Praxis (5511) Practice: English Language Arts

Tom Rasberry collected samples of the ant . . . and sent them off to a lab at Texas A&M to be identified. But taxonomy—the process of ordering living things into species—is arguably more an art than a science, and figuring out what species the ants were, and where they came from, quickly became vexing. Academics from other institutions swarmed in to debate, for example, the significance of four tiny hairs on the ant's thorax. For years, they hurtled through a series of wrong answers, but the consensus eventually leaned toward a certain invasive ant, called Nylanderia pubens . . . . —Jon Mooallem, from "There's a Reason They Call Them 'Crazy Ants'" Which of the following best describes the main idea of the passage? A.Classification of the ant's species was an arduous and drawn-out matter. B.There was considerable debate regarding the process of classifying the ant. C.The ant was studied and classified as the Nylanderia pubens species. D.Small physical features factor into the classification of species.

Correct Answer: A Option (A) is correct. The passage highlights the difficulties both scientifically and academically with the classification of the ant.

Questions 11-12 refer to the following excerpt. The twilight of evening. Big flakes of wet snow are whirling lazily about the street lamps, which have just been lighted, and lying in a thin soft layer on roofs, horses' backs, shoulders, caps. Iona Potapov, the sledge-driver, is all white like a ghost. He sits on the box without stirring, bent as double as the living body can be bent. If a regular snowdrift fell on him it seems as though even then he would not think it necessary to shake it off. . . . His little mare is white and motionless too. . . . She is probably lost in thought. Anyone who has been torn away from the plough, from the familiar gray landscapes, and cast into this slough, full of monstrous lights, of unceasing uproar and hurrying people, is bound to think. —Anton Chekhov, from "Misery" In the third sentence, the simile "white like a ghost" suggests which of the following about Iona? A.His appearance terrifies those around him. B.He has gone through a traumatic experience. C.He has been frightened by something in the street. D.His appearance blends into the scenery around him.

Correct Answer: B Option (B) is correct. The figurative language of "white like a ghost" is often used to describe someone's appearance after something terrible has happened, and other textual evidence (such as the line "If a regular snowdrift fell on him it seems as though even then he would not think it necessary to shake it off") supports the reading that Iona has experienced something traumatic.

Technology has become the heartbeat of today's society; nearly everyone depends on and benefits from technology. By bringing the Internet and smart devices into the classroom, teachers give students the tools for maximum learning through easy access to vital information. Even districts that may not be able to afford up-to-date devices for all students are adopting bring-your-own-device programs, which permit students to bring their own tablets, e-readers, and smartphones to class. In an increasingly technology-driven culture, depriving students of access to these devices would inhibit their growth and learning. Based on the information in the passage, the author would most likely agree with which of the following statements? A.Technology is shaping the way students relate to the world. B.Information found online is more useful than the content of textbooks. C.Technology will take the place of teachers in the classroom. D.Cell phones should be turned off during class to prevent distractions.

Option (A) is correct. The author cites many ways that having access to technology helps students, and it is likely that he or she believes that having information readily available helps to make the learning more hands on and relevant to students in an ever-changing world. The author even states that technology is the "heartbeat" of the world, thus implying how important he or she thinks technology is.

Old Major ... was so highly regarded on the farm that everyone was quite willing to lose an hour's sleep in order to hear what he had to say. At one end of the big barn, on a sort of raised platform, Major was already ensconced on his bed of straw, under a lantern which hung from a beam. He was twelve years old and had lately grown rather stout, but he was still a majestic-looking pig with a wise and benevolent appearance in spite of the fact that his tushes had never been cut. —George Orwell, from Animal Farm Which of the following themes are best supported by the author's description of Old Major? A.Leadership and influence B.Dignity and grace C.Dissent and rebellion D.Power and corruption

Option (A) is correct. The description of Old Major in the excerpt shows that he is highly regarded and looked to as a leader. The animals' taking the time to congregate and listen to his speech indicates his power and their respect for him. The description of Old Major as "ensconced" in the barn with a light shining above him despite his age and stoutness suggests he is superior to the others in both intelligence and respect. Language such as "majestic" and "benevolent" suggests positive connotations.

