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Inferences and Conclusions
(1)
Gale Sayers was an amazing football player. He was small and astonishingly fast. His
nickname was the Kansas Comet because he attended college at the University of Kansas, where
he was an All-American running back. In a game in his junior year, he set an NCAA record with a
99-yard run against Nebraska. The next year, he scored the winning touchdown against Oklahoma
when he ran a kickoff back 96 yards. Many think he was the best open-field runner who ever played
the game. He was like a ballerina among sumo wrestlers.
(2)
As a professional player with the Chicago Bears starting in 1965, he led the league in rushing
his first season. In his rookie season, he scored an NFL record 22 touchdowns (14 rushing, 6
receiving, and 1 each on punt and kickoff returns). He gained 1,374 yards from scrimmage and had
2,272 all-purpose yards (also a record). He thrilled the crowd in December when he scored six
touchdowns against the San Francisco 49ers, tying the record for most touchdowns in a single
game. He won every post-season honor that year. The Bears finished a disappointing third in their
conference.
(3)
In his second season, despite being the focus of opposing defenses, Sayers led the league in
rushing with 1,231 yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry with eight touchdowns. He set another NFL
record with 2,440 all-purpose yards despite the fact the Bears struggled, finishing in fifth place with a
5-7-2 record. Sayers also won the Pro Bowl Most Valuable Player award, the first of three.
(4)
In his third season, Sayers again starred on a mediocre Bears squad. Sharing more of the
rushing duties with another running back, Sayers gained only 880 yards with a 4.7 average per
carry. He was still the league’s best and most exciting kickoff returner. He was always a danger to
go all the way, and in fact returned three kickoffs for touchdowns on only 16 returns in 1967.
Chicago finished in second place with a 7-6-1 record.
(5)
After the first nine games of his fourth season (1968), Sayers was again leading the NFL in
rushing when he tore the ligaments in his right knee. He had surgery and didn’t play again that
season.
(6)
In the next season he led the league in rushing once again with 1,032 yards, but he lacked
the lightning speed he once had, and averaged only 4.4 yards per carry. The Bears finished in last
place with a franchise worst 1–13 record.
(7)
In 1970, Sayers had a second knee injury, this time to his left knee. He was out the whole
season and retired before the next season began. When he did, football lost one of its most graceful
open-field runners ever. In 1977, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, when he was
only 34, still its youngest inductee ever. In 1994, the Bears retired his number 40. In 1999, despite
the brevity of his career, he was ranked #21 on The Sporting News's list of the 100 Greatest Football
Players.
1. Which of the following can the reader infer from the passage?
A. The Sporting News prefers to choose players who have played a long time.
B. Career-ending knee injuries are common in kickoff return specialists.
C. The University of Kansas had a poor football team before Gale Sayers.
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D. Having a record-breaking running back doesn't ensure a winning season.
Bias and Propaganda
2. "Friendly fire" is a phrase the military uses when someone has been accidentally
hurt or killed by their own soldiers or allies. When a word or phrase is used to
try to make an unpleasant idea easier to hear, the word or phrase is called
A. a substitution.
B. a synonym.
C. a euphemism.
D. a parallel.
Theme
Maria’s Ultimate Challenge
by Jon Caswell
Perhaps, it is not remarkable that a 40-year-old woman will be running Pikes Peak, Colorado’s
tallest mountain. Then, you realize this particular woman – a single mother, motivational speaker,
tennis instructor – survived a near-fatal car accident just five years ago. That experience has led her
to understand what she is made of. She is setting an inspiring example for other accident victims to
follow.
“After my accident, my future did not look good. If I lived, I wasn’t expected to walk again or be
very productive,” Maria Steves says. “I had a broken leg, a shattered pelvis, and a closed head
injury. At first, I couldn’t even talk. The future was bleak, but my faith was strong. I knew I was going
to make it, so I just didn’t pay any attention to those who said I couldn’t do it.”
Maria worked with different rehabilitation therapists five days a week for almost two years. She
had to learn to crawl before she could walk. Her speech was unintelligible for more than a year. “It
took many months of hard work, but my first baby steps turned into long strides. For a long time, I
had to walk with a cane, now that cane hangs on a wall in my home to remind me how much I have
overcome.”
Maria’s climbing of Pikes Peak comes with a benefit for others with life-changing injuries.
Partnering with the American Association of Accident Survivors and sponsored by Runners Roost in
Colorado Springs, she will raise money for rehabilitation research. Her goal is to raise $1,000,000 by
August 23 when she runs the face of the Colorado landmark in less than five hours.
In the running community, Pikes Peak is known as “America’s Ultimate Challenge.” The trailhead
stands 6,600 feet above sea level. Nearly 13 miles later, Maria will reach the summit at 14,110 feet.
Even before reaching the top, the air is thin, making the lungs burn. Most runners report their legs,
heart, and mind are worn to a ragged nothingness. But because she’s survived a devastating
accident (as well as a recent divorce) and spent years relearning how to walk and talk in addition to
other functions, Maria knows she’s up to the challenge. “I not only survived, I’ve thrived,” she says. “I
want to accomplish this so my children will know they can accomplish anything, no matter what
others say. In a strange way, I’m thankful for the accident because now I know what I’m made of.”
3. With which of these would Maria most likely agree?
A. It's easy to run when you are 40.
B. Raising money is hard to do.
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C. Single mothers are poor drivers.
D. Don't let others discourage you.
Point of View
When I grow up
4.
by Jerry Spinelli
When I was growing up, the first thing I wanted to be was a cowboy. That lasted till I was
about ten. Then I wanted to be a baseball player, preferably shortstop for the New York
Yankees. I played Little League in junior high and high school. I only hit two home runs in my
career, but I had no equal when it came to standing at shortstop and chattering to my pitcher:
"C'mon, baby, hum the pea." Unfortunately, when I stood at the plate, so many peas were
hummed past me for strikes that I decided to let somebody else become shortstop for the
Yankees.
It was about that time that our high school football team won a heart-stopping game
against one of the best teams in the country. While the rest of the town was tooting horns
and celebrating, I went home and wrote a poem about the game. A few days later the poem
was published in the local newspaper, and suddenly I had something new to become—a
writer.
adapted from http://www.kidsreads.com/authors/au-spinelli-jerry.asp
What point of view does the author use in this passage?
A. second person
B. third person
C. first person
D. It changes from first to third person.
Text Organization
Born in Los Angeles, California, in 1960, Sean Penn is no stranger to a life in the entertainment
industry. He first appeared in an episode of the TV series Little House on the Prairie in 1974. After
his teenage years, Penn launched his movie career with a performance in the movie Taps in 1981.
His big break came in 1982 when he played surfer Jeff Spicoli in the film Fast Times at Ridgemont
High. A year later, Penn established himself as a serious actor when he appeared as a troubled
youth in the movie Bad Boys. Penn’s career continued to rise until he was nominated for an
Academy Award in 1995 for the performance of a condemned death row inmate in the film Dead
Man Walking. Although he did not win the award, the attention allowed his career to skyrocket.
Later, he also gained notice for his role as a jazz guitarist in Sweet and Lowdown in 1999 and as a
mentally disabled father in I Am Sam in 2001. Penn finally won an Academy Award in 2003 for his
role as a crime boss and devoted father in Mystic River. After many respected roles throughout the
last decade, Penn won a second Oscar for his performance in 2008 for the tragic role of Harvey Milk
in Milk. In addition to Penn’s many successful roles as an actor, he is a talented and respected
director.
5. Which of the films listed in the passage immediately preceded Penn's first Oscar
win?
A. Mystic River (2003)
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B. Sweet and Lowdown (1999)
C. I Am Sam (2001)
D. Milk (2008)
Graphics and Charts
The Peloponnesian War
The Peloponnesian War raged between Athens and Sparta from 433 to 404 BC. Both Athens and Sparta were
not countries but city-states. At the time, Athens and Sparta were two superpowers. Athens possessed many allies
and excelled in matters of trade and diplomacy. The city possessed a powerful navy. Sparta, on the other hand,
was militarist and aggressive, and what Sparta lacked in trade and diplomacy, it made up for with the sheer might
of its army.
The war lasted many years, with peace declared several times only to be broken again by one side or the other.
For a time being, it seemed as if Athens would prevail, but Sparta turned the tide with a crushing victory at the
Battle of Mantinea. Sparta followed this victory by defeating the Athenian navy at the Battle of Aegospotami. With
the Athenian navy destroyed, Sparta ruled the seas, and the Athenian alliance crumbled. Without allies, Athens
withdrew most of its armies into the cities and stopped its major offensives. Thereafter, Sparta was able to lay
siege to the city of Athens, and after a couple of years, Athens surrendered.
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6. According to the map, why was a strong navy important to Athens?
A. The city of Athens itself was located on an island.
B. Athens had many ships left over from earlier wars.
C. Epirus blocked the overland trade route to Thessaly.
D. Athens controlled many islands in the Aegean Sea.
Pretest - Reading
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How English Class Saved My Life
by Julie Heller
I know what you're thinking. No way, right? English class is the most boring class of the day,
right? I mean, why do I need to take English class when I already speak English? Right? Yeah, well
I felt that way, too, until last summer when English class literally saved my life.
Let me explain.
My foster family, the Jamesons, decided to take a vacation. Sounds great, huh? Maybe
Disneyland or a week on the beach? No way. They wanted to go to the desert. Long story short, we
drove half way across the country to camp out in the Great Basin Desert.
"Josh, be sure to pack your warmest clothing," Mrs. Jameson yelled up the stairs. "The desert is
cold at night, but don't worry. It won't leave you cold. Just wait until you see the stars."
We finally arrived at the Great Basin National Park, and I have to admit it was different than I
imagined.
"Amazing, isn't it?" Mr. Jameson asked me as we looked out over the desert's vast, silent
valleys. I just grunted back at him and put my earphones back in. No matter what changed in my
life, no matter how many times I failed, my music was always there.
Later that night, I sat inside my tent and listened to the Jamesons telling stories around the fire
they made. They thought it was so easy. Telling stories. Reading stories. I couldn't even pass
English class. I couldn't understand those stupid stories. Suddenly angry, I left the tent. They didn't
even notice.
