D2 6th & 7th ATLAS Test Prep

Reading

100

Category: Reading Informational Text

Read this excerpt: 'The Arkansas Post, established in 1686, was the first European settlement in the lower Mississippi River Valley. Its location was strategic for trade, but the frequent flooding of the river forced the settlers to move the post several times.'

Which statement best summarizes the central idea of the passage?

• A. The Mississippi River Valley was the most popular place for trade in the 17th century.
• B. The Arkansas Post was an important but geographically challenging early settlement.
  C. European settlers in the 1600s did not understand how to build near rivers.
• D. Settlers moved the Arkansas Post because they wanted to be closer to the mountains.

B.The Arkansas Post was an important but geographically challenging early settlement.

This covers both the 'first settlement/trade' importance and the 'flooding/moving' challenges.

200

Category: Reading (Analysis)

An author uses the word 'monolithic' to describe a large corporation. What is the most likely connotation of this word in a business context?

• A. Implying the company is very high-tech and modern.
• B. Indicating that the company is small and family-oriented.
• C. Suggesting the company is massive, slow to change, and impersonal.
• D. Suggesting the company is very fast-moving and agile

C. Suggesting the company is massive, slow to change, and impersonal.

Monolithic implies a single, giant, rigid structure, which often carries a negative or critical connotation in business.

300

Category: Reading Literary Text

'The old house groaned under the weight of the snow, its wooden beams creaking like tired bones.'

How does the author's use of figurative language contribute to the mood of the passage?

• A. It creates an angry mood by showing how the snow is attacking the house.
• B. It creates a suspenseful and scary mood by suggesting the house is haunted.
• C. It creates a festive and cheerful mood by describing the winter scenery.
• D. It creates a weary and somber mood by comparing the house to a suffering living being.
  
  

D. It creates a weary and somber mood by comparing the house to a suffering living being.

The use of 'groaned' and 'tired bones' (personification/simile) gives the house a sense of exhaustion and age.

400

Category: Reading Informational Text

In a technical manual about solar panels, the author includes a diagram showing the flow of electrons. What is the primary purpose of this text feature?

• A. To list the names of all the scientists who invented solar technology.
• B. To persuade the reader that solar energy is cheaper than wind energy.
• C. To show the reader where they can buy solar panels for their own home.
• D. To provide a visual representation of a process that is difficult to observe with the naked eye.

D. To provide a visual representation of a process that is difficult to observe with the naked eye.

Diagrams in technical texts help explain abstract or microscopic scientific processes like electron flow.

500

Category: Reading Informational Text

Read the following claim: 'While urbanization provides economic opportunities, it often leads to a significant loss of local biodiversity.'

Which piece of evidence most effectively supports the 'loss of biodiversity' portion of the claim?

• A. Many residents reported that they enjoy the convenience of living closer to shopping and transit hubs.
• B. Urban areas currently contribute over 70% of the state's total economic output and tax revenue.
• C. The new city center features three large parks and several rooftop gardens designed for public use.
• D. Studies show that native bird species in the region decreased by 40% following the construction of the new housing complex.

D. Studies show that native bird species in the region decreased by 40% following the construction of the new housing complex.

This provides specific, measurable data directly linking urban development to a decline in diverse native species.

Math

100

Category: Mathematics (Ratios & Proportions)

A car travels 180 miles in 3 hours. At this same constant rate, how many miles will the car travel in 5.5 hours?

• A. 110 miles
• B. 360 miles
• C. 300 miles
• D. 330 miles

  
  

  
  

D. 330 miles

First find the unit rate: 180÷3=60 mph. Then, 60×5.5=330 miles.

200

Category: Mathematics (The Number System)

Which of the following temperatures is the coldest?

• A. −10∘F
• B. −1.5∘F
• C. 0∘F
• D. −12.5∘F
  
  

  
  

D. −12.5∘F

On a number line, −12.5 is further to the left (less than) all the other values.

300

Category: Mathematics (Expressions & Equations)

Which situation can be represented by the inequality x+15≤50?

• A. A person is 15 years old and wants to be at least 50 years old.
• B. There are 50 people in a room, and 15 of them leave.
• C. A student has $15 and needs to save more money to buy a video game that costs no more than $50.
• D. The temperature was 15 degrees and it rose to exactly 50 degrees.

C. A student has $15 and needs to save more money to buy a video game that costs no more than $50.

The current amount (15) plus what they save (x) must be 'less than or equal to' ($ \le $) 50.

400

Category: Mathematics (Ratios & Proportions)

A scale drawing of a new park uses a scale of 1 inch=25 feet. If the actual length of the park's walking trail is 1,200 feet, how long will the trail be on the drawing?

