Short Passages

It was not until after World War II that large numbers of Puerto Ricans began migrating to the United States mainland. In 1945, the year the war ended, Puerto Rico had been experiencing economic hardship. Puerto Rico’s population was increasing, and there were fewer jobs available. Travel between Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland also became much more affordable. Therefore, many Puerto Ricans moved to New York City in hopes of a better life. In a single decade (1950-1960), almost half a million Puerto Ricans migrated to the U.S. mainland. Which two events were reasons why Puerto Ricans migrated to the U.S. mainland?

• Puerto Rico had fewer jobs available.

• Travel between Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland was cheaper.

• Puerto Rico was having an economic boom.

• The war had ended.

You will need to be able to analyze the structure of a passage.

• True

• False

Read the following passage and identify the main idea: 'The sun set over the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink. Birds chirped as they settled in for the night, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves.'

• A) The passage describes a sunrise.

• B) The passage describes a sunset.

• C) The passage describes a storm.

• D) The passage describes a busy city.

Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?

• A) She don't like apples.

• B) He go to school every day.

• C) They has a big house.

• D) She doesn't like apples.

What is the synonym of the word 'benevolent' as used in the passage: 'The benevolent king was loved by all his subjects.'

• A) Cruel

• B) Kind

• C) Angry

• D) Greedy

Identify the literary device used in the sentence: 'The wind whispered through the trees.'

• A) Simile

• B) Metaphor

• C) Personification

• D) Hyperbole

In the passage, 'The cat sat on the mat, watching the world go by,' what is the function of the phrase 'watching the world go by'?

• A) Subject

• B) Predicate

• C) Object

• D) Modifier

Choose the correct sentence structure:

• A) Running quickly, the finish line was crossed by him.

• B) The finish line was crossed by him running quickly.

• C) He crossed the finish line running quickly.

• D) Running quickly, he crossed the finish line.

What is the antonym of 'abundant' as used in the passage: 'The garden was abundant with flowers.'

• A) Sparse

• B) Plentiful

• C) Overflowing

• D) Rich

Read the passage and answer the question: 'The old library was a treasure trove of ancient books, each with its own story to tell.' What does 'treasure trove' mean in this context?

• A) A place full of treasures

• B) A place with few books

• C) A place with modern books

• D) A place with no stories