HCMS_Language Arts_8th Grade
Eighth Grade English/Language Arts
Test
HCMS08 Henry
Name:
Date:
Instructions:
Copyright ©2000-2002 Measured Progress, All Rights Reserved
Name:
Test:
HCMS_Language Arts_8th Grade
Date:
Teacher:
HCMS08 Henry
1. In the sentence below, how should sister-in-laws be written?
My sister-in-laws family lives in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
A.
B.
C.
D.
sister’s-in-law’s
sister-in-laws’
sisters’-in-laws’
sister-in-law’s
2. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The nurse took my temperature; he then took my pulse.
The nurse took my temperature, then taking my pulse.
The nurse took my temperature; and then took my pulse.
The nurse took my temperature then took my pulse.
3. What does the underlined word modify in the sentence below?
The amiable animal was playing in the park yesterday.
A.
B.
C.
D.
park
playing
animal
was
Eighth Grade English/Language Arts
2
Test
Name:
Test:
HCMS_Language Arts_8th Grade
Date:
Teacher:
HCMS08 Henry
4. In the sentence below, what is the preposition?
Extensive renovations are scheduled for Grove Junior High School this summer.
A.
B.
C.
D.
are
for
this
summer
5. What is the BEST way to combine the sentences below?
To prepare for the class party, James set up tables in the gym. To prepare for the class party, James
decorated the gym.
A.
B.
C.
D.
To prepare for the class party, setting up tables and decorated the gym by James.
To prepare for the class party, James set up tables and decorated the gym.
James set up tables and decorated the gym for the class party to prepare.
James setting up the table and decorating the gym to prepare for the class party.
6. Which of these adds the correct punctuation to the sentence below?
Mr. Marshall the man in the red coat will help you find your seat.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Mr. Marshall the man in the red coat, will help you find your seat.
Mr. Marshall the man in the red coat, will help you find your seat?
Mr. Marshall, the man in the red coat, will help you find your seat.
Mr. Marshall, the man in the red coat, will help you find your seat?
Eighth Grade English/Language Arts
3
Test
Name:
Test:
HCMS_Language Arts_8th Grade
Date:
Teacher:
HCMS08 Henry
7. Which sentence uses modifiers correctly?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Having sold their house, the Lopez family moved to Austin.
The young, unruly stallion kicked its trainer in the pasture.
The video cassette nearly costs twenty dollars.
Playing football all afternoon, my homework remained unfinished.
Use the paragraph below to answer question 8.
1Movies exist for two general purposes: to entertain and to teach. 2Science Fiction and historical
documentaries are two types of films that accomplish this goal. 3 The former usually appeals to many age
groups, while the latter seems to hold the interest of those who know something about history either
through reading about it or experiencing it. 4As we approach a new century, one thing is certain: there
will always be material for the “big screen” because there will be just that many more years, lives, and
stories upon which to reflect.
8. What is the function of sentence 4 in the paragraph above?
A.
B.
C.
D.
It is a supporting sentence.
It is a theme sentence.
It is a redundant sentence.
It is a clincher sentence.
Eighth Grade English/Language Arts
4
Test
Name:
Test:
HCMS_Language Arts_8th Grade
Date:
Teacher:
HCMS08 Henry
Use the paragraph below to answer question 9.
1Elliott arrived to class early, excited about the speech he had written. 2He thought about the main points
and was thankful he jotted them down on note cards the night before. 3Elliott didn’t like his handwriting.
4When Ms. Williams quietly called his name, he reached into his backpack for the note cards. 5They
weren’t there.
9. Which sentence in the paragraph does NOT belong?
A.
B.
C.
D.
sentence 2
sentence 3
sentence 4
sentence 5
10. Which word BEST fills in the blank in the sentence below?
Jane’s mother and father wanted her to attend music camp, but _______ preferred swimming lessons.
A.
B.
C.
