Benchmark Test 1

Name:_______________________ Date:_______________________

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1

Literary Analysis: Plot Read the selection. Then, answers the questions that follow.

I smiled to myself as I remembered the game that made me a star ten years ago. . .The rain was pouring as I stepped out onto the football field. It was the last game of the season, and we had yet to lose a game. Today might be different. We were playing the state champions, and they were undefeated. I took a deep breath and fastened my helmet. The game was about to begin. What is the conflict in this selection? A B C D

2

It is the last game of the season. The team has won all its games. The weather is rainy. The team is playing the state champions.

Literary Analysis: Plot Read the selection. Then, answers the questions that follow.

I smiled to myself as I remembered the game that made me a star ten years ago. . .The rain was pouring as I stepped out onto the football field. It was the last game of the season, and we had yet to lose a game. Today might be different. We were playing the state champions, and they were undefeated. I took a deep breath and fastened my helmet. The game was about to begin. Which of the following details foreshadows the outcome of the game? A B C D

The team is undefeated. The team is playing the state champions. It is raining. The game made the narrator a star.

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Benchmark Test 1 ______________________________________________________________________________ 3

Literary Analysis: Plot Read the selection. Then, answers the questions that follow.

I smiled to myself as I remembered the game that made me a star ten years ago. . .The rain was pouring as I stepped out onto the football field. It was the last game of the season, and we had yet to lose a game. Today might be different. We were playing the state champions, and they were undefeated. I took a deep breath and fastened my helmet. The game was about to begin. Which of the following describes a possible resolution to the conflict in the selection? A B C D

4

the game begins the best player on the narrator’s team injures himself the opposing team takes the lead the narrator’s team wins the game

Literary Analysis: Plot Read the selection. Then, answers the questions that follow.

I smiled to myself as I remembered the game that made me a star ten years ago. . .The rain was pouring as I stepped out onto the football field. It was the last game of the season, and we had yet to lose a game. Today might be different. We were playing the state champions, and they were undefeated. I took a deep breath and fastened my helmet. The game was about to begin. What is the most accurate description of this part of the selection? A B C D

5

climax rising action falling action resolution

Literary Analysis: Narrative Essay and Significant Details

I had only been out of school for two years when I was asked to teach in a small rural school. I had no experience with small children and was apprehensive about taking the job. After I arrived on that first day so many years ago, I knew I had found my calling. Which detail lets the reader know that the writer enjoyed teaching? A B C D

The writer was comfortable around children. The writer has no experience. The writer refers to teaching as his calling. The writer was young.

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Benchmark Test 1 ______________________________________________________________________________ 6

Literary Analysis: Narrative Essay and Significant Details

I had only been out of school for two years when I was asked to teach in a small rural school. I had no experience with small children and was apprehensive about taking the job. After I arrived on that first day so many years ago, I knew I had found my calling. Which detail from the selection best demonstrates that the author is not elderly when he arrives at the school? A B C D

7

The author was a recent graduate. The author could drive a car. The author lived in a rural area. The author was a teacher.

Literary Analysis: Narrative Essay and Significant Details

I had only been out of school for two years when I was asked to teach in a small rural school. I had no experience with small children and was apprehensive about taking the job. After I arrived on that first day so many years ago, I knew I had found my calling. What does the detail about the writer’s lack of experience suggest about the selection? A B C D

8

The writer will describe his own education. The writer will describe the early teaching experiences that showed him he loved teaching. The writer will describe his difficulties finding a teaching job. The writer will explain how he came to be fired from his teaching job.

Literary Analysis: Narrative Essay and Significant Details

I had only been out of school for two years when I was asked to teach in a small rural school. I had no experience with small children and was apprehensive about taking the job. After I arrived on that first day so many years ago, I knew I had found my calling. Which of the following would indicate that this selection is from a narrative essay? A B C D

It reports facts about history. It offers information. It is a work of fiction. It tells a true story.

