GMAS
Read the sentence below. **Hint** (Idiom-Phrase with a figurative meaning different from its literal words)
Caroline's fingers itched to try out the new tool.
How does the author's use of idioms in the sentence achieve a specific purpose?
A. It conveys Carolina’s eagerness to use the tool.
B. It emphasizes that Caroline is thankful that she received the tool.
C. It suggests that Caroline is nervous about handling the tool.
D. It indicates Caroline’s surprise at the size of the tool.
A. It conveys Carolina’s eagerness to use the tool.
What narrative technique is this sentence an example of:
"England's most tightfisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge! A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner!"
A. Metaphor
B. Simile
C. Alliteration
D. Paradox
C. Alliteration
Poem: "On Turning Ten" by Billy Collins
In stanza 1, how does the poet use figurative language to express the transition from childhood to maturity?
A. The poet uses a metaphor comparing turning ten to entering a new country to suggest unfamiliarity and change.
B. The poet uses hyperbole to exaggerate the excitement of growing older.
C. The poet uses personification to give childhood human qualities that resist leaving.
D. The poet uses a simile to compare turning ten to a joyful celebration.
A. The poet uses a metaphor comparing turning ten to entering a new country to suggest unfamiliarity and change.
The scientist’s groundbreaking discovery revolutionized the field of genetics, changing the way researchers approached DNA analysis.
Question:
Which word is closest in meaning to revolutionized as it is used in the text?
A) Improved
B) Transformed
C) Questioned
D) Maintained
B. Transformed
3 “I wouldn’t mind relocating to Montreal, Canada,” said Cynthia. “It has a lot of interesting architecture.”
4 “Oooh no,” replied Andy. “Beaucoup trop froid!”
5 “True!” Cynthia laughed
6 “I’d rather go back to Jacksonville,” Andy continued.
7 “With the alligators?? Gracias, pero, no,” Cynthia continued
In what TWO ways does the dialogue in the excerpt affect the story?
A. It demonstrates the personalities of two characters.
B. It clarifies part of the main problem that the characters face.
C. It introduces a source of conflict between the main characters.
D. It describes the characters’ setting with more detail and energy.
E. It positions the characters’ actions in a particular time and space.
A. It demonstrates the personalities of two characters.
B. It clarifies part of the main problem that the characters face.
Which word best completes the sentence?
The engineers continued working on the bridge ___ the weather conditions worsened, determined to meet the deadline.
A) although
B) nor
C) whether
D) because
A. Although
Poem "On Turning Ten"
In lines 22–26, how does the poet reinforce the theme of growing older?
A. By presenting factual details about physical changes that occur with age.
B. By stating that it is time to say goodbye to imaginary friends, symbolizing the end of childhood.
C. By including dialogue that shows others’ reactions to the speaker’s age.
D. By using statistics to highlight the average age of childhood milestones.
B. By stating that it is time to say goodbye to imaginary friends, symbolizing the end of childhood.
What narrative techniques does Langston Hughes use to develop the plot in Thank You, Ma’am?
Answer Choices:
A) He uses flashbacks and dramatic irony to reveal Roger’s past mistakes.
B) He uses dialogue and characterization to show how trust and kindness transform Roger.
C) He uses satire and exaggeration to criticize society’s view of poverty.
D) He uses foreshadowing and symbolism to predict Roger’s future success.
B) He uses dialogue and characterization to show how trust and kindness transform Roger.
If he went into the pool at Jamie's party, he would surely embarrass himself in front of his entire seventh-grade class.
That night at dinner, Kyle explained his terrible predicament to his parents and sister.
Which word is closest to the meaning of the word predicament as used in the text?
A. Celebration, B. Love, C. Decision, D. Challenge
D. Challenge
Question:
You are researching effective strategies to reduce carbon emissions in urban areas. Compare the following evidence and decide:
Evidence A:
A peer-reviewed article in Nature Climate Change analyzes the impact of public transportation on carbon emissions.
Evidence B:
A personal blog post by a city resident describing how biking has helped reduce their carbon footprint.
Evidence A:
A peer-reviewed article in Nature Climate Change analyzes the impact of public transportation on carbon emissions.
What is wrong with this sentence?
Although the committee agreed on the proposal, the chairperson insisted on revisiting the issue, before the final vote was cast.
A) The comma before “before the final vote was cast” is incorrect
B) The sentence needs a semicolon instead of a comma
C) The sentence is missing a subordinating conjunction
D) There are no errors
A) The comma before “before the final vote was cast” is incorrect
(Correct version: …insisted on revisiting the issue before the final vote was cast.)
Read the passage:
"Scrooge was my sole executor, my sole administrator, my sole assign, my sole residuary legatee, my sole friend and my sole mourner."
How is this excerpt structured to achieve a specific purpose?
A) The author uses a comparison of Scrooge's relationship with Marley to highlight toxic relationships.
B) The author uses repetition of the word “sole” to emphasize Scrooge’s isolation and Marley's dependence on him.
C) The author uses dialogue to show Scrooge’s generosity toward Marley.
D) The author uses figurative language to suggest Scrooge was admired by many.
B) The author uses repetition of the word “sole” to emphasize Scrooge’s isolation and Marley's dependence on him.
Hint ***Tone*** Poem: "On Turning Ten" by Billy Collins
In stanza 2, what tone does the poet establish when describing the speaker’s feelings about turning ten?
a. Indifferent, as the poet shows little emotional response to aging.
b. Joyful, as the poet celebrates the new opportunities of growing older.
c. Nostalgic, as the poet reflects on the innocence of earlier years.
d. Humorous, as the poet makes light of the changes that come with age.
c. Nostalgic, as the poet reflects on the innocence of earlier years.
