Word Meaning
It is important to not get involved in a yelling fight when people are angry; it can usually escalate to violence.
What is the meaning of the word escalate as it is used in the sentence?
A. improve
B. solve
C. become worse, increase
D. demonstrate, show
C. become worse, increase
Which of the following sentences best states an author's viewpoint?
Over 2,000 people were aboard on the Titanic's voyage, which departed from England and traveled to the United States. It was the largest passenger ship of its time, and it is still one of the most famous ships in history. The massive ship was beautiful and was talked about all over the world. However, the ship was not equipped with enough lifeboats in case disaster struck. And disaster did strike. The crew was not prepared.
A. The crew was not prepared.
B. Over 2,000 people were aboard on the Titanic's voyage...
C. It was the largest passenger ship of its time...
D. And disaster did strike.
A. The crew was not prepared.
Which statement best states the central claim of the paragraph below?
It may look effortless—it’s meant to—but Olympic-level artistic swimming may just be the most demanding of all the aquatic sports. Artistic swimming—formerly known as synchronized swimming—requires exceptional strength, flexibility, and endurance. Artistic swimmers must perform acrobatic feats gracefully, in synchrony with each other and to music—often while holding their breath underwater, upside down. Try smiling through that!
A. Too much is asked of Olympic-level artistic swimmers, who should have less rigorous training schedules.
B. Artistic swimmers are better than water polo players because they work harder and smile through it.
C. Due to the range and difficulty of what is required, artistic swimming is the toughest Olympic aquatic sport.
D. Artistic swimming does not get the respect and attention it deserves because its athletes are mostly female.
C. Due to the range and difficulty of what is required, artistic swimming is the toughest Olympic aquatic sport.
What is the best explanation of what text structure is?
A. An author's claim
B. Evidence and reasoning
C. The main idea of the text
D. The way a text is organized
D. The way a text is organized
Read this sentence.
My favorite Spanish restaurant sings its own rendition of Happy Birthday. They alter the words and the beat.
What is the meaning of the word rendition as it is used in the sentence?
A. version
B. musical
C. drama
D. radio
A. version
Primates are not built like other mammals. First, primates have larger brains than other mammals. Their brains take up more of the space in their heads. Primates also have visual acuity. This means that their vision is better than other mammals. It is their sharpest sense. Most other mammals rely more on the sense of smell. Primates have opposable thumbs. These thumbs face a different direction than other fingers. Opposable thumbs let primates pick up things and hold objects tightly.
Why does the author write this paragraph?
A. to describe how primates use their thumbs
B. to persuade the reader why primates are the most intelligent animal
C. to contrast primates to other types of animals
D. to describe why primates are dangerous and meant to live in the wild
C. to contrast primates to other types of animals
Which statement best states the central claim of the paragraph below?
Although some people believe video games are a source of mindless entertainment, playing video games can actually help your brain by improving hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills. Including video games in lessons would also get students more excited about learning. Popular game genres includeaction-adventure, role-playing, and racing games. Finally, there are lots of video games that include academic content and give immediate feedback to students.
A. Video games can include academic content.
B. Video game use should be encouraged in classrooms.
C. Most students who play video games can struggle academically.
D. Students struggle to be engaged in the classroom.
B. Video game use should be encouraged in classrooms.
Male and female gorillas have different physical characteristics. Males typically grow to be larger than females and have more muscle. All primates can climb trees. Some primates are mainly terrestrial (live on land). But most are arboreal, which means they live mostly in trees.
Why does the author compare female and male gorillas?
A. to explain that some males prefer living in trees
B. to illustrate why some females prefer living on land
C. to show that females and males both enjoy living in trees
D. to show that despite being different, the main commonality is that they can climb trees
D. to show that despite being different, the main commonality is that they can climb trees
Read this sentence.
The college student originally thought he studied hard, but still found the questions to be so ambiguous.
What is the meaning of the word ambiguous as it is used in the sentence?
A. unclear, confusing
B. clear, straightforward
C. lengthy
D. not appropriate
A. unclear, confusing
How does the author who wrote the paragraph below support the point of view that uniforms are important?
School uniforms prepare students for jobs and careers. Uniforms set a standard for how to look professional. Nowadays, many jobs and careers have uniforms and dress codes. If students are used to the standards of dressing neatly and professionally, they will be more prepared for their future jobs and careers.
A. by comparing school uniforms to the necessity of dressing neatly in real adult life
B. by noting that uniforms can prevent bullying
C. be describing reasons why uniforms make students feel confident
D. by illustrating the design of most school uniforms
A. by comparing school uniforms to the necessity of dressing neatly in real adult life
Which statement best states the central claim of the paragraph below?
Not only are rainforests home to thousands of different species of plants and animals, they also produce much of the world's oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from our atmosphere. Trees in the rain forest also provide an important source of fresh water for the planet by drawing water from the forest floor and releasing it back into the atmosphere. This creates rain, which feeds nearby rivers and lakes.
