Study Island
Copyright © 2014 Edmentum - All rights reserved.
Generation Date: 04/03/2014
Generated By: Cheryl Shelton
Title: Grade 8 Language
1.
In the English language, some words can be pronounced in different ways. These
words are called polyphones. One example of a polyphone is the word "a."
Based on your knowledge of Greek and Latin roots, what is the meaning of the word polyphones
in the passage above?
A. many writings
B. small talk
C. many sounds
D. fake sounds
2.
His serve was one of the best in the game. All of them landed spot on.
Which sentence uses the word serve as it is used in the box above?
A. Broderick was so good with his serves that the ball landed precisely.
B. Garry was a war veteran who wanted to serve his country.
C. Johnny had to serve his full term to be eligible to leave.
D. He wanted to serve his master until the last days of his life.
3. Which verb agrees with the subject in the sentence below?
The artist and the writer _______ the same passion for nature.
A. shares
B. share
C. is sharing
D. sharing
4. Which verb agrees with the subject in the sentence below?
Neither Jenna nor Trent _______ the time to finish their chores this week.
A. has found
B. have found
C. were having found
D. having found
5. Choose the correct word to complete the analogy.
Feast is to famine as life is to _______.
A. years
B. death
C. happiness
D. food
6. Select the correct word or group of words that belongs in the sentence below.
The newest member of the track team seemed to move _______ than any one else on
the team.
A. rapidlier
B. most rapid
C. more rapidly
D. rapidest
7. Tara was the fencing champion at her school. She learned how to fence off her
opponents really well. This gave her a unique skill that very few on campus had. It also
helped build her self-confidence for things outside of school.
What does the word fence mean in the above passage?
A. one who sells stolen goods
B. to avoid giving answers
C. to create a boundary
D. to ward off or keep away
8. instrument \ˈin(t)-strə-mənt\ n.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
a device to produce musical sounds
a tool used in procedures, like surgery
a mechanical device used to measure something
document related to business, like bond, drafts, etc.
a means through which something is done
What is the meaning of instrument in the sentence below?
She was the chief instrument of change in the revolution.
A. definition 5
B. definition 2
C. definition 4
D. definition 3
9. Which word is on the page with guide words plead / poach?
A. poetry
B. plea
C. pliers
D. poultry
10.
When Dad and Mom gave me that talk, they did not intend to corner me, but I felt that
way.
Which sentence uses the word corner as it is used in the box above?
A. Mindy felt like she was cornered when Sasha asked her.
B. As the theif turned the corner, he ran straight into cops.
C. I cycled the corner, and then went over to my aunt's place.
D. Tiku went around the street corner and came home.
11.
All week long, there was commotion in the neighborhood. A house down the
street was under construction because new people were moving into it. The noise was
so loud that babies in the neighboring houses could not take their naps. The babies
wailed and howled, but nothing could pacify them.
Based on your knowledge of Greek and Latin roots, what is the meaning of the word pacify in
the passage above?
A. turn away
B. roll down
C. bring peace
D. make smaller
12. Select the correct word or group of words that belongs in the sentence below.
Helene's best friend sang _______ during the choir concert.
A. magnificently
B. most magnificent
C. magnificentlier
D. more magnificently
13. Use your knowledge of affixes to complete the sentence below.
In a business, if a person is a subordinate, then he or she works
A. against another person.
B. without other people.
C. before other people.
D. under another person.
14. What relationship is most similar to the one below?
employer : employee
A. child : babysitter
B. customer : cashier
C. teacher : student
D. soldier : hero
15. Select the correct word or group of words that belongs in the sentence below.
Ricardo knew that his mother was the _______ person on the planet when it came to
the holidays.
A. craziest
B. most crazily
C. more crazy
D. crazilier
Indira Gandhi was the first female prime minister of India. She was a symbol of
power. Her political background was very promising as her father was the first prime
minister of independent India. In fact, as a twelve-year-old girl, she had formulated the
"Monkey Brigade." It was a group of about 1,000 children who assisted the members of
the Congress. The children ran errands and provided refreshments. In addition, they
also gathered secret information for the congress members.
However, Gandhi's political career was a controversial one. Indira failed to fulfill her
pledge to alleviate poverty. To make the matters worse, the people suffered from severe
droughts, poor harvests, and food shortages. Also, political unrest further tainted
Gandhi's reputation. The way she handled her opponents was extremely criticized. She
was said to be ill-advised by her son. While she was a hero to her supporters, she was
far from beloved to her critics.
16. The word alleviate most likely means to
A. relieve.
B. release.
C. infuriate.
D. invade.
17. As used in the passage above, formulated means
A. arranged.
B. devised.
C. advised.
D. mixed.
18. Read this sentence from the passage.
Also, political unrest further tainted Gandhi's reputation.
What does the word tainted mean in this context?
A. suffered
B. complicated
C. tarnished
D. transmitted
Arianna's behavior was cryptic to say the least. The momentary bursts of laughter
between her tears completely baffled us. Arianna, the peer advocate, had never been
so out of touch with herself. As her best friend, I tried hard to lift her spirit. However, the
grimace in her face at my every attempt to do so discouraged me. Arianna did not want
to watch a movie, enjoy ice cream, or go for a walk. I could not watch Arianna sit frozen
on her couch anymore, and I needed help rolling her out from the inertia. So I convinced
the school counselor to pay Arianna a visit.
19. In this paragraph, the narrator tries to roll Arianna out from the inertia. What does inertia
most likely mean?
A. penalty
B. sorrow
C. inactivity
D. assistance
20. Which word or phrase in the paragraph helps the reader understand the meaning of the word
grimace?
A. advocate
B. momentary
C. discouraged
D. attempt