Sentence Structure and Grammar
In "The Digital Divide," which sentence structure issue is present in this fragment: "At home."? Choose the BEST answer.
A. The fragment is missing a coordinating conjunction
B. The fragment lacks a complete predicate
C. The fragment is a dependent clause
What is B. The fragment lacks a complete predicate?
The phrase "At home" is a prepositional phrase that lacks both a subject and a complete predicate, making it an incomplete sentence fragment.
Which sentence from "The Digital Divide" best supports the main idea that economic barriers affect educational opportunities?
A. "Marcus stared at the blank computer screen in the school library."
B. "His family couldn't afford internet at home, and his phone's data plan was too limited for serious work."
C. "Mrs. Chen noticed his frustrated expression and walked over."
D. "By evening, Marcus had completed his applications with Mrs. Chen's help."
What is B. "His family couldn't afford internet at home, and his phone's data plan was too limited for serious work"?
This sentence directly explains the economic barriers (lack of internet access and limited data) that create educational obstacles for Marcus.
What is the main idea of "The Digital Divide"?
A. School libraries provide important resources for students
B. College applications are difficult to complete
C. Economic inequality creates educational barriers that can be overcome through community support
D. Technology skills are essential for academic success
What is C. Economic inequality creates educational barriers that can be overcome through community support?
The story focuses on how Marcus's financial limitations created obstacles, but Mrs. Chen's support helped him succeed, illustrating both the problem and solution.
In "The Digital Divide," why does the author describe Marcus's "fingers hovering over the keyboard"?
A. To show that Marcus is uncertain about what to write
B. To emphasize his nervousness and hesitation due to time pressure
C. To demonstrate his poor typing skills
D. To indicate that the computer is malfunctioning
What is B. To emphasize his nervousness and hesitation due to time pressure?
The image of hovering fingers suggests anxiety and uncertainty, reinforced by the context of the approaching deadline and his limited access to technology.
In "The Science Fair Revolution," the word "innovative" most nearly means:
A. Expensive
B. Creative and original
C. Complicated
D. Traditional
What is B. Creative and original?
The context describes Aisha's "innovative approach to environmental problem-solving" using simple materials in new ways, indicating creativity and originality rather than cost or complexity.
Which revision best combines these two simple sentences from "The Last Library" into a compound sentence: "The building was gone. The spirit would survive."?
A. The building was gone, but the spirit would survive.
B. Although the building was gone, the spirit would survive.
C. The building was gone; the spirit would survive.
D. The building was gone the spirit would survive.
What is A. The building was gone, but the spirit would survive?
A compound sentence joins two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction and comma. Option A uses "but" to show contrast between the two ideas.
In "The Science Fair Revolution," which detail provides the strongest evidence that Aisha's approach was different from her competitors?
A. "Her hands trembled as she set up her science fair project"
B. "She had built her filtration system using sand, gravel, and cloth from her grandmother's sewing box"
C. "The judges moved through the gymnasium, spending long minutes at projects"
D. "When the winners were announced, Aisha couldn't believe her ears"
What is B. "She had built her filtration system using sand, gravel, and cloth from her grandmother's sewing box"?
This detail shows Aisha used simple, household materials while others had "elaborate displays" and "expensive equipment," highlighting her unique approach.
How does the second paragraph of "The Last Library" develop the central idea?
A. It provides background information about Elena's career
B. It shows the community's emotional connection to the library through specific examples
C. It explains the city council's decision-making process
D. It describes the physical layout of the library building
What is B. It shows the community's emotional connection to the library through specific examples?
The paragraph describes volunteers packing books, Mrs. Rodriguez dismantling the children's section, and teenagers' study spaces being emptied, showing deep community connections.
What is the purpose of the metaphor "each removed book felt like a small betrayal" in "The Last Library"?
A. To show Elena's anger toward the city council
B. To emphasize the personal and emotional impact of losing the library
C. To suggest that the books were being stolen
D. To indicate that Elena felt responsible for the closure
What is B. To emphasize the personal and emotional impact of losing the library?
