Language Arts SPI Review –Grade 8
Reporting Category 1: Language
0801.1.1- Correct use of nouns and pronouns within context
Because many lakes and ponds were once sinkholes, you can tell how they were
formed by looking at those shapes.
1. Which
A.
B.
C.
D.
pronoun best replaces the underlined word?
these
them
that
their
2. Which of the following pronouns correctly completes the sentence below?
In addition to the stray dog Oscar, Mrs. Ainsworth had three Basset hounds, and she
doted on _____ every move.
A.
her
B.
its
C.
his
D.
their
3. Which of the following sentences uses pronouns correctly?
A.
Me and James went to the movies with them.
B.
James and me went to the movies with him and her.
C.
James and I went to the movies with him and her.
D.
They went to the movies with him and I.
0801.1.2- Correct use of verbs within context
1
One of the dough makers have worked there for years.
1. Choose the correct revision for the underlined words in the sentence.
A. were worked
B. has worked
C. was worked
D. will worked
2. Which of the following sentences uses the past perfect verb tense?
A.
By June, I will have owned the camera shop for a decade.
B.
After it was sold, I had owned the camera shop for twelve years.
C.
I cannot recall a time when I have not owned some kind of shop.
D.
I owned that shop in the year you were born.
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Language Arts SPI Review –Grade 8
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3. Which of the following sentences contains an error in subject-verb agreement?
A.
B.
C.
D.
There was a lot of excited people when the Hubble Space Telescope was
launched.
Before Hubble's launch, only ground-based telescopes existed.
A group of scientists focused the telescope on one small patch of sky.
The results from their observation include a picture called the Ultra Deep Field.
0801.1.3- Correct use of adjectives and adverbs within context
After listening to the apology, Vincent began to complete understand the circumstances.
1. Which should replace the underlined word?
A. completer
B. completelier
C. more completely
D. most completely
2. Which of the following sentences is written correctly?
A.
Of the six contestants, which one was the more beautiful of all?
B.
Which of the six contestants sang the best?
C.
Which of the two finalists was the most talented?
D.
Did you think the third contestant was betterer?
3. Which of the following sentences is written correctly?
A.
Of the five poems, which one was the more moving of them all?
B.
Which of the first two poems was the most moving?
C.
Which poem did you think was more moving—the first, the third, or the fifth?
D.
Which of the five poems did you find the most moving?
0801.1.4- Correct use of conjunctions and interjections within context
Uncle Tony was not impressed with my wasting of food, for he had me transferred to the
pre p area.
1. Which word is the best replacement for the underlined word in the sentence?
A.
B.
C.
D.
because
but
so
nor
Language Arts SPI Review –Grade 8
3
Late last night, we were watching a movie when our cat suddenly rushed into the living room
and sprang onto the television.
2. Identify the coordinating conjunction in the following sentence.
A.
Late
B.
when
C.
suddenly
D.
and
3. Which of the following sentences uses a subordinating conjunction?
A.
Although she knows the subject well, tests make her nervous.
B.
She knows the subject well, but tests make her nervous.
C
She knows the subject well; tests make her nervous.
D.
She knows the subject well, so tests do not make her nervous.
0801.1.5- Correct use of prepositional phrases within context
"This usually keeps from running around unattended the children."
1. What is the best way to revise this sentence?
A. "This usually keeps from the children running around unattended."
B. ''This usually the children keeps from running around unattended."
C. "This usually keeps the children from running around unattended."
D. "This usually from running around unattended the children keeps."
After her birth on a plantation in 1867, Sarah Breedlove was raised in Louisiana.
2. Which answer choice best describes the italicized portion of the following
sentence?
A. inverted sentence
B.
introductory prepositional phrase
C.
complete subject
D.
subordinate clause
In those days to the submarine there was as much danger as to the ships they were
trying to sink.
3. What is the best way to write this sentence?
A. To the submarines in those days there was as much danger as to the ships
they were trying to sink.
B. To the submarines there was as much danger in those days as to the ships
they were trying to sink.
C. In those days there was as much danger to the submarines as to the ships
they were trying to sink.
D. In those days there was as much danger to the ships as to the submarines
they were trying to sink.
Language Arts SPI Review –Grade 8
0801.1.6-Correct use of commas within context
Cooking is a skill my uncle claims which will help when I am in college.
1. What is the best way to revise the underlined words in the sentence?
A. skill, my uncle claims, which
B. skill my, uncle claims which
C. skill my uncle, claims which
D. skill, my uncle, claims which,
2. Which of the following sentences contains an error in punctuation?
A.
Driving home from the beach was the worst part of the day.
B.
The trip which we thought would be quick, took three hours.
C.
Extending for five miles, the traffic backup was terrible.
D.
Because we returned home very late, we missed your party.
3. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly?
A.
The design of the new library is modern, bright, and polished.
B.
The main reading room, has glass walls and plenty of light.
C.
Did you ever think a library could be such a beautiful building.
D.
The library, is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm.
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Language Arts SPI Review –Grade 8
0801.1.7- Appropriate sentence combining techniques within context
Nicco's Pizza
(1) Last summer I worked at my uncle's pizza parlor it was a great experience.
(2) Not only did I earn some money, but I learned about cooking.
(3) Cooking is a skill my uncle claims which will help when I am in college.
(4)
During my first week, I observed to see the business operation and
how the pizzas are made. (5) First, I worked with the hostess. (6) She explained that
seat customers with children in booths. (7) "Seat families in a booth," she said. (8)
"This usually keeps from running around unattended the children."
(9) She showed me the seating chart and how to spread the customers out among
the waiters. (10) "The hostess is the first person the customer sees," she said, "so I
am friendly and enthusiastic." 11) Next, I observed the dough makers. (12) The
dough is worked by hand. (13) One of the dough makers have worked there for
years. (14) He is called the "Dough Master" because he can toss the pie U:p in the
air and catch it. (15) I tried it, and discovered it-wasn't so easy. (16) Uncle Tony was
not impressed with my wasting of food, for he had me transferred to the prep area!
1. What is the best way to combine Sentences 5 and 6?
A. Explaining the seating of customers in booths and working with the hostess
was my first thing.
B. The hostess first explained that we seat customers with children in booths
while I first worked.
C. Working first with the hostess explaining how we seat children customers in
booths first
D. First, I worked with the hostess, who explained that we seat customers with
children in booths.
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Language Arts SPI Review –Grade 8
Pompeii
by Anne Elliot
Pompeii was an ancient Roman city on the coast of Italy. In A.D. 79, it was
completely buried by ash from a volcanic blast. The blast took many lives, but interestingly,
it didn't destroy the city. In a way, it did the opposite: It made the city timeless.
For centuries, Pompeii was buried, undisturbed, under dozens of feet of hardened ash.
It lived on only in the stories told by peasants who lived near the area. One man had seen the
eruption and watched the clouds of ash descend on the thriving city. He saw the city
disappear. His stories and those of the peasants were all anyone knew of the vanished city for
hundreds of years.
Then, in the 1500s, a team of engineers was digging a tunnel near where Pompeii once
stood. They uncovered some of an old amphitheater and a temple. But at that time, no one
was very interested in doing the long, arduous work of excavating an ancient city.And
Pompeii remained a secret until the 1700s.
In the 18th century, people took a new interest in the buried city. Explorations began
that uncovered much more of Pompeii. They discovered a day in the life of this ancient city.
Because on that day, more than a thousand years earlier, life had stopped suddenly and
without warning. The food that people were eating and the pans they cooked in, the location
of the watchdog and the treasure chest, the books being read and written-all of this and
more was preserved by the ash. Bodies, too, were frozen in their last moments, kept as they
were by the shells of ash that had formed around them.
Unfortunately, most of these early digs were done by people hoping to find treasure,
not history. As a result, the people were not very careful or complete in their excavations. In
the 1800s, however, attitudes changed. Intensive explorations began. Scientists began
carefully uncovering the city in an attempt to keep its remains whole and undamaged. Today,
Pompeii is an important archaeological site. Its value lies in what it can tell us, in great detail,
about the ancient past.
2. What is the best way to combine Sentences 1, 2, and 3?
A
Pompeii, an ancient Roman city on the Italian coast, was
built very close to Mount Vesuvius, an active volcano.
B
Pompeii was an ancient Roman city on the Italian coast,
Pompeii was built very close to Mount Vesuvius, that was
an active volcano.
C
Pompeii was an ancient Roman city on the Italian coast;
Pompeii was built very close to Mount Vesuvius; Mount
Vesuvius was an active volcano.
D
Pompeii was an ancient Roman city on the Italian coast
which was built very close to Mount Vesuvius which was an
active volcano.
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Language Arts SPI Review –Grade 8
Pompeii
by Anne Elliot
Pompeii was an ancient Roman city on the coast of Italy. InA.D. 79, it was completely
buried by ash from a volcanic blast. The blast took many lives, but interestingly, it didn't
destroy the city. In a way, it did the opposite: It made the city timeless.
For centuries, Pompeii was buried, undisturbed, under dozens of feet of hardened ash. It
lived on only in the stories told by peasants who lived near the area. One man had seen the
eruption and watched the clouds of ash descend on the thriving city. He saw the city disappear.
His stories and those of the peasants were all anyone knew of the vanished city for hundreds of
years.
Then, in the 1500s, a team of engineers was digging a tunnel near where Pompeii once
stood. They uncovered some of an old amphitheater and a temple. But at that time, no one was
very interested in doing the long, arduous work of excavating an ancient city.And Pompeii
remained a secret until the 1700s.
In the 18th century, people took a new interest in the buried city. Explorations began
that uncovered much more of Pompeii. They discovered a day in the life of this ancient city.
Because on that day, more than a thousand years earlier, life had stopped suddenly and without
warning. The food that people were eating and the pans they cooked in, the location of the
watchdog and the treasure chest, the books being read and written-all of this and more was
preserved by the ash. Bodies, too, were frozen in their last moments, kept as they were by the
shells of ash that had formed around them.
Unfortunately, most of these early digs were done by people hoping to find
treasure, not history. As a result, the people were not very careful or complete in
their excavations. In the 1800s, however, attitudes changed. Intensive explorations
began. Scientists began carefully uncovering the city in an attempt to keep its
remains whole and undamaged. Today, Pompeii is an important archaeological
site. Its value lies in what it can tell us, in great detail, about the ancient past.
3. What is the best way to combine Sentences 5, 6, and 7?
A
The ash swamped Pompeii so quickly; at least
2,000 people were trapped, instantly, frozen in
time by the ash as it fell.
B
The ash swamped Pompeii so quickly at least 2,000 people
were trapped instantly; frozen in time by the ash as it fell.
C
The ash swamped Pompeii so quickly that at least
2,000 people were trapped instantly, frozen in time by
the ash as it fell.
D
The ash swamped Pompeii, so quickly that at least
2,000 people were trapped instantly frozen in time, by
the ash as it fell.
Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
8
0801.1.8- Appropriate method to correct run-on sentences
Last summer I worked at my uncle's pizza parlor it was a great experience.
1. What is the best way to write this sentence?
A. Last summer I worked at my uncle's pizza parlor, it was a great
experience.
B. Last summer I worked at my uncle's pizza parlor. It was a great
experience.
C. Last summer I worked at my uncle's pizza parlor; since, it was a great
experience.
D. correct as is
The company agents offered 25 to 30 cents per acre to the residents who owned land,
and the landowners sold their land, and the companies were able to buy up rights to block
of land as large as whole countries.
2. What is the best way to write this sentence?
A. The company agents offered the landowners 25 to 30 cents per acre. Many
landowners agreed to this small sum, and the company gained the rights to
blocks of land that were as large as whole counties.
B. The company agents offered 25 to 30 cents per acre to the residents who owned
the land and they bought the rights to blocks of land as large as whole counties.
C. The company agents bought land. They offered the residents 25 to 30 cents per
acre. The residents sold. The companies bought. Blocks of land as large as
whole counties.
D. The company agents offered 25 to 30 cents per acre, to the residents who
owned the land, and the companies were able to buy up rights, to blocks of
land as large as whole counties.
“Come on, you can do it,” a voice says “get over here!” it says.
3. Choose the best way to write this sentence.
A. “Come on, you can do it,” a voice says “get over here it says.”
B. “Come on, you can do it,” a voice says. “Get over here!”
C. “Come on, you can do it,” a voice says! “get over here!” it says.
D. Best as it is
Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
9
0801.1.9- Appropriate use of gerund and participial phrases
1. Which sentence uses a gerund phrase correctly?
A. The scouts going to hike the Appalachian Trail in June.
B. Spreading mustard with a fork, Hugh found not to be efficient.
C. Flying kites on a windy day has been a longtime favorite activity.
D. The students, steadily gained confidence, were able to maneuver the car.
2.
