Context Clues Fiction
Author's POV
Misc.
Misc. #2
Totally Random
100
Look at the word inadequate in the passage below.
One afternoon, Dad gives me the job of shredding his old papers from work.
I feed sheets of old documents into the narrow slot on our wobbly little shredder. The machine eats the papers up hungrily, cutting them into confetti that nobody will ever be able to piece together again.
It's fun, almost like feeding a dog treats. Ten minutes later, the machine gurgles and hiccups and comes to a grinding halt. The gears are broken. Or maybe I fed it too much.
"It won't take any more," I say.
Dad sighs and mutters, "That's what I get for buying the cheap option. I should've known that inadequate little machine wouldn't last.
"Aw, too bad, I think. It was fun while it lasted.
What is the meaning of inadequate as used in the passage?
Not meeting requirements
100
As an avid stamp collector, my heart skipped a beat when I saw an old-fashioned storefront with a sign that read "The Post Office" over the front door. It seemed like just the type of place that offers collectors like me a chance to find some really rare stamps. My car pretty much drove itself into the parking lot! "Take my money!" I practically shouted. I couldn't wait to get a look at the stamps and possibly add to my collection.
Bells jingled as I opened the fancy door. My excitement only increased as I spotted an antique wooden desk and a wall of old combination lockboxes. But my euphoria turned quickly to frustration as I looked around. I felt like I had been duped! Although the interior was decorated to look like a post office from the 1800s, the waitstaff carrying trays of food was a clue that I had been deceived about the purpose of the place.
Which sentence best summarizes the author's point of view about The Post Office?
The Post Office is a misleading name for this establishment.
100
Self-Portrait
Alia was dismayed to find herself in the drawing studio. She had been sick with the flu during the week when everyone else got to pick their classes. She had hoped for Astronomy or Marine Biology, but they were full by the time she got to choose. She loved everything about science, from the way it used facts and formulas to how it revealed the basic nature of things. But art was so . . .un-scientific.
The first class project was self-portraits. Some students were drawing self-portraits using mirrors. Others were working from photographs. Alia glanced at the incomplete sketches, feeling like a cat in a dog show.
The teacher came up to Alia's easel and sat next to her.
"Every portrait begins with a circle," he said. "Then you create a series of lines."
To demonstrate, he drew a group of small, quick portraits. He began each one with a circle, some straight lines, and a triangle to determine where the eyes, nose, and chin should go. Alia had never thought about it, but the features of everyone's face were in the same spots.
Hesitantly, Alia began her own self-portrait. She drew the basic form of a head, the way she had been shown. From there, she used lines to plot the features of her face. The process took patience and precision. She had to take note of each detail. One wrong measurement could throw off the whole portrait.
Alia was surprised by the structure and discipline involved in drawing a portrait. Measuring, studying details, revealing the basic nature of something—it reminded her of what she loved about science.
Which of the following best describes the main theme or lesson of the story?
Don't assume you won't like something until you try it.
100
orRead the text.Each rock tells a story of its formation. To determine a rock type, look for clues about its story. Compared with igneous and metamorphic rocks, sedimentary rocks may be the easiest to read.Sedimentary rocks were often formed when sediment—particles of dirt, sand, or other matter—piled up on sea beds and then hardened into rock over time. Therefore, the clue to identifying sedimentary rocks is the presence of tiny bits of different rocks pressed together, often in layers. Look for stripes, indicating layers of sediment. If there are no layers, check for particles or rock fragments. Sedimentary rocks sometimes also contain fossils or other petrified specimens. Which author's purpose is suggested by the text?
to inform the reader how to identify sedimentary rocks
100
Read the text.
In ancient Greece, the typical home was small—just two or three rooms. Larger homes included a kitchen, a bathroom, several bedrooms, and a dining room for men, or andron. Some larger homes also included a separate room for women, or gynaeceum.
Large or small, homes in ancient Greece were usually made of sun-dried bricks and constructed around an open courtyard. From the outside, they appeared rather plain, with just a door and a few small windows set high in the walls.
Which author's purpose is suggested by the text?
To inform readers what homes looked like in ancient Greece.
