Verbals & Modifiers
Read the sentence.
Swimming across the lake requires strong endurance.
What type of verbal is the word swimming?
A. participle
B. gerund
C. infinitive
D. verb
B. gerund
Read this sentence from paragraph 2.
The new design is amazingly brilliant and far better than the old one.
Which phrase gives this statement a subjective point of view?
A. new design
B. far better
C. old one
D. design is
B. far better
Which best describes an example of alliteration in the poem?
A. strong and steady as stone
B. bridge across the unknown
C. safe as daylight
D. I could build a bridge
A. strong and steady as stone
Which corrects a spelling error in sentence 5?
"In recent years, researchers have discovered knew species of frogs and insects."
a) knew → new
b) species → spesies
c) researchers → reseachers
d) discovered → discovred
c) researchers → reseachers
Read the following sentence from paragraph 1.
Skipping across the yard, the puppy happily bumped into visitors with his fuzzy paws.
What kind of tone is created by the words skipping, happily, and fuzzy?
A. fearful
B. playful
C. formal
D. urgent
B. playful
Which revision to sentence 8 best corrects a misplaced modifier?
Original:
Walking through the museum, the paintings amazed the visitors.
A. Walking through the museum, the visitors were amazed by the paintings.
B. Walking through the museum, the paintings were amazing.
C. The paintings walking through the museum amazed visitors.
D. The museum walking amazed the visitors.
A. Walking through the museum, the visitors were amazed by the paintings.
Which of the following indicates that the selection is written from an objective point of view AND why?
A. The bridge is obviously the most beautiful structure in the city.
B. Many people feel the bridge is boring and plain.
C. The bridge was completed in 1924 and spans 2,100 feet.
D. I think the bridge should be replaced.
C - because it is simply factual with no opinions or biased vocabulary
Read lines 5–8
If I could build a single bridge
As strong and as steady as stone,
As wide and as safe as daylight,
Across the unknown.
What is the impact of the repetition of the word “as” in lines 6 and 7?
A. It creates comparison and emphasis
B. It shows confusion
C. It changes the speaker
D. It adds dialogue
A. It creates comparison and emphasis
The word cooperate is formed from the Latin prefix co-, which means “with” or “together,” and the root operate, meaning “to work.” Using this information helps the reader understand that the word cooperate means what?
A. to work alone
B. to work against
C. to work together
D. to stop working
C. to work together
Which line from the selection contributes to the lighthearted mood, and how?
A. “The clouds darkened and the wind began to howl.”
B. “The kitten tumbled into a pile of leaves and chased its tail.”
C. “The warning siren sounded across the valley.”
D. “The door slowly creaked open.”
B. “The kitten tumbled into a pile of leaves and chased its tail.
Read the sentence.
The coach encouraged the team to practice daily.
What type of verbal phrase is to practice?
A. gerund phrase
B. participial phrase
C. infinitive phrase
D. verb phrase
C. infinitive phrase
A claim must always be:
a) A statement of fact.
b) Something you can prove with reasons or evidence.
c) A question.
d) A personal opinion with no support.
b) Something you can prove with reasons or evidence.
If I could catch the morning light,
I’d hold it close, both soft and bright.
Bright like the stars that shine at night,
I’d whisper to the wind, whisper to the wind,
And trade my worries for a gentle flight.
What is the poet likely trying to convey with the imagery of holding morning light and whispering to the wind?
a) A sense of fear and danger
b) A desire for calm, peace, and escaping worries
c) A focus on darkness and sadness
d) Confusion about nature
b) A desire for calm, peace, and escaping worries
The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.
The elder warned the travelers to stay on the path. They pledged to follow his guidance.
Part A
Using context, choose the most likely meaning of the word pledged.
A. forgot
B. promised
C. questioned
D. avoided
Part B
Which context clue best supports the answer to Part A?
A. warned
B. travelers
C. follow his guidance
D. stay on the path
A. promised
D. stay on the path
The took his guidance and promised to stay on the path.
Which of the following best explains how the magical qualities of the setting affect the plot for the sentence below?
