Non Fiction
"Every year, millions of people around the world participate in marathons. These events not only test physical endurance but also promote community involvement and personal achievement. The goal of these races is to encourage people to challenge themselves and improve their health."
What is the author's primary purpose in this passage?
A) To inform
B) To entertain
C) To persuade
D) To explain
A) To inform
"Sarah’s laughter was loud and infectious, filling the room with energy. She loved being the center of attention and could always make people smile, no matter how bad their day was."
How is Sarah’s character portrayed in this passage?
A) She is quiet and reserved.
B) She is energetic and enjoys making others happy.
C) She prefers to be alone.
D) She is serious and focused.
B) She is energetic and enjoys making others happy.
"The cold air bit at my skin,
As time seemed to stand still,
The stars above were pinpricks of light,
A silent message of will."
Which poetic device is used in the phrase "pinpricks of light"?
A) Metaphor
B) Simile
C) Personification
D) Imagery
D) Imagery
"Despite her reluctance, the teacher insisted that the students complete the assignment before leaving for the day. She explained that it was an important task that would help them in the long run."
What is the meaning of "reluctance" in this context?
A) Willingness
B) Hesitation or unwillingness
C) Excitement
D) Confidence
B) Hesitation or unwillingness
"Sarah loves reading. She often visits the library."
Which is the best way to combine these two sentences?
A)Sarah loves reading, she often visits the library.
B) Sarah loves reading but often visits the library.
C) Sarah loves reading and she often visits the library.
D) Sarah loves reading, and often visits the library.
C) Sarah loves reading and she often visits the library.
"The storm raged on, the winds howling and the rain pouring down in sheets. It was as if nature itself was in a fury."
What is the tone of this passage?
A) Peaceful
B) Dramatic
C) Happy
D) Informative
B) Dramatic
"As the young man sat alone in the dark, he wondered if he would ever escape the loneliness that seemed to follow him everywhere. He longed for connection, for someone who could understand his silent pain."
What theme is explored in this passage?
A) Loneliness and the desire for connection
B) The power of friendship
C) The dangers of isolation
D) The thrill of adventure
A) Loneliness and the desire for connection
"The night is dark, the sky is wide,
And in its depths, I confide.
Stars above, like silent friends,
Guide me through the twists and bends."
How does the structure of this poem contribute to its meaning?
A) The rhyme scheme creates a sense of chaos.
B) The short stanzas make the poem feel disjointed and incomplete.
C) The line breaks give emphasis to certain words, helping the reader focus on the theme of guidance and reflection.
D) The lack of punctuation leaves the poem open to many interpretations.
C) The line breaks give emphasis to certain words, helping the reader focus on the theme of guidance and reflection.
"The storm raged outside, and inside, the room was dimly lit, the faint glow of candles casting eerie shadows on the walls. The wind howled, pushing at the windows as if trying to get in."
What is the meaning of the word "eerie" as used in the passage?
A) Exciting
B) Peaceful
C) Strange and frightening
D) Bright and cheerful
C) Strange and frightening
"Before the meeting, we need to review the agenda."
Which of the following is the correct use of a comma in this sentence?
A) No comma is needed.
B) A comma should be placed after "meeting."
C) A comma should be placed after "we."
D) A comma should be placed before "we."
A) No comma is needed.
"While some argue that standardized tests help maintain fairness in education, others believe that they create unnecessary pressure on students and don’t accurately reflect a student’s capabilities. Clearly, the current testing system is outdated and needs reform."
What is the author’s potential bias in this passage?
A) That standardized tests are the best way to assess students
B) That standardized tests are helpful for students
C) That all students perform equally well on tests
D) That standardized tests are harmful and need to be reformed
D) That standardized tests are harmful and need to be reformed
"Every Saturday, the community gathers at the park for a farmers' market. People line up to buy fresh produce, homemade jams, and artisan bread. The market is not only about food but also about connecting with neighbors and supporting local farmers."
What is the main idea of this passage?
A) The farmers' market is a great place to buy fresh food.
B)The farmers' market only sells fruits and vegetables.
C) The farmers' market is a place for buying non-perishable items.
D) The farmers' market is a place where people connect with neighbors and support local businesses.
D) The farmers' market is a place where people connect with neighbors and support local businesses.
"Bright flames flickered in the dark,
Burning through the endless night,
The crackling sound a loud remark,
A sign of hope in fleeting light."
What effect does the word choice "flickered," "crackling," and "loud remark" have in this passage?
A) It makes the scene feel peaceful and calm.
B) It creates a sense of urgency and intensity.
C) It makes the fire seem less important.
D) It suggests that the fire is not real.
B) It creates a sense of urgency and intensity.
"The riverbank was covered with soft grass and vibrant flowers. As they sat by the river, they could hear the water splashing against the rocks."
What is the meaning of the word "bank" in this passage?
A) A financial institution
B) The land alongside a body of water
C) A place to store things
D) A place to keep money
B) The land alongside a body of water
"I have three favorite hobbies: reading, hiking, and swimming."
Which punctuation mark is used correctly in this sentence?
