In recent years, online learning has become a popular option for middle school students. With advances in technology, students are able to access high-quality educational content from the comfort of their own home. Online learning provides students with the flexibility to work at their own pace and gives them access to a wide range of courses and resources. The structure of online learning also allows students to take classes from anywhere in the world. Additionally, online classes are often more affordable than traditional learning.

Which of the following is a central idea of this paragraph?

(1 point)
Responses

Online learning has a variety of benefits for students.
Online learning has a variety of benefits for students.

It can help students develop key skills.
It can help students develop key skills.

It offers a safe and secure learning environment.
It offers a safe and secure learning environment.

Online learning has become very popular.

One type of informational text is a newspaper article.

Online learning has become very popular.

Online learning provides a safe and secure learning environment. With online courses, students don’t have to worry about bullying or other distractions that can be common in a traditional classroom. Additionally, online classes are often more engaging than traditional classes, with interactive activities and multimedia.

Which detail BEST supports the idea that online learning provides a safe and secure learning environment?

(1 point)
Responses

It allows flexibility for students who may need it.
It allows flexibility for students who may need it.

It allows students to customize their learning experience.
It allows students to customize their learning experience.

Students are often engaged in an online class.
Students are often engaged in an online class.

Students don’t have to worry about bullying or other distractions.

Students don’t have to worry about bullying or other distractions.

One of the most significant benefits of online learning for middle school students is that it allows them to take classes that they may not be able to access in their local area. Students can explore topics such as advanced mathematics, foreign languages, and computer programming that aren’t offered at their school. Online learning also allows students to customize their learning experience to focus on topics that interest them.

Which is the BEST summary of the information in the paragraph?

(1 point)
Responses

Online learning is usually the best option for a lot of students.
Online learning is usually the best option for a lot of students.

Some students prefer online learning to traditional learning.
Some students prefer online learning to traditional learning.

Middle school students are able to access and explore a variety of interests.
Middle school students are able to access and explore a variety of interests.

Students can access foreign languages and computer programming.

Middle school students are able to access and explore a variety of interests.

Which of the following is true about an objective summary?(1 point)

Responses

It describes all details from the text.
It describes all details from the text.

It quotes the text word-for-word.
It quotes the text word-for-word.

It often includes the author’s opinion.
It often includes the author’s opinion.

It provides the central idea of the text.

It provides the central idea of the text.

Online learning can help middle school students develop important skills such as time management, self-discipline, and problem-solving skills. As a result, students are able to work independently and learn to manage their own time, take responsibility for their learning, and develop critical thinking skills.

What type of interaction does the underlined phrase show in the paragraph above?

(1 point)
Responses

Chronological
Chronological

Compare and contrast
Compare and contrast

Cause and effect
Cause and effect

Problem and solution

Cause and effect

What is one skill that middle school students can develop through online learning?(1 point)

Responses

Social skills
Social skills

Bullying prevention
Bullying prevention

Foreign language proficiency
Foreign language proficiency

Time management

Time management

No matter what he tried, Ben could not get his Connexus planner to load to view his daily lessons. He had to figure out another way to get it resolved so that he could complete his assignments. He finally decided to call the Student Services number to have them help. After a short phone call, the issue was resolved, and Ben was back to work.

What is the primary text structure used in the above excerpt?

(1 point)
Responses

Order of importance
Order of importance

Steps in a process
Steps in a process

Problem and solution
Problem and solution

Compare and contrast

Problem and solution

Online learning can be a great alternative for middle school students. With its flexibility, affordability, and access to a wide range of courses, online learning can be a great way for middle school students to explore new topics, develop important skills, and engage in their learning.

What does the word alternative mean in the above context?

(1 point)
Responses

Demand
Demand

Chance
Chance

Decision
Decision

Option

Option

In order to help her students best learn, the language arts teacher spent some time searching through STAR Reading Test data to determine the information she needed to cover in her next live lesson.

Which word from the sentence above provides the best context clue to define the term data?

(1 point)
Responses

Information
Information

Searching
Searching

Cover
Cover

Determine

Information

Sloths are some of the most interesting animals in the world. They are slow-moving mammals that spend most of their time hanging upside down in the trees of Central and South American rainforests. They have a special kind of fur that camouflages them from their predators, and an extra-long curved claw that helps them to hang on tightly to branches. Sloths are mostly nocturnal, sleeping during the day and becoming active at night, when they forage for food. They are expert swimmers and climbers, and can move twice as fast in the water as they do on land. Sloths eat a variety of leaves, buds, and fruits, and occasionally small insects. They have an incredibly slow metabolism, and it can take up to a month for them to digest their food. Sloths are solitary creatures, but you can sometimes find them sleeping in groups or cuddling with one another. While they may seem like lazy animals, they are actually very important to the rainforest ecosystem, spreading seeds, providing homes for other creatures, and helping to keep the trees healthy. Sloths are an amazing species, and we can all be thankful that they are still around.

What is the central idea of the text?

(1 point)
Responses

Sloths are expert swimmers and climbers.
Sloths are expert swimmers and climbers.

Sloths are slow-moving mammals.
Sloths are slow-moving mammals.

Sloths have a slow metabolism.
Sloths have a slow metabolism.

Sloths are important to the rainforest ecosystem.

Sloths are important to the rainforest ecosystem.

