Communication Arts/Literature (Grades 5–12)
Subtest 2 Sample Items
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Question 1
1. Which of the following skills would be most important to use when listening actively to a friend
in trouble?
- using silence and minimal reinforcers to communicate genuine interest and support
- expressing helpfulness by offering advice and guidance judiciously
- using nonverbal cues that project an attitude of courage and confidence
- asking specific, probing questions that help reveal the roots of the problem quickly
Answer to question 1
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0008) When listening actively
to a friend in trouble, a listener's goal would typically be to convey interest and support without
judgment, and without interrupting the speaker to ask probing questions or offer unsolicited advice.
Nonverbal responses such as nodding and eye contact would effectively achieve this goal.
Question 2
2. As a teacher listens to a student speak, the teacher experiences difficulty focusing on the student's message because the student uses "um," "ah," and "y'know" frequently. This situation best illustrates how which of the following factors can interfere with listening?
- external noise
- language
- message overload
- delivery
Answer to question 2
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0008) Some barriers to listening effectively may derive from the speaker, not the listener. The speaker's delivery, for example, may hinder a listener's ability to understand what the speaker is saying. In this case, the student's delivery is hesitant and overly ponderous (the student uses "um," "ah," and "y'know" frequently), making it difficult for the teacher to listen to the student's message.
Question 3
3. Selective listening would be the most appropriate mode of listening to use to receive which of the
following oral messages?
- "Flight 416 will begin general boarding at Gate 17B in twenty minutes. At this time, passengers with
small children and those who need assistance should report to Gate 17B for preliminary boarding."
- "If elected, I will use taxpayers' hard-earned dollars to improve our city's schools and prepare our
children for a brighter future. I will also work closely with our city's police force to reduce crime."
- "My daughter Judy is very talented musically. She takes piano lessons on Monday afternoons, violin
lessons on Wednesday evenings, and dance lessons on Saturday mornings."
- "Next year promises to be the most profitable year in the history of our business. We have many exciting
new projects on the horizon, and each one could mean thousands of dollars for our investors."
Answer to question 3
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0008) Selective listening—listening to acquire specific information—would be the most appropriate type of listening to use to receive flight information (boarding time, gate number, special accommodations) announced over the PA system at an airport.
Question 4
4. Which of the following oral responses most clearly indicates that active listening has occurred?
- "All right. Just focus on the benefits of your new diet and forget about the sacrifices you've had
to make."
- "Where are you going with this argument? You should try to present your ideas succinctly and logically."
- "It seems to me that you may have two conflicting interests, and you're anxious about them. Am I right?"
- "Although your political views have some theoretical merit, I cannot see how they're of much practical
use."
Answer to question 4
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0008) Active listening involves listening closely to fully comprehend what a speaker is saying. One way to verify comprehension of a speaker's message is to paraphrase or restate it. In the correct response, the listener paraphrases a message and asks, "Am I right?", demonstrating the listener's desire to truly understand the speaker's message and giving the speaker the opportunity to clarify any misunderstandings on the listener's part.
Question 5
5. During a speech to a large group of community members, an environmental activist asks the audience
periodically, "So, again, what are the four R's of 'green' consumerism?" Each time the question is asked,
both the activist and the audience reply all together, "Reduce, recycle, reuse, rebuy!" The primary
purpose of this exchange is to:
- convince audience members to accept ideas that may be new to them.
- leave the audience with a lasting impression of key points.
- create a sense of strength and solidarity among audience members.
- provide a succinct response to a potential concern of the audience.
Answer to question 5
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0009) One rhetorical technique used by effective speakers is to repeat key words and phrases to emphasize an important point or points. In this case, by asking the audience periodically what the "four R's of 'green' consumerism" are, the speaker not only impresses upon audience members the key points of the speech but also provides them with a mnemonic device for recalling those points long after the speech has ended.
Question 6
6. For which of the following occasions would a style of language that incorporates regional expressions or dialect be most appropriate to use in a speech?
- A corporate executive delivers a welcome speech to a group of recently hired employees.
- A government official delivers the keynote address to delegates at a national convention.
- A recipient of a military service award delivers an acceptance speech to a group of dignitaries.
- A high school alumna delivers a commencement address to the senior class at her alma mater.
Answer to question 6
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0009) Commencement addresses traditionally integrate informal elements of speech delivery such as jokes, personal anecdotes, and colloquialisms. An alumna of a high school is likely to be very familiar with her alma mater, and she is likely to incorporate into her address certain regional expressions or dialect that the audience will understand and identify with because the audience is mostly composed of students who have grown up in the same region.
Question 7
7. Which of the following topics is sufficiently narrow for a brief speech?
- hiking the Appalachian Trail
- the history of the National Park Service
- the effects of media on political discourse
- how to start a community garden
Answer to question 7
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0009) The topic "how to start a community garden" has an appropriately narrow focus. It can be developed with specific information, such as steps for starting a community garden in sequential order, and presented in a short amount of time.
Question 8
8. Which of the following strategies would likely be most effective for a speaker to use to manage speech
anxiety and apprehension before delivering a speech to a large audience?
