Reading Final (Qtr. 1-3)
Part I – Vocabulary
Match the words on the left with the definitions on the right.
1.
Climax
A. The ending of a story
2.
Theme
B. The moral or lesson in a story
3.
Falling Action
C. The part of a story between the climax and the ending
4.
Resolution
D. The point in a story that all the action leads up to
5.
Setting
E.
6.
Cause and Effect
A. An essay that gives a lot of details about a subject
7.
Chronological
B. An essay that states events in time order, from first to last
or earliest to latest
8.
Compare and Contrast
C. An essay that gives a situation and tells how it starts and
what happens as a result
9.
Description
D. An essay that presents an issue and gives suggestions
on how to correct it
10.
Problem and Solution
E. An essay that tells how things are alike or different
11.
Authority
A. An event that occurs in nature such as thunderstorms or
tornados
12.
Expository
B. Numbers, facts or percentages used to support a point
13.
Natural Phenomenon
C. An expert in a field quoted to support a point in an essay
14.
Statistic
D. Abilities and powers that normal humans do not have
15.
Supernatural Power
E. A type of essay that explains, informs or gives information
to a reader.
16.
Antagonist
A. A problem or issue between characters
17.
Conflict
B. The hero or good guy
18.
Hero’s Tasks
C. The bad guy or villain
19.
Myth
D. A series of events or duties that a hero in a story needs
to complete to finish a quest or solve a problem
20.
Protagonist
E. A story that contains gods or goddesses
Where and when a story takes place
Part II – Myth Elements
Read the text below. Use the text to answer the questions.
PYGMALION & GALATEA – a Greek Myth
In ancient Greece, on the island of Cyprus, there lived a handsome and talented sculptor named
Pygmalion. He loved his work and would spend hours carving beautiful ivory statues, always at his
happiest when immersed in his art.
One day he chose a large, beautiful piece of ivory, and worked for many long hours at it, chiseling
and hammering until he finished. It was a statue of a beautiful lady, so exquisitely carved that she
seemed almost alive.
Pygmalion at once fell in love with his creation - he thought it was so beautiful, and he clothed the
figure, gave it jewels, and named it Galatea, which means "sleeping love". Treating Galatea as if she
were his girlfriend, he brought his ivory statue shells and pebbles, little birds and flowers of all colors,
anything that he thought would please his love. He was obsessed!
Now, you must understand that Pygmalion was so into his art that he had vowed never to marry. He
had no time for girls, he would always say, just his art and his sculptures. Still, the more he gazed
upon Galatea, the more he wished that he had a wife just like her, but alive. The statue was so
gorgeous and perfect that he dreamed that she were flesh and blood, responsive to his words and
touch.
During a big festival in honor of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, Pygmalion went to the
temple of Aphrodite to pray for a wife just like the statue in his home. His prayers were so fervent and
heart-felt, and his passion so great, that the great goddess took notice.
Wanting to see for herself what all the fuss was about, Aphrodite visited the home of the sculptor and
was delighted to see the ivory GalateA. She couldn't help but think that the statue looked much like
herself, it was so perfect. Indeed, Pygmalion had fashioned his ivory masterpiece after the most
beautiful woman alive, Aphrodite. Pleased and flattered she immediately brought the statue to life, not
even waiting for Pygmalion to come home. When the sculptor returned to his house and kissed
Galatea as was his custom, he was startled at her warmth.
As he showered her with kisses he was beside himself with joy at discovering that slowly the ivory
was turning into flesh. Galatea smiled down at him and spoke adoring words to her loving creator.
Galatea told Pygmalion that it was his deep love for her that had convinced the goddess of love to
bring her to life. Together they prayed and gave thanks to the great Aphrodite.
Soon thereafter the two got married and invited Aphrodite as their guest of honor at the wedding.
Pygmalion never forgot to pay homage to Aphrodite for his good fortune. He and Galatea brought
gifts to her altar and sang her praises as long as they lived.
