Grade 10 Curriculum Support
Connotation and Denotation
1. The words traditional, conservative, conventional, and old-fashioned all have similar
meanings. Which one would an author use to express a negative opinion about a person?
A. conventional
B. old-fashioned
C. traditional
D. conservative
Connotation and Denotation
2. The words longing and melancholy both have meanings that imply sadness. Which word with
a similar meaning would an author use to convey a sense of yearning?
A. wistful
B. loathing
C. thoughtful
D. unhappy
Connotation and Denotation
So now Della's beautiful hair fell about her, rippling and shining like a cascade of brown
waters. It reached below her knee and made itself almost a garment for her. And then she did it
up again nervously and quickly. Once she faltered for a minute and stood still while a tear or two
splashed on the worn red carpet.
On went her old brown jacket; on went her old brown hat. With a whirl of skirts and with the
brilliant sparkle still in her eyes, she cluttered out of the door and down the stairs to the street.
from "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry
3. Read the following sentence from the passage.
"With a whirl of skirts and with the brilliant sparkle still in her eyes . . ."
What is the dictionary meaning of the word whirl?
A. a wall
B. a transport
C. a turn
D. a world
Citation Formats
4. Which of the following quotations is correctly cited?
A.
A doctor writes about the negative effects of plastic surgery, "People start to lose their
identities, and they feel that there are no consequences to their actions."
B.
In his book Living Life to its Fullest, Levy draws attention to the fact that "people are more
likely to be seriously injured in a car accident than in a skydiving incident" (25).
C.
In The Future is Near, the author stated "I predict that 10,000 people will be living on the
moon by the year 2015. A space elevator will transport them to and from Earth."
D.
"I was a very picky eater as a boy. If it didn't smell good and look good to me, I would not
even touch it." A famous chef tells the audience during a talk show interview.
Citation Formats
5. Geoffrey used a Web site called MLAStyle to write his paper. The Web site is published by
Modern Language Association, and the Web address is http://www.mla.org. Geoffrey got his
information from the Web site on March 2, 2006.
Which is the correct way for Geoffrey to cite this Web site?
A. http://www.mla.org. MLA Style. March 2, 2006: Modern Language Association.
B. Modern Language Association. http://www.mla.org. MLA Style. 2 March 2006.
C. MLAStyle. Modern Language Association. 2 March 2006. <http://www.mla.org/>.
D. Modern Language Association's MLAStyle. http://www.mla.org. March 2, 2006.
Citation Formats
6. Amelia is starting her works cited page for her paper on rabbits. She used an article from the
Dallas Morning News called "Understanding Rabbits: From Good Bunny to Bad," written by
Mary Williams. The article appeared on page G1 in the paper on March 2, 2005.
Which is the correct way for Amelia to cite this source?
A.
Mary Williams, "Understanding Rabbits: From Good Bunny to Bad." G1, Dallas Morning
News, 2 March 2005.
B.
Dallas Morning News. Mary Williams: "Understanding Rabbits: From Good Bunny to
Bad." March 2, 2005. G1.
C.
Williams, Mary. "Understanding Rabbits: From Good Bunny to Bad." Dallas Morning
News 2 March 2005: G1.
D.
"Understanding Rabbits: From Good Bunny to Bad." Williams, Mary. Dallas Morning
News, G1. 2 March 2005.
Compare and Contrast
The high school library has decided to remove some books from the shelves in response to
parental complaints about inappropriate content and mature themes. These books include The
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Catcher in the Rye, and Of Mice and Men. Two students have
written editorials about the new library policy.
Student 1
The issue first arose when a student checked out Catcher in the Rye at the school library. The
student’s parents were upset that the book contained profanity and a rebellious character. The
parents were further shocked that their son could find a book like that at the place they send him
every day—school. After bringing the issue to the school board, several books were banned from
the school library. This policy is a positive step toward keeping controversy away from the
classroom.
The school showed that it respects the parents’ feelings. Ultimately, the parents pay for the
school through their taxes, so their ideas should always be considered. The school should
remember that different people are offended by different things. Taking offensive books out of
the library should be done to quiet complaints.
Some people are upset with the new policy because they feel it limits freedom to read. That is
an exaggeration. These books and their important lessons and messages will not be lost to all
mankind. They will still be available in the public library, local bookstores, and even online.
There will still be thousands of books that students can choose to read in the school library.
Parents have the right to regulate what their children read. When they send their kids to
school, they should trust that their values and opinions will be respected. Banning books is
policy that effectively solves the problem.
Student 2
The school board’s new policy has appropriately been met with strong opposition. Taking
classic books out of the library is the wrong move for a place of learning. A handful of parents
created a situation where all students must now suffer.
Taking books out of the library sends the wrong message. It says that reading is not an
important part of learning. Students should be free to walk into a library and check out any book.
If parents are upset with their children learning about different emotions, cultures, and themes,
then they should individually monitor their child’s reading.
Proponents of the policy seem to think that it is fine to ban books in the schools because kids
can still get the books outside of school. To me, that is a big leap in logic. For some students, the
school library is their only source of reading material available to them. Not all students can
afford to buy books or Internet access. These students are the most harmed by the censorship of
information in a place that is supposed to provide education.
The school board’s decision shows that they are afraid of the parents and will do whatever
they say. The school needs to make decisions without being bossed around by the misinformed
parents.
7. The authors of both editorials agree that
A. Catcher in the Rye is a bad influence on kids.
B. books are important sources of knowledge.
C. schools should monitor what students read.
D. parents should pay higher school taxes.
Compare and Contrast
8. Student 1 and Student 2 would most likely disagree about which statement?
A. Everyone can buy books at bookstores.
B. The school board created a new library policy.
C. Schools should give students an education.
D. The new policy has been met with opposition.
Compare and Contrast
9. Which issue seems more important to Student 1 than to Student 2?
A. challenging the parents
B. having freedom of choice
C. getting a good education
D. minimizing controversy
Plot
Unless one is wealthy, there is no use in being charming. Romance is the privilege of the rich.
The poor should be practical and common. It is better to have a permanent income than to be
fascinating. These are the great truths of modern life, which poor Hughie Erskine never realized.
To make matters worse, he was in love. He loved Laura Merton, the daughter of a retired
colonel. Laura adored him. They were the handsomest couple in London, without a penny-piece
between them. The Colonel was fond of Hughie, but would not hear of an engagement.
"Come to me, my boy, when you have ten thousand pounds, and we will see," he used to say.
Hughie looked glum on these days.
One morning, he was on his way to the Mertons. He dropped by to see a friend, Alan Trevor.
Trevor was a painter.
When Hughie came in, Trevor was finishing a life-size picture of a beggar-man. The beggar
was standing on a raised platform in a corner of the studio. He was a wizened old man with a
wrinkled face and a piteous expression. With one hand, he leaned on a rough stick. With the
other, he held out his battered hat for alms.
After some time, the servant came in and told Trevor the frame-maker wanted to speak to
him. Trevor went out for a bit, and the beggar-man rested on a wooden bench behind him.
Hughie pitied him and checked his pockets for money. He slipped his largest coin into the
beggar's hand.
The old man started, and a smile flitted across his lips. "Thank you, sir," he said.
When Trevor came back, Hughie left, blushing at what he did. Later, Trevor told Hughie
about the beggar-man.
"That old beggar is one of the richest men in Europe. He was Baron Hausberg, a great friend
of mine. He buys all of my pictures. He is a millionaire!" Trevor said.
"Baron Hausberg!" cried Hughie. "I am an unlucky devil. Please say nothing. I am so
embarrassed."
The next morning, Hughie was at breakfast when Baron Hausberg's servant came to the
house. "Please offer the Baron my apologies," Hughie said.
"The Baron," the servant said, "has asked me to bring you this letter."
The outside said, "A wedding present to Hugh Erksine and Laura Merton, from an old
beggar." Inside was a check for ten thousand pounds.
When they were married, Trevor was the best man. Baron Hausberg came to the wedding.
"Millionaire models," remarked Trevor, "are rare enough. Model millionaires are rarer still!"
adapted from "The Model Millionaire" by Oscar Wilde
10. Why does Hughie feel embarrassed when Trevor tells him about the beggar?
A. Hughie had not treated the beggar with any respect.
B. Hughie did not know the beggar was really a rich baron.
C. Hughie had told the beggar to clean himself up and get a job.
D. Hughie did not know that Trevor had already paid the beggar.
Plot
11. Why can't Hughie and Laura marry at the beginning of the story?
A. Hughie does not have money.
B. Laura's father dislikes Hughie.
C. Hughie is already married.
D. Laura has no aristocratic title.
Plot
12. How are Hughie's troubles resolved?
A. Hughie becomes successful by working as a painter's model.
B. Hughie impresses Laura's father by giving a beggar a large coin.
C. Laura's father lets Hughie marry Laura despite his lack of money.
D. The baron gives Hughie money so that he can marry Laura.
Punctuation
13.
Does Coach Marshall always say to his players, "You must work harder?"
Choose the answer that correctly punctuates this sentence.
A. Does Coach Marshall always say to his players, "You must work harder."?
B. Does Coach Marshall always say to his players, "You must work harder."
C. Does Coach Marshall always say to his players "You must work harder."?
D. Does Coach Marshall always say to his players, "You must work harder"?
Punctuation
14.
Lukes cell phone wouldn't work in the elevator and he got so angry that he threw it to the ground
when he got to the parking lot.
Which of the following is the proper way to punctuate this sentence?
A.
Luke's cell phone wouldn't work in the elevator, and he got so angry that he threw it to the
ground when he got to the parking lot.
B.
Luke's cell phone wouldn't work in the elevator and he got, so angry that he threw it to the
ground, when he got to the parking lot.
C.
Lukes cell phone wouldn't work in the elevator, and he got so angry that he threw it to the
ground, when he got to the parking lot.
D. It is correct as is.
Punctuation
15.
The noisy, red, car went speeding down the road.
Choose the answer that correctly punctuates this sentence.
A. The noisy red car went speeding down the road.
B. The noisy red car, went speeding down the road.
C. The noisy red, car went speeding down the road.
D. The noisy, red car went speeding down the road.
Theme
Beijing teens study how to award Olympic medals
BEIJING (Reuters) - For 16-year-old Li Miaomiao, sore feet from wearing high heels for hours
at a time and an achy jaw from constant smiling are worth the chance of hanging a medal around
an athlete's neck come the Beijing Olympics.
The willow-thin high school student is one of 34 Chinese girls "training" to be an Olympic medal
presenter at the Beijing Foreign Affairs School (BFAS). It is one of several state-run colleges
charged with producing camera-friendly girls for awards ceremonies.
