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Main Idea and Details
Scope and Informational Text
Informational Text Structures
Grammar
Miscellaneous
100
Stuart had at least an hour before his report was due. After six weeks of work, he was finally finished. What a sense of accomplishment he had! He hadn't felt this way since his softball team had won the championship. Stuart had already printed out the report and checked it for errors. All he had left to do was attach a cover and deliver it. He was filled with relief. Stuart was proud that he had completed a task he had initially thought impossible. Six weeks had not seemed like enough time. Yet, he had done it! By finishing his report, Stuart realized that he could do anything he set his mind to. 1. Which answer choice best states the main idea of the selection? A. Stuart finished his report an hour before it was due. B. Stuart completed the challenging task of writing his report. C. Stuart worked on his report for six weeks. D. Stuart felt relieved after completing his report.
B. Stuart completed the challenging task of writing his report.
100
It was a cold, icy day in January of 1848. James Marshall, a carpenter from New Jersey, was building a sawmill for John Sutter, an immigrant from Switzerland who had bought a large tract of land in California in the hopes of establishing an agricultural empire there. Digging a trench by the American River, whose waters were to power the sawmill, Marshall and his crew unexpectedly found a few nuggets of what looked like gold. Marshall brought the nuggets to Sutter, who performed a simple test with nitric acid that showed the nuggets were pure gold. Though the two men tried to keep the discovery secret, word of it spread. Soon the hills above the American River were dotted with tents and cabins where the first of thousands of prospectors came looking for gold. By 1849 there were over 40,000 people mining for gold in the region, and thousands of others were there to feed, clothe, and house the miners. They trampled Sutter’s crops, stole his livestock, and generally made life so difficult that he and his family were forced to give up their land and resettle in Pennsylvania. Though some struck it rich in California, John Sutter died in near poverty. Which answer choice best identifies the scope of ideas in the article? A. It gives a broad overview of the California Gold Rush and its effects. B. It focuses on the effects of the California Gold Rush and says little about the discovery of the gold. C. It focuses on the discovery of gold on John Sutter's land and its effects on Sutter himself. D. It focuses on the discovery of gold in California and says little about the effects of the discovery.
C. It focuses on the discovery of gold on John Sutter's land and its effects on Sutter himself.
100
Which type of organization would most likely be used in an article entitled "The Life Cycle of a Butterfly"? A. cause and effect B. chronological C. comparison and contrast D. problem and solution
B. chronological
100
What is the direct object in the following sentence? Every day, Mrs. Terrell gives her students quality work. a. Mrs. Terrell b. gives c. students d. work
d. work
100
___________________. Many children begin learning to play football when they are very young. You often can see them playing at school or in the streets around their houses. In high school, students may play football for a team and compete in tournaments. If a player is very good, he might go on to play for a professional team. People in my country love to watch football on T.V. and also go to games whenever they can. Many people have a favorite team or player, and everyone loves to talk about matches and competitions. Football is really like a national sport in my country. a. I love to play football, and I hope I can become a professional player one day. b. There are many popular sports in my country, but the most popular sport is football. c. Football is a difficult sport to learn to play well. d. Not everyone likes watching football matches.
b. There are many popular sports in my country, but the most popular sport is football.
200
Stuart had at least an hour before his report was due. After six weeks of work, he was finally finished. What a sense of accomplishment he had! He hadn't felt this way since his softball team had won the championship. Stuart had already printed out the report and checked it for errors. All he had left to do was attach a cover and deliver it. He was filled with relief. Stuart was proud that he had completed a task he had initially thought impossible. Six weeks had not seemed like enough time. Yet, he had done it! By finishing his report, Stuart realized that he could do anything he set his mind to. Which of these details best supports the main idea of the selection? A. Stuart printed out the report and checked it for errors. B. Stuart needed to attach a cover. C. Stuart worked for six weeks on his report. D. Stuart still had to deliver the report.
