Mrs. McNally
10th Grade Growth Assessment
Please answer each of these questions to the best of your ability.
1. Which sentence uses correct punctuation?
A.
The election was over on Tuesday; however, there was a tie between two candidates.
B.
I have to choose an elective for next year, like art; drama; sociology; or home economics.
C.
People from all over the world travel to Orlando; Florida for family vacations.
D.
The soccer players hoped to go to the championship; but they lost the last game.
2.
Penelope could hardly eat any food in the morning because she was nervous about having to give a speech for her
geography class.
Which of these is a prepositional phrase from the sentence?
A. :"in the morning":"for her geography class":
B.
"to give a speech"
C.
"could hardly eat"
D.
"because she was nervous"
3. Ray went into the school library and asked to see the newspapers. What information could Ray find in
the newspaper?
A.
the synonyms and antonyms of a common word
B.
results of the national presidential elections
C.
biographical information about Davy Crockett
D.
details about the history of Western Europe
4. Rodney wants to find the highest and lowest recorded temperatures ever seen in the United States.
Which is the best source for Rodney to use to find this information?
A.
an almanac
B.
a newspaper
C.
a magazine
D.
an atlas
5.
Like most people, I find celebrity gossip irresistible even though I know that I should pursue more intellectual interests.
Which word in the sentence is misspelled?
A. intellectual
B.
pursue
C.
celebrity
D.
irresistible
6. Which sentence uses correct parallel structure?
A.
Susanna is so coordinated that she can juggle four balls, walk a tightrope, and doing cartwheels.
B.
For this project you will need to choose a topic, research your topic, and present your findings.
C.
You are required to take English, science, math, and you have to take social studies, too.
D.
Athletics teaches people about sportsmanship, teamwork, and how to have a healthy lifestyle.
7. Which sentence has a misplaced modifier?
A.
On Saturday mornings, the children watch cartoons.
B.
Sitting in the park, Janet watched people run by.
C.
Sheila gave popcorn to her husband in a bowl.
D.
The teacher in the blue dress has strict rules.
The following passage is the first draft of a student essay. It may contain errors.
The First Priority
(1) The excitement of a winning touchdown, the crunch of a hard tackle, the state championship trophy displayed at
school. (2) The football team has provided good memories and entertainment for Walker High school. (3) I remember one
game where the team rallied to score 3 touchdowns in the last 12 minutes to win.(4) However, the school board needs to
be reminded that memories and entertainment are not the most important things a school should provide. (5) The school
board has proposed a plan to spend $20 million to build a new state of the art football stadium. (6) The school board
should reconsider its plan and use that large amount of money on something more important than sports—academics.
(7) Though sports are fun and bring positive recognition to the school, the school board needs to remember that
schools were created to educate young people. (8) Our school has a 33 percent dropout rate. (9) Our school also has low
scores on the state tests. (10) This year, 65 percent of our eleventh graders were ranked as “Unsatisfactory” based on
there state test scores. (11) The school should make academic standards its first priority and use some of the $20 million
on intervention programs to help the school’s struggling students receive a better education.
(12) I understand why the school board felt the need to place such high importance on the football
stadium.(13) Because the football team has won three state championships over the past five years, attendance at the
games has gone up more than 200 percent. (14) Our current stadium was built in 1984. (15) It does not have the capacity
to hold that many attendees. (16) Tearing down the current stadium to build a new expensive one is not the right solution
to the problem. (17) Instead, the school board should make a new proposal that spends a smaller amount of money to
make improvements and upgrades to the current stadium.
(18) In conclusion, the school board needs to refocus on what is most important. (19) They should draft a new proposal
for smaller upgrades to the existing stadium and use the money saved to help students achieve academic
excellence. (20) The students need to get the message that being a good student is more important than being a good
athlete.
8. What is the best way to combine sentences 14 and 15?
A.
Our current stadium, built in 1984, does not have the capacity to hold that many attendees.
B.
Our current stadium was built in 1984, and our current stadium does not have the capacity to hold that many attendees.
C.
Our current stadium was built in 1984; but it does not have the capacity to hold that many attendees.
D.
Our current stadium was built in 1984, it does not have the capacity to hold that many attendees.
9. Which of these is the best supporting detail to add to the second paragraph?
A.
