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8th grade second semester final

Total questions: 45

Worksheet time: 11hrs 15mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Read the following excerpt from the passage, then choose the correct answers to questions 1 and 2. Excerpt from “Censorship” Radio has been around for more than 100 years, and television has been in the homes of Americans for more than 70 years. Both are “broadcast” over the airwaves, and both are regulated by the federal government (unless you have cable or satellite). The FCC, the Federal Communications Commission, was established in the 1930s to protect the interest of the people. The government was granted the ability to censor what is heard and seen. Since the 1950s, the FCC has prohibited, or restricted, the use of inappropriate material. In other words, it has censored what you see on TV and hear on the radio. This has not changed in 60 years. What has changed, however, is the interpretation of what is inappropriate. Is it inappropriate to talk about pregnancy? In the 1950s, the word pregnant was prohibited on the sitcom I Love Lucy. Is it inappropriate to show a woman’s belly button? In the 1960s, I Dream of Jeannie challenged the standards by showing the main character in a bikini top. However, the actress was not permitted to show her belly button. Is it inappropriate to wear a low-cut blouse or show a midriff? In the 1960s, actresses on Gilligan’s Island pushed the envelope by doing one or the other, but never both at the same time. 1. What is censorship?

a)

the use of offensive material on TV and the radio

b)

the changing laws that control what is shown on TV

c)

the lack of control over cable and satellite TV

d)

the restriction of certain material on TV and the radio

2.

What is one difference between TV in the 1950s and TV today?

a)

TVs in the 1950s were mostly black and white, while today they are mostly color.

b)

TVs in the 1950s had internet access, while today they do not.

c)

TVs today are only available in black and white, while the 1950s had color TVs.

d)

TVs in the 1950s were larger and thinner than today's TVs.

3.

Read the following title, then choose the correct answer. "The History of Television" The author probably wrote this article to.

a)

persuade readers to watch TV

b)

inform readers about TV

c)

explain how TVs are made

d)

describe her favorite TV show

4.

Read the text, then choose the correct answer. Many people object to censorship. They believe in the right to freedom of speech. But does freedom of speech give you the right to say anything you want at any time? Courts have ruled that you cannot say things that put other people in danger. For example, if you yell “fire” in a crowded theater where there is no real fire, you might cause harm as people run for the exits. There is usually nothing inappropriate about the word “fire.” Nevertheless, the results would be dangerous in a place with a lot of people. There are some limits on freedom of speech. Public safety is one measure of what is appropriate. Courts have ruled that “yelling fire in a crowded theater” is inappropriate. This example shows that.

a)

There are no limits on freedom of speech.

b)

Freedom of speech is absolute.

c)

There are some limits on freedom of speech for public safety.

d)

Censorship is always wrong.

5.

People are becoming television zombies. They come home from work and instead of catching up with their family members, they sit in front of the TV for hours. Children’s minds are becoming warped from the violent shows they watch. Adults’ minds are twisted by the bizarre reality shows. If those people on TV are supposed to portray reality, I want no part of it!

a)

Reality shows are a good learning tool.

b)

People watch too much television.

c)

Children should be allowed to watch more TV.

d)

The author is tired of reality.

6.

A thermostat regulates the temperature. In other words, it.

a)

locates the temperature

b)

controls the temperature

c)

measures the temperature

d)

stops the temperature

7.

You are watching a version of your favorite TV show. It has Spanish captions. What makes it a version?

a)

It has Spanish captions.

b)

You can watch it.

c)

It is on TV.

d)

You like it.

8.

The students were excluded from the assembly because they had been pushing each other in the hall.

a)

included

b)

admitted

c)

banned

d)

group

9.

I found a note that was full of coarse language. What kind of language was in the note?

(a)  

10.

Choose the correct subject pronoun to replace the underlined noun in the following sentence. Dad mowed the lawn this morning.

a)

It

b)

She

c)

He

d)

They

11.

Choose the verb phrase that shows the underlined action is happening right now.

a)

rushing

b)

will rush

c)

am rush

d)

is rushing

12.

Choose the verb that shows the underlined action happened in the past.

(a)  

13.

Which verb form correctly completes the following sentence? You ______ the fastest runner today.

a)

was

b)

is

c)

were

d)

am

14.

