Practice Exam Answer Guide. Exam Tips The format of this practice exam mirrors the actual test. You will answer questions about three readings. Try to.

Practice Exam

Answer Guide

Exam TipsThe format of this practice exam mirrors the actual test. You will answer questions about three readings.

Try to relate to the characters in the story. If you actually enjoy the readings, you will understand them better.

Pay attention to the details. When you lose your train of thought, reread.

Read each selection twice before answering the questions.

Eliminate two answer choices. Then select the best answer of the remaining two!

Reading #1 – “Live Your Dreams”

Read the selection twice.Seriously.

Twice.

What Do We Notice Right Away?

1. This is a college commencement address. This means the speaker is addressing a graduating class of college students.

2. The very first word of the address tells us he’s speaking first person.

3. The title of his speech indicates he is trying to offer inspiring words to the audience.

With that context, let’s see how closely you read.

1. The author believes that the key element of any journey is —

A. a destination C. an itineraryB. a dream D. good planning

This question assesses you willingness to look back in the text.

Paragraph 4

“It is important to remember that all journeys in life begin with a dream; a dream to become someone; a dream to do something important in life that you and your friends and parents will be proud of.”

Correct Answer - B

2. In paragraph 5, the author describes the struggle to --

A. choose the right dream C. get a college educationB. grow up too quickly D. stay on the mountaintop

This question assesses you willingness to look back in the text.

Here’s Paragraph 5:

“But all of us have different kinds of dreams, different goals in life to pursue. It is hard to know at times which dream to pursue since so many can run through your head while growing up. It is easy to question your decision to pursue one dream instead of another. To be paralyzed at times by indecision, fearful that you have made the wrong choice and that you may be going down the wrong road. “

Correct Answer - A

3. In paragraph 6, the word meager means --

A. adequate C. very littleB. plenty D. uncertain

This question assesses your ability to use inference clues and determine vocabulary in context.

from Paragraph 6:“Isn’t it amazing how much time and energy mountain climbers spend planning and executing their ascent of Mount Everest and the meager amount of time they spend once they reach the summit taking in the view? It was the act of climbing that took them to the top, not a desire to get there and stay.“

Climbers spend a “meager” amount of time at the top of a mountain.

Would a meager amount be a lot of time, or a small amount of time?

Look at the next sentence. “It was the act of climbing that took them to the top, NOT A DESIRE TO GET THERE AND STAY.” This implies climbers don’t stay long once they get to the top.

Correct Answer - C

4. The author includes a question at the end of paragraph 9 to --

A. make the audience aware of the dangers of climbing B. get the audience emotionally involvedC. make sure the audience is still listeningD. provoke an answer from the audience

This question assesses your ability to determine the author’s intent.

Here’s Paragraph 9:“The most important thing is that the mountain you choose to climb is high. I have discovered that if you climb a mountain that is say 1,000 feet tall and fall off its summit and break your neck you are just as dead as you would be had you fallen off a mountain that is 30,000 feet tall. You’re dead all the same, so why did you pick a small mountain to fall off?”

Is the author trying to show the dangers of climbing in this speech? Would the question really reveal to him who is listening?Why would he want the audience to answer him while giving a speech?

Correct Answer – B (Remember, he is trying to inspire graduates!)

5. The word tribulations comes from the Latin root tribulare, meaning “to oppress.” In paragraph 10 tribulations means --

A. burdens C. judgmentsB. court battles D. morals

This question assesses your ability to use inference clues and determine vocabulary in context. The root is provided.

Here’s Paragraph 10:“I have also discovered that it is just as hard to climb a 1,000-foot mountain, as it is to climb one 30,000 feet tall. People that climb tall mountains get up at the same time in the morning and go to bed at the same time in evening as those who climb little ones. They have to put up with the same amount of trials and tribulations each day. So what I learned was, it is just as easy or just as hard to climb a tall mountain as it is to climb a small mountain, so why not go for it!”

Oppress is a negative word. The author twice refers to how hard a climb is.

Correct Answer - A

6. The reader can predict that the author --

A. has climbed a mountain C. has fulfilled some of his dreamsB. has traveled around the world D. has given this speech before

This question assesses your ability to use inference clues and your willingness to look back at the text.

The speaker never shares any personal experience climbing a real mountain. In fact, he speaks third-person about climbers in paragraph 6. The mountain he speaks about is a metaphor for life’s journeys. Eliminate choice A.

The speaker never shares any personal experience about traveling the world. Eliminate choice B.

The speaker never mentions delivering this speech previously. Eliminate choice D.

