GED® Practice Exam 1 Reading

Fill in the blank with the correct active or passive verb.

I ______ to become a police officer.

Which of the following sentences uses the MOST formal language?

Which of the following sentences is passive?

How would you change the following sentence to active voice?

The books were returned to the library by the student.

In which of the following situations would it be best to use informal language?

Which of the following sentences uses the MOST formal language?

Which of the following sentences uses the MOST informal language?

Read the text below and answer the following question.

Carving a pumpkin is a fun activity that can create family memories to last a lifetime.

You Will Need

A pumpkin
A knife or kid-safe cutting tool
A bowl
A large spoon
A marker
Old newspapers or plastic sheeting (optional)
Your imagination!

What to Do

Before you start carving a pumpkin, choose your workspace carefully. Spread newspapers or plastic sheeting over the floor if desired.

First, hollow the pumpkin out. Do this by using your knife or kid-safe cutting tool to make a circular cut on the pumpkin around the stem. Carefully pull off the outer rind and reach into the pumpkin to scoop out the pulp and seeds. Scrape the bottom and inside edges of the pumpkin with the spoon to remove as much pulp as possible. A jack-o-lantern with a wet, pulpy interior is difficult to carve and rots quickly once it is on display.

Now it is time to create your jack-o-lantern’s face. Clean the surface of the pumpkin if necessary and decide which side you’ll use for the face. Errors cannot easily be fixed once you start to carve, so for best results, draw the design onto the pumpkin before making any cuts. Then use your knife or cutting tool to carefully carve your jack-o-lantern’s features.

Which step comes just before the creation of the jack-o-lantern’s face?

Read the text below and answer the following question.

Carving a pumpkin is a fun activity that can create family memories to last a lifetime.

You Will Need

A pumpkin
A knife or kid-safe cutting tool
A bowl
A large spoon
A marker
Old newspapers or plastic sheeting (optional)
Your imagination!

What to Do

Before you start carving a pumpkin, choose your workspace carefully. Spread newspapers or plastic sheeting over the floor if desired.

First, hollow the pumpkin out. Do this by using your knife or kid-safe cutting tool to make a circular cut on the pumpkin around the stem. Carefully pull off the outer rind and reach into the pumpkin to scoop out the pulp and seeds. Scrape the bottom and inside edges of the pumpkin with the spoon to remove as much pulp as possible. A jack-o-lantern with a wet, pulpy interior is difficult to carve and rots quickly once it is on display.

Now it is time to create your jack-o-lantern’s face. Clean the surface of the pumpkin if necessary and decide which side you’ll use for the face. Errors cannot easily be fixed once you start to carve, so for best results, draw the design onto the pumpkin before making any cuts. Then use your knife or cutting tool to carefully carve your jack-o-lantern’s features.

Why is it best to draw a design onto the pumpkin before cutting?

Read the draft essay below and answer the following question.

Last week I saw a bad television commercial. (1) It said that women need more “self-confidence,” and that breast augmentation surgery can give it to them. (2) I do not think plastic surgery leads to self-confidence. (3) True self-confidence comes from the belief in our accomplishments, not from the belief that we look good. (4)

Our society sends the message that women need to look like fashion models, but fashion models’ body types aren’t normal. (5) Many suffer from anorexia, and some have undergone plastic surgery to conform to a false ideal of beauty. (6) And what is the point of aiming for that unattainable ideal? (7) It takes time and energy that could be focused on more important matters. (8)

Women are told they need to look perfect, but nobody actually looks perfect. (9) Even the pictures in magazines are airbrushed and augmented. (10) They are not real. (11) And the women in those pictures are unusually pretty, plus they have professional help to keep their bodies looking as close to our false ideal of beauty as possible. (12) Ordinary women who have to spend time working every day and caring for their families have no chance of attaining anything close to that level of beauty. (13)

If you’re like me, you may feel a pressure to measure up to society’s false ideal of beauty. (14) But you shouldn’t. (15) As women, we need to focus on making the world better, not on making our faces prettier. (16)

The word bad  in Sentence 1 is poor word choice because it is not:

Read the draft essay below and answer the following question.