What does an adverb do in a sentence?

a)

An adverb describes how an action is done.

b)

An adverb is a future tense form of a verb.

c)

An adverb describes qualities of a noun.

d)

An adverb is a past tense form of a verb.

15.

What is the main job of the FCC?

a)

to strictly enforce laws against inappropriate material

b)

to make new laws about what is appropriate to put on TV and the radio

c)

to respond to complaints about inappropriate material on TV and the radio

d)

to watch all TV shows to make sure nothing inappropriate is shown

16.

Read the following excerpt from the passage, then choose the correct answer. Excerpt from 'Censorship' Since the 1950s, the FCC has prohibited, or restricted, the use of inappropriate material. In other words, it has censored what you see on TV and hear on the radio. This has not changed in 60 years. What has changed, however, is the interpretation of what is inappropriate. Is it inappropriate to talk about pregnancy? In the 1950s, the word pregnant was prohibited on the sitcom I Love Lucy. Is it inappropriate to show a woman’s belly button? In the 1960s, I Dream of Jeannie challenged the standards by showing the main character in a bikini top. However, the actress was not permitted to show her belly button. Which of the following statements summarizes and captures the main idea?

a)

A. There are absolute standards of appropriate behavior that never change.

b)

B. Things that were considered inappropriate in the 1950s were no longer considered inappropriate in the 1960s.

17.

Many people object to censorship. They believe in the right to freedom of speech. But does freedom of speech give you the right to say anything you want at any time? Courts have ruled that you cannot say things that put other people in danger. For example, if you yell “fire” in a crowded theater where there is no real fire, you might cause harm as people run for the exits. There is usually nothing inappropriate about the word “fire.” Nevertheless, the results would be dangerous in a place with a lot of people. There are some limits on freedom of speech. Public safety is one measure of what is appropriate.

a)

Freedom of speech is an important right that protects people from any kind of censorship.

b)

Freedom of speech is an important right, but there are some limits to what you can say and when.

c)

Freedom of speech is strictly regulated by the courts to make sure that people can say anything at any time.

d)

Freedom of speech is strictly regulated by the courts to make sure that people can’t say anything at any time.

18.

4. Read the following paragraph and excerpt from the passage, then choose the correct answer.

Many people object to censorship. They believe in the right to freedom of speech. But does freedom of speech give you the right to say anything you want at any time? Courts have ruled that you cannot say things that put other people in danger. For example, if you yell “fire” in a crowded theater where there is no real fire, you might cause harm as people run for the exits. There is usually nothing inappropriate about the word “fire.” Nevertheless, the results would be dangerous in a place with a lot of people. There are some limits on freedom of speech. Public safety is one measure of what is appropriate.

According to the passage, what is one limit on freedom of speech?

a)

Personal opinion

b)

Public safety

c)

Freedom of the press

d)

Right to privacy

19.

These two paragraphs show that__________.

a)

the FCC controls all forms of censorship and decides what is appropriate for everyone

b)

censorship excludes yelling “fire” on TV, radio, and in theaters

c)

censorship concerns are not just about TV and radio, but extend to other areas of life as well

d)

the courts decide what can go on TV and radio

20.

People should have the right to say anything at any time. It doesn’t matter whether someone else thinks his speech is inappropriate. We should not allow any kind of censorship.

a)

A. matter

b)

B. speech

c)

C. should

21.

The meaning of the word coarse in this sentence is _______________. First, we used coarse sandpaper to sand the splinters from the wood, and then we used fine sandpaper to make the wood even smoother.

a)

rough

b)

gentle

c)

small

d)

wide

22.

In which of the following sentences is the word permit used as a noun?

a)

We permit language that was considered inappropriate in the 1950s.

b)

My sister got a permit to learn how to drive a car.

c)

Our school doesn’t permit students to run in the hallways.

d)

Please permit me to help you across the street!

23.

Are there specific laws that tell stations what is appropriate, or okay? What is an antonym of specific?

a)

precise

b)

general

c)

cheap

d)

short

24.

Choose the correct subject pronoun to replace the underlined noun phrase in the following sentence. My class went on a field trip.

a)

A. She

b)

B. You

25.

