Study Island - Organizing Ideas
Standard
GA Grade 7, ELA Standard
ELACC7W2
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the
selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information, using strategies
such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics
(e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.
Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
Establish and maintain a formal style.
Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented.
GA Grade 7, ELA Standard
ELACC7W3
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive
details, and well-structured event sequences.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or
characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.
Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or
characters.
Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or
setting to another.
Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey
experiences and events.
Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events.
GA Grade 7, ELA Standard
ELACC7W1
Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Introduce claim(s), acknowledge alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.
Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating
an understanding of the topic or text.
Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), reasons, and
evidence.
Establish and maintain a formal style.
Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.
Copyright © 2014 Edmentum - All rights reserved.
Generation Date: 02/03/2014
Generated By: Shenica Bridges-Mathieu
1.
The Rugged Peak
(1) When my family visited the Oregon coast each summer, we would climb a nearby
peak called Neahkahnie Mountain. (2) The trailhead was within walking distance from
our cabin, right along the highway. (3) Crossing the highway carefully, my parents and I
entered the trail and immediately began to climb. (4) Wild blueberry bushes were all
along the path, and we were tempted to just stay there and eat the berries! (5) Near the
top, the air was foggy and cold, and we had to put on an extra layer of clothing to stay
warm. (6) By about halfway up the winding trail, my legs threatened to give out.
(7) However, by then I could see the peak above me. (8) This inspired me to keep
trudging onward. (9) At last, after about an hour of hiking, we reached the rugged peak,
over 1,600 feet above the beach. (10) The incredible view of cliffs and shoreline made
the climb more than worth the effort.
Which sentence in this passage is in the wrong place?
A. sentence 5
B. sentence 9
C. sentence 7
D. sentence 3
2.
Aloe Vera
(1) Aloe vera is a succulent plant, meaning it can retain water. Therefore, the plant
can survive in very dry climates. (2) Aloe vera can be found growing in dry regions of
Africa and India. (3) The aloe vera plant is frequently used in herbal medicine. (4) In
particular, it is thought to have the ability to heal skin, such as in the treatment of burns.
(5) For this reason, the gel-like substance in the leaves is often made into ointments
that are soothing for sunburns and other skin injuries. (6) Some say that the gel applied
to the scalp can prevent dandruff!
(7) Aloe vera has other uses as well. (8) Aloe vera is sold as an oral gel to treat
stomach disorders. (9) The plant is so good for the skin that it is often an ingredient in
cosmetics. (10) One common use of aloe vera is for the treatment of stomach ulcers
because its soothing qualities can help heal the stomach lining.
Which sentence in this passage is in the wrong place?
A. sentence 4
B. sentence 9
C. sentence 5
D. sentence 2
3.
Mount Rainier
Paragraph 1
On a clear day, this mountain towers over the landscape. It rises up out of the
foothills to a height of 14,410 feet. The mountain has 26 named glaciers and countless
smaller ones on its face, more than any other mountain in the lower 48 states. If you
drive along Interstate 5 from Seattle, Washington, toward Portland, Oregon, you are
sure to see Mount Rainier. The local Native American tribes called the mountain
"Tahoma." In 1792, however, British explorer Captain George Vancouver named it
Mount Rainier. He named it for his friend Rear Admiral Peter Rainier. Glaciers on the
mountain form the beginnings of six major rivers in the area.
Paragraph 2
Mount Rainier is an active volcano, like its neighbor to the south, Mount St. Helens.
In fact, Mount Rainier is overdue to explode. Steam explosions have occurred on the
mountain throughout the years, and scientists expect Mount Rainier to fully erupt
sometime in the next few hundred years. If Mount Rainier does erupt unexpectedly, it
will cause major destruction. The most damage would come from lahars, which are
volcanic mudslides. These lahars will quickly melt the snow and ice that are layered
upon the mountain. They also have the potential to destroy communities near the
mountain. Even though scientists do not think that the mountain will erupt anytime soon,
communities around the mountain are still preparing for the worst.
