The Diary of Elizabeth Smith/ Oregon National Historic Trail
Read the sentences from the passage.
Made nine miles. Camped in thick woods. Found some grass. (paragraph 5)
How does the syntax used in these sentences reveal the author’s purpose for writing?
A. The author uses descriptive language to paint a detailed picture.
B. The author uses casual language to emphasize a sense of community.
C. The author uses clipped language to record basic facts of the journey.
D. The author uses dramatic language to create a sense of danger.
C. The author uses clipped language to record basic facts of the journey.
Read the sentence from the passage.
She began calculating the flight path, or trajectory path, for the rocket to put the first American in space in 1961. (paragraph 4)
Which word or phrase helps the reader understand the meaning of trajectory?
A. “calculating the flight”
B. “first American”
C. “for the rocket”
D. "space"
A. “calculating the flight”
How does the setting in the streets of London contribute to the development of Oliver’s character?
A. Oliver is shown to be easily embarrassed when he compares Charley Bates’s odd coat to the coats of other people in the street.
B. Oliver is revealed to be cowardly when he helps his companions steal from shopkeepers on the London streets.
C. Oliver is revealed to have moral values when he is upset at the way his companions behave as they move through the streets.
D. Oliver is shown to be uncaring when he ignores the poverty that he sees around him on the streets of London.
C. Oliver is revealed to have moral values when he is upset at the way his companions behave as they move through the streets.
Read the sentence from the passage.
“What was the young man’s name?” asked the conductor incredulously. (paragraph 7)
The word incredulously comes from the Latin prefix in-, meaning “not,” and the Latin root cred, meaning “believe.” Based on this, what does the author’s use of the word incredulously suggest about the conductor?
A. He feels that no one could be trusted.
B. He practices no particular faith.
C. He thinks Phil is not telling the truth.
D. He is telling Phil a lie.
C. He thinks Phil is not telling the truth.
How does the speaker use the opening paragraph of the speech to connect to the audience?
A. He addresses Americans directly.
B. He tells stories from his presidency.
C. He describes a presidential tradition.
D. He discusses his trip to Chicago.
A. He addresses Americans directly.
Read the paragraph from the passage.
My husband is sick. It rains and snows. We start around the falls this morning with our wagons. We have five miles to go. I carry my babe and lead, or rather carry another, through snow, mud, and water almost to my knees. It is the worst road a team could possibly travel. I went ahead with my children and I was afraid to look behind me for fear of seeing the wagons overturn into the mud and water with everything in them. My children gave out with cold and fatigue and could not travel, and the boys had to unhitch the oxen and bring them and carry the children on to camp. I was so cold and numb that I could not tell by the feeling that I had any feet. We started this morning at sunrise and did not camp until after dark, and there was not one dry thread on one of us – not even on the babe … (paragraph 1)
Which words from the paragraph help the reader understand the meaning of fatigue?
A. “My husband is sick”
B. “My children gave out with cold”
C. “I went ahead with my children”
D. “I was afraid to look behind me”
B. “My children gave out with cold”
Read the sentence from the passage.
Unfortunately, although working for NACA was an amazing opportunity for a career, segregation was very much alive at the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory in Virginia. (paragraph 3)
How does the syntax in this sentence help achieve the author’s purpose?
A. It emphasizes the contradiction between the opportunities at NACA and the difficulties faced by some of the people who worked there.
B. It focuses on the idea that NACA offered opportunities that were not available elsewhere.
C. It contrasts the conditions found at NACA with those at other workplaces.
D. It highlights the division between the jobs available to men and those available to women at NACA.
A. It emphasizes the contradiction between the opportunities at NACA and the difficulties faced by some of the people who worked there.
Read the sentences from the story.
He had taken up a book from the stall, and there he stood, reading away, as hard as if he were in his elbow-chair, in his own study. (paragraph 10)
How does the author’s use of the simile “as if he were in his elbow-chair, in his own study” contribute to the meaning of the passage?
