APPENDIX A9

Titles of Phil-IRI Graded Passages for Pre-Tests in English

Grade Set A Set B Set C Set D
Level

2 Pam’s Cat A Hot Day Al’s Bag Nat Takes a

Nap

3 Summer Fun A Rainy Day Ben’s Store Waiting for Her

Sister

4 Get Up, Jacky! Waiting for the Anansi’s Web Wake Up!
Peddler

5 Frog’s Lunch The Cow and the Pedrito’s Snack Amy’s Good
Carabao Deed

6 Yawning Laughter Effects of Anger Dreams

7 Dark Chocolate Sneezing Dust Pain

ENGLISH PRE-TEST
SET A

Level Title of the Selection

Grade 2 Pam’s Cat

Narrative

Grade 3 Summer Fun

Narrative

Grade 4 Get Up, Jacky!

Narrative

Grade 5 Frog’s Lunch

Narrative

Grade 6 Yawning
Expository

Grade 7 Dark Chocolate

Expository
 PAM’S CAT

Pam has a cat.

It is on the bed.
It can nap. It can sit.
“Oh no!” says Pam.
“The cat fell off the bed!”
Is the cat sad?
No. It is on the mat.

Questions
1. Who has a pet?
a. Pat
b. Pam
c. Paz
2. What is her pet?
a. dog
b. pig
c. cat
3. Why did Pam say “Oh no!”?
a. She was mad.
b. She was happy.
c. She was worried.
4. Why did she feel this way?
a. Her cat can do tricks.
b. Her cat made a mess.
c. Her cat might be hurt.
5. How do we know that the cat is ok?
a. It is on the bed.
b. It is on the mat.
c. It has a rat.
 SUMMER FUN

“Let’s have some fun this summer,” says Leo.

“Let’s swim in the river,” says Lina.
“Let’s get some star apples from the tree,” says Leo.
“Let’s pick flowers,” says Lina.
“That is so much fun!” says Mama.
“But can you help me dust the shelves too?”
“Yes, we can Mama,” they say.
“Helping can be fun too!”

Questions
1. Who were talking to each other?
a. Lita and Lito
b. Lina and Lino
c. Lina and Leo
2. What were they talking about?
a. what to do during the summer
b. what to have during the summer
c. what to wear during the summer
3. The children in the story could be _______
a. brother and sister
b. neighbors
c. cousins
4. Which of these will they do if they are hungry?
a. pick flowers
b. pick guavas
c. go swimming
5. Doing something "fun" means ______________.
a. doing something in the summer
b. doing something in the house
c. doing something that we like
6. Which these is the best example of being helpful?
a. picking flowers
b. cleaning up
c. swimming
 GET UP, JACKY!

“Ring! Ring!” rang the clock.

But Jacky did not get up.
“Wake up, Jacky! Time for school,” yelled Mom.
And yet Jacky did not get up.
“Beep! Beep!” honked the horn of the bus.
Jacky still laid snug on the bed.
Suddenly, a rooster crowed out loud
and sat on the window sill.
Jacky got up and said with cheer,
“I will get up now. I will!”

Questions
1. Who is the main character in our story?
a. Jock
b. Jicky
c. Jacky
2. Why did the main character need to wake up early?
a. to get to school on time
b. to get to work on time
c. to get to bed on time
3. What woke the character up?
a. the ringing of the alarm clock
b. the crowing of the rooster
c. Mom’s yelling
4. What did the character think as he/she "laid snug" on the bed?
a. “I do not want to get up yet.”
b. “I do not want to be late today.”
c. “I want to be extra early today.”
5. What does it mean to say something "with cheer?"
a. We say it sadly.
b. We say it happily.
c. We say it with fear.
6. Which of these statements fits the story?
a. Jacky liked being woken up by a clock.
b. Jacky liked being woken up by a bus horn.
c. Jacky liked being woken up by a rooster.
 FROG’S LUNCH

One day, a frog sat on a lily pad, still as a rock.

A fish swam by.
“Hello, Mr. Frog! What are you waiting for?”
“I am waiting for my lunch,” said the frog.
“Oh, good luck!” said the fish and swam away.
Then, a duck waddled by.
“Hello, Mr. Frog! What are you waiting for?”
“I am waiting for my lunch,” said the frog.
“Oh, good luck!” said the duck and waddled away.
Then a bug came buzzing by.
“Hello, Mr. Frog! What are you doing?” asked the bug.
“I’m having my lunch! Slurp!” said the frog.
Mr. Frog smiled.

Questions
1. Who is the main character in the story?
a. the bug
b. the duck
c. the fish
d. the frog
2. What was he doing?
a. resting on a lily pad
b. chatting with a bug
c. hunting for his food
d. waiting for the rain
3. In what way was he able to get his lunch?
a. He was able to fool the fish.
b. He was able to fool the duck.
c. He was able to fool the rock.
d. He was able to fool the bug.
4. Why should the frog be “still as a rock?”
a. so that he will not scare the other animals away
b. so that he can catch his lunch
c. so that the other animals will think he is friendly
d. so that the fish will say nice things about him
5. Which of these words describe the duck?
a. patient
b. eager
c. curious
d. careful
6. Which of these words describe Mr. Frog?
a. patient
b. eager
c. curious
d. careful

7. Which of these characteristics would have helped the bug?

a. being patient
b. being eager
c. being curious
d. being careful
 YAWNING

What makes us yawn? Yawning is something that we cannot control.