Questions 3-5 refer to the following poem. The Deserted House Life and Thought have gone awaySide by side,Leaving door and windows wide:Careless tenants they! All within is dark as night:In the windows is no light:And no murmur at the door,So frequent on its hinge before. Close the door, the shutters close,Or thro' the windows we shall seeThe nakedness and vacancyOf the dark deserted house. Come away: no more of mirthIs here or merry-making sound.The house was builded of the earth,And shall fall again to ground. Come away: for Life and ThoughtHere no longer dwell;But in a city glorious—A great and distant city—have boughtA mansion incorruptible.Would they could have stayed with us. —Alfred, LordTennyson In the final stanza, Tennyson uses which of the following literary devices to enhance the poem's meaning? A.Allusion B.Irony C.Hyperbole D.Alliteration

Option (A) is correct. The lines "But in a city glorious—/A great and distant city—have bought/A mansion incorruptible" allude to the biblical notion of "heaven."

I looked dizzily, and beheld a wide expanse of ocean, whose waters wore so inky a hue as to bring at once to my mind the Nubian geographer's account of the Mare Tenebrarum. A panorama more deplorably desolate no human imagination can conceive. To the right and left, as far as the eye could reach, there lay outstretched, like ramparts of the world, lines of horridly black and beetling cliff, whose character of gloom was but the more forcibly illustrated by the surf which reared high up against its white and ghastly crest, howling and shrieking forever. —Edgar Allan Poe, from A Descent into the Maelström Which of the following best describes the mood created by the imagery in the passage? A.Foreboding B.Melancholic C.Contemplative D.Cynical

Option (A) is correct. The overall tone of the passage is best described as dark or foreboding; words such as "ghastly" in the passage best help to identify the tone.

Answer the question below by clicking on the correct response. Question: The Truth Friend, though thy soul should burn thee, yet be still.Thoughts were not meant for strife, nor tongues for swords.He that sees clear is gentlest of his words,And that's not truth that hath the heart to kill.The whole world's thought shall not one truth fulfil.Dull in our age, and passionate in youth,No mind of man hath found the perfect truth,Nor shalt thou find it; therefore, friend, be still. Watch and be still, nor hearken to the fool,The babbler of consistency and rule:Wisest is he, who, never quite secure,Changes his thoughts for better day by day:To-morrow some new light will shine, be sure,And thou shalt see thy thought another way. —Archibald Lampman Which of the following statements best describes the speaker's attitude about truth? A.Truth is a concept that changes with the introduction of new ideas. B.People are best able to identify the truth when they are young. C.It is wise to seek a fixed interpretation of truth. D.People should argue strongly to defend their individual ideas of truth.

Option (A) is correct. The speaker identifies the truth as a relative concept, where no perfect interpretation is possible and where a reinterpretation is often necessary ("And thou shalt see thy thought another way").

In each poem, the speaker experiences which of the following? A.A painful childhood experience B.A longing for the past C.A fond memory of a mother D.A sadness for absent friends

Option (B) is correct. In both poems, the speakers express a longing for the past (such as in the lines "I weep like a child for the past" and "Fond Memory brings the light").

Those who set themselves up as instructors in the discipline of positive thinking—coaches, preachers, and gurus of various sorts—have described this effort with terms like "self-hypnosis," "mind control," and "thought control." In other words, it requires deliberate self-deception, including a constant effort to repress or block out unpleasant possibilities and "negative" thoughts. The truly self-confident, or those who have in some way made their peace with the world and their destiny within it, do not need to expend effort censoring or otherwise controlling their thoughts. —Barbara Ehrenreich, from Bright-Sided Which of the following best describes the main idea of the passage? A.People are easily manipulated by those who claim to be experts in positive thinking. B.Positive thinking as prescribed by self-help experts is an unhealthy form of delusion. C.People can achieve true happiness by focusing their minds on positive thoughts. D.Positive thoughts are most effective when they are accompanied by positive actions.

