Benchmark - Grade 7 - Form 3

Read the passage “Stopping the Spread of the Sahara.” Then, answer the questions.

Stopping the Spread of the Sahara

1 In many science fiction movies, Earth's continents have been transformed into giant deserts.
Deep golden sands blow over the abandoned ruins of skyscrapers in once-great cities, and green
plants and fresh water are rare and precious luxuries. While this scenario may seem far-fetched,
such a future is not out of the question. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Sahara Desert.
Due to human activity and climate change, this desert is growing larger every year. If we do not
work to stop its spread, much of the continent of Africa may soon be covered with scorching
sands.

2 Currently, one-third of all land on Earth is arid. Forty percent of Africa is desert, with the Sahara
covering almost the entire top half of the continent. During the 1980s, this desert's sands spread
66 miles to the north and 145 miles to the south. According to experts, the desert is now
expanding to the south at a rate of 30 miles per year. As climate change increases, the speed of
this desertification will also increase. In fact, international news outlet The Guardian states that
two-thirds of Africa's farmable land could be covered by desert in 2025 if nothing is done.

3 Recently, the Sahara's sands have swept across the once-thriving village of Chinguetti. Homes
stand abandoned as sand piles in the narrow pathways between them. Author and photographer
Kit Constable Maxwell says that within several decades, the town will be completely buried. "Like
so many desert towns through history, it is a casualty of time and the changing face of mankind's
cultural evolution," 1 he writes.

4 What is causing the Sahara to expand? In many places on Earth, climate change causes more
rain to fall. However, in other areas, precipitation is decreasing. And humans contribute to the
problem. Along the Sahara's borders, logging companies are clearing thousands of acres of land.
In addition, these lands and others are being used for grazing and agriculture. With little rainfall,
few trees, and eroding soil, these border areas become vulnerable. Dry winds can cause desert
sands to drift over them, covering any remaining plants and grass.

5 The desert is growing, but experts are searching for ways to stop it. Scientists use satellites to
predict which areas are at risk. Some people are recycling wastewater for irrigation. Others are
attempting to breed plants that would be able to survive in the dry, poor soil. And in 2010, 11
African nations joined together to grow a "Great Green Wall." Those nations and others are
working to grow a forest that is nine miles wide and 4,400 miles long, stretching across the base
of the Sahara. The drought-resistant trees will stand like soldiers, holding back the blowing sands.
Their roots will anchor the soil and pull water up from deep in the ground.
6 With the help of the Great Green Wall and other efforts, scientists are hopeful that the spread of
the Sahara can be slowed or even stopped. Maybe, after all, we can keep those science fiction
movies just what they are—fiction.
1
7 Kit Constable Maxwell. "A Holy City in the Sands: Desert Expedition to Chinguetti, Mauritania,
January to March 1996." Kit Constable Maxwell.
http://www.kitmax.com/kit12_travels_02_chinguetti.htm.

Question 1

This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B.

Part A
What is the purpose of the passage?
to explain how desert expansion has been stopped
to bring attention to the impact of desert expansion
to describe the link between climate change and desert expansion
to show why the desert expansion shown in movies is unlikely to occur

Part B
Which sentence from the passage best supports the answer to the previous question?
If we do not work to stop its spread, much of the continent of Africa may soon be covered with scorching sands.
In many places on Earth, climate change causes more rain to fall.
The drought-resistant trees will stand like soldiers, holding back the blowing sands.
Maybe, after all, we can keep those science fiction movies just what they are—fiction.
Question 2

This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B.

Part A
What does the word arid mean as it is used in the second paragraph?
dry
at risk
destroyed
experiencing change

Part B
Which detail from the passage best supports the answer to the previous question?
. . . one-third of all land on Earth . . .
Forty percent of Africa is desert. . . .
. . . expanding to the south at a rate of 30 miles per year.
As climate change increases . . .

Question 3

Choose two details from the passage that would be best to include in a summary of the passage.
While this scenario may seem far-fetched, such a future is not out of the question.
Due to human activity and climate change, this desert is growing larger every year.
Currently, one-third of all land on Earth is arid.
Recently, the Sahara's sands have swept across the once-thriving village of Chinguetti.
With the help of the Great Green Wall and other efforts, scientists are hopeful that the spread of the Sahara can be
slowed or even stopped.
 Read the passage “The Greening Desert: Tracking the Effects of Climate Change.” Then, answer
the questions.

