Praxis 5038 practice test FORM 3
Red Herring
A fallacy that introduces an irrelevant issue to divert attention from the subject under discussion
The school's success is heavily dependent on the budget. Enrollment is currently down, and the funds to purchase materials and educational tools are scarce. There are also concerns of having to reduce the number of faculty, which raises classroom ratios and reduces face time with a teacher for each student. However, people should not worry about the effects of the budget decreases when our primary goal should be to educate and instill a love of learning in children. The excerpt includes which of the following fallacies? A.Red herring B.Straw man C.Ad hominem D.False analogy
Correct Answer: A Option (A) is correct. The last statement attempts to divert the attention of the reader from the budget problem at hand with a cliché statement about children and learning.
Because of the cold weather, there are many things you must pack for the camping trip: sleeping bag, tent, gloves, and hat. The colon is used correctly because it does which of the following? A.Introduces a list that follows an independent clause B.Represents a pause between two main clauses C.Signifies a division between items in a list D.Separates independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction
Correct Answer: A Option (A) is correct. The list of items follows an independent clause and extends the idea that many items are necessary when packing for the trip.
Marxist Criticism
An approach to literature that focuses on the ideological content of a work—its explicit and implicit assumptions and values about matters such as culture, race, class, and power.
process writing
An approach to writing where learners are encouraged to brainstorm, plan, draft, re-draft, review, and "publish" their written work.
Which of the following types of writing is best classified as an unbiased writing piece? A.A textbook chapter highlighting the environmental impacts of wind energy B.An editorial essay urging community members to pay attention to school bus laws C.A humorous blog pointing out the trials and joys of raising teenagers D.An online journal written by first-year teachers describing their real experiences and challenges
Correct Answer: A Option (A) is correct. A chapter in a textbook is most likely to provide expository information in an unbiased manner.
Charles Drew is a doctor *whose scientific work led to the first blood bank.* (that * is underlined portion) The underlined portion of the sentence can best be described as which of the following? A.An adjective clause B.A noun clause C.A participial phrase D.An appositive phrase
Correct Answer: A Option (A) is correct. An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that describes a noun or pronoun (in this case the noun is "doctor"), usually begins with a pronoun or adverb (in this case that pronoun is "whose"), and answers questions like who, which, when, or what kind.
Which of the following words is a definition of the prefix "hyper-"? A.Above B.Against C.Active D.All
Correct Answer: A Option (A) is correct. By definition, the term "hyper-" means "over" or "above."
It was about this time that the pigs suddenly moved into the farmhouse and took up their residence there. Again the animals seemed to remember that a resolution against this had been passed in the early days, and again Squealer was able to convince them that this was not the case. It was absolutely necessary, he said, that the pigs, who were the brains of the farm, should have a quiet place to work in. It was also more suited to the dignity of the Leader (for of late he had taken to speaking of Napoleon under the title of "Leader") to live in a house than in a mere sty. —from Animal Farm Question: Which of the following writers is the author of the passage? A.George Orwell B.H. G. Wells C.William Golding D.Aldous Huxley
Correct Answer: A Option (A) is correct. George Orwell is the author of Animal Farm.
Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter can best be categorized as belonging to which of the following literary movements? A.Romanticism B.Postmodernism C.Neoclassicism D.Existentialism
Correct Answer: A Option (A) is correct. Hawthorne was a leading writer of the Romantic era. He is known as a Dark Romantic writer because of the dark elements he applied to the tenets of Romanticism, including isolation of the individual, sin and redemption, and criticisms of humanity and its inherent evil.
The following is an excerpt from a draft of a student essay. I am unsure of what I want to study as I have many interests. I currently plan to go to the local community college to take some basic courses. Once I figure out what I want to study, I will transfer to a four-year university. However, if I was to get a scholarship to a university, I would probably forgo the community college experience. The draft contains an error in which of the following areas? A.Using the subjunctive mood B.Maintaining parallel structure C.Maintaining consistent point of view
Correct Answer: A Option (A) is correct. In the final sentence, the student should use "were" instead of "was" because the sentence involves a hypothetical or conditional situation.
The obstreperous crowd began cheering sarcastically when the pitcher lost the baseball game for their team by giving up multiple runs. Which of the following is the best synonym for the underlined word in the sentence? A.Hostile B.Dedicated C.Concerned D.Supportive
Correct Answer: A Option (A) is correct. The fact that the crowd began sarcastic cheers suggests their dissatisfaction. Therefore, their behavior can be described as obstreperous, or boisterous and hostile.
Which of the following student activities is an example of a formative assessment? A.Completing an exit ticket at the end of a lesson B.Responding to an anticipation guide at the start of a unit C.Creating a portfolio as a culminating activity D.Presenting background material at the beginning of a section
Correct Answer: A Option (A) is correct. The goal of formative assessment is to monitor student learning. An exit ticket, in which students reflect on what they have learned, will allow the teacher to quickly assess students' understanding.
The following is an excerpt from an editorial in a local newspaper. Ordinary community members who are looking for a man of the people are voting for Charles Smith as our next mayor. These people recognize that Smith has the common sense needed to set things straight and help the city run more smoothly. Charles Smith is the mayor for people like us. Which of the following persuasive techniques does the excerpt best demonstrate? A.Plain-folks B.Snob appeal C.Testimonial D.Avant-garde
Correct Answer: A Option (A) is correct. The plain-folks technique persuades people that someone is just like them. The editorial attempts to convince readers that Charles Smith is "a man of the people" and has "common sense."
My youngest brother paid no attention to me. Grasping more firmly his newspaper-wrapped notebook and his tin-can lunch of cornbread and oil sausages, he continued to concentrate on the dusty road. He lagged several feet behind my other brothers, Stacey and Christopher-John, and me, attempting to keep the rusty Mississippi dust from swelling with each step and drifting back upon his shiny black shoes and the cuffs of his corduroy pants by lifting each foot high before setting it gently down again. —Mildred D. Taylor, from Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Based on the passage, the youngest brother is best characterized as A.meticulous B.stubborn C.devoted D.stern
Correct Answer: A Option (A) is correct. The reader can infer from the careful attention the younger brother is paying to his appearance that he is meticulous about keeping his clothes clean.