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Benchmark Test 1 ______________________________________________________________________________ 9

Literary Analysis: Point of View

Sam gripped the branch tighter. If he could just build up enough momentum, he should be able to pole vault over the fence. Sweat trickled down his forehead. He wondered what further obstacles Richards had planted on the other side. He crouched, planted his right foot in the dirt behind him, and was about to sprint forward when a voice rang out behind him. “Going somewhere, Mr. Smith?” Sam gasped. It was Richards. From which point of view is the passage written? A B C D

10

first person third person omniscient third person limited second person

Literary Analysis: Point of View

Sam gripped the branch tighter. If he could just build up enough momentum, he should be able to pole vault over the fence. Sweat trickled down his forehead. He wondered what further obstacles Richards had planted on the other side. He crouched, planted his right foot in the dirt behind him, and was about to sprint forward when a voice rang out behind him. “Going somewhere, Mr. Smith?” Sam gasped. It was Richards. As the story develops, which character’s thoughts will readers learn only if the character reveals them to another character? A B C D

Sam’s Richards’s the narrator’s all characters’

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Benchmark Test 1 ______________________________________________________________________________ 11

Literary Analysis: Point of View

Sam gripped the branch tighter. If he could just build up enough momentum, he should be able to pole vault over the fence. Sweat trickled down his forehead. He wondered what further obstacles Richards had planted on the other side. He crouched, planted his right foot in the dirt behind him, and was about to sprint forward when a voice rang out behind him. “Going somewhere, Mr. Smith?” Sam gasped. It was Richards. From which point of view would readers likely learn the most about Richards’s thoughts and actions? A B C D

12

first person, told from Sam’s point of view third person limited, with Sam as the main character third person omniscient second person, with Sam as the main character

Literary Analysis: Point of View

Sam gripped the branch tighter. If he could just build up enough momentum, he should be able to pole vault over the fence. Sweat trickled down his forehead. He wondered what further obstacles Richards had planted on the other side. He crouched, planted his right foot in the dirt behind him, and was about to sprint forward when a voice rang out behind him. “Going somewhere, Mr. Smith?” Sam gasped. It was Richards. What might the point of view used in the selection add to the story? A B C D

13

suspense about what Richards will do next interesting details about pole vaulting suspense about what Sam will do next a summary of all events in the story

Reading Skill: Make Predictions

Why is it important to continue to read after making a prediction? A B C D

to make another prediction to check the prediction to finish the story to identify the characters

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Benchmark Test 1 ______________________________________________________________________________ 14

Read the selection. Then, answer the questions that follow.

One sunny afternoon, a young boy walked in the canyon near his home. As he walked, he dreamed of a time when he would be old enough to go with his father to hunt and tame the beautiful horses that roamed the canyon. He loved being with his father and very much wanted to experience the hunt. Deep in thought, the boy wandered into the canyon and farther away from his home. It was beginning to get dark when the boy realized he was lost. After the boy realizes he is lost, what is he most likely to do next? A B C D

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continue walking into the canyons climb into a nearby cave begin to look for the horses retrace his steps out of the canyon

Read the selection. Then, answer the questions that follow.

One sunny afternoon, a young boy walked in the canyon near his home. As he walked, he dreamed of a time when he would be old enough to go with his father to hunt and tame the beautiful horses that roamed the canyon. He loved being with his father and very much wanted to experience the hunt. Deep in thought, the boy wandered into the canyon and farther away from his home. It was beginning to get dark when the boy realized he was lost. Why does the author mention the horse hunt? A B C D

The hunt will probably play a part later in the story. The author enjoys writing about horses. Many readers will be interested in learning about a horse hunt. More details make selections interesting.

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Benchmark Test 1 ______________________________________________________________________________ 16

Read the selection. Then, answer the questions that follow.

