polyps and make food from sunlight, and the polyps share their shelter with the algae. [4] Because of this partnership, reefs grow best in clear water where sunlight reaches the bottom.
[5] Over time, old polyps are replaced, yet their limestone cups stay in place, and new polyps build on top of them. [6] Over thousands of years these layers form a huge structure that shelters fish, crabs, and many other creatures.
[7] When the water grows too warm, the polyps push out their algae, and the coral turns pale. [8] A reef can recover if cooler water returns soon enough, but a long heat wave may be too much for the polyps to survive. Draft summary: Polyps attach to hard surfaces and build limestone cups. Algae inside them make food from sunlight, so reefs need clear, shallow water. New polyps keep building on the old cups, which is a lovely way to make a home, and warm water can turn the coral pale.
Bo wants to fix the draft's one problem without making a new one. Which rewrite does that?
- Polyps attach to hard surfaces and build limestone cups. New polyps keep building on the old cups for thousands of years, and warm water can turn the coral pale. Algae inside them make food from sunlight, so reefs need clear, shallow water.
- Polyps attach to hard surfaces and build limestone cups. Algae inside them make food from sunlight, so reefs need clear, shallow water. When the water grows too warm, the polyps push out their algae, and the coral turns pale.
- Polyps attach to hard surfaces and build limestone cups around their soft bodies, shaped to give each one protection. Algae inside them make food from sunlight, so reefs need clear water. New polyps build on the old cups, and warm water can turn the coral pale.
- Polyps attach to hard surfaces and build limestone cups. Algae inside them make food from sunlight, so reefs need clear, shallow water. New polyps keep building on the old cups for thousands of years, and warm water can turn the coral pale.
How a Coral Reef Grows (article)
[1] A coral reef begins when tiny animals called polyps attach to a hard surface in warm, shallow ocean water. [2] Each polyp builds a small cup of limestone around its soft body, which gives it protection.
[3] Microscopic algae live inside the polyps and make food from sunlight, and the polyps share their shelter with the algae. [4] Because of this partnership, reefs grow best in clear water where sunlight reaches the bottom.
[5] Over time, old polyps are replaced, yet their limestone cups stay in place, and new polyps build on top of them. [6] Over thousands of years these layers form a huge structure that shelters fish, crabs, and many other creatures.
[7] When the water grows too warm, the polyps push out their algae, and the coral turns pale. [8] A reef can recover if cooler water returns soon enough, but a long heat wave may be too much for the polyps to survive. Long draft: Tiny animals called polyps attach to a hard surface in warm, shallow ocean water and build limestone cups around their soft bodies. Microscopic algae living inside the polyps make food from sunlight, so reefs grow best in clear water. As old polyps are replaced, new polyps build on the old cups, and over thousands of years the layers form a huge structure that shelters fish and crabs. When the water grows too warm, the polyps push out their algae and the coral turns pale, though a reef can recover if cooler water returns soon enough.
Esme must cut the long draft to two sentences. Which version keeps all four steps in order and leaves opinions out?
- Polyps build limestone cups in warm, shallow water, and new polyps build on the old cups for thousands of years until the layers shelter fish and crabs. Warm water can turn the coral pale, though a reef may recover if cooler water returns.
- Polyps build limestone cups around their soft bodies in warm, shallow water, and algae inside them make food from sunlight. New polyps build on the old cups until the layers shelter fish, crabs, and many other creatures, and warm water can turn the coral pale.
- Polyps build limestone cups in warm, shallow water, and algae inside them make food from sunlight. New polyps build on the old cups for thousands of years, which is more patience than most builders have, but warm water can turn the coral pale.
- Polyps build limestone cups in warm, shallow water, and algae inside them make food from sunlight, so reefs grow in clear water. New polyps build on the old cups for thousands of years, but warm water can turn the coral pale.
Bigger Eyes on the Sky (article)
[1] In the early 1600s, the first telescopes used a glass lens to bring faraway objects closer, but they showed blurry colors around bright stars. [2] Astronomers tried longer tubes to sharpen the view, though these became awkward to use.
