Tell-Tale Heart
1. Which best explains how Poe’s use of an unreliable narrator influences the reader’s understanding of the events in the story?
A. It causes readers to question the motives and mental state of the narrator, creating ambiguity about what truly occurred.
B. It offers an objective account of the murder, allowing readers to understand both characters equally.
C. It provides a clear chronological sequence of events, aiding comprehension.
D. It distances the reader emotionally from the narrator, limiting empathy.
A. It causes readers to question the motives and mental state of the narrator, creating ambiguity about what truly occurred.
1. Which change, if any, is needed to the underlined text?
Fireflies also known as lightning bugs are responsible for this light show.
A. Fireflies, also known as lightning bugs — are responsible for this light show.
B. Fireflies, also known as lightning bugs, are responsible for this light show.
C. Fireflies, also known as lightning bugs are responsible for this light show.
D. No change
B. Fireflies, also known as lightning bugs, are responsible for this light show.
Jamal’s tenuous explanation for why he missed the deadline failed to convince his teacher, who raised an eyebrow at the vague details and shifting story.
What does the word tenuous most likely mean as used in the sentence?
A. Strong and well-supported
B. Weak and unconvincing
C. Honest but incomplete
D. Detailed and thorough
B. Weak and unconvincing
Passage Excerpt:
She closed the book slowly, her fingers lingering on the final page as if reluctant to let the story end. The room was quiet now, the only sound the soft ticking of the old clock in the corner.
Question:
What can the reader infer about the character’s feelings?
A. She was confused by the story’s ending.
B. She is relieved the book is over.
C. She is deeply moved by the story.
D. She didn’t understand the plot.
C. She is deeply moved by the story.
1. PART A
What is the central claim of Passage 1?
A. Teenagers sleep too much and need stricter routines.
B. Early school start times prepare students for adult responsibilities.
C. Schools should begin later to support students' health and learning.
D. Students should avoid extracurriculars that interfere with rest.
C. Schools should begin later to support students' health and learning.
2. Which quote from the story best reveals the central theme of guilt overwhelming reason?
A. “It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain; but once conceived, it haunted me day and night.”
B. “I think it was his eye! yes, it was this!”
C. “It grew louder—louder—louder! And still the men chatted pleasantly, and smiled. Was it possible they heard not?”
D. “You should have seen how wisely I proceeded—with what caution—with what foresight.”
C. “It grew louder—louder—louder! And still the men chatted pleasantly, and smiled. Was it possible they heard not?”
2. Which change, if any, is needed to the underlined text?
Called bioluminescence, this feature is found in other animals, such as plankton and lantern fish.
A. Called bioluminescence, other animals have this feature, such as plankton and lantern fish.
B. Called bioluminescence, other animals, such as plankton and lantern fish, have this feature.
C. Called bioluminescence, plankton and other animals, such as lantern fish, have this feature.
D. No change
D. No change
Even as the critics lauded the novel’s originality, some readers found its nonlinear structure confusing and overly experimental.
What does the word lauded most likely mean as used in the sentence?
A. Ignored or dismissed
B. Harshly criticized
C. Mocked playfully
D. Praised enthusiastically
D. Praised enthusiastically
Passage Summary:
A teenager struggles to balance his desire for independence with his responsibilities to his family, ultimately learning that freedom requires maturity and sacrifice.
Question:
What is the central theme of the passage?
A. Families are too controlling.
B. Independence comes with responsibility.
C. Teenagers should always obey their parents.
D. Sacrifices are not worth personal freedom.
B. Independence comes with responsibility.
2. Part B:
Which sentence from Passage 1 best supports the answer to Part A?
A. “Sleep scientists agree: teenagers need more rest.”
B. “Many high schools begin the day as early as 7:00 a.m.”
C. “According to the American Academy of Pediatrics…”
D. “Delaying the start of the school day—even by just an hour—could dramatically benefit student performance and well-being.”
D. “Delaying the start of the school day—even by just an hour—could dramatically benefit student performance and well-being.”
3. How does Poe manipulate pacing and sentence structure to mirror the narrator’s psychological state?
A. By using lengthy, flowing sentences to convey calm and composure
B. Through short, fragmented sentences and repetition that increase in intensity
C. By writing in the third person to create emotional distance
D. Through a formal and scholarly tone that reflects the narrator’s intelligence
B. Through short, fragmented sentences and repetition that increase in intensity
3. Which change, if any, is needed to the underlined text?
unusual blink of the fireflies are related
A. unusual blink of the fireflies is related
B. unusual blink of the fireflies is being related
C. unusual blinks of the firefly is related
D. No change
A. unusual blink of the fireflies is related
Though the plan sounded promising, Elena remained circumspect, quietly weighing the risks while others rushed ahead with enthusiasm.
What does the word circumspect most likely mean as used in the sentence?
A. Reckless and bold
B. Confused and uncertain
C. Cautious and thoughtful
D. Eager and energetic
C. Cautious and thoughtful
Passage Excerpt:
By painting the factory’s smokestacks in bold strokes of gray and black, the artist forces us to confront the cost of progress.
