2

C H A P T E R

DIAGNOSTIC TEST

C HAPTER SUMMARY
This is the first of the three practice tests in this book based on
the GED® Reasoning through Language Arts test. Use this test to
see how you would do if you were to take the exam today.

T his diagnostic practice exam is of the same type as the real GED® Reasoning through Language Arts
test. It consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and one essay question. These questions test your skills
in comprehension (extracting meaning), application (using information), analysis (breaking down
information), and synthesis (putting elements together).
The answer sheet you should use for the multiple-choice questions is on the following page. Then comes
the exam itself, and after that, the answer key. Each answer on the test is explained in the answer key to help you
find out why the correct answers are right and why the incorrect answers are wrong.

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 – L EA R NI N G E X P R E S S A N S W E R S HE E T –

Diagnostic Test

1. a b c d 18. a b c d 35. a b c d
2. a b c d 19. a b c d 36. a b c d
3. a b c d 20. a b c d 37. a b c d
4. a b c d 21. a b c d 38. a b c d
5. a b c d 22. a b c d 39. a b c d
6. a b c d 23. a b c d 40. a b c d
7. a b c d 24. a b c d 41. a b c d
8. a b c d 25. a b c d 42. a b c d
9. a b c d 26. a b c d 43. a b c d
10. a b c d 27. a b c d 44. a b c d
11. a b c d 28. a b c d 45. a b c d
12. a b c d 29. a b c d 46. a b c d
13. a b c d 30. a b c d 47. a b c d
14. a b c d 31. a b c d 48. a b c d
15. a b c d 32. a b c d 49. a b c d
16. a b c d 33. a b c d 50. a b c d
17. a b c d 34. a b c d

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 –D I A G N O S T I C T E S T –

Part I sang until the ceremony was ended. Then it

wound up with one more little, glad trill.
(35) Never had the old gray-green house
Directions: Choose the one best answer to each among its enfolding orchards known a
question. merrier afternoon. Laughter and joy had
their way; and when Anne and Gilbert left to
Questions 1 through 7 refer to the following excerpt from catch their train, Marilla stood at the gate
a novel. (40) and watched them drive out of sight down
the long lane with its banks of goldenrod.
Will Anne Miss Green Gables? Anne turned at its end to wave her last
It was a happy and beautiful bride who came goodbye. She looked once more at her home
down the old carpeted stairs that September and felt a tinge of sadness. Then she was
noon. She was the first bride of Green (45) gone—Green Gables was her home no more.
Gables, slender and shining-eyed, with her It would never be again. Marilla’s face looked
(5) arms full of roses. Gilbert, waiting for her in very gray and old as she turned to the house
the hall below, looked up at her with adoring which Anne had filled for years with light
eyes. She was his at last, this long-sought and life.
Anne, whom he won after years of patient Adapted from L.M. Montgomery,
waiting. It was to him she was coming. Was Anne’s House of Dreams
(10) he worthy of her? Could he make her as
happy as he hoped? If he failed her—if he
1. Which of the following words best describes
could not measure up to her standards. . . .
what Gilbert feels toward Anne?
But then, their eyes met and all doubt
a. love
was swept away in a certainty that everything
b. respect
(15) would be wonderful. They belonged to each
c. gratitude
other; no matter what life might hold for
d. nervousness
them, it could never alter that. Their
happiness was in each other’s keeping and
2. What happened when Gilbert’s and Anne’s
both were unafraid.
eyes met?
(20) They were married in the sunshine of
a. He wondered whether he was worthy of her.
the old orchard, circled by the loving and
b. He wondered what their life would be like.
kindly faces of long-familiar friends. Mr.
c. He realized they were meant for each other.
Allan married them and the Reverend Jo
d. He thought Anne would miss Green Gables
made what Mrs. Rachel Lynde afterwards
very much.
(25) pronounced to be the “most beautiful
wedding prayer” she had ever heard. Birds do
3. Based on the excerpt, what was probably the
not often sing in September, but one sang
hardest change for Anne?
sweetly from some hidden tree while Gilbert
a. becoming a wife
and Anne repeated their vows. Anne heard it
b. saying goodbye to Marilla
(30) and thrilled to it. Gilbert heard it and
c. not being free to do what she wanted
wondered only that all the birds in the world
d. Green Gables not being her home any longer
had not burst into jubilant song. The bird

17
 –D I A G N O S T I C T E S T –

4. Based on the excerpt, which description best Directions: Choose the one best answer to each
characterizes the relationship between Marilla question.
and Anne?
a. Marilla felt tired from having taken care of Questions 8 through 14 are based on the following
Anne. passage.
b. Marilla raised Anne from childhood and
cared about her. Raymond Dean
c. Marilla was sad that Anne left because she Green Valley Farm
would have to leave, too. 3421 Rte 32
d. Marilla and Anne disagreed about Gilbert Stone Ridge, NY 12430
being a good husband.
Dear Mr. Dean:
5. Which of the following best describes what the
author means when she says “this long-sought (A)
Anne” (lines 7 and 8)? (1) I am presently a student at ulster county
a. Anne was no longer a young woman. community college and my field of study is
b. Anne did not fall in love with Gilbert right agriculture. (2) I am studying all types of
away. farming techniques, and only prefers organic
c. Anne was patient with Gilbert. methods for growing vegetables. (3) I have
d. Anne had nearly married someone else. learned much about the latest techniques for
growing food organically and I know that
6. Of the characters in this excerpt, whose inner since you are one of the largest organic
thoughts are hidden from the reader? growers in the area, I will learn a great deal
a. Anne more from you and your employees.
b. Gilbert
c. Marilla (B)
d. Mr. Allan (4) This is why I would like to apply for a
summer position with your farm. (5) I hope
7. How does the bird’s singing relate to Gilbert’s to get a permanent job with you after I grad-
and Anne’s marriage? uate. (6) I believe the experience of working
a. The bird’s singing was distracting to those with the Green Valley Farm professionals
watching the service. would, enhance my education greatly. (7) I
b. The bird’s singing mirrored the joy of the want to let you know that I would consider
wedding service. an unpaid internship at your farm. (8) That
c. The bird’s singing seemed to suggest sad is how anxious I am to work with you. (9)
events in the future. Maybe I could borrow some money from my
d. The bird’s singing was worrisome to the parents or get a second job to support
bridal couple. myself. (10) I am enclosing my resume as
well as my references from teachers and a
former employer.

