Transitions and conclusions

Grade 6 Reading Worksheet

NameDate

Circle the best answer.

Read this first
Why Libraries Still Matter (student draft)
Why Libraries Still Matter
[1] Some people believe public libraries are no longer needed because books and articles are now online. [2] This view overlooks what libraries actually provide. [3] Libraries lend books, but they also offer free internet, quiet study rooms and help from trained librarians.
[4] Many families rely on those services every week. [5] Last year, the library added a quiet room for homework. [6] More students now finish their assignments there. [7] A job seeker can also use a library computer to write a resume.
[8] Libraries teach as well. [9] Many offer free classes on topics such as reading, using computers and learning English. [10] These programs help people of all ages. [11] Public libraries remain valuable because they give every community access to information and opportunity.
1.
Ari wants a link at the start of sentence 4 that shows it supports sentence 3. Which revision is best?
- Meanwhile, many families rely on those services every week.
- Many families rely on those services every week, but libraries are old-fashioned.
- In fact, many families rely on those services every week.
- On the other hand, many families rely on those services every week.
2.
Bo wants to combine sentences 5 and 6 to show how they relate. Which sentence keeps the meaning?
- Although the library added a quiet room for homework last year, more students now finish their assignments there.
- More students now finish their assignments there because the library will add a quiet room for homework next year.
- Before the library added a quiet room for homework last year, more students now finish their assignments there.
- Since the library added a quiet room for homework last year, more students now finish their assignments there.
3.
Sentence 11 closes the draft. Which revision of it fits the whole argument best, Esme?
- Some people believe public libraries are no longer needed because of the internet.
- Libraries serve every community with books, free internet and classes.
- Some libraries are also building new coffee shops and gardens for visitors.
- In conclusion, libraries are really important to a lot of people today.
How Emperor Penguins Survive Winter (student draft)
How Emperor Penguins Survive Winter
[1] Emperor penguins live in Antarctica, where winter temperatures can drop far below freezing and the winds blow fiercely. [2] Their bodies have several features that hold in heat. [3] Thick layers of fat under the skin act as insulation, and tightly packed feathers keep cold air away from the skin.
[4] Even with these features, a single penguin standing alone would lose heat quickly. [5] To save energy, thousands of penguins huddle together in a tight group. [6] The penguins on the outer edge face the wind, so they slowly shuffle toward the middle while others take their place. [7] This constant turning means that no one bird stays in the coldest spot for long. [8] Scientists who study huddles have found that the center can be much warmer than the edge.
[9] Their parenting is also unusual. [10] After the female lays one egg, the male balances it on his feet under a warm flap of skin for about two months while the female feeds at sea. [11] The males do not eat during this time, yet they stay on the ice through the coldest weeks.
4.
Which version of sentence 8 joins it to sentence 7 best, Kira?
- Therefore, scientists who study huddles have found that the center can be much warmer than the edge.
- Meanwhile, scientists who study huddles have found that the center can be much warmer than the edge.
- As evidence, scientists who study huddles have found that the center can be much warmer than the edge.
- In contrast, scientists who study huddles have found that the center can be much warmer than the edge.
5.
The draft needs a closing sentence. Which one fits best, Luz?
- Penguins are fascinating animals that people should try to see in person at least once.
- Emperor penguins live in Antarctica, where winter is very cold and the winds blow hard.
- Fat, feathers, huddling and shared parenting give emperor penguins several ways to survive winter.
- Next winter, scientists will count the emperor penguins using photographs from satellites.
Should School Start Later? (student draft)
Should School Start Later?
[1] Many middle schools begin classes before 8:00 in the morning, but students may be better off starting later. [2] During the teen years, sleep patterns shift, so many young people naturally fall asleep later at night. [3] A student who must wake at 6:00 may get far less sleep than the body needs.
[4] Medical groups have reached the same conclusion. [5] The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that middle and high schools start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. [6] Some schools that moved their start times have reported fewer students falling asleep in class.
[7] Critics point out that later starts can cause problems. [8] Buses may need new schedules, and after-school sports may end after dark. [9] These concerns are real, but they can be solved. [10] Districts can stagger bus routes and adjust practice times. [11] The health and learning benefits of more sleep justify these changes.
6.
Sentence 7 starts paragraph 3 without a link. Which revision connects it to paragraph 2 and keeps the author's purpose, Milo?
- Next, critics point out that later starts can cause problems.
- Still, critics point out that later starts can cause problems.
- As a result, critics point out that later starts can cause problems.
- Critics are right that later starts cause too many problems.
7.
Sentence 9 says, 'These concerns are real, but they can be solved.' What does 'but' do, Noah?
- It admits the critics' point and then turns back to the author's claim
- It shows the concerns will arise after the solutions have been tried
- It shows the concerns are an example of the earlier evidence from medical groups
- It adds a second concern to the critics' list of problems with later starts
8.
Which revision of sentence 11 gives the strongest ending for the argument, Pia?
- Many districts have also moved start times to save money on buses and fuel.
- Later start times are good for many students and for the schools they attend.
- Later start times will solve the biggest problems that students and teachers have at school.
- Because more sleep improves health and learning, districts should adopt later start times.
How Glass Is Recycled (student draft)
How Glass Is Recycled
[1] Glass is one of the easiest materials to recycle. [2] A glass bottle can be melted and made into a new bottle again and again without losing quality. [3] That makes glass different from some other materials, which weaken each time they are recycled.
[4] The process begins at a recycling center, where workers sort glass by color. [5] The glass is then crushed into small pieces called cullet. [6] Cullet melts at a lower temperature than the raw materials used to make new glass, so factories burn less fuel when they add it.
[7] Recycling glass also keeps it out of landfills. [8] Glass does not break down quickly, so a bottle thrown away can stay buried for a very long time. [9] Using recycled glass also reduces the need to dig up sand, the main ingredient in new glass. [10] Families can help by rinsing bottles and placing them in the right bin.
9.
Ren wants a smoother link from paragraph 1 to paragraph 2. Which new first sentence of paragraph 2 works best?
- In contrast to other materials, a recycling center sorts glass by its color first.
- As a result of this, glass is sorted by color at a recycling center before it is crushed.
- To see why glass recycles so well, follow a bottle to a center where workers sort it by color.
- Meanwhile, at a recycling center in the city, workers sort glass by color as it arrives.
10.
Sentence 10 gives advice. Which closing sentence ties the advice back to the main point, Zee?
- Some towns also recycle plastic, paper and aluminum cans as well as glass.
- Recycling is good for the planet, and people should try to do more of it each week.
- Glass is one of the easiest materials to recycle, and that is how this draft began.
- By rinsing bottles and using the right bin, families keep reusable glass out of the trash.

