A light look at some actual Grade 4 & 5 test questions and responses at my wife’s school:
____________________________________________________________
How do you think the Wright brothers felt after the first flight. Why?
Good. They did something good for once.
Do you think jet airplanes have changed our lives for the better? Why?
No. Pollution, hello?
—From Andrew
____________________________________________________________
How do you think the Wright brothers felt after the first flight. Why?
Maybe like birds, cuz birds fly in the air.
—From Austin
____________________________________________________________
How do you think you would feel if a cricket kept you awake? Why?
Annoyed. Because there would be a lot because I live near a Hydro line.
—From Bailey
____________________________________________________________
How do you think the Wright brothers felt after the first flight. Why?
Happy and surprised. Hello?!! They made the first machine that can fly!
—From Ian
____________________________________________________________
What do you think would happen if all the plants died? Why?
We would not have shade from trees. This affects me because with no shade in the summer, I’d boil.
—From Jessica
____________________________________________________________
What do you think would happen if all the plants died? Why?
I think that life would come to a halt because plants feed herbivores, herbivores feed carnivores and we feed on herbivores/carnivores. Also, plants give us oxygen.
—From James
____________________________________________________________
According to this passage, how long does it take for people to fly around the world?
A few hours. Sometime it take longer to get luggage than to fly.
How do you think the Wright brothers felt after the first flight? Why?
They probably thought, “Wow, we have made the first flying machine everyone who ever flys (sic) will thank us.”
Do you think jet airplanes have changed our lives for the better? Why?
Yes, because if you wanted to go to Disneyland for a trip if you took a car it would take a cople (sic) of days. If you flew it only take a cuple (sic) of house and then you don’t have grumpy whinny (sic) kids.
—From Juliana
____________________________________________________________
How do you think you would feel if a cricket kept you awake? Why?
It would feel weird because there’s a bug in my house.
—From Billy
____________________________________________________________
How do you think you would feel if a cricket kept you awake? Why?
I would try to find the cricket and bring it outside cause I like to sleep a lot.
—From April
____________________________________________________________
Being a Special Ed teacher, I recognize instantly that the test your wife is using is the Jerry Johns Basic Reading Inventory. Unfortunately, my students don’t give answers as entertaining as this.