- memorizing the speech to avoid having to consult notes
- using deep breathing and muscle relaxation techniques
- apologizing to the audience for visible signs of anxiety
- viewing video clips of polished, professional speakers
Answer to question 8
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0009) Deep breathing and muscle relaxation techniques can help a speaker release tension and reduce anxiety. In addition, deep breathing will improve the clarity and strength of the speaker's voice.
Question 9
9. A group of students is discussing ways for their community to help the environment by reducing waste. One group member suggests imposing limitations on the distribution of single-use plastic bags by retailers, while another suggests prohibiting the sale of beverages in plastic bottles. After another member suggests imposing a ban on all single-use plastic bags and containers, the group engages in a heated debate over which of the three suggestions has the greatest merit. Which of the following remarks by the group leader would likely be most effective in resolving the conflict?
- "Let's all agree that reducing waste will require sacrifices."
- "We'll take a vote to decide which suggestion to pursue."
- "Why don't we table this discussion until we've had a chance to research these ideas?"
- "Remember, our goal is to help the environment, not make everyone's lives miserable."
Answer to question 9
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0010) One way to begin to manage and resolve a conflict is to seek out and support a resolution that will allow all members of the group to be winners, at least to some extent. In this particular conflict, the three initial suggestions made by group members would allow the community to "win" by reducing waste, but at the same time community residents and businesses would "lose" by having to make unfair or unrealistic sacrifices. By reminding students of the possibility of a win-win outcome (reducing waste without making everyone's lives miserable), the group leader begins to manage and resolve the conflict.
Question 10
10. Which of the following oral remarks best demonstrates the application of expert power?
- "As principal, I want to improve academic performance by offering after-school tutoring."
- "If you complete the project by the end of the month, you will receive a bonus."
- "I have been analyzing this issue for more than nine years. I know the right direction to take."
- "If you are late to class one more time, I will give you two days of detention. Guaranteed."
Answer to question 10
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0010) One of several types of power used in interpersonal communication, expert power refers to the ability of a communicator to influence an audience due to the communicator's expertise and skills that often result from considerable experience in a particular area. The remark, "I have been analyzing this issue for more than nine years," directly addresses the speaker's lengthy experience and demonstrates the application of expert power.
Question 11
11. During an informal conversation among friends about a local election, one speaker claims that a particular candidate will bring new businesses to the community, reduce taxes, and implement an innovative school-improvement program. The primary purpose of the speaker's contribution to the conversation is to:
- solve a problem.
- acquire new information.
- influence others.
- establish common ground.
Answer to question 11
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0010) The speaker's primary purpose for presenting a particular candidate in such a positive light is most likely to attempt to convince the other participants in the conversation to support the candidate. Such expressions of personal opinion leave little to no room for an exchange of ideas or information among participants in a conversation.
Question 12
12. Members of a charitable organization are talking about how to invest the proceeds from a recent
fundraiser. The discussion becomes contentious as they debate the advantages and disadvantages of making
high-risk investments that may eventually lead to great gains or conservative investments that offer
little growth potential. After listening to input from the group, the group leader should take which
of the following approaches?
- designating group members who have seniority to make the decision
- inviting less vocal group members to speak while the most vocal members refrain from speaking
- encouraging individual group members to restate their various positions
- focusing the group on common goals before guiding members toward cooperation and compromise
Answer to question 12
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0010) To resolve group conflict,
an effective leader helps group members negotiate with one another. By helping the group focus on their
common goals, the leader can then help them cooperate and reach a compromise on a solution that best
serves these common goals.
Question 13
13. Which of the following sentences contains an error in usage?
- The coach's temper flared and his voice rose.
- The carpenter used a vise to secure the wood for drilling.
- The driver navigated the tortuous road skillfully.
- The lawyer tried to illicit the truth from the witness.
Answer to question 13
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0011) The usage error stems
from the misuse of commonly confused words. In this sentence, the word illicit, an adjective
meaning "not legally permitted," is incorrectly used in place of the word elicit, a verb meaning
"to draw out or bring forth." A lawyer would try to draw out, or elicit, the truth from a witness.
Question 14
14. Which of the following words or phrases, if used to complete the sentence below, would link the
ideas most clearly and coherently?
Last year, students who participated in an after-school ballroom dancing program demonstrated marked
improvement in their social and academic skills; ________blank,
more students will be encouraged to participate in the program this year.
- for example
- meanwhile
- in other words
- consequently
Answer to question 14
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0011) The word consequently
is a transitional word that means "as a result of." In the sentence, the first independent clause states
the positive impact on students of a previous year's after-school program. The second clause states
that as a result, or consequence, of that positive impact, more students will be encouraged to participate
in the program during the current year. Therefore, the word consequently most clearly shows
the causal relationship between the two independent clauses.
Draft For Questions 15 and 16
Read the draft version of a paragraph below; then answer the questions that follow.
