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ELA 8 State Test Review

Total questions: 67

Worksheet time: 3hrs 28mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
Setting tells you where and when a story occurs. Setting includes two things: time and place. Time includes the time period. It can also include elapsed time, or how much time passes for the characters. The place is where a story happens, including details about what that space looks, sounds or smells like or what it is like to live there.

Read the following passage from Alice in Wonderland: 

Once in the wood, she was anxious to get back to her right size again, and then to get into that lovely garden. But how? Peeping over a mushroom, she beheld a large blue caterpillar sitting on the top with its arms folded...

Which detail from the text provides a clue to the place where this passage takes place?

a)
“Once in the wood…"
b)
“A large blue caterpillar..”
c)
“...get back to her right size again...”
d)
“...with its arms folded”
2.
How do you know what the setting of a story is? Sometimes, a narrator will tell you where and when the story occurs right away. Often, though, you’ll have to look for clues to determine the setting. Try to find words or phrases that tell you what it looks like or sounds like where the characters are. Characters can also give clues about the setting. Be sure that your inferences about the setting are backed up by evidence from the text.

Read the following passage:
As Maribelle hurried down the street, the wind swept the snow along the sidewalk and hid her footsteps, so that it looked as if no one had passed. Above her, the cold, silent skyscrapers of the city loomed. The whole block was eerily silent in the snowstorm, and she pulled her coat tightly around her. Maribelle had only moved here a few months before. She came because she wanted to be a singer. But right now, she was frightened.

Which detail from the passage indicate the setting?
a)
“Above her, the cold, silent skyscrapers of the city loomed.”
b)
“Maribelle had only moved here a few months before.”
c)
“But right now, she was frightened.”
d)
“She came because she wanted to be a singer.”
3.
Setting can also affect the plot, or the events that make up the story or novel. Some plots can take place only in certain times and places.

Which option describes a plot that can only take place in a specific setting?
a)
A selfish child tries to be a better person.
b)
A young woman falls in love with her family’s enemy.
c)
A ship’s captain chases a whale across the sea.
d)
A poor, hardworking woman becomes a successful chef.
4.
Setting can symbolize, or stand for, other elements of a story. For example, when setting changes, a character might change. Setting can also symbolize what a character is feeling in a particular scene. Setting can also help us understand the choices that characters make.

Read the following passage:
Gilberto had been excited to go to the beach but when he got there and saw how crowded it was, he became annoyed. The sun twinkled in the sky, a warm yellow globe. The sound of the ocean drummed in his ears and the sand itched his ankles and feet. Beside him, his sister slurped loudly on an ice cream cone. “Could you not?” Gilberto asked.

Which detail about the setting tells us that Gilberto is annoyed?
a)
“The sound of the ocean drummed in his ears and the sand itched his ankles and feet.”
b)
“The sun twinkled in the sky, a warm yellow globe.”
c)
“Beside him, his sister slurped loudly on an ice cream cone.”
d)
“Gilberto had been excited to go to the beach...”
5.
In addition to plot and character, setting can shape the mood of a story. A story’s mood is its general atmosphere or overall feeling. The mood of a story can be energetic, nervous, peaceful or many other feeling words.

Which of the following settings suggest a tense and nervous mood?
a)
A city playground full of laughing, playing children and parents.
b)
A long line of people waiting for a few concert tickets.
c)
A stream running through a quiet, isolated forest.
d)
An empty mall parking lot early on a Sunday morning.
6.
Setting can often be connected to theme. A theme is a universal message of a story or novel. Themes are about big topics, like exploration, freedom, love and loss. Themes can include morals or lessons. So how is setting connected to theme? Certain times and places lead to explorations of certain big topics. If a novel is set during a war, for example, it might have themes about freedom and loyalty.

Which option is the most likely setting for a story with the theme “humans vs nature?”
a)
A nursing home
b)
A middle school
c)
A forest
d)
A lawyer’s office
7.

Which questions about a story will the setting answer?

a)

What is the author’s attitude toward the characters?

b)

Where and when does the story take place?

c)

Who are the people the story is about?

d)

Why and when did the author write the story?

8.

Which of the following might describe the setting of a story?

a)

a frog and a witch

b)

happy and loving

c)

a high school in 1956

d)

love is stronger than fear

9.

What is the setting of the passage below?


One summer day, Randolph the Bright slept alone in his room in the castle at Reddington. The light of morning seeped slowly through his curtains. Randolph blinked against the day, smiling as his dream came to a peaceful conclusion.

a)

winter in a train station of a busy city

b)

a hospital in the future

c)

a summer morning in a castle

d)

a grocery store in the 1980s

10.

In the passage below, what can you infer about Randolph using clues from the setting?


