Literature
Suppose a flavorist wanted to design a flavor that mimics the taste of a ripe strawberry. First, the flavorist would research which chemicals in a strawberry contribute to its flavor. Next, the flavorist would work in a laboratory to develop the specific flavors and aromas from molecules and compounds. Then, the flavorist would eliminate any chemicals from the strawberry that do not contribute to the taste. A flavorist may also choose to create a flavor using man-made, or synthetic, chemicals that copy the taste of naturally occurring ones. Finally, a flavorist must come up with a formula for the new flavor so it can be synthesized.
Select the best summary of paragraph 4.
A. A new flavor can only be derived from natural sources after research and laboratory testing.
B. When flavorists want to create a new flavor, they must do research, derive the flavors from natural or synthetic sources, and make a formula to produce the flavor.
C. A new flavor requires a flavorist to figure out which chemicals make this flavor naturally. Then, the flavorist must develop these flavors from molecules and compounds.
D. When flavorists want to make a strawberry flavor, they must find out which chemicals from a strawberry contribute to its flavor. Next, they must come up with a natural or man-made formula to synthesize the new flavor.
B. When flavorists want to create a new flavor, they must do research, derive the flavors from natural or synthetic sources, and make a formula to produce the flavor.
From Hatshepsut: His Majesty, Herself by Catherine M. Andronik
With the exception of one military campaign against Nubia, Hatshepsut’s reign was peaceful. Instead of expanding Egypt’s borders through war and conquest, Hatshepsut built monuments within her country to proclaim its power. Her masterpiece was the magnificent temple at the site known today as Deir el-Bahri. The temple was dedicated to Amen, the god who was supposed to be the divine father of every pharaoh, the god to whom Hatshepsut felt she owed her good fortune. The temple at Deir el-Bahri was said to be Hatshepsut’s own mortuary temple. The building is set into the side of a mountain and rises gracefully in three beautifully proportioned tiers, each supported by columns like those to be seen centuries later in Greek temples. Its design was far ahead of its time. Hatshepsut called it Djeser-Djeseru (JEH-sir jeh-SEH-roo)—“Holy of Holies.”
What is the central idea of the passage?
Hatshepsut had a peaceful reign.
Read this sentence from the story.
The sun shining on it made it glisten like a diamond, and a lady who was passing stopped to admire its beauty. (paragraph 2)
What does "glisten like a diamond" mean in the sentence?
A. sparkle with light
B. shine like a mirror
C. appear to be valuable
D. attractive to the eyes of people
A. sparkle with light
Which organizational strategy would you use for the following prompt:
You have just read the passage “Eleanor Roosevelt: First Lady of the World.” The passage explains Eleanor Roosevelt’s work as First Lady and her fight for human rights. In an essay, discuss Eleanor Roosevelt’s contributions to history. Describe how her leadership and beliefs continue to affect the world today. Use evidence from the text to support your response.
Chronological order
8 levels; 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5
Read the paragraph from the story.
The season had started off promising because Daniella was starting as a striker. But three weeks into the season, she landed wrong trying to head the ball. Her knee suffered enough damage to require surgery. She hated letting her team down, but mostly she just missed the feeling of competing on the field.
Select the sentence from paragraph 2 that shows how Daniella feels about her situation.
A. “The season had started off promising because Daniella was starting as a striker.”
B. “But three weeks into the season, she landed wrong trying to head the ball.”
C. “Her knee suffered enough damage to require surgery.”
D. “She hated letting her team down, but mostly she just missed the feeling of competing on the field.”
D. “She hated letting her team down, but mostly she just missed the feeling of competing on the field.”
Suppose a flavorist wanted to design a flavor that mimics the taste of a ripe strawberry. First, the flavorist would research which chemicals in a strawberry contribute to its flavor. Next, the flavorist would work in a laboratory to develop the specific flavors and aromas from molecules and compounds. Then, the flavorist would eliminate any chemicals from the strawberry that do not contribute to the taste. A flavorist may also choose to create a flavor using man-made, or synthetic, chemicals that copy the taste of naturally occurring ones. Finally, a flavorist must come up with a formula for the new flavor so it can be synthesized.
Select the best summary of paragraph 4.
A. A new flavor can only be derived from natural sources after research and laboratory testing.
B. When flavorists want to create a new flavor, they must do research, derive the flavors from natural or synthetic sources, and make a formula to produce the flavor.
