Mid-Year Benchmark

INFORMATIONAL TEXT
Article
Read the article, and answer the question(s).
Some people believe dogs have a sixth sense—they know things will happen before they occur. For instance, both wild and domestic animals, including pet dogs, showed anxiety before the 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean. Some of them ran off to find higher ground for safe hiding. Some wouldn’t go outside. Could they feel the ground shaking before humans could, or did they just “know” danger was coming?
Some argue that this ability to detect things that people cannot is a result of dogs’ extremely proficient senses, most of which are more developed than human senses. Scientists have studied some of these unexplained responses. In 1999, a biologist studied thousands of dogs and found that they seemed to know exactly when their owners were about to come home. He later wrote that the love bond between humans and their pets could not be scientifically explained. Most cases of this sixth sense are described as personal accounts, not scientific studies. These behaviors could be a result of dogs’ keen senses of hearing and smell. Since dogs don’t talk, we may never know precisely what allows them to “know” something before there is clear evidence.

1

Which conclusion is best supported by text evidence in this passage?

1

Which sentence from the article best supports the answer to Part A?

1

Which detail from the article is not relevant to the argument and claims of the author?

1

Identify two articles from those listed that are likely to contradict each other, offering conflicting information on the topic of a dog’s “sixth sense.”

1

Compare and contrast the characters of Rikki-tikki and Darzee. In which way are they similar or different?

LITERARY TEXT
“Rikki-tikki-tavi,” Rudyard Kipling
“Rikki-tikki-tavi” is a famous story by Rudyard Kipling that tells about a mongoose named Rikki-tikki, a snake named Nag, and other animal characters. A mongoose is an animal found in India that eats snakes. Read this passage from the story. Then, answer the question(s).
Then Rikki-tikki went out into the garden to see what was to be seen. It was a large garden, only half cultivated, with bushes as big as summer-houses of Marshal Niel roses, lime and orange trees, clumps of bamboos, and thickets of high grass. Rikki-tikki licked his lips. “This is a splendid hunting ground,” he said, and his tail grew bottle-brushy at the thought of it, and he scuttled up and down the garden, snuffing here and there till he heard very sorrowful voices in a thorn-bush.
It was Darzee, the tailor-bird, and his wife. They had made a beautiful nest by pulling two big leaves together and stitching them up the edges with fibers, and had filled the hollow with cotton and downy fluff. The nest swayed to and fro, as they sat on the rim and cried.
“What is the matter?” asked Rikki-tikki.
“We are very miserable,” said Darzee. “One of our babies fell out of the nest yesterday and Nag ate him.”

1

How many adverbs are there in this excerpt from the passage?

“We are very miserable,” said Darzee. “One of our babies fell out of the nest yesterday and Nag ate him.”

LITERARY TEXT
“Rikki-tikki-tavi,” Rudyard Kipling
“Rikki-tikki-tavi” is a famous story by Rudyard Kipling that tells about a mongoose named Rikki-tikki, a snake named Nag, and other animal characters. A mongoose is an animal found in India that eats snakes. Read this passage from the story. Then, answer the question(s).
Then Rikki-tikki went out into the garden to see what was to be seen. It was a large garden, only half cultivated, with bushes as big as summer-houses of Marshal Niel roses, lime and orange trees, clumps of bamboos, and thickets of high grass. Rikki-tikki licked his lips. “This is a splendid hunting ground,” he said, and his tail grew bottle-brushy at the thought of it, and he scuttled up and down the garden, snuffing here and there till he heard very sorrowful voices in a thorn-bush.
It was Darzee, the tailor-bird, and his wife. They had made a beautiful nest by pulling two big leaves together and stitching them up the edges with fibers, and had filled the hollow with cotton and downy fluff. The nest swayed to and fro, as they sat on the rim and cried.
“What is the matter?” asked Rikki-tikki.
“We are very miserable,” said Darzee. “One of our babies fell out of the nest yesterday and Nag ate him.”

1

From the introduction to this passage and the details the passage contains, what do you predict is most likely to happen later?

1

Which answer choice is the topic sentence of paragraph 4?

1

Which statement best expresses the central idea of the full passage?

