Free Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) 5th Grade Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What does the equation 1 / 5÷ 4 mean?

1 / 20
4 / 5
5 / 4
20 / 1 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 20 / 1

The notation '1 / 5÷ 4' is ambiguous. However, if interpreted as 1 divided by the fraction 1/5, and then that result multiplied by 4, the calculation yields 20. Specifically, 1 ÷ (1/5) equals 5, and then 5 multiplied by 4 equals 20, which can be written as 20/1.

Question 2: What statement has the same meaning as 3/5?

3 – 5
3 × 5
3 + 5
3 ÷ 5 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 3 ÷ 5

A fraction bar represents division. Therefore, the fraction 3/5 literally means 3 divided by 5. This is a fundamental concept in understanding fractions, where the numerator is divided by the denominator.

Question 3: What is 0.1561 rounded to the nearest tenth of a decimal?

0.2 (Correct answer)
0.1
0.15
0.16

Correct answer: 0.2

To round 0.1561 to the nearest tenth, identify the tenths digit, which is 1. Then, look at the digit immediately to its right, which is 5. Since this digit (5) is 5 or greater, you round up the tenths digit. Rounding 1 up results in 2, making the rounded number 0.2.

Question 4: The result of k / 3 12 would be greater than 12 for which value of k?

for any value of k greater then 3 (Correct answer)
for any value of k equal to 3
for any value of k less than 1 but greater than 1
for any value of k less than 1 but greater than 0

Correct answer: for any value of k greater then 3

The expression 'k / 3 12' is best interpreted as (k/3) × 12. To find when this result is greater than 12, we set up the inequality: (k/3) × 12 > 12. Simplifying, this becomes 4k > 12. Dividing both sides by 4, we find that k must be greater than 3 for the inequality to hold true.

Question 5: Which decimal is equal to 41 / 100 ?

4.1
41
0.041
0.41 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 0.41

To convert a fraction to a decimal, divide the numerator by the denominator. 41 divided by 100 is 0.41. Alternatively, dividing by 100 means moving the decimal point two places to the left from the end of the numerator, which for 41 gives 0.41.

Question 6: Yesterday, our "teacher" was "absent," so we had a "substatute." Which of the following words is misspelled?

teacher
yesterday
absent
substatute (Correct answer)

Correct answer: substatute

The word 'substatute' is misspelled in the sentence. The correct spelling for a person who temporarily takes the place of another, especially a teacher, is 'substitute.' The other underlined words, 'teacher' and 'absent,' are spelled correctly.

Question 7: Which of the following is a proper sentence?

The weatherman said its going to be a warm day.
The weatherman said it going to be a warm day.
The weatherman said its’ going to be a warm day.
The weatherman said it’s going to be a warm day. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The weatherman said it’s going to be a warm day.

The correct sentence uses "it's," which is a contraction for "it is." Options A and C use "its" or "its'," which are grammatically incorrect in this context. "Its" is a possessive pronoun, and "its'" is not a standard English word. Therefore, "it's" is the only choice that properly conveys "it is going to be a warm day."

Question 8: Which of the following adverb phrases best answers the query "why"?

The children combed the nearby woods for pine cones to make crafts. (Correct answer)
The storm came up during the night.
The students usually travel to games by bus.
We spent the afternoon at the mall.

Correct answer: The children combed the nearby woods for pine cones to make crafts.

An adverb phrase answering "why" explains the reason or purpose behind an action. In option A, "for pine cones to make crafts" clearly states the reason *why* the children combed the woods. The other options describe *when* (B), *how* (C), or *where* (D) an action occurred, not the reason.

Question 9: Toms praised his father in his "speak." What does the verb speak look like in the past tense?

speaks
will speak
spoke (Correct answer)
speaked

Correct answer: spoke

The verb "speak" is an irregular verb, meaning its past tense form does not follow the standard pattern of adding "-ed." The correct simple past tense form of "speak" is "spoke." Options A, B, and D represent present tense, future tense, or an incorrect past tense form, respectively.

Question 10: Which of the following sentences DOES NOT contain an irregular verb?

Joe returned home after three years in the army. (Correct answer)
Amanda threw the baseball over the fence just to anger Tim.
In Egypt, there are pyramids in which treasures lie.
Unfortunately, the wind blew down the newly planted trees.

