8th Grade 2023 ELA State Exam S2- Excerpt from "The Almost King"

How does the author’s description of Aleks’s plan in paragraph 1 impact the tone of the story?

• It creates irony because everything happens the way Aleks thinks it will.

• It creates confidence that Aleks will succeed because he knows what he must do.

• It creates suspense as the reader wonders if something will go wrong for Aleks.

• It creates confusion because not everything happens the way Aleks wants it to.

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CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

What important idea does the author develop in paragraphs 1 and 2?

• The Tellus army is poorly prepared for action.

• Aleks has a plan that is based on the army’s routines.

• Aleks is unsure about which office has his army enlistment papers.

• The Tellus army guards will soon return to the barracks from dinner.

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CCSS.RI.1.1

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

Which sentence states a theme of paragraph 3?

• Overconfidence can lead to carelessness.

• Pride in one’s kingdom is essential to military success.

• Pain can prevent a person from reaching one’s goal.

• Trust is difficult to establish and maintain.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

How does Aleks’s attitude change in paragraph 5?

• It shifts from exhausted to curious.

• It shifts from panicked to confident.

• It shifts from distracted to focused.

• It shifts from annoyed to surprised.

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CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

The saying “Don’t let anything stop you” is an encouragement to pursue and achieve a goal despite

obstacles. Which quotation from the story best reflects this idea?

• “After that . . . he would find a way out. There had to be one somewhere.” (paragraph 1)

• “Luckily, the door was unlocked and the room empty; Shulga had obviously gone straight

  from the time-out room to dinner.” (paragraph 3)

• “Aleks glanced at the clock; he knew he shouldn’t, but he’d always been the curious type.”

  (paragraph 6)

• “A quick glance through the glass panel showed the corridor to be empty, so Aleks

  slipped from the room.” (paragraph 9)

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CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Read these sentences from paragraph 12.

‘We need to be quiet, boy. No getting excited.’

What do these sentences reveal about Aleks?

• He is aware that dangers may still await him.

• He is questioning his decision to leave the army.

• He is unfamiliar with how this horse will react.

• He is reconsidering his plan of escape.

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CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Which sentence would be most important to include in a summary of the story?

• Aleks notices that Shulga’s office is decorated the same as Antova’s office.

• Aleks finds an Anglyan journal in a secret compartment in Shulga’s office.

• Aleks fears someone is coming when he hears a door slam in the building.

• Aleks slows his pace to avoid suspicion as he approaches the stables.

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CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

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CCSS.RL.9-10.2