1) Bear brags that he is the strongest and can do anything, but Chipmunk questions this. Chipmunk asks Bear if he can stop the sun from rising. 2) That night, Bear chants that the sun won't rise while Chipmunk believes it will. In the morning, the sun rises and Chipmunk laughs at Bear. Bear attacks Chipmunk but Chipmunk tricks Bear into letting him escape. 3) Chipmunk survives the winter with scars on his back from Bear's claws. The story teaches that one should be careful about mocking others or claiming abilities one doesn't have.

1. North Carolina Testing Program EOG Reading Grade 4 Sample Items
This selection tells what happened when Chipmunk and Bear had a disagreement. Read the
selection and answer the questions that follow.
Chipmunk and Bear
a story from the Iroquois people retold by Joseph Bruchac
Long ago, back in the days when the Chipmunk next to him was saying, “The sun is
animals could talk, Bear was out walking going to rise. The sun is going to rise.”
around. As he walked, Bear was boasting. As Bear chanted as hard as he could,
“Hmmph!” he said. “I am the strongest of all facing the direction of the sun and telling it not
the animals. Hmmph!” he said. “I am the to come up, the sun lifted above the horizon. It
biggest of all the animals. Hmmph!” he said. was a new day, and the sun had come up.
“I can do anything because I am Bear. If I Chipmunk began to laugh. He rolled
want anyone to do my bidding, I only have to over and over with laughter. “Bear is a fool!”
tell them because I am Bear. I, Bear, can do he said. “Bear is so foolish! The sun came up,
anything.” the sun came up! The sun came up!”
Just as Bear said that, a little voice Suddenly Whomp! a big paw came down
down near the ground spoke up. It said, “You on top of Chipmunk. Bear looked down as he
cannot do everything.” Bear looked down. held Chipmunk there on the ground, and he
There was Chipmunk, sticking his head out of said, “Indeed the sun did come up. But you
his hole. will never see another sunrise!”
Bear looked down at him and said, “I, Chipmunk knew now how foolish he had
Bear, can do anything I wish.” been. He thought quickly. “Oh Bear,” he said,
“If this is so,” said Chipmunk, “can you “you are right to kill me. I am a foolish little
tell the sun not to come up in the morning?” Chipmunk. I am worthless and I mean
Bear thought for a moment and said, nothing in the world. You, Bear, are the
“Yes. That I can do. I, Bear, can tell the sun greatest of all, and if only you would lift your
not to rise. In fact, tomorrow, the sun will not paw a little bit so that I could catch my breath,
come up.” I would tell you how wonderful you are before
“That is good,” said Chipmunk. “I will you kill me.”
stay and watch.” And the two sat down right Bear said, “That is a good idea.” He
there. The sun was just going down, and Bear lifted up his paw just a little bit, and
and Chipmunk turned to face the east and Chipmunk scooted out and ran for his hole as
wait for the sun not to come up the next fast as he could go. Bear’s big paw whipped
morning. out and Whoosh! Bear’s claws scraped right
As they sat there through the night, down Chipmunk’s back just as he dove into his
Bear was chanting under his breath. He was hole.
saying, “The sun will not come up. The sun Chipmunk stayed in his hole all through
will not come up. I, Bear, command it. The the winter while those wounds on his back
sun will not come up.” healed up. And when he came out in the
But sitting next to him, Chipmunk was spring, he had stripes on his back. To this day,
chanting under his breath, “The sun is going to if you see Chipmunk, you will see those
rise. The sun is going to rise. Bear will be stripes, and it may remind you, as it reminds
foolish. The sun is going to rise.” Chipmunk, to be careful whom you make fun
And as the night ended, a little bit of of. You may be the one who is foolish in the
light began to appear there in the east. Bear long run.
began to chant louder, “The sun will not come That is how that story of Chipmunk and
up. The sun will not come up.” But little Bear goes. Ho? Hey.
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educational purposes only, not for personal or financial gain.

2. North Carolina Testing Program EOG Reading Grade 4 Sample Items
“Chipmunk and Bear” from The Boy Who Lived With the Bears and Other Iroquois Stories by Joseph Bruchac.
Copyright © 1995 by Joseph Bruchac. Reprinted by permission of Joseph Bruchac.
1. Why did the author most likely begin 3. The first paragraph states that “Bear
his story by saying, “Long ago, back in was boasting.” What does this mean?
the days when the animals could
talk”? A Bear was trying to make new
friends.
A to tell the reader who the main
characters will be B Bear was saying that he was the
best animal.
B to show the reader that the story
will be sad C Bear was looking for new trails in
the forest.
C to let the reader know what kind
of story he is telling D Bear was trying to frighten the
smaller animals.
D to show the reader that the story
will be funny
4. Why does Bear agree to try to stop the
sun from rising?
2. What is this story meant to explain?
A He really believes that he has
A why the sun rises every morning that much power.
B why chipmunks and bears are B He is trying to trick Chipmunk so
enemies he can eat him.
C why bears are dangerous animals C He is ashamed to admit that he
has no power.
D why chipmunks have stripes
down their backs D He is hoping that the day will be
too cloudy to see the sun.
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educational purposes only, not for personal or financial gain.

3. North Carolina Testing Program EOG Reading Grade 4 Sample Items
5. Why does Chipmunk ask Bear if he 7. What is the purpose of using words
can keep the sun from rising? such as whomp and whoosh in the
selection?
A He plans to compare his powers
to Bear’s. A to help explain Chipmunk’s
actions
B He is impressed by what Bear is
saying. B to create the sound of what is
happening
C He is curious about how smart
Bear is. C to show what the characters feel
about what is happening
D He wants to show that Bear is
foolish. D to show what Bear feels about
what is happening
6. How does Bear most likely feel when
the sun comes up in the morning? 8. What lesson should Chipmunk have
learned from his experience with
A angry Bear?
B concerned A Be sure that you can really do
what you brag about.
C excited
B It can be dangerous to tease
D pleased people who act foolishly.
C It is better to be strong than
smart.
D Even the most powerful people
have their weaknesses.
End of Set
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Page 3 Published April 2005. May reproduce for instructional and
educational purposes only, not for personal or financial gain.

4. Answers to
Grade 4 Reading Comprehension Sample Items
Question Correct Objective
Selection Title Number Answer Category Thinking Skill Number
Chipmunk and Bear 1 C Critical Stance Analyzing 3.01
Chipmunk and Bear 2 D Interpretation Analyzing 2.04
Chipmunk and Bear 3 B Cognition Analyzing 1.03
Chipmunk and Bear 4 A Interpretation Analyzing 2.05
Chipmunk and Bear 5 D Interpretation Analyzing 2.05
Chipmunk and Bear 6 A Interpretation Generating 2.04
Chipmunk and Bear 7 B Critical Stance Analyzing 3.03
Chipmunk and Bear 8 B Interpretation Analyzing 3.01
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