Paragraph 3
Researchers have found debris that suggest stone tools were made and sharpened
at those sites. Mount Rainier has also proven to be a rich area for archeologists to study
the native cultures. At least five Native American tribes once lived in the area around
the mountain. These tribes were the Nisqually, Puyallup, Muckleshoot, Yakama, and
Taidnapam. From the debris that has been unearthed on the mountain, scientists now
know that the tribes visited the mountain in the summer and fall to hunt animals. Native
Americans came to gather berries and other plants. 79 archaeological sites have been
found so far on the mountain. These provide the evidence that Native Americans once
lived near Mount Rainier.
Paragraph 4
So many people began to visit the area in the 1800s that in 1899 Mount Rainier was
made a national park. It was only the fifth national park in the United States. Today, the
number of visitors exceeds two million a year. People flock to hike and camp along its
lakes and rivers and to gaze at the mountain. There were no roads leading into the park
until 1911 when the first car reached the area. Roads enabled far more visitors to come,
and by the 1950s, the park had already seen over a million visitors per year.
Which paragraph is organized in the most logical order?
A. paragraph 1
B. paragraph 2
C. paragraph 3
D. paragraph 4
4.
The Oregon Trail
(1) The 2,000-mile Oregon Trail was a pathway from Missouri to Oregon. (2) Though
some people came on their own, many chose to travel in wagon trains. (3) Some trains
were quite large, such as the Great Migration of 1843, which had 120 wagons!
(4) Others only had a handful of wagons. (5) A number of factors determined the size of
the wagon train, such as how well the travelers got along and how fast they wanted to
travel. (6) In addition, bigger wagon trains were often formed for safety and security.
(7) If a certain section of trail was known for having thieves or hostile people, for
instance, the travelers would stick together. (8) These larger wagon trains sometimes
split up later once they were past the danger.
Where does this sentence best fit in the passage?
The trail was used by countless pioneers who wanted to settle out west.
A. after sentence 3
B. before sentence 2
C. before sentence 7
D. after sentence 5
5.
Star Gazing
(1) These clubs are usually very friendly, and long-time members love to share their
interests—and their telescopes—with newcomers. (2) If you're interested in studying the
stars, you don't have to buy an expensive telescope to do it. (3) The first thing to do is to
connect with your local astronomy club. (4) You can look for an astronomy club in your
city using an Internet search engine. (5) Astronomy clubs often arrange "star parties,"
too, in which people gather somewhere away from the city lights to watch meteor
showers and other such events. (6) If you don't have an astronomy club in your city, you
can try to find a science center. (7) Science centers almost always have public events in
which telescopes are available for public use.
(8) Finally, if you don't live in an area with too many bright lights, you can always
scan the night sky with a pair of binoculars. (9) With luck, you'll be able to see satellites,
occasional meteors, bright planets like Jupiter and Mars, and ridges on the Moon. (10) If
you're lucky enough to live far away from city lights, then all you really need is a good
pair of eyes and a little patience—along with a good star map. (11) You'll soon be on
your way to learning all the wonders of the night sky.
In the passage above, sentence 1 is out of order. Where would it best be placed?
A. after sentence 11
B. after sentence 3
C. before sentence 9
D. before sentence 2
6.
Solar Eclipse
Paragraph 1
A solar eclipse can be a spectacular event to witness. Whether it is a partial or a total
eclipse or not, seeing the shadow of the Moon cover some or all of the Sun's surface in
the middle of the day can be quite dramatic! Eclipses happen when the Moon comes
between the Earth and the Sun, blocking some of the Sun's light. If you look online, you
can find some impressive eclipse photos taken by professional and amateur
photographers. On average, solar eclipses happen twice a year. Some of these photos
have been touched up, or improved, using computer software, but others are completely
real.
Paragraph 2
When the time gets closer, you will need to prepare for viewing a solar eclipse! A
solar eclipse can be visible in different parts of the world; however, you have to take
some safety measures when viewing one. Fortunately, there are a number of perfectly
safe ways to view such an amazing event. You cannot simply look up at the sun, or you
will ruin your eyes in a matter of moments. If the idea of watching a solar eclipse
appeals to you, check various astronomy Web sites to find out when the next one will be
occurring.