When not balancing books on her head to improve posture during medal presentation rehearsal
sessions, Li and her classmates study English, cultural training and look at pictures of past medal
presenters and their uniforms.
Most important for Li, though, is the smile.
"I practice at home, and smile to the mirror for an hour every day," Li said. "I want to present my
smile to the world, and let them know that the Chinese smile is the warmest."
Cut-throat Competition
Li says her school is doing its bit to mold well-mannered, natural communicators to deal with
foreign guests. BFAS will produce staff to wait on International Olympic Committee officials at
their hotel.
More than 800,000 Chinese have applied for only 100,000 Olympic volunteer positions on offer.
Similarly, the competition to become one of the coveted 380-odd medal presenters is cut-throat.
The 34 hopefuls at BFAS are up against specialist dance schools, universities and possibly
winners of regional contests across the country, Li said.
The Perfect Smile
Further exacting standards are demanded from BFAS's students. Apart from common-sense
communication tips, such as looking directly at someone while talking to them, students are also
informed the perfect smile consists of "only showing the eight top teeth," according to 17-yearold student Li Bogeng, who wants to make cocktails for IOC officials.
For Li Miaomiao, the perfect smile comes naturally—after having practiced for hours in the
mirror.
It no doubt helped Li become one of only seven girls chosen from dozens of applicants to present
medals to winning boxers at an Olympic test event in Beijing last November.
Being 16, Li is technically ineligible from becoming an Olympic presenter. The guidelines call
for 18-25 year-old university students. But she rates herself a contender, anyway.
"I'm very confident. I think I have an 80 percent chance," she said, flashing a winning smile.
Copyright 2008 Reuters. Reprinted with permission from Reuters. Reuters content is the
intellectual property of Reuters or its third party content providers. Any copying, republication
or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of
Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in content, or for any actions taken
in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters Sphere Logo are registered trademarks of the
Reuters group of companies around the world. For additional information about Reuters content
and services, please visit Reuters website at www.reuters.com.
16. One theme of the passage is that hard work pays off. How does Li Miaomiao reflect this
theme?
A. She would like to show the world that the Chinese smile is the warmest.
B. She wants to make cocktails for the International Olympic Committee officials.
C. She is ineligible from becoming an Olympic presenter because she is only 16.
D. She is chosen from many applicants to present medals at an Olympic test event.
Theme
Morey closed his eyes and listened to the waves of the Pacific
Ocean—the one sound that managed to soothe him.
When will this pain go away? he asked himself. For fifteen years, he
had had everything a man could ask for—a wonderful wife and two
beautiful kids. Then, just like that, they were gone. Nothing he did could
change that.
It had been a year since their passing—a year since an idiotic drunk
driver ended the lives of three innocent people, but the ache in his chest
had not dulled.
After the funeral, he tried everything to rid himself of the memories.
Maybe then the agony would go away. He sold the house, quit his job,
and moved to California. Unable to bear the pity in their eyes, he had shut
out his friends and co-workers, refused their help. His whole life, he had been strong and
independent. As an orphan, you had to be. No way would he let anyone see him in pain. He
knew Jane would have understood. She was the only one who ever could.
But their faces and voices still haunted him. He heard Lily’s laugh among the children in the
park. He saw Greg’s eyes in his own reflection. In the dark hours of the night, he could still feel
Jane’s warm presence in the empty space beside him. Nothing he did made these things
disappear. He had never felt so powerless.
17. What does the passage reveal about life?
A. The people you care about are sometimes taken away too soon.
B. Running away is an effective solution to most of life's problems.
C. Parents should not sacrifice all for a better life for their children.
D. By the time you understand life, there is too little left to live.
Theme
18. Which excerpt shows the theme of helplessness through Morey's characterization?
A.
"Morey closed his eyes and listened to the waves of the Pacific Ocean—the one sound that
managed to soothe him."
B.
"He sold the house, quit his job, and moved to California. Unable to bear the pity in their
eyes, he had shut out his friends and co-workers, refused their help."
C.
"His whole life, he had been strong and independent. As an orphan, you had to be. No way
would he let anyone see him in pain."
D.
"For fifteen years, he had had everything a man could ask for—a wonderful wife and two
beautiful kids. Then, just like that, they were gone. Nothing he did could change that."
Author's Point of View
New guidelines were recently published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to
improve the way people eat. Recommendations include lowering salt intake, eating less sugar
and saturated fats, and eating more fruits and vegetables. These guides have come out every 5
years, but though they are developed by reputable scientists, the public virtually ignores them.
Countless studies have linked overeating and sedentary lives with multiple diseases and
increased medical costs. Even with high-profile figures like Michelle Obama leading the fight for
healthier lifestyles, the old habits die hard.
The need to shift to healthier eating is more urgent now than ever. Weight problems are
epidemics in the United States, as is the equally pressing problem of undernourishment. For
example, people today eat far too much salt. This salt addiction has been proven to increase the
risk for heart disease and stroke, as well as other costly and life-threatening illnesses. The new
guidelines give specific recommendations regarding how much daily salt is healthy. However,
it's doubtful whether Americans will heed the advice. They'd rather watch cable TV and eat
French fries than make changes that would likely prolong their lives.
Thankfully, the USDA has become proactive in changing the way we Americans eat. Most
people are familiar with the famous food pyramid the agency developed years ago, showing the
food groups and servings of each group. However, the agency's guidelines go far beyond the
colorful posters hanging in schools across the nation. School meal programs are impacted by the
document, as are decisions about the labeling of foods and how foods are marketed to young
people. In particular, by using the guidelines to target school breakfast and lunch programs, the
USDA hopes to make healthy foods an easy alternative for kids. Clearly, adults cannot be
counted on to make healthy eating a priority. With the USDA's help, school kids will get started
early on a lifetime of good diet habits.
19. Based on the information in this passage, which of these statements would the author
probably agree with?
A. Americans are gradually reducing their salt consumption.
B. The USDA food pyramid did not provide much useful information.
C. Following USDA food guidelines will have little effect on health care costs.
D. Good diet and exercise are the keys to leading healthy lives.
Author's Point of View
20. Which word describes the author's attitude toward the USDA?
A. approving
B. skeptical
C. neutral
D. disdainful
Author's Point of View
21. What can readers tell about the author's attitude in this passage?
A. The author thinks USDA guides should come out more often.
B. The author believes that hospitals charge too much.
C. The author values exercise more than a healthy diet.
D. The author places a high value on scientific results.
Parallel Structure
22. Which of the following sentences exhibits proper parallelism?
A.
Science may be challenging, but it has rewards; reading might take up a lot of your time,
but it is also enlightening.
B.
Science may be challenging, but it is also rewarding; reading might be time-consuming,
but it is also enlightening.
C.
Science challenges, but it is also rewarding; reading is time-consuming. It is also
enlightening.
D.
Science is very challenging, but it rewards the people who study it; reading is timeconsuming, and it enlightens you.
Parallel Structure
23. Which sentence has incorrect parallelism?
A.
During his youth, Pei watched many buildings under construction, became interested in
architecture, and was reading about the craft.
B.
Ieoh Ming Pei came to America in 1935 to study engineering and architecture at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
C.
Pei's company, Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, is known for planning daring designs for
modern buildings that relate to their environment.
D.
The building's red towers are flanked by the red rock of the surrounding area, making it
difficult to tell the towers and the rock apart.
Parallel Structure
24. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
A. Do you prefer the purple, red, orange, the blue, or the green paper?
B. Will you try to find a rose, tulip, carnation, or a daffodil in the garden?
C. For Friday's test, you will need a piece of paper, a pencil, and eraser.
D. The forks, knives, and spoons belong in the drawer by the refrigerator.
Central Ideas
The astronomers that discovered a new body in our solar system have found out more about
the planetoid. Sedna is between 800 and 1,100 miles in diameter. It is about three-quarters the
size of Pluto and is over 8 billion miles from Earth. The frozen world of Sedna is believed to be
the farthest known object within our solar system.
Astronomer Mike Brown from the California Institute of Technology led the NASA-funded
team that found Sedna. Chad Trujillo of the Gemini Observatory in Hawaii and David
Rabinowitz of Yale University also assisted in the discovery. They found Sedna using a 48-inch
telescope at Caltech's Palomar Observatory, which is east of San Diego. Within days of the
discovery, other astronomers used telescopes to find the object. The team also believes that a tiny
moon may trail Sedna.
Brown's team learned that Sedna is over three times farther away from the Sun than Pluto.
The planetoid was named for the Inuit goddess who created the sea creatures of the Arctic. Sedna
was discovered in November 2003. The Sun would be so small from Sedna that it could be
completely blocked out with a pinhead. The planetoid is the largest object found orbiting the Sun
since the discovery of Pluto in 1930. It is much larger than Quaoar, which was found by the same
team in 2002.
25. Which would be the best title for this passage?
A. Sedna Returns to Earth with New Data
B. Astronomers Learn More about Sedna
C. A Moon May Trail Sedna, Astronomers Say
D. Ninth Planet Pluto Trailed by a Moon
Central Ideas
When people think about space travel, they usually think of a giant spacecraft with rockets
and fuel—lots of fuel. However, there's a way to sail across the solar system without fuel. In fact,
it's done with a sail, but instead of being pushed by the wind, the sail is pushed by the Sun's solar
energy.
Scientists discovered at the turn of the century that sunlight pushes against objects. The force
is called radiation pressure, and it's too weak to feel while you're on Earth. However, in space,
the radiation pressure is enough to push against light objects like dust.
While the solar sail has yet to be tested, there is hope that the pressure of light can steady
space exploration the same way winds steadied ships and schooners hundreds of years ago.
26. Based on the main idea, which would be the best title for the passage?
A. Solar Sail Offers New Option for Space Travel
B. Sunlight Pushes Against Objects in Space
C. Solar Sail to be Used During Next NASA Mission
D. New Craft Makes Space Travel More Affordable
Central Ideas
When the Spanish Conquistadors, or "conquerors," visited Central America in the 16th
Century, they had a rare opportunity to watch the Aztec people play an unusual ballgame. On a
narrow field surrounded by stone walls, two teams passed a hard rubber ball back and forth. The
objective was to keep the ball in the air. If a player let the ball bounce twice before passing it to
the other team, he or she lost a point.
Though the Conquistadors didn't know it at the time, the game they were watching had been
around for thousands of years. In fact, modern-day archaeologists have discovered ancient stone
courts and rubber balls throughout Central America. Some of these discoveries date as far back
as 1400 B.C.! The ball courts vary considerably in size, but most have the following
characteristic in common: long narrow alleys with stone side-walls against which the rubber
balls could bounce. The game seems to have originated in Southern Mexico, where rubber trees
were plentiful.