The following is an excerpt from a student's argumentative essay. Students should definitely have less homework! Teachers who assign too much homework clearly don't want students to ever have fun. Honestly, doing homework does not help students to learn. Which of the following logical fallacies appears in the excerpt? A.Hasty generalization B.Slippery slope C.Circular argument D.Majority appeal
Correct Answer: A Option (A) is correct. The statement makes a quick assumption about teachers who assign homework without enough evidence to support it.
A teacher uses a projector to demonstrate a strategy for note taking while reading. The teacher highlights two lines from a text and writes in the margin, "The author suggests that humans' time on Earth is limited, so that makes me think the author is trying to encourage readers not to waste time." The teacher is modeling metacognitive thinking about which of the following? A.Theme B.Conflict C.Tone D.Symbolism
Correct Answer: A Option (A) is correct. The teacher is modeling metacognitive thinking to discuss the message the author is trying to convey, which is theme.
A teacher begins a unit by first teaching a novel that is rich, complex, and engaging. The teacher then selects a variety of poems, short stories, and informational texts to supplement the novel and has students compare similar themes in the novel and the additional texts. Teaching the unit in this manner most directly helps students with which of the following? A.Building background knowledge B.Making predictions C.Making personal connections D.Supporting an argument
Correct Answer: A Option (A) is correct. The teacher's technique starts by building a foundation of background knowledge, and as students move on to other texts, they can activate this background knowledge from the novel study. This technique ensures that all students in the classroom are able to start the reading with some background knowledge and familiarity with the topic, thus creating motivation and purpose for reading and comprehending the new text.
The following is an excerpt from a flyer advertising a school's yearbook. You won't want to be the only one without a yearbook in May! Which of the following best categorizes the persuasive technique used in the excerpt? A.Bandwagon B.Card stacking C.Glittering generality D.Bribery
Correct Answer: A Option (A) is correct. The yearbook flyer is trying to persuade the reader to join the crowd and buy a yearbook.
There is no denying that choice improves the quality of our lives. It enables us to control our destinies and to come close to getting exactly what we want out of any situation. Choice is essential to autonomy, which is absolutely fundamental to well-being. Healthy people want and need to direct their own lives. On the other hand, the fact that some choice is good doesn't necessarily mean that more choice is better. There is a cost to having an overload of choice. As a culture, we are enamored of freedom, self-determination, and variety, and we are reluctant to give up any of our options. But clinging tenaciously to all the options available to us contributes to bad decisions, to anxiety, stress, and dissatisfaction. —Barry Schwartz, from The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less Question: Which of the following situations could the author use to best illustrate a main idea of the second paragraph? A. Selecting one job from many good alternatives B. Regretting taking a job that is unsuitable C. Trying to find a new job when time is limited D. Creating new job opportunities for others
Correct Answer: A Option (A) is correct. The author suggests that facing too many choices causes stress and anxiety.
A radio advertisement for a cleaning service concludes with the statement, "We work hard to make your house a home." Which of the following persuasive techniques does the advertisement employ? A.Glittering generality B.Bandwagon C.Card stacking D.Endorsements
Correct Answer: A Option (A) is correct. The concept of "a home" instead of "a house" allows the audience to create individualized positive images.
Edwards, James. Education Magazine, "The Grass Roots of Education." 10 Dec. 2015: 70-71. Print. Which of the following corrections to the citation is necessary for proper MLA format? A.The italicized title should be placed after the title in quotation marks. B.The page numbers should be the last item listed in the citation. C.The day of the month should be placed after the month. D.The colon after the date should be replaced by a period.
Correct Answer: A Option (A) is correct. Titles of articles are placed before the title of the magazine or journal.
Which of the following Romantic era authors wrote the poetry collections Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience? A.William Blake B.Ann Radcliffe C.Percy Shelley D.Dorothy WordsworthWhich of the following Romantic era authors wrote the poetry collections Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience?
Correct Answer: A Option (A) is correct. William Blake wrote the renowned Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience.
Which of the following words has a prefix that means "both"? A.Ambassador B.Ambiguous C.Ambitious D.Ambulatory
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. "Ambi-" is used to mean "both" in "ambiguous."
The billionaire consigned two of his paintings by famous Impressionists to the Guggenheim in his will, hoping that the museum would take good care of them. Which of the following context clues helps to determine the meaning of the word "consigned"? A."by famous Impressionists" B."in his will" C."hoping that the museum" D."good care"
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. "Consigned" means to transfer control to another, which is indicated by the fact that it occurred in his will.
A teacher writes the following words on the board. disagree, disqualify, disappear, dislike Through knowledge of affixes, which of the following meanings can the students determine is common to all the words? A.between, among B.not, opposite of C.before, prior to D.wrongly, ill
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. "Dis" is a prefix meaning "not" or "opposite of".
At the end of a unit, an English teacher wants to create an authentic assessment to evaluate each student's ability to construct effective arguments. Which of the following writing tasks best meets the instructional goal? A.A research paper about a novel's time period B.A newspaper editorial about the need to change a local law C.A personal narrative about a significant learning experience D.A short story about a serious disagreement
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. An authentic assessment is one that allows students to demonstrate skills in a real-world situation, such as writing an editorial for publication in a newspaper.
A teacher assigns students the following writing prompt. Should teenagers be allowed to have and use cell phones? Although cell phones put people in touch with the world around them, they discourage in-person interaction. Write an essay in which you either support or oppose teenagers having and using cell phones. Make sure to support your claim with specific explanations and reasons. Which of the following is the most appropriate writing mode for the assignment? A.Descriptive B.Argumentative C.Persuasive D.Narrative
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. Argumentative writing requires the writer to take a position on a topic and provide evidence to support his or her position.