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 –D I A G N O S T I C T E S T –

(C) 10. Sentences (4) and (5): This is why I would like
(11) I first learned about your farm from a to apply for a summer position with your farm.
teacher. (12) He has high regard for your I hope to get a permanent job with you after I
work. (13) He was suggesting that I write graduate.
you and make this request. (14) I hope I will Which is the most effective combination of
hear from you. (15) In the near future. sentences (4) and (5)?
a. I am applying for a summer job, but I hope
Sincerely yours, to get a permanent position.
b. Applying for a job now in the hopes that you
Mark Tanzania will hire me after I graduate.
c. I would like to apply for a position with your
farm, today, and then later after I graduate.
8. Sentence (1): I am presently a student at ulster d. I would like to apply for a summer position
county community college and my field of with your farm in the hopes of having a
study is agriculture. permanent job with you after I graduate.
Which is the best way to write the
underlined portion of the sentence? 11. Which revision would improve the
a. ulster county Community College effectiveness of paragraph (B)?
b. Ulster county community college a. move sentence (5) after sentence (10)
c. Ulster County Community college b. move sentence (9) to the end of the paragraph
d. Ulster County Community College c. remove sentence (6)
d. remove sentence (9)
9. Sentence (2): I am studying all types of farming
techniques, and only prefers organic methods 12. Sentence (6): I believe the experience
for growing vegetables. of working with the Green Valley Farm
Which is the best way to write the professionals would, enhance my education
underlined portion of this sentence? greatly.
a. techniques, so I prefer Which correction should be made to
b. techniques which are sentence (6)?
c. techniques, but prefer a. insert a comma after professionals
d. techniques that don’t prefer b. replace working with to work
c. change believe to believed
d. remove the comma after would

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13. Sentences (11) and (12): I first learned about Questions 15 through 18 refer to the following excerpt
your farm from a teacher. He has high regard from a short story.
for your work.
Which is the most effective combination of Will He Appear on National Television?
sentences (11) and (12)? “I think half the world has shown up for this
a. First I learned about your farm from a audition.” Gene was talking on his cell phone
teacher he has high regard for your work. to his girlfriend. “I can’t wait to perform. I
b. I learned about your farm from a teacher know I’m in fine voice, and they are going to
who has high regard for your work. (5) love the song I chose.”
c. My teacher has high regard for your work, I “Well, good luck. I will be thinking of
learned about your farm. you.”
d. A teacher who has high regard for your work Although he sounded upbeat with his
and I first learned about your farm. girlfriend, in truth Gene was anything but
(10) confident. He had staked so much on the
14. Sentence (13): He was suggesting that I write audition, and he had no idea what the judges
you and make this request. would really think of him. He realized for the
Which correction should be made to first time that he was scared. Even so, he
sentence (13)? wanted to succeed so much he could almost
a. change make to made (15) taste it. Just imagine competing on national
b. change you and make to you. Make television. He took a long breath in. It was
c. change was suggesting to suggested hard to believe he was actually going to
d. change was suggesting to have suggested perform for the judges.
He had arrived exactly at nine and had
(20) been in line for over three hours. He could
hear his heart beating loudly. Right then,
Gene heard his name being called. He went
into the building and was ushered into the
audition room.
(25) “Yes, I’m here,” he answered.
Gene looked at the judges sitting at the
table. They seemed bored and unimpressed.
“Well, what are you going to sing for us
today?” one of the judges asked him. “Time
(30) After Time,” Gene told him, his voice
quavering a bit.
“Okay, let’s see what you’ve got,” said
another judge who was tapping the table
with a pencil.
(35) Gene felt a knot in his throat and didn’t
know if he could go on. He remembered
what his voice coach told him: “Just take a
moment before you start. Close your eyes.
Take a deep breath, and then let go.” Gene

