GRAMMAR
Combine these two simple sentences into a compound sentence: "I finished my homework. I watched a movie.
Answer: I finished my homework, and I watched a movie. (Comma + coordinating conjunction required; other coordinating conjunctions acceptable if meaning fits.)
What is a common organizational structure for an expository text? A. Chronological B. Rhyme scheme C. Cast list D. Footnote
Answer: A (Chronological is common; depending on the expository purpose, cause-and-effect or compare-and-contrast are also acceptable.)
Which part of the word "replay" is a prefix? A. play B. re- C. -ay D. rep
Answer: B (re-)
What does "audience" mean in reading? A. The author of the text B. The people the text is written for C. The publisher D. The number of paragraphs
Answer: B
Narrative Passage
Marisol had lived in the town all her life, but the old mill on the river had always felt like a stranger. When the city announced plans to tear it down, she remembered her grandfather’s stories about the mill’s bell ringing every morning to call workers. Marisol started a scrapbook of photos and interviews with neighbors. As the demolition day neared, more people came forward with memories. At the public meeting, Marisol spoke about how the mill shaped the town’s daily routines and its sense of belonging. The city council postponed the decision to consider a plan that would preserve the bell and create a small museum.
(Multiple choice — select one) Which theme is best supported by the passage? A. Change is always harmful. B. Community action can influence decisions. C. Old things should never be kept. D. Stories are not important.
Answer: B. Community action can influence decisions. Evidence: Marisol’s scrapbook and public speaking led the council to postpone the decision.
Rewrite this simple sentence as a complex sentence by adding a subordinating conjunction: "The class started."
Use the idea that the students were late
Answer: The class started while the students were late. (Or: Although the students were late, the class started.)
Which three text features help readers find information quickly? (Choose three) A. Headings B. Index C. Illustration without caption D. Table of contents E. Random doodles
Answer: A, B, D
What does the Latin root "scrib/script" mean? A. hear B. write C. speak D. move
Answer: B (write)
Give one clue from a text that can help you infer the context in which it was written.
Answer: The date, references to events, word choice, or mention of technologies (e.g., "steam engine") can indicate context. (One clue is sufficient.)
Expository Passage
Climate researcher Dr. Patel compared weather records and community interviews to study how small towns notice climate change. She found that temperature records showed gradual increases over twenty years, while residents described later springs and fewer heavy snowfall days. Dr. Patel organized the report into sections: data trends, local observations, possible causes, and recommendations for community adaptation—such as changing planting schedules and improving storm drainage. The report concluded with steps towns could take to track changes over time.
Questions (DOK 3–4) 4. (Multiple choice — select one) What is the primary purpose of this passage? A. To entertain readers with a story about a town B. To explain research and recommend actions for communities C. To complain about climate change D. To list weather records without interpretation
Answer: B. To explain research and recommend actions for communities.
Which sentence is compound-complex? A. When the bell rang, we ran home. B. I like pizza, but my brother prefers pasta. C. Because it was late, we left the park, and we walked home. D. The sky is blue
Answer: C (Because it was late, we left the park, and we walked home.) — includes a dependent clause plus two independent clauses.
Explain in one sentence how headings and transitions work together to help readers understand a long text.
Answer: Headings organize the main topics while transitions connect ideas between sections, guiding the reader smoothly from one point to the next.
Deconstruct the word "biography" into root and affix(es) and explain the meaning of each part.
Answer: bio- (Greek root meaning life) + -graphy (Greek root meaning writing or record). Together: a written record of someone's life.
How might a speaker’s perspective change the details included in a story? A. The speaker always includes every detail B. The speaker may include details that support their feelings or beliefs C. Perspective only changes punctuation D. Perspective changes the font
Answer: B
Expository Passage
Climate researcher Dr. Patel compared weather records and community interviews to study how small towns notice climate change. She found that temperature records showed gradual increases over twenty years, while residents described later springs and fewer heavy snowfall days. Dr. Patel organized the report into sections: data trends, local observations, possible causes, and recommendations for community adaptation—such as changing planting schedules and improving storm drainage. The report concluded with steps towns could take to track changes over time.