Here’s what the speaker says:“I would like to share with you some important insights I have made which help me pick the mountains in life to climb.” context clue

also“I have discovered…” “I have also discovered…”“I have found…” context clue

Correct Answer - C

7. Ballard’s theme would be--

A. dreams can change over time C. dreams are only important for young peopleB. difficult dreams are worth pursuing D. there is only one dream that a person should follow

This question assesses your ability to determine the central theme of a reading. A theme is a message or lesson that can be taken away from the reading.

The speaker never mentions dreams changing. He says, “So what I learned was, it is just as easy or just as hard to climb a tall mountain as it is to climb a small mountain, so why not go for it!” Eliminate choice A.

He never suggests dreams only being important to young people. Eliminate Choice C.

In the final line, the speaker tells the audience to, “Climb tall mountains.” Eliminate choice D.

“What is also important about climbing a tall mountain instead of a small one is that it takes a longer time to climb. This gives you a lot of time to think about what you are doing along the way and it gives you more time to enjoy the journey.” Correct Answer – B

8. The tone at the end of the selection is one of--

A. fear C. optimismB. humor D. suspense

This question assesses your ability to use inference clues and determine the writer’s tone. The tone expresses the speaker’s feelings.

Here are the last three paragraphs: “I have found that if I pick a distant summit in the clouds to pursue, time is on my side and I can have a lot of fascinating side trips along the way. Side trips that enrich my life, but since I have that distant summit on the horizon to guide me, I find that I don’t get lost along the way. I always know how to get back on the trail once my side trip has ended. I also discovered that tall mountains frighten people off. As a result, there aren’t many people climbing them. The path up to the summit is less crowded, less congested, and in fact easier to climb. So I advise you to think big, have big dreams. Climb tall mountains.

Correct Answer - C

9. All of the following lines demonstrate Ballard’s purpose except

A. “The path up to the summit is less crowded, less congested, and in fact easier to climb.”B. “So I advise you to think big, have big dreams. Climb tall mountains.”C. “For life truly is and should be a series of great adventures; a series of journeys within journeys.D. “It is important to remember that all journeys in life begin with a dream, a dream to become someone.”

This question assesses your ability to determine the author’s purpose. The purpose is the speaker’s reason for speaking.

Remember: Ballard is speaking to a graduating class, and the title of his speech is “Live Your Dream.” This imperative sentence offers advice.

Three of the quotations look at the big picture. They include the following words: dreams, life, journeys . They offer advice and demonstrate Ballard’s purpose.

Correct Choice – A

Reading #2 – “Who Are You Today, Maria?”

Read the selection twice.Seriously.

Twice.

What Do We Notice Right Away?

1. This is a short story about a girl named Maria. 2. Words with a number by them are from a

different language and translated after the last paragraph. I need to use the translations.

3. This is a story that could take place in a modern time period.

4. The main character, Maria, is telling her own story.

10. What is the genre of “Who Are You, Today, Maria?”

A. Realistic Fiction C. BiographyB. Historical Fiction D. Persuasive Essay

This question assesses your ability to determine the story’s genre.

Historical fiction must provide historical descriptions of setting, characters, and dialogue. There is no indication this story is set in some specific historical time period. Eliminate choice B.

A biography is a third-person account of a person’s life. Maria is speaking from a first-person perspective. Eliminate choice C.

Persuasive essays have a position statement, supporting arguments, a counter argument with response, and a strong closing. Persuasive essays are also nonfiction. This is a fiction story. Eliminate choice D.

Correct Answer – AThis is a fiction story. It has story elements such as a setting, characters, conflict, and resolution. The story seems realistic because these events could reasonably happen today.

11. Which elements throughout the text does the writer use to demonstrate personal thoughts and language differences?

A. quotations C. dashesB. italics D. tone

This question assesses you willingness to look back in the text.

Paragraph 1 – “I hope that her definition of the word extreme is the same as my friend Whoopee’s.”

Paragraph 12 – “Ahora sé quien eres, María, y quién puedes ser, si quieres. Ve acá, mi amor.”

Paragraph 14 – “Algo mÍo para tu dia de ser quien eres, mi hija.”

Correct Answer - B

12. In paragraph 2, the following line, “Our school is already a united nations, a carnival, and parade all at once” is an example of

A. a metaphor C. an hyperboleB. a simile D. personification

This question assesses your ability to identify a writer’s use of figures of speech.

A simile compares two unlike things with comparison words such as like, as, and than.

A metaphor directly compares two unlike things. Unlike similes, metaphors do not use comparison words.

Personification is application of human qualities to a non-living object.

Hyperbole is obvious exaggeration.

Correct Answer - A

13. In paragraph 2, all of the following words demonstrates first-person point of view except

A. my C. ourB. I D. herself

This question assesses your ability to identify the

writer’s point of view.