• A. 48 inches
• B. 30,000 inches
• C. 480 inches
• D. 30 inches

A. 48 inches

Divide the total feet by the scale factor: 1,200÷25=48.

500

Category: Mathematics (Expressions & Equations)

Simplify the following expression: 5(x+2)−3x+4.

• A. 2x+14
• B. 2x+10
• C. 2x+6
• D. 8x+14

A. 2x+14

Distribute: 5x+10. Then combine like terms: 5x−3x=2x and 10+4=14.

Science

100

Category: Science (Life Science)

A student is studying the role of decomposers in an Arkansas forest. Which of the following best describes the consequence if all decomposers were removed from the ecosystem?

A. Nutrients would remain trapped in dead organic matter, eventually preventing new plant growth.

B. Animals would start eating dead plants because they are easier to catch.
C. The population of scavengers would increase because there is more dead material to eat.D. The air would become cleaner because there would be less decaying material.

A. Nutrients would remain trapped in dead organic matter, eventually preventing new plant growth.

Decomposers recycle nutrients back into the soil; without them, the 'recycling' stops and producers eventually fail.

200

Category: Science (Physical Science)

Two magnets are placed near each other on a table. When the north pole of Magnet A is moved toward the north pole of Magnet B, what will happen and why?

• A. They will stick together because all magnets are attracted to each other.
• B. Nothing will happen unless the magnets are touching.
• C. They will push away from each other because like poles exert a repulsive force.
• D. They will generate a small electric spark because they are both North poles.

C. They will push away from each other because like poles exert a repulsive force.

In magnetism, 'like' poles (North-North or South-South) always repel.

300

Category: Science (Earth/Space Science)

Which of the following describes a long-term effect of weathering and erosion on the Ozark Plateau?

• A. The mountains getting taller each year due to the accumulation of falling rain.
• B. The gradual rounding of mountain peaks and the deepening of river valleys over millions of years.
• C. A sudden increase in the Earth's average temperature across the region.
• D. The immediate creation of new volcanic islands in the middle of the state.

• B. The gradual rounding of mountain peaks and the deepening of river valleys over millions of years.
  
  

  Weathering breaks down rock, and erosion moves it, leading to smoother landscapes and deeper canyons/valleys.

400

Category: Science (Life Science)

In a study of cellular respiration, a scientist notices that a cell produces significantly less energy (ATP) when oxygen levels are low. What is the best conclusion to draw from this observation?

• A. Carbon dioxide is being used as the primary source of energy instead of oxygen.
• B. The cell will immediately die because it cannot make any energy without oxygen.
• C. The cell is likely a plant cell because only plants need oxygen to make energy.
• D. Oxygen is a necessary reactant for the cell to perform aerobic respiration efficiently.

D. Oxygen is a necessary reactant for the cell to perform aerobic respiration efficiently.

Aerobic respiration requires oxygen to maximize energy production; without it, the cell switches to less efficient fermentation.

500

Category: Science (Physical Science)

A student drops a feather and a hammer at the same time inside a vacuum chamber (where all air has been removed). Which of the following describes what will happen?

• A. The feather will float in the air because there is no air to push it down.
• B. They will hit the ground at the same time because gravity acts equally on all objects in the absence of air resistance.
• C. The hammer will hit first because it has more mass and therefore is pulled harder by gravity.
• D. Both objects will float because there is no gravity inside a vacuum.

B. They will hit the ground at the same time because gravity acts equally on all objects in the absence of air resistance.

Without air resistance to slow the feather down, gravity accelerates both objects at the same rate (9.8 m/s2).

Writing

100

Category: Writing & Grammar

Read the following sentence from a student's draft: 'The city's new recycling program is failing because people are too lazy to sort their trash.'

Which revision replaces the underlined informal phrase with a more precise and objective academic tone?

• A. due to a lack of public participation and insufficient community education.
• B. since folks aren't really putting in the effort required to make it work.
• C. because most residents just don't feel like doing the extra work.
• D. owing to the fact that people are basically ignoring the new bins.

A. due to a lack of public participation and insufficient community education.

This uses formal, objective language that identifies specific causes rather than assigning character flaws like "lazy".

200

Category: Writing & Grammar

A student wants to combine these two sentences using a subordinating conjunction to show a relationship of time: 'The storm clouds gathered over the Delta. The farmers rushed to finish the harvest.'

• A. The storm clouds gathered over the Delta; consequently, the farmers rushed to finish.
• B. The storm clouds gathered over the Delta, and the farmers rushed to finish the harvest.
• C. Storm clouds gathered over the Delta while the farmers rushed to finish the harvest.
• D. As storm clouds gathered over the Delta, the farmers rushed to finish the harvest.

