Springboard ELA Final Exam Review

Theme is..

• a struggle with another character/antagonist, event, or opposing force
• the sequence of events in a story
• the time and place; when and where the story occurs
• the message about life or human nature that is “hidden” in the story

In a spell of dry weather, when the Birds could find very little to drink, a thirsty Crow found a pitcher with a little water in it. But the pitcher was high and had a narrow neck, and no matter how he tried, the Crow could not reach the water. The poor thing felt as if he would die of thirst. Then an idea came to him. Picking up some small pebbles, he dropped them into the pitcher one by one. With each pebble the water rose a little higher until at last it was near enough so he could drink.
What is the theme?

• be persistent
• be honest
• always share with others
• respect your family

One summer's day, a merry Grasshopper was dancing, singing and playing his violin with all his heart. He saw an Ant passing by working hard to store food for the winter. “Come and sing with me instead of working so hard,” said the Grasshopper “Let’s have fun together.” “I must store food for the winter,” said the Ant,“ and I advise you to do the same.” “Don’t worry about winter, it’s still very far away,” said the Grasshopper, laughing at him. But the Ant wouldn’t listen and continued to work. When winter came, the starving Grasshopper went to the Ant’s house and humbly begged for something to eat. “If you had listened to my advice in the summer you would not now be in need,” said the Ant. “I’m afraid you will have to go without supper,” and he closed the door.
What is the theme?

• share with your neighbor
• work before you play
• be respectful
• don't be greedy

Every day after work Paul took his muddy boots off on the steps of the front porch.  Alice would have a fit if the boots made it so far as the welcome mat.  He then took off his dusty overalls and threw them into a plastic garbage bag; Alice left a new garbage bag tied to the porch railing for him every morning.  On his way in the house, he dropped the garbage bag off at the washing machine and went straight up the stairs to the shower as he was instructed.  He would eat dinner with her after he was "presentable," as Alice had often said.  
Based on the text, how do you know Paul works in construction?

• He has tools
• He goes straight up the stairs to shower
• His boots are muddy and his overalls are dusty
• He wears a hat

What is the weakest piece of evidence in the claim, "Mr. Coval is the worst teacher ever"?

• Most students prefer to work with Ms. Cunningham than Mr. Coval.
• According to his boss, Mr. Coval is often argumentative, and even sometimes lazy.
• His friends explain that growing up no one thought he would make it as a teacher. 
• 38% of students say they fall asleep in Mr. Coval's class on a weekly basis.

Which piece of evidence does not support the claim, "Owning a dog can improve a person's health."

• Studies show that having a dog increases the amount of physical activity a person does each day.
• Doctors believe that owning a dog increases a person's emotional state.
• Across the U.S., 64% of people prefer dogs to cats.
• Fulfilling the responsibilites of having a dog typically makes a person proud and more confident.

Select the letter for the topic sentence in the following paragraph.

• He was born in 1818.
• He was educated in the universities of Moscow and St. Petersburg.
• In 1852, he abandoned poetry and drama and devoted himself to fiction.
• Ivan Turgenev was a critically acclaimed Russian author.

What is the interrogative verb mood?

• Verb is expressing a question

• Verb is expressing a command

• Verb is indicating a conditional state

• Verb is expressing an assertion, facts, or opinions

Which of the following sentences is written in the interrogative mood?

• Ban cars and force people to use buses and trains that create less pollution.

• Would banning cars force people to use buses and trains that create less pollution?

• If we ban cars, we would force people to use buses and trains that create less pollution.

• We should ban cars; that way, people would be forced to use buses and trains that create less pollution.

Identify TWO articles from those listed that are likely to contradict each other, offering conflicting information on the topic of “ a dog’s sixth sense.”

• Studies Show That Compared with Cats, Dogs Bond more Strongly with People

• Scientists Prove Claims of Dogs’ “Sixth Sense” Are a Hoax

• A keen Sense of Smell in Dogs Helps Detect Cancers in Humans

• The Journal of Veterinarians Acknowledges Dogs May Have a “Sixth Sense”

• Trauma can Result in Dogs Overreaction to Sensory Stimulation.