NYST SAMPLE QUESTIONS: GRADE 4 ELA

The NYST is a Computer-Based Longitudinal Assessment System for College and Career Readiness. The students will face a variety of new technology-enhanced questions as a part of the computer-based tests.

Some of them are Multiple choice-single correct responses, Multiple choice-multiple correct responses, Matching Tables, Drag and Drop, Hot text, Table Fill in, Graphing, Equation/numeric, Extended constructed response, Short answer, and many more.

Today, we will share several sample questions along with practice test links for grade 4 English Language Arts that gives you an idea of questions that your students are likely to see on the test. After each sample question, an explanation follows that includes any important aspects of the task that you may need to consider with respect to the skills, processes, and information your students need to know.

Domain: Grade 4 >> Reading Standards for Literature

Sample Question: Before going to bed on Friday night, Susie’s parents told her that they had a surprise planned for the weekend and that she would have to wake up really early on Saturday morning. When she woke up, they left the house quickly and started driving. While in the car, Susie looked outside to see if she could figure out where they were going. She noticed that it was getting really hot out and the sun was shining brightly. Then she noticed that the surfboards were in the car. Finally, they stopped, and Susie said, “I know where we are going!”
Where do Susie and her family probably live?

1. in Alaska
2. close to the beach
3. in the mountains
4. in Arkansas

Answer Explanation: The second choice is correct. We can infer that Susie’s family lives near the beach, because the passage says that they drove there in a car. If they did not live near the beach, they would have to travel for several hours or fly on an airplane to get to the beach. The passage did not imply that they would be traveling a long distance.

Standards: RL.4.1

Click here to practice: Reading Standards for Literature Questions on 4th Grade

Domain: Grade 4 >> Reading Standards for Informational Text

Sample Question: Have you ever thought about what happened to the dinosaurs that once roamed the Earth? Well, scientists have developed several ideas through out the years. One idea is that a giant meteorite crashed into our planet and caused a huge dust cloud to cover the Earth. The dust cloud was so enormous that it kept the sun’s rays from reaching Earth. This caused all of the plants to die. With nothing to eat, the herbivores died. The large carnivores also died, leaving the planet without dinosaurs.
What is the meaning of the word herbivore?

1. A type of plant
2. An animal that eats only plants
3. A type of storm
4. An animal that eats only meat

Answer Explanation: An herbivore is an animal that eats only plants. The passage gives us a clue when it describes that the plants dying caused the herbivores to die.

Standards: RI.4.4

Click here to practice: Grade 4 Reading Standards for Informational Text Questions

Domain: Grade 4 >> Writing Standards

Sample Question: Many years ago, Hernando Cortez, a conquistador from Spain, explored the area near the Rio Grande River. He observed crops such as avocados, onions, garlic, pumpkins, corn, tomatoes, chili peppers and nuts. He also observed irrigation systems in the very dry regions of the area. Terrace gardens created by Aztect farmers, which utilized rainfall and minimized erosion, amazed Cortez. The farmers also used the practice of crop rotation and spread natural fertilizers on their crops to help their crops flourish.

Choose an appropriate topic sentence for the paragraph.

1. The Aztecs of Mexico really knew a lot about farming.
2. Hernando Cortez taught the Aztecs how to farm many different crops.
3. Mexico is a country that produces many different crops.
4. None of the above

Answer Explanation: The first choice states the main idea of the paragraph.

Standards: W.4.1.A

Click here to practice: 4th Grade Writing Standards Questions

Domain: Grade 4 >> Language Standards

Sample Question: Many people considers coffee as a stimulant.

Choose the correct sentence.

1. Many people considers coffee as a stimulant.
2. Many peoples consider coffee as a stimulant.
3. Many people consider coffee as a stimulant.
4. Many peoples considers coffee as a stimulant.

Answer Explanation: People is the subject of the sentence. Since people is plural, the verb should be consider.

Standards: L.4.1

Click here to practice: Language Standards Questions for 4th Grade

Looking for online practice tests? Here is the link to practice more of NYST Grade 4 English Language Arts questions.