wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

NEW

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

8th Grade ELA Semester Exam

Total questions: 41

Worksheet time: 4hrs 18mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
What is the main idea of the following paragraph?

Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests. Sumo wrestling is a sport that started in Japan. It takes place in a ring. Two players try to score points by holding each other down or pushing each other out of the ring. Robot sumo uses robots instead of humans. The robot that scores the most points wins
.
a)
Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests. 
b)
Sumo wrestling is a sport.
c)
Robots hold each other down in sumo wrestling.
d)
Robots that score more points will win.
2.
4. Which of the following is a supporting detail of this paragraph?
Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests. Sumo wrestling is a sport that started in Japan. It takes place in a ring. Two players try to score points by holding each other down or pushing each other out of the ring. Robot sumo uses robots instead of humans. The robot that scores the most points wins.
a)
Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests
b)
Robots sumo contests are better than human sumo contests.
c)
Robot sumo uses robots instead of humans.
d)
Watching robot sumo is boring.
3.
What is the main idea of the following paragraph?
Mother gorillas do a lot for their babies. They nurse their babies. They protect them from danger. And they teach the tiny gorillas how to get along with other gorillas.
a)
Mother gorillas do a lot for their babies.
b)
The baby gorillas are very small.
c)
Baby gorillas need their mothers a lot.
d)
Mothers gorillas protect their babies.
4.
What is one supporting details from the text?
Mother gorillas do a lot for their babies. They nurse their babies. They protect them from danger. And they teach the tiny gorillas how to get along with other gorillas.
a)
Mother gorillas do a lot for their babies.
b)
They teach the tiny gorillas how to get along with other gorillas.
c)
Baby gorillas need their mothers a lot.
d)
Mother gorillas prefer to keep their babies safe.
5.
What is a topic sentence?
a)
Topic sentences are always the start of any paragraph and usually contain the main idea of the paragraph.
b)
Details located within a text.
c)
Concluding statements.
d)
None of the above.
6.
Why is it important to locate a main idea? How will it help you?
a)
Locating the main idea will help you comprehend a text better.
b)
It will help you learn more about a subject.
c)
It does not really help you much.
d)
None of the answers fit the question.
7.
What is the main idea of a reading selection?
a)
The supporting ideas in a text that show proof.
b)
What the text is mainly about.
c)
A conclusion statement
d)
A full and complete sentence.
8.

This feature explains what the illustration/photograph is.

a)

Glossary

b)

Index

c)

Table of contents

d)

Caption

9.

This is an example of _______________.

a)

a table of contents page

b)

an index page

c)

a glossary

d)

a title page

10.

This is a ________________.

a)

caption

b)

diagram

c)

map

d)

label

11.

Which text feature would you use to find the names of all chapters in a book and the pages where they started?

a)

a title

b)

captions

c)

the table of contents

d)

the glossary

12.

Which text feature would tell you the major topic or main idea in one chapter of a text?

a)

the title

b)

the caption

c)

the glossary

d)

the table of contents

13.

If a word is in bold, italics, or underlined, it might be _______.

a)

a less important detail

b)

spelled correctly

c)

information you should skip

d)

a new word to learn

14.

Cynthia doesn't understand what's going on in a picture in her book. What can she do?

a)

look in the table of contents

b)

look for a graph

c)

read the caption

d)

stare at it for three minutes

15.
In the book she's reading, Jenny sees a picture of a plant with different parts labeled. This is a ________.
a)
diagram
b)
table
c)
caption
d)
vocabulary word
16.

Nonfiction books never contain text features?

a)

True

b)

False

17.

This feature will list the important words in alphabetical order and give you the page number to find the word.

a)

Index

b)

Table of contents

c)

Glossary

d)

Diagram

18.

Read the passage and determine its text structure!


You may think it’s bad to forget your homework, but what if you forgot who you were? Amnesia is a condition where a person loses some of their memories, like details about their personal identity, but still may remember how to do things, like play a piano. One type of Amnesia is called post-traumatic amnesia. Post-traumatic amnesia is usually due to a head injury (like a serious fall or knock on the head). The degree of memory loss may be related to the force of the injury. A simple whiplash may cause a person to forget the moments before the accident, but a more severe injury may cause a greater loss. For example, the victim may not remember who certain people are or may forget details about their own identities.

a)

Compare and Contrast

b)

Cause and Effect

c)

Sequential

d)

Problem and Solution

19.

Read the passage and determine its text structure!


Ansel Bourne was a preacher, carpenter, and most likely an inspiration for the name “Bourne” in the movie and novel series, The Bourne Identity. Up until 1857, Bourne had been a carpenter, until he was called to religion. After 1858, he worked as an evangelical preacher, until 1887. He set up shop in Norristown, Pennsylvania, as a candy maker using the name A.J. Brown. Three months later, he woke up not knowing where he was, with no memory of the previous months. The case of Mr. Bourne has fascinated psychologists, and some film makers, for years.

a)

Compare and Contrast

b)

Cause and Effect

c)

Sequential

d)

Chronological

20.