Paragraph 3
A special material makes them safe for viewing the Sun. One safe way to view
eclipses is with "eclipse glasses." The frames of the glasses are made of cardboard,
and the lenses are made of special material that blocks out all but a tiny bit of light.
These are available by mail order from telescope shops and are also sold by science
museums. Eclipse glasses do not cost more than a dollar or two a pair. However, make
sure to order them at least a month ahead of time because they tend to sell out in the
days before the event.
Paragraph 4
Another safe way to view the solar eclipse is to make a viewer yourself! The easiest
kind is a pinhole viewer. You can try this out on any sunny day. Just get two pieces of
white cardboard, about the size of a sheet of printer paper. Make a tiny pinhole in the
center of one piece. Then hold it in the sunlight so the sun shines through the hole, and
hold the other piece of board underneath. After a few attempts, you should be able to
line up the Sun's image so it projects onto the second piece of white board. If you move
the cardboard with the pinhole farther away from the bottom cardboard, the image will
be bigger. Now, you can view a solar eclipse easily, and protect your precious eyesight!
Which paragraph is organized in the most logical order?
A. paragraph 1
B. paragraph 4
C. paragraph 3
D. paragraph 2
A Different Kind of Milk
(1) __________ Today, however, many U.S. food stores carry milk that comes from
sheep or goat, and you can also find so-called "milk" made from nuts and other foods!
Soy milk and almond milk are two examples, but you can also find milks made from oats
or coconuts. Such a wide variety of milk is available in stores for a number of reasons.
(2) __________ Milks like coconut milk also are a great source of liquid protein. Our
bodies absorb liquid forms of protein more easily because liquid foods are easier to
digest. (3) __________
7. Which sentence below best fits in blank #2?
A.
In summary, milk from nuts may take some time to get used to, but you might just find out
that you prefer it.
B. One reason is that many people are allergic to cow's milk or are sensitive to the milk sugar
lactose.
C. If you own a blender, try making almond milk yourself using almonds, vanilla, and water.
D. Because milk tends to spoil quickly, it needs to be refrigerated or transported in a cooler.
Computer Wise
(1) For most of us, much of our time is spent sitting at a desk and staring at a computer
screen. (2) We do homework, chat with friends, or load photos on social networking sites in front
of a computer. (3) All of that sitting and staring is not very good for our bodies or our eyes.
(4) The easiest thing to do, but the one most people forget about, is to take breaks. (5) This
means getting up from the computer for at least 10 minutes per hour to give your eyes a good
rest. (6) Finally, sit with your feet flat on the floor or on a footrest, with your thighs parallel to
the ground. (7) This stance will support your body, which, in turn, will support your head and
neck. (8) The second thing you can do is to make sure you are sitting 18 to 22 inches away from
the screen; the screen should be at your eye level. (9) If you do these small things, the hours you
spend at the computer will be more relaxing.
8. In the paragraph above, sentence 8 is out of order. Where would it best be placed?
A. after sentence 9
B. before sentence 2
C. before sentence 4
D. after sentence 5
A Different Kind of Milk
(1) __________ Today, however, many U.S. food stores carry milk that comes from
sheep or goat, and you can also find so-called "milk" made from nuts and other foods!
Soy milk and almond milk are two examples, but you can also find milks made from oats
or coconuts. Such a wide variety of milk is available in stores for a number of reasons.
(2) __________ Milks like coconut milk also are a great source of liquid protein. Our
bodies absorb liquid forms of protein more easily because liquid foods are easier to
digest. (3) __________
9. Which sentence below best fits in blank #3?
A.
Some people are allergic to other types of milk or just prefer to drink cow's milk because
they just like how it tastes.
B.
In conclusion, the different types of milk on the market offer great alternatives to cow's
milk because they still have healthy benefits.
C.
Many people think meat and eggs are the only sources of protein, but they do not realize it
can be found in liquid form as well.
D. In addition, cow and goat milk can come in powder form, which is great for baking and
can be transported easily.
