IA 1 Simulator

1. Leisure Activities Are Necessary

Most people participate in leisure activities, such as reading or playing sports, on a regular basis. Research shows that these activities benefit people's overall health and well-being.

Leisure activities improve physical health. People who participate in these activities are healthier and live longer. A study the National Library of Medicine published states, "Higher levels of participation in enjoyable activities relate to lower blood pressure, better sleep quality, and fitness in participants." Antwon Masters, a warehouse supervisor, states, "Most of the day, I sit indoors, in my office, working on my computer, but playing baseball on the weekends helps me exercise and stay fit."

Leisure activities improve mental health. Social activities, such as joining book clubs or theater groups, have proven to improve people's self-esteem. Samira Cohen, a psychology professor, states, "Participating in leisure activities helps people relax and unwind, which improves their mental well-being." Ramone Hernandez, a jazz musician, says, "Rehearsing a song with or just talking to my musical group of friends helps me feel calm and relaxed."

Some argue that leisure activities can distract people from their responsibilities. This argument, however, does not hold true. In fact, these activities improve people's physical and mental well-being, helping them become better members of society.

What evidence does the author present to support the idea that leisure activities are beneficial to people?

• A. Most people participate in leisure activities on a regular basis.

• B. Some leisure activities can distract people from their responsibilities.

• C. Leisure activities are related to lowered blood pressure.

• D. Engaging in leisure activities is better than working in an office.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

December 19, 1777, Friday

     I woke to sleet hitting the window and another sound I'd not heard before. A drumbeat. Papa came in from milking and said, "The soldiers are coming."

     Finally, through the gray, we saw them. Three officers on horseback led. We ran outside to cheer, but the men were quiet and thin. The sight of them took my breath away.

     "They have no shoes," Elizabeth whispered.

     We watched for several minutes as they passed by. We were unable to speak. Their footprints left blood in the snow. As I write this upstairs, my candle low and our room cold, I think I shall never again complain.

What statement is a good summary of the meaning of this selection?

• Soldiers choose their lot and deserve what they get.

• Always carry an extra pair of shoes when you are walking.

• Always cheer the soldiers who pass by your window.

• Sometimes our troubles seem small when we look at someone else's.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

Over the past decade researchers and dieticians have poured over information over how what we eat can be affecting our overall health.  Many commonalities arise, but one overshadows them all.  Clearly, eating nutrient rich foods from the produce section is an essential part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and can hold promising benefits for humans.  

Fruits and vegetables contain invaluable vitamins and nutrients that will fuel the body at the cellular level.  These foods also contain water and fiber, which provide additional benefits. Foods like lettuce, carrots, strawberries, beans, and broccoli can help improve skin, muscle, and digestive health.  Studies also link fruits and vegetables to decreases in potential heart disease and cancers.  

Of course, these benefits come at a price.  Freshly grown produce is more expensive to bring to the shelves than many ready-made snacks and meals.  It also has a much shorter shelf life and therefore must be consumed quickly making it an unattractive choice for people who have little time to plan out their meals.  Unfortunately, these downfalls often cause people to pass up the produce in favor of less healthy alternatives.  

Even so, it is recommended that people attempt to get produce on their plates at least once per meal.  Whether it is as simple as a handful of berries on cereal, a side salad with pizza, or lettuce and tomato on a burger, produce can bring an otherwise subpar plate a much-needed jolt of nutrition. 

Clearly, eating nutrient rich foods from the produce section is an essential part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and can hold promising benefits for humans.  

According to the article, what is one of the downfalls of fresh produce?

• It is extremely rare to find in nature

• It is too difficult for most people to prepare

• It is more expensive than more convenient, less healthy choices

• It is linked to heart disease

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

1. The Great Blue Heron

A common sight in ponds, marshes, and other wetlands, the Great Blue Heron is the largest heron in North America. If you have never seen one, the Great Blue is easy to spot. Its majestic body is colored slate gray with accents of chestnut and black. It also has long legs and a very long neck. To see a Great Blue Heron fly will take your breath away. With its 6-foot wingspan, it looks as big as a giant prehistoric bird. The adult Great Blue has a thick ruff of feathers at the base of the neck. It also sports a black eyebrow that connects to dramatic black plumes sticking out from the back of the head.