(Multi-select — choose two) Which organizational choices help the reader follow Dr. Patel’s argument?
A. Presenting data trends before recommendations
B. Including residents’ opinions only at the end
C. Dividing the report into clear sections (data, observations, causes, recommendations)
D. Using long uninterrupted paragraphs
Answers: A and C. Presenting data before recommendations and clear sections supports logical flow.
Which sentence correctly uses a comma before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence? A. I wanted ice cream but I ate cake. B. I wanted ice cream, but I ate cake. C. I wanted ice cream; but I ate cake. D. I wanted ice cream but, I ate cake.
Answer: B (I wanted ice cream, but I ate cake.)
Give one short example of when you would use chronological structure and one when you would use cause-and-effect structure.
Answer: Chronological: A biography that tells events in order. Cause-and-effect: A science report explaining how pollution causes health problems.
Which sentence shows you used context beyond a single sentence to determine a word’s meaning? A. I guessed the meaning from one word. B. I looked at the paragraph and noticed clues about the word's cause and effect. C. I only used the dictionary. D. I ignored surrounding words.
Answer: B Answer explanation: Using paragraph-level context gives clearer meaning.
Compare how you would change the same informative text for peers vs. experts (one or two specific changes)
Answer: For peers, use simpler vocabulary and add definitions; for experts, include technical terms and more detailed evidence or data.
Poetic Passage
Night’s quiet gathers
like a soft, dark blanket;
lamps blink awake, one by one—
a chorus of small fires
against the cool hush.
(Multiple choice — select one) Which interpretation best explains the poem’s central idea? A. Night is frightening and dangerous. B. Night brings quiet and small lights offer comfort. C. Lamps are more important than stars. D. Blankets are a symbol of sleep only.
Answer: B. Night brings quiet and small lights offer comfort.
Which option shows correct punctuation for joining three independent clauses into a compound sentence with commas and coordinating conjunctions? A. I ran to the store, I bought milk, and I returned home. B. I ran to the store and I bought milk and I returned home. C. I ran to the store, and I bought milk, and I returned home. D. I ran to the store; and I bought milk, and I returned home.
Answer: C (I ran to the store, and I bought milk, and I returned home.) — when joining three independent clauses, commas before the coordinating conjunctions are correct; alternative acceptable punctuation: I ran to the store; I bought milk; and I returned home. (Accept teacher preference.)
You are given four mixed-up paragraphs from a short how-to text; describe two clues you would use to put them in order.
Answer: Look for temporal transition words (first, next, finally) and pronouns that refer back to earlier steps or items; also check cause-effect signals and logical sequence of actions.
Deconstruct "transportation" into prefix, root, and suffix; explain how each part contributes to the meaning.
Answer: trans- (Latin prefix meaning across or through) + port (Latin root meaning carry) + -ation (suffix that makes a noun meaning the action or process). Together: the action or process of carrying across; means ways of moving people or goods.
Given an author’s biased quote, name one piece of evidence you would look for to confirm the bias and state why it would help.
Answer: Look for selective facts or omitted counterarguments; if the author ignores opposing evidence, it supports the presence of bias because balanced texts include multiple perspectives.
Opinion Passage City officials propose extending park hours so playgrounds close later in summer. Supporters say longer hours help families enjoy cool evenings and increase safe outdoor activity. Opponents worry about noise late at night and the cost of lighting and staff. The city council must weigh these viewpoints before deciding whether to change the schedule.
(Multiple choice — select one) What is the author’s purpose in this passage? A. To argue only for extended park hours B. To present both sides so readers can evaluate the issue C. To describe the history of the park D. To give detailed cost estimates
Answer: B. To present both sides so readers can evaluate the issue.