21. Which statement would best describe the purpose of this story?
A. To explain the origin of life
B. To show the dangers of falling in love
C. To persuade people to become artists and creators
D. To demonstrate the power of the gods
22. Which of the following best explains why this story is considered a myth?
A. The story explains the origin or beginning of a natural phenomenon.
B. The story contains gods or goddesses with supernatural powers.
C. The story contains mythical creatures or fantastic settings.
D. The story contains a message or moral.
E. The story contains a quest or a journey to accomplish a goal.
23. Based on this story, what would you consider important to the Greek people?
A. Statues of women
B. Love and devotion
C. Festivals and celebrations
D. Ivory and marble
24. Which quote from the story best supports the answer above?
A. “It was a statue of a beautiful lady, so exquisitely carved that she seemed almost alive.”
B. “Galatea told Pygmalion that it was his deep love for her that had convinced the goddess of
love to bring her to life.”
C. “Indeed, Pygmalion had fashioned his ivory masterpiece after the most beautiful woman
alive, Aphrodite.”
D. “Now, you must understand that Pygmalion was so into his art that he had vowed never to
marry.'’
25. What would you consider to be the theme of this story?
A. Love can overcome impossible odds.
B. It is not good to love someone too much.
C. Gods and goddesses can change your life for the better.
D. Artists make terrible husbands and wives.
26. Which quote from the story best supports the answer above?
A. “Pleased and flattered she (Aphrodite) immediately brought the statue to life, not even
waiting for Pygmalion to come home.”
B. ‘Pygmalion went to the temple of Aphrodite to pray for a wife just like the statue in his home.’
C. ‘His prayers were so fervent and heart-felt, and his passion so great, that the great goddess
took notice.’
D. ‘The statue was so gorgeous and perfect that he dreamed that she were flesh and blood.”
Part III – Narrative Structure
Read the text below. Use the text to answer the questions.
I found the kitten sitting on my front porch in the toy bin. He was black and white and crying like
a human baby. Where did he come from? I noticed he had no collar. Who would be so irresponsible?
I went inside and opened a can of tuna fish. After I placed the tuna in the doorway, the kitten
hungrily lapped it up and then walked right inside the house.
“Hey, kitten! I didn’t say you could come in!” I yelled.
The kitten seemed unconcerned with this information. He plopped down onto a bunch of pillows
on the couch and began to groom his paws.
My older brother Michael walked into the room, saw the kitten, and started laughing. “What the
heck? You brought home a cat?” he asked.
“I didn’t exactly bring him home,” I explained. “He just kinda walked in through the front door and
made himself at home.”
“Aw, Mom is gonna be so angry!” Michael said. “You’d better call her.”
“Okay,” I said. “I promise I’ll call right now.”
At that moment, I had every intention of doing the right thing and calling my mother. What
happened next was slightly different, though. I picked up the kitten and put him into a box. I gave him
a blanket and a toy. And then I brought him to my bedroom and shut the door.
Our family never owned pets, but I had always wanted one. I knew a little bit about taking care
of them. I knew he wasn’t a newborn kitten because he was big and fluffy, and his eyes were open.
Newborn kittens are not supposed to be separated from their moms. When a human finds them, they
have to be extra careful.
I knew he was going to need a litter box. Of course, since I don’t own a cat, I didn’t have one.
So I took a cardboard box and ripped up an old newspaper into shreds. I learned this trick from an
Internet video. Immediately, the kitten jumped into the box to do his business. I knew this meant he was
already litter box trained.
I really should call my mom about this, I thought, as the kitten meowed and jumped up onto my
lap. Well, he sure did seem to like me! Maybe I didn’t have to give him back after all! If someone can’t
take care of their kitten, they deserve to lose him! I thought.
The kitten kept meowing quite a lot. It wouldn’t stop. And then, it started trying to bite my hand.
“Hey kitten! I’m not food!” I said.
“Meow!” yelled the kitten, trying again to bite my finger.
