The Competition
The beating of the rain on the roof was like a drummer's solo. Victoria imagined the cold rain on her skin and shivered. Glancing out the window, she sighed and continued to gather her belongings."Where are my goggles?" she murmured.Her brother, Henry, replied, "If you could keep up with your things, you wouldn't have to spend so much time looking for them. It doesn't really matter, though. The tryouts aren't going to be happening in this weather."As Victoria turned toward him to speak, she stuck out her tongue and replied, "Why don't you mind your own business? I did manage to find my goggles and without any help from you."She waved them in front of his face and stalked off to her bedroom. The book she had been reading fell to the floor as she flopped down on the bed. Her brother could be the most exasperating person in the entire world, but she knew he was right about the event. Missing the event would be a huge disappointment! She had spent so much time trying to improve her stamina and endurance. Being able to participate had been her dream for a long time, and she didn't want to wait any longer. She wanted it to be over. She had to know if she qualified for the Junior Olympic Team.It's her final opportunity to participate in tryouts; after this year, she would age out of the competition. Her grandfather's long illness had prevented her from being able to participate before. The memories of her grandfather, warm like hot chocolate, flowed into her mind and consumed her thoughts.Her grandfather would shout, "Victoria, bend your legs more, and you're bringing your head up too far!"He could sound so harsh and condescending when coaching, but during competitions he became an animated and amorous swim coach who cheered for every member of the team. He would wave his arms and pump his fists harder than any other coach or spectator. Everyone became familiar with his antics, and they learned to appreciate them as a part of his personality.The other members who had competed on his teams had loved him, too. They enjoyed his joking. Everyone could hear his boisterous laughter ringing across the pool. Their love and admiration was also due to his fighting for the new athletic facility to include an outdoor and indoor pool. Having a new facility would enable all the city swim teams to compete more often with other communities. An extra pool also meant that the teams could practice more frequently.His love for the sport was a result of growing up in England. His home country was almost surrounded by water, and swimming was a popular sport. Without realizing how much it would become a part of his life, his parents had insisted that he learn to swim from an early age. It appeared to be in his blood, and he had passed his love for the sport to his only granddaughter.Today's competition was about Grandfather and not about her. She wanted the opportunity to show that she was one of the best at swimming breaststroke. However, it was because of Grandfather's love and encouragement that she had a chance of gaining a spot on the team.Victoria moved to wipe the accumulated moisture from her eyes as her mother walked into the room. Taking a couple of deep breaths, she turned to face her mother."Why aren't you standing at the door and screaming for everyone to hurry?" her mother asked. "I know you're ready.""Why would I when it's raining hard enough to fill a swimming pool?" answered Victoria. "I'm sure the competition is going to be rescheduled for a later date.""Stop being ridiculous!" her mother replied. "Thanks to your grandfather's determination, we now have an indoor pool. I received a call from the organizational committee letting us know that the competition will be held there. The committee also plans to have a short dedication ceremony. They want to recognize your grandfather's contribution toward making the dream of a new swimming facility a reality."Heading out the door, Victoria paused to think for a moment. "I can't believe I forgot about the new indoor pool opening this past weekend. I guess I have been engrossed in other things; I forgot to think about what is important to others! I'll have to mark this in my book of remembrances as a lesson learned. It's like you're still looking out for me, Grandfather. They may remember you today, but I will remember you every day."
Which sentence from the passage indicates that Victoria is anxious for the competition to be over?
A.
Glancing out the window, she sighed and continued to gather her belongings.
B.
It's her final opportunity to participate in tryouts; after this year, she would age out of the competition.
C.
Her grandfather's long illness had prevented her from being able to participate before.
D.
She had to know if she qualified for the Junior Olympic Team.
D. She had to know if she qualified for the Junior Olympic Team.
Which statement communicates the biggest impact Grandfather had on Victoria's life?
A.