The air was colder, but the stars were amazing. I had to admit it. I turned off my music as I
walked and listened to the desert. Coyotes howling. Owls hooting. Clawing. Scurrying. Something
wet hit my face. I looked up and realized it was snowing! In the desert in July! And I was lost.
I wandered for hours but couldn't find our camp. The temperature continued to drop. I found a
tree with deep crevices in the trunk and took shelter. My hands were getting numb, and I knew I was
in trouble. Then I remembered Jack London and his story that we read in English class, "To Build a
Fire." I knew I needed to keep warm, so I gathered up the branches around the base of the tree,
piled up some dry grasses for kindling, and used the matches in my pocket to get the fire going.
Just like in Jack's story. It worked!
I spent the night keeping that fire going and listening to the sounds of the desert. In the morning,
the Jamesons found me. I was only about a half-mile away.
"Look at you," Mrs. Jameson said, when I told her how I'd remembered that story from English
class, "making use of those 'stupid' stories from English class. Now all you have to do is write your
own because your friends aren't going to believe how English class saved your life!"
7. How is Josh's story similar to Jack London's story?
A. They both finally overcome loneliness and connect with nature.
B. They are both afraid of being across the country and in a strange place.
C. They are both happy to be able to sleep beneath the beautiful stars.
D. They must both light a fire in order to survive in the wilderness.
Inferences and Conclusions
(1)
Gale Sayers was an amazing football player. He was small and astonishingly fast. His
nickname was the Kansas Comet because he attended college at the University of Kansas, where
he was an All-American running back. In a game in his junior year, he set an NCAA record with a
99-yard run against Nebraska. The next year, he scored the winning touchdown against Oklahoma
when he ran a kickoff back 96 yards. Many think he was the best open-field runner who ever played
the game. He was like a ballerina among sumo wrestlers.
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(2)
As a professional player with the Chicago Bears starting in 1965, he led the league in rushing
his first season. In his rookie season, he scored an NFL record 22 touchdowns (14 rushing, 6
receiving, and 1 each on punt and kickoff returns). He gained 1,374 yards from scrimmage and had
2,272 all-purpose yards (also a record). He thrilled the crowd in December when he scored six
touchdowns against the San Francisco 49ers, tying the record for most touchdowns in a single
game. He won every post-season honor that year. The Bears finished a disappointing third in their
conference.
(3)
In his second season, despite being the focus of opposing defenses, Sayers led the league in
rushing with 1,231 yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry with eight touchdowns. He set another NFL
record with 2,440 all-purpose yards despite the fact the Bears struggled, finishing in fifth place with a
5-7-2 record. Sayers also won the Pro Bowl Most Valuable Player award, the first of three.
(4)
In his third season, Sayers again starred on a mediocre Bears squad. Sharing more of the
rushing duties with another running back, Sayers gained only 880 yards with a 4.7 average per
carry. He was still the league’s best and most exciting kickoff returner. He was always a danger to
go all the way, and in fact returned three kickoffs for touchdowns on only 16 returns in 1967.
Chicago finished in second place with a 7-6-1 record.
(5)
After the first nine games of his fourth season (1968), Sayers was again leading the NFL in
rushing when he tore the ligaments in his right knee. He had surgery and didn’t play again that
season.
(6)
In the next season he led the league in rushing once again with 1,032 yards, but he lacked
the lightning speed he once had, and averaged only 4.4 yards per carry. The Bears finished in last
place with a franchise worst 1–13 record.
(7)
In 1970, Sayers had a second knee injury, this time to his left knee. He was out the whole
season and retired before the next season began. When he did, football lost one of its most graceful
open-field runners ever. In 1977, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, when he was
only 34, still its youngest inductee ever. In 1994, the Bears retired his number 40. In 1999, despite
the brevity of his career, he was ranked #21 on The Sporting News's list of the 100 Greatest Football
Players.
8. What inference can the reader draw from the entire passage?
A. The opposing teams injured him to get him out of the game.
B. He was the youngest player in the NFL Hall of Fame.
C. Gale Sayers was a graceful and exciting player to watch.
D. Knee surgery in 1970 was not as good as it is today.
Bias and Propaganda
The following press release was posted on the Enron Corporation web site on
February 6, 2001.
Enron Named Most Innovative for Sixth Year
HOUSTON -- Enron Corp. was named today the "Most Innovative Company in America" for the
sixth consecutive year by Fortune magazine.
"Our world-class employees and their commitment to innovative ideas continue to drive our
success in today's fast-paced business environment," said Kenneth L. Lay, Enron chairman and
CEO. "We are proud to receive this accolade for a sixth year. It reflects our corporate culture
which is driven by smart employees who continually come up with new ways to grow our
business."
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Enron placed No.18 overall on Fortune's list of the nation’s 535 "Most Admired Companies," up
from No. 36 last year. Enron also ranked among the top five in "Quality of Management," "Quality
of Products/Services" and "Employee Talent."
Corporations are judged primarily from feedback contained in confidential questionnaires
submitted by approximately 10,000 executives, directors and securities analysts who were asked
to rate the companies by industry on eight attributes.
Enron is one of the world's leading electricity, natural gas and communications companies. The
company, with revenues of $101 billion in 2000, markets electricity and natural gas, delivers
physical commodities and financial and risk management services to customers around the world,
and has developed an intelligent network platform to facilitate online business. Fortune magazine
has named Enron "America's Most Innovative Company" for six consecutive years. Enron's
Internet address is www.enron.com. The stock is traded under the ticker symbol "ENE."
9. The author of the press release above was attempting to shed a positive light on
Enron Corporation. Which of the following phrases uses "glittering generality" to
achieve the author's purpose?
A. "Corporations are judged primarily from feedback (from) questionnaires..."
B. "Enron placed No. 18 overall on Fortune's list..."
C. "The stock is traded under the ticker symbol ENE."
D. "Our world-class employees and their commitment to innovative ideas..."
Theme
Maria’s Ultimate Challenge
by Jon Caswell
Perhaps, it is not remarkable that a 40-year-old woman will be running Pikes Peak, Colorado’s
tallest mountain. Then, you realize this particular woman – a single mother, motivational speaker,
tennis instructor – survived a near-fatal car accident just five years ago. That experience has led her
to understand what she is made of. She is setting an inspiring example for other accident victims to
follow.
“After my accident, my future did not look good. If I lived, I wasn’t expected to walk again or be
very productive,” Maria Steves says. “I had a broken leg, a shattered pelvis, and a closed head
injury. At first, I couldn’t even talk. The future was bleak, but my faith was strong. I knew I was going
to make it, so I just didn’t pay any attention to those who said I couldn’t do it.”
Maria worked with different rehabilitation therapists five days a week for almost two years. She
had to learn to crawl before she could walk. Her speech was unintelligible for more than a year. “It
took many months of hard work, but my first baby steps turned into long strides. For a long time, I
had to walk with a cane, now that cane hangs on a wall in my home to remind me how much I have
overcome.”
Maria’s climbing of Pikes Peak comes with a benefit for others with life-changing injuries.
Partnering with the American Association of Accident Survivors and sponsored by Runners Roost in
Colorado Springs, she will raise money for rehabilitation research. Her goal is to raise $1,000,000 by
August 23 when she runs the face of the Colorado landmark in less than five hours.
In the running community, Pikes Peak is known as “America’s Ultimate Challenge.” The trailhead
stands 6,600 feet above sea level. Nearly 13 miles later, Maria will reach the summit at 14,110 feet.
Even before reaching the top, the air is thin, making the lungs burn. Most runners report their legs,
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heart, and mind are worn to a ragged nothingness. But because she’s survived a devastating
accident (as well as a recent divorce) and spent years relearning how to walk and talk in addition to
other functions, Maria knows she’s up to the challenge. “I not only survived, I’ve thrived,” she says. “I
want to accomplish this so my children will know they can accomplish anything, no matter what
others say. In a strange way, I’m thankful for the accident because now I know what I’m made of.”
10. Which line from the selection best expresses a theme of the story?
A. "She had to learn to crawl before she could walk. Her speech was unintelligible for more than a
year."
B. "For a long time, I had to walk with a cane, now that cane hangs on a wall in my home to
remind me how much I have overcome."
C. "Most runners report their legs, heart, and mind are worn to a ragged nothingness."
D. "I want to accomplish this so my children will know they can accomplish anything, no matter
what others say."
Point of View
Thought of as the "Moses" of her people, Underground Railroad conductor Harriet Tubman
became a legend during her lifetime. Since she was denied any real childhood or formal education,
Tubman labored in physically demanding jobs. Although she had heard of kind masters, she never
had one in her life. She vowed from an early age that she would strive to free her people. In 1844, at
age 24, she married John Tubman, a freeman. In the summer of 1849 she decided to make her
escape from slavery. She set out by herself with only the North Star to serve as her guide. She
made her way to freedom in Pennsylvania. A year later, she returned to Baltimore to rescue her
sister, then began guiding others to freedom. Travel became more dangerous with the passage of
the Fugitive Slave Law, but she was not deterred. She continued her work despite rewards offered
by slave owners for her capture totaling $40,000.
adapted from http://www.uga.edu/~iaas/History.html
11. In which point of view is the selection written?
A. first person
B. third person
C. It changes from second to third person.
D. second person
Text Organization
Born in Los Angeles, California, in 1960, Sean Penn is no stranger to a life in the entertainment
industry. He first appeared in an episode of the TV series Little House on the Prairie in 1974. After
his teenage years, Penn launched his movie career with a performance in the movie Taps in 1981.
His big break came in 1982 when he played surfer Jeff Spicoli in the film Fast Times at Ridgemont
High. A year later, Penn established himself as a serious actor when he appeared as a troubled
youth in the movie Bad Boys. Penn’s career continued to rise until he was nominated for an
Academy Award in 1995 for the performance of a condemned death row inmate in the film Dead
Man Walking. Although he did not win the award, the attention allowed his career to skyrocket.
Later, he also gained notice for his role as a jazz guitarist in Sweet and Lowdown in 1999 and as a
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mentally disabled father in I Am Sam in 2001. Penn finally won an Academy Award in 2003 for his
role as a crime boss and devoted father in Mystic River. After many respected roles throughout the
last decade, Penn won a second Oscar for his performance in 2008 for the tragic role of Harvey Milk
in Milk. In addition to Penn’s many successful roles as an actor, he is a talented and respected
director.