INFORMATIONAL TEXT

Biography

Read the passage. Then, answer the question(s).
 (1)		The staff of the famous school was puzzled. “Why would a woman want to study architecture?” they wondered. It was 1896, and the belief within the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France, was that architecture was for men only.
(2)		But Julia Morgan had come all the way from California. Architecture was in her blood. Her mother’s cousin had designed the famous Metropolitan Life Insurance Tower in New York City. This had inspired Morgan to want to design buildings of her own. After graduating from college, Morgan was advised by a teacher to go to France to continue her studies. Once she arrived, there was no turning back.
(3)		It took two years, but the respected École des Beaux-Arts finally accepted Morgan. In 1902, she became the first woman to graduate from the renowned school. Morgan then returned to California and opened her own architectural firm in 1904.
(4) 	The 1906 earthquake, which flattened much of the California Bay Area, brought a lot of work to Morgan’s office. She designed buildings for women’s groups, including college buildings, clubs, and the YWCA. Her designs were famous for featuring wood, stone, and other natural materials. She was also one of the first architects to use concrete in her designs.    
(5) 	In 1919, Morgan was hired for a very big job. Even though she had already designed more than 450 buildings—churches, houses, hospitals, schools, and stores—Hearst Castle in California became her most famous work. Morgan oversaw the designs and construction for this ornate mountaintop retreat overlooking the ocean, complete with elaborately decorated rooms, pools, gardens, and columned porches.
(6) 	Morgan worked until the 1940s. By the end of her career, she had built more than 700 buildings and had become one of the first important female architects.

1

Which fact offers the best support for the idea that Julia Morgan was an important architect?

INFORMATIONAL TEXT

Biography

Read the passage. Then, answer the question(s).
 (1)		The staff of the famous school was puzzled. “Why would a woman want to study architecture?” they wondered. It was 1896, and the belief within the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France, was that architecture was for men only.
(2)		But Julia Morgan had come all the way from California. Architecture was in her blood. Her mother’s cousin had designed the famous Metropolitan Life Insurance Tower in New York City. This had inspired Morgan to want to design buildings of her own. After graduating from college, Morgan was advised by a teacher to go to France to continue her studies. Once she arrived, there was no turning back.
(3)		It took two years, but the respected École des Beaux-Arts finally accepted Morgan. In 1902, she became the first woman to graduate from the renowned school. Morgan then returned to California and opened her own architectural firm in 1904.
(4) 	The 1906 earthquake, which flattened much of the California Bay Area, brought a lot of work to Morgan’s office. She designed buildings for women’s groups, including college buildings, clubs, and the YWCA. Her designs were famous for featuring wood, stone, and other natural materials. She was also one of the first architects to use concrete in her designs.    
(5) 	In 1919, Morgan was hired for a very big job. Even though she had already designed more than 450 buildings—churches, houses, hospitals, schools, and stores—Hearst Castle in California became her most famous work. Morgan oversaw the designs and construction for this ornate mountaintop retreat overlooking the ocean, complete with elaborately decorated rooms, pools, gardens, and columned porches.
(6) 	Morgan worked until the 1940s. By the end of her career, she had built more than 700 buildings and had become one of the first important female architects.

1

Which word is closest in meaning to ornate in paragraph 5?

1

Which context clue from paragraph 5 best supports the answer to Question 11?

1

Which sentence from the passage contains a verb in the passive voice?

1

12. How would this poem be different if it were a narrative poem?

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From the dialogue between Alice and the Caterpillar, what can be learned about Alice’s motivations and resulting actions?

LITERARY TEXT
from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll

Read the passage from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, and answer the question(s).
		The Caterpillar was the first to speak. 
		“What size do you want to be?” it asked. 
		“Oh, I’m not particular as to size,” Alice hastily replied; “only one doesn’t like changing so often, you know.” 
		“I don’t know,” said the Caterpillar. 
		Alice said nothing: she had never been so much contradicted in all her life before, and she felt that she was losing her temper.
		“Are you content now?” said the Caterpillar. 
		“Well, I should like to be a little larger, sir, if you wouldn’t mind,” said Alice: “three inches is such a wretched height to be.” 
		“It is a very good height indeed!” said the Caterpillar angrily, rearing itself upright as it spoke (it was exactly three inches high). 
		“But I’m not used to it!” pleaded poor Alice in a piteous tone. And she thought to herself, “I wish the creatures wouldn’t be so easily offended!” 
		“You’ll get used to it in time,” said the Caterpillar….
		…Then it got down off the mushroom, and crawled away in the grass, merely remarking as it went, “One side will make you grow taller, and the other side will make you grow shorter.” 
		“One side of what? The other side of what?” thought Alice to herself. 
		“Of the mushroom,” said the Caterpillar, just as if she had asked it aloud; and in another moment it was out of sight.

1

Which line of dialogue best supports the answer to question 15?

