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Complete the statement. Assume that the motorcycle's mass did not change.
The gravitational potential energy stored between the motorcycle and Earth () as Josiah rode up the hill. | [
"increased",
"stayed the same",
"decreased"
] | 0 | Read the text about an object in motion.
Josiah rode his motorcycle from the bottom of a hill to the top of the hill. | closed choice | grade7 | natural science | physics | Kinetic and potential energy | Identify changes in gravitational potential energy | Gravitational potential energy is stored between any two objects. So, for every object on or near Earth, there is gravitational potential energy stored between the object and Earth.
The amount of gravitational potential energy stored between an object and Earth depends on the mass of the object. The amount of gravitational potential energy also depends on the distance between the object and the center of Earth. This distance increases when the object moves higher and decreases when the object moves lower.
If the distance between an object and the center of Earth changes, the gravitational potential energy stored between the object and Earth will change. The table below shows how this change can happen.
When an object's mass stays the same and its distance from the center of Earth... | Gravitational potential energy stored between the object and Earth...
increases | increases
decreases | decreases
stays the same | stays the same | Think about how the distance between the motorcycle and the center of Earth changed.
The top of the hill is higher than the bottom of the hill. As Josiah rode toward the top of the hill, the distance between the motorcycle and the center of Earth increased. So, the gravitational potential energy stored between the motorcycle and Earth increased as Josiah rode up the hill. |
Which sentence states a fact? | [
"Benjamin Franklin was smarter than most American presidents.",
"Benjamin Franklin was never president of the United States."
] | 1 | closed choice | grade8 | social science | civics | Social studies skills | Identify facts and opinions | A fact is something that can be proved true by research or observation.
George Washington became president of the United States in 1789.
This statement is a fact. It can be proved by researching what year George Washington was inaugurated president.
An opinion is something that a person believes, thinks, or feels. An opinion can be supported by evidence, but it cannot be proved true.
George Washington was a better president than Thomas Jefferson.
This statement is an opinion. People can have different ideas about what makes someone a "better" president, so the statement cannot be proved. | The first sentence states a fact.
Benjamin Franklin was never president of the United States.
It can be proved by looking at a list of U.S. presidents.
The second sentence states an opinion.
Benjamin Franklin was smarter than most American presidents.
Smarter shows what a person believes, thinks, or feels. Another person might have a different opinion about what makes one person smarter than another. |
|
What do these two changes have in common?
a crayon melting in the sun
a puddle freezing into ice on a cold night | [
"Both are caused by cooling.",
"Both are only physical changes.",
"Both are chemical changes.",
"Both are caused by heating."
] | 1 | closed choice | grade4 | natural science | chemistry | Physical and chemical change | Compare physical and chemical changes | Chemical changes and physical changes are two common ways matter can change.
In a chemical change, the type of matter changes. The types of matter before and after a chemical change are always different.
Some chemical changes are caused by heating or cooling. For example, burning a piece of paper is a chemical change caused by heating. When paper gets hot enough, it reacts with oxygen in the air and burns. The paper and oxygen change into ash and smoke.
In a physical change, the type of matter stays the same. The types of matter before and after a physical change are always the same.
A change of state is a type of physical change. Changes of state can be caused by heating or cooling. For example, ice melting is a physical change that can be caused by heating. Ice and liquid water are made of the same type of matter: water.
The law of conservation of mass says that all physical and chemical changes conserve mass. Conserve means to keep the same. So, the total mass before a physical or chemical change is equal to the total mass after the change. | Step 1: Think about each change.
A crayon melting in the sun is a change of state. So, it is a physical change. The crayon changes state from solid to liquid. The crayon is still made of wax, even after it melts.
A puddle freezing into ice on a cold night is a change of state. So, it is a physical change. Liquid water freezes and becomes solid, but it is still made of water. A different type of matter is not formed.
Step 2: Look at each answer choice.
Both are only physical changes.
Both changes are physical changes. No new matter is created.
Both are chemical changes.
Both changes are physical changes. They are not chemical changes.
Both are caused by heating.
A crayon melting in the sun is caused by heating. But a puddle freezing is not.
Both are caused by cooling.
A puddle freezing is caused by cooling. But a crayon melting is not. |
|
Using only these supplies, which question can Dana investigate with an experiment? | [
"Do round rocks or flat rocks skip more times when thrown across the river?",
"Do small rocks or large rocks skip more times when thrown across the river?",
"Do rocks skip more times when thrown across a river or across a pond?"
] | 1 | Dana likes to skip rocks at the river. She notices that some of the rocks she throws skip off the surface of the water many times, while others skip once and then sink. She wonders what factors affect how well rocks skip on the water. So, she decides to design an experiment. She has the following supplies available:
10 small flat rocks
10 large flat rocks
access to the river by her school | closed choice | grade6 | natural science | science-and-engineering-practices | Designing experiments | Identify questions that can be investigated with a set of materials | Experiments can be designed to answer specific questions. When designing an experiment, you must identify the supplies that are necessary to answer your question. In order to do this, you need to figure out what will be tested and what will be measured during the experiment.
Imagine that you are wondering if plants grow to different heights when planted in different types of soil. How might you decide what supplies are necessary to conduct this experiment?
First, you need to identify the part of the experiment that will be tested, which is the independent variable. This is usually the part of the experiment that is different or changed. In this case, you would like to know how plants grow in different types of soil. So, you must have different types of soil available.
Next, you need to identify the part of the experiment that will be measured or observed, which is the dependent variable. In this experiment, you would like to know if some plants grow taller than others. So, you must be able to compare the plants' heights. To do this, you can observe which plants are taller by looking at them, or you can measure their exact heights with a meterstick.
So, if you have different types of soil and can observe or measure the heights of your plants, then you have the supplies you need to investigate your question with an experiment! | |
What is the mass of an eraser? | [
"42 grams",
"42 kilograms"
] | 0 | Select the better estimate. | closed choice | grade5 | natural science | units-and-measurement | Units and measurement | Choose metric units of mass | Measurements are written with both a number and a unit. The unit comes after the number. The unit shows what the number means.
Mass is a measurement of how much matter something contains.
There are many different units of mass. When you are using metric units, mass may be written with units of grams or kilograms.
There are 1,000 grams in 1 kilogram. So, 1 gram is much less than 1 kilogram.
A paper clip has a mass of about 1 gram, while a textbook has a mass of about 1 kilogram. | The better estimate for the mass of an eraser is 42 grams.
42 kilograms is too heavy. |
Which logical fallacy is used in the text?
I ate kielbasa right before my favorite football team won the championship back in 2006. Now, I always eat kielbasa before their games to carry them to victory. | [
"circular reasoning: an argument that supports a claim with the claim itself",
"false causation: the assumption that because two things happened together, one caused the other"
] | 1 | closed choice | grade6 | language science | writing-strategies | Developing and supporting arguments | Classify logical fallacies | A strong argument uses valid reasoning and logic in support of a claim. When an argument or claim introduces irrelevant information or misrepresents the issues at hand, it may be committing a logical fallacy. Logical fallacies can hurt a writer's credibility and can lead readers to draw false conclusions.
A logical fallacy may present irrelevant information:
Fallacy | Description
ad hominem | a personal attack meant to discredit one's opponent
appeal to nature | an argument that assumes the natural choice is always the best choice
bandwagon fallacy | an argument that assumes the popular choice is always the best choice
circular reasoning | an argument that supports a claim with the claim itself
guilt by association | an unfair negative association with another person or group that is intended to discredit someone or something
red herring | the use of a completely unrelated topic in support of a claim
A logical fallacy may misrepresent the issues at hand:
Fallacy | Description
false causation | the assumption that because two things happened together, one caused the other
false dichotomy | an argument that presents only two choices when more options exist
hasty generalization | a very broad claim based on very little evidence
straw man | a misrepresentation of an opponent's position that makes it easier to argue against
| The text argues that eating kielbasa before games makes the team win. However, even though the writer ate kielbasa before his or her team won in 2006, that doesn't necessarily mean that the kielbasa was responsible for the team's success. This illustrates a type of logical fallacy known as false causation. |
|
Which would stretch more? | [
"rubber ballon",
"steel beam"
] | 0 | closed choice | grade3 | natural science | physics | Materials | Compare properties of materials | Every object is made of one or more materials. A material is a type of matter. Wood, glass, metal, and plastic are common materials.
A material has different properties. A material's properties tell you how it looks, feels, tastes, or smells. Some examples of properties are shiny, hard, fragile, and stretchy.
For example, a shiny material reflects a lot of light. A fragile material breaks when you drop it. | Stretchy is a property. A stretchy material gets longer when you pull on it.
Look at each picture, one at a time. Imagine pulling on the material shown in each picture.
Of the choices, the rubber ballon would stretch more. If you gently pull on a rubber balloon, it will get longer. |
|
What is the source of the allusion in the sentence below?
When I learned the details of Kiera's Faustian bargain, I was in disbelief. | [
"Roman mythology",
"literature"
] | 1 | closed choice | grade7 | language science | figurative-language | Literary devices | Recall the source of an allusion | An allusion is a brief mention of something or someone well known, often from mythology, history, or literature. An allusion lets you reference ideas from an entire story in just a few words.
"I'd better get home before I turn into a pumpkin!" Lila remarked.
Here, Lila alludes to the fairy tale "Cinderella," in which Cinderella must leave the ball before the coach that brought her transforms into a pumpkin. The allusion shows that Lila must depart immediately. | The source of the allusion Faustian bargain is literature.
In a play by Christopher Marlowe based on the legend of Faust, a man strikes a deal with the devil. Disregarding the long-term consequences of his actions, he sells his soul in exchange for power.
The allusion Faustian bargain means a compromise of one's values for personal gain. |
|
The movers lift the boxes at the same speed. Which box is lifted with a larger force? | [
"a box holding 21 pounds",
"a box holding 31 pounds"
] | 1 | Two movers are putting heavy boxes into their truck. The boxes are the same shape and size. Each mover lifts one box up into the truck at a time. | closed choice | grade2 | natural science | physics | Force and motion | How do mass and force affect motion? | A force is a push or a pull.
A force can make an object start moving or stop an object that is moving. A force can also make an object speed up, slow down, or change direction.
Forces can be different sizes.
Think about trying to move a heavy object and a light object. Imagine you want to move them at the same speed. You will need to use a larger force to move the heavy object. | Look for the box that is heavier.
A box holding 31 pounds is heavier than a box holding 21 pounds. So, the box holding 31 pounds needs a larger force to start moving upward at the same speed as the other box. |
Which figure of speech is used in this text?
Juan's room is as tidy as an overgrown garden. | [
"onomatopoeia",
"verbal irony"
] | 1 | closed choice | grade10 | language science | figurative-language | Literary devices | Classify figures of speech: review | Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive.
Alliteration is the repetition of sounds at the beginning of nearby words.
What a lucky little lady you are!
An allusion is a brief reference to something or someone well known, often from history or literature.
"I'd better get home before I turn into a pumpkin!" Lila remarked.
An idiom is an expression that cannot be understood literally. Its meaning must be learned.
The assignment was a piece of cake.
A simile uses like or as to compare two things that are not actually alike.
The cat's fur was as dark as the night.
A metaphor compares two things that are not actually alike without using like or as.
The snow formed a blanket over the town.
Onomatopoeia involves using a word that expresses a sound.
The scrambled eggs hit the floor with a splat.
Personification is giving human characteristics to nonhuman things.
The trees danced in the wind.
A pun involves using a word or phrase in a humorous way that suggests more than one meaning.
A great new broom is sweeping the nation.
Verbal irony involves saying one thing but implying something very different. People often use verbal irony when they are being sarcastic.
Olivia seems thrilled that her car keeps breaking down.
Each breakdown is as enjoyable as a punch to the face. | The text uses verbal irony, which involves saying one thing but implying something very different.
As tidy as an overgrown garden shows verbal irony because an overgrown garden is not tidy. |
|
Which tense does the sentence use?
Circus clowns amuse the young children. | [
"future tense",
"present tense",
"past tense"
] | 1 | closed choice | grade3 | language science | verbs | Verb tense | Is the sentence in the past, present, or future tense? | Present tense verbs tell you about something that is happening now.
Most present-tense verbs are regular. They have no ending, or they end in -s or -es.
Two verbs are irregular in the present tense, to be and to have. You must remember their forms.
Past tense verbs tell you about something that has already happened.
Most past-tense verbs are regular. They end in -ed.
Some verbs are irregular in the past tense. You must remember their past-tense forms.
Future tense verbs tell you about something that is going to happen.
All future-tense verbs use the word will.
Present | Past | Future
walk, walks | walked | will walk
go, goes | went | will go | The sentence is in present tense. You can tell because it uses a present-tense verb, amuse. The verb tells you about something that is true or happening now. |
|
Is the following trait inherited or acquired?
Stefan can play the clarinet. | [
"acquired",
"inherited"
] | 0 | closed choice | grade5 | natural science | biology | Traits and heredity | Identify inherited and acquired traits | Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways.
Inherited traits are passed down through families. Children gain these traits from their parents. Inherited traits do not need to be learned.
