SRI (Scholastic Reading Inventory) Test – Skills and Practice Questions

What Skills are on the SRI Test?

The Scholastic Reading Inventory Test, known as SRI, is a comprehensive assessment of various literacy skills. However, the specific literacy proficiencies evaluated in the SRI Test can vary based on the test version and the intended grade level. Despite these variations, it’s essential to outline the core competencies assessed in the SRI Test to gain a clear understanding of the skills it targets.

Key Reading Skills Assessed in the SRI

1. Word Recognition: The ability to recognize and understand words in context, which is fundamental to reading fluency.

2. Vocabulary Knowledge: Assessing a student’s grasp of word meanings and their ability to understand and use a wide range of words.

3. Comprehension: Evaluating a student’s capacity to understand and interpret the meaning of written text, including the ability to make inferences, draw conclusions, and understand the author’s purpose.

4. Fluency: Measuring a student’s reading speed, accuracy, and expression. Fluency is important for reading smoothly and with comprehension.

5. Text Structure and Organization: Students may be assessed on their comprehension of text structure and organization, including questions related to narrative structure, expository text features, and persuasive techniques.

6. Critical Thinking: The SRI may include questions that assess a student’s critical thinking skills, such as the ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information from the text.

7. Author’s Purpose and Point of View: Students may be tested on their ability to identify the author’s purpose for writing a text and the author’s point of view or perspective.

8. Summarization: This may include questions that require students to summarize the main points or events in a text.

9. Making Predictions: Students may be asked to make predictions about what will happen in a text based on their understanding of the content.

To help your child excel on reading tests such as the SRI Test, it’s crucial to prepare them effectively. Additionally, assisting them in avoiding common test-taking errors will contribute to a fair evaluation of their abilities. Join Testing Mom today and access 100 Free Practice Questions!

What are some Practice Questions for the SRI Test?

Word Recognition

Identify the word that best completes the sentence.

1. I see a red ______.

1. 1. car
   2. fish
   3. moon
   4. lemon

2. The cat sat on the _____.

1. 1. dog
   2. book
   3. hat
   4. mat

3. The novel is renowned for its intricate _______.
   1. banana
   2. skateboard
   3. characterization
   4. umbrella

4. The chemical reaction resulted in the formation of a new ______.
   1. bicycle
   2. molecule
   3. beaker
   4. suspension

Answers:

1. A – car
2. D – mat
3. C – characterization
4. B – molecule

Vocabulary Knowledge

Fill in the blank with the correct word.

1. A large, grey animal with a long trunk is called a(n) _____.

1. 1. sloth
   2. elephant
   3. bicycle
   4. mouse

2. My favorite fruit is the juicy _____.

1. 1. chair
   2. book
   3. celery
   4. orange

3. The _______ of the story is the moment of greatest tenstion of conflict.
   1. protagonist
   2. climax
   3. encyclopedia
   4. xylophone

4. The scientist made a groundbreaking ______ in the field of genetics.
   1. discovery
   2. sandwich
   3. phone call
   4. implication

Answers:

1. B – elephant
2. D – orange
3. B – climax
4. A – discovery

Comprehension

Read the following short stories. Then, answer the question that follow each story.

Short Story 1:

Once upon a time, there was a little duck named Daisy. Daisy loved to swim in the pond with her friends. One day, she found a shiny seashell by the water’s edge. She was so happy!

1. What did Daisy find by the pond?

1. 1. a book
   2. a bicycle
   3. a shiny seashell
   4. a red ball

Short Story 2:

Tommy and Lisa went to the park. They played on the swings and the slide. Then, they had a picnic on the grass. They ate the dessert first.

2. What did Tommy and Lisa do at the park?

1. 1. rode their bikes
   2. flew a kite
   3. played ont he swings and slide
   4. went to the zoo

Short Story 3:

Jane had always been fascinated by space. She spent hours studying the stars and planets through her telescope. When she grew up, she became an astronaut and had the chance to visit the International Space Station.

3. What did Jane become when she grew up?

1. 1. an astronaut
   2. a teacher
   3. a chef
   4. a musician

Short Story 4:

Despite facing many challenges, Sarah persevered and finished the marathon. Her determination and hard work paid off, and she crossed the finish line with a smile on her face.