Even in the mother’s womb, eleven-week-old babies have been observed to
yawn. But why do we do it?
One popular explanation for yawning is that a person may be tired or bored.
Although many believe this to be true, it cannot explain why athletes yawn
before an event or why dogs yawn before an attack.
It is said that yawning is caused by a lack of oxygen and excess
carbon dioxide. A good example of this is when we yawn in groups. We yawn
because we are competing for air.
Others even believe that we yawn to cool our brains off. Cool brains
allow us to think more clearly so yawning is said to help us become more
alert.
Questions

1. What is a fact about yawning?

a. It is something we cannot control.
b. It is something only humans do
c. It is a result of boredom.
d. It happens after birth.
2. Which of the following might make us yawn?
a. reading a book
b. being in a crowded room
c. being around plants
d. being in a small air-conditioned car
3. What does the word "involuntary" mean?
a. expected
b. unexpected
c. within control
d. uncontrollable
4. Which of the following may be a benefit of yawning?
a. It warns us of possible attacks by dogs.
b. It provides us the carbon dioxide we need.
c. It cools our brains.
d. It balances the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
5. According to the selection, what is most likely to happen after we yawn?
a. We will become more alert.
b. We will be less tired.
c. We will be less sleepy.
d. We will be calmer.
6. In the selection, how is the word 'compete' used in the phrase "competing
for air?"
a. struggling to take in some air
b. arguing about breathing
c. battling it out for oxygen
d. racing to breathe more air
7. Which of the following shows evidence that "yawning" is "competing for
air?"
a. The passengers in an elevator yawned.
b. Several people yawned while picnicking at an open field.
c. Two people yawned inside a room with air-conditioning.
d. Three students yawned in a big empty room.
8. Which of the following is the best response when we see a person/animal
yawn?
a. Have the person eat a food item that is a good source of energy.
b. Change the topic of conversation to a more interesting one.
c. Turn on an electric fan or source of ventilation.
d. Run away to avoid being attacked.
 DARK CHOCOLATE

Dark chocolate finds its way into the best ice creams, biscuits and cakes.
Although eating chocolate usually comes with a warning that it is fattening, it is
also believed by some to have magical and medicinal effects. In fact, cacao
trees are sometimes called Theobroma cacao which means “food of the gods.”

Dark chocolate has been found out to be helpful in small quantities. One
of its benefits is that it has some of the most important minerals and vitamins
that people need. It has antioxidants that help protect the heart.

Another important benefit is that the fat content of chocolate does not
raise the level of cholesterol in the blood stream. A third benefit is that it
helps address respiratory problems. Also, it has been found out to help ease
coughs and respiratory concerns.

Finally, chocolate increases serotonin levels in the brain. This is what

gives us a feeling of well-being.

Questions

1. Why was chocolate called Theobroma cacao?

It is considered to be _____.
a. fattening food
b. magical tree
c. medicinal candy
d. food of the gods
2. Which statement is true?
a. All chocolates have medicinal properties.
b. In small doses, dark chocolate is fattening.
c. Dark chocolate has minerals and vitamins.
d. Chocolate raises the level of cholesterol.
3. What is found in dark chocolate that will help encourage its consumption?
a. antioxidants
b. sugar
c. fats
d. milk
4. After we eat chocolate, which of these is responsible for making
us feel good?
a. cacao
b. theobroma
c. serotonin
d. antioxidants
5. If a person coughs and is asked to have some chocolate, why would this
be good advice?
a. Dark chocolate helps respiratory problems.
b. Dark chocolate helps circulation.
c. Dark chocolate does not raise the level of cholesterol.
d. Dark chocolate has vitamins and minerals.

6. Which of the following body systems does not directly benefit from the
consumption of dark chocolate?
a. Circulatory system
b. Respiratory system
c. Excretory system
d. Nervous system
7. Which important fact shows that dark chocolate may be safe for the
heart?
a. It may ease coughs.
b. It helps address respiratory problems.

c. It does not raise the level of cholesterol.

d. In small quantities, dark chocolate has been said to be medicinal.
8. What does “address” mean in the second paragraph?
a. to locate
b. to identify
c. to deal with
d. to recognize
ENGLISH PRE-TEST
SET B
Level Title of the Selection

Grade 2 A Hot Day

Narrative

Grade 3 A Rainy Day

Narrative

Grade 4 Waiting for the Peddler

Narrative

Grade 5 The Cow and the Carabao

Narrative

Grade 6 Laughter
Expository

Grade 7 Sneezing
Expository
 A HOT DAY

The sun is up.

“Is it a hot day, Matt?” asks Sal.
“Yes, it is,” says Matt.
Sal gets her fan.
Matt gets his hat.
Sal and Matt go out to play.
Sal and Matt have fun.