I knew I had to go to the store and get some cat food. I opened my piggy bank to see what was
inside. Five dollars and 98 cents. Well, that would certainly be enough to buy a can of cat food. “You
stay put, kitten!” I told him. “I’m going to get you food!” I made sure he had plenty of water and shut the
bedroom door. I put on my coat and grabbed my keys. I headed out to Whiskers Organic Pet Supply
up the street from my house in Astoria, Queens.
On my way out the door, I spotted a sign on the telephone pole:
LOST KITTEN
Black and White, very friendly. If you find him, please call us. We are worried sick.
“Hmm,” I thought. “Well, if you were so worried about your kitten, maybe you should have taken
better care of him!”
I laughed to myself and headed into the pet store. People are so irresponsible! It’s a good thing
I found that kitten and took him in. Now, I’m buying him food! Thank goodness he found me!
When I walked into the pet store, I could barely get through the door. The place was packed! A group
of kids were hanging up flyers about this same cat. In the back of the store, I saw a little boy in a
wheelchair. He was about five years old, and he was crying.
“I can’t believe I lost my kitten!” he said to his parents. “I couldn’t get to the open door in time!” I
looked at the flyers on the wall. It was definitely the cat I had back at home, sitting in my bedroom,
behind a closed door. Then the truth of the situation hit me: I had stolen a little boy’s cat!
In my mind, I had made up a whole story about the people who lost the kitten, and how they
deserved to lose him. Now I realized there was a lot I didn’t understand. I tried to justify why I should
keep the kitten by convincing myself the owners deserved to lose him. Now I saw that it was all a big
mistake.
I approached the little boy in the wheelchair. He blew his nose and looked up at me. “I have your
kitten,” I told him. “I’m sorry. I just found him and fed him. He’s at my house.”
The little boy began to cry with laughter. He stretched his arms out and gave me a great big hug.
“Thank you so much! I was just about to put a new flea collar on him when he ran out the door. I couldn’t
chase him! Because of my… you know… my legs.”
“I’ll be right back,” I told him. I ran home to get the kitten and reunite owner and pet.
A situation isn’t always as simple as it seems on the outside. I thought for sure the kitten’s owners
deserved to lose him, but I didn’t have all the information. In the end, I was the one who didn’t deserve
to keep the kitten.
27. Which statement would best describe the conflict in this story?
A. The main character wants a pet, but her brother does not.
B. The main character cannot stop herself from saving stray animals.
C. The main character wants to keep her new pet, even though she knows she is wrong.
D. The main character is afraid to ask her parents for a pet.
28. Which of the following would best describe a setting of this story?
A. A busy pet store
B. A three bedroom house
C. A country farmhouse
D. A schoolyard at recess
29. Which of the following quotes could be considered the climax of this story?
A. “Hey, kitten! I didn’t say you could come in!” I yelled.
B. “Well, if you were so worried about your kitten, maybe you should have taken better care of
him!”
C. Newborn kittens are not supposed to be separated from their moms.
D. Then the truth of the situation hit me: I had stolen a little boy’s cat!
30. Which of the following is true about the conflict of this story?
A. The main character is both the protagonist and the antagonist.
B. The boy in a wheelchair is the antagonist.
C. The main character’s brother is the antagonist.
D. The main character is the protagonist and her parents are the antagonists.
31. What would you consider to be the theme of this story?
A. Kittens are more trouble than they are worth.
B. Doing the right thing isn’t always easy.
C. Children should always listen to their parents.
D. A person should always pay attention to their pets.
Part IV – Expository Texts
Read the text below. Use the text to answer the questions.
People often think all planets are alike, but there are actually three types of planets in the solar
system. The terrestrial planets are made of rock and metal and are closest to the sun. These include
the midsize planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. They rotate slowly and don’t have many
moons. Farther from the sun are the planets called gas giants, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
They are called gas giants because they are formed from gases such as hydrogen and helium. Gas
giants rotate fast and have many moons. Finally, planetoids are objects made up of rock and ice and
are too small to be true “planets.” Planetoids sometimes even get pulled into a planet’s gravitational
field and become moons themselves. Whether they are terrestrials, gas giants, or planetoids, the
planets in the solar system are fascinating.
