Writing
Writing 2
Speeches
Speeches 2
Media
100
Which sentence from the report is the best thesis statement? A Saguaro (suh-GWAH-row) cacti are the kind of cacti shown in cartoons. B If you look closely, you will see thousands of needle-sharp spines that cover its surface. C Look even closer and you will see that a saguaro cactus makes an ideal home for many types of desert birds. D To make a nest in a saguaro, a cactus wren carves a hollow space in the side of the cactus.
What is C Look even closer and you will see that a saguaro cactus makes an ideal home for many types of desert birds.
100
Choose an alternate title for this report. F At Home in a Cactus G The Mysterious Saguaro H Only the Tall Survive J Creative Desert Disguises
What is F At Home in a Cactus
100
Javier is presenting an idea for school improvement to the principal. Read his outline. 1. suggest possible solutions for the cafeteria schedule
 2. list the lunchtime problems caused by the cafeteria schedule
 3. explain the current cafeteria schedule the students follow
 4. describe how the new cafeteria schedule will benefit the students Which would be the best order for Javier’s presentation? . A 3, 2, 4, 1 . B 2, 4, 1, 3 . C 3, 2, 1, 4 . D 1, 2, 4, 3
What is C 3, 2, 1, 4
100
Which sentence from the speech best expresses its intended thesis? F When I was asked to speak to you, I couldn’t wait to share what I have learned from my father at 
his African drum school. G When we returned home, my father opened his own African drum school called Talking Drums. H Occasionally we have teachers from West Africa who visit our drum school. J You may find yourself with a new favorite musical instrument!
What is F When I was asked to speak to you, I couldn’t wait to share what I have learned from my father at 
his African drum school.
100
A travel company is starting a campaign to encourage people to visit lighthouses. Which medium would best enhance the company’s campaign? F a website about the history of lighthouses G a television show detailing how lighthouses were constructed H a television commercial showing various lighthouses located around the world J a radio interview with a lighthouse keeper
What is H a television commercial showing various lighthouses located around the world
200
Choose the most logical order for Paragraphs 3 through 6 of the report. F 3, 5, 4, 6 G 3, 4, 6, 5 H 6, 3, 4, 5 J correct as is
What is J correct as is
200
Ronda wants to make some suggestions to her coworkers about keeping the break room clean. Which format would be the most appropriate for her to use? F an e-mail to her manager G an oral discussion with a few coworkers H a memo to all of her coworkers J a letter to her boss
What is H a memo to all of her coworkers
200
Which sentence from the speech is the best thesis statement? F As you know, the student council helps with many events at Orchid Middle School. G Mr. Kapoor always tells us in music class, “Music brings people together.” H Orchid Middle School has a diverse student population. J A multicultural club would be a wonderful way for us to gain knowledge about the world by studying the cultures of other places.
What is J A multicultural club would be a wonderful way for us to gain knowledge about the world by studying the cultures of other places.
200
If you are giving a speech and the audience does not appear to be listening, which of these should you do? A Change your topic. B Speak loudly and clearly. C Read from your note cards. D Sit down and try again later.
What is B Speak loudly and clearly.
200
From the photograph, a viewer can conclude that the ice skaters A are used to skating in front of thousands of people. B have never practiced with each other before. C have never skated in a major competition. D have trained many hours in order to perform.
What is D have trained many hours in order to perform.
300
Choose the fact that best supports the description of a saguaro cactus in Paragraph 1. . A A fully grown saguaro cactus can be fifty feet tall and two feet thick. . B The fruit of the saguaro cactus is sometimes used to make syrups and jellies. C A saguaro cactus can live to be up to two hundred years old. D A saguaro cactus produces flowers that bloom only at night.
What is A A fully grown saguaro cactus can be fifty feet tall and two feet thick.
300
Which sentence from the report is the thesis statement? F Photographers make the whole process of taking and developing pictures look effortless. G It is easy to forget that when photographs were first invented, the process wasn’t easy, but fortunately, much has changed since then. H With technology changing at such a fast pace, it is impossible to think what photography will be like in the next 100 years. J Roll film allowed people to take many pictures
What is G It is easy to forget that when photographs were first invented, the process wasn’t easy, but fortunately, much has changed since then.
300
When Kendra’s group gives the presentation at the multicultural club, the speaker should . A act confident in front of the audience. . B speak as quickly as possible. . C read carefully from prepared notes. . D try not to move too much.
What is A act confident in front of the audience.