Acquired traits are gained during a person's life. Some acquired traits, such as riding a bicycle, are gained by learning. Other acquired traits, such as scars, are caused by the environment. Children do not inherit their parents' acquired traits. | People are not born knowing how to play the clarinet. Instead, some people learn how to play. So, playing the clarinet is an acquired trait. |
|
Which closing is correct for a letter? | [
"thanks,\nWendy",
"Thanks,\nWendy"
] | 1 | closed choice | grade3 | language science | punctuation | Formatting | Greetings and closings of letters | A letter starts with a greeting and ends with a closing. For each one, capitalize the first word and end with a comma. You should also capitalize proper nouns, such as Aunt Sue.
Dear Aunt Sue,
I'm glad you could come to my party, and
thank you for the birthday gift. I could not have
asked for a better one! Every time I see it, I think
of you.
With love,
Rory | The second closing is correct:
Its first word is capitalized, and it ends with a comma. |
|
Which closing is correct for a letter? | [
"Yours truly,\nKurt",
"Yours Truly,\nKurt"
] | 0 | closed choice | grade4 | language science | punctuation | Formatting | Greetings and closings of letters | A letter starts with a greeting and ends with a closing. For each one, capitalize the first word and end with a comma. You should also capitalize proper nouns, such as Aunt Sue.
Dear Aunt Sue,
I'm glad you could come to my party, and
thank you for the birthday gift. I could not have
asked for a better one! Every time I see it, I think
of you.
With love,
Rory | The second closing is correct:
Its first word is capitalized, and it ends with a comma. |
|
Does this passage describe the weather or the climate?
Where Jon lives, the wind often blows in from the nearby hills. | [
"weather",
"climate"
] | 1 | Hint: Weather is what the atmosphere is like at a certain place and time. Climate is the pattern of weather in a certain place. | closed choice | grade4 | natural science | earth-science | Weather and climate | What's the difference between weather and climate? | The atmosphere is the layer of air that surrounds Earth. Both weather and climate tell you about the atmosphere.
Weather is what the atmosphere is like at a certain place and time. Weather can change quickly. For example, the temperature outside your house might get higher throughout the day.
Climate is the pattern of weather in a certain place. For example, summer temperatures in New York are usually higher than winter temperatures. | Read the text carefully.
Where Jon lives, the wind often blows in from the nearby hills.
This passage tells you about the usual wind pattern where Jon lives. It does not describe what the weather is like on a particular day. So, this passage describes the climate. |
What is the source of the allusion in the sentence below?
Looking at his life, we couldn't help but see Pablo as a Job-like figure. | [
"the Bible",
"Greek mythology"
] | 0 | closed choice | grade11 | language science | figurative-language | Literary devices | Recall the source of an allusion | An allusion is a brief mention of something or someone well known, often from mythology, history, or literature. An allusion lets you reference ideas from an entire story in just a few words.
The protean nature of the disease makes it difficult to diagnose.
The word protean is an allusion to the sea god Proteus in Greek mythology. Because the sea is constantly changing, to describe something as protean suggests that it is variable or in flux. | The source of the allusion Job is the Bible.
In the Bible, Job remains faithful and loyal to God, even after the unjust loss of his possessions, family, and health.
The allusion Job means someone who patiently endures adversity. |
|
Select the liquid. | [
"pair of dice",
"water droplets",
"spoon",
"chalk"
] | 1 | closed choice | grade3 | natural science | physics | States of matter | Identify solids, liquids, and gases | Solid, liquid, and gas are states of matter. Matter is anything that takes up space. Matter can come in different states, or forms.
When matter is a solid, it has a definite volume and a definite shape. So, a solid has a size and shape of its own.
Some solids can be easily folded, bent, or broken. A piece of paper is a solid. Also, some solids are very small. A grain of sand is a solid.
When matter is a liquid, it has a definite volume but not a definite shape. So, a liquid has a size of its own, but it does not have a shape of its own. Think about pouring juice from a bottle into a cup. The juice still takes up the same amount of space, but it takes the shape of the bottle.
Some liquids do not pour as easily as others. Honey and milk are both liquids. But pouring honey takes more time than pouring milk.
When matter is a gas, it does not have a definite volume or a definite shape. A gas expands, or gets bigger, until it completely fills a space. A gas can also get smaller if it is squeezed into a smaller space.
Many gases are invisible. Air is a gas. | Chalk is a solid. You can easily break chalk into pieces. But each piece will still have a size and shape of its own.
Water droplets are a liquid. A liquid takes the shape of any container it is in. If you collect water droplets in a bucket, they will take the shape of the bucket. But the water droplets will still take up the same amount of space.
A spoon is a solid. You can bend a spoon. But it will still have a size and shape of its own.
A pair of dice is a solid. A solid has a size and shape of its own. When you roll a pair of dice, the dice have a shape of their own. They are still cubes when they stop rolling. |
|
Based on this information, what is Mortimer's phenotype for the fur color trait? | [
"black fur",
"FF"
] | 0 | In a group of rabbits, some individuals have black fur and others have brown fur. In this group, the gene for the fur color trait has two alleles. The allele F is for black fur, and the allele f is for brown fur.
Mortimer, a rabbit from this group, has black fur. Mortimer has two alleles for black fur. | closed choice | grade8 | natural science | biology | Genes to traits | Genetics vocabulary: genotype and phenotype | All organisms have pieces of hereditary material called genes, which are passed from parents to offspring. Genes contain instructions for building the parts of an organism. An organism's genes affect its observable traits, including its appearance, its behavior, and which diseases it may have. Genes may have different alleles, or forms, that can cause different versions of a trait.
For example, flower color is a trait in pea plants. The gene for this trait has two possible alleles. Each allele is represented by an uppercase or lowercase letter. The allele F is for purple flowers, and the allele f is for white flowers. Each pea plant has two alleles for the flower color gene—one allele inherited from each parent.
An organism's genotype for a gene is its combination of alleles for that gene. So, a pea plant may have a genotype of FF, Ff, or ff for the flower color gene.
An organism's phenotype for a trait is its observable version of that trait, which depends on the organism's combination of alleles. A pea plant may have a phenotype of purple flowers or white flowers for the flower color trait. | An organism's phenotype for a trait is its observable version of that trait. Mortimer's observable version of the fur color trait is black fur. So, Mortimer's phenotype for the fur color trait is black fur. |
What kind of sentence is this?
Lucia considers Paris the most romantic city in the world. | [
"interrogative",
"exclamatory",
"declarative"
] | 2 | closed choice | grade10 | language science | punctuation | Sentences, fragments, and run-ons | Is the sentence declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory? | There are four kinds of sentences.
A declarative sentence is a statement and always ends with a period.
The nurse told Mr. Abrams to roll up his sleeve so that she could check his blood pressure.
An imperative sentence makes a request or a demand and usually ends with a period. If a demand shows strong feeling, it can end with an exclamation point.
For this assignment, use references to support your claims.
Don't drive so quickly in the construction zone!
An interrogative sentence asks a question and always ends with a question mark.
Given the recent critiques of her new strategic plan, do you think the CEO will reconsider the company's direction?
An exclamatory sentence is a statement that shows surprise or strong feeling. An exclamation always ends with an exclamation point.
I can't wait to travel through Europe this summer! | The sentence is a statement and ends with a period. It is a declarative sentence. |
|
What is the source of the allusion in the sentence below?
Looking at his life, we couldn't help but see Mitch as a Job-like figure. | [
"the Bible",
"Greek mythology"
] | 0 | closed choice | grade11 | language science | figurative-language | Literary devices | Recall the source of an allusion | An allusion is a brief mention of something or someone well known, often from mythology, history, or literature. An allusion lets you reference ideas from an entire story in just a few words.
The protean nature of the disease makes it difficult to diagnose.
The word protean is an allusion to the sea god Proteus in Greek mythology. Because the sea is constantly changing, to describe something as protean suggests that it is variable or in flux. | The source of the allusion Job is the Bible.
In the Bible, Job remains faithful and loyal to God, even after the unjust loss of his possessions, family, and health.
The allusion Job means someone who patiently endures adversity. |
|
Is a globe a good or a service? | [
"a good",
"a service"
] | 0 | closed choice | grade2 | social science | economics | Economics | Goods and services | Everything you can buy is either a good or a service.
A good is something you can touch or hold in your hands. For example, a hammer is a good.
A service is a job you pay someone else to do. For example, cooking food in a restaurant is a service. | To decide whether a globe is a good or a service, ask these questions:
Is a globe something you can touch? Yes.
Is a globe a job you might pay someone else to do? No.
So, a globe is a good. |
|
What is the mass of a goat? | [
"35 grams",
"35 kilograms"
] | 1 | Select the better estimate. | closed choice | grade4 | natural science | units-and-measurement | Units and measurement | Choose metric units of mass | Measurements are written with both a number and a unit. The unit comes after the number. The unit shows what the number means.
Mass is a measurement of how much matter something contains.
There are many different units of mass. When you are using metric units, mass may be written with units of grams or kilograms.
There are 1,000 grams in 1 kilogram. So, 1 gram is much less than 1 kilogram.
A paper clip has a mass of about 1 gram, while a textbook has a mass of about 1 kilogram. | The better estimate for the mass of a goat is 35 kilograms.
35 grams is too light. |
What kind of sentence is this?
How well does Jaylen play the guitar? | [
"interrogative",
"imperative"
] | 0 | closed choice | grade5 | language science | punctuation | Sentences, fragments, and run-ons | Is the sentence declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory? | There are four kinds of sentences.
A declarative sentence is a statement. It tells about something. A declarative sentence always ends with a period.
I have an older brother and a younger sister.
An interrogative sentence is a question. It asks something. An interrogative sentence always ends with a question mark.
How tall are you?
An imperative sentence is a command. It makes a request or tells someone to do something. An imperative sentence usually ends with a period. If the command shows strong feeling, it ends with an exclamation point.
Read the first chapter by next week.
Look out for that car!
An exclamatory sentence is like a statement, but it shows surprise or strong feeling. An exclamatory sentence always ends with an exclamation point.
Some whales are over ninety feet long!
I can't wait until tomorrow! | The sentence asks something, and it ends with a question mark. It is an interrogative sentence. |
|
Which figure of speech is used in this text?
"There's nothing I love more than skipping lunch," Mr. Gibson told the flight attendant when he learned that no food would be available on his cross-country flight. | [
"verbal irony",
"personification"
] | 0 | closed choice | grade8 | language science | figurative-language | Literary devices | Classify figures of speech | Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive.
Alliteration is the repetition of sounds at the beginning of nearby words.
What a lucky little lady you are!
An allusion is a brief reference to something or someone well known, often from history or literature.
"I'd better get home before I turn into a pumpkin!" Lila remarked.
An idiom is an expression that cannot be understood literally. Its meaning must be learned.
The assignment was a piece of cake.
A simile uses like or as to compare two things that are not actually alike.
The cat's fur was as dark as the night.
A metaphor compares two things that are not actually alike without using like or as.
The snow formed a blanket over the town.
Onomatopoeia involves using a word that expresses a sound.
The scrambled eggs hit the floor with a splat.
Personification is giving human characteristics to nonhuman things.
The trees danced in the wind.
A pun involves using a word or phrase in a humorous way that suggests more than one meaning.
A great new broom is sweeping the nation.
Verbal irony involves saying one thing but implying something very different. People often use verbal irony when they are being sarcastic.
Olivia seems thrilled that her car keeps breaking down.
Each breakdown is as enjoyable as a punch to the face. | The text uses verbal irony, which involves saying one thing but implying something very different.
Nothing I love more shows verbal irony because Mr. Gibson is probably upset that there isn't anything to eat. |
|
Does this passage describe the weather or the climate?
While at the park today, Elijah noticed that the wind was coming from the southwest. | [
"climate",
"weather"
] | 1 | Hint: Weather is what the atmosphere is like at a certain place and time. Climate is the pattern of weather in a certain place. | closed choice | grade4 | natural science | earth-science | Weather and climate | What's the difference between weather and climate? | The atmosphere is the layer of air that surrounds Earth. Both weather and climate tell you about the atmosphere.
Weather is what the atmosphere is like at a certain place and time. Weather can change quickly. For example, the temperature outside your house might get higher throughout the day.
Climate is the pattern of weather in a certain place. For example, summer temperatures in New York are usually higher than winter temperatures. | Read the text carefully.
While at the park today, Elijah noticed that the wind was coming from the southwest.
This passage tells you about the wind direction at the park today. It describes the atmosphere at a certain place and time. So, this passage describes the weather. |
Which body part pumps blood through the body? | [
"stomach",
"brain",
"heart"
] | 2 | closed choice | grade2 | natural science | biology | Animals | Body parts and their functions | |||
Select the bird. | [
"porcupinefish",
"keel-billed toucan",
"red-spotted newt",
"harbor seal"
] | 1 | closed choice | grade5 | natural science | biology | Classification | Identify mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians | Birds have feathers, two wings, and a beak. | A keel-billed toucan is a bird. It has feathers, two wings, and a beak.
Toucans have large beaks. A toucan's beak can be half as long as its body.