32. Which would be a good supporting detail to add to this paragraph?
A. Pluto would be a good example of a planetoid.
B. It is possible to see the terrestrial planets with the help of a microscope.
C. Gas giants are the best planets because of their composition.
D. The sun is a star at the center of the solar system.
33. What is the organizational structure of this paragraph?
A. Description
D. Problem and Solution
B. Cause and Effect
E. Compare and Contrast
C. Chronological
34. Which statement best states the main idea of this paragraph?
A. Midsize planets are usually closer to the sun.
B. Planets in the solar system are fascinating to study.
C. There are several different types of planets in the solar system.
D. Most planets are made up of rock, metal or gas.
There is much preparation to be done before hunting season arrives. First, hunters must obtain their
deer or elk tags from the Department of Wildlife which allows them to legally kill these animals. Then
they must consult their calendars, ask for time off of work, request assignments from teachers like
Mrs. B, and determine where they will go to hunt. Finally, because big game live in the wilderness,
sportsmen must prepare to keep warm during many days outside by gathering their warm coats,
woolen socks, hats and gloves. To most hunters, thankfully, the groundwork is just as exciting as the
hunt itself!
35. What is the organizational structure of this paragraph?
A. Description
D. Problem and Solution
B. Compare and Contrast
E. Cause and Effect
C. Chronological
36. Which of the following is NOT part of the preparation hunters must complete before
hunting season?
A. Getting permission from the Department of Wildlife to hunt animals
B. Figuring out the best location to conduct the hunt
C. Gathering warm clothing to protect them from the elements while outside
D. Purchasing food and water to take on hunting trips
Deforestation is a serious issue because forests and trees are not just pretty to look at, they do an
important job making the earth´s environment suitable for life. In the past fifty years, more than half of
the world´s rainforests have been destroyed. One remedy to the issue of deforestation is to use less
paper. If you use less paper, fewer trees will be cut for paper making. How can you use less
paper? One answer is to reduce your paper use by using both sides of the paper when you
photocopy, write a letter, or write an essay. A second answer is to reuse old paper when you can,
rather than using a new sheet of paper. The backs of old envelopes are perfect for shopping list or
phone messages, and you write a rough draft of an essay, write it on the back of something else. A
final answer is to recycle used paper products instead of throwing them away. Most schools, offices,
and districts have some kind of recycling center.
37. What is the organizational structure of this paragraph?
A. Description
B. Cause and Effect
C. Chronological
D. Problem and Solution
E. Compare and Contrast
38. Which statement best states the main idea of this paragraph?
A. It is important to recycle paper products in order to avoid cutting down trees.
B. Deforestation is a serious issue, but there are ways to reduce the impact.
C. We have lost more than half of the world’s rainforests due to deforestation.
D. The backs of old envelopes are good places to write a shopping list or phone messages.
Read the text below. Use the text to answer the questions.
Fine Arts
“Fine arts are important in the curriculum because of what they do for learning,” stated Patty Taylor,
arts consultant for the California State Department of Education. In other words, the arts, especially
music, should be part of every school’s curriculum at every grade level. Music makes students
smarter, gives children something positive to do, and builds self-confidence. Most students don’t have
a chance to learn music outside of school, and everyone deserves that opportunity.
Students would be much smarter if they had some music experience. They would improve their
classroom skills, like paying attention, following directions, and participating without interrupting.
People develop all these skills when they learn music. Musicians are also better in math, and they get
higher S.A.T. scores. For instance, a study by the College Entrance Examination Board reported,
“Students with 20 units of arts and music scored 128 points higher on the S.A.T. verbal and 118
points higher in math.” A Rockefeller Foundation study states that music majors have the highest rate
of admittance to medical school. Making music also lets children use their imaginations, unlike
playing with video games and electronic stuffed animals. “It provides students a chance to try out their
own ideas,” according to the California Educator. Music makes children well-rounded students.
