Writing SOL Practice Test

Writing SOL Practice Test

This is a practice test for the multiple choice section of the End of Course Writing SOL.

Part I

Multiple Choice

1. Eleanor wants to find information about laws protecting caves and the water supply. Which question is directly related to the topic?

• A) How many communities access their water supply from underground caves?

• B) What penalties are charged to landowners who fail to protect water in caves?

• C) What are the primary dangers posed to the water supply by the presence of caves?

• D) How long have people recognized the connection between caves and water supplies?

The correct answer is... B

Eleanor's topic is "laws protecting caves and the water supply." "B" is the only answer that talks about the penalties people might face if they do not protect the water supply and/or the caves.

Multiple Choice

2. Which of these best states the thesis for this article?

• A) Because water that forms caves runs through them into an underground reservoir, pollution in caves can endanger Virginia's water supply.

• B) Caves are home to many unique creatures, among them the Virginia big-eared bats that hang upside down from the roof of the cave during the day and the albino fish that live in the underground streams.

• C) Cave formation in Virginia and elsewhere, which involves the slow process of water eroding limestone, takes many years to accomplish.

• D) Although life above ground seems to take place in a different world, it affects Virginia's caves, and in turn, caves affect the land above.

The correct answer is... D

This is the only answer choice that addresses the article's points on life above ground and life below ground and how they are closely related and dependent on each other.

(EX. These cave dwellers need this food as much as we need the water underground.)

Multiple Choice

3. Read sentence 5.

The owner of the farm restricts access to keep it as undisturbed as possible, so I cannot name the cave, but I can say that it appears to be no more than a large hole in the ground.

How is this sentence best revised for conciseness?

• A) Although I cannot name the cave because the owner of the farm restricts access to keep it pure, it appears to be no more than a large whole in the ground.

• B) To keep that cave undisturbed, the owner of the farm restricts access and I cannot name the cave, but I can say that it appears to be no more than a large hole in the ground.

• C) Although I cannot name the cave because the owner of the farm restricts access to keep it as undisturbed as possible, it appears no larger than a hole in the ground is what I can say.

• D) I can say that the cave, although I cannot name the cave because the owner of the farm restricts access to keep it pure, appears to be no more than a large hole in the ground.

What is "conciseness?"

Concise means giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words.

Let's look at the original prompt and the answer choices again to break this down!

Original Sentence:

• "The owner of the farm restricts access to keep it as undisturbed as possible, so I cannot name the cave, but I can say that it appears to be no more than a large hole in the ground."

• The phrases in red are not essential to the meaning of this sentence. Therefore, we want to get rid of the answer choices with these phrases.

Option B:

• "To keep that cave undisturbed, the owner of the farm restricts access and I cannot name the cave, but I can say that it appears to be no more than a large hole in the ground."

• The phrase in red is not essential to the meaning of this sentence.

• "and" is not the best conjunction to use here. I would use "so" to make the meaning more clear.

Option C:

• "Although I cannot name the cave because the owner of the farm restricts access to keep it as undisturbed as possible, it appears no larger than a hole in the ground is what I can say."

• The phrases in red are not essential to the meaning of this sentence.

Option D:

• "I can say that the cave, although I cannot name the cave because the owner of the farm restricts access to keep it pure, appears to be no more than a large hole in the ground."

• The phrase in red is not essential to the meaning of this sentence.

The correct answer is... A

• "Although I cannot name the cave because the owner of the farm restricts access to keep it pure, it appears to be no more than a large whole in the ground."

• This is the only answer choice that provides the information clearly and without unnecessary words/phrases!

Multiple Choice

4. Read sentence 12.

As our tour continued, Dr. Newman reminded us not to disturb or be damaging to the cave environment.

How is to disturb or be damaging to correctly written?

• A) to be disturbing or to damage

• B) to disturb or damaging

• C) to disturb or damage

• D) As it is

The correct answer is... C

• This question tests our skills on parallelism.

• Parallelism is a balance within one or more sentences of similar phrases or clauses that have the same grammatical structure....in other words, sameness.

• In this case, we want the verbs "damage" and "disturb" to look the same (have the same ending)!

Multiple Choice

5. Read sentence 14.

(14) Without this protection trash or other pollutants could enter the local water supply.

Correctly punctuate this sentence.

• A) Without this, protection trash or other pollutants could enter the local water supply.

• B) Without this protection, trash or other pollutants could enter the local water supply.

