Inquiry/Literary Devices
A student is planning a research report on apes for his science class and has taken some notes from reliable sources. Read the student’s notes.
- communicates with others by using hand signals
- uses twigs as tools to get insects out of small holes in trees or the ground - puts a stick into water to measure its depth before walking across
The student wants to organize the notes correctly. Under which heading should the student place the notes?
A. Fearless Animals
B. Intelligent Animals
C. Playful Animals
D. Careful Animals
B. Intelligent Animals
Which sentence best demonstrates two different perspectives toward the school play?
A. As the town crier, Samuel stood mutely frozen in place.
B. Taking a deep, calming breath, I focused on becoming Cinderella—tragic, wistful, kind, and virtuous.
C. The audience gasped, and then rewarded my nimble dodge with applause and chuckles, but this was not supposed to be a comedy!
D. That evening I marched into my bedroom and planted myself at my desk.
C. The audience gasped, and then rewarded my nimble dodge with applause and chuckles, but this was not supposed to be a comedy!
How does the author respond to the idea that Jackie Robinson was unpopular with some people when he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers?
A. by indicating how Joe Louis influenced Jackie Robinson to become a professional athlete
B. by describing the personal qualities that Jackie Robinson had to apply to become a professional athlete
C. by explaining how Branch Rickey awarded Jackie Robinson his initial contract as a professional athlete
D. by suggesting the specific ways that Jackie Robinson arranged to work for a different team as a professional athlete
B. by describing the personal qualities that Jackie Robinson had to apply to become a professional athlete
1. Which statement from the article is an opinion?
A. Sanibel Island, located in Florida’s Southwest Gulf Coast . . .
B. Part of the island runs east and west . . .
C. Shellers who find a junonia on Sanibel get their pictures in the local newspaper.
D. People are also thrilled when they find tulip shells.
D. People are also thrilled when they find tulip shells.
Read the paragraph about printer ink.
Printer ink is the most expensive liquid most people will ever buy. An ink cartridge for a home printer usually contains only a few ounces of black ink. The cost of a typical ink cartridge could be as high as forty dollars, about half the cost of an average printer. With the exception of luxury items such as fancy perfumes ordinary black ink is by far the most expensive liquid people purchase.
Which is the correct way to use commas to punctuate the last sentence of the paragraph?
A. With the exception, of luxury items such as fancy perfumes, ordinary black ink is by far the most expensive liquid people purchase.
B. With the exception of luxury items such as fancy perfumes ordinary, black ink, is by far the most expensive liquid people purchase.
C. With the exception of luxury items such as fancy perfumes, ordinary black ink is by far the most expensive liquid people purchase.
D. With the exception of luxury items such as fancy perfumes ordinary black ink is by far, the most expensive liquid people purchase.
C. With the exception of luxury items such as fancy perfumes, ordinary black ink is by far the most expensive liquid people purchase.
A student learned that the famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright believed in creating homes and buildings that conveyed cultural values of the United States. The student wants to research more about Frank Lloyd Wright and will write a report about the architect for the art teacher.
Which research question would lead the student to a deeper understanding of Frank Lloyd Wright’s beliefs?
A. How old was Frank Lloyd Wright when he began studying architecture?
B.How much time did it take for an average Frank Lloyd Wright structure to be built?
C. What are Frank Lloyd Wright’s most famous structures?
D. What techniques did Frank Lloyd Wright use to communicate ideas in his designs?
D. What techniques did Frank Lloyd Wright use to communicate ideas in his designs?
How do phrases like “mutely frozen,” “jumbled his lines,” “stampeded onstage,” “frantic rush,” and “collided with” in the first part of the story contribute to the meaning of the passage?
A. The phrases indicate that Samuel has a leading role in the play.
B. The phrases convey the anxiety that Samuel feels while performing.
C. The phrases reveal the interest that Samuel has in being an actor.
D. The phrases suggest that Samuel gets along well with his castmates.
B. The phrases convey the anxiety that Samuel feels while performing.
Read the sentences from the passage.
Robinson played with the Dodgers through early 1957. During his time with them, little by little, baseball began to change, and more African-American players joined the Major Leagues. Robinson had been the trailblazer who helped make their careers possible. Meanwhile, Robinson recalled his admiration for boxer Joe Louis and credited Louis for making great strides in racial equality.
How does the word trailblazer impact meaning in the passage?
A. by describing Robinson’s life in the Major Leagues
B. by emphasizing Robinson’s role as a pioneer
C. by emphasizing Robinson’s respect for Joe Lewis
D. by describing Robinson’s ability on the field
B. by emphasizing Robinson’s role as a pioneer
“Belonging to the volute family of shells, the junonia is the most coveted seashell.” What does the word “coveted” mean?
