Category 1 - Vocabulary - Division of Language Arts/Reading

Fall Interim 2012 Assessment – Grade 8 November 2012 Division of Language Arts/ReadingCategory 1 - VocabularyBenchmark LA.8.1.6.3 - use context clues to determine meanings of unfamiliar words: (4 possible: 1, 26, 27, 4 0)Question NGSSS Passage Question stem Distractors ANALYSIS1 LA.8.1.6.3 excerpt fromHollywood andthe Pits26 LA.8.1.6.3 Morning Fog –Poetry27 LA.8.1.6.3 Morning Fog –Poetry40 LA.8.1.6.3 Cooking UpSuperhardDiamonds -InformationalRead this sentence.No single fossil, no one observation, is significant enoughto tell the entire story.What does the word significant mean?Read the lines.Rolling inland from the expansive sealike sails billowing in a full wind;What does the word expansive mean?Read the lines.Human forms appear and disappear, gliding, sliding,playing hide and seek among wispy columns of clouds;hushed voices murmur as if confiding secrets.What does the word wispy mean in the sentence?Read the sentences.Now, scientists have found a way to make diamonds evenharder by cooking them underpressure with lots of heat. Using the new technique,Russell J. Hemley of the CarnegieInstitution of Washington and his colleagues claim that theyhave made the hardest diamondcrystal ever tested.What does the word technique mean as it is used in thesentence?A. encouragingB. fascinatingC. imaginativeD. meaningfulF. broadG. forcefulH. quietI. rhythmicA. ancientB. sheerC. smoothD. warmBenchmark LA.8.1.6.8 - identify advanced word/phrase relationships and their meanings: (4 possible: 19, 29, 41, 54)F. clerical supportG. organized approachH. appropriate expenseI. approved equipmentQuestion NGSSS Passage Question stem19 LA.8.1.6.8 Protecting the Which pair of words from the article is MOST similar inGreat Wall meaning?29 LA.8.1.6.8 Morning Fog –Poetry41 LA.8.1.6.8 Cooking UpSuperhardDiamonds -Informational54 LA.8.1.6.8 Solemates –FunctionalRead these lines from the poem.Stretching between and around tall buildingslike long pale fingers reaching for a glass of water:the morning fog envelops the town.Which word is MOST similar in meaning to the wordenvelops as it is used in the poem?Which pair of words from the article is MOST similar inmeaning?Which pair of words from the advertisement is MOSTsimilar in meaning?A. fortification, barricadeB. structures, dimensionsC. laborers, officialsD. besieged, toiledA. absorbsB. releasesC. separatesD. surroundsF. an exampleG. a repeated designH. a model used as a guideI. a sample for others to followF. adjustable, incredibleG. construction, supportH. guaranteed, certifiedI. durable, remarkableFall Interim – Grade 8 Page 1

Fall Interim 2012 Assessment – Grade 8 November 2012 Division of Language Arts/ReadingBenchmark LA.8.1.6.9 – determine the correct meaning of words with multiple meanings in context: ( 4 possible: 23, 24, 42, 48)Question NGSSS Passage Question stem23 LA.8.1.6.9 Protecting theGreat WallRead the sentence.From these towers, sentries lit fires and sent smoke signalsto warn the guards along the wallthat enemies were approaching.In which sentence does guards have the SAME meaningas used in the sentence above?24 LA.8.1.6.9 Protecting theGreat Wall42 LA.8.1.6.9 Cooking UpSuperhardDiamonds -Informational48 LA.8.1.6.9 Liang and Bao -LiteraryRead this sentence from the article.Today the wall is besieged by tourists who often leave litterand damage the stones.In which sentence does the word litter have a SIMILARmeaning to its use in the sentence above?Read this sentence from the passage.All diamonds are made up of carbon atoms arranged in aregular pattern.Which definition of pattern is MOST similar to the way it isused in the sentence above?Read the sentence from the passage.Bao said he would read through her first draft when theygot home.In which sentence does the word draft have the SAMEmeaning as it is used in the sentence above?Category 2 – Reading ApplicationsBenchmark LA.8.1.7.2 – analyze the author’s purpose and/or perspective in a variety of texts: ( 5 possible: 3, 10, 16, 31, 