BCME Reading Pre-Test

from The Golden Bird
by The Brothers Grimm

A king had a beautiful garden with a golden apple tree. These golden apples were counted every day. Once they began to ripen, one golden apple went missing every night. The king became very angry and ordered the gardener to keep watch all night.

The gardener's eldest son set watch, but before midnight, he fell asleep, and in the morning another apple was missing. Then the second son tried, but he too fell asleep, and another apple was gone. Then the third son offered to try, but the gardener refused. At last, he consented, and the young man kept watch under the tree.

At midnight, he saw a golden bird snapping at an apple. He jumped up and shot an arrow at it. The bird escaped but dropped a golden tail feather.

The golden feather was brought to the king. All of his council agreed it was worth more than all the kingdom's wealth, but the king said, "One feather is not enough. I must have the whole bird."

Then the eldest son set out, thinking he would find the golden bird easily. When he had gone just a little way, he came to a wood where he saw a fox. He started to shoot at it. Then the fox said, "Do not shoot me, for I will give you good counsel. I know you want to find the golden bird. You will reach a village with two inns. One is very pleasant and beautiful, but do not go there. Stay in the other, though it may appear very poor and mean."

But the son thought, "What can a fox know?" So he shot at the fox. He missed, and it ran into the wood. Then he continued and came to a village with two inns. In one, people were singing, dancing, and feasting, but the other looked dirty and poor. "I should be very silly," said he, "if I went to that shabby house." So he went into the smart house, ate, drank, and forgot about the bird.

Time passed, and the eldest son did not return, and no tidings were heard of him. The second son set out, and the same thing happened to him. He met the fox, who gave him the same advice. When he came to the two inns, his eldest brother called him to join the merrymaking. He could not resist, so he went in and forgot about the golden bird.

Time passed, and the youngest son wanted to seek the golden bird, but his father refused. He was afraid something terrible might happen. Eventually, he agreed, and the third son came to the wood where he met the fox and heard the same advice. But he was thankful to the fox and did not try to hurt him. So the fox said, "Sit upon my tail, and you will travel faster." So he sat down, and the fox sped through the wood.

When they came to the village, the son followed the fox's advice and stayed at the shabby inn. In the morning, the fox said, "Go straight, until you reach a castle, where soldiers will be asleep. Ignore them, go into the castle, and find the room with the golden bird in a wooden cage. Nearby is a golden cage, but do not try to put the bird into it. Otherwise you will regret it." Then the fox stretched out his tail, the young man sat down, and away they went.

At the castle, all was as the fox had said. The son entered and found the golden bird in the wooden cage. Nearby was the golden cage. He said, "It will be shameful to carry such a fine bird in this shabby cage." So he put the golden bird into the golden cage. But the bird screamed loudly and woke the soldiers, who took him prisoner.

1. How does the king find out his apples are missing?

The king sleeps under the tree to guard the apples.

The golden apples are counted each day.

The gardener has found the missing apples.

The sons tell the king the apples are missing.

2. Based on the passage, which best fits in the empty box?

Third son captures clever fox with golden apples.

Third son sees golden bird while watching tree.

Third son takes the fox to the golden castle.

Third son falls asleep instead of guarding tree.

3. Read this sentence from the passage.

"He said, 'It will be shameful to carry such a fine bird in this shabby cage.' "

What is the meaning of the suffix -ful in the word shameful?

balanced

full of

less than

without

4. Why does the king become angry?

His council advises him to count his golden apples.

His golden apples are stolen from his garden.

Large groups of golden birds fly into his garden.

The gardener's sons are too lazy and tired to work.

5. From whose point of view is the story told?

an unnamed narrator

the clever and wise fox

the concerned gardener

the gardener's youngest son

6. Which pair of words best describes the king?

powerful and fair

selfish and greedy

bored and careless

innocent and calm

From A to Z
by Tonya Becerra

Sweeping open the heavy doors of the library, Maria felt the rush of cool air.

Grandpa had always called the library the best travel agent that existed. Slowly, Maria was beginning to be convinced.

Going to the library reminded Maria of the way an airplane climbs at take-off. That feeling of flight was thrilling, especially without the nervous "butterflies" in her stomach that she got with real airplanes. Instead, she smiled broadly, excited about what might be in store for her.

Where should I travel to today? she thought to herself.

Last week, she had visited famous presidents' faces, carved into huge stone layers. Mount Rushmore was a place that had always interested her. How could they have done that? Who created them in the first place? And why?

Not only did the library serve as a wonderful travel agent, it also played the part of historian and highly knowledgeable tour guide. Her "tour book" had answered all of her questions and explained all of the curious details she could dream up—and so much more.

She also enjoyed being able to leisurely stroll down aisles upon aisles of books. She could stop and look at any one of them that caught her attention.

Today, she started with Africa, but then she stopped herself.

"Why do I have to start with the A's? Why does it always have to be in order or make sense? I'm on vacation."

"Why not throw caution to the wind?" Grandpa would say when he wanted her to try something new or different.

So she turned around and headed toward the opposite end of the shelves. "Oh, the Z's. That's certainly different," she said.

The first book spine that caught her eye was a bold, sparkling gold print. It read "Zimbabwe."

Maria laughed to herself. Somehow, she had ended up in Africa anyway. Maybe that's where she needed to travel to today.

As she flipped through the thick pages full of colorful fabrics, stark landscapes, and wild animals, she was quickly convinced that Zimbabwe would be her trek for the day.

Maria carried the book to the checkout counter. Renee, the librarian, smiled as she read the title. "Ah, Zimbabwe! That's someplace I've always wanted to visit."

"Well, you can go there as soon as I return from my trip," Maria said.

Renee laughed and winked, knowing all about Maria's travels. "Yes, I will, Maria. You'll have to tell me all about it when you return. Bon voyage!"

Maria was eager to talk to Grandpa about this one. Sometimes, throwing caution to the wind brings you right back to where you began in the first place.

7. How are Maria and Renee similar?

They both respect Maria's grandfather and his ideas.

They both are very responsible and careful with time.

They both really enjoy traveling to faraway places.

They both have a sense of humor and adventure.