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(40) closed his eyes and took a breath and then a 18. What is the main effect of the author’s use of
sweet voice began emanating from his phrases such as “could almost taste it,” “took a
mouth. The judges seemed to disappear. He long breath in,” and “beating loudly”?
could have been anywhere. He was in his a. to show how long Gene had been waiting
own world. b. to show that Gene was talented
(45) Suddenly it was over, and he stood in c. to show that Gene had been exercising
front of the judges feeling very alone and d. to show how important the audition was to
vulnerable. He could feel the sweat on his Gene
brow.
“Well, that was a surprise,” said the first Questions 19 through 25 are based on the following
(50) judge. “I never would have predicted that.” passage.
“What do you think? Does he go
through?” All four of the judges gave him a Gorée Island
thumbs up. “You’re in, kid,” the first judge
said. “Don’t make us regret our decision.” (A)
(55) “Oh, no, sir. You won’t regret it,” Gene (1) Europeans played a large part in bring-
said as he nearly skipped out of the room. ing slaves to America from west africa.
(2) European countries sent out explorers
15. Based on the excerpt, what does Gene most who sailed down the west coast of Africa.
likely think about the audition? (3) They came in contact with the people
a. It will give him a chance to make a good there. (4) They traded with them, but they
living. also captures many of the people. (5) These
b. It is something he had wanted to avoid. people were sent to the New World where
c. It is a chance for him to be discovered. they became slaves. (6) Most of them ended
d. It will make him famous in a short time. up working on farms and plantations.

16. When does the scene in this excerpt take place? (B)
a. early morning (7) Some Africans were sent from Gorée, a
b. late afternoon small island off the coast of what is now Sen-
c. early afternoon egal. (8) There are about nine and a half mil-
d. early evening lion people in Senegal today. (9) They stayed
in dungeons until the ships from the New
17. Which is the best description of Gene’s World came to take them to America and the
performance? Caribbean. (10) Some Africans also profited
a. a good try but not good enough from the slave trade. (11) A group of free
b. a fine voice but without true conviction African women, called signares, sold food to
c. a bit slow to start but ultimately wonderful the European traders for the enslaved people
d. a showy voice but not much rhythm and also owned many slaves herself.

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(C) 22. Which revision would improve the effectiveness

(12) Today the dungeons where they stayed of paragraph (B)?
are a museum. (13) Hundreds of people visit a. move sentence (7) to the end of the
this museum each year to see where the slaves paragraph
were held. (14) They view the dungeons and b. remove sentence (8)
the House of the Slaves, which is where the c. remove sentence (9)
masters lived. (15) Their is a memorial statue d. move sentence (11) to the beginning of the
right outside the house showing African paragraph
slaves in chains. (16) A visit there would be
very educational. (17) You will learn a great 23. Sentence (11): A group of free African women,
deal from the guides about what happened called signares, sold food to the European
there. traders for the enslaved people and also owned
many slaves herself.
19. Sentence (1): Europeans played a large part in Which correction should be made to
bringing slaves to America from west africa. sentence (11)?
Which correction should be made to a. change owned to owns
sentence 1? b. change A group to A groups
a. replace played with were playing c. insert a comma after people
b. insert a comma after America d. replace herself with themselves
c. insert a period after large part
d. change west africa to West Africa 24. Sentence (15): Their is a memorial statue right
outside the house showing African slaves in
20. Sentences (2) and (3): European countries sent chains.
out explorers who sailed down the west coast of Which correction should be made to
Africa. They came in contact with the people sentence 15?
there. a. move right to the end of the sentence
The most effective combination of sentences b. replace Their with There
(2) and (3) would include which group of words? c. change is to are
a. coast of Africa while they d. change slaves to Slaves
b. coast of Africa where they
c. coast of Africa instead of 25. Sentence (17): You will learn a great deal from
d. coast of Africa but they the guides about what happened there.
The most effective revision of sentence (17)
21. Sentence (4): They traded with them, but they would begin with which group of words?
also captures many of the people. a. If you go, you
Which is the best way to write the b. Even if you go, you
underlined portion of this sentence? c. However, you
a. had been captured d. Learning a lot
b. was capturing
c. will capture
d. captured

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Questions 26 through 31 refer to the following employee approach the person, but simply call Mr.
memo. (40) Shields’s office. His extension is 890. If there
is no answer, make a written report and
What Will the New Procedures Do? e-mail it to [email protected].
Memo If employees have any questions
To: Employees of IMPEL regarding these regulations, please contact
From: Management (45) the Human Resources department at
Re: New Security Procedures extension 550. Ms. Hardy will be able to
(5) Date: June 15 respond to your queries. Thank you for your
As a result of some incidents that have cooperation in this matter. We feel that with
occurred with unauthorized persons in these additional procedures, our workplace
secure parts of Building A, as of June 30, new (50) will be made more secure for everyone
procedures will go into effect for security in concerned. Ideally, this will result in
(10) that building. From now on, all employees improved work output, since any possibility
reporting to work should enter through the of a security breach will be prevented.
employee entrance at the side of the building
on Murray Street. No employee is to enter 26. Which of the following best restates the phrase
through the main entrance. In order to be “security breach” (line 53)?
(15) admitted, each employee must have a valid a. a compromise in the safety of the office
photo ID. The ID needs to be swiped to b. a blow to the confidence of employees
unlock the door. Make sure not to allow c. a distraction because of an employee’s
another person to enter with you even if you personal problems
know the person. Each employee needs to d. a defense against employees not doing their
(20) swipe his or her own ID in order to be jobs
registered as being on the job.
The main entrance will be for visitors 27. Based on the excerpt, which of the following
only. The receptionist there will call the party can be inferred about management?
that the visitor is coming to meet so that he a. They are concerned about the safety of
(25) or she can come to the main desk to escort employees.
the guest to his or her office. Visitors will be b. They believe that the office is completely
given temporary passes, but they cannot secure.
have full run of the office. c. They want employees to fill out time sheets.
In addition, all employees will also be d. They want to track employee work habits.
(30) required to log in on their computer when
they begin work and log out when they take 28. Which of the following could be prevented by
a break. Make sure to log out and in when the new security procedures?
taking lunch breaks. a. visitors entering through the main entrance
If an employee sees someone whom he b. employees swiping IDs to open doors
(35) or she believes is unauthorized to be in c. employees entering through the side
Building A, that employee should take entrance
immediate action and report the event to d. unauthorized persons wandering around
Mr. Shields, our head of security. Do not Building A

