Item 1
Use the paragraph to answer the question.
The platypus is an Australian mammal that is not easily classified. It is one of only two mammals (the other being the echidna) that bears young by laying eggs. In some respects, the platypus resembles a duck; both have webbed feet and bills. The platypus has a tail like a beaver’s and a furry body similar to an otter’s. Its unusual hybrid of body parts makes it well-suited for its largely aquatic life. The platypus uses its webbed feet to paddle through water, and its tail serves as a kind of rudder for steering. While underwater, the platypus uses its bill to scoop up bits of food, such as insects and shellfish, from the water’s bottom. The platypus also scoops up bits of gravel, which grind up the food, as the platypus is toothless. The platypus stores the food and gravel in its cheeks until it reaches the water’s surface. Once the platypus surfaces, it consumes its meal.
Which sentence describes the main idea?
(1 point)
Responses
The platypus has features similar to an otter and a beaver.
The platypus has features similar to an otter and a beaver.
The platypus lives in Australia.
The platypus lives in Australia.
The platypus uses an interesting method to consume its meals.
The platypus uses an interesting method to consume its meals.
The platypus is a mammal with many characteristics that make it unique.
The platypus is a mammal with many characteristics that make it unique.
Question 2
Item 2
Which nonfiction genre teaches the reader a process?
(1 point)
Responses
how-to
how-to
humor
humor
history
history
biography
biography
Question 3
Item 3
Use the paragraph to answer the question.
It happens way too often: oil leaking from wells beneath the ocean or tankers spilling their cargo into the waves. One disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, called the Tyler spill, has been leaking hundreds of barrels of oil per day into the ocean for the past 14 years. While safety has not been made a priority, something can be done to clean up oil spills that does not involve pouring chemical cleanup agents into the already polluted waters. The question is, when will the oil industry embrace this effective, safe method?
Which sentence best summarizes the text?
(1 point)
Responses
The oil industry needs to work more efficiently.
The oil industry needs to work more efficiently.
There is no reason that oil spills occur as often as they do.
There is no reason that oil spills occur as often as they do.
There is a smart solution to the ongoing problem of oil spills the industry should use.
There is a smart solution to the ongoing problem of oil spills the industry should use.
The oil industry should focus on the fastest way to clear up oil spills.
The oil industry should focus on the fastest way to clear up oil spills.
Question 4
Item 4
Use the sentences to answer the question.
Many people believe a European named Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press. However, Gutenberg’s press was actually building on inventions that appeared centuries earlier in China.
What is the connection between the ideas in these sentences?
(1 point)
Responses
comparison
comparison
problem and solution
problem and solution
cause and effect
cause and effect
contrast
contrast
Question 5
Item 5
Use the sentences to answer the question.
A Buddhist book called The Diamond Sutra, printed around 868 C.E., is the oldest known printed book. It was printed using page-sized panels of wood blocks. These blocks were carved by hand with Chinese characters shown in reverse.
Which word or phrase describes the relationship between the ideas in the sentences?
(1 point)
Responses
description
description
contrast
contrast
problem and solution
problem and solution
cause and effect
cause and effect
Question 6
Item 6
Use the paragraph to answer the question.
All around the world, millions of people watch hundreds of new movies each year. Most people are aware that these movies have actors and actresses, directors, stunt doubles, and camera operators. But have you ever wondered how the crack of a bat in a baseball scene sounds so authentic even though the camera must be dozens of feet away?
Which word means the same as authentic as it is used in the paragraph?
(1 point)
Responses
boring
boring
real
real
fast
fast
distant
distant
Question 7
Item 7
Use the paragraph to answer the question.
You may not think earthquakes and volcanoes can go together, but they are unlikely friends, creating sensations under the earth’s surface. Most earthquakes occur because of the movement of tectonic plates previously described. Sometimes earthquakes happen below a volcano. This happens because magma, which is hot molten rock beneath the earth’s surface, pushes on rock until it breaks the rock and seeps into it. Then, the magma builds more pressure until it leaks more magma into the crack. Little earthquakes happen each time the rock breaks and lets in more magma. These little earthquakes are too small to feel. They are called harmonic tremors, perhaps because of their constant release of energy, like one long song played underground.
What does the analogy "they are called harmonic tremors, perhaps because of their constant release of energy, like one long song played underground" from the paragraph mean?
(1 point)
Responses
The tremors from small earthquakes follow unpredictable patterns, unlike musical meter.
The tremors from small earthquakes follow unpredictable patterns, unlike musical meter.
The same amount of energy is released by music and small earthquakes.
The same amount of energy is released by music and small earthquakes.
When little earthquakes occur, they make sounds similar to music.
When little earthquakes occur, they make sounds similar to music.
Much like background music, little earthquakes tremor underground without much notice.
Much like background music, little earthquakes tremor underground without much notice.
Question 8
Item 8
Use the sentences to answer the question.
"Mary is such a quiet child," said Aunt Lydia. "It makes me wonder what will become of her."