12. Which of the following statements best explains why the passage follows a
chronological pattern?
A. A biography usually relates notable events in the order they occur.
B. A biography often contains insignificant dates and information.
C. A biography generally details a person's entire life and deeds.
D. A biography must always include specific facts about the person.
Graphics and Charts
The Peloponnesian War
The Peloponnesian War raged between Athens and Sparta from 433 to 404 BC. Both Athens and Sparta were
not countries but city-states. At the time, Athens and Sparta were two superpowers. Athens possessed many allies
and excelled in matters of trade and diplomacy. The city possessed a powerful navy. Sparta, on the other hand,
was militarist and aggressive, and what Sparta lacked in trade and diplomacy, it made up for with the sheer might
of its army.
The war lasted many years, with peace declared several times only to be broken again by one side or the other.
For a time being, it seemed as if Athens would prevail, but Sparta turned the tide with a crushing victory at the
Battle of Mantinea. Sparta followed this victory by defeating the Athenian navy at the Battle of Aegospotami. With
the Athenian navy destroyed, Sparta ruled the seas, and the Athenian alliance crumbled. Without allies, Athens
withdrew most of its armies into the cities and stopped its major offensives. Thereafter, Sparta was able to lay
siege to the city of Athens, and after a couple of years, Athens surrendered.
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13. According to the map, where is the city of Troy in relation to Athens?
A. east
B. north
C. northwest
D. northeast
Pretest - Reading
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How English Class Saved My Life
by Julie Heller
I know what you're thinking. No way, right? English class is the most boring class of the day,
right? I mean, why do I need to take English class when I already speak English? Right? Yeah, well
I felt that way, too, until last summer when English class literally saved my life.
Let me explain.
My foster family, the Jamesons, decided to take a vacation. Sounds great, huh? Maybe
Disneyland or a week on the beach? No way. They wanted to go to the desert. Long story short, we
drove half way across the country to camp out in the Great Basin Desert.
"Josh, be sure to pack your warmest clothing," Mrs. Jameson yelled up the stairs. "The desert is
cold at night, but don't worry. It won't leave you cold. Just wait until you see the stars."
We finally arrived at the Great Basin National Park, and I have to admit it was different than I
imagined.
"Amazing, isn't it?" Mr. Jameson asked me as we looked out over the desert's vast, silent
valleys. I just grunted back at him and put my earphones back in. No matter what changed in my
life, no matter how many times I failed, my music was always there.
Later that night, I sat inside my tent and listened to the Jamesons telling stories around the fire
they made. They thought it was so easy. Telling stories. Reading stories. I couldn't even pass
English class. I couldn't understand those stupid stories. Suddenly angry, I left the tent. They didn't
even notice.
The air was colder, but the stars were amazing. I had to admit it. I turned off my music as I
walked and listened to the desert. Coyotes howling. Owls hooting. Clawing. Scurrying. Something
wet hit my face. I looked up and realized it was snowing! In the desert in July! And I was lost.
I wandered for hours but couldn't find our camp. The temperature continued to drop. I found a
tree with deep crevices in the trunk and took shelter. My hands were getting numb, and I knew I was
in trouble. Then I remembered Jack London and his story that we read in English class, "To Build a
Fire." I knew I needed to keep warm, so I gathered up the branches around the base of the tree,
piled up some dry grasses for kindling, and used the matches in my pocket to get the fire going.
Just like in Jack's story. It worked!
I spent the night keeping that fire going and listening to the sounds of the desert. In the morning,
the Jamesons found me. I was only about a half-mile away.
"Look at you," Mrs. Jameson said, when I told her how I'd remembered that story from English
class, "making use of those 'stupid' stories from English class. Now all you have to do is write your
own because your friends aren't going to believe how English class saved your life!"
14. What prediction is most logical when considering Josh's experiences?
A. He will take a greater interest in reading and do well in English.
B. He will pack more carefully for the next vacation he takes.
C. He will report the Jamesons for taking him on a dangerous trip.
D. He will become a scientist and study temperature in deserts.
Inferences and Conclusions
(1)
Gale Sayers was an amazing football player. He was small and astonishingly fast. His
nickname was the Kansas Comet because he attended college at the University of Kansas, where
he was an All-American running back. In a game in his junior year, he set an NCAA record with a
99-yard run against Nebraska. The next year, he scored the winning touchdown against Oklahoma
when he ran a kickoff back 96 yards. Many think he was the best open-field runner who ever played
the game. He was like a ballerina among sumo wrestlers.
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(2)
As a professional player with the Chicago Bears starting in 1965, he led the league in rushing
his first season. In his rookie season, he scored an NFL record 22 touchdowns (14 rushing, 6
receiving, and 1 each on punt and kickoff returns). He gained 1,374 yards from scrimmage and had
2,272 all-purpose yards (also a record). He thrilled the crowd in December when he scored six
touchdowns against the San Francisco 49ers, tying the record for most touchdowns in a single
game. He won every post-season honor that year. The Bears finished a disappointing third in their
conference.
(3)
In his second season, despite being the focus of opposing defenses, Sayers led the league in
rushing with 1,231 yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry with eight touchdowns. He set another NFL
record with 2,440 all-purpose yards despite the fact the Bears struggled, finishing in fifth place with a
5-7-2 record. Sayers also won the Pro Bowl Most Valuable Player award, the first of three.
(4)
In his third season, Sayers again starred on a mediocre Bears squad. Sharing more of the
rushing duties with another running back, Sayers gained only 880 yards with a 4.7 average per
carry. He was still the league’s best and most exciting kickoff returner. He was always a danger to
go all the way, and in fact returned three kickoffs for touchdowns on only 16 returns in 1967.
Chicago finished in second place with a 7-6-1 record.
(5)
After the first nine games of his fourth season (1968), Sayers was again leading the NFL in
rushing when he tore the ligaments in his right knee. He had surgery and didn’t play again that
season.
(6)
In the next season he led the league in rushing once again with 1,032 yards, but he lacked
the lightning speed he once had, and averaged only 4.4 yards per carry. The Bears finished in last
place with a franchise worst 1–13 record.
(7)
In 1970, Sayers had a second knee injury, this time to his left knee. He was out the whole
season and retired before the next season began. When he did, football lost one of its most graceful
open-field runners ever. In 1977, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, when he was
only 34, still its youngest inductee ever. In 1994, the Bears retired his number 40. In 1999, despite
the brevity of his career, he was ranked #21 on The Sporting News's list of the 100 Greatest Football
Players.
15. After reading paragraph 2, which of these statements can the reader conclude is
true?
A. The Kansas Comet got a big signing bonus his first year.
B. The San Francisco 49ers weren't very successful in 1965.
C. Teams with rookie running backs don't do all that well.
D. Gale Sayers was named the NFL Rookie of the Year.
Bias and Propaganda
Ad for Petey's Peanut Butter:
1) Try Petey's Organic Peanut Butter, and you'll never go back to your old brand.
2) Just ask Farmer Bob: "Hi, I'm Farmer Bob, and you can take it from me, Petey's is the only peanut
butter that uses genuine organically grown peanuts. And besides, it's just plain yummy!"
3) So come on and try Petey's. Everybody's trying it! You wouldn't want to miss out now, would you?
4) Rumor has it, even the president of the U. S. of A. eats the stuff!
16. Which of the segments of the ad above is an example of the transfer form of
propaganda?
A. Segment 2
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B. Segment 3
C. Segment 1
D. Segment 4
Theme
Maria’s Ultimate Challenge
by Jon Caswell
Perhaps, it is not remarkable that a 40-year-old woman will be running Pikes Peak, Colorado’s
tallest mountain. Then, you realize this particular woman – a single mother, motivational speaker,
tennis instructor – survived a near-fatal car accident just five years ago. That experience has led her
to understand what she is made of. She is setting an inspiring example for other accident victims to
follow.
“After my accident, my future did not look good. If I lived, I wasn’t expected to walk again or be
very productive,” Maria Steves says. “I had a broken leg, a shattered pelvis, and a closed head
injury. At first, I couldn’t even talk. The future was bleak, but my faith was strong. I knew I was going
to make it, so I just didn’t pay any attention to those who said I couldn’t do it.”
Maria worked with different rehabilitation therapists five days a week for almost two years. She
had to learn to crawl before she could walk. Her speech was unintelligible for more than a year. “It
took many months of hard work, but my first baby steps turned into long strides. For a long time, I
had to walk with a cane, now that cane hangs on a wall in my home to remind me how much I have
overcome.”
Maria’s climbing of Pikes Peak comes with a benefit for others with life-changing injuries.
Partnering with the American Association of Accident Survivors and sponsored by Runners Roost in
Colorado Springs, she will raise money for rehabilitation research. Her goal is to raise $1,000,000 by
August 23 when she runs the face of the Colorado landmark in less than five hours.
In the running community, Pikes Peak is known as “America’s Ultimate Challenge.” The trailhead
stands 6,600 feet above sea level. Nearly 13 miles later, Maria will reach the summit at 14,110 feet.
Even before reaching the top, the air is thin, making the lungs burn. Most runners report their legs,
heart, and mind are worn to a ragged nothingness. But because she’s survived a devastating
accident (as well as a recent divorce) and spent years relearning how to walk and talk in addition to
other functions, Maria knows she’s up to the challenge. “I not only survived, I’ve thrived,” she says. “I
want to accomplish this so my children will know they can accomplish anything, no matter what
others say. In a strange way, I’m thankful for the accident because now I know what I’m made of.”
17. Which statement best describes a recurring theme in this passage?
A. overcoming misfortune through hard work
B. raising money for rehabilitation research
C. raising children as a single mother
D. taking baby steps toward recovery
Point of View
18.
Sitting in the small frame house, we heard a loud crash and saw a flash of light. Mother
and Father raced outside, ignoring the storm. The barn was on fire! I grabbed my little
brother from his crib and stood at the doorway. Little Matthew grabbed my long braid and
pulled. We did not have any neighbors near us. I knew once I saw the huge flames that we
could not save the barn.