A. decorated
B. delicate
C. desired
D. desolate
C. desired
A student is writing a letter to the school principal. Read the draft of the letter and complete the task that follows.
Dear Principal Wells,
In order to relieve problems related to homework at Harkins Middle School, I propose the school schedule be extended by one hour. The extra time could be devoted solely to students completing class assignments and teachers assisting those who need help with homework. With an additional hour, students could focus on getting tasks done without the distractions that are common outside of school like television, siblings, and chores. Sometimes teachers run out of time in class to present material in new ways. The added hour could be used to give students the extra support necessary to master the concepts being taught. This change in schedule would solve almost all issues related to incomplete and missing student assignments. Even though people enjoy getting out of school to do fun activities like sports, music, or club meetings, those events can happen an hour later.
Sincerely,
Joseph Grant
Which sentence provides the best conclusion to the paragraph?
A. Both the teachers and students know that completing assignments and developing life skills are important.
B. The sacrifice of an added hour would help the school and the students achieve their learning goals.
C. After-school activities occurring later would be fine, especially since students would have little to no homework in the evening.
D. If additional time were added to the school day, teachers might need to make adjustments to their after-school schedules as well.
B. The sacrifice of an added hour would help the school and the students achieve their learning goals.
There are two parts to this question: Do Part A first and then do Part B.
Review the passage.
My mom sighs. "We can't do this without you. Being around kids is good for Natalie." . . .
My mom is like a one-woman commando unit. She could win land battles, air battles, water battles, outer space battles too, probably. I wonder if there would be time to get Natalie and then get back to school in time to play ball with the guys. It would be embarrassing to have her there, but at least I could play.
Part A: What is the simile?
a. She could win land battles.
b. My mom is like a one-woman commando unit.
c. It would be embarrassing to have her there.
d. She could win land battles.
Part B. What is the effect of the simile on the passage's meaning or tone?
a. It suggests that the narrator's mother is persuasive.
b. It suggests that the narrator's mother is lonely.
c. It suggests that the narrator is fearful of his/her mother.
d. It suggests that narrator's mother is hilarious.
Part A: B. My mom is like a one-woman commando unit.
Part B. B. It suggests that the narrator's mother is persuasive.
Which sentence from the passage best supports the inference that Nora has confidence in her abilities as an actor?
A. It was the final dress rehearsal for our middle school play, Cinderella, and I had the leading role.
B. Thanks to our rehearsals at school and my practice at home, I knew my lines inside and out.
C. The audience gasped, and then rewarded my nimble dodge with applause and chuckles, but this was not supposed to be a comedy!
D. Somehow, I had let my years of experience erase the memory of that mortifying moment.
B. Thanks to our rehearsals at school and my practice at home, I knew my lines inside and out.
Which is the best summary of the passage?
A. Jackie Robinson was born in 1919 in the town of Cairo, Georgia. There were four children in his family. When he was young, he enjoyed sports. He set records in football, basketball, and track. He played professional football in Hawaii. He also enjoyed going to the movies. For a little while, he went to the University of California, Los Angeles. Later, he joined a professional baseball team and proved that he was a great athlete. He was named the National League Rookie of the Year and later won the Most Valuable Player award.
B. Jackie Robinson was born in Georgia and was one of four children. He was a very good athlete and could play most sports. He played football, baseball, basketball, and track. He set many records. After he left college, Robinson met a man named Branch Rickey. Rickey was the president of the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team and wanted new players. He asked Robinson to join the team. Robinson joined the professional team and set many records for them. At the end of his first year of professional baseball, Robinson won the Rookie of the Year award. The United States Postal Service eventually put his picture on a stamp.
C. Jackie Robinson was born in 1919 in the town of Cairo, Georgia. Robinson excelled at different sports in college, including football, baseball, basketball and track. In 1947, Robinson tried out for and was asked to join the Brooklyn Dodgers, which was a major-league baseball team. This was a significant achievement since major league baseball teams had not included African American players since 1889. In 1949, Robinson won the Most Valuable Player award for his achievements with the Brooklyn Dodgers. In 1997, the United States Postal Service released a commemorative Jackie Robinson Stamp.
D. Jackie Robinson was born in Georgia and was one of four children. He was a good athlete and played football, baseball, basketball, and track. He enjoyed the movies. When he went to the movies, he learned about a boxer named Joe Louis. Robinson considered Louis one of his heroes. Robinson left college to help his mother take care of his siblings. Later in life, a man named Branch Rickey asked Robinson to join the Brooklyn Dodgers, a professional baseball team. Robinson set many records. Robinson eventually became a hero to Joe Louis.
C. Jackie Robinson was born in 1919 in the town of Cairo, Georgia. Robinson excelled at different sports in college, including football, baseball, basketball and track. In 1947, Robinson tried out for and was asked to join the Brooklyn Dodgers, which was a major-league baseball team. This was a significant achievement since major league baseball teams had not included African American players since 1889. In 1949, Robinson won the Most Valuable Player award for his achievements with the Brooklyn Dodgers. In 1997, the United States Postal Service released a commemorative Jackie Robinson Stamp.