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29. Imagine an employee sees a person in Building (15) “To St. Regis’s in Connecticut.”
A without an ID badge. According to the Amory said nothing, but he felt a bolt
memo, which of these actions should the of excitement along his spine.
employee take? “It’s being arranged,” continued
a. call Mr. Shields’s office to make a report Beatrice. “It’s better that you should go away.
b. tell the person to leave the building (20) I’d have preferred you to have gone to Eton
c. call the receptionist in the main entrance and then to Christ Church, Oxford. But it
d. report the event to Ms. Hardy seems impracticable now—and for the
present, we’ll let the university question take
30. Which of the following best describes the style care of itself.”
in which this memo is written? (25) “What are you going to do, Beatrice?”
a. complicated and unclear “Heaven knows. It seems my fate to
b. academic and dry spend my years in this country. Not for a
c. straightforward and direct second do I regret being American—indeed,
d. detailed and technical I think that regret is very typical of ignorant
(30) people. I feel sure we are the great coming
31. Which of the following best describes the way nation, yet”—and she sighed, “I feel my life
in which the memo is organized? should have slipped away close to an older,
a. by listing information in the order of mellower civilization, a land of greens and
importance autumnal browns. . . .”
b. by sequence of events (35) Amory did not answer, so his mother
c. by presenting a problem and then a solution continued, “My regret is that you haven’t
d. by comparing and contrasting issues been abroad. But still, as you are a man, it’s
better that you should grow up here under
Questions 32 through 37 refer to the following excerpt the snarling eagle—is that the right term?”
from a novel. (40) Amory agreed that it was.
“When do I go to school?”
Will His Mother Let Him Leave? “Next month. You’ll have to start East a
“Beatrice,” he said suddenly, “I want to go little early to take your examinations. After
away to school. Everybody in Minneapolis is that you’ll have a free week, so I want you to
going to go away to school.” (45) go up the Hudson and pay a visit.”
Beatrice showed some alarm. “To who?”
(5) “But you’re only fifteen.” “To Monsignor Darcy, Amory. He
“Yes, but everybody goes away to wants to see you. He went to Harrow and
school at fifteen, and I want to, Beatrice.” then to Yale—became a Catholic. I want him
On Beatrice’s suggestion, the subject (50) to talk to you. I feel he can be such a
was dropped for the rest of the walk, but a help.” She stroked his auburn hair gently.
(10) week later she delighted him by saying, “Dear Amory, dear Amory. . . .”
“Amory, I have decided to let you have your
Adapted from F. Scott Fitzgerald,
way. If you still want to, you can go away to
This Side of Paradise
school.”
“Yes?”

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32. Which of the following best expresses the main 36. How does Amory calling his mother by her first
idea of the excerpt? name influence the excerpt?
a. A boy’s mother agrees to let her son go to a a. It shows that Amory and his mother are not
boarding school. close.
b. A boy’s mother would like her son to visit b. It shows that Beatrice wants to appear to be
schools in other countries. Amory’s sister.
c. A boy wants to make his mother happy. c. It shows that Beatrice resents being a
d. A boy wants to get away from his hometown. mother.
d. It shows that Amory and his mother’s
33. Based on the information in this excerpt, which relationship is not typical.
of the following would Beatrice most likely
prefer to do? 37. Why does Beatrice want Amory to visit
a. learn about American history Monsignor Darcy?
b. have a potluck dinner with friends a. She thinks that Monsignor Darcy can
c. spend time in England convince Amory to go to school closer to
d. teach English to schoolchildren home.
b. Monsignor Darcy is Amory’s uncle.
34. Why does Beatrice most likely think it is better c. She wants Amory to become Catholic.
for Amory to grow up in America? d. She feels that Monsignor Darcy can help
a. He would not like Europe. Amory because he went to Harrow and Yale.
b. He is good at sports.
c. Schools are easier in America. Questions 38 through 42 refer to the following excerpt
d. He was born in America. from a review.

35. Based on Beatrice saying, “I feel my life should What Does the Reviewer
have slipped away close to an older, mellower Think of Last Fight?
civilization, a land of greens and autumnal Last Fight may be one of the biggest
browns” (lines 31 to 34), what does she suggest blockbusters of the summer, but it doesn’t
about America? live up to the buzz around it. In this science
a. She thinks it is similar to England. fiction tale of epic proportions, viewers are
b. She believes it is a land of great energy. (5) propelled forward to a future when Earth is
c. She assumes it is a weak country with little populated by androids and humans. These
future. survivors of an ancient civilization live in a
d. She decides then to adopt it as her home. sterile world covered by a plastic dome. The
dome is for protection from aliens who
(10) attack Earth on a regular basis. It also cuts
down on such environmental problems as
air pollution and global warming.
The plot centers around a young man
named Raal and his quest to forge a peace
(15) between the humans and the aliens. His is a