Last week I saw a bad television commercial. (1) It said that women need more “self-confidence,” and that breast augmentation surgery can give it to them. (2) I do not think plastic surgery leads to self-confidence. (3) True self-confidence comes from the belief in our accomplishments, not from the belief that we look good. (4)

Our society sends the message that women need to look like fashion models, but fashion models’ body types aren’t normal. (5) Many suffer from anorexia, and some have undergone plastic surgery to conform to a false ideal of beauty. (6) And what is the point of aiming for that unattainable ideal? (7) It takes time and energy that could be focused on more important matters. (8)

Women are told they need to look perfect, but nobody actually looks perfect. (9) Even the pictures in magazines are airbrushed and augmented. (10) They are not real. (11) And the women in those pictures are unusually pretty, plus they have professional help to keep their bodies looking as close to our false ideal of beauty as possible. (12) Ordinary women who have to spend time working every day and caring for their families have no chance of attaining anything close to that level of beauty. (13)

If you’re like me, you may feel a pressure to measure up to society’s false ideal of beauty. (14) But you shouldn’t. (15) As women, we need to focus on making the world better, not on making our faces prettier. (16)

Which revision of Sentence 1 leads the reader more precisely toward the author’s main idea?

Read the draft essay below and answer the following question.

Last week I saw a bad television commercial. (1) It said that women need more “self-confidence,” and that breast augmentation surgery can give it to them. (2) I do not think plastic surgery leads to self-confidence. (3) True self-confidence comes from the belief in our accomplishments, not from the belief that we look good. (4)

Our society sends the message that women need to look like fashion models, but fashion models’ body types aren’t normal. (5) Many suffer from anorexia, and some have undergone plastic surgery to conform to a false ideal of beauty. (6) And what is the point of aiming for that unattainable ideal? (7) It takes time and energy that could be focused on more important matters. (8)

Women are told they need to look perfect, but nobody actually looks perfect. (9) Even the pictures in magazines are airbrushed and augmented. (10) They are not real. (11) And the women in those pictures are unusually pretty, plus they have professional help to keep their bodies looking as close to our false ideal of beauty as possible. (12) Ordinary women who have to spend time working every day and caring for their families have no chance of attaining anything close to that level of beauty. (13)

If you’re like me, you may feel a pressure to measure up to society’s false ideal of beauty. (14) But you shouldn’t. (15) As women, we need to focus on making the world better, not on making our faces prettier. (16)

If Sentence 4 is the thesis statement, which statement accurately expresses a problem the writer should address in revision?

Read the draft essay below and answer the following question.

Last week I saw a bad television commercial. (1) It said that women need more “self-confidence,” and that breast augmentation surgery can give it to them. (2) I do not think plastic surgery leads to self-confidence. (3) True self-confidence comes from the belief in our accomplishments, not from the belief that we look good. (4)

Our society sends the message that women need to look like fashion models, but fashion models’ body types aren’t normal. (5) Many suffer from anorexia, and some have undergone plastic surgery to conform to a false ideal of beauty. (6) And what is the point of aiming for that unattainable ideal? (7) It takes time and energy that could be focused on more important matters. (8)

Women are told they need to look perfect, but nobody actually looks perfect. (9) Even the pictures in magazines are airbrushed and augmented. (10) They are not real. (11) And the women in those pictures are unusually pretty, plus they have professional help to keep their bodies looking as close to our false ideal of beauty as possible. (12) Ordinary women who have to spend time working every day and caring for their families have no chance of attaining anything close to that level of beauty. (13)

If you’re like me, you may feel a pressure to measure up to society’s false ideal of beauty. (14) But you shouldn’t. (15) As women, we need to focus on making the world better, not on making our faces prettier. (16)

Which thesis statement should replace Sentence 4 to align more clearly with the points the author makes in the body of the essay?

Study the outline below and answer the following question.

I. Introduction – We need more racial and gender diversity in our superheroes.

II. The lack of diversity in comics means kids get the message that only white males can be heroic.
A. Quote from Sid Markell (pg. 213): “When I was a kid, imagining myself saving the world meant imagining I was white.”
B. Quote from Lydia Green (kenswicktimes.com): “I remember people seeing my comments and saying, ‘You like reading that?’ I heard, ‘You think you can be important?’”
C. Markell and Green aren’t just interacting with superhero comics as fiction; they’re seeing them as messages from a real world that excludes them.

III. Conclusion
A. Recap main points.
B. Let’s create a world where all kids are invited to imagine they can be heroes.

Which statement from the outline will be the main idea of the essay?