200
Jacob had a perfect vision of how it was going to work. Three cake layers would form two "buns" with a "meat patty" between them. Jacob would add lettuce, tomato, and a cheese slice, all made from frosting. Then—ta-da!he would surprise his dad with a birthday cake shaped like a hamburger!
But when he opened the oven to remove the cakes, Jacob gasped. They were all flat!
"What's wrong with them?" Jacob asked. "Why didn't they rise?"
His mom checked the recipe. "Did you add baking powder to the batter?"
Jacob groaned in frustration. "I forgot!" he moaned. "Ugh, I'm a terrible baker."
"Not terrible, just normal," Jacob's mom said, patting his shoulder. "Everyone makes mistakes. It's an inevitable part of learning a new skill."
What is the meaning of inevitable as used in the passage?
certain to happen
200
Since the age of nine, I have made riding waterslides my sole hobby, so some would call me a waterslide aficionado. I have always dreamed of working at a water park. Imagine being able to test out the rides with no lines! So, when I was offered a position at Slides Galore this past June, I jumped at the opportunity. But nothing could have prepared me for the things they don't tell you about working in a water park.
First, there's the never-ending task of cleaning the filters. Over the course of the summer, I fished out a million pairs of sunglasses, countless flip-flops, and even a nose ring (don't ask). Then there's keeping the tubes inflated, the trash cans emptied, and the sunscreen shelves stocked. As if all that isn't enough, every free second is spent listening to guests complain when the aforementioned tasks are left undone. So, despite being surrounded by exciting water rides, people who work in water parks rarely have time to enjoy them.
Which sentence best summarizes the author's point of view about working at a water park?
Working in a water park is not as much fun as one might expect.
200
What does the personification in this text suggest?
Steven tried to ignore his unfinished essay, but it glared at him from across the room.
It bothered Steven that the essay wasn't finished.
200
Saving the RhinosPoachers in Africa are killing large numbers of rhinos for their horns. Rhinoceros horns, valued for use in traditional medicines in Vietnam and China, can fetch as much as thirty-six thousand dollars a pound. Officials have tried to protect the rhinos: they have created fenced areas for the animals, patrolled their habitats, and even tried removing their horns. Despite these efforts, the number of rhinos in Africa has been dwindling. One creative solution to the poaching problem is to remove the rhinos from Africa altogether. Ray Dearlove, the founder of the Australian Rhino Project, came up with a plan to relocate eighty rhinos to a safari park outside Adelaide, Australia, where a breeding herd can be established.
What is the main, or central, idea of the passage?
Because other attempts to protect African Rhinos from poachers have failed, the Australian Rhino Project is relocating the Rhinos to Australia.
200
Read the text.
During World War II, the U.S. Navy was segregated by race, and many African Americans were assigned the dangerous work of preparing explosive devices for shipment. On July 17, 1944, as men loaded bombs onto ships at Port Chicago, a California naval base, two ships exploded in a massive blast. The explosion, which was due in part to inadequate safety procedures, killed hundreds, primarily African Americans. The Navy blamed the men for carelessness, and many of the disaster's survivors refused to return to work. As a result, fifty African American men were convicted of mutiny. Their conviction and imprisonment provoked outrage at the Navy's racist policies. Consequently, the Navy began assigning white sailors to share in the hazardous work and later integrated its forces.
Which organizational structure does this text primarily use?
cause-effect
300
Look at the word nostalgic in the passage below.
Rina poked her head through the attic door. "Do you really think anyone is actually going to pay money for your dusty old action figures?"
"I'm telling you, you wouldn't believe how much these guys can go for," her brother Remi responded, sifting through another box of old toys and games. "If only I could just find them . . ." He pulled out a tangled mass of metal pieces and then gasped. "Rina, look! Remember that summer?"
Rina stared at the jumble of parts, and then she grinned. She sounded nostalgic as she replied in a dreamy voice, "It was so rainy at that beach house, but then we found that robotics kit and spent hours creating the incredible—"
"Robo Dog!" they shouted together. They laughed, caught up in joyful memories of that long-ago summer.
What is the meaning of nostalgic as used in the passage?
feeling fondness for the past
300
Everyone who knows me is fully aware that I have always been a huge fan of Jupiter's Rings; the band's logo is on almost every shirt I own. I've waited years to finally see them in person, so imagine my irritation when I left their concert wishing I could get three hours of my life back.
