Grade Level Passage Rating Sheet

Phil-IRI Pre-Test Grade 7

DARK CHOCOLATE

Dark chocolate finds its way into the best ice creams, biscuits and cakes.

Although eating chocolate usually comes with a warning that it is fattening, it is

also believed by some to have magical and medicinal effects. In fact, cacao trees

are sometimes called Theobroma cacao which means “food of the gods.”

Dark chocolate has been found out to be helpful in small quantities. One of

its benefits is that it has some of the most important minerals and vitamins that

people need. It has antioxidants that help protect the heart. Another important

benefit is that the fat content of chocolate does not raise the level of cholesterol

in the blood stream. A third benefit is that it helps address respiratory problems.

Also, it has been found out to help ease coughs and respiratory concerns. Finally,

chocolate increases serotonin levels in the brain. This is what gives us a feeling of

well-being.
Questions
1. Why was chocolate called Theobroma cacao? It is considered to be _____.
a. fattening food b. magical tree c. medicinal candy d. food of the gods

2. Which statement is true?

a. All chocolates have medicinal properties.
b. In small doses, dark chocolate is fattening.
c. Dark chocolate has minerals and vitamins.
d. Chocolate raises the level of cholesterol.

3. What is found in dark chocolate that will help encourage its consumption?
a. antioxidants b. sugar c. fats d. milk

4. After we eat chocolate, which of these is responsible for making us feel good?
a. cacao b. theobroma c. serotonin d.
antioxidants

5. If a person coughs and is asked to have some chocolate, why would this be good
advice? a. Dark chocolate helps respiratory problems.
b. Dark chocolate helps circulation.
c. Dark chocolate does not raise the level of cholesterol.
d. Dark chocolate has vitamins and minerals.

6. Which of the following body systems does not directly benefit from the
consumption of dark chocolate?
a. Circulatory system c. Excretory system
b. Respiratory system d. Nervous system

7. Which important fact shows that dark chocolate may be safe for the heart?
a. It may ease coughs.
b. It helps address respiratory problems.
c. It does not raise the level of cholesterol.
d. In small quantities, dark chocolate has been said to be medicinal.

8. What does “address” mean in the second paragraph?

a. to locate b. to identify c. to deal with d. to
recognize
 Grade Level Passage Rating Sheet
Phil-IRI Pre-Test Grade 8

SNEEZING

Sneezing happens when our body is trying to remove an irritation found

inside the nose. A special name for this process is sternutation.

How does a sneeze happen? When your nose is tickled, the sneeze center in

our brain receives a message. Soon, the other parts of the body that work

together to create a sneeze such as the abdominal muscles, chest muscles, the

diaphragm, the muscles of the vocal chords, the back of the throat, and the

eyelids receive this message. An explosion as fast as 161 kilometers per hour sends

the irritant speeding out of your nose. Examples of irritants in the air are dust,

pepper, or allergens such as pollen. Some experience having a photic reflex and

sneeze as soon as they are under the bright sun. Now, if it ever happens that a

sneeze of yours gets stuck, look towards a bright light to unstick your stuck

sneeze.
Questions

1. What is sternutation?
a. the voluntary process of expelling dirt and dust from inside our nose
b. the involuntary process of removing an irritation inside the nose
c. a person’s natural reaction to bright light
d. an explosion of allergens

2. Sneezing happens ____________________________. to

a. to release energy c. to remove nose hair
b. to expel an irritant d. in response a cough

3. Which of the following is NOT an example of an allergic reaction?

a. sneezing in a dusty room c. photic reflex from sun exposure
b. pepper-induced sternutation d. Sneezing when exposed to pollen

4. Which of the following does NOT help to create a sneeze?

a. abdominal muscles b. chest muscles c. nasal passages d. voice box

5. Which is the best advice to follow to unstick a sneeze?

a. look towards a bright light c. blow one’s nose
b. tickle our nostrils d. cough out loud

6. Why must we cover our nose when we sneeze?

a. to prevent the further intake of pepper powder
b. to prevent the allergens from multiplying
c. to prevent irritants from spreading
d. to prevent ourselves from sneezing

7. Which of the following is the best thing to do if you feel a sneeze coming along?
a. Take cold medicine. c. Move away from others.
b. Have a body check-up. d. Open a window that faces a garden.

