7th Grade TCAP Review

TCAP Review

By Donna Kapa

Multiple Choice

Vocabulary in Context

Question: What does retrieve mean?

Text Excerpt: “To store and retrieve spatial memory, humans use a part of the brain called the hippocampus.” (Paragraph 3)

• create

• keep

• access

• erase

​Explanation

Text Excerpt: "To store and retrieve spatial memory, humans use a part of the brain called the hippocampus."

The sentence talks about using the hippocampus to store and retrieve memory. "Access" makes the most sense — the brain uses the hippocampus to get to the memory.

Multiple Choice

Author’s Purpose & Structure

Question: How do paragraphs 4–7 contribute to the overall passage?

Text Excerpt: “The scientists asked each participant to sit down at a computer and wander through three-dimensional rooms…”

• They compare brain scans to other tests.

• They explain differences between fMRI and X-rays.

• They describe effects of fMRI on the body.

• They show how scientists trained the participants and conducted the study.

​Explanation

Text Excerpt: “The scientists asked each participant to sit down at a computer and wander through three-dimensional rooms... As the people became familiar... their brain cells were taking notes...”

These paragraphs describe the step-by-step process of the study — from training to scanning.

Multiple Choice

Question: What does the word instrument mean as it is used in paragraph 6?

Text Excerpt: “At this point, the scientists took pictures of the subjects’ brains using an instrument called fMRI.”

• tool used for conducting surgery

• display for spatial navigation

• machine used for official matters

• device for doing scientific work

Multiple Choice

Question: According to the passage, how were scientists able to read spatial memories?

Text Excerpt: “After a few repetitions, the scientists could identify patterns in the subjects’ brains.” (Paragraph 7)

• by tracking movement in a maze

• by recognizing patterns in brain scans

• by recording thoughts during scans

• by taking notes on their behavior

​Explanation

Text Excerpt: “After a few repetitions, the scientists could identify patterns in the subjects’ brains.” (Paragraph 7)

Repeated brain scans revealed consistent patterns that matched locations in the virtual rooms.

Multiple Choice

Question: What does impudent mean?

Text Excerpt: “She might be an impudent little genius-in-the-rough, but Constance was one of the few people in the world Reynie could count as a true friend.” (Paragraph 4)

• sassy and rude

• shy and quiet

• crafty and tricky

• pleasant and kind

​Explanation

Text Excerpt: “She might be an impudent little genius-in-the-rough, but Constance was one of the few people in the world Reynie could count as a true friend.” (Paragraph 4)

"Impudent" describes someone who behaves in a bold or disrespectful way — here, Constance is a bit rude, but still lovable.

Multiple Choice

Question: What does the phrase “brow wrinkled” suggest about Reynie?

Text Excerpt: “Reynie’s brow wrinkled. That conscientious goat was not the first unusual thing he’d seen this morning.” (Paragraph 9)

• He was bored.

• He was nervous.

• He was puzzled.

• He was annoyed.

​Explanation

Text Excerpt: “Reynie’s brow wrinkled. That conscientious goat was not the first unusual thing he’d seen this morning.” (Paragraph 9)

A wrinkled brow usually means confusion or curiosity. Reynie notices something odd and is thinking deeply.

Multiple Choice

Question: Why does Reynie start running?

Text Excerpt: “Reynie broke into a run.” (Paragraph 5)
“To think he would see Kate any minute! And Sticky Washington...”

• He is afraid he’s late.

• He is excited to see his friends again.

• He sees something dangerous up ahead.

• He wants to get away from the falcon.

​Explanation

Text Excerpt: “Reynie broke into a run.” (Paragraph 5)

“To think he would see Kate any minute! And Sticky Washington...”

Reynie’s excitement builds as he gets closer to reuniting with his friends — this motivates him to run.

Multiple Choice

Question: Which theme is best supported by this excerpt?

Text Excerpt: “Constance, Kate, and Sticky were like family to him. It didn’t matter that he’d met them only a year ago.” (Paragraph 4)

• Making friends is the best way to learn about yourself.

• The best friends are the ones who are just like you.

• Friends are important even when you’re apart from them.

• Having friends makes a person more competitive.

​Explanation

Text Excerpt: “Constance, Kate, and Sticky were like family to him. It didn’t matter that he’d met them only a year ago.” (Paragraph 4)

Reynie reflects on how meaningful his friendships are, even after time and distance. This supports the idea that true friendships last.

Multiple Choice

Student Sentence: I wanted to go to the game but my friend had already made other plans.

Question: Which revision correctly adds a comma?

• I wanted to go to the game, but my friend had already made other plans.

• I wanted to go to the game but, my friend had already made other plans.

• I wanted, to go to the game but my friend had already made other plans.

• I wanted to go to the game but my friend, had already made other plans.

​Explanation

A comma is needed before a coordinating conjunction (like but) when it connects two independent clauses.

Multiple Choice

Student Sentence: The sun was setting it painted the sky with orange and purple.

Question: Which revision uses a semicolon correctly?

• The sun was setting it; painted the sky with orange and purple.

• The sun; was setting it painted the sky with orange and purple.

• The sun was setting: it painted the sky with orange and purple.

• The sun was setting; it painted the sky with orange and purple.

​Explanation

A semicolon can join two closely related independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.

Multiple Choice

Student Sentence:

Due to the fact that the weather was cold in temperature, we decided to cancel the outdoor field trip.

Question: Which revision best reduces wordiness?

• Because of the fact that it was cold, we canceled the trip.

• Due to the cold weather that was happening, we canceled.

• Because it was cold, we canceled the field trip.

• We decided to go ahead and cancel the field trip due to the coldness.

​Explanation

Option C is concise and clear. Phrases like "due to the fact that" and "cold in temperature" are unnecessarily wordy.

Multiple Choice

Student Sentence:

Next summer, we are visiting the statue of liberty in New York City.

Question: Which revision uses correct capitalization?

• Next summer, we are visiting the statue Of Liberty in New york city.

• Next summer, we are visiting the Statue of Liberty in New York City.

• Next Summer, we are visiting the Statue of Liberty in New York City.

• Next summer, we are visiting the statue of Liberty in New York city.

​Explanation

Proper nouns and official names (like Statue of Liberty and New York City) must be capitalized. The season summer is not capitalized unless part of a title.