Inferences
Which inference about Cyro is supported by the information in paragraph 6?
[6] Although some islanders consider the language to be a novelty, others embrace el Silbo. A young islander named Cyro is one of the few whistlers who learned the language directly from his parents instead of in school. His family eventually left the island to find jobs and lead new lives in a more modern place. Cyro left too but made his way back home to La Gomera. “After being away for eight years, I decided to come back,” Cyro explains. “I like being in nature. I like my animals and my whistle. And here I will stay, because the island needs me.” Cyro loves whistling to communicate. He whistles with his friends and with his animals, a flock of playful goats. He is especially proud that his goats recognize his whistle. Cyro is helping to keep the tradition of el Silbo alive.
F He is using the language of his ancestors in new ways.
G Islanders see him as a role model for young people.
H He uses the language of his ancestors to entertain tourists.
J He thinks preserving his heritage is more important than living in a modern place.
J He thinks preserving his heritage is more important than living in a modern place.
Reasoning: In paragraph 6, the author explains how Cyro and his family left La Gomera to “find jobs and lead new lives,” but Cyro eventually returned home to the island. Cyro states that he will remain on La Gomera because “‘the island needs me.’” Based on this information, the reader can infer that for Cyro, living in a more modern place is not as important to him as preserving his heritage.
What do the stage directions in line 12 help the reader understand?
SACAGAWEA: (Stares, nods to herself . . . and points.) That way. If you follow that path, you’ll save two days travel time.
A Sacagawea’s familiarity with the area
B Why the Corps wants to find the Shoshoni
C Sacagawea’s feelings about her native land
D Why the Corps needs to save time
A Sacagawea’s familiarity with the area
Reasoning: In the stage directions in line 12, there is a description of Sacagawea nodding and pointing out the direction in which the group should travel. Based on these stage directions, the reader can infer that Sacagawea is familiar with the area.
The author includes the information in paragraph 5 most likely to —
[5] Besides the optimistic message, the simple design and understated tone of the poster helped lead to its popularity and marketability. Because it was cheap to reproduce and easy to customize, many companies capitalized on the appeal of the catchy slogan. The motto became trendy and could be spotted on mugs, T-shirts, and mouse pads.
F explain the origin of the Keep Calm motto
G describe how products with the Keep Calm motto are made
H express an opinion about the popularity of the Keep Calm motto
J offer reasons why the Keep Calm motto has become so widespread
J offer reasons why the Keep Calm motto has become so widespread
Reasoning: In paragraph 5, the author offers reasons for the popularity of the poster, such as the “optimistic message, the simple design and understated tone” and the fact that it is “cheap to reproduce and easy to customize.”
Lake’s Promise by Joyce Sidman
I am the lake. I wait for you
with cool, blue arms and silver face.
My wavelets lap, my pebbles gleam
where once you left your barefoot trace.
5 Out in the world, you grow, you change;
you lead your busy life apart
while here, the stillness folds and sinks
around my deep, unchanging heart.
Return to me and I will wash
10 your cares from you, O restless one.
Return from hurry, clash, and noise
to drink the air and taste the sun.
Floating free in dizzy rings
of clouds and sky, of fir and moss,
with mystery beneath your back,
you’ll find whatever you have lost.
The title of the poem most likely refers to the lake’s promise to provide —
F knowledge
G entertainment
H forgiveness
J peace
J peace
Reasoning: The lake tells the listener “I will wash/your cares from you” (lines 9–10) and encourages the listener to “Return from hurry, clash, and noise” (line 11). The lake’s promise to provide peace can be inferred from these lines.
El Silbo has a history that reaches back for many generations. No one is certain of its origin. Some speculate that it began as a northern African language. Historians do know that the whistled language was used by the original inhabitants of the island. When the Spanish explorers arrived during the 1500s and 1600s, they adopted the language and el Silbo was widely spoken for centuries after.
Which phrase from paragraph 2 helps the reader understand the meaning of speculate?
F El Silbo has a history
G for many generations
H No one is certain
J the original inhabitants
H No one is certain
Reasoning: In paragraph 2, the author explains that “No one is certain” of the origin of el Silbo. The reader can determine based on the context that speculate means to suppose or guess.
What is the most likely reason the author includes the interaction between Noi and Ting in paragraphs 13 and 14?
