"Science Friction" Test

Skills in Context

Read the passage “What the Hedgehog Taught the Cagey Fox” before answering Numbers 1 through 10.

What the Hedgehog Taught the Cagey Fox

There was once a very cagey fox. He often boasted that he had more wits than any creature around. The cagey fox had a never-ending appetite for chicken, but the only poultry1 farm around was protected by a complex system of fences, locks, and traps. The cagey fox was not discouraged by the owner's attempts to keep him out. One evening, he made a close examination of the perimeter of the farm and found a rocky area where the fence was not fastened to the ground. In an instant, he slipped under the fence. Once inside, he ate his fill of chickens and slipped back out unnoticed. As he trotted home, well fed and content, he congratulated himself on his exceptional cleverness.

The next evening, the Fox planned to feast in similar style. On his way to the poultry farm, he met Hedgehog and invited him to come along. Fox believed himself to be far superior to Hedgehog in wits and charm, but his cunning feats were much more satisfying when he had an audience.
Hedgehog shook his head. “The poultry farm is fenced and secured with many types of locks. It is impossible to get to the chickens,” he insisted.

“Perhaps for most creatures,” said Fox, “but not for me. Last night I entered at will and ate as much as I pleased.”
Hedgehog was wiser than Fox realized and said, “Surely, the owner of the farm has noticed the missing chickens by now. Don't you think he will have taken steps to prevent you from repeating your crime?”

“Try as he might, I will outwit him every time,” boasted Fox. “Come along and see.”

Hedgehog was reluctant to go, but Fox convinced him that he would see cleverness in action. Fox led Hedgehog to the location where he had sneaked in before. Suddenly, Fox and Hedgehog tumbled into a deep, dark pit with steep sides. The owner had, indeed, laid a new trap especially for Fox!

“What elegant surroundings,” said Hedgehog, wryly. “I would never have had the opportunity to see this lovely place without your kind invitation.”

Fox scowled. “Stop mocking me and think of a way for us to get out. Some say you are wise, and here's your chance to show it.”

“Me? Wise? Oh, no, I am quite simple and uninspired. In fact, now that I truly comprehend that we are trapped, I feel I may be sick or perhaps faint.”

“I should have known better than to bring you. The last thing I need is a sick hedgehog. What I need is a friend with some good sense. Be gone, foolish little fellow, and let me think!” With that, Fox tossed Hedgehog skyward.
Hedgehog landed safely outside the pit, brushed himself off, and peered back down at Fox. “Hmmm, you do not look so wise from here. One of us has gotten himself out of the pit, but it is not the fellow who prides himself on cleverness.”

Fox realized how foolish he looked and sank into despair. “Hedgehog, I admit that you are the wiser one. Have pity on me and help me out of this pit, I beseech you!”

Seeing that Fox had learned his lesson, Hedgehog came up with a plan to free Fox from the pit. “When you hear the owner coming, pretend to be dead. The owner will not want a fox there because it would scare his chickens, so he is sure to pull you out and toss you away.”

What happened next was exactly as Hedgehog had described. As soon as Fox was thrown out of the pit, he ran for his life.

From that day on, Fox no longer boasted about himself. He always consulted Hedgehog on matters that called for good sense. By a lucky coincidence, Fox suddenly lost his taste for chicken. He declared that he much preferred the delicious offerings of the forest.

1poultry: a group of birds that include chickens, ducks, turkeys, and geese

1

Now answer Numbers 1 through 10 on your Answer Sheet. Base your answers on the passage “What the Hedgehog Taught the Cagey Fox.”

Read this sentence from the passage.
He often boasted that he had more wits than any creature around.
The word boasted is associated with people who ar

1

The cagey fox had a never-ending appetite for chicken, but the only poultry farm around was protected by a complex system of fences, locks, and traps.

What does the word complex mean as used in the sentence above?

1

One evening, he made a close examination of the perimeter of the farm and found a rocky area where the fence was not fastened to the ground. In an instant, he slipped under the fence.

Which of the following would the reader most likely conclude from the sentences above?

1

Why does Fox try to persuade Hedgehog to come to the poultry farm?

1

Hedgehog was reluctant to go, but Fox convinced him that he would see cleverness in action.

What does the word reluctant mean as used in the sentence above?

1

Hedgehog agrees to go to the farm because

1

Which detail from the passage supports the generalization that Hedgehog is smarter than Fox?

1

“What elegant surroundings,” said Hedgehog, wryly.

Which word in the sentence above best supports the conclusion that Hedgehog is being sarcastic?

1

“Me? Wise? Oh, no, I am quite simple and uninspired.”

The word simple has a literal meaning of “plain and uncomplicated.” However, another possible connotation of simple as used on the sentence above is

1

How does Fox change by the end of the passage?

1

What does the word decomposition mean in the sentence below?

The rain forest floor is where decomposition of plants and animals takes place.

1

What does the word detached mean in the sentence below?
The pilot's detached attitude helps him stay calm in emergencies.

1

What does the word specimens mean in the sentence below?
The butterfly specimens in the zoo's collection are clearly labeled for identification.

1

What does the word compromise mean in the sentence below?
Ben and Ian both want to fly the kite, but they compromise by taking turns.

1

What does the word shriveled mean in the sentence below?
Faded blooms and shriveled leaves were all that remained of the beautiful bouquet.

1

Amanda quickly becomes the one who organizes her group and the project because she

1

Amanda describes the way Ellen eats her sandwich as disgustingly neat. Based on the connotation of this phrase, Amanda is most likely

1

The group members spend the first four meetings arguing because

1

“What's that supposed to be?” I asked Benji when he lugged his project into my room.