1Whether you are waiting in line at the bank or at an airport, you are probably waiting in
a serpentine line that curves around itself like a coiled snake. 2Having a single, serpentine
line for multiple tellers or ticket agents creates a first-come, first-served system that appeals to
customers' sense of fairness. 3At Disneyland, serpentine lines partially hidden inside the
theme park's attractions create the impression that the lines are shorter than they are. 4Unlike
spacious airport lobbies designed to accommodate passengers and their luggage, most supermarkets lack
the space for a single line of shoppers and carts 5For this reason, supermarket customers must choose between multiple checkout lines. 6Unfortunately, multiple lines, or queues, force people
to engage in what one researcher refers to as "queue calculus," ___________________________________blank. 7Just as some drivers experience road rage, some supermarket
customers experience "queue rage." 8Perhaps magazines and candy are placed at checkout counters
to placate those unlucky shoppers who choose the wrong line.
Question 15
15. Which of the following sentences should be removed from the excerpt to eliminate a distracting detail?
- Sentence 2
- Sentence 3
- Sentence 4
- Sentence 7
Answer to question 15
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0011) The main idea of the
paragraph is that the use of a single, "serpentine" line is fairer to customers than the use of multiple,
straight lines. However, the detail provided in Sentence 3—the use of serpentine lines at Disneyland
is deceptive and thus unfair—does not support the main idea. It distracts from and, in fact, undermines
the main idea. Therefore, Sentence 3 should be removed from the paragraph.
Question 16
16. Which of the following phrases, if inserted in the blank in Sentence 6, would best clarify the meaning
of the sentence?
- an unscientific method of guessing which line will move faster
- coping as well as they can with the situation
- a description of how people behave under given circumstances
- leading them to disappointment and frustration
Answer to question 16
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0011) The best way to clarify
the meaning of Sentence 6 would be to insert a phrase that provides an explanation or a definition of
the term queue calculus. Only the phrase in response A provides such a clarifying definition.
The other phrases either fail to provide a definition or are not sufficiently clarifying.
Question 17
17. Which of the following versions of a paragraph from a student's college application essay would be most
appropriate for the student to use?
- I'm really excited about the prospect of attending City College and thrilled that the college has developed
such a cutting-edge creative writing program. I'm thinking about attending City College from 2012 to
2016, and I'd definitely want to get involved in the writing program. I'd appreciate any information
that you could send, including things about tuition and financial aid.
- I am desirous of matriculating at City College beginning in the fall term of 2012. The college's innovative
writing program represents the vanguard of creative endeavors, and I would be honored to count myself
a part of it. Please send me all pertinent information with regard to the college and the writing program.
Also, I will be applying for financial aid.
- I am writing to you to request information about City College. I am planning on applying for admission
in the fall of 2012. I am aware of your new creative writing program, and I have an interest in it.
I need all information that you have about the college and the writing program. I also need information
about tuition and financial aid. Please forward it at your convenience.
- I am interested in applying for admission to City College in the fall of 2012. I am especially interested
in the new creative writing program offered at the college. Please send me information about City College,
including information about tuition and financial aid. If you have special information about the writing
program, please send that to me also.
Answer to question 17
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0011) The paragraph is clear and concise; it is direct and achieves its purpose through the use of appropriate vocabulary and register.
Question 18
18. A student is preparing to develop a research report on academic rankings and is attempting to refine
the topic. Which of the following versions of an introductory statement would most clearly indicate
that the student has refined the topic appropriately?
- Current educational research reveals that more than half of U.S. high schools do not rank students
academically.
- College admissions boards often report that class rankings are not the most important factor they consider
when reviewing applications.
- There are several key reasons why U.S. high schools are reevaluating academic rankings and, in some
cases, eliminating the process.
- Many U.S. high schools have stopped ranking students because they believe that doing so is detrimental
to students below the top ten percent.
Answer to question 18
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0012) The statement that
"[t]here are several key reasons why U.S. high schools are reevaluating academic rankings and, in some
cases, eliminating the process," provides appropriate scope for the topic. The student would be able
to develop the topic by describing key reasons for U.S. high schools' reevaluation and elimination of
academic ranking of students.
Question 19
19. Which of the following questions would most effectively help a student evaluate the reliability
of an online source?
- Does the source provide statistics and other scientific data?
- Does the source include photographs that support the text?
- Do several known, credible sources corroborate information from the source?
- Do users of social media frequently share information provided by the source?
Answer to question 19
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0012) One way to evaluate
the reliability of a source is to fact check information with known, credible sources. If an online
source presents information as factual, but the information does not appear in credible sources such
as the New York Times, the Washington Post, or the Encyclopedia Britannica,
the accuracy of the information is questionable, and the online source should not be considered reliable.
Question 20
20. A student is developing a research report on the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and decides to use the
excerpt below to support an idea in the report.
In 1879, Walter Shaw, a Civil War veteran from Maine, purchased land at the edge of the marsh on the
Anacostia River's eastern shore. By 1882, he had planted his first water lilies in a single pond, adopting
a transatlantic garden trend inspired by 19th century English greenhouses and aquatic gardening practices.
Shaw and his daughter, L. Helen Shaw Fowler, expanded the overall garden to include 42 ponds of different
sizes by 1935, connected by a series of walkways and dykes and defined by weeping willows and other
native vegetation. The Anacostia marshland borders the gardens on three sides, providing a window on
another aquatic ecosystem.
