8th Grade Test Prep 17-18

In paragraph 2, what does the phrase "a beautiful potpourri of differences" indicate about the author's point of view?

• The author believes traveling is miserable.

• The author believes everyone has different opinions.

• The author believes bus travel is superior to train travel.

• The author believes her attitude toward travel is correct.

The following questions has two parts. First, answer A. Then, answer Part B. Part A: read the phrase from paragraph 6. ...there is something about travel as a process that a wheels up, wheels down airplane ride dilutes somewhat. What doe s the word dilutes mean as is is used in the sentence?

• appeases

• devalues

• enhances

• stresses

Part B: Which quotation from paragraph 6 supports your answer for the word diluted?

• "I don't want to be all 'modern conveniences have alienated us from the process of living' about it."

• "We can't teleport, not yet..."

• "... a plane is the closest the average plebe is going to get right now."

• "... move from one place to another much faster than you'd otherwise be able to."

In paragraph 6, the author says that " a plane is the closest the average plebe is going to get" to teleporting. What does the word plebe mean as it is used in the sentence?

• location

• pace

• person

• vehicle

What does the comparison in paragraph 8 reveal about the author?

• it shows the author believes riding a bus is efficient.

• It shows the author believes riding a bus economical.

• it shows the author believes slowing down is beneficial.

• It shows the author believes natural resources are necessary.

How does paragraph 10 contribute to the development of a central idea?

• It shows the author's belief in folklore.

• It shows the author's appreciation for relaxation.

• It shows the author's use of the Internet while traveling.

• It shows the author's concern about being trapped in a vehicle.

In paragraph 11, how does the author acknowledge and respond to a conflicting viewpoint?

• by providing the details of train travel

• by explaining the benefits of plane travel

• by sharing that some people would not enjoy bus travel

• by describing the negatives of eating snacks while traveling

Which quotation supports the the author's claim that riding a bus can be just as efficient as flying?

• "... if you factor in the time you spend getting to the airport and going through security, you may end up breaking even." 5

• "I don't want to be all 'modern conveniences have alienated us from the process of living' about it, but there's something about travel as a process..." 8

• "So the vehicle feels a little outside of reality, especially if you're traveling alone. It isolates and insulates you..." 10

• "And my personal worst travel woes have been plane and train-based..." 11

The following question has 2 parts. First, answer A. Then, answer B. Part A: What is a central idea of the passage?

• The narrator does not enjoy traveling because of crying babies.

• The narrator enjoys traveling because she gets to visit new places.

• The narrator does not enjoy traveling because she gets motion sickness.

• The narrator enjoys traveling because it provides her time to do things she likes.

Part B: Which quotation from the passage supports the answer to Part A?

• "This sort of me-time can be achieved on many forms of transportation." 2

• "The scenery might blur around you, but you're still touching the ground" 7

• "I'm hardly advocating we all spend three weeks on a ship dry heaving into the sea just to go to London." 9

• "And my personal worst travel woes have been plane and train-based..." 11