Option (B) is correct. The author explains that people who follow experts' advice and attempt to control their thoughts by thinking positively often practice self-deception and suppress unpleasant thoughts instead of accepting them.

The poem "Piano" conveys which of the following themes? A.The struggle to keep from being overcome by one's feelings B.The nostalgia for youth amid the experiences of adulthood C.The sadness of an adult about mistakes made in the past D.The importance of family at every stage of a person's life

Option (B) is correct. The speaker has a reservation about thinking about the past but then finds himself fondly but longingly wrapped up in memories of his youth and his mother playing the piano.

Once the incredible sale was announced, the store was filled with obstreperous customers. People were pushing and yelling at one another in order to be the first to get the best deals. Which of the following words is the most accurate synonym for "obstreperous" as used in the excerpt? A.Excited B.Unruly C.Unique D.Oblivious

Option (B) is correct. The synonym "unruly" is most appropriate based on the context clues in the sentence.

Questions 16-17 refer to the following poem. November This is the treacherous month when autumn daysWith summer's voice come bearing summer's gifts.LineBeguiled, the pale down-trodden aster lifts(5)Her head and blooms again. The soft, warm hazeMakes moist once more the sere and dusty ways,And, creeping through where dead leaves lie in drifts,The violet returns. Snow noiseless siftsEre night, an icy shroud, which morning's rays(10)Will idly shine upon and slowly melt,Too late to bid the violet live again. The treachery , at last, too late, is plain;Bare are the places where the sweet flowers dwelt.What joy sufficient hath November felt?(15)What profit from the violet's day of pain? — Helen Hunt Jackson The author uses the words "treachery" and "treacherous" to convey which of the following? A.A feeling of worry caused by autumn's dangerous snow showers B.A feeling of deception caused by the changing weather of autumn C.A feeling of betrayal when dead leaves disguise the flowers' beauty D.A feeling of annoyance at the poor timing of the late-blooming flowers

Option (B) is correct. The weather in the month of November is unpredictable. One moment it is snowing, and the next it is warm and hazy, the perfect weather for flowers to bloom yet quickly be vanquished by the cold again. The month is treacherous for reminding us of spring and summer while it really is moving us closer to winter.

The following is an excerpt from a student's personal narrative. It all began when my friends surprised me by taking me to breakfast. Then shortly before lunch, I learned that a friend who had recently moved away would soon be visiting. To top all of this off, my parents gave me a puppy as a present for my birthday. The day will forever stay with me as a special memory in my life. Which of the following is the most appropriate topic sentence to add to the beginning of the paragraph? A.My parents were anticipating that my day would be full of surprises. B.I am not sure I have ever experienced a more thrilling day than that birthday. C.When I think back on it, I can't believe my family is so kind to me. D.When I woke up, I noticed that the glaring sky was a dull, gray color.

Option (B) is correct. This sentence adequately sets the scene for the sentences that follow because all of the details in the body of the paragraph support the idea that the day was thrilling.

In exposing the organizational and cultural factors that influence teachers' decisions to stay in their positions, migrate to other schools, or leave teaching entirely, we know that mentoring can address some conditions, thereby increasing new teacher retention. We define mentor as an experienced teacher who assists, coaches, consults with, collaborates with, and guides new teachers to support their transition from novices to successful educators committed to the profession. —Carol A. St. George and Sheila B. Robinson, from "Making Mentoring Matter: Perspectives from Veteran Mentor Teachers" It can be inferred that the authors would most agree with which of the following statements? A.New teachers need to be mentored to become great teachers. B.The mentoring system can be overwhelming for new teachers. C.Mentoring is an effective way to alleviate new teachers' concerns. D.Research fails to support the effectiveness of mentoring systems.

