Name
Date
Beginning-of-Year Benchmark Test
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Directions: Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
Read this passage from “Rikki-tikki-tavi,” by Rudyard Kipling. Then, answer the six questions that
follow.
He had forgotten the egg. It still lay on the veranda, and Nagaina came nearer and
nearer to it, till at last, while Rikki-tikki was drawing breath, she caught it in her mouth,
turned to the veranda steps, and flew like an arrow down the path, with Rikki-tikki behind
her. When the cobra runs for her life, she goes like a whiplash flicked across as horse’s neck.
Rikki-tikki knew that he must catch her, or all the trouble would begin again. She
headed straight for the long grass by the thornbush, and as he was running Rikki-tikki
heard Darzee still singing his foolish little song of triumph. But Darzee’s wife was wiser. She
flew off her nest as Nagaina came along, and flapped her wings about Nagaina’s head. If
Darzee had helped they might have turned her; but Nagaina only lowered her hood and
went on. Still, the instant’s delay brought Rikki-tikki up to her, and as she plunged into the
rat hole where she and Nag used to live, his little white teeth were clenched on her tail,
and he went down with her—and very few mongooses, however wise and old they may be,
care to follow a cobra into its hole. It was dark in the hole; and Rikki-tikki never knew when
it might open out and give Nagaina room to turn and strike at him. He held on savagely,
and struck out his feet to act as brakes on the dark slope of the hot, moist earth.
Then the grass by the mouth of the hole stopped waving, and Darzee said: “It is all
over with Rikki-tikki! We must sing his death song. Valiant Rikki-tikki is dead! For Nagaina
will surely kill him underground.’’
So he sang a very mournful song that he made up all on the spur of the minute, and
just as he got to the most touching part the grass quivered again, and Rikki-tikki, covered
with dirt, dragged himself out of the hole leg by leg, licking his whiskers. Darzee stopped
with a little shout. Rikki-tikki shook some of the dust out of his fur and sneezed. “It is all
over,’’ he said. “The widow will never come out again.’’
1. Which of the following words identifies a theme that Rikki-tikki’s actions illustrate?
A. courage
B. friendship
C. creativity
D. wisdom
2. Using the details in the first paragraph as context clues, what is a veranda?
A. a type of tree
C. a part of a house
B. something that cobras eat
D. a type of bird call
3. The author says that Nagaina “flew like an arrow down the path.” What figure of speech is
this description?
A. metaphor
C. hyperbole
B. simile
D. personification
4. How does the action by Darzee’s wife develop the plot of this story?
A. Her song encourages Rikki-tikki to keep fighting Nagaina.
B. Her flapping about reveals the location of Nagaina’s hole.
C. Her leaving the nest makes Nagaina want to attack her.
D. Her attack gives Rikki-tikki time to catch Nagaina.
Beginning-of-Year Benchmark Test
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Name
Date
5. This passage focuses mostly on which part of the story?
A. the exposition
C. the climax
B. the falling action or denouement
D. the development
6. Which of the following events, related to the conflict in this story, happens immediately
after Rikki-tikki bites Nagaina’s tail?
A. Rikki-tikki panics and lets Nagaina go.
B. Rikki-tikki is dragged into the cobra hole.
C. Darzee begins to sing a death song.
D. Darzee’s wife flaps her wings around Nagaina’s head.
Identify the choice that best answers the question.
7. Which set of informational materials would be most likely to contain diagrams?
A. a textbook on art in the Middle Ages
B. a sign explaining the designation of a house as a historical landmark
C. a how-to manual on assembling a bookcase
D. a magazine article about a presidential election
8. Which of the following choices is the best paraphrase of this sentence?
A.
B.
C.
D.
It is fortunate that the great Greek works the Iliad and the Odyssey have survived through
the centuries, because the long, adventure-filled poems are wonderful examples of the
classic epic.
We are lucky to have the long, adventure-filled Greek poems the Iliad and the Odyssey
today, because they are examples of the classic epic.
Because the very long epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey have survived, we can see
what an epic really is today.
The Iliad and the Odyssey are Greek epic poems that every student should read, even
though they are centuries old.
The Iliad and the Odyssey, Greek poems, are long, epic, and exciting, and have not
been lost.
Read the passage, and answer the two questions that follow.
(1) Jason woke up to the sound of his mother calling his name. (2) He looked over at
his alarm clock and sat up with a jolt. (3) It was 7:55. (4) His bus was going to be there
in five minutes! (5) Jason jumped out of bed, threw on his clothes, and ran down the
stairs with only a minute to spare before his bus was due to arrive. (6) He was about to
walk out the door when he realized that he had forgotten his homework. (7) As he ran
back up the stairs, he heard the sound of his bus as it drove away without him.