A porcupinefish is a fish. It lives underwater. It has fins, not limbs.
Porcupinefish can puff up their bodies with air or water to scare off predators.
A harbor seal is a mammal. It has fur and feeds its young milk.
Seals have flippers instead of arms! They use their flippers to swim underwater or to crawl on the beach.
A red-spotted newt is an amphibian. It has moist skin and begins its life in water.
Some newts live in water. Other newts live on land but lay their eggs in water. |
|
According to Newton's third law, what other force must be happening? | [
"The suitcase is pushing on Dean.",
"The suitcase is pulling on Dean."
] | 1 | Isaac Newton was born in the 1600s and studied how objects move. He discovered three fundamental laws about forces and motion. According to Newton's third law, for every force, there is an equal and opposite force.
Consider the following force:
Dean is pulling on a full suitcase. | closed choice | grade8 | natural science | physics | Velocity, acceleration, and forces | Predict forces using Newton's third law | According to Newton's third law, for every force, there is an equal and opposite force. This means that if one object is applying a force on a second object, the second object must also be applying a force on the first object, but in the opposite direction.
For example, if your hand is pushing down on a table, the table is also pushing up on your hand. Or, if you are pulling forward on a rope, the rope is also pulling back on you. | Dean is pulling on the suitcase. So, Newton's third law tells you that the suitcase is pulling on Dean. |
How long is a potato? | [
"7 yards",
"7 inches",
"7 feet",
"7 miles"
] | 1 | Select the best estimate. | closed choice | grade7 | natural science | units-and-measurement | Units and measurement | Choose customary units of distance, mass, and volume | Measurements are written with both a number and a unit. The unit comes after the number. The unit shows what the number means.
When you are using customary units, length may be written with units of inches, feet, yards, or miles.
There are 12 inches in 1 foot, and 3 feet in 1 yard. There are 5,280 feet in 1 mile.
A football is about 1 foot long. A football field is 100 yards long. | The best estimate for the length of a potato is 7 inches.
7 feet, 7 yards, and 7 miles are all too long. |
Is the following trait inherited or acquired?
Bridget has five fingers on each hand. | [
"inherited",
"acquired"
] | 0 | closed choice | grade5 | natural science | biology | Traits and heredity | Identify inherited and acquired traits | Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways.
Inherited traits are passed down through families. Children gain these traits from their parents. Inherited traits do not need to be learned.
Acquired traits are gained during a person's life. Some acquired traits, such as riding a bicycle, are gained by learning. Other acquired traits, such as scars, are caused by the environment. Children do not inherit their parents' acquired traits. | Most humans are born with five fingers on each hand. So, having five fingers is an inherited trait. |
|
What is the source of the allusion in the sentence below?
Tyrone's remark about your new car is clearly a case of sour grapes. | [
"Greek mythology",
"a fable"
] | 1 | closed choice | grade8 | language science | figurative-language | Literary devices | Recall the source of an allusion | An allusion is a brief mention of something or someone well known, often from mythology, history, or literature. An allusion lets you reference ideas from an entire story in just a few words.
"I'd better get home before I turn into a pumpkin!" Lila remarked.
Here, Lila alludes to the fairy tale "Cinderella," in which Cinderella must leave the ball before the coach that brought her transforms into a pumpkin. The allusion shows that Lila must depart immediately. | The source of the allusion sour grapes is a fable.
In the fable "The Fox and the Grapes," a fox tries unsuccessfully to reach a bunch of grapes. Because he cannot reach them and therefore cannot eat them, he tells himself that they must be sour.
The allusion sour grapes means criticizing something because you can't have it. |
|
Which tense does the sentence use?
Akiko teaches Chloe about customs in Japan. | [
"past tense",
"future tense",
"present tense"
] | 2 | closed choice | grade5 | language science | verbs | Verb tense | Is the sentence in the past, present, or future tense? | Present tense verbs tell you about something that is happening now.
Most present-tense verbs are regular. They have no ending, or they end in -s or -es.
Two verbs are irregular in the present tense, to be and to have. You must remember their forms.
Past tense verbs tell you about something that has already happened.
Most past-tense verbs are regular. They end in -ed.
Some verbs are irregular in the past tense. You must remember their past-tense forms.
Future tense verbs tell you about something that is going to happen.
All future-tense verbs use the word will.
Present | Past | Future
walk, walks | walked | will walk
go, goes | went | will go | The sentence is in present tense. You can tell because it uses a present-tense verb, teaches. The verb ends in -es and tells you about something that is true or happening now. |
|
Which word does not rhyme? | [
"plan",
"ran",
"rain"
] | 2 | closed choice | grade1 | language science | phonological-awareness | Rhyming | Which word does not rhyme? | Rhyming words are words that end with the same sound.
The words tip and slip rhyme. They both end with the ip sound.
The words lake and make rhyme. They both end with the ake sound.
The words tip and lake don't rhyme. They end with different sounds. | The words ran and plan rhyme. They both end with the an sound.
The word rain does not rhyme. It ends with a different sound. |
|
Complete the sentence so that it uses personification.
"You might think you'll always be young," Mrs. Stone counseled, "but time ()". | [
"creeps up on you",
"affects everyone"
] | 0 | closed choice | grade9 | language science | writing-strategies | Creative techniques | Use personification | Personification is giving human characteristics to nonhuman things. It is a figure of speech that can be used to make writing more interesting or to emphasize a point.
The trees danced in the wind.
The word danced describes the trees as if they were people. Unlike people, however, trees can't actually dance. Instead, the personification suggests that the trees are moving. | Complete the sentence with the phrase creeps up on you. It describes time as if it were a sneaky person. |
|
How long is a human front tooth? | [
"12 millimeters",
"12 kilometers",
"12 centimeters",
"12 meters"
] | 0 | Select the best estimate. | closed choice | grade7 | natural science | units-and-measurement | Units and measurement | Choose metric units of distance, mass, and volume | Measurements are written with both a number and a unit. The unit comes after the number. The unit shows what the number means.
When you are using metric units, length can be written with units of millimeters, centimeters, meters, or kilometers. One meter contains 100 centimeters or 1,000 millimeters. So, 1 meter is larger than 1 centimeter, and 1 centimeter is larger than 1 millimeter.
The tip of the pencil shown here is only 1 millimeter wide, but the pencil is about 16 centimeters long.
A red fox is about 1 meter long. The Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia is about 1,000 meters, or 1 kilometer, in length. | The best estimate for the length of a human front tooth is 12 millimeters.
12 centimeters, 12 meters, and 12 kilometers are all too long. |
Which figure of speech is used in this text?
Grace asked her mother if she could adopt a cat, and her mother replied, "It's a definite maybe," so Grace didn't want to get her hopes up. | [
"euphemism",
"oxymoron"
] | 1 | closed choice | grade9 | language science | figurative-language | Literary devices | Classify figures of speech: euphemism, hyperbole, oxymoron, paradox | Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive.
A euphemism is a polite or indirect expression that is used to de-emphasize an unpleasant topic.
The head of Human Resources would never refer to firing people, only to laying them off.
Hyperbole is an obvious exaggeration that is not meant to be taken literally.
I ate so much that I think I might explode!
An oxymoron is a joining of two seemingly contradictory terms.
Some reviewers are calling this book a new classic.
A paradox is a statement that might at first appear to be contradictory, but that may in fact contain some truth.
Always expect the unexpected. | The text uses an oxymoron, a joining of two seemingly contradictory terms.
Definite maybe is a contradiction, because definite describes something that is sure, and maybe refers to something that is unsure. |
|
What information supports the conclusion that Daniel acquired this trait? | [
"Daniel knits sweaters using cotton, wool, and other types of yarn.",
"Daniel learned how to knit in an after school program."
] | 1 | Read the description of a trait.
Daniel knows how to knit sweaters. | closed choice | grade3 | natural science | biology | Heredity | Inherited and acquired traits: use evidence to support a statement | Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways.
Inherited traits are passed down through families. Children gain these traits from their parents. Inherited traits do not need to be learned.
Acquired traits are gained during a person's life. Some acquired traits, such as riding a bicycle, are gained by learning. Other acquired traits, such as scars, are caused by the environment. | |
Which word does not rhyme? | [
"globe",
"note",
"robe"
] | 1 | closed choice | grade2 | language science | phonological-awareness | Rhyming | Which word does not rhyme? | Rhyming words are words that end with the same sound.
The words tip and slip rhyme. They both end with the same sound.
The words meet and treat also rhyme. They both end with the same sound, even though the sound has two different spellings.
The words tip and meet don't rhyme. They end with different sounds. | The words globe and robe rhyme. They both end with the obe sound.
The word note does not rhyme. It ends with a different sound. |
|
Would you find the word tub on a dictionary page with the following guide words?
tax - theory | [
"no",
"yes"
] | 0 | yes or no | grade3 | language science | reference-skills | Reference skills | Use guide words | Guide words appear on each page of a dictionary. They tell you the first word and last word on the page. The other words on the page come between the guide words in alphabetical order.
To put words in alphabetical order, put them in order by their first letters. If the first letters are the same, look at the second letters. If the second letters are the same, look at the third letters, and so on.
If one word is shorter, and there are no more letters to compare, then the shorter word comes first in alphabetical order. For example, be comes before bed. | Put the words in alphabetical order.
Since tub is not between the guide words tax - theory, it would not be found on that page. |
|
According to Newton's third law, what other force must be happening? | [
"The gas pedal is pulling on Susan's foot.",
"The gas pedal is pushing on Susan's foot."
] | 1 | Isaac Newton was born in the 1600s and studied how objects move. He discovered three fundamental laws about forces and motion. According to Newton's third law, for every force, there is an equal and opposite force.
Consider the following force:
Susan's foot is pushing on her car's gas pedal. | closed choice | grade8 | natural science | physics | Velocity, acceleration, and forces | Predict forces using Newton's third law | According to Newton's third law, for every force, there is an equal and opposite force. This means that if one object is applying a force on a second object, the second object must also be applying a force on the first object, but in the opposite direction.
For example, if your hand is pushing down on a table, the table is also pushing up on your hand. Or, if you are pulling forward on a rope, the rope is also pulling back on you. | Susan's foot is pushing on the gas pedal. So, Newton's third law tells you that the gas pedal is pushing on Susan's foot. |
Would you find the word arrest on a dictionary page with the following guide words?
act - axis | [
"yes",
"no"
] | 0 | yes or no | grade8 | language science | reference-skills | Reference skills | Use guide words | Guide words appear on each page of a dictionary. They tell you the first word and last word on the page. The other words on the page come between the guide words in alphabetical order.
To put words in alphabetical order, put them in order by their first letters. If the first letters are the same, look at the second letters. If the second letters are the same, look at the third letters, and so on.
If one word is shorter, and there are no more letters to compare, then the shorter word comes first in alphabetical order. For example, be comes before bed. | Put the words in alphabetical order.
Since arrest is between the guide words act - axis, it would be found on that page. |
|
Would you find the word laughter on a dictionary page with the following guide words?
lever - litter | [
"yes",
"no"
] | 1 | yes or no | grade8 | language science | reference-skills | Reference skills | Use guide words | Guide words appear on each page of a dictionary. They tell you the first word and last word on the page. The other words on the page come between the guide words in alphabetical order.
To put words in alphabetical order, put them in order by their first letters. If the first letters are the same, look at the second letters. If the second letters are the same, look at the third letters, and so on.
If one word is shorter, and there are no more letters to compare, then the shorter word comes first in alphabetical order. For example, be comes before bed. | Put the words in alphabetical order.
Since laughter is not between the guide words lever - litter, it would not be found on that page. |
|
Which type of sentence is this?
Natalie is a competitive horseback rider, and she will be competing in the next World Equestrian Games, which are held every four years. | [
"simple",
"compound",
"complex",
"compound-complex"
] | 3 | closed choice | grade11 | language science | grammar | Phrases and clauses | Is the sentence simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex? | A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a predicate.
An independent clause is a complete thought that can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent clause (or subordinate clause) is not a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence.
the oranges on our tree are ripe
The clause can stand alone. It is independent.
after we pick up Kevin from work
The clause cannot stand alone. It is dependent.
A simple sentence is made up of a single independent clause.
Ben and I spent all day relaxing by the pool.
Some simple sentences have introductory phrases, but the introductory phrase is part of the predicate.
In the winter, Ben usually wears his heavy coat.
Ben usually wears his heavy coat in the winter.
A compound sentence is made up of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction such as and, but, or, or so.
We saw the flash of lightning, and seconds later we heard a rumble of thunder.
A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and a dependent clause. The dependent clause in a complex sentence usually begins with a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun. Subordinating conjunctions include after, although, as, because, before, if, since, unless, until, when, and while. Relative pronouns include that, which, who, whom, or whose.
If she ever gets the chance, Terri would love to visit the Egyptian pyramids.
During his trip to Italy, Tony visited the Trevi Fountain, which is in Rome.
A compound-complex sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.
After Samantha left work, she stopped at the bank, and then she went to the gym.
Sometimes a dependent clause in a complex or compound-complex sentence can interrupt an independent clause.