Read the passage and determine its text structure!


The term Amnesia refers to complete or partial memory loss. Almost all of us will experience some form of Amnesia in our lives, even if it’s just a simple case of verbal amnesia, like forgetting someone’s name. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to prevent amnesia. Here is a list of foods that you can eat to improve your memory: almonds, walnuts, bananas, honey, apples, and black pepper. Though these foods may not reverse post-traumatic amnesia, they should improve your memory in daily life if you eat them regularly enough.

a)

Compare and Contrast

b)

Cause and Effect

c)

Sequential

d)

Problem and Solution

21.

Read the passage and determine its text structure!


What do Finding Nemo and Robocop have in common? Not much, except that they both feature characters who suffer amnesia. Amnesia is a common plot device in movies and TV shows, but how accurate are these depictions? In television and movies, memory loss caused by a knock to the head (post-traumatic amnesia) is shown as fairly common, when it is actually quite rare. Unlike in movies and television shows that feature amnesia, most knocks to the head will not produce memory loss. In reality, memory loss or amnesia is much more likely to occur as the result of a stroke, brain infection, or brain surgery. So while amnesia causes people or characters to lose memories in both film and reality, characters are usually “fixed” by taking another knock to the head. In reality, people are not cured so simply.

a)

Compare and Contrast

b)

Cause and Effect

c)

Descriptive/Spatial

d)

Problem and Solution

22.

Read the passage and determine its text structure!


The brain is the most complicated system in the human body. The brain is separated into two hemispheres or halves. From front to back, the brain is further divided into three parts: the forebrain, the midbrain, and the hindbrain. The forebrain is where most reasoning, thinking, and emotional activity occur. It is also where most memories are stored. The midbrain controls reflexes and process sensory information (sight, touch, taste, etc.) The hind brain processes basic survival functions, like breathing and maintaining heart beat. The brain is truly the most amazing system in the human body.

a)

Compare and Contrast

b)

Cause and Effect

c)

Descriptive/Spatial

d)

Sequential

23.

Turn over a bag of potato chips. Is the label interesting? A simple food recipe may use several ingredients. These come from the soil and from chemistry labs around the world. Surprises also show up in the labels on clothing and other products. Look at the label on a package of lipstick. The tube seems small and shiny, but inside lipstick there is soap, oil, fish scales, and wax!


Which is the best way to summarize this passage?

a)

A bag of potato chips seems like a simple recipe. There are many ingredients from the soil and from chemistry labs.

b)

Clothes and other products have many ingredients as well. Lipstick alone has soap, oil, wax, and fish scales.

c)

Labels show what goes into food, clothing, and other products. A simple product may have many ingredients.

d)

Lipstick seems small and shiny. Look at the label sometime. It has at least four different ingredients.

24.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup will be held in Brazil. It will be the 20th year of the World Cup. Brazil was chosen in October of 2007 to host the 2014 competition. Earlier in the year, South America had been chosen as the continent for the contest. Brazil was the only country to put in a bid. This is the second time Brazil will host the World Cup. The country hosted it in 1950. It is the first World Cup to be held in South America since 1978, when Argentina hosted. No other South American country has hosted the World Cup more than once.


The summary of this passage is:

a)

The 20th World Cup will take place in 2014. In 2007, it was decided that the competition would be held in South America. It is the first World Cup in South America since 1978.

b)

In October 2007, Brazil was chosen to host the 20th World Cup. Brazil has already hosted the World Cup before. 1978 was the last time a South American country hosted the World Cup.

c)

The 2014 World Cup will be held in Brazil. It is the second time Brazil has been chosen to host the World Cup. Brazil is the only South American country to host the World Cup twice.

d)

Early in 2007, South America was chosen as the continent for the 20th World Cup. Brazil was the only country that put in a bid. Brazil hosted the World Cup before in 1950.

25.

GameFAQs is a Web site that hosts walkthroughs for video games. It also has answers to many frequently asked questions to popular video games. The website was created in November 1995 by Jeff Veasey. The site has a lot of video game information. It is a place where gamers can get almost any information about games. It covers systems from the Atari to the Xbox 360. The Web site also covers computer games. The information on the Web site is given by volunteer gamers. Then, it is reviewed by the site's two editors, Jeff Veasey and Allen Tyner. The Web site also has a large message board community. Every game listed on the site has a board for discussion or game help.


The summary of this passage is:

a)

GameFAQs has a lot of information about video games. It helps people with questions they have about games. It also gives them information on how to play the games well. Users can post messages on the message boards.

b)

GameFAQs is a good Web site that allows gamers to discuss all kinds of video and computer games. It was started in November 1995. Allen Tyner is one of the two editors who checks the information volunteers put on the Web site.

c)

GameFAQs is a Web site that helps video gamers with their games. It was created in 1995 and covers old and new video and computer games. The site is run by two editors, who check volunteer information before putting it on the site.

d)

GameFAQs has information on old and new video games. It has information for Xbox 360 games like Halo. It also has several message boards where gamers can discuss their favorite computer games. It was created by Jeff Veasey.

