3rd Nine Weeks Benchmark

Social media has changed the world and the way that people interact with one another. Instagram is one of the most popular social media apps today. Instagram was launched in October of 2010. It was later acquired by Facebook and is now worth billions of dollars. Instagram allows users to post photos and videos to their feed and is famous for the many different photo filters users can add to their images. Before 2015, all pictures on Instagram had to be in a square frame. That feature was changed in order to make the app more flexible for users. Instagram also added a stories feature. This move was controversial because it was very similar to a feature on one of Instagram’s competitors. Today, Instagram has over 800 million users who have uploaded over 40 billion photos.

What inference can be made about Instagram?

• People wanted more flexibility in what they could post on Instagram.

• Facebook wanted to buy Instagram to shut it down.

• Most people were not interested in Instagram when it first launched.

• Instagram didn’t feel the stories feature was very important.

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Social media has changed the world and the way that people interact with one another. Instagram is one of the most popular social media apps today. Instagram was launched in October of 2010. It was later acquired by Facebook and is now worth billions of dollars. Instagram allows users to post photos and videos to their feed and is famous for the many different photo filters users can add to their images. Before 2015, all pictures on Instagram had to be in a square frame. That feature was changed in order to make the app more flexible for users. Instagram also added a stories feature. This move was controversial because it was very similar to a feature on one of Instagram’s competitors. Today, Instagram has over 800 million users who have uploaded over 40 billion photos.

What is the meaning of acquired as it is used in the passage?

• misled

• developed

• lost

• bought

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Most stuffed toys resemble real animals or cartoon characters. Stuffed animals became popular in the early years of the 20th century and have remained popular. In the early 1900s, the first teddy bear was created by Morris Michtom in the United States. Michtom saw a drawing of President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt with a bear cub. This image inspired Michtom to make a stuffed bear. Stuffed animals made from socks appeared in the United States during the Great Depression. These stuffed animals were made from old items and were a cheap way to provide children with toys. Today, stuffed animals make great gifts for people of all ages. Stuffed animals have been beloved toys for many years and are still monumentally popular.

What inference can be made about life during the Great Depression?

• Parents came up with creative ways to give their children toys during the Great Depression.

• Many parents had money to spend on toys for their children.

• Toy companies lowered the price of many types of toys during the Great Depression.

• Children were not interested in toys during the Great Depression.

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Most stuffed toys resemble real animals or cartoon characters. Stuffed animals became popular in the early years of the 20th century and have remained popular. In the early 1900s, the first teddy bear was created by Morris Michtom in the United States. Michtom saw a drawing of President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt with a bear cub. This image inspired Michtom to make a stuffed bear. Stuffed animals made from socks appeared in the United States during the Great Depression. These stuffed animals were made from old items and were a cheap way to provide children with toys. Today, stuffed animals make great gifts for people of all ages. Stuffed animals have been beloved toys for many years and are still monumentally popular.Most stuffed toys resemble real animals or cartoon characters. Stuffed animals became popular in the early years of the 20th century and have remained popular. In the early 1900s, the first teddy bear was created by Morris Michtom in the United States. Michtom saw a drawing of President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt with a bear cub. This image inspired Michtom to make a stuffed bear. Stuffed animals made from socks appeared in the United States during the Great Depression. These stuffed animals were made from old items and were a cheap way to provide children with toys. Today, stuffed animals make great gifts for people of all ages. Stuffed animals have been beloved toys for many years and are still monumentally popular.

What is the meaning of monumentally as it is used in the passage?

• strongly

• extremely

• unclearly

• strangely

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In April of 1986, people around the world were horrified by the events at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The disaster happened in northern Ukraine, which was then part of the Soviet Union. There was a powerful explosion in one of the nuclear reactors which led to an enormous radiation leak. This event killed two people that day. More workers and firemen died in later weeks from exposure to the radiation. It is unknown how many people died from the long-term impact of radiation exposure. To this day, Chernobyl is a ghost town. Despite the almost haunted feel of Chernobyl itself, the forest around it is thriving with wildlife that can endure the radiation. Based on current radiation levels, experts believe it will be another 20,000 years before it is safe for humans to move back to Chernobyl.

What is the central idea of the passage?