A) Colon
B) Semicolon
C) Comma
D) Dash
A) Colon
"In an article about rising healthcare costs, the author explains how the Affordable Care Act has lowered insurance premiums for millions of Americans. They also include data from a recent study showing that some states have seen higher premiums despite these reforms."
What is the author trying to show by including both positive and negative aspects of the Affordable Care Act?
A)To persuade the reader that healthcare costs are not a problem
B) To argue that the Affordable Care Act was entirely unsuccessful
C) To present a balanced view of the issue and explore both successes and challenges
D) To focus only on the benefits of the law
C) To present a balanced view of the issue and explore both successes and challenges
Passage 1:
"During the Great Depression, families struggled to survive. With the collapse of banks and businesses, many lost their jobs, and the government implemented programs like Social Security to provide support."
Passage 2:
"My grandfather often spoke of the hardships he faced during the Great Depression. He remembered waiting in long lines for food and how his family relied on the kindness of neighbors to make it through the tough times."
A) Both passages focus on the same topic, but Passage 1 provides factual information, and Passage 2 adds a personal perspective.
B) Passage 1 provides a personal account, while Passage 2 offers a more factual overview.
C) Passage 1 highlights the effects of the Depression on the economy, while Passage 2 emphasizes the government’s role in recovery.
D) Both passages argue that the Great Depression was not as severe as it is often portrayed.
A) Both passages focus on the same topic, but Passage 1 provides factual information, and Passage 2 adds a personal perspective.
"Through the storm, I walk alone,
The winds howl, the night is grown.
But in my heart, there’s a flame,
A spark that no storm can tame."
What detail from the poem best supports the idea of inner strength?
A) "The winds howl"
B) "The night is grown"
C) "But in my heart, there’s a flame"
D) "I walk alone"
C) "But in my heart, there’s a flame"
"The writer's argument was both incisive and compelling, cutting through the clutter of opposing viewpoints with sharp reasoning and evidence. The clarity of her logic left little room for rebuttal."
What does the word "incisive" mean in this passage?
A) Unclear and confusing
B) Sharp and clear, showing keen insight
C) Loud and forceful
D) Simple and straightforward
B) Sharp and clear, showing keen insight
"The storm was intense; however, we decided to continue our hike."
What is the function of the semicolon in this sentence?
A) To indicate a question
B) To separate a list of items
C) To separate two independent clauses
D) To join a dependent and independent clause
C) To separate two independent clauses
"Endangered species face many challenges to their survival, including habitat destruction, climate change, and poaching. Conservation efforts such as habitat restoration and stricter anti-poaching laws are vital in protecting these species and ensuring biodiversity for future generations."
Which of the following best summarizes the main idea of the passage?
A) Conservation efforts are unnecessary for protecting endangered species.
B) Habitat destruction, climate change, and poaching threaten endangered species, and conservation efforts are needed to protect them.
C) Climate change is the only factor contributing to the endangerment of species.
D) Strict laws are enough to protect endangered species from extinction.
B) Habitat destruction, climate change, and poaching threaten endangered species, and conservation efforts are needed to protect them.
Passage 1:
"In the middle of the dense forest, the silence was almost unnerving. Only the sound of the wind rustling the leaves could be heard."
Passage 2:
"After hours of walking, they came upon a clearing, where the sound of a rushing river could be heard in the distance, and birds sang in the trees above."
How does the setting change between the two passages, and what is the effect of this shift?
A) The setting changes from silence to chaos, creating a sense of danger.
B)The setting moves from peaceful to overwhelming, highlighting the characters’ fear.
C) The setting changes from a quiet, eerie forest to a lively and peaceful clearing, suggesting a sense of relief or hope.
D) The setting moves from a sunny day to a stormy night, suggesting a change in mood.
C) The setting changes from a quiet, eerie forest to a lively and peaceful clearing, suggesting a sense of relief or hope.
Passage 1:"Winter’s frost bites at my skin,
As the world grows quiet, cold within."
Passage 2:
"Spring brings warmth, the flowers bloom,
A world reborn from winter’s gloom."
How do the two passages work together to show the cycle of seasons?
A) Passage 1 focuses on the harshness of winter, while Passage 2 shows the renewal that comes with spring.
B) Both passages describe the feeling of summer.
C) Passage 1 talks about spring, while Passage 2 describes the cold of winter.
D) Both passages suggest that the seasons are unchanging.
A) Passage 1 focuses on the harshness of winter, while Passage 2 shows the renewal that comes with spring.
"The students were eager to participate in the upcoming competition. Their excitement was palpable as they discussed their strategies for winning."
What is the relationship between the words "eager" and "excitement" in the passage?
A) "Eager" is a cause, and "excitement" is the effect.
B) "Eager" and "excitement" are unrelated.
C) "Eager" describes a feeling opposite to "excitement."
D) "Eager" is a synonym for "excitement."
A) "Eager" is a cause, and "excitement" is the effect.
"Everyone in the class has finished their assignments."
Which word needs to be corrected for subject-verb agreement?
A) Everyone
B) has
C) finished
D) their
D) their (should be "his or her" for singular subject "Everyone")