Test Prep 7/8th Grade ELA

What is the main theme of the passage?

In the heart of the bustling city, there was a small, hidden garden that few people knew about. It was a place of tranquility amidst the chaos, where the sound of traffic was replaced by the gentle rustling of leaves and the soft chirping of birds. The garden was tended by an elderly man named Mr. Thompson, who had dedicated his life to preserving this little piece of paradise. Every morning, he would arrive with his tools and a thermos of tea, ready to prune the roses and water the lilies. The garden was his sanctuary, a place where he could escape the noise and stress of the outside world.

One day, a young girl named Lily stumbled upon the garden while exploring the city. She was immediately captivated by its beauty and the sense of peace it offered. As she wandered through the rows of flowers, she met Mr. Thompson, who welcomed her with a warm smile. Over time, Lily became a regular visitor, helping Mr. Thompson with his gardening tasks and learning about the different plants. The garden became a place of friendship and learning, where the old and the young shared stories and laughter.

• The importance of preserving nature

• The challenges of city life

• The value of friendship across generations

• The beauty of solitude

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

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

In the heart of the bustling city, there was a small, hidden garden that few people knew about. It was a place of tranquility amidst the chaos, where the sound of traffic was replaced by the gentle rustling of leaves and the soft chirping of birds. The garden was tended by an elderly man named Mr. Thompson, who had dedicated his life to preserving this little piece of paradise. Every morning, he would arrive with his tools and a thermos of tea, ready to prune the roses and water the lilies. The garden was his sanctuary, a place where he could escape the noise and stress of the outside world.

One day, a young girl named Lily stumbled upon the garden while exploring the city. She was immediately captivated by its beauty and the sense of peace it offered. As she wandered through the rows of flowers, she met Mr. Thompson, who welcomed her with a warm smile. Over time, Lily became a regular visitor, helping Mr. Thompson with his gardening tasks and learning about the different plants. The garden became a place of friendship and learning, where the old and the young shared stories and laughter.

• To inform readers about gardening techniques

• To entertain readers with a heartwarming story

• To persuade readers to visit the city

• To describe the life of an elderly man

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.6

CCSS.RI.6.9

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RL.7.6

Which literary device is used in the sentence: "The garden was his sanctuary, a place where he could escape the noise and stress of the outside world"?

In the heart of the bustling city, there was a small, hidden garden that few people knew about. It was a place of tranquility amidst the chaos, where the sound of traffic was replaced by the gentle rustling of leaves and the soft chirping of birds. The garden was tended by an elderly man named Mr. Thompson, who had dedicated his life to preserving this little piece of paradise. Every morning, he would arrive with his tools and a thermos of tea, ready to prune the roses and water the lilies. The garden was his sanctuary, a place where he could escape the noise and stress of the outside world.

One day, a young girl named Lily stumbled upon the garden while exploring the city. She was immediately captivated by its beauty and the sense of peace it offered. As she wandered through the rows of flowers, she met Mr. Thompson, who welcomed her with a warm smile. Over time, Lily became a regular visitor, helping Mr. Thompson with his gardening tasks and learning about the different plants. The garden became a place of friendship and learning, where the old and the young shared stories and laughter.

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification

• Hyperbole

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

What is the central idea of the passage?

The old library stood at the corner of Maple Street, its brick walls covered in ivy and its windows clouded with dust. Inside, the air was thick with the smell of aged paper and leather bindings. It was a place that seemed forgotten by time, yet it held a treasure trove of stories waiting to be discovered. Among the shelves, a young boy named Alex spent his afternoons, lost in the pages of adventure and mystery. The librarian, Mrs. Jenkins, watched him with a knowing smile, remembering her own childhood spent in the company of books.

One rainy afternoon, as the storm raged outside, Alex stumbled upon a book that seemed out of place. Its cover was worn, and its pages yellowed with age. As he opened it, he was transported to a world of knights and dragons, of quests and bravery. The library, with its creaky floors and dim lighting, became a castle, and Alex, a brave knight on a quest. It was in these moments that Alex realized the true magic of books: their ability to transport readers to worlds beyond their own.

• The library is a place of mystery and adventure

• Books are outdated and forgotten

• Libraries are important community centers

• Reading is a solitary activity

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

What inference can be made about Alex's feelings towards the library?

The old library stood at the corner of Maple Street, its brick walls covered in ivy and its windows clouded with dust. Inside, the air was thick with the smell of aged paper and leather bindings. It was a place that seemed forgotten by time, yet it held a treasure trove of stories waiting to be discovered. Among the shelves, a young boy named Alex spent his afternoons, lost in the pages of adventure and mystery. The librarian, Mrs. Jenkins, watched him with a knowing smile, remembering her own childhood spent in the company of books.