25
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difficult task, considering the aliens have no 39. Which of the following best expresses the
desire to stop trying to overcome Earth and its reviewer’s opinion of Last Fight?
inhabitants. While Raal (George Armstrong) a. It was too expensive to make and is too long.
is a likeable character, he lacks the ability to b. It was enjoyable because there was some
(20) change expression to any extent. As a result, great acting in it.
his acting range is quite limited. He is c. The reviewer hopes that most people will
something of a dreamer, and perhaps the turn out for the movie.
message here is that there is no place for d. It has little depth and relies too much on
dreamers in the future, but I will not detail special effects.
(25) the plot or the ending. I don’t want to spoil it
for those people who may actually want to 40. If it is known that the author of this review had
view the film. Still, let it be said that events written numerous science fiction scripts, none
do not go well for young Raal. of which were ever made into a movie, how
The high point of the movie for me would this most likely affect the reading of this
(30) was the performance by veteran actor Bruce review?
Cameron as the sage Kel. He has shown over a. The experiences of the author give his or her
and over his ability to transform even the opinion greater value.
most mundane character into someone b. The author’s knowledge of the genre may be
fascinating to watch. It may be worth seeing questioned.
(35) the film just for his performance. c. Much of the negativity might be construed
Besides being far-fetched, the movie as sour grapes.
concentrates too much on special effects, d. The author’s personal experiences have no
including 3-D, but that of course may be a influence on the review whatsoever.
draw for many viewers. Its cost was also
(40) enormous. Not much that is green is in this 41. Which of the following best describes the style
film. in which this review is written?
a. technical
38. Which of the following is the main idea of the b. humorous
excerpt? c. academic
a. The author is giving the reasons movies d. ornate
should not use special effects.
b. The author is detailing the kind of acting 42. According to the author, which word best
that he prefers. describes Last Fight?
c. The author is providing his impressions of a a. provocative
science fiction movie. b. lighthearted
d. The author is explaining why he enjoys c. solemn
science fiction movies. d. overblown

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 –D I A G N O S T I C T E S T –

Questions 43 through 50 are based on the following (14) Should include a strong statement that
passage. will make the employer want to interview
you. (15) At the end of the letter, give your
How to Write a Cover Letter contact, information and conclude with
either “sincerely yours” or “yours truly.”
(A)
(1) A cover letter that accompanies your 43. Sentence (1): A cover letter that accompanies
résumé is of great importance, the cover let- your résumé is of great importance, the cover
ter gives the employer a general impression letter gives the employer a general impression
of you. (2) In fact, if the cover letter don’t of you.
interest the potential employer, the employer Which correction should be made to
may opt not to read through the résumé at sentence (1)?
all. (3) So make your cover letter effective by a. insert a comma after résumé
keeping it short and bring up points that will b. remove the comma
interest the reader. c. replace gives with give
d. replace the comma with because
(B)
(4) Before you start to write, make sure you 44. Sentence (2): In fact, if the cover letter don’t
have an updated résumé. (5) Then research interest the potential employer, the employer
the company so you can include information may opt not to read through the résumé at all.
about itself that might relate to the position Which is the best way to write the
you are hoping to fill. (6) Research will also underlined portion of sentence (2)?
help you prepare for an interview. (7) When a. letter did not interest
you are ready to write your letter make sure b. letters don’t interest
to include the name of the person the title, c. letter haven’t interest
the correct company name, and address. (8) d. letter doesn’t interest
If you don’t know the name of the person to
who you are writing, use “Dear Sir/Madam.” 45. Sentence (3): So make your cover letter
effective by keeping it short and bring up
(C)
points that will interest the reader.
(9) When you get to the body of the letter,
Which correction should be made to
use the first paragraph to say why you think
sentence (3)?
you would be good for the position.
a. change keeping to will keep
(10) Also include, why you would want to
b. change interest to interesting
work for the company. (11) Use the next
c. change it to its
paragraph to tell about your experience and
d. change bring to bringing
matching it to the job. (12) Let the employer
know that you are enthusiastic about the
prospect of working for the company.
(13) The last paragraph should be brief.

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46. Sentence (5): Then research the company so you 49. Sentence (11): Use the next paragraph to
can include information about itself that might tell about your experience and matching it to
relate to the position you are hoping to fill. the job.
Which is the best way to write the Which is the best way to write the
underlined portion of sentence (5)? underlined portion of sentence (11)?
a. about yourselves a. getting to have matched
b. about herself b. and to have matched
c. about himself c. and to match
d. about yourself d. yet to match

47. Sentence (7): When you are ready to write your 50. Sentence (14): Should include a strong
letter make sure to include the name of the statement that will make the employer
person the title, the correct company name, want to interview you.
and address. What correction should be made to
Which is the best way to write the sentence (14)?
underlined portion of sentence (7)? a. insert It before Should and use lowercase
a. person; the title should
b. person, the title, b. change will make to is making
c. person. The title c. replaced interview with interviewing
d. person and the title d. change employer want to employer. Want

48. Sentence (8): If you don’t know the name of

the person to who you are writing, use “Dear
Sir/Madam.”
Which is the best way to write the
underlined portion of sentence (8)?
a. to which
b. that
c. which
d. to whom