—from "The Beauty in Water: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Landscape," National Park Service Web site
Which of the following attempts to integrate a direct quotation from the excerpt into the report would
be most appropriate for the student to use?
- In 1879, Walter Shaw "purchased land at the edge of the marsh on the Anacostia River's eastern shore."
Three years later, he planted water lilies in a pond, and by 1935, Shaw and his daughter, L. Helen Shaw
Fowler, had planted water lilies in 42 ponds.
- Walter Shaw was following "a transatlantic garden trend inspired by 19th century English greenhouses
and aquatic gardening practices" when he planted water lilies in a pond by the Anacostia River in 1882.
Walter and his daughter, L. Helen Shaw Fowler, eventually created an aquatic garden comprising 42 ponds.
- Beginning with one pond in 1882 and continuing until 1935, Walter Shaw and his daughter, L. Helen Shaw
Fowler, created 42 ponds linked by pathways and "defined by weeping willows and other native vegetation."
Water lilies grow in the ponds, which are surrounded by Anacostia marshland, a separate ecosystem.
- Walter Shaw and his daughter, L. Helen Shaw Fowler, were inspired by a gardening trend from across
the Atlantic when they planted water lilies in 42 ponds from 1882 to 1935. The surrounding Anacostia
River marshland is "a window on another aquatic ecosystem."
Answer to question 20
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0012) When selecting a direct
quotation to integrate into the report, the student should choose one that conveys significant information
in a compelling way. The quoted phrase, "a transatlantic garden trend inspired by 19th century English
greenhouses and aquatic gardening practices," offers key information and uses specific language that
would make accurate paraphrasing a challenge. The student integrates the quotation in a way that retains
its original meaning while capturing the contrast between the marshland owned by Walter Shaw and the
inspiration for his decision to plant water lilies in ponds.
Question 21
21. A student is developing an analytical essay about the characters Dogberry and Verges in William Shakespeare's comedy Much Ado About Nothing. As part of the essay, the student plans to make the claim that Dogberry often uses many words to convey one basic idea. Which of the following excerpts from the play, all of which are lines from Dogberry, would best support the student's claim?
- They say he wears a key in his ear and a lock hanging by it and borrows money in God's name, the which
he hath used so long and never paid that now men grow hardhearted and will lend nothing for God's sake.
Pray you, examine him upon that point.
- Marry, sir, they have committed false report; moreover, they have spoken untruths; secondarily, they
are slanders; sixth and lastly, they have belied a lady; thirdly, they have verified unjust things;
and to conclude, they are lying knaves.
- Why, you speak like an ancient and most quiet watchman, for I cannot see how sleeping should offend.
Only have a care that your bills be not stolen. Well, you are to call at all the alehouses and bid those
that are drunk get them to bed.
- Well, for your favor, sir, why, give God thanks, and make no boast of it; and for your writing and
reading, let that appear when there is no need of such vanity. You are thought here to be the most senseless
and fit man for the constable of the watch; therefore bear you the lantern.
Answer to question 21
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0012) The student's claim
that Dogberry uses many words to convey one basic idea can best be supported by the excerpt in which
Dogberry lists a series of offenses that all involve lying: "they have committed false report," "they
have spoken untruths," "they are slanders," "they have belied a lady," "they have verified unjust things,"
"they are lying knaves." The interchangeability of the offenses is emphasized by the random order in
which Dogberry lists them.
Question 22
22. A student would like to write an analytical essay on how Kate Chopin uses a multitude of images to reinforce a few central themes in her novella The Awakening. Which of the following organizational approaches would likely be most effective for the student to use for the essay?
- classification and division
- problem and solution
- comparison and contrast
- cause and effect
Answer to question 22
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0012) To organize and analyze
most effectively the many images used in The Awakening, the student would likely arrange the
images into broad categories and then divide them into smaller, narrower subcategories. For example,
one broad category of images might be "birds," which could then be divided into smaller categories,
such as "birds in cages," "birds in flight," and "birds singing."
Question 23
23. A student is developing an analytical essay on the main character, Granny, in Katherine Anne Porter's
short story "The Jilting of Granny Weatherall." As part of the essay, the student plans to make the
claim that Porter uses images of emptiness or hollowness to suggest the fear, doubt, and instability
that Granny experiences. Which of the following excerpts from the story would best support the student's
claim?
- Her eyes opened very wide and the room stood out like a picture she had seen somewhere. Dark colors
with the shadow rising towards the ceiling in long angles.
- Everything came in good time. Nothing left out, left over. She was strong, in three days she would
be as well as ever.
- The whole bottom dropped out of the world, and there she was blind and sweating with nothing under
her feet and the walls falling away.
- A fog rose over the valley, she saw it marching across the creek swallowing the trees and moving up
the hill like an army of ghosts.
Answer to question 23
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0012) Images of emptiness and hollowness suggest the fear, doubt, and instability of Granny. "The whole bottom dropped out of the world" conveys a global emptiness and fear while "with nothing under her feet and the walls falling away" conveys a more personal instability.
Question 24
24. Which of the following introductory sentences would provide the most effective thesis for an informative essay on chilies?
