Mood & Tone
The wind howled outside the windows, rattling the glass. Trees bent, and leaves swirled across the yard. Mia shivered and pulled her jacket tighter. Shadows stretched across the walls, and every creak of the floorboards sounded loud. She hugged her dog close and peered out the window nervously. Even the normally cozy living room felt frightening.
Which choice best describes how the author's use of language contributes to the overall mood of the excerpt?
A) Cheerful
B) Anxious
C) Peaceful
D) Excited
B) Anxious
You step into the kitchen and see a plate of cookies on the counter. The smell makes your mouth water. You reach for one, but just as you pick it up, someone calls your name. You turn and see your friend smiling, holding a glass of milk. You both laugh and enjoy the treat together. The warm sunlight from the window makes the kitchen feel cozy and inviting.
Which choice best identifies the point of view of the passage?
A) First person
B) Second person
C) Third person
D) Fourth person
B) Second person
Blake helped his elderly neighbor carry groceries every day. Even when he was tired from school, he offered to help her. She always thanked him warmly, which made him feel proud. He realized that even small actions could make a big difference in someone’s life. Over time, he became known as a thoughtful and helpful friend in his neighborhood. Helping others became a part of who he was.
Which lesson relating to character can be found in the passage?
A) Only family should help each other.
B) Laziness is acceptable.
C) Kindness is not necessary.
D) Helping others can have a positive impact.
D) Helping others can have a positive impact.
Passage 1:
"The park was quiet, with only the sound of leaves rustling in the breeze. A few people walked along the path, enjoying the serenity. The benches sat empty, and the pond reflected the cloudy sky."
Passage 2:
"The park was lively, filled with children playing and laughing. The air was filled with the sounds of joy and excitement. Families picnicked on the grass, and dogs ran freely."
Which two statements are true about both passages?
A) Passage 1 describes a quiet park; Passage 2 describes a lively park.
B) Both passages describe a quiet park.
C) Both passages describe a lively park.
D) Passage 1 describes a lively park; Passage 2 describes a quiet park.
Answer: A) Passage 1 describes a quiet park; Passage 2 describes a lively park.
Let’s go to the park said Mia.
Which is the best way to punctuate the sentence?
A) "Let’s go to the park," said Mia.
B) Let’s go to the park," said Mia.
C) "Let’s go to the park said Mia.
D) Let’s go to the park said Mia."
A) "Let’s go to the park," said Mia.
On a bright and sunny morning, the children raced to the park, laughing and shouting with joy. The air was fresh, and the birds sang sweetly in the trees. They played games and shared stories, basking in the warmth of the day. Everyone felt free and happy. The grass tickled their feet, and the warm breeze made them smile. They played until the sun began to set.
Which choice best describes how the author's use of language contributes to the overall mood of the excerpt?
A) Joyful
B) Sad
C) Angry
D) Scared
A) Joyful
I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside my window. The sunlight streamed in, casting a warm glow across my room. I stretched and yawned, feeling ready for the day. I thought about the plans I had with my friends and smiled. Breakfast smelled delicious, and I hurried to eat. I grabbed my backpack and headed out the door.
Which choice best identifies the point of view of the passage?
A) First person
B) Second person
C) Third person limited
D) Third person omniscient
A) First person
A group of students worked together to build a treehouse. They shared ideas, solved problems, and encouraged each other. Sometimes, disagreements slowed them down, but they learned to listen and compromise. In the end, the treehouse was strong and fun to play in. The children realized that teamwork made the project successful. They celebrated their accomplishment together.
Which lesson relating to collaboration can be found in the passage?
A) Teamwork helps achieve goals.
B) Working alone is best.
C) Conflicts cannot be solved.
D) Projects are too hard to complete.
A) Teamwork helps achieve goals
Passage 1:
"The river rushed over rocks, crashing loudly. Waves splashed, and the sound was deafening. Trees bent near the banks, and the water moved with power."
Passage 2:
"The river flowed slowly, the surface smooth and calm. Fish swam below, and the reflection of the sky shimmered. The gentle water lapped quietly against the shore."
Which two statements are true about both passages?
A) Passage 1 describes a fast river; Passage 2 describes a slow river.
B) Passage 1 is noisy; Passage 2 is quiet.
C) Both passages describe oceans.
D) Passage 1 and 2 describe still water.
