short story
"from The Fly"
"from The Fly"
Which quotation from “The Fly” provides the best clue that the story is set after
World War I?
A. As a matter of fact he was proud of his room; he liked to have it admired, especially by old Woodifield. (paragraph 3)
B. . . . the photograph over the table of a grave-looking boy in uniform standing in one of those spectral photographers’ parks . . . (paragraph 5)
C. “. . . The girls were in Belgium last week having a look at poor Reggie’s grave, and they happened to come across your boy’s. . . .” (paragraph 7)
D. “The girls were delighted with the way the place is kept,” piped the old voice. (paragraph 9)
C. “. . . The girls were in Belgium last week having a look at poor Reggie’s grave, and they happened to come across your boy’s. . . .” (paragraph 7)
The allusions to rivers in lines 4–7 of the poem suggest that the speaker feels —
A. excluded from American society
B. overshadowed by African history
C. a strong connection to his ancestors
D. a responsibility to protect natural resources
C. a strong connection to his ancestors
Read the stage directions from the play.
[His breast heaving with agonized breathing, PROCTOR now lays the paper down and signs his name.] (paragraph 9)
[PROCTOR has just finished signing when DANFORTH reaches for the paper. But PROCTOR snatches it up, and now a wild terror is rising in him, and a boundless anger.]
(paragraph 11)
How do these stage directions influence the plot?
A. They indicate that Proctor has a guilty conscience.
B. They indicate that Danforth is forcing a confession from Proctor.
C. They indicate that Proctor is suspicious of how the townspeople behaved.
D. They indicate that Danforth is encouraging Proctor to deny any wrongdoing.
B. They indicate that Danforth is forcing a confession from Proctor.
Which statement best expresses a central idea of the informational text you read yesterday?
A. The Harlem Renaissance was less important to the development of African American cultural identity in the early 20th century than similar movements in other cities.
B. During the 1920s, the cultural movement known as the Harlem Renaissance united African Americans who shared the same political beliefs.
C. The movement known as the Harlem Renaissance was crucial to the development of African American cultural identity in the early 20th century.
D. Many African Americans migrated to northern cities in the 1920s as a result of cultural movements such as the Harlem Renaissance.
C. The movement known as the Harlem Renaissance was crucial to the development of African American cultural identity in the early 20th century.
It has always been home to an important idea in human history: the American Dream.
What is the BEST way to revise the sentence to add a transition?
A. That’s because it has always been home to an important idea in human history: the American Dream.
B. Before now it has always been home to an important idea in human history: the American Dream.
C. Nevertheless, it has always been home to an important idea in human history: the American Dream.
D. Meanwhile, it has always been home to an important idea in human history: the American Dream.
A. That’s because it has always been home to an important idea in human history: the American Dream.
What can the reader infer about the boss’s character from paragraphs 3–4?
A. He is self-centered and smug.
B. He is kind-hearted and sensitive.
C. He respects those who work for him.
D. He is an unsuccessful businessman.
A. He is self-centered and smug.
Read the excerpt from line 7 of the poem.
I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down to New Orleans . . .
Which statement best expresses how the poet uses figurative language in this line?
A. The poet uses a metaphor to describe the sound of the Mississippi River flowing into New Orleans.
B. The poet uses a simile to compare the Mississippi River to the sound of someone singing.
C. The poet describes the Mississippi River and the journey to New Orleans using vivid imagery.
D. The poet personifies the Mississippi River by suggesting that it is singing
D. The poet personifies the Mississippi River by suggesting that it is singing
Which statement best reflects the meaning of the idiom broke his knees in paragraph 29?
A. Proctor is unsure about his plea.
B. Proctor is fragile and weak from prison.
C. Proctor is willing to be seen as emotional.
D. Proctor is kneeling before the court to confess.
C. Proctor is willing to be seen as emotional.
Which statement best describes how the informational text is structured?
A. It explains the causes and effects of the Harlem Renaissance.
B. It compares and contrasts the beliefs of several intellectuals and authors.
C. It provides a chronological account of developments in a cultural movement.
D. It presents the problems that were solved by the Harlem Renaissance movement.
C. It provides a chronological account of developments in a cultural movement.
Besides, some might suggest there are ways to achieve the American Dream without
working hard.
What change should be made in the sentence to make a clearer transition between ideas?
A. Change Besides to Be that as it may.
B. Change Besides to At long last.
C. Change Besides to In addition.
D. No change should be made.
A. Change Besides to Be that as it may.
Read the excerpt from paragraph 17.
And he wasn’t in the least spoilt. No, he was just his bright, natural self, with the right word for everybody, with that boyish look and his habit of saying, “Simply splendid!”
The word boyish is used in a positive way in this excerpt. Which word might the author have used instead to describe the boy’s appearance with a more negative connotation?
A. adolescent
B. infantile
C. innocent
D. youthful
B. infantile
Read lines 8–9 of the poem.
I’ve known rivers:
Ancient, dusky rivers.
Which statement best expresses the effect of the line break in these lines?
A. It presents the rivers as a metaphor for human existence.
B. It expands on the speaker’s statement with a brief description.
C. It changes the mood of the poem from melancholy to cheerful.
D. It indicates a shift in the speaker’s thought process from past to present.
B. It expands on the speaker’s statement with a brief description.
Read the sentence from paragraph 41.
Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs.
How does the figurative usage of white contribute to the tone?