LITERARY TEXT

from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll

Read the passage from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, and answer the question(s).
		The Caterpillar was the first to speak. 
		“What size do you want to be?” it asked. 
		“Oh, I’m not particular as to size,” Alice hastily replied; “only one doesn’t like changing so often, you know.” 
		“I don’t know,” said the Caterpillar. 
		Alice said nothing: she had never been so much contradicted in all her life before, and she felt that she was losing her temper.
		“Are you content now?” said the Caterpillar. 
		“Well, I should like to be a little larger, sir, if you wouldn’t mind,” said Alice: “three inches is such a wretched height to be.” 
		“It is a very good height indeed!” said the Caterpillar angrily, rearing itself upright as it spoke (it was exactly three inches high). 
		“But I’m not used to it!” pleaded poor Alice in a piteous tone. And she thought to herself, “I wish the creatures wouldn’t be so easily offended!” 
		“You’ll get used to it in time,” said the Caterpillar….
		…Then it got down off the mushroom, and crawled away in the grass, merely remarking as it went, “One side will make you grow taller, and the other side will make you grow shorter.” 
		“One side of what? The other side of what?” thought Alice to herself. 
		“Of the mushroom,” said the Caterpillar, just as if she had asked it aloud; and in another moment it was out of sight.

1

How is Alice’s attitude toward size different from that of the Caterpillar?

1

Which word from the passage has a positive connotation and contributes to the upbeat tone?

INFORMATIONAL TEXT
Personal Narrative

Read the passage, and answer the question(s).

I’m not really a “skater,” but during vacation from school, a friend encouraged me to go roller-skating. Having nothing else to do, I thought, why not? Originally, I imagined that I would take more than a few spills and end up bruised and embarrassed in the end. However, I had such fun relearning the how-tos that I soon felt like an expert. I laughed at myself at first, but I soon exceeded my own expectations. By the end of the session, I was comfortably turning, circling, stopping, and even gliding backwards. Music, movement, friends, and snacks created a fun activity. I may even try inline skating now. Now I would encourage you to try it!

1

Which statement best states the author’s main point of view?

INFORMATIONAL TEXT
Personal Narrative

Read the passage, and answer the question(s).

I’m not really a “skater,” but during vacation from school, a friend encouraged me to go roller-skating. Having nothing else to do, I thought, why not? Originally, I imagined that I would take more than a few spills and end up bruised and embarrassed in the end. However, I had such fun relearning the how-tos that I soon felt like an expert. I laughed at myself at first, but I soon exceeded my own expectations. By the end of the session, I was comfortably turning, circling, stopping, and even gliding backwards. Music, movement, friends, and snacks created a fun activity. I may even try inline skating now. Now I would encourage you to try it!

1

Which line from the passage best supports the answer to Part A?

LITERARY TEXT
“Upstream,” Carl Sandburg
Read the Carl Sandburg poem, and answer the question(s).
The strong men keep coming on.
They go down shot, hanged, sick, broken.
They live on, fighting, singing, lucky as plungers.
The strong men ... they keep coming on.
5 The strong mothers pulling them from a dark sea, a great 
             prairie, a long mountain.
Call hallelujah, call amen, call deep thanks.
The strong men keep coming on.

1

Which of the following best states the poem’s theme?

LITERARY TEXT
“Upstream,” Carl Sandburg
Read the Carl Sandburg poem, and answer the question(s).
The strong men keep coming on.
They go down shot, hanged, sick, broken.
They live on, fighting, singing, lucky as plungers.
The strong men ... they keep coming on.
5 The strong mothers pulling them from a dark sea, a great 
             prairie, a long mountain.
Call hallelujah, call amen, call deep thanks.
The strong men keep coming on.

1

Which line from the poem best supports the theme identified in the previous question?

STANDARDS AND SKILLS QUESTIONS (WITHOUT TEXT SELECTIONS)

Identify the choice that best answers the question.

1

Think about the claim in the first sentence of this passage. How does the author try to persuade readers that the claim is true?
Using dental floss promotes good dental health. “People who are serious about healthy teeth and gums should floss at least once a day,” says Dr. Cho, an award-winning dentist. Floss is good for cleaning areas between the teeth and under the gum line. “It is useful for removing trapped food from places your toothbrush can’t reach,” Cho explains.
“I can certainly tell when a patient uses dental floss and when a patient doesn’t,” says Dr. Cho’s assistant, Alice Smith. “People who floss regularly have strong, healthy gums, and their teeth are much cleaner, too,” Smith adds.

1

Which sentence uses correct pronoun-antecedent agreement?

1

What is the mood of the verb in this sentence?

