8th Grade Falcon Pretest

Divide each word into syllables using slashes (/). Then identify the syllable pattern.

• in/cred/i/ble Pattern: VCCV

• in/cre/dib/le Pattern: VCV

• inc/re/di/ble Pattern: CVCV

• in/cre/di/ble Pattern: VCCCV

Answer explanation

The correct syllable division for 'incredible' is in/cred/i/ble, which follows the VCCV pattern. This means there are two consonants followed by a vowel in the first syllable, confirming the choice as the correct answer.

Divide each word into syllables using slashes (/). Then identify the syllable pattern.

• gov/ern/ment Pattern: VCCV

• go/vern/ment Pattern: VCV

• gov/er/nment Pattern: VCCCV

• gov/ern/ment Pattern: VCV

Answer explanation

The correct division of 'government' is gov/ern/ment, which has the syllable pattern VCCV. This means the first syllable has a vowel followed by two consonants, the second syllable has a vowel, and the last syllable has a consonant.

Divide the word 'biology' into syllables and identify the syllable pattern.

• bi/ol/o/gy Pattern: VCV

• bio/lo/gy Pattern: CVC

• bi/ol/ogy Pattern: VCC

• bi/olo/gy Pattern: CVV

Answer explanation

The word 'biology' divides into syllables as bi/ol/o/gy. The pattern is VCV (vowel-consonant-vowel) for the first and second syllables, making 'bi/ol/o/gy' the correct choice.

Divide each word into syllables using slashes (/). Then identify the syllable pattern.

• cel/e/bra/tion Pattern: VCV

• cel/eb/ra/tion Pattern: CVCV

• cele/bra/tion Pattern: VCCV

• ce/le/bra/tion Pattern: CVCC

Answer explanation

The correct syllable division is cel/e/bra/tion, which follows the VCV pattern. Each syllable contains a vowel sound, and the pattern indicates a vowel-consonant-vowel structure, confirming that this choice is accurate.

Divide the word 'democracy' into syllables and identify the syllable pattern.

• de/moc/ra/cy Pattern: VCCV

• dem/o/cra/cy Pattern: VCV

• de/mo/cra/cy Pattern: VCCCV

• de/mo/crac/y Pattern: VCVV

Answer explanation

The word 'democracy' is divided into syllables as de/moc/ra/cy. The correct syllable pattern is VCCV, where 'de' is a vowel (V), 'moc' is a consonant cluster (CC), 'ra' is a vowel (V), and 'cy' is a consonant (C).

Section B: Complex Vowel Patterns (5 minutes - 15 points) Directions: Circle the correct pronunciation for each underlined vowel pattern. 6. fatigue:

• /ɪ/ as in "sit"

• /iː/ as in "see"

• /aɪ/ as in "my"

Answer explanation

The correct pronunciation of 'fatigue' is /iː/ as in 'see'. This long vowel sound is represented by the 'a' in 'fatigue', distinguishing it from the other options which represent different vowel sounds.

Circle the correct pronunciation for each underlined vowel pattern. drought:

• /oʊ/ as in "go"

• /aʊ/ as in "how"

• /ʌ/ as in "up"

Answer explanation

The correct pronunciation of 'drought' is /aʊ/, as in 'how'. This vowel pattern represents the diphthong sound found in the word, distinguishing it from the other options which do not match.

Section B: Complex Vowel Patterns (5 minutes - 15 points) Directions: Circle the correct pronunciation for each underlined vowel pattern. 8. leisure:

• /eɪ/ as in "day"

• /iː/ as in "see"

• /ɛ/ as in "pet"

Answer explanation

The correct pronunciation of 'leisure' is /eɪ/, as in 'day'. This reflects the common pronunciation in American English, distinguishing it from the other options which do not match.

Section B: Complex Vowel Patterns (5 minutes - 15 points) Directions: Circle the correct pronunciation for each underlined vowel pattern. 9. gauge:

• /aʊ/ as in "how"

• /eɪ/ as in "day"

• /æ/ as in "cat"

Answer explanation

The correct pronunciation of 'gauge' is /eɪ/, as in 'day'. This reflects the vowel sound in 'gauge', which is a long vowel sound similar to that in 'day', distinguishing it from the other options.

Section B: Complex Vowel Patterns (5 minutes - 15 points) Directions: Circle the correct pronunciation for each underlined vowel pattern. 10. technique:

• /iː/ as in "see"

• /ɪ/ as in "sit"

• /eɪ/ as in "day"

Answer explanation

The correct pronunciation of 'technique' is /iː/, as in 'see'. This long vowel sound is consistent with the pronunciation of similar words, distinguishing it from the other options.