North Carolina Testing Program
EOG Reading Grade 7 Sample Items
This drama deals with an “invention” that has not yet come to pass. Read the selection and
answer the questions that follow.
The Time Machine
Characters
NARRATORS 1, 2, 3
GEORGE, the Time Traveler
DONALD FILBY, friend of George
WALTER GOODWIN, friend of George
DR. MILLARD, friend of George
Scene 1
NARRATOR 1:
It’s a chilly winter evening in London. The year is 1895. A group of wealthy
friends has gathered for good food and challenging conversation. And this
evening, as they sit by a fire, George sets the tone.
NARRATOR 2:
As the others watch in fascination, George places a darkly varnished box on a
table.
GEORGE:
FILBY:
GEORGE:
GOODWIN:
GEORGE:
MILLARD:
GEORGE:
FILBY:
GEORGE:
GOODWIN:
GEORGE:
FILBY:
GEORGE:
Page 1
Listen carefully, gentlemen. I believe that our ideas about the dimensions of
this box are false–or, shall I say–incomplete.
You’ve lost me already, George.
My dear Donald, I am simply saying that this cube–defined only in terms of
length, width, and height–does not truly exist.
I beg to differ, George. The cube exists. We see it. All real–
(interrupting) So most people think, Walter. But wait . . . can a cube exist
without time?
Don’t follow you, old man.
Let me restate then. Can a cube that does not exist for any time actually be
called real?
I must say my mind is muddled.
Bear with me, Donald. I’m simply saying that any real thing must have four
dimensions–length, width, height . . . and time.
(sarcastically) You’re saying that time is a dimension? A fourth dimension?
Precisely! Length, width, and height are defined as planes being at right angles
to one another. I say that time is at a right angle to those other three. See?
(uncertain) I–I think so.
(picking up box) If this cube did not have the dimension of “now,” it would not
have length, width, or height. Therefore, no reality.
Published April 2005. May reproduce for instructional and
educational purposes only, not for personal or financial gain.
North Carolina Testing Program
EOG Reading Grade 7 Sample Items
MILLARD:
I spot a fallacy. If time is a fourth dimension, why is it that we cannot change
time as we do length, width, and height to make an object larger or smaller?
GEORGE:
Are you so certain, doctor, that we cannot change time? That we cannot move
about in it as a fish swims through an ocean?
FILBY:
GEORGE:
NARRATOR 3:
Absolutely! One cannot move from the present moment–at least not
physically.
(excitedly) That, my good friend, is where you are wrong.
George leaves his words hanging in the air as he reaches for another log to put
on the fire.
Scene 2
NARRATOR 1:
GOODWIN:
FILBY:
GEORGE:
Later that evening–with the fire stoked and roaring–George returns to his
argument that it is possible to move through time.
But it’s against all reason.
I agree. You may argue that black is white, but proof–
(interrupting) Proof, Donald, is what I am about to offer.
NARRATOR 2:
George opens the shiny box and removes a small object that resembles a
horse-drawn sleigh.
NARRATOR 3:
It has a glittering metal frame and a cylinder at the front made of ivory and
transparent crystals. Two small levers extend from the cylinder toward a small
seat.
MILLARD:
GEORGE:
NARRATOR 1:
GEORGE:
GOODWIN:
NARRATOR 2:
GEORGE:
NARRATOR 3:
Page 2
What humbug is this?
This little affair is a model of a much larger machine that I have in my
laboratory–a machine in which to travel through time.
The skeptical men gather near the machine to inspect it.
(points) Notice the levers. Pressing this one forward sends the machine gliding
into the future. The other reverses the direction.
Preposterous! It’s all sleight of hand!
Smiling calmly, George takes Goodwin’s hand and places it on the “forward”
lever of the small machine.
Look carefully and remember, gentlemen. A slight pressure from Walter’s hand
is about to send this machine into the future.
George presses Goodwin’s hand. There is a sudden breath of wind in the room.
Candles flicker, and the machine fades into a transparent shape, then
disappears.
Published April 2005. May reproduce for instructional and
educational purposes only, not for personal or financial gain.
North Carolina Testing Program
GEORGE:
NARRATOR 1:
FILBY:
MILLARD:
GEORGE:
NARRATOR 2:
EOG Reading Grade 7 Sample Items
Well, gentlemen?
An uneasy silence settles over the room as the men try to grasp what they have
seen.
(softly) My word!
(angrily) Look here, George! You don’t really believe that your little toy has
disappeared into the future, do you?
Actually, it’s still in the same place–just in a different time. As I will be if all
goes as I’ve planned.
George has struck his friends speechless. They file out into the night.
“The Time Machine” by Scott Ingram from READ. Copyright © 1990, published by Weekly Reader Corporation.
1.
What argument did George make in
scene 1?
Page 3
Why did Millard disagree with
George’s theory about time?
A
Time is as easy to measure as
size.
A
He thought time was only an
idea.
B
Time depends upon point of view.
B
He thought time f lowed in only
one direction.
C
Time is necessary for things to
exist.
C
He thought time was constantly
moving.
Time is more important than
length, width, or height.
D
He thought time could not be
changed.
D
2.
3.
How did the men react when they first
saw the machine?
A
amused
B
confused
C
doubtful
D
impressed
Published April 2005. May reproduce for instructional and
educational purposes only, not for personal or financial gain.
North Carolina Testing Program
4.
What is the most likely reason
George did not show his friends the
time machine at the beginning of their
conversation?
A
5.
6.
Page 4
He wanted to explain his ideas
first.
B
He was nervous about his friends’
reactions.
C
He was worried that the machine
would not work.
D
He was trying to create a feeling
of suspense.
What is the most likely reason that
George used Goodwin’s hand to
operate the time machine?
A
He hoped to protect himself from
danger.
B
He needed help in pulling the
lever.
C
He was trying to make Goodwin a
little nervous.
D
He wanted to prove the machine
was not a trick.
EOG Reading Grade 7 Sample Items
7.
What is George planning to do next?
A
to make a large time machine
B
to return the time machine to the
room
C
to travel through time himself
D
to change the time in the room
End of Set
In compliance with federal law, including the
provisions of Title IX of the Education Amendments of
1972, the Department of Public Instruction does not
discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, color,
national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or military
service in its policies, programs, activities, admissions
or employment.
Which of the following words best
describes how George’s friends feel at
the end of the selection?
A
astounded
B
discouraged
C
excited
D
fearful
Published April 2005. May reproduce for instructional and
educational purposes only, not for personal or financial gain.
Answers to
Grade 7 Reading Comprehension Sample Items
Selection Title
Question
Number
Correct
Answer
Category
Thinking Skill
Objective
Number
The Time Machine
1
C
Interpretation
Analyzing
5.01
The Time Machine
2
C
Interpretation
Analyzing
5.01
The Time Machine
3
D
Interpretation
Generating
5.01
The Time Machine
4
A
Interpretation
Generating
5.01
The Time Machine
5
D
Interpretation
Generating
5.01
The Time Machine
6
A
Interpretation
Analyzing
5.01
The Time Machine
7
C
Interpretation
Generating
5.01
Thursday, March 31, 2005
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