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Part II but I have yet to see anyone offer an informed

alternative view. The truth is, if we increase
1 Question the minimum wage for all American workers,
we will undoubtedly do irreparable harm to
Read the following passages. Then, read the prompt and our economy. The more we keep government
write an essay taking a stance. Use information from the from intruding into the workplace, the better.
passages to support your essay. Raising the minimum wage means that
employers have to come up with the extra
President Franklin Roosevelt’s Message to money to pay their workers more. How will
Congress on Establishing Minimum Wages they do this? By firing workers to reduce costs,
and Maximum Hours, May 24, 1937 or by charging more for their goods and
“Today, you and I are pledged to take further services. If they fire workers, then those
steps to reduce the lag in the purchasing power workers will now be earning less than they did
of industrial workers and to strengthen and before . . . not exactly a great solution to raise
stabilize the markets for the farmers’ products. the standard of living. If they raise the price of
The two go hand in hand. Each depends for its goods and services, then people will have to
effectiveness upon the other. Both working spend more on life essentials such as food and
simultaneously will open new outlets for transportation. So the benefit of higher wages
productive capital. Our Nation so richly will be eaten up by the increased expenses
endowed with natural resources and with a faced by the average worker.
capable and industrious population should be When I was growing up, I made twenty-
able to devise ways and means of insuring to five cents an hour washing cars. I used that
all our able-bodied working men and women a money to put myself through college to get my
fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work. A self- engineering degree. I used that degree to get a
supporting and self-respecting democracy can job designing bridges for the state of Texas. I
plead no justification for the existence of child didn’t sit there at the car wash complaining
labor, no economic reason for chiseling about how little I earned; I used that
workers’ wages or stretching workers’ hours. opportunity to better myself. I just wish more
Enlightened business is learning that people these days were willing to do the same.
competition ought not to cause bad social Sincerely,
consequences which inevitably react upon the
Ralph Phillips
profits of business itself. All but the hopelessly
reactionary will agree that to conserve our Prompt
primary resources of man power, government These two passages present different arguments
must have some control over maximum hours, regarding the issue of minimum wage. In your
minimum wages, the evil of child labor and response, analyze both positions to determine which
the exploitation of unorganized labor.” one is best supported. Use relevant and specific evi-
dence from the passages to support your response.
Letter to the Editor Regarding Minimum
Wage Increase, January 3, 2014
Dear Editor:
I have seen many people speak out in support
of raising the minimum wage in recent weeks,
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Answers and Explanations 8. d. Choice d is correct because it capitalizes all

the words that make up the proper name of
Part I the college. Choices a, b, and c are incorrect
1. a. Although Gilbert may feel respect and grati- because they capitalize some, but not all, of
tude, the word that best describes his feelings the words in the proper name.
is love. It is clearly indicated in his actions. 9. c. The best revision of this sentence reads, “I
Nervousness is not supported by the excerpt. am studying all types of farming techniques,
2. c. This choice is clearly supported by what the but prefer organic methods for growing vege-
excerpt says happened when their eyes met— tables.” Therefore, choice c is the best
“and all doubt was swept away in a certainty response. Choices a, b, and d change the
that everything would be wonderful.” The meaning of the sentence.
other choices may enter into the scene 10. d. Choice d is the best answer. This contains all
between them, but they do not occur when the relevant information that is needed.
their eyes met. Choice a is very general, and it is unclear what
3. d. It is clear from the ending of the excerpt that permanent position is wanted by the letter
this was the biggest and hardest change for writer. Choice b is grammatically incorrect
Anne. That is why she felt a “tinge of sad- because it lacks a subject for the verb applying.
ness.” The other choices are not supported. Choice c is awkward and unclear.
4. b. There are hints in the excerpt that support 11. d. Choice d is the best response, since this infor-
this answer, such as Marilla looking “gray” mation is not central to the main point of the
when Anne was leaving and how Anne had letter, which is asking for an internship.
filled the house with “light and life.” The Choice a doesn’t make sense when it is
other choices are not supported by the text. moved. Choice b doesn’t work since the
5. b. Based on the information in the excerpt, this information is not material to the topic.
is the correct answer. The text says that Gil- Choice c would mean removing an important
bert had won her “after years of patient wait- sentence from the paragraph.
ing.” This supports choice b, not the other 12. d. Choice d is correct because it removes an
choices. unnecessary comma from the sentence.
6. d. The author gives the readers clues about what Choice a is not correct because it would
all the other characters are thinking, but the insert an unnecessary comma. Choices b and
reader does not learn anything about Mr. c are not correct because these contain the
Allan. wrong forms of the verbs.
7. b. The text says that not many birds sang in 13. b. Choice b is the best response. This sentence
September but that one sang sweetly while replaces the repetitive he has with the pronoun
Gilbert and Anne repeated their vows. It even who. Choice a is a run-on sentence so it is
“wound up with one more little, glad trill” incorrect. Choice c does not combine the sen-
after the ceremony was over, seeming to mir- tences, but simply puts an inappropriate
ror the joy of the wedding service. comma between them. Choice d improperly
joins the sentences with and.