A hidden mountain cave glows at night and gives wisdom to anyone who enters.
A. The glowing cave allows the hero to gain knowledge needed to solve the conflict.
B. The mountain blocks the hero’s path and ends the journey.
C. The cave frightens the villagers and causes them to leave.
D. The setting has no effect on the events.
A. The glowing cave allows the hero to gain knowledge needed to solve the conflict.
Read the sentence.
Exhausted from the climb, the hikers rested beside the trail.
What is the function of Exhausted from the climb?
A. It acts as a noun.
B. It describes the hikers.
C. It shows the action.
D. It renames the subject.
B. It describes the hikers.
Which central idea is introduced by the heading “Rainforest Life”?
a) How people travel to the rainforest
b) The variety of plants and animals in the rainforest
c) The history of the rainforest
d) The climate of desert regions
b) The variety of plants and animals in the rainforest
If I could catch the morning light,
I’d hold it close, both soft and bright.
Bright like the stars that shine at night,
I’d whisper to the wind, whisper to the wind,
And trade my worries for a gentle flight.
Which word or phrase is repeated in the poem, and what effect does the repetition have?
a) “Bright like the stars”
b) “Whisper to the wind”
c) “Morning light”
d) “I’d hold it close”
b) “Whisper to the wind”
Passage:
"The explorer was undaunted by the treacherous cliffs, navigating the jagged terrain with careful precision. Despite the peril, she continued her ascent, determined to reach the summit and document the uncharted region."
Based on the context, what does the word “undaunted” most likely mean?
a) Afraid or hesitant
b) Not discouraged or fearless
c) Confused or unsure
d) Exhausted or weak
b) Not discouraged or fearless
Read the following sentences.
Recent studies show that urban trees can lower city temperatures by several degrees (Green City Institute).
Why does the author include a reference to a source “(Green City Institute)” at this point in the selection?
A. To add humor
B. To show the information comes from a reliable source
C. To share a personal opinion
D. To introduce a character
B. To show the information comes from a reliable source
Read the sentence.
Running is my favorite way to relax.
Which statement is true about the word running?
A. It is the main verb.
B. It is a gerund acting as a noun.
C. It is a participle describing relax.
D. It is an infinitive.
B. It is a gerund acting as a noun.
"Plastic pollution in the ocean has increased dramatically in the past decades, harming marine life such as turtles, fish, and seabirds. Microplastics can enter the food chain, eventually affecting humans. Reducing plastic waste, improving recycling programs, and promoting sustainable alternatives are all strategies that communities and governments are using to combat this problem."
Question 2:
Which central idea is most clearly supported by the paragraph?
a) Ocean pollution has no long-term effects on humans.
b) Combating ocean pollution requires coordinated efforts from individuals, communities, and governments.
c) Only animals are harmed by ocean pollution.
d) Plastic pollution is decreasing naturally over time.
b) Combating ocean pollution requires coordinated efforts from individuals, communities, and governments
If I could catch the morning light,
I’d hold it close, both soft and bright.
Bright like the stars that shine at night,
I’d whisper to the wind, whisper to the wind,
And trade my worries for a gentle flight.
What is the central theme of the poem?
a) The importance of exploring nature carefully.
b) Finding peace and comfort in small, beautiful moments.
c) The challenges of dealing with darkness and fear.
d) The power of friendship to overcome obstacles.
b) Finding peace and comfort in small, beautiful moments
Read the following sentence.
Although the canyon appeared barren at first glance, a closer inspection revealed a surprisingly verdant network of mosses, vines, and shaded pools thriving beneath the cliffs.
Using context, what is the most likely meaning of the word verdant?
A. dry and rocky
B. green and full of plant life
C. dangerous and unstable
D. hidden and underground
B. green and full of plant life
Read the following sentence from paragraph 3.
Even after failing three times, Lila kept rebuilding her invention until it finally worked.
Which statement best expresses a theme suggested by this sentence?
A. Inventions are difficult to build.
B. Failure always happens first.
C. Persistence leads to success.
D. Tools are important for inventors.
C. Persistence leads to success.