Sloths are some of the most interesting animals in the world. They are slow-moving mammals that spend most of their time hanging upside down in the trees of Central and South American rainforests. They have a special kind of fur that camouflages them from their predators, and an extra-long curved claw that helps them to hang on tightly to branches. Sloths are mostly nocturnal, sleeping during the day and becoming active at night, when they forage for food. They are expert swimmers and climbers, and can move twice as fast in the water as they do on land. Sloths eat a variety of leaves, buds, and fruits, and occasionally small insects. They have an incredibly slow metabolism, and it can take up to a month for them to digest their food. Sloths are solitary creatures, but you can sometimes find them sleeping in groups or cuddling with one another. While they may seem like lazy animals, they are actually very important to the rainforest ecosystem, spreading seeds, providing homes for other creatures, and helping to keep the trees healthy. Sloths are an amazing species, and we can all be thankful that they are still around.

What role do sloths play in the rainforest ecosystem?

(1 point)
Responses

They destroy trees.
They destroy trees.

They eat other animals.
They eat other animals.

They spread diseases.
They spread diseases.

They provide homes for other creatures.

They provide homes for other creatures.

Sloths are some of the most interesting animals in the world. They are slow-moving mammals that spend most of their time hanging upside down in the trees of Central and South American rainforests. They have a special kind of fur that camouflages them from their predators, and an extra-long curved claw that helps them to hang on tightly to branches. Sloths are mostly nocturnal, sleeping during the day and becoming active at night, when they forage for food. They are expert swimmers and climbers, and can move twice as fast in the water as they do on land. Sloths eat a variety of leaves, buds, and fruits, and occasionally small insects. They have an incredibly slow metabolism, and it can take up to a month for them to digest their food. Sloths are solitary creatures, but you can sometimes find them sleeping in groups or cuddling with one another. While they may seem like lazy animals, they are actually very important to the rainforest ecosystem, spreading seeds, providing homes for other creatures, and helping to keep the trees healthy. Sloths are an amazing species, and we can all be thankful that they are still around.

What is the purpose of the last sentence in the text? (“Sloths are an amazing species, and we can all be thankful that they are still around.”)

(1 point)
Responses

To provide additional information about sloths
To provide additional information about sloths

To introduce a new topic
To introduce a new topic

To summarize the main ideas of the text
To summarize the main ideas of the text

To ask a question

To summarize the main ideas of the text

List 3 traits of narrative nonfiction.(3 points)

1. Based on true events or real-life experiences: Narrative nonfiction is grounded in reality and presents information or stories that are factual.

2. Uses storytelling techniques: Narrative nonfiction employs literary techniques such as plot, character development, dialogue, and narrative structure to engage readers and present information in a narrative format.

3. Subjective viewpoint: Narrative nonfiction often includes the author's perspective, emotions, and interpretations of events, blending elements of storytelling with facts to create a subjective and engaging narrative.

Use the paragraph below to answer the question.

Sloths are some of the most interesting animals in the world. They are slow-moving mammals that spend most of their time hanging upside down in the trees of Central and South American rainforests. They have a special kind of fur that camouflages them from their predators, and an extra-long curved claw that helps them to hang on tightly to branches. Sloths are mostly nocturnal, sleeping during the day and becoming active at night, when they forage for food. They are expert swimmers and climbers, and can move twice as fast in the water as they do on land. Sloths eat a variety of leaves, buds, and fruits, and occasionally small insects. They have an incredibly slow metabolism, and it can take up to a month for them to digest their food. Sloths are solitary creatures, but you can sometimes find them sleeping in groups or cuddling with one another. While they may seem like lazy animals, they are actually very important to the rainforest ecosystem, spreading seeds, providing homes for other creatures, and helping to keep the trees healthy. Sloths are an amazing species, and we can all be thankful that they are still around.

In 3-4 sentences, identify and explain the evidence that the author uses to support the claim that “Sloths are some of the most interesting animals in the world.”

(4 points)

The evidence that the author uses to support the claim that "Sloths are some of the most interesting animals in the world" includes several unique characteristics and behaviors of sloths. Firstly, the author highlights their slow-moving nature and their ability to spend most of their time hanging upside down in trees, which showcases their unusual lifestyle. Additionally, the special fur that camouflages them and the extra-long curved claw that helps them hold onto branches demonstrate their unique physical adaptations. The author also mentions their expert swimming and climbing abilities, as well as their slow metabolism, which showcases their fascinating capabilities.

Use the paragraph below to answer the question.

Beavers are an unlikely ally in the fight against wildfires. While beavers are most commonly known for their industrious dam building, they are also surprisingly beneficial to fire prevention. Beavers are able to create their own wetlands and slow the flow of water by damming streams, which in turn reduces the risk of wildfire. By slowing the flow of water, beavers create a buffer zone between the forest and the water source, reducing the risk of the fire spreading. The wetlands created by beavers also act as a firebreak, preventing the fire from spreading further into the forest. Additionally, the moist environment created by beavers helps create a fire-resistant habitat, making it less likely for a fire to take hold in the first place.

In 3-4 sentences, identify and explain an inference you made about beavers based on the passage. Support your answer with text evidence from the passage.

Based on the passage, one inference that can be made about beavers is that they play a crucial role in preserving and protecting ecosystems from wildfires. The text states that beavers "are surprisingly beneficial to fire prevention" and that they create wetlands and buffer zones that reduce the risk of fire spreading. The passage also mentions that the moist environment created by beavers helps create a fire-resistant habitat. These pieces of evidence suggest that beavers actively contribute to fire prevention and ecosystem preservation by their presence and activities in water systems.

Name one type of informational text