What is the author’s purpose for writing the article?
A. to persuade readers to visit Sanibel Island
B. to share information about shells on Sanibel Island
C. to entertain readers with a narrative about a shelling trip
D. to explain the difference between the two types of tulip shells
B. to share information about shells on Sanibel Island
A student is writing a report on Mt. Rushmore. Read part of the report. Many people know of the famous faces that are carved on Mt. Rushmore, in the Black Hills of Keystone, South Dakota, but some have never heard the reasons why the four faces were chosen. George Washington was chosen to be on Mt. Rushmore because he is the father of our country. He led the colonists when they fought for their independence from Great Britain in the American Revolution. George Washington needed to be on Mt. Rushmore because he represents the birth of America. Thomas Jefferson was the main author of the Declaration of Independence. He also greatly increased the size of America through the purchase of the Louisiana Territory. The image of Jefferson represents the expanding nation. Theodore Roosevelt represents the development and economic growth that America was experiencing in the early twentieth century. Roosevelt helped to link the east and the west by playing a key role in the development of the Panama Canal. Abraham Lincoln represents the United States being preserved after a terrible civil war. Lincoln abolished slavery and believed it was his job to preserve the nation. Which sentence provides the best concluding statement for the information in the report?
A. The faces of four great presidents are on Mt. Rushmore, each chosen to represent a different time in America’s history.
B. Only the most famous presidents were considered when trying to decide whose faces were to be carved onto Mt. Rushmore.
C. Abraham Lincoln is the most memorable face on Mt. Rushmore because he kept our nation together.
D. Another great president’s face may someday be carved onto Mt. Rushmore.
A. The faces of four great presidents are on Mt. Rushmore, each chosen to represent a different time in America’s history.
A student is writing a report about successful businesses. The student found two reliable sources. Read the sources and complete the task that follows.
Source 1: In 1908, Henry Ford created the famous Model T automobile. The car became somewhat popular, but Ford wanted it to reach a wider range of customers. He developed an assembly line process for producing his Model T automobile in 1913. By having different workers install specific parts as the vehicle moved slowly along a line, the cost and time needed to build the car was reduced. This made the Model T even more affordable, and, therefore, many more people bought the Ford car.
Source 2: McDonald’s is one of the most successful businesses in the world. Something the restaurant is known for is its speed of service. When the first McDonald’s opened in Southern California in the 1940s, it aimed to be a place for regular people to eat instead of most restaurants of the time that only wealthy people could afford. McDonald’s installed a large grill and used spatulas that could flip multiple burgers at a time. Customers could get a large order of burgers and fries quickly because of the restaurant’s “Speedee Service System.” When Ray Kroc took over the McDonald’s company and spread the eatery across the country, he continued to focus on making good food fast.
Which question would help the student broaden the focus of additional research?
A. Why did businesses like Ford and McDonald’s have an impact on American society?
B. How many total businesses have been able to expand to other parts of the world?
C. What would cause a person to support a business like Ford or McDonald’s?
D. When was the best time in history for someone to start a successful business?
A. Why did businesses like Ford and McDonald’s have an impact on American society?
How does Nora’s memory of her kindergarten performance help to propel the action in the story?
A. It encourages Nora when she is feeling bad about herself.
B. It motivates Nora to practice harder before she performs again.
C. It gives Nora a funny story to tell Samuel and the cast so that they can laugh.
D. It inspires Nora to change her behavior toward Samuel and the rest of the cast.
D. It inspires Nora to change her behavior toward Samuel and the rest of the cast.
Which sentences from the passage best support the central idea that Jackie Robinson was a talented athlete? Choose two answers.
A. While he was in college at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Robinson became a sports legend, setting records in football, baseball, basketball, and track.
B. Not long after, in 1947, Branch Rickey, the president of the Brooklyn Dodgers, was looking for new players for the team.
C. Not everyone accepted Robinson as part of the team.
D. Just two years later, in 1949, Robinson won Most Valuable Player.
E. Meanwhile, Robinson recalled his admiration for boxer Joe Louis and credited Louis for making great strides in racial equality.
A, D
A. While he was in college at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Robinson became a sports legend, setting records in football, baseball, basketball, and track.
D. Just two years later, in 1949, Robinson won Most Valuable Player.
8. Which action could result in a fine on Sanibel Island?
A. going on the beach before sunrise
B. sending a shell to the newspaper
C. keeping an occupied shell
D. stepping on a sea urchin
C. keeping an occupied shell
Read the paragraph. Our local park is taken care of by groups of volunteers. Each month, the park has its trash picked up by a different group of volunteers. Every group of volunteers must take a training class before being allowed to clean the park. Most volunteers have a pleasant experience.