The metaphor of "betrayal" personifies the books and shows how deeply Elena feels the loss, making the closure feel like a personal violation of trust and values.
What can be inferred about Mrs. Chen's character in "The Digital Divide"?
A. She is required by school policy to help students after hours
B. She has experienced similar challenges to Marcus in her own life
C. She is compassionate and has seen this problem with other students before
D. She is the only librarian who cares about student success
What is C. She is compassionate and has seen this problem with other students before?
The text states "She had seen this problem before" and shows her immediate understanding and willingness to help, indicating both experience with similar situations and genuine compassion.
In "The Science Fair Revolution," which of the following is a dependent clause?
A. "Aisha's hands trembled as she set up her project"
B. "She had built her filtration system using sand and gravel"
C. "When they reached Aisha's table"
D. "Her project would advance to the regional competition"
What is C. "When they reached Aisha's table"?
This clause begins with the subordinating conjunction "when" and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence, making it dependent on another clause.
Which sentence from "The Last Library" could be removed without affecting the central argument about the library's importance?
A. "The city council had voted to close the century-old building to make room for a new shopping complex."
B. "As the head librarian for fifteen years, Elena had fought tirelessly to save the institution."
C. "Many would go to other libraries, but thousands would be sold or discarded."
D. "Each removed book felt like a small betrayal of the community's values."
What is C. "Many would go to other libraries, but thousands would be sold or discarded"?
This sentence provides logistical details about book distribution but doesn't directly support the main argument about the library's community importance.
Which sentence best summarizes the central idea of "The Science Fair Revolution"?
A. Science fairs can be intimidating for students with limited resources
B. Expensive equipment is necessary for successful science projects
C. Innovation and scientific thinking can solve real problems regardless of economic background
D. University professors often mentor promising high school students
What is C. Innovation and scientific thinking can solve real problems regardless of economic background?
Aisha's success with simple materials solving a real community problem demonstrates that innovation doesn't require expensive resources, just good thinking and determination.
In "The Science Fair Revolution," how does the author use contrast to develop Aisha's character?
A. By comparing her nervousness to her eventual confidence
B. By contrasting her simple materials with others' expensive equipment
C. By showing the difference between her grades and her competitors' grades
D. By contrasting her family background with her academic achievements
What is B. By contrasting her simple materials with others' expensive equipment?
The author repeatedly contrasts Aisha's "sand, gravel, and cloth" with others' "elaborate displays" and "expensive equipment" to highlight her resourcefulness and different approach.
In "The Last Library," what can be concluded about the community's values based on the protesters' actions?
A. The community only values libraries when they are about to lose them
B. Young people are more committed to preserving libraries than adults
C. The community is divided about the importance of traditional institutions
D. Some community members prioritize learning and connection over commercial development
What is D. Some community members prioritize learning and connection over commercial development?
The protesters gathering with signs like "Books Build Communities" shows that at least some community members value educational and social connections more than economic development.
Which sentence from "The Digital Divide" contains a compound predicate?
A. "Marcus stared at the blank computer screen in the school library, his fingers hovering over the keyboard."
B. "Mrs. Chen nodded understandingly and offered to keep the library open an extra hour."
C. "His family couldn't afford internet at home, and his phone's data plan was too limited."
D. "The digital divide was real, but so was the power of community support."
What is B. "Mrs. Chen nodded understandingly and offered to keep the library open an extra hour"?
This sentence has one subject (Mrs. Chen) performing two actions connected by "and" - she nodded and offered, creating a compound predicate.
In "The Digital Divide," which supporting detail best develops the topic sentence about community support helping overcome obstacles?
A. "The college application deadline was tomorrow, and he still hadn't submitted his essays."
B. "Mrs. Chen offered to keep the library open an extra hour after school so Marcus could finish his work."
C. "Marcus could only work during his lunch period when the library was open."
D. "He promised himself that if he made it to college, he would find ways to help other students."
What is B. "Mrs. Chen offered to keep the library open an extra hour after school so Marcus could finish his work"?
This detail directly demonstrates community support in action, showing how Mrs. Chen's help enabled Marcus to overcome his obstacle.