Which word would give the sentence a negative tone if it replaced the word quiet?
(1 point)
Responses
reserved
reserved
disciplined
disciplined
sullen
sullen
calm
calm
Question 9
Item 9
Why would a student include an allusion to Albert Einstein, an accomplished scientist with a famously bad memory, in a paper about how people learn?
(1 point)
Responses
to show that memorization is important to everyone
to show that memorization is important to everyone
to show how remembering something is not as important as understanding it
to show how remembering something is not as important as understanding it
to show how famous people are remembered
to show how famous people are remembered
to show that memorization is important when learning something new
to show that memorization is important when learning something new
Question 10
Item 10
Use the paragraph to answer the question.
The crowd gathered around a chain-link fence and waited for the show to begin. The artist approached the large tree stump and powered up his chainsaw with a loud roar. Everyone was startled even though they knew the sound was coming. Swinging the saw in rhythmic motions and lunging forward to make quick stabs at the wood, the artist began to create an image. The people in the crowd turned their heads and squinted their eyes, trying to make out what shape the sculpture would take. Time passed quickly and the buzz of the saw dominated the scene for most of the afternoon. Then, just as the evening light softened the forest, the artist set down his saw and touched the face of the giant grizzly bear with his bare hand.
Which piece of evidence from the paragraph supports the inference that the artist is inspired by nature?
(1 point)
Responses
He likes to be hands-on with his work.
He likes to be hands-on with his work.
He performs in front of a crowd.
He performs in front of a crowd.
He carves animals out of wood.
He carves animals out of wood.
His work requires physical strength.
His work requires physical strength.
Question 11
Item 11
What is the most likely purpose for writing an explanatory article in third-person point of view that includes many facts and details about a topic?
(1 point)
Responses
to persuade
to persuade
to express an opinion
to express an opinion
to entertain the reader
to entertain the reader
to inform
to inform
Question 12
Item 12
Use the paragraph to answer the prompt.
It is a widely acknowledged fact that machines are stronger than people, but is it impossible for them to become smarter than us too? Some scientist fear that it is, or so say the theory of technological singularity. In a nut shell, the theory of technological singularity says that when a computer becomes more capable of improving its own capabilities, even in just the slightest way, it will go into an infinite loop, getting progressively smarter, which would inevitably lead to machines becoming smarter than people, or so the theory goes. Such gains in available intelligence might lead to huge improvement in science and medicine. Diseases could be cured and so forth. On the other had, it could lead to the total domination of mankind by robots, which would be bad. I, for one, welcome our new computer overlords.
In two sentences, identify the main idea and at least one supporting detail of this paragraph.
(3 points)
0 / 100 Word Limit
Question 13
Item 13
Use the excerpt from a letter to answer the prompt.
Fellow Members of the Springfield Robotics Club: It has come to my attention that the workshop has been left an absolute mess on at least two separate occasions. Remember that this is a shared space, so we must clean up behind ourselves after every meeting. It is in the spirit of keeping our club meeting space that we establish this rule: when you take a tool off the rack, put it back. If everyone puts their tools back immediately after they are done using them, there will be minimal mess to clean up, and we won't get kicked out o f the spot. So if you like having a meeting place, put your tools back.
In 3–5 sentences, identify and explain words in the letter that create a negative tone. Support your answer with details from the text.
(3 points)
0 / 100 Word Limit
Question 14
Unit 14
Use the paragraph to answer the prompt.
Automation is the use of machines to reduce the need for human labor. In other words automation is when jobs done by people become jobs done by robots. Automation can be a good thing. Because of automation, clothing, cars, and other manufacturing products are available at good prices and in large supply. But automation can also be a bad thing. Because of automation, there are over 700,000 robots in America alone that do jobs once performed by humans. The way of automation may not be best for humanity, but it is the course we are taking.
In 2-3 sentences, summarize the information in the paragraph.
(3 points)
0 / 100 Word Limit
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Question 10:
The evidence from the paragraph that supports the inference that the artist is inspired by nature is that he carves animals out of wood.
Use the paragraph to answer the question.
The platypus is an Australian mammal that is not easily classified. It is one of only two mammals (the other being the echidna) that bears young by laying eggs. In some respects, the platypus resembles a duck; both have webbed feet and bills. The platypus has a tail like a beaver’s and a furry body similar to an otter’s. Its unusual hybrid of body parts makes it well-suited for its largely aquatic life. The platypus uses its webbed feet to paddle through water, and its tail serves as a kind of rudder for steering. While underwater, the platypus uses its bill to scoop up bits of food, such as insects and shellfish, from the water’s bottom. The platypus also scoops up bits of gravel, which grind up the food, as the platypus is toothless. The platypus stores the food and gravel in its cheeks until it reaches the water’s surface. Once the platypus surfaces, it consumes its meal.
Which sentence describes the main idea?
(1 point)
Responses
The platypus has features similar to an otter and a beaver.
The platypus has features similar to an otter and a beaver.
The platypus lives in Australia.
The platypus lives in Australia.