Questions
1. Who are the children in the story?
a. Sam and Matt
b. Sal and Max
c. Matt and Sal
2. What kind of day was it?
a. a sunny day
b. a cloudy day
c. a rainy day
3. What did the little girl do so that she will not feel
hot?
a. She stayed inside.
b. She got a hat.
c. She got a fan.
4. What did the little boy do so that he will not feel hot?
a. He stayed inside.
b. He got a hat.
c. He got a fan.
5. What is the message of the story?
a. We can have fun on a hot day.
b. We can have fun on a cool day.
c. We can have fun on a cloudy day.
 A RAINY DAY

Nina and Ria are looking out the window.

“I do not like getting wet in the rain,” says Nina.
“What can we do?” asks Ria.
“We can play house,” says Nina.
“Or we can play tag,” says Ria.
“Okay, let’s play tag. You’re it!” says Nina.
Nina runs from Ria and bumps a lamp.
“Oh no!” says Nina.
“We must not play tag in the house.”

Questions
1. What is it that Ria does not like?
a. playing tag
b. playing house
c. getting wet in the rain
2. What does Nina want to do?
a. play tag
b. play house
c. get wet in the rain
3. Who wants to play tag?
a. Ria
b. Nina
c. Ria and Nina
4. What is "tag?"
a. a card game
b. a video game
c. a running game
5. Why wasn’t it a good idea to play tag in the house?
a. Something might break
b. Someone might get tired
c. Something might get lost
6. Which word tells what Ria and Nina should be?
a. careless
b. careful
c. curious
 WAITING FOR THE
PEDDLER

Mama was feeling sick.

“Lisa, I cannot make you a snack,” she said.
“Can you watch out for the peddler while I rest?”
“Yes Mama,” Lisa answered.
Soon, a man shouted, “Taho! Taho!”
Lisa ran. “Two cups please,” she said.
Lisa paid the man.
She got one cup of taho and gave the other to Mama.
“Thank you, Lisa. I feel much better now,” said Mama.
“You’re welcome, Mama!”

Questions
1. What is it that Mama could NOT do?
a. She could not go out.
b. She could not make Lisa a snack.
c. She could not wait for the peddler.
2. Which of the following did NOT happen in the story?
a. Lisa went out to buy taho.
b. Lisa waited for the peddler.
c. Lisa made a snack for Mama.
3. Which of the following words best describes Lisa?
a. obedient
b. resourceful
c. hardworking
4. Which statement tells us what a peddler can do?
a. A peddler sells snacks.
b. A peddler visits the sick.
c. A peddler brings medicine.
5. When we “watch out” for something or someone, we ____?
a. look at something
b. wait for something
c. go away from something
6. Which statement best fits the story?
a. It is good to visit the sick.
b. It is best to buy from a peddler.
c. Those who help us sometimes need help, too.
 THE COW AND THE CARABAO

Long ago, a farmer had a carabao and a cow. The carabao was bigger
but the cow worked just as hard.
One day the farmer said, “I can get more from my farm if my carabao
works all day and my cow works all night.” This went on for a month 'til finally,
the carabao cried, “It is just too hot to work all day!” “Want to go for a
swim?” asked the cow. “It will cool you off.”
The carabao happily agreed. They went off without the farmer’s
consent.
Before swimming, they hung their skins on a tree branch. But it wasn’t long till
the farmer went looking for them.
Upon seeing the farmer, they rushed to put on their skins. In their
rush, the carabao had worn the cow’s skin and the cow had worn the carabao’s
skin.
From then on, cows have sagging skin while carabaos have tight skin.

Questions
1. At the beginning of the story, what was one major difference between the
cow and the carabao?
a. The carabao was bigger than the cow.
b. The cow had sagging skin while the carabao had tight skin.
c. The carabao had sagging skin while the cow had tight skin.
d. The carabao worked at night while the cow worked in the day.
2. What did the farmer decide one day?
a. The cow and the carabao will work together.
b. The cow and the carabao should not leave the farm.
c. The carabao will work in the day while the cow will work at night.
d. The cow will work in the day while the carabao will work at night.
3. What word describes the farmer in the story?
a. kind
b. cruel
c. grumpy
d. hardworking
4. How did the farmer’s decision affect the cow and the carabao?
a. They did not have time to rest.
b. They hardly saw each other.
c. They did not eat enough.
d. They were always tired.
5. What does the phrase “without consent” mean?
a. did not have permission
b. was not informed
c. has not rested
d. did not know
6. Which of the following events happened last?
a. The carabao cried out that it was so hot.
b. The cow and the carabao decided to swim.
c. The farmer came while the animals were swimming.
d. The cow and the carabao hurriedly put on their skins.
7. What kind of story is this?
a. myth
b. parable
c. legend
d. fairy tale
 LAUGHTER

People love to laugh. We love it so much when there are jokes, jobs, and
shows that are made to make us laugh. Even though laughing seems natural, not
many species are able to do so.

Laughing involves the performance of rhythmic, involuntary movements,

and the production of sounds. We are able to laugh using fifteen facial
muscles, our respiratory system, and sometimes even our tear ducts.

We are lucky that we are able to laugh because there is strong evidence
that laughter can help improve health. Laughter boosts the immune system and
adds another layer of protection from disease.