While the members are still incredibly talented, the songs they played were (dare I say it?) awful. Casting off his trademark guitar, the bassist strolled onstage with a cello and announced that they were going to try "something different." Then, instead of their classic hits, the band proceeded to play an unfamiliar and odd combination of bluegrass and rap music.
I've heard rumors that the lead singer is planning on going solo. As sad as I am to say it, I think breaking up the band might be the best thing that could happen to Jupiter's Rings.
Which sentence best summarizes the author's point of view about Jupiter's Rings?
The band is no longer what it once was.
300
Too Much Fun
Darryl thought his friend Julia had such a cool mother. She would drive Julia and Darryl anywhere they wanted to go: movie theaters, swimming pools, ice cream shops. Darryl's own mother worked in a laboratory all day, doing research. Even on weekends, she buried her nose in science books. Darryl loved the way his mom could explain mysterious things about the universe and always had interesting trivia to share. But sometimes he wished he had a mom who was a little more . . . well, fun.
One Saturday, Julia and her mom picked up Darryl at his house. They were all going to a big amusement park. Darryl said goodbye to his mom, who was reading.
"Isn't your science project due Monday?" she asked him.
"It's almost done," Darryl said, walking out the door.
At the amusement park, Julia's mom treated them to popcorn and fried dough. They all dared each other to go on the fastest, most dizzying rides in the park. They laughed and screamed all day long. Darryl had a blast.
Darryl woke up with a splitting headache Sunday morning. He groaned at the thought of finishing his science project. He heard his mother making breakfast, the same breakfast she made every Sunday: a vegetable omelet and fresh fruit. Usually Darryl wanted a doughnut for breakfast, but the thought of more junk food made him queasy. His mother's healthy cooking and quiet, studious ways were just what he needed after such a loud and busy day.
After he ate, his mother helped him finish his science project. When Julia called later, asking Darryl if he wanted to come by, he said no. Maybe next weekend he would be ready for more fun, but not now.
Which of the following best describes the main theme or lesson of the story?
Every person has something important to offer.
300
What does the idiom in this text suggest?
Cell phones once cost an arm and a leg, but today the majority of people can afford them.
Cell phones were once very expensive.
300
correctly capitalize the title of this poem
about the teeth of sharks
About the Teeth of Sharks
400
Look at the word nonchalant in the passage below.
Mama's important illustrators' convention is only a week away, and she is preparing samples for her booth. Bridget hovers around the large table in Mama's studio, gazing at the stacks of beautiful art prints. She desperately wants to go to the convention with her mother.
"Maybe I could come with you," Bridget suggests, trying to mask her enthusiasm and sound nonchalant. She slouches a little and shrugs her shoulders, hoping to appear casual. "I could help carry all the supplies and set up your booth.
"Mama shakes her head firmly. "Sorry, Bridget. The convention is for professionals only." She gives Bridget a reassuring look. "But I'll tell you everything when I get home, and I'll bring you a little something, too. I promise."
What is the meaning of nonchalant as used in the passage?
relaxed or uninterested
400
My family and I recently camped in Sandy Hills State Park, one of the most beautiful and geologically fascinating places on the Gulf Coast. The park's only campground, Piñon Pines, has ninety well-groomed sites with convenient parking, campfire rings, picnic tables, and (thank goodness!) large bear boxes to securely store food. Unfortunately, the nearest shower facilities are a ten-minute drive away, but there are nearby bathrooms with sinks and flush toilets.
Camping at Sandy Hills is a must-do for lovers of the great outdoors. That said, it's not something to do on a last-minute whim. We reserved our campsite early—six months in advance, on the first day and minute that online reservations opened. I'm not kidding. Campsites fill up fast, and while there are a few "first come, first served" sites, the lines for those are ridiculous, and snagging one is unlikely. Do yourself a favor and plan ahead—way ahead!—for a fantastic experience in a fabulous state park.
My family and I recently camped in Sandy Hills State Park, one of the most beautiful and geologically fascinating places on the Gulf Coast. The park's only campground, Piñon Pines, has ninety well-groomed sites with convenient parking, campfire rings, picnic tables, and (thank goodness!) large bear boxes to securely store food. Unfortunately, the nearest shower facilities are a ten-minute drive away, but there are nearby bathrooms with sinks and flush toilets.