9. What is the main cause of Jason’s missing the bus?
A. Jason woke up at 7:55.
B. Jason forgot his homework upstairs.
C. Jason stayed up late the night before.
D. Jason’s mother woke him up too late.
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Name
Date
10. Which statement is the best summary of Sentence 5?
A. Jason got up, got dressed, and went downstairs before the bus arrived.
B. When he got up, Jason had only five minutes to catch the bus for school.
C. Jason got ready for school in about three minutes.
D. Jason was ready for school but he could not find his homework.
Identify the choice that best answers the question.
11. Which of the following answer choices is the best example of an author’s argument?
A. a letter to the editor commenting on a previous magazine article
B. the author’s ending summary
C. up-to-date information that the writer presents
D. the idea or position that the author presents and supports
12. Which statement would lead you to conclude that the writer has a negative opinion about
mountain climbing?
A. “Injury is just one risk that mountain climbers face.”
B. “With a guide and preparation, anyone can climb mountains.”
C. “Climbing mountains is a great challenge and test of will.”
D. “The climb is the reward, not the view from the top.”
Read the passage from “I Am a Native of North America,” by Chief Dan George. Then, answer the
four questions that follow.
Man must love fully or he will become the lowest of the animals. It is the power to love
that makes him the greatest of them all . . . for he alone of all animals is capable of love.
Love is something you and I must have. We must have it because our spirit feeds
upon it. We must have it because without it we become weak and faint. Without love
our self-esteem weakens. Without it our courage fails. Without love we can no longer
look out confidently at the world. Instead we turn inwardly and begin to feed upon our
own personalities and little by little we destroy ourselves.
You and I need the strength and joy that comes from knowing that we are loved.
With it we are creative. With it we march tirelessly. With it, and with it alone, we are
able to sacrifice for others.
13. Which statement best describes the content of this passage?
A. The writer presents an opinion and then supports it with a variety of facts.
B. The writer uses facts to analyze a topic but does not share a personal opinion.
C. The writer mixes facts and opinions without making a difference between them.
D. The writer explores personal thoughts and opinions but does not present facts.
14. Which word from the passage has a negative connotation?
A. love
B. spirit
C. weak
D. sacrifice
15. Which choice best describes the author’s purpose in writing the passage?
A. to entertain readers with upbeat ideas
B. to inform readers about his thinking
C. for himself, to keep a record of his thoughts
D. to persuade people to agree with him
Beginning-of-Year Benchmark Test
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Name
Date
16. How can you tell that the passage is an example of reflective writing?
A. The content is cultural.
B. The ideas are important.
C. It includes the author’s opinions.
D. It expresses thoughts and feelings.
Identify the choice that best answers the question.
17. For what main purpose did ancient cultures create myths?
A. to explain natural events and occurrences in their history
B. to entertain each other with mysteries and poetry
C. to entertain each other with a body of literature that would last for centuries
D. to show respect for each other’s cultural backgrounds
18. Which word in the following sentence restates the meaning of the word spry?
My grandmother, who keeps active by jogging and playing tennis, is as spry as a teenager.
A. grandmother
B. who
C. keeps
D. active
Read this passage from “Conversational Ballgames,” by Nancy Masterson Sakamoto. Then,
answer the three questions that follow.
Japanese-style conversations develop quite differently from western-style conversations.
And the difference isn’t only in the languages. I realized that just as I kept trying to hold
western-style conversations even when I was speaking Japanese, so my English students
kept trying to hold Japanese-style conversations even when they were speaking English. We
were unconsciously playing entirely different conversational ballgames.
A western-style conversation between two people is like a game of tennis. If I
introduce a topic, a conversational ball, I expect you to hit it back. If you agree with
me, I don’t expect you simply to agree and do nothing more. I expect you to add
something—a reason for agreeing, another example, or an elaboration to carry the
idea further. But I don’t expect you always to agree. I am just as happy if you question
me, or challenge me, or completely disagree with me. Whether you agree or disagree,
your response will return the ball to me.
And then it is my turn again. I don’t serve a new ball from my original starting line. I hit
your ball back again from where it has bounced. I carry your idea further, or answer your
questions or objections, or challenge or question you. And so the ball goes back and forth,
with each of us doing our best to give it a new twist, an original spin, or a powerful smash.
19. From this passage, you can determine that “Conversational Ballgames” is a(n)
A. persuasive essay.
C. cause-and-effect essay.
B. expository essay.
D. problem-and-solution essay.
20. Which sentence best expresses the writer’s main idea?
A. Western-style conversations are disorganized and too competitive.
B. Students who learn English as a second language will never be able to converse well in
English.