• C) Without this protection, trash, or other pollutants could enter the local water supply.

• D) Without this protection trash, or other pollutants could enter the local water supply.

The correct answer is... B

• Remember your comma rules!'

• In this case, the sentence begins with an introductory phrase that is dependent on the rest of the sentence to make sense; therefore, we need a comma to show where the independent clause begins.

Multiple Choice

6. Which quotation from an expert provides the best support for the article?

• A) "Everything in the environment is connected, so harming one part of it harms all who call it home."

• B) "Caves on private property should be capped so that no one is hurt while trying to explore them."

• C) "Because they are insulated from the effects of the sun, caves have a year-round temperature in the 50s."

• D) "While caves are interesting places to explore, the most important scientific research focuses on land or sea."

The correct answer is... A

Remember the thesis for this essay?

Thesis: "Although life above ground seems to take place in a different world, it affects Virginia's caves, and in turn, caves affect the land above."

If this essay is all about protecting the land above and below ground because they work together, then the best quotation to add should also focus on all parts of the environment and how they are connected to one another.

Multiple Choice

7. Which sentence is the best conclusion for the article?

• A) Dr. Newman has devoted his career to saving Virginia's caves.

• B) Virginia has many natural resources above ground and underground.

• C) It is no wonder that Dr. Newman enjoys exploring Virginia's caves.

• D) That protection extends to Virginia above ground and underground.

The correct answer is... D

First things first, go back and read the end the essay...

If this essay is all about protecting the land above and below ground because they work together, and the final sentence says to "respect and care for the world wherever you are," then the final sentence to the essay should be about protecting Virginia above and below the ground.

Part II

Multiple Choice

8. Read sentence 3.

They made this beverage from the sassafras's trees roots, which have a strong, sweet smell.

How is sassafras's trees roots correctly written?

• A) sassafras tree's roots

• B) sassafras's tree's roots

• C) sassafras trees roots

• D) As it is

The correct answer is... A

• Remember, an apostrophe shows possession.

• Sassafras is a type of tree, so it cannot be possessive. Also, the roots of the tree do belong to the tree, so "tree" is possessive.

Multiple Choice

9. Read sentence 5.

Of course, this drink, which lacked processed sugar tasted far less sweet than the root beer people drink today.

Which correction should be made to this sentence?

• A) Delete the comma after drink.

• B) Change lacked to lacking.

• C) Insert a comma after sugar.

• D) Change than to then.

The correct answer is... C

Remember your comma rules!

In this case, there is a dependent clause in the middle of a sentence ("which lacked processed sugar"), so it needs to be offset with commas on both sides.

Multiple Choice

10. Which of these would best be added after sentences 8?

• A) Even though sarsaparilla soda can be hard to find today, it is often available in specialty markets.

• B) Many younger people have never heard of sarsaparilla soda.

• C) Molasses is no longer needed to make sarsaparilla soda.

• D) American Indians taught the colonists how to make sarsaparilla soda.

The correct answer is... A

First, go back and read sentence 8...

"However, with the invention of other carbonated drinks in the late 1800s, sarsaparilla soda became less common."

Answer choice A adds to this point by telling the reader that sarsaparilla can only be found in special places.

Multiple Choice

11. Read this sentence.

The brochure recommends bringing the following items on every hike; a jacket, water, extra socks, a map, and a signaling device.

In this sentence, how is every hike; a jacket correctly written?

• A) every hike. A jacket

• B) every hike, a jacket

• C) every hike: a jacket

• as it is

The correct answer is... C

Remember the colon rules!

You can use a colon to introduce a list.

Multiple Select

12. Which sentence is complete? (Select all that apply.)

• A) Wondered about those massive statues surrounding the mountain.

• B) With several hours to spare before dinner time.

• C) Today's topic of discussion deserves further attention.

• D) Still waiting on the others to return from their adventures.

• E) Sheltering tourists from the sun, which seemed to grow larger.

The correct answer is... C

To check for a complete sentence, make sure there is a subject AND a verb. Option C is the only answer choice with a subject, topic, and a verb, deserves.

Part III

Multiple Select

Which note is in the wrong place in Tricia's outline? (select all that apply)

• I - A. Who and What

  Mrs. Galsworthy's retirement reception

• II - A. Mrs. Galsworthy's History

  Came to Sarabande High in 1965

• III - B. Mrs. Galsworthy's Influence

  Supports students during extracurricular activities

• IV - C. Mrs. Galsworthy's Accomplishments

  Led the fundraiser to expand the library

• V - B. What Students Can Do

  Remembers all her students' names

The correct answer is... V-B

This is the only note that has nothing to do with its section in the outline, "What can students do."