I will leave for Nebraska on Tuesday.

1

Which sentence using an adverb clause is correctly punctuated?

1

Which of these sentences uses a verb in the passive voice?

1

Using context clues, choose the meaning of irascible that best fits the sentence.

I’ve always found Mr. Peters to be irascible. Whenever I pass him in the street, he just frowns, shakes his head, and keeps moving.

1

The word tremulous uses the Latin suffix -ous. Using your knowledge of this suffix, choose the most likely definition of tremulous.

1

Read the dictionary entry.
fussy (fuh-see), adj. 1. extremely particular 2. showing great care about detail

What part of speech is the word fussy?

1

Read the dictionary entry.
fussy (fuh-see), adj. 1. extremely particular 2. showing great care about detail

Which resource would help you find a synonym for fussy?

Read the dictionary entry for the word ferret.

ferret (FEHR-iht) noun 1. a domesticated version of a polecat, commonly white, silver, or brown, used to chase rabbits and rodents from their burrows. verb 2. to drive out as if using a ferret 3. to search out the meaning 4. to worry or torment

1

Multiple Choice

Which meaning applies to the word ferret in the following context?

The boy took the ferret out by the back entrance.

1

What clue from the sentence helps determine the meaning of ferret?

The boy took the ferret out by the back entrance.

1

The word indecision features the base word decide. Given this information, choose the most likely meaning of indecision.

1

Which sentence uses the subjunctive mood correctly?

1

Which of the following sentences uses the active voice?

1

The following words have similar denotations. Which one has a negative connotation?

1

Mid-Year Benchmark

Which conclusion is best supported by text evidence in this passage?

Which sentence from the article best supports the answer to Part A?

Which detail from the article is not relevant to the argument and claims of the author?

Identify two articles from those listed that are likely to contradict each other, offering conflicting information on the topic of a dog’s “sixth sense.”

Compare and contrast the characters of Rikki-tikki and Darzee. In which way are they similar or different?

How many adverbs are there in this excerpt from the passage? “We are very miserable,” said Darzee. “One of our babies fell out of the nest yesterday and Nag ate him.”

From the introduction to this passage and the details the passage contains, what do you predict is most likely to happen later?

Which answer choice is the topic sentence of paragraph 4?

Which statement best expresses the central idea of the full passage?

Which fact offers the best support for the idea that Julia Morgan was an important architect?

Which word is closest in meaning to ornate in paragraph 5?

Which context clue from paragraph 5 best supports the answer to Question 11?

Which sentence from the passage contains a verb in the passive voice?

12. How would this poem be different if it were a narrative poem?

From the dialogue between Alice and the Caterpillar, what can be learned about Alice’s motivations and resulting actions?

Which line of dialogue best supports the answer to question 15?

How is Alice’s attitude toward size different from that of the Caterpillar?

Which word from the passage has a positive connotation and contributes to the upbeat tone?

Which statement best states the author’s main point of view?

Which line from the passage best supports the answer to Part A?

Which of the following best states the poem’s theme?

Which line from the poem best supports the theme identified in the previous question?

Which sentence uses correct pronoun-antecedent agreement?

What is the mood of the verb in this sentence?I will leave for Nebraska on Tuesday.

Which sentence using an adverb clause is correctly punctuated?

Which of these sentences uses a verb in the passive voice?

Using context clues, choose the meaning of irascible that best fits the sentence.I’ve always found Mr. Peters to be irascible. Whenever I pass him in the street, he just frowns, shakes his head, and keeps moving.

The word tremulous uses the Latin suffix -ous. Using your knowledge of this suffix, choose the most likely definition of tremulous.

Read the dictionary entry.fussy (fuh-see), adj. 1. extremely particular 2. showing great care about detailWhat part of speech is the word fussy?

Read the dictionary entry.fussy (fuh-see), adj. 1. extremely particular 2. showing great care about detailWhich resource would help you find a synonym for fussy?

Multiple ChoiceWhich meaning applies to the word ferret in the following context?The boy took the ferret out by the back entrance.

What clue from the sentence helps determine the meaning of ferret?The boy took the ferret out by the back entrance.

The word indecision features the base word decide. Given this information, choose the most likely meaning of indecision.

Which sentence uses the subjunctive mood correctly?

Which of the following sentences uses the active voice?

The following words have similar denotations. Which one has a negative connotation?

Which words apply to graphic novels but not to regular novels? Choose two options.

Which conclusion is best supported by text evidence in this passage?

Which sentence from the article best supports the answer to Part A?

Which detail from the article is not relevant to the argument and claims of the author?

