Is it Relevant?

In 1883, Theodore Roosevelt traveled to the North Dakota badlands. It was a voyage that changed his life. Roosevelt had always loved the outdoors, but (a) the voyage convinced him that the natural world deserved protection. After his inauguration as president of the United States in 1901, he became even more dedicated to wilderness conservation. In 1903, he interrupted a national speaking tour to spend two weeks camping in Yellowstone National Park. He also visited the Grand Canyon to call for its protection. Later, (b) he traveled to Yosemite, where he and the naturalist John Muir slept out under the stars for three nights.

(sentence a) - Which choice provides the most effective transition to the information that follows?

• NO CHANGE

• he found the trip somewhat unpleasant.

• he decided to turn his attention to politics, rather than nature.

• most nineteenth-century politicians preferred more elegant surroundings.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

In 1883, Theodore Roosevelt traveled to the North Dakota badlands. It was a voyage that changed his life. Roosevelt had always loved the outdoors, but (a) the voyage convinced him that the natural world deserved protection. After his inauguration as president of the United States in 1901, he became even more dedicated to wilderness conservation. In 1903, he interrupted a national speaking tour to spend two weeks camping in Yellowstone National Park. He also visited the Grand Canyon to call for its protection. Later, (b) he traveled to Yosemite, where he and the naturalist John Muir slept out under the stars for three nights.

(sentence b) - The writer wants to include another example to support the idea that Theodore Roosevelt was committed to protecting nature. Which choice most effectively accomplishes that goal?

• NO CHANGE

• two of his homes became part of the National Park service.

• he passed legislation creating 150 National Forests and five National Parks.

• his face was carved into the side of Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

For almost 40 years after the end of World War II, the work of Ernest Everett Just, (a) an African-American biologist known for his studies of marine creatures, lay forgotten. Then, in 1983, Kenneth R. Manning, a professor of the history of science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, published a prize-winning biography titled Black Apollo of Science: The Life of Ernest Everett Just. Since that time, (b) Manning has written several other important books. The United States Post Office issued a stamp commemorating him, numerous conferences were held in his honor, and scientific journals published special issues dedicated to him.

(sentence a) - The writer is considering deleting the underlined phrase (adjusting the punctuation as necessary). Should that information be deleted?

• Yes, because the paragraph does not focus on Just's research.

• Yes, because Kenneth Manning was not a professor of marine biology.

• No, because it provides contextual information about Ernest Everett Just.

• No, because Ernest Everett Just influenced Kenneth Manning's marine biology research.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

For almost 40 years after the end of World War II, the work of Ernest Everett Just, (a) an African-American biologist known for his studies of marine creatures, lay forgotten. Then, in 1983, Kenneth R. Manning, a professor of the history of science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, published a prize-winning biography titled Black Apollo of Science: The Life of Ernest Everett Just. Since that time, (b) Manning has written several other important books. The United States Post Office issued a stamp commemorating him, numerous conferences were held in his honor, and scientific journals published special issues dedicated to him.

(sentence b) - The writer wants to complete the sentence with information emphasizing the positive impact of Manning's biography on Just's legacy. Which choice most effectively accomplishes that goal?

• NO CHANGE

• a number of events have been organized to bring increased attention to Just.

• the history of science has become a popular field of study.

• many important discoveries have been made in marine biology.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

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(a) Paper making is an ancient art, dating back to second century China. In just a few months, I accumulated piles of books, photos, and posters, not to mention stationary and greeting cards, all over my house. I had always been an avid traveler and photographer, but now brightly colored photographs covered my bedroom, living room, and my office. (b) Then, I discovered the budding world of scrapbooking, (c) an art form that traces its roots to "commonplace" books in fifteenth century England. Suddenly, paper took on a whole new significance for me.

(sentence a) - Which choice most effectively establishes the main topic of the paragraph?

• NO CHANGE

• I recently developed a fascination with paper in all its forms.

• Some people prefer to keep their homes tidy, but I am not one of them.

• There are many different kinds of paper at my local crafts store.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

(a) Paper making is an ancient art, dating back to second century China. In just a few months, I accumulated piles of books, photos, and posters, not to mention stationary and greeting cards, all over my house. I had always been an avid traveler and photographer, but now brightly colored photographs covered my bedroom, living room, and my office. (b) Then, I discovered the budding world of scrapbooking, (c) an art form that traces its roots to "commonplace" books in fifteenth century England. Suddenly, paper took on a whole new significance for me.

(sentence b) - At this point in the essay, the writer is considering adding the following sentence:

At times, I even worried that my walls would collapse under their weight.

Should this sentence be added?

• Yes, because it provides a humorous commentary that emphasizes the main idea of the paragraph.

• Yes, because the writer's new hobby had potentially damaging consequences.

• No, because it is irrelevant to the description of the writer's house.

• No, because it digresses from the idea that the writer enjoyed traveling.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

(a) Paper making is an ancient art, dating back to second century China. In just a few months, I accumulated piles of books, photos, and posters, not to mention stationary and greeting cards, all over my house. I had always been an avid traveler and photographer, but now brightly colored photographs covered my bedroom, living room, and my office. (b) Then, I discovered the budding world of scrapbooking, (c) an art form that traces its roots to "commonplace" books in fifteenth century England. Suddenly, paper took on a whole new significance for me.

(sentence c) - The writer is considering deleting the underlined phrase (placing a period after scrapbooking). Should that information be kept, or deleted?

• Kept, because it explains why scrapbooking became important to the writer.

• Kept, because it establishes a connection between the writer's interests in art and history.

• Deleted, because it blurs the paragraph's focus on the writer's love of paper.

• Deleted, because the writer also refers to photographic prints.

Body language is an important form of communication among the members of a wolf pack. For example, wolves may indicate dominant behavior by baring their teeth and pointing their ears forward. Subordinate behavior, on the other hand, may be indicated by closed mouths, narrowed eyes, and ears that are pulled back and held close to the head. And a wolf that stands with its ears sticking straight up or low and to the side, teeth bared, and a wrinkled snout, clearly communicates a threatening message - all of the surrounding wolves know to stay away. (a) Once they have reached maturity, most wolves leave their birth pack to search for a new territory or to join an existing pack.

(sentence a) - The writer wants a concluding sentence that restates the main idea of the paragraph. Which choice best accomplishes this goal?

• NO CHANGE

• Wolves are highly social animals, and their packs consist of large extended families.

• These specialized postures have evolved to help reduce aggression, helping the pack members live together more peacefully.

• When they are between six and eight months old, wolf pups begin to hunt and travel with other members of the pack.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2