Study the outline below and answer the following question.

I. Introduction – We need more racial and gender diversity in our superheroes.

II. The lack of diversity in comics means kids get the message that only white males can be heroic.
A. Quote from Sid Markell (pg. 213): “When I was a kid, imagining myself saving the world meant imagining I was white.”
B. Quote from Lydia Green (kenswicktimes.com): “I remember people seeing my comments and saying, ‘You like reading that?’ I heard, ‘You think you can be important?’”
C. Markell and Green aren’t just interacting with superhero comics as fiction; they’re seeing them as messages from a real world that excludes them.

III. Conclusion
A. Recap main points.
B. Let’s create a world where all kids are invited to imagine they can be heroes.

What does the writer of this outline still need to do?

Study the outline below and answer the following question.

I. Introduction – We need more racial and gender diversity in our superheroes.

II. The lack of diversity in comics means kids get the message that only white males can be heroic.
A. Quote from Sid Markell (pg. 213): “When I was a kid, imagining myself saving the world meant imagining I was white.”
B. Quote from Lydia Green (kenswicktimes.com): “I remember people seeing my comments and saying, ‘You like reading that?’ I heard, ‘You think you can be important?’”
C. Markell and Green aren’t just interacting with superhero comics as fiction; they’re seeing them as messages from a real world that excludes them.

III. Conclusion
A. Recap main points.
B. Let’s create a world where all kids are invited to imagine they can be heroes.

The writer of this outline wants to add this sentence: This world needs all the heroes it can get.

Where would it fit best?

Study the outline below and answer the following question.

I. Introduction – We need more racial and gender diversity in our superheroes.

II. The lack of diversity in comics means kids get the message that only white males can be heroic.
A. Quote from Sid Markell (pg. 213): “When I was a kid, imagining myself saving the world meant imagining I was white.”
B. Quote from Lydia Green (kenswicktimes.com): “I remember people seeing my comments and saying, ‘You like reading that?’ I heard, ‘You think you can be important?’”
C. Markell and Green aren’t just interacting with superhero comics as fiction; they’re seeing them as messages from a real world that excludes them.

III. Conclusion
A. Recap main points.
B. Let’s create a world where all kids are invited to imagine they can be heroes.

The writer of this outline wants to add a second body paragraph. Which statement could function as a topic sentence that clearly adds new information to support the main idea?

Study the outline below and answer the following question.

I. Introduction – We need more racial and gender diversity in our superheroes.

II. The lack of diversity in comics means kids get the message that only white males can be heroic.
A. Quote from Sid Markell (pg. 213): “When I was a kid, imagining myself saving the world meant imagining I was white.”
B. Quote from Lydia Green (kenswicktimes.com): “I remember people seeing my comments and saying, ‘You like reading that?’ I heard, ‘You think you can be important?’”
C. Markell and Green aren’t just interacting with superhero comics as fiction; they’re seeing them as messages from a real world that excludes them.

III. Conclusion
A. Recap main points.
B. Let’s create a world where all kids are invited to imagine they can be heroes.

The information in parentheses under II.A. and II.B. is most likely:

Read both of the texts below and answer the following question.

1. Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running up and down upon him; this soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon him, and opened his big jaws to swallow him. “Pardon, O King,” cried the little Mouse: “forgive me this time, I shall never forget it: who knows but what I may be able to do you a turn some of these days?” The Lion was so tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him, that he lifted up his paw and let him go. Sometime after the Lion was caught in a trap, and the hunters who desired to carry him alive to the King, tied him to a tree while they went in search of a wagon to carry him on. Just then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad plight in which the Lion was, went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes that bound the King of the Beasts. “Was I not right?” said the little Mouse.
Little friends may prove great friends.

2. Beast left his mark on the fence.
It was lime green and slate gray and beautiful, so of course my father was outraged. If Beast hadn’t had talent, Dad would have left it a while, but as it was, he got two of his parishioners to paint the thing over. Within the hour, the fence was back to being as white as the everlasting soul. My father’s anger lasted longer than the tag.
The funny thing was, Beast loved my father. I don’t know why. Life had knocked that kid down so hard so often he should have hated everything with the name of God stamped on it. But he loved my preacher father more than anyone else in the world. Maybe it was the dark suits and the white collars. Beast liked a pretty picture.
So there was my dad, ministering to the people in the worst parts of town, charging straight into drug dens and whorehouses to save people when they called him. He acted like he had no fear whatsoever. Plenty of the neighbors, the hardest-put ones, hated him for that. Lots of times he came close to getting his throat cut. More than once it was Beast who saved him.
And every time Beast saved my dad, he left his mark on the fence.
Dad couldn’t stand it.