Since laughter also increases blood flow, it improves the function of

blood vessels that helps protect the heart. Laughter also relaxes the whole
body by relieving tension and stress. Finally, laughter also brings out the
body’s natural feel-good chemicals that promote well-being.

Questions
1. What is laughing?
a. It is the voluntary reception of sounds.
b. It is the voluntary production of sounds.
c. It is the involuntary production of sounds.
d. It is the voluntary use of our facial muscles.
2. What does the statement, “There are jokes, jobs, and shows that are
made
to make us laugh,” imply in this selection?
a. Laughter is something we have to work at.
b. Comedy shows are good sources of income.
c. Laughter is an important part of our life.
d. Jokes and comedy shows are expensive ways to make us laugh.
3. In what way does laughing prevent us from getting sick?
a. It lets us have full use of our respiratory system.
b. It helps boost our immune system.
c. It allows us to use our tear ducts.
d. It exercises our facial muscles.
4. If laughter increases blood flow, which body system does it help?
a. nervous system
b. respiratory system
c. excretory system
d. circulatory system
5. Which word CANNOT be used to describe laughing?
a. rhythmic
b. voluntary
c. uncontrollable
d. functional
6. Which of the following facts about laughter would be helpful to a
hardworking secretary at a busy office?
a. Laughter uses fifteen facial muscles.
b. Laughter keeps tension and stress away.
c. Laughter may help protect us from diseases.
d. Laughter brings out the ‘feel good’ chemicals.
7. Which of the following is the best title for the selection?
a. Laughter is the answer.
b. Laughter is the best medicine.
c. Laughter is what sets humans apart.
d. Laughter affects the human condition.
8. Which of the following would be the most ideal place to spread the good
effects of laughter?
a. sari-sari store
b. gas station
c. hospital
d. market
 SNEEZING

Sneezing happens when our body is trying to remove an irritation

found inside the nose. A special name for this process is sternutation.

How does a sneeze happen? When your nose is tickled, the sneeze
center in our brain receives a message. Soon, the other parts of the body
that work together to create a sneeze such as the abdominal muscles, chest
muscles, the diaphragm, the muscles of the vocal chords, the back of the
throat, and the eyelids receive this message.

An explosion as fast as 161 kilometers per hour sends the irritant

speeding out of your nose. Examples of irritants in the air are dust, pepper,
or allergens such as pollen. Some experience having a photic reflex and
sneeze as soon as they are under the bright sun.

Now, if it ever happens that a sneeze of yours gets stuck, look

towards a bright light to unstick your stuck sneeze.

Questions
1. What is sternutation?
a. the voluntary process of expelling dirt and dust from inside our nose
b. the involuntary process of removing an irritation inside the nose
c. a person’s natural reaction to bright light
d. an explosion of allergens
2. Sneezing happens ____________________________.
a. to release energy
b. to expel an irritant
c. to remove nose hair
d. in response to a cough
3. Which of the following is NOT an example of an allergic reaction?
a. sneezing in a dusty room
b. pepper-induced sternutation
c. photic reflex from sun exposure
d. Sneezing when exposed to pollen
4. Which of the following does NOT help to create a sneeze?
a. abdominal muscles
b. chest muscles
c. nasal passages
d. voice box
5. Which is the best advice to follow to unstick a sneeze?
a. look towards a bright light
b. tickle our nostrils
c. blow one’s nose
d. cough out loud
6. Why must we cover our nose when we sneeze?
a. to prevent the further intake of pepper powder
b. to prevent the allergens from multiplying
c. to prevent irritants from spreading
d. to prevent ourselves from sneezing
7. Which of the following is the best thing to do if you feel a sneeze coming
along?
a. Take cold medicine.
b. Have a body check-up.
c. Move away from others.
d. Open a window that faces a garden.
8. The main idea of this selection is
a. the different kinds of sneeze
b. how sneezing happens
c. the cure for sneezing
d. the origin of sneezing
ENGLISH PRE-TEST
SET C
Level Title of the Selection

Grade 2 Al’s Bag

Narrative

Grade 3 Ben’s Store

Narrative

Grade 4 Anansi’s Web

Narrative

Grade 5 Pedrito’s Snack

Narrative

Grade 6 Effects of Anger

Expository

Grade 7 Dust
Expository
 AL’S BAG

Al has a bag.
It has a mat.
It has buns.
It has bananas.
But it has ants too!
“Ants! Ants!” says Al.
Al lets the bag go.

Questions
1. What is the name of the boy in the story?
a. Al
b. Alf
c. Ants
2. What does he have in his bag?
a. a mat
b. an apple
c. an orange
3. What will he do?
a. have a nap
b. have a party
c. have a snack
4. Why does he let his bag go?
a. He is afraid.
b. He is glad.
c. He is mad.
5. Which sentence tells us why it is a good idea for the
boy to let go of his bag?
a. So the ants cannot get the food
b. So the ants cannot bite him
c. So the ants will be free
 BEN’S STORE

Ben has his own store.