A student uses a different dialect depending on the community to whom the student is speaking. Which statement best identifies the student's skill? A.The student is considered bilingual. B.The student is capable of code-switching. C.The student understands phonetics. D.The student uses multiple-meaning words correctly.
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. Code-switching is defined as the alternating between two or more languages or varieties of language in conversation, which is what the student is doing.
William Shakespeare's Hamlet is set in which of the following historical contexts? A.Scotland during the High Middle Ages B.Denmark during the Late Middle Ages C.Verona during the Renaissance Period D.Venice during the Early Modern Period
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. Hamlet is set in Denmark during the Late Middle Ages.
I left my flat, took the lift downstairs, and went out into the rain, carrying my umbrella and wearing my mackintosh and wellies. The speaker of the sentence is using which of the following dialects? A.Northwestern American B.British C.Australian D.Eastern Canadian
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. In England, Scotland, and Wales, a flat is an apartment, a lift is an elevator, a mackintosh is a raincoat, and wellies are rain boots.
There is no denying that choice improves the quality of our lives. It enables us to control our destinies and to come close to getting exactly what we want out of any situation. Choice is essential to autonomy, which is absolutely fundamental to well-being. Healthy people want and need to direct their own lives. On the other hand, the fact that some choice is good doesn't necessarily mean that more choice is better. There is a cost to having an overload of choice. As a culture, we are enamored of freedom, self-determination, and variety, and we are reluctant to give up any of our options. But clinging tenaciously to all the options available to us contributes to bad decisions, to anxiety, stress, and dissatisfaction. —Barry Schwartz, from The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less Which of the following best describes the structure of the passage? A.A viewpoint is presented and then shown to be invalid. B.An assertion is made and then a qualification is added. C.A phenomenon is described and then an example is provided. D.An observation is discussed and then supported with evidence.
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. In the first paragraph, the author indicates that choice has a positive effect in our lives; however, in the second paragraph he qualifies that statement by saying that too much choice can be a negative thing.
An English-language learner who recently joined a class is attentive but has not spoken at all in English. Which of the following strategies for oral language development is most appropriate for a student in the beginning level of English language proficiency? A.Modeling a phrase and having the student repeat it back with modifications B.Using visuals and having the student point to pictures or act out vocabulary C.Asking whether the student agrees or disagrees with a statement and why D.Having the student work with a partner to discuss concepts taught in class
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. In the preproduction stage of language acquisition, when students are not speaking any English yet, this strategy will help build vocabulary without pushing them outside their comfort zone by asking them to verbalize what they understand.
(1) The phone would not stop ringing. (2) Between that and the lady screaming on television, I couldn't get my homework done. (3) I turned the phone's volume off, and I clicked the down button on the television volume.(4) Then, I finally finished my homework. (5) As soon as I picked the phone up and turned the volume back on, Jessica's name appeared on the caller IDI D screen. Which sentence from the excerpt is a compound sentence? A.Sentence 2 B.Sentence 3 C.Sentence 4 D.Sentence 5
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. It contains two independent clauses but no dependent clauses.
(1) New York City needs fireboats for many reasons. (2) First, there is the fact that docks and wooden boats on the shore are at risk for fire. (3) Also, they pump water from the river, which is much more efficient than using fire engines. (4) In the text it says that a fireboat can pump almost as much water as twenty fire engines. (5) These boats are effective because they have high horsepower engines to maneuver effectively and separate engines that provide the horsepower to pump water. (6) This means that fireboats are much better at putting out fires than fire engines. (7) There are millions of people who inhabit New York City. (8) This is why putting out fires efficiently and immediately with fireboats is absolutely necessary for keeping everyone safe. Question: Which of the following sentences directly supports the topic sentence of the summary? A.Sentence 1 B.Sentence 3 C.Sentence 4 D.Sentence 7
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. Sentence 3 directly supports the main idea that New York City needs fireboats for a multitude of reasons.
The following is an excerpt from a draft of a student's essay. There are many reasons families should consider traveling to scenic Yosemite National Park. First, there are abundant waterfalls throughout the park. These are truly spectacular sights and make Yosemite the most beautiful and impressive of all the national parks. Additionally, there are countless breathtaking vistas to photograph, especially in the meadows. There are hiking trails awaiting your arrival, no matter your fitness level. Rumor has it, the park was even a favorite destination of Theodore Roosevelt! Surely a trip to Yosemite will be enjoyable to visitors of all ages and should not be missed. Which of the following best describes the author's primary purpose in the passage? A.To inform B.To persuade C.To entertain D.To explain
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. The author is trying to persuade the reader to visit the park by highlighting the sights to see and appealing to the reader's emotions by claiming that the hiking trails are waiting for the reader.
But this was the snow of her childhood. Joyful, playful, bright and clean. The more the merrier. It was a toy. It covered the fieldstone homes and clapboard homes and rose brick homes that ringed the village green. It covered the bistro and the bookstore, the boulangerie and the general store. It seemed to Constance that an alchemist was at work, and Three Pines was the result. Conjured from thin air and deposited in this valley. Or perhaps, like the snow, the tiny village had fallen from the sky, to provide a soft landing for those who'd also fallen. —Louise Penny, from How the Light Gets In Which of the following best describes the mood of the passage? A.Surprise B.Security C.Confusion D.Frustration
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. The characterization of the snow as being the snow from childhood and the characterization of the village as "a soft landing for those who'd also fallen" create a mood of security and safety.
It was about this time that the pigs suddenly moved into the farmhouse and took up their residence there. Again the animals seemed to remember that a resolution against this had been passed in the early days, and again Squealer was able to convince them that this was not the case. It was absolutely necessary, he said, that the pigs, who were the brains of the farm, should have a quiet place to work in. It was also more suited to the dignity of the Leader (for of late he had taken to speaking of Napoleon under the title of "Leader") to live in a house than in a mere sty. —from Animal Farm Question: Which of the following literary techniques is used in the passage? A.Euphemism B.Anthropomorphism C.Understatement D.Anaphora
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. The characters are animals who have been given human characteristics.