C. A new flavor requires a flavorist to figure out which chemicals make this flavor naturally. Then, the flavorist must develop these flavors from molecules and compounds.
D. When flavorists want to make a strawberry flavor, they must find out which chemicals from a strawberry contribute to its flavor. Next, they must come up with a natural or man-made formula to synthesize the new flavor.
B. When flavorists want to create a new flavor, they must do research, derive the flavors from natural or synthetic sources, and make a formula to produce the flavor.
Read this sentence from the story.
It was completely lost in the vastness of the mighty waters of which it was only a drop. (paragraph 12)
Which phrase is closest to the meaning of the word vastness as it is used in the sentence?
A. sad truth
B. large size
C. loud sounds
D. confusing place
B. large size
Which organizational strategy would you use for the following prompt:
You have just read an excerpt from Chapter 1 from Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery by Russell Freedman and the prologue to I Never Had It Made: An Autobiography of Jackie Robinson. These passages explore how Eleanor Roosevelt and Jackie Robinson overcame personal and social challenges and worked to make a difference in the world. In an essay, identify the similarities and differences between how both individuals responded to the obstacles in their lives. Discuss how Eleanor Roosevelt and Jackie Robinson were similar and different in their experiences and how they used those experiences to create change. Use evidence from both texts to support your response.
Compare and contrast
What is the highest level that a student can make on the Benchmark/MAAP?
5 or Advanced
Reread paragraphs 6-16 of the story. Then answer the multiple choice questions that follow.
6 After my first mathematics test, when class was dismissed, Mrs. Scott called me to her desk.7 “Deza, have you always done so well in math? You’re the only student who got a perfect score.” 8 I sounded very humble, but the truth’s the truth. “Yes, ma’am. Mathematics is one of my favorite subjects.”
12 She slid a paper toward me. It had five unsolved story problems on it. 13 “Could you sit right there, right now, and solve these for me?” 14. Maybe Mrs. Scott was seeing if I was ready for harder work. I finished in no time. 15 She looked them over. “Hmm, perfect again, but next time you must make sure to show all your work. You’re dismissed.”
Based on Mrs. Scott’s actions in paragraphs 12 and 13, the reader can conclude that —
A. Mrs. Scott wanted Deza to solve more math problems for extra credit.
B. Mrs. Scott suspects that Deza may have cheated on her math test.
C. Deza did not finish the test.
D. Mrs. Scott wanted to see if Deza was good enough to be a tutor.
B. Mrs. Scott suspects that Deza may have cheated on her math test.
Reread paragraphs 13-14 of the text. Then answer the multiple-choice questions that follow.
From “Margaret Bourke-White: Fearless Photographer”
13 During the 1930s and 1940s, Margaret’s adventurous attitude and perseverance paved the way for women to take on roles beyond the norm. Rather than snapping photos of high-society parties as other female photographers had done before her, she marched into steel plants and combat zones. She proved to women that they had every right to pursue the careers they wanted.
14 Through her work, Margaret became a role model for working women as well as a strong voice for the poor and powerless. She earned the respect of powerful businessmen when women were discouraged from working. When she died in 1971, she left behind not only an amazing photographic record of the human experience. She also left a message for women all over the world who wanted to make an impact: “You can.”
Which textual evidence best supports the author’s claim in paragraph 14 that Margaret Bourke-White was “a strong voice for the poor and powerless”?
A. “Margaret’s classmates at Cornell University became her first admirers when photographs she took of the campus appeared in the school newspapers.”
B. “The city’s powerful businessmen soon began calling on her to take pictures of their mills, factories, and buildings.”
C. “As Margaret snapped artistic shots of workplaces, she was able to find beauty in simple objects.”
D. “She photographed South Africans laboring in gold mines and civil rights leader Mahatma Gandhi’s nonviolent work in India.”
D. “She photographed South Africans laboring in gold mines and civil rights leader Mahatma Gandhi’s nonviolent work in India.”
Part A
Read this sentence from the story.
The little Dewdrop was there somewhere in the great whole, but it was lost forever in its longing to become great. (paragraph 16)
Choose the word that best defines longing as it is used in the sentence.
bragging
desire
shouting
work
desire
Which of these sentences is NOT a thesis statement?
A. Creating content can be a lucrative business if creators have a niche and are consistent.
B. Being a student in the modern age is easier than the past because we have a vast amount of technology at our fingertips.
