Context Clues
The arid climate made it nearly impossible to grow crops.
What does arid mean?
A. Rainy
B. Dry
C. Humid
D. Cold
B. Dry
"Time is a thief that steals our moments."
What type of figurative language is used here?
A. Hyperbole
B. Personification
C. Metaphor
D. Alliteration
C. Metaphor
A magazine article explains how recycling helps protect the environment and includes tips for reducing waste.
What is the author’s purpose?
A. Persuade
B. Inform
C. Entertain
D. Describe
B. Inform
In a letter to the school principal, Sarah argues that the school should have longer lunch breaks. She states that students need more time to eat and relax so they can focus better in afternoon classes.
What is the argument being made?
A. Students should be given more homework.
B. School lunch breaks should be longer.
C. The school day should end earlier.
D. There should be more recess time.
B. School lunch breaks should be longer.
Passage: "The sky darkened as the wind picked up, and the first raindrops began to fall. The trees swayed violently, and thunder rumbled in the distance."
Question:
Which piece of evidence best supports the idea that a storm is approaching?
A. "The first raindrops began to fall."
B. "The trees swayed violently."
C. "Thunder rumbled in the distance."
D. "The sky darkened as the wind picked up."
D. "The sky darkened as the wind picked up."
Maria tried to conceal her laughter during the serious meeting.
What does conceal mean?
A. Show
B. Hide
C. Explain
D. Share
B. Hide
The story is set during the Great Depression. The main character's family struggles to find work and food.
How does the setting influence the plot?
A. It gives the characters a chance to relax.
B. It adds humor to the story.
C. It creates conflict and emotional challenges.
D. It causes the characters to throw a party.
C. It creates conflict and emotional challenges.
A blog post describes the writer’s funny experience at a theme park, including how they accidentally ended up on a scary roller coaster.
What is the author’s purpose?
A. Entertain
B. Inform
C. Persuade
D. Warn
A. Entertain
Argument A: “Uniforms Create Equality”
Uniforms reduce peer pressure, bullying, and distractions. They create a sense of unity and allow students to focus more on learning than clothing.
Argument B: “Uniforms Limit Expression”
Requiring uniforms takes away a student’s right to express themselves through fashion. It makes school feel strict and doesn’t allow for individuality.
Part A: What is the central claim of Argument A?
A. Uniforms make students more fashionable
B. Uniforms reduce distractions and bullying
C. Uniforms cost too much
D. Uniforms promote creativity
Part B: What is the main point of Argument B?
A. Uniforms are cheaper than regular clothes
B. Uniforms improve grades
C. Uniforms take away self-expression
D. Uniforms are fashionable
Part A: B. Uniforms reduce distractions and bullying
Part B: C. Uniforms take away self-expression
Passage: "The students sat quietly at their desks, focused on the assignment. No one was talking, and the room was completely still except for the sound of pencils scratching against paper."
Question:
Which piece of evidence best shows that the students are focused?
A. "The room was completely still except for the sound of pencils scratching against paper."
B. "The students sat quietly at their desks."
C. "No one was talking."
D. "Focused on the assignment."
B. "The students sat quietly at their desks."
The scientist’s theory was plausible, even though it was new to the scientific community.
What does plausible mean?
A. Unbelievable
B. Unclear
C. Reasonable or believable
D. Outdated
C. Reasonable or believable
Samantha wants to go to the party, but she knows she has a big test the next morning. She's torn between having fun and being responsible.
What type of conflict is this?
A. Man vs.Man
B. Man vs. Man
C. Man vs. Nature
D. Man vs. Society
B. Man vs. Man
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
1. What do you think the author’s main purpose is in this poem?
A. To persuade the reader to make a specific choice
B. To inform the reader about nature
C. To express a personal reflection on life choices
D. To entertain with a fictional story
Part B: Which line best supports your answer to Question 1?
A. “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood”
B. “I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”
C. “Because it was grassy and wanted wear”
D. “And sorry I could not travel both”
Part B: B
Argument A: “Uniforms Create Equality”
Uniforms reduce peer pressure, bullying, and distractions. They create a sense of unity and allow students to focus more on learning than clothing.
