5th grade nonfiction passage about unit price at the grocery store: 206 words, six questions, an answer key and vocabulary.
5th gradenonfictionunit price at the grocery store206 words
The Big Bag That Cost More Per Pound
Maya and her uncle stood in the grocery aisle, looking at two bags of rice. The small bag held 2 pounds and cost $3. The big bag held 5 pounds and cost $9. "The big bag is the better deal," said Maya. "Bigger bags are always cheaper." Her uncle smiled and suggested that they test that idea with a little careful math.
He showed her a useful tool called unit price. A unit price tells what one unit of something costs, such as one pound or one ounce. To calculate it, you divide the price by the amount. For the small bag, $3 divided by 2 pounds is $1.50 for each pound. For the big bag, $9 divided by 5 pounds is $1.80 for each pound.
Maya was surprised to discover that the big bag actually cost more for every pound. The smaller bag was the better deal, even though it held less rice. Her uncle explained that a large package is not always the cheapest choice. Many stores print the unit price on the shelf tag, in small letters under the big price. Now Maya looks for it every time she shops. Comparing unit prices is a fair way to judge packages of different sizes, because it measures all of them by the same unit.
Questions
How much did the small bag of rice hold, and what did it cost? in the text
What does a unit price tell you? in the text
How do you find a unit price? in the text
Which bag cost less for each pound? in the text
Why was Maya surprised by the answer? think about it
Why is unit price a fair way to compare packages of different sizes? think about it
Words to know
aisle
a walkway between rows of shelves in a store
unit price
the cost of one pound, one ounce, or one of anything
divide
to split a number into equal parts
package
a box, bag, or wrapper that holds something to sell
Name ____________________________ Date ______________
The Big Bag That Cost More Per Pound
5th grade reading passage
Maya and her uncle stood in the grocery aisle, looking at two bags of rice. The small bag held 2 pounds and cost $3. The big bag held 5 pounds and cost $9. "The big bag is the better deal," said Maya. "Bigger bags are always cheaper." Her uncle smiled and suggested that they test that idea with a little careful math.
He showed her a useful tool called unit price. A unit price tells what one unit of something costs, such as one pound or one ounce. To calculate it, you divide the price by the amount. For the small bag, $3 divided by 2 pounds is $1.50 for each pound. For the big bag, $9 divided by 5 pounds is $1.80 for each pound.
Maya was surprised to discover that the big bag actually cost more for every pound. The smaller bag was the better deal, even though it held less rice. Her uncle explained that a large package is not always the cheapest choice. Many stores print the unit price on the shelf tag, in small letters under the big price. Now Maya looks for it every time she shops. Comparing unit prices is a fair way to judge packages of different sizes, because it measures all of them by the same unit.
Questions
How much did the small bag of rice hold, and what did it cost?
What does a unit price tell you?
How do you find a unit price?
Which bag cost less for each pound?
Why was Maya surprised by the answer?
Why is unit price a fair way to compare packages of different sizes?
Words to know
aisle: a walkway between rows of shelves in a store
unit price: the cost of one pound, one ounce, or one of anything
divide: to split a number into equal parts
package: a box, bag, or wrapper that holds something to sell
Free at teach.peabody.kids/passages/5/the-big-bag-that-cost-more-per-pound
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One passage, three levels
The same topic and facts written three ways, so a mixed class can read and talk about one text. Each group’s sheet shows only a shape; the key says which is which.
● Easier · 165 words · Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.6
Maya and her uncle stood in the grocery store. They looked at two bags of rice. The small bag held 2 pounds. It cost $3. The big bag held 5 pounds. It cost $9. "The big bag is the better deal," said Maya. "Big bags always cost less." Her uncle said, "Let's use math to check."
He showed her a tool called unit price. A unit price is what one pound costs, or one ounce. To find it, you divide the price by the amount. The small bag costs $3 for 2 pounds. That is $1.50 for each pound. The big bag costs $9 for 5 pounds. That is $1.80 for each pound.
Maya was surprised. The big bag cost more for each pound. The small bag was the better deal. Her uncle said a big package is not always the cheapest. Many stores put the unit price on the shelf tag. It is in small letters. Now Maya looks for it each time she shops. Unit price helps you compare bags of different sizes.