One summer day, Randolph the Bright slept alone in his room in the castle at Reddington. The light of morning seeped slowly through his curtains. Randolph blinked against the day, smiling as his dream came to a peaceful conclusion.

a)

Randolph is a mean person.

b)

Randolph is a prince or king.

c)

Randolph has an older sister.

d)

The setting doesn’t give us any clues about Randolph.

11.

If the passage below were set at Lena’s birthday party, what could you infer?


Lena laughed loudly. “I can’t believe you did that!” she said, smiling.

a)

Lena might have received an unexpected present.

b)

Lena might be a very selfish character.

c)

Lena might be mad at her best friend.

d)

Lena might be talking to her uncle.

12.

The message or lesson that the author wants you to learn from the story is called the

a)

plot

b)

figurative language

c)

theme

13.

One way you could figure out the theme is to...

a)

Skim through the story

b)

Just read the beginning of the story

c)

Think about what the character has learned

14.

Susie was waiting for Tina to arrive in the crowded lunch room. She looked through the crowd to see if she could spot Tina from afar. Tina was standing in an area all by herself. She had a perplexed look on her face, as there were no other seats available. Thankfully, Susie had saved her a seat, and all was well.

a)

Lunch is best when it's crowded

b)

Be nice

c)

Friends should look out for each other

15.

Jim was stacking boxes at work. There was a certain height he had to reach. He stretched his body, but could not reach to place the final box at the top. Bill happened to see Jim struggling and came to his rescue, since he was a foot taller.

a)

teamwork can accomplish a goal

b)

tall people are the best

c)

work hard to reach a goal

16.

The girls were coloring when Mike wanted to join along. One girl moved the crayons closer to them. The other girl proceeded to take the other crayon boxes. Mike had no crayons to use. One girl remarked, "These crayons are ours. Find your own."

a)

Being greedy is never nice

b)

you should keep your own things to yourself

c)

friends should color together

17.

The three-year-old peered down from the diving board and looked back at his mother behind him. His knees began to buckle as he took another step forward. "Splash!"

a)

it takes courage to accomplish your goals

b)

you should never give up

c)

it takes loyalty to reach your dreams

18.

There was a ragged old woman following behind me as I walked down each aisle. She had a strange look on her face, as her missing teeth distorted her smile. I rushed to try to avoid her, as I was a little nervous about what she might do. Come to find out, I dropped some money and she was trying to return it to me.

a)

Old people are always mean

b)

don't judge a book by its cover

c)

you should be aware of others

19.
The feeling created in the reader by the writer is called ________.
a)
mood
b)
tone
20.
The author's attitude toward the subject matter is called ________.
a)
mood
b)
tone
21.
The tone of this excerpt can be best described as:
a)
grim or serious
b)
playful and silly
c)
sarcastic 
d)
uncertain
22.
Which word from this excerpt does NOT contribute to the tone?
a)
cramped
b)
glumly
c)
folded
d)
smelly
23.
The tone of this passage can be best described as:
a)
amused
b)
confused
c)
angry and hurt
d)
cold and distant
24.

Check all responses that ARE similes.

a)

Watching this movie is like watching grass grow.

b)

Those kids are fighting like cats and dogs.

c)

I like to eat steak and potatoes.

d)

He should have threw it away as he walked by the trash can.

e)

He is as fast as a cheetah.

25.

Which phrase is NOT a simile?

a)

He's a workhorse.

b)

He's as strong as an ox.

26.

This is a simile:


He is as nutty as a fruitcake.

a)

True

b)

False

27.

Which sentence is an example of simile?

a)

You came in as a lump of clay, a blank canvas, a slab of marble.

b)

That's my word.

c)

When it's your turn in the chair, you stand at attention and forget about who you were when you walked through the door.

28.

What two words help you identify simile in a text?

a)

"as" and "like"

b)

"because" and "why"

c)

"cause" and "effect"

29.

Which sentence is an example of simile?

a)

The cat is small.

b)

Jahvonne is fast like a cheetah.

c)

The rose is pretty.

d)

Jahvonne is a cheetah.

30.
As skinny as ______
a)
the hills
b)
a giant
c)
a toothpick
31.
As sweet as ______
a)
an ox
b)
sugar
c)
a fox
32.
Make this a simile.  She sings...
a)
at lunch
b)
at the crowd
c)
like a bird
d)
very well
33.
What is a metaphor?
a)
Compares two things using like or as
b)
Compares two things NOT using like or as
c)
Gives human qualities to objects
d)
It's a sound word
34.
True or false. This is an example of a metaphor: Juliet is like the sun.
a)
True
b)
False
35.
True or false. This is an example of a metaphor: Juliet is like the sun.
a)
True
b)
False
36.
True or false. This is a metaphor: Juliet is the sun.
a)
True
b)
False
37.
Life is a roller coaster. What does this metaphor mean?
a)
They have a new roller coaster at Darien Lake
b)
You're in danger when you're on a roller coaster
c)
Life has ups and downs
d)
I shouldn't ride roller coasters
38.
The classroom was a zoo. What does this metaphor mean?
a)
The students were loud and crazy in class.
b)
Some animals from the zoo visited our classroom.
c)
The class went on a field trip to the zoo.
d)
Some animals should be kept as pets in the classroom.
39.
When he was grounded from video games, his house was a prison. What does this metaphor mean?
a)
He was sent to jail for playing video games.
b)
Being grounded made him feel as if he were in prison
c)
Someone left his video games on the ground.
d)
He was playing a prison video game.
40.

