Context Clues/Vocab
Being more mindful of when we use technology allows us to be more present when interacting with others. Doctors and scientists are concerned that the heavy use of electronic devices is creating a generation that is easily distracted. People who depend on technology shift their attention from one media platform to another about 27 times per hour. Additionally, the majority of young people say they would rather text people than speak with them in person. It can be difficult to have a meaningful conversation with friends when everyone is distracted by a cell-phone screen. If you notice that those around you are using their phones too much, speak up. It is much more rewarding to have a conversation with people who are attentive.
What does the word attentive mean in the paragraph ?
F Encouraging
G Focused
H Grateful
J Understanding
G Focused
12Today, people continue to tag monarchs through Monarch Watch, an organization based at the University of Kansas. Some citizen scientists also count monarch eggs and caterpillars. Others share photos online.
13“It’s like a huge Easter egg hunt across the whole continent,” says Elizabeth Howard. She founded Journey North, a website that tracks monarch sightings. “We have everyone from kindergartners to the oldest scientists following the migration,” she says.
What key idea is supported by the details in paragraphs 12 and 13?
F People enjoy participating in efforts to track the monarchs.
G Advanced technology is required to track migration paths of monarchs.
H Monarch Watch uses photography as a main method of counting monarchs.
J Young monarch watchers are often trained by older researchers.
F People enjoy participating in efforts to track the monarchs.
Which sentence from the selection best supports the controlling idea that monarchs depend on human help?
F He wanted to create a way station for monarch butterflies. (paragraph 1)
G Every fall, millions of monarchs fly up to 4,800 kilometers (3,000 miles) from Canada and the United States to Mexico. (paragraph 3)
H The older butterflies die, and their offspring continue north. (paragraph 6)
J By planting butterfly gardens, they’re restoring the habitat monarchs need to survive. (paragraph 15)
J By planting butterfly gardens, they’re restoring the habitat monarchs need to survive. (paragraph 15)
What is an example of personification?
Answers may vary
Next, he planted rows of flowering plants called milkweed—monarchs’ main source of food. (paragraph 2) Over the past four years, Carter has raised and tagged more than 700 monarch butterflies. (paragraph 16)
What can the reader infer about Carter based on these sentences?
A Carter sees many types of insects in his backyard all year long.
B Carter has expanded the area that he uses to host butterflies.
C Carter’s efforts to help butterflies have been successful.
D Carter’s backyard is a place for citizen scientists to meet.
C Carter’s efforts to help butterflies have been successful.
What does the word reminisce mean in the paragraph ?
My mom sighed but agreed. I stared at the empty chair at the table and started to reminisce about times with Becca as I finished my meal. I thought about the days when our biggest problems involved Olivia the doll.
F To remember past events
G To have doubts
H To judge someone’s actions
J To resolve an issue
F To remember past events
When the day of the competition finally arrived, Brittany was plagued with nerves. Her parents were in the stands, and Coach Jen was in the front row beside other coaches. Brittany practiced her moves and, although she had memorized the routine, she felt clumsy and insecure. Brittany stood with a solemn expression, concerned that this was about to be a disaster
In the paragraph , what does the word solemn mean?
A Serious
B Confused
C Shocked
D Annoyed
A Serious
Luckily, monarchs have some important allies. Over the past 60 years, thousands of people have helped scientists study these incredible insects.
In the paragraph , the words “Luckily” and “important allies” contribute to the author’s voice by showing —
A doubt that monarchs are truly in danger of extinction
B frustration that monarchs sometimes lack the resources they need
C hope that people will do what is needed to save monarchs
D wonder about whether the attempts to save monarchs will be unsuccessful
C hope that people will do what is needed to save monarchs
A rather tall, scary girl from the other team took her place to serve. She looked like she could squish me like a bug. Grinning, the girl tossed the ball up in the air with ease. Then she smashed it in the desired direction.
In the paragraph, what is the most likely reason the author uses figurative language to describe the girl from the opposing team?