“Do you sell eggs?” asks Mel.
“Yes, come in,” says Ben.
“Do you sell milk?” asks Dante.
“Yes, come in,” says Ben.
“Do you sell hats?” asks Lala.
“No, we do not sell hats,” says Ben.
“But you can come in and have a look.”
Lala goes in. She gets a banana.

Questions
1. Who is the main character in the story?
a. Ben
b. Lala
c. Mel
2. What does he have?
a. a school
b. a store
c. a hat
3. What is the store for?
a. a place used for fixing things
b. a place used for selling things
c. a place used for keeping things
4. What do you think does it sell?
a. Ben’s store sells hats.
b. Ben’s store sells toys.
c. Ben’s store sells food.
5. Why was it important for Lala to go in and "have a look?"
a. to find out what she can sell
b. to find out what she can buy
c. to find out what she can keep
6. Which of these words best describes Ben?
a. helpful
b. greedy
c. giving
 ANANSI’S WEB

Anansi was tired of her web. So one day, she said “I will go live with the
ant.”

Now, the ant lived in a small hill. Once in the hill Anansi cried, “This place
is too dark! I will go live with the bees.”

When she got to the beehive, Anansi cried, “This place is too hot and
sticky! I will go live with the beetle.”

But on her way to beetle’s home she saw her web. “Maybe a web is the
best place after all."

Questions
1. Where does Anansi live?
a. in a beehive
b. in a web
c. in a hill
2. What was her problem?
a. She was tired of living in other insects’ homes.
b. She was tired of living in a web.
c. She was tired of being a spider.
3. Which of the following happened last?
a. She went to beetle’s house.
b. She went back to the web.
c. She went to the beehive.
4. What would she have said at beetle’s home?
a. “This place is not for me.”
b. “This place can be better.”
c. “This place is exactly like my web.”
5. Which of the following solved her problem?
a. She tried out other insects’ homes.
b. She stayed at home all day.
c. She made a new home.
6. At the end of the story, which statement do you think is she going to say?
a. “My home is your home.”
b. “Homes should be shared.”
c. “There’s no place like home. “
 PEDRITO’S SNACK

The bell rang. “It’s snack time!” Pedrito shouted and ran out of the room.
He sat on a bench under a tall tree.

In Pedrito’s lunch bag were three soft buns. He got the first one and took
a bite. “Mmmm,” said Pedrito. Just then, a sparrow sat on the bench. It was
looking at him. Pedrito didn’t mind. He went on and finished his bun.

Then Pedrito got his second bun. He took a big bite and said “Mmmm!” The
sparrow was still looking at him. It also moved closer. But still, Pedrito did not
mind. He went on and finished his bun.

Finally, Pedrito got his last bun. He was about to take a bite when the
sparrow flew up to his shoulder. Pedrito smiled, cut the bun in two and said to
himself, “I think someone also likes bread and butter.”

Questions
1. What was Pedrito excited about?
a. having his favorite snack
b. going to the bench
c. being with the birds
d. finding a friend
2. Which of the statements explains the sentence, “Pedrito didn’t mind.”
a. Pedrito was not thinking.
b. Pedrito was not bothered.
c. Pedrito did not want to think.
d. Pedrito did not want to be bothered.
3. Which of these was NOT mentioned in the story?
a. The sparrow looked at the bread.
b. The sparrow sat down on the bench.
c. The sparrow moved closer to Pedrito.
d. The sparrow flew onto Pedrito’s shoulder.
4. What does the word ‘finished’ mean in the phrase "finished his bun?"
a. The bun was eaten.
b. The bun was prepared.
c. The bun was thrown away.
d. The bun was already spoiled.
5. Why was the sparrow looking at him?
a. It wanted to be a pet.
b. It wanted to watch Pedrito as he ate.
c. It wanted to have a share of the bun.
d. It wanted to listen more closely to Pedrito.
6. Why did Pedrito have to break the third bun in two?
a. So that he can eat the bun in two bites.
b. So that he can cut up the bun some more.
c. So that he can share it with the sparrow.
d. So that he can save the other half for later.

7. Which of the following sentences best shows what Pedrito thought of at

the end of the story?
a. “Sharing is only true among friends.”
b. “Ask and you shall receive.”
c. “One good turn deserves another.”
d. “Something good is even better when shared.”
 EFFECTS OF ANGER

Anger is often viewed as harmful. It does not only affect the person
feeling this anger but those around him or her. As these feelings get
stronger, changes occur in our body. Our faces turn red and carry a frown.
Our teeth are clenched and our hands are closed tight. Our breathing
becomes heavy and this makes our heart beat faster. Our shoulder and neck
muscles become stiff and our blood pressure begins to rise. All these things
happen because our body is preparing for something. It is preparing for
action. However, this action does not have to be harmful.

People are often guilty about feeling angry. But, anger can be viewed
positively. Feelings of anger tell you that something is not right and that
something needs to change. The challenge lies in making sure that actions
resulting from anger will help rather than harm. Expressing our feelings can
help others understand the source of our anger rather than fear its
consequences.