A. The rain forests should be protected due to the many benefits they provide.
B. Too much rain can create flooding.
C. More trees should be planted around the world.
A. The rain forests should be valued due to the many benefits they provide.
Dr. Jane Goodall is an anthropologist, a person who studies humans and other primates. Goodall spent most of her life in Africa with chimpanzees, watching them in their natural habitat, the Gombe Forest in Africa, for over 60 years. Goodall quietly watched and took notes of their habits in daily life, even naming the animals that she observed.
Why does the author structure this paragraph this way?
A. to describe the steps of becoming an anthropologist
B. to give the chronological order of Jane Goodall's life
C. to explain and describe the work that the famous anthropologist Jane Goodall does
D. to compare and contrast anthropologists to other kinds of scientists
C. to explain and describe the work that the famous anthropologist Jane Goodall does
Read this sentence.
The spa experience this weekend gave her much serenity that she desperately needed after the challenging week.
What is the BEST meaning of the word serenity as it is used in the sentence?
A. time off
B.stress
C. relaxation
D. contentment
C. relaxation
Which statement in the paragraph below expresses a viewpoint?
A tadpole moves to land and begins breathing with lungs. It becomes a froglet, or a young frog. It is a stage when the amphibian looks like a fully grown frog with arms and legs, but is just smaller. It is fascinating to see these tiny frogs and know they just grew their arms and legs. Another major physical change is that the frog does not have the tail anymore.
A. A tadpole moves to land and begins breathing with lungs.
B. It is fascinating to see these tiny frogs and know they just grew their arms and legs.
C. Another major physical change is that the frog does not have the tail anymore.
B. It is fascinating to see these tiny frogs and know they just grew their arms and legs.
Based on the paragraph below, how do satellites benefit people?
When the first human-made satellite was launched into space in 1957, no one could predict the many uses satellites would have. Just over half a century later, many technologies directly rely on artificial satellites. They transmit information to the ever-present smartphone. They help meteorologists predict weather patterns, which allows agricultural managers to plan efficient farming practices and helps fight hunger. Satellites are also used to predict natural disasters such as hurricanes, allowing people to respond in time.
A. Satellites are more important than smart phones.
B. More satellites need to be in orbit.
C. Satellites assist other kinds of technologies that deal with weather and farming.
D. Satellites assist people to understand tornadoes.
C. Satellites assist other kinds of technologies that deal with weather and farming.
Dr. Goodall also discovered that chimpanzees have a wide range of emotions. Their emotions include joy, sorrow, anger, and more. Their personalities also vary as much as humans. Some chimpanzees are kind and loving. Others can be bullies. These studies have helped us learn more about primate intelligence.
Why does the author structure this paragraph this way?
A. to organize reasons why chimpanzees are so emotional
B. to compare chimpanzee's different personalities and emotions
C. to describe that chimpanzees are easily angered
D. to show the chronological order of chimpanzee development
B. to compare chimpanzee's different personalities and emotions
Read this sentence.
It is vital that you take this assessment seriously; we will be using this data to make a lot of decisions.
What is the meaning of the word vital as it is used in the sentence?
A. confusing
B. clear
C. invalid
D. crucial
D. crucial
What is the author's purpose?
Dogs offer companionship and opportunities for physical exercise. Hamsters' silly antics make people laugh, and watching fish or petting a cat can be relaxing. Caring for a pet teaches the value of responsibility. Furthermore, taking care of a pet enables the owner to experience love, loyalty, and affection.
A. to provide background information about what is required to own a pet
B. to convince the reader to purchase an additional pet
C. to detail the benefits of pet ownership
D. to highlight the huge responsibility that is required of pet owners
C. to detail the benefits of pet ownership
Which of the following statements is supported by the paragraph below?
Therefore, the United States should not focus on whether money currently set aside for space exploration could be better spent. Instead, it should celebrate how space science funding invests in science and inspires who we can be, helps our quality of life, and in our pride as Americans.
A. The negatives of space exploration outweigh the benefits.
B. The benefits of space exploration outweigh the negatives.
C. More people should become scientists.
D. The government must be more careful with their funds.
B. The benefits of space exploration outweigh the negatives.
Dr. Goodall's studies have helped scientists to understand primate intelligence better. For example, Goodall has shown that chimpanzees are smart enough to create their own tools, like sticking a blade of grass in a termite hole to catch and eat them. In the past, only humans were known to use tools. Goodall also discovered that chimpanzees hunt in packs for animals to eat. Before this, chimpanzees were only known to eat plants.
According to the paragraph, what is an effect of Jane Goodall's studies?
A. scientists are stuck with more questions and confusion
B. scientists struggle to understand primate behavior
C. scientists better understand why chimpanzees eat plants
D. scientists now know that chimpanzees are known for much more than just eating plants and are recognized as highly intelligent
D. scientists now know that chimpanzees are known for much more than just eating plants and are recognized as highly intelligent