34)A. Crossing guards at street intersections assistpedestrians.B. Each player wears shoulder guards to help preventinjury.C. A sturdy fence guards against any cattle wandering offthe ranch.D. At the bank, guards position themselves near the doorsand the vault.F. If Maddie works on her art project in the house, she willlitter the floor with bits ofpaper.G. The briskly turning winds blew litter from the open trashbin onto the street.H. Volunteers at the animal shelter change the cats’ litterboxes daily.I. The pig on my uncle’s farm had a litter of 10 piglets.F. an exampleG. a repeated designH. a model used as a guideI. a sample for others to followF. On a cold day, Hank sat in a draft that gave him a chilland made him sneeze.G. The draft horse pulled the carriage of visitors through thestreets of St. Augustine.H. Mr. Smith asked an architect to draft ideas for a newsports complex next to thepark.I. My English teacher reviewed the draft of my poem beforeasking me to read it tothe class.Question NGSSS Passage Question stem3 LA.8.1.7.2 excerpt fromHollywood andthe PitsThe author MOST LIKELY wrote the story as a narrativebecause it allowed her to10 LA.8.1.7.2 Stick an Orangein Your GasTank!The author MOST LIKELY wrote this article toA. write a fictional tale about the tar pits.B. review the geographic history of the tar pits.C. describe a personal connection to the tar pits.D. provide the scientific explanation for the tar pits.F. encourage people to eat more oranges.G. explain why oranges are a healthy fruit.H. inform readers about a new technology.I. describe the benefits of living in the South.Fall Interim – Grade 8 Page 2

Fall Interim 2012 Assessment – Grade 8 November 2012 Division of Language Arts/ReadingH. its materialsI. its construction33 LA.8.1.7.7 Morning Fog –PoetryHow does the hatchling’s movement on the sand differ fromits underwater movement?A. Their movement on the sand is more awkward than theirmovement underwater.B. Their movement underwater is faster because ofpredators while on the sand theymove slower.C. Their movement on the sand is rarely observed bypeople yet their movementunderwater is not.D. Their movement underwater is cautious because ofobstacles while on the sandthey move freely.Category 3 - Elements of Story Structure/Descriptive Language / Figurative LanguageBenchmark LA.8.2.1.2 – locate and analyze elements of characterization, setting, and plot, including rising action, conflict, resolution, theme, and other literaryelements appropriate in a variety of fiction. (5 possible: 2, 5, 6, 50, 51)Question NGSSS Passage Question stem2 LA.8.2.1.2 excerpt fromHollywood andthe Pits5 LA.8.2.1.2 excerpt fromHollywood andthe Pits6 LA.8.2.1.2 excerpt fromHollywood andthe Pits50 LA.8.2.1.2 Liang and Bao -Literary51 Liang and Bao -LiteraryWhy does Cherylene Lee share her point of view in the firstperson?Cherylene Lee’s tone is one ofRead this excerpt from the story.While my mother wasn’t proud of the La Brea Tar Pits (shedidn’t know or care what a fossilwas), she didn’t discourage me either. She drove me there,the same way she used to drive me tothe studios.What does the excerpt reveal about the mother’s motives?Why is Liang cautious about helping Bao?Which word BEST describes Liang?F. to convey her private opinion and feelingsG. to create an objective tone of her thoughtsH. to relate detailed descriptions of her experienceI. to reveal her personal discussions with her motherA. confusion.B. contentment.C. longing.D. regretF. Although she doesn’t understand science, she realizesthat her daughter does.G. Even though she takes her daughter to the tar pits, sheis embarrassed about it.H. Even though she doesn’t agree with her daughter’schoices, she is supportive of her.I. Although she takes her daughter to the tar pits, shehopes her daughter will return to the studios.F. Liang knows Bao is very independent.G. Liang thinks Bao does not truly need help.H. Liang feels that Bao will learn better without help.I. Liang does not know enough about science to tutor