Choose the verb phrase that shows the underlined action is happening right now.

a)

is pitching

b)

will pitch

c)

am pitch

d)

pitching

26.

Which verb form correctly completes the following sentence? The cats ______ on my bed.

a)

is purring

b)

purr

c)

purrs

d)

purring

27.

Choose the verb that shows the underlined action happened in the past.

a)

will call

b)

call

c)

called

d)

calls

28.

Choose the correct word that shows possession to complete the sentence. My_____ collar is on the table.

a)

dogs

b)

dog’s

c)

dog

d)

dogged

29.

What is Roger Payne’s main goal?

a)

to write his own whale song

b)

to send whales messages through song

c)

to discover the purpose of whale song

d)

to follow whales using the sounds of their songs

30.

Whales use songs as signals. This tells you that ____________.

a)

whales are intelligent

b)

whales are artists

c)

whales cannot communicate

d)

whales stay away from scientists

31.

The social lives of wild orcas are sophisticated. Family structures are headed by whom?

a)

Fathers

b)

Mothers

c)

Both parents

d)

Youngest member

32.

Which statement supports the same point that Roger Payne makes in “Whale Song”?

a)

Pods of up to 40 whales stalk prey with vicious methods.

b)

The social lives of wild orcas are sophisticated.

c)

Whales communicate through a complex system of calls or songs.

d)

Only male whales sing the elaborate whale songs.

33.

Read the following text, then choose the correct answer. 1. Whale song may be a signal for other whales to work together and stop competing. 2. Without the songs, groups of whales could become separated during migration. 3. Without whale songs, the ocean would lose some of its beauty. 4. The songs communicate guidelines for a specific group of whales. Which three of these sentences develop the idea that whales use songs to communicate?

a)

A. 1, 3, and 4

b)

B. 1, 2, and 4

c)

C. 2, 3, and 4

d)

D. 1, 2, and 3

34.

Which of the following statements is true about the web page shown above?

a)

The page shows images of whales attacking boats, and the text warns visitors not to come to the park.

b)

The page shows whales swimming at sea, and the text tells sailors to avoid whales.

c)

The page shows performing whales and tells of other great animals to see at the park.

d)

The page does not show images of whales because OceanPlace Park is no longer a home for them.

35.

An animal that migrates is often.

a)

confused

b)

found in the same place

c)

noisy

d)

on the move

36.

Read the passage: Atop their heads, the blowholes emit sound As if beautifully played instruments abound. In the boat I can hear many sounds from the sea. The music of the dolphin is like a song written for me.

a)

A. Dolphins can be identified by the sounds they each make.

b)

B. Dolphins in pods are similar to people in offices.

c)

C. Dolphins and people are similar when in groups.

d)

D. Dolphins, like people, would be lost without their voices.

37.

Which of the following sentences uses the word mean to express the idea that something matters or is important to the speaker?

a)

These books mean a lot to me.

b)

I didn’t mean to hurt her.

c)

She said I was mean.

d)

She didn’t mean for it to be a gift that I would keep forever.

38.

He comes up to breathe every 8 to 15 minutes and then continues his underwater serenade. What category does the word serenade belong to?

a)

drinks

b)

animals

c)

songs

d)

feelings

39.

When a song ends, whales surface to breathe. Which of the following words means the opposite of the word surface?

a)

rise

b)

dive

c)

swim

d)

glide

40.

Choose the correct pronoun to replace the underlined words in the sentence. Sometimes female whales slap the water in response to a song.

a)

they

b)

it

c)

them

d)

you

41.

Choose the verb that correctly finishes the sentence. Scientists_______ to understand the whale songs.

a)

A. were tried

b)

B. tries

c)

C. is

d)

D. try

42.

What is the simple subject in this sentence? The high school band played at the championship game.

a)

band played

b)

high school

c)

The high school band

d)

band

43.

What is the complete predicate in this sentence? The candles burned brightly.

a)

burned brightly

b)

burned

c)

the candles

d)

candles burned

44.

Which singular, first person pronoun best fits into the following sentence? He gave ________ a diamond ring.

a)

I

b)

me

c)

our

d)

my

45.

to ban dangerous or offensive ideas, remove materials from published works, prevent publification

a)
Approval
b)

Censor

c)
Promotion
d)
Encouragement