Summarizing
Grammar
Text Structure
Author's Craft & Figurative Language
Central Idea
100

What should you include in a summary?

A. Most important details

B. Opinions and Facts

C. Repeated Information

D. All text and graphic features


A. Most important details

100

The woman’s back was turned to my friend, because my friend was unaware of her missing tooth.

What is the most effective word or phrase to replace because in this sentence?

A. and

B. so

C. since

D. no change needed

B. so

100

Which text structure does the author use here?

A. compare & contrast

B. cause & effect

C. problem and solution

D. sequence/chronological order





D. sequence/chronological order

100

The package is as light as a feather is an example of a...

A. Metaphor

B. Simile

C. Onomotopeia 

D. Alliteration

B. Simile

100

How can you find the central idea in an informational text?

A. Analyze the title, headings, subheadings, first and last paragraphs, and repeated keywords or phrases.

B. Focus only on the subheadings.

C. Ignore the title and headings.

D. Read only the first paragraph.


A. Analyze the title, headings, subheadings, first and last paragraphs, and repeated keywords or phrases.

200

What is the BEST summary of paragraph 8?

A. The energy in the sun’s core stays in the convective zone and never reaches the surface to release heat and light.

B. The sun’s core releases energy directly to space without passing through any other layers.

C. The energy generated in the sun's core, reaching temperatures of 15 million degrees Fahrenheit, moves outward through the convective zone and the photosphere, where it releases heat, charged particles, and light.

D. The energy in the sun’s core reaches only a few thousand degrees Fahrenheit and cools down as it moves outward.

C. The energy generated in the sun's core, reaching temperatures of 15 million degrees Fahrenheit, moves outward through the convective zone and the photosphere, where it releases heat, charged particles, and light.

200

My favorite moments of the school day are when I'm talking with my friends during P.E. and talking with my friends during lunch.

What is the best way to revise the sentence above?

A. My favorite moments of the school day are when I'm talking with my friends during P.E., lunch and talking with my friends.

B. My favorite moments of the school day are when I'm talking with my friends during P.E. and talking during lunch.

C. My favorite moments of the school day are when I'm talking during P.E. and talking with my friends during lunch.

D. My favorite moments of the school day are when I'm talking with my friends during P.E. and lunch.

D. My favorite moments of the school day are when I'm talking with my friends during P.E. and lunch.

200

The author uses chronological order in this paragraph to...?

A. describe who Daniel Sullivan was

B. compare the Chicago fire to a bonfire

C. list the time and events that took place during Chicago's fire

D. describe a problem and solution that took place in Chicago



C. list the time and events that took place during Chicago's fire

200

Authors use this to help bring the writing to life.  This could be exaggeration, comparing things using like/as, or sound words.   

A. Point of View 

B. Author's Purpose

C. Figurative Language

D. Summarize

C. Figurative Language

200

What is the central idea of this passage?

A. Exercise can lower your chances of getting sick.

B. You can get more done during the day if you exercise.

C. Working out helps you think clearly.

D. Exercise makes your life better in so many ways.

A. Exercise can lower your chances of getting sick.

300

What is the BEST summary of paragraphs 1 and 2?

A. The sun gives off huge amounts of energy every moment, much more than humans use in a whole year. Without it, there would be no light, warmth, or life, and it affects all the planets and objects in our solar system.

B. The sun only releases energy once every year, and its warmth only affects Earth.

C. The sun's energy has no impact on the planets, moons, or asteroids in the solar system.

D. Without the sun, life would still exist, but there would be no light or warmth.

A. The sun gives off huge amounts of energy every moment, much more than humans use in a whole year. Without it, there would be no light, warmth, or life, and it affects all the planets and objects in our solar system.

300

The trip we're taking is going to be in the winter months, and that is when we'll get to see all the beautiful and frosty snowflakes.

What is the most effective word or phrase to replace and in this sentence?

A. because

B. so

C. as 

D. no change needed

A. because

300

The author uses compare and contrast to organize this information to help the reader...?

A. understand what a pond looks like

B. convince their parents to take them to the ocean

C. know the difference between an ocean and a pond

D. To say that a ponds are very shallow



C. know the difference between an ocean and a pond

300

I got out of the old car and took a few halting steps up the driveway. A cloud of warmth drifted out of the window and embraced me like a comforting hug. I knew that smell: fresh bread that Papa had just taken from the oven. I heard the familiar pitch of his whistle as he slowly stirred tomato soup on the stovetop. I ran to open the screen door because, now, I knew where I was. I was home.

Which words and phrases best show the sentimental tone in the passage below?

A. "car", "tomato soup", and "door"

B. "warmth", "comforting hug" and "home"

C. "driveway", "screen door" and "slowly stirred"

D. "old", "halting", and "out the window"



B. "warmth", "comforting hug" and "home"

300

What is the central idea of the passage?

A. Jane Addams is the daughter of a wealthy businessman.

B. As a result of her visit to London's Toynbee Hall, Jane Addams founded the first settlement house in Chicago.

C. Jane Addams took a trip to Europe because she did not have to worry about money.

D. Settlement houses offered free services to the poor.

B. As a result of her visit to London's Toynbee Hall, Jane Addams founded the first settlement house in Chicago.

400
What is the BEST summary of paragraphs 9-12?


A. The sun is a small, cool star that doesn’t create much heat or light for planets or space.

B. The sun’s energy only affects planets close to it, keeping them warm while leaving other planets and space untouched.

C. The sun’s heat and light only reach Earth, making it the only planet with any changes caused by the sun.

D. The sun's heat and light help create life on Earth, allow for water and air on other planets, and make comets glow. The particles from the sun form a "solar wind" that travels far into space, and its light reaches distant parts of the universe.

