Grammar
Text Structure
Controlling Idea
Supporting Details
100

Mr. Parker insinuated that Alex did not spend a lot of time on his explanatory essay.

What does the word insinuated mean in the sentence above? 

A.  implied
B.  insisted
C.  demanded
D.  discussed

A. Implied

Mr. Parker insinuated (implied) that Alex did not spend a lot of time on his explanatory essay.

100

Snoring is a natural event for both people and animals. It can be very annoying to sleep around people who snore. Often, people say it is the “bane of their existence”.  Those who are around people who snore suffer from insomnia.  This is a sleep disorder that is characterized by having difficulty falling or staying asleep.  

What is the structure of this excerpt?  

A. Chronological Order

B. Problem and Solution

C. Compare and Contrast

D. Cause and Effect 




D.  Cause and Effect 

Snoring causes insomnia in other people.




100

While most of us think “butcher-block” when we hear wood countertops, there's a case to made for various hardwoods like maple, mahogany, and cherry, as well as current popular choices like madrone. Not only do these time-honored materials add a warm, cozy feel to any style kitchen, they can be refinished numerous times and will age beautifully. Cost ranges from $30–$100 per square foot.

Which of the following is the controlling idea of the passage? 

A. They increase the overall temperature of a room.

B. Mahogany is more popular than madrone.

C. They will last a long time.  

D. “Butcher-block” is more expensive than hardwood.

C. They will last a long time. 

"Not only do these time-honored materials add a warm, cozy feel to any style kitchen, they can be refinished numerous times and will age beautifully."

100

(1) Ferrets are very playful animals that act silly and express their love of life in a way that many of us find totally enchanting. (2) They explode out of their cages at play time, leaping and twisting and scampering, with an obvious joy that is contagious to the people observing them. (3) They require shots like other pets, and can pass on the influenza virus if infected. (4) A young ferret has enormous energy. (5) It endears itself to its owner just by its way of moving, rather like a large, furry inchworm.

Which sentence contains a negative detail of ferret ownership?




Sentence 3:

They require shots like other pets, and can pass on the influenza virus if infected.

200

Mrs. Templeton told Veronica that she needed the report stat. At the time, Veronica was eating lunch in the cafeteria.  She finished her sandwich, brought her tray to the counter, and took the elevator to the 5th floor.  She typed the report, and walked it over to Mrs. Templeton’s office.  Then, she took the elevator to the parking  lot, and drove home.

When Mrs. Templeton said she needed the report “stat” she meant that she needed it - 

A.  typed instead of hand-written
B.  right away
C.  by the end of the day
D.  when it is convenient 

B. right away

200

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates air pollution, including particulate matter, the tiny particles floating in the air. There are two categories of regulated particle pollution. Particles less than 10 micrometers but more than 2.5 micrometers in diameter are "inhalable coarse particles," whereas particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers are designated "fine particles." (A micrometer is one-millionth of a meter.) Both these types of regulated particles can travel into people's airways and affect the heart and lungs, with potentially serious health impacts. Inhalable coarse particles are found near roadways and dusty industrial buildings. Fine particles, the smaller ones, are found in smoke as well as in the byproducts of some industrial processes. These particles are the main cause of the reduced visibility, or haze, in parts of the United States. 

Which text structure is being used in the excerpt? 

a. compare and contrast 

b. cause and effect 

c. problem and solution 

c. sequence 

a. compare and contrast 

200

“Dog owners can make dog parks better by not allowing their dogs to congregate at entrances and exits. Often, owners let their dogs excitedly rush up to any new dog who comes in, often resulting in a fight. Another way to make the park experience better is to keep moving with the dogs. Instead of standing around in clumps, move around. Often, if the owners keep moving, the dogs will, too.”

Choose TWO central ideas found in this text.