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Mother screamed, "Annie! Stay inside with your brother!"
Father was trying to get the animals out before the barn collapsed. I closed my eyes and
wished that Father would be safe.
This passage is told from the point of view of which character?
A. Father
B. Annie
C. Matthew
D. Mother
Text Organization
For more than a thousand years, the Ptolemaic model was accepted as the correct
understanding of the known universe. The foremost principle of this theory was that the Earth was
the stationary center of the universe. In this geocentric system, the Sun, Moon, stars, and planets
circled the Earth. Ptolemy drew on many previous theories when he outlined these principles in his
Almagest in 150 A.D. In 1543, however, the geocentric system met its first serious challenge with the
publication of Copernicus's On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres. In this work, Copernicus
introduced the theory that the Earth and the other planets instead revolved around the Sun. This
model is called the heliocentric system. Copernicus began a revolution in astronomy when he argued
that it was the Sun and not the Earth that was at the center of the universe. Displacing the Earth as
the fixed center posed problems for both natural philosophy and scripture. Galileo Galilei would later
defend these radical ideas to the Catholic Church. The ideas of Copernicus are regarded as the
starting point of modern astronomy and the beginning of the Scientific Revolution.
19. Based on the passage, what comparison can be made between the works of
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Copernicus and Ptolemy?
A. neither of the works accounted for the movement of the Earth
B. neither theory explained an acceptable idea of the universe
C. both works asserted theories that explained the universe
D. both works presented problems to the teachings of scripture
Graphics and Charts
The Peloponnesian War
The Peloponnesian War raged between Athens and Sparta from 433 to 404 BC. Both Athens and Sparta were
not countries but city-states. At the time, Athens and Sparta were two superpowers. Athens possessed many allies
and excelled in matters of trade and diplomacy. The city possessed a powerful navy. Sparta, on the other hand,
was militarist and aggressive, and what Sparta lacked in trade and diplomacy, it made up for with the sheer might
of its army.
The war lasted many years, with peace declared several times only to be broken again by one side or the other.
For a time being, it seemed as if Athens would prevail, but Sparta turned the tide with a crushing victory at the
Battle of Mantinea. Sparta followed this victory by defeating the Athenian navy at the Battle of Aegospotami. With
the Athenian navy destroyed, Sparta ruled the seas, and the Athenian alliance crumbled. Without allies, Athens
withdrew most of its armies into the cities and stopped its major offensives. Thereafter, Sparta was able to lay
siege to the city of Athens, and after a couple of years, Athens surrendered.
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20. According to the map, which of the following regions could Sparta rely on for
support?
A. Lydia
B. Euboea
C. Crete
D. Macedonia
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Pretest - Reading
How English Class Saved My Life
by Julie Heller
I know what you're thinking. No way, right? English class is the most boring class of the day,
right? I mean, why do I need to take English class when I already speak English? Right? Yeah, well
I felt that way, too, until last summer when English class literally saved my life.
Let me explain.
My foster family, the Jamesons, decided to take a vacation. Sounds great, huh? Maybe
Disneyland or a week on the beach? No way. They wanted to go to the desert. Long story short, we
drove half way across the country to camp out in the Great Basin Desert.
"Josh, be sure to pack your warmest clothing," Mrs. Jameson yelled up the stairs. "The desert is
cold at night, but don't worry. It won't leave you cold. Just wait until you see the stars."
We finally arrived at the Great Basin National Park, and I have to admit it was different than I
imagined.
"Amazing, isn't it?" Mr. Jameson asked me as we looked out over the desert's vast, silent
valleys. I just grunted back at him and put my earphones back in. No matter what changed in my
life, no matter how many times I failed, my music was always there.
Later that night, I sat inside my tent and listened to the Jamesons telling stories around the fire
they made. They thought it was so easy. Telling stories. Reading stories. I couldn't even pass
English class. I couldn't understand those stupid stories. Suddenly angry, I left the tent. They didn't
even notice.
The air was colder, but the stars were amazing. I had to admit it. I turned off my music as I
walked and listened to the desert. Coyotes howling. Owls hooting. Clawing. Scurrying. Something
wet hit my face. I looked up and realized it was snowing! In the desert in July! And I was lost.
I wandered for hours but couldn't find our camp. The temperature continued to drop. I found a
tree with deep crevices in the trunk and took shelter. My hands were getting numb, and I knew I was
in trouble. Then I remembered Jack London and his story that we read in English class, "To Build a
Fire." I knew I needed to keep warm, so I gathered up the branches around the base of the tree,
piled up some dry grasses for kindling, and used the matches in my pocket to get the fire going.
Just like in Jack's story. It worked!
I spent the night keeping that fire going and listening to the sounds of the desert. In the morning,
the Jamesons found me. I was only about a half-mile away.
"Look at you," Mrs. Jameson said, when I told her how I'd remembered that story from English
class, "making use of those 'stupid' stories from English class. Now all you have to do is write your
own because your friends aren't going to believe how English class saved your life!"
21. The problem that Josh has while on this vacation is that he
A. gets lost at night.
B. forgets his books.
C. is not very friendly.
D. is afraid of snakes.
Inferences and Conclusions
22.
The launch of the space shuttle Atlantis has been postponed while NASA evaluates a
problem with the new robot arm on space station Alpha. The arm will be used to carry out
the installation of a new U.S.-built airlock on the space station.
What can you infer from this paragraph?
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A. The robot space arm is critical to the space shuttle's mission.
B. The space program is very expensive.
C. The space shuttle experiences frequent launch delays.
D. The robot arm was poorly constructed.
Bias and Propaganda
Ad for Petey's Peanut Butter:
1) Try Petey's Organic Peanut Butter, and you'll never go back to your old brand.
2) Just ask Farmer Bob: "Hi, I'm Farmer Bob, and you can take it from me, Petey's is the only peanut
butter that uses genuine organically grown peanuts. And besides, it's just plain yummy!"
3) So come on and try Petey's. Everybody's trying it! You wouldn't want to miss out now, would you?
4) Rumor has it, even the president of the U. S. of A. eats the stuff!
23. Which of the segments of the ad above is an example of the testimonial form
of propaganda?
A. Segment 3
B. Segment 4
C. Segment 1
D. Segment 2
Theme
Maria’s Ultimate Challenge
by Jon Caswell
Perhaps, it is not remarkable that a 40-year-old woman will be running Pikes Peak, Colorado’s
tallest mountain. Then, you realize this particular woman – a single mother, motivational speaker,
tennis instructor – survived a near-fatal car accident just five years ago. That experience has led her
to understand what she is made of. She is setting an inspiring example for other accident victims to
follow.
“After my accident, my future did not look good. If I lived, I wasn’t expected to walk again or be
very productive,” Maria Steves says. “I had a broken leg, a shattered pelvis, and a closed head
injury. At first, I couldn’t even talk. The future was bleak, but my faith was strong. I knew I was going
to make it, so I just didn’t pay any attention to those who said I couldn’t do it.”
Maria worked with different rehabilitation therapists five days a week for almost two years. She
had to learn to crawl before she could walk. Her speech was unintelligible for more than a year. “It
took many months of hard work, but my first baby steps turned into long strides. For a long time, I
had to walk with a cane, now that cane hangs on a wall in my home to remind me how much I have
overcome.”
Maria’s climbing of Pikes Peak comes with a benefit for others with life-changing injuries.
Partnering with the American Association of Accident Survivors and sponsored by Runners Roost in
Colorado Springs, she will raise money for rehabilitation research. Her goal is to raise $1,000,000 by
August 23 when she runs the face of the Colorado landmark in less than five hours.
In the running community, Pikes Peak is known as “America’s Ultimate Challenge.” The trailhead
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stands 6,600 feet above sea level. Nearly 13 miles later, Maria will reach the summit at 14,110 feet.
Even before reaching the top, the air is thin, making the lungs burn. Most runners report their legs,
heart, and mind are worn to a ragged nothingness. But because she’s survived a devastating
accident (as well as a recent divorce) and spent years relearning how to walk and talk in addition to
other functions, Maria knows she’s up to the challenge. “I not only survived, I’ve thrived,” she says. “I
want to accomplish this so my children will know they can accomplish anything, no matter what
others say. In a strange way, I’m thankful for the accident because now I know what I’m made of.”
24. Which of the following lines from the selection best expresses a theme of the
story?
A. "Maria's climbing of Pikes Peak comes with a benefit for others with life-changing injuries."
B. "That experience has led her to understand what she is made of."
C. "In the running community, Pikes Peak is known as 'America's Ultimate Challenge."
D. "Her speech was unintelligible for more than a year."
Point of View
25.
Yesterday, I broke my leg. You would not believe the story if I told you. It was the Fourth
of July, and my grandmother had a party. Mom and Dad sat on the back porch, sipping on
cold cokes. The children laughed and played in the pool. Everyone took turns jumping off the
diving board. Marcie had just done a huge cannonball, soaking everyone. It was my turn. I
started to get out of the pool, and then it happened. I slipped, flew into the air, and landed
wrong on my ankle!
Which sentence from the passage indicates that it is written in first person?
A. "Marcie had just done a huge cannonball, soaking everyone."
B. "I started to get out of the pool, and then it happened."
C. "The children laughed and played in the pool."
D. "Mom and Dad sat on the back porch, sipping on cold cokes."
Text Organization
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For more than a thousand years, the Ptolemaic model was accepted as the correct
understanding of the known universe. The foremost principle of this theory was that the Earth was
the stationary center of the universe. In this geocentric system, the Sun, Moon, stars, and planets
circled the Earth. Ptolemy drew on many previous theories when he outlined these principles in his
Almagest in 150 A.D. In 1543, however, the geocentric system met its first serious challenge with the
publication of Copernicus's On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres. In this work, Copernicus
introduced the theory that the Earth and the other planets instead revolved around the Sun. This
model is called the heliocentric system. Copernicus began a revolution in astronomy when he argued
that it was the Sun and not the Earth that was at the center of the universe. Displacing the Earth as
the fixed center posed problems for both natural philosophy and scripture. Galileo Galilei would later
defend these radical ideas to the Catholic Church. The ideas of Copernicus are regarded as the
starting point of modern astronomy and the beginning of the Scientific Revolution.