A. It shows that the man is sitting on the ground.
B. It shows that the man is concentrating hard on his book.
C. It shows that the man is disrespectful of those around him.
D. It shows that the man plans to return home soon.
B. It shows that the man is concentrating hard on his book.
DAILY DOUBLE
This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
Part A
How does hiding the identity of the man seated behind Phil affect the way readers experience the story?
A. It makes readers wonder why Phil took the ring.
B. It gives Phil a surprising solution to his problem.
C. It leads readers to believe the man knows Phil.
D. It creates sympathy for Phil’s situation.
Part B
Which sentence from the passage supports the answer in Part A?
A. “‘I don’t want wholly to discourage you, and so I will tell you that I, too, came to New York at your age with the same object in view, with less money in my pocket than you possess.’” (paragraph 34)
B. “Phil was certainly dismayed, for he felt that it might be difficult for him to prove that he came honestly in possession of the ring.” (paragraph 14)
C. “The conductor’s face was a curious and interesting study when he heard this announcement.” (paragraph 25)
D. “Upon this Philip drew the ring from his finger and handed it to the young lady, who went back to the car where her friends were sitting, while the conductor humbly took his leave.” (paragraph 26)
B. It gives Phil a surprising solution to his problem.
B. “Phil was certainly dismayed, for he felt that it might be difficult for him to prove that he came honestly in possession of the ring.” (paragraph 14)
This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
Part A
In the second half of the speech (paragraphs 4–6) how does the speaker develop the argument that the success of democracy depends on participation?
A. He compares democracy to other forms of government.
B. He gives examples of the many ways people can take part in government.
C. He describes what happens when people fail to participate as citizens.
D. He urges people to learn more about United States history.
Part B
Which detail from the passage supports the answer in Part A?
A. “But we can’t take our democracy for granted.” (paragraph 4)
B. “If something needs fixing, lace up your shoes and do some organizing.” (paragraph 4)
C. “Eight years later, I am even more optimistic about our country’s promise.” (paragraph 6)
D. “It has been the honor of my life to serve you as President.” (paragraph 6)
B. He gives examples of the many ways people can take part in government.
B. “If something needs fixing, lace up your shoes and do some organizing.” (paragraph 4)
Read the sentence from the passage.
Amidst an overwhelming chorus of naysayers who doubted their success, the so-called “Great Migration” made it safely to Oregon. (paragraph 6)
What does the figurative language “chorus of naysayers” suggest about the “Great Migration”?
A. that some people were denied the chance to go
B. that people wrote songs about it
C. that many people doubted it could be done
D. that people had high hopes for it
C. that many people doubted it could be done
How does the author support the inductive reasoning used to argue that Katherine Johnson stood out among mathematicians at NACA, later called NASA? Select two correct answers.
A. Katherine Johnson calculated flight paths that put rockets into space as well as the return flight path to get the astronauts from the moon to Earth.
B. Katherine Johnson grew up in West Virginia before moving to Virginia to work.
C. Katherine Johnson was an important member of the space and moon missions.
D. Katherine Johnson loved mathematics and was a strong student in high school.
E. Katherine Johnson was assigned to the Flight Research Division and then moved to the Space Task Force.
A. Katherine Johnson calculated flight paths that put rockets into space as well as the return flight path to get the astronauts from the moon to Earth.
C. Katherine Johnson was an important member of the space and moon missions.
E. Katherine Johnson was assigned to the Flight Research Division and then moved to the Space Task Force.
How might the narrator of this passage influence the reader’s emotions?
A. The narrator might be trying to assign guilt to the Dodger and Master Bates when in fact Oliver was the thief.
B. The narrator might be trying to make Oliver look guilty by suggesting that he was involved in the theft.
C. The narrator might be trying to increase sympathy for Oliver by focusing on his innocent reaction.
D. The narrator might be trying to increase negative feelings for the rich by portraying them as out of touch.
C. The narrator might be trying to increase sympathy for Oliver by focusing on his innocent reaction.
How does the setting of the supermarket help shape the plot of the story? Select two correct answers.