While the rules of the ballgame are a mystery to us today, it's a good bet that the game was
similar to volleyball, where the aim is to keep the ball in play. In the most widespread version of
the game, players could only use their hips to hit the ball back and forth. In later years, a vertical
stone ring was added to the ball courts as an additional way to score points, making the game
similar to basketball. Other variations of the game permitted using forearms, rackets, or bats to
hit the ball back and forth.
Thankfully, the game has not been entirely forgotten. A modern version of the game, called
ulama, is still played in a few places in Mexico by the local indigenous population.
27. What is the passage mainly about?
A. The object of the Aztec game was to pass the ball without letting it drop.
B. After years of study, archeologists have learned the rules of a game called ulama.
C. Balls made from rubber trees have been discovered in Southern Mexico.
D. The Aztec people played a game similar to volleyball for thousands of years.
Varied Transitions
(1) Are snacks really necessary if we eat balanced meals throughout the day? (2)
, are
snacks essential if they are not fruit or vegetable-based, organic, or even natural? (3) Those who
like to munch between meals argue that snacking helps boost their metabolism. (4) However,
others also claim that snacking contributes to the habit of constantly having to eat. (5)
, bitesize foods actually increase the waistline and then some.
28. Choose the best transition to fill the blank.
, bite-size foods actually increase the waistline and then some.
A. in contrast
B. subsequently
C. nevertheless
D. in this case
Varied Transitions
29. What is the purpose of the transition "however" as it is used in this sentence?
However, some also claim that snacking contributes to the habit of constantly having to eat.
A. to introduce a contrast
B. to indicate a place
C. to show a sequence
D. to conclude the article
Varied Transitions
30. Which transitional word or phrase would best begin sentence 2?
A. chiefly
B. relatively
C. as a result
D. furthermore
Inferences
Many people in the United States have seen the advertisements warning against movie and
music piracy. Hollywood studios are adamant that piracy must stop, and they are working with
law enforcement to put an end to illegal copying and downloading of movies and music.
Hollywood is waging a war against movie pirates. Now, it is time for Bollywood to join the
fight.
Bollywood, the informal name for the movie industry in India, loses millions of dollars a year
from piracy. Copyright laws are not strongly enforced, and the movie audiences are not
educated. These two things must change in order to end the piracy in Bollywood.
Pirated CDs and DVDs are selling on Indian streets for less than $1. Movie tickets in India
are priced at about $3. Cost-conscious consumers are quick to buy pirated DVDs over going to
the theaters. This means over $400 million dollars in losses for India's entertainment industry.
Bollywood is the world's largest film industry, based on ticket sales. It is worth over $2.1 billion
and is estimated to more than double by 2011.
Dan Glickman is the president of Motion Pictures Association of America (MPAA). He said,
"The industry needs strong laws to support copyright. [The industry needs] strong enforcement
of those laws." He also said that people who break the laws need stiffer punishments.
The MPAA represents major movie companies in the world. It guesses that copyright theft
cost $1.2 billion in the Asia-Pacific region last year. Worldwide losses are estimated at $6
billion.
Bollywood films have grown in popularity lately around the world. This has led to a huge
bootlegging increase in Britain, the U.S., and Pakistan.
Some Indian studios have gone after the pirates with police help. But these steps have not
achieved much. Experts say this is due to weak law enforcement and a lack of awareness.
Breaking copyright laws can get a person sent to prison for up to three years. Most pirates get
away with paying a large fee.
Glickman urges Bollywood to move toward enforcing copyright laws more strongly. He says
it is important for people who love movies to understand that buying pirated movies hurts movie
makers. It makes it hard for them to make new films. Movie makers agree that it is time for
Hollywood and Bollywood to join together in the fight against DVD and CD piracy.
Copyright 2007 Reuters. Reprinted with permission from Reuters. Reuters content is the
intellectual property of Reuters or its third party content providers. Any copying, republication
or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of
Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in content, or for any actions taken
in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters Sphere Logo are registered trademarks of the
Reuters group of companies around the world. For additional information about Reuters content
and services, please visit Reuters website at www.reuters.com.
31. What does the author mean when he or she says, "Now, it is time for Bollywood to join the
fight"?
A.
Bollywood is not ready to come up with stricter copyright laws because it does not have
the money.
B.
Bollywood needs to work with other movie industries around the world to end DVD and
CD piracy.
C.
Bollywood is not as important as Hollywood, so it does not matter that Bollywood movies
are pirated.
D.
Bollywood should be fighting for lower ticket prices to help those who cannot afford
theater prices.
Inferences
Marie Marvingt
by J. Robbins
Marie Marvingt was one of the most accomplished women in France’s history. She was born
in Aurillac, France in 1875. When she was only five years old, her father encouraged her to start
competing in sports. She became an athlete who participated in many sports, including mountain
climbing, swimming, boxing, football, and rifle shooting.
Even though Marie could compete and win awards in many sports, there were some sports
that people thought were only for men. Marie tried to enter the Tour de France, a long distance
bicycle race, in 1908. However, she was told that women were not allowed to race with men. She
waited for the men to finish the race, and then she rode the entire course on her own. Two years
after she rode the Tour de France course, Marie became the third woman in the world to earn her
airplane pilot’s license.
During World War I, Marie used her unique talents to serve her country. She volunteered to
fly bombing missions and became one of the first women to fly an airplane in a combat mission.
Marie also served as a nurse with the Red Cross. Her experiences during the war led Marie to
campaign for the use of airplanes as air ambulances. As both a pilot and a nurse, Marie knew that
many soldiers’ lives could be saved if they could be flown from the battlefield to the hospital.
She worked for many years to develop programs and training for the use of air ambulances in
France and other countries across the world.
Marie was not a woman to let age slow her down. She continued to fly airplanes, and at the
age of 80, she earned her helicopter pilot’s license. Over the course of her lifetime, Marie won
over 30 awards and medals for her athletic ability, her aviation skills, her medical service, and
her courageous acts during wartime. She also earned the nickname, "The Fiancée of Danger."
Marie Marvingt died in 1963 at the age of 88. In the years since her death, her home country of
France has celebrated this amazing woman by naming streets, schools, and apartment complexes
after her.
32. The reader can infer from this passage that Marie Marvingt
A. was the first woman pilot.
B. won the Tour de France.
C. was strongly patriotic.
D. drove the first ambulance.
Inferences
33. Based on the text, what logical inference can be made?
A. Marie Marvingt preferred piloting helicopters to flying airplanes.
B. Marie Marvingt served as a Red Cross nurse until her death.
C. Marie Marvingt was influenced by her father at an early age.
D. Marie Marvingt was a strong supporter of women's suffrage.
Context Clues
Manuel cringed when he heard the news. All of a sudden he wished he had called in sick. A
block of Fazioli’s finest parmesan had been stolen from the cascina. It was an act so personal that
it seemed someone had broken into Mr. Fazioli's home and stolen his most prized possession
from his private closet. The bad news made Manuel fearful that his well-known infatuation for
cheese—a passion he shared with his family—would incriminate him. That evening, as he
walked throughout the restaurant waiting on tables, Manuel felt the eyes of his co-workers
condemning him. The weight of their cold guise made the trays he carried unusually heavy. He
wondered if anyone would believe the truth—he didn’t do it.
34. guise ('gīz) n. [Old French] 1. outer appearance in dress. 2. pretense. 3. behavior. 4. cloak.
Read the following sentence from the passage.
The weight of their cold guise made the trays he carried unusually heavy.
What is the meaning of the word guise as it is used in the passage?
A. definition 2
B. definition 3
C. definition 4
D. definition 1
Context Clues
35. Read this sentence from the passage.
Manuel cringed when he heard the news.
What does the word cringe most likely mean?
A. to shrink in fear
B. to stand with pride
C. to shout excitedly
D. to walk indifferently
Context Clues
I discovered my great grandfather's journal by accident. I was named after him, and naturally,
I wanted to find out what he was like. My relatives always passed around stories about Louis
Dreyfus, my great grandfather who had lived in Paris, but their stories lacked the details I wanted
to know. When I found the journal in an intricate-looking chest in our attic, I was absolutely
thrilled.
As the journal revealed, Louis Dreyfus often went to a salon in Paris to meet his friends. I was
surprised to learn that he did not go to the salon to have his hair done. The fact that his friends
were diplomats, authors, artists, and philosophers intrigued me even more. I imagined my great
grandfather in the salon as he was surrounded by the prestigious gentlemen of Paris and engaged
in stimulating conversations. It was at that moment that I decided I would grow up to be
someone important.
36. What is the meaning of the word "salon" as it is used in paragraph 2 of the selection?
A. an article of historical value
B. a symbol of higher status
C. a place for political gathering
D. an accidental discovery
Subject-Verb Agreement
37. Which sentence below demonstrates incorrect subject-verb agreement?
A.
The thing that hurt the worst was the look on Maria's face when she approached Dawn and
asked, "Why?"
B. Dawn didn't want to think that Karen could betray her trust that way.
C. Karen was the only person Dawn told about Maria's secret.
D. When rumors runs wild, Dawn doesn't know who to blame, but she feels awful.
Subject-Verb Agreement
38. Choose the correct verb for the sentence below.
The books _______ like they haven't been opened in a hundred years.
A. look
B. appears
C. feels
D. is
Subject-Verb Agreement
39. Which sentence below demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
A. A book is like a friend who come back to visit from time to time.
B. The problems, which is relatively minor, exists due to my own making.
C. The group of ideas floating around in my head need to come out.
D. A favorite poem of mine remains Rudyard Kipling's "As the Bell Clinks."
Figures of Speech
Aaron asked me why I looked frightened. What was I supposed to tell him? He was my
friend, and he had rebuilt his car by himself. He was so proud of it. He always talked about how
the car was over 70 years old, as if that excused all the dents and the problems with the motor.
As I looked over at him, I wanted to say, "The problem is that I don’t like barreling down the
road in a tin can on wheels," but I wanted to keep the peace, so I said, "I’m not scared. Keep
driving!"
40. What does the author mean by the figurative phrase "barreling down the road in a tin can on
wheels"?
A. throwing trash on the side of the road
B. speeding in an old, beat-up car
C. rolling down the road in a trashcan
D. spending the afternoon with a friend
Figures of Speech
41. Which of the following sentences contains an oxymoron?
A. The research project appeared to be simple, but it had many requirements.
B. Among the students, Stacy seemed the most confident because she was finished.
C. Reggie was almost certain that he was going to receive a B on his research paper.
D. Most of the class was nervous about the research project that was due tomorrow.
Figures of Speech
42. Which of the following sentences contains an oxymoron?
A. He gorged on the delicious pizza until his belly was as tight as a drum.
B. The rain poured down in buckets and drenched everyone at the picnic.
C. The snake that slithered into the Smith's house was an uninvited guest.
D. He gave me the run-around before finally confessing the entire truth.
Credibility and Accuracy of Information
43. Sarah is writing a research paper over the helmet law for motorcyclists. Her thesis is that
helmet laws do not really protect people's safety. She has decided to use the Internet for part of
her research study. After doing a search for helmet safety, she comes across an article on the
homepage for the American Medical Association about the benefits to wearing a helmet. The
article is credited to Dr. Franklin Higgins, an emergency room doctor from Kansas City in
residence in St. Elsewhere Medical Center. She bookmarks the site and continues to research.
