MAP Review

The ___________ is a statement you believe to be true. You write this near the beginning of an argumentative essay. This is what you are arguing to be true throughout your paper.

• opinion

• claim

• fact

• evidence

Students are trying to prove the claim that using praise and food for dog training is more effective than punishment. Which research question would help them prove the claim?

• Which types of treats to dogs prefer the most?

• How well do different dog breeds learn new tricks?

• What effect does positivity have on dogs' behavior?

• What does dogs' body language tell us about their moods?

Students are writing an argumentative essay about stopping production of a penny. What is the best meaning of the underlined word?

• to multiply

• the act of making or manufactuing

• to spend

• to invent from scratch

Students are writing an argumentative essay about stopping production of a penny. They found sources for their essay. Which sources would provide the most relevant information about the topic? Choose 2 answers.

• a book on the development of ancient money systems in Europe

• a blog about the different types of coins found throughout the world

• an opinion article in the local newspaper about throwing pennies into fountains

• an article on the website for the U.S Mint that describes the process of making money

• a report in a news magazine about the effects of eliminating pennies in the United Kingdom

Trains just keep getting faster and faster! The steam locomotives of the early 1800s could go about 20 miles per hour. Today, the fastest type of train in the world is a maglev train. These trains regularly carry passengers in several Asian countries. Maglev trains do no have wheels. Instead they have powerful magnets that let them glide just above the track. Right now, the record for speed is held by the Shanghai Maglev in China. This amazing train can ____________.

Which option completes the last sentences with the most precise information?

• travel at 270 miles per hour

• shock people with its speed

• appear to move like the wind

• go well over 100 miles per hour

A student is writing a report about Pluto. Read her draft.

'Many adults grew up learning that Pluto was the ninth planet from the sun. In 2006, though, astronomers announced that Pluto was no longer considered a planet. The scientists said that to be a planet, an object must meet three conditions. First, it has to be in orbit around the sun. Second, it must be big and heavy enough to have a round shape. Third, it has to be the biggest object in its own path around the sun. Pluto is round, and it travels around the sun. However, it is not always the largest object in its orbit.

Which sentence would make the best conclusion for the student's draft?

• Although Pluto is small, it has several moons.

• Because of this, scientists now call Pluto a "dwarf planet."

• Astronomers are now looking at objects far beyond Pluto.

• Therefore, Pluto's discovery in 1930 is now considered insignificant.

Read a student's draft essay about Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is a tiny country in Central America. Yet, Costa Rica has more plant and animal species than many other places on Earth. There are more than 800 different types of birds, for example. Some of them do not live anywhere else in the world!

____________ The different landscapes explain the country's many organisms. Costa Rica even has a rare place called the cloud forest. The trees and plants here are covered by cool, misty clouds. Many people visit Costa Rica to hike in the cloud forest.

Which sentence provides the best transition between ideas?

• Costa Rica has many reptiles and mammals.

• Hikers can see birds, monkeys, and much more.

• Costa Rica has meadows, mountains, rivers, and forests.

• The whole country is smaller than many states in the U.S.

Which would you rather visit?

• Outer space

• Costa Rica

Read the paragraph from a student's draft of a letter to the school principal. Choose the 2 sentences that should be revised to better match the style of the letter.

I am writing to express concern over the recent decision to take recess out of the 6th grade schedule. We do not have time to hang out with our friends during school, and that's not fair. Our school recently added health classes and the lunchroom has added healthier foods. The physical activity we receive during recess should also be important to our health. Due to the reasons set forth, the inclusion of recess is quite necessary. I ask you to reconsider and leave recess in the 6th grade schedule.

• I am writing to express concern over the recent decision to take recess out of the 6th grade schedule.

• We do not have time to hang out with our friends during school and that's not fair.

• Our school recently added health classes and the lunchroom has added healthier foods.

• The physical activity we receive during recess should also be important to our health.

Read the student's draft paragraph from an informational essay.

_______________________ Historians examine primary and secondary sources so they can understand the daily life of historical people. Archaeologists search to uncover artifacts from ancient civilizations. Scientists study the artifacts and historians' notes in order to develop their own theories about historical civilizations. Together, the work of archaeologists, historians, and scientists has taught us a great deal about the past.

Which sentence best introduces the topic with precise information?

• Learning about history can teach us about our past.

• There are many methods for people to learn about history.

• Archaeologists, historians, and scientists have difficult jobs.

• Many occupations work together to allow people to learn history.