Which sentence below uses a gerund phrase appropriately?
A. Because she wanted to go to the movies, Meghan avoided completing her homework.
B. Wanting to go to the movies, Meghan avoided the completion of her homework.
C. Hoping to avoid her homework, Meghan was wanting to go to the movies instead
D. Meghan, wanting to go to the movies, was avoiding her homework completely.
3.
Which sentence below uses a participial phrase appropriately?
A. Sue was observing a meteor shower in the night sky.
B. Watching the night sky, Sue observed a meteor shower.
C. Watching the night sky, a meteor shower was observed by Sue.
D. To observe a meteor shower, Sue watched the night sky.
0801.1.10- Correct use of appositives/appositive and infinitive/infinitive
phrases within context
1. Which sentence uses an appositive correctly?
A. During the storm, the entire city, watched the sky.
B. The Mississippi River as you know is the western border.
C. In Tennessee, tornadoes are not a normal weather event
D. The weather, an unpredictable event, has once again changed.
2. Which sentence uses an appositive correctly?
A. Famous in Japan, and Miyazaki’s films are internationally praised.
B. Miyazaki, a famous director in Japan, is internationally praised for his films.
C. Miyazaki is famous in Japan; and his films are internationally praised.
D. Famous in Japan, and his films are internationally praised.
3.
Which of the following sentences contains an appositive phrase?
A. Emily Dickinson, if she were still writing, might have wanted to read to the after-school
Poetry Club.
B. Emily Dickinson, one of America's greatest poets, wrote intense lyrics about life's most
important themes.
C. The students, meeting in the Poetry Club after school, were positive that Emily
Dickinson was one of America's greatest poets.
D. Some students thought Walt Whitman was the greatest American poet; others favored
Emily Dickinson.
Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
10
0801.1.11- Correct ponoun-antecedent agreement for personal pronouns
within context
1. Which sentence uses correct pronoun-antecedent agreement?
A. Stan and I were going to its daily soccer practice.
B. Everybody seemed to be confused by their class schedule.
C. My sister and brother are taking his driving test next week
D. Will either of the girls come to their piano recital tomorrow?
2. Which of the following sentences contains an error in pronoun-antecedent agreement?
A. The two lawyers shook hands and then turned to talk to their clients.
B. Each lawyer has brought their briefcase so they will have the documents they nee
C. The issues are complex; each has its difficult problems.
D. Both lawyers know this is the toughest case of their careers.
3. Which sentence contains an error in pronoun- antecedent agreement?
A. My teachers expect me to do my best work.
B. My parents and I went on vacation and forgot our stamps for postcards.
C. Each of my friends has their own way of completing assignments.
D. Be sure to order sushi, if it’s available.
0801.1.12- Correctly or incorrectly spelled words in context
Unf orutanatelv, littering is still a problem on roadsides, beaches, and parks.
1. What is the correct way to spell the underlined word?
A. Unfortunately
B. Unfortinately
C. Unfortuanetly
D. Unfortanately
At that time, the bulldozing machinary that makes strip mining possible didn't exist.
2. Which word is spelled incorrectly?
A. bulldozing
B. machinary
C. mining
D. possible
Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
11
Unlike other citys that were erased forever by volcanoes, Pompeii managed
to survive in a unique way.
3. Which word is spelled incorrectly?
A. citys
B. erased.
C. volcanoes
D. unique
0801.1.14- Usage errors in context
1. Which sentence uses the underlined word correctly?
A. The decision to make Lansing the capitol of Michigan was done in secret.
B. In 1843, the capital of Tennessee was established in Nashville.
C. The capitol of a state might be its largest city.
D. The capital building is the location of the legislative business of the state.
Being destroyed by Mount Vesuvius actually preserved Pompeii.
2. What is the best way to write the sentence above?
A. Being destroyed by Mount Vesuvius actually, preserved Pompeii because of the
way in which the volcano destroyed Pompeii.
B. Pompeii was destroyed by Mount Vesuvius; and the way in which Mount
Vesuvius destroyed Pompeii managed to preserve Pompeii.
C. Because Mount Vesuvius destroyed Pompeii Pompeii was actually preserved.
D. Best as it is
The principle walked into the lunchroom, his eyes flashing fiercely .
3. Which word is spelled incorrectly?
A. principle
B. lunchroom
C. flashing
D. fiercely
Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
12
0801.1.15- Appropriate use of underlining/italicizing with titles,
specific words, numbers, letters, and figures.
1. Which sentence is written incorrectly?
A. The setting of the movie, Songcatcher , is in the Appalachian Mountains.
B. The steps that you need to follow are Supplies. Procedures, and Warnings.
C. She just could not understand how they learned to play the fiddle so
easily.
D. The book, Moon Over Tennessee: A Boy's Civil War Journal, is captivating.
2. Which sentence is written correctly?
A. Some of his films are Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and Howl’s Moving Castle.
B. Some of his films are Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and Howl’s Moving Castle.
C. Some of his films are “Princess Mononoke,” “Spirited Away,” and “Howl’s Moving
Castle.”
D. Some of his films are Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and Howl’s Moving Castle.
3.
Which sentence is written incorrectly?
A. The dog’s license had the owner’s address, 555 West Huntington Street.
B. The lecturer referred the audience to Figure 2 on the chart to make her point.
C. Our Town featured a performance by local actor Roy Haskins, who graduated in
1997.
D. Mark Twain’s short story, A Curious Dream, is a favorite that I enjoy reading
over and over.
Reporting Category 2: Vocabulary
0801.1.16- Context clues/roots/affixes for unfamiliar words
Read this sentence from Paragraph 5.
Today this prestigious race attracts mushers from around the world.
1. What does prestigious mean in this sentence?
A. rare
B. notable
C. inspirational
D. amiable
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Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
Pompeii
by Anne Elliot
Pompeii was an ancient Roman city on the coast of Italy. InA.D. 79, it was
completely buried by ash from a volcanic blast. The blast took many lives, but
interestingly, it didn't destroy the city. In a way, it did the opposite: It made the city
timeless.
For centuries, Pompeii was buried, undisturbed, under dozens of feet of hardened
ash. It lived on only in the stories told by peasants who lived near the area. One man had
seen the eruption and watched the clouds of ash descend on the thriving city. He saw the
city disappear. His stories and those of the peasants were all anyone knew of the vanished
city for hundreds of years.
Then, in the 1500s, a team of engineers was digging a tunnel near where Pompeii
once stood. They uncovered some of an old amphitheater and a temple. But at that time,
no one was very interested in doing the long, arduous work of excavating an ancient
city.And Pompeii remained a secret until the 1700s.
In the 18th century, people took a new interest in the buried city. Explorations
began that uncovered much more of Pompeii. They discovered a day in the life of this
ancient city. Because on that day, more than a thousand years earlier, life had stopped
suddenly and without warning. The food that people were eating and the pans they
cooked in, the location of the watchdog and the treasure chest, the books being read and
written-all of this and more was preserved by the ash. Bodies, too, were frozen in their
last moments, kept as they were by the shells of ash that had formed around them.
Unfortunately, most of these early digs were done by people hoping to find
treasure, not history. As a result, the people were not very careful or complete in their
excavations. In the 1800s, however, attitudes changed. Intensive explorations began.
Scientists began carefully uncovering the city in an attempt to keep its remains whole and
undamaged. Today, Pompeii is an important archaeological site. Its value lies in what it
can tell us, in great detail, about the ancient past.
2. In the third paragraph of the article, the word arduous means
A.
B.
leisurely
digging
C. exciting
D. difficult
3.
Which of the following words from the passage contains a prefix meaning “not”?
A. timeless
B. disappear
C. excavating
D. intensive
Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
14
0801.1.17- Correct meaning/usage of multi-meaning word in context
with an appropriate synonym or antonym.
But, these are just empty promises .
1. Which synonym for empty matches its usage in the sentence above?
A. bare
B. deflated
C. hollow
D. clear
He was prepared still less to hear of Medea 's amorous feelings toward the
young stranger.
2. The word amorous could best be replaced by
A.
B.
C.
D.
loving
magical
normal
beautiful
Read the following passage from "To Build a Fire" by Jack London. Then, answer the
question(s).
Dawn had broken cold and gray, exceedingly cold and gray, when the man turned aside from
the main Yukon trail and climbed the high earth-bank, where a dim and little-traveled trail
led eastward through the fat spruce timberland. It was a steep bank, and he paused for breath
at the top, excusing the act to himself by looking at his watch. It was nine o'clock. There was
no sun nor hint of sun, though there was not a cloud in the sky. It was a clear day, and yet
there seemed an intangible pall over the face of things, a subtle gloom that made the day
dark, and that was due to the absence of sun. This fact did not worry the man. He was used to
the lack of sun. It had been days since he had seen the sun, and he knew that a few more days
must pass before that cheerful orb, due south, would just peep above the skyline and dip
immediately from view.
3. Which of the following context clues helps to explain the meaning of orb?
A.
. . . there was not a cloud in the sky . . .
B.
It had been days since he had seen the sun . . .
C.
. . . an intangible pall over the face of things . . .
D.
. . . due south . . .
Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
15
0801.1.19-Grade appropriate and/or content specific vocabulary
Dress for the frigid temperatures: parkas, gloves, boots, et cetera.
1.
Which of the following choices is the best definition of the underlined Latin
phrase in the sentence?
A. and so forth
B. be very careful
C. it is certain
D. everyone
2.
The word ensemble is an English word borrowed from French, based on the
French word meaning "together." In which of the following sentences is the word used
incorrectly?
A.
The string quartet is a popular ensemble, and it always plays at graduation.
B.
Michele wore a perfect ensemble every day, and she was voted "best dressed."
C.
The four actors in the award-winning drama were a powerful ensemble.
D.
Acting independently of others, the country demonstrated the power of
working in an ensemble.
3.
The Latin root -her- means "heir" or "one who receives." Based on what you
know about this root, what is the most likely meaning of the word inherent in the
following sentence?
I could not ignore my partner's lack of enthusiasm, and I realized it was an inherent obstacle
to the success of our project.
A.
external
B.
natural
C.
separate
D.
desirable
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Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
Reporting Category 3: Writing and Research
0801.3.3- Appropriate thesis statement for a writing sample
Directions: Carlos wrote the following report. It contains mistakes. Read the report
and answer numbers 16 through 20.
Stingrays
1
Stingrays can live in both freshwater and saltwater. Some stingrays
can adapt to both kinds of water. Atlantic stingrays, which have been
found in the Chesapeake Bay, prefer to spend their time in
freshwater.
2
Most people prefer swimming in the ocean to be worry free.
However, anytime you enter the untamed marine world, be prepared
for any kind of surprise. Though most ocean swimmers may never
see a saltwater stingray, the ocean is its home, and stingray sightings
are not extremely rare. Stingrays are closely related to sharks.
3
Stingrays are noted for their flattened shape, two wing-looking fins,
and dagger-like tails. The manta ray has a more triangular shape and
looks like a bat when swimming.
4
Stingrays are graceful swimmers but typically are spotted near the
ocean floor looking .fo. r food. Some are found buried in the sand,
with only their eyes above the sandy surface. They tend to be more
active at night while they look for food. They eat worms, clams,
shrimp, and crabs.
5
Stingrays have earned their negative reputation due to the venomous
spines, or barbs, on their tails. Though stingrays are not generally
aggressive, they will use their tail as a weapon when threatened. In
fact, most swimmers get stung by a stingray when they accidentally
step on one. Stingray venom produces extraordinary pain to those
who are stung and may also reduce heart rate and affect respiration.
Should a person get stung by a stingray barb, the wound should be
examined immediately. Infections and other complications can
occur.
1. Which sentence from the report is the thesis statement?
A. Stingrays can live in both freshwater and saltwater.
B. However, anytime you enter the untamed marine world, be prepared for
any kind of surprise.
C. Stingrays are closely related to sharks.
D. Stingrays are graceful swimmers but typically are spotted near the ocean
floor looking for food.
Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
THE ARTS COUNT, TOO
1
I'm Kyle Rhodes, and I want to thank you all for coming. Judging
by the size of this crowd, I can see how important this is to all of
you. We have to save our school's arts program.
2
We know what the problem is. The city is short on money. So
the city council has decided to save money by eliminating
Central High School's arts program. But that would be a huge
mistake.