Later, she comes across a website called Biker's Heaven. There is a commentary that is written
by an anonymous source about the ridiculousness of having to wear a helmet while driving in the
city.
What is one way for Sarah to decide which is the more credible source to use?
A. The Biker's Heaven Article is more credible because it is a commentary and not an article.
B.
The American Medical Association gives the name of the author of the article, so it is more
credible.
C.
The American Medical Association is more credible because it came before the Biker's
Heaven site when Sarah did a search.
D. The Biker's Heaven site has a piece that agrees with her thesis, so it is more credible.
Credibility and Accuracy of Information
44. Kara is writing a paper about possible future treatments for cancer. Which of these sources
would give her the most useful information?
A. an encyclopedia article about what causes cancer
B. a Web site that shows pictures of cancer cells
C. a medical journal article about cancer research
D. an interview with someone who survived cancer
Revising
It's in the Water
(1) Have you ever wondered what’s in your water? (2) At first glance, you may think there is
nothing, but for many people in cities and towns across America, the water is fluoridated.
(3) Fluoridation is the process where fluoride is added to water supplies to help people fight
tooth decay. (4) Fluoride mostly has a positive effect on teeth. (5) It makes them strong and less
likely to develop cavities.
(6) Fluorides are compounds that contain the mineral fluorite. (7) They are found in the earth.
(8) Almost all water naturally contains some level of fluoride, even if it is a very small amount.
(9) However, some areas have water supplies that have naturally higher levels of fluoride.
(10) Scientists in the 1930s found that people who drank water with more fluoride had fewer
cavities. (11) Major cities began to fluoridate their water in 1945. (12) They added just enough
fluoride to get the level up to 1 part per million (ppm). (13) By the 1950s, they found the
incidence of tooth decay had gone down in those cities. (14) Health agencies of the U.S.
government began to recommend fluoridation of all water supplies and the health agencies
funded efforts toward the goal of fluoridating the water.
(15) Today, more than half of the tap water used in the U.S. is fluoridated. (16) The decision
to fluoridate is left up to individual cities. (17) When a community must decide whether to
fluoridate the water supply, the topic can become controversial.
(18) Though decades of studies have shown the benefits of fluoridation, there may be some
risks. (19) In countries where the concentration of fluoride is higher—2 to 3 ppm—people have
experienced some negative side effects to their bones and teeth. (20) The teeth become
discolored or develop white flecks. (21) However, scientists and doctors find the risk is very
small compared to the advantage of preventing costly dental bills.
(22) Even though many communities vote against fluoridating the water, the incidence of
tooth decay has gone down across the country. (23) Dentists believe that the fluoride in most
toothpaste brands has helped the dental health of people across the country. (24) Toothpaste sells
better because manufacturers use tasty flavors and appealing colors for kids. (25) Also, better
dental education teaches young children how to take care of their teeth even if they don't drink
fluoridated water. (26) Fluoridated water is just one part of the equation that has led to healthier
teeth for millions of people.
45. Where would this sentence best fit in the passage?
People who have kidney disease or other diseases may be more susceptible to side effects.
A. after sentence 5
B. after sentence 20
C. after sentence 22
D. after sentence 13
Revising
(1) As students and teachers, we should both feel lucky to enjoy not only a summer break, but
in some cases, a winter break as well. (2) In the working world, summer breaks are a welcomed
oasis to a normal working schedule, but they never happen. (3) School is supposed to prepare
students for what the "real world" will be like. (4) Why then do most schools still implement the
antiquated policy of summer vacation? (5) As students and teachers, don't we also make up the
"real world." (6) The real world works like this: people don't get summers off like they do in
school, so summers in school are disingenuous because it does not reflect the "real world" like
year-round schools.
(7) For many working citizens, a summer break is a novel idea, but it is impractical. (8)
Consider what would happen to a city government that decided to take the summer off. (9)
Garbage would pile up. (10) Police stations would close. (11) Fire stations would be empty. (12)
Now, imagine doing without one of the many services the city provides for almost three months.
(13) The entire city would riot. (14) Yet, aren't public servants also a part of the "real world"?
(15) Why don't they get summers off as well? (16) Preparing students for the real world while
giving them summers off does not prepare them for the real world. (17) It gives them a false
sense of what the real world will be.
(18) Year-round schooling, however, is a more accurate representation of what the true real
world is. (19) In a year-round school program, students would go to school Monday through
Friday for four months at a time. (20) Students would also get a week's vacation at each quarter
interval. (21) In the end, this would better prepare students for what the real world is truly like.
46. What is the most effective way to combine sentences 9, 10, and 11?
A. Garbage would pile up Police stations would close, and fire stations would be empty.
B. Garbage would pile up police stations would close fire stations would be empty.
C. Garbage would pile up, police stations would close, and fire stations would be empty.
D. Garbage, police, and fire stations would be empty.
Setting
The dust was so thick it dirtied up peoples' shadows—made it look like there were more of us
than what there really were. If only shadows could fight. The smoke and gunpowder from the
night before still hung in the air like a ghost. The bad thing about all the dust and dirt that had
been kicked up was that it mucked up the rifles. All it takes is a single kernel of dirt or sand to
change the course of a bullet. And we had enough dirt and sand in the air to start a beach.
General Santa Anna had his troops fire on us just after dinner. He at least had the courtesy to
wait until after we had a chance to digest our meals and relax in the Texas dusk. Just as the stars
began to pierce the peaceful purple night, the explosions rocked the eastern wall. And just like
that, the snaps of the cicadas that lulled us to sleep the night before were replaced by the
thundering crash of canon fire and bullets. But that was last night.
Today, as the sun moved over the horizon, we could barely tell it was morning. The smoke
and dust and debris still lingered around us like an unpaid debt. There was a calm that set in at
the Alamo. For me, it was because I still had the ringing of canon blasts in my ears from the
night before. Everything else sounded muffled, a million miles away.
As I looked out, maybe more than 10 feet in front of me, the mission barely looked as it did
when I first arrived. The only thing that stayed the same was the soldiers. Sure, we were mostly
strangers. Sure, we barely had anything to talk about. Sure, we knew we were outnumbered, but
we managed to survive another night. Most people would have folded after the first night. But
not us. If the entire Mexican army wanted to take this mission, they'd have to go through each of
us, right down to our shadows. Surrender was not an option.
adapted from "The Brave" by c.safos
47. How does the setting affect the narrator?
A. It makes the narrator seem like a forgetful person.
B. It makes it hard for the narrator to see and hear.
C. It makes the narrator seem like a person who is scared for his life.
D. It makes it easy for the narrator to know who's in charge.
Setting
Michael ran as fast as he could until he no longer heard footsteps following him. Crossing
Keever’s Park, he slowed his pace to a jog and headed for the entrance to the recreation center.
He squinted as he entered the foyer. The bright lights were a big contrast to the moonless sky
outside. The staff was usually at the front desk eager to greet any guests, but there was no one
around. Silence engulfed the room. Just as an uneasiness began to settle in his stomach, a firm
hand grabbed his shoulder from behind, and Michael gasped.
48. What effect does the scene have on the mood?
A. It creates sadness.
B. It creates joy.
C. It creates suspense.
D. It creates humor.
Objective Summary
There was once a tin soldier who stood firmly on only one leg. He had been made last, and
there hadn’t been enough melted tin to finish him. The table where he stood was covered with
other playthings, but the most beautiful was a paper castle with the prettiest little lady, standing
at the open door. She was also made of paper, and she wore a dress with a blue ribbon. In front
was fixed a glittering tinsel rose. The lady was a dancer, and she stretched out her arms and
raised one leg so high that the tin soldier thought that she also had only one leg. That is the wife
for me, he thought. He hid behind a box so that he could secretly admire her.
When evening came, the people of the house went to bed, and
the playthings began to play. Only the tin soldier and the dancer
remained still. The tin soldier never took his eyes from the dancer.
Suddenly, a black goblin jumped up.
“Tin soldier,” said the goblin, “don’t wish for what does not
belong to you.”
But the tin soldier pretended not to hear.
“Very well, wait until tomorrow,” said the goblin.
The next morning, the children placed the tin soldier in the
window. It might have been the wind or the goblin, but the
window flew open, and out fell the tin soldier. The children
searched but could not find him.
A storm came, but when it ended, two boys passed and noticed
the tin soldier. They made a boat out of a newspaper and sent the
soldier sailing down the gutter. The boat shot under a bridge, and
then it was dark.
The soldier heard a terrible roaring sound. At the end of the tunnel, the drain fell into a large
canal over a steep place, which made it as dangerous as a waterfall. He couldn’t stop, so the boat
rushed on. The boat filled with water, and the paper became soft and loose until the water closed
over the soldier’s head. He thought of the elegant little dancer, who he thought he would never
see again.
When the soldier sank into the water, he was immediately swallowed by a fish. It was darker
there than in the tunnel, but the tin soldier remained firm. The fish swam to and fro but then
became quite still. After a while, the soldier saw light, and a voice cried, “Here is the tin
soldier!”
The fish had been caught and sold to the cook, who had just cut him open. She carried the
soldier into a room. Many were anxious to see this soldier who had traveled inside a fish. The
cook placed him on a table, and there he was in the very same room from the window of which
he had fallen! There was the pretty castle with the elegant little dancer at the door. The tin soldier
was so happy to see her that he almost wept. He looked at her but remained silent.
Then, for no reason at all, one boy took up the tin soldier and threw him into the stove. The
flames engulfed the tin soldier. He looked at the dancer, and she looked at him. Suddenly the
door of the room flew open, and the air caught up the dancer. She fluttered right into the stove
beside the soldier and was instantly in flames and gone. The tin soldier melted down into a lump,
and the next morning, when the maid took the ashes out of the stove, she found him in the shape
of a tin heart. Of the little dancer, only the tinsel rose remained.
adapted from "The Steadfast Tin Soldier" by Hans Christian Andersen
49. Which statement best summarizes the tin soldier's actions toward the dancer?
A. The tin soldier brings the dancer many gifts.
B. The tin soldier gazes at the dancer from afar.
C. The tin soldier attempts to talk to the dancer.
D. The tin soldier acts brave to impress the dancer.
Objective Summary
SYDNEY (Reuters) — An Australian scuba diver has survived an attack by a great white
shark after fighting it off with his speargun and then his hands.