C. In each culture, people have certain expectations about the way a conversation should
happen.
D. Japanese-style conversations are almost never about personal matters.
Beginning-of-Year Benchmark Test
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Name
Date
21. Throughout this passage, the writer uses figurative language to compare
A. sports and language.
C. writers and athletes.
B. Japanese and English.
D. students and teachers.
Read the set of instructions below, and answer the two questions that follow.
To Start Your Washer:
1. Put clothes in washer.
2. Measure detergent and add to basin. Add fabric softener to
dispenser in the center of machine.
3. Close washer lid and set water level.
4. Set water temperature control and number of rinses.
5. Set speed control.
6. Pull wash cycle knob out to begin washing.
22. What information do you find in the instructions?
A. list of temperature settings for a washer
B. speeds and controls for a washer
C. directions for starting a washer
D. advice about repairing a washer
23. What is the purpose of the boldfaced numbers in the instructions?
A. They indicate how long the procedure should take.
B. They list the benefits of washing machines.
C. They show the order of importance of the steps.
D. They show the chronological order of the steps.
Read the dialogue, and answer the two questions that follow.
(1) BOB: Look at that terrible painting!
(2) (AMANDA steps backward and gives BOB a puzzled look.)
(3) AMANDA: Why don’t you like it? I think it’s quite creative.
(4) BOB: It’s just squiggles and spots. I can’t make any sense out of it.
(5) AMANDA: It’s abstract art, Bob. It’s meant to show feelings rather than definite
objects.
(6) BOB (snorting): Well, I can’t believe that anyone would enter it in the contest. I’m sure
that your painting will win a prize before that one ever does.
(7) AMANDA (pained): It IS my painting, Bob.
24. Which lines in this dialogue include stage directions?
A. (1), (4), and (6)
B. (2), (6), and (7)
C. (2), (5), and (6)
25. What does the dialogue show about Bob’s character?
A. He freely shares his strong opinions.
B. He is not very interested in Amanda.
C. He is nervous in a strange situation.
D. He worries about hurting other people’s feelings.
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5
D. (3), (5), and (7)
Name
Date
26. Which statement best describes the humorous technique used in this dialogue?
A. The situation is completely illogical.
B. The conversation is exaggerated in every way.
C. Physical humor is indicated in the stage directions.
D. There is a contrast between the truth and a mistaken view.
Read the passage, and answer the two questions that follow.
James Smithson was a very wealthy person. When he died in 1827, he left his riches
to the United States. Smithson, a British scientist, wanted his fortune to help spread
knowledge. In 1846, Congress used his money to build the Smithsonian Institution.
The Smithsonian Institution is a collection of several educational sites in
Washington, D.C. It includes sites that focus on art, history, and science.
The National Museum of American Art features different forms of art from Colonial
times to today. Visitors can see American crafts, portraits of famous people, and other
works. The National Museum of Natural History has exhibits on all types of living
things. Visitors can learn about human, animal, and plant life. The National Museum
of American History includes displays of household and military items, along with
inventions from America’s past. The National Air and Space Museum preserves the
history of U.S. aviation and aeronautical accomplishments and plans.
The Smithsonian also is in charge of some other educational sites. The National
Zoological Park has more than 2,000 mammals, birds, and reptiles. There also are
Smithsonian research centers that focus on studies of ocean, rain forest, and space
environments.
More than 150 years have passed since the Smithsonian was created. In that time,
James Smithson’s gift has certainly achieved its goal of spreading knowledge.
27. Review this outline of the passage, and answer the question that follows.
About the Smithsonian Institution
I. Its creation
II. Its organization
A. Museums
1. American Art
2. Natural History
3. American History
4. Air and Space
B.
C. Research centers
Which of the following choices should fill the blank in the outline?
A. Educational sites
C. Zoological Park
B. Washington, D.C.
D. James Smithson
28. Which detail best supports the idea that James Smithson was a generous person?
A. He was a British scientist.
B. He donated his wealth to further education in science and history.
C. He was extremely rich.
D. The Smithsonian Institution is named after him.
Beginning-of-Year Benchmark Test
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Name
Date
Read these lines from “The Village Blacksmith,” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Then, answer
the three questions that follow.
5
10
15
Under a spreading chestnut tree
The village smithy stands;
The smith, a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands;
And the muscles of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands.
His hair is crisp, and black, and long,
His face is like the tan;
His brow is wet with honest sweat,
He earns whate’er he can,
And looks the whole world in the face,
For he owes not any man.