D. The sun's heat and light help create life on Earth, allow for water and air on other planets, and make comets glow. The particles from the sun form a "solar wind" that travels far into space, and its light reaches distant parts of the universe.
400

Despite the shocking defeat of the Pelicans by the Pirates in the last two minutes, the two teams still amicably shook hands after the game. 

Think about the suffix -ly. What is the meaning of amicably used above.

A. used or done by a number of people as a group 

B. related to each other in such a way that one completes the other 

C. having or showing kindly feeling and sincere interest 

D. expressing aggression and dishonesty 

C. having or showing kindly feeling and sincere interest

400

A student writes about whether to buy a Corvette or a Tesla. Why would the student write the essay using a compare/contrast text structure?

A. Because he would want to show the importance of each vehicle.

B. Because he would want to explain facts about the history of each vehicle.

C. Because he would want to show how these two vehicles are similar

D. Because he would want to show the benefits and non-benefits of both

D. Because he would want to show the benefits and non-benefits of both

400

"If your actions don't live up to your words, you have nothing to say."

The author uses this language to say?

A. Your words show your true intentions and feelings.

B. You always mean what you say

C. Your words needs to be backed up by your actions.

D. What you do is more significant than what you say

D. What you do is more significant than what you say

400

Mars, a reddish orange planet often seen in the night sky, has long been of interest to humans. Many years ago, scientists used telescopes to chart the movements of Mars. Modern scientists can do more than just look at Mars through a telescope.

Which sentence, if added at the end of Paragraph 1, best supports the central idea of the paragraph?

A. Scientists first began using telescopes in the early 1600's.

B. Cameras today can take much sharper images than earlier models.

C. Scientists in the United States can actually study the surface, temperature and atmosphere of the planet.

D. Photographs of planets are known to become important historical records.

C. Scientists in the United States can actually study the surface, temperature and atmosphere of the planet.

500

Re-read the section labeled "500 points." 

What conclusion can you draw from this evidence? 

A. When it rains, the sun releases some of its intense pressure. 

B. Nuclear fusion makes energy that causes the sun to get very hot. 

C. Helium is an element that cools the sun when it is created. 

D. Nuclear fusion only occurs during the day when the sun is out.


B. Nuclear fusion makes energy that causes the sun to get very hot.

500

I arrived at Maya’s house at 11:45 a.m. Maya had told me to get there by 11:30 a.m. 

How should the sentences be combined to create a complex sentence with a dependent clause and an independent clause? 

A.  Maya had told me to get there by 11:30 a.m., when I arrived at Maya’s house at 11:45 a.m. 

B. When I arrived at Maya’s house at 11:45 a.m., Maya had told me to get there by 11:30 a.m. 

C. Maya had told me to get there by 11:30 a.m., unless I arrived at Maya’s house at 11:45 a.m. 

D. Although I arrived at Maya’s house at 11:45 a.m., Maya had told me to get there by 11:30 a.m.

D. Although I arrived at Maya’s house at 11:45 a.m., Maya had told me to get there by 11:30 a.m.

500

Toad Population -
Dr. Knapp doesn’t want people to sit back and let the toad vanish. He believes that everyone is responsible for restoring the toad species. One of Dr. Knapp's solution is that we stop mowing parts of our lawns and let the grass grow wild to reserve space for the toad. He also believes we need to stop using pesticides and fertilizers. The chemicals kill the insects that toads eat.  If we preserve some spaces in our lawns and stop using fertilizers, Dr. Knapp believes we can save the toads.

Which text structure does the author use here?

A. compare & contrast

B. cause & effect

C. problem and solution

D. sequence/chronological order

 

C. problem and solution

500

Some people might see my cat George soaking up a sunny spot in my living room or sleeping for 20 hours each day and think, "What a lazy cat!" But "lazy" is the wrong word for George. George the Cat is calm, and he is wise. The other night there was a terrible storm with crashing thunder and bright flashes of lightning that lasted 2 hours. Another cat might have darted from the room, frantic, thumping into walls and diving off countertops. But George just rose up from his perch and quietly analyzed his surroundings, watching me closely for cues on how to react.

Which choice of words show what the author thinks about George the cat.

A. "frantic" and "hyper"

B. "crashing" and "wise"

C. "calm" and "wise"

D. "sleeping" and "thundering"



C. "calm" and "wise"

500

Police depend on evidence to solve crimes. Forensic scientists collect evidence to solve many different kinds of mysteries, including robberies, and missing persons. Examining the crime scene with precise methods, they collect hair, fibers, trash, and many other tiny bits of material which help them determine the individual who committed the crime. They are particularly interested in evidence, such as fingerprints, that can be linked to a specific person.

What is the central in the paragraph above?

A. Police depend on evidence to solve crimes.

B. They are particularly interested in evidence, such as fingerprints, that can be linked to a specific person.

C. Forensic scientists collect evidence to solve many different kinds of mysteries, including robberies, and missing persons.

D. Examining the crime scene with precise methods, they collect hair, fibers, trash, and many other tiny bits of material which help them determine the individual who committed the crime.

C. Forensic scientists collect evidence to solve many different kinds of mysteries, including robberies, and missing persons.