The Greening Desert: Tracking the Effects of Climate Change

1 Along the western edges of the Sahara Desert, nomads bring their camels to graze. Ostriches
and gazelles wander among grass, shrubs, and acacia trees. But just 30 years ago, this vibrant
land was barren, covered only with coarse, burning sand. Thanks to climate change, the Sahara,
which many have feared is expanding, is actually starting to bloom.

2 "I've been studying the Sahara for 30 years and can definitely say that it's getting greener," 1 says
desert geologist Stefan Kröpelin, who has photographs to prove his claim. Kröpelin has
researched climate data on the Sahara going back 6,000 years. Long ago, the region was fertile.
But then a climate change occurred—the air became cooler. When this happened, rainfall
became rare. Over time, the once-lush area became an inhospitable desert.

3 Today, the opposite effect of climate change is occurring. Warming air currents hold moisture from
the oceans, which cooler air could not do well. These warmer air currents carry this moisture
across the land, dropping it as rain. Because of this, the Sahara is becoming more fertile every
year.

4 Scientist Martin Claussen agrees with these findings. He analyzes satellite images of the Sahel, a
semiarid region that borders the Sahara along its southern edge. These images show enormous
increases in plants and trees in several areas. "The water-holding capacity of the air is the main
driving force," 2 he says.

5 With this type of evidence, why do other scientists believe that the desert is expanding? Some of
this can be attributed to ebbs and flows of rainfall that occur in the region. For example, 1984 was
a very dry year, and the desert seemed to expand to the south. However, 1994 was a wetter year,
and the desert border shrunk back farther north than it had been in decades.

6 Ultimately, many scientists agree that fertile land degrades due to both human and natural
factors. They cite such reasons for the loss of usable land near the Sahara. For example, along its
southern border, farmers have harmed the land through overtilling and overgrazing. As droughts
occur, farmers move farther south, leaving behind a wake of dust on the land they harmed. The
combination of extreme weather patterns and incorrect land use creates a recipe for
degradation.

7 In recent years, several African nations have begun to participate in the Great Green Wall
initiative. The media has described this initiative as a plan to simply plant trees to stop desert
expansion in the south. However, scientist Jean-Marc Sinnassamy, who manages a portion of the
 project, is quick to disagree. He describes the project's vision as a multipronged attempt to
restore the region, but sometimes without actually planting any trees.

8 And Sinnassamy, too, insists that the Sahara is not growing. "In the majority of the areas we are
working on in these 11 countries, the desert is not advancing," he states. "The desert is a very
stable ecosystem." 3 As a solid response to the desert's pessimists, the word of these experts is
good news indeed.

9 1 Stefan Theil, "The Upside to Global Warming," The Daily Beast, August 26, 2011,
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/08/26/climate-change-is-making-deserts-greener.html.
2
10 James Owen, "Sahara Desert Greening Due to Climate Change?," National Geographic News,
July 31, 2009, http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/07/090731-green-sahara.html.

11 3 Ryan Schleeter. "The Great Green Wall." National Geographic Society. Last modified November 4,
2013. http://nationalgeographic.org/news/great-green-wall/.

Question 4

Which word or phrase most closely matches the meaning of vibrant as it is used in the first paragraph?
bright
strong
full of life
full of sound
Question 5

Choose the two statements from the passage that best help explain why the author agrees that the
Sahara Desert is flourishing, not expanding.

Today, the opposite effect of climate change is occurring. Warming air currents hold moisture from
the oceans, which cooler air could not do well. These warmer air currents carry this moisture across
the land, dropping it as rain. Because of this, the Sahara is becoming more fertile every year.

Scientist Martin Claussen agrees with these findings. He analyzes satellite images of the Sahel, a
semiarid region that borders the Sahara along its southern edge. These images show enormous
increases in plants and trees in several areas. "The water-holding capacity of the air is the main
driving force," he says. (paragraphs 3-4)

Today, the opposite effect of climate change is occurring.

Warming air currents hold moisture from the oceans, which cooler air could not do well.
These warmer air currents carry this moisture across the land, dropping it as rain.
He analyzes satellite images of the Sahel, a semiarid region that borders the Sahara along its southern edge.
These images show enormous increases in plants and trees in several areas.
"The water-holding capacity of the air is the main driving force," he says.

Question 6

Read this paragraph from the passage.