Multiple Choice

14. Read sentence 2.

Most graduates, when they pause to considering Mrs. Galsworthy's contributions, will remember her as a phenomenal teacher and a superb sponsor.

Which correction should be made to this sentence?

• A) Remove the comma after graduates

• B) Change considering to consider

• C) Change Galsworthy's to Galsworthy

• D) Remove the comma after contributions

The correct answer is... B

In this case, we need the "considering" to change to "consider" so that it is in the infinitive form (to + verb).

Multiple Choice

15. Read sentence 16.

Scores of Sarabande students have felt her totally awesome school spirit and personal support as she cheered us on to do our best at all the sporting events and stuff.

How can Tricia best revise this sentence for appropriate tone?

• A) Lots of Sarabande students have felt her super school spirit and personal support when she would check out sporting events to cheer us on.

• B) Each year more and more students have felt her fabulous school spirit and support as they sweated it out at sporting events or games.

• C) Tons of Sarabande students from past years have felt her school spirit and personal support as she heaped on the encouragement during a sporting competition or game.

• D) Generations of Sarabande students have felt her school spirit and personal support as she inspired us to do our best during a sporting event or game.

The correct answer is...D

• Options A, B, and C lack appropriate word choice and tone. Words like "tons" and "lots" are a bit elementary. They are also a bit unclear at times. D is clear and concise with appropriate tone for a formal letter written by a high school senior.

Multiple Choice

16. Read sentence 25.

If each of Mrs. Galsworthy's former students respond to this request, the volume of letters presented to her will be large, but she deserves nothing less.

In sentence 25, how is respond correctly written?

• A) do respond

• B) responds

• C) have responded

• D) As it is

The correct answer is... B

This question is all about subject-verb agreement!

The general rule is that if the subject is singular (one), then the verb should look plural (with an a 's'/'es' at the end). If the subject is plural (more than one), then the verb looks singular (without an a 's'/'es' at the end)

In the sentence "If each of Mrs. Galsworthy's former students respond to this request, the volume of letters presented to her will be large, but she deserves nothing less," "each" looks singular, so the verb, "respond," should be changed so that it looks plural ("responds").

Multiple Choice

17. Read sentence 27.

Write a letter that shares stories memories, and appreciation.

How is Write a letter that shares stories memories, and appreciation correctly written?

• A) Write a letter that shares, stories memories, and appreciation.

• B) Write a letter that shares stories, memories, and appreciation.

• C) Write a letter, that shares stories, memories, and appreciation.

• D) As it is

The correct answer is... B

Remember your comma rules! We can use commas to separate items in a series!

In the sentence, "Write a letter that shares stories memories, and appreciation," "stories, memories, and appreciation," are 3 items in a series.

Multiple Choice

18) Tricia wants to add these statements to her draft. Which statement does NOT persuade the readers to help recognize Mrs. Galsworthy's service?

• A) It is likely that many graduates from Sarabande High School will attend the reception to honor Mrs. Galsworthy.

• B) Mrs. Galsworthy gained both respect and affection during her long career at Sarabande High School.

• C) Mrs. Galsworthy's sponsorship of many extracurricular activities demonstrates her spirit and generosity.

• D) A letter is a tangible symbol of gratitude for Mrs. Galsworthy's dedication to her students over the years.

The correct answer is... A

• Let's look at each answer choice and figure out which one does NOT give a reason as to why students should recognize Mrs. Galsworthy's service...

• A) It is likely that many graduates from Sarabande High School will attend the reception to honor Mrs. Galsworthy. (This has nothing to do with Mrs. Galsworthy's service to the school and its students!)

• B) Mrs. Galsworthy gained both respect and affection during her long career at Sarabande High School.

• C) Mrs. Galsworthy's sponsorship of many extracurricular activities demonstrates her spirit and generosity.

• D) A letter is a tangible symbol of gratitude for Mrs. Galsworthy's dedication to her students over the years.

Multiple Choice

19) Which sentence would provide the best conclusion for Tricia's letter?

• A) For this special occasion Mrs. Galsworthy will not give grades for the assignment.

• B) Mrs. Galsworthy may receive so many letters that she will not know where to store all of them.

