Reading Test Practice

1. Which word fits best in the blank?

• A. commonly

• B. as to

• C. as

• D. on

Answer explanation

Collocation:

49. refer: referred to (as)

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.3

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.8.3

CCSS.RI.9-10.3

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

2. Which of the following best matches the meaning and connotation of SCOURGE?

• A. curse

• B. change

• C. blessing

• D. audacity

Answer explanation

Connotative and Denotative Meanings

Scourge = thing that causes great trouble/suffering

Clues from context: 'it spells the decline and fall of literacy' = negative connotation

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

3. What word fits best in the blank?

• A. Subsequently

• B. Nevertheless

• C. Rather

• D. Purposefully

Answer explanation

Implications and Inferences

Logical Connection

A - Chronological (A then B)

B - Conjunction (A and B, surprising)

C - Disjunction (A or B)

D - Cause/Effect

It's not A, it's B.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

4. What does John McWhorter imply with the sentence “If humanity had existed for 24 hours, then writing only came along at about 11:07 p.m.?”

• A. Writing is not as important as spoken language.

• B. Humans have existed for a very long time.

• C. Humans should have developed writing at an earlier stage in their history.

• D. The history of writing is very short compared to human history.

Answer explanation

Implications and Inferences

Logical Connection

If, then = Implication.

One thing can only happen if some condition if fulfilled

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

5. Why does the author include the information that just about everyone learns to speak, though not everyone learns to write?

• A. To refute the idea that speaking is not important for communication.

• B. As evidence that speaking is the basic way in which humans communicate.

• C. As an example of why writing is a kind of artifice.

• D. To explain how speaking and writing differ.

Answer explanation

Implications and Inferences

Understanding Why

Speaking is a fundamental mode of human communication.

For one... = evidence

Moreover, ... = conjunction (both things happen)

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.6

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.6

6. Which word fits best in the blank?

• A. develops

• B. begs

• C. faces

• D. provides

Answer explanation

Collocation:

35. opportunity: provide an opportunity

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

7. Which word fits best in the blank?

• A. follow

• B. convey

• C. suit

• D. pose

Answer explanation

Collocation:

31. message: convey a message

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

8. Which word fits best in the blank?

• A. vest

• B. engage

• C. seek

• D. follow

Answer explanation

Collocation:

23. follow: follow the rules

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

9. What can be inferred from the passage?

• A. Without recent technology, it would be impossible for people to write like they

  speak.

• B. If we had invented writing earlier in our history, then we would have more technology.

• C. Neither writers nor speakers could get immediate feedback before texting was invented.

• D. Both writing and texting have contributed to linguistic decline since their introduction.

Answer explanation

Implications and Inferences

Logical Connection

A. Implication - Technology = people can speak like they write

B. Implication X - Writing does not create technology

C. Conjunction (A and B) X - speakers get feedback

D. Conjunction (A and B) X - writing has not contributed to linguistic decline

10. Which of the following statements would John McWhorter be most likely to agree with?

• A. Texting is an important method of communication that does not have a negative

  impact on literacy.

• B. Texting is new and unique, but it will be detrimental to young people’s writing skills.

• C. Texting is inconsequential because it will quickly be replaced by a new way to communicate.

• D. Speaking and writing should no longer be considered different.

Answer explanation

Connotative and Denotative Meanings

texting = important, miraculous. very positive

A. postitive

B. neutral/negative

C. negative

D. neutral/negative