In "The Digital Divide," how do the ideas in paragraph 3 develop the key concept from paragraph 1?
A. By showing how Marcus's problem was resolved through community support
B. By explaining the long-term effects of the digital divide on education
C. By describing Marcus's academic achievements and goals
D. By illustrating the widespread nature of technology access issue
What is A. By showing how Marcus's problem was resolved through community support?
Paragraph 1 establishes Marcus's technology access problem, while paragraph 3 shows how Mrs. Chen's help and community support provided the solution.
Which literary device does the author use in "The Last Library" when describing the irony of closing a library "in an age of information"?
A. Symbolism - the library represents traditional values
B. Irony - the contradiction between having more information available yet closing information sources
C. Foreshadowing - predicting future problems with information access
D. Personification - giving human qualities to the concept of information
What is B. Irony - the contradiction between having more information available yet closing information sources?
The author uses situational irony to highlight the contradiction between living in an information-rich era while simultaneously eliminating a key source of information and learning.
Based on context clues in "The Last Library," what does "irony" mean in the phrase "The irony wasn't lost on her that in an age of information, the community was choosing to eliminate one of its most important sources of knowledge"?
A. A surprising coincidence
B. A contradictory or unexpected situation
C. A humorous situation
D. A tragic outcome
What is B. A contradictory or unexpected situation?
The context shows Elena recognizing the contradiction between having abundant information available while choosing to close a traditional source of knowledge and learning.
In "The Last Library," which complex sentence structure is demonstrated in: "Though their efforts had come too late, Elena felt a spark of hope"?
A. Independent clause + dependent clause
B. Dependent clause + independent clause
C. Two independent clauses joined by a conjunction
D. Simple sentence with compound predicate
What is B. Dependent clause + independent clause?
The sentence begins with the dependent clause "Though their efforts had come too late" followed by the independent clause "Elena felt a spark of hope."
Which two sentences from "The Science Fair Revolution" provide the most significant evidence that Aisha's project addressed real-world problems? (Select all that apply)
A. "Her experiment on water purification using locally sourced materials looked simple compared to the elaborate displays around her."
B. "She had tackled a practical problem affecting her community."
C. "She demonstrated how her simple filter could remove contaminants and make the water safe for drinking, showing before-and-after photos of the creek water."
D. "Her success proved that innovation could emerge from any background when curiosity and determination came together."
What are B and C?
Both sentences directly show Aisha addressing real problems - B states she tackled a community problem, and C demonstrates the practical solution with evidence of water purification results.
Which claim from "The Last Library" contains the strongest logical reasoning?
A. "The city council had voted to close the century-old building to make room for a new shopping complex."
B. "In an age of information, the community was choosing to eliminate one of its most important sources of knowledge."
C. "Many would go to other libraries, but thousands would be sold or discarded."
D. "Perhaps the building was gone, but the spirit of learning and community connection would find a new way to survive."
What is B. "In an age of information, the community was choosing to eliminate one of its most important sources of knowledge"?
This statement presents a logical contradiction that highlights the irony and poor reasoning behind closing a library during an information-rich era.
In "The Digital Divide," what does the author suggest through Marcus's promise to "help other students who faced the same obstacles"?
A. That Marcus will become a teacher or counselor
B. That the cycle of community support and giving back can break barriers
C. That Marcus feels guilty about receiving help
D. That the digital divide will continue to be a problem
What is B. That the cycle of community support and giving back can break barriers?
Marcus's promise suggests he will pay forward the help he received, creating a positive cycle where those who benefit from community support later provide support to others.
Based on evidence in "The Science Fair Revolution," what can be inferred about the relationship between economic resources and scientific innovation?
A. Expensive equipment is necessary for meaningful scientific research
B. Students from low-income families cannot compete in science fairs
C. Practical problem-solving can be more valuable than expensive technology
D. University professors only mentor students with sophisticated projects
What is C. Practical problem-solving can be more valuable than expensive technology?
Aisha's victory using simple materials to solve a real problem, while others with expensive equipment didn't win, demonstrates that practical innovation can surpass costly technology.