ELA State Test Practice - NY

ELA State Test Practice -NY

by Megan Zappe

​Tips for taking the test ...

​1. BE SURE TO READ ALL OF THE DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY.

​2. It's a good idea to read the questions before reading the text.

​3. Don't be afraid to read the passage MORE THAN ONCE.

​4. On multiple-choice questions, eliminate the answers you are sure are incorrect.

​5. On short answer responses, be sure to follow the format:

​ - Claim

​ - Evidence

​ - Analysis

​ - Evidence

​ - Analysis

​ - Closing Statement

​6. Check your writing! Proofread! Check your spelling!

​7. Use your reading strategies to understand the text:

​ - Make connections, use context clues to find the meaning of words, take notes, write the main idea after each chunk of text.

​1. How do paragraphs 2 and 3 develop a central idea in the article?

​ a. They state that William was not able to attend school

​ b. They show how William learned things on his own

​ c. They explain that others did not care about William's questions

​ d. They give examples of the types of books William read.

Multiple Choice

How do paragraphs 2 and 3 develop the central idea in the article?

• They state that William was not able to attend school.

• They show how William learned things on his own.

• They explained that others did not care about William's questions.

• They give examples of the types of books William read.

​What is central idea?

​Central idea is the main topic of a text, which includes the author's feelings about that topic.

​

​To Find the Central Idea:

1. Read the article, and pay attention to the text features and structures to determine the subject of the article.

2. Ask yourself, “What is the subject of the article, and what does the author reveal about the subject?” (That’s the central idea!)

3. Turn the central idea into a question.

4. Answer the question. The answers are the supporting details! (Which leads to citing evidence!)

2. What does the phrase "pore over" mean as it is used in paragraph 3?

​ a. write about

​ b. glance at

​ c. examine

​ d. copy

Multiple Choice

What does the phrase "pore over" mean as it is used in paragraph 3?

• write about

• glance at

• examine

• copy

3. Paragraph 6 develops the author's central claim by showing that William ..

3. a. was distracted by so many objects in the junkyard

   b. was resourceful in finding what he needed

   c. was able to make use of his limited time in school

   d. was excited to look for new projects

Multiple Choice

Paragraph 6 develops the author's central claim by showing that William ...

• was distracted by so many objects in the junkyard

• was resourceful in finding what he needed

• was able to make use of his limited time in school

• was excited to look for new projects

4. Which sentence best describes the relationship between William and the people who doubted him?

​ a. William was inspired and delighted by them

​ b. William ignored and then convinced them

​ c. William was concerned and worried about them

​ d. William listened to and then got help from them

Multiple Choice

Which sentence best describes the relationship between William and the people who doubted him?

• William was inspired and delighted by them

• William ignored and then convinced them

• William was concerned and worried about them

• William listened to and then got help from them

5. In paragraph 14, what does the word "marvel" suggest?

​ a. They are amazed by what William has done

​ b. They are curious to see what will happen to the bulb

​ c. They are worried that William's experiment may be dangerous

​ d. They are ready to have more lights in the house

Multiple Choice

In paragraph 14, what does the word "marvel" suggest?

• They are amazed by what William has done

• They are curious to see what will happen to the bulb

• They are worried that William's experiment will be dangerous

• They are ready to have more lights in the house

6. Which quotation shows an effect of success on William's life?

​

​ a. "Shoppers, farmers, and traders could see William's tower from the local market." (paragraph 10)

​ b. "From the top of the tower he explained that, by using power of wind, his machine could create electricity." (paragraph 11)

​ c. "William knew this was his moment -- his moment to show everyone he wasn't crazy ..." (paragraph 12)

​ d. "The story of the boy with only an eighth-grade education who'd built 'electric wind' spread across the Internet." (paragraph 16)

Multiple Choice

Which quotation shows an effect of success on William's life?

• "Shoppers, farmers, and traders could see William's tower from the local market" (p 10)

• "From the top of the tower he explained that, by using the power of the wind, his machine could create electricity" (p 11)

• "William knew this was his moment -- his moment to show everyone he wasn't crazy" (p 12)

• "The story of the boy with only an eighth-grade education who'd built 'electric wind' spread across the Internet" (p 16).