• C) Seize this unique opportunity to tell a beloved teacher the significant role she has played in her students' lives.

• D) Make sure to include the date and your signature on your letter so she knows who wrote the message and when it was written.

The correct answer is... C

• A) For this special occasion Mrs. Galsworthy will not give grades for the assignment. (This does not have any thing to do with the goal of this letter: getting the students to write letters of appreciation.)

• B) Mrs. Galsworthy may receive so many letters that she will not know where to store all of them. (While this may be true, it is not a strong conclusion to a persuasive letter; it may even discourage students from writing because they think their letter will go unnoticed.)

continued...

• C) Seize this unique opportunity to tell a beloved teacher the significant role she has played in her students' lives. (This is a wonderful call to action that reinforces the idea that this opportunity is rare and that Mrs. Galsworthy is very worthy of the appreciation.)

• D) Make sure to include the date and your signature on your letter so she knows who wrote the message and when it was written. (While this should be done when writing any letter, this is not a strong conclusion for a persuasive letter.)

Part IV

Multiple Choice

20. Which of these best states a thesis for the report?

• A) Mathematician William Friedman deciphered secret codes that no one else had been able to decode.

• B) Mathematician William Friedman founded cryptology, the study of creating and deciphering codes.

• C) A talented mathematician, William Friedman, contributed to victories in two world wars.

• D) One mathematician, William Friedman, helped his country while founding modern cryptology.

The correct answer is...D

• The entire essay talks about Friedman as a mathematician, a great help to his country, and the founder of cryptology, so the best thesis should include all of these points.

Multiple Choice

21. In sentence 4, which word best replaces put to make the meaning precise?

In other words, they put their messages into secret codes.

• A) turned

• B) adapted

• C) arranged

• D) translated

• E) developed

The correct answer is... D

Think about when you are writing in Spanish class. Aren't you taking your words, which are originally in English, and changing them to be written in Spanish and vice versa?

Well, the essay describes how the three countries were doing the same thing: they were changing their language into another one written in secret codes. This is called "translating." Therefore, "translated" is the best answer choice.

Multiple Choice

22. In sentence 8, how is was correctly written?

• A) being

• B) were

• C) is

• D) as it is

The correct answer is... B

• First things first, go back and read sentence 8 since it is not provided for you in the question.

• "The codes in us during World War I, when cryptography, the skill of using secret writing, was in its infancy, was not challenging for Friedman."

• This is about subject-verb agreement. The subject "codes" is plural, so the verb "was" should look singular (should not have an 's' on the end), so we change it to "were."

Multiple Choice

23. Read sentence 12.

As head of the SIS, Friedman became interested in incorporating technology as a way to compile and produce codes.

How is as a way to compile and produce codes correctly written?

• A) as a way to be compiling and producing codes

• B) as a way of compiling and to produce codes

• C) as a way to compile and producing codes

• D) As it is

The correct answer is... D

• This question is asking about parallelism, so we want the verbs "compile" and "produce" to look the same.

• Luckily, they are already written correctly, so we can leave them as is.

Multiple Choice

24. Read sentence 15.

When the Japanese realized their radio communications were no longer secret they constructed a more complicated code, which the Americans nicknamed "Purple."

How is were no longer secret they constructed a more complicated code, which the Americans correctly written?

• A) were no longer secret, they constructed a more complicated code which the Americans

• B) were no longer secret they constructed a more complicated code which the Americans

• C) were no longer secret, they constructed a more complicated code, which the Americans

• As it is

The correct answer is... C

Remember your comma rules!

In the sentence, "When the Japanese realized their radio communications were no longer secret, they constructed a more complicated code, which the Americans nicknamed 'Purple,'" you have TWO comma rules at play!

The first comma after "secret" signifies the end of an introductory phrase/dependent clause.

The second comma after "code" signals the beginning of nonessential information.

Multiple Choice

25. After completing his first draft, Carson decided to do additional research. The best resource for more information about how ciphering machines worked would be -

• A) a book titled The Role of Science During the World Wars

• B) an article titled "Mathematicians' Contributions to Their Field"

• C) a public lecture titled "Little Known Facts About American History"

• D) a documentary titled How Technology Cracked the Codes in WWII

The correct answer is... D

• Let's look at each option:

• A) a book titled The Role of Science During the World Wars (This is too broad and a little off topic - we need something specific to math, specifically math and deciphering codes.)

• B) an article titled "Mathematicians' Contributions to Their Field" (This is too broad - we would be overwhelmed with information well beyond Friedman and his contributions)

continued...

