Comprehension

Vocabulary

100

This kite, like an odd bird with wings lay always outstretched and spends most of the time sleeping in my garage. What does the speaker mean by these lines?

The kite is rarely used.

200

Board the bus for your chosen activity, and ride with the organization’s representatives and other volunteers to your activity site.

In which of the following sentences does board have the same meaning as in the sentence above? A. She received room and board in exchange for her work at the dormitory. B. The event was overseen by committee members and a board of directors. C. The city decided to board up the abandoned house so no one could enter. D. He was not able to make a phone call before it was time to board the plane.

300

From the thundering majesty of Niagara Falls to the crashing, turbulent Colorado River, we are drawn to the power and excitement of running water.

In this sentence, the word turbulent means... A. enormous. B. raging. C. scenic. D. swift

400

Entrance fees are charged to enter the park (open year round) and can be paid at the Maverick and Persimmon Gap entrance stations.

In which sentence below does charged have the same meaning as in the sentence above? A. The athletes charged the field with great enthusiasm. B. The bull charged the red cape that was held in front of it. C. The committee was charged with the task of raising funds. D. The group was charged a fair price for their concert ticket

500

Delighted by the dulcet tones, Franklin began thinking of a better way to produce music on glass . . . He built the first model of the armonica in 1761 and gradually perfected the instrument.

What does the word perfected mean in the excerpt above? A. displayed B. enlarged C. improved D. repaired

Literary

100

This is too much joy to be tethered to a string, and taking one last look, I slowly open my hand and let us go...

How is the main conflict in the poem resolved? A. The winter ends. B. The string is released. C. The garage is opened. D. The wind strengthens.

200

But as I watch the kite and feel the gentle tug of the line, I begin to understand that there is something holding us back, that this springtime dance needs stretching out, that there is no end to wind and sky or where or when or what we can imagine. This is too much joy to be tethered to a string, and taking one last look, I slowly open my hand and let us go…

Read this line from a poem: that this springtime dance needs stretching out, What does the speaker mean in this line? A. The kite needs a new string. B. The seasons need to change. C. The kite needs a stronger wind. D. The imagination needs endless freedom

300

There are days when the wind is just right, and the sky spreads open its blue tapestry, and the bird begins to wake from her sleep, anxious to take wing on the moving currents of air. How do I know this, one might ask? Because I too begin to stir on these glorious days for want of open space and the freedom to drift as far as my imagination will take me.

Which word best describes the poem’s overall tone? a. comforting b. doubtful c. impatient d. reflective

400

As we ride the panga back, six penguins on a rock stand like soldiers and seem to bid us goodbye.

Which literary device does the author use in the sentence above? F. simile, comparing penguins to soldiers G. metaphor, representing soldiers as a rock H. hyperbole, exaggerating the appearance of penguins I. personification, giving human characteristics to a rock

500

“What are you going to name him?” I asked. “I don’t know yet. Thought I’d watch him and see what kind of personality he has.” The pup kept stretching to lick Roy in the face, so the old man had to hold him away long enough to wipe his face. “Might have to call him ‘Sloppy!’ ” I thought it was unlike Roy not to have a name for the pup already.

Roy’s commitment to the new dog is initially questioned by the narrator due to Roy’s F. indifference to the gift. G. failure to name the puppy. H. attitude toward the puppy. I. unconcern with being alone.

Informational

100

Although the delicate tones of the glass harmonica were perfect for drawing-room musicales and garden party concerts, the instrument gradually faded from fashion as concert halls grew larger: its soft tones were practically impossible to hear in large auditoriums and theaters, especially over the booming brass of orchestras

Why did the glass harmonica become less popular over time? A. It was hard to transport. B. It was a difficult instrument to play. C. It was difficult to hear in large concert halls. D. It was very loud when played in drawing rooms

200

We walk along the hardened lava, which looks like dark-chocolate frosting. Black marine iguanas lounge on top of each other like tires in a junkyard. Flightless birds called cormorants build their nests on the rocks. Nearby are waddling Galápagos penguins. Standing about 13 inches tall, they’re the second smallest species of penguin.

According to the article, the Galápagos penguins are unique because they A. are fearful of humans. B. live in a tropical climate. C. remain hidden from view. D. are the smallest of their species

300

A chain or network of streams and rivers can be classified according to stream order. The streams at the beginning of the system are called first-order streams. With no tributaries, first-order streams receive water directly from a source such as a spring, a lake, melting snow, rainwater, or even a melting glacier. These streams include the narrow cascading waters of steep mountain brooks and the cool, clear water of springs. As the water continues its journey, these small first-order streams flow into other such streams and form second-order channels. Second-order streams combine to form larger third-order streams. Two third-order streams join to form a fourth-order stream. Imagine a trout fisherman knee deep in the water. Against the sound of running water, you hear the swish of the line as she casts and the soft splash of the lure as it strikes the surface. You have probably just pictured a third- or fourth-order stream.

Which characteristic is typical of a fourth-order stream? a. It depends on water from heavy rains. b. It runs directly from a water source. c. It combines shallow tributaries. d. It flows directly into the ocean.

400

When pedals were put on the front wheels, riding became easier. The most popular kind of bike in the late 1800s was called a "high-wheeler". It had a very high front wheel and a small back wheel. It was a long fall to the ground!

