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WorksheetsReading Semester Exam Review
Total questions: 75
Worksheet time: 38mins
Read these lines from the text:
The dog continued toward them. Was it going to stop, wondered Noel. Should I get up and get in the house? But then, just when Noel felt a twinge of panic, the dog sat down, wagged its tail, and smiled. Noel had never seen anything like it before. It was as if the dog, flies and all, were posing for a photographer.
These lines from the text tell us that
it would be a great summer
the dog has rabies
the dog is not dangerous
they should adopt the dog
Read these lines from the text:
James jabbered on and Noel began to wonder how a dog came to be in such a sad condition as this one. Did no one ever want it? Even as a puppy, was this fellow not cute enough to find a good family? Had it always been this ugly? Hadn't anyone ever been kind to it?
These lines from the text tell us that
he felt sad for the dog
he is annoyed with the dog
he only likes cute dogs
he thinks the dog is ugly
Read these lines from the text:
Noel could not see any eyes through all the matted hair. He could see gnats and flies hovering over the poor thing, waiting for it to sit down again.
These lines from the text tell us that
the dog is probably a stray
the dog has never had friends
the dog must be dangerous
the dog does not like people
Which of the following best states a key theme of the excerpt "The Beginning of Brown"?
Appearances can be deceiving
Friendship overcomes obstacles
Hard work pays off
Slow and steady wins the race
Which of the following best summarizes the character of Noel?
Annoyed
Ill-tempered
Sympathetic
Worried
Which of the following best summarizes the character of James as presented in this excerpt?
Confused
Grouchy
Honest
Patient
Based on this excerpt, which word best summarizes what readers learn about Mom?
Angry
Excitable
Puzzled
Sympathetic
Based on this excerpt, what has this family been doing prior to this scene?
camping
cooking
moving
shopping
Read this line from the text:
Staring at the dog, James seemed to be a bit shocked or surprised, maybe even stunned.
"What is that?" James whispered.
Based on the story, which best explains why James was surprised when he saw the dog?
He has been focused on complaining and has not seen the dog.
He is tired from unpacking so many boxes.
He has returned to the kitchen to help his mother unpack.
He did not think the dog would come that far.
Why did it seem to Noel that the dog was greeting each family on the street?
It seems to know its way.
It is moving quite slowly.
It has the look of a familiar dog.
It has stopped at every house.
Based on the story, what is the best description of the dog?
A creepy, smelly, gross hound
A frightened, lonely, sad mutt
A homeless, neglected, dirty mess
A lost, angry, dangerous monster
Why does Noel feel a "twinge of panic" at the end of this scene?
He has decided the dog is dangerous
He has a bad history with dogs
He is afraid of most animals
He is unsure what the dog will do
Read the opening paragraph of the Mantis essay. Which sentence most clearly introduces the main idea of the essay?
Mantids come in many shapes and sizes and are found all over the world.
Some have patterns on their bodies that help them look like the ground.
One special mantis is bright pink and looks like an orchid.
For many reasons, mantids have fascinated humans for many years.
Which line from the text provides specific support for the idea that mantids are excellent hunters?
First, mantids show an amazing mastery of hunting skills.
Mantids eat a wide variety of insects, including moths, crickets, bees, flies, and grasshoppers.
They have large, powerful front legs, with spikes that help them hold on to prey.
Finally, they are very personable, as far as insects go.
Which line from the text provides specific support for the idea that mantids are stealthy, sneaky hunters?
They also make slight swaying movements, to mimic leaves and grass moved by the wind.
They are so successful they can triple in size every few months by molting.
They start out as nymphs, able to capture only prey that is smaller than they are.
They have a large, triangular-shaped head with large eyes.
What characteristic of the mantis makes it enjoyed as a pet?
They are aware of you.
They are interesting and unusual.
They are good hunters.
They have large eyes.
Which word from the text describes the mantis when hunting?
clutching
powerful
personable
surprised
What quality makes mantids valuable to gardeners?
The ability to eat a variety of insects
The ability to be stealthy when hunting
The quality of appearance and awareness
The quality of their rapid growth
Read the following line from the text:
Some have patterns on their bodies that help them look like the ground.
Which of the following would be considered patterns?
costumes
habits
movements
stripes
Read the following line from the text:
They have large, powerful front legs with spikes that help them hold on to prey.
What is another word for powerful in this context?
famous
inept (incompetent)
mighty
notable (important)
Read the following line from the text:
One second their legs are empty, and the next they are clutching tightly to something they have caught.
What is another word for clutching in this context?
carrying
embracing
grasping
handling
Read the following line from the text:
They are so successful, they can triple in size every few months by molting when they outgrow their exoskeletons.
Based on the text, molting involves
catching prey
changing habitat
growing bigger
keeping still
Read the following line from the text:
They start out as nymphs, able to capture only prey that is smaller than they are.
