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Writing & Comprehension exam Grade 8

Total questions: 40

Worksheet time: 40mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

1. What is a claim?

a)

a statement used to support or prove the thesis

b)

the analysis explaining the meaning of evidence

c)

quotations from a source

d)

a sentence that grabs your reader's attention

2.

2. What is a evidence?

a)

a statement used to support or prove the thesis

b)

quotations from a source

c)

the analysis explaining the meaning of evidence

d)

a sentence that grabs your reader's attention

3.

3. What is analysis?

a)

a sentence that grabs your reader's attention

b)

quotations from a source

c)

a statement used to support or prove the thesis

d)

the explanation of the meaning of evidence

4.

What is true of the introductory paragraph?

a)

ends with the thesis

b)

starts with a hook

c)

introduces the big idea of the essay

d)

all of these

5.

What order do essays go in?

a)

Introduction, Body Paragraph, Body Paragraph, Conclusion

b)

Body Paragraph, Introduction, Conclusion, Body Paragraph

c)

Introduction, Body Paragraph, Conclusion, Body Paragraph

d)

Conclusion, Introduction, Body Paragraph, Body Paragraph

6.

What order to the sentences in a body paragraphs go in?

a)

Evidence, Explanation, Topic Sentence

b)

Topic Sentence, Evidence, Explanation

c)

Explanation, Topic Sentence, Evidence

d)

Thesis, Evidence, Explanation

7.

Formal or Informal?

Went to Hawaii for the weekend. Lots to tell you.

a)

informal

b)

formal

8.

Formal or Informal?

I feel quite well, thank you.

a)

formal

b)

informal

9.

When do you use formal language?

a)

In an academic essay.

b)

When you talk to a friend.

c)

When you write a text message.

10.

A writer who uses persuasion attempts to:

a)

teach you how to make or do something

b)

influence you to do or believe something

c)

tell a story

d)

inform you about historic or current events

11.

A fact is:

a)

an opinion

b)

use of numbers as evidence

c)

a statement

d)

something that can be proven true

12.

Which two paragraphs are the most similar?

a)

No paragraphs are similar

b)

Conclusion and Body paragraphs

c)

Introduction and Body paragraphs

d)

Introduction and Conclusion paragraphs

13.

What are the components of a persuasive writing?

a)

Argument, Details, Thesis

b)

Topic sentence, Details, Concluding, Sentence

c)

Introduction, Thesis Statement, Body Paragraphs, Conclusion

d)

Who cares?

14.

What is the purpose of persuasive writing?

a)

To inform

b)

To persuade

15.

What type of sentence always starts a body paragraph?

a)

Topic Sentence

b)

Restated Thesis

c)

Supporting Detail

16.

What is a hook, or lead?

a)

The sentence that is the main idea of an essay

b)

The sentence that ends the paper

c)

A sentence that gets the reader's attention

17.

As with any other kind of writing, the first step to writing directions is to

a)

edit

b)

revise

c)

brainstorm

d)

draft

18.

Style considerations for writing instructions include

a)

vague terms for measurements

b)

make sentences long and convoluted

c)

number the steps for ease of use and verbs in present tense, active voice

19.

The following are examples of instruction text except one

a)

cake recipes

b)

instruction manuals

c)

handouts

d)

political speeches

20.

We do not use time connectives in instruction texts, true or false?

a)

True

b)

False

21.

We're Racing, Racing Down the Walk


We're racing, racing down the walk,

Over the pavement and round the block.

We rumble along till the sidewalk ends-

Felicia and I and half our friends.

Our hair flies backwards. It's whish and whirr!

She roars at me and I shout at her

As past the porches and garden gates

We rattle and rock

On our roller skates.


1) What makes a rumbling sound in the poem?

a)

skates

b)

train

c)

dog

22.

We're Racing, Racing Down the Walk


We're racing, racing down the walk,

Over the pavement and round the block.

We rumble along till the sidewalk ends-

Felicia and I and half our friends.

Our hair flies backwards. It's whish and whirr!

She roars at me and I shout at her

As past the porches and garden gates

We rattle and rock

On our roller skates.


2) What happens as the children roller skate?

a)

Their hair flies backwards

b)

A lion roars

c)

People wave to them

23.