1) New York City needs fireboats for many reasons. (2) First, there is the fact that docks and wooden boats on the shore are at risk for fire. (3) Also, they pump water from the river, which is much more efficient than using fire engines. (4) In the text it says that a fireboat can pump almost as much water as twenty fire engines. (5) These boats are effective because they have high horsepower engines to maneuver effectively and separate engines that provide the horsepower to pump water. (6) This means that fireboats are much better at putting out fires than fire engines. (7) There are millions of people who inhabit New York City. (8) This is why putting out fires efficiently and immediately with fireboats is absolutely necessary for keeping everyone safe. Question: Which of the following sentences best demonstrates effective use of content-specific vocabulary? A.Sentence 2 B.Sentence 5 C.Sentence 6 D.Sentence 8
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. The discussion of the horsepower of the engines uses content-specific vocabulary effectively.
The turquoise sea and the long length of crisp shoreline;And the tangerine-orange sunlight, bright and sparkling; When discussing the poem as a class, students should understand that the writer A.provides a simile to compare two images B.creates an image using vivid descriptions C.uses symbolism to provide a clue to the meaning D.employs an allusion to add a deeper level of meaning
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. The excerpt uses vivid adjectives to describe the sea, shoreline, and sunlight.
But a civilized man . . . can go up against gravitation in a balloon, and why should he not hope that ultimately he may be able to stop or accelerate his drift along the Time-Dimension, or even turn about and travel the other way? —H.G. Wells, from The Time Machine Which of the following statements best describes the argument the speaker is making in the passage? A.There are many obstacles that humans have overcome throughout time because humans are determined. B.Humans have managed many amazing feats and therefore should not assume that time travel is impossible. C.Time travel may be possible for humans, but it will come with certain dangers. D.Humans are able to do incredible things if they learn from their mistakes.
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. The last sentence provides his argument. He argues that somehow humanity has figured out a way to defy gravity, so there is no reason it should not hope to defy time.
The mantle of uniformity lay vast and heavy across the shoulders of adolescent boys (how vast, how heavy, I remembered well). As before—even worse than before—Abe suffered taunts and teasing for his style of dress and his love of style. But he did not back down; he doubled down. —Michael Chabon, from "My Son, the Prince of Fashion" Which of the following best represents the meaning of the phrase "the mantle of uniformity" as used in the passage? A.The duty to join in with others B.The burden to comply with conventions C.The responsibility to be consistent D.The challenge to disguise oneself
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. The mantle of uniformity is illustrated by the taunts Abe receives for dressing differently, suggesting he is being forced to comply with conventional style.
A student encounters the word "neophyte" while reading and asks the teacher for help defining it. Which of the following teacher hints will best help the student understand the meaning of the word? A.The origin of the root is Latin. B.The prefix implies newness. C.The root has to do with plants. D.The origin of the prefix is Greek.
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. The meaning of the prefix will best help the student understand the meaning of the word, since a neophyte is someone who is new to a task or skill.
It was about this time that the pigs suddenly moved into the farmhouse and took up their residence there. Again the animals seemed to remember that a resolution against this had been passed in the early days, and again Squealer was able to convince them that this was not the case. It was absolutely necessary, he said, that the pigs, who were the brains of the farm, should have a quiet place to work in. It was also more suited to the dignity of the Leader (for of late he had taken to speaking of Napoleon under the title of "Leader") to live in a house than in a mere sty. —from Animal Farm Question: Which of the following is a central theme of the passage? A.The necessity of rules and order B.The corrupting effect of power C.The strength of the individual D.The struggle against conformity
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. The pigs are abusing their power by defying a previous agreement the animals made and taking the privilege of living in the farmhouse for themselves.
London, 1802 Milton! thou shouldst be living at this hour: England hath need of thee: she is a fenOf stagnant waters: altar, sword, and pen, Fireside, the heroic wealth of hall and bower, Have forfeited their ancient English dower Of inward happiness. We are selfish men; Oh! raise us up, return to us again;And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power. Thy soul was like a Star, and dwelt apart: Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea:Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free, So didst thou travel on life's common way,In cheerful godliness; and yet the heart The lowliest duties on herself did lay. —William Wordsworth Of which of the following forms is the poem most characteristic? A.A Pindaric ode B.A Petrarchan sonnet C.A Horatian ode D.A Shakespearean sonnet
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. The poem contains 14 lines divided into an octave and sestet, which are the characteristics of a Petrarchan sonnet.
The store at the corner is closed today and tomorrow but is open for business on Monday. Which of the following best identifies the underlined portion of the sentence? (AT THE CORNER is underline) A.Independent clause B.Prepositional phrase C.Dependent clause D.Noun phrase
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. The portion contains a preposition and a noun that acts as an object of the preposition and does not contain a subject and verb.
A teacher plans to have students read a poem in which they will identify several allusions to other texts they have read. Which of the following student prereading activities will most support an active reading of the text for the objective? A.Researching the author B.Activating prior knowledge C.Previewing new vocabulary D.Defining literary devices
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. The reader will need to activate prior knowledge to understand the allusions that are being presented in the poetry.
A language arts teacher writes the following sentences on the board. In the late autumn afternoon, the young girl strolled lazily through the bright meadow, humming gently to herself when suddenly something caught her eye. She froze. The sentences can best be used to introduce a lesson on how writers A.use alliteration to create a serene mood B.use syntax to create an abrupt contrast C.use shifts in verb tense to indicate a change D.use informal diction to establish a personal tone
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. The short, simple sentence "She froze" provides a sharp contrast to the first sentence, which is long and flowing.