What type of writing is used in the passages?

Read both of the texts below and answer the following question.

1. Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running up and down upon him; this soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon him, and opened his big jaws to swallow him. “Pardon, O King,” cried the little Mouse: “forgive me this time, I shall never forget it: who knows but what I may be able to do you a turn some of these days?” The Lion was so tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him, that he lifted up his paw and let him go. Sometime after the Lion was caught in a trap, and the hunters who desired to carry him alive to the King, tied him to a tree while they went in search of a wagon to carry him on. Just then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad plight in which the Lion was, went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes that bound the King of the Beasts. “Was I not right?” said the little Mouse.
Little friends may prove great friends.

2. Beast left his mark on the fence.
It was lime green and slate gray and beautiful, so of course my father was outraged. If Beast hadn’t had talent, Dad would have left it a while, but as it was, he got two of his parishioners to paint the thing over. Within the hour, the fence was back to being as white as the everlasting soul. My father’s anger lasted longer than the tag.
The funny thing was, Beast loved my father. I don’t know why. Life had knocked that kid down so hard so often he should have hated everything with the name of God stamped on it. But he loved my preacher father more than anyone else in the world. Maybe it was the dark suits and the white collars. Beast liked a pretty picture.
So there was my dad, ministering to the people in the worst parts of town, charging straight into drug dens and whorehouses to save people when they called him. He acted like he had no fear whatsoever. Plenty of the neighbors, the hardest-put ones, hated him for that. Lots of times he came close to getting his throat cut. More than once it was Beast who saved him.
And every time Beast saved my dad, he left his mark on the fence.
Dad couldn’t stand it.

Which term describes the structure of both passages?

Read both of the texts below and answer the following question.

1. Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running up and down upon him; this soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon him, and opened his big jaws to swallow him. “Pardon, O King,” cried the little Mouse: “forgive me this time, I shall never forget it: who knows but what I may be able to do you a turn some of these days?” The Lion was so tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him, that he lifted up his paw and let him go. Sometime after the Lion was caught in a trap, and the hunters who desired to carry him alive to the King, tied him to a tree while they went in search of a wagon to carry him on. Just then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad plight in which the Lion was, went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes that bound the King of the Beasts. “Was I not right?” said the little Mouse.
Little friends may prove great friends.

2. Beast left his mark on the fence.
It was lime green and slate gray and beautiful, so of course my father was outraged. If Beast hadn’t had talent, Dad would have left it a while, but as it was, he got two of his parishioners to paint the thing over. Within the hour, the fence was back to being as white as the everlasting soul. My father’s anger lasted longer than the tag.
The funny thing was, Beast loved my father. I don’t know why. Life had knocked that kid down so hard so often he should have hated everything with the name of God stamped on it. But he loved my preacher father more than anyone else in the world. Maybe it was the dark suits and the white collars. Beast liked a pretty picture.
So there was my dad, ministering to the people in the worst parts of town, charging straight into drug dens and whorehouses to save people when they called him. He acted like he had no fear whatsoever. Plenty of the neighbors, the hardest-put ones, hated him for that. Lots of times he came close to getting his throat cut. More than once it was Beast who saved him.
And every time Beast saved my dad, he left his mark on the fence.
Dad couldn’t stand it.

Which statement accurately describes the genre of the passages?

Read both of the texts below and answer the following question.

1. Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running up and down upon him; this soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon him, and opened his big jaws to swallow him. “Pardon, O King,” cried the little Mouse: “forgive me this time, I shall never forget it: who knows but what I may be able to do you a turn some of these days?” The Lion was so tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him, that he lifted up his paw and let him go. Sometime after the Lion was caught in a trap, and the hunters who desired to carry him alive to the King, tied him to a tree while they went in search of a wagon to carry him on. Just then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad plight in which the Lion was, went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes that bound the King of the Beasts. “Was I not right?” said the little Mouse.
Little friends may prove great friends.