Questions
1. Which is NOT an observed change in our body when we get angry?
a. Our face turns red.
b. Our heart beats faster.
c. Our shoulders become stiff.
d. Our breathing becomes slow.
2. In the sentence, “Changes occur in our body,” which of the following
words is a synonym for the word occur?
a. stay
b. form
c. happen
d. transform
3. Why do people sometimes feel guilty for being angry?
a. Anger may hurt others.
b. Anger is not a feeling you should show to other people.
c. Anger may cause us to create positive change in the world.
d. Anger may cause us to be motivated to act on something.
4. Which of these actions is based on anger as a positive form of expression?
a. focusing on what is wrong
b. saying hurtful words
c. identifying the root of the problem
d. keeping our emotions bottled up inside of us
5. Which of these actions are based on anger as a form of motivation?
a. asking the person we are angry at to think of how the problem can be
resolved
b. giving the person that we are angry at the silent treatment
c. kicking a chair aside and screaming out loud
d. seeking the help of a third person to side with you
6. What is one benefit of feeling angry?
a. It provides a form of exercise for our heart and blood vessels.
b. It prepares us for future occasions that we might feel angry.
c. It serves as a signal that something is not right.
d. It changes how our mind works.

7. In the selection, what is the meaning of the word "challenge?"

a. It refers to a task that is new.
b. It refers to a task that is different
c. It refers to a task that is assigned to us.
d. It refers to a task that is difficult to do.
8. In the selection, which trait would be most helpful when trying to use our
anger in a positive way?
a. being obedient
b. being honest
c. being thoughtful
d. being hardworking
 DUST

No matter how often we sweep the floor of our homes, we are still able
to gather together a considerable amount of dust. Dust is all around us. It
gathers on bookshelves, on furniture - old or new. These particles rest on any
still object – undisturbed until touched or wiped clean.

Dust, which was first believed to be made of dead skin has been found to
be a mix of different things. Some of the common ingredients of dust particles
include animal fur, dead insects, food, fiber from clothes, beddings, soil and
other chemicals. Although most of household dust comes from the outside
through doors, windows and shoes, other dust particles come from within.
Scientists have discovered that the mix of dust from each household actually
depends on four things: the climate, the age of the house, the number of
persons who live in it and their individual cooking, cleaning and smoking habits.

Making our homes free of dust may not be possible but lessening the
amount of dust that we keep in our homes will help avoid possible allergies and
allow us to breathe well.

Questions

1. Which of the following is NOT true about dust?

a. Dust causes allergies.
b. Dust is made of dead skin only.
c. Dust comes from both within the home and outside of it.
d. The amount of dust in the house may depend on the climate.
2. Knowing the contents of the dust in our homes will determine ________.
a. how dust can be cleaned up
b. where the dust is coming from
c. what one might add to one’s home
d. the lifestyle of the occupants
3. Among the sources of dust, which is NOT within one’s control?
a. the personal habits of family members
b. the number of persons in the home
c. the age of the house
d. the climate
4. What is the greatest risk that one faces in having a dusty house? A dusty
house might ________.
a. cause the incidence of allergies
b. be a reason for accidents in the house
c. increase the temperature of the environment
d. result in the early destruction of the furniture
5. Knowing the composition of dust will especially help persons with ______.
a. motor difficulties
b. physical disabilities
c. circulatory concerns
d. respiratory problems

6. In this selection, the word “habits” refers to ________.

a. one’s unusual behavior
b. being addicted to something
c. the work one occasionally performs
d. the manner by which one repeatedly does a task

7. How did the writer develop this selection about dust?

a. by giving examples
b. by narrating some events
c. by stating the cause and effect
d. by identifying the problem and the solutions

8. Which is an appropriate title of this selection?

a. Keeping the Houses Dust-Free
b. Sources of Dust in Our Homes
c. Effects of Dusty Homes
d. Diseases Due to Dust
ENGLISH PRE-TEST
SET D
Level Title of the Selection

Grade 2 Nat Takes a Nap

Narrative

Grade 3 Waiting for Her Sister

Narrative

Grade 4 Wake Up!

Narrative

Grade 5 Amy’s Good Deed

Narrative

Grade 6 Dreams
Expository

Grade 7 Pain
Expository
 NAT TAKES A NAP

Nat will nap.

He will nap on his bed.

But Nat wet the bed.

He cannot nap.

Nat is sad.

Mama gets Nat.

Nat has his nap.

Questions
1. Who will nap?
a. Matt
b. Nat
c. Pat
2. Where did he want to nap?
a. in the bed
b. up the bed
c. on the bed
3. Why was he not able to take a nap?
a. Mama was not there.
b. It was not time to nap.
c. He did not want to get wet.
4. Who helped him have his nap?
a. Mama
b. Papa
c. No one
5. What did he feel when Mama got him?
a. glad
b. sad
c. afraid
 WAITING FOR HER SISTER

Mara sat by the school gate.

It was the end of the day.
Mara looked at her watch.
“Where is Ate Mila?” she asked.
Mara looked at her watch again.
At last, Mila has come to pick her up.
“Let’s go home. Mama said it’s time for dinner,”
says Mila.
“I am glad you are here,” says Mara.