▲ This passage · 206 words · Flesch-Kincaid grade 4.7
Maya and her uncle stood in the grocery aisle, looking at two bags of rice. The small bag held 2 pounds and cost $3. The big bag held 5 pounds and cost $9. "The big bag is the better deal," said Maya. "Bigger bags are always cheaper." Her uncle smiled and suggested that they test that idea with a little careful math.
He showed her a useful tool called unit price. A unit price tells what one unit of something costs, such as one pound or one ounce. To calculate it, you divide the price by the amount. For the small bag, $3 divided by 2 pounds is $1.50 for each pound. For the big bag, $9 divided by 5 pounds is $1.80 for each pound.
Maya was surprised to discover that the big bag actually cost more for every pound. The smaller bag was the better deal, even though it held less rice. Her uncle explained that a large package is not always the cheapest choice. Many stores print the unit price on the shelf tag, in small letters under the big price. Now Maya looks for it every time she shops. Comparing unit prices is a fair way to judge packages of different sizes, because it measures all of them by the same unit.
■ Harder · 216 words · Flesch-Kincaid grade 5.9
Maya and her uncle paused in the crowded grocery aisle, comparing two bags of rice. The smaller bag held 2 pounds and was priced at $3, while the larger bag held 5 pounds and was priced at $9. "The big bag is obviously the better deal," Maya declared. "Larger bags are always cheaper." Her uncle smiled and replied, "Let's find out whether that is true by using a little math."
He introduced her to a tool called unit price. A unit price tells you what a single unit of something costs, such as one pound or one ounce. To calculate it, you divide the price by the amount. For the small bag, $3 divided by 2 pounds comes to $1.50 for each pound. For the big bag, $9 divided by 5 pounds comes to $1.80 for each pound.
Maya was astonished. The big bag actually cost more for every pound, so the smaller bag was the better deal despite holding less rice. Her uncle explained that a large package is not necessarily the cheapest one. Many stores print the unit price on the shelf tag, usually in small letters beneath the big price. Maya now checks for it every time she shops. Comparing unit prices is a fair way to judge packages of different sizes, because it measures every one of them by the same unit.
Maya and her uncle stood in the grocery store. They looked at two bags of rice. The small bag held 2 pounds. It cost $3. The big bag held 5 pounds. It cost $9. "The big bag is the better deal," said Maya. "Big bags always cost less." Her uncle said, "Let's use math to check."
He showed her a tool called unit price. A unit price is what one pound costs, or one ounce. To find it, you divide the price by the amount. The small bag costs $3 for 2 pounds. That is $1.50 for each pound. The big bag costs $9 for 5 pounds. That is $1.80 for each pound.
Maya was surprised. The big bag cost more for each pound. The small bag was the better deal. Her uncle said a big package is not always the cheapest. Many stores put the unit price on the shelf tag. It is in small letters. Now Maya looks for it each time she shops. Unit price helps you compare bags of different sizes.
Questions
How much did the small bag of rice hold, and what did it cost?
What does a unit price tell you?
How do you find a unit price?
Which bag cost less for each pound?
Why was Maya surprised?
Why does unit price help when bags are different sizes?
Free at teach.peabody.kids
Name ____________________▲
The Big Bag That Cost More Per Pound
Maya and her uncle stood in the grocery aisle, looking at two bags of rice. The small bag held 2 pounds and cost $3. The big bag held 5 pounds and cost $9. "The big bag is the better deal," said Maya. "Bigger bags are always cheaper." Her uncle smiled and suggested that they test that idea with a little careful math.
He showed her a useful tool called unit price. A unit price tells what one unit of something costs, such as one pound or one ounce. To calculate it, you divide the price by the amount. For the small bag, $3 divided by 2 pounds is $1.50 for each pound. For the big bag, $9 divided by 5 pounds is $1.80 for each pound.
Maya was surprised to discover that the big bag actually cost more for every pound. The smaller bag was the better deal, even though it held less rice. Her uncle explained that a large package is not always the cheapest choice. Many stores print the unit price on the shelf tag, in small letters under the big price. Now Maya looks for it every time she shops. Comparing unit prices is a fair way to judge packages of different sizes, because it measures all of them by the same unit.
Questions
How much did the small bag of rice hold, and what did it cost?
What does a unit price tell you?
How do you find a unit price?
