Informational Text: Key Ideas
Based on the passage, the reader can conclude that —
A. figure skating jumps depend mostly on natural talent
B. scientific principles influence how skaters move through the air
C. gravity affects skaters only at the end of a jump
D. air resistance has little effect on athletic performance
B. scientific principles influence how skaters move through the air
Paragraph 2 is mostly about —
A. the danger of skating jumps
B. how skaters train for jumps
C. how energy changes during a jump
D. why gravity is unavoidable
C. how energy changes during a jump
Which literary device is MOST evident in the line “I saw the water bend—”?
A. Personification
B. Imagery
C. Metaphor
D. Hyperbole
B. Imagery
At the end of the poem, the pebble —
A. disappears completely
B. changes the stream’s direction
C. remains near the edge
D. breaks apart over time
C. remains near the edge
Which sentence is a compound sentence?
A. I tossed a pebble toward the stream, and it vanished in the flow.
B. Tossing the pebble, it vanished quickly.
C. I tossed a pebble because I was bored.
D. The pebble vanished near the edge.
A. I tossed a pebble toward the stream, and it vanished in the flow.
According to the passage, which TWO factors directly affect a skater’s movement while airborne?
A. The angle of takeoff
B. The surface of the ice
C. Air resistance
D. Costume weight
E. Crowd noise
A. The angle of takeoff
C. Air resistance
What text structure does the author use to explain how takeoff angle affects movement?
A. Chronological order
B. Cause and effect
C. Compare and contrast
D. Problem and solution
B. Cause and effect
What does the pebble MOST LIKELY symbolize in the poem?
A. A careless mistake
B. A forgotten memory
C. A small action with lasting consequences
D. A natural obstacle
C. A small action with lasting consequences
Which theme is BEST supported by the poem?
A. Nature cannot be controlled
B. Actions may have lasting effects, even if unseen
C. Time erases all mistakes
D. Silence is more powerful than sound
B. Actions may have lasting effects, even if unseen
Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?
A. The pebble landed near the bank.
B. Shimmering in the light, the stream moved slowly.
C. After tossing the pebble, I walked away.
D. Walking along the bank, the water shimmered quietly.
D. Walking along the bank, the water shimmered quietly.
Which idea from the passage BEST explains why skaters must carefully control their jumps?
A. Energy shifts during motion, affecting height and rotation
B. Skaters rely on instinct rather than training
C. Gravity works differently on ice
D. Spins occur only at the peak of the jump
A. Energy shifts during motion, affecting height and rotation
Which sentence BEST supports the idea that physics helps skaters improve performance?
A. “Figure skating blends athletic skill with physics.”
B. “Skaters train to find the ideal balance.”
C. “Air resistance also affects movement, especially during spins.”
D. “The physics behind skating jumps shows how scientific principles directly shape athletic performance.”
D. “The physics behind skating jumps shows how scientific principles directly shape athletic performance.”
How does the poet’s use of rhyme contribute to the poem’s mood?
A. It creates tension by interrupting the rhythm
B. It creates humor through exaggerated sounds
C. It creates a calm, reflective mood through consistency
D. It creates confusion by changing patterns
C. It creates a calm, reflective mood through consistency
How is the theme developed across both stanzas?
A. By repeating the same action without change
B. By showing the pebble’s effect over time
C. By contrasting human effort with nature
D. By focusing on conflict
B. By showing the pebble’s effect over time
Which word is closest in meaning to vanished as used in the poem?
A. Exploded
B. Disappeared
C. Drifted
D. Sank
B. Disappeared
What inference can be made about a skater who launches at a shallow angle?
A. The skater will rise higher before landing
B. The skater may not have enough time to complete rotations
C. The skater will experience less gravity
D. The skater’s kinetic energy will increase after landing
B. The skater may not have enough time to complete rotations
How does the example of skaters pulling their arms inward support the author’s explanation?
A. It shows that skaters imitate one another
B. It illustrates how reducing resistance increases rotation speed
C. It emphasizes the difficulty of skating
D. It explains why jumps are unpredictable
B. It illustrates how reducing resistance increases rotation speed
Which line BEST supports the reflective tone of the poem?
A. “I tossed a pebble toward the stream,”
B. “It vanished in the flow,”
C. “Years went by, and walking there,”
D. “No splash remained”
C. “Years went by, and walking there,”
Why does the poet shift from the present moment to “years went by”?
A. To surprise the reader
B. To introduce a new setting
C. To emphasize long-term consequences
D. To create suspense
C. To emphasize long-term consequences
Which revision BEST corrects a run-on sentence?
A. Add a comma
B. Add a conjunction or period
C. Remove descriptive language
D. Repeat the subject
B. Add a conjunction or period
Why does the author MOST LIKELY include explanations of energy, angle, and air resistance?
A. To argue that skating is more difficult than other sports
B. To explain how scientific concepts shape athletic success
C. To persuade readers to study physics
D. To describe the history of figure skating
B. To explain how scientific concepts shape athletic success
How does the final paragraph contribute to the overall meaning of the passage?
A. It introduces new scientific terms
B. It summarizes earlier examples without explanation
C. It reinforces the central idea by connecting science to performance
D. It shifts focus away from skating
C. It reinforces the central idea by connecting science to performance
How does the poet’s word choice help develop the poem’s meaning?
A. It emphasizes speed and action
B. It focuses on danger and loss
C. It highlights quiet moments and long-term impact
D. It exaggerates the pebble’s importance
C. It highlights quiet moments and long-term impact
Which detail BEST supports the poet’s perspective?
A. “It vanished in the flow”
B. “No splash remained”
C. “I saw the water bend—”
D. “The stone still resting near the edge”
D. “The stone still resting near the edge”
Why might the poet choose short lines instead of longer ones?
A. To increase speed
B. To emphasize reflection and pacing
C. To create confusion
D. To build suspense
B. To emphasize reflection and pacing