I loved to look at the old photographs, especially the ones with me in them. I
suppose that was bad of me, and proved I was stuck on myself or something, but I
couldn't help it, the pictures with me in them were just more interesting. Every stage of
my life was there, snapped by the camera and stamped on a glossy piece of paper, and
it made me feel safe to see myself at three, standing with Donald in front of the house in
our matching cowboy and cowgirl outfits, or standing on a chair in front of the kitchen
counter, mixing a birthday cake for Mother. The pictures reminded me that I was real,
that I always had been real and always would be real, and that I wasn't just some girl
someone had made up.
10. If this story were to continue, what would the author most likely discuss in the next
paragraph?
A. where her family was going to move
B. how the photographs she loved had been made
C. why she felt unsure of herself at times
D. the ways in which she was stuck on herself
Jeremy's Bike
The first Saturday of spring, Jeremy woke up thinking about only one thing: riding his
bike. The only problem was that his bike was buried behind boxes in the garage from
his family's recent move. (1) __________ Sure enough, Jeremy could not even locate
his bike, which was hidden behind the moving boxes. This was going to be a bigger job
than he thought. Sighing heavily, Jeremy began shifting boxes out of the way.
(2) __________ This sight made him grin because he knew that he would be riding his
bike in no time now. Another 10 minutes later, and there the bike was, a little dusty and
with flat tires. Fortunately, the bike pump and a rag were nearby, so he got to work. By
the time he'd finished, Jeremy was sweaty and tired, but he barely noticed. With a surge
of happiness, Jeremy wheeled out his shiny bike and donned his helmet.
(3) __________
11. Which sentence below best fits in blank #1?
A. As soon as breakfast was done, he grabbed his bike helmet and headed out to the garage.
B. His dad had made Jeremy's favorite breakfast, blueberry pancakes with warm maple syrup.
C.
When he awoke, Jeremy called his friend Trevor to ask if he wanted to shoot some
basketballs.
D. Saturdays were Jeremy's favorite day of the week, and they were always over too soon.
Sarah wakes up at 5 o’clock every morning. She doesn’t have to leave the house
until 7 o’clock, but as she will tell you, a lot of work goes into getting herself and her son
Matthew ready to go to work and pre-school. First, she gets out of bed and walks quietly
to the bathroom and takes a shower. She then puts on little bit of make-up before
heading back to her bedroom to get dressed. After getting dressed, she checks the
email that has been collecting since she went to bed the night before. Next, she packs
one breakfast and two lunches. After packing the breakfast and lunches, she listens and
replies to early-morning voice mails, gets back on the computer to check the weather
and traffic, and moves some chicken from the freezer to the refrigerator, so that it will be
thawed and ready to cook when she and Matthew get home in the late-afternoon. At this
point, it is a little past 6 o’clock, and she has yet to wake up Matthew.
12. If this story were to continue, what would the author most likely discuss in the next
paragraph?
A. the route that Sarah takes to get Matthew to school and herself to work
B. Sarah's feelings about having to wake up so early in the morning
C. what Sarah and Matthew do when they get home in the afternoon
D. Sarah waking up Matthew and getting him ready for pre-school
Jeremy's Bike
The first Saturday of spring, Jeremy woke up thinking about only one thing: riding his
bike. The only problem was that his bike was buried behind boxes in the garage from
his family's recent move. (1) __________ Sure enough, Jeremy could not even locate
his bike, which was hidden behind the moving boxes. This was going to be a bigger job
than he thought. Sighing heavily, Jeremy began shifting boxes out of the way.
(2) __________ This sight made him grin because he knew that he would be riding his
bike in no time now. Another 10 minutes later, and there the bike was, a little dusty and
with flat tires. Fortunately, the bike pump and a rag were nearby, so he got to work. By
the time he'd finished, Jeremy was sweaty and tired, but he barely noticed. With a surge
of happiness, Jeremy wheeled out his shiny bike and donned his helmet.
(3) __________
13. Which sentence below best fits in blank #2?
A. Jeremy had not ridden his bike since before his family moved into their new home.
B. Jeremy's family had recently moved from Seattle, Washington, to Portland, Oregon.
C. After about 20 minutes of work, he spied the tips of the bike's handlebars.
D. It took all his might to shift some of the heavier boxes, and he soon began to feel tired.
14.
