Practice Writing Test

Choose the word with the correct spelling to complete this sentence:The bug spray was so strong, it made me ________.

• caulf

• coff

• couff

• cough

If you were making a speech about how video games are unhealthy for young children, which sentence would most support that argument?

• Some children spend as much as as $100 a month purely on purchasing video games to play

• Video games teach children how to problem solve and how to strategize their way to success.

• Studies show that students who play video games every day are more likely to have reading problems on standardized tests.

• I like to play video games every day for at least three hours though it's never just one game for the full amount of time.

A Dog is Man's Best Friend

By: Mary O'Dell

"A dog is man's best friend." This popular quote expresses the way many people feel about dogs. Cats, birds, gerbils, and even goldfish can make excellent pets, but the ideal pet to have is a dog.

First of all, dogs are affectionate and fun companions. They will cuddle up to their owners to be petted. These loving animals are always ready for a hug or pat on the head. If they get the chance, some will even give their human friends a sloppy, wet kiss! Most dogs are playful, too. They love to chase sticks and fetch balls. According to the Humane Society, thirty nine percent of U.S. households own at least one dog. So it is no secret that dogs provide hours of enthusiastic entertainment and companionship.

Secondly, many dogs are protective of their owners. In addition to cuddling and fetching, dog lovers appreciate the protective nature of many canines. Many dogs bark to alert owners when someone comes to their home. A dog owner often feels safer just knowing he has a loyal dog willing to protect its family or alert them of danger. If barking becomes a problem, most dogs can be trained to limit annoying yapping.

Lastly, one of the best features of dogs is that they are great exercise partners. Dogs love to go on walks. Responsible pet owners understand that dogs need plenty of exercise. Daily walks can keep dogs happy and healthy. Of course, dog lovers benefit from this fitness plan, too. Having an energetic partner is great motivation to get off the couch and get moving.

What is the best conclusion for the essay?

• Simply stated, dogs are ideal pets. They are loving, fun, protective, and energetic companions. Even though owning and caring for a pet can be a big responsibility, it is worth it.

• Dogs are difficult to care for. They can be costly, loud, and unruly. The best option for a pet is a quiet cat or a small hamster.

• Dogs make people feel safe by barking at intruders. They can also help owners find their homes if they get lost on walks.

• If they get the chance, some will even give their human friends a sloppy, wet kiss! Most dogs are playful, too.

Terri is writing an opinion piece about extending recess time for students at her school. Which conclusion would BEST support her argument?

• Students at Hartfield Elementary deserve longer recess times because they are kids and like to play.

• Recess promotes creative thinking and allows kids exercise, so more time outside would be good for us.

• Recess at Hartfield Elementary is too short because we do not have time to play all the games we want

• Also, recess promotes creative thinking in kids as they interact with their peers and play imaginative games.

Mrs. Clara Clark was planting flowers when she spotted a bear in her backyard. Surprisingly, she didn't panic. Instead, she walked calmly into the house and called Wildlife Rescue. Just as she was about to tell them her address, there was a knock on the door. When she opened the door, there stood the bear! The bear was laughing as it waved at her! Mrs. Clark couldn't believe her ears when the bear said, "Good morning, Mrs. Clark."

She recognized the voice. It was just Tommy from down the street. As he took off the bear's head, he said, "Fooled you, didn't I?" Mrs. Clark laughed.

Choose the sentence that BEST summarizes the story.

• Mrs. Clark thinks bears are cute.

• Neighbors like to play jokes on each other.

• Tommy dressed up as a bear and played a joke on Mrs. Clark.

• Mrs. Clark was very upset when she thought about Tommy's joke.

Francesca is gathering information for her report on honeybees. Her teacher looks at her draft and asks her to paraphrase her work to avoid plagiarism. Which statement BEST explains paraphrasing?

• This is the same information written in a different way, changing the original words of the author.

• This means to change the facts of the source completely, so no information is the same in the new piece.

• This is copying the information exactly as it is written, but adding an additional sentence at the end.

• This is the same information, written exactly the same, but with quotation marks at the beginning and end.

Excerpt from The Perfect Gift

Rosalie Gomez

¹Maurice looked at the calendar. He could not believe that he had almost forgotten his mother's birthday! He needed to buy her a gift, but he did not know what to get.

²Maurice borrowed his friend's bicycle to visit the stores nearby. He looked at different gift ideas, like a glass bowl and an apron. Neither of them seemed right. As he walked through a store. He thought about the things his mother enjoyed. She liked to read, and she enjoyed cooking. This gave him an idea.

³Maurice returned home. He asked his father to drive him to the bookstore. Since his mother liked reading and cooking, he wanted to buy her a cookbook. When he got to the store, he saw many types of cookbooks. There were so many different ones! He was not sure which one to choose. Then he saw a cookbook with pictures of colourful cakes on it. One of the cake's looked like the one his mother had baked for his last birthday. Maurice knew it was the perfect gift!

⁴He hurried to his room with the cookbook when he got home. He did not want his mother to see it! He wrapped the book carefully and placed a bow on it. The bow's color was pink. He knew that his mother liked pink as much as cakes, so he could not wait for her to open it. He finished his homework.

⁵Later that day, Maurice gave the gift to his mother and wished her a happy birthday. His mother opened it and smiled. She then thanked Maurice and gave him a big hug. He smiled, too.

Which sentence can be removed from the section 4?

• He finished his homework.

• He wrapped the book carefully and placed a bow on it.

• He hurried to his room with the cookbook when he got home.

• He knew that his mother liked pink as much as cakes, so he could not wait for her to open it.

Which sentence uses a verb incorrectly?

• Macaroni and cheese is one of our favorite meals to eat at home.

• The little girl spilled all the crayons while reaching across her desk.

• Marley and Jefferson are celebrating their thirteenth anniversary this year.

• John Lithgow, one of several well-known actors, are going to be performing tonight.

If you were writing an essay on George Washington, which sentence has the most appropriate tone?

• Man, George Washington was the awesomest general.

• You just can't beat George Washington's mad leadership skills.

• George Washington is rightly praised as one of the greatest generals ever.

• If you don't like George Washington, then you just ain't studying hard enough.

Writers can strengthen their arguments in opinion pieces by including both their own ideas as well as the ideas of others. Dominique is writing an opinion piece about the need for an art program at her school. Which statement from Dominique's writing is based on her own ideas and doesn't use the ideas of others?

• We could have weekly classes after school, like Turner Elementary.

• Mrs. Gregory thinks some teachers may want to help with the class.

• Principal Sanders suggested asking local stores for supply donations.

• We can ask for parents to volunteer to help with the class each week.