Orcas that are kept in captivity often have bent dorsal fins. | The sentence is compound-complex. It is made up of two independent clauses and a dependent clause. The dependent clause begins with the relative pronoun which.
Natalie is a competitive horseback rider, and she will be competing in the next World Equestrian Games, which are held every four years. |
|
Which logical fallacy is used in the text?
I'm never setting foot in any seafood restaurant again. We just had a ridiculously overpriced dinner at Rafi's Seafood Hut, and I have no interest in repeating that experience. | [
"hasty generalization: a very broad claim based on very little evidence",
"false causation: the assumption that because two things happened together, one caused the other"
] | 0 | closed choice | grade7 | language science | writing-strategies | Developing and supporting arguments | Classify logical fallacies | A strong argument uses valid reasoning and logic in support of a claim. When an argument or claim introduces irrelevant information or misrepresents the issues at hand, it may be committing a logical fallacy. Logical fallacies can hurt a writer's credibility and can lead readers to draw false conclusions.
A logical fallacy may present irrelevant information:
Fallacy | Description
ad hominem | a personal attack meant to discredit one's opponent
appeal to nature | an argument that assumes the natural choice is always the best choice
bandwagon fallacy | an argument that assumes the popular choice is always the best choice
circular reasoning | an argument that supports a claim with the claim itself
guilt by association | an unfair negative association with another person or group that is intended to discredit someone or something
red herring | the use of a completely unrelated topic in support of a claim
A logical fallacy may misrepresent the issues at hand:
Fallacy | Description
false causation | the assumption that because two things happened together, one caused the other
false dichotomy | an argument that presents only two choices when more options exist
hasty generalization | a very broad claim based on very little evidence
straw man | a misrepresentation of an opponent's position that makes it easier to argue against
| The text argues that all seafood restaurants are overpriced. However, even though one seafood restaurant was overpriced, that doesn't necessarily mean that all seafood restaurants are overpriced. This illustrates a type of logical fallacy known as a hasty generalization. |
|
What information supports the conclusion that Carmen acquired this trait? | [
"Carmen was not born knowing how to identify different bird calls. She had to learn this skill.",
"Carmen likes to photograph birds at the zoo."
] | 0 | Read the description of a trait.
Carmen is good at identifying birds from their calls. | closed choice | grade4 | natural science | biology | Traits and heredity | Inherited and acquired traits: use evidence to support a statement | Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways.
Inherited traits are passed down through families. Children gain these traits from their parents. Inherited traits do not need to be learned.
Acquired traits are gained during a person's life. Some acquired traits, such as riding a bicycle, are gained by learning. Other acquired traits, such as scars, are caused by the environment. | |
Complete the sentence.
An air freshener making a room smell nice is a (). | [
"chemical change",
"physical change"
] | 1 | closed choice | grade5 | natural science | chemistry | Physical and chemical change | Compare physical and chemical changes | Matter is made of very small particles called atoms. Atoms can be linked together by chemical bonds. When two or more atoms link together, they form a molecule.
In a chemical change, the chemical bonds in the molecules break. The atoms then link together to form new molecules. The types of molecules in matter before and after a chemical change are always different.
Burning a piece of paper is a chemical change. As paper burns, paper molecules react with oxygen molecules in the air. This reaction breaks the chemical bonds in the molecules. The atoms then relink and form different molecules. For example, carbon dioxide molecules are created when paper burns.
In a physical change, chemical bonds do not break. The types of molecules in matter before and after a physical change are always the same.
A change of state is a type of physical change. For example, water vaporizing is a physical change. Liquid water and water vapor are made of the same type of matter: water. | An air freshener making a room smell nice is a change of state. So, it is a physical change. The matter in the air freshener is changing from solid to gas. This is called sublimation.
The gas spreads to fill the room and changes the scent of the air. But it does not form a different type of matter. |
|
Which figure of speech is used in this text?
Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?
A nation turns its lonely eyes to you . . .
—Paul Simon, "Mrs. Robinson" | [
"chiasmus",
"apostrophe"
] | 1 | closed choice | grade11 | language science | figurative-language | Literary devices | Classify the figure of speech: anaphora, antithesis, apostrophe, assonance, chiasmus, understatement | Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive.
Anaphora is the repetition of the same word or words at the beginning of several phrases or clauses.
We are united. We are powerful. We are winners.
Antithesis involves contrasting opposing ideas within a parallel grammatical structure.
I want to help, not to hurt.
Apostrophe is a direct address to an absent person or a nonhuman entity.
Oh, little bird, what makes you sing so beautifully?
Assonance is the repetition of a vowel sound in a series of nearby words.
Try to light the fire.
Chiasmus is an expression in which the second half parallels the first but reverses the order of words.
Never let a fool kiss you or a kiss fool you.
Understatement involves deliberately representing something as less serious or important than it really is.
As you know, it can get a little cold in the Antarctic. | The text uses apostrophe, a direct address to an absent person or a nonhuman entity.
Joe DiMaggio is a direct address to former baseball star Joe DiMaggio, an absent person. |
|
What information supports the conclusion that Shelley inherited this trait? | [
"Shelley and her mother both have short hair.",
"Shelley's parents were born with wavy hair. They passed down this trait to Shelley."
] | 1 | Read the description of a trait.
Shelley has wavy hair. | closed choice | grade6 | natural science | biology | Genes to traits | Inherited and acquired traits: use evidence to support a statement | Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways.
Inherited traits are passed down from biological parents to their offspring through genes. Genes are pieces of hereditary material that contain the instructions that affect inherited traits. Offspring receive their genes, and therefore gain their inherited traits, from their biological parents. Inherited traits do not need to be learned.
Acquired traits are gained during a person's life. Some acquired traits, such as riding a bicycle, are gained by learning. Other acquired traits, such as scars, are caused by the environment. Parents do not pass acquired traits down to their offspring. | |
Select the one animal that has all of the bony fish traits listed above. | [
"Wels catfish have a bony skeleton and live in lakes, rivers, and coastal waters. Wels catfish eggs do not have shells for protection. Male catfish guard the eggs until they hatch.",
"Gray tree frogs hatch from eggs without shells. They live underwater when they are tadpoles. They move onto land when they become adults. The moist skin of adult gray tree frogs can be green or gray. The color of their skin helps them hide on rocks or plants."
] | 0 | Bony fish are a group of animals with similar traits. The following traits can be used to identify bony fish:
They have fins, not limbs.
They live underwater.
They have a skeleton made of bone.
They make eggs with no shells. Observe the animals and read the descriptions. | closed choice | grade5 | natural science | biology | Classification | Use evidence to classify animals | Scientists sort animals with similar traits into groups. This is called classification. Classification helps scientists learn about how animals live.
How do scientists classify animals? First, they make observations about an animal. Scientists observe the animal's traits, including its body parts and behavior. Then, scientists compare the animal's traits to other animals' traits. Scientists classify animals with similar traits into a group. | To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group.
Bony fish have the following traits:
They have fins, not limbs.
They live underwater.
They have a skeleton made of bone.
They make eggs with no shells.
Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits.
A gray tree frog has the following traits:
It spends part of its life in water and part on land.
It has moist skin.
It makes eggs with no shells.
A gray tree frog does not have all of the traits of a bony fish. A gray tree frog is an amphibian.
A wels catfish has the following traits:
It has fins, not limbs.
It lives underwater.
It has a skeleton made of bone.
It makes eggs with no shells.
A wels catfish has the traits of a bony fish. A wels catfish is a bony fish. |
Which of the following contains a vague pronoun reference? | [
"Emma and her sister posed for a photograph, but when the flash went off, Emma blinked.",
"Emma and her sister posed for a photograph, but when the flash went off, she blinked."
] | 1 | closed choice | grade7 | language science | writing-strategies | Pronouns and antecedents | Identify vague pronoun references | When writing, make sure to avoid vague pronoun references. A vague pronoun reference occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent.
When Lisa and Kim finally landed, she breathed a sigh of relief.
The pronoun she could refer to either Lisa or Kim, so the meaning of the sentence is unclear.
Vague pronoun references can be corrected in one of two ways:
1. Replace the pronoun with its correct antecedent:
When Lisa and Kim finally landed, Lisa breathed a sigh of relief.
2. Rewrite the sentence:
Lisa breathed a sigh of relief when she and Kim finally landed.
A vague pronoun reference also occurs when they, them, their, theirs, it, or its is used without its antecedent.
They say that this nail polish dries in less than five minutes.
The pronoun they is used without its antecedent, so the meaning of the sentence is unclear.
This problem can be fixed by replacing the pronoun with its missing antecedent.
The advertisements say that this nail polish dries in less than five minutes. | The second answer choice contains a vague pronoun reference. The pronoun she could refer to Emma or her sister.
The first answer choice shows a possible correction for the vague pronoun reference. She has been replaced with Emma.
Emma and her sister posed for a photograph, but when the flash went off, Emma blinked. |
|
Select the item that doesn't belong. | [
"ruler",
"clock",
"timer",
"watch"
] | 0 | closed choice | grade3 | language science | vocabulary | Categories | Select the words that don't belong | Ruler doesn't belong.
Timer, watch, and clock all name items you use to keep track of time. |
||
Which logical fallacy is used in the text?
I can't believe you'd hire Mike Campbell to watch your dog! Did you know that his friend adopted a dog but then took it back to the shelter after just one week? | [
"guilt by association: a negative association intended to discredit someone or something",
"hasty generalization: a very broad claim based on very little evidence"
] | 0 | closed choice | grade6 | language science | writing-strategies | Developing and supporting arguments | Classify logical fallacies | A strong argument uses valid reasoning and logic in support of a claim. When an argument or claim introduces irrelevant information or misrepresents the issues at hand, it may be committing a logical fallacy. Logical fallacies can hurt a writer's credibility and can lead readers to draw false conclusions.
A logical fallacy may present irrelevant information:
Fallacy | Description
ad hominem | a personal attack meant to discredit one's opponent
appeal to nature | an argument that assumes the natural choice is always the best choice
bandwagon fallacy | an argument that assumes the popular choice is always the best choice
circular reasoning | an argument that supports a claim with the claim itself
guilt by association | an unfair negative association with another person or group that is intended to discredit someone or something
red herring | the use of a completely unrelated topic in support of a claim
A logical fallacy may misrepresent the issues at hand:
Fallacy | Description
false causation | the assumption that because two things happened together, one caused the other
false dichotomy | an argument that presents only two choices when more options exist
hasty generalization | a very broad claim based on very little evidence
straw man | a misrepresentation of an opponent's position that makes it easier to argue against
| The text argues that Mike must be an irresponsible dog owner, because his friend was an irresponsible dog owner. However, even though Mike's friend was irresponsible, that doesn't necessarily mean that Mike is also irresponsible. This illustrates a type of logical fallacy known as guilt by association. |
|
What do these two changes have in common?
peeling a banana
tying a shoelace | [
"Both are only physical changes.",
"Both are caused by cooling.",
"Both are caused by heating.",
"Both are chemical changes."
] | 0 | closed choice | grade3 | natural science | chemistry | Physical and chemical change | Compare physical and chemical changes | Chemical changes and physical changes are two common ways matter can change.
In a chemical change, the type of matter changes. The types of matter before and after a chemical change are always different.
Some chemical changes are caused by heating or cooling. For example, burning a piece of paper is a chemical change caused by heating. When paper gets hot enough, it reacts with oxygen in the air and burns. The paper and oxygen change into ash and smoke.
In a physical change, the type of matter stays the same. The types of matter before and after a physical change are always the same.
A change of state is a type of physical change. Changes of state can be caused by heating or cooling. For example, ice melting is a physical change that can be caused by heating. Ice and liquid water are made of the same type of matter: water.
The law of conservation of mass says that all physical and chemical changes conserve mass. Conserve means to keep the same. So, the total mass before a physical or chemical change is equal to the total mass after the change. | Step 1: Think about each change.
Peeling a banana is a physical change. The peel is not covering the rest of the fruit anymore. But both the peel and the banana are still made of the same type of matter as before.
Tying a shoelace is a physical change. The shoelace gets a different shape. But it is still made of the same type of matter.
Step 2: Look at each answer choice.
Both are only physical changes.
Both changes are physical changes. No new matter is created.
Both are chemical changes.
Both changes are physical changes. They are not chemical changes.
Both are caused by heating.
Neither change is caused by heating.
Both are caused by cooling.
Neither change is caused by cooling. |
|
How long is a parking space? | [
"20 inches",
"20 miles",
"20 yards",
"20 feet"
] | 3 | Select the best estimate. | closed choice | grade7 | natural science | units-and-measurement | Units and measurement | Choose customary units of distance, mass, and volume | Measurements are written with both a number and a unit. The unit comes after the number. The unit shows what the number means.
When you are using customary units, length may be written with units of inches, feet, yards, or miles.
There are 12 inches in 1 foot, and 3 feet in 1 yard. There are 5,280 feet in 1 mile.
A football is about 1 foot long. A football field is 100 yards long. | The best estimate for the length of a parking space is 20 feet.
