1.
There are moments when the parents of a teen-ager say, or at least think, "Why don't you act your age?" But what age is the young adolescent to act? One minute he is twelve years old; the very next, he seems sixteen; and a moment later he crawls back into childish comfort. The betwixt-and-between junior-high-school pupil offers parents and teachers exciting challenge, for adults cannot guide seventh, eighth and ninth graders without growing themselves. Neither "fish nor fowl," the junior-high-school pupil is caught between tender childishness and manly promise. During these years of change and unashamed enthusiasm, the young adolescent explores a million quandaries, test a hundred selves and questions tumbling values as he rapidly constructs others. What is the main idea of this passage about teenagers?
Correct Answer
B. The junior high years are a very confusing time full of growth and trials
Explanation
The main idea of this passage is that the junior high years are a very confusing time full of growth and trials. The passage describes how teenagers in this age group are caught between childhood and adulthood, and are constantly exploring and questioning their values. It emphasizes the challenges faced by parents and teachers in guiding these students, and highlights the rapid changes and enthusiastic exploration that occurs during this period. Therefore, the correct answer is "The junior high years are a very confusing time full of growth and trials."
2.
When reading a passage about the effects of global warming, which of the following would likely represent the main idea?
Correct Answer
D. Global warming's impact on Earth's overall climate and ecosystems.
Explanation
The main idea of a text is a statement that summarizes the most important information that the text covers. In a passage about the effects of global warming, the main idea would likely encompass a broad overview of its impacts, such as on Earth’s overall climate and ecosystems. Options A, B, and C, while related, represent supporting details that might be used to substantiate the main idea by providing specific examples, explanations, or data.
3.
Which is the topic sentence?
Correct Answer
B. I have several reasons for wanting to get rid of Punch.
Explanation
The topic sentence in a paragraph typically introduces the main idea or subject of the paragraph. In this case, the sentence "I have several reasons for wanting to get rid of Punch" introduces the main idea of the paragraph, which is the speaker's reasons for wanting to get rid of their dog, Punch. This sentence sets the tone and direction for the rest of the paragraph, making it the topic sentence.
4.
Michael felt completely sad and completely alone. He had always counted on his grandfather for help and for guidance. Now, without him he wasn’t sure what he could do. The feeling made him even more adamantly opposed to drunk driving.
What happened to Michael's grandfather?
Correct Answer
B. He was killed by a drunk driver.
Explanation
Michael's grandfather was killed by a drunk driver. This tragic event has left Michael feeling sad and alone, as he had always relied on his grandfather for support and guidance. The loss has deeply affected Michael and has made him strongly opposed to drunk driving.
5.
Look at the following outline of a paragraph. The point is followed by six
facts, only three of which are on target in supporting the point. The other facts
are irrelevant to the point. See if you can check the three relevant statements of
support—the ones that hit the bull’s-eye.
Topic sentence- My dog Otis is not very bright.
Correct Answer(s)
A. He’s five years old and doesn’t respond to his name yet.
D. He often attacks the backyard hedge as if it’s a hostile animal
F. I often have to put food in front of him because he can’t find it by himself.
Explanation
The three relevant statements that support the point "My dog Otis is not very bright" are: "He's five years old and doesn't respond to his name yet," "He often attacks the backyard hedge as if it's a hostile animal," and "I often have to put food in front of him because he can't find it by himself." These statements demonstrate behaviors that suggest a lack of intelligence or understanding on the part of the dog.
6.
It isn’t the most glamorous job. I mean, who wants to stare at people’s teeth all day? I guess it is kind of fun to play with the tiny brushes and drills, and besides the profession pays very well.Where is the person’s job?
Correct Answer
B. Dentist
Explanation
The person's job is a dentist. The passage mentions that the job involves staring at people's teeth all day and playing with tiny brushes and drills. It also states that the profession pays very well, which is often true for dentists.
7.
How can quicksand be formed among the given options? (select all that apply)
Correct Answer(s)
B. Sand and upward flowing water
C. Earthquake
Explanation
Quicksand can be formed by a combination of sand and upward flowing water. When water saturates loose sand, it reduces the friction between sand particles, causing them to lose their ability to support weight. This creates a liquefied state where the sand behaves like a thick fluid, trapping anything that comes into contact with it. Additionally, earthquakes can also contribute to the formation of quicksand by disrupting the stability of the ground and causing sand to become unstable. Tsunamis, on the other hand, are not directly related to the formation of quicksand.
8.
Each point below is followed by three items of information. Select the one item that logically supports the point.
Point: That child is very curious.
Correct Answer
C. He has taken apart all the clocks in the house to see how they work. He borrowed his father’s hammer to break rocks because he “wanted to see what they looked like inside.” He is forever asking questions that start with “How” and “Why.”
Explanation
The information provided about the child's curiosity, such as taking apart clocks to see how they work, breaking rocks to see what they look like inside, and constantly asking "How" and "Why" questions, logically supports the point that the child is very curious.
9.