D.
them
her
they
she
11. What is the compound predicate in the sentence below?
The Broadview Chorus participated in an a cappella singing competition and won first prize for their
vocal range and spirited performance.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Broadview, Chorus
participated, won
singing, competition
vocal, spirited
Eighth Grade English/Language Arts
5
Test
Name:
Test:
HCMS_Language Arts_8th Grade
Date:
Teacher:
HCMS08 Henry
12. Which of the following would work BEST as a topic sentence for the paragraph below?
Carlos E. Rushmore, a New York attorney, was hiking on the mountain with his friend. Rushmore
asked his friend the name of a certain peak. The attorney’s friend jokingly told him the name of the
peak was “Rushmore.” The lawyer believed his friend and told other friends about the coincidence.
The people who lived near the mountain thought it was a good joke and didn’t contradict the lawyer.
Rushmore left the area believing the name of that peak was “Rushmore.” Those in on the joke
continued to call it that until it did officially become known as “Mount Rushmore.”
A.
B.
C.
D.
Mount Rushmore looks enormous and interesting.
Many people visit Mount Rushmore each year.
Mount Rushmore is the mountain in South Dakota with the faces of past presidents carved into it.
Sometimes a joke has a lasting effect, as was the case in the naming of Mount Rushmore.
13. What is the simple predicate in the sentence below?
Marvin has been following his favorite basketball team’s progress with interest this season.
A.
B.
C.
D.
with interest
has been following
this season
basketball team’s progress
14. Write the three complete predicates in the following sentence in the space provided below.
Although Ralph is a miser, he plays the guitar very well, and we all enjoy his parties.
Eighth Grade English/Language Arts
6
Test
Name:
Test:
HCMS_Language Arts_8th Grade
Date:
Teacher:
HCMS08 Henry
15. How is the underlined word used in the sentence below?
When he gave the speech, Martin said he felt confident.
A.
B.
C.
D.
predicate nominative
predicate adjective
indirect object
direct object
Use the paragraph below to answer question 16.
1My dog Toby was a puppy when my dad brought him home. 2He was so cute and cuddly. 3He is all
grown up now. 4And bigger than my little sister.
16. Which statement in the paragraph above is NOT a complete sentence?
A.
B.
C.
D.
statement 1
statement 2
statement 3
statement 4
17. What is the understood subject of the sentence below?
Gather the following ingredients for a delectable tuna casserole: elbow-shaped noodles, a can of tuna,
a can of mushroom soup, and a cup of finely chopped celery.
A.
B.
C.
D.
you
ingredients
tuna
casserole
Eighth Grade English/Language Arts
7
Test
Name:
Test:
HCMS_Language Arts_8th Grade
Date:
Teacher:
HCMS08 Henry
18. What is the interjection in the sentence below?
Well, I hope that won’t keep me from finishing my homework.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Well
hope
keep
homework
19. The sentence below has a misplaced modifier. How should it BEST be revised?
Modigliani could transform a simple, isolated subject into a brilliant work of art using color and line
like a magician.
A. Modigliani could transform a simple, isolated subject using color and line like a magician into a
brilliant work of art.
B. Using color and line like a magician, Modigliani could transform a simple, isolated subject into a
brilliant work of art.
C. Modigliani could, using color and line like a magician, transform a simple, isolated subject into a
brilliant work of art.
D. Like a magician, Modigliani could transform a simple, isolated subject, using color and line, into
a brilliant work of art.
20. Which word BEST fills in the blank in the sentence below?
Many
_______ enlisted in the United States Army during World War II.
A.
B.
C.
D.
person
peoples
persons
people
Eighth Grade English/Language Arts
8
Test
Name:
Test:
HCMS_Language Arts_8th Grade
Date:
Teacher:
HCMS08 Henry
1All by herself, Krystal jumped into the pool and prepared herself for the test. 2She waited by the side of
the pool for the coach to blow the whistle. 3When she heard the shrill sound of the whistle, Krystal
pushed off from the side and began to swim as fast as she could. 4Krystal knew this would be the
deciding factor in whether or not she made the swim team. 5She looked up at the coach expectantly and
was not disappointed. 6Her time had been good enough and she had made the team.
21. After which sentence in the paragraph above could the sentence below BEST be added?
With a sudden burst of energy, Krystal reached the far side of the pool and sighed with relief.
after sentence:
22. Which word BEST fills in the blank in the sentence below?
Jose is the one _______ assisted me in my project.
A.
B.
C.
D.
which
whom
what
who
Eighth Grade English/Language Arts
9
Test