Reading Test Bank 1

Which statement about Passage 1 most accurately analyzes the impact of specific word

choices on the meaning and tone of Harkins’s letter?

• Words like diffidence and incompetency in the first sentence cause the reader to regard

  Harkins as shy and unskilled.

• The formal language throughout the letter shows that Harkins deserves respect for his

  intellect and level of education.

• In paragraph 5, words like oppressive, gloom, horrors, and treachery give the

  impression that Harkins is a complainer.

• In paragraph 10, the words progenitors, sacred, and venerate reinforce the idea that the

  Choctaw respect their ancestors.

Answer explanation

Word choice and meaning

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

Which sentence from Passage 1 provides the clearest evidence that Harkins is optimistic

about a bright future for the Choctaw?

• “Believing that our all is at stake and knowing that you readily sympathize with the

  distressed of every country, I confidently throw myself upon your indulgence and ask

  you to listen patiently.” (paragraph 2)

• “Much as the state of Mississippi has wronged us, I cannot find in my heart any other

  sentiment than an ardent wish for her prosperity and happiness.” (paragraph 4)

• “Amid the gloom and horrors of the present separation, we are cheered with a hope that

  ere long we shall reach our destined land, and that nothing short of the basest acts of

  treachery will ever be able to wrest it from us, and that we may live free.” (paragraph 5)

• “A distant view of the opposite shore encourages the hope; to remain would be

  inevitable annihilation.” (paragraph 6)

Answer explanation

Text Structure

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.

Part A

Based on Passage 1, with which statement would the author agree?

• The state of Mississippi is within its rights to take over Choctaw territory.

• Only by sticking together will the Choctaw be able to preserve their culture.

• By forcing the Choctaw to leave, the state of Mississippi is treating them unfairly.

• Subsequent generations of Choctaw will be better off living outside of Mississippi.

Answer explanation

Central Idea

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

CCSS.RL.8.7

Part B

Which sentence from Passage 1 provides evidence for the answer in Part A?

• “We were hedged in by two evils, and we chose that which we thought the least.”

  (paragraph 3)

• “Although the legislature of the state were qualified to make laws for their own citizens,

  that did not qualify them to become law makers to a people that were so dissimilar in manners and customs as the Choctaws are to the Mississippians.” (paragraph 3)

• “Painful in the extreme is the mandate of our expulsion.” (paragraph 6)

• “We go forth sorrowful, knowing that wrong has been done.” (paragraph 9)

Answer explanation

Central idea

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

CCSS.RL.8.7

Read this sentence from Passage 2.

“It also declared that all Cherokee laws would be null and void after June 1830.” (paragraph 13)

What is the definition of the word "void", as it is used in the passage?

• not binding

• a feeling of emptiness

• an open space

• containing nothing

Answer explanation

Word choice and meaning

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

Read this sentence from Passage 2.

“The Cherokee were determined to hold on to what they still had in Georgia, and they made moves to assimilate into the culture of the United States.” (paragraph 12)

What information in the paragraph provides a context clue about the meaning of the word "assimilate"?

• The Cherokee transferred land to the state of Georgia.

• The Cherokee passed a law about future land transfers.

• The Cherokee adopted a republican form of government.

• Gold was discovered on Cherokee land.

Answer explanation

Context clues

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

What is the author’s primary purpose in Passage 2?

• to show the history of land transfer between states and Native Americans

• to expose Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson as unfair presidents

• to inform the reader about the history leading up to the Trail of Tears

• to make the reader feel guilty for past injustices regarding Native Americans

Answer explanation

Author's purpose

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.6

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.9-10.6

CCSS.RI.8.6

Which sentence from Passage 3 provides the clearest evidence that children were mistreated

during the Boarding School Era?

• “With the passage of the Indian Civilization Act Fund, the government allocated $10,000

  per year for the purpose of educating Native American children in the religion, language,

  and customs of their oppressors.” (paragraph 17)

• “When they arrived at their schools, students were given English names, short haircuts

  (for the boys), and uniforms.” (paragraph 18)

• “They were forbidden to speak their own languages and were physically punished if

  they did so.” (paragraph 18)

• “Many schools were overcrowded and had poor sanitary conditions, so infectious

  diseases spread easily.” (paragraph 18)

Answer explanation

Cite Text Evidence

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

Which group of words from Passage 3 best conveys the idea that some specific Native

American traditions and culture were taken away during the Boarding School Era?

• policy, overcrowded, sanitary

• separated, government, conditions

• parents, missionaries, infectious

• haircuts, language, forbidden

Answer explanation

Word choice and meaning

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

How does the text structure used in Passages 2 and 3 contribute to the author’s purpose?

• The compare-and-contrast structure shows the difference between good and bad

  policies.

• The cause-and-effect structure tells why Native Americans were treated poorly.

• The chronology structure shows the progression of how the U.S. treated Native

  Americans.

• The problem-and-solution structure supports the idea that there was an “Indian

  problem.”

Answer explanation

Text Structure

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.6

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.9-10.6

CCSS.RL.11-12.6