English II EOC Review

Dear Ms. Langston,

Ever since I hit your car in the parking lot last week, I've felt really bad. I know that my accident inconvenienced you and ruined your plans for a vacation. I hope that you can forgive me. From now on, I promise to be more careful when driving through a busy parking lot. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you or your family.

What is the tone of the letter?

• A. affectionate

• irreverent

• scornful

• apologetic

Me

I'm captain of the soccer team

And scored the winning goal.

I'm strong and smart and good at math

And I'm on the honor roll.

I have perfect, chiseled cheekbones,

And I dress the latest fads.

You can see my flawless, handsome face

On several TV ads.

This year, I won the talent show

And was homecoming king

And got the lead in the school play

And won lots of other things.

The girls think I'm the coolest guy.

My rank is understood.

Do you wonder why I always win?

It's cuz I'm just that good.

What is the tone of the poem?

• arrogant

• dejected

• ashamed

• respectful

The Chicago Cubs are a baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. The team has a longer history than most other professional teams—including basketball, football, and hockey. What most sets them apart from other professional sports franchises, however, is that the Chicago Cubs have had the longest championship drought of any franchise in all professional sports. In fact, the last time the Chicago Cubs won a World Series was in 1908. They are often referred to as The Cubbies or as The Lovable Losers by their significant national fan following.

What is the purpose to the encyclopedia article above?

• A. to persuade the reader that the Cubs are due for a championship

• B. to entertain the reader with a story about a win less baseball team

• C. to instruct the reader on how not to have a win less baseball season

• D. to inform the reader about a historic, yet luckless, baseball team

A Boy with Dreams

by A. Gautam

Willy waited every night to wake up and turn into Batman.

He had the jaw that looked intimidating in a cowl,

and the perfect chin with a hint of toughness—

full lips—an embodiment of strength.

But he had the eyes of a poet—searching meaning,

and looking beyond what is seen.

When he looked at the city from his balcony,

he was learning to swim in the world—

growing up to be a man was tougher than it seemed.

He was a boy with dreams.

He wanted wings.

Which statement best describes the purpose of this passage?

• A. It's a persuasive selection on how to sleep and dream.

• B. It's an entertaining piece about a young boy's dreams.

• C. It's an instructive work on how to live and dream big.

• D. It's an informative article about a confused dreamer.

Want to stay healthy and help the Earth at the same time? On August 1, Trekkers will release the Ergo-Pack, an ergonomically designed backpack made from 100% recycled material. According to Trekkers' president Tamara Osteen, "At Trekkers, we are all about keeping kids healthy. That is why we are excited to release this one-of-a-kind product that kids will love. The Ergo-Pack will protect them while protecting the Earth.“ Osteen says that the Ergo-Pack was designed to answer an ongoing complaint of many parents—heavy backpacks causing severe back pain in children of all ages. The Ergo-Pack is specially designed to pull the weight off of the child's back by evenly distributing it so excess pressure is not put on the lower back and spine, which can cause pain and injury.

Which of the following statements best describes the purpose of this passage?

• A. It entertains readers with a story about helping the environment.

• B. It informs readers about the process of making the Ergo-Pack.

• C. It persuades readers to learn how to protect their backs.

• D. It advertises a product made by a luggage company to readers.

The fact is, teenagers who are still growing need 9 or 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep a night. Do most children get that much? It's highly unlikely. In the United States alone, an estimated 30% to 40% don't get adequate sleep. Most teenagers try to stay up later than they're allowed—to watch a favorite TV show or chat online. Parents often give in to the teenager's plea, and the cycle begins. The teen goes to sleep progressively later every night, and pretty soon, he or she is sleep deprived.

How does the underlined sentence help to advance the author's point of view?

• A. The statistic makes it clear that most kids in the United States get plenty of sleep.

• B. The statistic gives weight to the author's claim that kids don't get enough sleep.

• C. The statistic is meant to show that sleep deprivation only affects a few people.

• D. The statistic compares kids in the United States to those in other countries.

No travel destination can beat China for its fascinating history, from the mysterious dynasties of ancient times to the economic powerhouse it is today. Take a tour with Paradise Travel, and you'll be treated to a feast for the senses in the spectacular cities of Beijing, Shanghai, and others as you cruise the Yangtze River! Come experience for yourself China's fast-paced cities, eye-popping scenery, and polite and friendly people. Book now for supersaver tours that will fit any budget.

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

• A. to convince readers to book a tour with Paradise Travel

• B. to inform the audience about the history of China

• C. to entertain readers with travel stories from far-off lands

• D. to instruct readers in what sights they should see in China

ripple by Carl Sandburg

Once when I saw a cripple

Gasping slowly his last days with the white plague,

Looking from hollow eyes, calling for air,

Desperately gesturing with wasted hands

In the dark and dust of a house down in a slum,

I said to myself

I would rather have been a tall sunflower

Living in a country garden

Lifting a golden-brown face to the summer,

Rain-washed and dew-misted,

Mixed with the poppies and ranking hollyhocks,

And wonderingly watching night after night

The clear silent processionals of stars.

Which statement best describes the main theme of the poem?

• A. Escape in nature's beauty.

• B. Pity the unfortunate.

• C. Take care of the disabled.

• D. Life is like a sunflower.

ORME, Tennessee (Reuters) - A small town tucked away in the mountains of southern Tennessee is getting by on just a few hours of water a day. Its spring has run dry in the drought sweeping the Southeast. Each evening, residents wait for Mayor Tony Reames to make the short drive from his home up to a water tower on a wooded hill above the town to open a valve. When the water is flowing families can fill buckets and water jars, do laundry, take showers and wash dishes before the faucets run dry and they wait for the next evening. Resident Julie Hoover described Orme as a "hideaway" and a "piece of heaven." It was safe and everyone knew each other, but she said the water shortage had created serious problems.

Which best describes the main theme of this passage?

• A. People need to remember the past.

• B. People need to take shorter showers.

• C. People need to try to resist change.

• D. People need to adapt for survival.

Wherever he goes, the esteemed Dr. Sanchez is applauded for his life saving research. What does “esteemed” mean?

• A. held over boiling water

• B. very old

• C. unable to chew gum

• D. greatly admired