Grade 11 Admission Test

(1) It was early on a Saturday morning. (2) Unlike on most Saturdays, the hallways at the school bustled with

activity. (3) The annual state music contest had arrived. (4) The place was packed with students carrying instruments

and sheets of music. (5) Haley was panicked because she was one of the contestants. (6) She had butterflies in her

stomach over the idea of singing her solo for the judges. (7) For months, she had practiced her song. (8) Now that the

contest was here, though, the worst thing had happened. (9) She felt too nervous to perform!

(10) Haley has always had a nice voice. (11) She just couldn’t get behind singing in public. (12) When her choir

teacher had persuaded her to enter the contest, she was up for it. (13) Now, she just wanted an excuse to back out.

(14) As Haley paced in the hall, Leah moseyed up to her. (15) Leah was one of Haley’s BFFs. (16) “What’s up with

you, girl?” Leah cried. (17) “You look awful.”

(18) “I can’t sing for those judges,” Haley replied. (19) “I’m scared. (20) Really scared. (21) Like I might faint scared.”

(22) Leah pursed her lips. (23) She knew Haley very well. (24) “Haley,” she began, “when we were kids, you sang all

the time. (25) Why did you do it?”

(26) Haley paused. (27) “Just because I liked it.”

(28) “Yes!” Leah exclaimed. (29) “That’s what matters. (30) When people realize it, they’ll enjoy your singing, too!”

(31) Haley thought this over. (32) As usual, Leah would have a point. (33) “You’re right,” Haley said. (34) “Let’s do

this thing!”

(35) “That’s good,” Leah cheered. (36) “Now, you better get warmed up.”

(37) Haley started down the hall. (38) She glanced back at Leah with a smile.

(39) Then she charged to the warm-up room, loudly hummed her song.

What is the BEST way to revise sentences 2 and 3 using a dash?

• The hallways at the school bustled with activity—unlike on most Saturdays, the annual state music contest

  had arrived.

• Unlike on most Saturdays—the hallways at the school bustled with activity because the annual state music

  contest had arrived.

• The annual state music contest had arrived and the hallways at the school bustled with activity—unlike on

  most Saturdays.

• Unlike on most Saturdays, the hallways at the school bustled with activity—the annual state music contest

  had arrived.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RI.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

What is the BEST way to combine sentences 5 and 6 using dashes?

• Haley, panicked because she was one of the contestants, had butterflies in her stomach over the idea—

  singing solo—for the judges.

• Haley was panicked—butterflies in her stomach—over the idea singing solo for the judges.

• One of the contestants—Haley—was panicked with butterflies in her stomach over the idea of singing solo

  for the judges.

• Panicked over the idea—singing solo for the judges—Haley had butterflies in her stomach.

Tags

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.3.3C

CCSS.RF.3.3D

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

Which sentence BEST combines sentences 7 and 8?

• For months, she had practiced her song and now the contest was here and the worst thing had happened.

• She had practiced her song for months, but now that the contest was here, the worst thing had happened.

• Now that the contest was here, the worst thing had happened, though she had practiced her song for months.

• But the worst thing had happened, now that the contest was here, after Haley had practiced her song for

  months.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.10

CCSS.RI.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

What is the BEST way to revise sentence 10?

• Haley will have a nice voice always.

• Haley had always had a nice voice.

• Haley would always have nice voice.

• Haley always had had a nice voice.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.5.1B

CCSS.L.5.1C

CCSS.L.5.1D

Which sentence BEST combines sentences 12 and 13 using a comma and a conjunction?

• When her choir teacher had persuaded her to enter the contest, she was up for it, so now she just wanted

  an excuse to back out.

• She was up for it when her choir teacher had persuaded her to enter the contest, and, now she just wanted

  an excuse to back out.

• When her choir teacher had persuaded her to enter the contest, she was up for it, but now she just wanted

  an excuse to back out.

• She was up for it when her choir teacher had persuaded her to enter the contest, although, now she just

  wanted an excuse to back out.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.3

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.3

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

What is the BEST revision for sentence 15 to maintain a more formal tone?

• Leah thought Haley needed her as a buddy.

• Leah thought Haley was among her favorite pals.

• Leah and Haley were close as can be.

• Leah and Haley were best friends.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

What is the BEST revision for sentences 19–21 to maintain a more formal tone?

• I’m so scared that I might totally collapse.

• I’m so scared that I feel like I might faint.

• I’m extremely scared that I could go out like a light.

• I’m really so scared that I’m going to drop.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

What is the BEST way to revise sentence 32?

• As usual, Leah had had a point.

• As usual, Leah has a point.

• As usual, Leah had a point.

• As usual, Leah was having had a point.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.5.1B

CCSS.L.5.1C

CCSS.L.5.1D

What is the BEST revision for sentence 34 to maintain a formal tone?

• “I’m all over it!“

• “I think I can do this!”

• “I’m for sure down with that!”

• “This will be a piece of cake!”

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which sentence BEST combines sentences 37 and 38 using an introductory clause with a comma?

• Haley started down the hall, and then glanced back at Leah with a smile.

• Haley glanced back a Leah with a smile, and started down the hall.

• Starting down the hall, Haley glanced back a Leah with a smile.

• Haley was glancing back a Leah with a smile, as she started down the hall.