Based on the text, nymphs are most likely which of the following?
adults
young
colorful
worms
Read the following line from the text:
As far as predatory insects go, the mantis is one of the most impressive. Gardeners love to find them in on vegetables because mantids eat many insects that damage crops.
Based on the text, insects that are predatory are most likely which of the following?
collectors
hiders
hunters
imitators
Read the following line from the text:
First, mantids show an amazing mastery of hunting skills. ... they can capture prey many times larger than they are.
Based on the text, mastery has something to do with which of the following?
Being good at something
Controlling something
Learning a new skill
Teaching a new lesson
Read the following line from the text:
Mantids are also stealthy. They wait, very still, very patiently for prey to come into sight.
Based on the text, to be stealthy means which of the following?
Being a threat
Making much noise
Quiet and motionless
Thieving and evil
Read the following line from the text:
They also make slight swaying movements to mimic leaves and grass moved by the wind.
Based on the text, to mimic is most likely which of the following?
avoid
copy
make
mock
What is the purpose of informational writing?
To argue an important or controversial issue
To convince readers to take action
To give readers specific information about a topic.
To tell an entertaining story
Which of the following usually appears in an introduction?
Details and facts supporting the main idea
Examples, data, and expert testimony
The main idea or thesis for the article
Supporting charts and graphs
What does the body of an informational article usually contain?
Overview of the article's topic
Summary of all the article's key points
Support for the main idea or thesis
The thesis statement or main idea
Which of the following is true of informational writing?
The author only provides general information.
The thesis is an author's idea that is supported with valid evidence.
The author can include information from non-experts.
The author's thesis does not need support.
In an informational article, what supports the thesis statement?
General information from sources like Wikipedia
Personal experience of the author
Facts, details, and explanations related to the thesis
The opinion of a non-expert
A comparison and contrast article is best for which of the following?
When a single subject is extremely complicated
When an argument is especially heated
When there are two related subjects to discuss or review
When there are narrative elements to explain
Which transition phrase best introduces a supporting idea?
in contrast
in spite of
to begin with
on this occasion
Which transition phrase best introduces a comparison?
at this time
in brief
in addition
similarly
Which transition word best introduces a contrast?
evidently
furthermore
however
similarly
Read the two sentences below and choose the transition that best fills in the blank:
The day started out cold and rainy. ____________, we arrived at the mall soggy and chilly.
As a result
For example
However
Regardless
Read the two sentences below and choose the transition that best fills in the blank:
The third day of the trip offered blue skies, a beautiful, and a tasty lunch. __________, it was the best day of the entire trip.
For example
On the other hand
Summing up
Similarly
Read the two sentences below and choose the transition that best fills in the blank:
At the end of the trip, we had perfect pictures, great souvenirs, and felt happy and inspired. ____________, it was the perfect vacation.
Overall
However
Nevertheless
Otherwise
Which section of a narrative introduces the protagonist?
Climax
Exposition
Falling action
Rising action
Which section of a narrative reveals theme?
Climax
Exposition
Resolution
Rising action
Which section of a narrative shows the protagonist deciding to solve a problem?
Climax
Exposition
Resolution
Rising action
Which of the following is true of .com resources on the Internet?
They are always selling a product or promoting a cause.
They may or may not provide reliable information.
They tend to not have recognizable authors.
They can be edited or added to by anyone.
What is the best use of Wikipedia for a research project?
As a quotable, reliable source of information
As a resource that can be quoted without reference
As a starting place to find links to other resources
As a website to be avoided at all times
What is one way to evaluate the validity of a website for use in a research paper?
Consider its purpose
Count the number of images
Look at the title
Look at the polling features
You are working on a research project about sinkholes in Florida. Which website would be the best choice for reliable facts about recent sinkhole activity?
www.abovetopsecret.org/sinkholediscovered
www.claimsjournal.commore_vert
www.sinkholeattorney.com
www.usgs.gov/edu/sinkholes
What is the main concern with websites featuring .org in the web address?
Organization websites focus on humor and entertainment.
Organization websites focus on humor and entertainment.
Organization websites may have a bias or cause to advance.
Organization websites tend to avoid facts and documentation.
What do broken links on a website tell us?
They suggest the author is not knowledgeable about the subject.
They suggest the content may have bias or be suspect.
They suggest the website has been hacked or may have a virus.
They suggest the website hasn't been updated recently.
Which form of punctuation is best suited for non-restrictive clauses that may include surprising information?
commas
dashes
parentheses
no punctuation
Which form of punctuation is best suited for restrictive clauses within a sentence?
commas
dashes
parentheses
no punctuation
Which form of punctuation is best suited for including an example within a sentence?
commas
dashes
parentheses
no punctuation
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
My friend Joe who has a cast on his leg is going to the arcade with me today.
My friend Joe who has a cast, on his leg, is going to the arcade with me today.
My friend Joe, who has a cast on his leg, is going to the arcade with me today.
My friend, Joe who has a cast on his leg is going to the arcade with me, today.