Identify two articles from those listed that are likely to contradict each other, offering conflicting information on the topic of a dog’s “sixth sense.”

Compare and contrast the characters of Rikki-tikki and Darzee. In which way are they similar or different?

How many adverbs are there in this excerpt from the passage? “We are very miserable,” said Darzee. “One of our babies fell out of the nest yesterday and Nag ate him.”

From the introduction to this passage and the details the passage contains, what do you predict is most likely to happen later?

Which answer choice is the topic sentence of paragraph 4?

Which statement best expresses the central idea of the full passage?

Which fact offers the best support for the idea that Julia Morgan was an important architect?

Which word is closest in meaning to ornate in paragraph 5?

Which context clue from paragraph 5 best supports the answer to Question 11?

Which sentence from the passage contains a verb in the passive voice?

12. How would this poem be different if it were a narrative poem?

From the dialogue between Alice and the Caterpillar, what can be learned about Alice’s motivations and resulting actions?

Which line of dialogue best supports the answer to question 15?

How is Alice’s attitude toward size different from that of the Caterpillar?

Which word from the passage has a positive connotation and contributes to the upbeat tone?

Which statement best states the author’s main point of view?

Which line from the passage best supports the answer to Part A?

Which of the following best states the poem’s theme?

Which line from the poem best supports the theme identified in the previous question?

Which sentence uses correct pronoun-antecedent agreement?

What is the mood of the verb in this sentence?I will leave for Nebraska on Tuesday.

Which sentence using an adverb clause is correctly punctuated?

Which of these sentences uses a verb in the passive voice?

Using context clues, choose the meaning of irascible that best fits the sentence.I’ve always found Mr. Peters to be irascible. Whenever I pass him in the street, he just frowns, shakes his head, and keeps moving.

The word tremulous uses the Latin suffix -ous. Using your knowledge of this suffix, choose the most likely definition of tremulous.

Read the dictionary entry.fussy (fuh-see), adj. 1. extremely particular 2. showing great care about detailWhat part of speech is the word fussy?

Read the dictionary entry.fussy (fuh-see), adj. 1. extremely particular 2. showing great care about detailWhich resource would help you find a synonym for fussy?

Multiple ChoiceWhich meaning applies to the word ferret in the following context?The boy took the ferret out by the back entrance.

What clue from the sentence helps determine the meaning of ferret?The boy took the ferret out by the back entrance.

The word indecision features the base word decide. Given this information, choose the most likely meaning of indecision.

Which sentence uses the subjunctive mood correctly?

Which of the following sentences uses the active voice?

The following words have similar denotations. Which one has a negative connotation?

Which words apply to graphic novels but not to regular novels? Choose two options.

How many adverbs are there in this excerpt from the passage?

“We are very miserable,” said Darzee. “One of our babies fell out of the nest yesterday and Nag ate him.”

What is the mood of the verb in this sentence?

I will leave for Nebraska on Tuesday.

Using context clues, choose the meaning of irascible that best fits the sentence.

I’ve always found Mr. Peters to be irascible. Whenever I pass him in the street, he just frowns, shakes his head, and keeps moving.

Read the dictionary entry.
fussy (fuh-see), adj. 1. extremely particular 2. showing great care about detail

What part of speech is the word fussy?

Read the dictionary entry.
fussy (fuh-see), adj. 1. extremely particular 2. showing great care about detail

Which resource would help you find a synonym for fussy?

Multiple Choice

Which meaning applies to the word ferret in the following context?

The boy took the ferret out by the back entrance.

What clue from the sentence helps determine the meaning of ferret?

The boy took the ferret out by the back entrance.

How many adverbs are there in this excerpt from the passage?

“We are very miserable,” said Darzee. “One of our babies fell out of the nest yesterday and Nag ate him.”

What is the mood of the verb in this sentence?

I will leave for Nebraska on Tuesday.

Using context clues, choose the meaning of irascible that best fits the sentence.

I’ve always found Mr. Peters to be irascible. Whenever I pass him in the street, he just frowns, shakes his head, and keeps moving.

Read the dictionary entry.
fussy (fuh-see), adj. 1. extremely particular 2. showing great care about detail

What part of speech is the word fussy?

Read the dictionary entry.
fussy (fuh-see), adj. 1. extremely particular 2. showing great care about detail

Which resource would help you find a synonym for fussy?

Multiple Choice

Which meaning applies to the word ferret in the following context?

The boy took the ferret out by the back entrance.

What clue from the sentence helps determine the meaning of ferret?

The boy took the ferret out by the back entrance.