We're Racing, Racing Down the Walk


We're racing, racing down the walk,

Over the pavement and round the block.

We rumble along till the sidewalk ends-

Felicia and I and half our friends.

Our hair flies backwards. It's whish and whirr!

She roars at me and I shout at her

As past the porches and garden gates

We rattle and rock

On our roller skates.


3) What makes the sound of whish and whirr?

a)

clapping hands

b)

turning skates

c)

flying hair

24.

We're Racing, Racing Down the Walk


We're racing, racing down the walk,

Over the pavement and round the block.

We rumble along till the sidewalk ends-

Felicia and I and half our friends.

Our hair flies backwards. It's whish and whirr!

She roars at me and I shout at her

As past the porches and garden gates

We rattle and rock

On our roller skates.


4) What do you know about the girl in the poem?

a)

She does her homework

b)

She likes sports

c)

She likes to skate fast

25.

We're Racing, Racing Down the Walk


We're racing, racing down the walk,

Over the pavement and round the block.

We rumble along till the sidewalk ends-

Felicia and I and half our friends.

Our hair flies backwards. It's whish and whirr!

She roars at me and I shout at her

As past the porches and garden gates

We rattle and rock

On our roller skates.


5) In what kind of place does the girl live?

a)

city

b)

beach

c)

farm

26.

We're Racing, Racing Down the Walk


We're racing, racing down the walk,

Over the pavement and round the block.

We rumble along till the sidewalk ends-

Felicia and I and half our friends.

Our hair flies backwards. It's whish and whirr!

She roars at me and I shout at her

As past the porches and garden gates

We rattle and rock

On our roller skates.


6) The poem is mostly about

a)

children roller skating

b)

playing in a park

c)

many kinds of races

27.

Opera refers to a dramatic art form, originating in Europe, in which the emotional content is conveyed to the audience as much through music, both vocal and instrumental, as it is through the lyrics. By contrast, in musical theatre an actor's dramatic performance is primary, and the music plays a lesser role. The drama in opera is presented using the primary elements of theatre such as scenery, costumes, and acting. However, the words of the opera, or libretto, are sung rather than spoken. The singers are accompanied by a musical ensemble ranging from a small instrumental ensemble to a full symphonic orchestra.


1. It is pointed out in the reading that opera ----.

a)

is the most complex of all the performing arts

b)

is not a high-budget production

c)

is often performed in Europe

d)

is a drama sung with the accompaniment of an orchestra

28.

Opera refers to a dramatic art form, originating in Europe, in which the emotional content is conveyed to the audience as much through music, both vocal and instrumental, as it is through the lyrics. By contrast, in musical theatre an actor's dramatic performance is primary, and the music plays a lesser role. The drama in opera is presented using the primary elements of theatre such as scenery, costumes, and acting. However, the words of the opera, or libretto, are sung rather than spoken. The singers are accompanied by a musical ensemble ranging from a small instrumental ensemble to a full symphonic orchestra.


2.We can understand from the reading that ----

a)

people are captivated more by opera than musical theatre

b)

drama in opera is more important than the music

c)

orchestras in operas can vary considerably in size

d)

there is argument over whether the music is important or the words in opera

29.

Opera refers to a dramatic art form, originating in Europe, in which the emotional content is conveyed to the audience as much through music, both vocal and instrumental, as it is through the lyrics. By contrast, in musical theatre an actor's dramatic performance is primary, and the music plays a lesser role. The drama in opera is presented using the primary elements of theatre such as scenery, costumes, and acting. However, the words of the opera, or libretto, are sung rather than spoken. The singers are accompanied by a musical ensemble ranging from a small instrumental ensemble to a full symphonic orchestra.


3.It is stated in the reading that ----

a)

acting and costumes are secondary to music in musical theatre

b)

music in musical theatre is not as important as it is in opera

c)

an opera requires a huge orchestra as well as a large choir

d)

many people find musical theatre more captivating than opera

30.

Dolphins are regarded as the friendliest creatures in the sea and stories of them helping drowning sailors have been common since Roman times. The more we learn about dolphins, the more we realise that their society is more complex than people previously imagined. They look after other dolphins when they are ill, care for pregnant mothers and protect the weakest in the community, as we do. Some scientists have suggested that dolphins have a language but it is much more probable that they communicate with each other without needing words. Could any of these mammals be more intelligent than man? Certainly the most common argument in favour of man's superiority over them that we can kill them more easily than they can kill us is the least satisfactory. On the contrary, the more we discover about these remarkable creatures, the less we appear superior when we destroy them.