Read the following paragraph and tell where the main idea is located. Despite the hatred that most people feel toward cockroaches, they do help humans in several ways. For example, they are perfect experimental animals and are used for scientific research in the laboratory. Breeding them is easy, for they thrive under almost any conditions. In studies on nutrition and food, cockroaches are good subjects because they will eat any kind of food. They can be used to study heart disease, and cancer researchers work with roaches because they grow cancerous tumors like those that are found in humans.
Correct Answer
A. In the first sentence
Explanation
The main idea of the paragraph is located in the first sentence. The paragraph discusses the helpful aspects of cockroaches despite people's general dislike for them. This sets the tone for the rest of the paragraph, which goes on to explain how cockroaches are used in scientific research and the various ways they can be beneficial.
10.
Juan loves to play games. His favorite game is chess because it requires a great deal of thought. Juan also likes to play less demanding board games that are based mostly on luck. He prefers Monopoly because it requires luck and skill. If he’s alone, Juan likes to play action video games as long as they aren’t too violent.What is the main idea of this paragraph?
Correct Answer
D. Juan enjoys playing games.
Explanation
The main idea of the paragraph is that Juan enjoys playing games. This is evident from the fact that he loves to play chess, enjoys less demanding board games like Monopoly, and also plays action video games as long as they aren't too violent. The paragraph provides information about Juan's preferences and interests in different types of games, ultimately highlighting his overall enjoyment of playing games.
11.
Maria is watching too much television. A toddler shouldn’t be spending hours staring blankly at a screen. Worse yet, some of her wild behavior has been inspired by those awful cartoons she watches. We need to spend more time reading books with her and pull the plug on the TV!What is the main idea of this paragraph?
Correct Answer
A. Watching a lot of television isn’t good for Maria.
Explanation
The main idea of this paragraph is that watching a lot of television isn't good for Maria. This is evident from the statement that Maria is watching too much television and that it is causing negative effects on her behavior. The suggestion to spend more time reading books and pulling the plug on the TV further emphasizes the idea that excessive television consumption is not beneficial for Maria.
12.
“This is a court of law, young man, not a court of justice.” Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.Which statement comes closest to the meaning of the above quote?
Correct Answer
D. Laws aren't always fair.
Explanation
The quote suggests that the court system is focused on following the law rather than seeking justice. It implies that even though the court is meant to uphold justice, it may not always do so due to the limitations of the law. Therefore, the statement "Laws aren't always fair" aligns with the meaning of the quote.
13.
See if you can infer an implied or hidden message in each of the following selection.Turner almost wished that he hadn’t listened to the radio. He went to the closet and grabbed his umbrella. He would feel silly carrying it to the bus stop on such a sunny morning.1. Which probably happened?
Correct Answer
C. Turner had heard a weather forecast that predicted rain.
Explanation
The correct answer is "Turner had heard a weather forecast that predicted rain." This can be inferred from the fact that Turner went to grab his umbrella even though it was a sunny morning, indicating that he was preparing for rain.
14.
See if you can infer an implied or hidden message in each of the following selection.Bill and Jessica were almost done taking turns choosing the players for their teams. It was Jessica’s turn to choose, and only Kurt was left.Jessica said, “Kurt.”We can infer that ________
Correct Answer
A. Kurt is not a very good player.
Explanation
We can infer that Kurt is not a very good player because he was the last one to be chosen for the teams. Typically, the best players are chosen first, so the fact that Kurt was left until the end suggests that he may not be as skilled as the other players.
15.
There are moments when the parents of a teen-ager say, or at least think, "Why don't you act your age?" But what age is the young adolescent to act? One minute he is twelve years old; the very next, he seems sixteen; and a moment later he crawls back into childish comfort. The betwixt-and-between junior-high-school pupil offers parents and teachers exciting challenge, for adults cannot guide seventh, eighth and ninth graders without growing themselves.Neither "fish nor fowl," the junior-high-school pupil is caught between tender childishness and manly promise. During these years of change and unashamed enthusiasm, the young adolescent explores a million quandaries, test a hundred selves and questions tumbling values as he rapidly constructs others. What is the main idea of this passage about teenagers?
Correct Answer
B. The junior high years are a very confusing time full of growth and trials.
Explanation
The main idea of this passage is that the junior high years are a very confusing time full of growth and trials. The passage describes how teenagers in this age group go through various changes and explore different aspects of themselves. It also mentions that adults find it challenging to guide them because they are caught between childhood and adulthood. This suggests that the junior high years are a period of confusion and growth for teenagers.
16.
Shanay had never seen so many fish before. She looked around at the huge tanks and could see hundreds of fish, crabs, shrimp, and all other amazing creatures completely surrounding her. She never thought she could feel like she was completely underwater, yet still be completely dry.Where is Shanay?
Correct Answer
C. An aquarium
Explanation
Shanay is surrounded by huge tanks filled with fish, crabs, shrimp, and other sea creatures. This suggests that she is in an aquarium, which is a place specifically designed to house and display various aquatic animals.