Bernie Williams, 46, was diving for crayfish off a beach in the Western Australian city of
Perth Sunday. The shark attacked him from below, biting his arm. He never saw the shark until it
was too late. Bernie was collecting the crayfish for a stew he was planning on making for dinner.
"I just got hit by a very big shark. It came on my left hand side, from below. I never even saw
it coming," Williams told Australian television Monday.
"I stabbed it on the nose with a speargun, but it was just like hitting a lump of steel," said
Williams, who suffered deep puncture wounds to his left arm.
The 3-meter (9 foot) shark returned and attacked Williams again, dragging him through the
water.
"It chomped on my arm and took me for a ride for about 2 meters (6 feet)," Williams said.
After about eight minutes fighting for his life, Williams managed to swim to the surface with
two diving friends and climb into a boat.
One of the divers had an electronic shark repellant device attached to his air tanks, but
Williams said his survival was just a matter of luck.
"At the end of the day it was pure luck," he said.
Earlier this month a 21-year-old woman died after she was attacked by three sharks while
swimming off an island on Australia's northeast coast.
The latest shark attacks have sparked warnings around Australia that sharks are swimming
closer to shore, chasing fish in cleaner, warmer waters.
By September 2005, there had been a total of 654 attacks in Australian waters, 192 of them
fatal, according to the Australian Shark Attack File at Sydney's Taronga Zoo.
Copyright 2006 Reuters. Reprinted with permission from Reuters. Reuters content is the
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in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters Sphere Logo are registered trademarks of the
Reuters group of companies around the world. For additional information about Reuters content
and services, please visit Reuters website at www.reuters.com.
50. Which of the following paragraphs best summarizes this passage?
W. Bernie Williams became the victim of one in a recent wave of shark attacks in Australia. He
was able to fight off the shark and walk away with injuries to only his left arm.
X. A 21-year-old woman died after being attack by a shark. Bernie Williams was also attacked.
The shark was a great white shark, which are the largest sharks. The shark came up from below
him and dragged him in the water. Williams said that he stabbed the shark on the nose with a
spear gun. He believes his survival was "pure luck". By September 2005, there had been a total
of 654 attacks in Australian waters, 192 of them fatal, according to the Australian Shark Attack
File at Sydney's Taronga Zoo.
Y. Australian waters have become a hot spot for recent shark attacks. The lucky ones have gotten
away, but a 21-year-old woman died after being attacked by a shark.
Z. Sharks attacked Bernie Williams while he was diving with friends. He used a speargun to
fight off the shark and jump back into his friends' boat. One of his friends had an electronic shark
repellant device attached to his air tanks.
A. Y
B. Z
C. W
D. X
Formatting and Graphics
III. THE PHOTOSYNTHESIS PROCESS
The process by which green plants use light energy to change carbon dioxide and water into
sugar is called photosynthesis. Every green plant known to scientists creates simple sugar
through this process and fuels its growth with this sugar as a source of energy. Oxygen is a
byproduct of photosynthesis. It is created when carbon and hydrogen are extracted from the
carbon dioxide and water.
THE LOCATION OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS
The process takes place in green leaves that contain chloroplasts. Chloroplasts are specialized
cells that contain chlorophyll, a protein pigment that traps light. As water and carbon dioxide
enter a chloroplast, the cell uses the trapped sunlight to energize the conversion of the water and
carbon dioxide into carbohydrates.
WHY DOES IT WORK?
Photosynthesis occurs in two stages. The first stage is the light-dependent reaction in which
chloroplasts capture light to make sugar. The second stage is the light-independent reaction
which uses light again to fuel the change from sugars to starches. These two steps embody the
term photosynthesis: to create with light.
The Light-Dependent Stage
The first step of the photosynthesis process requires the flow of electromagnetic radiation from
sunlight. The proteins called chlorophylls inside the chloroplasts capture this sunlight and use the
energy to separate electrons from water molecules. Electrons are tiny particles of matter that
orbit the nuclei of atoms. These electrons are released from their orbits through a reductionoxidation reaction. The chloroplasts then use an electron transport chain in which adjoining
molecules transfer an electron from one to the next down a path, like passing buckets of water
down a line. As the chloroplasts gather electrons in this fashion, they employ these electrons to
turn carbon dioxide molecules into organic carbohydrates. The waste oxygen from the water and
carbon dioxide is expirated.
The Light-Independent Stage
Once the electrons reach the stroma, the light-independent stage begins. The exchange of
electrons creates the chemicals known as ATP and NADPH. Next, the plant's cells use ATP and
NADPH to produce carbohydrates in what is called the Calvin Cycle. During the Calvin Cycle,
an enzyme called RuBisCo changes carbon dioxide into a compound known as RuBP. Then, the
oxygen in the carbon dioxide is released as water. This reaction causes the carbon compound to
form a different compound called PGA. The Calvin Cycle continues as the cells use PGA to
make more RuBP. At the same time, a sugar molecule called G3P is exported to the cytoplasm to
create sucrose, a combination of a sugar and a carbohydrate. The plant uses the sucrose for
energy and to create starch, a carbohydrate that is stored for later use.
51. Which of the following best describes the heading used for the section title The LightDependent Stage?
A. It is a new section heading in the reading selection.
B. It is a subheading of "Why Does It Work?"
C. It is a subheading of "The Photosynthesis Process."
D. It is a subheading of "The Location of Photosynthesis."
Formatting and Graphics
52. Max believes that the people at his office take too long during their lunch breaks and that the
company is losing money as a result since all of his coworkers are paid hourly. He wants to
present this case to his boss, so he has created the following chart:
Max's boss does not believe his claim. What could Max add to this graph to support his
argument?
A. where the workers go to take breaks
B. what the workers do on their breaks
C. how long the extended breaks take
D. whether more men or women are taking longer breaks
Supporting Analysis
April 19, 1963
My Dear Fellow Clergymen,
(1) While confined here in the Birmingham city jail, I came across your recent statements
calling my present activities "unwise and untimely." Seldom do I pause to answer criticism of
my work and ideas. . . . I would have no time for constructive work. But since I feel that you are
men of genuine good will and that your criticisms are sincerely set forth, I want to try to answer
your statements in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms. . . .
(2) You may well ask: "Why direct action? Why sit-ins, marches, and so forth? Isn't
negotiation a better path?" You are quite right in calling for negotiation. Indeed, this is the very
purpose of direct action. Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a
tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the
issue. It seeks so to dramatize the issue that it can no longer be ignored. . . . The purpose of our
direct-action program is to create a situation so crisis-packed that it will inevitably open the door
to negotiation.
(3) We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the
oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. . . . For years now, I have heard the word
"Wait!" It rings in the ear of every Negro with piercing familiarity. This "wait" has almost
always meant "Never." We must come to see, with one of our distinguished jurists, that "justice
too long delayed is justice denied."
(4) We have waited for more than 340 years for our constitutional and God-given rights. The
nations of Asia and Africa are moving with jet-like speed toward gaining political independence,
but we still creep at horse-and-buggy pace toward gaining a cup of coffee at a lunch counter.
Perhaps it is easy for those who have never felt the stinging darts of segregation to say, "Wait."
But when you have seen . . . hate-filled policemen curse, kick and even kill your black brothers
and sisters; when you see the vast majority of your twenty million Negro brothers smothering in
an airtight cage of poverty in the midst of an affluent society . . . when you have to concoct an
answer for a five-year-old son who is asking: "Daddy, why do white people treat colored people
so mean?"; when you take a cross-country drive and find it necessary to sleep night after night in
the uncomfortable corners of your automobile because no motel will accept you; when you are
humiliated day in and day out by nagging signs reading "white" and "colored" . . . when you are
harried by day and haunted by night by the fact that you are a Negro, living constantly at tiptoe
stance, never quite knowing what to expect next, and are plagued with inner fears and outer
resentments; when you are forever fighting a degenerating sense of "nobodyness"—then you will
understand why we find it difficult to wait. There comes a time when the cup of endurance runs
over, and men are no longer willing to be plunged into the abyss of despair. I hope sirs, you can
understand our legitimate and unavoidable impatience.
from "Letter From Birmingham City Jail" by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
53. Which sentence from the letter best explains why King felt it was necessary to write from
jail?
A.
"The purpose of our direct-action program is to create a situation so crisis-packed that it
will inevitably open the door to negotiation."
B.
"But since I feel that you are men of genuine good will and that your criticisms are
sincerely set forth, I want to try to answer your statements..."
C.
"While confined here in the Birmingham city jail, I came across your recent statements
calling my present activities 'unwise and untimely.'"
D.
"The nations of Asia and Africa are moving with jet-like speed toward gaining political
independence, but we still creep at horse-and-buggy pace..."
Supporting Analysis
54. What is the strongest evidence Dr. King presents in support of his direct action program?
A. The program forces those who do not want to negotiate to confront the issue at hand.
B. Direct action should be tried before considering negotiations or violent action is taken.
C. Direct action, like sit-ins and marches, create more press interest than negotiations do.
D. The program convinces the community that nonviolent action will lead to violent action.
Evaluating Arguments
Technology has changed our lives. The fast-paced world we live in has come with its own
ways of communication. The text message, the email, the instant message—they’re all quick
ways for us to contact each other. People are able to instantly communicate their thoughts on
things as trivial as the long checkout line in front of them to things as important as breaking news
events.
We live in the age of multitasking. Why sit down and talk to one friend when you can
Facebook, instant message, and text five friends while ordering dinner, cleaning up, and
watching your favorite television show? We keep in contact with each other constantly. But do
we really communicate? I believe all the mindless messages we send to each other on a daily
basis create a false sense of closeness. Our relationships are shallow, at best.
When was the last time you wrote a letter? I mean sat down with a pen and a piece of paper
and scratched out a note to a friend or family member? I can count on one hand the number of
letters I have sent and received this year: None. How many emails have I dashed off from my
phone without stopping whatever activity in which I was engaged? Too many to count.
Writing your thoughts on paper takes time and requires your full attention. Taking a
handwritten letter to post office and sending it someone shows that you are thinking of them. All
it takes is a few minutes out of your hectic schedule to make someone feel valued and
appreciated. He or she will appreciate the time you spent writing the letter and feel like you
regard or think highly of them. It also takes patience to wait for your friend or family member to
receive the letter and respond to it. Write a loved one a letter today. I promise you won’t regret it.
55. Which of the following best describes the author's position?
A. Education has changed for the worse.
B. It is important to build real relationships.
C. It is important to accept technology.
D. Technology has changed our lives.
Evaluating Arguments
56. Which point used by the author supports the idea that letter writing is more personal than
electronic communication?