26. How is the geocentric model contrasted with the heliocentric model?
A. The planets do not rotate in a heliocentric model but do in a geocentric model.
B. The Copernican model was more radical in its time than the Ptolemaic model was.
C. The Earth is the center in a geocentric model and the Sun in a heliocentric model.
D. Ptolemy's model was in place much longer than the model Copernicus devised.
Graphics and Charts
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27.
Which of the following happened BEFORE the laser was invented?
A. FM radio developed
B. OPEC founded
C. Persian Gulf conflict
D. microprocessor invented
Pretest - Reading
How English Class Saved My Life
by Julie Heller
I know what you're thinking. No way, right? English class is the most boring class of the day,
right? I mean, why do I need to take English class when I already speak English? Right? Yeah, well
I felt that way, too, until last summer when English class literally saved my life.
Let me explain.
My foster family, the Jamesons, decided to take a vacation. Sounds great, huh? Maybe
Disneyland or a week on the beach? No way. They wanted to go to the desert. Long story short, we
drove half way across the country to camp out in the Great Basin Desert.
"Josh, be sure to pack your warmest clothing," Mrs. Jameson yelled up the stairs. "The desert is
cold at night, but don't worry. It won't leave you cold. Just wait until you see the stars."
We finally arrived at the Great Basin National Park, and I have to admit it was different than I
imagined.
"Amazing, isn't it?" Mr. Jameson asked me as we looked out over the desert's vast, silent
valleys. I just grunted back at him and put my earphones back in. No matter what changed in my
life, no matter how many times I failed, my music was always there.
Later that night, I sat inside my tent and listened to the Jamesons telling stories around the fire
they made. They thought it was so easy. Telling stories. Reading stories. I couldn't even pass
English class. I couldn't understand those stupid stories. Suddenly angry, I left the tent. They didn't
even notice.
The air was colder, but the stars were amazing. I had to admit it. I turned off my music as I
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walked and listened to the desert. Coyotes howling. Owls hooting. Clawing. Scurrying. Something
wet hit my face. I looked up and realized it was snowing! In the desert in July! And I was lost.
I wandered for hours but couldn't find our camp. The temperature continued to drop. I found a
tree with deep crevices in the trunk and took shelter. My hands were getting numb, and I knew I was
in trouble. Then I remembered Jack London and his story that we read in English class, "To Build a
Fire." I knew I needed to keep warm, so I gathered up the branches around the base of the tree,
piled up some dry grasses for kindling, and used the matches in my pocket to get the fire going.
Just like in Jack's story. It worked!
I spent the night keeping that fire going and listening to the sounds of the desert. In the morning,
the Jamesons found me. I was only about a half-mile away.
"Look at you," Mrs. Jameson said, when I told her how I'd remembered that story from English
class, "making use of those 'stupid' stories from English class. Now all you have to do is write your
own because your friends aren't going to believe how English class saved your life!"
28. To solve his problem, Josh uses what he
A. hears in his music.
B. learns from a story.
C. remembers from TV.
D. hears the family say.
Inferences and Conclusions
29. CARACAS—Dozens of Venezuelans gathered outside the Colombian ambassador's
residence to voice their support for the leader of an ill-fated coup who has asked for asylum
in Colombia. Pedro Carmona, who briefly replaced President Hugo Chavez last month,
slipped away from house arrest in Caracas on Thursday and fled into the ambassador's
residence. The demonstrators stayed for several hours and shouted support to Carmona.
Which of these statements might have been shouted by the people gathered
outside the ambassador's residence?
A. "Pedro, our friend, the people are with you."
B. "You will never get away with this, Pedro!"
C. "We want Chavez! We want Chavez!"
D. "Punish the criminal Carmona!"
Bias and Propaganda
30. Article 1
Forget the 76 bats that came up clean, focus on the one that did not, and understand that
Sammy Sosa can press two fingers against his lips and kiss goodbye a legacy that shattered
in his hands in every literal and figurative way. He was forever called the good guy, the
home-run hero who flexes his comic-book muscles with a Little Leaguer's joy, and the living,
breathing symbol of everything pure and noble about the game. Today, you can take all that
talk and put a cork in it.
Article 2
No cork or other foreign material was found in any of the 76 bats confiscated from Sammy
Sosa's locker and X-rayed by baseball officials. The bats were taken from the Chicago Cubs'
locker room during the game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Tuesday night. Cork was
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found in Sosa's bat when it shattered after he grounded out in the first inning of the Cubs' 32 victory.
Which of these articles contains biased reporting?
A. Article 2
B. neither article is biased
C. both articles are biased
D. Article 1
Theme
Passage 1
Maxine couldn’t believe it. That day, her company had laid off over 100 employees, and she was
one of them. Considering that she had been working for Engitech for 15 years, Maxine had not seen
this coming. It was just a reflection of how bad the economy really was.
When Maxine’s husband, Greg, came home, Maxine was slumped on the couch staring at a
blank TV. Since he had heard about the layoffs on the news, Greg immediately concluded that his
wife was now jobless. Putting his arms around her, he said, “Sweetie, it’s okay. We can get by on
my income. Money’s going to be tight, but we can do it. Plus, we’ll be getting those unemployment
checks!”
Maxine buried her face into his shoulder, and as the shock of the news wore off, she began to
cry. “Thank you for being so supportive,” she sobbed. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
Suddenly, she sat up and looked at him in horror. “What are we going to tell the kids?” she cried.
“That, for a while, they get to have a stay-at-home mom,” Greg said with a smile. “Don’t worry!
We’ll get through this together.”
Passage 2
Always There
by Diane Tran
When I was four, I scraped my knee.
I was trying to climb a tree!
My mom was there to clean my wound
And wipe my tears before I swooned.
When I was eight, I broke my nose.
In a brawl, I received some blows.
My dad was there to set it right
And teach me that I should not fight.
When I was twelve, I failed math class.
It was too hard; I could not pass!
My sis was there to tutor me
And bring my F up to a B.
Now I’m sixteen; I soon can drive.
I am nervous, but I will strive.
If I get into any scare,
I know my family will be there.
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31. Which theme below is suggested in the first passage?
A. You should enjoy being a kid while you can.
B. Never trust the people who work for you.
C. At some point in life, you have to grow up.
D. Bad news comes when you least expect it.
Point of View
32.
Abby ran around in her princess costume. Halloween was her favorite time of year! She
loved playing dress-up, but this was the only time she got to leave in her dress-up clothes.
She put on her tiara and grabbed her cape, racing down the stairs.
"Abby, let's go!" her mother called. "Bailey is ready and waiting!"
Bailey was Abby's older brother. He was going as a ninja this year. Bailey always gave
Abby a hard time. He was practicing his ninja moves as Abby put on her shoes and found
her Halloween basket. It was time to go now!
In this selection, which point of view does the author use?
A. first person
B. It switches from third to first person.
C. second person
D. third person
Text Organization
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For more than a thousand years, the Ptolemaic model was accepted as the correct
understanding of the known universe. The foremost principle of this theory was that the Earth was
the stationary center of the universe. In this geocentric system, the Sun, Moon, stars, and planets
circled the Earth. Ptolemy drew on many previous theories when he outlined these principles in his
Almagest in 150 A.D. In 1543, however, the geocentric system met its first serious challenge with the
publication of Copernicus's On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres. In this work, Copernicus
introduced the theory that the Earth and the other planets instead revolved around the Sun. This
model is called the heliocentric system. Copernicus began a revolution in astronomy when he argued
that it was the Sun and not the Earth that was at the center of the universe. Displacing the Earth as
the fixed center posed problems for both natural philosophy and scripture. Galileo Galilei would later
defend these radical ideas to the Catholic Church. The ideas of Copernicus are regarded as the
starting point of modern astronomy and the beginning of the Scientific Revolution.
33. In the passage, the work of Copernicus is contrasted with the work of
A. the universe.
B. Galileo Galilei.
C. On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres.
D. the Almagest.
Graphics and Charts
European Union Member Countries, 2007
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34. According to the map, which of these countries is a candidate to become a
member of the European Union?
A. Russia
B. Croatia
C. Spain
D. Norway
Pretest - Reading
How English Class Saved My Life
by Julie Heller
I know what you're thinking. No way, right? English class is the most boring class of the day,
right? I mean, why do I need to take English class when I already speak English? Right? Yeah, well
I felt that way, too, until last summer when English class literally saved my life.
Let me explain.
My foster family, the Jamesons, decided to take a vacation. Sounds great, huh? Maybe
Disneyland or a week on the beach? No way. They wanted to go to the desert. Long story short, we
drove half way across the country to camp out in the Great Basin Desert.
"Josh, be sure to pack your warmest clothing," Mrs. Jameson yelled up the stairs. "The desert is
cold at night, but don't worry. It won't leave you cold. Just wait until you see the stars."
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We finally arrived at the Great Basin National Park, and I have to admit it was different than I
imagined.
"Amazing, isn't it?" Mr. Jameson asked me as we looked out over the desert's vast, silent
valleys. I just grunted back at him and put my earphones back in. No matter what changed in my
life, no matter how many times I failed, my music was always there.
Later that night, I sat inside my tent and listened to the Jamesons telling stories around the fire
they made. They thought it was so easy. Telling stories. Reading stories. I couldn't even pass
English class. I couldn't understand those stupid stories. Suddenly angry, I left the tent. They didn't
even notice.
The air was colder, but the stars were amazing. I had to admit it. I turned off my music as I
walked and listened to the desert. Coyotes howling. Owls hooting. Clawing. Scurrying. Something
wet hit my face. I looked up and realized it was snowing! In the desert in July! And I was lost.
I wandered for hours but couldn't find our camp. The temperature continued to drop. I found a
tree with deep crevices in the trunk and took shelter. My hands were getting numb, and I knew I was
in trouble. Then I remembered Jack London and his story that we read in English class, "To Build a
Fire." I knew I needed to keep warm, so I gathered up the branches around the base of the tree,
piled up some dry grasses for kindling, and used the matches in my pocket to get the fire going.
Just like in Jack's story. It worked!