Pearls
(1) Like diamonds, pearls are highly valued and prized for both their beauty and their
rarity. (2) A pearl is mostly made of calcium carbonate, which also forms marine
organisms like coral and sea urchins. (3) Pearls are produced by mollusks, such as
mussels, oysters, clams, and snails. (4) Mollusks are invertebrates with a soft body,
usually protected by a shell. (5) When any tiny object gets inside (such as a small piece
of shell), mollusks protect their delicate bodies by coating the object with calcium
carbonate. (6) This then becomes the tiny "seed" of a pearl. (7) Large pearls take a few
years to grow, and it is very hard to find ones that have a perfect round shape. (8) Over
time, the pearl gets bigger as the mollusk keeps coating the foreign object with layers.
(9) Generally speaking, bigger pearls are considered rarer and more valuable.
(10) These large pearls are quite rare and very expensive.
Which sentence in this passage is in the wrong place?
A. sentence 10
B. sentence 7
C. sentence 5
D. sentence 2
15.
Under the Stars
The campsite offered the perfect dark spot from which to watch the Perseid meteor
shower that occurred every August. While her mom and dad built the campfire, Erin and
her big brother Dave put up the tent. Erin could not wait for the sun to go down as she
hammered in the stakes that would hold up the tent canvas. Erin's family pulled up at
the campground on the Rogue River right at twilight. By the time she and Dave were
done, the sun was setting in the west.
The family gathered round the fire and roasted hot dogs for their dinner. They also
ate cold potato salad they'd brought from home. When she was finished with dinner,
Erin sat back in her camping chair and peered into the darkness above her. She grinned
to think that just in a few hours, a million stars would be visible overhead, and fiery
meteors would streak across the sky.
Which sentence from the passage should be the first sentence?
A. Erin's family pulled up at the campsite on the Rogue River right at twilight.
B.
When she was finished with dinner, Erin sat back in her camping chair and peered into the
darkness above her.
C. The family gathered round the fire and roasted hot dogs for their dinner.
D. While her mom and dad built the campfire, Erin and her big brother Dave put up the tent.
16.
Spiders
(1) Running across a big scary spider in your house can be frightening, but before
you do it any harm, consider this. (2) Spiders do not roam around your house to bite or
hurt you; they actually have a number of benefits. (3) The one most people are familiar
with is that spiders eat pesky insects, like mosquitoes. (4) This means you will not need
to buy insect repellent or to take other measures to rid your home of pests. (5) Spiders
will do this work for you, and they don't cost a thing! (6) The next time you're tempted to
stomp on one, or usher it out your door, remember that the "scary" spider is actually
helping you clean house!
Choose the best place to add the following sentence.
They even eat cockroaches and other small insects!
A. before sentence 2
B. after sentence 6
C. before sentence 1
D. after sentence 3
A Different Kind of Milk
(1) __________ Today, however, many U.S. food stores carry milk that comes from
sheep or goat, and you can also find so-called "milk" made from nuts and other foods!
Soy milk and almond milk are two examples, but you can also find milks made from oats
or coconuts. Such a wide variety of milk is available in stores for a number of reasons.
(2) __________ Milks like coconut milk also are a great source of liquid protein. Our
bodies absorb liquid forms of protein more easily because liquid foods are easier to
digest. (3) __________
17. Which sentence below best fits in blank #1?
A. Protein is essential to growing bodies, and milk from nuts is a good source of protein.
B. Milks made from nuts or other non-dairy products often cost more than milk from cows.
C. Not too long ago, most people in the United States only drank milk from cows.
D. By the time we become adults, most of us no longer drink as much milk as we used to.
18.
Slug Free
(1) Growing vegetables in your own garden can be a very satisfying experience.
(2) However, slugs can invade a garden and do much damage to the plants. (3) Here
are a few simple remedies that can help get rid of these troublesome critters. (4) First,
plant your greens in sunny spots, and give them plenty of room to dry out after rain.
(5) This is because slugs love dark and wet places in the garden. (6) Slugs have soft
bodies, and they won't want to cross the sharp shells to get to the plants. (7) Next,
check your plants daily, including the undersides of leaves, and pick off any slugs you
see. (8) Also, keep your garden clean and tidy by removing old leaves, which slugs love
to nibble on. (9) Lastly, you can create an effective barrier by sprinkling crushed
eggshells in a circle around your plants. (10) Slugs will look someplace else for their
supper.