A. Letter writing shows consideration.
B. Letter writing requires precision.
C. Letter writing involves thinking.
D. Letter writing calls for grammar.
Multiple Meaning Words
57. At first glance, the small town of Greystone looks ordinary, pedestrian. As you walk down
Main Street, you see simple shops and stores that any Hicksville would have. That is for the
tourists; that is, if any tourists still came through Greystone. The real Greystone cannot be found
on Main Street. The real town is hidden in back alleys and dive bars. The real town is much
darker than any one person could ever imagine.
Based on its context in the paragraph above, what is the meaning of the word pedestrian?
A. intellectual
B. boring
C. bright
D. walking
Multiple Meaning Words
58. Jared and Marie went to Supply Depot to purchase a door that would articulate in two
directions and allow them to pass more easily between the kitchen and dining room. Marie had
seen one on television and thought the free-swinging door would be easier to use.
Based on its context in the paragraph above, what is the meaning of the word articulate?
A. to bend or hinge
B. to be effective
C. to be brightly colored
D. to allow double entry
Verb Tense
59. The first person, singular future tense of throw is
A. I threw.
B. I will throw.
C. you throw.
D. he will throw.
Verb Tense
60. Which sentence below contains an incorrect verb form?
A.
It was all for a good cause since Sarah's church was working closely with a homeless
shelter, so Sarah was doing work she found to be gratifying.
B.
Luka, Sarah's friend, was asked to substitute because she was just as accurate a bowler as
Sarah, and the team needed someone immediately.
C.
Sarah had to attend a function for her church on Wednesday, so she was unable to
participate when her bowling team win its championship game.
D.
However, in the end, she did miss not being able to roll a few frames to help out her team
during their championship drive.
Cultural Experience in Literature
from The Crucible
by Arthur Miller
CHARACTERS:
Danforth
Mary Warren
Girls
Proctor
Hale
Setting: A courtroom in Salem, Massachusetts.
Danforth: A little while ago you were afflicted. Now it seems you afflict others; where did
you find this power?
Mary Warren: (staring at Abigail) I—have no power.
Girls: I have no power.
Proctor: They're gulling you, Mister!
Danforth: Why did you turn about this past two weeks? You have seen the Devil, have you
not?
Hale: (indicating Abigail and the girls) You cannot believe them!
Mary Warren: I—
Danforth: (pounding it into her) You have seen the Devil, you have made compact with
Lucifer, have you not?
Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible (1953) is a dramatic production of the Salem witch trials.
The Salem trials took place in Colonial Massachusetts in 1692 and 1693. During this time,
numerous people were falsely accused of being witches.
Miller’s play draws comparisons to McCarthyism, a term describing a period in the 1940s and
1950s when American citizens were accused of disloyalty. This practice was politically
motivated, often used to label American citizens as Communist sympathizers. Like the Salem
trials, the McCarthy Era accusations were based on insubstantial evidence. Miller himself was
called to testify before a Congressional committee in 1956.
61. In what historical context was the play The Crucible written?
A. the World War II Era
B. the McCarthy Era
C. the Pilgrim Era
D. the Colonial Era
Cultural Experience in Literature
My Sioux Pride
From the Trail of Tears
To the tale of the Wounded Knee
I have lived the history of my elders
The age-old, silent fears
I look toward the sky
And the earth that is always mine
All is not lost, I remember
We can be us and shine
My braided, parted hair
And wooden flute will sing
Till the soil will grow new plants
Oh, let the music ring
62. In this poem, which does the speaker most encourage Native Americans to overcome?
A. flaws of character
B. lack of pride in others
C. grievances of the past
D. jealousy shown by others
Adjectives and Adverbs
63.
No one forced any of the students serving detention to help clean the commons area of the
school, and they willingly volunteered to help.
What is the adverb in the sentence above?
A. serving
B. willingly
C. forced
D. commons
Adjectives and Adverbs
64.
Randy seldom thinks of others when he's focused on one particular goal, and it often gets him in
trouble.
What are the adverbs in the sentence above?
A. seldom, often
B. thinks, gets
C. particular, trouble
D. focused, one
Spelling
65. Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct spelling?
A. My acedemic career was interrupted when I had to go back to work.
B. My accademic career was interrupted when I had to go back to work.
C. My academic career was interupted when I had to go back to work.
D. My academic career was interrupted when I had to go back to work.
Spelling
66. Which sentence below contains a spelling error?
A.
Further inspection reveeled that the surface wasn't rock at all but some sort of metallic
substance.
B.
Murray knew immediately that they had just made the biggest scientific breakthrough of
the last fifty years.
C.
As Jones and Murray were excavating a small cavern, they unearthed a perfectly round
rock.
D.
At first, Murray thought it was a typical geode; however, Jones knew better than to just
dismiss it on sight.
Analyzing Documents
Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you to believe me, fellow-citizens)
the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake, since history and experience prove
that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government. But that jealousy
to be useful must be impartial; else it becomes the instrument of the very influence to be avoided,
instead of a defense against it. Excessive partiality for one foreign nation and excessive dislike of
another cause those whom they actuate to see danger only on one side, and serve to veil and even
second the arts of influence on the other. Real patriots who may resist the intrigues of the
favorite are liable to become suspected and odious, while its tools and dupes usurp the applause
and confidence of the people, to surrender their interests.
The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial
relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already
formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop. Europe has a
set of primary interests which to us have none; or a very remote relation. Hence she must be
engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns.
Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves by artificial ties in the ordinary
vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or
enmities.
Our detached and distant situation invites and enables us to pursue a different course. If we
remain one people under an efficient government, the period is not far off when we may defy
material injury from external annoyance; when we may take such an attitude as will cause the
neutrality we may at any time resolve upon to be scrupulously respected; when belligerent
nations, under the impossibility of making acquisitions upon us, will not lightly hazard the giving
us provocation; when we may choose peace or war, as our interest, guided by justice, shall
counsel.
Why forego the advantages of so peculiar a situation? Why quit our own to stand upon
foreign ground? Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our
peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship, interest, humor or caprice?
It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world;
so far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it; for let me not be understood as capable of
patronizing infidelity to existing engagements. I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than
to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy. I repeat it, therefore, let those
engagements be observed in their genuine sense. But, in my opinion, it is unnecessary and would
be unwise to extend them.
from George Washington's Farewell Address (1796)
67. What is George Washington's main argument regarding the future of the United States?
A. The United States should isolate itself from all foreign nations.
B. The United States should remain as politically neutral as possible.
C. The United States should lead in foreign diplomacy and peacekeeping.
D. The United States should form alliances with powerful nations.
Analyzing Documents
68. In the first paragraph, Washington states that "history and experience prove that foreign
influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government." What does this statement
reflect about Washington's attitude?
A. He is skeptical of foreign interests.
B. He is optimistic toward U.S. prospects.
C. He is admiring of foreign nations.
D. He is scornful toward republican government.
Clauses and Phrases
69. Identify the type of clause or phrase in the sentence below.
Watching the tide roll in, Otis sat on the dock of the bay and found himself suddenly inspired.
A. gerund phrase
B. independent clause
C. main clause
D. participial phrase
Clauses and Phrases
70. Choose the answer that is the most effective substitute for the underlined part of the sentence.
If no substitution is necessary, choose "Leave as is."
Teresa's paintball team ventured off into the combat area nervous from each noise it heard,
fearful from each step it took, and hoping in the realization that the afternoon would end soon.
Which phrase would BEST replace the underlined phrase?
A. hopeful from
B. hoping from
C. hoped in
D. Leave as is.
Active and Passive Voice
71. What is the best way to change this sentence from passive voice to active voice?
The comic strip known as Peanuts was created by Charles Schulz.
A. By Charles Schulz, the comic strip known as Peanuts was created.
B. The comic strip created by Charles Schulz was known as Peanuts.
C. Known as Peanuts, the comic strip was created by Charles Schulz.
D. Charles Schulz created the comic strip known as Peanuts.
Active and Passive Voice
72. What is the best way to change this sentence from active voice to passive voice?
The students in the language lab wear earphones to hear the computer better.
A. To hear the computer better, earphones are worn by the students in the language lab.
B. The students wear earphones to hear the computer better in the language lab.
C. Wearing earphones in the language lab, the students hear the computer better.
D. In the language lab, the students wear earphones to hear the computer better.
Planning
73. Shagit is writing a paper about the two nickels released in 2004. To plan his writing, he
created the Venn diagram above. He is now ready to begin writing. Which sentence reflects the
information found in the Venn diagram?
A. The second nickel was released in 2004, but the first nickel was released in 2005.
B. The second nickel features the keelboat, which was designed by William Clark.
C. The second nickel sports a design similar to that of the Indian Peace Medal.
The second nickel shows a handshake between an American Indian and an American
D.
soldier.
Planning
Sherry is preparing an outline for a report on the computer programming process.
Process of Writing Computer Programs
I.
II.
III.
Writing Computer Programs
A.
Paradigms
1.
Imperative paradigms
a. Declarations
b. Expressions
c. Statements
2.
Declarative paradigms
a. Functional language
b. Logical language
B.
_________________
Positive and Negative Effects of Writing Programs
A.
Positive aspects
1.
Less time spent on repetitive tasks
2.
Greater flexibility in development
3.
Improved accuracy
B.
Negative aspects
1.
Increased complexity
2.
The unrealistic expectations of users
a. A cure-all for problems
b. A way to avoid learning
3.
_________________
Future Possibilities of Computer Programs
A.
Artificial intelligence
B.
Biointegration
1.
Human-computer singularity
2.
Brain computer interface
74. Sherry should include a new detail "Lost work due to system failure" and place it
A. under heading "III. Future Possibilities of Computer Programs."
B. under the heading "I. A. 2. Declarative paradigms."
C. under the heading "II. B. Negative aspects."
D. under a new heading called "IV. System failures."
Sentence Structure
75. Read the following sentences to answer the question.
Katie then kept mowing down the opposition. When the last batter was fanned, the crowd
erupted.
What is the best way to rewrite the sentences to make one compound-complex sentence?
A.
Katie then kept mowing down the opposition, when the last batter was fanned, the crowd
erupted.
B.
Katie then kept mowing down the opposition—when the last batter was fanned, and the
crowd erupted.
C.
Katie then kept mowing down the opposition; and when the last batter was fanned, the
crowd erupted.
D.
Katie then kept mowing down the opposition, and when the last batter was fanned, the
crowd erupted.
Sentence Structure
76. Read the following sentences to answer the question.
Amanda performed the hardest piece in the piano recital. The audience gave her a standing
ovation.
