Main Idea & Verbs

The Statue of Liberty is one of the most recognizable symbols of American liberty, but on occasion it has come close to losing its signature torch. Shortly after the light first debuted in New York City in 1886, it burned out as it was being tested. The light was repaired; however, it burned out again 12 years later. Finally, as the light shone in 1918 in honor of the end of World War I, it burned out again—damaging the existing torch so much that the whole fixture had to be replaced. 

The passage is mainly concerned with

• the creation of the Statue of Liberty

• the celebration of the end of World War I

• the problems with the Statue of Liberty’s torch

• important symbols of independence in the United States

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Guam is an island territory of the United States located along the western edge of the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean. Given Guam’s history as a colony of Spain and its political situation—it is an unincorporated territory of the United States—one might think that the name “Guam” is of Spanish or English origin. However, “Guam” is actually derived from the Chamorro phrase Guahan, meaning “we have,” the greeting given to Spanish sailors by fruit sellers from the Chamorro tribe, a group that settled the island almost 4,000 years ago.

The passage is mainly about

• how Guam got its name

• where Guam is located

• who governs Guam

• what happened to Guam in the past

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

The Granary Burying Ground in Boston, Massachusetts, is where you can find the tombs of thousands of Bostonians, many of whom played major roles in the American Revolution. John Hancock, the statesman and famous signer of the Declaration, was laid to rest there in 1793, and the patriot Paul Revere followed him in 1818. The graveyard quickly became one of the city’s most visited tourist attractions. According to historical documents, the two most-frequented sites in the whole state in 1900 were Boston Common and the adjacent Granary Burying Ground.

What is the author’s main purpose?

• To present to readers an interesting site to see

• To describe why a burial ground gets so many tourists

• To point out the final resting place of two significant Bostonians

• To contrast two famous sightseeing destinations

Answer explanation

the passage, as a whole, functions as a presentation of an interesting site to see: the first sentence introduces the Granary Burying Ground in general, the second sentence mentions specific notable figures buried there, and the third and fourth sentences describe its historic popularity.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.6

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.6

American inventor Thomas Edison is thought by most physics historians to have been the first to functionally use the power of electricity, and his 1878 invention of the lightbulb is legendary. Nevertheless, many Italians think of their native son Alessandro Volta, not Edison, as the first to successfully harness electricity. One day in 1800, according to his assistants’ accounts, Volta set up an electric circuit, connected his battery, and produced a brief current. Volta could not generate a strong or constant charge, but he achieved something nonetheless. 

What is the passage primarily discussing?

• The accomplishment of Alessandro Volta

• The difficulties in early electrical discoveries

• The first use of electricity in the United States

• The story of long-range electricity use

Answer explanation

the main focus of the passage is what Alessandro Volta accomplished.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Just downslope from its source in the Rocky Mountains, near the La Poudre Pass Lake, the Colorado River is almost 2 miles above sea level. However, elsewhere there are long stretches of the river as it nears its mouth (the Gulf of California), where the Colorado is a mere 100 feet above sea level.

The passage is mainly discussing the Colorado River’s

• depth

• length

• elevation

• location

Answer explanation

the passage is mostly concerned with the Colorado River’s elevation, as seen in the quotations the Colorado River is almost 2 miles above sea level and elsewhere ... the Colorado is a mere 100 feet above sea level.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

White Sands, in New Mexico, are the largest dune field in the United States.

Correct the underlined word

(a)  

• are

• they are

• being

• is

Answer explanation

the singular verb is agrees with the singular subject White Sands.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Yosemite Falls, in California, are the tallest waterfall in the United States.

Correct the underlined word.

(a)  

• are

• they are

• being

• is

Answer explanation

the singular verb is agrees with the singular subject Yosemite Falls, creating a complete sentence.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Yosemite Falls, in California, are the tallest waterfall in the United States.

Correct the underlined word

(a)  

• are

• being

• they are

• is

Answer explanation

he singular verb is agrees with the singular subject Yosemite Falls, creating a complete sentence.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

The class, in raincoats, were waiting to go outside for recess.

Correct the underlined word

(a)  

• were

• it was

• being

• was

Answer explanation

the singular verb was agrees with the singular subject class.

Tags

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.3.3C

CCSS.RF.3.3D

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

Unlike their cousin the zebra, horses do not have striped coats but instead is taller with long manes and tails, shorter ears, curved backs, and strong, muscular legs.

Correct the underlined word

(a)  

• is

• they is

• are
• they are

Answer explanation

the plural verb are agrees with the plural subject horses.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5