Read the sentence below. **Hint** (Idiom-Phrase with a figurative meaning different from its literal words)
Caroline's fingers itched to try out the new tool.
How does the author's use of idioms in the sentence achieve a specific purpose?
A. It conveys Carolina’s eagerness to use the tool.
B. It emphasizes that Caroline is thankful that she received the tool.
C. It suggests that Caroline is nervous about handling the tool.
D. It indicates Caroline’s surprise at the size of the tool.
A. It conveys Carolina’s eagerness to use the tool.
What central argument does the author build throughout the excerpt?
A. Humans should not be involved in animal conservation projects.
B. Balancing human needs with the needs of wildlife is complicated and sometimes requires compromise.
C. Scientists always make the best decisions when it comes to protecting endangered species.
D. Elderly people should not live near wildlife conservation sites.
B. Balancing human needs with the needs of wildlife is complicated and sometimes requires compromise.
What effect does the final paragraph have on the author’s argument?
A. It shifts the text into a fictional story.
B. It weakens the argument by siding entirely with the scientists.
C. It reinforces the idea that humans must sometimes balance compassion for people with responsibility to the planet.
D. It concludes that wildlife conservation is impossible.
C. It reinforces the idea that humans must sometimes balance compassion for people with responsibility to the planet.
In paragraph 3, how does the author use an expository technique to help the reader understand the work of Operation Migration?
A. By describing the cranes’ personalities in detail
B. By sharing Mrs. Gibbs’s emotional reaction to the birds
C. By presenting a set of facts about how the cranes were raised and trained
D. By comparing crane training to dog training
C. By presenting a set of facts about how the cranes were raised and trained
Read the sentence from paragraph 3 of the Excerpt from "The Book of Myths."
"Therefore Hope was thrust into the chest that held the evils, a star in a black night, a lily growing on a dung-heap."
How does the figurative language in the sentence contribute to the tone of the passage?
A. Through the use of metaphor, the language creates a reassuring tone that conveys the importance of optimism.
B. Through the use of simile, the language develops a fearful tone that emphasizes the danger of opening the chest.
C. Through the use of personification, the language creates a humorous tone that makes the evils seem less threatening.
D. Through the use of alliteration, the language develops a soft tone that suggests that the gods are weak.
A. Through the use of metaphor, the language creates a reassuring tone that conveys the importance of optimism.
Which word best completes the sentence?
The engineers continued working on the bridge ___ the weather conditions worsened, determined to meet the deadline.
A) although
B) nor
C) whether
D) because
A. Although
How does the author use background information about the whooping crane’s population decline?
A. To criticize historical record‑keeping
B. To show readers that the whooping crane was never truly endangered
C. To highlight why saving the species is urgent and worth major effort
D. To warn readers about other endangered species
C. To highlight why saving the species is urgent and worth major effort
What narrative techniques does Langston Hughes use to develop the plot in Thank You, Ma’am?
Answer Choices:
A) He uses flashbacks and dramatic irony to reveal Roger’s past mistakes.
B) He uses dialogue and characterization to show how trust and kindness transform Roger.
C) He uses satire and exaggeration to criticize society’s view of poverty.
D) He uses foreshadowing and symbolism to predict Roger’s future success.
B) He uses dialogue and characterization to show how trust and kindness transform Roger.
If he went into the pool at Jamie's party, he would surely embarrass himself in front of his entire seventh-grade class.
That night at dinner, Kyle explained his terrible predicament to his parents and sister.
Which word is closest to the meaning of the word predicament as used in the text?
A. Celebration, B. Love, C. Decision, D. Challenge
D. Challenge
Read the following sentence from paragraph 1 of “Security Overload."
“Suddenly, the attic lit up like the Fourth of July.”
How does the use of a simile contribute to the mood of the text?
A. It implies that the narrator feels calm and safe.
B. It emphasizes the seriousness of the situation.
C. It suggests that the attic is dark and quiet.
D. It conveys a sense of alarm and astonishment.
D. It conveys a sense of alarm and astonishment
How does the explanation of Operation Migration’s methods support the text’s purpose?
A. It entertains the reader with humorous stories about flying machines.
B. It shows how simple and inexpensive wildlife conservation can be.
C. It provides factual details that help readers understand the scientific challenge of keeping cranes wild.
D. It argues that the project was unnecessary and ineffective.
C. It provides factual details that help readers understand the scientific challenge of keeping cranes wild.
Hint ***Tone*** Poem: "On Turning Ten" by Billy Collins
In stanza 2, what tone does the poet establish when describing the speaker’s feelings about turning ten?
a. Indifferent, as the poet shows little emotional response to aging.
b. Joyful, as the poet celebrates the new opportunities of growing older.
c. Nostalgic, as the poet reflects on the innocence of earlier years.
d. Humorous, as the poet makes light of the changes that come with age.
c. Nostalgic, as the poet reflects on the innocence of earlier years.