The following is an excerpt from a student's personal narrative. It was the biggest game of the year. I was at the three-point line ready to make a shot. Swish! I won the game, and everyone in the stands goes wild. I see my dad smiling; he is so proud. The excerpt requires revision to address which of the following errors? A.A run-on sentence B.Inconsistent verb tense C.Nonparallel structure D.A misplaced modifier
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. The student changes from past tense ("was," "won") to present tense ("goes," "see," "is"). The student needs to learn to keep verb tenses consistent.
In the hallway, the girl walked slowly toward the door before waving good-bye to her sobbing friends. Which of the following best explains the function of the word "toward" in the sentence? A.It modifies the word "girl." B.It modifies the word "walked." C.It expresses the action of the sentence. D.It connects two independent clauses.
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. The word "toward" describes where the girl walked.
A primary difference in pronunciation between standard American English and the greater New York City dialect is most apparent in which of the following words? A.Ban B.Dog C.Find D.Team
Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. In the greater New York City area, the word "dog" would be pronounced "daw-uhgspelled "d a w-u h g"". lol
Which of the following is the function of a preposition? A.To replace one or more nouns B.To join words, phrases, or clauses C.To show the relationship between an object and another word D.To express strong emotion, especially when followed by an exclamation point
Correct Answer: C Option (C) is correct. A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in the sentence.
An English teacher is preparing instruction on a novel set in Germany during the Second World War. Many of the students have studied this period in their history classes. Which of the following strategies best promotes students' ability to use prior knowledge to make judgments about themes in the novel before reading? A.Assigning students historical documents to read B.Having students make text-to-self connections C.Assigning students an anticipation guide to complete D.Having students conduct an interview with a veteran
Correct Answer: C Option (C) is correct. An anticipation guide activates students' prior knowledge by prompting them to think about what they already know about the topic.
The following is a thesis statement from a draft of a student's research paper. Requiring students to complete community service hours as part of their graduation requirements would benefit many charitable organizations and people in need as well as the students. Which of the following details best develops the main idea? A.Many students throughout the country currently fill their spare time by volunteering for community service. B.Students can easily search online for community service opportunities at various local charitable organizations. C.Many students who perform community service experience a greater sense of confidence and well-being than those who do not. D.Students who do not complete the community service requirement prior to graduation would have the opportunity to complete it in the summer.
Correct Answer: C Option (C) is correct. It gives a supporting reason (self-confidence and well-being) why students would benefit from doing community service.
A student is trying to determine which word best completes the following sentence. Carly got a present for her mother, (who's/orwhose) birthday is next week. Which of the following reference materials would be most helpful in determining which word is correct? A.Thesaurus B.Spell-checker C.Grammar guide D.Glossary
Correct Answer: C Option (C) is correct. Online grammar guides usually include commonly confused words, including the difference between "who's" and "whose."
Which of the following is a benefit of limiting online sources used for a research paper to those ending in ".org" or ".edu"? A.Reducing the potential for unfamiliar vocabulary in the sources B.Increasing the potential for sources that match the topic C.Reducing the potential for commercial bias to be present in the sources D.Increasing the potential for multiple opinions to be stated in the sources
Correct Answer: C Option (C) is correct. Organizational (.org) and educational (.edue d u) sites are less likely to present a biased view than commercial sites (.com) are.
The following is an excerpt from a draft of a student essay. (1) During the twenty-first century, an increased understanding of other cultures is vital. (2) People are more mobile now than ever before. (3) Also, companies continue to expand globally and require people to move to different countries for work. (4) People are more frequently coming into contact with people from different countries and cultures. Which of the following transitions is most appropriate to add to the beginning of sentence 4 ? A.Moreover, B.On the other hand, C.As a result, D.Nevertheless,
Correct Answer: C Option (C) is correct. Sentences 2 and 3 present causes for the effect present insentence 4, and the transitional phrase "As a result," is used to show cause-and-effect relationships.
Suddenly, from out of nowhere, Agent Craig saw a trolley car barreling toward the carriage. He jumped up and waved frantically, trying to get the trolley car to stop. "Look out! Hold fast!" he yelled to the president. But it was too late. The trolley slammed into the carriage. President Roosevelt was thrown out. He was shaken but not seriously injured. —Jack L. Roberts, from Unsung Heroes: The Story of the U.S. Secret Service Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the passage? A.To explain the circumstances surrounding a national tragedy B.To honor an individual for his courage in protecting a president C.To describe a dangerous situation a president experienced D.To persuade readers that world leaders need greater protection
Correct Answer: C Option (C) is correct. The author describes the event and the people involved, and uses words like "barreling," "frantically," and "slammed" to communicate the danger Roosevelt faced.
The following is an excerpt from an online article in The Atlantic. This past spring one grammar school in Silicon Valley started sending kids to a very different, but equally mind-blowing place: their own neighborhood. On their own. Without an adult. The idea was to get children walking around, playing outside, biking to the library—just normal kid stuff. Or at least, what was normal kid stuff. Today, only 13 percent of U.S. children walk to school. —Lenore Skenazy The excerpt best supports the inference that the author of the article A.is the parent of young children B.is concerned about adequate child supervision C.is in favor of giving children more independence D.is an advocate of children being physically fit
Correct Answer: C Option (C) is correct. The author refers to children going outside alone as formerly being "normal kid stuff" and indicates a desire to revert to the ways of the past for the benefit of children.
Although at first the children did not want to leave the park, they finally *acceded* to the parent's wishes and grudgingly started toward home. Using knowledge of context clues, which of the following best defines the underlined word? A.Walked slowly B.Behaved stubbornly C.Agreed to a request D.Remained in one place
Correct Answer: C Option (C) is correct. The context clue that the children left the park offers evidence of agreement.
Students are asked to write a response to the following prompt. Discuss how advances in technology have affected communication in the past ten years. The assignment is most appropriate to include in a unit on which of the following types of writing? A.Descriptive B.Narrative C.Expository D.Persuasive
Correct Answer: C Option (C) is correct. The prompt asks students to explain how developments in technology have affected communications. The prompt calls for an investigation of a cause-and-effect relationship that is best met through exposition.