Music not only makes children better students but also gives them something positive to do. In a
music program, children can be part of a band or choir instead of joining a gang. Parents can enjoy
listening to their children’s music instead of seeing them glued to a computer or TV screen. In band,
students get to be part of a team. They can interact with old friends and make new friends through
music. While learning and making music, children can also be exploring a potential career.
Music builds self-confidence. It gives children a sense of accomplishment and success. Making music
is something for them to be proud of, and it lets kids practice performing in front of an audience. As
reported in the California Educator, “It gives [students] self-confidence and a feeling of importance to
have a skill someone appreciates. They are also learning how to accomplish something from
beginning to end and actually come out with a product that they can be proud of.” Music gives
children an outlet for self-expression, and that helps develop their self-confidence.
Once again, music is important because it can make children better students, give them something
positive to do, and build their character. Unfortunately, the children who need music lessons the most
usually don’t have access to them outside of school. That is why music should be offered in every
single grade in every school.
39. Which statement would be considered the thesis statement of this article?
A. Students should be allowed to take fine arts classes in school.
B. Studying music will improve your test scores and boost your intelligence.
C. Taking music reduces the chances of students joining gangs.
D. All students should be able to take music classes in school, no matter how old they are.
40. Which quote from the article best supports your answer to the previous question?
A. In other words, the arts, especially music, should be part of every school’s curriculum at
every grade level.
B. Making music also lets children use their imaginations, unlike playing with video games and
electronic stuffed animals
C. Music not only makes children better students but also gives them something positive to do.
D. Unfortunately, the children who need music lessons the most usually don’t have access to
them outside of school.
41. For what reason would the author include the quote “It gives [students] self-confidence
and a feeling of importance to have a skill someone appreciates.” in this article?
A. To explain that all students should have a skill they practice every day
B. To show that most students suffer from low self esteem
C. To help readers see how studying music is beneficial to students
D. To inform readers about the methods of building self confidence
42. Which of the following kinds of quote is used most in this article?
A. Quotes from authority figures
B. Quotes based on personal experience
C. Quotes that mention specific articles, textbooks or journals
43. Which of the kinds of expository writing is NOT present in this article?
A. Description
B. Chronological
C. Cause and effect
D. Problem and solution
E. Compare and Contrast
44. Which of the following would be most likely to contribute a quote that would BEST
support the argument in this article?
A. A group of high school principals
B. The London Symphony Orchestra
C. The National Association for Music Education
D. An elementary school student taking music classes
45. Which of the following is not a benefit of music education, according to the article?
A. More confident students
B. Higher scores in math, especially on tests
C. Increased sales at music shops
D. The ability to use your imagination and creativity
Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question. Then fill in the answer on
your answer document.
The Story of Pixar
1 “To infinity and beyond!” shouts Buzz
Lightyear, holding his fist triumphantly high
as he zooms through the air. Today this
line is familiar to many people. Millions of
viewers around the world have enjoyed
the animated film Toy Story since its
release in 1995.
2 Nothing like the realistic digital animation
used in Toy Story had ever been seen in a
movie before. Moviegoers were enamored
of the film and not just for its
groundbreaking technology. People of all
ages could relate to its heartwarming,
timeless story. Since Toy Story, audiences
have flocked to other movies from the
same filmmakers that combine
sophisticated animation techniques with
compelling storylines.
3 Pixar, the company that made Toy Story, had not planned to make movies at all. Instead, the
owners of Pixar had just wanted to sell a special computer that they had developed. How did a
small computer company become the leading animation studio in the world?
4 The story begins with George Lucas, the mastermind behind Star Wars and other popular
films. In 1979, Lucas hired computer expert Ed Catmull to work for Lucasfilm, his film
production company. Catmull was the first person to use computer graphics in a film. In 1983,
John Lasseter, an animation filmmaker, joined Lucasfilm.
5 While at Lucasfilm, Catmull and his team designed a graphics-animation computer. This
computer, called Pixar, could make realistic three-dimensional images better and faster than
any computer before it. The extremely complex computer, priced at about $125,000, was
capable of benefiting the space and medical industries.