Option (C) is correct. Since the passage mentions that the retention rate of new teachers rises as a result of mentoring, it can be inferred that teachers who are not mentored may not have had their concerns addressed early on, which may contribute to them leaving the teaching profession.

The town reacted to us as its inhabitants had reacted to all things new before our coming. It regarded us a while without curiosity but with caution, and after we were seen to be harmless (and children) it closed in around us, as a real mother embraces a stranger's child. Warmly, but not too familiarly. —Maya Angelou, from I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Which of the following best describes how the town reacted to the children's presence? A.The children were sincerely welcomed as part of the community. B.The townspeople were immediately intrigued by the new residents. C.The children were taken in slowly and kindly, but with wariness. D.The townspeople were brash and unwelcoming of anyone, including young people.

Option (C) is correct. The author characterizes the children's admittance into the community as gradual and warm but still careful and distant even after their acceptance.

Questions 16-17 refer to the following poem. November This is the treacherous month when autumn daysWith summer's voice come bearing summer's gifts.Beguiled, the pale down-trodden aster liftsLineHer head and blooms again. The soft, warm haze(5)Makes moist once more the sere and dusty ways,And, creeping through where dead leaves lie in drifts,The violet returns. Snow noiseless siftsEre night, an icy shroud, which morning's raysWill idly shine upon and slowly melt,(10)Too late to bid the violet live again. The treachery , at last, too late, is plain;Bare are the places where the sweet flowers dwelt.What joy sufficient hath November felt?What profit from the violet's day of pain? — Helen Hunt Jackson In the poem, the flowers represent which of the following? A.The hopefulness for a mild winter B.The transition from autumn to winter C.The wistfulness for warmer days D.The progression from hope to indifference

Option (C) is correct. The delicate flowers bloom amid nature's preparations for winter, making people crave the warm days of summer and early autumn.

Questions 11-12 refer to the following excerpt. The twilight of evening. Big flakes of wet snow are whirling lazily about the street lamps, which have just been lighted, and lying in a thin soft layer on roofs, horses' backs, shoulders, caps. Iona Potapov, the sledge-driver, is all white like a ghost. He sits on the box without stirring, bent as double as the living body can be bent. If a regular snowdrift fell on him it seems as though even then he would not think it necessary to shake it off. . . . His little mare is white and motionless too. . . . She is probably lost in thought. Anyone who has been torn away from the plough, from the familiar gray landscapes, and cast into this slough, full of monstrous lights, of unceasing uproar and hurrying people, is bound to think. —Anton Chekhov, from "Misery" A link between setting and characterization is best illustrated by which of the following lines from the excerpt? A."Big flakes of wet snow are whirling lazily about the street lamps, which have just been lighted, and lying in a thin soft layer on roofs," B."He sits on the box without stirring, bent as double as the living body can be bent." C."If a regular snowdrift fell on him it seems as though even then he would not think it necessary to shake it off." D."His little mare is white and motionless too. . . . She is probably lost in thought."

Option (C) is correct. The passage establishes a dreary mood through the use of imagery related to twilight, snow, and "gray landscapes." The quoted line mentions elements of the setting, a "snowdrift," and by indicating that Iona would not necessarily shake a snowdrift off, it hints that Iona is troubled.

