ENGL-6
Unit 5 Assessment
Exam not valid for Paper Pencil Test Sessions
Read the following passage and answer questions 1 through 3.
The Forgotten Fruit
1 Explorers of Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s estate in Virginia, will come across Paw Paw Valley. The pawpaw was one of his favorite fruits. He enjoyed it so much, in fact, he named the valley after it. Additionally, he mailed seeds to France. He wanted to share his love of the fruit. He is not the only famous figure to enjoy the fruit that has a taste that transports the eater to the tropics. Lewis and Clark, famous American explorers, also enjoyed the pawpaw when their other provisions ran low. Unfortunately, Americans forgot about its tropical claim to fame in the early 1900s. Thankfully, the pawpaw has received some much-deserved attention lately. 2 Most people today have never heard of the pawpaw even though there are at least seven towns in the United States named after it. It is the largest edible fruit native to America. It can be found in 26 states, from Maine to Florida and as far west as Nebraska. Until recently, it was only found in the wild. Its outer color ranges from green to yellow. Some dark flecks may also appear. It weighs 5 to 16 ounces and measures 3 to 6 inches in length. The inside of the fruit is also a wonderful surprise. The edible portion is yellow with a creamy texture like a custard or pudding. The taste has been described as a mix of banana, mango, pineapple, and melon. Not only delicious, the pawpaw is also nutritious. It is high in antioxidants, which remove disease-causing agents from the body. It is also a source of Vitamin C, riboflavin, niacin, among others. 3
The pawpaw has appeared recently at local farmers markets. Otherwise, it has had little commercial success. Supermarkets do not carry it because of its short shelf life (and ugly appearance). The harvest season is also very short. It lasts only a few weeks in fall. Supporters of the pawpaw, however, are trying to make them more available. These supporters range from major universities to individual plant scientists. Kentucky State University has an entire program dedicated to understanding the fruit. In addition to the university, plant scientist Neal Peterson has devoted thirty years of his life to the plant. Through his efforts, he has bred much larger varieties that are now being grown in other orchards. 4
Although the popularity of this plant has had its ups and downs, we can only hope that the pawpaw will become more available. The American public needs to get a taste of this wonderful, healthy option. Then, it may become as popular as apples. With the hard work of Peterson and Kentucky State University, it may be the pawpaw, instead of the apple, that keeps the doctor away! [Exam ID:2VHJJZ
1
Directions: Click on the correct answers.
Which words are synonyms for provisions in paragraph 1?
skills
pathways
conditions
supplies
necessities
2
Which meaning of commercial is used in paragraph 3? A Definition 1
B Definition 2
C Definition 3
3
D Definition 4
E Definition 5
Which statement best expresses the main idea of this passage?
The efforts of Neal Peterson are increasing the A
understanding of a forgotten fruit.
B Many famous people enjoy eating pawpaws.
C A previously popular fruit is once again gaining popularity.
D Pawpaws are the current trend in nutrition.
Without the help of Kentucky State University, pawpaws E
would be extinct.
Read the following passage and answer questions 4 through 14.
The Greatest Adventure
1 Charles had not missed a sunrise in days. Moving next to the window and bracing himself against the wall, he watched as the sun slowly rose above the edge of the Earth. It cast his face in a soft yellow light. Charles closed his eyes for a minute and sighed. When he opened them again, he discovered that he was floating a foot above the floor. He smiled and shook his head. It never ceased to amaze him. 2 Many first-time astronauts have trouble adjusting to weightlessness in space. Some spend a week aboard the space station and never get their bearings, struggling to maneuver gracefully without gravity. Charles recalled that it had taken him two weeks to feel comfortable moving around the space station during his first trip into orbit. As he looked down on Earth, Charles chuckled at the memory. That was a long time ago, he thought to himself.