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14. c. Choice c is correct because this action hap- 21. d. Choice d is correct because the verb
pened once in the past and is not ongoing. form fits the subject, and the tense is correct
Choice a is not correct because the verb made as well. Choice a is not correct because the
is in the past tense, not the present tense, the tense and the verb in the first part of the sen-
way it should be. Choice b is the wrong tence do not match the subject. Choices b
answer because it creates a phrase and doesn’t and c are both incorrect because they pick
address the verb problem. Choice d uses an incorrect tenses—one in the past continuous
incorrect form of past tense. tense and the other in the future tense.
15. c. This is the best answer. The audition will give 22. b. Choice b is correct. This sentence has nothing
him a chance to be discovered. The audition to do with the main topic of the paragraph,
will not make him become famous or give which concerns the slaves being held in Gorée
him a chance to make a good living. Island. Choice a is not correct because this is
16. c. The excerpt says Gene got to the audition site a topic sentence and clearly the opening of
at 9:00 A.M. and had been waiting more than the paragraph. Choice c has important infor-
three hours (line 20). That would make the mation about the slaves in it. Choice d
time after noon. wouldn’t make logical sense.
17. c. This answer reflects what happens in the 23. d. Choice d is correct since the subject (women)
story. At first he was slow to start, but then is plural, not singular. Choice a is incorrect
he sang very well and passed the round of because this is the wrong verb tense for the
auditions. sentence. Choice b is grammatically incorrect
18. d. This answer reflects the feelings that Gene since a is singular and groups is plural. No
was having about the audition. For instance, a comma is needed after people, so choice c is
person’s heart often beats loudly—or seems incorrect.
to beat louder than usual—when a person is 24. b. Choice b is correct because it replaces the
experiencing an important moment in life. homonym their, a possessive pronoun, with
19. d. Choice d correctly capitalizes a proper noun. there, meaning that place. Choice a does not
Choice a changes the verb into an incorrect make sense. Choice c would result in a verb
tense. Choice b inserts a comma that is not that does not agree with the subject. Choice d
needed, and choice c makes the second sen- is incorrect because there is no reason to cap-
tence a fragment. italize slaves.
20. b. Choice b is correct because it combines the 25. a. Choice a is correct because this phrase links a
ideas in both sentences with the relative pro- visit to Gorée Island with learning from the
noun where. Choice a uses a transition word guides. Choice b is incorrect because it
that changes the meaning of the sentences. changes the meaning of the sentence. Choice
Choice c creates a confusing sentence, and c uses an inappropriate transition. Choice d is
choice d changes the meaning of the sen- wrong because it turns the sentence into a
tences. dependent clause.

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26. a. This phrase means that the security was 34. d. This is the most logical choice, although it is
somehow broken, so choice a is correct. This never actually stated in the excerpt. There is
can be seen in the very first section of the no mention of the father, although he may or
memo: “As a result of some incidents that may not live in America. The other choices
have occurred with unauthorized persons in are not supported by the passage, either.
secure parts. . . .” The other choices are not 35. b. This is the only choice suggested by the lines
suggested by these words. They have nothing spoken by Beatrice. She is comparing Eng-
to do with security being compromised. land’s mellow nature to America’s energetic
27. a. The point of the memo is that there were spirit.
some security incidents that needed to be 36. d. This is the best and most all-encompassing
addressed. Based on the memo, choice b is answer. This mother and son do not seem like
clearly not correct, and the others are not most mothers and sons. The way they relate
suggested by the memo, either. and talk suggests an atypical relationship.
28. d. If you read the memo carefully, you will see 37. d. This is the most obvious reason that Beatrice
that this is the one option that the new regu- wants Amory to meet Monsignor Darcy. She
lations will help prevent. It is mentioned in says he went to Harrow and Yale, and she
the first paragraph. wants Amory to talk to him.
29. a. Again, a close reading of the text will reveal 38. c. This is what the review is mostly about. The
that this is what an employee is to do first if a reviewer does address the other answer
stranger is seen in Building A. This can be choices, but they do not represent the main
found in the fourth paragraph. intent of the review.
30. c. The memo is direct and to the point. It is not 39. d. Based on what the reviewer says about the
technical. It’s quite clear and not at all aca- movie, this is the best answer. He says the
demic. main character’s acting is bad. He does not
31. c. The memo states a problem at the beginning mention the length of the film, either.
and then describes the new regulations that 40. c. This is the most logical choice. People read-
will solve it—a way to keep unauthorized ing the review would take into consideration
people out of secure parts of Building A. that the reviewer has never had any of his or
32. a. This choice is clearly correct. It contains the her science fiction scripts made into a movie.
main idea of the excerpt. The dialogue is This would definitely taint the review, as he
about a boy wanting to go away to school and or she might be overly critical.
his mother finally agreeing to it. 41. b. The review is somewhat humorous, or at least
33. c. It seems clear from the dialogue in the that is its intention. Although the 3-D aspect
excerpt that Beatrice would prefer to be in of the film is mentioned, that’s not really
England rather than do any of the other enough to call the review technical. A techni-
activities. She seems not to mind America, cal review would probably have discussed the
but she does long for England. 3-D aspect at more length. None of the other
choices properly describes the writing style of
the review.