4. The scientist made a groundbreaking ______ in the field of genetics.

1. 1. discovery
   2. sandwich
   3. phone call
   4. implication

Answers:

1. C – a shiny seashell
2. C – played on the swings and the slide
3. A – an astronaut
4. D – She faced challenges but finished with determination.

Critical Thinking

Read the story. Then, answer the questions that follow.

Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a curious little girl named Lily. Lily had a deep love for nature and would often go on adventures in the nearby forest. One sunny morning, as she was exploring, she stumbled upon a hidden path leading to a magical garden. In this enchanted garden, there were talking animals, colorful flowers, and a sparkling fountain that could grant wishes.

Lily decided to make a wish, and she wished for a world filled with happiness and kindness. To her surprise, the fountain granted her wish, and the garden became a place where everyone shared their joys and helped each other. This magical transformation brought peace to the village and filled Lily’s heart with joy.

1. What did Lily wish for in the magical garden?

1. She wished for a new toy.
2. She wished for happiness and kindness in the world.
3. She wished for more sweets.
4. She wished to become a princess.

2. What did Lily find in the enchanted garden?

1. talking animals and colorful flowers
2. a hidden path to her house
3. a scary monster
4. a treasure chest

3. How did Lily’s discovery of the enchanted garden impact her village?

1. The village became even more boring.
2. The garden had no impact on the village.
3. The village became a place of happiness and kindness.
4. The village turned into a forest.

4. What does the enchanted garden symbolize in the story?

1. It symbolizes Lily’s desire for more toys.
2. It symbolizes a dangerous place.
3. It symbolizes the power of kindness and the ability to make positive change.
4. It symbolizes a place to play with friends.

Answers:

1. B
2. A
3. C
4. C

Author’s Purpose and Point of View:

Read the story and answer the questions that follow.

The Little Seed’s Big Dream

Once upon a time, in a sunny meadow, there lived a little seed named Sam. Sam was small but had big dreams. He was surrounded by tall, colorful flowers and lush green grass, and he wanted to be just like them.

One day, a gentle breeze blew through the meadow, and Sam heard the flowers talking about their dreams. They wanted to sway in the wind and share their beauty with the world. Sam listened carefully and decided he wanted to be just like them.

Sam started working hard. He sent his roots deep into the soil to find water and nutrients. He pushed his tiny stem upwards, reaching for the sky. With each day that passed, Sam grew a bit taller and stronger.

Months went by, and Sam grew into a beautiful sunflower. His bright yellow petals stretched towards the sun, and he could sway in the wind, just like the other flowers. Sam’s dream had come true, and he was proud of his determination.

1. What is the primary purpose of the author in writing “The Little Seed’s Big Dream”?

1. To provide a scientific explanation of plant growth
2. To entertain readers with a thrilling adventure story
3. To inspire and encourage readers to pursue their dreams with determination
4. To analyze the environmental challenges facing meadows

2. What message does the author intend to convey through the story’s themes?

1. The importance of avoiding change and preserving the status quo
2. The significance of avoiding dreams and focusing solely on practicality
3. The value of perseverance, the beauty of nature, and the power of dreams
4. The need to disregard the environment in the pursuit of individual goals

Answers:

1. C – The central theme of the story centers on Sam, the little seed, and his resolute pursuit of becoming a sunflower. This theme of determination and pursuing dreams permeates the entire narrative.
2. C  – The story highlights several key themes. First, it celebrates the natural world, urging readers to cherish and protect it. Additionally, it emphasizes the significance of nurturing dreams and putting in the effort to attain them. These themes are consistently present in the narrative, evident in Sam’s evolution into a sunflower and the inspiration he imparts to future seed generations.

 How is the SRI Test Scored?

• Performance Level – The student’s reading level is determined by their performance standards in Reading Comprehension. These levels include Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, and Advanced.
• Lexile Measure – This is either the student’s reading ability OR the difficulty of text they have mastered or can comprehend.
• Percentile Rank – A score that tells what percent of students received lower scores than your student. Percentiles range from 1 to 99.
• NCE (Normal Curve Equivalent) – A comparison of student’s rate of progress to the norm, based on a national sample.
• Stanines – A standardized score that indicates a student’s relative standing in a norm group is known as a stanine. Stanines 1 -3 represent below-average performance, while Stanines 4-6 signify average performance, and Stanines 7 – 9 indicate above-average performance.

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