A. Dogs like to fight with each other.

B. Dogs shouldn’t gather at entrances and exits.  

C. Owners should keep their dogs mobile instead of stationary.  

D. Owners need exercise just as much as their dogs need it.  



B. Dogs shouldn’t gather at entrances and exits.  

C. Owners should keep their dogs mobile instead of stationary.  

200

(1) Monarchs are large, beautifully colored butterflies that are easy to recognize by their striking orange, black, and white markings. (2) They live in North, Central, and South America as well as Australia, some Pacific Islands, India, and Western Europe. (3) The wingspan of a full-grown monarch can reach nearly five inches. (4) Scientists aren't sure how migrating monarchs know which way to go, since they only live a few months and none makes the journey more than once.

Which sentence contains the BEST detail for further research?

Sentence 4:

Scientists aren't sure how migrating monarchs know which way to go, since they only live a few months and none makes the journey more than once.

300

The coach takes every opportunity to censure his players, yet he ignores every opportunity to praise them. 

Which of the following is most likely the meaning of the word censure

a. approve of 

b. criticize 

c. choose 

d. praise 

b. criticize
300

 

Students who are frequently absent often have lower average grades than those who have good attendance. When they are out of the classroom, students do notget to see a teacher’s lessons. Even if they attend extra help, it’s usually much shorter and less detailed than the actual lesson. In addition, frequently absent students often miss tests or other assignments and don’t always make up the work.

a. cause and effect 

b. compare and contrast 

c. descriptive 

d. problem and solution 

a. cause and effect 

300

Are you planning a trip this summer? If so, it is going to cost you more money to fill up your tank. Gas prices will increase in July. When oil and gas prices rise, so do other costs.  Production of food depends on oil and gas. Farmers need plenty of diesel fuel to run the tractors and combines that plant and harvest crops. In addition, most of our food is transported a very long distance, which isn’t cheap. Spring, on the other hand, may be a better time to take that trip.

Why are food prices going to rise?

A.be cause people take too many trips in the summer

B. because gas prices are going up

C. because of the shortage with diesel fuel

D. because farmers need more gas than other people



B. because gas prices are going up

300

(1) As the classroom rhyme goes, Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492 and discovered America. (2) Children enjoy the story of the explorer we celebrate with a federal holiday on the second Monday of every October. (3) As historians have continued to learn and write more about the real life of Christopher Columbus, controversy has arisen over the validity of honoring the explorer as a hero. (4) Historians have uncovered extensive evidence of the damage wreaked by Columbus and his teams, leading to an outcry over emphasis placed upon studying and celebrating him in schools and public celebrations.

During which sentence does the tone of the excerpt begin to change?  


 Sentence 3: 

As historians have continued to learn and write more about the real life of Christopher Columbus, controversy has arisen over the validity of honoring the explorer as a hero.

400

(1) Since porcelain tile is made of finer clays, it is denser than ceramic tile and more durable, but this also makes it harder to cut. (2) Porcelain tile is generally more expensive to buy than ceramic tile. (3) Ceramic tile can be found in most department stores. (4) Because it is typically more durable than ceramic, porcelain tile is ideal for flooring and heavy-traffic areas.

Which sentence should be taken out because it is unnecessary? 

3. Ceramic tile can be found in most department stores.

400

Congress passed the Clean Water Act of 1972 to address the serious environmental crisis of water pollution. In New York's Hudson River, levels of toxic bacteria were 170 times the level considered safe. Oil floating on the the Cuyahoga River near Cleveland, Ohio, burst into flames in 1969. Factories were dumping pollutants into waterways, untreated sewage flowed directly into rivers, and untold numbers of fish were dying. The Clean Water Act restricted discharges of pollution into the nation's waters and authorized the Environmental Protection Agency to enforce water quality regulations. It also provided money for sewage treatment plants. Although the work to clean up the nation's lakes and streams is ongoing, water quality today is much better than it was in the 1960s. 