Week in, week out, from morn till night,
You can hear his bellows blow;
You can hear him swing his heavy sledge,
With measured beat and slow,
Like a sexton ringing the village bell,
When the evening sun is low.
29. Which set of words best shows a rhyming pattern in the poem?
A. chestnut / man / sinewy / brawny
C. long / tan / sweat / face
B. tree / stands / he / hands
D. night / blow / sledge / low
30. Which is the most logical inference that you can make about the blacksmith?
A. He would be angry without his job.
B. He cares more about his physical strength than anything else.
C. He is appreciated by everyone in the village.
D. He is a very honest, hard-working person.
31. In the third stanza, why does the writer compare the blacksmith to a sexton, a person
who works in a church?
A. to suggest that the blacksmith is as reliable as a sexton
B. to show the sound made by a sledge when it hits an anvil
C. to make it clear that the blacksmith works as late as a sexton
D. to suggest that both occupations are time consuming
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
32. In which pair of words do the underlined letters have the same meaning?
A. understand, command
C. contract, counter
B. dictionary, predict
D. uptown, ruptured
33. What does the prefix inter-, as in the word international, mean?
A. between
C. before
B. with
D. again
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Name
Date
34. Which TWO words in this sentence have come into the English language from Spanish?
When Zak wore a huge, floppy sombrero to the Spanish Club’s fiesta last weekend,
everyone applauded.
A. huge, floppy
B. sombrero, fiesta
C. everyone, fiesta
D. weekend, applauded
35. The word bolt has several meanings. Read this sentence.
Mrs. Edwards bought a bolt of silk to make her daughter’s wedding dress.
The word bolt refers to
A. a sudden departure.
B. a flash of lightning.
C. part of a lock.
D. a roll of cloth.
36. What is the MOST likely meaning of the word revive?
A. breathe in
C. live again
B. not send
D. send back
Read this dictionary entry, and respond to the two items that follow.
sab-o-tage (SAB uh tazh) n. 1. any interference with production work in a plant or factory,
especially by enemy agents or employees during a work dispute 2. any undermining of a
cause
v. to injure or attack by sabotage. From the French sabot, a wooden shoe; early acts
termed sabotage involved throwing wooden shoes into machinery, causing the machines
to break down.
37. Look at the pronunciation of sabotage. Which of the following words has a first syllable
that would NOT rhyme with the first syllable of sabotage?
A. dabble
C. tabletop
B. fabulous
D. laboratory
38. According to the word history, sabotage comes from the name of
A. a French king.
C. a secret organization.
B. an early kind of machine.
D. a type of shoe.
39. Information in the entry tells you that sabotage
A. can be used as both a verb and a noun.
B. is used as a noun but almost never as a verb.
C. is an old-fashioned word that is no longer used.
D. should be used only to describe work disputes.
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
40. What kind of word is created by adding the suffix -less to the word speech?
A. a noun meaning “the act of speaking”
B. an adjective that means “without speech”
C. a verb meaning “to communicate by speaking”
D. an adverb meaning “spoken aloud”
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Name
Date
41. Which resource would be most helpful for finding synonyms for the word necessary?
A. a dictionary
C. a glossary
B. an encyclopedia
D. a thesaurus
42. Read this sentence.
I know that you’re not feeling well, but please don’t snap at me.
Which of the following sentences uses the same meaning of snap?
A. That crossword puzzle was a snap to do.
B. My dog may snap at you if you get too close.
C. Snap up your jacket so we can get going.
D. If jeans go on sale, I’ll snap up a pair or two.
43. In a sentence, which pronoun would agree with the antecedent monsters?
A. his
B. hers
C. their
D. its
44. What is the best way to correct the following sentence?
I’ve never seen a magnificenter sunset than the one over the lake this evening.
A.
B.
C.
D.
I’ve
I’ve
I’ve
I’ve
never
never
never
never
seen
seen
seen
seen
a more magnificent sunset than the one over the lake this evening.
a more magnificenter sunset than the one over the lake this evening.
a sunset more magnificently than the one over the lake this evening.
the most magnificent sunset than the one over the lake this evening.