Questions 3-5 refer to the following poem. The Deserted House Life and Thought have gone awaySide by side,Leaving door and windows wide:Careless tenants they! All within is dark as night:In the windows is no light:And no murmur at the door,So frequent on its hinge before. Close the door, the shutters close,Or thro' the windows we shall seeThe nakedness and vacancyOf the dark deserted house. Come away: no more of mirthIs here or merry-making sound.The house was builded of the earth,And shall fall again to ground. Come away: for Life and ThoughtHere no longer dwell;But in a city glorious—A great and distant city—have boughtA mansion incorruptible.Would they could have stayed with us. —Alfred, LordTennyson Which of the following best describes the theme ofthe poem? A.The effects of utter loneliness B.The possibility of human rebirth C.The transience of human existence D.The necessity of suitable shelter

Option (C) is correct. The poem uses the extended metaphor of an empty house to represent the body of a person for whom "Life and Thought" have gone away. The final lines reveal that Life and Thought have found a home in a "distant city" and a "mansion incorruptible," implying the existence of life outside the confines of a human body.

A tiny moon as white and small as a single jasmine flowerLeans all alone above my window, on night's wintry bower,Liquid as lime-tree blossom, soft as brilliant water or rainShe shines, the first white love of my youth, which all sin cannot stain. —D. H. Lawrence What does the connotation of the word "white" suggest in the poem? A.The color of the flower blossom B.The distance of the moon C.The purity of the past love D.The chill of the winter evening

Option (C) is correct. The speaker compares his past love to a white blossom to suggest that she is pure, and "sin cannot stain" her.

Answer the question below by clicking on the correct response. Question: Never forget you are part of a community. Never forget you are part of a nation. Never forget that you're part of a human family. Don't be one of those people who stands on top of a mast, like a flag, beating in the wind, making noise, showing your colors, but not helping us move anywhere. Be that piece of fabric a little below that flag. Clinging to the mast, you are a sail, that very fabric of your being, you're manifesting not by dancing in the wind, whichever way it blows, but you're facing it. Because of your courage you're helping the whole ship move forward. — Cory Booker Which of the following best describes the speaker's purpose? A.To inform B.To entertain C.To inspire D.To explain

Option (C) is correct. The speaker uses figurative language to inspire the audience to be an active part of forward progress for the greater good.

Answer the question below by clicking on the correct response. Question: "There are no crimes and no criminals in these days," he said, querulously. "What is the use of having brains in our profession? I know well that I have it in me to make my name famous. No man lives or has ever lived who has brought the same amount of study and of natural talent to the detection of crime which I have done. And what is the result? There is no crime to detect, or, at most, some bungling villany with a motive so transparent that even a Scotland Yard official can see through it." —Arthur Conan Doyle, from A Study in Scarlet What does the highlighted sentence reveal about the speaker of the passage? A.He is upset that criminals use their intellect to evade capture. B.He does not believe intelligence is necessary to catch criminals. C.He does not believe criminals pose a challenge to detectives' intellect. D.He is annoyed that intelligent detectives have captured the current criminals.

Option (C) is correct. The use of the highlighted sentence serves to reinforce the rest of the clues in the passage that the speaker is confident in his skills at crime detection and does not believe that criminals pose a challenge for him.

Question: In the following excerpt, Alexis de Tocqueville reflects on his experience as a traveler to the United States. An American attends to his private concerns as if he were alone in the world, and the next minute he gives himself up to the common weal as if he had forgotten them. At one time he seems animated by the most selfish cupidity, at another by the most lively patriotism. The human heart cannot be thus divided. The inhabitants of the United States alternately display so strong and so similar a passion for their own welfare and for their freedom, that it may be supposed that these passions are united and mingled in some part of their character. —Alexis de Tocqueville, from Democracy in America Which of the following excerpts from the passage best captures the experience of Tocqueville as a confounded outsider? A."as if he were alone in the world" B."the next minute he gives himself up to the common weal" C."The human heart cannot be thus divided." D."it may be supposed that these passions are united and mingled"

Option (C) is correct. This excerpt best captures Tocqueville's deep confusion about what he perceived as a fundamental contradiction in the American experience of democracy.