Question:
What is the author’s purpose in this sentence?
A. To explain how the painting was made
B. To describe the setting in detail
C. To criticize industrialization
D. To support technological advancement
C. To criticize industrialization
3. How does the author of Passage 2 respond to the argument made in Passage 1?
A. By completely agreeing with the need for better sleep
B. By suggesting that early start times are a necessary compromise
C. By criticizing the research used in Passage 1
D. By claiming that teenagers should not be allowed to have phones
B. By suggesting that early start times are a necessary compromise
4. In what way does the motif of the “vulture eye” serve as a symbol in the story?
A. It symbolizes the old man’s wisdom and insight into the narrator’s actions.
B. It reflects the narrator’s guilt and self-loathing projected onto the old man.
C. It represents justice watching over the narrator.
D. It is a literal feature that has no deeper symbolic meaning.
B. It reflects the narrator’s guilt and self-loathing projected onto the old man.
4. Which change, if any, is needed to the underlined text?
These synchronous fireflies were discovered in the Smoky Mountains in 1995, scientists located other groups in South Carolina and the Appalachian Mountains.
A. After these synchronous fireflies were discovered in the Smoky Mountains in 1995, scientists located other groups in South Carolina and the Appalachian Mountains.
B. These synchronous fireflies were discovered in the Smoky Mountains in 1995, while scientists located other groups in South Carolina and the Appalachian Mountains.
C. These synchronous fireflies were discovered in the Smoky Mountains in 1995, so scientists located other groups in South Carolina and the Appalachian Mountains.
D. No change
A. After these synchronous fireflies were discovered in the Smoky Mountains in 1995, scientists located other groups in South Carolina and the Appalachian Mountains.
As the politician continued his speech, his bombastic tone and grandiose promises drew eye rolls from the more skeptical members of the audience, who had heard it all before.
What does the word bombastic most likely mean as used in the sentence?
A. Honest and straightforward
B. Arrogant but well-meaning
C. Overblown and pretentious
D. Calm and persuasive
C. Overblown and pretentious
Line from a Poem:
Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul… —Emily Dickinson
Question:
What is the effect of comparing hope to "a thing with feathers"?
A. It emphasizes how fleeting and unreliable hope is.
B. It shows that hope is fragile and easily destroyed.
C. It suggests hope is light, persistent, and ever-present.
D. It indicates that hope is a burden carried by the soul.
C. It suggests hope is light, persistent, and ever-present.
4. Which of the following statements describes a key difference in the tone of the two passages?
A. Passage 1 is optimistic, while Passage 2 is neutral.
B. Passage 1 is concerned and persuasive, while Passage 2 is pragmatic and cautionary.
C. Passage 1 is aggressive, while Passage 2 is defensive.
D. Passage 1 is casual, while Passage 2 is formal and scientific.
B. Passage 1 is concerned and persuasive, while Passage 2 is pragmatic and cautionary.
5. How does the conclusion of the story develop the theme of the destructive power of guilt?
A. It shows that guilt leads the narrator to deeper reflection and eventual healing.
B. It emphasizes that guilt has no consequences unless others recognize the crime.
C. It reveals that guilt manifests physically and mentally, ultimately driving the narrator to confess.
D. It illustrates how the narrator rationally accepts punishment for his actions.
C. It reveals that guilt manifests physically and mentally, ultimately driving the narrator to confess.
5. Which change, if any, is needed to the underlined text?
the fireflys mating season
A. the firefly’s mating season
B. the fireflies’ mating season
C. the fireflies’s mating season
D. No change
B. the fireflies’ mating season
Though he claimed to support the proposal, his apathy during the discussion—no comments, no vote, not even a nod—made his true feelings unclear.
What does the word apathy most likely mean as used in the sentence?
A. Strong opposition
B. Lack of interest or concern
C. Secret enthusiasm
D. Quiet agreement
B. Lack of interest or concern
Passage Summary:
An editorial argues against increasing standardized testing in schools, stating it narrows curriculum focus, causes stress among students and teachers, and fails to measure deeper thinking skills. The writer acknowledges that accountability is necessary but proposes portfolio-based assessments as an alternative.
Question:
How does the writer strengthen their argument?
A. By focusing only on emotional appeals
B. By ignoring opposing viewpoints
C. By acknowledging a counterargument and offering an alternative
D. By using vague language and personal anecdotes
C. By acknowledging a counterargument and offering an alternative
5. Which statement best describes a key difference in the use of evidence between Passage 1 and Passage 2?
A. Passage 1 relies on personal anecdotes, while Passage 2 cites scientific studies.
B. Passage 1 uses expert and scientific evidence to appeal to logic, while Passage 2 relies more on practical concerns and everyday reasoning to appeal to the reader’s sense of realism.
C. Passage 1 and Passage 2 both ignore counterarguments and focus solely on emotional appeals.
D. Passage 1 presents evidence that is mostly hypothetical, while Passage 2 uses hard statistical data.
B. Passage 1 uses expert and scientific evidence to appeal to logic, while Passage 2 relies more on practical concerns and everyday reasoning to appeal to the reader’s sense of realism.