In the paragraph above, sentence 6 is out of order. Where would it best be placed?
A. after sentence 9
B. before sentence 3
C. after sentence 8
D. before sentence 1
Jeremy's Bike
The first Saturday of spring, Jeremy woke up thinking about only one thing: riding his
bike. The only problem was that his bike was buried behind boxes in the garage from
his family's recent move. (1) __________ Sure enough, Jeremy could not even locate
his bike, which was hidden behind the moving boxes. This was going to be a bigger job
than he thought. Sighing heavily, Jeremy began shifting boxes out of the way.
(2) __________ This sight made him grin because he knew that he would be riding his
bike in no time now. Another 10 minutes later, and there the bike was, a little dusty and
with flat tires. Fortunately, the bike pump and a rag were nearby, so he got to work. By
the time he'd finished, Jeremy was sweaty and tired, but he barely noticed. With a surge
of happiness, Jeremy wheeled out his shiny bike and donned his helmet.
(3) __________
19. Which sentence below best fits in blank #3?
A. He hopped on the bike and sped away, imagining all the adventures that awaited him.
B. There, at the very back of the garage next to the lawnmower, stood his beloved bicycle.
C. He had saved his hard-earned money from his paper route to purchase the latest bicycle.
D. Using the rag, Jeremy lovingly dusted every inch of the bike's frame until it shone brightly.
20.
Atlantic Puffins
(1) Although they can fly through the air at speeds up to 55 miles per hour, puffins
also use their wings as paddles to swim through the water. (2) The webbing in their feet
helps them steer, much like the rudder on a boat. (3) Underwater, puffins hunt for sand
eels, herring, and other small fish. (4) Atlantic puffins are water birds that spend most of
their lives at sea. (5) On average, they will swim underwater for 30 seconds or so before
surfacing again. (6) If they need to, though, they can stay submerged for as long as a
minute.
Which sentence best introduces the passage?
A. sentence 2
B. sentence 6
C. sentence 3
D. sentence 4
21.
Not Just a Croak
(1) Scientists know that male bullfrogs talk to other bullfrogs by croaking. (2) Recent
studies, however, show that the croak is more complicated than it sounds.
(3) Researchers at Brown University say the bullfrog's croak can include a series of
stutters. (4) Researchers believe the pattern of the stuttering determines what the frog is
saying. (5) All of the croaks that were studied began with no stutter at all. (6) Then, as
the croaking continued, various sorts of stuttering occurred. (7) The researchers say the
stuttering pattern can be quite complex, suggesting that frogs have an impressive
vocabulary!
Choose the best place to add the following sentence.
They croak to attract a mate and to stake out their territory.
A. after sentence 5
B. after sentence 1
C. before sentence 7
D. before sentence 4
My mom was always doing that, always claiming that she was looking out for my
“best interests.” I didn’t really understand what my “best interests” were back then. I
couldn’t see the mistakes I was making when I was in the process of making them. I
guess that’s how mistakes work. If you know something is a mistake, you probably
won’t make it, and since you don’t know it is a mistake, you can’t see it. Now that I’m a
few years older, I can understand why she was worried about me. I can look back on
my childhood and see all the things I did that kept her up late at night and gave her
more gray hairs.
22. If this story were to continue, what would the author most likely discuss in the next
paragraph?
A. the punishments he or she received from his or her mom
B. the punishments he or she received from his or her dad
C. the various kinds of trouble he or she got into as a child
D. the various kinds of trouble his or her children get into
After Jamel said that, I told him he was insane. He replied by telling me that I didn’t
"get it," and that considering the way my parents raised me, he didn’t expect me to.
When I asked him what he meant by that, he said, "It would take me way too long to
explain it to you. I don’t know, ask me again when we have more time."
I responded to what he said by saying, "What do you mean ‘more time’? We are
sitting in a theater, and the movie doesn’t start for at least 30 minutes. Are you telling
me you need more time than that?"