45. Which statement about adverbs is true?
A. Adverbs modify nouns and verbs.
B. Adverbs modify verbs and adjectives.
C. Adverbs always answer the question Why.
D. Adverbs always end in -ly.
46. In which sentence is the hyphen NOT used correctly?
A. That is my sixth-grade notebook.
B. I prefer these black-and-white photographs.
C. The bill passed by a two-thirds majority.
D. I’m totally amazed-you can’t be serious!
47. Which sentence contains an appositive phrase?
A. My soccer team, which is called the Easton Eagles, has a great record.
B. At the end of the day tomorrow, we have a big game across town.
C. David Sánchez, the coach of the opposing team, owns a music store.
D. My brother, sister, and I take guitar lessons there every Thursday.
48. Which conjunction completes this sentence in the most logical way?
Darnell likes to read biographies,
A. or
I prefer science fiction.
B. so
49. Which of these spellings is correct?
A. sillyness
B. silliness
C. but
D. and
C. sillness
D. silleness
Beginning-of-Year Benchmark Test
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9
Name
Date
Read this passage, and answer the four questions that follow.
(1) Both fluorescent light bulbs and incandescent light bulbs give off bright light.
(2) Many people like an incandescent bulb because they find that their light is easier on their
eyes. (3) Incandescent bulbs also are more cheaper than fluorescent ones. (4) On the other
hand, fluorescent bulbs use less electricity and last much longer than incandescent bulbs.
50. Which statement about Sentence 1 is true?
A. It has a compound subject.
B. Its subject is a proper noun.
C. Its verb is in the wrong tense.
D. No words are modified by adjectives.
51. How should you correct the error in Sentence 2?
A. Change like to likes.
C. Change easier to easiest.
B. Change their light to its light.
D. Change their eyes to your eyes.
52. How should you correct the error in Sentence 3?
A. Change are to is.
C. Change more cheaper to more cheaply.
B. Change ones to bulbs.
D. Change more cheaper to cheaper.
53. If you wanted to combine Sentences 3 and 4 into a complex sentence, which conjunction
would be the best replacement for on the other hand?
A. although
B. because
C. before
D. whenever
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
54. In which sentence are all the common nouns, and only the common nouns, underlined?
A. I learned to ride at the ranch last July.
B. The eager horses quickly lined up at the gate.
C. The trainer, Joe Asch, slipped my foot into the stirrup.
D. “Rochelle,” she said, “you will be just fine.”
55. To which category does this sentence belong?
The floodlights lit up the buildings on both sides of the street.
A. declarative
B. interrogative
C. imperative
D. exclamatory
56. Read these sentences.
Jennifer and Carlos were happy about their science project. They had worked on it for
more than a week.
Which revision combines these sentences by using an adjective clause?
A. Jennifer and Carlos were happy about their science project, having worked on it for
more than a week.
B. Jennifer and Carlos were happy about their science project, for they had worked on it
for more than a week.
C. Jennifer and Carlos were happy about their science project, which they had worked on
for more than a week.
D. Jennifer and Carlos were happy when they worked on their science project for more
than a week and finished it.
Beginning-of-Year Benchmark Test
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Name
Date
57. Which verb form correctly completes this sentence?
Georgianna has
A. saw
every one of that actor’s movies.
B. seed
C. seeing
D. seen
58. Read this sentence.
Mr. Rodriguez is one of the most, popular teachers at my school but he will be moving to
Phoenix Arizona next summer.
Which revision uses commas correctly?
A. Mr. Rodriguez, is one of the most popular teachers at my school, but he will be moving
to Phoenix Arizona next summer.
B. Mr. Rodriguez is one of the most popular teachers at my school, but he will be moving
to Phoenix, Arizona, next summer.
C. Mr. Rodriguez is one of the most popular teachers at my school, but, he will be moving
to Phoenix, Arizona next summer.
D. Mr. Rodriguez is one of the most, popular teachers at my school but he will be moving,
to Phoenix Arizona, next summer.
59. If you were writing a short story, which of the following could you use as the story’s
conflict?
A. Two young boys meet on the school playground in kindergarten.
B. Two boys develop a friendship and become as close as brothers.
C. Two boys—best friends for years—compete to be captain of the basketball team.
D. After a third boy unexpectedly is named captain, two boys resume their friendship.
60. Which sentence contains a metaphor?
A. The snow fell wildly, like stuffing from a burst pillow.
B. When he opened the door, a lightning bolt of fur and claws streaked out.
C. Like the steering wheel of a car, the handlebars on a bicycle are used to steer.
D. Cotton candy looks like clouds at sunset.
61. Which of the following might you add to a personal letter in order to entertain your
audience?