A To emphasize that Millie feels weak and helpless on the court
B To show that Millie is smaller than the other girls on the court
C To suggest that the girl has been planning to embarrass Millie since the game started
D To hint that the girl will make a mistake because she is being overconfident
A To emphasize that Millie feels weak and helpless on the court
The American Heart Association recommends that people get 150 minutes of exercise a week. That means that a person should exercise for about 30 minutes a day, five days a week. A half hour of brisk walking can easily help someone meet that goal. Simply increasing your normal walking speed from a slothlike pace to a quick-step movement counts as a moderate form of exercise. You don’t need to walk 30 minutes all at one time to start either. A professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, Dr. I-Min Lee, recommends that beginners start with three short 10-minute walks. Eventually longer walks will become easier. Who knew that such a small change in something we already do counts as exercise?
Which inference about walking is supported by the information in the paragraph ?
F Skilled athletes can complete their daily walk in a few minutes.
G People have trouble finding time in their day to walk.
H Longer walks may be difficult for beginners to complete.
J Moving at a fast pace makes walking a more enjoyable experience.
H Longer walks may be difficult for beginners to complete.
Which line from the poem “The Tree” best helps the reader understand that the speaker is experiencing regret?
A Each evening for a full five minutes, (line 1)
B upon my neighbor’s house. (line 4)
C That evening the tree was gone, (line 12)
D an emptiness, along the street: (line 15)
D an emptiness, along the street: (line 15)
“You’ve got this, Brit; and no matter what happens, I’ll be cheering you on.”
How does this sentence support a primary theme of the story?
A By explaining that it is important to be honest with others
B By revealing that achieving a goal often requires eliminating distractions
C By suggesting that participating in athletic competitions can be stressful
D By showing that good relationships can withstand minor disagreements
D By showing that good relationships can withstand minor disagreements
What is the most likely reason the author includes a quotation in the paragraph?
Another boundary that people can set is avoiding using digital devices before going to sleep. Doctors suggest establishing a specific time of night when all devices must be turned off. Stopping the use of digital devices two hours before bedtime will likely lead to better sleep. Staring at a cell phone, computer, or television screen right before bedtime is distracting. Researcher Jean Twenge says that “answering texts and scrolling through social media is mentally and emotionally stimulating, which leads to disturbed sleep.” In addition, the blue light that smartphones emit keeps the brain from producing melatonin. Melatonin helps people fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.
A To explain what can happen when people do not take a break from technology
B To show that people must be able to send information at all times
C To highlight a typical routine of someone who regularly uses technology
D To suggest that people do not know how to give up their devices
A To explain what can happen when people do not take a break from technology
She felt a weight lift from her shoulders, now buoyed by a dose of support from her friend.
What does the author’s use of figurative language in this sentence help the reader understand?
F The burden Brittany feels about winning the competition
G The sense of relief Brittany feels from Alix’s presence
H The mutual respect Brittany and Alix have for each other
J The challenges in gymnastics that Brittany has had to overcome
G The sense of relief Brittany feels from Alix’s presence
Which sentence supports the idea that Brittany is concerned about her friendship with Alix?
F With that, Alix turned and headed toward the exit. (paragraph 4)
G Brittany stared at the empty stands, imagining how she must have made Alix feel. (paragraph 9)
H Alix placed her hands on Brittany’s shoulders and gave her a little shake. (paragraph 14)
J She saw Alix, giving two thumbs up, and Brittany envisioned the judges giving her the same gesture after her routine. (paragraph 15)
G Brittany stared at the empty stands, imagining how she must have made Alix feel. (paragraph 9)
14The gap it left created a silence,
15 an emptiness, along the street: the presence of 16the absence of the tree.
How does the author’s use of language in lines 14 through 16 contribute to the mood of the poem “The Tree”?
