Figurative Language
Inferences
Grammar
Misc.
RACE vs RACER
100

True or False: 

Writers use figurative language to create vivid mental pictures, share strong feelings, and make writing more exciting.  

True

100

Define inference

Answers may vary--Key details include: using background knowledge, using text evidence

100

Choose the correct word(s) in parenthesis,


The students (their / there) (is / are) excited because they know the school’s science competition will be held in the gym.

There

Are

100

Give TWO features that are included within an argumentative text.

Controlling Idea/Thesis statement

Supporting Details

Counterargument

100

Give a sentence stem for the "C" part of RACE/RACER.

Answers may vary. 

Paragraph --- states____. 

The text states ------.

200

Read the following sentence: 

The wind whispered through the trees as Marcus walked home.

Question:
What is the most likely reason the author uses figurative language within this sentence?

A. To show that the wind was very loud
B. To make the scene feel more calm and peaceful
C. To explain why Marcus was walking home
D. To show that Marcus was afraid of the trees


B. To make the scene feel more calm and peaceful

200

Jalen stood outside the classroom, nervously waiting for his turn to present his project. When his name was called, he took a deep breath and walked to the front, determined to give it his best effort.

Question: 

What is the most likely reason Jalen took a deep breath before presenting his project?

A. He was nervous about speaking in front of the class.
B. He forgot to bring his project to class.
C. He wanted to leave the classroom quickly.
D. He was excited to talk with his classmates.

A. He was nervous about speaking in front of the class.

200

Identify the subordinating conjunction and explain the comma placement. 

Although the team had practiced for weeks, they struggled to stay focused when the unexpected changes were announced before the competition.

Although

The comma shows a pause to the introductory phrase/AAAWWUUBBIS

200

Students should have a longer lunch period because they need enough time to eat and recharge before returning to class. A longer lunch would also give students more time to socialize and prepare for their afternoon classes. Schools should consider extending lunch by at least ten minutes to help students return to class focused and ready to learn.

Question:
What is the controlling idea of the passage?

A. Students enjoy talking with their friends during lunch.
B. Schools should give students more time for lunch.
C. Students need to prepare for their afternoon classes.
D. Lunch is the most important part of the school day.

B. Schools should give students more time for lunch.

200

What is the purpose of "E" in RACE/RACER?

To explain how the text evidence and answer relates to each other.

300

Read the following sentences: 

The gym was as quiet as a library while the players waited for the final announcement. When their team’s name was called, the students exploded like fireworks on the Fourth of July.

Question:
How does the author’s use of language in the final sentence contribute to the voice of the selection?

A. It creates a calm and serious voice by showing that the students are focused.
B. It creates a formal and respectful voice by comparing the gym to a library.
C. It creates a worried and uncertain voice by showing that the students do not know the results.
D. It creates an exciting and energetic voice by comparing the students’ reactions to fireworks.


D. It creates an exciting and energetic voice by comparing the students’ reactions to fireworks.

300

After school, Elena needed to return her library book before accruing a fine, but she noticed that the library lights were still on even though the building appeared empty. She walked closer and saw a note taped to the door that said, “Please come around to the back entrance.”

Question:
What can the reader most likely infer Elena will do next?

A. She will go to the back entrance of the library.
B. She will leave and come back tomorrow.
C. She will turn off the library lights.
D. She will wait outside until the library opens.

A. She will go to the back entrance of the library.

300

What change needs to be made to the following sentence? 

The storm caused several roads to close however, the buses continued running on their regular schedules.

A. Add a comma after close.
B. Remove the comma after however.
C. Add a coordinating conjunction after close.
D. Add a semicolon after close.

D. Add a semicolon after close.

300

Many students have trouble getting enough sleep on school nights. Staying up late to finish homework, use electronic devices, or play games can leave students feeling tired the next morning. As a result, they may have difficulty concentrating and participating in class.

One solution is for students to create a consistent bedtime routine. They can finish homework earlier, put away electronic devices before bed, and go to sleep at the same time each night. These habits can help students get more rest and stay focused during the school day.

Question:
How does the use of the problem-and-solution structure help support the topic of the article?

A. It explains why students enjoy staying up late and gives examples of activities they can do at night.
B. It explains the problems caused by not getting enough sleep and presents ways students can get more rest.
C. It compares students who get enough sleep with students who stay up late.
D. It describes how students’ bedtime routines have changed over several years.

B. It explains the problems caused by not getting enough sleep and presents ways students can get more rest.

300

Give a HINT on how you know when to use RACER vs RACE

Answers may vary.

-RACER will have a larger character count in textbox

-RACER asks for a clear controlling idea and thesis statement

400

Give an example of personification

Answers may vary: The wind whistled

The lightning danced across the sky

400

Before leaving for school, Mia noticed that the weather forecast predicted heavy rain later that morning. Although the sky was clear, she packed an umbrella and wore a light rain jacket. During lunch, dark clouds gathered over the school, and students hurried inside when rain began pouring. Mia smiled as she opened her umbrella and walked to her next class.

Question:
The details about Mia checking the forecast and preparing for the weather support the key idea that—

A. Mia is always worried about changes in the weather.
B. Mia prefers rainy weather because it makes her day more exciting.
C. Mia used information to prepare for situations that may happen later.
D. Mia was surprised when the rain began during lunch.

C. Mia used information to prepare for situations that may happen later.

400

Identify the subject, verb and prepositional phrase in the following sentence:

The collection of rare books contains several first editions from famous authors.

Subject: collection

Verb: contains

Prepositional Phrase: of rare books

400

Read the three supporting details below. 

  1. Students who read for at least 20 minutes each day can improve their vocabulary and understanding of new words.  
  2. Reading regularly also helps students become better at identifying important details and making inferences.  
  3. Students who read different types of books can learn about new ideas, cultures, and experiences.

Question: 

Create your own controlling idea statement that connects all three details.

Answers may vary--

May be along the lines of "Reading regularly can help students become more diverse within their education.

400

True/False:

Not completing all parts of the constructed response questions correctly and thoughtfully can tank your overall test grade.

True

500

Identify the exact TWO pieces of figurative language used within the poem:

DreamsLangston Hughes

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

by Langston Hughes

1. Life is a broken-winged bird

2. Life is a barren field

500

When Jordan joined the school’s robotics club, he expected to build a working robot within the first few meetings. Instead, his team spent several days testing different designs and fixing small problems. Although Jordan became frustrated at times, he continued working with his teammates and eventually helped create a robot that completed the challenge.

Question:
Which details from the paragraph support the idea that Jordan and his team had to overcome challenges to complete their robot?

Provide TWO correct answers.

1. The team spent several days testing different designs.

2. The team had to fix small problems with their designs.


500

On your whiteboard, write a sentence that includes all three:

-FANBOYS

-comma

-season (must be correctly used)  

Answers may vary

I enjoy the summer, but my favorite season is fall.

**Season cannot be capitalized in order to receive points**

500

Must complete all of the following in order to receive the credit! 

1. Define author's purpose

2. List all four of the author's purposes

3. Give an example of one

1. The main reason an author decides to write a text. 

2. Persuade--Inform-Entertain--Express

3. Answers may vary

500

Read the student's constructed response below. Then answer the question.

Prompt: Explain why teamwork is important when completing a difficult task?

Student Response:

Teamwork is important because people can share ideas and help one another solve problems. When individuals work together, they can use their different strengths to accomplish a goal.

Question:
Which part of the RACE strategy is missing from the student's response? Explain why that part is important when writing a complete constructed response.

Text evidence is missing

Explanation: The student does not include evidence from a text to support the answer. Citing evidence is important because it provides proof and helps support the response.