Then, Jamel said, "No, I’m not telling you that, but I am telling you that you might not
like what I say.”
23. If this story were to continue, what would the narrator most likely discuss in the next
paragraph?
A. what Jamel said and how he or she felt about it
B. his or her relationship with his or her parents
C. the plot of the movie they were about to watch
D. what he or she and Jamel did after the movie
My older brother was a seventeen-year-old dropout who had no education, no car,
and no driver’s license. He did, however, have the first paycheck from his first job, and
that was a huge deal. He waved the paycheck in my face, folded it up, put it in his
pocket, and began walking towards the door. When I asked where he was going he said
“me and Pat are goin’ to the mall.” I did not see him again until the next day, when he
walked into the house wearing the same clothes, but with new accessories. Around his
neck, he wore a necklace that looked like a gold-plated bicycle chain, and on one of the
fingers on his right hand, he wore a ring with the initials "D.I." on it. The initials on the
ring were my brother's, but they were also my Father's. It was my Father's ring. He sold
the ring to a pawnshop a few years earlier when one of his own paychecks would not
cover both the water and the light bill. I guess buying the ring was my brother’s way of
showing my dad that he could take care of himself. Needless to say, his foolish
spending did not stop there.
24. If this story were to continue, what would the author most likely discuss in the next
paragraph?
A. the things he or she (the author) has purchased
B. the other things his or her brother spent money on
C. his or her relationship with his or her older brother
D. his or her brother's relationship with his father
Answers
1. A
2. B
3. B
4. B
5. B
6. B
7. B
8. D
9. B
10. C
11. A
12. D
13. C
14. B
15. A
16. D
17. C
18. A
19. A
20. D
21. B
22. C
23. A
24. B
Explanations
1. The passage is about a family vacation and a hike that the family takes together. The events
should be narrated in the order in which they happen. Sentence 5 says that the family is "near the
top" of the mountain, but sentence 6 mentions that the family is only "halfway up" the mountain.
Therefore, sentence 5 is out of order.
2. The first paragraph of this passage gives basic information about aloe vera and describes its
medicinal benefits for the skin. The second paragraph talks about the plant's medicinal benefits
for the stomach. . Sentence 9 is out of place because it talks again about uses of aloe vera for the
skin. The sentence should be placed with the information about aloe vera's use for the skin.
3. The ideas in the first paragraph do not have a logical flow. The paragraph should introduce the
mountain and then describe it. In paragraph 3, the general sentence about Mount Rainier being a
rich area for archaeologists should start the paragraph. Paragraph 4 should be in chronological
order, but instead, it jumps around in time. Paragraph 2 is the only one with a logical flow of
ideas. It says the mountain is a volcano, describes a bit of its volcanic history, and then gives an
example of how the steam from the crater has saved lives.
4. The given sentence explains how the Oregon Trail was used. This information helps readers
understand the rest of the passage. The best place this sentence is near the beginning of the
passage, after the Oregon Trail is first mentioned.
5. The author organizes this passage by showing the reader the many ways he or she can view
stars. For each suggestion, the author provides further explanation. Sentence 1, which gives a
detail about clubs, should go after sentence 3. Sentence 3 introduces the topic of astronomy
clubs.
6. Paragraph 4 is the only paragraph organized in a way that makes sense. The first paragraph
does not make logical sense. In paragraphs 1, 2, and 3, the sentences are in the wrong order.
Paragraph 4, however, presents the steps to make your own eclipse viewer in an order that makes
logical sense.
7. Read the sentence before blank #2. It states that a wide variety of milks is available for a
number of reasons. The next sentence should logically describe one or more of those reasons.
The correct answer says, "One reason is that many people are allergic to cow's milk or are
sensitive to the milk sugar lactose." It provides one reason that a variety of milk is available.
8. By using the word "second," the author clearly states that sentence 8 is the second suggestion
he or she is offering in the passage. The first one is taking breaks by getting up from your
computer. Sentence 8 should go right after sentence 5 but before the suggestion that begins with
"Finally."
9. The transitional phrase "In conclusion" is a clue that the sentence would make a good closing
for the passage. The correct answer also makes a general statement about how there are different
types of milk on the market and how they still have health benefits. The other answers do not
logically flow if placed at the end of the passage.