One rainy afternoon, as the storm raged outside, Alex stumbled upon a book that seemed out of place. Its cover was worn, and its pages yellowed with age. As he opened it, he was transported to a world of knights and dragons, of quests and bravery. The library, with its creaky floors and dim lighting, became a castle, and Alex, a brave knight on a quest. It was in these moments that Alex realized the true magic of books: their ability to transport readers to worlds beyond their own.

• He finds it boring and outdated

• He sees it as a place of endless possibilities

• He is indifferent to its charm

• He feels trapped and confined

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

What is the main idea of the passage?

The invention of the printing press in the 15th century revolutionized the way information was disseminated. Before its invention, books were painstakingly copied by hand, a process that was both time-consuming and expensive. The printing press allowed for the mass production of books, making them more accessible to the general public. This democratization of knowledge led to an increase in literacy rates and the spread of new ideas.

One of the most significant impacts of the printing press was its role in the Protestant Reformation. Reformers like Martin Luther were able to distribute their writings widely, challenging the authority of the Catholic Church and promoting religious reform. The printing press also facilitated the Scientific Revolution, as scientists could share their discoveries and build upon each other's work more easily.

• The printing press made books more expensive

• The printing press was invented in the 16th century

• The printing press had a significant impact on society

• The printing press was used only for religious texts

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

How did the printing press contribute to the Protestant Reformation?

The invention of the printing press in the 15th century revolutionized the way information was disseminated. Before its invention, books were painstakingly copied by hand, a process that was both time-consuming and expensive. The printing press allowed for the mass production of books, making them more accessible to the general public. This democratization of knowledge led to an increase in literacy rates and the spread of new ideas.

One of the most significant impacts of the printing press was its role in the Protestant Reformation. Reformers like Martin Luther were able to distribute their writings widely, challenging the authority of the Catholic Church and promoting religious reform. The printing press also facilitated the Scientific Revolution, as scientists could share their discoveries and build upon each other's work more easily.

• By making religious texts more expensive

• By allowing reformers to distribute their writings widely

• By preventing the spread of new ideas

• By supporting the authority of the Catholic Church

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.3

CCSS.RI.5.3

CCSS.RI.6.3

CCSS.RI.7.3

CCSS.RI.8.3

What inference can be made about the impact of the printing press on literacy rates?

The invention of the printing press in the 15th century revolutionized the way information was disseminated. Before its invention, books were painstakingly copied by hand, a process that was both time-consuming and expensive. The printing press allowed for the mass production of books, making them more accessible to the general public. This democratization of knowledge led to an increase in literacy rates and the spread of new ideas.

One of the most significant impacts of the printing press was its role in the Protestant Reformation. Reformers like Martin Luther were able to distribute their writings widely, challenging the authority of the Catholic Church and promoting religious reform. The printing press also facilitated the Scientific Revolution, as scientists could share their discoveries and build upon each other's work more easily.

• Literacy rates decreased because books became less valuable

• Literacy rates increased because books became more accessible

• Literacy rates remained the same because books were still rare

• Literacy rates decreased because people preferred oral stories

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

What is the main focus of the passage?

The Industrial Revolution, which began in the late 18th century, marked a major turning point in history. It was a period of rapid industrialization and urbanization, characterized by the development of new technologies and the rise of factories. This era saw the invention of the steam engine, which revolutionized transportation and manufacturing, and the growth of cities as people moved from rural areas in search of work.

However, the Industrial Revolution also brought about significant social and environmental challenges. The rise of factories led to poor working conditions, with long hours and low wages for laborers. Child labor was rampant, and many families lived in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. Additionally, the increase in industrial activity contributed to environmental pollution, with smoke and waste from factories contaminating the air and water.

• The benefits of the Industrial Revolution

• The challenges of urbanization

• The impact of the Industrial Revolution on society

• The invention of the steam engine

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

What inference can be made about the working conditions during the Industrial Revolution?

The Industrial Revolution, which began in the late 18th century, marked a major turning point in history. It was a period of rapid industrialization and urbanization, characterized by the development of new technologies and the rise of factories. This era saw the invention of the steam engine, which revolutionized transportation and manufacturing, and the growth of cities as people moved from rural areas in search of work.

However, the Industrial Revolution also brought about significant social and environmental challenges. The rise of factories led to poor working conditions, with long hours and low wages for laborers. Child labor was rampant, and many families lived in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. Additionally, the increase in industrial activity contributed to environmental pollution, with smoke and waste from factories contaminating the air and water.

• They were safe and well-regulated

• They were harsh and exploitative

• They were luxurious and comfortable

• They were similar to modern-day conditions

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2