I spent the night keeping that fire going and listening to the sounds of the desert. In the morning,
the Jamesons found me. I was only about a half-mile away.
"Look at you," Mrs. Jameson said, when I told her how I'd remembered that story from English
class, "making use of those 'stupid' stories from English class. Now all you have to do is write your
own because your friends aren't going to believe how English class saved your life!"
35. The purpose of this text is to
A. entertain the reader with an engaging story.
B. explain to the reader what a foster family is like.
C. persuade the reader to live in a desert environment.
D. inform the reader about the dangers of the desert.
Inferences and Conclusions
Water from California’s northern mountains is pumped south along a 400-mile canal through the
farming communities of the Central Valley. Not only is this canal system a marvel of modern
engineering, its water fuels the state’s economic engine. In 2006, these farms produced $31 billionworth of food and fiber, more than any other state. By contrast, world-wide ticket sales of Hollywood
movies, a more famous export of California, totaled $25 billion that year.
36. What inference can the reader make from this paragraph?
A. The movie industry is more important to California than farming.
B. The author thinks it is more important to eat than go to movies.
C. Water is a precious resource and shouldn't be wasted on making movies.
D. The writer thinks moving water to the Central Valley is a good investment.
Bias and Propaganda
37. In 1932, Adolf Hitler made the following statement to the German people.
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37.
"The streets of our country are in turmoil. The universities are filled with students rebelling
and rioting. Communists are seeking to destroy our country. Russia is threatening us with her
might, and the Republic is in danger. Yes - danger from within and without. We need law and
order! Without it our nation cannot survive."
Which common propaganda technique did Hitler use in this statement?
A. Testimonial (expert or famous endorser)
B. Fear (warning of disastrous consequences)
C. Bandwagon (everybody's doing it)
D. Name Calling (link to something negative)
Theme
Passage 1
Maxine couldn’t believe it. That day, her company had laid off over 100 employees, and she was
one of them. Considering that she had been working for Engitech for 15 years, Maxine had not seen
this coming. It was just a reflection of how bad the economy really was.
When Maxine’s husband, Greg, came home, Maxine was slumped on the couch staring at a
blank TV. Since he had heard about the layoffs on the news, Greg immediately concluded that his
wife was now jobless. Putting his arms around her, he said, “Sweetie, it’s okay. We can get by on
my income. Money’s going to be tight, but we can do it. Plus, we’ll be getting those unemployment
checks!”
Maxine buried her face into his shoulder, and as the shock of the news wore off, she began to
cry. “Thank you for being so supportive,” she sobbed. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
Suddenly, she sat up and looked at him in horror. “What are we going to tell the kids?” she cried.
“That, for a while, they get to have a stay-at-home mom,” Greg said with a smile. “Don’t worry!
We’ll get through this together.”
Passage 2
Always There
by Diane Tran
When I was four, I scraped my knee.
I was trying to climb a tree!
My mom was there to clean my wound
And wipe my tears before I swooned.
When I was eight, I broke my nose.
In a brawl, I received some blows.
My dad was there to set it right
And teach me that I should not fight.
When I was twelve, I failed math class.
It was too hard; I could not pass!
My sis was there to tutor me
And bring my F up to a B.
Now I’m sixteen; I soon can drive.
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I am nervous, but I will strive.
If I get into any scare,
I know my family will be there.
38. What is a common theme present in both passages?
A. the importance of family
B. driving for the first time
C. the effects of the economy
D. losing something of value
Point of View
Frank Lloyd Wright is thought of as one of the most original American architects of the 20th
century. His buildings and ideas have affected the way offices and homes are designed and built
today. Wright's willingness to look to various cultures for inspiration allowed him to develop a unique
style. During the early decades of the 1900s, other American architects were only copying European
styles. Wright believed in the power of good design. He thought it could make people more
respectful of their surroundings and of nature. Wright designed office buildings, houses, churches,
and more. He designed about 800 buildings during his life. Of the 380 that were built, about 280 are
still standing.
adapted from http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/aa/all/wright
39. Why did the author most likely write this passage in third person?
A. to show Wright was his or her friend
B. to show Wright's personal thoughts
C. to give facts about another person
D. to describe his or her own feelings
Text Organization
Nat "King" Cole was born Nathaniel Adams Cole on March 17, 1919, in Birmingham, Alabama.
When Nat was four, the family moved from Montgomery to Chicago, where his father ministered the
True Light Baptist Church and his mother directed the choir, training all of her children in music. Nat
naturally took to the piano and could play anything from Bach to Rachmaninoff by the time he was a
teenager. He also kept the rhythm in a sextet, Eddie Cole's Solid Swingers—organized by his
brother Eddie, a bass violinist—which made its recording debut in 1936.
Later that year, Cole joined a revival of the Shuffle Along revue, touring with the company as a
pianist until the show closed, leaving Cole and his new wife, dancer Nadine Robinson, stranded in
California. Nat quickly found jobs as a piano soloist and by the time he was 20, his jazz music was
known all over the small nightclubs of Los Angeles. In 1937, he debuted his soon-to-be-famous
breathy singing style at the Swanee Inn when a customer begged him to sing "Sweet Lorraine." At
another club, owner Bob Lewis urged Cole to wear a gold paper crown while performing with his
newly formed trio, dubbing him Nat "King Cole." After making a recording of "Sweet Lorraine," the
"King Cole" Trio began to attract jazz enthusiasts from all over and was soon scoring gigs at the
hottest venues in town.
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In the 1940s, the King Cole Trio was in high demand, ruling the airwaves with hits like "Get
Your Kicks on Route 66," "The Christmas Song," and a sensational recording of "Nature Boy,"
written by Eden Ahbez. The group also commanded steep rates for motion picture appearances,
receiving over $13,000 for a couple days of work. At their peak, they substituted for Bing Crosby at
the Kraft Music Hall radio show and appeared in jazz concerts at Carnegie Hall.
Cole's 1949 recording of "Mona Lisa" crossed over into the pop charts and sold over three
million copies, making him the most successful African American recording artist of his time. Later
that year, Cole added a bongo drummer to his "trio" and embarked on his first European tour. By
this time, the internationally renowned Cole had sold over fifty million records at home and abroad
and Capitol Records had become known as "The house that Nat built."
The Music Man from the History Channel
40. According to the passage, why are Nat and Nadine left stranded in California?
A. Nat decided to perform as a piano soloist.
B. Few people were interested in Nat's music.
C. Nat's car died and needed to be replaced.
D. A show Nat was touring with shut down.
Graphics and Charts
European Union Member Countries, 2007
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41. According to the map, which of these countries is NOT a member of the
European Union?
A. Sweden
B. Greece
C. France
D. Ukraine
Pretest - Reading
How English Class Saved My Life
by Julie Heller
I know what you're thinking. No way, right? English class is the most boring class of the day,
right? I mean, why do I need to take English class when I already speak English? Right? Yeah, well
I felt that way, too, until last summer when English class literally saved my life.
Let me explain.
My foster family, the Jamesons, decided to take a vacation. Sounds great, huh? Maybe
Disneyland or a week on the beach? No way. They wanted to go to the desert. Long story short, we
drove half way across the country to camp out in the Great Basin Desert.
"Josh, be sure to pack your warmest clothing," Mrs. Jameson yelled up the stairs. "The desert is
cold at night, but don't worry. It won't leave you cold. Just wait until you see the stars."
We finally arrived at the Great Basin National Park, and I have to admit it was different than I
imagined.
"Amazing, isn't it?" Mr. Jameson asked me as we looked out over the desert's vast, silent
valleys. I just grunted back at him and put my earphones back in. No matter what changed in my
life, no matter how many times I failed, my music was always there.
Later that night, I sat inside my tent and listened to the Jamesons telling stories around the fire
they made. They thought it was so easy. Telling stories. Reading stories. I couldn't even pass
English class. I couldn't understand those stupid stories. Suddenly angry, I left the tent. They didn't
even notice.
The air was colder, but the stars were amazing. I had to admit it. I turned off my music as I
walked and listened to the desert. Coyotes howling. Owls hooting. Clawing. Scurrying. Something
wet hit my face. I looked up and realized it was snowing! In the desert in July! And I was lost.
I wandered for hours but couldn't find our camp. The temperature continued to drop. I found a
tree with deep crevices in the trunk and took shelter. My hands were getting numb, and I knew I was
in trouble. Then I remembered Jack London and his story that we read in English class, "To Build a
Fire." I knew I needed to keep warm, so I gathered up the branches around the base of the tree,
piled up some dry grasses for kindling, and used the matches in my pocket to get the fire going.
Just like in Jack's story. It worked!
I spent the night keeping that fire going and listening to the sounds of the desert. In the morning,
the Jamesons found me. I was only about a half-mile away.
"Look at you," Mrs. Jameson said, when I told her how I'd remembered that story from English
class, "making use of those 'stupid' stories from English class. Now all you have to do is write your
own because your friends aren't going to believe how English class saved your life!"
42. What is one effect of getting lost in the desert?
A. Josh realizes that the desert is an ideal place for vacationing families.
B. Josh realizes he wants to pursue the study of astronomy and the stars.
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C. Josh realizes he can use his knowledge to take care of himself.
D. Josh decides that he wants to be a foster parent when he is an adult.
Inferences and Conclusions
In 1215, King John of England was forced to give up some of his royal power with the adoption
of the Magna Carta, which means “Great Charter” in Latin. The main effect of this document, which
was written in Latin, was to secure the liberties of the English Church, the rights of English nobles,
and to restrict abuses of royal power. It required the king to concede certain rights to the nobles. In
essence, it meant the king could no longer rule by whim, such as arresting anyone for any reason,
but had to respect certain legal procedures. The Great Charter gave the king’s subjects certain rights
that the king could not violate.
One of the laws that the Great Charter set out was the rule of habeas corpus. This is a Latin
term meaning “show me the body,” and it meant that the king or his officers had to prove that a
person in their custody had broken a law and was not in jail because the king was mad at him or
wanted his property.
King John had taken the throne upon King Richard’s death. King Richard was his oldest brother,
and according to English property law of the time, the oldest son inherited all his father’s land. As
the youngest son, John inherited no land and was known as “John Lackland.” Without land, King
John could only raise money to support himself by taxing his subjects, and this made him very
unpopular. He was the king that the famous Robin Hood fought against.