- Subjects in one research experiment favored the hottest chilies they could stand over chilies that
were not as hot, even though these were less painful to eat.
- On the Scoville heat scale, jalapeño peppers register between 5,000 and 50,000 and orange habaneros
between 100,000 to 350,000, while some Indian jolokia peppers hit 1,000,000.
- Hot chilies may have health benefits such as lowering blood pressure, but the real reason people enjoy
eating them is the painful sensation caused by their heat, otherwise known as pungency.
- Human beings are the only mammals that enjoy eating hot chilies; farmers do not need to worry about
losing their crop of hot chilies to rabbits, deer, or other wild animals.
Answer to question 24
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0013) A strong thesis statement asserts an opinion or makes a claim and provides a clear direction for a text. The assertion that people like to eat hot chilies because of their heat, not because of their health benefits, is arguable, and it provides a clear direction for presenting supporting ideas and evidence that will develop the argument fully.
Question 25
25. Which of the following paragraphs would provide the most effective conclusion to a short essay on
the effects of climate change on polar bears?
- You may have seen polar bears at zoos, but you do not expect to see them in their natural habitat,
because it is thousands of miles away. Yet every time you drive your car, you affect polar bears living
in the Arctic. How can a simple trip to the grocery store affect polar bears? How can driving instead
of walking threaten their very survival?
- Scientists know that climate change is causing a chain reaction in the Arctic. First, sea ice melts.
Polar bears use sea ice as a platform from which to hunt seals. With less sea ice to hunt from, polar
bears kill fewer seals. As a result, the number of seals increases. With more seals eating more fish,
the fish population declines.
- Many people think a problem is not their problem unless it arrives in their backyard. Why should we
care about polar bears if we live in Arizona, not the Arctic? We caused climate change and it is our
responsibility to reverse it. Otherwise, polar bears will come to our backyards looking for food. When
that happens, it will be too late to ignore them.
- According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Arctic is warming twice as fast as other
parts of the world. The reason for this faster warming rate is that while ice reflects the sun's heat,
ocean and land surfaces absorb it. When ice melts, it uncovers these darker, less reflective surfaces.
The consequences for polar bears could be devastating.
Answer to question 25
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0013) The paragraph that is most effective as a conclusion asks and answers the "so what?" question ("Why should we care about polar bears if we live in Arizona, not the Arctic?"). It makes the topic of the essay relatable to all readers by appealing to both reason (if people caused the problem, then people should fix it) and emotion (soon, it will be too late to fix it), and in so doing provides a very compelling conclusion.
Question 26
26. Read the draft paragraph below; then answer the question that follows.
The Colombian province of Meta is home to the most colorful river in the world: Caño Cristales,
or the "Liquid Rainbow," as it is also known. The river shimmers pink, red, blue, yellow, orange, and
green. The water itself is not multi-colored; a plant called macarenia clavigera that grows
under the water is the source of the river's amazing hues. ______________________________blank
Which of the following sentences, if inserted in the blank, would further develop the central idea of the paragraph?
- Visitors to Caño Cristales are not permitted to camp nearby or swim in the river.
- Colombia has many beautiful rivers, as well as dramatic mountains and lush rain forests.
- Colombia's rivers are a source of diverse flora and fauna, some of which struggle to survive.
- At certain times of the year, when the depth of the water and the angle of the sun are right, the plant
blooms.
Answer to question 26
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0013) The paragraph introduces
the Caño Cristales River and develops the idea that the river is remarkable due to its unique
colors. The fourth sentence begins to explain where the river gets its unusual color. Relevant supporting details, such as the circumstances that cause the plant to bloom, would further develop the central idea of the paragraph.
Question 27
27. Use the topic sentence below to answer the question that follows.
Although the human heart is susceptible to many problems, such as leaking valves and inflamed membranes, coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack and heart failure, is actually the number-one killer.
Which of the following details would provide the strongest support for the topic sentence?
- In the United States, heart disease is the cause of death for 500,000 men and women annually, while
worldwide, it takes the lives of 7.2 million people each year.
- The cause of most heart attacks is plaque that becomes embedded within the artery wall, which eventually
ruptures, cracks the wall, and triggers the formation of a blood clot.
- During an average lifetime, the human heart will beat two to three billion times and pump 50 to 65
million gallons of blood through 60,000 miles of vessels.
- It is true that more men than women have heart attacks, and they have them at a younger age, but after
menopause, rates of heart disease in women increase two to three times.
Answer to question 27
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0013) The topic sentence
states that coronary heart disease is the number-one killer. Relevant statistics and/or examples, such
as information about the annual number of deaths caused by heart disease in the United States and around
the world, would provide the strongest evidence to support the topic sentence.
Question 28
28. A high school student takes the notes below in preparation for writing an informative essay.
- Elephants live in multigenerational family groups
- Oldest and largest female elephant controls each family group (matriarchal society)
- Male elephants leave family group at puberty
- Researchers identified 70 different vocal sounds and 160 signals, gestures, expressions used by elephants
- Low-frequency grunts and rumbles humans cannot hear = warning calls to other elephants
- A lost elephant separated from family makes loud noises, wait for response—elephants then call
back and forth until they are reunited
- Trumpeting, screaming, rumbling sounds express joy when elephants are reunited with relatives
- Male and female elephants use different types of sounds; females make many more types of sounds than
males do
Given the information provided in these notes, the student would be best prepared to develop an essay using which of the following thesis statements?