3
Our arts program includes classes in painting, drawing, acting,
dancing, and music. It's one of the best in the state. It's the
school's most popular
and most important program. But the people who have made the
decision to cut it couldn't ca}e less about that. These people don't
know anything about art. All they care about is saving money.·
4
Last year,they said they wouldn't cut important school programs.
Now they're eliminating this one. So they don't think the arts are
important.
5
We know the city has to save money. But there's a better
solution than this. Inlast year's budget, five construction
projects were approved. The city doesn't need all five projects.
If one of these projects were scrapped, there'd be enough money
to keep our arts program going. That's the real answer to the
city's budgef c!ilernrna.
6
We'll be passing around a petition. If we get enough signatures,
we can take our case before the city council. You've taken the
first step by coming here today. Now let's all unite and take the
next step together.
2. Which sentence from the speech best expresses the thesis?
A. We'll be passing around a petition.
B. We have to save our school's arts program.
C. The city doesn't need all five projects.
D. Now let's all unite and take the next step together.
17
Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
Stephen wrote the following report. It contains mistakes. Read the report.
1
Tornadoes are violent, high-speed wind storms that usually occur
in the central region of the United States. People caughtin
tornadoes may be injured or killed, usually from flying debris.
Everyone can lower their chances of injury or death by following
safety measures before, during, and after a tornado.
2
An area that's been hit by a tornado can look like a war zone. The
storm may have destroyed buildings and other structures.
Afterward, the cleanup begins, but there are still dangers to
avoid. If you're helping with the cleanup, watch out for damaged
gas lines or power lines, which could cause injuries from fires or
electrocution. --- wear boots, long sleeves, and gloves, and
keep an eye out for broken glass and sharp nails.
3
During bad storms, listen for weather updates on the television or
radio. If there is a tornado nearby,find shelter right away.Ina
house or other building, the safest place is a basement or cellar. If
there isn't one, go to a small room or area with no windows on the
first floor, such as a hallway or bathroom. If possible, crouch under
a table or cover yourself with a mattress or blanket.
4
Some schools prepare students for tornadoes by holding tornado
drills. During a drill, students learn to calmly go to the safest place
in the school, such as a hallway with no windows. The students
then crouch down on their knees, put their heads down, and cover
their heads with their arms. This duck-and-cover position will
protect students from falling objects.
5
Unfortunately, some people may not be in or near a sturdy shelter
when a tornado hits. For instance, if you're riding in a car and you
see a funnel cloud, the driver should pull over to the side of the
road. Everyone inside the car should get out and lie down in a
ditch. Public buildings such as malls may have signs directing
people to the
nearest tornado shelter.Itis not safe to stay in a car or stand under
a tree for protection. A tornado can easily send a car or tree flying
into the air.
3. Which sentence from the report is the thesis statement?
A. Some schools prepare students for tornadoes by holding tornado drills.
B. An area that's been hit by a tornado can look like a war zone.
C. During bad storms, listen for weather updates on the television or radio.
D. Everyone can lower their chances of injury or death by following safety
measures before, during, and after a tornado.
18
19
Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
0801.3.4- Reaarange multi-paragraphed work in a logical coherent
order.
Stingrays
1
Stingrays can live in both freshwater and saltwater. Some stingrays
can adapt to both kinds of water. Atlantic stingrays, which have
been found in the Chesapeake Bay, prefer to spend their time in
freshwater.
2
Most people prefer swimming in the ocean to be worry free.
However, anytime you enter the untamed marine world, be
prepared for any kind of surprise. Though most ocean swimmers
may never see a saltwater stingray, the ocean is its home, and
stingray sightings are not extremely rare. Stingrays are closely
related to sharks.
3
Stingrays are noted for their flattened shape, two wing-looking
fins, and daggerlike tails. The manta ray has a more triangular
shape and looks like a bat when swimming.
4
Stingrays are graceful swimmers but typically are spotted near the
ocean floor looking .fo. r food. Some are found buried in the sand,
with only their eyes above the sandy surface. They tend to be more
active at night while they look for food. They eat worms, clams,
shrimp, and crabs.
5
Stingrays have earned their negative reputation due to the
venomous spines, or barbs, on their tails. Though stingrays are not
generally aggressive, they will use their tail as a weapon when
threatened. In fact, most swimmers get stung by a stingray when
they accidentally step on one. Stingray venom produces extraordinary pain to those who are'stung and may also reduce heart rate
and affect respiration. Should a person get stung by a stingray barb,
the wound should be examined immediately.Infections and other
complications can occur.
1. Choose the most logical order for the paragraphs in this report.
A. 5, 1, 3, 4, 2
B. 2, 3, 1, 4, 5
C. 1, 3, 2, 4, 5
D. 1, 3, 4, 5, 2
Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
1
A submarine is a watercraft that operates below the surface of
the water. Though we tend to think of submarines as modem
vessels, their history goes back several hundred years. In 1620,
a Dutchman build an underwater vessel that used oars.
2
The first underwater vessels were used for exploration, but
peo- ple soon realized their military use. There were a few
attempts to sink enemy ships using underwater vessels in the
American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. In those
days to the subma- rines there was as much danger as to the
ships they were trying to sink. Subs were used more frequently
in the American Civil War, but the technology still wasn't
perfected.
3
However, submarines were effective in World War I. Those
were used quite successfully by Germany. More than 5,000
ships were sunk by German subs, which the Allies called Uboats.
4
To submerge, a submarine increases its weight by taking on
water. Itholds the water in special tanks. To surface, the sub
expels the water so that it decreases its weight and can rise.
5
By World War II, the submarine had come of age as a major
mili- tary vessel. It was used extensively and with devastate
results by both sides during the war. Even so, the amount of
time subs could stay submerged remained an issue that
limited their range.
6
After World War II, nuclear power ushered in a new age for
submarines.
,submarines could remain submerged
for months. In 1960, the USS Triton made a submerged
circumnavigation of the world.
20
2. Paragraph 4 is not in the correct place in the report. Which of the following
is the best place to move it to?
A.
B.
C.
D.
after Pa ragra ph 1
after Pa ragra ph 2
after Pa ragra ph 5
after Pa ragra ph 6
Stephen wrote the following report. It contains mistakes. Read the report.
Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
1
Tornadoes are violent, high-speed wind storms that usually
occur in the central region of the United States. People caught in
tornadoes may be injured or killed, usually from flying debris.
Everyone can lower their chances of injury or death by following
safety measures before, during, and after a tornado.
2
An area that's been hit by a tornado can look like a war zone.
The storm may have destroyed buildings and other structures.
Afterward, the cleanup begins, but there are still dangers to
avoid. If you're helping with the cleanup, watch out for damaged
gas lines or power lines, which could cause injuries from fires
or electrocution. --- wear boots, long sleeves, and gloves,
and keep an eye out for broken glass and sharp nails.
3
During bad storms, listen for weather updates on the television
or radio. If there is a tornado nearby, find shelter right away. In
a house or other building, the safest place is a basement or
cellar. If there isn't one, go to a small room or area with no
windows on the first floor, such as a hallway or bathroom. If
possible, crouch under a table or cover yourself with a mattress
or blanket.
4
Some schools prepare students for tornadoes by holding tornado
drills. During a drill, students learn to calmly go to the safest
place in the school, such as a hallway with no windows. The
students then crouch down on their knees, put their heads down,
and cover their heads with their arms. This duck-and-cover
position will protect students from falling objects.
5
Unfortunately, some people may not be in or near a sturdy
shelter when a tornado hits. For instance, if you're riding in a car
and you see a funnel cloud, the driver should pull over to the
side of the road. Everyone inside the car should get out and lie
down in a ditch. Public buildings such as malls may have signs
directing people to the
nearest tornado shelter.Itis not safe to stay in a car or stand
under a tree for protection. A tornado can easily send a car or
tree flying into the air.
3. Choose the most logical for the paragraph in Stephen's report.
A 2, 5, 4, 3, 1
B. 5, 1, 2, 3, 4
C. 1, 4, 3, 5, 2
D. correct as is
21
22
Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
0801.3.5-Transition words/phrases to enhance a writing sample
Lauren wrote the following report. It contains mistakes. Read the report.
'
(1)
Though most homeowners would not appreciate a sinkhole on
their property; sinkholes are very important. (2) Sinkholes provide a
primary
pathway for rainwater to replenish subsurface groundwater, which is water
tl1at is used for drinking. (3) Any pollution to the sinkhole directly affects
drinking water.
(4) A sinkhole is a depression in the earth's surface. (5) Sinkholes can be
shallow, deep, large, or small, but regardless of size, iliey are all formed ilie
same way. (6) They are formed by the erosion of ilie limestone layer.
(7) The limestone iliat is underneath the ground surface has several
layers. (8) Consequently, ilie layers may crack or break with Earili's motion.
(9) Rainwater seeps underground and dissolves the limestone. (10) A hollow
space, or cavity,slowly forms in the limestone.
(11) When the roof of the cavity has too much weight, it becomes stressed.
(12) The walls have no support, and as the ceiling collapses, a sinkhole is
formed. (13) The ceiling may collapse suddenly or gradually. (14) Experts can
tell how a sinkhole was formed by looking at its shape. (15) The shapes can
become very interesting. (16) Because many lakes and ponds were once
sinkholes, you can tell how they were formed by looking at those shapes.
1. Which sentence best ties together the ideas in Sentences 2 and 3?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Therefore, it is important to keep sinkholes free from pollution.
Since sinkholes are everywhere there are many pathways.
Pollution is harmful to all people so we need to protect sinkholes.
Big or small sinkholes allow for water to escape from the surface.
Directions: Carlos wrote the following report. It contains mistakes. Read the report.
Stingrays
Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
1
Stingrays can live in both freshwater and saltwater. Some stingrays can
adapt to both kinds of water. Atlantic stingrays, which have been found
in the Chesapeake Bay, prefer to spend their time in freshwater.
2
Most people prefer swimming in the ocean to be worry free. However,
anytime you enter the untamed marine world, be prepared for any kind
of surprise. Though most ocean swimmers may never see a saltwater
stingray, the ocean is its home, and stingray sightings are not extremely
rare. Stingrays are closely related to sharks.
3
Stingrays are noted for their flattened shape, two wing-looking fins, and
daggerlike tails. The manta ray has a more triangular shape and looks
like a bat when swimming.
4
Stingrays are graceful swimmers but typically are spotted near the
ocean floor looking .fo. r food. Some are found buried in the sand, with
only their eyes above the sandy surface. They tend to be more active at
night while they look for food. They eat worms, clams, shrimp, and
crabs.
5
Stingrays have earned their negative reputation due to the venomous
spines, or barbs, on their tails. Though stingrays are not generally
aggressive, they will use their tail as a weapon when threatened. In fact,
most swimmers get stung by a stingray when they accidentally step on
one. Stingray venom produces extraordi- nary pain to those who
are'stung and may also reduce heart rate and affect respiration. Should
a person get stung by a stingray barb, the wound should be examined
immediately. Infections and other complications can oc=.
Read this sentence form Paragraph 2.
Stingrays are closely related to sharks.
2. Which phrase belongs at the end of this sentence to assist the transition to
Paragraph 3?
A. because they both are feared by swimmers and surfers
B. and both threatened fish may soon become extinct
C. but stingrays are more commonly found throughout freshwater and
saltwater
D. since they both have skeletons made of cartilage and two fins
23
Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
1
A submarine is a watercraft that operates below the surface of
the water. Though we tend to think of submarines as modem
vessels, their history goes back several hundred years. In 1620,
a Dutchman build an underwater vessel that used oars.
2
The first underwater vessels were used for exploration, but
peo- ple soon realized their military use. There were a few
attempts to sink enemy ships using underwater vessels in the
American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. In those
days to the subma- rines there was as much danger as to the
ships they were trying to sink. Subs were used more frequently
in the American Civil War, but the technology still wasn't
perfected.
3
However, submarines were effective in World War I. Those
were used quite successfully by Germany. More than 5,000
ships were sunk by German subs, which the Allies called Uboats.
4
To submerge, a submarine increases its weight by taking on
water. Itholds the water in special tanks. To surface, the sub
expels the water so that it decreases its weight and can rise.
5
By World War II, the submarine had come of age as a major
mili- tary vessel. It was used extensively and with devastate
results by both sides during the war. Even so, the amount of
time subs could stay submerged remained an issue that
limited their range.
6
After World War II, nuclear power ushered in a new age for
submarines.
