Read Grade-Level Literature Practice Test

Read the story.

Keisha watched the new student, Jin, sit alone during art time. The room buzzed with chatter, but Jin’s table stayed quiet, like a corner of winter. Keisha carried over her markers and said, “I like your dragon sketch.” Jin’s eyes widened, and he slid the paper closer, protecting it with his arm. For a moment, Keisha thought she had bothered him, so she started to step back. Then Jin pushed a marker toward her and said, “Can you help me color the scales?” Keisha sat down, and the dragon slowly filled with bright greens and golds.

What can you infer about Jin from the passage?

Read the story.

Chen and his little sister, Lily, walked along the river path after school. The water was calm, but the wind was restless, tugging at Chen’s jacket like a playful puppy. Lily pointed to a small sign that said, “Keep Out: New Plants Growing.” Behind the rope, tiny green shoots poked up through dark soil. Chen wanted to hop over and get a closer look, yet he noticed footprints pressed into the soft ground. “Someone already stepped there,” Lily said, frowning. Chen remembered how their class had planted seeds last month and hoped they would survive. He stayed on the path and said, “Let’s observe from here so we don’t ruin it.”

What does the word “observe” mean in this passage?