Bao.A. considerateB. impatientC. suspiciousD. talkativeBenchmark LA.8.2.1.7 – locate and analyze an author’s use of allusions and descriptive, idiomatic, and figurative language in a variety of literary text, identifying howword choice is used to appeal to the reader’s senses and emotions, providing evidence from text to support the analysis. ( 2 possible: 30, 52)Question NGSSS Passage Question stem30 LA.8.2.1.7 Morning Fog –PoetryRead these lines from the poem.like long pale fingers reaching for a glass of water:the morning fog envelops the town.F. hyperbole, exaggerating the power of the fogG. metaphor, representing the fog as a tall buildingH. personification, attributing human characteristics to theFall Interim – Grade 8 Page 6

Fall Interim 2012 Assessment – Grade 8 November 2012 Division of Language Arts/Reading52 LA.8.2.1.7 Liang and Bao -LiteraryWhich literary device is used in the lines above?What is the tone of the passage?Benchmark LA.8.2.2.1 – locate, use, and analyze specific information from organizational text features: (2 possible: 60, 61)Question NGSSS Passage Question stem60 LA.8.2.2.1 CharlesFranklinKettering –LiteraryNonfiction61 LA.8.2.2.1 CharlesFranklinKettering –LiteraryNonfictionWhich subtitle would be MOST effective if added to theoriginal title?Which excerpt from the passage BEST supports theinformation in the text box?waterI. simile, comparing the fog gripping the town to humanfingersF. gloomy since Liang worries about Bao’s achievementsG. humorous because Liang tricks Bao into working withherH. mysterious since Bao does not understand Liang’smotivesI. lighthearted because Liang finds a pleasant way to helpBao succeedF. Unexpected SuccessG. The Importance of CuriosityH. The Struggles of an InventorI. Education of an American GeniusA. The many simple devices that we use every day withoutthinking all began with a curious mind and a good idea.Charles Franklin Kettering had just that sort of curious mind.B. After Kettering started his own research company in1909, he was hired to invent the one machine that madehim more famous than any other.C. Kettering loved any challenge that involved usingelectricity, inventing, or making things safer. This one had allthree.D. Over the next five decades, Charles Kettering continuedto invent new and better ways of doing old things.Category 4 – Informational Text / Research ProcessBenchmark LA.8.6.1.1 – explain how text features aid the reader’s understanding: ( 8 possible: 7, 25, 46, 47, 55, 56, 57, 58)Question NGSSS Passage Question stem7 LA.8.6.1.1 Stick an Orangein Your GasTank!Which statement from this article reinforces the title?25 LA.8.6.1.1 Protecting theGreat WallWhich statement from this article provides a more detailedunderstanding of the title?A. Grohman’s idea may sound wacky until you learn thatoranges and their peels are chock-full of many differentkinds of sugars, like fructose.B. Until recently, no one has tried making this naturalbiofuel from orange peels or other citrus waste.C. But he knew that certain natural oils in orange peelskeep the yeasts from finishing the job.D. When grown in a batch of citrus waste, KO11 quicklyferments the sugars that the yeast passed up.A. The Great Wall of China began almost 2,300 years agoas a series of smaller, separate walls.B. During the Han Empire, 202 B.C. through 220 A.D., thewall was lengthened and strengthened.C. The wall stands twenty-five feet tall, and the thirteen-footFall Interim – Grade 8 Page 7