With this type of evidence, why do other scientists believe that the desert is expanding? Some of this
can be attributed to ebbs and flows of rainfall that occur in the region. For example, 1984 was a very
dry year, and the desert seemed to expand to the south. However, 1994 was a wetter year, and the
desert border shrunk back farther north than it had been in decades. (paragraph 5)

What is the purpose of the paragraph in the passage?

to support the claim that the Sahara Desert is becoming more fertile
to provide evidence that the Sahara Desert is expanding due to climate change
to explain why scientists have conflicting views about the future of the Sahara Desert
to discuss how the annual amount of rainfall in the Sahara Desert has changed over time
Question 7

This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B.

Part A
Read this sentence from the passage.

Ultimately, many scientists agree that fertile land degrades due to both human and natural
factors. (paragraph 6)

Which phrase best states the meaning of degrades as it is used in the sentence?
threatens plants and animals
flourishes with new resources and life
treats someone or something with disrespect
breaks down or decreases in quality over time

Part B
Which sentence from the passage best supports the answer to the previous question?
For example, 1984 was a very dry year, and the desert seemed to expand to the south.
However, 1994 was a wetter year, and the desert border shrunk back farther north than it had been in decades.
They cite such reasons for the loss of usable land near the Sahara.
However, scientist Jean-Marc Sinnassamy, who manages a portion of the project, is quick to disagree.
 Read the passages “Stopping the Spread of the Sahara” and “The Greening Desert: Tracking the
Effects of Climate Change.” Then, answer the question.

Stopping the Spread of the Sahara

1 In many science fiction movies, Earth's continents have been transformed into giant deserts.
Deep golden sands blow over the abandoned ruins of skyscrapers in once-great cities, and green
plants and fresh water are rare and precious luxuries. While this scenario may seem far-fetched,
such a future is not out of the question. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Sahara Desert.
Due to human activity and climate change, this desert is growing larger every year. If we do not
work to stop its spread, much of the continent of Africa may soon be covered with scorching
sands.

2 Currently, one-third of all land on Earth is arid. Forty percent of Africa is desert, with the Sahara
covering almost the entire top half of the continent. During the 1980s, this desert's sands spread
66 miles to the north and 145 miles to the south. According to experts, the desert is now
expanding to the south at a rate of 30 miles per year. As climate change increases, the speed of
this desertification will also increase. In fact, international news outlet The Guardian states that
two-thirds of Africa's farmable land could be covered by desert in 2025 if nothing is done.

3 Recently, the Sahara's sands have swept across the once-thriving village of Chinguetti. Homes
stand abandoned as sand piles in the narrow pathways between them. Author and photographer
Kit Constable Maxwell says that within several decades, the town will be completely buried. "Like
so many desert towns through history, it is a casualty of time and the changing face of mankind's
cultural evolution," 1 he writes.

4 What is causing the Sahara to expand? In many places on Earth, climate change causes more
rain to fall. However, in other areas, precipitation is decreasing. And humans contribute to the
problem. Along the Sahara's borders, logging companies are clearing thousands of acres of land.
In addition, these lands and others are being used for grazing and agriculture. With little rainfall,
few trees, and eroding soil, these border areas become vulnerable. Dry winds can cause desert
sands to drift over them, covering any remaining plants and grass.

5 The desert is growing, but experts are searching for ways to stop it. Scientists use satellites to
predict which areas are at risk. Some people are recycling wastewater for irrigation. Others are
attempting to breed plants that would be able to survive in the dry, poor soil. And in 2010, 11
African nations joined together to grow a "Great Green Wall." Those nations and others are
working to grow a forest that is nine miles wide and 4,400 miles long, stretching across the base
of the Sahara. The drought-resistant trees will stand like soldiers, holding back the blowing sands.
Their roots will anchor the soil and pull water up from deep in the ground.
6 With the help of the Great Green Wall and other efforts, scientists are hopeful that the spread of
the Sahara can be slowed or even stopped. Maybe, after all, we can keep those science fiction
movies just what they are—fiction.
1
7 Kit Constable Maxwell. "A Holy City in the Sands: Desert Expedition to Chinguetti, Mauritania,
January to March 1996." Kit Constable Maxwell.
http://www.kitmax.com/kit12_travels_02_chinguetti.htm.

The Greening Desert: Tracking the Effects of Climate Change

1 Along the western edges of the Sahara Desert, nomads bring their camels to graze. Ostriches
and gazelles wander among grass, shrubs, and acacia trees. But just 30 years ago, this vibrant
land was barren, covered only with coarse, burning sand. Thanks to climate change, the Sahara,
which many have feared is expanding, is actually starting to bloom.