He could sound so harsh and condescending when coaching, but during competitions he became an animated and amorous swim coach who cheered for every member of the team.
B.
It appeared to be in his blood, and he had passed his love for the sport to his only granddaughter.
C.
Her grandfather's long illness had prevented her from being able to participate before.
D.
Everyone became familiar with his antics, and they learned to appreciate them as a part of his personality.
B. It appeared to be in his blood, and he had passed his love for the sport to his only granddaughter.
Which sentence from the text BEST shows that this was Victoria's last chance?
A.
Being able to participate had been her dream for a long time, and she didn't want to wait any longer.
B.
She had to know if she qualified for the Junior Olympic Team.
C.
It's her final opportunity to participate in tryouts; after this year, she would age out of the competition.
D.
She wanted the opportunity to show that she was one of the best at swimming breaststroke.
C. It's her final opportunity to participate in tryouts; after this year, she would age out of the competition.
A student is writing an argumentative essay for the school newspaper about cell phone use in schools. The student wants to revise the draft to improve the transition between the first and second paragraphs. Read the draft of the essay and complete the task that follows.
Many teachers and administrators argue that cell phones are nothing but a distraction in the classroom. They have caught students texting friends, checking their e–mail, or even surfing the Internet when they should be paying attention to their work. Cell phones also create problems during testing times as some students use their phones to cheat. These are just a few of the reasons why many schools have banned cell phones from their buildings, not just the classrooms.
This is a bad idea. Some students walk or drive to school, and they need to have their phones with them in case of an emergency. Other students participate in extracurricular activities after school. They need their phones with them so they can stay in contact with their parents or guardians while they are away from home.
Most everyone, including students and parents, will agree that the classroom is not the place for cell phones. They should not be used when class is in session. But school administrators should allow students to keep their cell phones turned off in their lockers during the school day. This allows students to have their phones with them while traveling to and from school.
Choose the transition sentence that could replace the underlined sentence to improve the link between paragraphs one and two.
A.
Many other devices besides cell phones create distractions in the classroom, yet these devices have not been banned.
B.
Banning cell phones from the classroom does not teach students how to be respectful of their teachers' time.
C.
While the teachers and administrators concerns are understandable, cell phones should not be banned from school property.
D.
Although some students may misuse their cell phones during class, not all students do.
C. While the teachers and administrators concerns are understandable, cell phones should not be banned from school property.
A student is writing an argumentative essay for her class. The student wants to revise the draft to have more clarity. Read the draft of the essay and complete the task that follows.
Many students look forward to getting a part–time job after school. Working at an after–school job is a big step toward growing up. Students go to school to learn to prepare for college and then for life as an adult. Having a job is another way students can get ready for their future. Students can learn how to be independent and responsible. It also teaches students life skills that can be hard to learn in school, like how to manage their time and money.
Some may say that having an after–school job takes time away from homework. However, some studies have shown that students with part–time jobs after school earn higher grades than those who do not. It is true that students who work after school might not be able to join sports teams or do other extracurricular activities, but many jobs also give students the chance to learn about teamwork and make friends. Jobs are important because they are a source of useful skills, money and pride for students.
Revise the introduction by choosing the sentence that would improve the introduction by setting up the argument.
A.
Many students have to work to help support their families.
B.
Having a job has both long–term and short–term benefits for students.
C.
Parents should encourage their children to do volunteer work if they cannot find jobs.
D.
All students should try having an after–school job so they can figure out if they like working.
B. Having a job has both long-term and short-term benefits for students.
A student has written an argument in favor of requiring all citizens to vote. The student wants to revise the argument to make sure it has clear reasons and supporting evidence. Which sentence should be removed from the argument because it does NOT provide strong evidence?
A.
Required voting has worked successfully in Australia.
B.
I believe that voting is not only a right but also a responsibility.
C.
Research has shown that more people vote when citizens are required to vote.
D.
Only about half of eligible citizens usually vote in national elections.