A. a vivid anecdote
C. a random fact
B. an interesting statistic
D. an expert quotation
62. To give a short summary and opinion of a play you would most likely write
A. a comparison-and-contrast essay
C. a critical analysis
B. a review
D. a plot summary
63. Which of the following elements would you be LEAST likely to include in a business letter?
A. standard format
C. informal diction
B. a clear purpose for writing
D. contact information
64. When you write an autobiographical or personal narrative, which point of view do you use?
A. an objective point of view
B. a first-person point of view
C. a third-person limited point of view
D. a third-person omniscient point of view
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11
Name
Date
65. Which of the following choices would you NOT include in a plot summary of a novel?
A. your opinion of the novel
B. names of the leading characters
C. a brief description of the main setting
D. information about the main conflict
66. For which of the following choices do you NOT need to credit the source in a multimedia or
research report?
A. a summary of research findings
B. a restatement of a generally known fact
C. a quotation from an obscure poet
D. a paraphrase of an expert’s opinion
67. Which of these sentences is the clearest example of personification?
A. The wind was as loud as a roaring train, making me shiver with its noisy power.
B. The windstorm surprised the children, who huddled together on the sidewalk and hid
their eyes.
C. The tree fought against the bothersome wind, waving its long arms to and fro.
D. The wind began as a refreshing breeze but quickly became gusty and unpleasant.
68. Which of the following would you be LEAST likely to include in a multimedia report on the
early history of video games?
A. film clips of some of the early video games being played
B. a commercial for a new video game
C. a line graph showing buying trends of video games in the 1980s
D. an interview with the owner of a video arcade in the 1980s
69. Which of the following kinds of writing would best persuade voters to spend more on
school funding?
A. a news report posted to your school’s Web site
B. a compare-and-contrast essay about different kinds of schools
C. a poem about a school that does not have enough money
D. a letter to the editor of the local newspaper
70. If you were writing a cause-and-effect essay about exercise, which of the following questions would you probably NOT answer?
A. How does exercise help students do better in school?
B. Where should people go to exercise?
C. How does exercise improve people’s overall health?
D. Why should people care about getting exercise?
71. Your short story includes a character named Matt. Which of the following statements
might you have another character say to show that Matt is an absent-minded person?
A. “I wish that Matt would hurry. He’s always so far behind!”
B. “You know Matt—always getting angry, and at the smallest things!”
C. “If I know Matt, he’s still hunting for his shin guards.”
D. “Tell Matt that I’ll help him with his math homework.”
Beginning-of-Year Benchmark Test
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12
Name
Date
72. Which of the following statements about the organization of a news report is most
accurate?
A. The most important facts should appear at the beginning of the report.
B. The key facts should be repeated several times throughout the report.
C. The facts should appear in order of importance, with the most important facts at the
end.
D. The facts should be presented in the order of interest.
ESSAY
73. Think about these two kinds of books:
• cookbook
• bicycle owner’s manual
How are they different? What do they have in common? Write a brief comparison-and-contrast essay about these two book types. Think about the purpose of each kind of book and
the way in which it presents its information. In your essay, include a clear statement of the
main idea, and give examples to support your points.
74. Imagine that your state’s Department of Education is considering adding three more
weeks to the school year. Their reasoning is that more time in school will make students
more competitive in a global economy. What do you think of that idea? Write a brief letter about this topic to the editor of a local newspaper. State your opinion, and then give
thoughtful reasons to support it. Use vivid language and supporting evidence to persuade
your readers.
75. Think of a mystery or an adventure story you have read or seen on television, and write a
review of it. Include a summary of the story. Focus on the main character’s problem and
how it was solved. What made the character in the story a good problem-solver? What was
your opinion of the story, and why?