School board member Jonathan Winters led the committee that drafted the proposal.
B.
The attendance at the last homecoming game broke the previous record of 10,000 people.
C.
The new stadium will have press rooms, coaches' offices, and a team lounge with a TV.
D.
Over the past five years, only 55 percent of graduating seniors have gone to college.
10. Which word is best to add to the beginning of sentence 16 to create a clear transition?
A.
Therefore
B.
However
C.
Meanwhile
D.
Finally
11. Which sentence is nonessential and should be removed from the essay?
A.
sentence 11
B.
sentence 5
C.
sentence 17
D.
sentence 3
Obesity in Our Youth
by Patricia Clements
Table of Contents
I.
Obesity in Our Youth: A Growing Problem
II.
Factors Contributing to Obesity
III.
The Health Risks of Obesity
IV.
How to Stop the Problem
V.
Conclusion
Obesity in Our Youth: A Growing Problem
An alarming problem is occurring in the United States today. Over the past few decades, we’ve seen a significant weight
gain in young people. While statistics vary, it is evident that the increase in the weight of children and adolescents is a
national crisis. According to data from the National Center for Health Statistics compiled for 2003–2004, 17.1% of our
youth ranging in age from 2 to 19 years are overweight. This same data indicates that this amounts to over 12.5 million
overweight young people. An even more upsetting finding in this report is that overweight adolescents frequently become
obese adults.
Factors Contributing to Obesity
There are a variety of factors that contribute to weight gain, but the main issue is lifestyle choices. According to
information found from the National Center for Health Statistics, much of the weight gain in young people can be
contributed to an increase in portion sizes, an increase in television, computer, and electronic game time, and a reduction
in physical activity. Current Health indicates that not only fast food choices have increased but also portion sizes have
increased. According to this source, a cheeseburger purchased 20 years ago had 333 calories while today it has 590
calories.
The Health Risks of Obesity
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry says that the risks associated with obesity are both physical
and emotional. Some of the physical ramifications of obesity are diabetes, high blood pressure, breathing problems, and
an increased risk of heart disease. On an emotional level, obese children suffer from low self-esteem and are less popular
with their peers.
How to Stop the Problem
The good news is that this epidemic can be stopped. The Weight Loss and Obesity Center offers a variety of strategies to
help children become more healthy and fit. Getting involved in a team sport or taking gymnastics or martial arts is a good
start. Limiting television, computer, and electronic game time is another positive step toward good health. Eating
reasonable portions of healthier food, limiting sugary drinks, and having less fast food are some more ways to get on the
right track.
Conclusion
Childhood obesity is a growing problem, but the good news is we can do something about it. Some painless lifestyle
changes can do wonders to improve both the physical and emotional health of today’s youth.
Change in the Percentage of Overweight Children 1976–2004
Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
12. What is the best summary of the section "The Health Risks of Obesity"?
A.
Obesity can be stopped with the help of society.
B.
Obesity increases the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure.
C.
Obesity contributes to lack of self-esteem and popularity.
D.
Obesity can affect children mentally and physically.
13. After reading the article, which of the following describes how the author might feel about obesity in
children and adolescents?
A.
The author is concerned about the problem.
B.
The author does not care about obesity at all.
C.
The author thinks the problem is exaggerated.
D.
The author thinks today's parents are not very good.
14. Referring to the graph "Change in Percentage of Overweight Children 1976–2004," which age group
had the highest percent of overweight kids in both year ranges of 1976–1980 and 2003–2004?
A.
all were the same
B.
children 2–5
C.
children 12–19
D.
children 6–11
15. Based on the context, the best definition for the underlined word ramifications in section III is
A.
emotions.
B.
reactions.
C.
consequences.
D.
causes.
16. After reading "Obesity in Our Youth: A Growing Problem," which of the following conclusions can be
drawn?
A.
Increased calorie content of fast food is the main contributor to weight gain.
B.
All overweight adolescents become overweight adults who eat poorly.
C.
Low self-esteem, poor eating habits, and lack of popularity lead to weight gain.
D.
Children can end obesity by making healthy choices.
Solo Spring
by Patricia Clements
Staring out my kitchen window
I view the ageless, golden sun,
sky spotted with heavenly clouds,
trees reaching tall and proud with
tender, emerald shoots of spring leaves.
