Directions

In this section of the test, you will answer 22 questions found in four different texts. Within each text are boxes that contain four possible ways to complete a sentence. Choose the word or words in each box that correctly complete each sentence. Mark the letter of the correct on your answer sheet.

Here are two sample questions:

The concept of gravity is (1)..... relatively new. It (2).... about 300 years since Isaac Newton watched apples fall from a tree, which led him to develop his theory.

(1)

(A) still

(B) very

(C) never

(D) often

(2)

(A) was

(B) being

(C) has been

(D) had been

The correct answer to Sample 1 is (A), "still". The correct answer to sample 2 is (C), "has been".

Questions 1-4 refer to the following e-mail from a student to a teacher.

Dear Mr. Prince,

My friend Marissa told to me that you (1).... her class to the tide pools this week. Normally I wouldn't ask special permission (2).... on a field trip, but I am especially interested in tide pools. If (3)..... can't go, do you think I could take their place? I hope you don't mind my (4).... and I thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Jenny Howard (Miss Whiteborne's class)

Questions 1-4 refer to the following announcement.

The Maple School Spelling Team has advanced to the statewide spelling competition. Students at our school, (1)..... Ms. Trudeau, won the regional competition this weekend. The spelling words were not easy and many of the words were spelled in (2).... ways. Anyone who is a good speller (3)..... trouble with these words! The Maple School team spelled their words better than (4).... qualifying themselves for the state competition, which will be held next month in Chicago.

Questions 1-6 refer to the following part of a short story.

When Chloe moved to a new town and (1).... a new school, she was very excited. After all, she was someone who looked forward to new experiences and adventures. She was sad to (2).... her old friends, but was excited about the idea of (3).... new ones. Chloe had always had friends who were girls, so she was surprised that the first friend she made was a boy named Timothy. 

"Hi, I'm Timothy and this is my dog, Pat," said Timothy (4).... he played with his dog on Chloe's quiet street. "We're always looking for people to play with." After that, Chloe and Timothy met every day after school, teaching each other new things about the world. Chloe (5).... a lot with her family and told Timothy about the places where she had been (6).... Timothy taught Chloe about dogs and the history of the town where they lived.

Questions 1-8 refer to the following passage from a history textbook.

The Oregon Trail was a migration route that was used by Americans moving west (1).... the 19th century. The trail started in Missouri and ended in modern-day Oregon. Using covered wagons (2).... by oxen, travelers usually took four to six months to complete the journey. In the United States at this time, people (3).... in crowded and dirty cities. Many of them to move to the new and open lands of the West. (4)... hard to imagine taking such a dangerous journey in America today, as the Oregon Trail posed lots of risks (5)..... moving out west was (6).... they had to do. Many people died on the trail because of diseases such as cholera and scurvy. Others (7).... wagons. Still, most people made it all the way to Oregon, (8).... they could start a new life. Today, the Oregon Trail is thought to be an important part of America's past, as is began the settling of the West Coast.