Which word is closest in meaning to the word lugged as used in the sentence above?

1

Ellen stashed her bread under Amanda's clothing because she

1

“Thanks,” I said as we tackled the top layer.
What does the word tackled mean as used in the sentence above?

1

Ellen, Benji, and George stashed their food in Amanda's room because Amanda

1

Benji was interested in being able to touch the ceiling near Amanda's bookcase because he

Use the following chart to answer questions 24.

1

Which is the best conclusion to draw from the details in the chart?

1

What generalization can the reader make based on the passage?

1

Which phrase has a more negative connotation?

1

Which phrase has a more positive connotation?

1

Which phrase has a more positive connotation?

1

Which phrase has a more positive connotation?

1

Now answer Numbers 1 through 10 on your Answer Sheet. Base your answers on the passage “What the Hedgehog Taught the Cagey Fox.”Read this sentence from the passage.He often boasted that he had more wits than any creature around.The word boasted is associated with people who ar

The cagey fox had a never-ending appetite for chicken, but the only poultry farm around was protected by a complex system of fences, locks, and traps.What does the word complex mean as used in the sentence above?

One evening, he made a close examination of the perimeter of the farm and found a rocky area where the fence was not fastened to the ground. In an instant, he slipped under the fence.Which of the following would the reader most likely conclude from the sentences above?

Why does Fox try to persuade Hedgehog to come to the poultry farm?

Hedgehog was reluctant to go, but Fox convinced him that he would see cleverness in action.What does the word reluctant mean as used in the sentence above?

Hedgehog agrees to go to the farm because

Which detail from the passage supports the generalization that Hedgehog is smarter than Fox?

“What elegant surroundings,” said Hedgehog, wryly.Which word in the sentence above best supports the conclusion that Hedgehog is being sarcastic?

“Me? Wise? Oh, no, I am quite simple and uninspired.”The word simple has a literal meaning of “plain and uncomplicated.” However, another possible connotation of simple as used on the sentence above is

How does Fox change by the end of the passage?

What does the word decomposition mean in the sentence below?The rain forest floor is where decomposition of plants and animals takes place.

What does the word detached mean in the sentence below?The pilot's detached attitude helps him stay calm in emergencies.

What does the word specimens mean in the sentence below?The butterfly specimens in the zoo's collection are clearly labeled for identification.

What does the word compromise mean in the sentence below?Ben and Ian both want to fly the kite, but they compromise by taking turns.

What does the word shriveled mean in the sentence below?Faded blooms and shriveled leaves were all that remained of the beautiful bouquet.

Amanda quickly becomes the one who organizes her group and the project because she

Amanda describes the way Ellen eats her sandwich as disgustingly neat. Based on the connotation of this phrase, Amanda is most likely

The group members spend the first four meetings arguing because

“What's that supposed to be?” I asked Benji when he lugged his project into my room.Which word is closest in meaning to the word lugged as used in the sentence above?

Ellen stashed her bread under Amanda's clothing because she

“Thanks,” I said as we tackled the top layer.What does the word tackled mean as used in the sentence above?

Ellen, Benji, and George stashed their food in Amanda's room because Amanda

Benji was interested in being able to touch the ceiling near Amanda's bookcase because he

Which is the best conclusion to draw from the details in the chart?

What generalization can the reader make based on the passage?

Which phrase has a more negative connotation?

Which phrase has a more positive connotation?

Which phrase has a more positive connotation?

Which phrase has a more positive connotation?

Which phrase has a more positive connotation?

Now answer Numbers 1 through 10 on your Answer Sheet. Base your answers on the passage “What the Hedgehog Taught the Cagey Fox.”

Read this sentence from the passage.
He often boasted that he had more wits than any creature around.
The word boasted is associated with people who ar

The cagey fox had a never-ending appetite for chicken, but the only poultry farm around was protected by a complex system of fences, locks, and traps.

What does the word complex mean as used in the sentence above?

One evening, he made a close examination of the perimeter of the farm and found a rocky area where the fence was not fastened to the ground. In an instant, he slipped under the fence.

Which of the following would the reader most likely conclude from the sentences above?

Hedgehog was reluctant to go, but Fox convinced him that he would see cleverness in action.

What does the word reluctant mean as used in the sentence above?

“What elegant surroundings,” said Hedgehog, wryly.

Which word in the sentence above best supports the conclusion that Hedgehog is being sarcastic?

“Me? Wise? Oh, no, I am quite simple and uninspired.”

The word simple has a literal meaning of “plain and uncomplicated.” However, another possible connotation of simple as used on the sentence above is

What does the word decomposition mean in the sentence below?

The rain forest floor is where decomposition of plants and animals takes place.

What does the word detached mean in the sentence below?
The pilot's detached attitude helps him stay calm in emergencies.

What does the word specimens mean in the sentence below?
The butterfly specimens in the zoo's collection are clearly labeled for identification.

What does the word compromise mean in the sentence below?
Ben and Ian both want to fly the kite, but they compromise by taking turns.

What does the word shriveled mean in the sentence below?
Faded blooms and shriveled leaves were all that remained of the beautiful bouquet.

“What's that supposed to be?” I asked Benji when he lugged his project into my room.

Which word is closest in meaning to the word lugged as used in the sentence above?

“Thanks,” I said as we tackled the top layer.
What does the word tackled mean as used in the sentence above?