Elijah McCoy
Based on paragraphs 1 and 9, why do people still use the saying, “I want the real McCoy”?
A. to remember the inventor that created so many wonderful inventions
B. to demonstrate that high-quality products are still important to the consumer
C. to express how the railroad is important to today’s society and the world
D. to determine whether the product was invented by Elijah McCoy
B. to demonstrate that high-quality products are still important to the consumer
10 What was the author trying to convey by quoting Wikipedia’s own statement that some of its content was “complete rubbish” in paragraph 1?
A The Web site is full of trash.
B The Web site contains computer viruses and is unsafe.
C Some content on the Web site is fun to read because it reports gossip.
D Some content on the Web site is not accurate information.
D Some content on the Web site is not accurate information.
37. How does the mother’s attitude change from the beginning to the end of the selection?
A. She continues to enjoy taking care of the chick.
B. She decides she prefers the dog instead of the chick.
C. She starts to fear the chick when it becomes a rooster.
D. She finds another animal to replace the chick.
C. She starts to fear the chick when it becomes a rooster.
20. What is the meaning of the word innovative in the sentence below from paragraph 28? “Their inventive phase will undoubtedly lead to a compelling innovative phase far from the Cambridge-based campus.”
A. traditional
B. creative
C. distant
D. recen
B. creative
26. What does paragraph 3 reveal about the relationship between the narrator and her mother?
A. The narrator doubts her mother.
B. The mother does not appreciate her daughter.
C. The mother and daughter argue often.
D. The narrator trusts her mother’s judgment.
A. The narrator doubts her mother.
2 What can be inferred from the information in paragraph 2?
A. Railroads were seen as a dangerous way to travel.
B. Railroads were vital to the development of America.
C. Railroads were a huge source of trouble for engineers.
D. Railroads were a fun, new way to travel across America.
B. Railroads were vital to the development of America.
13 What does the word fabricated mean in paragraph 8?
A. created from materials or fabrics
B. made up as a way to trick people
C. putting parts together to combine things
D. using other people’s ideas as one’s own
B. made up as a way to trick people
33 What does the narrator mean in paragraph 2?
A. He believes his mother is fascinating and loves her very much.
B. He believes that his mother is a good and hardworking woman.
C. He knows that he should respect and love his mother.
D. He knows that his mother loves him very much.
A. He believes his mother is fascinating and loves her very much.
19. Which quote from the text suggests the future of concrete?
A “Let’s face it—concrete is boring.”
B “When you meet the researchers, their passion for concrete becomes infectious.”
C “The way that concrete is mixed is very simple says Professor Ulm.”
D “This version is stronger, more durable, and greener.”
D. “This version is stronger, more durable, and greener.”
25 Which theme is found in this selection?
A. Learning to ski is challenging.
B. Traveling away from home is exciting.
C. Trying new things is a great way to meet new friends.
D. Starting at a new school is scary.
C. Trying new things is a great way to meet new friends.
3. What does the author mean when he says that the North American West “was built by the railroads” in paragraph 2?
A. There is a town called North American West that was built by a railroad company.
B. Railroad companies resisted building railroads in certain places in the country.
C. Population growth in the North American West was possible because railroad travel was possible.
D. The most famous railroad company in the region was called North American West.
C. Population growth in the North American West was possible because railroad travel was possible.
9. What is the central idea the author is conveying in the text?
A. Wikipedia is gradually improving in accuracy and quality of information.
B. Wikipedia has so many flaws that other sources must be relied upon for useful research.
C. Allowing students to reference Wikipedia is a sensible research practice.
D. Allowing anyone to serve as a contributor has made Wikipedia into an effective resource.
B. Wikipedia has so many flaws that other sources must be relied upon for useful research.
32. Which quote supports the theme of intelligence in animals?
A “My mother captures all my attention. And she’s ruled my heart too.”
B “Now all of you know, of course, that a dog is bigger than a chick.”
C “When he discovers that it is just a leaf he comes back and sits on his rear paws.”
D “ ‘He knows to be afraid of those who might eat him.”
D “ ‘He knows to be afraid of those who might eat him.”