How could the paragraph be rewritten using only the active voice?
A. Groups of volunteers take care of our local park. A different group of volunteers picks up the park’s trash each month. A training class must be taken by every group of volunteers before being allowed to clean the park. Most volunteers have a pleasant experience.
B. Our local park is taken care of by groups of volunteers. Each month, the park has its trash picked up by a different group volunteers. Every group of volunteers must take a training class before being allowed to clean the park. A pleasant experience is had by most volunteers.
C. Our local park is taken care of by groups of volunteers. Each month, the park has its trash picked up by a different group volunteers. A training class must be taken by every group of volunteers before being allowed to clean the park. A pleasant experience is had by most volunteers.
D. Groups of volunteers take care of our local park. A different group of volunteers picks up the park’s trash each month. Taking the training class will allow the volunteers to clean the park. Most volunteers have a pleasant experience.
D. Groups of volunteers take care of our local park. A different group of volunteers picks up the park’s trash each month. Taking the training class will allow the volunteers to clean the park. Most volunteers have a pleasant experience.
Answer questions 1 and 2.
(1)Read the source of the allusion.
George Orwell's novel 1984 focuses on a totalitarian society in which the citizens are frequently reminded that their leader, Big Brother, is always watching.
What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?
The headline read: "Smart Phones Becoming Big Brother."
a. a threatening power that monitors all aspects of people's lives
b. a nuisance that distracts people from important tasks
(2) Read the source of the allusion.
In the fable "The Fox and the Grapes," a fox tries unsuccessfully to reach a bunch of grapes. Because he cannot reach them and therefore cannot eat them, he tells himself that they must be sour.
What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?
Kevin's remark about your new car is clearly a case of sour grapes.
a. disliking something that you find unpleasant
b. criticizing something because you can't have it
(1) a. a threatening power that monitors all aspects of people's lives
(2) b. criticizing something because you can't have it
This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B.
Part A: Which sentence best expresses a theme of the passage?
A. Friendship must involve personal sacrifice.
B. Overcoming fears is an important part of growing up.
C. Small actions of one person can affect the success of an entire group.
D. Talent is needed more than hard work when trying to achieve goals.
Part B: How is this theme developed over the course of the passage?
A. through the use of figurative language
B. through Nora’s dialogue with herself
C. through the description of the setting
D. through Nora’s dialogue with the director
Part A: (C) Small actions of one person can affect the success of an entire group.
Part B: (B) through Nora’s dialogue with herself
This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B.
Part A:
Which conclusion about Jackie Robinson is best supported by information in the passage?
A. Jackie Robinson went out of his way to be friendly to new team members.
B. Jackie Robinson made personal sacrifices to ensure the welfare of his family.
C. Jackie Robinson had difficulty deciding what career he wanted to pursue.
D. Jackie Robinson wanted to become financially rich by playing baseball.
Part B:
Which sentence from the passage most strongly supports the answer in part A?
A. Partway through earning his degree, however, his mother needed help taking care of his siblings, so Robinson decided to quit school to offer his support.
B. He joined the Army for a couple of years, then went to Hawaii to play football professionally.
C. When Robinson heard that the Kansas City Monarchs baseball team was scouting new players, he knew it could be his big opportunity.
D. At the end of his first year with the Dodgers, he was named the National League Rookie of the Year.
Part A: B. Jackie Robinson made personal sacrifices to ensure the welfare of his family.
Part B: B. He joined the Army for a couple of years, then went to Hawaii to play football professionally.
6. Part A – What is the definition of “tote” as used in Paragraph 2?
A. transport
B. bag
C. heave
D. strap
Part B – Which of the following bolded and underlined words or phrases BEST helps define the answer from Part A?
Shelling on this island is serious business. An hour or so __________before sunrise, you will find __________dedicated shellers scanning the shores with flashlights, hoping to find a rare shell. But there is plenty of room for everyone. Part of the island runs east and west, __________creating a long south-facing beach that slopes gently into the Gulf of Mexico. Some participants __________carry the standard black fishnet bags to collect the shells, while newbies tote the white plastic bags __________found at local hotels, depicting pictures and names of all the popular shells on the island.
A. Transport
B. carry
Compare the student text with the source.
Source:
Sarah Fecht, "Lockheed Martin Wants to Send Humans to Mars in 12 Years." Published in Popular Science, 2016:
But after the moon it's still a very long way to Mars, filled with unknowns, and then once you get to Mars, landing is a whole new challenge.
Student text:
NASA faces many challenges as it considers sending astronauts on the long journey to Mars. As Fecht points out, "once you get to Mars, landing is a whole new challenge."
Is the student text plagiarized?
No, it is not plagiarized.