A. It creates tension because Mandy has to contend with an angry customer.
B. It provides a motivation for Caroline to show kindness to Mandy.
C. It gives the characters something to aspire to because they want to find different jobs.
D. It provides obstacles for Mandy to overcome because she must learn a challenging job.
E. It allows the reader to see the story from Mandy’s point of view.
A. It creates tension because Mandy has to contend with an angry customer.
D. It provides obstacles for Mandy to overcome because she must learn a challenging job.
Read the sentence from the passage.
I’ve seen the youngest of children remind us of our obligations to care for our refugees, to work in peace, and above all to look out for each other. (paragraph 3)
What is the meaning of the word obligations as it is used in the sentence?
A. rights
B. burdens
C. promises
D. responsibilities
D. responsibilities
How do the authors of The Diary of Elizabeth Smith and “Oregon National Historic Trail” describe the travelers on the Oregon Trail in a similar way?
A. In both selections, travelers relied on wagons as an important mode of transportation.
B. In both selections, travelers began their journey across the frontier in Missouri.
C. In both selections, travelers tried to find the easiest passage through the Rocky Mountains.
D. In both selections, travelers recorded their experiences in order to benefit future travelers.
A. In both selections, travelers relied on wagons as an important mode of transportation.
This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
Part A
Which statement describes two central ideas of the passage?
A. Many women worked hard to change the culture at NASA; Katherine Johnson’s geometry training was a crucial part of her success.
B. Complicated calculations were needed to put an astronaut on the moon; the mission involved sending a crew of three astronauts to the moon and back.
C. Katherine Johnson became a leader in her field despite the obstacles women faced; Johnson’s work directly contributed to NASA’s success.
D. Katherine Johnson was a leader who paved the way for women in the field of space science; many men at NASA resented Johnson’s success.
Part B
Which detail from the passage supports the answer in Part A?
A. “Eventually, she was recognized as a leader, and the men increasingly relied on her to have the answers they needed.” (paragraph 3)
B. “This mission would include a crew of three astronauts launching from Earth to the moon, two astronauts landing on the moon, and then all three returning successfully back to Earth.” (paragraph 5)
C. “The engineers knew when and where they wanted the space capsule to land, but the tricky part was to calculate when and where the rocket would have to launch.” (paragraph 4)
D. “The math calculations for sending an astronaut to the moon were similar to those for putting a man into orbit.” (paragraph 5)
C. Katherine Johnson became a leader in her field despite the obstacles women faced; Johnson’s work directly contributed to NASA’s success.
A. “Eventually, she was recognized as a leader, and the men increasingly relied on her to have the answers they needed.” (paragraph 3)
Read the sentence from the passage.
In an instant the whole mystery of the handkerchiefs, and the watches, and the jewels . . . rushed upon the boy’s mind. (paragraph 12)
How does the phrase “rushed upon the boy’s mind” contribute to the tone of the passage? Select two correct responses.
A. It reflects the excitement of the passage.
B. It adds to the boy’s sense of wonder.
C. It adds to the humor of the passage.
D. It shows the irony of the situation.
E. It creates a sense of optimism.
A. It reflects the excitement of the passage.
B. It adds to the boy’s sense of wonder.
How are the situations in the two passages similar?
A. Both passages illustrate the importance of showing respect to strangers.
B. Both passages show a character learning the tasks associated with a new job.
C. Both passages have a stranger help someone in need with a problem.
D. Both passages tell about a character going away from home to make a living.
A. Both passages illustrate the importance of showing respect to strangers.
This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
Part A
Select the statement that describes two central ideas from the speech.
A. The country is continually getting better; every citizen must help by participating politically.
B. Science is making great progress; the country moves forward with each innovation.
C. People are kind and caring; strangers can be the best sources of information.
D. A president must constantly learn; history is the best teacher.
Part B
Which detail from the passage supports the answer in Part A?