8. The main idea of this selection is

a. the different kinds of sneeze c. the cure for sneezing
b. how sneezing happens d. the origin of sneezing
 Grade Level Passage Rating Sheet
Phil-IRI Pre-Test Grade 9

Dust

No matter how often we sweep the floor of our homes, we are still able to

gather together a considerable amount of dust. Dust is all around us. It gathers on

bookshelves, on furniture - old or new. These particles rest on any still object –

undisturbed until touched or wiped clean.

Dust, which was first believed to be made of dead skin has been found to be

a mix of different things. Some of the common ingredients of dust particles

include animal fur, dead insects, food, fiber from clothes, beddings, soil and other

chemicals. Although most of household dust comes from the outside through

doors, windows and shoes, other dust particles come from within. Scientists have

discovered that the mix of dust from each household actually depends on four

things: the climate, the age of the house, the number of persons who live in it and

their individual cooking, cleaning and smoking habits. Making our homes free of

dust may not be possible but lessening the amount of dust that we keep in our

homes will help avoid possible allergies and allow us to breathe well.
Questions

1. Which of the following is NOT true about dust?

a. Dust causes allergies.
b. Dust is made of dead skin only.
c. Dust comes from both within the home and outside of it.
d. The amount of dust in the house may depend on the climate.

2. Knowing the contents of the dust in our homes will determine ________.
a. how dust can be cleaned up c. what one might add to one’s home
b. where the dust is coming from d. the lifestyle of the occupants

3. Among the sources of dust, which is NOT within one’s control?

a. the personal habits of family members c. the age of the house
b. the number of persons in the home d. the climate

4. What is the greatest risk that one faces in having a dusty house? A dusty house might
________.
a. cause the incidence of allergies c. increase the temperature of the environment
b. be a reason for accidents in the house d. result in the early destruction of the furniture

5. Knowing the composition of dust will especially help persons with ______.
a. motor difficulties c. circulatory concerns
b. physical disabilities d. respiratory problems

6. In this selection, the word “habits” refers to ________.

a. one’s unusual behavior c. the work one occasionally performs
b. being addicted to something d. the manner by which one repeatedly does a task

7. How did the writer develop this selection about dust?

a. by giving examples c. by stating the cause and effect
b. by narrating some events d. by identifying the problem and the solutions

8. Which is an appropriate title of this selection?

a. Keeping the Houses Dust-Free c. Effects of Dusty Homes
b. Sources of Dust in Our Homes d. Diseases Due to Dust
 Grade Level Passage Rating Sheet
Phil-IRI Pre-Test Grade 10

PAIN

How do we sense pain? The human body has nociceptors to receive an

electrical impulse that is sent to part of the brain that recognizes pain.

Memories of these sensations are formed to help us avoid painful objects and

experiences and prevents us from repeating past mistakes that may have hurt us

in some way. But pain is more complex. It is not only a physical experience but an

emotional and psychological one as well. When all of these come together, it is

called suffering.

The mind is not alone in recognizing pain. The nervous system is also able to

store such information. Even when a person loses a finger or a limb, the pain that

was once felt may become a chronic one – one that keeps recurring. The best way

to avoid this is to prevent pain memories from forming. The use of anesthesia

prevents the mind from creating these memories. Drugs that prevent pain such as

analgesics help lessen the pain sensed.

Questions

1. What are "nociceptors?"

a. electrical impulses b. memories of pain c. nerve receptors d. sensations of pain

2. How do memories of pain help us?

a. These constantly remind us of what hurts.
b. These help dull the senses.
c. These help us re-experience the pain.
d. These inform us on what to watch out for.

3. Suffering is the complex mix of __________________.

a. physical, mental and spiritual experiences
b. physical, psychological and social influences
c. physical, sociological and cognitive factors
d. physical, emotional and psychological experiences

4. Which of the following is an example of how memories of pain help us?

a. A baby crying at the sight of the needle
b. Drinking a pain killer once a headache starts
c. Asking if a dental procedure will hurt
d. We relive these experiences through our dreams

5. Which is an example of helping the body avoid the creation of memories for pain?
a. Avoiding the use of anesthesia
b. Drinking a painkiller once a headache starts
c. Talking about a painful experience with a friend
d. Being given an anesthetic before a dental procedure

6. In the selection, how was the word 'chronic' used in the phrase “chronic pain?"
a. continuous b. in-born c. throbbing d. worsening

7. Which of the following adjectives best describes our memories’ role in managing pain? a.
curative b. corrective c. preventive d. restorative

8. In the selection, what does it mean to ‘sense pain’?

a. create pain b. recognize pain c. remember pain d. understand pain