10. The last sentence of the first paragraph states how the main character was "unsure" of herself.
In fact, the last sentence could be used as a transition into the new paragraph where the author
talks about a specific time where she felt unsure or insecure. A transition like this would work
well, especially to show how she stopped being insecure, since it sounds from the first few
sentences that she's more secure about herself now.
11. The second sentence in the passage tells the reader that Jeremy knows his bike is buried
behind boxes in the garage. However, since he has just woken up, he is not in the garage yet. The
answer that makes the most logical sense is the sentence that shows Jeremy walking out to the
garage to survey the situation.
12. In the last sentence of the paragraph, the author mentions that Sarah has not yet woken up her
son. This sentence indicates to the reader that the author is about transition into a new paragraph
in which he or she will give details about Sarah waking up her son and getting him ready for
school.
13. Read the sentences before and after blank #2. Jeremy has begun moving boxes, and then
something makes him grin. The only answer choice that contains a detail about something that
would make him smile is the sentence about seeing the bicycle's handlebars. Seeing them would
make him grin because he knows that he is on the right track.
14. Explanation: In the passage, the author describes how a pearl is formed and what kind of
pearl is highly prized. Sentence 7 interrupts the flow of the ideas stated in sentence 6 and 8.
Sentence 7 should be placed after sentence 9 to add more detail as to why large pearls are more
valuable.
15. The events in this passage should be written in the order that they happen. Before the family
can prepare their campsite and make dinner over a campfire, they must first arrive at the
campground. The sentence about when they arrive should be the one that begins the passage.
16. The word "even" is often used to provide additional information. The given sentence
provides readers with additional information about what spiders eat. Sentence 3 says that spiders
eat insects, like mosquitoes. Placing the new sentence immediately after sentence 3 makes the
most sense.
17. Read the sentence after blank #1 in the passage. It says, "Today, however, . . ." The word
"however" tells the reader that ideas are being contrasted. The best introductory sentence is one
that refers to a time period before the present. This will provides a contrast to how things are in
the present. In addition, the sentence also makes a nice introduction to the topic of different kinds
of milk.
18. Explanation: Sentence 6 notes that slugs do not like to cross "sharp shells." These sharp
shells are the crushed egg shells described in sentence 9. Sentence 9 provides information about
making a barrier with crushed eggshells. The best place for sentence 5 is after sentence 8 because
sentence 5 provides information about how the eggshells prevent slugs from eating the plants.
19. Blank #3 is at the very end of the passage. The sentence before the blank shows Jeremy
wheeling out his shiny bike from the garage. Therefore, the sentences about finding his bike at
the back of the garage and dusting off the bike do not make sense. The sentence about Jeremy
hopping on his bike makes the most logical sense, and it wraps up the story.
20. In this passage, sentence 4 is a general statement about the Atlantic puffin. It introduces the
bird to the readers. Sentence 4 should open the paragraph and should be placed at the beginning.
21. The given sentence is a general statement about why bullfrogs croak. It should be placed near
beginning of the passage which introduces the topic of the bullfrog's croak. The rest of the
passage is mostly about the stutters the frogs have in their croaks.
22. In the last sentence of the paragraph, the author states that he or she looks back on his or her
childhood and sees the trouble he or she caused. This sentence could be used as a transition into
a new paragraph in which the author talks more specifically about the trouble he or she got into
as a child. A transition like this would work well if the writer wanted move from portion of the
story in which his or her mother is the subject, to a portion of the story in which he or she is the
subject.
23. In the last sentence of the paragraph, the author quotes Jamel saying "you might not like what
I say." This sentence indicates to the reader that the author is about transition into a new
paragraph in which the he or she discusses what Jamel said. The fact that the author includes the
part where Jamel says "you might not like what say," indicates that the author will discuss how
he or she feels about what Jamel said.
24. In the last sentence of the paragraph, the author tells the reader that his or her brother
continued spending money unwisely. This sentence indicates to the reader that the author is
about transition into a new paragraph in which he or she spends more time discussing how his or
her brother spent his paychecks.