Transitions and conclusions

Answer Key - Grade 6 Reading Worksheet

Circle the best answer.

Read this first
Why Libraries Still Matter (student draft)
Why Libraries Still Matter
[1] Some people believe public libraries are no longer needed because books and articles are now online. [2] This view overlooks what libraries actually provide. [3] Libraries lend books, but they also offer free internet, quiet study rooms and help from trained librarians.
[4] Many families rely on those services every week. [5] Last year, the library added a quiet room for homework. [6] More students now finish their assignments there. [7] A job seeker can also use a library computer to write a resume.
[8] Libraries teach as well. [9] Many offer free classes on topics such as reading, using computers and learning English. [10] These programs help people of all ages. [11] Public libraries remain valuable because they give every community access to information and opportunity.
1.
Ari wants a link at the start of sentence 4 that shows it supports sentence 3. Which revision is best?
- Meanwhile, many families rely on those services every week.
- Many families rely on those services every week, but libraries are old-fashioned.
- In fact, many families rely on those services every week.
- On the other hand, many families rely on those services every week.
2.
Bo wants to combine sentences 5 and 6 to show how they relate. Which sentence keeps the meaning?
- Although the library added a quiet room for homework last year, more students now finish their assignments there.
- More students now finish their assignments there because the library will add a quiet room for homework next year.
- Before the library added a quiet room for homework last year, more students now finish their assignments there.
- Since the library added a quiet room for homework last year, more students now finish their assignments there.
3.
Sentence 11 closes the draft. Which revision of it fits the whole argument best, Esme?
- Some people believe public libraries are no longer needed because of the internet.
- Libraries serve every community with books, free internet and classes.
- Some libraries are also building new coffee shops and gardens for visitors.
- In conclusion, libraries are really important to a lot of people today.
How Emperor Penguins Survive Winter (student draft)
How Emperor Penguins Survive Winter
[1] Emperor penguins live in Antarctica, where winter temperatures can drop far below freezing and the winds blow fiercely. [2] Their bodies have several features that hold in heat. [3] Thick layers of fat under the skin act as insulation, and tightly packed feathers keep cold air away from the skin.
[4] Even with these features, a single penguin standing alone would lose heat quickly. [5] To save energy, thousands of penguins huddle together in a tight group. [6] The penguins on the outer edge face the wind, so they slowly shuffle toward the middle while others take their place. [7] This constant turning means that no one bird stays in the coldest spot for long. [8] Scientists who study huddles have found that the center can be much warmer than the edge.
[9] Their parenting is also unusual. [10] After the female lays one egg, the male balances it on his feet under a warm flap of skin for about two months while the female feeds at sea. [11] The males do not eat during this time, yet they stay on the ice through the coldest weeks.
4.
Which version of sentence 8 joins it to sentence 7 best, Kira?
- Therefore, scientists who study huddles have found that the center can be much warmer than the edge.
- Meanwhile, scientists who study huddles have found that the center can be much warmer than the edge.
- As evidence, scientists who study huddles have found that the center can be much warmer than the edge.
- In contrast, scientists who study huddles have found that the center can be much warmer than the edge.
5.
The draft needs a closing sentence. Which one fits best, Luz?
- Penguins are fascinating animals that people should try to see in person at least once.
- Emperor penguins live in Antarctica, where winter is very cold and the winds blow hard.
- Fat, feathers, huddling and shared parenting give emperor penguins several ways to survive winter.
- Next winter, scientists will count the emperor penguins using photographs from satellites.
Should School Start Later? (student draft)