2 "I've been studying the Sahara for 30 years and can definitely say that it's getting greener," 1 says
desert geologist Stefan Kröpelin, who has photographs to prove his claim. Kröpelin has
researched climate data on the Sahara going back 6,000 years. Long ago, the region was fertile.
But then a climate change occurred—the air became cooler. When this happened, rainfall
became rare. Over time, the once-lush area became an inhospitable desert.

3 Today, the opposite effect of climate change is occurring. Warming air currents hold moisture from
the oceans, which cooler air could not do well. These warmer air currents carry this moisture
across the land, dropping it as rain. Because of this, the Sahara is becoming more fertile every
year.

4 Scientist Martin Claussen agrees with these findings. He analyzes satellite images of the Sahel, a
semiarid region that borders the Sahara along its southern edge. These images show enormous
increases in plants and trees in several areas. "The water-holding capacity of the air is the main
driving force," 2 he says.

5 With this type of evidence, why do other scientists believe that the desert is expanding? Some of
this can be attributed to ebbs and flows of rainfall that occur in the region. For example, 1984 was
a very dry year, and the desert seemed to expand to the south. However, 1994 was a wetter year,
and the desert border shrunk back farther north than it had been in decades.

6 Ultimately, many scientists agree that fertile land degrades due to both human and natural
factors. They cite such reasons for the loss of usable land near the Sahara. For example, along its
southern border, farmers have harmed the land through overtilling and overgrazing. As droughts
occur, farmers move farther south, leaving behind a wake of dust on the land they harmed. The
combination of extreme weather patterns and incorrect land use creates a recipe for
degradation.
7 In recent years, several African nations have begun to participate in the Great Green Wall
initiative. The media has described this initiative as a plan to simply plant trees to stop desert
expansion in the south. However, scientist Jean-Marc Sinnassamy, who manages a portion of the
project, is quick to disagree. He describes the project's vision as a multipronged attempt to
restore the region, but sometimes without actually planting any trees.

8 And Sinnassamy, too, insists that the Sahara is not growing. "In the majority of the areas we are
working on in these 11 countries, the desert is not advancing," he states. "The desert is a very
stable ecosystem." 3 As a solid response to the desert's pessimists, the word of these experts is
good news indeed.

9 1 Stefan Theil, "The Upside to Global Warming," The Daily Beast, August 26, 2011,
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/08/26/climate-change-is-making-deserts-greener.html.
2
10 James Owen, "Sahara Desert Greening Due to Climate Change?," National Geographic News,
July 31, 2009, http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/07/090731-green-sahara.html.

11 3 Ryan Schleeter. "The Great Green Wall." National Geographic Society. Last modified November 4,
2013. http://nationalgeographic.org/news/great-green-wall/.

Question 8

With which two claims made by the author of "Stopping the Spread of the Sahara" would the author of
"The Greening Desert: Tracking the Effects of Climate Change" most likely disagree?
If we do not work to stop its spread, much of the continent of Africa may soon be covered with scorching sands.
Currently, one-third of all land on Earth is arid.
According to experts, the desert is now expanding to the south at a rate of 30 miles per year.
Recently, the Sahara's sands have swept across the once-thriving village of Chinguetti.
And humans contribute to the problem.
 Read the poem “A Brook in the City.” Then, answer the questions.

A Brook in the City

The farm house lingers, though averse 1 to square

With the new city street it has to wear
A number in. But what about the brook
That held the house as in an elbow-crook?
I ask as one who knew the brook, its strength
And impulse, having dipped a finger-length
And made it leap my knuckle, having tossed
A flower to try its currents where they crossed.
The meadow grass could be cemented down
From growing under pavements of a town;
The apple trees be sent to hearth-stone flame.
Is water wood to serve a brook the same?
How else dispose of an immortal force
No longer needed? Staunch it at its source
With cinder loads dumped down? The brook was thrown
Deep in a sewer dungeon under stone
In fetid 2 darkness still to live and run—
And all for nothing it had ever done
Except forget to go in fear perhaps.
No one would know except for ancient maps
That such a brook ran water. But I wonder
If, from its being kept forever under,
These thoughts may not have risen that so keep
This new-built city from both work and sleep.

1 averse: having a strong dislike of something

2 fetid: having a very unpleasant smell

"A Brook in the City" by Robert Frost, 1921.

Question 9

This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B.