According to the article, what was the greatest threat to riders of the “high-wheeler” in the late 1800s? A. the awkward attachment of pedals to the frame B. the steering problems caused by two wheel sizes C. the elevation of the driver’s seat above the ground D. the increase in speed created by one wheel’s larger size

500

Small streams that carry water from a source such as a spring don’t usually flow directly into the ocean. Instead, they flow into other streams which, in turn, combine to form larger streams. These larger streams unite to form rivers, which eventually lead to the ocean. Keeping Streams in Order This chain or network of streams and rivers can be classified according to stream order. The streams at the beginning of the system are called first-order streams. With no tributaries, first-order streams receive water directly from a source such as a spring, a lake, melting snow, rainwater, or even a melting glacier. These streams include the narrow cascading waters of steep mountain brooks and the cool, clear water of springs.

Which characteristics are used to classify rivers and streams? A. source and speed of water flow B. volume and width of moving water C. seasonal rainfall and particles found in water D. number of tributaries and frequency of water flow

Author's Purpose

100

What is the most popular way to travel in the whole world, not counting a human being’s two legs? You say by car? No. Train? Wrong again. Airplane? I’m sorry, but you’re not even close. The most popular way of going from one place to another is by bicycle. That’s right. And it is a surprise to most Americans. After all, we see hundreds, even thousands of cars each day. We don’t see nearly as many bikes.

How do the authors organize these paragraphs? a. They describe a major event and show its effect on bicycle popularity. b. They pose questions that are answered with information about bicycles. c. They list successes in the development of bicycles in the order they occurred. d. They present a problem about travel and the solution through the use of bicycles

200

But as I watch my kite and feel the gentle tug of our line, I begin to understand that there is something holding us back, that this springtime dance needs stretching out, that there is no end to wind and sky or where or when or what we can imagine. This is too much joy to be tethered to a string, and taking one last look, I slowly open my hand and let us go…

With which statement would the poet most likely agree? a. Joy is harder to find the more one looks for it. b. Only when we are free can we be truly happy. c. Happiness results from discipline and hard work. d. What is joyful to one may be sorrowful to another.

300

The ocean is both the end and the beginning of water’s endless journey.

The author most likely use the words "endless journey" to...

400

Wherever you start your expedition into the Big Bend experience, you’ll be on the road to adventure. The border-to-border Chihuahuan Desert; the Chisos Mountains; and the steep canyons of Boquillas, Mariscal, and Santa Elena beckon you to Big Bend National Park.

The author most likely uses the word beckon to make Big Bend seem a. inviting. b. peaceful. c. vast. d. wild

500

DINING—The Chisos Mountains Lodge Dining Room serves up a panoramic view of the mountains, accompanied by a menu of American, Mexican, and “Tex-Mex” selections. CONVENIENCE STORES—Four stores are located within the park: one each at Chisos Mountains Lodge, Castolon Historic Area, Panther Junction, and Rio Grande Village. Each offers a variety of groceries and beverages as well as camping and picnic supplies. Souvenirs, gifts, and basic necessities are reasonably priced. Panther Junction offers gas, diesel fuel, motor oils, and accessories. The Rio Grande Village store has the basics: gas and motor oils. UNUSUAL GIFTS, INDIAN AND MEXICAN CRAFTS—Creative gift-giving and keepsake collection start at Chisos Mountains Lodge. Park souvenirs, books, videotapes, guides, local crafts, and mineral specimens are featured items. PHOTO SUPPLIES—Since Big Bend is one enormous “photo-op,” a camera is a necessity. Film and cameras are available at most of our stores.

The author organizes this information by... a. arguments in favor of preserving the park. b. an account of an extended trip in the park. c. general topics supported by specific information about the park. d. a description of the most noteworthy attractions throughout the park

Potpourri

100

Bike racing is coming back to the United States, but it still has a long way to go to catch up to the popularity it has in Europe. Another growing bicycle sport in our country is bike polo. It can be played on a football field. There are four players on each side. The bike riders try to hit a wooden ball with a mallet as they race by. The purpose is to drive the ball through goalposts for a score.

According to the article, bike polo is different from bike racing because bike polo A. is more popular. B. requires more space. C. is played on a football field. D. allows a flexible number of player

200

GIVE US A TUNE on your harmonica, Ben.” Ben Franklin nodded politely to his guests and sauntered across his drawing room. But he didn’t pull a mouth organ from his pocket, cup his hands to his lips, and start to blow a tune. Instead, he sat down at a small box-like instrument, pumped its foot pedal, and placed his fingertips on the . . . whirling glass bowls!

Ben Franklin’s guests most likely reacted to his first glass harmonica concert with F. boredom. G. disappointment. H. laughter. I. surprise.

300

Established in 1944, this extraordinary park contains three natural divisions: the Rio Grande with its meandering 118 miles of lush, green floodplain; the sprawling Chihuahuan Desert; and the majestic Chisos Mountain Range.

Under which subheading would a brochure provide information about the three divisions in the sentence above? a. HIKING b. CONVENIENCE STORES c. CAMPGROUNDS AND TRAILER SITES d. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PROGRAMS

400

Which sentence best emphasizes the natural beauty of Big Bend National Park?

a. “Since Big Bend is one enormous ‘photo-op,’ a camera is a necessity.” b. “Located in a setting 5,400 feet above sea level, the Lodge and each of its 72 rooms have a breathtaking view of the spectacular mountain range.” c. “Hiking trails to Lost Mine Peak, the South Rim, and the Window offer panoramic mountain and desert views from high atop the peaks of the Chisos Mountains.” d. “Stark and dramatic contrasts in topography, climate, scenery, and its unique world of plant and animal life make Big Bend more of an awe-inspiring experience than just a place to visit.”

500

Another problem was that there were no rubber tires. The bike was very uncomfortable. It’s no wonder that one bike was called the “Boneshaker.

An early bicycle was nicknamed the “Boneshaker” mainly because it F. had no pedals to control its operating speed. G. wandered because of having no steering bar. H. had no balance because of its two wheel sizes. I. trembled because the wheels had little cushioning.