C. Stuart worked for six weeks on his report.
200
It was a cold, icy day in January of 1848. James Marshall, a carpenter from New Jersey, was building a sawmill for John Sutter, an immigrant from Switzerland who had bought a large tract of land in California in the hopes of establishing an agricultural empire there. Digging a trench by the American River, whose waters were to power the sawmill, Marshall and his crew unexpectedly found a few nuggets of what looked like gold. Marshall brought the nuggets to Sutter, who performed a simple test with nitric acid that showed the nuggets were pure gold. Though the two men tried to keep the discovery secret, word of it spread. Soon the hills above the American River were dotted with tents and cabins where the first of thousands of prospectors came looking for gold. By 1849 there were over 40,000 people mining for gold in the region, and thousands of others were there to feed, clothe, and house the miners. They trampled Sutter’s crops, stole his livestock, and generally made life so difficult that he and his family were forced to give up their land and resettle in Pennsylvania. Though some struck it rich in California, John Sutter died in near poverty. How is the information in the selection presented? A. It is organized according to geographic locations. B. It is told from several different points of view. C. It is dramatized using eyewitness quotations. D. It is related in chronological order.
D. It is related in chronological order.
200
Which type of organization would be most effective in describing how green plants use photosynthesis to convert sunlight and carbon dioxide into food? A. problem and solution B. cause and effect C. order of importance D. comparison and contrast
B. cause and effect
200
Which of these sentences contains an indirect object? a. Jimmy ate pizza for lunch today. b. My mother wore the most beautiful gown to go to the party. c. I cannot believe you are going to see that terrible movie with your family. d. I handed my mother the movie tickets before going in to the theater.
d. I handed my mother the movie tickets before going in to the theater.
200
_________________________________. When Ken wanted to enter a good university, he had to study hard to pass the examination. The first time he took the exam, he did not do well, and he felt very discouraged. But he knew he wanted to study at that university, so he studied more. The next year, he tried to take the exam again. The second time, he did very well, and now he is studying engineering. I believe Ken is a good role model for me, and he has taught me that never giving up is the best way to succeed. a. It is important to go to a good college. b. One of my closest friends, named Ken, is a person I can trust. c. My friend Ken is a very successful student. d. I admire my friend Ken because he doesn’t give up.
d. I admire my friend Ken because he doesn’t give up.
300
Stuart had at least an hour before his report was due. After six weeks of work, he was finally finished. What a sense of accomplishment he had! He hadn't felt this way since his softball team had won the championship. Stuart had already printed out the report and checked it for errors. All he had left to do was attach a cover and deliver it. He was filled with relief. Stuart was proud that he had completed a task he had initially thought impossible. Six weeks had not seemed like enough time. Yet, he had done it! By finishing his report, Stuart realized that he could do anything he set his mind to. Which of these details seems least relevant to the main idea of the selection? A. Stuart worked for six weeks on the report. B. Stuart felt relieved that he had finally finished the report. C. Stuart felt proud to have completed a task he initially thought impossible. D. Stuart felt good when his softball team won the championship.
D. Stuart felt good when his softball team won the championship.
300
It was a cold, icy day in January of 1848. James Marshall, a carpenter from New Jersey, was building a sawmill for John Sutter, an immigrant from Switzerland who had bought a large tract of land in California in the hopes of establishing an agricultural empire there. Digging a trench by the American River, whose waters were to power the sawmill, Marshall and his crew unexpectedly found a few nuggets of what looked like gold. Marshall brought the nuggets to Sutter, who performed a simple test with nitric acid that showed the nuggets were pure gold. Though the two men tried to keep the discovery secret, word of it spread. Soon the hills above the American River were dotted with tents and cabins where the first of thousands of prospectors came looking for gold. By 1849 there were over 40,000 people mining for gold in the region, and thousands of others were there to feed, clothe, and house the miners. They trampled Sutter’s crops, stole his livestock, and generally made life so difficult that he and his family were forced to give up their land and resettle in Pennsylvania. Though some struck it rich in California, John Sutter died in near poverty. Which would be the best source to use to confirm the accuracy of most of the information in the selection? A. a California newspaper written in 1850 B. a novel about the California Gold Rush C. a speech given by a California politician in 1847 D. a collection of charts showing changes in the American River
A. a California newspaper written in 1850
300
Which answer choice is most likely to be the title of a comparison-and-contrast essay? A. How Dolphins Evolved B. Structural Differences Among Types of Dolphins C. How Dolphins Move Through Water D. Why Dolphins Get Caught in Nets
B. Structural Differences Among Types of Dolphins
300
Which word in the following sentence is an adverb? Wild animals are very cautious when they sense the presence of human beings. A. wild B. very C. cautious D. presence
C. cautious
300
As early as 1744, a popular book described a game called baseball. In that game, a pitcher threw a ball to a batter, who attempted to hit the ball with a bat that had a flat end. A catcher stood behind the batter. If the batter hit the ball, he ran to a base and back again to score a point. The bases were marked with posts, rather than the modern-day bags, and the pitcher threw the ball underhand. Baseball has not always existed in the same way, however. In 1828, another book described a game called rounders that was very much like modern baseball. It had a diamond-shaped infield and a base on each corner. A batter was out after three strikes. If he hit a pitch, he could run. A fielder who caught the ball could throw out the runner by throwing the ball and hitting him with it. What is the topic sentence of the second paragraph of this passage? A. In 1828, another book described a game called rounders that was very much like modern baseball. B. It had a diamond-shaped infield and a base on each corner. C. A batter was out after three strikes. D. A fielder who caught the ball could throw out the runner by throwing the ball and hitting him with it.