F By explaining that the speaker is surprised by feelings of disappointment
G By highlighting how the speaker is frustrated with the current situation
H By suggesting that the speaker is uncertain about what will happen next
J By showing that the speaker is experiencing a sense of abandonment
J By showing that the speaker is experiencing a sense of abandonment
After a few moments, the judges announced the beginning of the event and called Brittany’s name first. Brittany approached the edge of the mat with her head held high. She saw Alix, giving two thumbs up, and Brittany envisioned the judges giving her the same gesture after her routine. She felt a weight lift from her shoulders, now buoyed by a dose of support from her friend.
In the paragraph, the author’s choice of language creates a mood of —
F fondness
G admiration
H hopefulness
J amusement
H hopefulness
If you notice that those around you are using their phones too much, speak up.
What is the most likely reason the author uses direct address in this sentence?
F To show the reader that texting is enjoyable
G To suggest that the reader take action
H To encourage the reader to be more observant
J To help the reader develop better friendships
G To suggest that the reader take action
Becca and I both started laughing and continued to dance as our anger crept out of the living room. What is the most likely reason the author uses personification in this sentence?
F To suggest that the girls appreciate their dad’s suggestion
G To show that the girls have forgotten about their argument
H To highlight the bond the girls have with each other
J To emphasize the girls’ willingness to work together
G To show that the girls have forgotten about their argument
Now it was the night before Becca moved across the country to attend college, and it had been a whole month since our last dance party. We were older now, and I understood that Becca had things to do and was preoccupied with spending her final days of high school with her friends. I never realized how much I had cherished those nightly dance parties with my sister. I couldn’t shake the feeling of how upset I would be if we didn’t get to have one last dance party.
What can the reader infer about the narrator based on the paragraph?
A She is angry that Becca has spent the last month busy with friends.
B She wonders if her relationship with Becca will change after the move.
C She thinks that Becca is happy about leaving home to go to college.
D She fears that the nightly tradition is no longer important to Becca.
D She fears that the nightly tradition is no longer important to Becca.
In the paragraph, in what way does the information about the findings in the Harvard study support the author’s argument?
A The findings confirm that many people appreciate walking.
B The findings explain why people choose to take walks.
C The findings prove that walking has desirable results.
D The findings show how often people go for a walk.
C The findings prove that walking has desirable results.
When people think of exercise, they probably envision someone muscular lifting hundreds of pounds on a barbell or swift and strong sprinters speeding along a racetrack.
Which key idea is suggested by this sentence?
A Most exercise routines require an advanced level of skill.
B Proper equipment is often needed for certain exercise programs.
C Anyone can take part in exercise with the right amount of training.
D People avoid exercise because they think it is beyond their capabilities.
D People avoid exercise because they think it is beyond their capabilities.
How does the change of setting in the paragraph contribute to the plot?
F By causing Brittany to believe that Alix will not come to support her
G By increasing the pressure Brittany feels about her performance
H By revealing that Brittany has practiced as much as she can for the competition
J By highlighting the reason Brittany needed time apart from Alix
G By increasing the pressure Brittany feels about her performance
She felt a weight lift from her shoulders, now buoyed by a dose of support from her friend.
What does the author’s use of figurative language in this sentence help the reader understand?
F The burden Brittany feels about winning the competition
G The sense of relief Brittany feels from Alix’s presence
H The mutual respect Brittany and Alix have for each other
J The challenges in gymnastics that Brittany has had to overcome
G The sense of relief Brittany feels from Alix’s presence
Which sentence suggests that Brittany’s performance suffers because of Alix’s absence?
A “I’m sorry, Brittany, I know you’re great at gymnastics, but I was just trying to offer some advice.” (paragraph 4)
B Five days had passed since Brittany had confronted Alix—and just two days were left until the competition. (paragraph 6)
C “You seem off your game, Brit—and you need to get it together by Saturday morning.” (paragraph 8)
D Brittany approached the edge of the mat with her head held high. (paragraph 15)
C “You seem off your game, Brit—and you need to get it together by Saturday morning.” (paragraph 8)