Which text structure is being used in the excerpt? 

a. compare and contrast 

b. chronological order 

c. descriptive 

d. problem and solution 

d. problem and solution 
400

Persian cats, with their luxurious coats and open pansy-like faces are the number one breed in popularity. Their sweet, gentle, personalities blend into most households once they feel secure in their new environment. Creatures of habit, they are most at home in an atmosphere of security and serenity, but with love and reassurance, can easily adapt to the most boisterous of households.


Which is the controlling idea of the excerpt?

A. Persians look like flowers, and have long coats.  

B. Persians like noisy, energetic homes rather than quiet ones.

C. Persian is the only cat breed that can handle noisy households.

D. Persian cats are very popular, and can easily acclimate to most households.

D. Persian cats are very popular, and can easily acclimate to most households.

400

(1) The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects the freedom of speech, religion and the press. (2) It also protects the right to peaceful protest and to petition the government. (3) Landmark Supreme Court cases have dealt with the right of citizens to protest U.S. involvement in foreign wars. (4) The amendment itself was adopted in 1791.  (5) Flag burning and the publication of classified government documents have also been the subjects of Supreme Court cases.  


Which sentences contain controversial details?  Choose two. 

Sentences 3 and 5: 

(3) Landmark Supreme Court cases have dealt with the right of citizens to protest U.S. involvement in foreign wars.

(5) Flag burning and the publication of classified government documents have also been the subjects of Supreme Court cases.  

500

(1) There are several reasons why eliminating bed bugs is so difficult. (2) These tiny bugs multiply quickly, and they can go long periods of time without their preferred meal: human blood. (3) Bed bugs are hardy, small, flat, lentil-sized insects that are adept at squeezing themselves into tiny spaces. (4) They are commonly found hiding behind loose wallpaper or under floorboards or electrical switch plates. (5) Other insects may be easier to exterminate than bed bugs. (6) To successfully eliminate an infestation, you have to find and kill every viable bed bug, which is not an easy task.

Which sentence can be taken out because it does not support the controlling idea?



Sentence 5: Other insects may be easier to exterminate than bed bugs 

500

The color of your hair depends on how much of each type of melanin, or pigment, it contains. All hair colors, from black to blond and everything in between, result from the blending of just two types of melanin: eumelanin (dark) and phaeomelanin (light). Each hair grows out of an individual follicle, or tiny tube beneath the skin's surface. Pigment cells in the follicle inject melanin into the hair shaft as the hair develops and grows longer. In later years, the follicle slows its production of melanin. Hairs with less melanin appear gray in color. If melanin production shuts down altogether, then the new hairs, lacking any melanin, will be white. 

What text structure is being used in the excerpt? 

a. chronological order 

b. cause and effect 

c. descriptive 

d. problem and solution 

b. cause and effect 

500

What obstacles should I avoid when planting my orange tree? Patios will not be a problem because the soil beneath them is usually dry and compacted. Therefore, the roots will not grow into this area as much. You might not expect sewer and water lines to be a problem since they are buried deeply. But, since sewer and water lines tend to be wet, this may cause a problem.  Cement walls shouldn’t cause too much trouble.

What can be inferred in this excerpt?

A. Orange trees are more difficult to plant than lemon trees.

B. The soil beneath patios is dryer than beneath cement walls.

C. Tree roots are naturally drawn toward water.  

D. Orange trees do not require much water to grow properly.   

C. Tree roots are naturally drawn toward water.

500

(1) Humans have eaten land snails for centuries. (2) Snails are consumed in some parts of Europe, like France and Spain, where they are considered a delicacy. (3) However, some snails harbor parasites on their exterior that, once in the human body or that of other animals, can cause severe diseases. (4) Cooked snails also have a slight odor that may be unpleasant to some. (5) People who handle land snails should observe the proper hygiene precautions.  

Which sentence explains the reason why people need to wash their hands before cooking snails?

(3) However, some snails harbor parasites on their exterior that, once in the human body or that of other animals, can cause severe diseases.