A. “It falls on each of us to be guardians of our democracy; to embrace the joyous task we’ve been given to continually try to improve this great nation of ours.” (paragraph 5)
B. “I’ve learned from students who are building robots and curing diseases and who will change the world in ways we can’t even imagine.” (paragraph 3)
C. “You made me a better President, and you made me a better man.” (paragraph 1)
D. “Over the course of these eight years, I have seen the goodness, the resilience, and the hope of the American people.” (paragraph 2)
A. The country is continually getting better; every citizen must help by participating politically.
A. “It falls on each of us to be guardians of our democracy; to embrace the joyous task we’ve been given to continually try to improve this great nation of ours.” (paragraph 5)
What is one key similarity between the excerpt from The Diary of Elizabeth Smith and “Oregon National Historic Trail”?
A. Both passages provide a description of Native American life on the plains.
B. Both passages illustrate why so many people wanted to emigrate to Oregon Country.
C. Both passages show that women also played a role in settling the American West.
D. Both passages suggest that traders established supply posts for emigrants.
C. Both passages show that women also played a role in settling the American West.
What is one difference between how the two passages describe Katherine Johnson?
A. “Human Computers” provides details about Katherine Johnson’s curiosity that had her asking questions beyond her calculations.
B. “Katherine Johnson” suggests John F. Kennedy set the goal of putting a man on the moon.
C. “Human Computers” tells that Katherine Johnson applied for a job at NACA when she was 34 years old.
D. “Katherine Johnson” illustrates her quick rise up in ranks at NASA from Flight Research Division to Space Task Force.
A. “Human Computers” provides details about Katherine Johnson’s curiosity that had her asking questions beyond her calculations.
This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
Part A
How does the setting of the bookstall help advance the plot?
A. It provides an opportunity for the Dodger and Charlie Bates.
B. It leads the boys to a moral decision that changes their lives.
C. It shows that Oliver would rather be reading.
D. It explains why the boys need to steal.
Part B
Which sentence from the passage supports the answer in Part A?
A. “Oliver looked from one to the other, with the greatest surprise; but he was not permitted to make any inquiries; for the two boys walked stealthily across the road …” (paragraph 9)
B. “…to see the Dodger plunge his hand into the old gentleman’s pocket, and draw from thence a handkerchief!” (paragraph 11)
C. “The old gentleman was a very respectable-looking personage, with a powdered head and gold spectacles.” (paragraph 10)
D. “… it was plain, from his abstraction, that he saw not … the street, nor the boys, nor, in short, anything but the book itself…” (paragraph 10)
A. It provides an opportunity for the Dodger and Charlie Bates.
D. “… it was plain, from his abstraction, that he saw not … the street, nor the boys, nor, in short, anything but the book itself…” (paragraph 10)
What is one difference in how the authors of The Errand Boy and “First Day” develop the characters who help?
A. The author of The Errand Boy illustrates a person of authority helping a stranger; however, the author of “First Day” shows a person of authority helping an employee.
B. The author of The Errand Boy describes a private setting for the characters to speak, but the author of “First Day” describes words and actions in a public setting.
C. The author hides the identity of Richard Grant at first in The Errand Boy; however, the author of “First Day” identifies Caroline as the owner before there are any problems.
D. The author provides details about characters using conversation in The Errand Boy, but the author of “First Day” does not include details about characters using dialogue.
A. The author of The Errand Boy illustrates a person of authority helping a stranger; however, the author of “First Day” shows a person of authority helping an employee.
This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
Part A
What does the metaphor “pendulum of power” (paragraph 5) help readers understand about government?
A. It is a reminder that democracy functions regardless of the political party of the president.
B. It explains how the different branches of government interact.
C. It reveals the mixed feelings that many politicians hold about their jobs.
D. It is a figure of speech that compares the president to the average American citizen.
Part B
Which phrase from paragraph 5 supports the answer in Part A?
A. “for all our outward differences, we all share the same proud title”
B. “to embrace the joyous task we’ve been given”
C. “Our success depends on our participation”
D. “to continually try to improve this great nation of ours”
A. It is a reminder that democracy functions regardless of the political party of the president.
A. “for all our outward differences, we all share the same proud title”