D. As storm clouds gathered over the Delta, the farmers rushed to finish the harvest.

The word 'As' is a subordinating conjunction that correctly establishes a simultaneous time relationship.

300

Category: Writing & Grammar

Which sentence uses correct punctuation for a non-restrictive (parenthetical) appositive phrase?

• A. The Hot Springs National Park a historic site in central Arkansas attracts visitors each year.
• B. The Hot Springs National Park, a historic site in central Arkansas, attracts thousands of visitors each year.
• C. The Hot Springs National Park, a historic site in central Arkansas attracts visitors each year.
• D. The Hot Springs National Park: a historic site in central Arkansas, attracts visitors.

B.The Hot Springs National Park, a historic site in central Arkansas, attracts thousands of visitors each year.

The phrase 'a historic site in central Arkansas' adds extra info and is correctly set off by commas.

400

Category: Writing & Grammar

Identify the sentence that correctly uses a intensive pronoun to emphasize the subject.

• A. They bought theirselves some snacks before the movie started.
• B. The students enjoyed themselves during the school assembly.
• C. She gave the award to myself at the end of the ceremony.
• D. The principal herself delivered the news about the upcoming field trip.

  
  

D. The principal herself delivered the news about the upcoming field trip.

The word 'herself' is used here specifically to add emphasis to the noun 'principal.'

500

Category: Writing & Grammar

Which sentence contains a vague pronoun reference that should be revised for clarity?

• A. After the rain stopped, the sun came out and dried the pavement.
• B. When the teachers met with the parents, they seemed very concerned about the test scores.
• C. Maria told Sarah that she had won the first-place trophy.
• D. The dog wagged its tail when the owner walked through the front door.

B. When the teachers met with the parents, they seemed very concerned about the test scores.

The pronoun 'they' is vague because it could refer to either the 'teachers' or the 'parents.'

Any Subject Goes

100

Category: Mathematics (Number System)

Which of the following points on a number line is exactly 7 units away from −3?

• A. −10 and 4
• B. 10 and −4
• C. −10 and −4
• D. −7 and 7

A. −10 and 4

−3−7=−10 and −3+7=4. Both are exactly 7 units from −3.

200

Category: Writing & Grammar

Which sentence uses a transition that correctly shows a contrast between two ideas?

• A. The team practiced for several hours every day; consequently, they became much more skilled at passing.
• B. The team practiced for several hours every day; nevertheless, they struggled to execute the final play of the game.
• C. The team practiced for several hours every day; furthermore, they won the state championship.
• D. The team practiced for several hours every day; similarly, the other team also spent a lot of time on the field.

B. The team practiced for several hours every day; nevertheless, they struggled to execute the final play of the game.

'Nevertheless' is a contrast transition that shows an unexpected result despite the previous effort.

300

Category: Reading Informational Text

In a text about the history of the Ozark National Forest, the author uses a chronological structure. How does this organizational choice contribute to the reader's understanding?

• A. It allows the reader to track the evolution of conservation laws and their impact on the landscape over time.
• B. It explains the scientific causes behind the different rock formations found in the mountains.
• C. It provides a list of the best locations for camping and hiking within the forest boundaries.
• D. It helps the reader compare the Ozark National Forest to other forests in the United States.

A. It allows the reader to track the evolution of conservation laws and their impact on the landscape over time.

Chronological order is specifically designed to show how events or policies change and develop across different eras.

400

Category: Science (Earth Systems)

How does the process of transpiration in plants contribute to the regional water cycle?

• A. It creates underground rivers by pushing water down through the roots.
• B. It filters pollutants out of the rain before it hits the ground.
• C. It prevents water from evaporating from the soil, which keeps the ground wet.
• D. It releases water vapor into the atmosphere, which contributes to humidity and cloud formation.

  
  

  
  

D. It releases water vapor into the atmosphere, which contributes to humidity and cloud formation.

Transpiration is the process where plants 'sweat' water vapor through their leaves, returning water to the sky.

500

Category: Reading Literary Text

'The mountain stood like a silent sentinel, watching over the valley with an unyielding gaze that had seen centuries pass.'

What does the personification of the mountain suggest about its role in the story?

• A. It suggests that the mountain is a dangerous character that will eventually harm the villagers.
• B. It implies that the mountain is lonely and wishes it could talk to the people in the valley.
• C. It represents a sense of permanence and protection that remains unchanged by human events.
• D. It indicates that the mountain is actually a dormant volcano that is about to erupt.

C. It represents a sense of permanence and protection that remains unchanged by human events.

A 'sentinel' is a guard; 'unyielding' and 'centuries' emphasize the mountain's role as a stable, protective observer.