22. What is the impact of the author’s use of questions in paragraph 29?
A. It encourages the reader to develop a position on the topic of concrete.
B. It allows the reader to reflect on the possibilities of using the new concrete.
C. It creates background knowledge on the MIT studies of concrete.
D. It persuades the reader to accept the author’s position on green concrete.
B. It allows the reader to reflect on the possibilities of using the new concrete.
31 Which statement below is evidence that Carly was glad she went on the ski trip with her school?
A. “I snapped photos, the proof Mom wanted that I was having fun.”
B. “Finally I squatted, figuring that the closer I was to the snow, the easier it would be to fall.”
C. “ ‘Hi, I’m Carly,’ I said. ‘Fracture anything yet?’ ”
D. “I’d forgotten that I was a social misfit.”
D. “I’d forgotten that I was a social misfit.”
5. How does paragraph 5 contribute to the idea that McCoy saw a need for improvement in lubricating engine parts?
A. It emphasizes the amount of work McCoy did.
B. It details how McCoy created a new invention.
C. It explains why McCoy wanted to work for the railroad.
D. It describes the problem that McCoy recognized.
D. It describes the problem that McCoy recognized.
14. How does paragraph 9 explain one of the major problems with Wikipedia’s articles?
A. Administrators can control postings and only present articles that agree with their personal points of view.
B. Administrators have the ability to edit articles and change what authors have written.
C. An administrator did not believe in global warming and removed all of the articles that support the theory.
D. An administrator blocked all articles on global warming because it is a narrow point of view.
A. Administrators can control postings and only present articles that agree with their personal points of view.
34 Which sentence contributes to the development of the setting?
A. “All our lives we’ve had chickens and roosters and ducks.”
B. “My fine dog always waits for me next to the door, in the little garden that is all around our house.”
C. “Now all of you know, of course, that a dog is bigger than a chick.”
D. “I have tried a lot to get my dog to come sleep on my lap, but he gets bored and impatient; he won’t sit still.”
B. “My fine dog always waits for me next to the door, in the little garden that is all around our house.”
17 Which detail supports the central idea of the text?
A. “ ‘Concrete is maybe one of the oldest man-made materials on earth.’ ”
B. “Thirty billion tons of concrete are manufactured globally each year.”
C. “ ‘Cement is basically limestone and clay.’ ”
D. “This version is stronger, more durable, and greener. They call it green concrete.”
D. “This version is stronger, more durable, and greener. They call it green concrete.”
27 How does the author’s choice of words in paragraph 9 affect the meaning of the text?
A. It shows that Carly was quickly learning to become a good skier.
B. It shows that Carly had a natural talent for skiing.
C. It shows that Carly was having a difficult time learning to ski.
D. It shows that Carly understood everything about skiing.
C. It shows that Carly was having a difficult time learning to ski.
8 Which quote supports the idea that Elijah McCoy liked to share his talents with others?
A. “When he returned to North America, he ended up in Michigan, at the home of the Michigan Central Railroad.”
B. “Although he was trained as an engineer, the best job he could get was as a stoker, the worker who kept the fire burning on steam-powered locomotives.”
C. “The railroad was pleased with McCoy’s work and encouraged him to improve his invention.”
D. “He became a teacher, instructing others about the use of his lubricator and about other workings of engines.”
D. “He became a teacher, instructing others about the use of his lubricator and about other workings of engines.”
16. Why does Wikipedia state that their articles are not “primary sources”?
A. Wikipedia is not an authorized world encyclopedia.
B. Wikipedia cannot verify the reliability of articles that are written for the site.
C. Wikipedia does not want students to copy articles for their term papers.
D. Wikipedia editors are not efficient deletionists
B. Wikipedia cannot verify the reliability of articles that are written for the site.
35 How do paragraphs 32–34 contribute to the plot?
A It indicates change as the rooster becomes obedient and the dog becomes rough.
B It indicates change as the rooster becomes protective and the dog becomes indifferent.
C It indicates change as the rooster becomes dangerous and the dog becomes feeble.
D It indicates change as the rooster becomes forceful and the dog becomes content.
D. It indicates change as the rooster becomes forceful and the dog becomes content.
18. Which statement answers why MIT conducted the research study of concrete?
A “Let’s face it—concrete is boring. Most of us recognize it instantly, when we see hideous flats and offices from the 1960s and 1970s, that for a brief moment were the cutting edge of architecture.”
B “ ‘Concrete is relatively inexpensive. It’s a forgiving material—it can be mixed by ordinary laborers, and used in climates ranging from the South Pole to the tropical mid part of the Earth. It can also get hard under water.’ ”
C “This process of combining of water, cement paste, sand, and rock creates an awful lot of CO2 gases—which are linked by some scientists to global warming—about five to 10% of the world’s total emissions.”
D “Longer-lasting buildings mean fewer workers, but higher buildings and longer bridges made with the new tougher cement paste might mean more jobs.” R
C “This process of combining of water, cement paste, sand, and rock creates an awful lot of CO2 gases—which are linked by some scientists to global warming—about five to 10% of the world’s total emissions.”
29 What is the effect of using the word humiliating instead of the word embarrassing in paragraph 22?
A. It explains why Carly is trying to avoid peer pressure.
B. It lessens the effect of peer pressure on Carly.
C. It shows the increased amount of peer pressure Carly feels.
D. It describes the first time Carly experiences peer pressure.
C. It shows the increased amount of peer pressure Carly feels.