Correct answer: Joe returned home after three years in the army.

A regular verb forms its past tense by adding "-ed" or "-d." In option A, "returned" is the past tense of "return," formed by adding "-ed," making it a regular verb. Options B ("threw" from "throw"), C ("lie" is present tense, but "lay" or "lain" would be irregular past forms), and D ("blew" from "blow") all contain irregular verbs whose past tense forms do not follow the simple "-ed" rule.

Question 11: Which phrase makes logical and has every word spelled correctly?

A bass was painted on the head of the base drum.
He could lead if he would get the led out.
The bandage was wound around the woond.
The wind was too strong to wind the sail. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The wind was too strong to wind the sail.

This question tests knowledge of homophones and correct spelling in context. Option D uses "wind" correctly as both a noun (moving air) and a verb (to roll or furl) and "too" correctly as an intensifier. The other options contain common homophone errors, such as "bass" (fish) instead of "base" (bottom) or "led" (past tense of lead) instead of "lead" (metal).

Question 12: Would you check a book to see the beginning and conclusion of Chapter 6?

Index
Reference Section
Glossary
Table of contents (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Table of contents

The table of contents is located at the beginning of a book and lists the chapters or sections along with their corresponding page numbers. This allows a reader to quickly find the start and end of specific chapters. An index lists keywords and their page numbers, a glossary defines terms, and a reference section contains additional resources, none of which directly show chapter beginnings and conclusions.

Question 13: In her class, Jenny has the brightest teeth. Every time she smiles, she is complimented on her gorgeous smile. Mom of Jenny recently purchased a brand-new toothpaste named "WOW" that tastes like candy canes. It has unique chemicals that whiten teeth, prevent gum disease, and combat cavities. Buy "WOW" Toothpaste if you want a smile as stunning as Jenny's. What are some "WOW" Toothpaste advantages?

peppermint
tooth whitener
cavity fighter
toothpaste (Correct answer)

Correct answer: toothpaste

The passage explicitly describes "WOW" as a "brand-new toothpaste" and details its benefits for teeth, such as whitening, preventing gum disease, and combating cavities. While "tooth whitener" and "cavity fighter" are advantages, "toothpaste" is the overall product being discussed and promoted. "Peppermint" refers to its taste, not its primary advantage as a product.

Question 14: Luis is interested in classifying the many bear species. Which book ought he to buy?

polar bears
smokey the bear
panda bears
all about bears (Correct answer)

Correct answer: all about bears

Luis is interested in classifying *many* bear species, indicating a broad interest in the topic. A book titled "all about bears" would be the most comprehensive resource, covering various species and their classifications. The other options focus on specific types of bears (polar bears, panda bears) or a fictional character (Smokey the Bear), which would not provide the broad classification Luis seeks.

Question 15: What would I understand about skating? Charles was told by Jessica. "I couldn't distinguish between a skateboard and a scooter." These phrases demonstrate that:

Charles does not like skateboarding.
Jessica doesn’t know anything about skateboards. (Correct answer)
Jessica is asking Louis to help her learn to skateboard.
Charles doesn’t know anything about skateboards.

Correct answer: Jessica doesn’t know anything about skateboards.

Jessica's statement, "I couldn't distinguish between a skateboard and a scooter," directly indicates her lack of knowledge about these items. This implies she doesn't know anything about skateboards or related activities. The other options are not supported by her explicit statement of inability to differentiate.

Question 16: The dog growled viciously and leaped over the fence to pursue the cat. They destroyed the trash cans, destroyed the flower beds, and flew over the freshly seeded grass. The dog tried to attack the cat, but the cat climbed the tree to escape, and the devastated dog lay down to accept defeat. What transpired immediately following the destruction of the trash cans?

They flew across the grass.
They trampled the garden.
The cat climbed the tree.
The dog laid in the shade. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The dog laid in the shade.

The passage describes a sequence of events where the dog and cat first destroy trash cans, flower beds, and grass during a chase. Following this initial rampage, the dog attempts to attack the cat, but the cat escapes by climbing a tree. The final action described for the dog, after its efforts are thwarted, is that it "lay down to accept defeat," which is synonymous with "laid in the shade" in option D. This represents the immediate resolution for the dog after the events that began with the destruction.

Free Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) 5th Grade Questions and Answers

What does the equation 1 / 5÷ 4 mean?