Part A
Which sentence best states the theme of the poem?
The water running under the city is no longer clean.
People do not fear enough for their safety amid the dangers of city life.
The beauty of nature has been hidden and lost by the growth of a city.
An old house has never quite felt like part of the city that grew up around it.

Part B
Which lines from the poem best support the answer to the previous question?
The farm house lingers, though averse to square / With the new city street it has to wear
And made it leap my knuckle, having tossed / A flower to try its currents where they crossed.
The meadow grass could be cemented down / From growing under pavements of a town;
And all for nothing it had ever done / Except forget to go in fear perhaps.

Question 10

Which statement best explains the importance of the first four lines of the poem?
The lines illustrate how city planning can be done to allow for flowing brooks.
The lines show how the mood in a particular part of a city can change over time.
The lines illustrate how the farm house seems to be at odds with the city setting.
The lines show the difference between property lines in the city and those in the country.

Question 11

Read these lines from the poem.

The meadow grass could be cemented down

From growing under pavements of a town; (lines 9-10)

Which phrase best expresses the meaning of cemented down as it is used in the lines?
kept short
made secure
forever preserved
permanently gone
Question 12

Which two statements explain how the rhyming words contribute to the meaning of the poem?
Word pairs such as "wonder" and "under" show hope for a return to simpler times.
The rhyme and rhythm become increasingly angry to symbolize the destruction of the land.
The rhyming patterns create a rhythm that is predictable as is the move toward city growth.
The rhymes create a rhythm that ebbs and flows to symbolize the fate of nature and the city.
Word pairs such as "tossed" and "crossed" express the feelings of how nature was regarded.

Question 13

Read these lines from the poem.

How else dispose of an immortal force

No longer needed? Staunch it at its source
With cinder loads dumped down? . . . (lines 13-15)

Which word most closely matches the meaning of staunch as it is used in the lines?
burn
remove
search
stop

Question 14

Read these lines from the poem.

. . . The brook was thrown

Deep in a sewer dungeon under stone (lines 15-16)

What does the phrase sewer dungeon suggest in the lines?

The dungeon is far dirtier than those in other cities.
The ground under the stone makes the brook water dirty.
The brook is imprisoned underground with human waste.
The sewers of the city are also used as underground dungeons.
Question 15

Choose the two excerpts from the poem that best support the theme.

. . . Staunch it at its source / With cinder loads dumped down?

The brook was thrown / Deep in a sewer dungeon under stone
In fetid darkness still to live and run—
And all for nothing it had ever done
Except forget to go in fear perhaps. (lines 14-19)

. . . Staunch it at its source / With cinder loads dumped down?

The brook was thrown / Deep in a sewer dungeon under stone
In fetid darkness still to live and run—
And all for nothing it had ever done
Except forget to go in fear perhaps.

Question 16

This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B.

Part A
Which sentence best explains the importance of the end of the poem?
It shows that those who built the city worked hard to forget the sacrifices it took.
It demonstrates that the amount of work it takes to build a city has kept many from sleeping.
It suggests that people may be reminded that by building the city they have lost something greater.
It illustrates that people who love the countryside are the only ones who are sad to see it become a city.

Part B
Which detail from the poem best supports the answer to the previous question?
. . . forget to go in fear . . .
. . . except for ancient maps
. . . But I wonder / . . . kept forever under,
If . . . / These thoughts may not have risen . . .
 Read the passage “A Mechanical Genius.” Then answer the questions.

A Mechanical Genius

1 As a young boy in Sweden, John Ericsson showed a talent for things mechanical. At age five, he
built a windmill from gears and springs he found in an old clock. He worked for his father, a
mining engineer, and he soon developed great skill as an engineer, too. While he was still a
teenager, the Royal Swedish Army found use for his remarkable abilities. He drew detailed maps
and designed steam engines. In 1826, Ericsson went to London with plans to become a great
inventor. He designed fire pumps, ventilating systems, and train locomotives. Ericsson could find a
practical and sleek solution to any mechanical problem.

2 In England, Ericsson saw the importance of the British navy. The first half of the 19th century was
an exciting time for maritime inventions. The introduction of steam engines to power ships forced
major redesigns, as did a new kind of weapon called the shell gun. Ericsson studied those
powerful guns. He found that they could inflict serious damage on wooden ships, which were
easily smashed by explosive shells. Ships had been built with iron hulls before, but Ericsson
proposed a revolutionary kind of vessel, one that would be completely wrapped in iron plates.
The type of ship that emerged from the design became known as an ironclad.