Questions 3-5 refer to the following poem. The Deserted House Life and Thought have gone awaySide by side,Leaving door and windows wide:Careless tenants they! All within is dark as night:In the windows is no light:And no murmur at the door,So frequent on its hinge before. Close the door, the shutters close,Or thro' the windows we shall seeThe nakedness and vacancyOf the dark deserted house. Come away: no more of mirthIs here or merry-making sound.The house was builded of the earth,And shall fall again to ground. Come away: for Life and ThoughtHere no longer dwell;But in a city glorious—A great and distant city—have boughtA mansion incorruptible.Would they could have stayed with us. —Alfred, LordTennyson Which of the following lines from the poem best conveys the poem's tone? A."Life and Thought have gone away" B."Careless tenants they!" C."Close the door, the shutters close," D."The nakedness and vacancy"

Option (D) is correct. "Nakedness" and "vacancy" suggest a vulnerability and emptiness of the house, which contribute to the solemn tone of the poem.

Answer the question below by clicking on the correct response. Question: The following is an excerpt from a speech given by writer John Steinbeck upon his acceptance of the Nobel Prize in Literature. "Furthermore, the writer is delegated to declare and to celebrate man's proven capacity for greatness of heart and spirit—for gallantry in defeat—for courage, compassion and love. In the endless war against weakness and despair, these are the bright rally-flags of hope and of emulation. I hold that a writer who does not passionately believe in the perfectibility of man, has no dedication nor any membership in literature." John Steinbeck's attitude toward the role of the writer can best be described as which of the following? A.The writer must seek to reveal universal truths of the human experience. B.The writer must serve as a counterpoint to hatred and ignorance. C.The writer must celebrate and preserve civilization's achievements. D.The writer must strive to have faith in and reveal humanity's goodness.

Option (D) is correct. Language throughout the excerpt, such as "the bright rally-flags of hope," "passionately believe in the perfectibility of man," and "to declare and to celebrate man's proven capacity for greatness," emphasizes the author's belief in the writer's role to reveal and represent the best of humanity.

The following is an excerpt from a student's persuasive letter. Childhood obesity is a problem that needs a solution—fast. We are the first generation with a shorter life expectancy than that of our parents, thanks in part to the processed and sugar-filled foods we are subjected to in our meal choices here at Rosemont High. One step I urge you to take in the right direction is providing healthier lunches for your students. We might not make the best choices outside of school, but when given healthy foods as the only options in the place where we spend the majority of our lives, we can make progress. The language and style of the letter suggest that it was intended for which of the following audiences? A.Current students B.Business owners C.Faculty members D.School administrators

Option (D) is correct. The author's use of "your students" and references to the school environment indicate that this letter is intended for the decision makers, such as administrators, of a local school. The language and vocabulary are of an appropriate level of formality to serve as an address to a group of decision makers on behalf of the student body.

The following is an excerpt from a student's original short story. Late one evening just as he was about to settle into bed, Steven heard several loud thuds coming from his closet. Then, remembering the scary movie he watched at his friend's house the week before, he swiftly grabbed the baseball on his nightstand and tossed it at the closet door just as the boy in the movie had done, hoping to warn whatever creepy creature might be lurking in there. The noise immediately stopped. After a few minutes of mustering his courage, he crept over and courageously yanked the door open. Out jumped his brother, Sammy, yelling "Gotcha!" Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage? A.Cause and effect B.Spatial order C.Problem and solution D.Chronological order

Option (D) is correct. The events are organized in a chronological sequence. First he heard the noise, then he remembered the movie, next he threw the ball, and after that the noise stopped and he gained his confidence before finally opening the door.

