Questions from rough draft of a student's letter
"America's Best Girl"
Questions from "Pandora's Cell Phone"
Questions from "Cowgirl Hall of Fame"
Miscellaneous
100

Question 7: Read the paragraph below. 

"Just as an example, my older brother Rob, who graduated last year, took several of the arts and crafts courses. He got interested, so he took elective art classes his junior and senior years. The teachers thought he was talented, and he’s now majoring in art in college. Without the enrichment classes to get him interested, this wouldn’t have happened."

Where in the passage can this paragraph best be inserted?

A. between the first and second paragraphs

B. between the second and third paragraphs

C. between the fourth and fifth paragraphs

D. before the last paragraph




What is answer B, "Between the second and third paragraphs?"

100

Question #16: Read this sentence from the passage. 

The phoneless classroom has been the status quo for nearly all of human history-surely it will not hurt anyone to maintain it.

What does the phrase status quo describe in the sentence?

What is answer B, the existing state of affairs, as in the normal culture of a society.

100

Question #36

Read this outline from paragraph 5. Then place the phrase that best completes the outline.

IV. O'Keefe becomes a cowgirl

     A. Born in Wisconsin

           1. Raised on a dairy farm

            2. Familiar with farm life

    B. Moves to Amarillo

           1. Art teacher

           2. ____________

     C. New Mexico


Moves to New York City

Paints the landscape

Depicts cottonwoods

Hall of Fame Induction

 What is "Depicts cottonwoods"

100

Question 14: To request feedback on her performance, Suzanne prepared a questionnaire to distribute to the audience at the end of her oral presentation. Select all the questions that would generate constructive criticism.

A. Did you like the presentation?

B. What was the presenter's topic?

C. Was the information clearly organized?

D. Was the presenter an effective speaker?

E. Did the presenter choose an appropriate topic?

What are Answers C, D, E

200

Question 8: Which sentence, if placed before sentence 6 at the beginning of third paragraph, would create the best transition between Paragraphs 2 and 3?

A. The benefits of these classes do not stop there, however.

B. There are several possibilities for finding these classes.

C. Parents profit from enrichment classes, too.

D. Enrichment classes are not difficult to schedule.


What is "Answer A", The benefits of these classes do not stop there, however"?

200

Question #17: Read this sentence from paragraph 3.

Proponents of phones might suggest limiting use to certain features or applications.


Which word is closest in meaning to proponents?

What is answer C, supporters

200

Question #15: Read the following sentence. What is the connection between the color and the wavelength of light?

Which two bibliographical sources would most likely help a student answer this question?

A. Color Theory and Home Decorating and A Feng Shui Guide to Colorizing Your Home

B. Hawaii Tides: A Surfer's Dream and Hangtime: Maximize Your Wave Potential

C. Light and Shadow: An Introduction to Particle Physics and Spectrum: Color Theory for Beginners

D. A Guide to Understanding Color Blindness and Can My Dog Read?: A Collection of Children's Stories

What is answer C, Light and Shadow: An Introduction to Particle Physics and Spectrum: Color Theory for Beginners

300

Question 11: Read the sentence from the letter.

(19) It would be a mistake to drop  such a valuable program without searching for new ways to obtain the funds necessary to maintain it.

Which word best replaces the underlined word in the sentence to match the overall style of the report?

A. Finish

B. Discontinue

C. Throw away

D. Give up

What is answer B, "Discontinue"

300

Question #18: Read this sentence from the passage.

Texts, voices, and information fly out in a mêlée of cellular energy,

What does the word mêlée mean in the sentence?

What is answer C, "A confused jumble, like a battle among many fighters."

300

Question #35: What is the main idea of this passage on pages 26 and 27?

What is answer B, "Route 66 is an important part of American culture.
400

Question #10: Read the sentence from the letter.

(17) People at Collier High School are really crazy about the afterschool enrichment program.

How should this sentence be rewritten to best match the overall tone of the report?


A. Lots of people at Collier High School like the afterschool enrichment program.

B. Most people at Collier High School are big fans of the afterschool enrichment program.

C. The afterschool enrichment program is important to many people at Collier High School.

D. The afterschool enrichment program is awesome for the people at Collier High School.

What is Answer C, "The afterschool enrichment program is important to many people at Collier High School"

400

Question #19: Read this sentence from paragraph 3: "Imagine a classroom with many students all carrying cell phones; it is as if all the people they can text message or email or access through a web search have come to school with them."

Which best describes how this sentence strengthens the author's argument?


What is answer B, "By using a striking image to help the reader visualize the problem."

400

Question #38

Which piece of information would most improve this report?

A. a photograph of Patsy Cline

B. a graph of annual visitor statistics

C. a list of all the inductees and their professions

D. a sketch of Martinez's "Jar with Feathers"

What is answer C, A list of all the inductees and their professions.

400

Question #33: Which word from Document A comes from a Latin root meaning "to see?"

What is answer D, "video"

500

Question 1: 

Read the outline of the letter below. Put the information that would best complete the outline.

Thesis: After-school enrichment programs benefit students and parents, and funding for these programs may be available.

  1. Benefits for Students
    1. Positive group experiences
    2. Class credits
    3. _______________
    4. Non-standard educational opportunities
      1. Foreign languages
      2. Sports activities
  2. Benefits for Parents
    1. Peace of mind
    2. Ease of arrangements
  3. Funding Solutions
    1. Class and lab fees
    2. Scholarships from local businesses
    3. Advertising sales


What is "eligibility for upper-level electives"?

500

Question #34: What is most likely the author's purpose for writing "America's Best Girl"?

A. To inspire readers with a story of a difficult challenge.

B. To entertain readers with a humorous account of an amusing tale.

C. To instruct readers in how to swim across the English Channel.

D. To warn readers about the dangers of swimming in rough waters.

What is answer A, "to inspire readers with a story of a difficult challenge."

500

Question #20: Which best describes how the author organizes the ideas in the passage?

What is answer A, "By describing the problems cell phones cause in schools and then offering a solution."

500

Question #39: Read the sentence.

The cowgirl spirit is not just part of the past, but lives on today.

Where would the sentence best be added to Paragraph 2 of the report?

A. after sentence 4

B. after sentence 5

C. after sentence 6

D. after sentence 7

What is answer D, after sentence 7"