- Because adult male and female elephants live in different family groups, they follow different social
rules and use different forms of communication.
- Researchers have determined that elephants feel a range of emotions comparable to those felt by humans,
but they express their emotions much differently than humans do.
- Elephants communicate with complex vocal sounds as well as a variety of visual and tactile signs that
researchers are studying as one way of better understanding elephants' behavior.
- A matriarchal human society is controlled by its female members in much the same way as a multigenerational
elephant family group is led by an older female.
Answer to question 28
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0013) All of the student's notes relate to elephant behavior and elephant communication. Therefore, the best thesis statement for the student to use would be one that provides clear direction for a full explanation of the relationship between the communication methods and behavior of elephants.
Question 29
29. Use the topic sentence below to answer the question that follows.
Noah Webster's "Blue-Backed Speller," first published in 1783, became the foundation of literacy for generations of Americans.
Which of the following details would provide a writer with the best support for the topic sentence?
- In it, Webster used Americanized spellings instead of traditional British spellings to promote the
young country's linguistic independence.
- Originally titled start italics A Grammatical Institute of the English Language end italics, it was a guide in three
parts: spelling, grammar, and reading.
- Throughout the nineteenth century and well into the twentieth century, it was the primary textbook
in most classrooms in the country.
- Webster was a teacher, a lawyer, and a would-be warrior: he tried to fight in a Revolutionary War battle
but did not make it to the battleground in time.
Answer to question 29
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0013) The topic sentence
claims that Noah Webster's "Blue-Backed Speller" "became the foundation of literacy for generations
of Americans," so an appropriate supporting sentence would need to convey the book's influence over
a long period of time. The correct response addresses the scope of the book's popularity in U.S. classrooms
and provides a specific time frame ("[t]hroughout the nineteenth century and well into the twentieth
century") that expands on the broader time frame given in the topic sentence ("generations").
Question 30
30. A writer is developing an essay in which she will argue that increased commercialism on the Internet
would be good for consumers. Which of the following questions would be most important for the writer
to anticipate and be prepared to respond to in the essay?
- What percentage of children under 12 years and adults over 70 years currently use the Internet to purchase
goods and services?
- What additional protections would consumers have from the irresponsible collection, storage, and use
of their personal information on the Internet?
- Why do consumers turn to the Internet to buy products that are readily available in brick-and-mortar
businesses right in their local communities?
- How much more time would consumers spend navigating through the additional Internet pop-up ads and
marketing surveys that they would encounter?
Answer to question 30
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0014) When developing an
argumentative essay, a writer should attempt to anticipate and address readers' questions and concerns
by considering all sides of a given issue. The writer of this essay should anticipate readers' concerns
that increased commercialism on the Internet will involve increased data collection, which might lead
to increased use of Internet users' personal information. Readers might reasonably wonder how they will
be protected from misuse of collected data, and the writer should be prepared to address their concerns.
Effectively addressing readers' concerns for their online safety and security will strengthen the writer's
argument.
Question 31
31. Use the claim below to answer the question that follows.
Violence on television can have harmful psychological effects on children.
Which of the following statements would provide the strongest support for the claim?
- Children are impressionable, and continual exposure to violent television images may convince them
that acting violently is normal and acceptable.
- Children between the ages of eight and nine years are likely to moderate their aggressive behavior
to conform to socially acceptable standards.
- Children lack real-life experience, and television programs, violent or not, offer indirect exposure
to actions and events that some may never experience firsthand.
- Children who watch more than four hours of television a day are more likely to develop problems related
to physical and social development.
Answer to question 31
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0014) The statement best supports the given claim by providing important and relevant information about both violence on television ("continual exposure to violent television images") and its harmful psychological effects on children ("may convince [children] that acting violently is normal and acceptable").
Question 32
32. A writer is developing an essay in which he will argue that online universities provide an education
that is equal, or even superior, to the education provided by traditional institutions of higher learning.
As part of his essay, he must respond to critics' claims that some online universities sell inferior
instruction to students, many of whom merely desire a degree, not an education. Which of the following
responses to these claims would be most effective for the student to use in his essay?
- Online universities are not appropriate educational environments for unmotivated, easily distracted
students, but independent, disciplined students often benefit more from one-on-one instruction than
from whole-group instruction.
- Before enrolling in any online university, serious students should verify whether it offers a rigorous
curriculum taught by qualified instructors; undergraduate students who plan to apply to graduate school
or college graduates seeking a professional degree should make sure the school is fully accredited.
- Digital technology has become an integral part of education at traditional colleges, where students
read electronic textbooks, e-mail assignments to their professors, and participate in online discussion
groups; someday, students may even perform lab experiments or practice medical procedures in cyberspace.
- Online universities offer students the flexibility of scheduling class attendance and homework around
their personal and professional responsibilities, thus allowing nontraditional students to raise families
or hold full-time jobs while pursuing a higher degree.