,submarines could remain submerged
for months. In 1960, the USS Triton made a submerged
circumnavigation of the world.
Read these sentences from Paragraph 6.
After World War II, nuclear power ushered in a new age for submarines.
submarines could remain submerged for months.
3. Choose the transition word or phrase that belongs in the blank.
A. However
B. Despite this fact
C. Mea nwhile
D. With this advancement
24
25
Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
0801.3.6-Supporting sentence that fits the context and flow of a
writing sample
Clean It Up!
1
2
3
Have you driven down the highway or been to a local beach
lately? Unforutanately, littering is still a problem on roadsides,
beaches, and parks. When people see trash accumulating in one
place, they feel justified adding to it. They assume that since the
beach or park does not belong to th.em, it doesn't matter if they litter.
Some mistakenly believe that someone else should m will pick up
their garbage.
.,
The fact is our roadways, beaches, and parks belong to all of us. If
we don't take a few steps to dispose of our trash properly, we will
have to pay for it down the road. Eventually, we will pay more for
toll roads or pay higher fees to enter parks.
Drivers who throw trash out their windows are some of the worst
offenders. Paper and plastic-foam cups are tossed on the road and end
up in city drains. Gradually, our water supply becomes polluted.
Wildlife pays the price for our littering, too. Animals that ingest
plastics or poisons can die.
1. Which information, if added to the passage, would best support the author’s
viewpoint?
A. the average rate of pay of the city workers
B. the cost for the town to pick up the litter
C. the number of drivers in the author's town
D. the number of people who go to the parks
1 At
the end of the 1800s, big land companies began buying the
mineral rights to huge portions of land. 2 The company agents
offered 25 to 30 cents per acre to the residents who owned the land,
and the landowners sold their land, and the companies were able to
buy up rights to blocks of land as large as whole counties. 3 It gave
the mineral rights’ owners—in this case, the land companies—the
right to mine without any responsibility for the harm done to the land
as a result of the mining. 4 At that time, the bulldozing machinary
that makes strip mining possible didn’t exist. 5 Decades later,
destructive strip-mining technology was well developed, and the
mining companies came to claim their legal rights to the minerals.
6 The land was ravaged.
Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
2. Which would be the best place for the following sentence?
The selling residents were asked to sign a document called a broad-form deed.
A. after Sentence 1
B. after Sentence 2
C. after Sentence 3
D. after Sentence 5
1 At the end of the 1800s, big land companies began buying the
mineral rights to huge portions of land. 2 The company agents
offered 25 to 30 cents per acre to the residents who owned the land,
and the landowners sold their land, and the companies were able to
buy up rights to blocks of land as large as whole counties. 3 It gave
the mineral rights’ owners—in this case, the land companies—the
right to mine without any responsibility for the harm done to the land
as a result of the mining. 4 At that time, the bulldozing machinary
that makes strip mining possible didn’t exist. 5 Decades later,
destructive strip-mining technology was well developed, and the
mining companies came to claim their legal rights to the minerals.
6 The land was ravaged.
3.
Which sentence best completes the paragraph?
A
Many people lay down in front of the bulldozers to
protect their land and protest these practices.
B
After taking all the coal, the mining companies did not
do a good job of cleaning up the mine sites.
C
The original landowners, long buried now, could
have had no idea what the results of their broadform deed deals would be.
The mining companies weren't the only people to
buy up land; just look at the Indian reservations in
this country.
D
26
Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
0801.3.7- Irrelevant Sentences to a paragraph
Lauren wrote the following report. It contains mistakes. Read the report.
(1) Though most homeowners would not appreciate a sinkhole on their property;
'
sinkholes are very important. (2) Sinkholes provide a primary
pathway for rainwater to replenish subsurface groundwater, which is water
tl1at is used for drinking. (3) Any pollution to the sinkhole directly affects
drinking water.
(4) A sinkhole is a depression in the earth's surface. (5) Sinkholes can be
shallow, deep, large, or small, but regardless of size, iliey are all formed ilie same
way. (6) They are formed by the erosion of ilie limestone layer.
(7) The limestone iliat is underneath the ground surface has several layers.
(8) Consequently, ilie layers may crack or break with Earili's motion.
(9) Rainwater seeps underground and dissolves the limestone. (10) A hollow space,
or cavity,slowly forms in the limestone.
(11) When the roof of the cavity has too much weight, it becomes stressed. (12)
The walls have no support, and as the ceiling collapses, a sinkhole is formed. (13)
The ceiling may collapse suddenly or gradually. (14) Experts can tell how a sinkhole
was formed by looking at its shape. (15) The shapes can become very interesting.
(16) Because many lakes and ponds were once sinkholes, you can tell how they were
formed by looking at those shapes.
1. Which sentence from the last paragraph is unnecessary?
A. When the roof of the cavity has too much weight, it becomes stressed.
B. The ceiling may collapse suddenly or gradually.
C. Experts can tell how a sinkhole was formed by looking at its shape.
D. The shapes can become very interesting.
27
Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
1 I am high up above the parking lot. 2 My harness is
uncomfortable and I’m staring down at a safety net that, from
up here, seems far too far below myself to provide any safety.
3 The trapeze is sweaty; no wait, they are my hands around the
trapeze that are sweaty. 4 I’m sweating like crazy. 5 My palms
feel sore, and the calluses on them rise because I’m holding the bar
so tightly. 6 “Come on, you can do it,” a voice says “get over here!” it
says. 7 I rip my gaze from the ground to the acrobat on the other
platform. 8 He seems miles away. 9 “Easy for him to say,” I think;
he is a trained circus performer, and I’m just his trainee for the day,
here just to write an article about acrobat school for my own school
newspaper. 10 Ms. McKinley sent me. 11 I kiss the tops of my hands,
took a deep breath, eyes closed, and jump.
2. Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph?
A. Sentence 1
B. Sentence 9
C. Sentence 10
D. Sentence 11
1 If you’re interested in anime, then you probably know the
award-winning director Hayao Miyazaki. 2 Some of his films
are Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and Howl’s Moving Castle.
3 Famous in Japan, and his films are internationally praised.
4 Miyazaki doesn’t like computer-generated imagery. 5 In 2001,
one of his films won an Academy Award for Best Animated Picture.
6 Its story has three of Miyazaki’s main themes, magic, heroic young
girls, and a dangerous environment.
3. Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph?
A. Sentence 1
B. Sentence 2
C. Sentence 4
D. Sentence 5
28
Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
29
0801.3.8- Vivid words to strengthen a description within a writing
sample or passage.
Read the sentence below.
It was a summer afternoon and they decided to go swimming.
1. What is the best way to make the sentence stronger and more vivid?
A. One hot summer afternoon, the friends cooled off by the swimming.
B. They had decided to go swimming since they were that hot summer day.
C. It was decided that swimming on this particular summers day
would help.
D. It was a sweltering summer afternoon and swimming was their salvation.
“Now, they are still wild, but they know it is safe here.”
2. Which revision adds the most vivid description to the sentence?
A.
Being wild animals, not tame ones, they still feel safe here.
B. While they are untamed, they have found a place where they are safe.
C.
These big birds are still wild, yet they choose to stay here where they are
safe and protected.
D.
These birds remain wild in their hearts, but they have
found a safe haven where they are protected.
The cedar fence post had grayed with age, but when Sean began sawing, he was surprised to
find that the interior of the wood smelled as strong as if it had been cut the day before.
3. Choose a replacement for the underlined word that makes the description more vivid.
A
interested
B
shocked
C
concerned
D
troubled
Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
30
0801.3.9- Illustrations, explanations, anecdotes, descriptions and/or
facts to support key ideas.
1. Kris enjoys yard work and would like to earn money by doing yard work for
others. She is developing a handout for potential customers. Which type of handout
would be most effective?
A. a list of plants and flowers she likes best
B. a list of services that customers can circle
C. a series of questions that customers might ask
D. a page of pictures that show how nice her yard looks
Malcolm wrote this report. It contains mistakes. Read the report.
1
A submarine is a watercraft that operates below the surface of the
water. Though we tend to think of submarines as modem vessels,
their history goes back several hundred years. In 1620, a Dutchman
build an underwater vessel that used oars.
2
The first underwater vessels were used for exploration, but peo- ple
soon realized their military use. There were a few attempts to sink
enemy ships using underwater vessels in the American
Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. In those days to the submarines there was as much danger as to the ships they were trying to
sink. Subs were used more frequently in the American Civil War,
but the technology still wasn't perfected.
3
However, submarines were effective in World War I. Those were
used quite successfully by Germany. More than 5,000 ships were
sunk by German subs, which the Allies called U-boats.
4
To submerge, a submarine increases its weight by taking on water.
Itholds the water in special tanks. To surface, the sub expels the
water so that it decreases its weight and can rise.
5
By World War II, the submarine had come of age as a major military vessel. It was used extensively and with devastate results by
both sides during the war. Even so, the amount of time subs could
stay submerged remained an issue that limited their range.
6
After World War II, nuclear power ushered in a new age for
submarines.
submarines could remain submerged for
months. In 1960, the USS Triton made a submerged circumnavigation
of the world.
2. To best support his report, Malcolm should include an illustration of
A. a n early subma rine.
B. a ship sa ili ng across the ocean.
C. a sailor who once served on a subma rine.
D. an a rtist's idea of a subma ri ne of the futu re
Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
3.
31
In a persuasive essay with the thesis "John Adams was a greater president than
Thomas Jefferson," which of the following details provides the LEAST amount of
support?
A.
Adams was the subject of a colorful, dramatic, and award-winning
television miniseries.
B.
Adams's specific political accomplishments have had longer-lasting
effects than Jefferson's.
C.
Woodward, the noted historian, asserts that "without question, Adams was
a greater president than Jefferson."
D.
Jefferson himself described Adams as a "colossus," and other patriots
called him "the Atlas of Independence."
0801.3.10- Appropriate title for a written selection
(1) Though most homeowners would not appreciate a sinkhole on their
'
property; sinkholes are very important. (2) Sinkholes provide a primary
pathway for rainwater to replenish subsurface groundwater, which is water
that is used for drinking. (3) Any pollution to the sinkhole directly affects
drinking water.
(4) A sinkhole is a depression in the earth's surface. (5) Sinkholes can be
shallow, deep, large, or small, but regardless of size, they are all formed the same
way. (6) They are formed by the erosion of the limestone layer.
(7) The limestone that is underneath the ground surface has several layers.
(8) Consequently, the layers may crack or break with Earth's motion.
(9) Rainwater seeps underground and dissolves the limestone. (10) A hollow space,
or cavity, slowly forms in the limestone.
(11) When the roof of the cavity has too much weight, it becomes stressed. (12)
The walls have no support, and as the ceiling collapses, a sinkhole is formed. (13)
The ceiling may collapse suddenly or gradually. (14) Experts can tell how a sinkhole
was formed by looking at its shape. (15) The shapes can become very interesting.
(16) Because many lakes and ponds were once sinkholes, you can tell how they were
formed by looking at those shapes.
1. What is the best title for this report?
A. Ancient Sinkholes
B. Protecting Water
C. Sinkhole Formation
D. Environment Damage
Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
32
The Lost Sea
by Ivy Barger
Young Ben Sands held the lantern at the end of his outstretched arm, staring at the
mystery it revealed. How was it possible that he had never seen this hole, in all the times he had
played in the cave? It even looked big enough to fit through. Ben wriggled down into the hole,
grasping the lantern tightly, until he emerged into a cavern. He walked a few feet forward, hit
water, and stopped. Ben was not a cautious boy, but he wasn’t stupid, either, and had no
intention of drowning before he could tell everyone what he had found. His lantern lit the surface
of the water and gradually faded in the distance, water still rippling at the edge of the light. Ben
scooped up a handful of mud and launched it like a baseball into the darkness. After a couple of
seconds of silence, Ben couldn’t help but laugh when he heard the mudball land with a splash.
Ben Sands was only thirteen years old in 1905 when he found the underground lake in
Tennessee’s Craighead Caverns, and for the rest of his life he never tired of telling the story of
his discovery. At first, no one believed his account of finding the lake. When a team of
spelunkers finally investigated a few weeks later, the water level had dropped dramatically. Even
so, the explorers could see that Sands had been telling the truth, and scientists could begin to
study the area. They soon noticed that the water level would rise and fall along with rainy and
dry seasons. For many years, the Lost Sea was thought to be the largest underground lake in the
world. The visible part of the lake is about 800 feet long and 220 feet wide. Underneath the
surface, divers have found an even larger system of rooms completely filled with water. Divers
have mapped out several of these submerged caverns, but no one yet knows how many there are
in total.
