English/Language Arts
General Knowledge Pre-Test 2010
8th Grade English Language Arts
Mr. Correia
September 2010
Dr. Kevin M. Hurley Middle School
Why are we taking this Pre-test?
• Ahhh! We just got back from vacation! Why are we
taking this test already? 
• CHILL OUT! The reason for this test, if you’re
wondering, is to simply gauge how much knowledge you
already have of reading, writing, literature, spelling and
grammar.
• I know what you’re thinking... How can all this be tested
in ONE test??? Actually, it CAN’T!
• This is why the grade/score you achieve on this test
WILL NOT hurt your grade! 
• But... The results will give me a much better idea of
where our strengths/weaknesses are as a class, and what
skills we should spend more time on to start the year
How to Set Up Your Answer Sheet
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Write your First & Last Name on the TOP LEFT
Write Today’s Date on the TOP RIGHT
Write English Pre-Test UNDER Your Name
Write your Class Nickname UNDER the Date
• SKIP A SPACE
• NUMBER from 1-50 (you may use the back of
your paper if necessary, or make two columns)
How the Pre-Test Will Look
• You will be asked a variety of different questions
(30 total) about Language Arts and Literature:
▫ Multiple Choice
▫ Definitions
▫ Critical Thinking/Short Answer
• Each question will appear on a slide in this
PowerPoint presentation
• Make sure you read the directions/questions
carefully as you hear me read them aloud.
• Please, try your best! Good Luck!
Question #1
Multiple Choice
• Language Arts consist of reading, writing and
________.
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A. speaking
B. listening
C. using technology
D. communicating with those around you
E. none of the above
F. all of the above
Question #2
Multiple Choice
• Which of these responses includes ONLY
genres of literature?
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A. poetry, rhythm, alliteration, imagery, rhyme
B. poetry, fiction, nonfiction, drama, myth
C. main idea, theme, tone, mood, legend
D. climax, resolution, short story, antagonist, plot
E. none of the above
F. all of the above
Question #3
Multiple Choice
• Which of these words is a SYNONYM of the
word serene?
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A. green
B. peaceful
C. violent
D. siren
E. none of the above
F. all of the above
Question #4
Multiple Choice
• Which of these words is an ANTONYM of the
word delicious?
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A. nauseating
B. suspicious
C. tasty
D. delicate
E. none of the above
F. all of the above
Question #5
Multiple Choice
• Which of these words is a HOMONYM of the
word war?
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A. peace
B. battle
C. scar
D. wore
E. none of the above
F. all of the above
Question #6
Multiple Choice
• Which of these English words is derived from
another language?
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A. cliché
B. adobe
C. fiasco
D. spiel
E. none of the above
F. all of the above
Question #7
Multiple Choice
• Which of these English words is a superlative?
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A. good
B. greatest
C. better
D. awesome
E. none of the above
F. all of the above
Question #8
Multiple Choice
• Which of these should NOT be capitalized
within a sentence in English?
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A. Winter
B. Midwest
C. September
D. Jacksonville
E. none of the above
F. all of the above
Question #9
Multiple Choice
• Which of these sentences is an example of
proper punctuation?
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A. “His name is: Clifford?”
B. “What is his name, Clifford?”
C. “Clifford; what is his name?”
D. “Clifford is! His name.”
E. none of the above
F. all of the above
Question #10
Multiple Choice
• Which of these words is spelled correctly,
making it a true exception to the
“I before E except after C” rule?
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A. ancient
B. reciept
C. cieling
D. decieve
E. none of the above
F. all of the above
Question #11
Multiple Choice
• Which of these tricky words correctly completes
the sentence below?
“______ the new members of the White Team!”
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A. There
B. Their
C. They’re
D. Thayer
E. none of the above
F. all of the above
Question #12
Multiple Choice
• Which of these tricky words correctly completes
the sentence below?
“Have your cake, and eat it ___.”
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A. too
B. two
C. to
D. tue
E. none of the above
F. all of the above
Question #13
Multiple Choice
• Which of these words is NOT an adjective?
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A. Vietnamese
B. never
C. friendly
D. blue
E. none of the above
F. all of the above
Question #14
Multiple Choice
• Which of these words is a gerund?
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A. leaping
B. working
C. skiing
D. murmuring
E. none of the above
F. all of the above
Question #15
Multiple Choice
• Which of these verbs is in the past tense?
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A. met
B. get
C. net
D. regret
E. none of the above
F. all of the above
Question #16
Multiple Choice
• Which of these verbs can be written/spelled the
same way in the present AND past tenses?
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A. to play
B. to find
C. to write
D. to read
E. none of the above
F. all of the above
Question #17
Multiple Choice
• Which of these words has a prefix AND a
suffix?
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A. bicycle
B. endless
C. uniform
D. discrimination
E. none of the above
F. all of the above
Question #18
Multiple Choice
• Which of the following is an example of
alliteration?
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A. Snap! Crackle! Pop!
B. Boston Bruins
C. The Cat in the Hat
D. Cold as Ice
E. none of the above
F. all of the above
Question #19
Multiple Choice
• Which of the following is an example of
personification?
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A. The puppy begged us for attention.
B. The sun smiled at the beach-goers.
C. A tree whispered to the boy in the night.
D. Music sang at high volume from his iPod.
E. none of the above
F. all of the above
Question #20
Multiple Choice
• Which of the following includes a simile?
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A. The taxi driver is as stubborn as a mule.
B. Fresh food was fuel for the fire in my stomach.
C. He has a heart of stone towards his enemies.
D. Life is a box of candy—sweet and enjoyable.
E. none of the above
F. all of the above
Question #21
Definitions
• Write a short definition of the following term on
your answer sheet:
• DIALOGUE
Hint!  Start your answer with: “Dialogue is...”
Question #22
Definitions
• Write a short definition of the following term on
your answer sheet:
• IMAGERY
Hint!  Start your answer with: “Imagery is...”
Question #23
Definitions
• Write a short definition of the following term on
your answer sheet:
• COMMUNICATION
Hint!  Start your answer with:
“Communication is...”
Question #24
Definitions
• Write a short definition of the following term on
your answer sheet:
• PEER-EDITING
Hint!  Start your answer with: “Peer-editing is...”
Question #25
Definitions
• Write a short definition of the following term on
your answer sheet:
• PLAGIARISM
Hint!  Start your answer with: “Plagiarism is...”
Question #26
Critical
Thinking
• Write a SYNONYM for the word
“junk.”
Question #27
Critical
Thinking
• Write an ANTONYM for the word
“dangerous.”
Question #28
Critical
Thinking
• Write an example of a
contraction.
Question #29
Critical
Thinking
• How does the word “compare”
differ from the word “contrast?”
• No, this is NOT meant to be a trick question!
Question #30
Critical
Thinking
• Write a word with 5 or more
syllables.
• Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious does NOT count as an
answer!
• Please use good judgment when choosing your word.
CONGRATULATIONS!
• You made it through your FIRST test of the year
in 8th Grade English class! (Phew...)
• Now, we will swap papers with someone in a
different row.
• This person will score/grade your test results as
we discuss them out loud as a class.
• Each question is worth 10 points
• 30 questions x 10 pts each = 300 possible
pts.
• TOP scores will be posted on our Bulletin Board
and will receive a prize!