20 inches is too short. 20 yards and 20 miles are too long. |
Is a purse a good or a service? | [
"a service",
"a good"
] | 1 | closed choice | grade2 | social science | economics | Economics | Goods and services | Everything you can buy is either a good or a service.
A good is something you can touch or hold in your hands. For example, a hammer is a good.
A service is a job you pay someone else to do. For example, cooking food in a restaurant is a service. | To decide whether a purse is a good or a service, ask these questions:
Is a purse something you can touch? Yes.
Is a purse a job you might pay someone else to do? No.
So, a purse is a good. |
|
Which logical fallacy is used in the text?
We can't let Governor Merritt impose regulations on gas-guzzling cars! Soon enough, he'll start trying to ban all cars! | [
"slippery slope fallacy: the false assumption that a small first step will lead to extreme consequences",
"appeal to nature: the assumption that natural things are always good",
"ad hominem: an attack against the person making the argument, rather than the argument itself"
] | 0 | closed choice | grade10 | language science | writing-strategies | Developing and supporting arguments | Classify logical fallacies | A strong argument uses valid reasoning and logic in support of a claim. When an argument or claim introduces irrelevant information or misrepresents the issues at hand, it may be committing a logical fallacy. Logical fallacies can hurt a writer's credibility and can lead readers to draw false conclusions.
A logical fallacy may present irrelevant information:
Fallacy | Description
ad hominem | an attack against the person making the argument, rather than the argument itself
appeal to nature | an argument that assumes the natural choice is always the best choice
bandwagon fallacy | an argument that assumes the popular choice is always the best choice
circular reasoning | an argument that supports a claim with the claim itself
guilt by association | an unfair negative association with another person or group that is intended to discredit someone or something
A logical fallacy may misrepresent the issues at hand:
Fallacy | Description
false causation | the assumption that because two things happened together, one caused the other
false dichotomy | an argument that presents only two choices when more options exist
hasty generalization | a broad claim based on too few observations
slippery slope fallacy | the false assumption that a small first step will necessarily lead to extreme consequences
straw man | a misrepresentation of an opponent's position that makes it easier to argue against
| The text argues that banning cars with low fuel efficiency would lead to a ban on all cars. However, this argument offers only an extreme outcome and ignores other possible outcomes. For instance, the law may be limited to cars with low fuel efficiency. This illustrates a type of logical fallacy known as the slippery slope fallacy. |
|
Which cover letter is more formal? | [
"Now that I've got my degree, I can't wait to try and get a job on your team.",
"Now that I have earned my degree, I am eager to apply for a position on your team."
] | 1 | closed choice | grade11 | language science | writing-strategies | Audience, purpose, and tone | Which text is most formal? | Informal writing is typically used in casual situations or when communicating with someone you know well. Informal language often expresses familiarity and tends to sound more like speech. It uses more conversational language, such as slang, idioms, abbreviations, imprecise language, and contractions.
Formal writing is typically used in academic and business writing or when writing directly to an authority figure. It tends to be more courteous and impersonal, avoiding overly familiar or conversational language.
Compare the following sentences.
Informal: Yeah, ostriches can't fly, but I think they're awesome.
More formal: Ostriches may be flightless, but they're remarkable runners.
Most formal: Though flightless, ostriches are remarkable runners. | The second cover letter is more formal. It uses more elevated language (eager to apply, position). The other cover letter uses contractions and conversational language (I've got, can't wait, get a job). |
|
Which type of sentence is this?
As Dalton sat down on the rickety old chair, it abruptly collapsed beneath him. | [
"simple",
"compound",
"compound-complex",
"complex"
] | 3 | closed choice | grade10 | language science | grammar | Phrases and clauses | Is the sentence simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex? | A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a predicate.
An independent clause is a complete thought that can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent clause (or subordinate clause) is not a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence.
the oranges on our tree are ripe
The clause can stand alone. It is independent.
after we pick up Kevin from work
The clause cannot stand alone. It is dependent.
A simple sentence is made up of a single independent clause.
Ben and I spent all day relaxing by the pool.
Some simple sentences have introductory phrases, but the introductory phrase is part of the predicate.
In the winter, Ben usually wears his heavy coat.
Ben usually wears his heavy coat in the winter.
A compound sentence is made up of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction such as and, but, or, or so.
We saw the flash of lightning, and seconds later we heard a rumble of thunder.
A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and a dependent clause. The dependent clause in a complex sentence usually begins with a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun. Subordinating conjunctions include after, although, as, because, before, if, since, unless, until, when, and while. Relative pronouns include that, which, who, whom, or whose.
If she ever gets the chance, Terri would love to visit the Egyptian pyramids.
During his trip to Italy, Tony visited the Trevi Fountain, which is in Rome.
A compound-complex sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.
After Samantha left work, she stopped at the bank, and then she went to the gym.
Sometimes a dependent clause in a complex or compound-complex sentence can interrupt an independent clause.
Orcas that are kept in captivity often have bent dorsal fins. | The sentence is complex. It is made up of an independent clause and a dependent clause. The dependent clause begins with the subordinating conjunction as.
As Dalton sat down on the rickety old chair, it abruptly collapsed beneath him. |
|
Look at the word. Does it have a closed syllable or an open syllable?
beg | [
"closed",
"open"
] | 0 | closed choice | grade2 | language science | word-study | Short and long vowels | Is the syllable open or closed? | Words are made up of syllables. Two kinds of syllables are closed and open.
A closed syllable has one vowel and ends with a consonant. It usually has a short vowel sound.
desk: short e
kit / ten: short i / short e
An open syllable ends with one vowel. It usually has a long vowel sound.
go: long o
he / ro: long e / long o
Some open syllables end with y. The y makes a long e sound or a long i sound.
sky: long i
ba / by: long a / long e | The word beg ends with a consonant and has a short vowel sound. So, it has a closed syllable. |
|
What is the volume of a bowl of soup? | [
"280 liters",
"280 milliliters"
] | 1 | Select the better estimate. | closed choice | grade5 | natural science | units-and-measurement | Units and measurement | Choose metric units of volume | Measurements are written with both a number and a unit. The unit comes after the number. The unit shows what the number means.
Volume is a measurement of how much space something takes up.
There are many different units of volume. When you are using metric units, volume may be written in units of milliliters or liters.
There are 1,000 milliliters in 1 liter. So, 1 milliliter is much less than 1 liter.
A raindrop has a volume of about 20 milliliters, while a large soda bottle has a volume of 2 liters. The flask shown here measures volumes up to 500 milliliters. | The better estimate for the volume of a bowl of soup is 280 milliliters.
280 liters is too much. |
Which logical fallacy is used in the text?
All of my friends are coming to my birthday party. If Miranda doesn't, she might as well tell me that she doesn't like me. | [
"false dichotomy: an argument that presents only two choices when more options exist",
"red herring: the use of a completely unrelated topic or idea"
] | 0 | closed choice | grade6 | language science | writing-strategies | Developing and supporting arguments | Classify logical fallacies | A strong argument uses valid reasoning and logic in support of a claim. When an argument or claim introduces irrelevant information or misrepresents the issues at hand, it may be committing a logical fallacy. Logical fallacies can hurt a writer's credibility and can lead readers to draw false conclusions.
A logical fallacy may present irrelevant information:
Fallacy | Description
ad hominem | a personal attack meant to discredit one's opponent
appeal to nature | an argument that assumes the natural choice is always the best choice
bandwagon fallacy | an argument that assumes the popular choice is always the best choice
circular reasoning | an argument that supports a claim with the claim itself
guilt by association | an unfair negative association with another person or group that is intended to discredit someone or something
red herring | the use of a completely unrelated topic in support of a claim
A logical fallacy may misrepresent the issues at hand:
Fallacy | Description
false causation | the assumption that because two things happened together, one caused the other
false dichotomy | an argument that presents only two choices when more options exist
hasty generalization | a very broad claim based on very little evidence
straw man | a misrepresentation of an opponent's position that makes it easier to argue against
| The text argues that if Miranda doesn't go to the speaker's birthday party, it means that she hates the speaker. However, there may be a number of reasons why Miranda wouldn't go to the party. This illustrates a type of logical fallacy known as a false dichotomy. |
|
Does this passage describe the weather or the climate?
Hassan noticed that the wind was blowing in from the ocean this afternoon. | [
"climate",
"weather"
] | 1 | closed choice | grade5 | natural science | earth-science | Weather and climate | What's the difference between weather and climate? | The atmosphere is the layer of air that surrounds Earth. Both weather and climate tell you about the atmosphere.
Weather is what the atmosphere is like at a certain place and time. Weather can change quickly. For example, the temperature outside your house might get higher throughout the day.
Climate is the pattern of weather in a certain place. For example, summer temperatures in New York are usually higher than winter temperatures. | Read the text carefully.
Hassan noticed that the wind was blowing in from the ocean this afternoon.
This passage tells you about the wind direction where Hassan was this afternoon. It describes the atmosphere at a certain place and time. So, this passage describes the weather. |
|
Does the sentence use a simile or a metaphor?
Mrs. Boyd is kind, and her heart is gold. | [
"simile",
"metaphor"
] | 1 | closed choice | grade4 | language science | figurative-language | Literary devices | Identify similes and metaphors | Similes and metaphors are figures of speech that compare two things that are not actually alike.
A simile compares two things by saying that one is like the other. Similes often use the words like and as.
My sister runs like a cheetah.
The sister's running and a cheetah's running are compared using the word like.
A cheetah is known for running fast, so the simile means that the sister also runs fast.
The cat's fur was as dark as the night.
The cat's fur and the night are compared using the word as.
The night is dark, so the simile means that the cat's fur is also dark.
A metaphor compares two things by saying that one of them is the other. Unlike similes, metaphors don't use the word like or as.
The snow formed a blanket over the town.
The snow and a blanket are compared without the word like or as.
A blanket is a large piece of cloth that completely covers a bed. The metaphor makes the reader imagine that the snow becomes a blanket, covering the town completely.
Using similes and metaphors in your writing can help you create an interesting picture for the reader. | Mrs. Boyd is kind, and her heart is gold.
The words heart and gold are compared without the word like or as. So, the sentence uses a metaphor. |
|
Which word does not rhyme? | [
"stork",
"cork",
"rock"
] | 2 | closed choice | grade2 | language science | phonological-awareness | Rhyming | Which word does not rhyme? | Rhyming words are words that end with the same sound.
The words tip and slip rhyme. They both end with the same sound.
The words meet and treat also rhyme. They both end with the same sound, even though the sound has two different spellings.
The words tip and meet don't rhyme. They end with different sounds. | The words stork and cork rhyme. They both end with the ork sound.
The word rock does not rhyme. It ends with a different sound. |
|
What does the allusion in this text suggest?
With the gutters clogged and water rising in the streets, Tanvi, who was watching the storm from her window, commented, "We're going to need an ark to get out of here." | [
"Tanvi plans to build a boat.",
"Tanvi thinks the storm will cause major flooding."
] | 1 | closed choice | grade8 | language science | figurative-language | Literary devices | Interpret figures of speech | Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive.
An allusion is a brief reference to something or someone well known, often from history or literature.
"I'd better get home before I turn into a pumpkin!" Lila remarked. | The text uses an allusion, a brief reference to someone or something well known.
The allusion to an ark suggests that Tanvi thinks the storm will cause major flooding. In the Bible, it rains for forty days and forty nights; Noah, his family, and animals of every species survive the great flood in an ark that he builds. |
|
Which graduation announcement is more formal? | [
"Shawn Morton is graduating, and we couldn't be more proud!",
"We are proud to announce the graduation of Shawn Morton."
] | 1 | closed choice | grade9 | language science | writing-strategies | Audience, purpose, and tone | Which text is most formal? | Informal writing is typically used in casual situations or when communicating with someone you know well. Informal language often expresses familiarity and tends to sound more like speech. It uses more conversational language, such as slang, idioms, abbreviations, imprecise language, and contractions.
Formal writing is typically used in academic and business writing or when writing directly to an authority figure. It tends to be more courteous and impersonal, avoiding overly familiar or conversational language.
Compare the following sentences.
Informal: Yeah, ostriches can't fly, but I think they're awesome.
More formal: Ostriches may be flightless, but they're remarkable runners.
Most formal: Though flightless, ostriches are remarkable runners. | The second graduation announcement is more formal. It uses more ceremonious language (proud to announce). The other graduation announcement uses more conversational language (we couldn't be more proud!). |
|
Which text uses the word ironic in its traditional sense? | [
"Last winter, Craig took a vacation to Florida to escape Boston's cold, snowy weather. In an ironic twist, he just missed a few of his college friends, who had been in Florida the previous week.",
"Last winter, Craig took a vacation to Florida to escape Boston's cold, snowy weather. In an ironic twist, a rare snowstorm happened to hit Florida that week."
] | 1 | closed choice | grade9 | language science | writing-strategies | Word usage and nuance | Explore words with new or contested usages | Words change in meaning when speakers begin using them in new ways. For example, the word peruse once only meant to examine in detail, but it's now also commonly used to mean to look through in a casual manner.