[3] Later, builders replaced the main lens with a curved mirror, which gathers light without blurring the colors. [4] A mirror can also be supported from behind, so it can be made larger than any lens.
[5] Modern observatories join many smaller mirror pieces so that they act as one giant mirror. [6] A computer adjusts each piece, which lets astronomers see fainter and more distant objects.
[7] Even the best ground telescope looks through moving air, which blurs the images slightly. [8] That is why some telescopes now orbit above the atmosphere and collect clear pictures from space. Draft summary: The first telescopes used a glass lens that blurred colors around bright stars, and longer tubes were awkward to use. Builders then joined many small mirror pieces into one giant mirror, and a computer adjusted each piece. Later, builders replaced the lens with a single curved mirror that can be larger than any lens. Air above the ground still blurs the view, so some telescopes now orbit above the atmosphere.
Jun checks a draft summary of the article. What is the one problem with the draft?
- It gives too much room to the blurry colors of the first lens.
- It leaves out the problem that moving air causes for telescopes on the ground.
- It tells about the joined mirror pieces before the single curved mirror that came first.
- It adds a judgment about telescopes that the article does not make.
Bigger Eyes on the Sky (article)
[1] In the early 1600s, the first telescopes used a glass lens to bring faraway objects closer, but they showed blurry colors around bright stars. [2] Astronomers tried longer tubes to sharpen the view, though these became awkward to use.
[3] Later, builders replaced the main lens with a curved mirror, which gathers light without blurring the colors. [4] A mirror can also be supported from behind, so it can be made larger than any lens.
[5] Modern observatories join many smaller mirror pieces so that they act as one giant mirror. [6] A computer adjusts each piece, which lets astronomers see fainter and more distant objects.
[7] Even the best ground telescope looks through moving air, which blurs the images slightly. [8] That is why some telescopes now orbit above the atmosphere and collect clear pictures from space. Draft summary: The first telescopes used a glass lens, but astronomers saw blurry colors around bright stars. Longer tubes sharpened the view, though they became awkward to use. Later telescopes used mirrors, joined mirror pieces, and orbits above the air to see more clearly.
Kira wants to fix the draft's one problem without making a new one. Which rewrite does that?
- The first telescopes used a glass lens, but it blurred colors, and longer tubes were awkward. Mirrors avoid the blur and can be larger, and joined mirror pieces act as one giant mirror. Air still blurs the view, so some telescopes now orbit above the atmosphere.
- The first telescopes used a glass lens, but it blurred colors, and longer tubes were awkward. Mirrors avoid the blur and can be larger than any lens. Air still blurs the view, so some telescopes now orbit above the atmosphere.
- The first telescopes used a glass lens, but it blurred colors, and longer tubes were awkward. Mirrors avoid the blur and can be larger, and joined mirror pieces act as one giant mirror, an idea that was ahead of its time. Air still blurs the view, so some telescopes orbit above the atmosphere.
- The first telescopes used a glass lens, but it blurred colors, and longer tubes were awkward. Air also blurs the view, so some telescopes orbit above the atmosphere. Mirrors avoid the blur and can be larger, and joined mirror pieces act as one giant mirror.
Bigger Eyes on the Sky (article)
[1] In the early 1600s, the first telescopes used a glass lens to bring faraway objects closer, but they showed blurry colors around bright stars. [2] Astronomers tried longer tubes to sharpen the view, though these became awkward to use.
[3] Later, builders replaced the main lens with a curved mirror, which gathers light without blurring the colors. [4] A mirror can also be supported from behind, so it can be made larger than any lens.
[5] Modern observatories join many smaller mirror pieces so that they act as one giant mirror. [6] A computer adjusts each piece, which lets astronomers see fainter and more distant objects.