4.It is clear from the passage that dolphins ----.

a)

don't want to be with us as much as we want to be with them

b)

are proven to be less intelligent than once thought

c)

are the most powerful creatures that live in the oceans

d)

have a reputation for being friendly to humans

31.

Erosion of America's farmland by wind and water has been a problem since settlers first put the prairies and grasslands under the plough in the nineteenth century. By the 1930's, more than 282 million acres of farmland were damaged by erosion. After 40 years of conservation efforts, soil erosion has accelerated due to new demands placed on the land by heavy crop production. In the years ahead, soil erosion and the pollution problems it causes are likely to replace petroleum scarcity as the nation's most critical natural resource problem.


As we understand from the reading, today, soil erosion in America ----.

a)

causes humans to place new demands on the land

b)

is worse than it was in the nineteenth century

c)

happens so slowly that it is hardly noticed

d)

is the most critical problem that the nation faces

32.

Erosion of America's farmland by wind and water has been a problem since settlers first put the prairies and grasslands under the plough in the nineteenth century. By the 1930's, more than 282 million acres of farmland were damaged by erosion. After 40 years of conservation efforts, soil erosion has accelerated due to new demands placed on the land by heavy crop production. In the years ahead, soil erosion and the pollution problems it causes are likely to replace petroleum scarcity as the nation's most critical natural resource problem.


The author points out in the passage that erosion in America ----.

a)

has damaged 282 million acres ever since settlers first put the prairies and grasslands under the plough

b)

was on the decline before 1930's

c)

can become a more serious problem in the future

d)

occurs only in areas with no vegetation

33.

Erosion of America's farmland by wind and water has been a problem since settlers first put the prairies and grasslands under the plough in the nineteenth century. By the 1930's, more than 282 million acres of farmland were damaged by erosion. After 40 years of conservation efforts, soil erosion has accelerated due to new demands placed on the land by heavy crop production. In the years ahead, soil erosion and the pollution problems it causes are likely to replace petroleum scarcity as the nation's most critical natural resource problem.


It is pointed out in the reading that in America ----.

a)

there are many ways to reduce erosion

b)

soil erosion has been hastened due to the overuse of farming lands

c)

water is undoubtedly the largest cause of erosion

d)

petroleum is causing heavy soil erosion and pollution problems

34.

The Kentucky Derby is a horse race. It happens on the first Saturday in May. It is one of the most famous horse races in the world. It is part of the “Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Horse Races” in the United States. The Triple Crown also includes the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.


When does the Kentucky Derby take place?

a)

In the Spring

b)

On a two mile track

c)

In Kentucky

d)

none of the above

35.

The Kentucky Derby takes place on a one and a quarter mile (two kilometers) dirt track. The horses must run around the dirt track. The first horse to run around the dirt track is covered in a blanket of roses. For this reason, the Kentucky Derby is also called the “Run for the Roses”.


A Racetrack is:

a)

a building for the lodging and feeding of horses

b)

The place where people watch the horse race

c)

a plot of ground, usually oval, laid out for horse racing.

36.

Our football players were sick of being kicked by the other team, so they decided to fight fire with fire and they

a)

tried to win by playing fair

b)

had the other team's manager fired

c)

kicked them back

37.

I'd better make hay while the sun shines and do some work on my book

a)

while I have a bit of free time

b)

despite having so much else to do

c)

even though I don't feel like writing

38.

When he decided not to go to the party he was cutting off his nose to spite his face. This means

a)

He enjoyed sitting at home and do his work

b)

He was the one who lost out on a good opportunity to meet many new people

c)

He punished his friends by not attending the party

d)

None of the above

39.

The person who is the loudest or most persistent will often get what he or she wants......

a)

cut off his nose to spite his face

b)

the squeaky wheel gets the grease

c)

the bigger they are, the harder they fall

40.

Famous, wealthy, or powerful people have more to loose when they fail.

a)

The squeaky wheel gets the grease

b)

where there's a will, there's a way

c)

the bigger they are, the harder they fall