ELA Forward

ELA FORWARD
PRACTICE TEST

SESSION 1

Multiple Choice

How do paragraphs 1–6 of the passage most contribute to the development of the plot?

• by showing how Leo and Trevon prepare for the race differently

• by explaining Leo’s and Trevon’s reasons for participating in the race

• by determining whether Leo or Trevon is the better runner

• by contrasting Leo’s and Trevon’s usual running styles during a race

Multiple Choice

2. Read the sentence from the passage.

“Be prepared, though, to be left in the dust by your speedy twin.”

What does Leo mean when he uses the phrase “left in the dust” in the sentence?

• He thinks he practices harder than Trevon.

• He thinks he will run faster than Trevon.

• He thinks Trevon is going to be late for the race.

• He thinks Trevon will be forced to run in the dirt.

Multiple Choice

Part A:

Which sentence best describes the lesson Leo learns in the passage?

• Family members have more in common than they may realize.

• Difficult times help us better appreciate the happy times.

• Good preparation now can make life easier in the future.

• A sense of humor is one of the most important qualities to have.

Multiple Choice

Part B

Which sentence from the passage best supports the answer to part A?

• “Yep, and I’ve been getting lots of running practice this week!”

• “I know you’ve worked hard to get ready for it.”

• “Hey, Trevon, can you give me some help here?” Leo called.

• “Also, could you remind me to reset my alarm clock when we get home?”

Multiple Select

Which two sentences from the passage best support the inference that Trevon expected Leo to finish the race before he did? Choose two answers.

• As his feet pounded the pavement, he thought about the upcoming race being held the next

  weekend.

• At the end, though, Leo would always get a burst of power that would carry him through.

• “Good luck in the race, Trevon,” Leo said as the two brothers approached the starting line.

• To Trevon’s surprise, Leo was just now crossing the finish line and was limping.

• “By the end of the first mile, I knew I was in big trouble.”

Multiple Choice

Which idea caused Bertocchini and her team to think that the worms may have something on their bodies that breaks down the plastic?

• the speed at which the worms were able to make holes in the plastic

• the number of holes each worm made in the plastic in one hour

• the fact that holes appeared in the plastic even though the worms were not alive

• the possibility that other types of worms may make holes in other types of plastic

Draw

Read the paragraph. Then, underline the sentences that best support the idea that using worms to break down trash may be a bad idea. Choose two answers.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence from the passage best explains how research about one topic may encourage research about other topics?

• She and her team kept careful records of what happened.

• More tests are needed, of course, before millions of wax worms can be added to landfills.

• Scientists agree that Bertocchini may have come across an important finding.

• Some scientists also wonder whether a similar solution might exist for plastic waste in the

  ocean.

Multiple Choice

Part A

Based on the passage, which inference can be made about using worms to break down plastic?

• Using worms to eliminate plastic is an interesting idea that needs more research.

• There is more plastic than there are worms to eat it.

• Wax worms can break down plastic faster than other worms can.

• Finding enough worms to eliminate plastic from landfills could be expensive.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence from the passage best supports the answer to part A?

• A. In fact, most people use as many as 200 plastic bags a year.

• B. In one day, they chewed through 92 milligrams of plastic.

• C. This question needs to be answered before worms can be placed in landfills.

• D. This waste can be dangerous to seabirds, turtles, fish, and other ocean animals that

  accidentally eat it or get caught in it.

Multiple Choice

Part A

What is the central idea of the passage “Teaching Duke”?

• A. Large animals make the most effective livestock guardian dogs.

• B. Livestock guardian dogs require careful training to learn their job.

• C. It is necessary for livestock guardian dogs to be patient animals.

• D. Livestock guardian dogs enjoy their work time and their playtime.

Multiple Choice

Part B

Which sentence from the passage “Teaching Duke” best supports the answer to part A?

• A. Great Pyrenees are large dogs with shaggy, white coats.

• B. Jim had to teach Duke not to stare at the chickens, so he put a white rag on the end of a stick

• C. Puppies are playful, so Jim gave Duke plenty of playtime away from the chickens

• D. Soon, Duke let the chickens peck at him.

Multiple Choice

Read the sentence from “Duke Protects His Wards.”

"He traverses the yard slowly, making sure that no predators are nearby. "

What does the word traverses mean as it is used in the sentence?

• goes in different directions

• creates loud noises

• looks closely

• walks across

Multiple Select

Which two sentences from “Teaching Duke” and “Duke Protects His Wards” best show the shared point of view that Duke is important to the safety of the flock? Choose two answers.

• A. They can easily scare predators away or even attack them if needed.

• B. When Duke entered the pen, the chickens squawked and fluttered away.

• C. Eventually, he let Duke into the chicken pen with no leash at all.

• D. Duke just opens his big brown eyes, shakes his shaggy head, and returns to his nap.

