North Carolina Testing Program
EOG Reading Grade 8 Sample Items
Word games can be played with large or small groups of family, friends, or classmates. Most
games have simple rules and are fun to play. The next time you find yourself with a group of
people who need something fun to do, why not suggest playing “No! No!” or “Taboo” and see
what happens. Read the selection then answer the questions that follow.
NO! NO!
by Merilyn Simonds Mohr
• Number: two or more players
• Equipment: none
• Description: a somewhat complicated but
hilarious rhyming word game
• Complexity: best for older kids and adults
Anyone eavesdropping on this game will
think that the players have gone completely,
collectively bonkers. It takes some mental
agility, but even young kids can play once
they get the hang of it.
The Object of the Game: To answer the
previous definition with the proper rhyme; to
add a definition for your own rhyming word.
The Play: One player thinks of a word, then
adds a definition for a word that rhymes
with it. The next player identifies the word
for the previous definition, then adds a
definition for another word that rhymes.
Players who cannot figure out the word for
the previous definition or who cannot add
one of their own drop out. The last person to
add a rhyme to the chain wins.
For example, the first person starts
with, “Top, what happens when you let
something go.”
The next person says, “No! No! You
mean Drop, what you use to clean the floor.”
“No! No! You mean Mop, jumping on
one foot.”
“No! No! You mean, Hop, to hit
someone.”
“No! No! You mean, Bop, a soft drink.”
“No! No! You mean Pop, to trade for
something else.” And so on.
Taboo
by Merilyn Simonds Mohr
• Other Names: Poison Letter
• Number: any number of players
• Equipment: none; can be played
anywhere
• Description: a question-and-answer
avoidance game that strains the brain
• Complexity: players must be able to spell
quite well
If played with people of various ages and
abilities, gauge the questions to the level of
the player who must respond. Played
competitively, a slight hesitation is enough
to bump a player out of the game, but some
degree of tolerance is usually applied among
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friends. Even adults can sometimes take a
while to figure out a taboo-free reply.
The Object of the Game: To answer the
question without using the taboo, or poison
letter.
The Play: Players take turns asking the
questions. The person who is It decides
which letter of the alphabet is forbidden, or
taboo. He then poses a question to each
player in turn, asking anything at all that
comes to mind but trying to formulate the
question so that the player will find it
difficult to avoid the taboo letter. The
players, for their part, must answer the
question honestly, without using the
Published January 2004. May reproduce for instructional and
educational purposes only, not for personal or financial gain.
North Carolina Testing Program
forbidden letter in any word. They cannot
answer with a simple Yes or No. If an
answer borders on the ridiculous, the rest of
the players decide whether it is admissible.
For instance, the person who is It
decides that for this round, R will be taboo.
He asks the first player, “Have you ever been
in a race?”
“No, I don’t like to be that active.”
He asks the next, “How is your
mother?”
“She is fine now that I am going to
school.”
EOG Reading Grade 8 Sample Items
“Who was it that the big bad wolf ate?”
“He ate a little female child who had a
hooded cloak dyed the hue of poppies.”
Finally, he asks, “What do trains
travel on?”
The player hesitates, trying to think of
a reply that does not use railroad, rail, or
track. She waits too long and has to drop out
of the game. The last person in the game is
It in the next round.
“No! No!” and “Taboo” from The Games Treasury by Merilyn Simonds Mohr. Text copyright © 1993 by Merilyn
Simonds Mohr. Reprinted by permission of Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
1.
The selection describes “No! No!” as “a
somewhat complicated but hilarious
rhyming word game.” Why is “No! No!”
described as being hilarious?
A
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The game is based on making up
nonsense words.
B
Winning the game depends on
creating silly poems.
C
A player’s definition never
matches the answer given first.
D
Players who cannot think of
rhyming words yell “No! No!”
2.
Which of the following would most
likely help someone be a better “No!
No!” player?
A
knowing a lot about poetry
B
being a funny person
C
being good in school
D
having a good vocabulary
Published January 2004. May reproduce for instructional and
educational purposes only, not for personal or financial gain.
North Carolina Testing Program
3.
Which is the best conclusion that can
be drawn from the information in the
first paragraph of “Taboo”?
A
B
C
D
4.
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EOG Reading Grade 8 Sample Items
5.
The rules of the game can be
adapted in a number of
interesting ways.
The relationships among players
will affect how the game is
played.
The spirit of friendship is
important for succeeding in this
game.
The key to winning the game is to
speak slowly and confidently.
Which of the following statements
about “Taboo” is true?
A
It is important to answer quickly
and honestly.
B
It is important to answer slowly
and carefully.
C
It is important to answer quickly
and in one word.
D
It is important to answer
creatively and humorously.
6.
Which of the following would a good
“Taboo” player be most likely to win?
A
a debate
B
an essay contest
C
a poetry contest
D
a spelling bee
Which of the following is true for
“Taboo” but not for “No! No!”?
A
Players must be good spellers.
B
Players must have mental agility.
C
The game can be played
anywhere.
D
The game requires no equipment.
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.
Published January 2004. May reproduce for instructional and
educational purposes only, not for personal or financial gain.
Answers to
Grade 8 Reading Comprehension Sample Items
Passage Title
Question
Number
Correct
Answer
Category
Thinking Skill
Objective
Number
NO! NO! / Taboo
1
C
Interpretation
Analyzing
2.01
NO! NO! / Taboo
2
D
Connections
Generating
2.01
NO! NO! / Taboo
3
B
Interpretation
Integrating
4.02
NO! NO! / Taboo
4
A
Interpretation
Analyzing
2.01
NO! NO! / Taboo
5
D
Connections
Generating
2.01
NO! NO! / Taboo
6
A
Connections
Organizing
2.01
Tuesday, January 13, 2004
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