• C) a public lecture titled "Little Known Facts About American History" (This is too broad - we would be overwhelmed with information well beyond this particular moment in American history.)

• D) a documentary titled How Technology Cracked the Codes in WWII (This choice is specific to our time in history AND is directly related to deciphering codes!)

Part V

Multiple Choice

26. Which search result would provide the most reliable information about how the pygmy mouse lemur is affected by its environment?

Search: Pygmy Mouse Lemur

• A) Tiny animal cuties on sale at Rare Pet World

  Before you buy a pygmy mouse lemur...

• B) Favorite Animal of the Week

  Pygmy mouse lemurs are fast becoming everyone's favorite animal...

• C) Life of a Pygmy Mouse Lemur

  Read Trish Darson's blog about the behavior of pygmy mouse lemurs...

• D) Lemur Research Center at Miller University

  The pygmy mouse lemur lives in Madagascar and is on the endangered species...

• E) Images of Pygmy Mouse Lemurs

  A photo gallery by Dawn Starlos of the pygmy mouse lemur in its natural habitat...

The correct answer is... D

• Let's look at each option and see which one is directly related to "how the pygmy mouse lemur is affected by its environment"

• A) Tiny animal cuties on sale at Rare Pet World

  Before you buy a pygmy mouse lemur... (does not discuss the pygmy mouse lemur's environment)

• B) Favorite Animal of the Week

  Pygmy mouse lemurs are fast becoming everyone's favorite animal...(does not discuss the pygmy mouse lemur's environment)

continued...

• C) Life of a Pygmy Mouse Lemur

  Read Trish Darson's blog about the behavior of pygmy mouse lemurs...(discusses behavior of the pygmy mouse lemur, but not its environment)

• D) Lemur Research Center at Miller University

  The pygmy mouse lemur lives in Madagascar and is on the endangered species...(discusses where the pygmy mouse lemur lives!)

• E) Images of Pygmy Mouse Lemurs

  A photo gallery by Dawn Starlos of the pygmy mouse lemur in its natural habitat... (this will show where the pygmy mouse lemur lives, but photos cannot be used as support)

Multiple Choice

27. Which is the best sentence to add after sentence 4?

• A) The body length of the pygmy mouse lemur is about five inches.

• B) The ring-tailed lemur is one of the better-known large lemurs.

• C) Lemur sounds include barks, howls, screeches, and purrs.

• D) Like some of them, it lives in trees and eats fruits and flowers.

The correct answer is... D

First things first, we should go back and read sentence 4!

"However, scientists believe the animal has much in common with its larger lemur cousins."

The phrase "in common" that the pygmy mouse lemur and its larger cousins do something alike. The only option that shows them doing something alike is D) Like some of them, it lives in trees and eats fruits and flowers.

Both types of lemur live in trees and eat fruits and flowers!

Multiple Choice

28. Read sentence 6.

Another shared characteristic, a pointy nose, provides a keen sense of smell, allows the lemur to locate its tiny kin in the island forest.

How is smell, allows the lemur correctly written?

• A) smell, allowed the lemur

• B) smell, allowing the lemur

• C) smell, to have allowed the lemur

• D) As it is

The correct answer is... B

• In this sentence, we need the verb "allowed" to be written in present progressive form meaning that the action will take place now and in the future. To do this, we need to end in the verb with -ing.

Multiple Choice

29. Read sentence 3.

Indeed, a baobab had stored up to 30,000 gallons of water.

How is had stored correctly written?

• A) stored

• B) can store

• C) is storing

• D) As it is

The correct answer is... B

• "can store" tells the reader that this is a current ability of the baobab tree.

Multiple Choice

(5) The massive circumference of the trunk however is the distinctive feature of the baobab.

Correctly punctuate this sentence.

• A) massive, circumference of the trunk however is the distinctive feature

• B) massive circumference, of the trunk however is the distinctive feature

• C) massive circumference of the trunk, however is the distinctive feature

• D) massive circumference of the trunk however, is the distinctive feature

• E) massive circumference of the trunk, however, is the distinctive feature

The correct answer is... E

• Remember the comma rules!

• In the sentence, "The massive circumference of the trunk however is the distinctive feature of the baobab," "however" is a transitional phrase. Since it is in the middle of a sentence that does NOT have independent clauses on both sides, we simply use commas to offset the phrase. In other words, "however" is not essential to this sentence.