3 At the same time, Ericsson was intrigued by the concept of a steam engine. Ships that used
steam engines also relied on bulky paddle wheels. He set out to invent what he would call his
sub-aquatic system of naval warfare. He worked on positioning the vessel's engine under water
so it could not become a target for the enemy. It took ten years to figure out a functioning design.
Then, he designed a propeller. When the British rejected his ideas, a U.S. naval officer, Robert F.
Stockton, encouraged Ericsson to go to America.

4 He arrived in New York City and with Stockton's help built an experimental screw steam warship
with underwater engines in 1842. Both the Americans and the British hailed the ship as an
engineering marvel. Ericsson continued to build ships and was particularly proud of the Ericsson,
which poked out of the water with most of its bulk underneath the water line, like an iceberg.
Ericsson tried unsuccessfully to sell his design to the French navy, but it was not interested.

5 When the Union navy learned in 1861 that the Confederacy was converting a salvaged ship into
an ironclad, it put out a call for designs. Ericsson submitted one, and the Union chose his idea,
which became the Monitor. On March 9, 1862, the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia engaged in
the first ironclad battle at Hampton Roads, Virginia. Ericsson's engineering design gave the Union
navy a sturdy ship that could not be defeated in battle. It generated a whole class of ironclad
ships, against which the wooden sailing ships of the day could not compete.
6 John Ericsson was one of the most influential mechanical engineers in history. He died in New
York City in 1889 and is buried in Sweden. Statues of Ericsson can be found in New York City and
Washington, D.C. A replica of the famous USS Monitor is on display at the Mariners' Museum in
Newport News, Virginia.

7 "A Mechanical Genius" by Barbara D. Krasner, Cobblestone. Nov/Dec 2015, Vol. 36 Issue 9, ©by
Carus Publishing Company. Reproduced with permission. All Cricket Media material is
copyrighted by Carus Publishing Company, d/b/a Cricket Media, and/or various authors and
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Please visit http://www.cricketmedia.com/info/licensing for licensing and
http://www.cricketmedia.com for subscriptions.

Question 17

Which statement best describes the author's purpose?

to explain why the shipping industry needed modernization
to describe some of the remarkable innovations in naval history
to describe why John Ericsson moved from one country to another
to explain why John Ericsson is considered a great mechanical engineer
Question 18

This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B.

Part A
Read this sentence from the passage.

He set out to invent what he would call his sub-aquatic system of naval warfare. (paragraph 3)

Based on its context and root words, what does the word sub-aquatic mean?
beside the ocean
less than the water
below the ocean floor
under the surface of the water

Part B
Which detail from the passage best supports the answer to the previous question?
. . . that emerged from the design became known as an ironclad.
. . . system of naval warfare.
. . . positioning the vessel's engine under water . . .
. . . which poked out of the water . . .

Question 19

Choose two inferences that can be made about the author's opinion of pioneering advancements in
technology.
Pioneers usually build on one another's ideas.
Advancements usually result from a clear directive.
Advancement often results from years of hard work.
Engineering advances often lead to other pioneering ideas.
The benefits of advancements are usually immediately apparent.

Question 20

According to the passage, why did Ericsson design the steam engine to be underwater?
to make it easier to steer
to protect it from enemy gunfire
to use an iron hull instead of wood
to replace a paddle wheel with a propeller
Question 21

This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B.

Part A
Which pair of sentences states important ideas that should be included in a summary of the passage?
Ericsson lived during an exciting time of change. He engineered a line of new ironclad ships.
Ericsson enjoyed building things as a child. His goal was to become a successful engineer.
Ericsson was a successful mechanical engineer. His inventions changed the way naval battles were fought.
Ericsson had to overcome many challenges during his life. He gained success by being flexible and persistent.

Part B
Which pair of sentences from the passage best supports the answer to the previous question?
As a young boy in Sweden, John Ericsson showed a talent for things mechanical. . . . He designed fire pumps,
ventilating systems, and train locomotives.
The first half of the 19th century was an exciting time for maritime inventions. . . . Ships had been built with iron
hulls before, but Ericsson proposed a revolutionary kind of vessel, one that would be completely wrapped in iron
plates.
In 1826, Ericsson went to London with plans to become a great inventor. . . . When the British rejected his ideas, a
U.S. naval officer, Robert F. Stockton, encouraged Ericsson to go to America.
Ericsson's engineering design gave the Union navy a sturdy ship that could not be defeated in battle. . . . John
Ericsson was one of the most influential mechanical engineers in history.
 For the following questions you will use your writing skills. Read the directions and answer the
questions.