One sunny afternoon, a young boy walked in the canyon near his home. As he walked, he dreamed of a time when he would be old enough to go with his father to hunt and tame the beautiful horses that roamed the canyon. He loved being with his father and very much wanted to experience the hunt. Deep in thought, the boy wandered into the canyon and farther away from his home. It was beginning to get dark when the boy realized he was lost. Which question could readers ask that they could answer by reading on? A B C D

17

Why did the author write about this young boy? Will the young boy find his way home? Why was the young boy so absentminded? Will the horses escape?

Read the selection. Then, answer the questions that follow.

One sunny afternoon, a young boy walked in the canyon near his home. As he walked, he dreamed of a time when he would be old enough to go with his father to hunt and tame the beautiful horses that roamed the canyon. He loved being with his father and very much wanted to experience the hunt. Deep in thought, the boy wandered into the canyon and farther away from his home. It was beginning to get dark when the boy realized he was lost. When the boy fails to return home on time, what will most likely happen? A B C D

His father will look for him. His mother will make a bed for him. His father will hunt without him. His mother will prepare a meal.

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Benchmark Test 1 ______________________________________________________________________________ 18

Reading Informational Material: Read to Perform a Task Read the selection. Then, answer the questions that follow. How To Fry an Egg

First, place the skillet on the stovetop. Turn the heat on medium and place a teaspoon of butter in the skillet. Let the butter slowly melt. Be careful not to burn it. Next, take an egg from the refrigerator. Tap the egg gently on the side of the skillet. When the egg cracks, pry it apart with your thumbs and place the egg in the skillet. Throw the shells away. Then, cook the egg until it is done on one side. Flip it with a spatula. Continue to cook the egg until it is done. Finally, you have an egg for breakfast! After the heat is turned on under the skillet, what should you do next? A B C D

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Get the egg from the refrigerator. Crack the egg on the skillet. Place butter in the skillet. Wait for the butter to melt.

Reading Informational Material: Read to Perform a Task Read the selection. Then, answer the questions that follow. How To Fry an Egg

First, place the skillet on the stovetop. Turn the heat on medium and place a teaspoon of butter in the skillet. Let the butter slowly melt. Be careful not to burn it. Next, take an egg from the refrigerator. Tap the egg gently on the side of the skillet. When the egg cracks, pry it apart with your thumbs and place the egg in the skillet. Throw the shells away. Then, cook the egg until it is done on one side. Flip it with a spatula. Continue to cook the egg until it is done. Finally, you have an egg for breakfast! Which of the following words from the selection signals a significant detail? A B C D

let medium refrigerator breakfast

______________________________________________________________________________________________ Copyright © 2005 - 2006 by Pearson Education

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Benchmark Test 1 ______________________________________________________________________________ 20

Reading Informational Material: Read to Perform a Task Read the selection. Then, answer the questions that follow. How To Fry an Egg

First, place the skillet on the stovetop. Turn the heat on medium and place a teaspoon of butter in the skillet. Let the butter slowly melt. Be careful not to burn it. Next, take an egg from the refrigerator. Tap the egg gently on the side of the skillet. When the egg cracks, pry it apart with your thumbs and place the egg in the skillet. Throw the shells away. Then, cook the egg until it is done on one side. Flip it with a spatula. Continue to cook the egg until it is done. Finally, you have an egg for breakfast! How many separate steps does frying an egg require? A B C D

21

2 6 8 12

Reading Informational Material: Read to Perform a Task Read the selection. Then, answer the questions that follow. How To Fry an Egg

First, place the skillet on the stovetop. Turn the heat on medium and place a teaspoon of butter in the skillet. Let the butter slowly melt. Be careful not to burn it. Next, take an egg from the refrigerator. Tap the egg gently on the side of the skillet. When the egg cracks, pry it apart with your thumbs and place the egg in the skillet. Throw the shells away. Then, cook the egg until it is done on one side. Flip it with a spatula. Continue to cook the egg until it is done. Finally, you have an egg for breakfast! After you crack the egg, what is your next task? A B C D

Throw the shells away. Put the egg in the skillet. Turn the stove on low. Flip it with a spatula.