300
Serena is giving a presentation to the school board. Read her outline. 1. description of the existing bus routes
 2. list of necessary changes to the current bus routes
 3. list of problems caused by the use of current bus routes
 4. description of how changes to the existing bus routes will benefit students Which would be the best order for Serena to use for her presentation? F 4,2,1,3 G 1,3,2,4 H 2,3,1,4 J 3,4,1,2
What is G 1,3,2,4
300
What would be an appropriate caption for a company using this photograph in an advertisement for mountain bikes? F Bikes for Strong Riders G The Healthy Way to Ride H Our Bikes Make Everyone Happy J Rule the Race
What is J Rule the Race
400
Which sentence from Paragraph 4 is irrelevant and should be removed from the report? F Once a cactus wren moves to another location, a Gila woodpecker might build a nest inside the 
same saguaro cactus. G Baby cactus wrens must often practice for months before they can fly skillfully. H A Gila woodpecker has a very strong head and neck. J It also has a thin, sharp beak that it uses to cut into the cactus.
What is G Baby cactus wrens must often practice for months before they can fly skillfully.
400
Choose the most logical order for the paragraphs in Don’s report. . A 2,3,4,1 . B 1,4,3,2 . C 1,2,4,3 . D correct as is
What is C 1,2,4,3
400
Choose the best summary of the speech. F The multicultural club at Orchid Middle School will start next month and will offer a number of 
educational activities to students. The first multicultural club will present music from India. G The multicultural club at Orchid Middle School will allow students to enjoy time together and learn about other cultures. Students will be able to try foods, listen to music, and learn about customs from other countries around the world. H Students who attend the multicultural club at Orchid Middle School will be able to invite parents and grandparents to share about other cultures. Some presentations may include delicious foods or interesting musical instruments. J People around the world may be different in many ways, but everyone loves food and music. The multicultural club at Orchid Middle School will draw students together by letting them taste new foods and listen to new music.
What is G The multicultural club at Orchid Middle School will allow students to enjoy time together and learn about other cultures. Students will be able to try foods, listen to music, and learn about customs from other countries around the world.
400
Lisa is giving a presentation about the school vending machines. Read her outline. 1. examples of healthy alternatives to place in vending machines 2. description of unhealthy foods in current school vending machines 3. list of reasons why students choose to eat unhealthy snacks at school 4. description of how changes to vending machine snacks will benefit 
students Choose the correct order for Lisa’s outline. F 2, 4, 1, 3 G 3, 2, 4, 1 H 1, 3, 4, 2 J 2, 3, 4, 1
What is J 2, 3, 4, 1
400
Mia wants to present a suggestion to her supervisor at work for the purchase of a new copy machine. Which format would be the most appropriate for her to use? 9. A a set of directions for using the new device 10. B a memo sent out to the entire department at her work 11. C an oral discussion after work one afternoon 12. D an e-mail with a Web site link to the new product
What is 12. D an e-mail with a Web site link to the new product
500
Choose the best concluding sentence for Paragraph 2. A Comfortable shelter is difficult for animals in the desert to find. B Birds using the saguaro cactus as a home benefit from this wax. C Saguaro cacti can be found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. D The sharp spines on the trunk of a saguaro cactus serve a useful purpose.
What is B Birds using the saguaro cactus as a home benefit from this wax.
500
Don wrote the following facts after reading an article in a photography magazine. 1. Photography is a hobby for many people.
 2. Joseph Niépce took the first photograph.
 3. Flashbulbs were often needed while taking photographs.
 4. Frederick Wratten started the first photography supply business. Which fact would best support an idea presented in Don’s report? F Fact 1 G Fact2 H Fact3 J Fact 4
What is G Fact2
500
A pet store manager plans to use this photograph in an advertisement. What message is the store most likely trying to communicate? . A Pets bring owners joy. . B Small animals make the best pets. . C Pets require a lot of attention. . D People think animals are amusing.
What is A Pets bring owners joy.
500
Kendra recently viewed the exhibit on the history of rockets. She would like to give a presentation about how rockets have changed over the years. Which medium would best enhance Kendra’s presentation? F a video clip of workers building a spacecraft G a slide show of images of modern spacecraft H a timeline noting important advancements in spacecraft J a chart listing the name and launch date of every spacecraft
What is H a timeline noting important advancements in spacecraft
500
Melissa is giving a presentation to persuade students that CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is an important skill to know. Which of these would best reinforce her viewpoint? F an original photograph of the person who invented CPR G a diagram explaining the parts of the emergency room H an illustration of the heart and the circulatory system J a chart showing the number of lives saved by CPR
What is J a chart showing the number of lives saved by CPR
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