7. Based on the information in the article, which of the following is most likely the author's point-of-view?

​

​a. Access to formal schooling is important for success

​b. Science education is needed to help people flourish

​c. Curiosity and persistence can lead to change

​d. Families are the best support system

Multiple Choice

Based on the information in the article, which of the following is most likely the author's point-of-view?

• Access to formal schooling is important for success

• Science education is needed to help people flourish

• Curiosity and persistence can lead to change

• Families are the best support system

8. How does paragraph 3 relate to the other paragraphs in the section "Unlikely in the Extreme?"

​

​a. Paragraph 3 introduces a problem, and the other paragraphs explain the solution to the problem.

​b. Paragraph 3 explains an idea, and the other paragraphs describe how the idea was disproved.

​c. Paragraph 3 presents an argument, and the other paragraphs give evidence to support the argument.

​d. Paragraph 3 sets up a comparison, and the other paragraphs give details about the comparison.

Multiple Choice

How does paragraph 3 relate to the other paragraphs in the section "Unlikely in the Extreme?"

• Paragraph 3 introduces a problem, and the other paragraphs explain the solution to the problem

• Paragraph 3 explains an idea, and the other paragraphs describe how the idea was disproved.

• Paragraph 3 presents an argument, and the other paragraphs give evidence to support the argument.

• Paragraph 3 sets up a comparison, and the other paragraphs give details about the comparison.

9. What role does paragraph 8 play in the organization of the article?

​

​a. It shows techniques that scientists use to study remote regions.

​b. It explains how the environment on Jupiter might support life.

​c. It describes the activities of scientists interested in extreme environments.

​d. It introduces the connection between activities on Earth and research in outer space.

Multiple Choice

What role does paragraph 8 play in the organization of the article?

• It shows techniques that scientists use to study remote regions.

• It explains how the environment on Jupiter might support life.

• It describes the activities of scientists interested in extreme environments.

• It introduces the connection between activities on Earth and research in outer space.

10. How does paragraph 10 develop a central idea of the article?

​

​a. It explains how life in an extreme environment could be possible.

​b. It describes scientific research on the possibility of life in an extreme environment.

​c. It provides clues to the possible existence of life in an extreme environment.

​d. It presents questions to be answered about the possibility of life in an extreme environment.

Multiple Choice

How does paragraph 10 develop a central idea of the article?

• It explains how life in an extreme environment could be possible.

• It describes scientific research on the possibility of life in an extreme environment.

• It provides clues to the possible existence of life in an extreme environment.

• It presents questions to be answered about the possibility of life in an extreme environment.

11. How did scientists address the concern described in paragraph 14?

​

​a. They removed an ice core from the lake to study it.

​b. They applied chemicals to melt ice and keep the borehole open.

​c. They obtained a water sample with clean technology.

​d. They found sediment at the bottom of the lake.

Multiple Choice

How did scientists address the concern described in paragraph 14?

• They removed an ice core from the lake to study it.

• They applied chemicals to melt ice and keep the borehole open.

• They obtained a water sample with clean technology.

• They found sediment at the bottom of the lake.

12. What is the meaning of the word "contaminate" as used in paragraphs 14 and 16?

​

​a. color

​b. replace

​c. freeze

​d. pollute

Multiple Choice

What is the meaning of the word "contaminate" as used in paragraphs 14 and 16?

• color

• replace

• freeze

• pollute

13. Which sentence best shows the author's point of view on the topic of the article?

​

​a. The amount of water below the ice in Antarctica is surprising.

​b. Astronomers are excited about signs of ice and water on other planets.

​c. Antarctica is one of the most important scientific environments on Earth.

​d. The formation of very flat ice at the Vostok station is an important clue.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence best shows the author's point of view on the topic of the article?

• The amount of water below the ice in Antarctica is surprising.

• Astronomers are excited about signs of ice and water on other planets.

• Antarctica is one of the most important scientific environments on Earth.

• The formation of very flat ice at the Vostok station is an important clue.