UNIT 1 Practice Test

Select the two sentences that best reflect the author’s point of view from "The Mystery and Wonder of Science" that science is the superior way to investigate the world around us.

• This sentence shows how ancient people explained the phenomenon of Giant's Causeway, not how the author views this.

• This sentence shows that the author's viewpoint is that only science can accurately explain natural phenomenon.

• The sentence describes a detail about scientific experimentation.

• This sentence reflects the author's conclusion that science was the superior method for explaining the remarkable rock of Giant's Causeway.

Tags

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.1

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.6

Sort each piece of textual evidence to show whether it supports the author’s central idea from "The Mystery and Wonder of Science"that science can explain natural wonders, or whether it supports other details in the text.

• Supports Central Idea

• And these miraculous giant columns were not explained by the work of mythical creatures but by the scientific method and engineering advances (p.6)!

• Other Detail

• Now, there was scientific proof: The geometric black columns formed a scorching 840-890 Degrees Celsius (p.5).

• Other Detail

• The structure looks exactly like a road trailing off into the ocean (p.1).

• Supports Central Idea

• To name a few locations, they can also be found in Iceland and at the famous Devil's Tower in Wyoming (p.7).

Tags

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.2

What is the best statement of the author’s purpose for writing "The Mystery and Wonder of Science"?

• The author wants to critique Lavallee’s experiment.
  

• The author wants to discuss a beautiful natural wonder.
  

• The author wants to show the superiority of interpreting our world through science.

• The author wants to make fun of myths and traditional beliefs.

Tags

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.6

What does the word basalt mean in paragraph 7 of "The Mystery and Wonder of Science"?

• Black volcanic rocks

• Tall rock columns

• Hexagonal rocks

• Sandy pillars

Tags

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.4.a

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.1

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.4

What phrase in "The Mystery and Wonder of Science" provides a clue to the meaning of basalt?

• “a road trailing off into the ocean” (paragraph 1)
  

• “a scorching 840-890 degrees Celsius.” (paragraph 5)

• “magnified images of familiar columns” (paragraph 7)
  

• “eerie, black rocks surrounding a volcanic crater” (paragraph 7)

Tags

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.4.a

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.1

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.4

“To do this, the scientist held the rocks with a huge grip that was able to withstand the high heat and apply pressure to the rocks at the same time" (p.3). What does this sentence most likely emphasize?

• High temperatures are dangerous elements in an experiment.
  

• Myths do not include heroes overcoming significant obstacles such as the one described.

• Scientists will go to ridiculous lengths to prove a point.
  

• The difficulty of conducting the experiment that proved the rocks were a natural formation.

Tags

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.1

Which two paragraphs from "The Cave of Eternal Night", best develop the theme that people’s individual strengths combine to create a strong friendship?

• Paragraphs 3 and 9

• Paragraphs 5 and 7

• Paragraphs 6 and 8

• Paragraphs 10 and 11

Tags

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.2

What is the first plot event in "The Cave of Eternal Night" that establishes the story’s mysterious tone?

• Chloe uses magic in the least dangerous passage.

• The team turns on their headlamps.

• Nicholas hears an unidentified sound, like a person breathing deeply.

• Nicholas notices a problem with his headlamp.

Tags

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.1

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.3

Which sentence from "The Cave of Eternal Night: identifies a later event that builds on the mysterious tone?

• “The adventurers pulled on their backpacks, turned on their headlamps, and entered the cave" (p.5).

• “The dust flew swiftly into the middle opening, causing Chloe to declare, ‘That one is the least dangerous" (p.7).

• “Nicholas had just ducked into the middle passage when they heard a giant WHOOSH and felt an insistent wind in their faces" (p.8).

• “‘Nicholas, that must have been bats leaving the cave to hunt,’ pointed out an unfazed Chloe as she extended a hand to help him get up" (p.9).

Tags

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.1

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.3

Using individual strengths to create a strong friendship or overcome obstacles is a recurring theme in traditional stories. Which sentences best shows how "The Cave of Eternal Night" has updated this theme?

• “The Cave of Eternal Night—Nicholas’s name for the rocky passage before them—awaited" (p.1).

• “The dust flew swiftly into the middle opening, causing Chloe to declare, ‘That one is the least dangerous" (p.7).

• “Chloe, I think the battery in my headlamp has run out,” he reported" (p.11).

• “‘Okay, we’ll know for sure if I just turn off my own light,’ Chloe responded, reaching up to her forehead" (p.12).

Tags

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.9