Unlike other underground lakes in Tennessee and elsewhere, the fish in the Lost Sea are
not blind or colorless. The reason for this is simple: the fish are not native to the lake, because
there is no place in the lake for fish to lay their eggs. Instead, the Lost Sea is stocked with
rainbow trout every five years. Aside from these fish and some plants that grow by the artificial
lights, most cave wildlife lives near the entrance. Deeper in the cave, rock formations and
mineral deposits can look like alien creatures.
Visitors still gasp in awe at the Lost Sea and the cave system that contains it. Groups
walk through the well-lit cavern, take boat tours if the water is high enough, and sometimes even
stay overnight in the caves. As groups gaze out at the vast underground lake, each visitor relives
a young boy’s discovery of a natural wonder more than a century ago.
2. Which of these would be the best title for the passage?
A. Mischievous Ben Sands
B. Improving on Nature
C. Lakes and Streams
D. Underground Discovery
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Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
Pompeii
by Anne Elliot
Pompeii was an ancient Roman city on the coast of Italy. InA.D. 79, it was
completely buried by ash from a volcanic blast. The blast took many lives, but
interestingly, it didn't destroy the city. In a way, it did the opposite: It made the city
timeless.
For centuries, Pompeii was buried, undisturbed, under dozens of feet of hardened
ash. It lived on only in the stories told by peasants who lived near the area. One man had
seen the eruption and watched the clouds of ash descend on the thriving city. He saw the
city disappear. His stories and those of the peasants were all anyone knew of the
vanished city for hundreds of years.
Then, in the 1500s, a team of engineers was digging a tunnel near where Pompeii
once stood. They uncovered some of an old amphitheater and a temple. But at that time,
no one was very interested in doing the long, arduous work of excavating an ancient
city.And Pompeii remained a secret until the 1700s.
In the 18th century, people took a new interest in the buried city. Explorations
began that uncovered much more of Pompeii. They discovered a day in the life of this
ancient city. Because on that day, more than a thousand years earlier, life had stopped
suddenly and without warning. The food that people were eating and the pans they
cooked in, the location of the watchdog and the treasure chest, the books being read
and written-all of this and more was preserved by the ash. Bodies, too, were frozen in
their last moments, kept as they were by the shells of ash that had formed around them.
Unfortunately, most of these early digs were done by people hoping to find
treasure, not history. As a result, the people were not very careful or complete in their
excavations. In the 1800s, however, attitudes changed. Intensive explorations began.
Scientists began carefully uncovering the city in an attempt to keep its remains whole
and undamaged. Today, Pompeii is an important archaeological site. Its value lies in
what it can tell us, in great detail, about the ancient past.
3. What would be the most appropriate title for the passage?
A. Mount Vesuvius
B. Excavations
C. Lost City Found
D. The People of Pompeii
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Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
0801.3.11- Written selections as technical, narrative, persuasive,
and/or descriptive in mode.
Clean It Up!
1
2
Have you driven down the highway or been to a local beach
lately? Unforutanately, littering is still a problem on roadsides,
beaches, and parks. When people see trash accumulating in one
place, they feel justified adding to it. They assume that since the
beach or park does not belong to th.em, it doesn't matter if they litter.
Some mistakenly believe that someone else should m will pick up
their garbage.
.,
3
The fact is our roadways, beaches, and parks belong to all of us. If
we don't take a few steps to dispose of our trash properly,we will
have to pay for it down the road. Eventually, we will pay more for
toll roads or pay higher fees to enter parks.
Drivers who throw trash out their windows are some of the worst
offenders. Paper and plastic-foam cups are tossed on the road and end
up in city drains. Gradually, our water supply becomes polluted.
Wildlife pays the price for our littering, too. Animals that ingest
plastics or poisons can die.
1. This passage would best be described as mainly
A. narrative
B. technical
c.
descriptive
D. persuasive
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Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
Pompeii
by Anne Elliot
Pompeii was an ancient Roman city on the coast of Italy. InA.D. 79, it was completely buried by ash
from a volcanic blast. The blast took many lives, but interestingly, it didn't destroy the city. In a way, it did
the opposite: It made the city timeless.
For centuries, Pompeii was buried, undisturbed, under dozens of feet of hardened ash. It lived on
only in the stories told by peasants who lived near the area. One man had seen the eruption and watched
the clouds of ash descend on the thriving city. He saw the city disappear. His stories and those of the
peasants were all anyone knew of the vanished city for hundreds of years.
Then, in the 1500s, a team of engineers was digging a tunnel near where Pompeii once stood. They
uncovered some of an old amphitheater and a temple. But at that time, no one was very interested in
doing the long, arduous work of excavating an ancient city.And Pompeii remained a secret until the
1700s.
In the 18th century, people took a new interest in the buried city. Explorations began that
uncovered much more of Pompeii. They discovered a day in the life of this ancient city. Because on that
day, more than a thousand years earlier, life had stopped suddenly and without warning. The food that
people were eating and the pans they cooked in, the location of the watchdog and the treasure chest, the
books being read and written-all of this and more was preserved by the ash. Bodies, too, were frozen in
their last moments, kept as they were by the shells of ash that had formed around them.
Unfortunately, most of these early digs were done by people hoping to find treasure, not history.
As a result, the people were not very careful or complete in their excavations. In the 1800s, however,
attitudes changed. Intensive explorations began. Scientists began carefully uncovering the city in an
attempt to keep its remains whole and undamaged. Today, Pompeii is an important archaeological site.
Its value lies in what it can tell us, in great detail, about the ancient past.
2. This passage is an example of which type of writing?
A. narrative
B. persuasive
C. descriptive
D. technical
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Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
William wrote this essay for English class. It contains mistakes.
1
A huge shadow passed over me, I felt a gentle brush of air, and before I could even look up, the falcon
landed on Grady’s gloved fist. Images of medieval knights on horses holding hooded falcons flashed through
my mind.
My dad, my little sister, Melanie, and I were watching Grady Haggerty’s free-flight demonstration.
Grady, who has curly red hair and a beard sprinkled with white, is a master falconer and operates a bird-of-prey
preservation society. Grady specializes in rehabilitating injured birds of prey and returning them to the wild
when possible. Grady is also a conservationist who works on planting
trees in the forest. He is able to return more birds than you would think — over 80 percent. The other 20 percent
remain with him for life.
2
3
4
The bird on Grady’s fist was a peregrine falcon. Melanie and I walked closer to it. Grady explained that
the long leather glove he wore on his hand was called a gauntlet. I looked the falcon in the eye and was
amazed at how piercing and unblinking the gaze of the bird could be.
Melanie asked with concern, “Mr. Haggerty, will this falcon be able to return to the wild?” Grady
explained that the falcon had imprinted on humans; that meant that she would always depend on humans for
food and company. Grady said she would live with him forever, and Melanie smiled at the idea that she wasn’t
a pet, but she was receiving proper care. He then told us one of the most astonishing things about falcons: in a
head-first dive, they can reach speeds of 200 miles per hour, which is as fast as a race car.
Grady placed the falcon on a rail alongside a huge hawk, an eagle, and a white owl. Grady explained
that he takes the birds that cannot be released to demonstrations like his free-flight exhibition, to schools, to
zoos, and to other events. These birds make a lasting impression when they demonstrate how powerfully they
can fly, Grady can better teach the importance of birds of prey.
I looked around, rubbed my neck where I imagined feeling that rush of air again, remembered the graceful
flight, and looked back at that piercing stare. I knew I would remember these birds.
5
6
7
8
Elena one of Grady’s assistants placed an enormous hawk on her gloved fist and walked across the
field. When she stopped we heard Grady’s soft whistle we turned toward him. In seconds, before we could turn
back toward Elena, the hawk flew over us and settled on Grady’s fist.
Dad asked us, “Do you think that these falcons are still wild?”
Melanie said thoughtfully, “Before these falcons were injured, they flew free, found food, and made
there nests in the forests and the fields. Now, they are still wild, but they know it is safe here.”
9
Dad and I agreed with her.
3.
This essay can be described as both
A.
narrative and descriptive.
B.
persuasive and informative.
C.
informative and technical.
D.
narrative and persuasive.
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Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
0801.3.13 - Select the most appropriate format for a work-related text.
1. Reggie and his sister Kim want to advertise their custom-built birdhouses in their neighborhood.
What would be the best way to share this information with their neighbors?
A. an online site with testimonials from previous customers
B. an email with information about why birds need houses
C. a flier with photographs of birdhouses they have made
D. a letter with descriptions of birdhouses they have made
2. Sasha has two dogs and is taking over Miranda's dog-walking service while Miranda is on
vacation. Which of the following would best help Sasha during her first day on the job?
A. an e-ma il telli ng Sasha how much Miranda appreciates her help
B. a lengthy report on the personality and needs of each dog
C. a l ist of the addresses and names of Miranda's clients
D. i nstructions detailing how to walk a dog
3. Renee wants to explain to her co-workers how the new copy machine works.
Which format would be the most appropriate for her to use?
A. step-by-step instructions displayed next to the machine
B. an e-mail to all co-workers
C. a memo to her boss
D. letters sent to all co-workers
0801.4.1- Most Focused research topic
1. Which of these is the most focused research topic?
A. treating injuries incurred by marine life
B. the characteristics of a stingray
C. facts about various forms of marine life
D. habitats and enemies of the stingray
2. Which of these is the most focused research topic?
A. the history of aviation
B. transportation
C. jet planes
D. airplanes
3. Choose the most focused research topic.
A
government incentives given for renewable energy sources
B
factors that affect the rising cost of fossil fuel
C
coal mining in the eastern United States
D
generating power from the Industrial Age to the present
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Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
0801.4.2-Levels of reliability among resources
1. Which of these is the most reliable resource to find information about the Alaska Gold Rush?
A. a local newspaper article about the results of the dogsled race
B. an Internet source that describes equipment needed to pan for gold
C. an encyclopedia entry on the Internet
D. the Web site for the competition
2. Which of these would provide the most reliable information about efforts at habitat
preservation?
A. the internet site of an environmental organization
B. a newspaper ad for products made of rare wood
C. the Web page of a president of a mining company
D. a TV ad for a new suburban housing development
3. Janice wants to find out if taking vitamins can prevent a cold. Choose the source that will
give her the most reliable information.
A. a diary from a person who took vitamins while she had a cold
B. a Web site that sells vitamins for the prevention of colds
C. an encyclopedia entry that explains what vitamins are
D. medical journal article about the effect of vitamins on a cold
0801.4.3- Appropriate research source
1. What would be the most appropriate research source to use to investigate the results of an Iditarod
race?
A. a history textbook
B. a newspaper article
C. an encyclopedia entry on the Internet
D. the Web site for the competition
2. Nico is writing a report for his science class on eagle ha bitat preservation. Which of the following
should he use as a source?
A. a Web site for a zoo
B. a magazine article a bout the ocean
C. an encyclopedia article about Antarctica
D. an interview with a scientist who studies birds
3. Where would a student look to find the names of other cold viruses?
A. a dictionary
B. a thesaurus
C. an online encyclopedia
D. a history textbook
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Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
0801.4.5- Irrelevant research material
Carlos wanted to learn more about stingrays for his report. After reading some information on a Web
site, he wrote the following notes.
1. A scorpion can sting a person with venom from its tail.
1. Which fact is not relevant to Carlos's report?
A. Fact 1
B. Fact 2
C. Fact 3
D. Fact 4
A student created these notes after researching sharks. Read the notes and answer the question.
•
•
•
•
•
SHARKS
Sharks have existed for more tha n 420 million yea rs.
Today there a re a bout 440 species of sha rk .
.
• Sha rks ra nge in size from as sma ll as 6.5 inches to as big as 39 feet .
Sharks are su perb predators .
Peo ple are both fasci nated with a nd terrified of sha rks .
The film Jaws made ma ny people even more afra id of sharks.
2. If the student were to write a report on this topic, which fact in the notes should not be included?
A. Sharks are superb predators.
B. Today there are about 440 species of shark.
C. The film Jaws made many people even more af raid of sha rks.
D. Sharks range in size from as small as 6.5 inches to as big as 39 feet.
Stephen made the following notes after reading a source about tornado cleanup.
1. Half of all injuriesfrom one tornado in Illinois occurred after the storm.
2. Report damaged power lines to the authorities
3. Get help ifyou find someone trapped under the rubble.
4. Find a reliable home builder to repair damages.
3. Which fact is not relevant to Stephen’s report?
A. Fact 1
B. Fact 2
C. Fact 3
D. Fact 4
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Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
Reporting Category 4: Communication and Media
0801.2.3- Thesis and main points of a speech
The following passage is a speech.
Are Large Stores for Us?
I am here to speak in protest of your decision to allow this large corporate store
to build just outside of the city limits. Yes, I know you have the power to control
this land development, so I ask you to reconsider this most harmful decision.
This huge store will, without a doubt, destroy Main Street and be the end to
small family businesses that have graced our Main Street for decades. I know
you have heard promises that this store will provide employment to our
community and bolster the economy. But, these are just empty promises.
1
Gone will be our small town atmosphere. Gone will be people meeting in our
small stores to share greetings. We will be entering the fast-paced world of the
big cities where such stores are open 24/7. Someone has to draw the line
someplace. This has to stop! Please save our community.
2
1. Which sentence from the speech is the thesis statement?
A.
I am here to speak in protest of your decision to allow this large corporate store to
build just outside of the city limits.
B.
Gone will be our small town atmosphere.
C.
We will be entering the fast-paced world of the big cities where such stores
are open 24/7.
D.
Someone has to draw the line someplace.
The Importance of Knowing a Second Language
1
2
3
Good morning. My name is Kayla Marsen. I’ve been invited here today to talk about the
importance of knowing a second language. This is a topic that is dear to my heart, and I want to
share my positive experiences with you. I also want to share some significant research that
illustrates how learning other languages benefits the brain. In addition, I want to speak about how
knowing two or more languages is crucial in the age of the Internet and instant communication.
Gathering information quickly is essential in today’s ever-changing world.
I was lucky, because I grew up bilingual. As a baby, my father spoke English to me. However, my
mother only spoke Spanish — the language of her childhood in Peru. I grew up knowing there
were at least two words for everything — milk and leche, ball and pelota, dog and perro. My
mother tells me that when I was little and learned a new word, I would demand to be told the
“twin” word in the other language.
I’m one of many children who speak more than one language. The National Center for Educational
Statistics reports that 21 percent of school-age children in the United States speak a language other
than English at home. Research suggests that being bilingual increases the density of gray matter in
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Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
4
5
6
7
8
9
the brain. This is a good thing. People who speak two or more languages may have a better
memory and longer attention span, and they also tend to multitask well.
Moreover, new research from the Society for Neuroscience has found that knowing two languages
increases a person’s ability to concentrate. Being bilingual may also protect against memory loss
that can affect older adults. Learning two languages during childhood increases these benefits.
Other research studies show that being bilingual may give children an advantage at school. It is
clear that being bilingual is good for brain function.
According to Betty Birner of the Linguistic Society of America, “In some countries, nearly
everybody is bilingual or multilingual. In parts of India, for example, a small child usually knows
several languages. In many European countries, children are encouraged to learn a second
language — typically English.
In fact, the United States is quite unusual among the countries of
the world because many of its citizens speak only English . . . .” This may be due to the fact that
the United States is so large. In contrast to other parts of the world, a person can travel for days in
the United States and never leave the country.
So, why should Americans learn another language? English is one of the most widely spoken
languages in the world. Books and scientific journals are published or translated into English.
Children around the world are taught English as a second language. Moreover, English is often the
one language people from different countries have in common. Times are changing. The world is
getting smaller thanks to the Internet. We can communicate with people from Mexico, Germany,
India, and Japan all in one day or even at the same time. In 2010, around 536.6 million English
speakers were connected to the Internet. Some may speak English as their first language. Others
may have learned English as a second or third language. People may be translating their comments
with the help of a dictionary prior to posting.
While English may seem like a universal language, it probably will not be the most common
language used on the Internet for long. There are an estimated 500 million Internet users who post
in Chinese. Spanish is used by about another 153 million Internet users. Martha G. Abbott,
Director of Education for the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, believes
that knowing other languages and being familiar with other cultures are important skills in our
global society. In the 21st century, people from all over the world are able to interact with each
other.
People can now fly to any place in the world. We can connect and share information with
people
in other countries while sitting at home. It’s more important than ever that Americans
learn to speak more than one language. Additionally, research shows it’s good for our brains.
Albert Costa, a researcher studying bilingualism at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona,
Spain, sums it up when he says, “For a while, it has worked to be monolingual. I don’t think it’s
tenable anymore.” I don’t think it’s reasonable either.
Thank you.
2. Which sentence expresses a main point from the speech?
A. However, my mother only spoke Spanish — the language of her childhood in Peru.
B. People who speak two or more languages may have a better memory and longer attention span, and
they also tend to multitask well.
C. In many European countries, children are encouraged to learn a second language — typically
English.
D. People may be translating their comments with the help of a dictionary prior to posting.
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Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
THE ARTS COUNT, TOO
1
I'm Kyle Rhodes, and I want to thank you all for coming. Judging by the size
of this crowd, I can see how important this is to all of you. We have to save
our school's arts program.
2
We know what the problem is. The city is short on money.So the city
council has decided to save money by eliminating Central High School's
arts program. But that would be a huge mistake.
3
Our arts program includes classes in painting, drawing, acting, dancing, and
music. It's one of the best in the state. It's the school's most popular
and most important program. But the people who have made the decision
to cut it couldn't care less about that. These people don't know anything
about art. All they care about is saving money.
4
Last year, they said they wouldn't cut important school programs. Now
they're eliminating this one. So they don't think the arts are important.
5
We know the city has to save money. But there's a better solution than
this. Inlast year's budget, five construction projects were approved. The
city doesn't need all five projects. If one of these projects were scrapped,
there'd be enough money to keep our arts program going. That's the real
answer to the city's budget dilemma.
6
We'll be passing around a petition. If we get enough signatures, we can take
our case before the city council. You've taken. the first step by coming here
today. Now let's all unite and take the next step together.
'
3.
Which sentence from the speech best expresses the thesis?
A. We'll be passing around a petition.
B. We have to save our school's arts program.
C. The city doesn't need all five projects.
D. Now let's all unite and take the next step together.
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Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
0801.2.4- Effective methods for engaging an audience
The following passage is a speech.
Are Large Stores for Us?
1
I am here to speak in protest of your decision to allow this large corporate
store to build just outside of the city limits. Yes, I know you have the power
to control this land development, so I ask you to reconsider this most
harmful decision. This huge store will, without a doubt, destroy Main
Street and be the end to small family businesses that have graced our Main
Street for decades. I know you have heard promises that this store will
provide employment to our community and bolster the economy. But, these
are just empty promises.
2
Gone will be our small town atmosphere. Gone will be people meeting in
our small stores to share greetings. We will be entering the fast-paced
world of the big cities where such stores are open 24/7. Someone has to
draw the line someplace. This has to stop! Please save our community.
1. During the presentation of this speech, what should the speaker do to
maintain the interest of the listeners?
A. speak very loudly
B. look down to read notes
C. avoid smiling
D. make eye contact with audience
2. What can Kyle do to best engage his audience?
A. make fun of the city council
B. make eye contact with people
C. tell jokes to make people feel relaxed
D. lower his voice to make sure people are listening
3. When giving this speech to the history class, Louisa should
A. fold her arms.
B. read from notes.
C. look at the floor.
D. speak clearly.
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Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
0801.2.7- Appropriate strategies for participating in a team
1. For a team to be productive, what is the next step the team needs to take after setting
deadlines?
A. Gain the floor in an orderly way.
B. Measure the progress of the group.
C. Come to agreement by seeking consensus.
D. Determine the purpose and goals for the team.
2. At its first meeting to create a presentation, Larry's group decided how to proceed with
its task and assigned roles for each member of the tea m. What should the group do next?
A. decide what role each member of the tea m will have in accomplishing the task
B. d etermine goals for each tea m member to achieve by the next meeting
C. designate when the next meeting of the team will take place
D. schedule the last meeting of the tea m
3. After listening to the speech, a group of students decided to create a presentation about foreign
languages spoken in America. To be productive, what is the first step they should take?
A. share their opinions on the topic
B. brainstorm titles for their presentation
C. determine what tasks need to be performed
D. choose someone to be in charge of research
0801.2.8-Functions and responsibilities of individuals in a group
1. In an organized group, which member types up the meeting notes and provides them to the
group?
A. the recorder
B. the information gather
C. the time keeper
D. the reporter
2. Kyle is part of a group trying to save the arts program. Which group member will most likely go
before the city council?
A. the leader
B. the reporter
C. the recorder
D. the timekeeper
3. Which member in a group makes sure the group completes all parts of the project
within the proper time frame?
A. recorder
B. leaders
C. timekeeper
D. reporter
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Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
0801.2.9- Summary vs Critique
The following passage is a speech.
Are Large Stores for Us?
I am here to speak in protest of your decision to allow this large corporate store
to build just outside of the city limits. Yes, I know you have the power to control
this land development, so I ask you to reconsider this most harmful decision.
This huge store will, without a doubt, destroy Main Street and be the end to
small family businesses that have graced our Main Street for decades. I know
you have heard promises that this store will provide employment to our
community and bolster the economy. But, these are just empty promises.
3
Gone will be our small town atmosphere. Gone will be people meeting in our
small stores to share greetings. We will be entering the fast-paced world of the
big cities where such stores are open 24/7. Someone has to draw the line
someplace. This has to stop! Please save our community.
4
1. Which statement is a critique of the speech?
A. The destruction of the downtown area is the result of the growth of large
stores.
B. According to the speaker, people in the community will not go downtown
now.
C. The speaker has decided that there is not a single benefit to the large store.
D. One advantage of small stores is the friendly and personal service.
THE ARTS COUNT, TOO
2
I'm Kyle Rhodes, and I want to thank you all for coming. Judging by the size of
this crowd, I can see how important this is to all of you. We have to save our
school's arts program.
3
We know what the problem is. The city is short on money. So the city council
has decided to save money by eliminating Central High School's arts program.
But that would be a huge mistake.
4
Our arts program includes classes in painting, drawing, acting, dancing, and
music. It's one of the best in the state. It's the school's most popular
and most important program. But the people who have made the decision to cut it
couldn't ca}e less about that. These people don't know anything about art. All
they care about is saving money.·
46
Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
5
Last year, they said they wouldn't cut important school programs. Now they're
eliminating this one. So they don't think the arts are important.
6
We know the city has to save money. But there's a better solution than this. In
last year's budget, five construction projects were approved. The city doesn't
need all five projects. If one of these projects were scrapped, there'd be enough
money to keep our arts program going. That's the real answer to the city's
budget dilemma.
7
We'll be passing around a petition. If we get enough signatures, we can take our
case before the city council. You've taken the first step by coming here today.
Now let's all unite and take the next step together.
2. Which paragraph is a critique of this speech?
A.
The arts program at Central High School is facing elimination because the city council
has to save money. Kyle Rhodes is fighting to save it.
B.
The city council has announced plans to cut the arts program at Central High school.
Kyle Rhodes is against this and proposes cutting a city construction project instead.
C.
The city council is planning to save money by eliminating central High School's arts
program. Kyle Rhodes claims that if the city cut one of its program going. He's
circulating a petition to take his argument before the city council.
D.
Kyle Rhodes is protesting the plan to eliminate the arts program at Central High
school. He makes a strong argument, but goes a bit far when he says the people
cutting the program know nothing about art. Perhaps the city council is making a
tough decision in tough times.
Is Online School for You?
Have you ever wished you didn’t have to wake up early, get dressed, and go all the way to school? For
700,000 American kids, this wish comes true every day. They attend school over the Internet using ordinary
home or library computers. This kind of learning has several names: online learning, distance learning, or
virtual learning. Regardless of what it is called, this idea may create an impression of a lonely kid reading
pages of information on a computer screen rather than from a book. It might also summon an image of another
kid spending the day playing video games and typing instant messages to friends instead of learning
mathematics or reading a book. Where online education is concerned, both of these scenarios are false!
Online
learning does not mean learning by oneself. Nor does it
mean skipping work altogether. It simply
means learning—
differently. For some students, online school may be ideal, but for others, traditional
school may better meet their needs.
Online schools offer many benefits for the learner. Flexibility is the main advantage. Students can
attend school wherever and whenever they desire. Homework can be turned in from anywhere the student has
Internet access. Additionally, many online schools will allow students to work at their own pace. Math
whizzes are typically the best online students because they can work quickly through the subject while extra
allowances can be taken for subjects requiring more time.
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Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
Another advantage of online schooling is with the variety of courses. Most online schools teach the
same basic classes like English, math, science, and history. However, some online schools offer specialized
courses in subjects such as space science, French, or zoology. Traditional schools are often unable to offer
these types of classes if there are not enough students or funds to support them.
Online schools also have different types of learning tools for kids to use. For example, many online
schools have special Web sites where only students registered in online classes can watch videos, see lessons
presented, or chat with teachers and other students. Imagine being able to replay the movie seen in your
history class again if you needed to review it. Other online schools have live class times where students can
call and talk with the teacher directly. Some of these online schools even have virtual clubs where kids can
talk with each other about their hobbies.
Of course, there are some drawbacks of going to school online. Though there are some free online
schools, most charge an admission fee. Also, the learner should be prepared to do much of their class reading
and writing homework independently. Because teachers are not present to monitor progress, online students
must stay very organized in order to complete the required work for each class by the end of the semester.
Even though learners may work at their own pace, timelines are established to ensure students finish their
coursework in a reasonable amount of time. Finally, online students may not see or talk to friends as often as
they would in a traditional school setting. There are no organized extracurricular activities, and those
interactions cannot be replaced by a computer, no matter how fun it is to use computers.
Yes, computer technology is amazing, and we use computers for chatting with our friends, listening to
music, and playing games. Almost every part of our lives is affected by them, and school is no exception.
Since 2006, at least 38 states either have their own online schools or made rules for students attending them. It
looks like online schools are here to stay, but only you can decide if this type of learning is right for you.
3. Which statement is a critique of the speech?
A. In most online schools, learners may work at their own pace as long as their work is completed by
the deadline.
B. According to the speaker, some online schools have live class times and some have Web sites only for
registered students.
C. The speaker has already decided that the advantages of online schools far outweigh the benefits of
traditional schools.
D. One advantage of traditional schools is the availability of extracurricular activities to suit a variety of
interests.
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Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
0801.7.1- Appropriate medium
The following passage is a rough draft. It contains mistakes.
Clean It Up!
1
Have you driven down the highway or been to a local beach lately? Unforutanely,
littering is still a problem on roadsides, beaches, and parks. When people see trash
accumulating in one place, they feel justified adding to it. They assume that since the beach or
park does not belong to them, it doesn’t matter if they litter. Some mistakenly believe that
someone else should or will pick up their garbage.
2
The fact is our roadways, beaches, and parks belong to all of us. If we don’t take a few
steps to dispose of our trash properly, we will have to pay for it down the road. Eventually, we
will pay more for toll roads or pay higher fees to enter parks.
3
Drivers who throw trash out their windows are some of the worst offenders. Paper and
plastic-foam cups are tossed on the road and end up in city drains. Gradually, our water supply
becomes polluted. Wildlife pays the price for our littering, too. Animals that ingest
plastics or poisons can die.
1. Which medium would be the most eff ective for the author to use to
distribute this information?
A. a letter to the editor of the local newspaper
B. an email to personal friends and family
C. a letter to the drivers going to the beaches
D. a handout for drivers in the beach parking lot
Movie Theater Manners
I just returned from spending my Saturday afternoon at the movies with a small group of friends. We all
agreed that the movie was excellent, but my purpose here is not to write a film review. I
want to remind
others that a movie theater is not someone’s living room. Rather, it is a place where strangers come together to
relax and quietly watch a good film.
My experience today, however, tells me that some moviegoers lack good manners. The most annoying
problem is people talking right in the middle of the movie, but some people are noisy in other ways too. They
scrunch candy wrappers, slurp sodas, and rattle popcorn bags. Even worse, all this commotion seems to
happen at the exact moment the main character gives us the most important clue in the movie.
Some other nuisanses should also be avoided. A few people show up after the movie has started and disturb
everyone else by crawling over them. Then, there are the people who cannot stay seated. They get up for more
refreshments, climbing over others once again. Finally, there are the “squirmers” who cannot sit still. They
ruin the movie by kicking the back of the seat or constantly fidgeting. When I’m home watching TV, I can tell
my little brother to either hush up or leave the room.
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Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
When I pay my hard-earned baby-sitting money to see a film, I should be able to watch it in peace and quiet.
To all movie theater fans, I make the following requests: be on time, be quiet, and stay seated until the movie
is over. You are not in your living room watching a free movie.
2. Which medium would be the most effective for the author to use to distribute the information?
A.
B.
C.
D.
a letter to the editor of the local newspaper
an e-mail to personal friends and family
a letter to the theater owners throughout town
a handout for moviegoers in the theater parking lot
3. The Science Club is hosting an evening speaker from a local college to talk about careers in science.
Which medium would be the most effective for distributing the information?
A.
posters in the science lab
B.
a morning announcement
C. a letter in the local newspaper
D. fliers sent home with students
0801.7.2- Visual image that reinforces a viewpoint or presentation
1. Vernon is presenting a report on Andrew Jackson’s life for his history class.
Which visual image would be best for him to use during the presentation?
A. a poster board with sketches of Andrew Jackson throughout his life
B. a timeline of the important events in Andrew Jackson’s life and career
C. a drawing of Andrew Jackson making a speech at the White House
D. a chart comparing Andrew Jackson’s political beliefs with those of his opponents
THE ARTS COUNT, TOO
1
I'm Kyle Rhodes, and I want to thank you all for coming. Judging by the size of
this crowd, I can see how important this is to all of you. We have to save our
school's arts program.
2
We know what the problem is. The city is short on money. So the city council
has decided to save money by eliminating Central High School's arts program.
But that would be a huge mistake.
3
Our arts program includes classes in painting, drawing, acting, dancing, and
music. It's one of the best in the state. It's the school's most popular
and most important program. But the people who have made the decision to cut it
couldn't ca}e less about that. These people don't know anything about art. All
they care about is saving money.·
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Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8
4
Last year, they said they wouldn't cut important school programs. Now they're
eliminating this one. So they don't think the arts are important.
5
We know the city has to save money. But there's a better solution than this. In
last year's budget, five construction projects were approved. The city doesn't
need all five projects. If one of these projects were scrapped, there'd be enough
money to keep our arts program going. That's the real answer to the city's
budget dilemma.
We'll be passing around a petition. If we get enough signatures, we can take our
case before the city council. You've taken the first step by coming here today.
Now let's all unite and take the next step together.
6
2. Which could Kyle best use to make the speech more effective?
A. a photograph of the members of the city council
B. a map of the school showing where arts classes are held
C. a video of people working on one of the city's construction projects
D. a chart showing the cost of the arts program and the city's construction projects
Louisa wrote the following speech:
1
Our history class has worked hard raising money at bake sales and car
washes. Today we get to decide how to spend that money. Our votes will
determine where we take our class trip. You've heard about a few
possibilities from other students. However, I think a trip to Washington,
D.C., is the best choice because it's a terrific place to learn about history.
2
I know from firsthand experience that Washington is an exciting place to
visit. A few years ago, I went with my family to the nation's capital. When
my parents first mentioned the trip, my sister said, "Oh no, there's nothing to
do but see boring government buildings." At first I agreed with her
sentiment. I was disappointed as well. However, those ''boring" government
buildings turned out to be unexpectedly enjoyable. We saw the Capitol
Building and the White House. The White House is a beautiful mansion that
has housed AmeriCan presidents for more than 200 years, and the Capitol has
lots of paintings that show scenes from AmeriCan history.
3
I've done more research, and have learned that there are many _ more fun
and educational things to do in Washington. At the National Zoo, you can
see pandas, gorillas, and cheetahs. The city also has memorials to honor
presidents, as well as memorials to honor veterans of several wars. The
best museums are in Washington, too. The National Museum of Natural
History has exhibits on dinosaur bones and ocean life. There's even a
museum about the history of spying!
4
You should definitely vote for Washington for our class trip. Learning more
about the people and places that we read about in our textbooks will bring
history alive.
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3. What would best help Louisa illustrate her arguments?
A. photos of rooms in the White House that visitors can tour
B. a map that shows the best route to get to Washington
C. Web sites that show items being sold at museum gift shops
D. a calendar that highlights the best times of year to go to
Washington
0801.7.4- Inference from a non-print medium
1. What can the reader conclude about the girl in this photo?
A. She is angry that she has homework to do.
B. She is puzzled about what she is reading.
C. She is excited to be learning new concepts.
D. She is happy that soon she will be finished.
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2. What can the reader conclude about the children in this photo?
A. They are angry at each other.
B. They are withdrawn from activity.
C. They are scared to play with each other
D. They are excited to playing with each other.
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3. What can the reader tell about the subject of the image?
A. She is about to start working out.
B. She gets very little exercise.
C. She is exercising vigorously.
D. She has just tried out for a swimming team.
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0801.7.5- Statement that summarizes/communicates the message presented by a
medium
1. A cereal company wants to use this photon the box of a new cereal. What message
Is the company most likely trying to communicate with this photo?
A.
B.
C.
D.
People should eat fruit in the morning.
Eating blueberries is important.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
The cereal is healthful and tastes good.
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2. Choose the statement that best summarizes the message of this picture.
A. Taking a break from work can ease stress.
B. People should spend more time outside when the weather is nice.
C. Work should take priority over time off.
D. A man sits in a park.
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3. A state park wants to use this photo in a brochure. What message is the park most likely trying to
communicate with this photograph?
A The park is a place of natural beauty.
B The park is most beautiful in the fall.
C The park is a place for people of all ages.
D The park is known for moths and butterflies.
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Reporting Category 5: Informational Text
0801.6.1- Formulate appropriate questions before, during, and after reading
1. A citizen is interested in determining the impact of large stores on small downtown
businesses. What is the first question he or she would need to ask?
A. Which people like to shop at which hours of the day?
B. Do large businesses increase the employment level in a town?
C. How many small businesses have failed after large stores are built?
D. Do small business owners usually support the building of large stores?
PRESERVING ANIMAL HABITATS
1
There are many kinds of plants and animals on Earth. No matter how
large or small, each one plays an important part in the balance of
nature. The balance of nature is how our planet survives. Itis the chain
of events that take place among living things.
2
For example, in the grasslands of the world, there is the partnership
between the plants and animals that live there. The growing grass and
the graceful antelopes may look very lovely. However, they serve a more
serious purpose than to just ornament Earth. The grazing animals
survive by eating grass. They give back nutrients to the soil in their
waste. That, in turn, helps more grass to grow. People benefit from this
by eating the animals that are fed by the grass.
3
In every habitat on the planet, partnerships take place. The immensity of
the world's habitats is an amazing subject to ponder. We need to be
aware of how we affect these habitats-human actions sometimes have a
negative effect on the balance of nature. One example of this was
humans
hunting many kinds of whales almost to extinction. Whales provided
many necessities for humans, including lamp oil for lighting and fuel for
cold winter nights. Whale meat was an important source of nourishment
for many indigenous tribes of the northwest United States and Canada.
Itwas also a staple of island nations such as Japan and Iceland.
Nevertheless, if the whales were completely wiped out, the balance of
nature in the ocean would be irrevocably altered-whales would not be
there to play their part.
4
Another example of upsetting the balance of nature is the expansion of
suburban housing, and industries such as logging, that encroach upon
habitats for bears, owls, deer, and other forest animals. In this battle it is
often the housing and industry sectors of society that ultimately win out,
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endangering at-risk species.
5
•
Fortunately, some people realize the effects of such actions. They work
toward educating others about the importance of the balance of nature.
Many scientists believe the best protection for keeping a species alive is
preserving its habitat. As people continue to develop the environment,
and seek more space in which to live, habitat preservation will be an
increasingly important challenge. Meeting it successfully could be the
key to our future.
2. Which question is not answered in the passage?
A What methods of habitat preservation have been successful?
B What are some causes of habitat destruction?
C What animals are facing loss of habitat?
D What is the balance of nature?
The Common Cold
1
Have the sniffles, need to sneeze, have a sore throat and cough? It
sounds like you have a cold!
2
A cold is a contagious infection by a virus that infects your nose, throat,
and ears. There are more than 200 viruses that can cause colds, but the
most common virus is called the rhinovirus. The common cold seems to
hit everyone at some point. The average child gets six to eight colds each
year.
How Colds Spread
3
Do adults always tell you to cover your mouth when you cough or
sneeze? Do they make you wash your hands often? There's a reason why.
People with colds spread the virus when they sneeze or cough. Other
peo- ple breathe in droplets containing the virus and catch the cold. The
virus also can be transferred by touch. If a person with a cold touches an
object, such as a toy or telephone, and then you touch that object, you
might catch his or her cold.
Stop That Cold!
4
ou can't prevent colds from happening, but you can be careful about
spreading them. Stay away from people with colds, cover your mouth
when you sneeze or cough, wash your hands often, eat healthy food,
and get plenty of sleep.
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3. Which question is answered in the passage The Common Cold?
A
What causes colds?
B
Which medicines are best for treating a cold?
C
How does the rhinovirus affect the cells in the body?
D
How many colds does the average adult get every year?
0801.6.2- Main Idea and supporting details
Are Large Stores for Us?
1
I am here to speak in protest of your decision to allow this large corporate store to build just
outside of the city limits. Yes, I know you have the power to control this land development,
so I ask you to reconsider this . most harmf ul decision. This huge store will,without a doubt,
destroy Main Street and be the end to small family businesses that have graced our Main
Street for decades. I know you have heard promises that this store will provide employment
to our community and bolster the economy. But, these are just empty promises.
2
Gone will be our small town atmosphere. Gone will be people meeting in our small stores
to share greetings. We will be entering the fast-paced
,world of the big cities where such stores are open 24/7. Someone has to draw the line
someplace. This has to stop! Please save our community.
1. Which of the following details does not support the main idea?
A. This huge store will, without a doubt, destroy Main street
B. Gone will be our small town atmosphere.
C. This store will provide employment to our community.
D. Please save our community.
adapted from
THE TIME MACHINE
by H. G. Wells
It was at ten o'clock today that the first of all Time Machines began its career.
I gave it a last tap, tried all the screws again, put one more drop of oil on the
quartz rod, and sat myself in the saddle. I took the starting lever in one hand, the
stopping lever in the other. I pressed the first lever, then the second. I seemed to
reel. I felt a nightmare sensation of falling, but when I looked around, I saw the
laboratory exactly as it had been before. Had anything happened? For a moment
I suspected that my mind had tricked me. Then I noticed the clock. A moment
before, it had stood at a minute or so past ten. Now it was nearly half past three!
I drew a breath, set my teeth, gripped the starting lever with both hands, and
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went off with a thud. The laboratory got hazy and went dark. Mrs. Watchett, my
housekeeper, came in and walked towards the garden door. She apparently could
not see me. I suppose it took her a minute or so to cross the room, but to me she
seemed to shoot across it like a rocket. I pressed the lever to its extreme position.
The night came like the turning out of a lamp, and in
another moment it was tomorrow. The laboratory grew faint and hazy. Tomorrow
night came black, then day again, night again, day again, faster and faster still. A
whirlpool of sound filled my ears, and a strange confusion clouded my mind.
I am afraid I cannot describe the strange sensations of time travelling. They
are extremely unpleasant. There is a feeling exactly like that of being on a roller
coaster-a helpless, headlong motion! I also had that horrible feeling that I was
about to crash. As I increased the speed of my time travelling, night followed
day like the flapping of a black wing. The dim light of the laboratory would fall
away from me. The sun hopped swiftly across the sky, leaping it every minute.
Every minute marked a day. As I moved into the future, I understood that at
some point my laboratory had been destroyed, and I had come into the open air.
I had a dim impression of scaffolding, but I was already going too fast to be
conscious of any moving things. The slowest snail that ever crawled dashed by
too fast for me.
The landscape was misty and vague. I was still on the hillside upon which
this house now stands, and the shoulder of the hill rose above me grey and dim.
I saw trees growing and changing like puffs of vapor, now brown, now green;
the trees grew, spread, shivered, and passed away. I saw huge buildings rise up
and pass like dreams. I saw great and splendid architecture take form about me,
more massive than any buildings of our own time. And yet it seemed they were
built of glimmer and mist. I saw a rich green flow up the hillside and remain
there without any winter cover of snow. Even through the veil of my confusion,
the earth seemed very fair. And so my mind came round to the business of
stopping.
The peculiar risk lay in the possibility of landing the machine and myself in some
solid substance. So long as I travelled at a high speed through time, this hardly mattered. I
was slipping like vapor through the changing substances. But to come to a stop involved
the jamming of myself, molecule by molecule, into whatever lay in my way. This meant
bringing my atoms into such close contact with those of the obstacle that a serious
chemical reaction- possibly a far-reaching explosion-would result, and blow myself and
the machine out of all possible dimensions into the Unknown.
This possibility had occurred to me again and again while I was making the
machine. But then I had cheerfully accepted it as an unavoidable risk. Now that the risk
was unavoidable, I no longer saw it in the same cheerful light. The fact is that the
strangeness of everything, the jarring and swaying of the machine, and above all the
feeling of falling, had made me lose my nerve. I told myself! could never stop. Then, as if
blown by a gust, I resolved to stop instantly. Like an impatient fool, I pulled the lever. The
machine went reeling over, and I was flung headlong through the air.
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2. Which of these is the main idea of this passage?
A. The laboratory is destroyed and disappears during the narrator's travel.
B. The narrator leaves his laboratory at ten o’clock and cannot return to it.
C
D
The narrator experiences the thrill and danger of traveling through time.
Mrs. Watchett does not notice the narrator flying past in his time machine.
What Makes a Generation?
In 1965, the rock band The Who had its first hit song, "(Talking 'Bout) My
Generation:' It became an anthem for the Baby Boom Generation. These are people who
were in their teens and twenties during the tumultuous 1960s and '70s. Like the era, the
song was angry, noisy, and confused. It reflected the concerns of both the musicians and
the young people who identified with its message. Since then, new generations have come
along. Each has its own problems and concerns.
What makes a generation? A dictionary might define generation as "a group of people
born or living during the same period of time:' Many personality types make up a
generation. By observing trends and social movements, you can get an idea of that
group's general character. For example, the baby boom generation came of age during a
time of economic prosperity, but also during the controversial Vietnam War. Young
people from most social classes were going to college in large numbers. As a result, the
generation is a highly educated one. The war, though, caused stress and discord. It led to
protests in the streets and to music and movies that reflected the times. The boomers
eventually grew up and became parents.
They then helped raise a new generation.
A Century's Worth of Generations
The Generational Inquiry Group is a private organization of writers and analysts. It
lists many generations for the last century. It named the newest generation the Millennial
Generation (born 1982-2002). This name comes from the fact that the generation's
members have come of age in the years near the start of the millennium. For this
generation, concerns are global terrorism, new family structures, the growing gap
between rich and poor, and the influence of the media on the young.
The previous generation has been named Generation X (born 1961-1981). Gen-Xers
are certainly different from previous generations. They have had to deal with a rising
divorce rate, working parents, AIDS, and a technological revolution. All this seems to have
made a generation defined by mocking humor, questioning authority, fascination with new
technology, and a love for popular culture.
There is also the already-mentioned Baby Boom Generation (born 1943-1960). After
the huge effort of World War II, most Americans were ready to settle down and start
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families. They all did it at about the same time. This caused a huge increase or "boom'' in
the number of babies being born. In fact, the boomers were the largest generation in U.S.
history up to that time. They grew up in a very prosperous period. Parents wanted to give
their children
better lives than their parents had. Historians believe that the boomers were the
first young people with a lot of free time and spending money. Those two factors
made them the driving force of the culture. America's music and fihns have been
largely focused on youth ever since. The boomers were also given more material
goods than members of previous generations.
However, this did not mean they easily accepted the society that made such
wealth. For example, the Vietnam War forced many boomers to make a choice.
They could either fight in an unpopular war or protest and become divided from
their elders.
The times do define a generation. Before the boomers, the Silent
Generation (born 1925- 1942) had to suffer through hard times and World War
II. They watched both traumas take great tolls on their parents. When the
difficult times had passed, this generation faced its responsibilities. It helped
make the prosperous times that defined the 1950s and '60s. For the most part, the
Silent Generation did not protest the Vietnam War. It learned to be thoughtful
and cautious.
The first generation to be born in the 20th century is known as the GI
Generation (born 1901-1924). News broadcaster Tom Brokaw wrote his
bestselling book The Greatest Generation about this group. This generation
enjoyed a prosperous decade known as the "Roaring Twenties:' That time was
followed by widespread poverty and world war. They survived the poor times
and fought in World War II. Then they returned home to make the United
States the world's leading military and economic power. Whether they were the
greatest is open to debate. Brokaw honors them for having seen their duty and
performed with courage.
The Lost Generation is made up of those born just before the beginning
of the 20th century (born 1883-1900). These Americans came of age in the
1920s. It was the period just after World War I, when young people were
disheartened by the ravages of war. Jazz music, the banning of alcohol in the
United States, and a booming economy defined the times.
Looking to the Future
Again we come to the question of what makes a generation. The people of
the United States pride themselves on being a nation of individuals. They resist
the notion that the generation into which they are born defines their lives and
dreams. But the times in which we live do shape individuals. Communities offer
both opportunities and obstacles. By exploring possibilities and striving to
overcome their limitations, the individual members of a generation seek their
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own unique destinies. In turn, the individuals define the character of their
generation.
The newest generation faces an uncertain future. But is it any more uncertain
than the one the GI Generation met and lived through? Probably not. Time will reveal
the character of this generation. Perhaps a hundred years from now people may call the
millennials "the greatest generation:' Whatever this generation becomes, others will
follow. Each will have the opportunity to define its age while also being shaped by it.
3. What is the author's main support for the idea that many in the Baby Boom
Generation felt angry and confused?
A. New generations have come along since the Baby Boomers.
B. Baby Boomers went to college in large numbers.
C.
The Baby Boomers protested against the Vietnam War.
D. The boomers eventually grew up and became parents.
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0801.6.4- Interpret factual, quantitative, technical, or mathematical
information presented in text features.
1. What did the student most likely conclude after making this graph?
A. Chinese is close to overtaking English as the most used language on the
Internet.
B. People who use Chinese on the Internet are also likely to use English at times.
C. The Internet has resulted in people learning English, Chinese, or Spanish.
D. The number of English speakers on the Internet will soon reach 600 million.
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Two Years in the American Revolutionary War
EVENT
1776
EVENT
Aug. 27
Dec. 26
2. Based on the chart, which statement is true?
A. Americans fought bravely at the Battle of Long Island.
B. The Battle of Harlem Heights was a turning point in the war.
C. Paul Revere and Williams Dawes were at the Battle of Lexington.
D. There was fighting before the Declaration of Independence was adopted
3. According to the table below, which region of the United States had the
greatest increase in population from 2000 to 2010?
Region
Change in
Population
Northeast
2000
Population
53,594,378
2010
Population
55,317,240
Midwest
64,392,776
66,927,001
2,534,225
South
100,236,820
114,555,744
14,318,924
West
63,197,932
71,945,553
8,747,621
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
A.
B.
C.
D.
Northeast
Midwest
South
West
1,722,862
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Language Arts SPI Review - Grade 8
Answer key
Reporting Category 1: Language
SPI
Q1
Q2
0801.1.1
D
D
0801.1.2
B
B
0801.1.3
C
B
0801.1.4
C
D
0801.1.5
C
B
0801.1.6
A
B
0801.1.7
D
A
0801.1.8
B
A
0801.1.9
C
A
0801.1.10
D
B
0801.1.11
B
B
0801.1.12
A
B
0801.1.14
B
D
0801.1.15
C
B
Reporting Category 2: Vocabulary
Q3
C
A
D
A
C
A
C
B
B
B
C
A
A
D
Reporting Category 4:
Communication/Media
SPI
Q1
0801.2.3
A
0801.2.4
D
0801.2.7
B
0801.2.8
A
0801.2.9
C
0801.7.1
A
0801.7.2
B
0801.7.4
B
0801.7.5
D
Q2
Q3
B
B
B
A
D
A
D
D
A
B
D
C
C
C
D
A
C
A
Reporting Category 5: Informational
Text
SPI
SPI
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q1
Q2
Q3
0801.1.16
B
D
B 0801.6.1
C
A
A
0801.1.17
C
A
B 0801.6.2
C
C
C
0801.1.19
A
D
B 0801.6.4
A
D
C
Reporting Category 3: Writing/Research
SPI
0801.3.3
0801.3.4
0801.3.5
0801.3.6
0801.3.7
0801.3.8
0801.3.9
0801.3.10
0801.3.11
0801.3.13
0801.4.1
0801.4.2
0801.4.3
0801.4.5
Q1
B
B
A
B
D
D
B
C
D
C
B
C
D
A
Q2
B
A
D
B
C
D
A
D
C
C
C
A
D
C
Q3
D
C
D
C
C
B
A
C
A
A
A
D
C
D
67
Language Arts SPI Review- Grade 8