Answer A and B
Jenna finished her homework ____ she went outside to play with her friends. She had been looking forward to the game all day.
Which choice best completes the sentence using a (temporal) conjunction?
Answer Choices:
A) after
B) and
C) but
D) because
A) after
She sat alone in the dimly lit room, staring at the clock as time seemed to crawl. The silence was deafening, broken only by the occasional creak of the old house settling. Her thoughts were heavy, filled with worry and uncertainty. She hugged her knees and whispered to herself, wishing the night would pass quickly. Even the cat, who usually purred, hid under the sofa. Every small noise made her jump.
Which choice best describes how the author's use of language contributes to the overall mood of the excerpt?
A) Hopeful
B) Lonely
C) Excited
D) Confused
B) Lonely
Alex walked nervously into the classroom. His palms were sweaty, and he tried to calm his racing heart. He glanced at the other students, who seemed confident. He whispered to himself, practicing what he would say. Every few seconds, he checked the clock, hoping the teacher would start soon. Alex tried to focus on his breathing, but the tension did not leave him.
Which choice best identifies the point of view of the passage?
A) Third person limited
B) Third person omniscient
C) Thirs person objective
A) Third person limited
Maria failed her first test and felt disappointed. Instead of giving up, she studied harder, reviewed her notes, and asked questions. She practiced problems every day and sought feedback from her teacher. Her persistence paid off, and she earned a good grade on the next test. Maria felt proud of her effort and realized that dedication could lead to success. She learned that mistakes were opportunities to grow.
Which lesson relating to perseverance can be found in the passage?
A) Persistence leads to improvement.
B) Giving up is acceptable.
C) Success comes without effort.
D) Failing is permanent.
A) Persistence leads to improvement
Passage 1:
"Anna was nervous about her first piano recital. She paced backstage and practiced quietly. Her hands shook, and she worried she might forget the notes. Every sound made her more anxious, and her friends tried to calm her."
Passage 2:
"Ben was excited for his first piano recital. He hummed the melody quietly, smiled at the audience, and felt ready. Every note made him happier, and he was proud of his practice."
Which lesson relating to change can be found in both passages?
A) Preparation affects confidence.
B) Happiness is constant.
C) Only nervousness matters.
D) Practice is unnecessary.
A) Preparation affects confidence.
“Do you want to go to the movies?” asked Tom. ____
Which version of sentence 6 provides the best transition from the dialogue to the action of the narrative?
A) Tom left.
B) Tom waited nervously. He asked again.
C) She shrugged.
D) Tom waited nervously as she thought about it.
D) Tom waited nervously as she thought about it.
The old library smelled of dust and worn books. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting long shadows on the wooden floors. The librarian moved quietly between the shelves, carefully placing books back in order. Occasionally, the soft rustle of pages turning broke the silence. Students whispered to one another as they studied, and the atmosphere felt calm and respectful. Even the ticking of the clock seemed gentle, marking time slowly.
Which choice best describes how the author's use of language contributes to the overall tone of the excerpt?
A) Frightening
B) Excited and energetic
C) Relaxed and peaceful
D) Sad and gloomy
C) Relaxed and peaceful
The students sat at their desks, facing the front of the classroom. The teacher wrote several problems on the whiteboard and stepped back. A pencil rolled off the desk, and someone picked it up. Papers shuffled quietly as students wrote answers. The clock ticked steadily on the wall. Two students raised their hands, and the teacher nodded at them. No one spoke aloud except to answer questions.
Which choice best identifies the point of view of the passage?
Third person objective
Every morning, Sofia walked past the same alley filled with graffiti and broken benches. Some people avoided it, whispering about danger, while others hurried through without noticing. One day, she saw a stray dog tangled in some wire. Without hesitation, she knelt down, untangling it carefully and leading it to safety. People who had passed by stopped to watch, some shaking their heads, others quietly smiling. Over the next weeks, the alley began to change—neighbors cleaned trash, painted over graffiti, and built small flower beds. Sofia never claimed credit, but the community slowly became a friendlier place.
What message is the author conveying?
One person’s actions can inspire positive change.
Passage 1:
"Nina carefully stacked firewood for the winter. Each piece took effort to lift and place in the pile. At first, she thought the work was too difficult, but as the pile grew, she felt satisfaction in what she had accomplished. When the first snow fell, she was grateful for the warmth the wood would provide."
