UST Elementary Reading Challenge
Week 9 — Earth & Environment
Grades 3–5 • Focus: Compare & Contrast
This Week’s Reading
Week 9 • Compare & Contrast
Reading 1: City Trees at Work
Reading 2: Two Ways to Save Water
Each reading includes 5 comprehension questions.
Read → Find Evidence → Think → Explain
Reading 1 — City Trees at Work
Part 1 of 2
Trees in a city do more than make streets look attractive. Their leaves provide shade, which can help sidewalks and buildings stay cooler on hot days. Trees also take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen.��Rainwater that falls on roofs and pavement often runs quickly into drains. Tree roots and soil can slow some of this water and allow it to soak into the ground. Trees can also provide food and shelter for birds and insects.
Reading 1 — City Trees at Work
Part 2 of 2
However, city trees need care. Their roots need enough space, and young trees may need extra water. Some species are better suited to city conditions than others.��Planting trees is therefore not simply decoration. When the right trees are planted in suitable places and cared for, they can improve the environment for both people and wildlife.
Questions — City Trees at Work
Compare & Contrast
1. What is the main idea of “City Trees at Work”?
2. Which detail from the passage best supports the main idea?
3. Choose one important word or phrase from the passage. What does it mean as used here?
4. What can you infer from the passage that the author does not state directly?
5. Write a 1–2 sentence summary using evidence from the passage.
Answer Guide — City Trees at Work
How to Solve • Part 1
1. Suggested answer: Answers will vary; identify the central idea.
How to solve: Ask: What idea connects most paragraphs? Do not choose a detail that appears only once.
2. Suggested answer: Answers will vary; cite a specific fact.
How to solve: Return to the passage and choose a sentence that directly supports the central idea.
3. Suggested answer: Answers will vary.
How to solve: Use the words around the unfamiliar term, plus the topic of the paragraph, to infer its meaning.
Answer Guide — City Trees at Work
How to Solve • Part 2
4. Suggested answer: Answers will vary but must be supported by evidence.
How to solve: Combine a clue from the text with what you already know. The inference should not contradict the passage.
5. Suggested answer: Answers will vary.
How to solve: Include only the most important idea and key supporting information; leave out minor details.
Reading 2 — Two Ways to Save Water
Part 1 of 2
Families can save water indoors and outdoors, but the methods are different. Indoors, people can turn off the faucet while brushing their teeth, repair dripping faucets, and run full loads in washing machines.��Outdoors, families can water plants early in the morning when less water evaporates. They can choose plants that need less water and use mulch to help soil stay moist.
Reading 2 — Two Ways to Save Water
Part 2 of 2
Both indoor and outdoor conservation begin with the same idea: use only the water that is needed. A dripping faucet may waste a little water at a time, while overwatering a lawn may waste a large amount at once.��No single action solves every water problem. Many small habits, used consistently, can reduce waste.
Questions — Two Ways to Save Water
Compare & Contrast
1. What is the main idea of “Two Ways to Save Water”?
2. Which detail from the passage best supports the main idea?
3. Choose one important word or phrase from the passage. What does it mean as used here?
4. What can you infer from the passage that the author does not state directly?
5. Write a 1–2 sentence summary using evidence from the passage.
Answer Guide — Two Ways to Save Water
How to Solve • Part 1
1. Suggested answer: Answers will vary; identify the central idea.
How to solve: Ask: What idea connects most paragraphs? Do not choose a detail that appears only once.
2. Suggested answer: Answers will vary; cite a specific fact.
How to solve: Return to the passage and choose a sentence that directly supports the central idea.
3. Suggested answer: Answers will vary.
How to solve: Use the words around the unfamiliar term, plus the topic of the paragraph, to infer its meaning.
Answer Guide — Two Ways to Save Water
How to Solve • Part 2
4. Suggested answer: Answers will vary but must be supported by evidence.
How to solve: Combine a clue from the text with what you already know. The inference should not contradict the passage.
5. Suggested answer: Answers will vary.
How to solve: Include only the most important idea and key supporting information; leave out minor details.