Question 22

A student is writing an essay. Read the draft and the directions that follow.

Julie participated in her first volunteer experience. She spent a lot of time researching volunteer
opportunities in her community, and she believed that she had finally found the right position for
herself. She decided to volunteer at her community's senior citizen center, spending her time talking
to and playing games with the elderly. Julie knew that she would be making people's days a little bit
brighter, but what she didn't realize was that the senior citizens would also have a positive impact on
her day.

Which concluding sentence best completes the paragraph?

Julie determined that she wanted to work at the senior center.
Julie went home feeling depressed after every visit to the senior center.
Julie decided that she hadn't chosen the right volunteer position after all.
Julie always left the senior center in a better mood than when she arrived.

Question 23

A student is writing an argumentative essay about mandatory community service. The student has
written a claim to support in his essay. Read the claim and answer the question that follows.

Community service should be mandatory for children and teens.

Which two pieces of evidence best support the claim?

Many people already participate regularly in community service.
People who participate in community service develop a sense of responsibility.
Community service is a great way for people to learn about the world around them.
People often find community service opportunities related to their own talents and interests.
Young people may not learn as much from community service if it is not their choice to participate.
Question 24

Choose the two transitions that are appropriately used in the paragraph.

Self-driving cars will be on the road very soon. Nonetheless, these cars could change everything,
including the way people get to work and where they decide to live. In contrast, self-driving cars will
improve safety because they will be able to react faster than human drivers. As a result, the cars
could save many lives each year. Furthermore, the technology in self-driving cars will allow them to
produce less pollution than regular cars. In particular, self-driving cars will be very expensive, and
many people may not want to give up the fun of driving regular cars.

Nonetheless,
In contrast,
As a result,
Furthermore,
In particular,

Question 25

A student is writing a story about going on vacation. Read the draft of the beginning of the story and
the directions that follow.

The air conditioning in the car never seemed to reach the back seat, and my legs stuck to the seat's
vinyl. I wished that I hadn't worn shorts on the day we would be driving five hours to a campsite. To
make matters worse, my sister was listening to music next to me, and every time she tapped her foot
to the beat, the seat moved. I tried to remind myself to be patient, but it was hard. It became even
harder when we arrived and saw that a warm rain was falling. I wanted to get back in the car, but my
mom insisted that we set up our tent in the rain.

Choose the best way to develop the story's events with description.
The water made setting up the tent difficult. The main problem was the mud being created. It made it difficult to
stay upright. Also, our clothes got wet as we worked.
I didn't want to work in the rain, but I did. I helped set up the tent even though it was raining. Together, my mom, my
sister, and I got everything put together so we would have a dry place to sleep that night.
The water made everything muddy and slimy at the campsite. The tent poles slipped out of my hands as the rain
plastered my clothing to my skin. My mom even slipped once, landing on her back in the gooey mud.
I don't really enjoy working in the mud or getting dirty, but I had to this time. I slid tent poles into the pockets
designed for them. After a little while, the tent was set up, and this made us happy even though we were very wet.
Question 26

A student is writing an argumentative essay about the benefits of using technology. He wrote some
sentences to include in the essay. Drag the sentences into the order in which they should be organized
in the essay.

Available Options ( 4 of 4 )
 We all use technology on a daily basis, but we do not always think about how it benefits our brains.

 In addition to teaching us to sift through information, using technology teaches us to learn and adapt to new
technologies and ways of doing things.

 In conclusion, it is important to remember that the way we use technology is always developing, and so is our
understanding.

 Using computers and other devices to search for information can help us learn to process and sift through
information.

First Second Third Fourth

 For the following questions, you will use your research skills. Read the directions and answer the
questions.

Question 27

A student is writing a research report about e-sports. She is gathering information about video-game
competition rules for the report.

Which source would most likely have relevant and credible information?
allaboutsports.com/esports
wowesports.com/lastnight
thenews.com/esports
yayesports.com/opinions

Question 28

A student is writing a research report about REM sleep. He found a source. Read Source 1 and the
directions that follow.

Source 1:

Rapid Eye Movement, or REM, sleep is one phase people pass through when they sleep normally.
Interestingly, many scientists are not sure of the main reason for REM sleep. One major theory is that
it helps with memory. In experiments, rats who slept after learning seemed to remember more than
rats who didn't. There are certain medications that, as a side effect, suppress REM sleep, but they do
not seem to affect peoples' memories. It just goes to show that the human mind is complex, and REM
sleep is important for retaining memories.