Passage 2:
"Daniel trained for the school cross-country race. His legs ached during long runs, and he sometimes wanted to stop. But he continued to practice daily, gradually increasing his stamina and speed. On race day, he felt prepared and confident, finishing stronger than he ever had before."
Which lesson relating to effort and personal growth can be found in both passages?
A) It is better to avoid challenges than risk failure.
B) Success happens without preparation.
C) Hard work and dedication lead to meaningful results.
D) Only physical effort matters in achieving goals.
C) Hard work and dedication lead to meaningful results.
He couldn’t believe he had lost the keys he needed to start the car. ____
Which most effectively uses a transition to continue the narrative?
A) His frustration grew as he looked around the messy room.
B) He checked the couch cushions again, hoping they would turn up.
C) Suddenly, he remembered he had left them on the kitchen counter.
D) He sighed and wondered why this always happened to him.
C) Suddenly, he remembered he had left them on the kitchen counter.
The conference room was bright but oppressive, filled with the low hum of fluorescent lights. Papers were stacked meticulously on the polished table, yet the air felt thick with unspoken tension. Everyone shifted in their seats, eyes darting toward the clock every few seconds. The manager’s voice cut sharply through the murmurs, each word precise but measured, leaving no room for error. A faint tapping of a pen echoed louder than usual in the heavy silence. Despite the outward professionalism, an undercurrent of anxiety and unease permeated the room. No one dared speak first, and even a small cough seemed magnified.
Which choice best describes how the author's use of language contributes to the overall tone of the excerpt?
Options: Tense, on edge, anxious, nervous, or uneasy
Emma hesitated at the edge of the stage, her hands trembling as she looked out at the audience. She wished she could disappear, but she reminded herself of all the practice she had done. Behind her, Jake grinned confidently, unaware of his own nerves as he prepared for his solo. The teacher scanned the room, worrying that someone might forget their lines or lose focus. Meanwhile, the audience whispered among themselves, some curious, some bored. Emma took a deep breath, and Jake tightened his grip on the microphone, both determined to perform well despite their fear.
Which choice best identifies the point of view of the passage?
Third person omniescent
During the final minutes of the game, Oscar missed a crucial shot. His teammates stared silently, disappointed, and he felt the weight of letting everyone down. Later, in the locker room, the coach spoke about teamwork, practice, and resilience. Oscar listened carefully, realizing that one mistake didn’t erase all of his effort or dedication. Over the next weeks, he practiced harder, encouraged his teammates, and even helped new players learn drills. By the end of the season, the team had improved tremendously, and Oscar felt proud not because of a single victory, but because of how much they had grown together.
What are the two themes of the passage?
Learning from mistakes and working together leads to growth.
Passage 1:
"Every Saturday, Leo visited the local community garden. He planted seeds, watered the plants, and pulled weeds. At first, he was frustrated when his plants grew slowly or wilted in the heat. Over time, he learned which plants thrived and which needed extra care. Neighbors began stopping by, offering advice and sharing seeds. By the end of the season, the garden had grown into a lush space full of flowers and vegetables, enjoyed by everyone in the neighborhood."
Passage 2:
"Maya joined a reading program at the library, hoping to improve her skills. She struggled with difficult books and often wanted to quit. Each week, her mentor encouraged her to try again and guided her through the challenges. Gradually, Maya read more confidently and even helped younger children learn to read. By the end of the program, she had read dozens of books and felt proud of her progress and persistence."
Which two statements are true about both passages?
A) Both passages focus on the negative consequences of failure.
B) Both passages emphasize helping and learning from others.
C) Both passages show characters giving up when things are difficult.
D) Both passages show that persistence leads to improvement over time.
Answers B & D
Which choice shows the correct way to punctuate the sentence?
Answer Choices:
A) “I don’t know.” she whispered, glancing around the empty room, “If we should tell anyone about it.”
B) “I don’t know,” she whispered, glancing around the empty room, “if we should tell anyone about it.”
C) “I don’t know” she whispered glancing around the empty room “if we should tell anyone about it.”
D) “I don’t know,” she whispered glancing around the empty room. “If we should tell anyone about it.”
B) “I don’t know,” she whispered, glancing around the empty room, “if we should tell anyone about it.”