Question 1

What is the author’s primary purpose in writing the letter?

Accepted Answer

To convince the town council that the citizens of Medway would benefit from a dogpark

Answer

To explain why dogs are better behaved if they are used to being around people

Answer

To suggest that many dog owners do not give their pets an opportunity to exercise

Answer

To share information about a potential volunteer opportunity at the Medway dogpark

Question 2

The word minimize in paragraph 6 means —

Accepted Answer

reduce

Answer

encourage to take action

Answer

settle

Answer

change on a regular basis

Question 3

How does the author try to convince people that the entire community will benefit from a dog park?

Accepted Answer

He includes the advantages of a dog park for people who do not have pets.

Answer

He mentions that dog owners should have a fence around their yard for their dog.

Answer

He restates the fact that the town has a law requiring dogs to be leashed.

Answer

He proves that most dog owners feel that their dog is safer on a leash.

Question 4

How does the comparison in paragraph 5 support the author’s main argument?

Accepted Answer

It explains that spending time at a dog park can have a positive effect on the behavior of dogs.

Answer

It suggests that people should avoid approaching a dog they have not met before.

Answer

It demonstrates that most dog owners prefer to have their dogs behave in a friendly way.

Answer

It reveals that most dogs act in a similar way when encountering new people or animals.

Question 5

Which sentence from the letter contains an example of exaggeration?

Accepted Answer

However, there is one thing our town cannot go on without.

Answer

Few things make dogs happier than running.

Answer

I walk my beagle daily, and I often see other people out walking their dogs.

Answer

I really enjoy going to the local library and playing at the local baseball field.

Question 6

The author argues that a dog park would be good for dog owners because it would —

Accepted Answer

provide them with a place to talk with one another

Answer

provide them with assistance for dog training

Answer

prevent them from walking their dogs on the street

Answer

offer them an outdoor area to sit and relax

Question 7

Why is paragraph 6 important to the author’s argument?

Accepted Answer

It explains that the author has a plan for creating the park.

Answer

It suggests that the author’s dog is familiar with the meadow in the park.

Answer

It shows that the author has experience caring for dog parks.

Answer

It proves that the author has found willing volunteers.

Question 8

What is the main idea of the section titled “A Prickly Feast”?

Accepted Answer

People and animals eat parts of the cholla cactus.

Answer

The cholla cactus attracts bees because of its pollen.

Answer

People sometimes roast the buds of certain types of cholla cactus.

Answer

The fruit of the cholla cactus is quite juicy.

Question 9

According to the article, rainwater is stored in the cholla cactus’s —

Accepted Answer

stems

Answer

flowers

Answer

spines

Answer

roots

Question 10

The author included the information in paragraph 1 to help the reader —

Accepted Answer

visualize a hot desert region

Answer

identify the ways in which animals survive in the desert

Answer

understand the kinds of plants that live in sandy soil

Answer

learn about people who live in extreme conditions

Question 11

What do the subheadings in the article help the reader understand?

Accepted Answer

The cholla can be used for different purposes.

Answer

Many animals live in severe environments.

Answer

There are many different types of cholla.

Answer

The author is knowledgeable about desert animals.

Question 12

Why does the cactus wren “like thorns in all directions”?

Accepted Answer

They help keep intruders away.

Answer

They prevent the baby birds from moving around in the nest.

Answer

They are a source of food for the young hatchlings.

Answer

They offer cool shade from the desert heat.

Question 13

In lines 1 through 13, the poet contrasts the wren’s behavior with that of other desert animals to show that the wren —

Accepted Answer

feels comfortable in the heat of the desert

Answer

copies the actions of other animals

Answer

makes noises that are more pleasant to listen to

Answer

worries about the needs of other animals

Question 14

Look at the dictionary entry for the word entrance. Which definition best fits the way entrance is used in line 25?

Accepted Answer

Definition 3

Answer

Definition 2

Answer

Definition 4

Answer

Definition 1

Question 15

The photograph below the title represents which part of the poem?

Accepted Answer

Lines 8–13

Answer

Lines 1–7

Answer

Lines 14–22

Answer

Lines 25–30

Question 16

The poet uses the word “stickery” in line 21 to help readers understand —

Accepted Answer

why most animals would not want to touch the cactus

Answer

how much work the wren does to build a nest

Answer

how animals are able to find an abandoned nest

Answer

where the wren sits on the cactus to sing in the afternoons

Question 17

This poem is written from the point of view of a —

Accepted Answer

mother bird

Answer

baby bird

Answer

mouse

Answer

cricket

Question 18

Which sentence best describes a difference between the article and the poem?

Accepted Answer

The article consists of factual information, while the poem allows for a deeper understanding of an animal’s experience.

Answer

The article describes the appearance of the cholla cactus, while the poem describes its growth patterns.

Answer

The article describes an animal’s daily activities, while the poem does not.

Answer

The article discusses the usefulness of the cholla cactus, while the poem does not.