2. Beast left his mark on the fence.
It was lime green and slate gray and beautiful, so of course my father was outraged. If Beast hadn’t had talent, Dad would have left it a while, but as it was, he got two of his parishioners to paint the thing over. Within the hour, the fence was back to being as white as the everlasting soul. My father’s anger lasted longer than the tag.
The funny thing was, Beast loved my father. I don’t know why. Life had knocked that kid down so hard so often he should have hated everything with the name of God stamped on it. But he loved my preacher father more than anyone else in the world. Maybe it was the dark suits and the white collars. Beast liked a pretty picture.
So there was my dad, ministering to the people in the worst parts of town, charging straight into drug dens and whorehouses to save people when they called him. He acted like he had no fear whatsoever. Plenty of the neighbors, the hardest-put ones, hated him for that. Lots of times he came close to getting his throat cut. More than once it was Beast who saved him.
And every time Beast saved my dad, he left his mark on the fence.
Dad couldn’t stand it.

Which label accurately describes the genre of passage 1?

Read both of the texts below and answer the following question.

1. Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running up and down upon him; this soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon him, and opened his big jaws to swallow him. “Pardon, O King,” cried the little Mouse: “forgive me this time, I shall never forget it: who knows but what I may be able to do you a turn some of these days?” The Lion was so tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him, that he lifted up his paw and let him go. Sometime after the Lion was caught in a trap, and the hunters who desired to carry him alive to the King, tied him to a tree while they went in search of a wagon to carry him on. Just then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad plight in which the Lion was, went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes that bound the King of the Beasts. “Was I not right?” said the little Mouse.
Little friends may prove great friends.

2. Beast left his mark on the fence.
It was lime green and slate gray and beautiful, so of course my father was outraged. If Beast hadn’t had talent, Dad would have left it a while, but as it was, he got two of his parishioners to paint the thing over. Within the hour, the fence was back to being as white as the everlasting soul. My father’s anger lasted longer than the tag.
The funny thing was, Beast loved my father. I don’t know why. Life had knocked that kid down so hard so often he should have hated everything with the name of God stamped on it. But he loved my preacher father more than anyone else in the world. Maybe it was the dark suits and the white collars. Beast liked a pretty picture.
So there was my dad, ministering to the people in the worst parts of town, charging straight into drug dens and whorehouses to save people when they called him. He acted like he had no fear whatsoever. Plenty of the neighbors, the hardest-put ones, hated him for that. Lots of times he came close to getting his throat cut. More than once it was Beast who saved him.
And every time Beast saved my dad, he left his mark on the fence.
Dad couldn’t stand it.

Which label could not  accurately describe the genre of passage 2?

Use the map below and answer the following question. 

A person could get from the Lodge to Fairyland Point by:

Use the map below and answer the following question. 

Which feature on the map is between Sunset Point and Bryce Point?

Use the map below and answer the following question.

How could a person travel from the visitor center to Bryce Point without touching Sunset Point?

Use the map below and answer the following question.

Which feature on the map is farthest west?

Use the map below and answer the following question.

The key shows:

Read the following passage and answer the question.

Adelia stood on the porch in her bathrobe. “Mr. Snuggles?” she called. “Mr. Snuggles! Come on in, you little vermin.”

She peered up and down the street. Sighing, she went back inside and, a moment later, emerged with a metal bowl and a spoon. She rapped on the bowl several times. “Mr. Snuggles? Breakfast!”

When Mr. Snuggles did not appear, Adelia reached inside and grabbed some keys off a low table. Cinching her bathrobe tightly around her waist, she climbed into the car. “It’s not like I have anything better to do than look for you again,” she said.

From the text above, you can infer that Adelia is:

Read the following passage and answer the question.

Adelia stood on the porch in her bathrobe. “Mr. Snuggles?” she called. “Mr. Snuggles! Come on in, you little vermin.”

She peered up and down the street. Sighing, she went back inside and, a moment later, emerged with a metal bowl and a spoon. She rapped on the bowl several times. “Mr. Snuggles? Breakfast!”

When Mr. Snuggles did not appear, Adelia reached inside and grabbed some keys off a low table. Cinching her bathrobe tightly around her waist, she climbed into the car. “It’s not like I have anything better to do than look for you again,” she said.

Which detail does not provide evidence to back up the conclusion that Adelia is feeling frustrated?

Read the following passage and answer the question.