26.
When making an inference, the most important thing is...
a)
What you know about the topic
b)
The topic of the text
c)
The characters in the text
d)
Being able to prove your inference using evidence from the text.
27.
Tim looked out the window. The house looked so lonely. Tim's father put the last suitcase in the trunk and started up the car. Thor, his dog, put his head on Tim's lap, like he understood how  Tim was feeling. "It's okay Thor," he said, "Dad says we will like California." What is happening?
a)
Tim is sad because his dog doesn't have a house to live in.
b)
Tim is taking a trip to visit peolpe he doesn't know.
c)
Tim is taking Thor to live with his grandmother.
d)
Tim is moving to California with his family.
28.
Joseph and Caitlin were choosing the players for their teams. It was Caitlin's turn to choose, and only Jason was left. Caitlin said, "Jason."

We can infer that…
a)
Jason was the best player.
b)
Caitlin wanted Jason on her team.
c)
Jason was not a very good player.
d)
Caitlin had a hard time choosing a team member.
29.
Rachel was on her way to volunteer at the animal shelter.  She was very excited!  She really liked dogs.  Her brother was allergic to dogs, however, so she was rarely around them.  Rachel had a lot of fun playing with the puppies, but after her shift, itchy bumps appeared on her arms.
It is likely that:
a)
Mosquitoes bit Rachel
b)
Rachel is allergic to dogs, too
c)
Rachel fell in poison ivy
d)
Rachel was already sick
30.
As I walked in the door, I was amazed at the beautiful colors and smells. I knew it would be hard to decide what I would buy with my $3. The chocolate truffles looked delicious, but they were expensive. The jelly beans were not only cheaper, but so colorful! With so much to choose from, I knew I would be here a long time. Where am I?
a)
Gas station
b)
Candy store
c)
Grocery store
d)
Shoe store
31.
Mike had fun hiking in the woods and doing crafts.  He also really enjoyed the campfire sing-a-long and had made a lot of new friends. Still, he was glad that tomorrow he would be going home.
Where is Mike?
a)
at camp
b)
at a slumber party
c)
on a picnic
d)
in California 
32.
"In math, I am allowed to use a rechner when I have to simplify fractions.  A rechner helps me divide larger numbers without having to use my pencil." Based on the context clues, what is a rechner?
a)
A) calculator
b)
B) escalator
c)
C) compass
d)
D) numerator
33.
"While playing football, Jake broke his bein.  For three weeks he wore a cast and needed crutches to help him walk." Based on the context clues, what does bein mean?
a)
A) arm
b)

B) elbow

c)
C) hand
d)
D) leg
34.
"Naturwissenschaften is my favorite subject in school, because we get to learn about the weather, solar system, and water cycle." Based on context clues, what is naturwissenschaften?
a)
A) English
b)
B) Math
c)
C) Science
d)
D) Social Studies
35.
"When walking along a busy road, you should stay on the bürgersteig.  It is safer and your shoes will stay cleaner."  Based on the context clues, what is a bürgersteig?
a)
A) dirt
b)
B) crosswalk
c)
C) jay walking
d)
D) sidewalk
36.
"I went to the flughafen to pick up my brother.  He flew from Maryland to see us." Based on the context clues, what does flughafen mean?
a)
A) race track
b)
B) bus station
c)
C) Uber station
d)
D) airport
37.
"They were ABCD at the birth of their baby.  They couldn't stop smiling for days."
Based on the context clues, what does ABCD mean?
a)
A) nervous
b)
B) watchful
c)
C) discouraged
d)
D) excited
38.
"The hero was virtuous, not like the evil villain." Based on the context clues, what does virtuous mean?
a)
A) evil
b)
B) honest
c)
C) lying
d)
D) wicked
39.
 "Something in the refrigerator has a putrid odor; the smell was rotten when we opened the door."  Based on the context clues, what does putrid mean?
a)
A) fresh
b)
B) perfumed
c)
C) rotting
d)
D) sweet
40.
Judy Glen's amazing Wrinkle Remover cream will make you look younger in thirty days or less. This remarkable cream has special ingredients to make your wrinkles disappear. The cost for a thirty day supply is $ 25.99. Send your check to P.O.Box 00002, Shelton, CA 74836 
a)
to Inform
b)
to Entertain
c)
to Persuade
41.
The Underground Railroad was a secret organization which helped slaves escape to freedom. Many slaves were able to escape because of the conductors and station masters. The northern states were free states and slaves were free once they arrived in the north. Secret codes and signals were used to identify the conductors and station masters. 
a)
to Inform
b)
to Entertain
c)
to Persuade