What is the best way to rewrite the sentences to make one complex sentence?
A.
After Amanda performed the hardest piece in the piano recital, the audience gave her a
standing ovation.
B.
Amanda performed the hardest piece in the piano recital, the audience gave her a standing
ovation.
C.
Amanda performed the hardest piece in the piano recital; after the audience gave her a
standing ovation.
D.
After Amanda performed the hardest piece in the piano recital and the audience gave her a
standing ovation.
Pronouns
77. What change, if any, should be made to they in this sentence?
Joaquin bragged to his parents that they cleaned out all of the gutters on the street.
A. him
B. he
C. us
D. them
Pronouns
78. Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct pronoun/antecedent agreement?
A. Elizabeth and Emily took hers younger brother camping for the fist time.
B. Elizabeth and Emily took mine younger brother camping for the fist time.
C. Elizabeth and Emily took their younger brother camping for the first time.
D. Elizabeth and Emily took theirs younger brother camping for the fist time.
Precise Language
79. Read the following sentence.
Alexander Pope's The Rape of the Lock is a satirical imitation, known as a parody, of classical
Greek epics.
How can the sentence be revised to make it more precise?
A. Alexander Pope's The Rape of the Lock is a satirical imitation.
B. Alexander Pope's The Rape of the Lock is a parody of classical Greek epics.
C. The Rape of the Lock is by Alexander Pope who imitated classical Greek epics.
Alexander Pope's The Rape of the Lock is a parody that is a satirical imitation of classical
D.
Greek epics.
Precise Language
80. Sam left his hot meal to stand up and courteously extend his elbow to the Lady Josephine
in order to support her down the steps and to the table. One could see her weight strain him, as a
bead of perspiration dripped slowly down his straight nose. But he maintained a sunny smile the
whole time, showing off teeth as white as the morning snow and a dimple that would make a
schoolgirl swoon.
What does the paragraph above tell the reader about the character Sam?
A. Sam is rude, cunning, and unattractive.
B. Sam is slim and doesn't eat much food.
C. Sam is a selfless and attractive person.
D. Sam is a heavy and out-of-shape man.
Reference Materials
81.
shift, v. move, swing, alter, reallocate
shift, n. transferal, change, alteration
Using the thesaurus entries above, select the word that would best replace shifts in the sentence
below.
Rising greenhouse gases are causing major shifts in the environment, such as melting ice caps
and rising sea levels.
A. reallocates
B. changes
C. swings
D. transferals
Reference Materials
Use the following dictionary entry to answer the question below.
time (tahym) n. 1. duration. n. 2. opportunity. v. 3. to measure or record the duration of. adj. 4. of
pertaining to, or showing the passage of time: time notes.
82. Which definition for time best fits the following sentence?
Duncan believes that this is his time to accomplish his dream of competing in a championship
tournament.
A. 1
B. 4
C. 2
D. 3
Editing
(1) Mark was keeping track of the package he
ordered from an online store. (2) He bought a CD titled
Baby Don't take no Insurance out on Me that was only
available overseas, so it was being shipped in from
Japan. (3) Mark was nervous since he had a bad
experience in the past shopping online. (4) Mark once
ordered a book called Drown from an online bookstore,
and the store sent him a book with a similar title but buy
a different author. (5) It was the wrong book, and the
store refusing to take it back or issue him a refund. (6)
Since then, he vowed to never shop online; however, he
really wanted this CD. (7) He also knew he would never
find it in a regular CD store so he decided to take a
chance.
83. Which sentence contains a capitalization error?
A. sentence 1
B. sentence 2
C. sentence 4
D. sentence 3
Editing
(1) Murray walked closely behind Gerard. (2) They were both crouched low, and Murray
could sense the effect it was having on his back. (3) Catching his breath Murray closed his eyes
and imagined the pain he felt piercing at his back was just a mosquito. (4) The mosquitoes
swarmed around them both due to the humidity lingering in the air. (5) Their buzzing had
become a sort of mantra—almost like a prayer one says to one's self over and over again. (6)
This was the longest that Gerard and Murray had been away from base camp, and Murray was
beginning to think Gerard was lost. (7) It would have been the fist time since Gerard was the best
tracker in the unit. (8) Even with Gerard leading, Murray had his doubts. (9) This was the first
outing where they didn't come back with food, and it was getting later with every flap of the
mosquitoes wings.
(10) By 5 in the morning, the trip had taken his toll, and Murray had an aching back, flooding
water in his boots, and a grumbling stomach that was so loud it almost gave away their position.
(11) In their last three outings, the island natives, the people the unit was feuding with, seemed to
be getting closer and closer to base camp. (12) It was clear they had crossed the neutral zone, it
also meant there were fewer places for the unit to fall back to should the natives attack.
(13) If they did decide to hit the unit, the only place left for them to retreat was the beach.
(14) The beach would have to be the last stand, but it also meant no fresh water, limited food,
and the danger of storms. (15) Murray was beginning to wonder if they should just give up and
save themselves from all of the crouching and creeping around in the jungle. (16) He was
beginning to wonder how things were on the other side of the island.
adapted from "The Winter Soldiers" by c.safos
84. What change, if any, should be made to sentence 3?
A. Insert a comma after eyes.
B. Change imagined to imagine.
C. Insert a comma after breath.
D. Make no change.
Introducing and Closing Topics
In 1582, Pope Gregory ordained in his Gregorian calendar that January 1st would replace
April 1st as New Year’s Day. News traveled slowly in Medieval Europe, so not all the people
knew of the change. Some also were aware of the change yet chose not accept it. The phrase
“April fool” was used to describe people who lived according to the old Julian calendar. These
April fools were ridiculed, and others played jokes on them. The targets of these jokes were
called poisson d’avril, or April fish. This practice became the custom of playing pranks on the
first day of April.
85. What would be the best introduction to this essay?
A. On April 1st, when you fall for a trick played on you, you are an April fool.
B.
There are several explanations for the origin of April Fools' Day, but here is the most
plausible one.
C.
Pranksters cry out, "April Fools'," after playing their trick on unsuspecting victims on
April 1st.
D. Many people love to play pranks on their friends and neighbors on April Fools' Day.
Introducing and Closing Topics
(1) Infectious mononucleosis, sometimes called "mono" or "the kissing disease," is an
infection that is very common, and most people have been exposed to the virus at some time in
childhood. Not everyone who is exposed to the virus develops the symptoms of mono, though.
People who do show symptoms of having mono probably will not get sick, or have symptoms,
again.
(2) A typical question people ask when they feel they might have mononucleosis is, "How did
I get it?" One common way to "catch" mono is by kissing someone who has been infected, which
is how the illness got its nickname. However, this isn't the only way to get the disease. You can
also get mononucleosis through other types of direct contact with saliva from someone infected
with the virus, such as by sharing a straw or an eating utensil.
(3) The best way to tell if you have mononucleosis is through the symptoms. Signs that you
may have mono include constant fatigue, fever, sore throat, loss of appetite, swollen lymph
nodes (also commonly known as glands, located in your neck, underarms, and groin), headaches,
sore muscles, skin rash, and abdominal pain. Even if you have several of these symptoms, don't
try to diagnose yourself. Always consult your doctor if you have a fever, sore throat, and swollen
glands or are unusually tired for no apparent reason. Because these symptoms are so general and
can be signs of other illnesses, it's possible to mistake mononucleosis for the flu or even strep
throat. When making a diagnosis, the doctor may want to take some blood tests to see if mono is
causing your symptoms.
(4) The best treatment is to get plenty of rest, especially during the beginning stages of the
illness when your symptoms are the worst. Put yourself to bed and pass on school, sports, and
other activities. The good news is that if you do nothing, the illness will go away by itself,
usually in 3 to 4 weeks. Although you can return to school once your fever disappears, you may
still feel tired. Your body will tell you when it's time to rest—listen to it. By taking good care of
yourself and resting as much as you need to, you will soon be back to normal, usually within a
few weeks.
This information was provided by KidsHealth, one of the largest resources online for medically
reviewed health information written for parents, kids, and teens. For more articles like this one,
visit www.KidsHealth.org or www.TeensHealth.org.
©1995-2007. The Nemours Foundation
86. Which would be the best choice for a topic sentence to add to the beginning of the paragraph
4?
A. Schools will give students an excused absence if a student is diagnosed with mono.
B. When you start feeling better, take it slowly.
Since there is no cure for mononucleosis, people are often concerned about how they will
C.
recover.
D.
Although EBV is the most common cause of mono, other viruses, such as
cytomegalovirus, can cause a similar illness.
Characters
One Swing
Brenden saw the hockey stick swinging up, but it was too late to react. The hockey stick
crashed into his upper chest, knocking Brenden backwards onto the ice. Looking up, he saw a
flash of a white jersey speeding away. He knew who had hit him. It was Jackson.
The team trainers and Coach Kyle skated quickly to Brenden. He had not gotten up, and they
were afraid he was hurt. They found that Brenden was fine physically, but emotionally, he was a
storm.
“I saw what that bully did,” Coach Kyle said. “I know how you feel, but you have to forget
about it. Focus on the game, not Jackson.”
Brenden calmed down once he got up and began playing again. Brenden ignored Jackson and
played a clean game. With the incident forgotten, Brenden scored two extra goals for his team.
At halftime, the players began skating toward the benches for a break. Brenden saw a familiar
flash of white heading toward Timothy, a small freshman that played on his team. Timothy
suddenly crashed onto the ice as Jackson slipped away.
“Hey,” Brenden shouted. “I saw what you did.” He pointed at the culprit.
Jackson put his hands up and looked at everyone like he didn’t know what happened. Then,
he smirked at Brenden and rolled his eyes.
A fire in Brenden began burning hot. He streaked across the ice and grabbed that white jersey.
Jackson didn’t have his helmet on, and Brenden slammed his fist into Jackson’s cheek.
Brenden was about to land another punch, when he felt strong arms pulling him away. It was
Coach Kyle.
Brenden’s heart stopped when he looked in the coach’s eyes. Disappointment poured out of
the coach.
“I taught you better than that,” Coach Kyle grumbled. “I’m benching you until you can
behave like the kind of player I want on my team.”
87. Which excerpt shows how the author supports the theme of sportsmanship through Brenden's
characterization?
A. "At halftime, the players began skating toward the benches for a break."
B. "Then, he smirked at Brenden and rolled his eyes."
C. "He streaked across the ice and grabbed that white jersey."
D. "Brenden ignored Jackson and played a clean game."
Characters
88. Brenden's experience helps him learn the value of
A. treating others with respect.
B. winning no matter what.
C. appreciating a friend's help.
D. practicing to improve skills.
Task, Purpose, and Audience
89.
What is the purpose of the map above?