3 Much had changed since his first trip to space over twenty years earlier. He had become one of the most skilled and experienced astronauts on Earth. He was so good, in fact, that he spent most of his life off Earth, living on the orbiting space station. He had experienced many interesting things during his career as an astronaut, including his first trip to the moon in 2112, and his first trip to Mars in 2113. Despite a lifetime of adventures, however, he was now preparing for his most thrilling adventure yet. The story begins a hundred years earlier, long before Charles was even born. Since the early twenty-first century, scientists had been cataloging all the planets in the galaxy in search of extraterrestrial life. In its first year, the search had generated a lot of excitement. As years passed, however, interest began to wane. Scientists had looked at thousands and thousands of planets over the decades, and none showed any signs of life. The people of Earth began to grow discouraged, and then they simply lost interest. Meanwhile, each new generation of scientists continued the search in hopes that, one day, they might find a planet with life. 5 Then one day, it happened. Scientists stumbled across an average-size planet, about the size of Earth, emitting an incredible amount of radio waves. They had never seen any other planet do this… except Earth. They knew that it could only mean one thing: living things must be making all those radio waves. The world could hardly believe it. People danced in the streets shouting, “We are not alone!” 6 When the excitement subsided, a question remained: what do we do now? The international community was split. Some wanted to send an unmanned space probe to explore the planet. Others argued that the journey was too important to leave to robots, and that humans should explore the planet in person. The governments of the world eventually agreed that this was a job that only humans could do. 4
7
Charles was shocked and delighted when he was asked to join the seven-
member team that would explore the mysterious planet. There were several reasons why he could have turned it down. After all, he was already forty years old, and it would take the team at least fifteen years to reach their destination. He knew that it was a dangerous mission, and that it might mean saying goodbye to Earth forever. 8 Despite these concerns, Charles accepted the mission without a moment’s hesitation. 9 He now floated aboard the space station, waiting for the spaceship that would take him on his journey through the cosmos. It was a bittersweet feeling knowing that he may be gazing at his home planet for the last time. As he looked out the window, one of the other astronauts appeared at his door. 10 “The spaceship is here,” he said. “Are you ready to go?” 11 Charles took one last look at the beautiful blue planet where he was born. With a sigh, he turned away from the window. “Yes, I’m ready,” he said. Then he floated down the hallway, bound for his greatest adventure yet. 4
Which question can be answered in paragraph 5?
What did the newly discovered planet have in A
common with Earth?
B How long would it take to travel to the new planet?
What type of life forms were creating the radio C
waves?
In which galaxy is the planet that scientists want to D
explore?
5
Which sentence from paragraph 4 provides a clue to the meaning of the word wane?
The people of Earth began to grow discouraged, and A
then they simply lost interest.
Meanwhile, each new generation of scientists B continued the search in hopes that, one day, they might find a planet with life.
Since the early twenty-first century, scientists had C been cataloging all the planets in the galaxy in search of extraterrestrial life.
The story begins a hundred years earlier, long D
before Charles was even born.
6
What is the main idea of paragraph 2?
Astronauts feel weightless when they are traveling on a spaceship.
Charles will always remember his first trip into outer B
space.
Many people are uninterested in becoming an C
astronaut.
It is common for new astronauts to feel D
uncomfortable without gravity.
A
7
Why was Charles most likely chosen to join the new mission?
A He is experienced.
B He is old.
C He is lonely.
D He is curious.
8
Read these sentences from paragraph 4. Meanwhile, each new generation of scientists continued the search in hopes that, one day, they might find a planet with life. From this sentence, the reader can conclude that —
A life does not exist in outer space
B young scientists rarely make new discoveries
C the scientists are not willing to give up trying
D being hired as a scientist is rare
9
Based on the information in paragraph 1, the reader can infer that —
A a sunrise is more beautiful when viewed from space
B the astronauts sleep during the day
C Charles enjoys watching the sun rise
D the astronauts never miss a sunset
10 In paragraph 9, what does cosmos mean?
The land, buildings, and possessions owned by A
someone
B A wild land overgrown with dense vegetation
C The universe regarded as an orderly system
D A confusing network of interconnecting pathways
11 Charles can best be described as —
A careless
B deceptive
C courageous
D independent
12 Read this sentence from paragraph 6. When the excitement subsided, a question remained: what do we do now? In which word does re- have the same meaning as it does in remained?
A
B
C
D
reasons
reach
recalled
ready
13 Which sentence from the story best indicates the setting of the story?
He knew that it was a dangerous mission, and that it A
might mean saying goodbye to Earth forever.
Moving next to the window and bracing himself against B the wall, he watched as the sun slowly rose above the edge of the Earth.
Much had changed since his first trip to space over twenty C
years earlier.
He had experienced many interesting things during his D career as an astronaut, including his first trip to the moon in 2112, and his first trip to Mars in 2113.
14 Based on the paragraphs 1 and 2, the reader can most likely predict that Charles
is traveling in a hot air balloon floating across the A
Appalachian Mountains in Southwest Virginia.
did not feel comfortable in the new work environment B
near the railroad station.
C created a journey to view the clear blue waters at sunrise.
D was an astronaut floating in a spacestation.