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42. d. This word best describes what the reviewer 47. b. Choice b is correct because commas are used
feels about the movie. Overall, the reviewer is between lists of items. Choices a and c are
not very impressed with the film, so a positive incorrect because they create sentence frag-
choice like b could be eliminated. None of the ments. Choice d is not correct because title is
other choices accurately describes the not the last item in the list of items.
author’s opinion. 48. d. Choice d is correct because the preposition to
43. d. Choice d is correct because it adds an appro- takes the objective form of the pronoun who.
priate conjunction to join the two sentences. Choice b is incorrect because that refers to an
Choice a inserts an unnecessary comma, and animal or thing, but not a person. Also, which
by removing the existing comma you create a does not refer to a person, so choices a and c
run-on sentence, so both choices a and b are are incorrect.
incorrect. Choice c replaces the correct form 49. c. Choice c is correct because it matches the
of the verb with an incorrect form. preceding verb to tell. Choices a and b are
44. d. Choice d is correct because the singular verb incorrect because they do not match to tell.
doesn’t agrees with the singular noun letter. Choice d is incorrect because it creates a con-
Choice a is incorrect because this is the fusing sentence.
wrong verb tense for this sentence. Choice b 50. a. Choice a is correct because it adds a subject
is incorrect, not because of the verb, but to properly complete the sentence. Choice b
because of the plural form of letter. The sen- changes a correct verb form into an incorrect
tence is referring to one letter, not multiple one, as does choice c. Choice d is incorrect
ones. Choice c is incorrect because this is a because it turns the sentence into two
plural form of the verb. fragments.
45. d. Choice d is correct because it uses a verb that
is parallel to keeping. Choices a and b are
incorrect because they use an incorrect form
of the verb. Choice c is not correct because it
changes the pronoun object into a possessive.
46. d. Choice d is correct because this pronoun
refers back to the antecedent you. Choice a is
incorrect because it refers to more than one
you. Choices b and c are incorrect because
they refer to either she or he as antecedents.

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Part II best supported because he addressed it to a legislative

Sample 6 Scoring Essay body that could make a difference and sought to
President Roosevelt and letter-writing citizen Ralph inspire Congressional leadership to intervene on
Phillips represent perspectives on the minimum wage behalf of the American worker.
from very different time periods. During Roosevelt’s
administration, the country was facing its worst This essay introduces compelling evidence from each
Depression in history; in 2014, the country had source, organizes its points logically by moving from
rebounded from a dramatic Recession but was deeply beginning to end in each essay, then comparing the two,
divided on both who was responsible for the crisis, and concludes by making an argument about which
and how it should be addressed. essay is better supported, and why. It demonstrates flu-
Among FDR’s New Deal initiatives was a pro- ency in Standard American English conventions, includ-
posal to establish a minimum wage and maximum ing spelling and grammar.
hours for American workers. In this message to Con-
gress, he suggests that protecting and investing in the Sample 3 Scoring Essay
American workforce would improve conditions for In his message to congress, President Franklin Ros-
industrial workers and for farmers who are dependent evelt says that the government should assist people to
on market demand, drawing on Americans’ sense of prevent exploration and child labor, even if it damages
ability and resourcefulness, ideals of democracy, and the economy. America is rich enough to paying work-
national ego. He cites child labor and exploitation of ers fairly for their work. Ralph Phillips wrote a letter
unorganized labor as the primary justifications for to the editor saying about how it would be to hard to
these measures. have a minimum wage because of it having increase
However, Ralph Phillips’ letter focuses on the costs for employers and actually basically reduce
downsides of such an initiative—employers required employment.
to adhere to an increased minimum wage would be He worked hard to put himself through school
forced into “firing workers to reduce costs” or “charg- and says everyone should—but what if you can’t even
ing more for their goods,” which would increase the find a car wash job? What if you have other obstacles?
burden on the workers it was meant to help. He justifi- Roosevelt may have less of plans but he is at least talk-
ably points out that workers will need to be fired in ing to the right people instead of just giving up.
order for employers to pay the remaining workers
more. While these logistical concerns might initially This essay uses less specific, more simplistic evidence
appear to be more persuasive than FDR’s appeal to the from each source, and features no direct quotes or
enlightened American spirit of enterprise, Phillips broader context. Its organization is basically logical but
concludes with a petulant “I made twenty-five cents an lacks a coherent beginning-middle-end structure or spe-
hour washing cars” anecdote that willfully ignores cific analysis of each argument. The grasp of Standard
class and economic realities of the modern era. He American English is weaker—the pronoun “He” in the
even appears hypocritical—he thinks the government second paragraph is clear and there are other syntax
should stay out of the private employment arena, but issues.
took a job for a government office! Besides, nobody
could put themselves through college making a quar- Sample 0 Scoring Essay
ter an hour today—Phillips thus proves himself to be They both make differnt points about minimum
one of the “hopelessly reactionary” individuals FDR wagers in America. Phillips says the min. wage would
despaired of reaching in his message. FDR’s address is only do bad things to the economy and supports his

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argument with personal stories about working hard. keep out of private enterprise as much as possible. A
So he is more persuasive. roosevelt says America is rich successful extended response should also analyze the
and so should pay its workers more no matter what. arguments presented in each passage. For the Roos-
evelt passage, the arguments focus on an appeal to
This essay fails to introduce its sources, what types of emotion and charitable cooperation among all Amer-
documents they are, or when they were written. There icans. For example, Roosevelt refers to the way a “self-
are no specific quotes, the essay is much too brief, and its respecting democracy” should run. The letter to the
structure is disorganized—it draws a conclusion before editor, on the other hand, relies largely on personal
analyzing FDR’s argument. The grammar, spelling, and experience to support its argument. Mr. Phillips also
syntax are all substandard. offers a logical argument regarding the effects of a
minimum wage increase that some could consider
Extended Response one-sided; following the logic of this argument, work-
For this prompt, an extended response should include ers should be paid as little as possible to keep everyone
some discussion of how the two passages differ in employed and to keep the price of goods low. A keen
viewpoint regarding the issue of minimum wage. Spe- reader might even note the potential conflict between
cifically, Roosevelt’s message to Congress emphasizes Mr. Phillips’s assertion that government should stay
the need for government to establish livable require- out of the affairs of business, and the fact that he got a
ments for wages and working conditions, while the job working for the government.
letter to the editor asserts that government should

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