A. to describe the construction of a planned theater
B. to inform about the location of a planned theater
C. to advertise the best location of a planned theater
D. to persuade that a new theater will improve the area
Task, Purpose, and Audience
90. Prada, Dooney & Burke, Louis Vuitton—purses can exemplify high style. However, their
high value can also make them the targets of thieves. Every 30 seconds, someone steals a
woman's purse and all her valuables inside. Sometimes, stealing a purse is too easy for a thief.
Women must be more careful and take safety precautions when carrying any kind of purse.
Women make themselves targets when they leave purses unattended. Perhaps there have been
times when you have left your purse at your desk at work even though you left the room. Maybe
you have put your purse in a shopping basket while you turned your back to pick out groceries.
You just expect that no one will take your purse because people are honest. Unfortunately, many
women find that all it takes is a minute for someone to grab the purse and disappear. The safest
thing to do is to keep your purse in your sight at all times.
Sometimes, you cannot prevent from becoming a victim of a crime. A bold purse thief will
forcibly grab a purse right off a woman. Even though you cannot completely take away all risk,
you can lower your risk of being a target if you don't give a thief a perfect opportunity.
Women should take care of their purses and treat them like the valuable objects they are.
Women need to be more vigilant and keep their purses in their sight at all times.
Which sentence from the passage is evidence that the author is trying to persuade the reader?
A. "Every 30 seconds, someone steals a woman's purse and all her valuables inside."
B.
"Perhaps there have been times when you have left your purse at your desk even though
you left the room."
C. "Women should take care of their purses and treat them like the valuable objects they are."
D. "Prada, Dooney & Burke, Louis Vuitton—purses can exemplify high style."
Supplying and Developing Evidence
And we men, the creatures who inhabit this earth, must be to them at least as alien and lowly
as are the monkeys and lemurs to us. The intellectual side of man already admits that life is an
incessant struggle for existence, and it would seem that this too is the belief of the minds upon
Mars. Their world is far gone in its cooling and this world is still crowded with life, but crowded
only with what they regard as inferior animals. To carry warfare sunward is indeed their only
escape from the destruction that generation after generation creeps upon them.
And before we judge of them too harshly we must remember what ruthless and utter
destruction our own species has wrought, not only upon animals such as the vanished bison and
the dodo, but upon its own race. The Tasmanians, in spite of their human likeness, were entirely
swept out of existence in a war of extermination waged by European immigrants in the space of
fifty years. Are we such apostles of mercy as to complain if the Martians warred in the same
spirit?
The Martians seem to have calculated their descent with amazing subtlety—their
mathematical learning is evidently far in excess of ours—and to have carried out their
preparations with a well-nigh perfect unanimity. Had our instruments permitted it, we might
have seen the gathering trouble far back in the nineteenth century. Men like Schiaparelli watched
the red planet—it is odd, by the way, that for countless centuries Mars has been the star of war—
but failed to interpret the fluctuating appearances of the markings they mapped so well. All that
time the Martians must have been getting ready.
from The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
91. Which sentence from the article excerpt above offers a supporting detail for the thesis, "The
Martians are just to wage war on humans"?
A.
"Had our instruments permitted it, we might have seen the gathering trouble far back in the
nineteenth century."
"And before we judge of them too harshly we must remember what ruthless and utter
B. destruction our own species has wrought, not only upon animals such as the vanished bison
and the dodo, but upon its own race."
"Men like Schiaparelli watched the red planet—it is odd, by the way, that for countless
C. centuries Mars has been the star of war—but failed to interpret the fluctuating appearances
of the markings they mapped so well."
"The Martians seem to have calculated their descent with amazing subtlety—their
D. mathematical learning is evidently far in excess of ours—and to have carried out their
preparations with a well-nigh perfect unanimity."
Supplying and Developing Evidence
Emperor Penguins
Of all the varieties of penguins on our planet, Emperor penguins are the largest in size. They
can weigh up to 90 pounds and grow to be almost four feet tall. The head, chin, throat, and back
of an Emperor penguin is black, which makes it look like it is wearing a black dinner jacket! One
way to know if a penguin is an Emperor is by the orange area on each side of its head.
These amazing penguins can hold their breath for up to 22 minutes to stay under water longer.
When temperatures get more frigid, Emperor penguins cluster closely together in a massive
group. The most desired place for the penguins to be is in the center since it is warmer in the
middle of their circle. Emperor penguins take turns going to the center of the group.
92. Which sentence would be a relevant detail to add to the passage?
A. The Fairy penguin is the smallest type of penguin in the world.
B. Galapagos penguins are the only penguins north of the equator.
C. Emperor penguins live in the cold temperatures of the Antarctic.
D. Penguins are not able to fly, but they can swim very well.
Impact and Tone
Look at the four passages written about a natural gas pipeline explosion in a fictional town called
Palmore.
Passage 1
The gas pipeline explosion that rocked Palmore caused a great deal of destruction and injury,
but it also seems to have united our community against this disaster. When the explosion went
off, regular citizens stopped what they were doing and went to the site to pull people out of the
debris. Hundreds of people drove to City Hall to donate clothes, food, and money for our
neighbors in need.
Passage 2
Palmore will feel the effects of the gas pipeline explosion for years to come. The homes that
were destroyed will take years to rebuild. The farmland that was scorched will not grow crops
for at least one season. The amount of money needed to get back to normal is too high to even
think about.
Passage 3
The recent gas pipeline explosion in Palmore is just another example of the incompetence of
these natural gas mega-companies. They are too busy chasing the money to care about the safety
of the citizens. They failed to install the new couplings that would have prevented this explosion
in the first place. They didn’t want to spend millions replacing equipment, and now many people
in this town—friends and neighbors—are injured and/or homeless.
Passage 4
The gas pipeline explosion in Palmore has claimed precious, innocent lives. Four children
under the age of 5 died in the explosion and the resulting fires. Four families will plan funerals
and carry little caskets to the cemetery. Four families must suffer the agony of tragically losing a
loved one.
93. Which passage above demonstrates an optimistic tone?
A. passage 2
B. passage 3
C. passage 4
D. passage 1
Impact and Tone
94. Which passage above demonstrates a pessimistic tone?
A. passage 2
B. passage 1
C. passage 3
D. passage 4
Effectiveness of Structure
95. When the United States first entered the space race, NASA devised three projects that
would develop manned spaceflight in stages. In chronological order, these projects were
Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. Each project had specific mission goals that were focused on both
immediate and long-term results. Project Mercury focused on preliminary and initial manned
spaceflight, with the overall goal being to establish a well-rehearsed escape and recovery
procedure for manned space vehicles. Project Gemini, built on procedures developed in Project
Mercury, focused on establishing the "meat and potatoes" of advanced spacecraft operation such
as orbital control maneuvers, spacewalks, and orbital rendezvous and docking. The overall goal
of Project Gemini was to enact a series of techniques that would allow astronaut crews to reach
the Moon in relative safety. Finally, Project Apollo, by far the most ambitious of the three
projects, focused on regular visits to the Moon with the goal of capturing research data on
extraterrestrial bodies. All three projects were extremely successful in both immediate and longterm goals.
What organizational method is used to organize this paragraph?
A. problem/solution
B. classification
C. cause and effect
D. compare and contrast
Effectiveness of Structure
96.
*** Soft Pretzels ***




2 16-oz. loaves frozen bread dough
1 egg white, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon water
Coarse salt
First, separate thawed bread into 24 1-1/2" balls. Then, roll each ball into a rope 14-1/2" long.
Next, on a piece of wax paper or floured breadboard, gently mold ropes into pretzel shapes.
Pretzels should then be placed one inch apart on a greased cookie sheet. Let stand for 20 minutes
and brush with combined egg white and water. Now sprinkle pretzels with coarse salt. Place a
shallow pan containing 1" of boiling water on bottom rack of oven. Finally, bake pretzels at 350
degrees on rack above water for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Why does the author use words such as "then" and "next" in this recipe?
A. to compare and contrast the recipe steps
B. to show the cause and the effect
C. to indicate the steps in a sequence
D. to point out the problem and the solution
Capitalization
97. Which of the following sentences is capitalized correctly?
A. kelly and I went to the Zoo on Saturday to see the newborn Tiger.
B. Kelly and I went to the zoo on Saturday to see the newborn tiger.
C. Kelly and I went to the zoo on saturday to see the newborn tiger.
D. Kelly and i went to the zoo on Saturday to see the newborn tiger.
Capitalization
(1) As Coleman International bank closed its doors for the
evening, a caravan of police cars filled the parking lot. (2) The
tellers inside the building were told by the officers to stay indoors.
(3) Many were worried that the bank was being robbed.
(4) Suddenly, a long, dark limousine pulled forward, blocking
off most of fleet St. (5) A group of men with hand-held radios and
dressed in black made their way out of the limousine. (6) They
surrounded a man who exited the limousine and made his way into
the bank. (7) The bank manager went to greet the man who ended
up being the President of Mexico, who had some last-minute
international banking to take care of before the day ended. (8)
Someone in his party called out, "president Duran, this is Boston
Brand. He should be able to help you out." (9) All in all, for the
bank's Employees, it was a very exciting end to an otherwise boring
Monday afternoon.
98. Which sentence contains a capitalization error?
A. sentence 6
B. sentence 3
C. sentence 1
D. sentence 5
Technical Meanings
Anthropology is the study of humanity. Stated another way, it is the scientific study of human
life. Anthropologists are scientists. Their job is to examine and observe all aspects of what we
know as human. Anthropologists are interested in the history, evolution, society, and culture of
all humans who have ever existed.
The field of anthropology is divided into more specific areas. Biological anthropology is the
study of humans as physical organisms. Through time, humans have evolved into a complex life
form unique to the animal kingdom. Another area, cultural anthropology, is the study of the
culture and society of humans. We humans live together in groups or societies that are based on
relationships with one another. Each society shares certain values and attitudes about life. The
manner in which people think and behave defines the culture of the society. Yet another branch
of anthropology is archeology. Archeologists study ancient civilizations by recovering and
analyzing artifacts and relics.
Anthropology is the study of everything human, from the prehistoric past to the modern-day
present. The knowledge from this science has helped us better understand humans and human
nature. Like all animals, we are born with genetically inherited traits that direct much of our
lives. Yet, unlike other animals, we are capable of interacting with the world in an exceptional
manner through our learned behaviors.
99. Based on the context of the passage, scientific study can best be defined as
A. the investigation of historical events.
B. the observation of humanity.
C. the excavation of ancient sites.
D. the accumulation of knowledge.
Technical Meanings
100. Based on the context of the passage, society can best be defined as
A. a group of people who work together.
B. an organized system of government.
C. a structured system of class and rank.
D. a group of individuals who are similar.