Answer to question 32
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0014) By indicating the importance of checking instructors' credentials and universities' accreditations, the statement addresses most effectively the issue of the quality or legitimacy of online universities.
Question 33
33. A writer takes the notes below in preparation for writing a newspaper editorial.
- 120 U.S. school districts, most of them rural, have implemented four-day school weeks to cut costs
- Shorter school week equals longer school days
- Students in class same number of hours, teachers receive same pay
- Reduced costs for utilities, school lunches, and school buses
- Decreased absenteeism among students and teachers
- Students' behavior improved, more positive attitude toward school, fewer dropouts
- Increased student participation in extracurricular activities
- Elementary school students, who have shorter attention spans than secondary school students, might
not benefit from longer school days
Given the information in these notes, the writer would be best prepared to develop an editorial using
which of the following position statements?
- Cost-cutting measures taken by some school districts have had unexpected educational benefits for most
students.
- If school districts want to save money, they should reduce extracurricular activities and focus on
academic subjects.
- Teachers should be fairly compensated for instruction time in the classroom and preparation time outside
the classroom.
- Before more urban school districts implement four-day school weeks, they should consider the cost advantages
and disadvantages.
Answer to question 33
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0014) While the notes indicate
one drawback of the cost-cutting measure to move to a four-day school week—that elementary school
students might not benefit from longer school days due to their shorter attention spans—the notes
indicate several unexpected benefits for most students, such as decreased absenteeism, improved behavior,
fewer dropouts, and increased participation in extracurricular activities.
Question 34
34. Read the paragraph below from the first draft of an argument; then answer the question that follows.
A plank is a popular core exercise that involves holding the body in a push-up position. Compared to abdominal crunches and sit-ups, planks do not put added stress on the neck and the back. ________blank, a plank is not a risk-free exercise. ________blank, a plank can potentially cause more harm than sit-ups and crunches because it activates more muscle groups, leading to a higher risk of injury. Although it is technically a core exercise, a plank activates non-core muscles, including the deltoids, rotator cuff, and glutes. ________blank, it is important to know one's body's strengths and weaknesses before incorporating the plank into a workout regimen.
Which words and phrases, if inserted in order in the blanks, would create cohesion and clarify the relationships between a counterclaim, reasons, and evidence in the paragraph?
- Consequently, Additionally, Clearly
- However, In fact, Therefore
- First, Even so, Above all
- Of course, Usually, Likewise
Answer to question 34
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0014) The insertion of "However" would call readers' attention to the fact that a plank may cause injuries. The phrase "In fact" introduces the writer's argument that a plank can be more harmful than sit-ups and crunches because it uses more muscles. "Therefore" introduces a conclusion that can be drawn from the preceding evidence, which consists of a list of some muscles that are used in a plank.
Question 35
35. A writer is developing a short story. Which of the following introductory paragraphs would most
effectively engage readers' interest in events that will unfold later in the story?
- Commander Kasrek had been living in the space station for two years. She always smiled when she recalled
how awkward she had felt while adjusting to weightlessness. Of course, Kasrek had not believed the scientists
who said it would take her body forty days to adjust to zero gravity. And of course, they had been right.
- The first time Commander Kasrek tried to eat a cheese sandwich in zero gravity, it took her ten minutes
to figure out how to stop the sandwich from floating away. Now that she had been living in space for
two years, lunch was the least of Kasrek's worries. She reread the message blinking on the screen in
front of her.
- Commander Kasrek had short-cropped, blond hair and hazel eyes. She was almost six feet tall, so moving
around the space station was rather difficult. Kasrek knew that living in zero gravity for prolonged
periods might result in irreparable bone loss, but that was a sacrifice she was willing to make for
her career.
- The effects of weightlessness on the body were well known to Commander Kasrek. She had first learned
about them in her high school physics class and again during her astronaut training. But knowing about
the effects was not the same as experiencing them. Kasrek enjoyed living in zero gravity, in spite of
the inconveniences.
Answer to question 35
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0015) The paragraph generates momentum and compels readers to read on by moving quickly from an amusing anecdote from the past to a potentially urgent situation in the present. This use of both humor and suspense effectively engages readers' interest in events that will unfold later in the story.
Question 36
36. A writer is developing a short story about two bicyclists who compete against each other in a race.
Which of the following versions of a paragraph from the story uses simile most effectively to create
a mood of tension?
- Chris was ahead of the pack by at least 10 yards, but he knew Dave might sneak up like a snake in the
grass. Chris looked over his shoulder. Sure enough, Dave sprung from the pack and lunged forward like
a hungry wolf after a long winter.
- Chris rode like the wind, and he was sure the medal would be his. He glanced over his shoulder and
saw Dave, who was like a tiny blip on a radar screen. Suddenly, Dave was like a locomotive heading straight
for Chris.
- Chris wanted to hold on to the lead like a starving man holding on to a crust of bread. He looked over
his shoulder. Finding Dave in the pack should have been like finding a needle in a haystack, but to
Chris's dismay, Dave stood out like a sore thumb.