Beginning-of-Year Benchmark Test
© Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
13
Answers
Beginning-of-Year Benchmark Test
Answer
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Answer
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
A
C
B
D
C
B
C
A
B
A
D
A
D
C
B
D
A
D
B
C
A
C
D
B
A
D
C
B
B
D
A
B
A
B
D
C
C
D
A
B
D
B
C
A
B
D
C
C
Objective
LA: T heme
RD: C
ontext Clues
LA: F igurative Language
LA: Plot
LA: Plot
RD: S
equence of Events
RD: S
tructure and Purpose
RD: P
araphrase
RD: C
ause and Effect
RD: S
ummary
RD: A
uthor’s Argument
RD: D
raw Conclusions
RD: F
act and Opinion
RD: C
onnotation/Denotation
RD: A
uthor’s Purpose
LA: Reflective Writing
LA: Myth
RD: C
ontext Clues
LA: Identify Expository Essay
RD: M
ain Idea/Supporting Details
LA: F igurative Language
RD: D
irections/Instructions
RD: T
ext Features
LA: Stage Directions
LA: Character/Characterization
LA: Humor
RD: O
utlines
RD: M
ain Idea/Supporting Details
LA: R hyme
RD: M
ake Inferences
LA: Imagery
WA: Roots
WA: P refixes
VIC: Borrowed/Foreign Words
VIC: Multiple Meanings
VIC: Roots and Affixes
VIC: Dictionary
VIC: Word Origins
VIC: Dictionary
VIC: Suffixes
VIC: T hesaurus
VIC: Multiple Meanings
LC: P ronoun-Antecedent Agreement
LC: Adjective/Adverb Usage
LC: Adverbs
LC: Hyphens
LC: Appositives/Appositive Phrases
LC: Conjunctions
B
A
B
D
A
C
A
C
D
B
C
B
A
B
C
B
A
B
C
B
D
B
C
A
Objective
LC: Spelling
LC: Subjects and Predicates
LC: P ronoun-Antecedent Agreement
LC: Adjective/Adverb Usage
LC: Combining Sentences Using Conjunctions
LC: Common/Proper Nouns
LC: Sentence Functions and Endmarks
LC: Independent/Main and Subordinate Clauses
LC: P rincipal Parts of Verbs
LC: Commas
WR: S
hort Story
WR: Description
WR: L etter
WR: Review
WR: Business Letter
WR: A
utobiographical/Personal
WR: Plot Summary
WR: Research Report
WR: D
escription
WR: Multimedia Report
WR: L etter to the Editor
WR: Cause-and-Effect Essay
WR: Short Story
WR: N
ews Report
ESSAY
73. Students’ essays should include a clearly stated main
idea, a logically organized analysis of points of similarity and difference, and examples that illustrate those
points.
OBJ: WR: C
omparison-and-Contrast Essay
74. Students’ letters should present a defensible opinion,
followed by supporting reasons that show a thoughtful
consideration of the issue (not just additional statements of opinion and judgmental language), Students
should use vivid, persuasive language.
OBJ: WR: L
etter to the Editor
75. Students’ reviews should summarize the story but
should emphasize the story’s central problem (conflict)
and its solution. Students should provide reasonable
evidence to support their evaluation of that solution.
OBJ: WR: R
eview
Mid-Year Summative Test
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Answer
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
C
A
D
C
B
A
Objective
LA: Character/Characterization
LA: Conflict
LA: Plot
RD: C
ontext Clues
LA: T heme
RD: S
tructure and Purpose
Key to Abbreviations:
LA = Literary Analysis • RD = Reading • VIC = Vocabulary in Context • WA = Word Analysis • LC = Language Conventions • WR = Writing
Answers for Beginning-of-Year, Mid-Year, and End-of-Year Tests
© Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
37
Answer
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
B
D
B
C
C
A
B
D
B
A
D
C
A
B
D
B
B
A
D
C
D
A
C
B
C
A
D
B
C
D
B
A
D
A
D
B
B
B
D
C
A
End-of-Year Summative Test
Objective
LA: Reflective Writing
LA: Plot
RD: S
tructure and Purpose
RD: C
ontext Clues
RD: O
utlining
RD: A
uthor’s Argument
LA: Humor
RD: M
ain Idea/Supporting Details
RD: M
ake Predictions
LA: Character/Characterization
RD: F
act and Opinion
RD: T
ext Features
LA: T heme
LA: Expository Essay
RD: M
ake Inferences
WA: Suffixes
WA: Thesaurus
WA: Prefixes
WA: Roots
WA: Word Origins
WA: Dictionary
WA: Multiple Meanings
WA: Roots and Affixes
LC: P ronoun-Antecedent Agreement
LC: Adjective/Adverb Usage
LC: Adverbs
LC: Common/Proper Nouns
LC: Conjunctions
LC: Subjects and Predicates
LC: Combining Sentences Using Conjunctions
LC: Adverbs
LC: P rincipal Parts of Verbs
LC: P ronoun-Antecedent Agreement
LC: Adjective/Adverb Usage
WR: E
xpository Essay
WR: D
escription
WR: S
hort Story
WR: R
esearch Report
WR: A
utobiographical/Personal Narrative
WR: N
ews Report
WR: L
etter to the Editor
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Answer
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
ESSAY
48. Students’ articles should include steps that are organized logically and clearly explained.
OBJ: WR: I nformative Article
49. Students’ letters should state the proposal clearly and
should support that proposal with logical reasoning.
OBJ: WR: L
etter
50. Students’ essays should effectively compare the beginning and the end of the school year. The structure
should be either point by point or topic by topic.