[13]Kun Ya handed Ting the elephant umbrella. Ting stood up and twirled the umbrella overhead as she skipped around the clearing, her movements light and strong. “Look, Noi, the elephant is dancing!”
[14] Noi laughed.
F To show that the sisters are becoming bored with their individual tasks
G To emphasize that Kun Ya made a mistake when painting the elephant
H To reveal the playful bond that the sisters share with each other
J To suggest that Ting wants to paint an elephant on an umbrella
H To reveal the playful bond that the sisters share with each other
Reasoning: In paragraphs 13 and 14, Ting twirls an umbrella while she skips around the clearing, making her sister Noi laugh. The author includes this information to reveal the “playful bond that the sisters share with each other.”
What does the conversation in lines 19 through 26 reveal about Charbonneau?
19 CHARBONNEAU: Sir, I hate to be the bearer of bad news—
20 CLARK: Of course you do.
21 CHARBONNEAU: Our canoes are overturning. The tow ropes are breaking—
22 CLARK: I know.
23 CHARBONNEAU: You, yourself, sir, are injured—our trade goods and powder and medicine are wet and damaged—
24 CLARK: And is any of this going to improve by your constant moaning about it?
25 CHARBONNEAU: Somebody’s got to tell the truth, sir! We can’t go on like this!
26 CLARK: Are you suggesting we turn back? And are you going to be the one to face President Jefferson and tell him we were wet and cold and tired and so we came home?
F Charbonneau has not told Clark what he is really thinking.
G Charbonneau disagrees with the decisions being made by Clark.
H Charbonneau does not think Clark knows that their equipment is failing.
J Charbonneau knows the rest of the crew feels the same way about Clark.
G Charbonneau disagrees with the decisions being made by Clark.
Reasoning: In the conversation in lines 19 through 26, the playwright reveals that Charbonneau disagrees with Clark’s decisions. Charbonneau tells Clark about all the problems the Corps is facing, and how they “can’t go on like this!” Clark, on the other hand, insists that the group continue with their journey.
What is the most likely reason the author included the information in paragraph 6?
[6] One of the best things about ADs is that their source is reliable. Every meal, whether it’s eaten in a restaurant or at home, results in some food waste. Fortunately much of that garbage can be turned into a valuable raw material for making biofuel. Thus, the waste is no longer wasted.
F To suggest that it is difficult to collect food waste
G To argue that food waste is a growing problem
H To highlight that food waste is a renewable and useful resource
J To reveal that food waste is difficult to control
H To highlight that food waste is a renewable and useful resource
Reasoning: The author included the information most likely to highlight that food waste is a renewable and useful resource. The author explains that the source for anaerobic digesters is “reliable” because people will always produce food waste and “valuable” because it can be used as “raw material for making biofuel.”
What is the most likely reason the poet repeats the word “Return” in lines 9 and 11?
Lines 9-12
Return to me and I will wash
10 your cares from you, O restless one. Return from hurry, clash, and noise
to drink the air and taste the sun.
A To show that the listener has forgotten the lake
B To emphasize that the lake has unrealistic expectations
C To suggest that the lake will always be there for the listener
D To explain the listener’s relationship with the lake
C To suggest that the lake will always be there for the listener
Reasoning: In both lines 9 and 11, the poet repeats the word “Return,” suggesting that though the listener is away, “the lake will always be there for the listener” when he or she comes back.
Read this information about the roots of the word translucent.
from Latin trans, meaning “through” + lucere, meaning “to shine”
Based on this information, what does the word translucent mean in paragraph 10?
[10] All morning, Noi and Ting had opened the umbrellas, getting them ready for Kun Ya’s brush. They pushed the fretwork of bamboo slivers up the bamboo pole until the silk bloomed into translucent flowers of pinks, greens, purples.
A Providing shade from the light
B Supplying a steady source of light
C Becoming fragile in the light
D Allowing light to enter
D Allowing light to enter
Reasoning: In paragraph 10, Noi and Ting open umbrellas, causing the silk to bloom “into translucent flowers of pinks, greens, purples.” Based on the context in the paragraph and the Latin roots, opening the umbrellas allows light to shine through, or enter, the umbrellas.
Read this quotation from paragraph 9 of the selection “A Legacy of Stone.”
“Whatever your age, whatever you wish to achieve, if you are courageous, persistent, and hardworking, you are sure to succeed.”
What can the reader infer from this quotation?