Question 19

According to the article and the poem, a cactus wren lives in a cholla cactus in order to —

Accepted Answer

be protected from other animals

Answer

be near food for its young

Answer

seek shelter from the sun

Answer

be close to a source of water

Question 20

Which sentence from the article best expresses the cactus wren’s experience in the poem?

Accepted Answer

The cholla cactus not only survives in the desert but also helps animals live comfortably in this extreme environment.

Answer

The cholla cactus also provides tasty meals for many other desert animals.

Answer

Many animals also seek shelter from the scorching sun.

Answer

While the desert may seem virtually uninhabitable, it is home to many animals and plants.

Question 21

Which idea do both the article and the poem support?

Accepted Answer

Animals adapt to their environment.

Answer

Animals often work together.

Answer

Nature changes unexpectedly.

Answer

People should rely on desert resources for food.

Question 22

The author’s main purpose in writing the selection is to —

Accepted Answer

inform the reader about the invention and uses of an interesting product

Answer

encourage the reader to think of clever uses for a product

Answer

explain how to develop an invention

Answer

describe some creative ways of promoting a new product

Question 23

From the information presented in paragraph 2, the reader can conclude that Wright’s invention —

Accepted Answer

displayed characteristics that he did not expect

Answer

required chemicals that were difficult to get

Answer

cost more to make than the government was willing to pay

Answer

was the reason he was offered a job in the laboratory

Question 24

Which of these statements best summarizes the section titled “Stretching into Success”?

Accepted Answer

Peter Hodgson learned of an invention, named it Silly Putty, and used his experience to successfully advertise it.

Answer

When Peter Hodgson purchased the rights to make the putty, he decided to call it Silly Putty.

Answer

Peter Hodgson realized that children around the country would like the putty if he came up with a good name for it.

Answer

To help make James Wright’s invention popular, Peter Hodgson wanted to give more people the opportunity to know about it.

Question 25

Based on the ideas presented in the selection, what can the reader conclude about Silly Putty?

Accepted Answer

It has gained new uses over the years.

Answer

It is used today by more adults than children.

Answer

For about 70 years it has been the most popular toy on the market.

Answer

Copying ink images is the most valuable of its uses.

Question 26

What is the meaning of the word properties in paragraph 6?

Accepted Answer

Qualities

Answer

Creators

Answer

Solutions

Answer

Customers

Question 27

What can the reader conclude about Peter Hodgson based on information in the selection?

Accepted Answer

He saw the possibilities for something that others did not.

Answer

He searched for new inventions by reading magazines.

Answer

He purchased several toys from different companies.

Answer

He believed that mistakes often lead to important discoveries.

Question 28

The author presents the ideas in paragraphs 2 through 5 in chronological order so that the reader will better understand —

Accepted Answer

how a failed invention became popular when it was given a new purpose

Answer

how an engineer mixed different chemicals to produce an invention

Answer

the process an engineer followed to invent a product for the government

Answer

the best way to market an invention as a toy

Question 29

Wright’s invention was originally intended for —

Accepted Answer

military use

Answer

physical therapy

Answer

children

Answer

astronauts

Question 30

In paragraph 11, the word aspire means to —

Accepted Answer

seek a goal

Answer

design a project

Answer

arrange a meeting

Answer

encourage a friend

Question 31

What do the details in paragraph 5 help the reader understand about Wagner?

Accepted Answer

He was underestimated because of his appearance.

Answer

He lacked the patience that coaches of major league teams expected of players.

Answer

He needed the proper equipment before a major league team would select him.

Answer

He was unhappy with his performance on the minor league team.

Question 32

Which sentence from the selection shows that Wagner was a positive influence on others?

Accepted Answer

Wagner tried to retire, but his coaches persuaded him to keep playing because they believed the team benefited from his leadership.

Answer

Wagner would load about 2,000 pounds of coal onto a cart each day, earning 70cents for a day’s hard labor.

Answer

For much of that time, he was the best hitter in the National League.

Answer

Wagner’s love for the game would help him become one of the greatest baseball players of all time.

Question 33

By including the details in paragraph 3, the author most likely hopes to convey that Wagner —

Accepted Answer

had a real passion for baseball from an early age

Answer

enjoyed interacting with players during the Pittsburgh Pirates home games

Answer

settled for playing with the Pittsburgh Pirates because the team played close to his childhood home

Answer

took time to explore a professional career that was not related to baseball

Question 34

What is the primary theme in the selection?

Accepted Answer

Dedication can help a person achieve great success.

Answer

Family members should offer support to one another.

Answer

People should take the time to pursue their interests.

Answer

Kindness often leads to friendship and admiration.

Question 35

Which phrase from paragraphs 5 and 6 helps the reader understand the meaning of gawkiness in paragraph 6?

Accepted Answer

bowed legs and long arms

Answer

play any position

Answer

didn’t matter

Answer

learned to appreciate

Question 36

The photograph of the statue of Wagner conveys the message that —

Accepted Answer

Wagner’s accomplishments are still respected today

Answer

the Pittsburgh Pirates are successful today because of Wagner

Answer

Pittsburgh Pirates fans believe that Wagner is the best coach of all time

Answer

people can still learn from Wagner’s life story

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