Do you ask what the birds say? The Sparrow, the Dove, The Linnet and Thrush say, "I love and I love!" In the winter they're silent—the wind is so strong; What it says, I don't know, but it sings a loud song. But green leaves, and blossoms, and sunny warm weather, And singing, and loving—all come back together. But the Lark is so brimful of gladness and love, The green fields below him, the blue sky above, That he sings, and he sings; and for ever sings he—"I love my Love, and my Love loves me!" —Samuel Taylor Coleridge Which of the following statements most accurately analyzes the use of a poetic device in the poem? A.The use of hyperbole emphasizes the feeling of loneliness during the winter. B.The use of onomatopoeia creates the sound of the birds singing in the trees. C.The use of alliteration enhances the soothing and lighthearted mood of the poem. D.The use of simile develops the beauty and serenity of the natural setting of the poem.
Correct Answer: C Option (C) is correct. The repetition of the "s" in words such as "sings," "sparrow," "say," "silent," and "so strong" contributes to the overall soothing and calming mood the poem creates.
Time is not on their sides. Bees are an essential part of the ecosystem and, if they continue to decline in numbers, their loss will greatly impact the production of the human food supply. The excerpt is most likely from which of the following types of writing? A.A personal narrative describing the impact a visit to a nature center had on someone B.An essay comparing an agricultural production surplus with the market demand for that product C.A persuasive speech about effects of changes in the environment on living things D.An informational guide for people who wish to produce honey at home
Correct Answer: C Option (C) is correct. The speaker is influencing the audience by discussing the impact that a decline in bees would have on humans' food supply.
A teacher reviews the following excerpt from a student's draft. It was my pioneer experience with the theater. As I watched the actors bring the story to life, I was anesthetized by the story. I found myself wishing I could do something to amend the suffering of the main character. I found myself rooting for her and hoping for a happy termination of her problems. In this case, the student has most likely misused which of the following reference materials? A.Style manual B.Spell-checker C.Thesaurus D.Encyclopedia
Correct Answer: C Option (C) is correct. The student has most likely used a thesaurus but has not used words in the appropriate context.
I was running out of time, was forgetting where I put things, and worrying that I would be too late. Which of the following errors is present in the sentence? A.Comma splice B.Lack of subject-verb agreement C.Nonparallel structure D.Indefinite pronoun antecedent
Correct Answer: C Option (C) is correct. The verb "worrying" is not parallel to "was running" and "was forgetting."
Which of the following should a teacher reinforce when teaching students how to emphasize a message during a persuasive speech? A. Pace evenly near the podium while highlighting the message. B. Maintain stiff posture to demonstrate command of the topic of the message. C. Include an appropriate hand gesture that matches the message. D. Read directly from a script to ensure the message is delivered clearly.
Correct Answer: C Option (C) is correct. Using appropriate hand gestures helps a speaker emphasize key points during a persuasive speech.
After reading a novel, students are asked to choose a character from the novel and write an epilogue retelling a story from the novel from that character's point of view. Which of the following modes of writing best suits the assignment? A.Persuasive B.Descriptive C.Narrative D.Expository
Correct Answer: C Option (C) is correct. An epilogue is most commonly an anecdotal reflection on the happenings and plot of a novel and is most commonly accomplished through a narrative style of writing.
Solitaire When night drifts along the streets of the city, And sifts down between the uneven roofs, My mind begins to peek and peer. It plays at ball in old, blue Chinese gardens, And shakes wrought dice-cups in Pagan temples, Amid the broken flutings of white pillars. It dances with purple and yellow crocuses in its hair, And its feet shine as they flutter over drenched grasses. How light and laughing my mind is, When all the good folk have put out their bed-room candles, And the city is still! —Amy Lowell Which of the following statements best describes the use of a poetic device in the poem? A.Simile establishes the personal theme of the poem. B.Internal rhyme creates a predictable structure in the poem. C.Personification contributes to the jovial mood of the poem. D.Alliteration adds a consistent rhythm throughout the poem.
Correct Answer: C Option (C) is correct. By giving human characteristics to the night and to the speaker's mind, Lowell develops the light mood.
A quarter-century ago, psychologists began to point out important links between the development of scientific theories and how everyday thinking, including children's thinking, works. According to theory theorists, a child learns by constructing a theory of the world and testing it against experience. In this sense, children are little scientists—they hypothesize on the basis of observations, test their hypotheses experimentally, and then revise their views in light of the evidence they gather. —Henry Cowles, from "Child's Play" For which of the following purposes did the author most likely write the article? A.To convince readers that the way children think is a good model for scientific thinking B.To promote the use of scientific inquiry in early childhood development C.To explore the connections between scientific thinking and the way children think D.To explain how the scientific method was developed based on the way children think
Correct Answer: C Option (C) is correct. The excerpt compares the way children think with the way scientists think and discusses a link between the two.
An encyclopedia is most helpful in writing A.a bibliography for a paper B.a literary analysis of a novel C.a list of synonyms for overused words D.a biography of an author
Correct Answer: D Option (D) is correct. Encyclopedias provide a wealth of factual and biographical information about significant people throughout history.
Which of the following activities best encourages student communication and enhances process writing skills? A.Informing peers about a topic using slide-show presentation software B.Responding to peers' reflections on a topic using a class blog C.Corresponding with peers about a collaborative assignment using e-mail D.Completing a peer review of an assignment using shared online documents
Correct Answer: D Option (D) is correct. Shared online documents are the most helpful for collaboration, and they focus on the writing process.
