Vocabulary in Context
What is the definition of “tote” as used in Paragraph 2? (The Shells of Sanibel Island)
A transport
B bag
C heave
D strap
A transport
According to the article, how can someone get their picture in the local newspaper? (The Shells of Sanibel Island)
A if they collect the most shells
B if they find a junonia
C if they discover a new shell
D if they find a lightning whelk
B if they find a junonia
Which shell is the most popular on Sanibel Island? (The Shells of Sanibel Island)
A lightning whelk
B banded tulip
C junonia
D true tulip
C junonia
What can the reader infer about the culture of shelling on Sanibel Island?
A. Shelling is a casual, occasional hobby for most locals.
B. Only tourists collect shells, while locals avoid the beaches.
C. Shelling is highly competitive and taken very seriously by many.
D. Most people find the same kinds of shells with little effort.
C. Shelling is highly competitive and taken very seriously by many.
What’s the smartest first move when beginning a multiple-choice reading test?
A. Start with the longest passage to get it over with
B. Skim the answer choices before reading
C. Read the questions first, then read the passage
D. Read the passage carefully before looking at questions
D. Read the passage carefully before looking at questions
Which is a definition of the word “subject” as used in Paragraph 6? (The Shells of Sanibel Island)
A a topic being discussed
B a person being discussed
C to cause or force
D to be concerned
C to cause or force
According to the article, how can you spot someone new to shell hunting? (The Shells of Sanibel Island)
A They ask many questions.
B They collect too many shells.
C They use a flashlight to find shells.
D They use free hotel bags to collect shells.
D They use free hotel bags to collect shells.
According to the author, what helps Sanibel attract a variety of shells? (The Shells of Sanibel Island)
A the temperature
B the currents
C the sand
D the sail boats
B the currents
Which helped Angela succeed?
A a map of the beach and a good breakfast
B an early start and a light on her hat
C a shell detector and a large scoop
D a black mesh bag and a good luck charm
B an early start and a light on her hat
What should you do if you’re stuck between two answer choices?
A. Pick the one that “sounds” better
B. Choose C — it’s usually right
C. Go back to the passage and find text evidence
D. Leave it blank and come back later
C. Go back to the passage and find text evidence
“Belonging to the volute family of shells, the junonia is the most coveted seashell.” What does the word “coveted” mean? (The Shells of Sanibel Island)
A decorated
B delicate
C desired
D desolate
C desired
Which action could result in a fine on Sanibel Island? (The Shells of Sanibel Island)
A going on the beach before sunrise
B sending a shell to the newspaper
C keeping an occupied shell
D stepping on a sea urchin
C keeping an occupied shell
What is the author’s purpose for writing the article? (The Shells of Sanibel Island)
A to persuade readers to visit Sanibel Island
B to share information about shells on Sanibel Island
C to entertain readers with a narrative about a shelling trip
D to explain the difference between the two types of tulip shells
B to share information about shells on Sanibel Island
What is the overall text structure used in the passage “The Shells of Sanibel Island”?
A. Description – The author gives detailed information about shells, locations, and behaviors
B. Compare and Contrast – The author shows how different shells are similar and different
C. Chronological Order – Events are explained in the order they happened
D. Cause and Effect – The author explains why shelling laws are enforced on the island
A. Description – The author gives detailed information about shells, locations, and behaviors
Which answer choice is most likely to be wrong?
A. One that includes extreme words like “always” or “never”
B. One that uses words from the passage
C. One that seems longer than the others
D. One that sounds kind of boring
A. One that includes extreme words like “always” or “never”
Which statement BEST supports the meaning of the word "tote"? (The Shells of Sanibel Island)
A An hour or so before sunrise . . .
B . . . you will find dedicated shellers scanning the shores with flashlights
C Part of the island runs east and west, creating a long south-facing beach . . .
D Some participants carry the standard black fishnet bags to collect the shells . . .
D Some participants carry the standard black fishnet bags to collect the shells . . .
Which statement from the article is an opinion? (The Shells of Sanibel Island)
A Sanibel Island, located in Florida’s Southwest Gulf Coast . . .
B Part of the island runs east and west . . .
C Lightning whelks grow up to 16 inches long and were used by early island natives for tools.
D People are also thrilled when they find tulip shells.
D People are also thrilled when they find tulip shells.
According to the author, what advantage does Sanibel have over other popular shelling beaches? (The Shells of Sanibel Island)
A The parking is free.
B The temperature is warm all year.
C They have the largest variety of shells.
D They have the most experience shell hunters.
C They have the largest variety of shells.
According to Angela, which are the best conditions for shell hunting?
A high temperatures and soft sand
B after a storm and during sunset
C during low tide and after a full moon
D deserted beaches and high tide
C during low tide and after a full moon
What’s a good way to save time and still be accurate?
A. Skim all the questions and answer what you know first
B. Skip the directions since you already know what to do
C. Pick answers quickly so you can finish early
D. Guess randomly on hard questions
A. Skim all the questions and answer what you know first
Which excerpt helps define the word “coveted”? (The Shells of Sanibel Island)
A There is no disputing which shell . . .
B . . .is the most sought after on the island.
C Its milky chamber is covered with brown spots...
D Shellers who find a junonia on Sanibel get their pictures in the local newspaper.
B . . .is the most sought after on the island.
“Shelling on this island is serious business. An hour or so before sunrise, you will find dedicated shellers scanning the shores with flashlights, hoping to find a rare shell.” What is emphasized with the metaphor in this excerpt? (The Shells of Sanibel Island)
A the dedication of the shell hunters
B when the shell hunters begin their hunt
C how the shell hunters find shells
D the rarity of the shells found
A the dedication of the shell hunters
Which central idea is shared by “The Shells of Sanibel Island” and “A Treasure is Found”?
A Sanibel is one of the best shelling beaches in the world.
B A woman found a very rare shell on Sanibel Island.
C The junonia is a rare and much-desired shell.
D A woman started a Web site about shells.
C The junonia is a rare and much-desired shell.
What information was gained in “A Treasure is Found” that was not found in “The Shells of Sanibel Island”?
A Tulip shells come in two varieties.
B Junonia have brown spots.
C Whelks can grow up to 16 inches long.
D Junonia are a species of sea snails.
D Junonia are a species of sea snails.
Why is annotating a passage an effective strategy during a reading test?
A. It allows you to paraphrase the text so you don’t have to reread it later
B. It helps track key ideas, author’s techniques, and potential evidence for questions
C. It helps you summarize the entire passage word for word
D. It guarantees you’ll choose the correct answer on inference questions
B. It helps track key ideas, author’s techniques, and potential evidence for questions