Questions 8-10 refer to the following poems. Piano Softly, in the dusk, a woman is singing to me; Taking me back down the vista of years, till I see A child sitting under the piano, in the boom of the tingling strings Line And pressing the small, poised feet of a mother who smiles as she sings. (5) In spite of myself, the insidious mastery of song Betrays me back, till the heart of me weeps to belong To the old Sunday evenings at home, with winter outside And hymns in the cosy parlour, the tinkling piano our guide. So now it is vain for the singer to burst into clamour (10) With the great black piano appassionato. The glamour Of childish days is upon me, my manhood is cast Down in the flood of remembrance, I weep like a child for the past. —D. H. Lawrence Oft, in the Stilly NightScotch Air Oft, in the stilly night, Ere Slumber's chain has bound me,LineFond Memory brings the light(5) Of other days around me; The smiles, the tears, Of boyhood's years, The words of love then spoken; The eyes that shone,(10) Now dimm'd and gone, The cheerful hearts now broken!Thus, in the stilly night, Ere Slumber's chain has bound me,Sad Memory brings the light(15) Of other days around me. When I remember all The friends, so link'd together,I've seen around me fall, Like leaves in wintry weather;(20) I feel like one Who treads alone Some banquet-hall deserted, Whose lights are fled, Whose garland's dead,(25) And all but he departed!Thus in the stilly night, Ere Slumber's chain has bound me,Sad Memory brings the light Of other days around me. —Thomas Moore Which of the following quotes from "Oft, in the Stilly Night" conveys a tone that is most different from the tone of "Piano"? A."Fond Memory brings the light" (line 3) B."The smiles, the tears, / Of boyhood's years" (lines 5-6) C."The words of love then spoken" (line 7) D."I feel like one /Who treads alone" (lines 19-20)

Option (D) is correct. The lines offer a glimpse of the loneliness felt by the speaker in "Oft, in the Stilly Night" as he compares a fondness for his past with the loneliness of losing those in his present. The sadness described is distinct from the bittersweet nostalgia of remembrance conveyed by the speaker in "Piano."

In the following diary entry, a young girl describes her experience at school with a group of refugees who have recently fled from Europe to the United States. I brought the refugee kids oranges today. Can you believe it—they didn't know you're supposed to peel oranges first. One boy tried to eat one like an apple. He made an awful face, but then he ate it anyway. I showed them how to peel oranges with the second one. —Jane Yolen, from "Suzy and Leah" Which of the following pieces of textual evidence best supports the inference that the refugees had to adapt to a new culture? A."brought the refugee kids oranges today" B."One boy tried to eat one" C."He made an awful face" D."didn't know you're supposed to peel oranges"

Option (D) is correct. The phrase "didn't know you're supposed to peel oranges" clearly indicates a typical experience of an immigrant or outsider—the need to adapt to unfamiliar circumstances. In this case, the young boy's mistake causes him to make a disgusted face.

"Ashes!" the doorman shouted. Some tittered to relieve the unbearable tension, some cast him a reproachful glance, Grace Wexler clicked her tongue, and Sydelle Pulaski shh-ed. "It was just a joke," Sandy tried to explain. "You know, ashes scattered to the winds, so the one who wins the windfall gets—Oh, never mind." —Ellen Raskin, from The Westing Game Which of the following phrases most nearly means the same as "tittered" as used in the excerpt? A.Vacated quickly B.Glowered scornfully C.Whispered carefully D.Giggled nervously

Option (D) is correct. The word "giggled" means to laugh and is synonymous for "titter." Nervous laughter was a tactic employed by some of the characters to hopefully quell the uncomfortable atmosphere.

(1) Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky on February 12, 1809. (2) Lincoln passed the bar exam in 1836, became a lawyer, and was given the nickname "Honest Abe." (3) He married Mary Todd in 1842, was elected to the House of Representatives in 1846, and was inaugurated as President of the United States in 1861. (4) Lincoln is most remembered for his famous speech, the Gettysburg Address, which he delivered in 1863 at the dedication ceremony for the Soldiers' National Cemetery at Gettysburg. Which of the following sentences is best characterized as an opinion? A.Sentence 1 B.Sentence 2 C.Sentence 3 D.Sentence 4

Option (D) is correct. The word "most" is subjective and indicates an opinion. Another writer might argue that Lincoln is most remembered for other achievements.