A. In 1828, another book described a game called rounders that was very much like modern baseball.
400
As early as 1744, a popular book described a game called baseball. In that game, a pitcher threw a ball to a batter, who attempted to hit the ball with a bat that had a flat end. A catcher stood behind the batter. If the batter hit the ball, he ran to a base and back again to score a point. The bases were marked with posts, rather than the modern-day bags, and the pitcher threw the ball underhand. Baseball has not always existed in the same way, however. In 1828, another book described a game called rounders that was very much like modern baseball. It had a diamond-shaped infield and a base on each corner. A batter was out after three strikes. If he hit a pitch, he could run. A fielder who caught the ball could throw out the runner by throwing the ball and hitting him with it. Which answer choice best states the main idea of these two paragraphs? A. Baseball was played with a flat bat; rounders was played with a round bat. B. Baseball has grown in complexity over the years. C. A game called baseball was played as early as 1744; a game called rounders, more similar to modern baseball, was played in 1828. D. Baseball can trace its origins back to a game played as early as 1744.
C. A game called baseball was played as early as 1744; a game called rounders, more similar to modern baseball, was played in 1828.
400
Emily Dickinson is considered one of America’s greatest poets, but few of her poems were published in her lifetime. Born in 1830, Dickinson grew up in Amherst, Massachusetts, and attended school there and in nearby Holyoke. She was no doubt familiar with other popular New England writers of her day, especially Ralph Waldo Emerson. Dickinson had a fairly normal social life until she reached her mid-twenties, after which she rarely left the home she inherited from her parents. Instead, she seems to have been able to understand the world better by viewing it from a distance. With a sharp eye and keen intellect, she pondered nature, friendship, love, and death in poems of powerful simplicity. Only about seven were published during her lifetime, all without her consent. When she died in 1886, relatives found over 1500 more of Dickinson’s poems, many of them written on napkins and slips of paper neatly tied up with ribbons. What does this biographical essay emphasize? A. Emily Dickinson’s childhood and adolescence B. Emily Dickinson’s love of nature C. Emily Dickinson’s family love and other personal relationships D. Emily Dickinson’s odd habits and her writing career
D. Emily Dickinson’s odd habits and her writing career
400
Almost everybody loves pizza, but try to get a group of people to agree on a pizza order and you’ll quickly find that not everybody likes their pizza the same way. Perhaps such disagreements led to the many distinct pizza styles that can currently be found in America. These pizza styles are currently categorized by region and three of the most popular pizza styles are the New York-style, the Chicago-style, and the Detroit-style. All of these pizza styles contain dough, sauce, cheese, and other toppings, but it’s the way that these ingredients are utilized that gives them their unique regional flair. The New York-style pizza is thin. New York-style slices are cut into large triangles that can be folded and this pizza is commonly sold by the slice. Chicago-style pizza is marked by its deep dish crust, which can be up to three inches tall at the edge. Toppings are heavily applied to these pizzas, as is characteristic of the style, and they are generally sold as whole pies rather than slices. Then there’s the Detroit-style pizza, which is not circular like the Chicago and New York-style pizzas, but square like the Sicilian-style pizzas. The Detroit-style pizza is similar to the Chicago-style pizza in that these pizzas both have thick crusts, but the Detroit-style pizza is twice-baked, giving it a chewy crust that is crispy around the edges. Pizza styles in America may vary greatly by region, but they are all delicious if you ask me. The above text uses a _______________ structure. a. Description/spatial b. Compare-contrast c. Problem-solution d. Cause-effect e. Chronological
b. Compare-contrast
400
What question does the adverb in this sentence answer? Mrs. Lorenzo sang joyfully in the choir. A. when? B. where? C. in what manner? D. to what extent?