F Cheval did not realize it would take him 33 years to complete his project.
G Cheval is surprised that his interest in rocks led him to create a masterpiece.
H Cheval had specific traits that helped him achieve his goal.
J Cheval is an independent artist and did not want others to help him.
H Cheval had specific traits that helped him achieve his goal.
Reasoning: In paragraph 9, the author explains how “Cheval’s uniqueness helped him single-handedly create a marvel beyond duplication.” Although Cheval was “Untrained in architecture or construction,” he was able to achieve his goal because he was “‘courageous, persistent, and hardworking.’”
In paragraph 23, how do Kun Ya’s comments influence Noi?
[23] “Your trembling is good, Noi,” said Kun Ya. “That’s the way the butterfly moves. Let the movement spread to your whole body, not just your fingers. Paint with all of you. Become the butterfly.”
A Kun Ya’s comments cause Noi to lose focus and start to daydream.
B Kun Ya’s comments give Noi confidence and guidance as she paints.
C Kun Ya’s comments make Noi think about how Kun Ya paints butterflies.
D Kun Ya’s comments urge Noi to use a technique that she finds uncomfortable.
B Kun Ya’s comments give Noi confidence and guidance as she paints.
Reasoning: In paragraph 23, Kun Ya tells Noi that her “‘trembling is good’” and gives her advice on how to paint a butterfly. Kun Ya’s comments guide Noi and give her confidence as she paints, and in paragraph 24, Noi comes to an instant understanding of the meaning of Kun Ya’s advice.
Read this sentence from paragraph 24.
"The flit of the butterflies moved into her, then out into the brush, so the paint seemed to lay itself down."
Why does the author use figurative language in this sentence?
F To show the way Noi captures the motions of a butterfly in her painting
G To explain why Noi is able to paint a butterfly without looking at her brush
H To suggest that Noi allows a butterfly to land on her as she paints its image
J To emphasize how Noi uses simple strokes to paint an image of a butterfly
F To show the way Noi captures the motions of a butterfly in her painting
Reasoning: Figurative language is language that uses words that mean something different from the literal interpretation. In paragraph 24, the author compares the movements of Noi’s hand holding the paintbrush to the flit of a butterfly, showing how Noi captures the motions of a butterfly in her painting.
Read lines 5 and 6.
Out in the world, you grow, you change;
you lead your busy life apart
What do these lines reveal about the lake?
F The lake is proud of how mature the listener has become.
G The lake understands that the listener has other priorities.
H The lake cannot relate to the listener as time passes.
J The lake is upset about having missed parts of the listener’s life.
G The lake understands that the listener has other priorities.
Reasoning: In lines 5 and 6, the lake acknowledges that visitors “grow” and “change” when they are “Out in the world” and realizes that the listener leads a “busy life” when “apart” from the lake. The reader can conclude that the lake understands that the listener has other priorities in addition to visiting the lake.
What does the word prolonged mean in paragraph 1 of the selection “A Legacy of Stone”?
[1] Art can come in many forms and from many places. Sometimes it can be created quickly, and other times its creation requires a prolonged effort. Over a century ago, a mail carrier named Ferdinand Cheval began a masterpiece that took over 33 years to complete. Inspiration
A Working with inspiration
B Continuing for an extended time
C Presenting a large problem
D Moving a great distance
B Continuing for an extended time
Reasoning: In paragraph 1, the author says about art that “Sometimes it can be created quickly, and other times its creation requires a prolonged effort.” The contrast between “created quickly” and “a prolonged effort” can be used as context to determine that the meaning of prolonged is “Continuing for an extended time.”
Which conclusion is supported by the information in paragraph 3 of the selection “Trees Rise in the Desert”?
[3] Sawadogo patiently explained that rain would come eventually. When it did, most of it would run off of the ground’s surface, which was baked hard as concrete. But in his field, the zaïs would catch and hold much more of the precious water than the dry ground could alone. Moisture would linger longer underground through the dry season. The damp, rich compost would continue to nourish his sprouting crops and the small trees he planted. Sawadogo said that in 20 years’ time, he could visualize a lush, green field and forest taking place of the rocky, barren desert. Zaï farming was really an old method that Africans had used long ago, Sawadogo said. It had worked once; perhaps it was time to try it again.
F People are eager to try new ways to farm.
G The desert landscape naturally encourages plant growth.
H Zaï farming is the only successful way to prevent desertification.
J It can be helpful to look to the past for answers.
J It can be helpful to look to the past for answers.
Reasoning: The conclusion that looking to the past for answers can be helpful is supported by the information in paragraph 3. Sawadogo explains to the other villagers that “Zaï farming was really an old method that Africans had used long ago,” and that “It had worked once; perhaps it was time to try it again.”
What does the figurative language in paragraph 15 help the reader understand about the flower?
[15] There, in a shaft of the wan afternoon sunlight, was a single bloodred blossom.
A It stands out in its surroundings.
B It prefers to grow in the shade.
C It is a color that is difficult to describe.
D It is growing poorly in the greenhouse.
A It stands out in its surroundings.
Reasoning: Imagery is the use of vivid language to represent objects, actions, or ideas. The author uses this type of figurative language to contrast the flower’s “bloodred” color against the “wan” sunlight to emphasize that the blossom is bright and bold and stands out in its surroundings.
Read line 33.
(And suddenly the group finds themselves surrounded by silhouettes and the sound of voices—horses—rising like a tidal wave around them.)
What does the author’s use of simile help emphasize?
F The strategy that Lewis and Clark created to deal with a threat to their crew
G The overwhelming experience of being approached by the Shoshoni warriors
H The eagerness of the Shoshoni warriors to reconnect with a tribe member
J The extreme effects that being in the wilderness have on Lewis and Clark
G The overwhelming experience of being approached by the Shoshoni warriors
Reasoning: A simile is a figure of speech in which two objects are compared using the word “like” or “as.” In the simile in line 33, the author compares the rising sound of being surrounded by the Shoshoni warriors to that of a tidal wave, which would be an “overwhelming experience.”
What does the poet’s use of the phrase “where once you left your barefoot trace” in line 4 prompt the listener to think about?
A Memorable times the listener has spent at the lake
B The specific features of the lake that humans enjoy
C Others who have visited the lake before the listener
D The damage that humans have done to the lake
A Memorable times the listener has spent at the lake
Reasoning: With the phrase “where once you left your barefoot trace,” the poet invites the listener to think about a special time experienced at the lake. The listener once walked barefoot around the “wavelets” and “pebbles” of the lake (line 3).
What is the meaning of profusion as it is used in paragraph 13?
[13] It was like walking into another world. A hot, moist world exploding with greenery. Huge flat leaves, delicate wisps of tendrils, ferns and fronds and vines of all shades and shapes grew in seemingly random profusion.
A Height
B Color
C Abundance
D Purpose
C Abundance
Reasoning: The meaning of profusion is closest to the word “abundance.” In paragraph 13, the author explains that the greenhouse was “exploding with greenery” and that there were plants “of all shades and shapes.” The use of these phrases gives the reader the idea that the greenhouse was overflowing with an abundance of plants.
Read line 8.
around my deep, unchanging heart.
What does this line suggest about the lake?
F The lake has lost something it dearly loved.
G The lake will continue to care for its visitors.
H The lake feels a sense of loneliness.
J The lake is angry at the world.
G The lake will continue to care for its visitors.
Reasoning: The description of the lake in line 8 is used to suggest that the lake “will continue to care for its visitors.” Although people may change, the lake waits with an “unchanging heart” for visitors to return.
Based on the way the Keep Calm motto continues to be received by the public, the reader can conclude that the motto has a —
[3] But how did the phrase on this poster become a worldwide motto that has been imitated, reproduced, and printed on just about every imaginable item that can be sold? Manley’s poster began attracting the attention of customers in his shop, so he printed copies of the poster to sell. After he advertised the poster in a national newspaper, sales skyrocketed. Soon other companies began to sell products bearing the slogan.
[4] It is difficult to identify exactly why the Keep Calm and Carry On motto has become popular. Shortly after the poster made its appearance in 2000, the world suffered an economic downturn, and morale was once again low. People were in need of something to boost their spirits, just as the people of England needed encouragement during World War II. The saying “Keep Calm and Carry On” seems to be the ideal slogan to bring courage and hope to people. Manley’s wife, Mary, commented, “I do think it’s kind of helped people in a way. It’s a great slogan. You can apply it to any kind of stress you’re under. . . . It is a great poster—great graphic, simple design.”
A strong ability to encourage people with its optimistic message
B historical significance that people appreciate
C serious quality that people find comforting
D unique ability to unite different generations
A strong ability to encourage people with its optimistic message
Reasoning: The reader can conclude that the motto has a strong ability to encourage people with its optimistic message. When contemplating the reason for the motto’s popularity, the author states, “The saying ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ seems to be the ideal slogan to bring courage and hope to people.”
What is the author’s purpose in the selection “Trees Rise in the Desert”?
[1] The villagers laughed as they watched their neighbor, farmer Yacouba Sawadogo, digging dozens of holes in the rock-hard soil of his field. Each pit (or zaï, as Sawadogo called them) was about a foot wide and eight inches deep. The people laughed even harder when he began filling each hole with a mixture of cattle manure, leaves, and any other organic material he could find. Finally, he carefully buried seeds in each compost bed. “Do you actually expect those seeds to grow without water?” someone called.
[2] It was 1980, and Burkina Faso was suffering a ten-year drought. Here in this semiarid region between the Sahara Desert and the rain forests of West Africa, water was always scarce. Now it was almost nonexistent. Like other neighboring countries, Burkina Faso was suffering from desertification. This involves a drying, hardening, and eroding of the soil that is overfarmed, overgrazed, and overpopulated.
[3] Sawadogo patiently explained that rain would come eventually. When it did, most of it would run off of the ground’s surface, which was baked hard as concrete. But in his field, the zaïs would catch and hold much more of the precious water than the dry ground could alone. Moisture would linger longer underground through the dry season. The damp, rich compost would continue to nourish his sprouting crops and the small trees he planted. Sawadogo said that in 20 years’ time, he could visualize a lush, green field and forest taking place of the rocky, barren desert. Zaï farming was really an old method that Africans had used long ago, Sawadogo said. It had worked once; perhaps it was time to try it again.
[4] But his neighbors still scoffed. What did Sawadogo know?
[5] To the amazement of many, Sawadogo was right. Today his patch of green forest grows in the midst of a desert. Slowly over the years, many of those who laughed at their neighbor have now joined him. More and more fields in West Africa are being rescued from desertification using Sawadogo’s zaï and other water harvesting processes. Sawadogo travels all over the region and spreads the message of how zaï farming can transform the landscape and save lives. He knows there is hope for a brighter future.
A To highlight the desert lifestyle of Sawadogo and his people
B To show people how to plant forests using zaï farming
C To explain the different steps involved in zaï farming
D To describe how Sawadogo found a way to improve desert land
D To describe how Sawadogo found a way to improve desert land
Reasoning: In paragraph 2, the author explains, “Burkina Faso was suffering a ten-year drought” in 1980. In paragraph 3, the author includes information about how Sawadogo dug small pits called zaï that would catch water, allowing a “lush, green field and forest” to take the place of a “rocky, barren desert.” Describing Sawadogo’s method for improving desert land is the author’s purpose for writing the selection.
Read line 16.
you’ll find whatever you have lost.
What does this line suggest about the lake?
A The lake has kept the listener’s possessions safe.
B The lake thinks that the listener is careless.
C The lake wants to remind the listener of a time when life was more simple.
D The lake hopes the listener will remember how to get back to the water.
C The lake wants to remind the listener of a time when life was more simple.
Resoning: In line 16, the lake tells the listener “you’ll find whatever you have lost,” and based on the context in the rest of the poem, the lake is referring to the listener losing a time when life was simpler and the listener had time to walk barefoot and float “free in dizzy rings/of clouds and sky, of fir and moss” (lines 13–14).
The word accumulate comes from the Latin cumulus, which means “a pile.” What does accumulated in paragraph 9 mean?
[9] To a chickadee, body fat is fuel. Since they don’t have crops in which they can store food to eat later, they must eat enough each day to survive the long, 18-hour night. By feasting on fatty foods, chickadees can increase their body weight by about 8 to 10 percent—which would be like a 100-pound kid gaining 8 to 10 pounds in one day. Increasing their body fat during the day is like stoking the fire before going to bed. Throughout the night chickadees burn their recently accumulated fat, and by the next morning, none is left.
A Lost
B Awakened
C Warmed
D Gathered
D Gathered
Reasoning: In paragraph 9, it is explained that “chickadees burn their recently accumulated fat.” The fat that the birds use to keep warm at night is collected, or “gathered,” throughout the day.