Which bag cost less for each pound?
Why was Maya surprised by the answer?
Why is unit price a fair way to compare packages of different sizes?
Free at teach.peabody.kids
Name ____________________■
The Big Bag That Cost More Per Pound
Maya and her uncle paused in the crowded grocery aisle, comparing two bags of rice. The smaller bag held 2 pounds and was priced at $3, while the larger bag held 5 pounds and was priced at $9. "The big bag is obviously the better deal," Maya declared. "Larger bags are always cheaper." Her uncle smiled and replied, "Let's find out whether that is true by using a little math."
He introduced her to a tool called unit price. A unit price tells you what a single unit of something costs, such as one pound or one ounce. To calculate it, you divide the price by the amount. For the small bag, $3 divided by 2 pounds comes to $1.50 for each pound. For the big bag, $9 divided by 5 pounds comes to $1.80 for each pound.
Maya was astonished. The big bag actually cost more for every pound, so the smaller bag was the better deal despite holding less rice. Her uncle explained that a large package is not necessarily the cheapest one. Many stores print the unit price on the shelf tag, usually in small letters beneath the big price. Maya now checks for it every time she shops. Comparing unit prices is a fair way to judge packages of different sizes, because it measures every one of them by the same unit.
Questions
How much rice did the small bag hold, and what was its price?
What does a unit price tell a shopper?
How is a unit price calculated?
Which bag cost less for each pound, and what was the difference?
Why was Maya astonished by the result?
Why is unit price a fair way to compare packages of different sizes?
Free at teach.peabody.kids
Answer key: The Big Bag That Cost More Per Pound
● Easier (Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.6)
It held 2 pounds and cost $3.
What one pound or one ounce costs.
You divide the price by the amount.
The small bag.
She thought big bags always cost less, but the big bag cost more for each pound.
It lets you compare them by the same unit, such as one pound.
▲ This passage (Flesch-Kincaid grade 4.7)
It held 2 pounds and cost $3.
It tells what one unit, such as one pound or one ounce, costs.
You divide the price by the amount.
The small bag, at $1.50 a pound compared with $1.80.
She thought bigger bags were always cheaper, but the big bag cost more for each pound.
It measures every package by the same unit, so the sizes no longer get in the way.
■ Harder (Flesch-Kincaid grade 5.9)
It held 2 pounds and was priced at $3.
What one unit, such as a pound or an ounce, costs.
You divide the price by the amount.
The small bag, at $1.50 a pound instead of $1.80.
She believed larger bags were always cheaper, yet the big bag cost more for each pound.
It measures every package by the same unit, which removes the effect of size.
Free at teach.peabody.kids
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Press Read it big (or B) to put the text on the projector, or Full screen (F) to fill the whole screen.
Ask the questions one at a time and use Show answer when the class has decided. A shows or hides every answer.
Print student copy for the class, or Print with answers for yourself.
Ideas for class
Before reading, put aisle, unit price, divide and package on the board with their meanings from the Words to know section and have students predict what the text will be about.
Read it aloud once while students follow along, then have them reread it alone or with a partner. At a calm 100 words a minute it takes about 2 minutes to read aloud.
Use the Read it big button (or B) to put the text on the projector, and Show answer on one question at a time so the class commits to an answer first.
Question 5 asks the reader to infer. Ask students to point to the words in the passage that led them to their answer.
Ask students to write one question the passage did not answer, then look for the answer in a book or on a classroom screen.
Print the student copy for independent work and keep the answer-key copy for yourself.
What reading level is "The Big Bag That Cost More Per Pound"?
It was written for 5th grade. It has 206 words and works out to a Flesch-Kincaid grade level of about 4.7. That is a formula's estimate from sentence length and syllables, and it is not a Lexile or a guided reading level, so check it against your students.
What do the questions ask?
There are six. 4 ask for something the text says directly and 2 ask the reader to work something out from clues. Each has an answer in the key, and the answers are written as a teacher would accept them, not as the only possible wording.
How long does it take to read?
About 2 minutes read aloud at 100 words a minute. For a one-minute fluency check, paste it into the fluency timer and use the word count.
Can I print it?
Yes. Print student copy gives the passage, the questions with lines to write on, and the word meanings. Print with answers gives the same page with the answers filled in. Both are made in your browser.
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