The following paragraph is an excerpt of a student's draft from an essay that examines the novel The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born, by Ghanaian writer Ayi Kwei Armah. In Armah's novel, people who once discussed their newly gained freedom with excitement and anticipation are now suffering from extreme economic hardships and the corruption that never quite got rooted out when the colonized rose up and took power back from the colonizers. The transfer from one ineffective regime to the next, all in the name of a better Ghana, disappoints the citizens and continually destroys attempts at a new nationalism for the people. Which one of the following forms of literary criticism is being applied in the paragraph? A.New Criticism B.Structuralism C.Psychoanalytic criticism D.Marxist criticism
Correct Answer: D Option (D) is correct. The analysis discusses social class struggles and the impact of colonization, revolt, and regime change on oppressed people. These concerns are the purview of Marxist critique, which seeks to consider the ways social classes interact, and the ways oppression and liberation play out.
Which of the following best helps determine the credibility of an online research source? A.The number of times the source has been shared on social media B.The availability of the source in print C.The number of times the source has been edited D.The level of expertise of the source's author
Correct Answer: D Option (D) is correct. The author's credentials affect the credibility of the source.
By extension, it came to designate the macabre, mysterious, fantastic, supernatural, and, again, the terrifying, especially the pleasurably terrifying, in literature more generally. —from The Norton Anthology of English Literature Which of the following styles of literature is described in the excerpt? A.Historical fiction B.Magical realism C.Modernism D.Gothic
Correct Answer: D Option (D) is correct. The characteristics described in the excerpt are associated with gothic literature.
The following is an excerpt from a student's essay. A town in New Jersey was concerned with the possibility of future snowstorms that could severely compromise major highways and affect regular school schedules. To address these concerns, the town invested in snow removal equipment to guarantee the street could be kept clear. Which of the following best describes the text structure used in the excerpt? A.Compare and contrast B.Spatial description C.Cause and effect D.Problem and solution
Correct Answer: D Option (D) is correct. The concern about a possible snowstorm's damage were viewed as a problem that was solved by investing in the snow removal equipment.
A teacher is introducing students to a literary genre in which the story provides a moral lesson and typically uses personified animals as characters. Which of the following is the literary genre described? A.Satire B.Vignette C.Legend D.Fable
Correct Answer: D Option (D) is correct. The distinguishing features of a fable are that the story instills a moral lesson and uses personified animals as characters.
The interstate highway system didn't exist yet, but planners across the country envisioned superhighways without any stop signs or traffic lights to slow down cars. In 1940, the Chicago City Council approved plans for a local system of superhighways. Traffic was worst on the West Side, Spatz1David Spatz, a historian and scholar in residence at the Newberry Library who is writing a book on the history of Chicago's expressways says, so that's where the highway builders started first. Which of the following best describes the organizational pattern used in the paragraph? A. Process order B. Order of importance C. Compare and contrast D. Cause and effect
Correct Answer: D Option (D) is correct. The first sentence presents a cause, and the second sentence presents the related effect. The third sentence presents both a cause and its related effect.
A student is reading a textbook chapter about oil drilling. Which of the following reference tools should the student consult first when encountering unfamiliar, content‑specific words that are necessary for understanding the meaning of the chapter? A.A dictionary, because the student can look up unfamiliar words B.A student database, because the student can research information about oil drilling C.The index in the textbook, because it will guide the student to pages in the book about the topic D.The glossary in the textbook, because specific terms related to the topic will be included and explained
Correct Answer: D Option (D) is correct. The glossary of a book about the oil industry (or a textbook that contains information about the oil industry) will include the proper terms and their meanings to ensure correct use in the essay.
Based on the root and affixes, which of the following definitions best matches the word "endocardium"? A.A matter related to the heart, such as love or heartache B.The part of the circulatory system that supplies the heart with blood C.An irregular, skipped, or extra heartbeat or palpitation D.The membrane that lines the inside of the heart's chambers
Correct Answer: D Option (D) is correct. The prefix "endo" means inner and therefore the endocardium is the lining inside the heart.
Which of the following sentences contains a dependent clause followed by an independent clause? A. She wanted to go on a vacation, but she could not decide where to go. B. She decided on the mountains because she loved the cool mountain air. C .Preparing for her first hike included packing additional layers of clothing. D.While she was hiking through the woods, she came upon a beautiful meadow.
Correct Answer: D Option (D) is correct. The sentence contains a dependent clause, "While she was hiking through the woods," which includes a subordinating conjunction, "While," with a subject and predicate, followed by an independent clause that could stand on its own, "she came upon a beautiful meadow."
(1) New York City needs fireboats for many reasons. (2) First, there is the fact that docks and wooden boats on the shore are at risk for fire. (3) Also, they pump water from the river, which is much more efficient than using fire engines. (4) In the text it says that a fireboat can pump almost as much water as twenty fire engines. (5) These boats are effective because they have high horsepower engines to maneuver effectively and separate engines that provide the horsepower to pump water. (6) This means that fireboats are much better at putting out fires than fire engines. (7) There are millions of people who inhabit New York City. (8) This is why putting out fires efficiently and immediately with fireboats is absolutely necessary for keeping everyone safe. Question: Based on the student's summary, on which of the following concepts should the teacher focus instruction? A.Using transitions appropriately B.Including a topic sentence and a closing sentence C.Combining sentences effectively D.Revising for repetition and redundancy
Correct Answer: D Option (D) is correct. The summary is very repetitive because it uses the same ideas and words over and over.