Daffodils poke through the ground
announcing spring’s arrival;
they look like gentle soldiers
evenly rowed up
their saffron bells calling to me.
Fat-gutted robins parade around
the dripping, dew-dampened lawn,
tearing pink-gray worms
from safe shelter,
chirping salutations to friends
who wintered elsewhere.
Spring beckons me,
entices me into its intimate embrace.
Though my eyes rest on this eternal wonder,
I know you’re gone,
and nothing is the same,
now that it’s different.
17. A simile is used to compare the daffodils to
A.
saffron bells.
B.
gentle soldiers.
C.
spring's arrival.
D.
even rows.
18. The reader can conclude that the speaker
A.
has lost a loved one.
B.
plans to walk outside.
C.
talks to the birds.
D.
picks bouquets of flowers.
19. Which of the following statements best describes the theme of the poem?
A.
Springtime's arrival makes lost love less painful.
B.
Lost love changes a person's view of the world.
C.
All people feel pain during the springtime.
D.
The world is a better place during the spring.
20. What is the central irony of the poem?
A.
Springtime cannot "beckon" or "entice" a person.
B.
Daffodils grow in the spring, but they cannot announce it.
C.
The narrator's ending comes at springtime's beginning.
D.
Robins are not people and cannot speak to friends.
A Bittersweet Day
by Patricia Clements
The girls gathered around the posted list of classmates who had made the basketball team. There were excited shouts
of joy from girls who made the team and heartbroken dismay from girls who didn’t.
Mary walked dejectedly down the hall in tears. All of her friends had made the team, but she had not. How was she
going to explain this to her dad? Basketball was their way of connecting with each other. Ever since the divorce, Mom
never showed up for games, but Dad always did. What would happen to their ritual of eating fattening fast food after the
game? How would she find a way to talk to him about anything without basketball as a buffer? Would he be disappointed
with her and see this as a failure?
Up ahead, Mary saw her friends talking animatedly until they saw her. Their looks of pity were almost worse than their
excitement. As she walked up to them, she hoped she could keep her composure.
"Hey, Mary," said Jenna. "How are you doing?"
"I’m happy for all of you," Mary struggled to speak.
"Tough break," said Kayla, giving Mary a hug.
The rest of the girls gathered around her in support. It was comforting, but it didn’t really change anything. She broke
away from the girls and headed to English class. She was not up for this. They were readingRomeo and Juliet, and she
had gotten the role of Juliet. As if things weren’t sad enough, now she had to go read a tragedy aloud in front of everyone.
As she walked into the room, she saw Mrs. Callahan’s perceptive look.
"Great, she already knows," thought Mary. "I hope she doesn’t try to be compassionate. I’d rather just be left alone."
Thankfully, Mrs. Callahan didn’t bring up the topic, and Mary was able to get through her reading as Juliet without
incident. The rest of the day went by in a flash, and Mary walked home. Her mother wasn’t there; she never was anymore
now that she had to work full time to make ends meet.
Mary walked into the kitchen to get something to eat but realized that food wouldn’t help and was part of the reason
she had not made the team in the first place. She also realized she had to deal with all of these issues—from not making
the team to being overweight to having divorced parents. While she wanted to feel sorry for herself, she knew that the
best thing she could do was face these problems.
She began by calling her dad, who was actually available for a change.
She said, "Dad, I’m calling to tell you that I didn’t make the team."
There was silence on the other end, and then her father said, "I’m so sorry, Mary. I know how much this meant to you.
How can I help?"
Mary started crying and poured out her heart to her father, telling him all of her worries about the lack of time they
would spend together without basketball and how much she missed him at home. Together they decided to have a weekly
time just for the two of them to talk about things, and Mary asked her father to help her figure out a way to lose weight.
Jokingly, her father said, "We can always go out for salads and skip the cheeseburgers at McDonald’s!" But then he
said, "Seriously, how about we take walks or go hiking when we get together? We don’t need basketball to be close. The
important thing to me is and always has been to spend time with my favorite girl in the world."
21. Which of the following best fits the author's purpose in the story?
A.
explaining to the reader how bad it is to be a teenager
B.
entertaining the reader while illustrating a life lesson
C.
informing the reader of the problems of overeating
D.
persuading the reader to give up school sports
22. What does the phrase poured out her heart mean?
A.
spoke angrily to her father
B.
blamed others for her problems
C.
told exactly how she felt
D.
kept her problems to herself
23. A very bad day at school causes Mary to be honest with her father. What is the outcome of her talk
with her dad?
A.
They will no longer spend time together without basketball.
B.
They will talk to Mary's mother and get her to help.
C.
They will agree to not discuss basketball ever again.
D.
They will work together to solve Mary's problems.
24. What lesson does Mary learn in this story?
A.
Friends who stay on the team are not real friends.
B.
Coaches pick their favorites for the team.
C.
Mary can depend on her father.
D.
Mary's mother will never listen to her.
25. The mood at the end of the story is
A.
depressed.
B.
angry.
C.
pessimistic.
D.
hopeful.
In Favor of School Uniforms
by Patricia Clements
Teenagers today love to express themselves through the clothing they wear. These personal statements range from Tshirts showing their favorite bands to advertisements of alcohol and tobacco products. Add to this, low-cut jeans and
halter tops on the girls and pants on the boys that hang way below the hips, and it is evident that there is a problem with
how teens dress today.
In addition, since our public schools have diverse populations, the division between the haves and the have-nots is
evident in the clothes students wear. Often, clothing is a status symbol, and those who do not have the right attire are
singled out and ridiculed. Just when students should be focusing on academics and their future college plans, they are too
busy being wrapped up in the clothes they wear.
There is a simple solution to this problem. While clothes do have a role in a teen’s self-expression, the bigger issue is
how much it impacts the education of these teens. How much time is spent focusing on what to wear, and how much time
is taken away from learning? It seems obvious that a simple solution to this problem is to institute a dress code that
results in students wearing a school uniform. It’s true that there would be an uproar from both students and parents who
are concerned with individuality and angry that the authority in charge is controlling what they perceive to be a personal
decision. It’s also true that students would not get the opportunity to learn about themselves as individuals through selfexpression.
However, the good would outweigh the bad. Our students could get back to focusing on what’s important: their
education and their future. Without provocative clothing like halter tops and low-cut jeans, and without the advertisement
of illegal substances on T-shirts, schools could focus once again on educational goals without interruption. With everyone
dressed the same, there would be less teasing among students who judge each other based on clothes. School uniforms
would lead to better self-esteem among the students, and the pressure of fitting in would no longer revolve around
clothing.
It would also be easier for public schools to provide help to families who cannot afford clothes in the first place. All
students wear essentially the same uniform, and the school would likely deal with one company selling the uniforms;
therefore, it would be simpler to provide assistance to those in financial need.
While there are some arguments for allowing students to wear what they want to school, there are better arguments to
support the wearing of school uniforms. Our schools need to start investigating the possibility of requiring school uniforms
in our public schools today.
26. The article "In Favor of School Uniforms" is most likely intended to
A.
inform the reader that students who wear uniforms get into better colleges.
B.
convince the reader that school uniforms are good for students.
C.
convince the reader that students should be able to choose what to wear.
D.
inform the reader of the problems with some clothes students wear.
27. How does the author best capture the audience's attention in paragraph one?
A.
by describing examples of inappropriate teen clothing
B.
by explaining that there is a problem with how all teens dress today
C.
by saying that teenagers express themselves through personal statements
D.
by saying that favorite music groups encourage students to dress badly
28. Which of the following statements is a personal bias of the author?
A.
The wealthier students have better clothes and judge the less wealthy.
B.
Students who wear T-shirts that advertise alcohol and tobacco are users.
C.
The poorer students could do better if they got a part-time job.
D.
College is not important to students who dress well and have money.
29. After reading "In Favor of School Uniforms," it can be concluded that
A.
a dress code promotes academic success.
B.
there are more important issues in schools.
C.
uniforms are not necessary in schools.
D.
student clothing is an essential form of expression.
30. The word illegal is correctly defined as which of the following?
A.
colorful decoration
B.
false advertising
C.
inappropriate act
D.
against the law
Answers
1. A
2. A
3. B
4. A
5. D
6. B
7. C
8. A
9. D
10. B
11. D
12. D
13. A
14. D
15. C
16. D
17. B
18. A
19. B
20. C
21. B
22. C
23. D
24. C
25. D
26. B
27. A
28. A
29. A
30. D