PARCC Grade 8 ELA Practice Test Questions

1. What is the best way to describe Gawaine's character?

A. Fearless and excitable

B. Careless and frigid

C. Spiritual and careful

D. Cowardly and apathetic

Correct! Wrong!

1. D: Gawaine is said to be tall and sturdy, but would run away and hide at the smallest sign of trouble.

2. What is the meaning of "his better nature"?

A. An increased sense of honesty

B. A man's ignoble ideas

C. A desire for propriety

D. A man's nobler instincts

Correct! Wrong!

2. D: "His better nature" is a common way of talking about a person's deeper character.

3. How does the Headmaster put the professor at ease about Gawaine?

A. He tells him that Gawaine will only fight small dragons.

B. He assures him that Gawaine's contract has not expired.

C. He talks to him about the animals that have been killed by the dragons.

D. He mentions that Gawaine will be given a magic word.

Correct! Wrong!

3. D: Letter A is not mentioned in the text, and the other choices do not directly answer the question.

4. What would be a good question for the Headmaster to consider?

A. Will Gawaine try hard to fight the dragons?

B. Will Gawaine want to learn about fighting dragons?

C. Will the professor let Gawaine learn about dragons?

D. Will the professor teach Gawaine to fight the dragons?

Correct! Wrong!

4. B: Considering Gawaine's character, this is the only choice that makes sense because it is well known that Gawaine is cowardly and the professor doesn't seem to know much about dragons.

5. Suppose that Gawaine's parents have him removed from the school. Would the Headmaster still want Gawaine to learn to fight dragons?

A. No, he would be happy with the tuition payment.

B. No, he would think that Gawaine would eventually return.

C. Yes, because Gawaine is naturally very tall and strong.

D. Yes, because Gawaine will get a special word for protection.

Correct! Wrong!

5. A: This can be inferred from the text: "Would any refund on the tuition fee be necessary in case of an accident to young Coeur-Hardy?" "No," the principal answered, judicially, "that's all covered in the contract."