The interstate highway system didn't exist yet, but planners across the country envisioned superhighways without any stop signs or traffic lights to slow down cars. In 1940, the Chicago City Council approved plans for a local system of superhighways. Traffic was worst on the West Side, Spatz1David Spatz, a historian and scholar in residence at the Newberry Library who is writing a book on the history of Chicago's expressways says, so that's where the highway builders started first. They chose to follow the path of Congress Street. Why Congress? In a way, City Hall and its planners were following the advice of Daniel Burnham. Back in 1909, when Burnham and Edward Bennett wrote their famous Plan of Chicago, they'd proclaimed that Congress Street should become the city's "grand axis." Burnham and Bennett imagined Congress as a glorious boulevard from Grant Park to a towering new civic center at Halsted Street. That center was never built, but the idea of Congress Street as an axis persisted. "It was the site that had the most support . . . because of Burnham," Spatz says. "It tapped into a spirit of Chicago pride." Question: Which of the following excerpts from the passage best supports the inference that the city planners were influenced by nostalgia? A."They chose to follow the path of Congress Street." B."Why Congress? In a way, City Hall and its planners were following the advice of Daniel Burnham." C."Burnham and Bennett imagined Congress as a glorious boulevard from Grant Park to a towering new civic center at Halsted Street." D."'It was the site that had the most support . . . because of Burnham,' Spatz says. 'It tapped into a spirit of Chicago pride.'"
Correct Answer: D Option (D) is correct. The words "because of Burnham" and "tapped into a spirit of Chicago pride" help the reader infer that nostalgia for what Burnham imagined the city could be played into the city planners' decisions.
Which of the following strategies should a teacher model and then have students practice to help them with their sentence fluency? A. Circling the nouns in each sentence in an essay and replacing any that are overused B. Identifying where sentences begin new ideas and then starting a new paragraph at those places C. Replacing words within sentences that are more general with ones that are more specific D. Using examples of previously written sentences to try to form similar structures in an essay
Correct Answer: D Option (D) is correct. This is an activity particularly designed to address improving sentence fluency.
A student is preparing to perform a monologue from a well-known play. The monologue contains advanced vocabulary and precise language. Which of the following parts of a dictionary entry will be most useful to the student when preparing for the performance? A.The origin and development of the word B.The domain-specific terms and its definition C.Examples of synonyms and antonyms D.Word meaning and pronunciation
Correct Answer: D Option (D) is correct. Word meanings will help the student to comprehend the content of the monologue, and the pronunciation guide will assist the student in preparing to properly say the words in the speech.
Which of the following sentences best exemplifies the appropriate and effective use of a colon? A.The discussion was primarily centered on ways to revise the school's technology policy, but as time wore on, other subjects held sway, including: handling emergency scenarios, student-parent communication, and classroom management all emerged as concerns. B.The discussion was primarily centered on ways to revise the school's technology policy, but as time wore on, other subjects held sway like: emergency scenarios, student-parent communication, and classroom management. C.The discussion was primarily centered on ways to revise the school's technology policy, but as time wore on, other subjects held sway such as: handling emergency scenarios, student-parent communication, and classroom management. D.The discussion was primarily centered on ways to revise the school's technology policy, but as time wore on, other subjects held sway: emergency scenarios, student-parent communication, and classroom management, for example.
Correct Answer: D Option (D) is correct. The sentence correctly utilizes the colon to indicate to the reader that a list of examples will follow the full thought in order to provide clarification.
The following is an e-mail that a student shows to a teacher before sending to the principal. Subject: Hey DrDoctor. S! Hey DrDoctor. Shaw, I want to let you know that this school rocks! But the only thing is it's really unfair that only juniors and seniors get to leave campus for lunch. Most of my friends totally agree with me and are hoping that this is going to be changed next year. You don't want to disappoint your favorite students, do you? Richmond High already lets sophomores go home for lunch, and the students love it. Be Cool, Michael Which of the following revisions is most appropriate for the teacher to suggest? A.Making a personal connection in communication B.Shortening the question to be more direct C.Switching the two paragraphs D.Using more formal language
Correct Answer: D Option (D) is correct. The subject, salutation, body, and signature are all too informal for an academic e-mail.
There is no denying that choice improves the quality of our lives. It enables us to control our destinies and to come close to getting exactly what we want out of any situation. Choice is essential to autonomy, which is absolutely fundamental to well-being. Healthy people want and need to direct their own lives. On the other hand, the fact that some choice is good doesn't necessarily mean that more choice is better. There is a cost to having an overload of choice. As a culture, we are enamored of freedom, self-determination, and variety, and we are reluctant to give up any of our options. But clinging tenaciously to all the options available to us contributes to bad decisions, to anxiety, stress, and dissatisfaction. —Barry Schwartz, from The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less Answer the question below by clicking on the correct response. Which of the following best defines the highlighted word as it is used in the passage? (clinging is the highlighted word) A.Complying with B.Depending on C.Being true to D.Holding on to
Correct Answer: D Option (D) is correct. The usage connotes an unwillingness to let go of possible choices.
Match each novel with the author who wrote it. Bridge to Terabithia The Outsiders The Giver
Lois Lowry is the author of The Giver. Katherine Paterson is the author of Bridge to Terabithia. S. E. Hinton is the author of The Outsiders.
Narrative vs Expository
Narrative tell a story Expository used to inform. (presenting information)
Glittering Generality
Uses attractive, but vague, words that embody ideals such as: freedom, fame, justice, respect. This technique seeks to evoke emotions without making any commitments.
Fallacies
a mistaken belief, especially one based on unsound argument
compound sentence
a sentence with two or more coordinate independent clauses, often joined by one or more conjunctions
Anticipation Guide
a series of statements used to preview and activate prior knowledge before reading a text a series of written or oral statements for individual students to respond to before reading text assignments
Monologue
a speech directed at another character onstage.
prefix
a syllable or word that comes before a root word to change its meaning
Argumentative vs Persuasive
an argumentative essay is based on logic and reasons a persuasive essay is based on emotions and personal opinions
epilogue
short speech at conclusion of dramatic work
Anthropomorphism
the attribution of human characteristics or behavior to a god, animal, or object.
code switching
the practice of alternating between two or more languages or varieties of language in conversation.
Formative Assessment
ungraded testing used before or during instruction to aid in planning and diagnosis The goal of formative assessment is to monitor student learning to provide ongoing feedback that can be used by instructors to improve their teaching and by students to improve their learning. Formative assessments are generally low stakes, which means that they have low or no point value. Examples of formative assessments include asking students to:
