Name: _____________________________________________________________________________ Date: ___________________________
Grade 8 Unit 2 Reading Comprehension Practice
Use this table to score questions 1-5 after you have completed this reading
comprehension practice exercise.
Question
Number
Code
Standard
Student Mastery
√= Answered
correctly
X= Answered
incorrectly
1
RL.8.2.
Determine a theme or central idea of a text.
2
RL.8.1.
3
RL.8.3.
4
RL.8.1.
5
RL.8.4.
6
RL.8.4.
Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports
inferences drawn from the text.
Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a
story reveal aspects of a character.
Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports
inferences drawn from the text.
Analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and
tone.
Analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and
tone.
Total points on
question 6:
Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an
analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences
drawn from the text.
_________/ 2 points
RL.8.1.
W.8.8.
Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital
sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility
and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the
data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and
following a standard format for citation.
1
Back Roads
by Vinnie Rotondaro
Used with permission by ReadWorks.org
Read the passage. Then answer questions 1 through 6.
1
Joe pulled up in a red Jeep Cherokee, put the car in park and let the engine idle. It was about 10:45
in the morning, a Friday. Sam arrived a few minutes later fresh off of the subway, duffle bag slung
over his back. The sun was clear white that day and shining down hard. It was almost spring. Joe
honked the horn, and when Sam spotted the car, he pointed to the sky and started walking over.
2
Reaching into the backseat, Joe popped open the door opposite him so Sam could toss his stuff in,
which he did, shutting the door and climbing into the front seat. Sam and Joe clasped palms in
salutation. Sam was wearing jeans, a jean jacket and some boots. Joe was in grey sneakers and a
blue hoodie. They were ready to roll.
3
The two were on their way to Pittsburgh from New York City. Sam hated rushing things and
insisted that they take back roads. Joe was in. After inching their way through the Holland Tunnel
and creeping along an expanse of industrial wasteland in New Jersey, they rolled onto a tree‐lined
road running parallel to the highway, and cruised a cool 60 miles per hour with the windows
down.
4
Eventually, they made their way into the country.
Joe found the historical markers that dotted the
sides of the roadway interesting—the ones next
to old colonial stone houses and scenic
graveyards, and the like—and every now and
then—this was a decidedly relaxed ride—he
would pull over to read them.
5
Somewhere in the middle of Pennsylvania, he
spotted one that was about an old bridge. The
bridge itself could barely be seen—a thicket of
barren trees obscured it. But a shining band of
bright white light could be seen. It was a river,
and the sun was all over it.
6
Joe sidled the car up to the sign. He hugged the outside of his door and took off his black
sunglasses. Squinting, he read:
ROCKVILLE BRIDGE
The longest stone masonry arch railroad bridge in the world, visible to the south, was built between
1900 and 1902. Named for the surrounding small settlement, it has forty‐eight arches and a length of
3,820 feet. It is the third bridge constructed here by the Pennsylvania Railroad. A wooden structure
has been built 1847‐49, followed by an iron bridge in 1877.
2
7
The two pulled back onto the road and drove up a bit further where they found an opening in the
trees. A clear sight of the river spilled into view. It was the Susquehanna River that was branching
out before them, beautiful and mighty. They looked at the bridge. It laid low along the water and
was made out of weathered stone. One arch after another crossed the water. Above the bridge and
the water alike, a sloping wooded mountaintop sat in the sky.
8
The men drove on. A few miles down the road they ran into a town called Dauphin Borough. The
town was located along a bend in the Susquehanna, just off its banks.
9
Joe found a gas station and pulled in to fill up. They had a direct view of the river. Sunlight dappled
the water, which rushed over rocks where shallow and flowed slowly where deep.
10
Sam opened his door and stumbled out onto the pavement. He stretched out in the beauty that lay
before him. He walked down to the river. After filling up the tank, Joe pulled into a parking spot
and called down to him.
11
“This place is incredible,” he hollered.
12
Sam came jogging up.
13
“It’s so great down there,” he said grinning. “Hey, I’m going to go into this diner and use the
bathroom.”
14
“Cool,” Joe said.
15
Sam ran across a lawn of freshly cut green grass, pulled open the door and walked inside.
16
Joe leaned against the jeep. Looking down at the water, he breathed in the deep cool air. About ten
minutes later Sam came out of the door with a burger in his hand and a brown paper bag full of
French fries.
17
They hopped into the car. Sam stuck his hand out the window and slapped the top of the jeep. Pop
Pop! They hit the road. As they were on their way out of town, Sam called out, “What’s that?”