[7] Even the best ground telescope looks through moving air, which blurs the images slightly. [8] That is why some telescopes now orbit above the atmosphere and collect clear pictures from space. Long draft: In the early 1600s, the first telescopes used a glass lens, but they showed blurry colors around bright stars. Builders replaced the main lens with a curved mirror, which avoids blurry colors and can be made larger than any lens. Modern observatories join many smaller mirror pieces so that they act as one giant mirror, and a computer adjusts each piece. Moving air still blurs the view from the ground, so some telescopes now orbit above the atmosphere.
Luz must shorten the long draft to two sentences. Which version keeps all four steps in order and leaves opinions out?
- Early lens telescopes showed blurry colors, so builders switched to curved mirrors, which can be larger than any lens. Moving air still blurs the view from the ground, which is why some telescopes now orbit high above the atmosphere.
- Early lens telescopes showed blurry colors, and some telescopes now orbit above the moving air to see clearly. Builders switched to curved mirrors, which can be larger than any lens, and observatories join mirror pieces into one giant mirror.
- Early lens telescopes showed blurry colors, so builders switched to curved mirrors, which can be larger than any lens. Observatories now join mirror pieces into one giant mirror, and putting telescopes into orbit is probably the smartest solution.
- Early lens telescopes showed blurry colors, so builders switched to curved mirrors, which can be larger than any lens. Observatories now join mirror pieces into one giant mirror, and some telescopes orbit above the moving air to see clearly.
Carrying Water Across the Land (article)
[1] Ancient Roman cities grew so large that nearby wells and springs could no longer supply enough water. [2] Engineers looked for springs in the hills and planned a way to bring that water to town.
[3] They built a channel with a very gentle downhill slope, so gravity moved the water along without pumps. [4] Where the land dipped, they carried the channel on tall stone arches, which kept the slope steady across valleys.
[5] When the water arrived, it flowed into a settling tank where dirt could sink to the bottom. [6] From there, pipes carried the cleaner water to public fountains, baths, and some private homes.
[7] The system needed constant care because leaks, cracks, and blocked channels could stop the flow. [8] Crews inspected the channels often, and a few of the stone arches still stand today. Draft summary: Roman cities outgrew their wells, so engineers brought water from springs in the hills along a channel with a gentle downhill slope. Where the land dipped, the channel rode on tall stone arches, which carried it across valleys, kept its slope steady from one side to the other, and rose high above the ground, and a few of those stone arches still stand today. Pipes then carried the settled water to fountains and baths, and crews inspected the channels often.
Milo checks a draft summary of the article. What is the one problem with the draft?
- It leaves out the work that crews did to keep the water flowing through the system.
- It adds a view about the Romans that the article does not state.
- It puts the pipes and fountains before the channel that brings the water.
- It gives too much room to the stone arches and too little to the other steps.
Roots That Protect a Coast (article)
[1] Mangroves are trees that grow in salty water along warm coasts, where most other trees could not survive. [2] Their tangled roots rise above the mud and hold the trees steady against tides and waves.
[3] These roots slow the incoming water, which makes mud and sand settle around them. [4] Over time, the buildup raises the ground and helps keep the shoreline from washing away.
[5] The underwater roots also shelter young fish and crabs from larger fish. [6] Many of these animals leave the roots when grown and spread into the open sea.
[7] In many places, people have cleared mangroves to make room for farms and new buildings. [8] Planting seedlings can restore a forest, but the young trees need years to grow roots strong enough to protect the coast again. Draft summary: Mangroves are trees that grow in salty water along warm coasts, held steady by tangled roots. The roots slow the water so mud and sand settle, which is why mangroves are the most useful trees on any shore. Young fish and crabs shelter among the underwater roots, and many leave for the open sea when grown. People have cleared many mangroves, and planting seedlings can restore a forest, though the trees need years to grow.
Ren checks a draft summary of the article. What is the one problem with the draft?
- It tells about the clearing of mangroves before the roots slow the water.
- It states a view about mangroves that the article does not give.
- It leaves out the step about replanting and the years that young trees need.
- It spends most of its words on how mangroves stay steady in salty water.
Roots That Protect a Coast (article)
[1] Mangroves are trees that grow in salty water along warm coasts, where most other trees could not survive. [2] Their tangled roots rise above the mud and hold the trees steady against tides and waves.
