Reading " Where Are the Stars?"
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a source of light pollution?
A. Streetlights
B. Billboards
C. Fireworks
D. Stadium lights
C. Fireworks
In paragraph 6, the passage states: “People can be more mindful about using lights only when and where they are necessary.” What does “mindful” mean?
A. Forgetful
B. Careful and aware
C. Unconcerned
D. Wasteful
B – “Mindful” means being aware and considerate about how something is used.
Which of the following sentences from the passage contains an error in subject-verb agreement?
A. The night sky has played an important role in human life for thousands of years.
B. Only places with very dark night skies offers views of this celestial wonder.
C. The IDA works with communities and governments in the United States and around the world.
D. Too much light at night can be harmful.
B – “offers” should be “offer” to match the plural subject “places.”
What is the main idea of the passage?
A. The Milky Way is disappearing because of natural causes.
B. Light pollution is preventing people from seeing the night sky.
C. People no longer care about stars and constellations.
D. The International Dark-Sky Association is responsible for all artificial light regulations.
B. Light pollution is preventing people from seeing the night sky.
The passage discusses how artificial lighting obscures stars, making them less visible.
The passage states that the IDA’s goal is to “preserve and restore our dark night skies.” What does “preserve” mean in this context?
A. To keep something in its original condition
B. To change something completely
C. To get rid of something
D. To make something artificial
A – “Preserve” means to maintain or protect something so it remains unchanged or undamaged.
Choose the sentence that is written correctly.
A. The light pollution problem, however, is still continuing to grow.
B. The light pollution problem; however is still continuing to grow.
C. The light pollution problem however, is still continuing to grow.
D. The light pollution problem; however, is still continuing to grow.
D – “however” should be set off with commas correctly.
Which historical group used the stars for navigation?
A. The Mayans
B. The Polynesians
C. The Europeans
D. The Americans
B. The Polynesians
The passage states that Polynesian sailors used the stars, ocean currents, and weather patterns to navigate long voyages.
What is the best synonym for the word “obscure” in paragraph 1?
“…This artificial brightening of the sky masks the stars, obscuring the wonder of the night sky.”
A. Hide
B. Highlight
C. Reveal
D. Create
A – “Obscure” means to hide or make unclear, as the stars become less visible due to artificial light.
Which sentence from the passage is a run-on sentence and should be revised?
A. The IDA certifies official dark-sky places and works to keep those skies dark.
B. People need artificial light at night however too much light can be harmful.
C. Light pollution can be reduced by using warm-colored bulbs.
D. Many people have never seen the Milky Way, but it is still visible in some places.
B – A semicolon or conjunction is needed after “night” to avoid a run-on.
According to the passage, what is skyglow?
A. The natural brightness of stars in the sky.
B. The artificial light that makes it hard to see stars at night.
C. The glow of the Milky Way in the sky.
D. The reflection of sunlight on the moon.
B. The artificial light that makes it hard to see stars at night.
Skyglow is described as the brightening of the night sky due to artificial light.
What is the meaning of the word “celestial” in paragraph 3?
“Only places with very dark night skies offer views of this celestial wonder.”
A. Artificial
B. Related to the sky or space
C. Mysterious
D. Bright and glowing
B – “Celestial” refers to things related to the sky or outer space, such as stars and planets.
What is the best way to combine the following sentences for clarity?
The IDA works to reduce light pollution. The IDA helps protect the night sky.
A. The IDA works to reduce light pollution, and it helps protect the night sky.
B. The IDA working to reduce light pollution helps protect the night sky.
C. The IDA protects the night sky, it works to reduce light pollution.
D. The IDA works to reduce light pollution protecting the night sky.
A – This option correctly combines the sentences using “and” while maintaining clarity.
How does light pollution affect humans and animals?
A. It increases sleep quality and improves eyesight.
B. It disrupts sleep patterns and confuses animal migration.
C. It helps people drive better at night.
D. It makes nocturnal animals more active.
B. It disrupts sleep patterns and confuses animal migration.
The passage explains that too much artificial light interferes with human sleep and disturbs animal behaviors like migration, reporduction, and hunting.
Which sentence could best be added to the end of paragraph 5 to strengthen the argument?
A. Some animals rely on the stars for navigation, and light pollution can cause them to get lost.
B. Many people enjoy seeing the stars, but they also enjoy bright city lights.
C. The Milky Way used to be more visible in ancient times.
D. LED lights are often used in homes and businesses.
A – This sentence reinforces the idea that light pollution affects animals, as mentioned in paragraph 5.