Fall Interim 2012 Assessment – Grade 8 November 2012 Division of Language Arts/Reading46 LA.8.6.1.1 Cooking UpSuperhardDiamonds -InformationalBased on the article and the information in the text box,what color diamonds could Hemley and hisgroup MOST LIKELY create using their laboratoryequipment?roadway is wide enough for ten people to walk side by sidealong the top.D. Signs are being placed near the wall to remind visitorsnot to litter or disturb the environment.F. yellow or orangeG. red or pinkH. violetI. blue47 LA.8.6.1.1 Cooking UpSuperhardDiamonds -Informational55 LA.8.6.1.1 Solemates –Functional56 LA.8.6.1.1 Solemates –Functional57 LA.8.6.1.1 Solemates –Functional58 LA.8.6.1.1 Solemates –FunctionalWhich sentence from the article supports the information inthe text box?Based on the passage, what would MOST LIKELY happenif a pair of SoleMates became defectivefour years after purchase?What information about the product is BEST conveyed inthe accompanying illustration?The purpose of the text inside the graphic is toThe author MOST LIKELY included an illustration alongwith the text because itA. All diamonds are made up of carbon atoms arranged in aregular pattern.B. Under these conditions, the newly deposited diamondsbecome superhard.C. Individual gems would also make gorgeous, durablejewelry.D. The discovery of superhard and supertough diamondscould give new meaning to the old saying ―Diamonds areforever.A. The company would repair the sandals.B. The consumer would get his or her money back.C. The company would replace the sandals at no charge.D. The consumer would get a discount on a new pair ofshoesF. colorG. costH. sizeI. styleA. highlight customer satisfaction.B. emphasize affordable cost.C. identify available colors.D. explain athletic uses.F. adds interest to the advertisement.G. attracts a certain type of consumer.H. highlights the credibility of the product.I. draws attention to the lifetime guaranteeBenchmark LA.8.6.2.2 - organize, synthesize analyze and evaluate the validity and reliability of information from multiple sources (including primary and secondarysources) to draw conclusions using a variety of techniques, and correctly use standardized citations: ( 6 possible: 11, 18, 21, 32, 36, 37)11 LA.8.6.2.2 Stick an Orangein Your GasTank!18 LA.8.6.2.2 Protecting theGreat WallWhat is the MOST important advantage of using ethanol asa fuel for vehicles?People who read this article will learn howA. Ethanol reduces air pollution.B. Ethanol mixes well with gasoline.C. Making ethanol uses up plant products.D. Making ethanol provides income for growers.F. easy it was for the Chinese people to build the GreatWall.G. the design of the Great Wall was determined by theChinese emperors.H. Chinese officials passed laws to make the Great Wall aFall Interim – Grade 8 Page 8

Fall Interim 2012 Assessment – Grade 8 November 2012 Division of Language Arts/Reading21 LA.8.6.2.2 Protecting theGreat Wall32 LA.8.6.2.2 Morning Fog –Poetry36 LA.8.6.2.2 Turtle Eggs -Informational37 LA.8.6.2.2 Turtle Eggs -InformationalThe author of the passage writes extensively about thevarious empires that ruled China becauseWhich of the following is the BEST evidence that the fog ismysterious?Based on the article, what generalization can be madeabout Kemp’s Ridley hatchlings?Which statement from the article BEST supports the ideathat the public has great interest in the rangers’ work?tourist attraction.I. the attributes of the Great Wall made it a valuable part ofChinese history.A. China’s political history is as interesting as the history ofthe Great Wall.B. these empires are better known than the empires notmentioned in the article.C. China’s culture changed each time one empireconquered and replaced another.D. rulers of each empire described in the article affected thesize and condition of the Great Wall.F. Behind the soft and silent whitenessG. Rolling inland from the expansive seaH. Stretching between and around tall buildingsI. An eerie white quietness descends and disguisesF. They can travel easily over beaches.G. Their mothers stay with them until they mature.H. People carry them to the water to keep them fromdanger.I. Experts from two countries have influenced their survival.A. They immediately whip into action, taking the turtlesdown to the beach.B. In the wild, these turtles would not have anyonewatching out for them.C. From the time the turtles hatch until their release into theGulf of Mexico, they are watched around the clock.D. Up on the beach, watchers and well-wishers strain theireyes to catch a last glimpse of the turtles, but they arealready on their journey.Fall Interim – Grade 8 Page 9