18
“What is what?” said Joseph.
19
“That thing out there,” Sam said. “It’s like a white statue, or something.”
20
Joseph craned his neck around and caught a glimpse of it. He shook his head in disbelief. Out there
in the middle of the river on a hunk of grey stone, there it sat, glowing white in the sunlight.
21
“It looks like a miniature Statue of Liberty,” said Sam. “See how the left hand is holding up a torch.”
22
“Yeah I do,” said Joseph. “Look that thing up on your phone.” Sam entered “Dauphin Borough
Statue of Liberty” into an Internet search on his smartphone.
23
It was built by a local area resident, a lawyer, he learned, out of plywood and venetian blinds, and
erected in secret late at night one night with the help of some friends. No one else in the town
knew he was going to do this, so when everyone in Dauphin Borough woke up the next day and
looked out over the river, it was as if the white statue had risen miraculously from the water.
24
Over the years it had been blown over by wind, reconstructed and raised again. These days it’s just
considered part of the town.
3
25
“You know” Sam said, “America is amazing.”
26
“Yes it is,” said Joe.
27
“That’s why these back roads are so great,” Sam said. “You get to see all these things.”
28
The two agreed it would be foolish to ever drive on a major highway. With the sun starting to set,
they kept moving towards Pittsburgh where Dan was waiting. Dan was engaged to be married,
and Sam and Joe were going to take him on a road trip to Texas before his wedding. This was how
the trip began.
Write the letter of the correct answer on the line next to each question.
_______ 1. What is this story mostly about?
A.
B.
C.
D.
the difference between natural and man-made landmarks
the importance of taking time to appreciate nature
a friendship formed through the bond of sharing a car ride together
the beautiful and interesting things to be discovered along back roads
_______ 2. Which of the following lines from the text best supports your answer to question 1?
A.
B.
C.
D.
“That’s why these back roads are so great . . . You get to see all these things.”
“It was the Susquehanna River that was branching out before them, beautiful and mighty.”
“That thing out there . . . It’s like a white statue, or something.”
“Sam and Joe clasped palms in salutation.”
_______ 3. Reread paragraphs 10-13. What do the paragraphs most clearly reveal about Sam?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Sam is relaxed and even-tempered.
Sam does not know how to pump gas.
Sam prefers not to drive on road trips.
Sam appreciates and enjoys nature.
_______ 4. How do people in Dauphin Borough most likely feel about the statue?
A.
B.
C.
D.
They believe it is a sign from a higher power.
They embrace its presence.
They are confused by its miraculous appearance.
They pay little attention to it.
_______ 5. The word “spilled” in the following line from paragraph 7 helps the reader understand that the
Susquehanna River . . .
“A clear sight of the river spilled into view.”
A.
B.
C.
D.
came into sight suddenly
was overflowing its banks
was very powerful
was underwhelming
4
Answer question 6 in the space provided below.
6. What is the tone of this passage and how does the author develop it? Use at least two details
from the text to support your answer.
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5
ANSWER KEY
Write the letter of the correct answer on the line next to each question.
_______ 1. What is this story mostly about?
A.
B.
C.
D.
the difference between natural and man-made landmarks
the importance of taking time to appreciate nature
a friendship formed through the bond of sharing a car ride together
the beautiful and interesting things to be discovered along back roads
EXPLANATION: This question requires students to determine the central idea of the story. Students
must examine all answer choices and choose the choice that best describes what is happening in the
passage. While choices A, B, and C are all true of the passage, choice D best describes the passage’s main
focus. To help students understand why choice D is the best answer, point out that almost every
paragraph in the text supports choice D. In addition, the title of the passage and the last paragraph lend
particular support to choice D. Ask students to identify specific examples from the text to support
choice D.
_______ 2. Which of the following lines from the text best supports your answer to question 1?
A.
B.
C.
D.
“That’s why these back roads are so great . . . You get to see all these things.”
“It was the Susquehanna River that was branching out before them, beautiful and mighty.”
“That thing out there . . . It’s like a white statue, or something.”
“Sam and Joe clasped palms in salutation.”
EXPLANATION: This question requires students to identify the best textual evidence to support the
central idea they determined in the previous question. If students answered question 1 incorrectly,
they will most likely struggle with question 2. Give students the time to revisit question 2 after reviewing
question 1. Point out that looking at question 2 before answering question 1 is a strong test-taking
strategy and might even help them better answer question 1. Point out that choice A is most directly
aligned with the idea that there is much to discover along back roads.