Choose the correct word from each drop-down menu to correctly complete the sentences using subordinating conjunctions.
I still remember the first time I tried to swim. I stood at the edge of the pool, nervous and unsure. I took a deep breath and stepped into the water, holding onto the wall _______ I could get used to the feeling. I stayed near the edge_______ I felt ready to try swimming on my own.
Answer Choices: Because, while, until, so that, before
So that & Until
You are reviewing the following section of your group’s draft research text and notice that connections between ideas could be clearer.
It is no secret that your mood changes when you listen to certain music. ___________, music has the same impact on the mood of customers. Customers’ moods can influence their opinions of a product or a store._____________, these opinions drive purchase decisions.
Which transitions BEST connect claims and reasons?
a. Likewise and Consequently
b. However and Furthermore
c. Therefore and Nevertheless
d. Occasionally and Overall
a. Likewise and Consequently
A student is writing a research report about how social media affects teen mental health. The student wants to answer the following question:
What impact does frequent social media use have on anxiety and self-esteem among teenagers?
Select the TWO most credible sources the student should use to gather relevant information to answer the research question:
A) A scholarly study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health examining correlations between social media use and anxiety
B) A YouTube influencer’s video sharing personal tips for “feeling confident online”
C) A report from the American Psychological Association summarizing research on social media and mental health
D) A Reddit discussion where teens share their experiences with social media
A & C
"What's Christmastime to you but a time of paying bills without any money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer."
What does this excerpt emphasize about Scrooge?
A) He views Christmas as a joyful celebration of family and generosity.
B) He sees Christmas as a financial burden and a reminder of wasted time.
C) He believes Christmas is the best opportunity to earn more wealth.
D) He considers Christmas irrelevant and ignores its traditions completely.
B) He sees Christmas as a financial burden and a reminder of wasted time.
***Hint: Mood*** Poem: "On Turning Ten."
Which statement best describes the mood created throughout the poem?
a. Confident, as the poet expresses certainty about the future.
b. Optimistic, as the poet looks forward to the responsibilities of adulthood.
c. Playful, as the poet jokes about the challenges of growing older.
d. Somber, as the poet emphasizes the loss of childhood wonder.
D. Somber, as the poet emphasizes the loss of childhood wonder.
Choose the correct subordinating conjunction to correctly complete the sentence.
I wanted to finish reading my book. I kept turning the pages, eager to know what happened next. I refused to stop reading ___ my phone kept buzzing, ___ I was determined to reach the last chapter before bed.
Answer Options: Since, While, Although, Because, before, after
Although & Because
Choose the correct word from each drop-down menu to complete the sentence using subordinating conjunctions:
Maria couldn’t decide ___ she should join the debate team, ___ did she feel confident enough to speak in front of a large audience.
Answer choices: but also, nor, because, although, since, whether
Whether & Nor
Read the paragraph from a student’s research report about coffee.
(1) More than a hundred years ago, Europeans who wanted to drink coffee typically tied up coffee grounds in a little piece of cloth and boil it in a pot of water. (2) Some grounds usually got through the cloth and mixed with the drink. (3) The coffee also tasted very bitter. (4) Melitta Bentz invented a much better system for brewing coffee that involved using a heavy paper filter and a pot with holes punched in it. (5) When she poured the boiling water through this contraption, the paper held the coffee grounds, water drained through, and the resulting beverage was a ton better.
Which edit should be made to maintain the appropriate style for the intended purpose?
A. Maintain formal style by changing “a pot of water” to “some water” in sentence 1.
B. Maintain formal style by changing “tasted very bitter” to “tasted pretty awful” in sentence 3.
C. Maintain formal style by changing “holes punched in it” to “holes poked in it” in sentence 4.
D. Maintain formal style by changing “a ton better” to “much improved” in sentence 5.
D. Maintain formal style by changing “a ton better” to “much improved” in sentence 5
In A Christmas Carol, how does the author use narrative techniques to develop the plot?
A) By describing Scrooge’s wealth in great detail to show his success
B) By using flashbacks, foreshadowing, metaphors, and satire to reveal Scrooge’s flaws and inspire his transformation
C) By focusing only on dialogue to explain Scrooge’s relationships
D) By presenting a series of unrelated events to create suspense
B) By using flashbacks, foreshadowing, metaphors, and satire to reveal Scrooge’s flaws and inspire his transformation
In lines 15–21, how does the poet use imagery to convey the speaker’s sense of change?
A. By portraying a classroom setting to emphasize the importance of education.
B. By illustrating a birthday party to show the excitement of turning ten.
C. By describing the solemn light and drained bicycle to symbolize the fading energy of childhood.
D. By depicting bright colors to suggest hope and renewal.
C. By describing the solemn light and drained bicycle to symbolize the fading energy of childhood.
Which poetic technique is used when Langston Hughes creates vivid mental pictures of Ms. Jones and Roger in Thank You, Ma’am?
Answer Choices:
A) Symbolism
B) Imagery
C) Irony
D) Alliteration
B. Imagery
A student is writing a research report about how renewable energy impacts local economies. The student wants to answer the following question:
How does the adoption of solar and wind energy influence job creation and economic growth in rural communities?
Select the TWO most credible sources the student should use to gather relevant information to answer the research question:
A) A peer-reviewed article from the Journal of Environmental Economics analyzing employment trends in renewable energy sectors
B) A blog post by a homeowner describing how installing solar panels lowered their electric bill
C) A government report from the U.S. Department of Energy on renewable energy and rural job growth
D) A social media thread debating whether renewable energy is “worth it”
A) Peer-reviewed article
C) Government report