Questions
1. What did Mara want to do?
a. go home
b. go to school
c. go on a long trip
2. Why was Mara by the school gate?
a. She could not carry her big school bag.
b. She was waiting for her sister.
c. She wanted to know the time.
3. What part of the day was it?
a. the start of the school day
b. the middle of the school day
c. the end of the school day
4. What does the phrase "pick up" mean?
a. to get from the floor
b. to fetch someone and bring them home
c. to deliver something from one place to another
5. Why did Mara keep looking at her watch?
a. She wanted to check for the time.
b. She was worried that it was getting late.
c. She wanted to know the time that Mila left.
6. Which of these is the best thing for Mila to do so that Mara
will not be so worried? Mila should ________________.
a. come on time
b. give her a big hug
c. bring a friend along
 WAKE UP!

Every Saturday, Manuel goes to market with his father, Mang Ador. They
always pass by Aling Juaning’s stall to buy meat. They go to Mang Tinoy’s for
fresh vegetables. They also visit Aling Tita’s seafood section.

Whenever Mang Ador buys something, Manuel always tries to predict what
his father will cook for lunch. Today, Mang Ador bought tamarind, tomatoes,
string beans, radish, and shrimp.

“I know what we will have for lunch,” says Manuel happily. Can you guess it,
too?

Questions
1. What woke Toto’s family up?
a. a fire truck
b. a loud knock
c. shouts from the neighbors
2. Which of these details tells us that this story happened in the evening?
a. Toto’s family was home.
b. Toto’s family was asleep.
c. Toto’s family had to dress up.
3. Which answer best explains why his family was in a hurry?
a. The fire fighters were almost there.
b. The fire was very near.
c. It was getting late.
4. Who helped them fled from the fire?
a. the firefighters
b. the neighbors
c. their relative
5. Which of these words best describes the family?
a. alert
b. helpful
c. trustworthy
6. Which advice in the story tells us how to avoid getting burned?
a. call for help
b. dress up quickly
c. wrap yourself in a wet towel
 AMY’S GOOD DEED

Amy loves walking home from school to see the colors of the leaves and
listen to the birds sing. But one day, she heard a soft cry. It came from under a
bush. “Should I go near?” Amy wondered. As it grew louder, Amy decided she must
help the poor thing.

Amy crept closer and held her arm out. Just when she was about to reach
out, she saw a pair of eyes and heard a loud “Hissss!!!!” She also felt a sharp pain.
“Ouch!” Amy cried. Her arm had four long scratch marks. Amy was upset. She
really thought she was doing a good deed.

Questions
1. What does Amy love to do?
a. catching animals
b. listening to the trees
c. walking home from school
d. seeing the colors of the birds
2. What did she find unusual?
a. the thorny bush
b. the cry of an animal
c. the colors of the leaves
d. the singing of the birds
3. What did Amy want to do?
a. She wanted to save the animal.
b. She wanted to scare the animal.
c. She wanted to hurt the animal.
d. She wanted to keep the animal.
4. What happened when she tried to help?
a. She was yelled at.
b. She was scratched.
c. She was bitten.
d. She was pulled forward.
5. Why did the animal react that way?
a. The animal was getting ready to attack.
b. The animal wanted to be friends.
c. The animal was scared of Amy.
d. The animal wanted to play.
6. What for Amy is a "good deed?"
a. a surprise c. a brave action
b. a harmful act d. an act of kindness
7. Which phrase best describes Amy?
a. a hardworking girl c. a caring person
b. a brave pet owner d. a diligent student
 DREAMS

We often say “Sweet dreams,” but have you ever wondered why we
dream? Some say that dreaming is our brain’s way of exercising. While we
sleep, our brain may be testing the connections and pathways to see if they
are working well. Others believe that dreaming is our brain’s way of sorting
out problems.
Problems that have not been addressed during the day are sometimes
resolved in our sleep. Yet another explanation is that dreaming is our brain’s
way of fixing and organizing all the information we have.
While sleeping, our brains have a chance to sort out the information
that we want to keep from the stuff we no longer want. Still another idea is
that dreams are just another form of thinking. Will we ever get to know the
answer to this question? Maybe we should sleep on it.

Questions
1. Based on the selection, what does our brain exercise through sleeping?
a. the connections and pathways
b. the left and right hemispheres
c. the content and concepts
d. the gray matter
2. Which of the statements does NOT show how dreams fix our problems?
a. As we dream, we constantly think about what we have learned or
experienced.
b. Our dreams help us focus on things we are unable to notice during the
day.
c. Our brain comes up with solutions in our sleep.
d. Our brain sorts and files information.
3. How does a brain - through dreams - perform the function of an office
clerk?
a. It sorts information we need from what we don’t need.
b. It files what we know into fixed categories.
c. It clears the board to store new information.
d. It functions alone.
4. Based on how it is used in the selection, which of the following words is
a synonym for the word "resolved?"
a. accommodated
b. reflected
c. decided
d. fixed
5. Which of the following statements is NOT true about the brain?
a. Our brain makes connections.
b. Our brain never stops thinking.
c. Sleeping is our brain’s way of shutting down.
d. Our brain replays our experiences as we sleep.
6. Which question is the selection trying to answer?
a. What are the types of dreams?
b. Why are our reasons for dreaming?
c. Are all dreams sweet?
d. How can we stop from dreaming?
7. In the selection, what does it mean to “sleep on it?"
a. ignore it
b. take a nap
c. think about it
d. forget about it
8. Which could be a good title for this selection?
a. Dreaming: Explained
b. Preventing Our Dreams
c. Interpreting One’s Dream
d. Finding Solutions to Dreaming
 PAIN