Should School Start Later?
[1] Many middle schools begin classes before 8:00 in the morning, but students may be better off starting later. [2] During the teen years, sleep patterns shift, so many young people naturally fall asleep later at night. [3] A student who must wake at 6:00 may get far less sleep than the body needs.
[4] Medical groups have reached the same conclusion. [5] The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that middle and high schools start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. [6] Some schools that moved their start times have reported fewer students falling asleep in class.
[7] Critics point out that later starts can cause problems. [8] Buses may need new schedules, and after-school sports may end after dark. [9] These concerns are real, but they can be solved. [10] Districts can stagger bus routes and adjust practice times. [11] The health and learning benefits of more sleep justify these changes.
6.
Sentence 7 starts paragraph 3 without a link. Which revision connects it to paragraph 2 and keeps the author's purpose, Milo?
- Next, critics point out that later starts can cause problems.
- Still, critics point out that later starts can cause problems.
- As a result, critics point out that later starts can cause problems.
- Critics are right that later starts cause too many problems.
7.
Sentence 9 says, 'These concerns are real, but they can be solved.' What does 'but' do, Noah?
- It admits the critics' point and then turns back to the author's claim
- It shows the concerns will arise after the solutions have been tried
- It shows the concerns are an example of the earlier evidence from medical groups
- It adds a second concern to the critics' list of problems with later starts
8.
Which revision of sentence 11 gives the strongest ending for the argument, Pia?
- Many districts have also moved start times to save money on buses and fuel.
- Later start times are good for many students and for the schools they attend.
- Later start times will solve the biggest problems that students and teachers have at school.
- Because more sleep improves health and learning, districts should adopt later start times.
How Glass Is Recycled (student draft)
How Glass Is Recycled
[1] Glass is one of the easiest materials to recycle. [2] A glass bottle can be melted and made into a new bottle again and again without losing quality. [3] That makes glass different from some other materials, which weaken each time they are recycled.
[4] The process begins at a recycling center, where workers sort glass by color. [5] The glass is then crushed into small pieces called cullet. [6] Cullet melts at a lower temperature than the raw materials used to make new glass, so factories burn less fuel when they add it.
[7] Recycling glass also keeps it out of landfills. [8] Glass does not break down quickly, so a bottle thrown away can stay buried for a very long time. [9] Using recycled glass also reduces the need to dig up sand, the main ingredient in new glass. [10] Families can help by rinsing bottles and placing them in the right bin.
9.
Ren wants a smoother link from paragraph 1 to paragraph 2. Which new first sentence of paragraph 2 works best?
- In contrast to other materials, a recycling center sorts glass by its color first.
- As a result of this, glass is sorted by color at a recycling center before it is crushed.
- To see why glass recycles so well, follow a bottle to a center where workers sort it by color.
- Meanwhile, at a recycling center in the city, workers sort glass by color as it arrives.
10.
Sentence 10 gives advice. Which closing sentence ties the advice back to the main point, Zee?
- Some towns also recycle plastic, paper and aluminum cans as well as glass.
- Recycling is good for the planet, and people should try to do more of it each week.
- Glass is one of the easiest materials to recycle, and that is how this draft began.
- By rinsing bottles and using the right bin, families keep reusable glass out of the trash.

Why Libraries Still Matter (student draft)

How Emperor Penguins Survive Winter (student draft)

Should School Start Later? (student draft)

How Glass Is Recycled (student draft)

Why Libraries Still Matter (student draft)

How Emperor Penguins Survive Winter (student draft)

Should School Start Later? (student draft)

How Glass Is Recycled (student draft)