Drawing Conclusions

For the walls, Jenny thought she would use a bright yellow paint. She would pick a border that had mostly bright red and green colors, and maybe a little bit of blue. She already had found some curtains that were sky blue with streaks of red, blue and yellow that she thought would go great with the walls. And finally, she had picked a carpet that was mostly blue with specks of red and yellow. Jenny couldn't wait till she was done decorating her room. It was really going to look awesome.
 The best summary of this passage is:

• Jenny likes bright colors.
• Jenny was going to paint her room. 
• Jenny was picking out colors and materials to decorate her room.
• Yellow is a good color to paint your walls.

People often refer to taxes in terms of their being much too high. In reality, they are probably even higher than you think, because in addition to the federal income tax we are now studying, there are many other Federal, State, and local taxes, including sales taxes, inheritance taxes, state income taxes, personal property taxes, real estate taxes, and others. These are just some of the most obvious ones. 

• Taxes are much too high. 
• We pay more taxes than we may realize. 
• Inheritance taxes and real estate taxes are unfair. 
• Some taxes are hidden. 

Based on the cartoon, which is an appropriate conclusion that can be drawn?

• After analyzing the cartoon, I can assume that both dogs are really hungry.

• Based on my own experience with dogs, I can assume that they love doing math problems.

• After analyzing the cartoon, I can conclude that the bigger dog is basically stating that if anybody tries to take away his dog bones, then they will have consequences.

• Based on my own personal experience and evidence from the cartoon, I can assume that the dog thinks that fingers are also dog bones.

  Working at home sounds like fun. You can work in your pajamas, or you can play the radio as loud as you want. You can even sleep an extra hour in the morning. However, making money at home takes drive and dedication. To be successful you must use basic business practices. You must make yourself work rather than play. 
To be successful you would probably need to.... 

• work as little as possible.
• make a schedule and stick to it.
• stock the refrigerator with plenty of food.
• plan when to take naps.

Tiffany has always been really good at drawing. Her mother used to hang her pictures up on the refrigerator, but Tiffany’s pictures soon covered it. Then her mom started keeping her drawings in scrapbooks.   “You could make a career as a visual artist,” her mom said. “Why don’t you sign up for an art class?”   Although she was reluctant to let anyone outside her family see her work, Tiffany added art to her high school schedule. Within a few months, the students began painting. She decided to do a watercolor portrait inspired by her family’s trip to Africa last summer. I loved all the grass on the savannah, Tiffany thought. If I mix these two colors, I’ll have the perfect green.   She worked on her painting for hours, but it was worth it. Everyone in class loved her watercolor painting, especially her art teacher, Mrs. Sloan.   “You have so much potential, Tiffany,” Mrs. Sloan said. “You would be a great candidate for the Young Artist Development Program this summer.” She gave Tiffany an application and told her to take it home for her parents to fill it out.   After school, Tiffany was both excited and nervous. “I was really afraid to try painting at first, but now I love it,” Tiffany said. “I can’t wait to get home to show Mom my latest masterpiece! She’ll probably put this one in a frame.”
Which of these books would Tiffany enjoy reading based on the passage?

• a book on how to stay cool outdoors in the summer
• a book about great women athletes in history
• a book on how to write an interesting biography
• a book about great twentieth-century artists

“I can’t believe Emily’s going to be here!” Maria squealed with glee as she jumped up and down in her room. Her favorite singer was performing at a local theater this weekend.  The show will cost $15, and I really want to go with all my friends, she thought. But I don’t get paid until the Monday after the concert. Suddenly, Emily coming to town didn’t seem so exciting after all.  Maria had been working as a cashier at the local supermarket on weekends and sometimes after school. The past few months she had been saving her paychecks to buy her father a good birthday present. Dad always complained that he never gets gifts as good as Mom’s on his birthday, Maria thought. She had asked him what he wanted and had saved up enough money to buy the cordless drill set. Maria couldn’t wait to see his face when he opened the gift on his birthday, which was also Monday.  Maria decided to ask her mom for advice. “I could borrow money to pay for the concert from my savings, but then I won’t be able to buy Dad’s gift this weekend,” she said. “I could get him something else, but what if he doesn’t like it?”  “Well, honey, what do you think you should do?” her mom responded after Maria told her the problem.  “I’m not sure, Mom. Who knows when Emily will come back to town again?” she replied. “This could be my only opportunity to see her in  mom said, “Looks like you have a tough decision to make, but think about what your father would do if the tables were turned.” She patted Maria on the shoulder before she walked out the room.  A couple of months before her birthday every year, Maria’s father would always start asking questions to get an idea about what to get her. He always gets me exactly what I ask for on my birthday, she thought. Dad deserves the same special treatment.  Maria grabbed her purse and headed to the shopping center.  
Which of these can be inferred from the last sentence in the passage? 

• Maria is going to ask her mom to buy her dad the drill.
• Maria is going to the concert and will tell her dad she forgot his birthday.
• Maria is on her way to buy her dad's birthday present.
• Maria is on her way to buy her and her friends concert tickets.