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WorksheetsMicrobes and Ventriloquism
Total questions: 23
Worksheet time: 12mins
In paragraph 3 of Passage 1, which step of the experiment introduces the microbes in the flask?
filling two flasks with yeast water
heating the flasks to boiling
keeping one flask intact
breaking open one of the flasks
In paragraph 5 of Passage 1, what is the most likely meaning of the word “illuminating”?
releasing into the air
making visible with light
activating by chemical reaction
pointing out through description
Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?
A. “were instead carried by dust in the air”
B. “The yeast water solution did not produce microbes until a bottle was tipped.”
C. “Pasteur shone a beam of light into the dark auditorium.”
D. “That is because I . . . have kept it from the germs that float in the air.
Which sentence best states the central idea of Passage 1?
Pasteur disproved the idea of spontaneous generation.
Pasteur disproved the effectiveness of sealed flasks.
Pasteur disproved the existence of dust particles.
Pasteur disproved the need for yeast water
How does Passage 2 best illustrate the length of time microbes have been on Earth compared to that of humans and other animals?
by using an analogy of a calendar year to describe Earth’s history
by describing the development of life on Earth in chronological order
by breaking down the different kinds of life on Earth into different categories
by showing how many more microbes there are on Earth than there are human
In Passage 2, what is the effect of comparing the number of microbes to the human population and the number of stars in the Milky Way?
It shows readers how small microbial populations are.
It provides context for how large microbial populations are.
In Passage 2, what text structure does the author mainly use in paragraphs 3-6?
chronological
order of importance
problem and solution
compare and contrast
How is the treatment of the topic of microbes different in Passage 1 and Passage 2?
Passage 1 shows how microbes appear in a laboratory environment; Passage 2 describes how microbes reproduce in the natural environment.
Passage 1 reveals how our knowledge of microbes was limited; Passage 2 suggests how our knowledge of microbes has expanded in recent years.
Passage 1 explains a milestone in scientific understanding of microbes; Passage 2 emphasizes the early existence and astounding number of microbes in the environment.
Passage 1 demonstrates how the scientific community hindered our understanding of microbes; Passage 2 suggests that mathematical formulas can increase our understanding of microbes.
Which detail from the passage best supports this claim?
Obstacles in a room can make it difficult to determine where the sound came from.
Ventriloquists focus the attention of the audience to conceal the source of a sound.
Ventriloquists start with a single puppet to engage the audience with its sound.
Sounds travel through the air to stimulate the senses
Which sentence best describes how paragraph 4 contributes to the section The Science Behind Ventriloquism?
It describes how science can be used to help determine the best environment for making sound.
It explains the science required to know the amount of space needed for people to hear sound.
It suggests that the science of sound will be better understood with further research.
It shows how the science of sound affects what people perceive.
Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?
A. “Sound travels across the molecules in the air.”
B. “It is the vibration of these molecules that creates sound.”
C. “If you hear your name in a crowded room, at first you might not know where the sound came from.”
D. “The brain relies on the other senses to help us figure out the origin of the sound.”
What does the word “unconsciously” tell the reader about people watching a ventriloquist?
They fall asleep after the ventriloquism show begins.
They usually are unaware of the techniques of the ventriloquist.
They are tricked into believing that a puppet is speaking.
They often stop paying attention to the show if it becomes too involved.
Based on the passage, what are two ways ventriloquists make their puppets seem real? Select two answers.
A. by using the same voice for the various puppets used in the show
B. by having the puppets move and behave in convincing ways
C. by exaggerating the movements of the puppets’ mouths
D. by looking directly at the puppets when speaking to them
E. by hiding the puppets after they start to speak
Which choice provides the best objective summary of the passage?
A. Ventriloquists use scientific data to create humorous illusions onstage. Scientists have found that certain parts of the brain are able to process both sight and sound at the same time.
B. Ventriloquism is about balancing art and science in a show. I think all ventriloquists are talented at performing funny shows and can often get away with making statements that are odd.
C. Ventriloquism works due to the science behind sound. Because of the way people process sound, ventriloquists use a variety of techniques in their art to create convincing illusions.
D. Ventriloquists rely on scientists to create their illusions. Researchers and artists come together to make shows that are more entertaining than most other types of live performances.
What is the main way the author develops the science and art of ventriloquism in the passage?
by introducing a theory and then supporting it with evidence
by describing events in sequential order and then analyzing them
by presenting subtopics with evidence and explaining how they relate to each other
by explaining an opinion and showing how it was shaped by personal experiences
In Passage 1, which evidence best explains the reason the eldest son leaves his home?
The sultan provided him a fine boat . . . and best wishes for a safe and wondrous expedition.
For even as a small boy, he craned and stretched his neck—longing to see beyond the next turn . . . beyond the bay.
He was captaining his own boat so that he could see for himself what lay beyond the distant horizon.
The eldest observed that the trees were like nothing he had ever seen.
In Passage 1, paragraphs 7 and 21 reveal an important difference between the brothers mainly
by suggesting that the eldest brother will continue on his journey, while Sadaka will return home sooner than planned.
by showing how the eldest brother must decide alone what to do with the seeds, while Sadaka can go to the jinns for advice.
by emphasizing that the eldest brother thinks of the fruit as nourishment too, while Sadaka is more interested in its taste.
by showing how the eldest brother assumes he can use the seeds to benefit himself, while Sadaka wants to learn more about them
In Passage 1, how does the author create suspense in Sadaka’s first meeting with the prince?
The reader knows the prince will follow through with his threat to imprison Sadaka, but Sadaka does not believe him.
The reader knows the man the prince has imprisoned is Sadaka’s brother, but Sadaka is not aware of this.
The reader worries that Sadaka will be tricked by the prince, but Sadaka trusts they will become friends.
The reader wonders if the jinns’ special soil will work, but Sadaka is certain that it will.
Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?
A. “They gave Sadaka the soil he would need, and Sadaka again set sail.”
B. “Sadaka met the formidable prince and told him of the fruit.”
C. “If your story proves false, just like him, you shall be imprisoned.”
D. “You are fortunate, my friend. However, you have one more test.”
What is the theme in Passage 1?
If you travel too far away from home, bad luck may follow you.
Be wary when placing your trust in things that seem too good to be true.
If you take time to help others, they will likely help you in times of trouble.
Close family members are the only people you can rely on when you need help
In Passage 2, which lines most strongly support that the speaker feels isolated?
One grain of sand / sliding, slipping / beneath the surface,
It took patience and remembrance / and courage / for my eyes to adjust to
The officer who gave me advice, whispering / in my ear the safest place to cross.
We were all grains of sand, / not hiding from the relentless surf,
Read lines 50–52 from Passage 2. but rising, a dune of protons, neutrons, electrons / charged, bound, growing, and living, / fed by the bonds between us. The effect of using this figurative language near the end of the poem shows that the speaker
feels happy about finally learning how to navigate the city.
has now become more self-confident around people.
finally identifies with the commotion of the city.
now feels deeply connected to other people
Which evidence from Passage 2 best shows how the speaker has become like Sadaka from Passage 1?
My aunts and my mother spoke of sadaqah, / the giving of oneself,
only protons, neutrons, electrons, / bound tightly together, / surrounded by crust
under the thrashing / of an unfamiliar surf.
I give thanks. / For the landlady / who needed my help with her Wi-Fi,