The Great Blue Heron is a highly adaptable bird. For this reason, it can be found in many different habitats. These herons make their homes in marshes or shallow bays, as well as on rivers and the shores of lakes. They have even been known to inhabit damp meadows. Colonies of Great Blues most typically are found in mature forests where they can make their nests high in the tall trees. They also may make their homes near mudflats or on islands. When no humans are nearby and there are places close at hand to forage for a meal, the Great Blue Heron will thrive and live a long time, around 8 years.

Based on the context, what does the author mean by the word forage?

• to capture one's prey

• to cook one's dinner

• to look around for food

• to hide from predators

Tags

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.L.8.4B

CCSS.RI.8.4

Read this sentence:

Due to his nervousness, Ned stammered many times while he spoke.

Complete the analogy. Stammer is to speech as:

• music is to hearing.

• bruise is to skin.

• limp is to movement.

• food is to taste.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5B

CCSS.RI.8.3

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

While Italy has many rivers, they tend to be short. At four hundred miles, the Po is the longest. South America, on the other hand has many long rivers. The Amazon, South America's longest river, is 3,500 miles longer than the Po.

The structure of the selection above can best be described as:

• compare and contrast.

• sequence.

• definition.

• cause and effect.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.3

In the Dark Year of the Raven, 13 men of the court plotted to take the throne of King Hugo. The king grew suspicious when he noticed that the men seemed to disappear at the same time after royal meetings. He sent his loyal foot soldier out to watch over their activities. He found them conspiring together to overthrow the king in an uncompleted workshop. Upon the discovery of the plot against the king, the conspirators were arrested. They were all imprisoned for their involvement for their crimes against the court.

Using your knowledge of how affixes change the meaning of a word, what is the meaning of the word disappear in the passage above?

• appear before

• come into view

• appear again

• vanish from sight

Tags

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.L.8.4B

CCSS.RL.8.4

1. charm, v. enchant, captivate, fascinate, mesmerize

charm, n. attraction, appeal, charisma

charm, n. ornament, trinket, accessory

Which word would best replace charm in the sentence below?

Morton had enough charm to win over even the coldest of hearts whenever he would smile.

• appeal

• fascinate

• trinket

• enchant

Tags

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.L.8.5C

CCSS.RL.8.4

1. The Great Wall is made of bricks, rocks, and earth. It is one of the biggest construction projects ever finished. The wall meanders through the mountains of northern China. It was originally about 3,000 miles long. Its walls are 15 to 30 feet thick and up to 25 feet high. During the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), the Great Wall was lengthened to about 4,000 miles. It was also renovated over a period of 200 years. In that time, cannons were inserted along the wall. Watch towers were also added.

     The Great Wall is a national treasure to the Chinese and one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world. It is estimated that as many as 10 million people visit it each year. Unfortunately, the wall has suffered greatly in recent years from damage and neglect. In 1987, the Great Wall was named a world cultural heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Which of the following sentences should be added to the first paragraph to support the idea that the Great Wall is one of the largest building projects ever built?

• A. For centuries in China, soldiers placed signal fires along the Great Wall to warn of approaching invaders.

• B. The wall is 9 to 12 feet wide at the top, wide enough for troops of soldiers or wagons.

• C. The Great Wall is so immense that it can be seen by astronauts orbiting around the earth.

• D. In recent history, accounts indicate that 150 million tourists have visited the Great Wall of China.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.W.8.1B

1. Mr. Jordan,

Ms. Lemon said that you needed to know how to get to Mr. Donaghy’s house, so here you go. Now, the first thing you want to do when leaving the office is take a left on McCormick. I know you’re probably thinking that it would be faster to take a right and go that way, but I assure you, Mr. Jordan, it isn’t the faster route. So, after you take the left, follow McCormick down to the traffic light, which is at the I-35 overpass. Take a right at the traffic light, but don’t get on the highway, just follow the access road down to the next traffic light, which is on McKinney. Take a left onto McKinney and stay on it until you get to the fifth traffic light, which is at East Sherman. Take a right there and follow the road down to the third traffic light, which is on Bell. Take a left at Bell, and Mr. Donaghy’s house will be on the left side on the second block. It’s the only house on the block, but I’m going to put a sign in the yard so that everybody attending the party can find it more easily.

What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage?

• To give the reader detailed directions to a specific location

• To inform the reader about a party taking place after work

• To persuade the reader to go to Mr. Donaghy’s house party

• To help the reader understand how to get around the city

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RI.8.6