Camping at Sandy Hills is a must-do for lovers of the great outdoors. That said, it's not something to do on a last-minute whim. We reserved our campsite early—six months in advance, on the first day and minute that online reservations opened. I'm not kidding. Campsites fill up fast, and while there are a few "first come, first served" sites, the lines for those are ridiculous, and snagging one is unlikely. Do yourself a favor and plan ahead—way ahead!—for a fantastic experience in a fabulous state park.
Which sentence best summarizes the author's point of view about camping at Sandy Hills State Park?
Sandy Hills is an amazing place to camp, but it's important to plan ahead and reserve a campsite as early as possible.
400
Supporting Biliteracy
There are many good reasons to learn a second language. A second language can improve your understanding of your native language, open the door to new job opportunities, and help you learn about other cultures. Yet American students are less likely than European students to study foreign languages in school. To address this gap, several states have begun doing more to encourage biliteracy—the ability to read and write in two languages. California, New York, and Illinois are among the states that have passed laws establishing a state "Seal of Biliteracy." A Seal of Biliteracy shows that a student has achieved proficiency in a second language. Supporters of the seals say that they honor the importance of second-language learning. The seals also provide colleges and future employers with evidence of students' abilities.
What is the main, or central, idea of the passage?
Fewer American students than European students learn a second language, so some states are promoting the study of foreign language.
400
What does the personification in this text suggest?
During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the levees and flood walls that had been built to protect the city of New Orleans broke, and water swallowed parts of the city.
Parts of the city disappeared underwater.
400
Which phrase has a more positive connotation?
A stingy person
A thrifty person
A thrifty person
500
Look at the word barrage in the passage below.
Raj looked at the target. The bull's-eye was covered with a blue balloon. He had practiced all morning with Ari, his best friend and fiercest competitor. Now it came down to this—whoever popped the balloon would win the trophy.
About ten other archers stood with them at the forty-yard line, all vying to pop the same balloon.
The coach blew the whistle, and Raj knew it was time.
"This one's mine," Ari whispered as she fitted her arrow to her bowstring.
"Not if I get it first," Raj replied, swiftly drawing his bow, aiming, and releasing. The arrow flew straight and—POP!
Raj smiled broadly as a barrage of arrows from the other archers rushed toward the target, seconds too late.
What is the meaning of barrage as used in the passage?
burst or flurry
500
After possibly seeing one too many ninja movies, I decided to enroll in the local martial arts school and learn some awesome karate moves myself. The instructors at KickUps are probably the kindest people you will ever meet. They are constantly organizing fun charity events and modeling good citizenship and sportsmanship for their students. I've really enjoyed the friendly atmosphere cultivated by the numerous KickUps pizza parties and movie nights at the school.
As for my awesome new ninja skills—well, I might need to go to a different school for those. My instructor is warm and caring, but she doesn't inspire students to work hard to master the moves. I've been going for three months, and I haven't even made it past the most basic moves. But I have made a lot of friends, so that's an unexpected bonus.
Which sentence best summarizes the author's point of view about KickUps martial arts school?
The instructors are focused on building a close community rather than teaching martial art's skills.
500
What does the metaphor in this text suggest?
Conscience is a man's compass.
Your conscience guides you to act the right way.
500
orRead the text.In the United States in 1964 and 1965, twenty thousand babies were born with Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS). Some eleven thousand babies were born deaf, 3,500 with impaired vision, and countless others with other health concerns. These babies' mothers had contracted the rubella virus during their pregnancies. Medical researchers set to work to formulate a vaccine against rubella and prevent a repeat of this calamity. The first rubella vaccine was licensed in 1969. By 2004, with the help of the vaccine, rubella was eliminated in the United States.
Which organizational structure does this text primarily use?
Problem-Solution
500
Consider this claim: The ability to read a person's mind would be the best superpower to have.
Now consider how someone might argue against this. Which sentence presents a counterclaim to the above claim?
1. The ability to read a person's mind could ruin valuable friendships.
2. The ability to read a person's mind could help detectives solve crimes.
1. The ability to read a person's mind could ruin valuable friendships.