Sample Final Exam: Practice Questions

The group’s approach and strong teamwork helped them dominate the final round of the quiz tournament. What does the word *unified* most strongly suggest in this sentence?

• They grew up in the same town

• They communicated effectively

• They practiced every day

• They were extremely competitive

Which of the following words best conveys the idea of something rotting or decomposing?

• Fragrant

• Rank

• Crisp

• Nutty

Read the poem “Evening in the Orchard”.  The branches hang heavy with shadows, not fruit,
Though once they bore blossoms in blushing pursuit.
Now silence replaces the robins’ sweet tune,
As silver light pools from the face of the moon.

I sit where the grasses grow wild and deep,
While memories stir from a half-dreaming sleep.
Each leaf in the hush is a whisper, a sigh,
Of summers that fluttered so swiftly by.

Like fingers entwined in the hush of the trees,
The breeze weaves a warmth with invisible ease.
And though autumn lingers with frost in her breath,
This place holds a promise far stronger than death.

What is the setting of this poem?

• A city park at dusk

• A garden under the stars

• A forest clearing during sunrise

• A riverside picnic during the afternoon

Refer to “Evening in the Orchard.”  The branches hang heavy with shadows, not fruit,
Though once they bore blossoms in blushing pursuit.
Now silence replaces the robins’ sweet tune,
As silver light pools from the face of the moon.

I sit where the grasses grow wild and deep,
While memories stir from a half-dreaming sleep.
Each leaf in the hush is a whisper, a sigh,
Of summers that fluttered so swiftly by.

Like fingers entwined in the hush of the trees,
The breeze weaves a warmth with invisible ease.
And though autumn lingers with frost in her breath,
This place holds a promise far stronger than death.

What is the effect of the similes in lines 12–15 of the poem?

• They show the speaker’s frustration with nature.

• They highlight a feeling of connection and closeness.

• They disrupt the flow with confusing comparisons.

• They emphasize the speaker’s fear of change.

Refer to “Evening in the Orchard.”  The branches hang heavy with shadows, not fruit,
Though once they bore blossoms in blushing pursuit.
Now silence replaces the robins’ sweet tune,
As silver light pools from the face of the moon.

I sit where the grasses grow wild and deep,
While memories stir from a half-dreaming sleep.
Each leaf in the hush is a whisper, a sigh,
Of summers that fluttered so swiftly by.

Like fingers entwined in the hush of the trees,
The breeze weaves a warmth with invisible ease.
And though autumn lingers with frost in her breath,
This place holds a promise far stronger than death.

What can be inferred about the speaker based on the final stanza?

• She feels comforted by the cycle of seasons.

• She regrets planting the trees.

• She is preparing to move away.

Read this excerpt from a character’s inner thoughts: Why go on? Is it nobler to endure suffering or to try to end it all? If death brings peace, why fear it? And yet, what if there’s more after death? How does this soliloquy most impact the character’s development?

• It reveals his moral confidence in taking action.

• It shows deep internal conflict and fear.

• It suggests he is foolish and reckless.

• It uncovers his selfish desire to escape.

I’ve always turned to the ocean when life feels overwhelming. When my thoughts get heavy, and the days seem dark, the sea offers relief. For me, it’s not just travel—it’s survival. Most people, I believe, have this same longing for the water at some point in their lives.

• The narrator prefers traveling to seaside towns because of their peace and quiet.

• The ocean is a way for the narrator to cope with difficult emotions, and he believes others share that same need.

• The author tries to compare modern life with seafaring life, using history as a reference point.

Which sentence is capitalized correctly?

• Her major is a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies.

• The statue Of Liberty is known around the world.

• We visited the Eiffel tower in Paris.

• My uncle studied engineering at the University.

Which of the following sentences uses hyphenation correctly?

• The ten-year-old dog still loved to run and play.

• Her shoes had a high quality-look to them.

• That freshly baked-cake smells delicious.

• It was a sun lit room with a peaceful glow.

Which sentence contains a spelling error?

• The gallery features a wide variety of paintings.

• He showed incredible perserverance throughout the race.

• The movie received praise for its cinematography.

• Students must learn the importance of focus.