Adelia stood on the porch in her bathrobe. “Mr. Snuggles?” she called. “Mr. Snuggles! Come on in, you little vermin.”

She peered up and down the street. Sighing, she went back inside and, a moment later, emerged with a metal bowl and a spoon. She rapped on the bowl several times. “Mr. Snuggles? Breakfast!”

When Mr. Snuggles did not appear, Adelia reached inside and grabbed some keys off a low table. Cinching her bathrobe tightly around her waist, she climbed into the car. “It’s not like I have anything better to do than look for you again,” she said.

Which detail from the text supports the inference that Adelia cares what happens to Mr. Snuggles, even if she is angry at him?

Read the passage below and answer the following question.

Adelia stood on the porch in her bathrobe. “Mr. Snuggles?” she called. “Mr. Snuggles! Come on in, you little vermin.”

She peered up and down the street. Sighing, she went back inside and, a moment later, emerged with a metal bowl and a spoon. She rapped on the bowl several times. “Mr. Snuggles? Breakfast!”

When Mr. Snuggles did not appear, Adelia reached inside and grabbed some keys off a low table. Cinching her bathrobe tightly around her waist, she climbed into the car. “It’s not like I have anything better to do than look for you again,” she said.

Which sentence of dialogue, if added to the passage, would support the conclusion that Mr. Snuggles actually belongs to someone else?

Read the text below and answer the following question.

As Time Goes On  is a painfully realistic depiction of what life is like for some senior citizens in the twilight of their lives. Tabitha Reynolds artfully captures the harsh reality people face when they grow old. From one’s physical limitations to the emotional toll of letting go of one’s former self, Reynolds pays homage to this fragile yet meaningful time in a person’s life.

The book chronicles the final years of Audrey Lacoste’s life. A former prima ballerina, Audrey is now a prisoner to her rheumatoid arthritis. The disease has limited Audrey’s body in ways she could never have imagined. Her physical ailment coupled with the loss of her beloved husband causes her two self-involved children to move her into Sunshine Cove, an assisted living facility. The facility is anything but sunny, but slowly the light in Audrey’s life begins to flicker once again when she makes an unexpected friend.

A New York Times  best seller for seven consecutive weeks, As Time Goes On  is a must read. The words will make you laugh, cry, gasp and sigh as you travel along the rocky road to the end of Audrey’s life.

The purpose of this passage is to:

Read the text below and answer the following question.

As Time Goes On  is a painfully realistic depiction of what life is like for some senior citizens in the twilight of their lives. Tabitha Reynolds artfully captures the harsh reality people face when they grow old. From one’s physical limitations to the emotional toll of letting go of one’s former self, Reynolds pays homage to this fragile yet meaningful time in a person’s life.

The book chronicles the final years of Audrey Lacoste’s life. A former prima ballerina, Audrey is now a prisoner to her rheumatoid arthritis. The disease has limited Audrey’s body in ways she could never have imagined. Her physical ailment coupled with the loss of her beloved husband causes her two self-involved children to move her into Sunshine Cove, an assisted living facility. The facility is anything but sunny, but slowly the light in Audrey’s life begins to flicker once again when she makes an unexpected friend.

A New York Times  best seller for seven consecutive weeks, As Time Goes On  is a must read. The words will make you laugh, cry, gasp and sigh as you travel along the rocky road to the end of Audrey’s life.

Which detail from the passage is factual?

Read the text below and answer the following question.

As Time Goes On  is a painfully realistic depiction of what life is like for some senior citizens in the twilight of their lives. Tabitha Reynolds artfully captures the harsh reality people face when they grow old. From one’s physical limitations to the emotional toll of letting go of one’s former self, Reynolds pays homage to this fragile yet meaningful time in a person’s life.

The book chronicles the final years of Audrey Lacoste’s life. A former prima ballerina, Audrey is now a prisoner to her rheumatoid arthritis. The disease has limited Audrey’s body in ways she could never have imagined. Her physical ailment coupled with the loss of her beloved husband causes her two self-involved children to move her into Sunshine Cove, an assisted living facility. The facility is anything but sunny, but slowly the light in Audrey’s life begins to flicker once again when she makes an unexpected friend.

A New York Times  best seller for seven consecutive weeks, As Time Goes On  is a must read. The words will make you laugh, cry, gasp and sigh as you travel along the rocky road to the end of Audrey’s life.