[3] These roots slow the incoming water, which makes mud and sand settle around them. [4] Over time, the buildup raises the ground and helps keep the shoreline from washing away.
[5] The underwater roots also shelter young fish and crabs from larger fish. [6] Many of these animals leave the roots when grown and spread into the open sea.
[7] In many places, people have cleared mangroves to make room for farms and new buildings. [8] Planting seedlings can restore a forest, but the young trees need years to grow roots strong enough to protect the coast again. Draft summary: Mangroves are trees that grow in salty water along warm coasts, held steady by tangled roots. People have cleared many mangroves to make room for farms and buildings, and planted seedlings need years to restore a forest. The roots slow the water so mud and sand settle, which keeps the shoreline from washing away. They also shelter young fish and crabs.
Tala wants to fix the draft's one problem without making a new one. Which rewrite does that?
- Mangroves are trees that grow in salty water along warm coasts, held steady by tangled roots. The roots slow the water so mud and sand settle, which keeps the shoreline from washing away, and they shelter young fish and crabs. People have cleared many mangroves, and planted seedlings need years to restore a forest.
- Mangroves are trees that grow in salty water along warm coasts, held steady by tangled roots. The roots slow the water so mud and sand settle, and they shelter young fish and crabs. People have cleared many mangroves, and planted seedlings need years to restore a forest, which makes clearing them look like a poor trade.
- Mangroves are trees that grow in salty water along warm coasts, held steady by tangled roots. The roots slow the water so mud and sand settle, which keeps the shoreline from washing away. People have cleared many mangroves to make room for farms and buildings, and planted seedlings need years to restore a forest.
- Mangroves are trees that grow in salty water along warm coasts, held steady against tides and waves by tangled roots that rise above the mud. The roots slow the water so mud and sand settle, and they shelter young fish and crabs. People have cleared many mangroves, and seedlings need years to grow.
Roots That Protect a Coast (article)
[1] Mangroves are trees that grow in salty water along warm coasts, where most other trees could not survive. [2] Their tangled roots rise above the mud and hold the trees steady against tides and waves.
[3] These roots slow the incoming water, which makes mud and sand settle around them. [4] Over time, the buildup raises the ground and helps keep the shoreline from washing away.
[5] The underwater roots also shelter young fish and crabs from larger fish. [6] Many of these animals leave the roots when grown and spread into the open sea.
[7] In many places, people have cleared mangroves to make room for farms and new buildings. [8] Planting seedlings can restore a forest, but the young trees need years to grow roots strong enough to protect the coast again. Long draft: Mangroves are trees that grow in salty water along warm coasts, where most other trees could not survive. Their tangled roots rise above the mud and hold the trees steady against tides and waves, and the roots slow the incoming water so mud and sand settle. The underwater roots also shelter young fish and crabs, which later spread into the open sea. In many places people have cleared mangroves for farms and new buildings, and planting seedlings can restore a forest, but the young trees need years to grow.
Zee must shorten the long draft to two sentences. Which version keeps all four steps in order and leaves opinions out?
- Mangrove roots hold the trees steady in salty water and slow incoming water so mud settles and the shore stays in place. The roots shelter young fish and crabs, but people have cleared many mangroves, and replanted seedlings need years to grow.
- Mangrove roots hold the trees steady in salty water and slow incoming water so mud settles and the shore stays in place. The roots shelter young fish and crabs, but people have cleared many mangroves, and replanted seedlings need years to grow, which is frustrating for coastal towns.
- Mangrove roots hold the trees steady in salty water, and people have cleared many mangroves, though replanted seedlings need years to grow. The roots slow incoming water so mud settles and the shore stays in place, and they shelter young fish and crabs.
- Mangroves grow in salty water along warm coasts, where most other trees could not survive, and their tangled roots rise above the mud to hold them steady. The roots slow the water and shelter young fish and crabs, but people have cleared many mangroves, and replanted seedlings need years to grow.