C. Parents do not understand the struggle of being a teenager today.
D. It is easier to access unhealthy food than healthy food in low income areas.
C. Parents do not understand the struggle of being a teenager today.
12
“Wow! What are you working on in here? I thought you were all packed and ready for the big room swap,” said Oliver when he checked in on Jane later that afternoon.
What does the word swap mean in paragraph 8?
A. bargain
B. switch
C. bicker
D. wait
B. switch
3 The next stop was the Empire Theater, and some whites got on. They filled up the white seats, and one man was left standing. The driver looked back and noticed the man standing. Then he looked back at us. He said, "Let me have those front seats," because they were the front seats of the black section. Didn't anybody move. We just sat right where we were, the four of us. Then he spoke a second time: "Y'all better make it light on yourselves and let me have those seats."
Which sentence from paragraph 3 most clearly illustrates the importance of the bus driver in Parks’s story?
A. Then he spoke a second time: "Y'all better make it light on yourselves and let me have those seats."
B. The driver looked back and noticed the man standing.
C. Then he looked back at us.
D. Didn't anybody move.
A. Then he spoke a second time: "Y'all better make it light on yourselves and let me have those seats."
Read this sentence from the passage.
Replenishing the amount of water in the body is a matter of survival. (paragraph 8)
The word replenish comes from the Latin root plenus, which means "full." Which phrase best defines the word replenishing as it is used in the sentence?
A. becoming filled
B. filling up again
C. filling with danger
D. getting ready to fill
Read the following paragraph.
(1) It can be fascinating to see animals from other parts of the world right behind a pane of glass or tall fence. (2) Some can even perform tricks for food when zookeepers feed them. (3) In addition, many zookeepers argue that zoos help protect threatened animals and educate people about animal life. (4) While it is important to help save threatened animals, holding them in captivity should only be done when necessary. (5) Taking animals out of their natural habitats is cruel because they are forced to live in an unnatural setting, and they often lose their ability to return to the wild. (6) Zoos are also not the best source of education about animals at this moment in time. (7) Due to technological advances, many people can now view animals in their natural habitats through online documentaries and in magazines. (8) Due to these factors, animals should only be held captive by human beings when their species is endangered or when they cannot survive in the wild.
What is the thesis statement of this paragraph?
Due to these factors, animals should only be held captive by human beings when their species is endangered or when they cannot survive in the wild.
Name one strategy you've learned this year.
Answers may vary.
RACE, Do/What, IDEAS, etc
11 The trouble, Brian thought, looking around, was that all he could see was grass and brush. There was nothing obvious to eat and aside from about a million birds and the beaver he hadn't seen animals to trap and cook, and even if he got one somehow he didn't have any matches so he couldn't have a fire. . .
Based on the description in paragraph 11, the reader can conclude that —
A. the story is set in a place far from water.
B. the story is set in a place that is heavily forested.
C. the story is set in a place with an obvious food source.
D. the story is set in a place covered with grass and brushland.
D. the story is set in a place covered with grass and brushland.
4 The man in the window seat next to me stood up, and I moved to let him pass by me, and then I looked across the aisle and saw that the two women were also standing. I moved over to the window seat. I could not see how standing up was going to "make it light" for me. The more we gave in and complied, the worse they treated us.
Which sentence from paragraph 4 is a pertinent example of Park’s view of racism?
A. The man in the window seat next to me stood up, and I moved to let him pass by me, and then I looked across the aisle and saw that the two women were also standing.
B. I moved over to the window seat.
C. I could not see how standing up was going to "make it light" for me.
D. The more we gave in and complied, the worse they treated us.
D. The more we gave in and complied, the worse they treated us.
Read this sentence from the passage.
At three o'clock on the morning of April 20, he stepped into the basket underneath the huge balloon and gave the signal to cast off. (paragraph 3)
What does the phrase "cast off" most likely mean?
say goodbye
check the weather
unfasten the ropes
take final measurements
unfasten the ropes
Read the following outline.
"Volunteering"
The writer needs to add a thesis statement. Which thesis statement BEST fits with the outline?
A. Because volunteering is an important aspect of personal and community development, all middle school students should be required to do community service.
B. Middle school students who volunteer in their communities learn a lot of new things.
A. Because volunteering is an important aspect of personal and community development, all middle school students should be required to do community service.
What are the three types of writing you have done this year?
Opinion
Informative
Argumentative