Choose the correct word from each drop-down menu to correctly complete the sentences using subordinating conjunctions.
I still remember the first time I tried to swim. I stood at the edge of the pool, nervous and unsure. I took a deep breath and stepped into the water, holding onto the wall _______ I could get used to the feeling. I stayed near the edge_______ I felt ready to try swimming on my own.
Answer Choices: Because, while, until, so that, before
So that & Until
Read the sentence from paragraph 7 of "Security Overload."
“Carly just frowned at me and slowly backed toward the attic door as I grasped the knob of my own personal Pandora’s box.”
Based on its part of speech, what is the meaning of the word grasped in this sentence?
A. suddenly understood
B. held firmly
C. a solid handshake
D. ability to control
B. held firmly
A student is writing a research report about how social media affects teen mental health. The student wants to answer the following question:
What impact does frequent social media use have on anxiety and self-esteem among teenagers?
Select the TWO most credible sources the student should use to gather relevant information to answer the research question:
A) A scholarly study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health examining correlations between social media use and anxiety
B) A YouTube influencer’s video sharing personal tips for “feeling confident online”
C) A report from the American Psychological Association summarizing research on social media and mental health
D) A Reddit discussion where teens share their experiences with social media
A & C
What narrative technique is used when the author describes the Gibbses sitting on their porch drinking tea?
A. Foreshadowing
B. Characterization that builds empathy
C. Flashback
D. Dialogue that reveals hidden motives
B. Characterization that builds empathy
***Hint: Mood*** Poem: "On Turning Ten."
Which statement best describes the mood created throughout the poem?
a. Confident, as the poet expresses certainty about the future.
b. Optimistic, as the poet looks forward to the responsibilities of adulthood.
c. Playful, as the poet jokes about the challenges of growing older.
d. Somber, as the poet emphasizes the loss of childhood wonder.
D. Somber, as the poet emphasizes the loss of childhood wonder.
In the paragraph explaining Mrs. Gibbs’s refusal to remove the feeders, how does the author use narrative detail to support the idea that her choice is emotionally complex?
A. By revealing that her husband’s condition makes the cranes his only joyful connection
B. By describing the cranes as noisy and disruptive
C. By comparing her to other neighbors
D. By criticizing her understanding of science
A. By revealing that her husband’s condition makes the cranes his only joyful connection
Read this sentence from paragraph 3 of "Paper Newspapers May Be Greener Than You Think."
The wood chips gleaned from natural forests for making paper are gathered as a by-product of lumber production.
Which word in the sentence helps the reader understand the meaning of gleaned?
A. natural
B. making
C. gathered
D. production
C. gathered
Why does Greta emphasize that “the science has been crystal clear for more than 30 years”?
A. To show that science is unpredictable
B. To highlight climate change
C. To suggest that scientists are confused
D. To argue that leaders have ignored long‑standing warnings
D. To argue that leaders have ignored long‑standing warnings
How does the author use the conflict between Mrs. Gibbs and the scientists?
A. To show that the cranes were dangerous to local residents
B. To prove that Operation Migration was poorly organized
C. To argue that elderly people should not interact with wildlife
D. To illustrate the emotional and ethical tension between human needs and conservation goals
D. To illustrate the emotional and ethical tension between human needs and conservation goals
In paragraph 2, how does the author use an expository technique to support the idea that the whooping crane was in danger of disappearing?
A. By quoting a scientist who loves birds
B. By describing a fictional crane character
C. By listing population numbers that show a dramatic decline
D. By explaining how cranes migrate in winter
C. By listing population numbers that show a dramatic decline
Read the paragraph from a student's draft. The student wants to vary sentence structure using participles. Select the sentence to fill in the blank that correctly uses a participial phrase.
Composting is an easy way to reduce household waste. It turns food scraps into nutrient-rich soil for gardens. ____________________________ Composting helps keep landfills from overflowing.
A. People compost food scraps to reduce household waste.
B. Filled with vegetable peels and coffee grounds, compost bins create rich soil for plants.
C. To reduce household waste, people compost food scraps.
D. People who compost food scraps help keep landfills from overflowing.
B. Filled with vegetable peels and coffee grounds, compost bins create rich soil for plants.