OBJ: WR: C
omparison-and-Contrast Essay
B
A
A
D
C
B
B
A
D
C
B
A
C
D
D
A
B
C
D
C
B
A
D
A
B
C
A
D
A
B
C
D
B
A
C
B
C
B
D
B
B
C
A
B
D
C
C
A
B
D
Objective
RD: M
ake Inferences
RD: C
ontext Clues
LA: Plot
RD: M
ake Inferences
RD: F
act and Opinion
LA: Myth
RD: M
ain Idea and Supporting Details
RD: T
ext Features
RD: D
raw Conclusions
LA: Expository Essay
LA: F igurative Language
RD: C
onnotation/Denotation
RD: A
uthor’s Argument
RD: C
ause and Effect
RD: S
ummary
LA: Stage Directions
LA: Humor
RD: S
tructure and Purpose
LA: F igurative Language
LA: R
eflective Writing
RD: D
irections/Instructions
RD: P
araphrase
LA: R hyme
RD: S
equence of Events
LA: Plot
LA: Character/Characterization
LA: T heme
RD: M
ake Predictions
RD: M
ain Idea/Supporting Details
RD: C
ontext Clues
RD: O
utlining
WA: Suffixes
WA: Roots
WA: Dictionary
WA: Word Origins
WA: Dictionary
WA: Multiple Meanings
WA: P refixes
WA: Borrowed/Foreign Words
WA: T hesaurus
WA: Roots and Affixes
WA: Multiple Meanings
LC: P ronoun-Antecedent Agreement
LC: Adverbs
LC: P rincipal Parts of Verbs
LC: Sentence Functions and End marks
LC: Appositives/Appositive Phrases
LC: Adjective/Adverb Usage
LC: Spelling
LC: Conjunctions
Key to Abbreviations:
LA = Literary Analysis • RD = Reading • VIC = Vocabulary in Context • WA = Word Analysis • LC = Language Conventions • WR = Writing
Answers for Beginning-of-Year, Mid-Year, and End-of-Year Tests
© Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
38
Answer
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
B
C
D
A
C
D
B
D
C
A
B
B
C
D
D
A
C
B
A
D
C
A
Objective
LC: Adjective/Adverb Usage
LC: Subjects and Predicates
LC: Combining Sentences Using Conjunctions
LC: P ronoun-Antecedent Agreement
LC: Hyphens
LC: Independent/Main and Subordinate Clauses
LC: Common/Proper Nouns
LC: Commas
WR: S
hort Story
WR: D
escription
WR: P
lot Summary
WR: A
utobiographical/Personal Narrative
WR: C
ause-and-Effect Essay
WR: B
usiness Letter
WR: N
ews Report
WR: L
etter to the Editor
WR: R
eview
WR: S
hort Story
WR: M
ultimedia Report
WR: T
ransitions
WR: D
escription
WR: R
esearch Report
ESSAY
73. Students’ reviews should express the essence of the
selection and include a supported evaluation of it. They
should examine some important literary aspect of the
work. Students should state their reasons for their
choice in a clear, well-organized fashion.
OBJ: WR: R
eview
74. Students’ essays should present reasonable effects (all
positive, all negative, or a mixture of both), logically
organized and clearly explained. The main idea statement should cover all of the effects in a general way.
OBJ: WR: Cause-and-Effect Essay
75. Students should clearly state their opinions and support those opinions with reasons. They should employ
persuasive language that appeals to readers’ emotions
and reason.
OBJ: WR: Persuasive Essay
Key to Abbreviations:
LA = Literary Analysis • RD = Reading • VIC = Vocabulary in Context • WA = Word Analysis • LC = Language Conventions • WR = Writing
Answers for Beginning-of-Year, Mid-Year, and End-of-Year Tests
© Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
39
Prescriptions for Test Results
Beginning-of-Year Diagnostic Test
Prescription: Students who score below 75%
on this test will probably have difficulty reading
on-level texts. You should consider assigning
these students the more accessible of the
paired selections in grades 6–10 or the adapted
selections in the Reader’s Notebook: Adapted
Version or the Reader’s Notebook: English
Learner’s Version, grades 6–12. If, based on a
student’s test results and your own evaluation
of the student, you feel further evaluation is
needed, consider administering the Diagnostic
Test that appears at the beginning of Unit One
Resources and at PHLitOnline under Teacher
Resources. Refer to the Branching Suggestions
preceding the Unit Resources answer keys to
decide next steps based on the student’s score.
Mid-Year and End-of-Year Summative Tests
Prescription: Students who answer specific
skills questions incorrectly will benefit from
additional practice of those skills. Based on a
student’s test results and your own evaluation
of the student, you may wish to assign practice
pages that are available in the Unit Resources
or the student’s All-in-One Workbook.
Prescriptions for Test Results
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40