When a word changes in meaning, its correct usage is often debated. Although a newer sense of the word may be more commonly used, many people consider a word's traditional definition to be the correct usage. Being able to distinguish the different uses of a word can help you use it appropriately for different audiences.
Britney perused her notes, carefully preparing for her exam.
The traditional usage above is considered more standard.
David perused the magazine, absentmindedly flipping through the pages.
The nontraditional usage above is now commonly used, but traditional style guides generally advise against it. | The second text uses ironic in its traditional sense: contrary to what was intended, often in an amusing way. It's ironic because Craig tried to get away from the snow but found himself in a snowstorm regardless.
Last winter, Craig took a vacation to Florida to escape Boston's cold, snowy weather. In an ironic twist, a rare snowstorm happened to hit Florida that week.
The first text uses ironic in its nontraditional sense: marked by coincidence. It was a coincidence that Craig's friends were in Florida the week before.
Last winter, Craig took a vacation to Florida to escape Boston's cold, snowy weather. In an ironic twist, he just missed a few of his college friends, who had been in Florida the previous week.
Most style guides recommend to avoid using the nontraditional sense of the word ironic because it is generally considered incorrect. |
|
Suppose Kimberly decides to make potato soup. Which result would be a cost? | [
"The potato soup will be tastier than the beef barley soup would have been.",
"Kimberly will spend more time making the potato soup than she would have spent making the beef barley soup."
] | 1 | Kimberly is deciding whether to make potato soup or beef barley soup for dinner. She wants dinner to be as tasty as possible. But she is also hungry and wants to eat soon. | closed choice | grade4 | social science | economics | Basic economic principles | Costs and benefits | Before you decide to do something, it is often helpful to list costs and benefits.
Costs are what you give up or spend when you decide to do something. Costs involve giving up things that you want or need.
Benefits are what you gain or save when you decide to do something. Benefits involve gaining something that you want or need. | This result is a cost. It involves giving up or spending something that Kimberly wants or needs:
Kimberly will spend more time making the potato soup than she would have spent making the beef barley soup. |
Which type of sentence is this?
As Harry sat down on the rickety old chair, it abruptly collapsed beneath him. | [
"simple",
"complex",
"compound-complex",
"compound"
] | 1 | closed choice | grade8 | language science | grammar | Phrases and clauses | Is the sentence simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex? | A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a predicate.
An independent clause is a complete thought that can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent clause (or subordinate clause) is not a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence.
the oranges on our tree are ripe
The clause can stand alone. It is independent.
after we pick up Kevin from work
The clause cannot stand alone. It is dependent.
A simple sentence is made up of a single independent clause.
Ben and I spent all day relaxing by the pool.
Some simple sentences have introductory phrases, but the introductory phrase is part of the predicate.
In the winter, Ben usually wears his heavy coat.
Ben usually wears his heavy coat in the winter.
A compound sentence is made up of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction such as and, but, or, or so.
We saw the flash of lightning, and seconds later we heard a rumble of thunder.
A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and a dependent clause. The dependent clause in a complex sentence usually begins with a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun. Subordinating conjunctions include after, although, as, because, before, if, since, unless, until, when, and while. Relative pronouns include that, which, who, whom, or whose.
If she ever gets the chance, Terri would love to visit the Egyptian pyramids.
During his trip to Italy, Tony visited the Trevi Fountain, which is in Rome.
A compound-complex sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.
After Samantha left work, she stopped at the bank, and then she went to the gym.
Sometimes a dependent clause in a complex or compound-complex sentence can interrupt an independent clause.
Orcas that are kept in captivity often have bent dorsal fins. | The sentence is complex. It is made up of an independent clause and a dependent clause. The dependent clause begins with the subordinating conjunction as.
As Harry sat down on the rickety old chair, it abruptly collapsed beneath him. |
|
Is this a run-on sentence?
At Okunoin, Japan's largest cemetery, visitors will find some unusual memorials, there's even a monument to puffer fish that have died at the hands of chefs. | [
"no",
"yes"
] | 1 | yes or no | grade12 | language science | writing-strategies | Sentences, fragments, and run-ons | Identify run-on sentences | A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought.
The band I'm in has been rehearsing daily because we have a concert in two weeks.
A run-on sentence is formed when two sentences are run together, joined by just a comma or by no punctuation at all. If only a comma is used, the run-on is called a comma splice.
The band I'm in has been rehearsing daily, we have a concert in two weeks.
The band I'm in has been rehearsing daily we have a concert in two weeks.
There are several ways to fix a run-on sentence:
Use stronger punctuation, such as a period or a semicolon.
The band I'm in has been rehearsing daily. We have a concert in two weeks.
The band I'm in has been rehearsing daily; we have a concert in two weeks.
Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction to create a compound sentence. Coordinating conjunctions include and, but, or, and so.
The band I'm in has been rehearsing daily, and we have a concert in two weeks.
Use a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun to create a complex sentence. Subordinating conjunctions include after, although, as, because, before, if, since, unless, until, when, and while. Relative pronouns include that, which, who, whom, and whose.
The band I'm in has been rehearsing daily since we have a concert in two weeks. | This is a run-on sentence. It is a comma splice formed from two sentences run together, joined by just a comma.
At Okunoin, Japan's largest cemetery, visitors will find some unusual memorials, there's even a monument to puffer fish that have died at the hands of chefs.
Here is one way to fix the run-on sentence:
At Okunoin, Japan's largest cemetery, visitors will find some unusual memorials; there's even a monument to puffer fish that have died at the hands of chefs. |
|
What information supports the conclusion that Diane inherited this trait? | [
"Some people use a hair dryer to straighten their hair. But Diane and her brothers have naturally straight hair.",
"Both of Diane's biological parents have naturally black hair.",
"When she was younger, Diane wore ribbons in her naturally black hair."
] | 1 | Read the description of a trait.
Diane has naturally black hair. | closed choice | grade8 | natural science | biology | Genes to traits | Inherited and acquired traits: use evidence to support a statement | Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways.
Inherited traits are passed down from biological parents to their offspring through genes. Genes are pieces of hereditary material that contain the instructions that affect inherited traits. Offspring receive their genes, and therefore gain their inherited traits, from their biological parents. Inherited traits do not need to be learned.
Acquired traits are gained during a person's life. Some acquired traits, such as riding a bicycle, are gained by learning. Other acquired traits, such as scars, are caused by the environment. Parents do not pass acquired traits down to their offspring. | |
Which is a compound sentence? | [
"The package includes some old letters from my grandma to my dad and a broken pocket watch.",
"Before the performance, Vicky tied a satin sash around her waist, and Nicole braided her hair."
] | 1 | closed choice | grade6 | language science | grammar | Sentences, fragments, and run-ons | Is the sentence simple, compound, or complex? | A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a predicate.
An independent clause is a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent clause is not a complete thought. It cannot stand alone as a sentence.
the oranges on our tree are ripe
The clause can stand alone. It is independent.
after we pick up Kevin from work
The clause cannot stand alone. It is dependent.
A simple sentence is made up of a single independent clause.
Ben and I spent all day relaxing by the pool.
Some simple sentences have introductory phrases, but the introductory phrase is part of the predicate.
In the winter, Ben usually wears his heavy coat.
Ben usually wears his heavy coat in the winter.
A compound sentence is made up of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction such as and, but, or, or so.
We saw a flash of lightning, and seconds later we heard the rumble of thunder.
A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and a dependent clause. The dependent clause usually begins with a subordinating conjunction such as after, although, as, because, before, if, since, unless, until, when, or while.
If she ever gets the chance, Terri would love to visit the Egyptian pyramids. | The second sentence is the compound sentence. It is made up of two independent clauses joined by the coordinating conjunction and.
Before the performance, Vicky tied a satin sash around her waist, and Nicole braided her hair. |
|
What information supports the conclusion that Ed acquired this trait? | [
"Ed learned how to knit in an after school program.",
"Ed knits sweaters using cotton, wool, and other types of yarn."
] | 0 | Read the description of a trait.
Ed knows how to knit sweaters. | closed choice | grade6 | natural science | biology | Genes to traits | Inherited and acquired traits: use evidence to support a statement | Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways.
Inherited traits are passed down from biological parents to their offspring through genes. Genes are pieces of hereditary material that contain the instructions that affect inherited traits. Offspring receive their genes, and therefore gain their inherited traits, from their biological parents. Inherited traits do not need to be learned.
Acquired traits are gained during a person's life. Some acquired traits, such as riding a bicycle, are gained by learning. Other acquired traits, such as scars, are caused by the environment. Parents do not pass acquired traits down to their offspring. | |
What kind of sentence is this?
In the game today, Norma hit a home run with bases loaded! | [
"declarative",
"interrogative",
"exclamatory"
] | 2 | closed choice | grade9 | language science | punctuation | Sentences, fragments, and run-ons | Is the sentence declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory? | There are four kinds of sentences.
A declarative sentence is a statement and always ends with a period.
The nurse told Mr. Abrams to roll up his sleeve so that she could check his blood pressure.
An imperative sentence makes a request or a demand and usually ends with a period. If a demand shows strong feeling, it can end with an exclamation point.
For this assignment, use references to support your claims.
Don't drive so quickly in the construction zone!
An interrogative sentence asks a question and always ends with a question mark.
Given the recent critiques of her new strategic plan, do you think the CEO will reconsider the company's direction?
An exclamatory sentence is a statement that shows surprise or strong feeling. An exclamation always ends with an exclamation point.
I can't wait to travel through Europe this summer! | The sentence is a statement that shows strong feeling and ends with an exclamation point. It is an exclamatory sentence. |
|
Which correctly shows the title of an article? | [
"Sunrise on the Shutdown",
"\"Sunrise on the Shutdown\""
] | 1 | closed choice | grade3 | language science | punctuation | Formatting | Formatting titles | The title of a book, movie, play, TV show, magazine, or newspaper should be in italics. If you write it by hand, it can be underlined instead.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
The title of a poem, song, or article should be in quotation marks.
"You Are My Sunshine" | An article should be in quotation marks.
The correct title is "Sunrise on the Shutdown." |
|
Which closing is correct for a letter? | [
"Many Thanks,\nLiz",
"Many thanks,\nLiz"
] | 1 | closed choice | grade4 | language science | punctuation | Formatting | Greetings and closings of letters | A letter starts with a greeting and ends with a closing. For each one, capitalize the first word and end with a comma. You should also capitalize proper nouns, such as Aunt Sue.
Dear Aunt Sue,
I'm glad you could come to my party, and
thank you for the birthday gift. I could not have
asked for a better one! Every time I see it, I think
of you.
With love,
Rory | The second closing is correct:
Its first word is capitalized, and it ends with a comma. |
|
How long is a tennis racket? | [
"60 kilometers",
"60 centimeters"
] | 1 | Select the better estimate. | closed choice | grade3 | natural science | units-and-measurement | Units and measurement | Choose metric units of distance | Measurements are written with both a number and a unit. The unit comes after the number. The unit shows what the number means.
Imagine being told that a pencil is 16 long. You might be thinking, 16 what? Is the pencil 16 centimeters long? 16 meters? 16 kilometers?
The number 16 on its own does not give you much information about the length of the pencil. That is because the units are missing.
Now look at the drawing of the pencil and the ruler. The ruler shows that the units are centimeters. So, the length of the pencil is 16 centimeters.
There are 100 centimeters in 1 meter. So, 1 centimeter is much shorter than 1 meter.
There are 1,000 meters in 1 kilometer. So, 1 meter is much shorter than 1 kilometer. | The better estimate for the length of a tennis racket is 60 centimeters.
60 kilometers is too long. |
What does the verbal irony in this text suggest?
After a jog around the block, Jasmine collapsed on the couch and declared with a wheeze, "Well, I'm ready to run a marathon." | [
"Jasmine was out of shape.",
"Jasmine plans to run more."
] | 0 | closed choice | grade6 | language science | figurative-language | Literary devices | Interpret figures of speech | Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive.
Verbal irony involves saying one thing but implying something very different. People often use verbal irony when they are being sarcastic.
Olivia seems thrilled that her car keeps breaking down.
Each breakdown is as enjoyable as a punch to the face. | The text uses verbal irony, which involves saying one thing but implying something very different.
Ready to run a marathon ironically suggests that Jasmine was out of shape. She was actually far from ready to run a marathon. |
|
Which logical fallacy is used in the text?
This fast food chain claims that they've served five billion people, so they must have the best hamburger in town. Five billion people can't be wrong! | [
"bandwagon fallacy: the assumption that the popular choice is automatically correct",
"circular reasoning: an argument that supports a claim with the claim itself"
] | 0 | closed choice | grade8 | language science | writing-strategies | Developing and supporting arguments | Classify logical fallacies | A strong argument uses valid reasoning and logic in support of a claim. When an argument or claim introduces irrelevant information or misrepresents the issues at hand, it may be committing a logical fallacy. Logical fallacies can hurt a writer's credibility and can lead readers to draw false conclusions.
