NJSLA Practice 1

While most of us think “butcher-block” when we hear wood countertops, there's a case to made for various hardwoods like maple, mahogany, and cherry, as well as current popular choices like madrone. Not only do these time-honored materials add a warm, cozy feel to any style kitchen, they can be refinished numerous times and will age beautifully. Cost ranges from $30–$100 per square foot.

What can be inferred about hardwood countertops?

• They increase the overall temperature of a room.

• Mahogany is more popular than madrone.

• They will last a long time.

• "Butcher-block" is more expensive than hardwood.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.2

“Dog owners can make dog parks better by not allowing their dogs to congregate at entrances and exits. Often, owners let their dogs excitedly rush up to any new dog who comes in, often resulting in a fight. Another way to make the park experience better is to keep moving with the dogs. Instead of standing around in clumps, move around. Often, if the owners keep moving, the dogs will, too.”

Choose TWO central ideas found in this text.

• Dogs like to fight with each other.

• Dogs shouldn't gather at entrances and exits.

• Owners should keep their dogs mobile, instead of stationary.

• Owners need exercise just as much as their dogs need it.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

Persian cats, with their luxurious coats and open pansy-like faces are the number one breed in popularity. Their sweet, gentle, personalities blend into most households once they feel secure in their new environment. Creatures of habit, they are most at home in an atmosphere of security and serenity, but with love and reassurance, can easily adapt to the most boisterous of households.

Which is an objective summary of the excerpt?

• Persians look like flowers and have long coats.

• Persians like noisy, energetic homes rather than quiet ones.

• Persian is the only breed of cat that can handle noisy households.

• Persian cats are very popular and can easily acclimate to most households.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Are you planning a trip this summer? If so, it is going to cost you more money to fill up your tank. Gas prices will increase in July. When oil and gas prices rise, so do other costs. Production of food depends on oil and gas. Farmers need plenty of diesel fuel to run the tractors and combines that plant and harvest crops. In addition, most of our food is transported a very long distance, which isn’t cheap. Spring, on the other hand, may be a better time to take that trip.

Food prices are going to rise...

• because people take too many trips in the summer.

• because gas prices are going up.

• because of the shortage with diesel fuel.

• because farmers need more gas than other people.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RI.8.8

. What obstacles should I avoid when planting my orange tree? Patios will not be a problem because the soil beneath them is usually dry and compacted. Therefore, the roots will not grow into this area as much. You might not expect sewer and water lines to be a problem since they are buried deeply. But, since sewer and water lines tend to be wet, this may cause a problem. Cement walls shouldn’t cause too much trouble.

What can be inferred in this excerpt?

• Orange trees are more difficult to plant than lemon trees.

• The soil beneath patios is dryer than beneath cement walls.

• Tree roots are naturally drawn toward water.

• Orange trees do not require much water to grow properly.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.2

(1) Ferrets are very playful animals that act silly and express their love of life in a way that many of us find totally enchanting. (2) They explode out of their cages at play time, leaping and twisting and scampering, with an obvious joy that is contagious to the people observing them. (3) They require shots like other pets, and can pass on the influenza virus if infected. (4) A young ferret has enormous energy. (5) It endears itself to its owner just by its way of moving, rather like a large, furry inchworm.

Which sentence contains a negative detail of ferret ownership?

• Sentence 1

• Sentence 2

• Sentence 3

• Sentence 4

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

(1) Monarchs are large, beautifully colored butterflies that are easy to recognize by their striking orange, black, and white markings. (2) They live in North, Central, and South America as well as Australia, some Pacific Islands, India, and Western Europe. (3) The wingspan of a full-grown monarch can reach nearly five inches. (4) Scientists aren't sure how migrating monarchs know which way to go since they only live a few months, and none makes the journey more than once.

Which sentence contains the BEST detail for further research?

• Sentence 1

• Sentence 2

• Sentence 3

• Sentence 4

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.W.8.7

(1) As the classroom rhyme goes, Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492 and discovered America. (2) Children enjoy the story of the explorer we celebrate with a federal holiday on the second Monday of every October. (3) As historians have continued to learn and write more about the real life of Christopher Columbus, controversy has arisen over the validity of honoring the explorer as a hero. (4) Historians have uncovered extensive evidence of the damage wreaked by Columbus and his teams, leading to an outcry over emphasis placed upon studying and celebrating him in schools and public celebrations.

During which sentence does the tone of the excerpt begin to change?

• Sentence 1

• Sentence 2

• Sentence 3

• Sentence 4

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

(1) The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects the freedom of speech, religion and the press. (2) It also protects the right to peaceful protest and to petition the government. (3) Landmark Supreme Court cases have dealt with the right of citizens to protest U.S. involvement in foreign wars. (4) The amendment itself was adopted in 1791. (5) Flag burning and the publication of classified government documents have also been the subjects of Supreme Court cases.

Which sentences contain controversial details? Choose TWO.

• Sentence 2

• Sentence 3

• Sentence 4

• Sentence 5

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.8

(1) Humans have eaten land snails for centuries. (2) Snails are consumed in some parts of Europe, like France and Spain, where they are considered a delicacy. (3) However, some snails harbor parasites on their exterior that, once in the human body or that of other animals, can cause severe diseases. (4) Cooked snails also have a slight odor that may be unpleasant to some. (5) People who handle land snails should observe the proper hygiene precautions.

Which sentence explains the reason why people need to wash their hands before cooking snails?

• Sentence 2

• Sentence 3

• Sentence 4

• Sentence 5