How do we sense pain? The human body has nociceptors to receive an

electrical impulse that is sent to part of the brain that recognizes pain.
Memories of these sensations are formed to help us avoid painful objects and
experiences and prevents us from repeating past mistakes that may have hurt us
in some way. But pain is more complex. It is not only a physical experience but an
emotional and psychological one as well. When all of these come together, it is
called suffering.

The mind is not alone in recognizing pain. The nervous system is also able
to store such information. Even when a person loses a finger or a limb, the pain
that was once felt may become a chronic one – one that keeps recurring. The
best way to avoid this is to prevent pain memories from forming. The use of
anesthesia prevents the mind from creating these memories. Drugs that prevent
pain such as analgesics help lessen the pain sensed.

Questions
1. What are "nociceptors?"
a. electrical impulses
b. memories of pain
c. nerve receptors
d. sensations of pain
2. How do memories of pain help us?
a. These constantly remind us of what hurts.
b. These help dull the senses.
c. These help us re-experience the pain.
d. These inform us on what to watch out for.
3. Suffering is the complex mix of __________________.
a. physical, mental and spiritual experiences
b. physical, psychological and social influences
c. physical, sociological and cognitive factors
d. physical, emotional and psychological experiences
4. Which of the following is an example of how memories of pain help us?
a. A baby crying at the sight of the needle
b. Drinking a pain killer once a headache starts
c. Asking if a dental procedure will hurt
d. We relive these experiences through our dreams
5. Which is an example of helping the body avoid the creation of memories
for pain?
a. Avoiding the use of anesthesia
b. Drinking a painkiller once a headache starts
c. Talking about a painful experience with a friend
d. Being given an anesthetic before a dental procedure
6. In the selection, how was the word 'chronic' used in the phrase “chronic
pain?"
a. continuous
b. in-born
c. throbbing
d. worsening
7. Which of the following adjectives best describes our memories’ role in
managing pain?
a. curative
b. corrective
c. preventive
d. restorative
8. In the selection, what does it mean to ‘sense pain’?
a. create pain
b. recognize pain
c. remember pain
d. understand pain
 APPENDIX A10
Key to Correction:
Graded Passages in in English Pre-Test (Sets A to D)

Set A Set C
Gr. 2 Gr. 3 Gr. Gr. Gr. 6 Gr. 7 Gr. 2 Gr. 3 Gr. 4 Gr. 5 Gr. 6 Gr. 7
4 5
Al’s Ben’s Anansi’s Pedrito’s Effects Dust
Pam’s Summer Get Frog’s Yawning Dark
Basket Store Web Snack of
Cat Fun Up, Lunch Chocolate
Anger
Jacky!
1.a 1.a 1.b 1.a 1.d 1.b
1.b 1.c 1.c 1.d 1.a 1.d
2.a 2.b 2.b 2.b 2.c 2.d
2.c 2.a 2.a 2.c 2.b 2.c
3.c 3.b 3.b 3.a 3.a 3.d
3.c 3.a 3.b 3.d 3.d 3.a
4.a 4.c 4.a 4.a 4.c 4.a
4.c 4.b 4.a 4.b 4.c 4.c
5.b 5.b 5.a 5.c 5.a 5.d
5.b 5.c 5.b 5.c 5.a 5.a
6.a 6.c 6.c 6.c 6.d
6.b 6.c 6.a 6.a 6.c
7.d 7.d 7.a
7.d 7.a 7.c
8.b 8.b
8.c 8.c

Set D
Set B
Gr. 2 Gr. Gr. 4 Gr. 5 Gr. 6 Gr. 7 Gr. 2 Gr. 3 Gr. 4 Gr. 5 Gr. 6 Gr. 7
3
Nat Waiting Wake Amy’s Dreams Pain
A Hot A Waiting The Laughter Sneezing
Takes a for Her up! Good
Day Rainy for the Cow
Nap Sister Deed
Day Peddler and the
1.b 1.a 1.b 1.c 1.a 1.c
Carabao
1.c 1.c 1.b 1.a 1.c 1.b
2.c 2.b 2.b 2.b 2.d 2.d
2.a 2.b 2.c 2.c 2.c 2.b
3.c 3.c 3.b 3.a 3.a 3.d
3.c 3.c 3.a 3.b 3.b 3.c
4.a 4.b 4.c 4.b 4.d 4.b
4.b 4.c 4.a 4.b 4.d 4.d
5.a 5.b 5.a 5.c 5.c 5.d
5.a 5.a 5.b 5.a 5.b 5.a

6.a 6.c 6.d 6.b 6.a

6.b 6.c 6.d 6.b 6.c

7.c 7.b 7.c 7.c 7.c 7.c

8.c 8.b 8.a 8.b