_______ 3. Reread paragraphs 10-13. What do the paragraphs most clearly reveal about Sam?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Sam is relaxed and even-tempered.
Sam does not know how to pump gas.
Sam prefers not to drive on road trips.
Sam appreciates and enjoys nature.
EXPLANATION: This question requires students to determine what particular paragraphs from this
story reveal about Sam. Students must be able to read paragraphs 10-13 carefully and pay attention to
details in those paragraphs to draw a conclusion. Students might choose choice A because the paragraphs
do indeed show that Sam is relaxed and even-tempered. However, the question asks what the paragraphs
most clearly reveal, and there is a better, more clear answer. Students might choose choice B if they
focus on the fact that Joe pumps the gas. Point out to students that this is not enough evidence for them to
conclude that Sam does not know how to pump gas. Students might choose choice C if they focus on the
fact that Joe is driving and Sam is not. Point out to students that there is no evidence in the text that
indicates that Sam prefers not to drive. There are several lines from the text that support choice D. Ask
students to annotate paragraphs 10-13 and identify evidence that supports choice D. Review the
6
evidence with students. (“He stretched out in the beauty that lay before him. He walked down to the
river.” “It’s so great down there,” he said grinning”). Point out to students that these lines more directly
point to choice D, though choice A also describes Sam.
_______ 4. How do people in Dauphin Borough most likely feel about the statue?
A.
B.
C.
D.
They believe it is a sign from a higher power.
They embrace its presence.
They are confused by its miraculous appearance.
They pay little attention to it.
EXPLANATION: This question requires students to draw an inference from the text using textual
evidence. Students must carefully read paragraphs 17-24 to determine the best answer to this question.
Students might choose choice A if they do not understand that the last line in paragraph 23 is a simile.
Choice C is unlikely because Sam and Joe are able to access factual information about the statue’s origin,
which they relay clearly in paragraph 23. Paragraph 24 negates choice D, as it clearly states that “over the
years [the statue] had been blown over by wind, reconstructed and raised again. These days it’s just
considered part of the town. “ This line clearly proves that choice B is the best answer. Students must be
able to infer that the townspeople embrace the statue’s presence if they are willing to help reconstruct
and raise the statue when it blows over.
_______ 5. The word “spilled” in the following line from paragraph 7 helps the reader understand that the
Susquehanna River . . .
“A clear sight of the river spilled into view.”
A.
B.
C.
D.
came into sight suddenly
was overflowing its banks
was very powerful
was underwhelming
EXPLANATION: This question requires students to analyze the effect of the word “spilled” on the
meaning the author creates for the reader. Students will need to revisit paragraph 7 and read it
carefully to understand the connotation of the word. Direct student attention to the sentence before
the one in which the word “spilled” is used. Point out that in this sentence Sam and Joe find an opening
in the trees. This shows that they could not see the river until they found the opening, and lends support
for choice A.
7
Answer question 6 in the space provided below.
6. What is the tone of this passage and how does the author develop it? Use at least two details
from the text to support your answer
Answers will vary. Use the enclosed rubric as a guideline for scoring.
Example of a 2-level answer:
The tone of this passage is relaxed. The author develops the tone by relating various relaxing
experiences that Sam and Joe have throughout their road trip. For example, the author describes
how Sam and Joe stop at the Rockville Bridge on their road trip. They spend time looking at the
“Susquehanna River that was branching out before them, beautiful and mighty.” This beautiful
image and the lack of urgency with which the boys look at the river suggest a relaxed tone. Later on
in the text, the author describes how Joe relaxes while pumping gas. He leans against his jeep and
examines the water in the distance, breathing in “the deep, cool air.” All of these actions and the
images associated with them suggest that Joe is very relaxed on his road trip. This contributes to
the relaxed tone.
Score
2
1
0
Response Features
• Valid inferences and/or claims from the text where required by
the prompt
• Evidence of analysis of the text where required by the prompt
• Relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, and/or other information from the text to develop
response according to the requirements of the prompt
• Sufficient number of facts, definitions, concrete details, and/or other information from the text
as required by the prompt
• Complete sentences where errors do not impact readability
• A mostly literal recounting of events or details from the text as required by the prompt
• Some relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, and/or other information from the text to
develop response according to the requirements of the prompt
• Incomplete sentences or bullets
• A response that does not address any of the requirements of the prompt or is totally inaccurate
• A response that is not written in English
• A response that is unintelligible or indecipherable
8