The author of the passage includes details about Audrey Lacoste’s life in order to appeal to the reader’s:

Read the passage below and answer the following question.

The idea of getting rid of homework at the elementary school level is debatable but giving young children a well-needed break after school is undoubtedly beneficial. A study of  elementary-age children and homework showed that daily homework causes high rates of anxiety and depression in young people. In contrast, schools that have gotten rid of the homework requirement have reported a drop in depression and anxiety among students.

According to a nationwide analysis of standardized testing scores, schools that have  gotten rid of homework have seen benefits. Test scores have gone up incrementally from year to year. On the contrary, schools that mandate daily homework have seen stagnant test scores. Therefore, it is safe to say that homework does nothing to enhance student learning at all.

Which statement expresses an opinion?

Read the passage below and answer the following question.

The idea of getting rid of homework at the elementary school level is debatable but giving young children a well-needed break after school is undoubtedly beneficial. A study of  elementary-age children and homework showed that daily homework causes high rates of anxiety and depression in young people. In contrast, schools that have gotten rid of the homework requirement have reported a drop in depression and anxiety among students.

According to a nationwide analysis of standardized testing scores, schools that have  gotten rid of homework have seen benefits. Test scores have gone up incrementally from year to year. On the contrary, schools that mandate daily homework have seen stagnant test scores. Therefore, it is safe to say that homework does nothing to enhance student learning at all.

Consider the following sentence from the passage:

On the contrary, schools that mandate daily homework have seen stagnant test scores.

Is this statement a fact or an opinion? Why?

Read the passage below and answer the following question.

The idea of getting rid of homework at the elementary school level is debatable but giving young children a well-needed break after school is undoubtedly beneficial. A study of  elementary-age children and homework showed that daily homework causes high rates of anxiety and depression in young people. In contrast, schools that have gotten rid of the homework requirement have reported a drop in depression and anxiety among students.

According to a nationwide analysis of standardized testing scores, schools that have  gotten rid of homework have seen benefits. Test scores have gone up incrementally from year to year. On the contrary, schools that mandate daily homework have seen stagnant test scores. Therefore, it is safe to say that homework does nothing to enhance student learning at all.

Which sentence in the passage displays faulty reasoning?

Read the passage below and answer the following question.

Most people have had the pleasure of tasting a delicious chocolate chip cookie at some point in their lives. But what most folks do not know is that chocolate chip cookies were invented by accident. Ruth Graves Wakefield, owner of the popular Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts, prepared all the food for her guests. People came from all over to stay at the Toll House Inn and eat her famous Chocolate Butter Drop Do cookies. These chocolate cookies were such a hit that Ruth found herself baking them on a daily basis. One day, when she was preparing the recipe, she realized she had run out of baker’s chocolate. She decided to break up a block of Nestle semi-sweet chocolate instead, expecting them to melt and disperse through the cookie dough. To her surprise, when she took the cookies out of the oven, the chocolate morsels retained their shape as “chips” in the cookie, thereby making them the first batch of chocolate chip cookies every baked. Ruth’s chocolate chip cookies were so popular that they ended up permanently replacing her chocolate butter drop do cookies. Thanks to this happy accident, people all over the world get to enjoy one of the best desserts ever invented!

Which sentence is the topic sentence?

Read the passage below and answer the following question.

Most people have had the pleasure of tasting a delicious chocolate chip cookie at some point in their lives. But what most folks do not know is that chocolate chip cookies were invented by accident. Ruth Graves Wakefield, owner of the popular Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts, prepared all the food for her guests. People came from all over to stay at the Toll House Inn and eat her famous Chocolate Butter Drop Do cookies. These chocolate cookies were such a hit that Ruth found herself baking them on a daily basis. One day, when she was preparing the recipe, she realized she had run out of baker’s chocolate. She decided to break up a block of Nestle semi-sweet chocolate instead, expecting them to melt and disperse through the cookie dough. To her surprise, when she took the cookies out of the oven, the chocolate morsels retained their shape as “chips” in the cookie, thereby making them the first batch of chocolate chip cookies every baked. Ruth’s chocolate chip cookies were so popular that they ended up permanently replacing her chocolate butter drop do cookies. Thanks to this happy accident, people all over the world get to enjoy one of the best desserts ever invented!

Which of the following sentences from the paragraph is a supporting detail of the topic sentence?