C. in what manner?
400
Which of these makes the best thesis statement? a. Some of the major causes behind common diseases in the United States can be traced to three main factors: poor diet, lack of exercise, and smoking. b. What are some of the main causes behind many of our diseases in the United States today? c. This essay examines some of the major causes behind many of our diseases in the United States today. d. There are many causes of disease in the United States in the modern world.
a. Some of the major causes behind common diseases in the United States can be traced to three main factors: poor diet, lack of exercise, and smoking.
500
As early as 1744, a popular book described a game called baseball. In that game, a pitcher threw a ball to a batter, who attempted to hit the ball with a bat that had a flat end. A catcher stood behind the batter. If the batter hit the ball, he ran to a base and back again to score a point. The bases were marked with posts, rather than the modern-day bags, and the pitcher threw the ball underhand. Baseball has not always existed in the same way, however. In 1828, another book described a game called rounders that was very much like modern baseball. It had a diamond-shaped infield and a base on each corner. A batter was out after three strikes. If he hit a pitch, he could run. A fielder who caught the ball could throw out the runner by throwing the ball and hitting him with it. Which of the following might be the main idea of an essay containing these two paragraphs? A. Games similar to modern baseball have been played for over 200 years. B. There are many different types of baseball. C. Modern baseball has been around for several hundred years. D. Modern baseball is a slower game than it was in its earlier variations.
A. Games similar to modern baseball have been played for over 200 years.
500
Emily Dickinson is considered one of America’s greatest poets, but few of her poems were published in her lifetime. Born in 1830, Dickinson grew up in Amherst, Massachusetts, and attended school there and in nearby Holyoke. She was no doubt familiar with other popular New England writers of her day, especially Ralph Waldo Emerson. Dickinson had a fairly normal social life until she reached her mid-twenties, after which she rarely left the home she inherited from her parents. Instead, she seems to have been able to understand the world better by viewing it from a distance. With a sharp eye and keen intellect, she pondered nature, friendship, love, and death in poems of powerful simplicity. Only about seven were published during her lifetime, all without her consent. When she died in 1886, relatives found over 1500 more of Dickinson’s poems, many of them written on napkins and slips of paper neatly tied up with ribbons. Based on this selection, what can you conclude about Emily Dickinson? A. She was talented but modest. B. She was a lifelong snob. C. She was clever but mean. D. She was warm and outgoing.
A. She was talented but modest.
500
Jimmy’s pizzeria is my favorite pizza place in the city, but you wouldn’t be able to tell that just by looking at the outside. It is an inconspicuous brown brick building. It doesn’t even have a sign, just the name of the establishment in three-inch letters on the storefront window. The inside isn’t much to speak of either. There are some chrome swivel stools along a laminate countertop that makes an L shape, separating the register and kitchen area from the dining area. Booth seating lines the eating area of the restaurant area and a few favorable reviews from local publications are framed and displayed on the walls. Yeah, the aesthetics of the place are a little underwhelming, but forget the scenery. I go to Jimmy’s for the pizza. The above text uses a __________________ structure. a. Description/spatial b. Compare-contrast c. Problem-solution d. Cause-effect e. Chronological
a. Description/spatial
500
Which of the following sentences contains a linking verb? a. Kyle seems kind and gentle, though he does not always work as hard as he should. b. The dog ate all my homework, I swear! c. I considered the matter carefully, and then decided to go to the party after all. d. I ran home from school so that I could make dinner.
a. Kyle seems kind and gentle, though he does not always work as hard as he should.
500
Which of the following makes the best thesis statement? a. Even though marriage is a strong and respected institution in Russia, more and more people are choosing to live together before marriage, due to financial challenges, family problems, and social pressure. b. I am going to explain why many couples in Russia are choosing to live together rather than get married. c. Marriage in Russia. d. Marriage is a useful institution, especially in Russia, yet many people are choosing not to get married until after they have lived together.
a. Even though marriage is a strong and respected institution in Russia, more and more people are choosing to live together before marriage, due to financial challenges, family problems, and social pressure.