The platypus uses an interesting method to consume its meals.
The platypus uses an interesting method to consume its meals.
The platypus is a mammal with many characteristics that make it unique.
The sentence that describes the main idea is: The platypus is a mammal with many characteristics that make it unique.
Which nonfiction genre teaches the reader a process?
(1 point)
Responses
how-to
how-to
humor
humor
history
history
biography
The nonfiction genre that teaches the reader a process is the how-to genre.
1. The main idea of the paragraph is: The platypus is a mammal with many characteristics that make it unique.
2. The nonfiction genre that teaches the reader a process is how-to.
3. The sentence that best summarizes the text is: There is a smart solution to the ongoing problem of oil spills the industry should use.
4. The connection between the ideas in the sentences is: cause and effect.
5. The relationship between the ideas in the sentences is: description.
6. The word that means the same as authentic as it is used in the paragraph is: real.
7. The analogy "they are called harmonic tremors, perhaps because of their constant release of energy, like one long song played underground" means: Much like background music, little earthquakes tremor underground without much notice.
8. The word that would give the sentence a negative tone if it replaced the word quiet is: sullen.
9. A student would include an allusion to Albert Einstein, an accomplished scientist with a famously bad memory, in a paper about how people learn to show that memorization is not as important as understanding it.
10. The piece of evidence from the paragraph that supports the inference that the artist is inspired by nature is: He carves animals out of wood.
11. The most likely purpose for writing an explanatory article in third-person point of view that includes many facts and details about a topic is to inform.
12. The main idea of the paragraph is that there are differing opinions on whether machines can become smarter than people, and this could have both positive and negative consequences.
13. Words in the letter that create a negative tone are: mess, absolute mess, minimal mess, and won't get kicked out.
14. The information in the paragraph is that automation is the use of machines to reduce the need for human labor, and it can be both beneficial and detrimental to society.
1. The main idea sentence in the paragraph is: "The platypus is a mammal with many characteristics that make it unique." This sentence summarizes the information provided in the paragraph by highlighting the distinctive features and reproductive method of the platypus.
2. The nonfiction genre that teaches the reader a process is the "how-to" genre. This genre provides step-by-step instructions on how to perform a particular task or activity.
3. The sentence that best summarizes the text is: "There is a smart solution to the ongoing problem of oil spills the industry should use." This sentence captures the main idea of the paragraph, which discusses the need for the oil industry to embrace a safe and effective method for cleaning up oil spills.
4. The connection between the ideas in these sentences is a "contrast." The first sentence presents the commonly held belief that Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press, while the second sentence contradicts this belief by stating that Gutenberg's press was actually building on earlier inventions in China.
5. The relationship between the ideas in these sentences is a "description." The first sentence describes The Diamond Sutra as the oldest known printed book, while the second sentence provides specific details about how it was printed using page-sized panels of wood blocks.
6. The word that means the same as "authentic" in the paragraph is "real." The sentence is referring to the authentic sound of a baseball bat in a movie scene, indicating that it sounds genuine or real despite the distance between the camera and the sound source.
7. The analogy "they are called harmonic tremors, perhaps because of their constant release of energy, like one long song played underground" from the paragraph means that "much like background music, little earthquakes tremor underground without much notice." The analogy highlights the constant release of energy from harmonic tremors, comparing them to the continuous sound of a long song played underground.
8. The word that would give the sentence a negative tone if it replaced the word "quiet" is "sullen." A negative tone implies a negative characteristic, and "sullen" conveys a negative connotation compared to the neutral or positive connotations of the other words.
9. The most likely purpose for including an allusion to Albert Einstein in a paper about how people learn is "to show that memorization is not as important as understanding it." The allusion to Einstein's famously bad memory suggests that remembering something is not as crucial as comprehending or understanding it.
10. The piece of evidence from the paragraph that supports the inference that the artist is inspired by nature is "he carves animals out of wood." This evidence indicates that the artist's sculptural subjects are animals from the natural world, implying a connection to and inspiration by nature.
11. The most likely purpose for writing an explanatory article in third-person point of view that includes many facts and details about a topic is "to inform" the reader. Explanatory articles aim to provide information and educate the reader about a specific topic in an objective manner.
12. The main idea of the paragraph is: "The theory of technological singularity suggests that as computers become capable of improving their own capabilities, they will progressively become smarter than humans, leading to potential benefits in science and medicine, as well as potential risks of total domination by machines." The supporting detail is the explanation of the theory of technological singularity and its potential implications.
13. The words in the letter that create a negative tone are "absolute mess," "clean up behind ourselves," "establish this rule," "minimal mess," and "won't get kicked out of the spot." These words convey a sense of disappointment, frustration, and warning, indicating that the situation of the messy workshop is undesirable and needs to be addressed.
14. The information in the paragraph can be summarized as follows: Automation involves the use of machines to replace human labor, which has both positive and negative implications. On one hand, it leads to increased availability and affordability of products. On the other hand, it results in job displacement and potential negative effects on humanity.