43. Which of these statements can the reader infer from this passage?
A. John hated Richard because their father had given him all the land.
B. After 1215, King John could steal the land from English noblemen.
C. When someone was jailed, jailers had to show the king the body.
D. After 1215, King John could not make the nobles do as he wanted.
Bias and Propaganda
44.
A TV commercial shows the main street of a small town. Down the street comes a wagon
with a bunch of happy people on it, and a giant cereal box of Cheerios and the words "New
and Improved" on it. The townspeople all come out of their houses, laughing and yelling, and
following the wagon down the street. The people on the wagon are motioning for everyone to
come along. They all end up at a big park eating bowls of cereal, and raving about the new
improved flavor.
What is this ad designed to make you feel?
A. happy whenever you eat any kind of Cheerios, not just the new kind
B. embarrassed because everyone's laughing and acting silly
C. left out if you don't join the "Band Wagon" and buy the new improved cereal
D. unsure whether you should keep eating the old Cheerios or get this new one
Theme
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Passage 1
Maxine couldn’t believe it. That day, her company had laid off over 100 employees, and she was
one of them. Considering that she had been working for Engitech for 15 years, Maxine had not seen
this coming. It was just a reflection of how bad the economy really was.
When Maxine’s husband, Greg, came home, Maxine was slumped on the couch staring at a
blank TV. Since he had heard about the layoffs on the news, Greg immediately concluded that his
wife was now jobless. Putting his arms around her, he said, “Sweetie, it’s okay. We can get by on
my income. Money’s going to be tight, but we can do it. Plus, we’ll be getting those unemployment
checks!”
Maxine buried her face into his shoulder, and as the shock of the news wore off, she began to
cry. “Thank you for being so supportive,” she sobbed. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
Suddenly, she sat up and looked at him in horror. “What are we going to tell the kids?” she cried.
“That, for a while, they get to have a stay-at-home mom,” Greg said with a smile. “Don’t worry!
We’ll get through this together.”
Passage 2
Always There
by Diane Tran
When I was four, I scraped my knee.
I was trying to climb a tree!
My mom was there to clean my wound
And wipe my tears before I swooned.
When I was eight, I broke my nose.
In a brawl, I received some blows.
My dad was there to set it right
And teach me that I should not fight.
When I was twelve, I failed math class.
It was too hard; I could not pass!
My sis was there to tutor me
And bring my F up to a B.
Now I’m sixteen; I soon can drive.
I am nervous, but I will strive.
If I get into any scare,
I know my family will be there.
45. Which lines from the poem most directly state its recurring theme?
A. "If I get into any scare, / I know my family will be there."
B. "When I was four, I scraped my knee. / I was trying to climb a tree!"
C. "My sis was there to tutor me / And bring my F up to a B."
D. "Now I'm sixteen; I soon can drive. / I am nervous, but I will strive."
Point of View
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Frank Lloyd Wright is thought of as one of the most original American architects of the 20th
century. His buildings and ideas have affected the way offices and homes are designed and built
today. Wright's willingness to look to various cultures for inspiration allowed him to develop a unique
style. During the early decades of the 1900s, other American architects were only copying European
styles. Wright believed in the power of good design. He thought it could make people more
respectful of their surroundings and of nature. Wright designed office buildings, houses, churches,
and more. He designed about 800 buildings during his life. Of the 380 that were built, about 280 are
still standing.
adapted from http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/aa/all/wright
46. How does the reader know that this selection is written in third person?
A. The author uses the words "I" and "me."
B. The author uses the words "he" and "his."
C. The author uses the words "thought" and "believed."
D. The author uses numbers to show statistics.
Text Organization
Nat "King" Cole was born Nathaniel Adams Cole on March 17, 1919, in Birmingham, Alabama.
When Nat was four, the family moved from Montgomery to Chicago, where his father ministered the
True Light Baptist Church and his mother directed the choir, training all of her children in music. Nat
naturally took to the piano and could play anything from Bach to Rachmaninoff by the time he was a
teenager. He also kept the rhythm in a sextet, Eddie Cole's Solid Swingers—organized by his
brother Eddie, a bass violinist—which made its recording debut in 1936.
Later that year, Cole joined a revival of the Shuffle Along revue, touring with the company as a
pianist until the show closed, leaving Cole and his new wife, dancer Nadine Robinson, stranded in
California. Nat quickly found jobs as a piano soloist and by the time he was 20, his jazz music was
known all over the small nightclubs of Los Angeles. In 1937, he debuted his soon-to-be-famous
breathy singing style at the Swanee Inn when a customer begged him to sing "Sweet Lorraine." At
another club, owner Bob Lewis urged Cole to wear a gold paper crown while performing with his
newly formed trio, dubbing him Nat "King Cole." After making a recording of "Sweet Lorraine," the
"King Cole" Trio began to attract jazz enthusiasts from all over and was soon scoring gigs at the
hottest venues in town.
In the 1940s, the King Cole Trio was in high demand, ruling the airwaves with hits like "Get
Your Kicks on Route 66," "The Christmas Song," and a sensational recording of "Nature Boy,"
written by Eden Ahbez. The group also commanded steep rates for motion picture appearances,
receiving over $13,000 for a couple days of work. At their peak, they substituted for Bing Crosby at
the Kraft Music Hall radio show and appeared in jazz concerts at Carnegie Hall.
Cole's 1949 recording of "Mona Lisa" crossed over into the pop charts and sold over three
million copies, making him the most successful African American recording artist of his time. Later
that year, Cole added a bongo drummer to his "trio" and embarked on his first European tour. By
this time, the internationally renowned Cole had sold over fifty million records at home and abroad
and Capitol Records had become known as "The house that Nat built."
The Music Man from the History Channel
47. What was the effect of Nat wearing a gold paper crown during one of his
performances?
A. The song he sang was an instant hit.
B. The audience booed.
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C. It resulted in his nickname.
D. When he took it off, people cheered.
Graphics and Charts
Lyme disease is an infection that's spread by Ixodes ticks (black-legged or deer ticks in the eastern United
States, and western black-legged ticks in the west) that carry the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. These ticks
get the bacteria from mice. The mice infect humans by biting them and passing the bacteria into a person's
bloodstream. The ticks themselves are hard to see. Immature ticks, or nymphs, are about the size of a
poppy seed; adult ticks are about the size of a sesame seed.
You can't give Lyme disease to another person. You can, however, get it more than once from the ticks that
live on deer, in the woods, or travel on your pets. So continue to practice caution even if you've already had
Lyme disease!
This information was provided by KidsHealth, one of the largest resources online for medically
reviewed health information written for parents, kids, and teens. For more articles like this
one, visit www.KidsHealth.org or www.TeensHealth.org.
©1995-2007. The Nemours Foundation
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48. According to the diagram, the mouse can be a host for-A. the adult and eggs.
B. the larva or nymph.
C. the deer and adult.
D. the eggs or nymph.
Pretest - Reading
How English Class Saved My Life
by Julie Heller
I know what you're thinking. No way, right? English class is the most boring class of the day,
right? I mean, why do I need to take English class when I already speak English? Right? Yeah, well
I felt that way, too, until last summer when English class literally saved my life.
Let me explain.
My foster family, the Jamesons, decided to take a vacation. Sounds great, huh? Maybe
Disneyland or a week on the beach? No way. They wanted to go to the desert. Long story short, we
drove half way across the country to camp out in the Great Basin Desert.
"Josh, be sure to pack your warmest clothing," Mrs. Jameson yelled up the stairs. "The desert is
cold at night, but don't worry. It won't leave you cold. Just wait until you see the stars."
We finally arrived at the Great Basin National Park, and I have to admit it was different than I
imagined.
"Amazing, isn't it?" Mr. Jameson asked me as we looked out over the desert's vast, silent
valleys. I just grunted back at him and put my earphones back in. No matter what changed in my
life, no matter how many times I failed, my music was always there.
Later that night, I sat inside my tent and listened to the Jamesons telling stories around the fire
they made. They thought it was so easy. Telling stories. Reading stories. I couldn't even pass
English class. I couldn't understand those stupid stories. Suddenly angry, I left the tent. They didn't
even notice.
The air was colder, but the stars were amazing. I had to admit it. I turned off my music as I
walked and listened to the desert. Coyotes howling. Owls hooting. Clawing. Scurrying. Something
wet hit my face. I looked up and realized it was snowing! In the desert in July! And I was lost.
I wandered for hours but couldn't find our camp. The temperature continued to drop. I found a
tree with deep crevices in the trunk and took shelter. My hands were getting numb, and I knew I was
in trouble. Then I remembered Jack London and his story that we read in English class, "To Build a
Fire." I knew I needed to keep warm, so I gathered up the branches around the base of the tree,
piled up some dry grasses for kindling, and used the matches in my pocket to get the fire going.
Just like in Jack's story. It worked!
I spent the night keeping that fire going and listening to the sounds of the desert. In the morning,
the Jamesons found me. I was only about a half-mile away.
"Look at you," Mrs. Jameson said, when I told her how I'd remembered that story from English
class, "making use of those 'stupid' stories from English class. Now all you have to do is write your
own because your friends aren't going to believe how English class saved your life!"
49. When Josh realizes the Jameson family is taking him on vacation, he hopes they
will go to
A. Disneyland.
B. Cape Cod.
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C. the desert.
D. Louisiana.
Inferences and Conclusions
In 1215, King John of England was forced to give up some of his royal power with the adoption
of the Magna Carta, which means “Great Charter” in Latin. The main effect of this document, which
was written in Latin, was to secure the liberties of the English Church, the rights of English nobles,
and to restrict abuses of royal power. It required the king to concede certain rights to the nobles. In
essence, it meant the king could no longer rule by whim, such as arresting anyone for any reason,
but had to respect certain legal procedures. The Great Charter gave the king’s subjects certain rights
that the king could not violate.
One of the laws that the Great Charter set out was the rule of habeas corpus. This is a Latin
term meaning “show me the body,” and it meant that the king or his officers had to prove that a
person in their custody had broken a law and was not in jail because the king was mad at him or
wanted his property.