______________________________________________________________________________________________ Copyright © 2005 - 2006 by Pearson Education

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Benchmark Test 1 ______________________________________________________________________________ 22

Vocabulary: Prefixes and Suffixes

The prefix fore- means “come before.” Using this knowledge, what is the meaning of theword forebears? A B C D

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old friends ancestors descendants offspring

Vocabulary: Prefixes and Suffixes

In the following sentence, what is the meaning of the word conceded?The timer had run out before Marc could shoot the basket—he conceded the loss to Pat. A B C D

24

acknowledged refused argued regretted

Vocabulary: Prefixes and Suffixes

What is the meaning of the word formed by adding con- to -current? A B C D

25

at odds occurring at the same location occurring at the same time in order

Vocabulary: Prefixes and Suffixes

The suffix -tion is used to form nouns from verbs. Which of the following answer choicesmeans “a sudden or radical change”? A B C D

retribution condemnation revocation revolution

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Benchmark Test 1 ______________________________________________________________________________ 26

Vocabulary: Prefixes and Suffixes

In the following sentence what is the meaning of the word reciprocate?Every year Jim mails holiday cards to all of his friends even though they don’t always reciprocate. A B C D

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say “thank you” give in return read them buy him a gift

Vocabulary: Prefixes and Suffixes

Which of the following answer choices does not indicate a position or title? A B C D

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magistrate consulate electorate agitate

Grammar: Nouns

How many common nouns are in this sentence?“Spring flowers are the prettiest,” said Anna to Jen, her best friend. “Crocus, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths: I love them all.” A B C D

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3 4 5 6

Grammar: Nouns

Which of the following sentences contains two proper nouns? A B C D

The boy went to the backyard to play ball. The train ran from San Francisco to Los Angeles each afternoon. The bus ran between the suburbs and Cleveland. The school was named after Mr. Washington.

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Benchmark Test 1 ______________________________________________________________________________ 30

Grammar: Nouns

How does a proper noun differ from a common noun? A B C D

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A proper noun is more formal than a common noun. A common noun may be someone’s name, but a proper noun may not. A proper noun is harder to spell than a common noun is. A proper noun is the name of an individual person, place, or thing.

Grammar: Nouns

Which one of the following nouns is a concrete noun? A B C D

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patience pleasure pride petunia

Grammar: Nouns

Which one of the following nouns is an abstract noun? A B C D

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confidence confetti formula cannibal

Grammar: Nouns

Which of the following nouns is a concrete noun? A B C D

cloud clearly confused confound

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Benchmark Test 1 ______________________________________________________________________________ 34

Grammar: Nouns

Which of the following possessive nouns is written correctly? A B C D

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workers worker’s workeres worker’es

Grammar: Nouns

How do possessive nouns function in sentences? A B C D

36

as nouns as verbs as adjectives as adverbs

Grammar: Nouns

Which of the following possessive nouns is written correctly? A B C D

37

pitchers pitcher’s pitcher’es pitche’rs

Writing

Write a brief anecdote in which a character causes trouble by saying the wrong thing at the wrong time—or to the wrong person. Clearly describe the conflicts that result. Narrate the events that lead to the resolution of the conflicts in a logical order.

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Benchmark Test 1 ______________________________________________________________________________ 38

Writing

Choose a work of literature that you read recently that had some weaknesses: for example,uninteresting characters or situations, a predictable plot, or dull dialogue. Write a brief critiqueof the work. Provide enough background information so that readers who have notread the work will be able to understand your points. Support each point you make withexamples from the work.

39

Writing

Think about one skill that you learned or a task you completed in the last year. Write a brief autobiographical narrative that traces the way in which you learned the skill or mastered the task.

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