ELA 6A - Unit 2 Modified Exam

Which word correctly completes the sentence? (a)   going to be waiting for us at the bus stop.

• They're

• Their

• There

• Their'e

A student is writing a narrative and wants to see if the word lithe can be used as a verb. Which reference source should the student consult?

• glossary

• index

• encyclopedia

• Dictionary

Flip through a book, and you will likely see page after page of black  print set against a background of white paper. Surf the Internet, and you will have a much different experience. There are colorful sites with videos, charts, photos, and visitors' comments that can help you learn about almost anything under the sun. Those who design webpages have the freedom to make the text—and the background—any color they choose. Most people who make a living designing webpages likely have an instinct for what "looks nice." Scientists, though, are also interested in how the colors on webpages affect people. There have been a number of studies on whether some colors—and color blends—can make text easier to read or recall.

Colors and Text Readability

Designers need to consider various things when they are trying to make a page that will appeal to students or potential customers. One thing to consider is how easy the text is to read, known as readability. It is quite important. If people need to squint and strain to make out the words on a webpage, they will likely move on quite swiftly. Text that is too small will clearly be harder to make out than a larger font. Likewise, words that are crammed together will be harder to read than words that are more spaced out.

Contrast is an element that affects readability. It refers to how well the text "stands out" against the background. Look at the two boxes below. They show that the more different the text color is from the background, the easier it is to read. When the background is only slightly lighter than or darker than the print on a webpage, the text can be hard to see. Other examples of high contrast pairings would be blue and yellow or green and purple. On the other hand, low contrast color combinations would include black and dark grey or light blue and dark blue.

Some studies have looked at whether some color combinations improve readability more than others. In one study, people were asked to find a word on a webpage as quickly as possible. The faster the word was found, the better the readability. Researchers did not find the "perfect pairing" of colors. However, the results did support the idea that if someone wants to make a webpage easy to read, they should aim for high rather than low contrast.

Color and Memory

Making a webpage people can read easily is only one part of the picture. Ideally, people will also remember what they read. The question of whether or not color can improve memory ability is one that interests scientists. It also interests marketers and teachers. After all, a student who remembers the history content he or she read online will be more likely to get a good grade. If a consumer reads a sales pitch and the information stays with him or her, there is likely a better chance the company will make a sale. The website visitor might not click "Buy" right away. He or she could see the product in a store at some point and recall reading about it, though. That memory could mean the difference between walking by the item or bringing it to the checkout line.

What happens when key points are presented in an eye-catching color? Do they become more memorable? Do people remember information written in red better than information written in blue? As it turns out, the jury is still out on these questions.

One line of reasoning makes good sense—some colors attract people's attention. A bright red stop sign or a yellow car are good examples. Colors can also make us feel certain emotions. Blue is said to be calming and soothing. If someone feels happy or angry while reading information on a webpage, he or she is more likely to remember it than if he or she feels no emotion at all. Some studies have suggested color can improve memory. In one study, people were shown different images. Some were in color. Some were in black and white. People were able to recall the scenes that were shown in color better.

On the other hand, some studies have not found a link between color and memory ability. One asked people to review two texts. One was written to teach readers about a topic. The other was written to promote a TV. The texts were written using four different font/background color combinations. They were black and white, white and black, dark blue and light blue, and teal (bluish–green) and black. Those who took part in the study read the same text written in different colors. Researchers then asked people to recall information from both texts. They found that no combination was linked with a much higher score on the recall test.

A Final Note

Researchers will likely go on trying to find out how the use of color on webpages affects readers. Companies might try to use this information to sell more products. Think about if a car maker could figure out the exact shades that would make people feel excited about a new model. This might lead to more profits. In the Internet age, effectively presenting information on a webpage is much more than just typing words on a plain white page.

Which details from "The Power of Color on a Computer Screen" should a student paraphrase and include in a summary? Select all that apply.

• Likewise, words that are crammed together will be harder to read than words that are more spaced out.

• One thing to consider is how easy the text is to read, known as readability.

• If people need to squint and strain to make out the words on a webpage, they will likely move on quite swiftly.

Read the passage from The Road, Pinched, Part 1.

But the judge began talking at the same time, and he said, "Thirty days." I started to protest, but at that moment his Honor was calling the name of the next hobo on the list. His Honor paused long enough to say to me, "Shut up!" The bailiff forced me to sit down. And the next moment that next hobo had received thirty days and the succeeding hobo was just in process of getting his.

When we had all been disposed of, thirty days to each stiff, his Honor, just as he was about to dismiss us, suddenly turned to the teamster from Lockport—the one man he had allowed to talk.

"Why did you quit your job?" his Honor asked.

Now the teamster had already explained how his job had quit him, and the question took him aback.

"Your Honor," he began confusedly, "isn't that a funny question to ask?"

"Thirty days more for quitting your job," said his Honor, and the court was closed.

Why does the author use the phrase disposed of in the second paragraph of the passage?

• to show that the court felt the hoboes were trash

• to show that the hoboes were executed

• • 
    

    to show that the hoboes' cases were all thrown out

• • 
    

    to show that all the hoboes died while in jail

Why does the author use They are poor dumb cattle to describe hoboes?

• to present the hoboes as being much dumber than animals

• to indicate that the hoboes had no control over what happened to them

• to show that the hoboes were herded around by others who had power over them

Read the passage from "Let's Go Fly a Kite."

The flying process is fascinating. As mentioned earlier, the only power a kite needs in order to fly is a steady wind. The air that moves over the top of the kite goes faster than the air under the kite. The fast-moving air puts less pressure on the kite than does the air under the kite. Think of the heavier air underneath like a hand pushing the kite up. This is known as lift.

Which answer most accurately explains the connotative meaning of fascinating in the passage from Let's Go Fly a Kite?

• charming in a sly way

• irresistibly attractive

• interesting to an extreme degree

• demanding attention

Read the passage from "Let's Go Fly a Kite."

Long before rockets or hot-air balloons, scientists used kites to examine the atmosphere. In the 1700s, researchers attached instruments to kites to measure temperature and wind speed. They tied a slow-burning fuse to a kite and set the kite free. When the fuse blew, the instruments fell back to earth. The most difficult part of the job was locating the instruments after they landed.

Kites are still being used for research. Lightweight cameras and other instruments can be attached to kites. Kites can climb higher in the sky than some scientific balloons, and they also can fly much closer to earth than an airplane or rocket. Kites can be used practically anywhere, from desert areas to rain forests and even in the icy climate of the North Pole. They require only a steady wind to power them.

Which phrases from Let's Go Fly a Kite help readers figure out the meaning of atmosphere? Select all that apply.

• Kites can be used practically anywhere ...

• Long before rockets or hot-air balloons, scientists used kites ...

A student wants to write an informational essay to explain how the invention of the refrigerator changed the way Americans eat. Which organizational structure would be best for the essay?

• cause/effect

• chronological

• comparison/contrast

• classification