King John had taken the throne upon King Richard’s death. King Richard was his oldest brother,
and according to English property law of the time, the oldest son inherited all his father’s land. As
the youngest son, John inherited no land and was known as “John Lackland.” Without land, King
John could only raise money to support himself by taxing his subjects, and this made him very
unpopular. He was the king that the famous Robin Hood fought against.
50. What inference can the reader draw based on this passage?
A. After the signing of the Great Charter, English aristocrats lost all power.
B. Prior to 1215, English kings were essentially above the law.
C. Latin was the language most commonly used in England before 1215.
D. After 1215, English nobility could be arrested for making the king angry.
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Answers
1.
D
2.
C
3.
D
4.
C
5.
C
6.
D
7.
D
8.
C
9.
D
10. D
11. B
12. A
13. D
14. A
15. D
16. D
17. A
18. B
19. C
20. D
21. A
22. A
23. D
24. B
25. B
26. C
27. A
28. B
29. A
30. D
31. D
32. D
33. D
34. B
35. A
36. D
37. B
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38. A
39. C
40. D
41. D
42. C
43. D
44. C
45. A
46. B
47. C
48. B
49. A
50. B
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Explanations
1.
Despite having one of the best running backs of all time, the Chicago Bears never finished above
third place in their conference, and only had a winning record in one season. In his fifth season,
although Sayers led the league in rushing, the Bears finished in last place at 1-13.
2.
Euphemisms like "passed away" instead of "died" are used to make it easier for people to talk
about difficult subjects. Sometimes, though, euphemisms like "friendly fire" make people angry
because they make something very serious sound like it isn't serious at all.
3.
Maria has succeeded in her recovery from the accident in part by not listening to the discouraging
opinions of others. This attitude is stated in two quotes: "I knew I was going to make it, so I just
didn't pay any attention to those who said I couldn't do it" and "I want to accomplish this so my
children will know they can accomplish anything, no matter what others say."
4.
The author uses first person. Look for words like "I," "me," "my," and "we" to recognize the first
person point of view.
5.
The biography states that Sean Penn won his first Oscar for the role of a crime boss and devoted
father in Mystic River in 2003. Because the passage is told in chronological (also known as
sequential) order, the reader can discover that the film listed just prior to the Oscar win was his
portrayal of a mentally disabled father in I Am Sam in 2001.
6.
Athens controlled many islands in the Aegean Sea. It also controlled a large area of land south of
Thrace and west of Lydia. Because its borders were scattered over such a large area, a strong navy
would have been important.
8.
Phrases like "a ballerina among sumo wrestlers," "most graceful open-field runners ever," "blinding
speed," "thrilled the crowd," and "the league's most exciting kickoff returner," all indicate that
Sayers was a remarkable running back who was exciting to watch.
9.
Using "glittering generalities" is like name calling in reverse. Glittering generalities are words like
"good," "proper," and "freedom fighter." These words are vague and can mean different things to
different people. Glittering generalities can be used to make a thing or an idea sound very
attractive without actually providing any evidence.
10. One theme of this passage is setting an example for others to follow. This theme is stated in the
last sentence of the first paragraph. Maria also states it in the final paragraph when she says, "I
want to accomplish this so my children will know they can accomplish anything, no matter what
others say."
11. The author uses third person. Look for words like "he," "she," "they," and sometimes "it" to
recognize the third person point of view.
12. A biography is an account of a series of events that make up a person's life or career. Almost all
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biographies are told in chronological, or sequential, order as this is the order the events happened
in life. This particular passage notes some events that occurred in Sean Penn's career as an actor
over the past 30 years.
13. The compass on the map shows which direction is north. Using the compass, the reader can
determine that Troy was northeast of the city of Athens.
15. If Gale Sayers "won every post-season honor" in his rookie season, you can logically conclude that
he was the Rookie of the Year.
16. Transfer is a device by which the propagandist carries over the authority, sanction, and prestige of
something we respect and revere to something he would have us accept. Since the President of the
United States is considered a prestigious person, the suggestion that he likes Petey's Peanut Butter
will make some people have a higher opinion of the product.
17. Maria has certainly overcome the misfortune in her life: She had a near-fatal car accident that left
her unable to walk or talk. However, she has overcome that tragic event as evidenced by the fact
that she is running in "America's Ultimate Challenge." She is confident that she can conquer the
mountain because she has already overcome so much.
18. The story uses the word "I" to tell what happened. Matthew, Mother, and Father are named by the
person who is telling the story. The author of the story does not give us the name of who tells the
story until Mother calls out "Annie." This means that Annie is the person telling the story, from a
first person point of view.
19. One comparison between the two works, the Almagest and On the Revolutions of the Celestial
Spheres, is that each author put forth a theory that explained the universe. Moreover, as the
passage indicates in the first sentence, Ptolemy's ideas were the accepted model for more than a
thousand years. We know that the ideas of Copernicus were also widely accepted because we are
told they marked the beginning of the Scientific Revolution.
20. The map shows that Macedonia belonged to Sparta. Crete and Lydia were both netural, and Euboea
was under the control of Athens. Sparta could not rely on these regions for support.
22. You can infer that the robot arm is critical to the mission because they are postponing the mission
to fix the robot arm.
23. Segment 2 quotes a farmer (though you can't tell if he's a real farmer or just an actor). Farmer
Bob speaks as if he's an expert on peanut butter. Giving an "expert opinion" is one kind of
testimonial that can convince viewers to buy the product. Segment 4 doesn't quote the president;
it just plants a "rumor" in viewers' heads, so they'll think the president eats Petey's Peanut Butter.
24. One theme of this selection is that through hardship people come to know their strengths. The
author points to this in two different places. In the opening paragraph, the author makes the
statement contained in the correct answer. Then, in the final paragraph that same theme is brought
forward again in a quote from Maria: "In a strange way, I'm thankful for the accident because now
I know what I'm made of."
25. When a story is told from first person point of view, the author uses "I" to tell what happens. The
sentence that shows this is in first person says "I" to show that one person told the story.
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26. The contrasting point between the geocentric model and the heliocentric model is the center of the
universe. The geocentric model places the Earth at the center whereas the heliocentric model places
the Sun at the center. As the passage indicates, Copernicus (who put forth the heliocentric model)
"argued that it was the Sun and not the Earth that was at the center of the universe."
27. Look at the row of inventions. The laser was invented in 1960. FM radio was developed in 1933,
BEFORE the laser.
29. The demonstrators had gathered to show their support for Pedro Carmona. Only one choice
represents a statement of support.
30. In referring to a "shattered legacy," the author of article 1 shows a negative bias toward Sammy
Sosa and his character. Article 2 states some facts about the incident but does not offer opinions
or commentary.
31. In the first passage, Maxine gets laid off from her job. This means that she is dismissed from her
job because of economic reasons. The first paragraph says, "Considering that she had been working
for Engitech for 15 years, Maxine had not seen this coming." Maxine's sudden dismissal suggests
that "Bad news comes when you least expect it."
32. When a story is told from third person point of view, the author uses "he" and "she" to tell what
happens. In this story, the author uses "she" to tell the reader what Abby is doing. This means the
story is told in third person.
33. The work of Copernicus is contrasted with Ptolemy's work, the Almagest. The first four sentences of
the passage describe Ptolemy's theory of the universe, which is then contrasted with the later and
more accurate theory that Copernicus put forth in his On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres.
The remainder of the passage details his heliocentric theory. The signal word "however" midway
through the passage establishes this contrast.
34. According to the legend of this map, the countries that are candidates to become members of the
European Union are shaded in yellow. Croatia is the only one of the choices that is yellow, meaning
that it might join the European Union in the future.
36. The author praises the canal system as a modern marvel of engineering that powers California's
economy, producing more money than Hollywood.
37. When a propagandist warns members of her audience that disaster will result if they do not follow
a particular course of action, she is using the fear appeal. By playing on the audience's deep-seated
fears, practitioners of this technique hope to redirect attention away from the merits of a particular
proposal and toward steps that can be taken to reduce the fear.
Source: Institute for Propaganda Analysis (IPA).
38. In the first passage, Greg helps his wife, Maxine, get through a tough time. She says to him, "I
don't know what I would do without you." Greg tells her, "We'll get through this together." In the
second passage, the narrator describes how his or her family is always there when help is needed.
Both passages show the importance of family.
39. This passage is in third person. Authors may use third person to give facts about another person.
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If they were giving facts about themselves, then they would use first person. Third person keeps
the author from putting in personal thoughts like "I think Wright was the best architect."
40. The passage reads, ". . . Cole joined a revival of the Shuffle Along revue, touring with the company
as a pianist until the show closed, leaving Cole and his new wife, dancer Nadine Robinson, stranded
in California."
41. According to the legend on this map, countries that are members of the European Union are
shaded in blue. Ukraine is shaded in gray and is not a member of the European Union.
43. First, King John "was forced" to give up some of his power by agreeing to the Great Charter.
Second, without land of his own, he could only support himself through taxes. These two facts allow
the reader to infer that King John was not powerful enough to make the English noblemen do as he
wanted.
44. This form of advertising is a type of propaganda known as "band wagon." It typically shows
everyone joining with something, so as to make you feel left out if you don't join, too. This ad is
supposed to make you feel left out if you don't buy the new improved cereal, and it implies that
you won't be happy unless you do.
45. Each stanza in the poem describes a time in the narrator's life when his or her family is there to
help. The theme of family always being there to help appears in the poem over and over again. The
last two lines of the poem most directly state this recurring theme: "If I get into any scare, / I
know my family will be there."
46. The author uses third person. Look for words like "he," "she," "they," and sometimes "it" to
recognize the third person point of view.
47. The author states quite clearly that the "King" in Nat "King" Cole came from wearing a paper crown
during one of his performances.
48. If you follow the direction of arrows in the diagram you'll see that the arrow pointing from the
mouse aims for BOTH the larva and Nymph.
50. The Magna Carta limited the king's authority, so he could no longer rule by whim. It outlined
certain laws and legal procedures that the king had to respect. Prior to 1215, the king could do
pretty much anything he wanted, and if someone objected, he could throw them in jail for as long
as he wanted.
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