Subject ObjectPossessiveFirst Person I me my, mineSecond Person you you your, yoursThird Person he, she, it him, her, it his, her, hers, its

First Person we us our, oursSecond Person you you your, yoursThird Person they them their, theirs

Correct Answer - D

14. All of the following story details characterize Abuela except

A. “It is a smile that says, I do not understand, but if it is important to you Maria, I will bear it the best I can.”B. She is elegant even at 7am in her embroidered silk robe and red velvet slippers.”C. “…I liked to pull it over my head because the pattern made a night full of stars because it smelled like Abuela.D. “Abuela embraces me and kisses my face several times.”

This question assesses your ability to analyze the way a writer portrays a character. (characterization)

Choice A describes what Abuela thinks.

Choice B describes how Abuela looks.

Choice C explains how Maria feels about a scarf.

Choice D describes how Abuela acts.

Which does not reveal information about Abuela?

Correct Choice - C

15. Which conflict applies to the story “Who Are You Today, Maria”?

A. person vs. self C. person vs. supernaturalB. person vs. person D. person vs. nature

This question assesses your ability to identify conflicts.

from Paragraph 2 “Mr. Golden told us in English class to think about our choices: are you going to walk around as a joke or as a poem?”

“In each of my classes, the teacher said, let us know something about what has made you who you are by what you wear to school tomorrow. It all sounds like a conspiracy to me. But I like dressing up so I do not complain like the boys have been doing. “

Correct Choice – AMaria must figure out how to create an outfit that reflects who she is as a person.

16. In paragraphs 13-15, what can you infer about Maria’ s attitude toward her grandmother’sPuerto Rican customs and clothing?

A. Maria is accepting of them. C. Maria is disrespectful of them.B. Maria is unsure about accepting the culture. D. Maria is resentful toward them.

This question assesses your ability to use inference clues and your willingness to look back at the text.

Disrespectful and resentful are two negative terms. Maria never give any indication she has negative views. Eliminate choices C and D.

Here’s what the speaker says:“Abuela says that she knows who I am and who I may be if I choose. I have heard those words before but I don’t remember when or where. Abuela embraces me and kisses my face several times. This is a Puerto Rican thing. It goes on for a while. I close my eyes to wait it out, and I suddenly inhale a familiar scent. When I open my eyes, I see a starry sky.”

Correct Answer - A

17. “I have played dress-up with it since I was five years old, but it finally fits me perfectly.” What best describes the structure of the preceding statement?

A. simple C. complexB. compound D. compound-complex

A clause is a group of words with a subject and a predicate.An independent clause contains a complete thought and can be a sentence by itself.

A dependent clause is not complete sentences and DEPENDS other words for completion.

A simple sentence contains one independent clause.A compound sentence contains two independent clauses.

A complex sentence contains an independent clause AND a dependent clause.A compound-complex sentence contains more than one independent clauses and at least one

dependent clause.

S P P S P S PI have played dress up since I was five years old, but it finally fits me perfectly

Correct Answer - D

Independent Dependent Independent

Reading #3 – Sample Writing

Read the selection twice.Seriously.

Twice.

19. What change, if any, should be made to sentence 4?

A. Add a comma after bus.B. Delete the comma and it was.C. Change shy-looking to shy looking.D. Make no change.

This question assesses your ability to edit writing.

Sentence 4I sat near the back of the bus next to a shy-looking kid wearing a backpack, it was almost as big as he was.

Only once choice corrects the run-on.

Correct Answer - B

Run-on Sentence

19. Which sentence should the writer add to include relevant sensory details

A. The bus had room for sixty-four students.B. I disliked waiting for the bus almost as much as riding it.C. I waded through crumpled litter and masses of students to get to my seat.D. My friend’s mom worked at the school, so he didn’t ride the bus.

This question assesses your ability to identify imagery. Imagery is vivid language using senses to create a scene. Our five senses are touch, sight, smell, taste, and hearing.

Correct Answer – CThis is the only choice that provided RELEVANT information about the scene.

20. What is the best way to combine sentences 7 and 8?

A. “Get under here!” the boy next to me shouted because he signaled me to duck under the backpack with him.B. “Get under here!” the boy next to me shouted, he signaled me to duck under the the backpack with him.C. “Get under here!” the boy next to me shouted, but he signaled me to duck under the backpack with him.D. “Get under here!” the boy next to me shouted, signaling me to duck under the backpack with him.

This question assesses you ability to create strong sentences.

Using the word because, Option A creates an incorrect cause and effect.

Using two independent clauses joined incorrectly, Option B is a run-on sentence.

Using the word but in Option C creates an incorrect contrast.

Correct Choice - D

You’re Finished!

Good Luck on the exam.Read carefully.

Be willing to look back in the reading.

Be willing to look back in the reading.Be willing to look back in the reading.