A logical fallacy may present irrelevant information:
Fallacy | Description
ad hominem | a personal attack meant to discredit one's opponent
appeal to nature | an argument that assumes the natural choice is always the best choice
bandwagon fallacy | an argument that assumes the popular choice is always the best choice
circular reasoning | an argument that supports a claim with the claim itself
guilt by association | an unfair negative association with another person or group that is intended to discredit someone or something
red herring | the use of a completely unrelated topic in support of a claim
A logical fallacy may misrepresent the issues at hand:
Fallacy | Description
false causation | the assumption that because two things happened together, one caused the other
false dichotomy | an argument that presents only two choices when more options exist
hasty generalization | a very broad claim based on very little evidence
straw man | a misrepresentation of an opponent's position that makes it easier to argue against
| The text argues that the fast food chain has the best hamburger, because they've served five billion people. However, even though they've served five billion people, that doesn't necessarily mean that they have the best hamburger. This illustrates a type of logical fallacy known as the bandwagon fallacy. |
|
Which figure of speech is used in this text?
The city of Bloomington is currently experiencing a minor crisis. Its sanitation workers are on strike, and the garbage is piling up in the streets. | [
"paradox",
"oxymoron"
] | 1 | closed choice | grade12 | language science | figurative-language | Literary devices | Classify the figure of speech: euphemism, hyperbole, oxymoron, paradox | Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive.
A euphemism is a polite or indirect expression that is used to de-emphasize an unpleasant topic.
The head of Human Resources would never refer to firing people, only to laying them off.
Hyperbole is an obvious exaggeration that is not meant to be taken literally.
I ate so much that I think I might explode!
An oxymoron is a joining of two seemingly contradictory terms.
Some reviewers are calling this book a new classic.
A paradox is a statement that might at first appear to be contradictory, but that may in fact contain some truth.
Always expect the unexpected. | The text uses an oxymoron, a joining of two seemingly contradictory terms.
Minor crisis is a contradiction, because minor means small or insignificant, and a crisis is a large problem. |
|
Is the following statement true or false?
An animal cell has a cell membrane. | [
"true",
"false"
] | 0 | true-or false | grade4 | natural science | biology | Cells | Cell part functions: true or false | An animal cell has a cell membrane.
This statement is true. Every cell has a cell membrane. The cell membrane controls which substances enter and leave the cell. |
||
Using only these supplies, which question can Kevin investigate with an experiment? | [
"Which type of tree do the squirrels feed from most often?",
"Do the squirrels eat walnuts from large feeders more often than from small feeders?",
"Do the squirrels select sunflower seeds or walnuts more often?"
] | 2 | Kevin enjoys feeding the squirrels in his backyard. He notices that they spend a lot of time collecting seeds and nuts. He wonders about what factors affect which foods squirrels choose to collect. So, he decides to design an experiment. He has the following supplies available:
two identical squirrel feeders
a bag of sunflower seeds
a bag of walnuts
a tree to hang the feeders from | closed choice | grade7 | natural science | science-and-engineering-practices | Designing experiments | Identify questions that can be investigated with a set of materials | Experiments can be designed to answer specific questions. When designing an experiment, you must identify the supplies that are necessary to answer your question. In order to do this, you need to figure out what will be tested and what will be measured during the experiment.
Imagine that you are wondering if plants grow to different heights when planted in different types of soil. How might you decide what supplies are necessary to conduct this experiment?
First, you need to identify the part of the experiment that will be tested, which is the independent variable. This is usually the part of the experiment that is different or changed. In this case, you would like to know how plants grow in different types of soil. So, you must have different types of soil available.
Next, you need to identify the part of the experiment that will be measured or observed, which is the dependent variable. In this experiment, you would like to know if some plants grow taller than others. So, you must be able to compare the plants' heights. To do this, you can observe which plants are taller by looking at them, or you can measure their exact heights with a meterstick.
So, if you have different types of soil and can observe or measure the heights of your plants, then you have the supplies you need to investigate your question with an experiment! | |
Which tense does the sentence use?
The anthropologists will go into the canyon. | [
"past tense",
"present tense",
"future tense"
] | 2 | closed choice | grade5 | language science | verbs | Verb tense | Is the sentence in the past, present, or future tense? | Present tense verbs tell you about something that is happening now.
Most present-tense verbs are regular. They have no ending, or they end in -s or -es.
Two verbs are irregular in the present tense, to be and to have. You must remember their forms.
Past tense verbs tell you about something that has already happened.
Most past-tense verbs are regular. They end in -ed.
Some verbs are irregular in the past tense. You must remember their past-tense forms.
Future tense verbs tell you about something that is going to happen.
All future-tense verbs use the word will.
Present | Past | Future
walk, walks | walked | will walk
go, goes | went | will go | The sentence is in future tense. You can tell because it uses will before the main verb, go. The verb tells you about something that is going to happen. |
|
What do these two changes have in common?
a piece of pear turning brown
baking cookies | [
"Both are chemical changes.",
"Both are caused by cooling.",
"Both are only physical changes.",
"Both are caused by heating."
] | 0 | closed choice | grade4 | natural science | chemistry | Physical and chemical change | Compare physical and chemical changes | Chemical changes and physical changes are two common ways matter can change.
In a chemical change, the type of matter changes. The types of matter before and after a chemical change are always different.
Some chemical changes are caused by heating or cooling. For example, burning a piece of paper is a chemical change caused by heating. When paper gets hot enough, it reacts with oxygen in the air and burns. The paper and oxygen change into ash and smoke.
In a physical change, the type of matter stays the same. The types of matter before and after a physical change are always the same.
A change of state is a type of physical change. Changes of state can be caused by heating or cooling. For example, ice melting is a physical change that can be caused by heating. Ice and liquid water are made of the same type of matter: water.
The law of conservation of mass says that all physical and chemical changes conserve mass. Conserve means to keep the same. So, the total mass before a physical or chemical change is equal to the total mass after the change. | Step 1: Think about each change.
A piece of a pear turning brown is a chemical change. The substances in the pear react with oxygen in the air and turn into a different type of matter.
If you scrape off the brown part of the pear, the inside will still be white. The inside hasn't touched the air. So the chemical change hasn't happened to that part of the pear.
Baking cookies is a chemical change. The type of matter in the cookie dough changes when it is baked. The cookie dough turns into cookies!
Step 2: Look at each answer choice.
Both are only physical changes.
Both changes are chemical changes. They are not physical changes.
Both are chemical changes.
Both changes are chemical changes. The type of matter before and after each change is different.
Both are caused by heating.
Baking is caused by heating. But a piece of pear turning brown is not.
Both are caused by cooling.
Neither change is caused by cooling. |
|
Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her narrative voice?
During our last game, our pitcher Felipe suddenly grabbed his wrist after throwing a fastball. Coach Hoffman asked him if he was OK, and Felipe said that it hurt. None of us knew what was wrong with him and he was whisked off to the doctor, who ultimately diagnosed a forearm strain and wrist tendinitis. After three weeks of rehabilitation, Felipe finally returned. Coach Hoffman said he was glad Felipe was back, and Felipe said he was happy and relieved. | [
"by using active voice",
"by removing biased language",
"by adding dialogue"
] | 2 | closed choice | grade11 | language science | writing-strategies | Editing and revising | Suggest appropriate revisions | During peer review, you read and respond to a fellow student's writing. While there are many methods and strategies that you can use for reviewing a text, it is generally helpful to frame your suggestions in concrete and constructive ways and to consider the following areas for revision:
Ideas and development: Does the writer express a clear idea and develop it with evidence, examples, or analysis?
Organization: Does the writer order ideas in a clear, logical way so that they build on one another and are easy to follow?
Voice: Does the writer maintain an appropriate voice, such as a formal and objective voice in an academic essay or an engaging and expressive voice in a narrative essay?
Sentence fluency: Does the writer use sentences that vary in structure and length to create a sense of rhythm and flow within and between sentences, or does the writing sound choppy, rambling, or repetitive?
Word choice: Does the writer use words accurately and precisely to create clear, effective, and engaging writing?
Grammar and mechanics: Does the writer follow appropriate conventions, using accurate spelling, punctuation, and grammar to create writing that is correct and easy to read? | The writer could best improve his or her narrative voice by adding dialogue.
For example, the writer could replace the underlined sentences with exchanges between Coach Hoffman and Felipe.
During our last game, our pitcher Felipe suddenly grabbed his wrist after throwing a fastball. Coach Hoffman asked him if he was OK, and Felipe said that it hurt. None of us knew what was wrong with him and he was whisked off to the doctor, who ultimately diagnosed a forearm strain and wrist tendinitis. After three weeks of rehabilitation, Felipe finally returned. Coach Hoffman said he was glad Felipe was back, and Felipe said he was happy and relieved. |
|
Select the one animal that has all of the amphibian traits listed above. | [
"Barn owls live on every continent except Antarctica. They have feathers, two wings, and a beak. They hatch from eggs with shells.",
"California newts have moist, smooth skin that is brown and orange. Their eggs have no shells, but they are protected by a poisonous gel. Young California newts live in shallow pools or streams. Adult newts live mostly on land."
] | 1 | Amphibians are a group of animals with similar traits. The following traits can be used to identify amphibians:
They spend part of their lives in water and part on land.
They have moist skin.
They make eggs with no shells. Observe the animals and read the descriptions. | closed choice | grade5 | natural science | biology | Classification | Use evidence to classify mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians | Scientists sort animals with similar traits into groups. This is called classification. Classification helps scientists learn about how animals live.
How do scientists classify animals? First, they make observations about an animal. Scientists observe the animal's traits, including its body parts and behavior. Then, scientists compare the animal's traits to other animals' traits. Scientists classify animals with similar traits into a group. | To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group.
Amphibians have the following traits:
They spend part of their lives in water and part on land.
They have moist skin.
They make eggs with no shells.
Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits.
A barn owl has the following traits:
It has feathers.
It has wings.
It has a beak.
It makes eggs with shells.
A barn owl does not have all of the traits of an amphibian. A barn owl is a bird.
A California newt has the following traits:
It spends part of its life in water and part on land.
It has moist skin.
It makes eggs with no shells.
A California newt has the traits of an amphibian. A California newt is an amphibian. |
Complete the statement. Assume that Robert's mass did not change.
The gravitational potential energy stored between Robert and Earth () as he rode the escalator. | [
"increased",
"decreased",
"stayed the same"
] | 0 | Read the text about a person in motion.
Robert rode an escalator from the first floor to the second floor of a shopping mall. | closed choice | grade6 | natural science | physics | Kinetic and potential energy | Identify changes in gravitational potential energy | Gravitational potential energy is stored between any two objects. So, for every object on or near Earth, there is gravitational potential energy stored between the object and Earth.
The amount of gravitational potential energy stored between an object and Earth depends on the mass of the object. The amount of gravitational potential energy also depends on the distance between the object and the center of Earth. This distance increases when the object moves higher and decreases when the object moves lower.
If the distance between an object and the center of Earth changes, the gravitational potential energy stored between the object and Earth will change. The table below shows how this change can happen.
When an object's mass stays the same and its distance from the center of Earth... | Gravitational potential energy stored between the object and Earth...
increases | increases
decreases | decreases
stays the same | stays the same | Think about how the distance between Robert and the center of Earth changed.
The second floor is higher than the first floor. As he rode the escalator toward the second floor, the distance between Robert and the center of Earth increased. So, the gravitational potential energy stored between Robert and Earth increased as he rode the escalator. |
Which tense does the sentence use?
The farmer will grow corn in that field. | [
"present tense",
"past tense",
"future tense"
] | 2 | closed choice | grade2 | language science | verbs | Verb tense | Is the sentence in the past, present, or future tense? | Present tense verbs tell you about something that is happening now.
Most present-tense verbs are regular. They have no ending, or they end in -s or -es.
Two verbs are irregular in the present tense, to be and to have. You must remember their forms.
Past tense verbs tell you about something that has already happened.
Most past-tense verbs are regular. They end in -ed.
Some verbs are irregular in the past tense. You must remember their past-tense forms.
Future tense verbs tell you about something that is going to happen.
All future-tense verbs use the word will.
Present | Past | Future
walk, walks | walked | will walk
go, goes | went | will go | The sentence is in future tense. You can tell because it uses will before the main verb, grow. The verb tells you about something that is going to happen. |
|
Which is a compound sentence? | [
"The highway is full of cracks, so the workers are repairing it.",
"The engine in the car makes a strange noise."
] | 0 | closed choice | grade3 | language science | grammar | Sentences, fragments, and run-ons | Is the sentence simple or compound? | A simple sentence is a sentence with only one subject and predicate.
The pitcher threw the ball to first base.
A compound sentence is two simple sentences joined by a comma and a conjunction such as and, but, or, or so.
The pitcher threw the ball, and the batter hit it.
Some simple sentences have a compound subject or a compound predicate, but they are not compound sentences.
Anna and James will watch the fireworks tonight.
This simple sentence has a compound subject, Anna and James.
The singers bowed and walked off the stage.
This simple sentence has a compound predicate, bowed and walked off the stage.
Some simple sentences have introductory phrases, but they are not compound sentences. The introductory phrase is part of the predicate.
In the winter, Farmer Ben wears his heavy coat.
