Reference Materials
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Prepositional Phrases
Compound Sentences
Context Clues
100
To find a word that means the same as concentrate, the best place to look is F. a dictionary. G. a thesaurus. H. an encyclopedia. J. an almanac.
G. a thesaurus
100
Read the sentence. After dinner my mother nodded in approval and said, “You might leave the table.” Which of these best replaces the underlined word in the sentence? A. may B. can C. must D. could
A. may
100
Read the sentence. In my opinion, the movie was too long. The underlined part of the sentence is an example of A. an appositive. B. an independent clause. C. a conjunction. D. a prepositional phrase.
D. a prepositional phrase.
100
Read the sentence. The students ran to the park they played ball. What is the correct way to punctuate the underlined part of this sentence? A. park, and they B. park; and they C. park. And they D. Leave as is.
A. park, and they
100
Read the sentence. During a rainstorm, the trough that the horses drink from gradually fills up. What does the word trough mean? A. small boat B. boxlike container C. large ladle D. long hose
B. boxlike container
200
A student wants to understand the meaning of the word doubt. Which source would be most helpful? A. an almanac B. an atlas C. a dictionary D. a magazine
C. dictionary
200
Which sentence shows that the speaker has the power to complete an action? F. I may be able to visit my cousins this weekend. G. I might see her at the movies tonight. H. I will finish my homework before I play. J. I would like to practice the piano tomorrow.
H. I will finish my homework before I play.
200
Read the sentence. The hummingbird’s rapidly beating wings looked like a blur. Which part of the sentence is a prepositional phrase? F. the hummingbird’s G. rapidly beating H. wings looked J. like a blur
J. like a blur
200
Read this sentence. Jamal enjoys doing science experiments and I enjoy learning about history. In this sentence, experiments and I enjoy should be written F. experiments, and, I enjoy G. experiments and, I enjoy H. experiments, and I enjoy J. experiments and, I, enjoy
H. experiments, and I enjoy
200
Read the sentence. Marta felt uneasy about singing in front of people, so she was anxious about being in the play. In the sentence, the word anxious means F. angry. G. worried. H. excited. J. grateful.
G. worried.
300
Read the sentence. Raking leaves can be dull or fun, depending on your approach. Which meaning of the word approach is used in this sentence? approach e-';proch v. 1. to move closer to somebody 2. a manner of asking someone n. 3. a way to get someplace 4. a way of dealing with something A. Definition 1 B. Definition 2 C. Definition 3 D. Definition 4
D. Definition 4
300
Read the sentence. Mom reminded my sister and me that we say “Thank you” whenever our aunt gives us a present. Which is the best word to fill in the blank? A. can B. may C. must D. could
C. must
300
Read this sentence. It is always a good idea to study before a test. The underlined part of the sentence is an example of A. a conjunction. B. a prepositional phrase. C. an appositive. D. an independent clause.
B. a prepositional phrase.
300
Choose the compound sentence that is correctly punctuated. A. I like playing sports, but I do not like to swim or run. B. I like playing sports but I do not like to swim, or run. C. I like playing sports but, I do not like to swim or run. D. I like playing sports but I do not like, to swim or run.
A. I like playing sports, but I do not like to swim or run.
300
Read the sentence. Our teacher announced the cast who would perform in “Stone Soup.” Which dictionary definition gives the meaning of cast as it is used in the sentence above? A. the group of actors for a play B. the form in which something is made or written C. the act of throwing a fishing line into water D. a bit of color
A. the group of actors for a play
400
Read the dictionary entry. host 1. one who entertains guests n 2. a great number v 3. providing a place for v 4. to serve as an announcer for a show or event v Which definition of host is used in the last paragraph of the passage? F. Definition 1 G. Definition 2 H. Definition 3 J. Definition 4
H. Definition 3
400
Read the sentence. We both pushed the button for the sixth floor at the same time. Which part of the sentence is a prepositional phrase? F. we both pushed G. the button for H. the sixth floor J. at the same time
J. at the same time
400
Read this sentence. We couldn’t find the hammer in the kitchen so we looked in the garage. Which is the best way to punctuate this compound sentence? F. We couldn’t find the hammer in the kitchen, so we looked in the garage. G. We couldn’t find, the hammer in the kitchen so we looked in the garage. H. We couldn’t find the hammer, in the kitchen so we looked in the garage. J. We couldn’t find the hammer in the kitchen so we looked, in the garage.
F. We couldn’t find the hammer in the kitchen, so we looked in the garage.
400
Read the sentence. The experienced aviator landed the airplane smoothly on the airport runway. Which is the definition of the word aviator? F. a pilot G. a nurse H. a doctor J. a painter
F. a pilot
500
Use the thesaurus entry to answer the following question. flow (v.) collect, increase, pass, spill Read the sentence from Paragraph 4 of the passage. Electricity flowed through the wire and hit the key. Which word from the thesaurus entry gives the meaning of flowed as it is used in the sentence above? A. collected B. increased C. passed D. spilled
C. passed
500
Read the sentence. The dentist looked _________ my mouth. Which word best completes the sentence? A. by B. inside C. up D. over
B. inside
500
Read the sentence. The water park is open today but it is crowded. Which is the correct way to use a comma in this sentence? A. The water park is open today but, it is crowded. B. The water park, is open today but it is crowded. C. The water park is open today but it, is crowded. D. The water park is open today, but it is crowded.
D. The water park is open today, but it is crowded.
500
Read the sentence. A woodpecker lives mainly off of ants and other small insects. What is the meaning of the word woodpecker? A. a bird that drills wood B. a tool that cuts wood C. an animal that eats trees D. a person who cuts trees down
A. a bird that drills wood
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