Pre/Post Assessment ELA 8 Accelerated Academy 2019

Read the Passage and answer the question.Stephen and Joseph Montgolfier were paper makers, but they had been interested in flying for many years. One night, in 1782, Joseph noticed something that gave him an idea. He was sitting in front of the fire when he saw some small pieces of scorched paper being carried up the chimney.Soon afterward, the brothers conducted an experiment. They lit a fire under a small silk bag, which was open at the bottom; at once, the bag rose to the ceiling. After this, Stephen and Joseph conducted many more experiments, both indoors and in the open air. Eventually, they built a huge balloon of linen and paper. On June 5th, 1783, they launched their balloon in the village of Annonay.

Which specific detail in the above passage describes the first experiment the brothers did?

• Stephen and Joseph Montgolfier were paper makers, but they had been interested in flying for many years.

• He was sitting in front of the fire when he saw some small pieces of scorched paper being carried up the chimney.

• After this, Stephen and Joseph conducted many more experiments, both indoors and in the open air.

• They lit a fire under a small silk bag, which was open at the bottom; at once, the bag rose to the ceiling.

Read the Passage and answer the question. Archaeology is the study of past human life and culture through systematically examining and interpreting the material remains left behind. These material remains include archaeological sites (e.g. settlements, building features, graves), as well as cultural materials or artifacts such as tools and pottery. Through the interpretation and classification of archaeological materials, archaeologists work to understand past human behavior. In some countries, archaeology is often historical or art historical, with a strong emphasis on Culture history, archaeological sites, and artifacts such as art objects. In the New World, archaeology can be either a part of history and classical studies or anthropology.The exact origins of archaeology as a discipline are uncertain. Excavations of ancient monuments and the collection of antiquities have been taking place for thousands of years. It was only in the 19th century, however, that the systematic study of the past through its physical remains began to be carried out in a manner recognizable to modern students of archaeology.

What specific detail in the passage tells the reader that archaeology could be considered as a part of history?

• In the New World, archaeology can be either a part of history and classical studies or anthropology.

• Archaeology is the study of past human life and culture through systematically examining the material remains left behind.

• The exact origins of archaeology as a discipline are uncertain.

• Excavations of ancient monuments and the collection of antiquities have been taking place for thousands of years.

Which of the following definitions is closest to the meaning of the word "discipline" in the passage?

• train to obey

• punish

• area of knowledge

• coach

TERRORISM— A CHALLENGE

Terrorism is one of the most serious threats and challenges that the world faces today. It is a war against democracy and a crime against humanity. It has crossed national boundaries and has international ramifications. Terrorism, in a way, is a new challenge to humanity in the 21st century.Terrorism is violence used by a few unlawful, ruthless, heartless and senseless criminals against fellow human beings. Terrorists have total disregard for human lives including their own. They commit crimes and cause bloodshed without any sense of guilt. To them, their cause is everything and others are either for it or against it. Violence is an essential part of terrorism. Terrorism is a systematic use of violence or the threat of violence to achieve specific goals. It attempts to use violence to cause widespread panic, fear or terror to achieve its ultimate aim.

What is the main idea of the above passage?

• how to face the challenges of terrorism

• an introduction to terrorism, terrorists and their ways and means of violence

• why one should not become a terrorist

• what are the goals and missions of terrorists

What is the difference between the central and the main idea?

• There is no difference; the two terms are interchangeable.

• The main idea applies only to paragraphs within a text.

• The central idea applies to the topic only.

• none of the above

The Fox and the Cat

An Aesop's Fable

A Fox was boasting to a Cat of its clever devices for escaping its enemies."I have a whole bag of tricks," he said, "which contains a hundred ways of escaping my enemies.""I have only one," said the Cat; "but I can generally manage with that."Just at that moment they heard the cry of a pack of hounds coming towards them, and the Cat immediately scampered up a tree and hid herself in the boughs."This is my plan," said the Cat. "What are you going to do?"The Fox thought first of one way, then of another, and while he was debating the hounds came nearer and nearer, and at last the Fox in his confusion was caught up by the hounds and soon killed by the huntsmen. The Cat, who had been looking on, said, "Better one safe way than a hundred on which you cannot reckon."

In the story, "reckon" most closely means

• to deal with

• recall

• neglect

• appraise

What is dialogue?

• a project students build to represent events in a story or book

• the measurement used for circles

• conversations between characters in a book, story, play, movie, etc

• none of the above

Excerpt from Stave One of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

(1) “What else can I be,” returned the uncle [Scrooge], “when I live in such a world of fools as this? Merry Christmas! Out upon Merry Christmas! What’s Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in ’em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you? If I could work my will,” said Scrooge indignantly, “every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart. He should!”

Excerpt from Stave Five of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

(2) “A merry Christmas, Bob!” said Scrooge [the uncle], with an earnestness that could not be mistaken, as he clapped him on the back. “A merrier Christmas, Bob, my good fellow, than I have given you, for many a year! I’ll raise your salary, and endeavor to assist your struggling family, and we will discuss your affairs this very afternoon, over a Christmas bowl of smoking bishop, Bob! Make up the fires, and buy another coal-scuttle before you dot another, Bob Cratchit!”

"Merry Christmas! Out upon Merry Christmas! What’s Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in ’em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?"

What is the significance of this dialogue?

• This dialogue is significant because it shows that Scrooge wants to wish the person he's addressing a Merry Christmas.

• This dialogue is significant because it is important for the reader to know Scrooge's feelings about Christmas.

• This dialogue is significant because Scrooge wants to make sure everyone to know he dislikes Christmas.

• This dialogue is significant because it shows Scrooge cannot wait for Christmas morning to come so he can rip open his presents.

(1) “What else can I be,” returned the uncle [Scrooge], “when I live in such a world of fools as this? Merry Christmas! Out upon Merry Christmas! What’s Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in ’em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you? If I could work my will,” said Scrooge indignantly, “every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart. He should!”

Excerpt from Stave Five of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

(2) “A merry Christmas, Bob!” said Scrooge [the uncle], with an earnestness that could not be mistaken, as he clapped him on the back. “A merrier Christmas, Bob, my good fellow, than I have given you, for many a year! I’ll raise your salary, and endeavour to assist your struggling family, and we will discuss your affairs this very afternoon, over a Christmas bowl of smoking bishop, Bob! Make up the fires, and buy another coal-scuttle before you dot another, Bob Cratchit!”

“A merrier Christmas, Bob, my good fellow, than I have given you, for many a year! I’ll raise your salary, and endeavour to assist your struggling family, and we will discuss your affairs this very afternoon, over a Christmas bowl of smoking bishop, Bob!

What is the most important purpose of this dialogue?

• It allows the reader to really understand the change that Scrooge underwent in the story.

• It allows the reader to see that Scrooge liked Christmas all along.

• It allows the reader to see that nothing could change Scrooge's opinion of Christmas.

• none of the above.

What is the tone of a piece of literature?

• the author’s attitude about the subject and/or the readers

• the level of sound with which it should be read

• the rhythm of the words when read out loud

• none of the above