- Chris stole a quick glance over his shoulder. Dave materialized like a supersonic jet emerging from
a dark cloud. Hunched low over the chrome handlebars of his bike, silver helmet gleaming like the tail
of a comet, Dave flew past Chris.
Answer to question 36
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0015) The similes employed in the paragraph—"materialized like a supersonic jet emerging from a dark cloud" and "silver helmet gleaming like the tail of a comet"—create a mood of tension because they convey a sense of ominousness and uncontrollable speed. They are particularly effective because they are vivid, are comprehensible, are directly related to the story's action, and avoid cliché. The two similes also differ sufficiently from each other to avoid unnecessary repetition.
Paragraph For Questions 37 and 38
Read the draft paragraph below; then answer the two questions that follow.
Selena and Cal were lucky to escape the storm's sudden high winds and driving rain by taking shelter
in an empty cabin at the edge of the preserve. When the storm had passed, they ventured outside and
were dazed by the destruction they saw. Broken branches littered the landscape.
______________________________blank
Question 37
37. Which of the following sentences, if inserted in the blank, would most effectively build on the mood of the paragraph?
- The trees creaked and groaned like a doomed shipwreck.
- The two friends fled through the forest, fearing the worst.
- Snap! A branch tumbled noisily onto the ground behind them.
- All around them branches were cracking, cracking, cracking.
Answer to question 37
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0015) The phrase "creaked and groaned" provides a precise description of the sounds made by the trees, while the image of a doomed shipwreck highlights the desolation and destruction caused by the storm.
Question 38
38. Which of the following flashbacks would provide the most effective context for the paragraph?
- The day before the storm, Selena eats breakfast, takes her dog for a walk, and drives to work at the
ranger station.
- Selena and Cal, on the job as forest rangers, are searching for a lost hiker when they realize a storm
is coming.
- The night before the storm, Cal has dinner with his family, and they discuss their plans for the coming
weekend.
- Selena and Cal meet for the first time when they are both assigned to the ranger station in a remote
wilderness area.
Answer to question 38
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0015) A flashback of Selena
and Cal on the day of the storm would be an effective way to contrast their usual routine with their
actions after the storm. Introducing the element of a lost hiker would add greater urgency and suspense
to the story.
Question 39
39. A student is developing a personal narrative about breaking a high school's track and field record for the 1600-meter run. The student wants to use figurative language to convey a vivid picture of the event. Which of the following paragraphs would be most effective for the student to use for this purpose?
- At the final turn of the race, I was running on fumes. "Whatever it takes, find an extra gear," I told myself. The crowd was on its feet. Their powerful roar gave me just enough fuel to accelerate to the finish line.
- Three runners were within striking distance from me. I was determined to let no one overtake me. This was my moment. I reminded myself that time was my only competitor in the home stretch. Seconds later, I won.
- The end of the race seemed light years away. I might as well have been in outer space considering how difficult it was to breathe. Undeterred, I was convinced that my exasperation would be worth the ultimate result.
- "You're almost there," I repeated to myself as I broke from the pack of runners who had kept up with my pace throughout the entire race. With my eyes on the prize, I sped across the finish line and into the school's hall of fame.
Answer to question 39
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0015) The paragraph uses the extended metaphor of automotive racing to describe the final moments of a track and field event. Phrases such as "running on fumes," "find an extra gear," and "accelerate to the finish line" evoke images of a racecar driver pushing a vehicle to its limits to win a race.
Question 40
40. A student is developing a personal narrative about learning to make homemade croissants. Which of the following paragraphs uses narrative techniques most effectively to develop the character of the grandmother?
- As we passed a café yesterday, my grandmother and I were captured by the scent of warm croissants. I asked my grandmother if she still bakes croissants. "Yes, I do," she said. Croissants are still one of my favorite pastries to make." I asked if we could bake croissants together when we returned home. "Of course," she responded. "I would love to."
- My grandmother was making croissants when I called her this afternoon. I knew she was baking because the electric mixer was humming along as opera music played in the background. These sounds reminded me of the time my grandmother taught me how to make croissants. Her croissants have an ideal balance of crisp exterior and buttery interior.
- A retired pastry chef, my grandmother still bakes with precision and intensity. "Classic French croissants begin with perfectly rolled dough," she advises as I form the mixture. "Keep the sides straight. Don't overwork the dough. Remove the excess flour before you fold." She punctuates each command by tapping a wooden spoon against a mixing bowl.
- Whenever I visit my grandmother, we bake a dozen croissants. Sometimes we top them with chocolate and almonds, and other times we fill them with pastry cream. When we're feeling adventurous, we try new recipes. Last weekend, we made savory croissants filled with goat cheese and caramelized onions. They were so delicious that we ate them all!
Answer to question 40
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0015) Teaching her grandchild to make perfect croissants, the grandmother acts as if she were still a pastry chef training a novice baker. The grandmother's strong persona is vividly conveyed through dialogue and a description of her behavior.
Acknowledgements:
Porter, Katherine Anne. "The Jilting of Granny Weatherall." start italics Collected Stories of Katherine Anne Porter end italics.
Katherine Anne Porter Literary Trust. Used with permission.