Argument B: “Uniforms Limit Expression”
Requiring uniforms takes away a student’s right to express themselves through fashion. It makes school feel strict and doesn’t allow for individuality.
In what way are both arguments similar?
A. They both argue that students should choose their outfits
B. They both are against school uniforms
C. They both focus on student success and behavior
D. They both use only personal stories as evidence
C. They both focus on student success and behavior
Passage: "Sarah was always nervous about speaking in front of the class, but when she finally stepped up to the podium, she remembered how hard she had worked and took a deep breath. Her voice wavered at first, but then she spoke clearly, surprising herself and the class."
Question:
What is the theme of this passage?
A. Overcoming fear leads to personal growth.
B. Public speaking is always difficult.
C. Hard work guarantees success.
D. Speaking in front of a class is embarrassing.
A. Overcoming fear leads to personal growth.
He felt lethargic after staying up all night studying for the exam.
What does lethargic mean?
A. Energetic
B. Tired and slow-moving
C. Focused and alert
D. Stressed
B. Tired and slow-moving
Jenna walked into the room, saw the broken vase, and immediately looked at her little brother, who was nervously fidgeting with his hands and avoiding eye contact.
Question:
What can you infer from this passage?
A. Jenna broke the vase.
B. Her brother feels guilty for breaking the vase.
C. Jenna wants to buy a new vase.
D. The vase wasn’t very valuable.
B. Her brother feels guilty for breaking the vase.
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference
What feeling or mood does the author seem to want the reader to experience?
A. Regret
B. Joy
C. Excitement
D. Contemplation
D. Contemplation
Argument 1: A writer argues that students should have longer lunch breaks because it would give them more time to socialize, eat properly, and take a break from studying, which improves focus for the rest of the school day.
Argument 2: Another writer argues against longer lunch breaks, saying that it would waste valuable time in the school day that could be used for additional lessons and learning opportunities.
Question:
Which argument focuses on the benefits of socializing, and which one emphasizes the value of more learning time?
A. Argument 1 focuses on socializing, while Argument 2 focuses on more learning time.
B. Both arguments argue for shorter lunch breaks.
C. Argument 1 focuses on more learning time, while Argument 2 focuses on socializing.
D. Both arguments agree that lunch breaks should be shorter.
A. Argument 1 focuses on socializing, while Argument 2 focuses on more learning time.
The scientist used a microscope to scrutinize the strange new cells.
What does scrutinize mean?
A. Ignore
B. Study closely
C. Draw
D. Destroy
B. Study closely
Even though the instructions were ambiguous, she managed to complete the assignment correctly.
What does ambiguous mean?
A. Easy to understand
B. Confusing or unclear
C. Exciting and fun
D. Very detailed
B. Confusing or unclear
As Emma left the house, a strong wind slammed the door behind her. She hesitated, feeling a strange chill run down her spine. The sky, which had been bright just moments ago, was now filled with dark, swirling clouds.
What does the chill Emma feels most likely foreshadow?
A. That she’s getting sick
B. That something strange or frightening might occur
C. That the weather will improve
D. That she forgot her umbrella
B. That something strange or frightening might occur
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Why do you think the author included the line “I shall be telling this with a sigh”?
A. To show nostalgia and reflection
B. To show disappointment
C. To persuade the reader to avoid mistakes
D. To describe the woods
A. To show nostalgia and reflection
Argument A: “Uniforms Create Equality”
Uniforms reduce peer pressure, bullying, and distractions. They create a sense of unity and allow students to focus more on learning than clothing.
Argument B: “Uniforms Limit Expression”
Requiring uniforms takes away a student’s right to express themselves through fashion. It makes school feel strict and doesn’t allow for individuality.
Which author uses more emotional appeal about creativity and self-identity?
A. Author A
B. Author B
C. Both
D. Neither
B. Author B
In a story, a shy student learns to speak up for themselves after joining a debate team. What kind of development is this?
A. Emotional development
B. Physical development
C. Setting development
D. None
A. Emotional development