This is a simple sentence. There is one subject, Farmer Ben, and one predicate, wears his heavy coat in the winter. | The first sentence is the compound sentence. It is made up of two simple sentences joined by a comma and the conjunction so.
The highway is full of cracks, so the workers are repairing it. |
|
Select the one true statement. | [
"An animal cell has chloroplasts but not a cell wall.",
"Chloroplasts use the energy from sunlight to make sugar for plant cells.",
"Lysosomes are the sites where ribosomes build proteins in animal cells."
] | 1 | closed choice | grade7 | natural science | biology | Cells | Compare cells and cell parts | |||
Using only these supplies, which question can Jaden investigate with an experiment? | [
"Does a pie crust made with white flour burn more quickly when the pie is cooked in a glass pan or in an aluminum pan?",
"Do pie crusts made with white flour burn less quickly when covered with aluminum foil or when left uncovered?",
"Does a pie crust made with white flour burn more quickly than a pie crust made with whole wheat flour?"
] | 0 | Jaden is baking a pie. He notices that the crust burns before the pie is fully cooked. He wonders what factors affect whether a pie crust will burn in the oven. So, he decides to design an experiment. He has the following supplies available:
ingredients for pumpkin pie filling
ingredients for apple pie filling
two pie crusts made with white flour
a glass pie pan
an aluminum pie pan
an oven | closed choice | grade8 | natural science | science-and-engineering-practices | Designing experiments | Identify questions that can be investigated with a set of materials | Experiments can be designed to answer specific questions. When designing an experiment, you must identify the supplies that are necessary to answer your question. In order to do this, you need to figure out what will be tested and what will be measured during the experiment.
Imagine that you are wondering if plants grow to different heights when planted in different types of soil. How might you decide what supplies are necessary to conduct this experiment?
First, you need to identify the part of the experiment that will be tested, which is the independent variable. This is usually the part of the experiment that is different or changed. In this case, you would like to know how plants grow in different types of soil. So, you must have different types of soil available.
Next, you need to identify the part of the experiment that will be measured or observed, which is the dependent variable. In this experiment, you would like to know if some plants grow taller than others. So, you must be able to compare the plants' heights. To do this, you can observe which plants are taller by looking at them, or you can measure their exact heights with a meterstick.
So, if you have different types of soil and can observe or measure the heights of your plants, then you have the supplies you need to investigate your question with an experiment! | |
Select the animal. | [
"Tulips have a green stem.",
"Flamingos walk and fly."
] | 1 | closed choice | grade2 | natural science | biology | Classification | Identify plants and animals | Plants and animals are living things. Living things are called organisms.
Plants come in many shapes and sizes. Most plants grow in the ground. They might grow leaves, flowers, and fruit. Plants cannot move around on their own like animals can.
Animals also come in many shapes and sizes. Most animals can move around. Animals might run, swim, jump, or fly. Animals eat plants or other organisms for food. | A tulip is a plant. It has a green stem.
Tulips grow best in cool, dry places.
A flamingo is an animal. It walks and flies.
Flamingos live in large groups. These groups are called flocks. |
|
How long is a seesaw? | [
"4 yards",
"4 feet",
"4 miles",
"4 inches"
] | 0 | Select the best estimate. | closed choice | grade7 | natural science | units-and-measurement | Units and measurement | Choose customary units of distance, mass, and volume | Measurements are written with both a number and a unit. The unit comes after the number. The unit shows what the number means.
When you are using customary units, length may be written with units of inches, feet, yards, or miles.
There are 12 inches in 1 foot, and 3 feet in 1 yard. There are 5,280 feet in 1 mile.
A football is about 1 foot long. A football field is 100 yards long. | The best estimate for the length of a seesaw is 4 yards.
4 inches and 4 feet are too short. 4 miles is too long. |
Complete the sentence.
Animals produce waste, which (). | [
"their bodies cannot use",
"all stays in the animal's body forever",
"is used to help the animal grow"
] | 0 | closed choice | grade4 | natural science | biology | Animals | Body systems: removing waste | Waste is material within an animal's body that it cannot use. If waste builds up in an animal's body, it will make the animal sick. So, the waste must be removed.
Excretion and elimination are two ways waste can be removed from an animal's body.
Waste that is made by an animal's cells is removed by the excretory system. The waste in a cell comes from the breakdown of nutrients. Cells break down nutrients and make many different chemicals. The animal uses most of these chemicals to stay healthy. But cells also make some chemicals that the animal does not need. The release of unneeded chemicals as waste is called excretion.
Waste that is left over from food is removed by the digestive system. The digestive system breaks down food and takes in small nutrient particles. Some parts of the food are left over after the nutrients are absorbed. These parts are waste. The anus releases this waste from the body. The release of waste left over from food is called elimination. | Animals produce material that their bodies cannot use. This material is waste. |
|
Which of the following contains a vague pronoun reference? | [
"Nick waved goodbye to Tyler as his train pulled out of the station.",
"As Tyler's train pulled out of the station, Nick waved goodbye to him."
] | 0 | closed choice | grade11 | language science | writing-strategies | Pronouns | Identify vague pronoun references | When writing, make sure to avoid vague pronoun references. A vague pronoun reference occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent.
When Lisa and Kim finally landed, she breathed a sigh of relief.
The pronoun she could refer to either Lisa or Kim, so the meaning of the sentence is unclear.
Vague pronoun references can be corrected in one of two ways:
1. Replace the pronoun with its correct antecedent:
When Lisa and Kim finally landed, Lisa breathed a sigh of relief.
2. Rewrite the sentence:
Lisa breathed a sigh of relief when she and Kim finally landed.
A vague pronoun reference also occurs when they, them, their, theirs, it, or its is used without its antecedent.
They say that this nail polish dries in less than five minutes.
The pronoun they is used without its antecedent, so the meaning of the sentence is unclear.
This problem can be fixed by replacing the pronoun with its missing antecedent.
The advertisements say that this nail polish dries in less than five minutes. | The second answer choice contains a vague pronoun reference. The pronoun his could refer to Nick or Tyler.
Nick waved goodbye to Tyler as his train pulled out of the station.
The first answer choice shows a possible correction for the vague pronoun reference. The text has been rewritten so that the meaning is clear.
As Tyler's train pulled out of the station, Nick waved goodbye to him. |
|
Which logical fallacy is used in the text?
Don't ever get a ride from Amanda. Her brother has been driving for only six months, and he's already gotten three speeding tickets. | [
"hasty generalization: a very broad claim based on very little evidence",
"guilt by association: a negative association intended to discredit someone or something"
] | 1 | closed choice | grade8 | language science | writing-strategies | Developing and supporting arguments | Classify logical fallacies | A strong argument uses valid reasoning and logic in support of a claim. When an argument or claim introduces irrelevant information or misrepresents the issues at hand, it may be committing a logical fallacy. Logical fallacies can hurt a writer's credibility and can lead readers to draw false conclusions.
A logical fallacy may present irrelevant information:
Fallacy | Description
ad hominem | a personal attack meant to discredit one's opponent
appeal to nature | an argument that assumes the natural choice is always the best choice
bandwagon fallacy | an argument that assumes the popular choice is always the best choice
circular reasoning | an argument that supports a claim with the claim itself
guilt by association | an unfair negative association with another person or group that is intended to discredit someone or something
red herring | the use of a completely unrelated topic in support of a claim
A logical fallacy may misrepresent the issues at hand:
Fallacy | Description
false causation | the assumption that because two things happened together, one caused the other
false dichotomy | an argument that presents only two choices when more options exist
hasty generalization | a very broad claim based on very little evidence
straw man | a misrepresentation of an opponent's position that makes it easier to argue against
| The text argues that Amanda must be a reckless driver, because her brother is a reckless driver. However, even though Amanda's brother is reckless, that doesn't necessarily mean that Amanda is, too. This illustrates a type of logical fallacy known as guilt by association. |
|
Which is a complex sentence? | [
"Freedom of speech and trial by jury are two important rights in the United States Constitution.",
"When the submarine surfaced, a crowd of people on the shore gathered and stared at the rare sight."
] | 1 | closed choice | grade5 | language science | grammar | Sentences, fragments, and run-ons | Is the sentence simple, compound, or complex? | A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a predicate.
An independent clause is a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent clause is not a complete thought. It cannot stand alone as a sentence.
the oranges on our tree are ripe
The clause can stand alone. It is independent.
after we pick up Kevin from work
The clause cannot stand alone. It is dependent.
A simple sentence is made up of a single independent clause.
Ben and I spent all day relaxing by the pool.
Some simple sentences have introductory phrases, but the introductory phrase is part of the predicate.
In the winter, Ben usually wears his heavy coat.
Ben usually wears his heavy coat in the winter.
A compound sentence is made up of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction such as and, but, or, or so.
We saw a flash of lightning, and seconds later we heard the rumble of thunder.
A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and a dependent clause. The dependent clause usually begins with a subordinating conjunction such as after, although, as, because, before, if, since, unless, until, when, or while.
If she ever gets the chance, Terri would love to visit the Egyptian pyramids. | The first sentence is the complex sentence. It is made up of an independent clause and a dependent clause. The dependent clause begins with the subordinating conjunction when.
When the submarine surfaced, a crowd of people on the shore gathered and stared at the rare sight. |
|
Complete the sentence.
In this chemical reaction, propane is a (). | [
"reactant",
"product"
] | 0 | This passage describes a chemical reaction. Read the passage. Then, follow the instructions below.
Have you ever eaten food that was cooked on a grill? Some grills are powered by propane gas. The propane combines with oxygen in the air to make carbon dioxide gas and water vapor. This process releases energy in the form of heat, creating a flame that cooks the food. | closed choice | grade7 | natural science | chemistry | Chemical reactions | Identify reactants and products | A chemical change occurs when new substances are formed from existing substances. This process is called a chemical reaction.
In a chemical reaction, one or more substances change into one or more different substances. During the reaction, the atoms of the original substances are rearranged to form other substances.
The original substances in a chemical reaction are called reactants. These substances react, or go through a chemical change.
The substances that are formed in a chemical reaction are called products. These substances are produced by the chemical reaction.
So, in a chemical reaction, reactants go through a chemical change to form products. | Read the underlined text carefully. Look for information about what happens to propane in this chemical reaction.
Have you ever eaten food that was cooked on a grill? Some grills are powered by propane gas. The propane combines with oxygen in the air to make carbon dioxide gas and water vapor. This process releases energy in the form of heat, creating a flame that cooks the food.
The underlined text tells you that when propane and oxygen combine, carbon dioxide and water are formed. When propane and oxygen react, or go through a chemical change, their atoms are rearranged to form carbon dioxide and water. Because propane reacts in this chemical reaction, propane is a reactant. |
Which logical fallacy is used in the text?
Eva claims that the Greenwood Ferrets' new quarterback is better than their old one. I think Eva is being unfair: the Ferrets' old quarterback wasn't a terrible player. | [
"guilt by association: a negative association intended to discredit someone or something",
"straw man: a misrepresentation of an opponent's position that makes it easier to argue against",
"circular reasoning: an argument that supports a claim with the claim itself"
] | 1 | closed choice | grade9 | language science | writing-strategies | Developing and supporting arguments | Classify logical fallacies | A strong argument uses valid reasoning and logic in support of a claim. When an argument or claim introduces irrelevant information or misrepresents the issues at hand, it may be committing a logical fallacy. Logical fallacies can hurt a writer's credibility and can lead readers to draw false conclusions.
A logical fallacy may present irrelevant information:
Fallacy | Description
ad hominem | an attack against the person making the argument, rather than the argument itself
appeal to nature | an argument that assumes the natural choice is always the best choice
bandwagon fallacy | an argument that assumes the popular choice is always the best choice
circular reasoning | an argument that supports a claim with the claim itself
guilt by association | an unfair negative association with another person or group that is intended to discredit someone or something
A logical fallacy may misrepresent the issues at hand:
Fallacy | Description
false causation | the assumption that because two things happened together, one caused the other
false dichotomy | an argument that presents only two choices when more options exist
hasty generalization | a broad claim based on too few observations
slippery slope fallacy | the false assumption that a small first step will necessarily lead to extreme consequences
straw man | a misrepresentation of an opponent's position that makes it easier to argue against
| The text argues that Eva thinks the Ferrets' old quarterback was a terrible player. But this misrepresents Eva's argument. Eva only claims that the Ferrets' new quarterback is better. This argument doesn't necessarily imply that the old quarterback was a bad player. This illustrates a type of logical fallacy known as a straw man. |
|
Is the following trait inherited or acquired?
Cindy has five toes on each foot. | [
"inherited",
"acquired"
] | 0 | Hint: Cindy was born with five toes on each foot. | closed choice | grade4 | natural science | biology | Traits and heredity | Identify inherited and acquired traits | Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways.
Inherited traits are passed down through families. Children gain these traits from their parents. Inherited traits do not need to be learned.
Acquired traits are gained during a person's life. Some acquired traits, such as riding a bicycle, are gained by learning. Other acquired traits, such as scars, are caused by the environment. Children do not inherit their parents' acquired traits. | Most humans are born with five toes on each foot. So, having five toes is an inherited trait. |
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