A. It conveys the idea of a truce and creates a peaceful tone.
B. It connotes being free from sin and creates a satisfied tone.
C. It suggests that Proctor is being poetic and creates a grandiose tone.
D. It implies that Proctor is referring to surrender and creates a defeated tone.
B. It connotes being free from sin and creates a satisfied tone.
Read the sentence from the informational text.
After black soldiers had participated honorably during World War I, they hoped to come back to an America ready to accept and recognize their contributions and accomplishments.
Which prefix can be used to change the word honorably to its antonym?
A. anti-
B. dis-
C. in-
D. un-
B. dis-
Many people are recognized for noble achievements. Those same people might be described as greedy or deceitful.
What is the BEST way to combine the 2 sentences to vary sentence structure in the passage?
A. Many people are recognized for noble achievements, and many other people might be described as greedy or deceitful.
B. Many people are recognized for noble achievements, yet those same people might be described as greedy or deceitful.
C. Many people are recognized for their greed or deceit, while many people might be recognized for noble achievements.
D. Many people are recognized for their greed or deceit, and those same people might be described as having made noble achievements.
B. Many people are recognized for noble achievements, yet those same people might be described as greedy or deceitful.
How does the author use the structure of the story to convey a message about how people deal with the death of their loved ones during war?
A. She builds the story around the characters’ dialogue to gradually reveal the emotional distress caused by their losses.
B. She compares and contrasts the two main characters over the course of the story to represent the relationship between life and death.
C. She begins the story in the present and then describes past events in chronological order to explain the impact of the characters’ grief over time.
D. She ends the story by showing that both characters fail to remember what they were thinking of when their thoughts were related to those who died.
D. She ends the story by showing that both characters fail to remember what they were thinking of when their thoughts were related to those who died.
Which two phrases from “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” give the poem a tone of dignity and reverence?
A. rivers ancient as the world (line 2)
B. deep like the rivers (line 3)
C. lulled me to sleep (line 5)
D. went down to New Orleans (line 7)
E. its muddy bosom (line 7)
A. rivers ancient as the world (line 2)
B. deep like the rivers (line 3)
Why does the playwright have Proctor confess verbally, confess in writing, and then admit he’s lying and tear up the confession?
A. to show Proctor’s willingness to reveal information
B. to portray Proctor as someone with a possessed mind
C. to portray Proctor as a wildly temperamental character
D. to show Proctor’s journey from surrendering to resisting
D. to show Proctor’s journey from surrendering to resisting
Read the sentence from the informational text.
Though the political beliefs of each group differed, they shared the conviction that it was time for the emergence of a “new Negro” in both person and attitude, one who was no longer willing to accept the status quo.
The term status quo is borrowed from Latin. Which phrase best expresses the meaning of status quo?
A. existing conditions
B. racist attitudes
C. changing times
D. political ideals
A. existing conditions
On the contrary, effective leaders create a positive environment, inspire others, and motivate their teams to be the best they can be.
What is the BEST way to revise the sentence to improve sentence variety while emphasizing individual verb phrases?
A. On the contrary, effective leaders create a positive environment. They inspire others. They motivate their teams to be the best they can be.
B. On the contrary, effective leaders create a positive environment, and inspire others. They motivate their teams to be the best they can be.
C. On the contrary, effective leaders create a positive environment. They inspire others, and motivate their teams to be the best they can be.
D. On the contrary, effective leaders create a positive environment, they inspire others, and motivate their teams to be the best they can be.
B. On the contrary, effective leaders create a positive environment, and inspire others. They motivate their teams to be the best they can be.
What can the reader infer about the boss’s internal conflict?
A. He does not want to become forgetful like Mr. Woodifield.
B. He loved his son and regrets having sent him off to fight in the war.
C. He has recovered from the loss of his son and moved on with his life.
D. He does not wish to boast to Mr. Woodifield about his successful business.
B. He loved his son and regrets having sent him off to fight in the war.
Which statement best expresses a theme or message of the poem?
A. Human survival depends on rivers.
B. Value and appreciate the wonders of nature.
C. Rivers all over the world should be preserved.
D. Culture and heritage are sources of pride.
D. Culture and heritage are sources of pride.
In paragraph 31, Proctor says, What others say and what I sign to is not the same!
What does he imply by saying this?
A. that a confession is more reliable than witness reports
B. that the word of a judge will carry more weight than his
C. that his signature will validate something that is untrue
D. that his accusers exaggerate the seriousness of his actions
C. that his signature will validate something that is untrue
Read the sentence from the informational text.
Some of them were distinct individualists in their quest, and some pursued their work alongside others, including artists and writers of different cultural backgrounds.
The author uses parallelism in this sentence to —
A. emphasize his belief that great individual artists deserve special recognition
B. compare the impact of two opposing schools of thought about making art
C. express his view that great artists should work together in groups
D. acknowledge two equally valid approaches to creating artwork
D. acknowledge two equally valid approaches to creating artwork
We must make sure to elect good leaders who will help keep the dream alive for generations to come.
What change, if any, should be made in the sentence in order to use imperative mood?
A. Change We must make sure to elect good leaders to We should elect good leaders.
B. Change We must make sure to elect good leaders to You need to elect good leaders.
C. Change We must make sure to elect good leaders to Make sure to elect good leaders.
D. No change should be made.
C. Change We must make sure to elect good leaders to Make sure to elect good leaders.