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
Our team won the championship, the state championship this year.
Our team won—the championship—the state championship this year.
Our team won the championship-the state championship-this year.
Our team won, the championship the state championship, this year.
Which of the following is not correctly punctuated?
I went to camp with Joey Campbell, who lived next door.
Jonathan, who graduated with you, has already gotten a job.
The dog that has brown and white fur was just adopted.
The lady in the red coat who just left the building gave me a hug.
Which resource helps you find synonyms when you write?
dictionary
encyclopedia
glossary
thesaurus
Which resource will help you understand the meaning of a word?
dictionary
encyclopedia
glossary
thesaurus
Which resource will help you to pronounce a word correctly?
dictionary
encyclopedia
glossary
thesaurus
An online thesaurus has given you the following four options to replace the word broodingin the sentence below:
After the long discussion with her parents, Alison sat in her room, brooding about her choices.
Which option from the thesaurus makes the best replacement for brooding?
Dismissing: to reject serious consideration of something
Daydreaming: fantasizing while awake
Pondering: to give serious and careful thought to something
Sulking: remaining silent in an offended mood
A student wrote the following sentence:
After the devastating loss, the team was despondent riding home on the bus.
Which option from the thesaurus makes the best replacement for despondent?
Humble: courteously respectful
Distorted: twisted out of true meaning or proportion
Dejected: feeling sadness and lack of hope
Worthless: lacking value or worth
A student wrote the following sentence:
Because of her coming vacation, Aunt Betsy was quite frugal with any extra money she had.
Which option from the thesaurus makes the best replacement for frugal?
Extravagant: spending more than necessary
Greedy: marked by a selfish desire
Shabby: ungenerous; unfair
Thrifty: given to good management of money
Read the sentence below:
She had a childish quality that made her seem younger than she really was.
Which word in the sentence has the most negative connotation? (
childish
quality
seem
really
Read the sentence below:
His rather relaxed attitude about studying for the important exam resulted in a failing grade.
Which word in the sentence has the most negative connotation?
rather
relaxed
attitude
exam
Read the sentence below:
Jonah's confidence about the upcoming tryouts was almost arrogant.
Which word in the sentence has the most negative connotation?
confidence
upcoming
almost
arrogant
A writer is revising the sentence below:
After many years, the house on the corner had fallen into a state of decay.
Which of the following replacements for decay has a more positive connotation?
decomposition
disrepair
festering
rot
A writer is revising the sentence below:
Jason has an annoying habit of tapping the desk while the teacher is lecturing.
Which of the following replacements for annoying has a more negative connotation?
engaging
intriguing
irritating
riveting
A writer is revising the sentence below:
Julie was most anxious waiting for the final exam to begin.
Which of the following replacements for anxious has a more negative connotation?
bothered
distraught
restless
squeamish
Read this sentence:
I guess you must be pleased about me winning since you are almost as jubilant as I am.
Which word provides a clue to the meaning of jubilant?
guess
pleased
winning
almost
Read this sentence:
We should probably stop this competition right now before the rivalry gets out of hand.
Which word provides a clue to the meaning of rivalry?
stop
competition
right
hand
Read this sentence:
The nomadic tribes move to a new location each season.
Which word provides a clue to the meaning of nomadic?
new
season
move
location
Which sentence below is correctly punctuated?
Paul left his picture, the one with the gold frame, when he left last week.
Paul left his picture the one with the gold frame, when he left last week.
Paul left his picture, the one with the gold frame when he left last week.
Paul left his picture the one with the gold frame when he left last week.
Which sentence below is correctly punctuated?
After the party which was held at the office, we cleaned up confetti for two weeks.
After the party, which was held at the office, we cleaned up confetti for two weeks.
After the party which was held at the office we cleaned up confetti for two weeks.
After the party, which was held at the office we cleaned up confetti for two weeks.
Which sentence below is correctly punctuated?
Joseph's car, which his father gave him, would not start this morning.
Joseph's car which his father gave him, would not start this morning.
Joseph's car which his father gave him would not start this morning.
Joseph's car, which his father gave him would not start this morning.
Which sentence below is correctly punctuated?
Only those students, who have signed permission slips, will be allowed to participate.
Only those students who have signed permission slips, will be allowed to participate.
Only those students who have signed permission slips will be allowed to participate.
Only those students, who have signed permission slips will be allowed to participate.
Which sentence below is correctly punctuated?
All seventh grade students including those in the library, should come to the auditorium.
All seventh grade students, including those in the library should come to the auditorium.
All seventh grade students, including those in the library, should come to the auditorium.
All seventh grade students including those in the library should come to the auditorium.
Which sentence below is correctly punctuated?
My sister Laura, who has a loose tooth will be going on the trip tomorrow.
My sister Laura, who has a loose tooth, will be going on the trip tomorrow.
My sister Laura who has a loose tooth will be going on the trip tomorrow.
My sister Laura who has a loose tooth, will be going on the trip tomorrow.