Pick the best answer:

Have you ever wished you could contact all of your friends at once? Wouldn’t it be convenient to send a note to all your friends at the same time, rather than contacting each person individually? Download the FriendChat app today for your smartphone! In just minutes, you’ll be able to send messages to all your friends simultaneously. For only $1.99, you can save yourself a lot of time!

a)
Inform
b)
Explain
c)
Entertain
d)
Persuade
41.

Pick the Best Answer:

Caroline Bartlett Crane was born in 1858 in Hudson, Wisconsin. After working as a teacher, she became a journalist and an ordained minister. Crane was an activist who worked toward women’s voting rights in the United States. Her tireless efforts at improving sanitation in large cities—especially in the slums where the poorest residents lived—earned her the title “America’s Housekeeper.”

a)
Persuade
b)
Inform
c)
Explain
d)
Describe
42.
Driving west from Capital Park, turn left onto Maple Avenue. Continue for three blocks until you come to Trumbull Street, and then turn right. The library will be on your left.
a)
Persuade
b)
Describe
c)
Explain
d)
Inform
43.
“Once upon a time in a magical kingdom, there lived a great hero. He was about to set out on a dangerous quest!”
a)
Explain
b)
Persuade
c)
Entertain
d)
Inform
44.
Persuade means...
a)
Make people agree with you
b)
Make people angry
c)
Make people think the opposite thing
d)
Make people fall in love
45.
What is the authors purpose?
"Every house should have a dog. They are cute, loyal and will protect your house."
a)
Persuade
b)
Inform
c)
Entertain
46.
What is the authors purpose?
"She threw the paper airplane. It looped through the trees, under the dogs belly, up into the sky and landed in the hot air balloon."
a)
Persuade
b)
Inform
c)
Entertain
47.

Rules are very important. They help keep things running smoothly. Rules let you know what you can and cannot do whether you are playing a game or explaining how to act in class. You should follow rules; they help people get along.

What is the author's purpose?

a)

to entertain with a story about people who follow the rules

b)

to inform about the rules of games

c)

to persuade people to follow the rules

d)

to explain the rules of chess

48.

The Food Group Pyramid tells how to eat healthy. It shows how food is divided into six groups. It is important to eat foods taht belong to each group every day. The pyramid helps show how much of each you should eat.

a)

Persuade

b)

Inform

c)

Entertain

49.

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

50.

Volunteering is a very rewarding experience. There are many ways you can volunteer. For example, you can help clean up a playground. Volunteering benefits other people and also will make you feel good about yourself.

a)

The author's purpose is to convince you to become a volunteer.

b)

The author's purpose is to entertain you with a story about volunteering.

c)

The author's purpose is to explain all the aspects of volunteering.

d)

The author's purpose is to inform you about the opportunities and rewards of volunteering.

51.

Check All That Apply:

What's the purpose of this T.V. Show?

a)

Persuade

b)

Inform

c)

Explain

d)

Entertain

52.

After shattering through the thick plates of glass I began to attempt to rise back up to my feet, sharp pain seared through all of my limbs, causing me to wince in pain with each careful step I took.


What does the word seared most likely mean?

a)

to wound

b)

to join

c)

to cause a burning sensation

d)

to grill quickly

53.

The circle of children opened up into a horseshoe shape. A shadow was crawling out of the forest towards them. A shrill scream came out of the shadow’s mouth that pierced the calm of the night as the children began to scurry off.


What does the word shrill most likely mean?

(a)  

54.

The grass is bright green, well kept, and meticulously trimmed right down to the very edge of the driveway, even though it is just the start of November- when the neighborhood typically gives up on caring about their lawns.


What does the word meticulously most likely mean?

(a)  

55.

Our eyes lit up when we shook each other’s hands. Right out of the gate we both had the same grip and strength to our handshakes. Each had a genuine smile and a light heart. It seemed like a rather auspicious beginning.


What does the word auspicious most likely mean?

(a)  

56.

Our eyes lit up when we shook each other’s hands. Right out of the gate we both had the same grip and strength to our handshakes. Each had a genuine smile and a light heart. It seemed like a rather auspicious beginning.


What does the word auspicious most likely mean?

a)

giving a sign of a future fight

b)

giving a sign of hard work

c)

giving a sign of future success

d)

giving a sign of past anger

57.

We had become so used to the daily grind that we seemed almost to work as robots going away at our tasks automatically without even needing to think about what we were doing.


What does the word grind most likely mean?

(a)  

58.
Sam was furious! He couldn't believe that Coach had chosen Paul for team captain instead of him, and he was going to let him know it!  He saw Paul staring at him which only mad him more upset. As he furiously marched toward Coach, a hand caught his arm...
Which of these events will most likely occur in the future?
a)
Coach will change his mind and make Sam captain.
b)
Sam will be kicked off of the team.
c)
Paul will stop Sam from making a big mistake.
d)
Sam and Paul will be made co-captains.
59.
Braedon sat in the empty classroom and stared at the floor. It was 4:30pm and school had been over for half an hour, but he still had to sit there. He could over hear his teacher talking to the principal in the hallway about what had happened during class. He put his head in his hands and sighed.
What may the reader best infer from the passage?
a)
The principal and the teacher are making fun of Braedon.
b)
Braedon is in detention because he had acted out in class.
c)
The teacher is getting paid extra to oversee detention.
d)
Braedon is proud of his poor behavior.
60.
Jessica's favorite part about the weekend was going to Rockin' Records with her friends. Rockin' Records was the local music store just down the road from her house. On weekend afternoons, Jessica and her friends would walk down to the store to shop for new music.
What may the reader conclude about Jessica's friends?
a)
They like music.
b)
They like to exercise by walking places.
c)
They do what Jessica tells them to do.
d)
They live far away and drive to the store.
61.
When Tommy came back into the kitchen, Katie and her farther were still cleaning up from lunch. "Dad," said Tommy, "do you know where I can find the-" He trailed off, realizing that he couldn't mention wrapping paper. He would give the surprise away, and Tommy would hate to ruin the surprise before he had to.
What will the speaker most likely do next?
a)
Ask Katie for the wrapping paper.
b)
Ask Dad to find he wrapping paper.
c)
Not wrap the presents.
d)
Go an search for the wrapping paper by himself.
62.
His mother understood then how Tyerell felt just by looking at him. She saw that he wanted to stay in the house forever because of all the memories he had at this old place. They still had to leave, but she wanted to help her son feel better about what was going to happen in a few days.
The author assumes the reader most likely knows-
a)
Tyerell is too sentimental and needs to get over it.
b)
Tyerell & his mom are moving.
c)
Tyerell's mom is making her son upset on purpose.
d)
Tyerell & his mom are going on vacation.
63.
When Sierra stepped up to the podium, she was still nervous. Her palms were sweating and her voice sounded strange as it was projected to the entire auditorium, but she knew she wasn't alone. She waited impatiently while Dave said his piece and the crowded cheered.
At the end of the passage, the reader may conclude that-
a)
Sierra is more nervous than Dave.
b)
Sierra & Dave are having a debate.
c)
Dave will use Sierra's nerves to his advantage.
d)
Sierra is a bad public speaker.
64.
I am now here to stay. Hateful divisions caused by the caste system force me to fight for the rights of all Indians in my homeland. The "untouchables," especially, are being denied their basic human rights. This cannot be tolerated.
          -The Journals of Mahatma Gandhi, India, 1915
What problem does Gandi face?
a)
The violation of human rights.
b)
Defending people who don't deserve to be defended.
c)
The caste system working according to plan.
d)
Having been away from India too long and allowed things to get out of control.
65.
Next, choose your float base. A float base must have two or four wheels. Usually, a low-boy or hay trailer is used for a base and is pulled by a truck. Your best bet is to rent or borrow a base. Remember the most important thing: do not put flammable decorations near the exhaust pipes.
Based on the paragraph, the reader may best infer that-
a)
These directions are part of a manual for building a parade float.
b)
These directions were put in place because someone caught something on fire.
c)
Parades are good way for people to get involved.
d)
Most people do not know how to build a float without help.
66.
Daylight Savings time refers to the practice of setting our clocks an hour forward in the spring and back in the fall to maximize the amount of sunshine during our waking hours. Ben Franklin came up with the plan to "save" daylight by turning the clocks an hour ahead, thus bring our waking hours into closer harmony with daylight.
What may the read conclude about Ben Franklin?
a)
He liked to make people sleepy.
b)
He is hated for his daylight savings idea.
c)
He wanted people to increase their productivity.
d)
He owned many clocks.
67.
You could say that bears are everywhere, but that's not true. They aren't native to Australia or Africa. You may think that the koala is a bear, but it is not a bear at all. Like the kangaroo, the koala, is a marsupial that has a pouch to carry its young.
The author refers to kangaroos most likely because-
a)
People know what koalas look like.
b)
More people are familiar with kangaroos being marsupials.
c)
Australia has many different animals.
d)
Koalas are oddly shaped kangaroos.