Why should the student avoid using this source in his report?
because the evidence does not relate to the claim
because the evidence is consistent, relevant, and sound
because there is enough evidence, which means the claim is supported
because there is conflicting evidence, which means the conclusion is not sound
Question 29

A student is conducting a research report for class. Read the student's research report plan and the
directions that follow.

Research Report Plan

Topic: History of football
Audience: Teacher and classmates
Purpose: To inform
Research Question: How has the history of football shaped the modern football industry in the United
States?

The student needs to find a trustworthy Internet source with relevant information. Which source would
be best for the student to use for her report?
a recent blog post about famous football games, found at www.prosportsenthusiast.com/blog
a scholarly article about the origins of football, found at www.journaloffootballhistory.com/article45/origins
a video about which football stadiums have had the most visitors, found at www.tubefanatic.com/footballstadiums
an online encyclopedia entry about the connection between football and tourism, found at
www.encyclopedianational.com/f/football/footballandtourism
Question 30

A student is writing a research report claiming that polygraph tests are valuable for detecting when
someone is lying. She found two sources. Read the sources and answer the question that follows.

Source 1:

A polygraph, or lie detector, test measures physical activity such as respiration and heart rate. When
people lie and are aware they are lying, their bodies may react in a physical way that is not easily
detected by the human eye. This is especially true if they are afraid of being found out. Polygraph
tests are useful for detecting these physical changes and signaling that the person being tested is
not being truthful.

Source 2:

A polygraph test, also called a lie detector test, does not detect lies. It measures physical reactions
connected with fear and anxiety. Because there are other reasons people can feel anxious when
being questioned, it is impossible to learn anything from these tests. Which source information best
supports the student's claim?

Which source of information best supports the student's claim?

From Source 1: "A polygraph, or lie detector, test measures physical activity such as respiration and heart rate."
From Source 1: "Polygraph tests are useful for detecting these physical changes and signaling that the person being
tested is not being truthful."
From Source 2: "A polygraph test, also called a lie detector test, does not detect lies."
From Source 2: "Because there are other reasons people can feel anxious when being questioned, it is impossible
to learn anything from these tests."
 For the following questions, you will use your language skills. Read the directions and answer the
questions.

Question 31

A student is writing an essay about skateboarding. She has listed ideas that she wants to include in the
introduction.

Ideas:

good exercise

can be dangerous

adults worry

Which sentence best conveys the student's ideas?

Skateboarding is good exercise, dangerous, and worrisome.
Skateboarding is good exercise, but adults worry about the danger.
Because skateboarding is both good exercise and dangerous, adults worry.
Being dangerous and worrisome to adults, skateboarding is also good exercise.

Question 32

Choose the two sentences that have grammar errors.

Sean walked slowly to the store and then went in.
We ran to the first water fountain we saw quickly.
It started to rain hard as soon as Juan went outside.
Raymond brought a delicious basket for the study group full of apples.
After Claire's lunch got squished between two textbooks, it was just a bag of disgusting mush.
Question 33

A student is writing a short narrative for a literary magazine about a story written by Edgar Allan Poe.
Read the draft of the narrative and complete the task that follows.

Last night I read "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe. I had never read any of his work before,
but I'd heard that he wrote about very spooky stuff.
The narrator of the story is obsessed with a man he claims has an evil eye, and he describes his
elaborate plan to kill that man. After he actually does it, the police question him about the man’s
disappearance. He gets more and more nervous until he confesses to the crime. He really seemed
insane!
I was scared by the time I finished the story!

Read the last sentence from the student's narrative.

I was scared by the time I finished the story!

To add more description, select the best phrase to replace the word scared.
truly terrified
really nervous
certainly upset
actually shocked

Question 34

Choose two sentences in which all words are spelled correctly.

The villain in the story was difficult to like.
Dad always gets sentimental on our birthdays.
My uncle always exagerates when he tells stories.
The winning team did a victorius dance on the field.
The jaguar did not seem like a ferocius animal when it was sleeping.
Question 35

Drag and drop each clause to match it with the sentence in which it could be inserted.

Available Options ( 4 of 4 )
 that are new  who work hard  while waiting for the job interview  to visit friends

Students in my class
People often take the He decided to go Cars _____ are better _____ get good
subway _____. shopping _____. for the environment. grades.