6 In 1984, Lucas decided to sell the computer graphics division of his company. Several
companies were interested in purchasing the division. However, it was Steve Jobs, the
cofounder of Apple Computer Inc., who finally bought it in 1986. Jobs paid the bargain price of
$10 million for the division and named it Pixar after the computer its people had designed.
Jobs, who was very good at selling computers, wanted to sell the Pixar computer to hospitals.
7 Catmull, Lasseter, and the Pixar team went to work for Jobs. They wanted to make animated
films, but Jobs wanted them to focus on technical graphics, such as improved satellite images
and three-dimensional x-rays. However, since running Pixar was very expensive, Jobs agreed
to the production of animated films in an effort to make Pixar profitable. The team began to
make short animated films to show what the Pixar computer could do. In 1987, Pixar’s short
film Luxo Jr. was nominated for an Academy Award.
8 The Pixar team then created a new kind of software called RenderMan to use on the Pixar
computer. RenderMan made it possible to create pictures that looked almost like real
photographs. Using RenderMan, the Pixar team created the short film Tin Toy in 1988. Pixar
won its first Academy Award for this film.
9 After that Pixar began making computer-animated commercials for popular products. By 1990,
Pixar had stopped trying to sell its computer and technical graphics and was focusing solely on
animation. The company was struggling financially the entire time. Up to that point, it still
hadn’t made a profit.
10 Everything changed in 1995 when Pixar released Toy Story, its first full-length animated movie.
The film was a huge hit, and Pixar finally showed a profit. Toy Story received several award
nominations.
11 In 1997, Pixar released its next full-length movie, A Bug’s Life. This film was about an ant who
leads a group of misfit bugs to save an ant colony from greedy grasshoppers. It was as
successful as Toy Story.
12 Pixar released many other movies over the next several years, including Toy Story 2;
Monsters, Inc.; Finding Nemo; The Incredibles; and Cars. The success of these films led to
Pixar being purchased by Disney in 2006. Since that time the Pixar team has created several
more award-winning films, including Ratatouille, WALL-E, Up, and Toy Story 3.
13 Ed Catmull, John Lasseter, and the rest of the Pixar team showed great creativity as they
found a new way to make animated films. Today animation filmmakers look to Pixar films as
the standard they must try to reach. Pixar films continue to entertain audiences throughout the
world with their interesting stories, likable characters, and advanced animation.
46. The author uses a quotation from the movie Toy Story in the first paragraph to —
A. explain to the reader what the movie is about
B. establish the purpose of the selection for the reader
C. describe one of the movie’s main characters for the reader
D. gain the reader’s attention with a familiar saying
47. How is the selection organized?
A. It describes the causes of the obstacles Pixar experienced and how these challenges affected
the company.
B. It states general information about Pixar’s movies and then gives specific information about the
software used to create the movies.
C. It relates the development of Pixar from its early stages to the present.
D. It compares the technology Pixar uses to the technology used by other film companies.
48. Which experience contributed most to the Pixar team’s success in the film industry?
A. Working for George Lucas at Lucasfilm
B. Designing computer software that created lifelike images
C. Improving how x-ray images are presented
D. Working for Steve Jobs to create technical graphics for various industries
49. Which sentence from the selection explains why Pixar became involved in the film
industry?
A. This computer, called Pixar, could make realistic three-dimensional images better and faster
than any computer before it.
B. RenderMan made it possible to create pictures that looked almost like real photographs.
C. Jobs, who was very good at selling computers, wanted to sell the Pixar computer to hospitals.
D. However, since running Pixar was very expensive, Jobs agreed to the production of animated
films in an effort to make Pixar profitable.
50. How does the author support the claim that Pixar set the standard for animated films?
A. By explaining how the Pixar computer could be beneficial to society
B. By outlining the reasons Disney was interested in acquiring Pixar
C. By mentioning the people who were involved in the development of the Pixar computer
D. By describing the achievements that demonstrate Pixar’s status in the movie industry