Review #1 Predicting, Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions, Comparing and Contrasting and Identifying Causes and Effects

Adapted by J.R. Frank

Imagine playing a board game with your dad as he drives you to school. Wait! Shouldn’t your dad keep his hands on the wheel and his eyes on the road? Not if he’s driving a computer-controlled car down a high-tech highway of the future.

Someday, dads may be able to do it. In 1997, scientists and engineers tested new computer controlled cars that drove themselves along a special high-tech highway called a “smartway.” Computers in the cars used information from magnets, light sensors, and radar detectors built into the smartway.

Scientists hope that drivers of the future will simply drive up to a smartway, then switch on the car’s automated driver. The human driver will sit back and enjoy the ride. A computer system will do the rest. Satellites and magnets will help navigate the car along the highway. Sensors will alert the car to other vehicles nearby. The car’s central computer will process information and instruct the car what to do. For example, if a car is too close to the car in front of it, the computer will tell it to slow down or change lanes. When the car’s human driver decides to exit the smartway, he or she will take over the controls and return to the regular highway.

Engineers hope the smartways will save time for commuters and cut down the number of car accidents and traffic jams. Most accidents are caused by human error, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Computer-controlled cars should eliminate those kinds of crashes because a computer, not a human, will determine what the car will do next.

But some car makers aren’t sure the smartway will be the safest way to travel. What would happen if a deer jumped into the road or if the car’s computers broke down? Engineers are trying to answer these questions now. Until they find the answers, your mom will have to keep her eyes on the road.

1. 
   All roads will become smartways.
   
2. 
   All cars will be computer-driven.
   
3. 
   Some highways will be built for computer controlled cars only.
   
4. 
   All highways will require computer-driven cars.
   

8. Why are these highways called smartways?

1. 
   Drivers using them must be smart.
   
2. 
   Drivers will enjoy the ride.
   
3. 
   They are the safest way to travel.
   
4. 
   Smartways have built-in magnets and sensors that help the computer
   

9. Which of the following is not true about smartway driving?

1. 
   Cars will be computer-controlled.
   
2. 
   Drivers can sit back and relax.
   
3. 
   Satellites will help control the cars.
   
4. 
   Drivers must drive very fast.
   

10. If a car on a smartway gets too close to another car, what will be the effect?

1. 
   The computer tells the car what to do.
   
2. 
   The driver returns to the regular highway.
   
3. 
   The driver exits the smartway.
   
4. 
   The car’s automatic driver switches on.
   

11. When comparing gas powered cars to computer controlled cars, engineers think the biggest advantage of smartway driving will be what feature?

1. 
   Faster driving
   
2. 
   More students working on school nights
   
3. 
   Fewer car crashes
   
4. 
   More traffic jams
   

12. What can you infer about smartways after reading this article?

1. 
   Computer controlled cars to be driven on a smartway will be sold this year.
   
2. 
   A driver is never even needed to operate a car.
   
3. 
   Computer systems and gps will make new technology for smartways possible.
   
4. 
   Scientists have decided not to continue research on smartways.
   

13. How are regular drivers and smartways alike?

1. 
   They both cut down on the number of car accidents
   
2. 
   They both require magnets and light sensors
   
3. 
   They both are the drivers of the vehicle
   
4. 
   They both are technological advancements
   

Alex and Michael had been looking forward to this sleepover for weeks. They had made big plans to have a campout in the backyard. Alex’s dad had even brought out the grill the night before, so they could make a special dinner. Unfortunately, the campout had to be cancelled as a result of the thunderstorm outside. Now they were trying to decide what to do.

“Since we’re stuck inside, we need to come up with a new plan,” said Alex. “I think we should watch Horror on the Hill on TV because I heard it was really good.”

Michael was undecided. “I’m not supposed to watch scary movies,” he said.

“But this one is okay,” Alex insisted. “We can watch it since it’s on regular TV. My mom gave me permission.”

“I just don’t want to watch it!” retorted Michael.

“Why not?” asked an annoyed Alex.

Michael tried to think of a good excuse because he was embarrassed, but nothing came to mind. So, he decided to tell his best friend the real reason.

“I can’t watch scary movies because they give me nightmares and I can’t sleep,” he answered, looking at the ground.

“Why didn’t you say that before?” Alex asked sympathetically. “I only suggested the movie because I thought you would like it and we needed something to do! I’m scared too! Why don’t we just play video games instead?”

“Sounds like the perfect plan!” laughed Michael.

14. What do you think the boys would have done if they had camped out?

a. They would have told ghost stories.

b. They would have jumped out at each other.

c. They would have eaten hot dogs.

d. They would have heard the wind making funny sounds in the trees.

a. He doesn’t get nightmares.

c. The television is inside.

d. They really needed a plan.
16. What feeling did both boys share about scary movies?

a. Scary movies give them nightmares.

b. Scary movies make them laugh.

c. Scary movies make them hungry.

d. They think that scary movies are stupid.
17. Why is watching a scary movie on regular TV more acceptable to Alex’s mother?

a. Regular TV movies are in black and white.

b. Regular TV movies have commercials.

c. Regular TV programs are screened for family viewing.

d. Regular TV movies are all cartoons.
18. Why does Alex want to play video games?

a. because he had a nightmare

b. because they aren’t going to watch the movie

c. because the storm is over