• A terrible accident occurred at Chernobyl and many people moved away afterwards.

• There was an explosion at a nuclear power plant in the Soviet Union.

• There was a deadly explosion at Chernobyl and the effects will be felt for many years to come.

• It may be 20,000 years before people can live where the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant was located.

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In April of 1986, people around the world were horrified by the events at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The disaster happened in northern Ukraine, which was then part of the Soviet Union. There was a powerful explosion in one of the nuclear reactors which led to an enormous radiation leak. This event killed two people that day. More workers and firemen died in later weeks from exposure to the radiation. It is unknown how many people died from the long-term impact of radiation exposure. To this day, Chernobyl is a ghost town. Despite the almost haunted feel of Chernobyl itself, the forest around it is thriving with wildlife that can endure the radiation. Based on current radiation levels, experts believe it will be another 20,000 years before it is safe for humans to move back to Chernobyl.

What is the meaning of endure as it is used in the passage?

• continue

• experience

• submit

• survive

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Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, known as Selena to her fans, was born in Texas in 1971. From a very young age, her musical ability was clear. Selena is mostly known for her popular mainstream music in both English and Spanish, but her roots are in Tejano. Selena was unlike many previous Tejano artists which sometimes caused difficulties for her. Despite this, she became known as the Queen of Tejano. Selena had a very successful career and was adored by her many fans. Her songs and albums were very popular and often became best sellers. Sadly, Selena was killed by someone close to her on March 31, 1995. Her fans were devastated when they heard the tragic news. Selena’s fame did not diminish after she passed away. An album that was released after her death debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.

What is the central idea of the selection?

• Selena was a famous singer who was tragically killed.

• Selena became a famous Tejano singer.

• Selena was very famous and is still missed by her

  fans.

• Selena was a famous singer who remained

  popular even after her death.

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Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, known as Selena to her fans, was born in Texas in 1971. From a very young age, her musical ability was clear. Selena is mostly known for her popular mainstream music in both English and Spanish, but her roots are in Tejano. Selena was unlike many previous Tejano artists which sometimes caused difficulties for her. Despite this, she became known as the Queen of Tejano. Selena had a very successful career and was adored by her many fans. Her songs and albums were very popular and often became best sellers. Sadly, Selena was killed by someone close to her on March 31, 1995. Her fans were devastated when they heard the tragic news. Selena’s fame did not diminish after she passed away. An album that was released after her death debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.

What is the meaning of diminish as it is used in the passage?

• grow

• decrease

• destroy

• delay

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North Korea is a land of mystery. In 1910, Japan took control of the Asian country of Korea. When Japan lost in World War II in 1945, the country was partitioned. The northern half was controlled by the communist Soviet Union. The United States built military bases to control the southern half. Oddly, both the government of North Korea and the government of South Korea claim to control the entire country. Even though the Soviet Union broke apart in the 1990s, North Korea did not become a democracy. Instead, it is ruled by a dictator and control of the country passes down to the next generation. The country is very isolated and does not allow many tourists. The people of North Korea are not allowed to leave the country without permission. Sadly, reports of poverty, suffering and even starvation are common, which is unfortunate for North Koreans.

Which quote from the passage best shows the author’s point of view about North Korea?

• “North Korea is a land of mystery."

• “Oddly, both the government of North Korea and the government of South Korea claim to

  control the entire country.”

• “The country is very isolated and does not allow

  many tourists.”

• “Sadly, reports of poverty, suffering and even

  starvation are common, which is unfortunate for North Koreans.”

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North Korea is a land of mystery. In 1910, Japan took control of the Asian country of Korea. When Japan lost in World War II in 1945, the country was partitioned. The northern half was controlled by the communist Soviet Union. The United States built military bases to control the southern half. Oddly, both the government of North Korea and the government of South Korea claim to control the entire country. Even though the Soviet Union broke apart in the 1990s, North Korea did not become a democracy. Instead, it is ruled by a dictator and control of the country passes down to the next generation. The country is very isolated and does not allow many tourists. The people of North Korea are not allowed to leave the country without permission. Sadly, reports of poverty, suffering and even starvation are common, which is unfortunate for North Koreans.

What is the meaning of partitioned as it is used in the passage?

• divided

• defeated

• controlled

• successful

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