• E. It waits and watches, and when Duke moves even closer to the fence and continues barking, the fox speeds away

Draw

Place a check mark under the name of the character whose point of view each sentence best describes. If the sentence describes the points of view of both characters, place a check mark under the Both column.

SESSION 2

Open Ended

Write one paragraph explaining what Manny could have done differently to keep the class’s attention during his lesson. Be sure to introduce your topic, use descriptive words and details to explain, and include a concluding statement.

Multiple Select

Read the sentence.

“Yes that’s correct Noah; the Inca people of South America were skilled at designing and building cities,” Mr. Jameson said.

Where in the sentence should commas be added? Choose two answers.

• A. after Yes

• B. after correct

• C. after people

• D. after America

• E. after designing

Multiple Choice

Read the sentence.

When my brother and I get together with our two favorite cousins we have so much fun.

What is the correct way to write the sentence?

• A. When my brother and I, get together with our two favorite cousins we have so much fun.

• B. When my brother and I, get together with our two favorite cousins, we have so much fun.

• C. When my brother and I get together with our two favorite cousins, we have so much fun.

• D. When my brother and I get, together with our two favorite cousins, we have so much fun.

Multiple Select

Read the paragraph. Then, write the two words in the blanks that best connect the ideas in the paragraph.

Some people do not believe that listening to audiobooks counts as reading, but I believe it does. __________________, in one study, people read an e-book or listened to an audiobook. The researchers then tested how well people understood the book. There was no difference in how well people understood the book, whether they listened or read. _________________, it seems that people certainly can learn by listening to audiobooks. Therefore In addition Equally Importantly For example

• Therefore

• In addition

• Equally

• Importantly

• For example

Multiple Choice

Read the paragraph.

The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in the United States. It stretches across the East River, linking Manhattan and Brooklyn. The bridge took 600 workers more than 14 years to build; it was completed in the year 1883. About 150,000 people usually go over the Brooklyn Bridge.

How should the last sentence of the paragraph be rewritten to use the most precise language?

• A. About 150,000 people use the bridge daily to cross to the other side of the river

• B. About 150,000 people walk, bike, or drive across the Brooklyn Bridge each day.

• C. About 150,000 people use the bridge each day to cross the river.

• D. About 150,000 people go across the river daily on the Brooklyn Bridge.

Multiple Select

Read the sentence.

You do not need to be brilliant to acheive remarkable things; you just need to make your best effert when faced with challenges.

What changes should be made to correct spelling errors in the sentence? Choose two answers.

• A. change brilliant to brillant

• B. change acheive to achieve

• C. change remarkable to remarkible

• D. change effert to effort.

• E. change challenges to chalenges

SESSION 3

Open Ended

Imagine your school is having a contest to create a school poster that describes the school and what it is like to be a student there. The poster could include information about interesting classes, the school library, the type of lunches available, the playground equipment, or even clubs and teams students can join.

Write one paragraph explaining what you would include on the school poster to describe your school. Be sure to introduce your topic, use descriptive words and details, and include a concluding sentence.

Multiple Choice

Read the sentence.

Simone ______________ the piano every day, and she makes up her own songs to play.

Which word or phrase best completes the sentence?

• A. had practiced

• B. practiced

• C. practices

• D. will practice

Multiple Choice

A student is writing a report about happiness. Read the student’s draft and answer the question that follows.

Did you know that there are scientists who study happiness? Daniel Gilbert, who is a professor at Harvard University, has spent years learning about what makes people happy. He has even written a popular book on the topic. His book Stumbling on Happiness discusses how challenging it is for people to know today what will make them happy in the future. He notes, though, that people are usually able to adapt to change much better than they think they can. According to Gilbert, “We’re not supposed to be happy all the time.” It’s both normal and important to feel other types of emotions. We can appreciate happiness more if we don’t always have it. As Gilbert says, “Happiness is a place to visit, not a place to live.” The next time you’re feeling sad or even angry, remember that it is not really possible to always feel happy.

Which source would most likely offer the student the best additional information to include in the report?

• A. an interview with Gilbert in which he answers questions about happiness.

• B. a short article that explains how Gilbert got a job teaching at Harvard University.

• C. an article written by one of Gilbert’s students about how happy the student was having Gilbert as a teacher.

• D. a bookstore website that has a short review of Gilbert’s book.

Draw

Read the sentence. It is missing two quotation marks. Write quotation marks (“ ”) in the two underlined places in the sentence where quotation marks are needed.

Multiple Choice

A student is writing a report about life that exists in the dry, freezing climate of Antarctica. Which two details would best support the student’s topic? Choose two answers.

• A. an image of arctic deserts found on various continents.

• B. an example of shrimp living under an ice sheet in Antarctica.

• C. a quotation from a scientist who studies animals in Antarctica.

• D. a map showing how far Antarctica is from other continents.

• E. a table listing the average temperatures in the different continents.

Draw

Read the sentences. Then, circle the best transitional phrase from each set of phrases.