Arizona's Measurement of Educational Readiness to Inform Teaching (AzM2) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A school collected 360 cans for a food drive over 6 days, collecting the same number each day. Write an equation and solve: how many cans were collected each day?

66 cans
60 cans (Correct answer)
72 cans
54 cans

Correct answer: 60 cans

Equation: 6d = 360. Solve: d = 360 ÷ 6 = 60 cans per day.

Question 2: Read this sentence from an article about recycling: 'Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a TV for three hours.' This sentence is an example of:

A transition sentence connecting two paragraphs
The author's opinion about recycling
A generalization about all types of recycling
A specific fact used to support the importance of recycling (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A specific fact used to support the importance of recycling

This is a specific, verifiable statistic used as evidence to support the argument that recycling conserves significant energy.

Question 3: Read the following passage(s) and answer the questions that follow. Passage 1 The New Frontier by Senator John F. Kennedy This is an excerpt from a speech given by John F. Kennedy upon accepting the nomination of the Democratic party on July 15, 1960. (1) . . . I stand tonight facing west on what was once the last frontier. From the lands that stretch three thousand miles behind me, the pioneers gave up their safety, their comfort and sometimes their lives to build a new world here in the West. They were not the captives of their own doubts, the prisoners of their own price tags. Their motto was not "every man for himself"—but "all for the common cause." They were determined to make that new world strong and free, to overcome its hazards and its hardships, to conquer the enemies that threatened from without and within. (2) Today some would say that those struggles are all over—that all the horizons have been explored—that all the battles have been won—that there is no longer an American frontier. (3) But I trust that no one in this vast assemblage would agree with those sentiments. For the problems are not all solved and the battles are not all won—and we stand today on the edge of a New Frontier—the frontier of the 1960s—a frontier of unknown opportunities and perils—a frontier of unfilled hopes and threats. (4) Woodrow Wilson's New Freedom promised our nation a new political and economic framework. Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal promised security and succor to those in need. But the New Frontier of which I speak is not a set of promises—it is a set of challenges. It sums up not what I intend to offer to the American people, but what I intend to ask of them. It appeals to their pride, not to their pocketbook—it holds out the promise of more sacrifice instead of more security. (5) But I tell you the New Frontier is here, whether we seek it or not. Beyond that frontier are the uncharted areas of science and space, unsolved problems of peace and war, unconquered pockets of ignorance and prejudice, unanswered questions of poverty and surplus. It would be easier to shrink back from that frontier, to look to the safe mediocrity of the past, to be lulled by good intentions and high rhetoric—and those who prefer that course should not cast their votes for me, regardless of party. (6) For the harsh facts of the matter are that we stand on this frontier at a turning-point in history. We must prove all over again whether this nation—or any nation so conceived—can long endure—whether our society—with its freedom of choice, its breadth of opportunity, its range of alternatives—can compete with the single-minded advance of the Communist system. (7) Can a nation organized and governed such as ours endure? That is the real question. Have we the nerve and the will? Can we carry through in an age where we will witness not only new breakthroughs in weapons of destruction—but also a race for mastery of the sky and the rain, the ocean and the tides, the far side of space and the inside of men's minds? (8) That is the question of the New Frontier. That is the choice our nation must make—a choice that lies not merely between two men or two parties, but between the public interest and private comfort—between national greatness and national decline—between the fresh air of progress and the stale, dank atmosphere of "normalcy"—between determined dedication and creeping mediocrity. (9) All mankind waits upon our decision. A whole world looks to see what we will do. We cannot fail their trust, we cannot fail to try. Passage 2 The Great Society by President Lyndon B. Johnson This is an excerpt from a speech by President Lyndon B. Johnson given on May 22, 1964. (10) For a century we labored to settle and to subdue a continent. For half a century we called upon unbounded invention and untiring industry to create an order of plenty for all of our people. (11) The challenge of the next half century is whether we have the wisdom to use that wealth to enrich and elevate our national life, and to advance the quality of our American civilization. (12) Your imagination and your initiative, and your indignation will determine whether we build a society where progress is the servant of our needs, or a society where old values and new visions are buried under unbridled growth. For in your time we have the opportunity to move not only toward the rich society and the powerful society, but upward to the Great Society. (13) The Great Society rests on abundance and liberty for all. It demands an end to poverty and racial injustice, to which we are totally committed in our time. But that is just the beginning. (14) The Great Society is a place where every child can find knowledge to enrich his mind and to enlarge his talents. It is a place where leisure is a welcome chance to build and reflect, not a feared cause of boredom and restlessness. It is a place where the city of man serves not only the needs of the body and the demands of commerce but the desire for beauty and the hunger for community. (15) It is a place where man can renew contact with nature. It is a place which honors creation for its own sake and for what it adds to the understanding of the race. It is a place where men are more concerned with the quality of their goals than the quantity of their goods. (16) But most of all, the Great Society is not a safe harbor, a resting place, a final objective, a finished work. It is a challenge constantly renewed, beckoning us toward a destiny where the meaning of our lives matches the marvelous products of our labor. . . . (17) Will you join in the battle to build the Great Society, to prove that our material progress is only the foundation on which we will build a richer life of mind and spirit? (18) There are those timid souls that say this battle cannot be won; that we are condemned to a soulless wealth. I do not agree. We have the power to shape the civilization that we want. But we need your will, and your labor, and your hearts, if we are to build that kind of society. (19) Those who came to this land sought to build more than just a new country. They sought a new world. So I have come here today to your campus to say that you can make their vision our reality. So let us from this moment begin our work so that in the future men will look back and say, "It was then, after a long and weary way, that man turned the exploits of his genius to the full enrichment of his life." Read this sentence from Passage I. "He plunged down, down, so close to the lake that the white-tipped waves almost touched his wings as he skimmed over them" (paragraph 2) What effect does this sentence have?

The sentence foreshadows events to come. (Correct answer)
The sentence creates an element of surprise.
The sentence evokes a sense of mystery.
The sentence develops a contrast between settings.

Correct answer: The sentence foreshadows events to come.

The sentence describes a character taking a risky action by plunging dangerously close to the water. In narrative writing, such a vivid depiction of a precarious or daring act often serves to hint at potential future consequences or developments for the character. This creates anticipation and suggests that the character's actions will lead to further events, thus foreshadowing what is to come in the story.

Question 4: What is the role of practice exams in test preparation?

They are unnecessary if you study
Entertainment
They identify knowledge gaps, build test-taking stamina, familiarize you with question formats, and track progress (Correct answer)
They predict exact exam questions

Correct answer: They identify knowledge gaps, build test-taking stamina, familiarize you with question formats, and track progress

Practice tests serve multiple purposes: exposing weak areas, building endurance, practicing time management, and measuring readiness.

Question 5: There are 32 students in a class. They are split into equal groups of 4. How many groups are there?

9
8 (Correct answer)
7
6

Correct answer: 8

32 ÷ 4 = 8 groups.

Question 6: Which of the following figures represents the likelihood of an event occurring, and why?

0.95, because likely events have a probability close to 1. (Correct answer)
0.03, because likely events have a probability close to 0.
97.4, because likely events have a probability close to 100%.
0.51, because any probability higher than 0.5 is likely to happen.

Correct answer: 0.95, because likely events have a probability close to 1.

Correct answer: Because these probabilities aren't expressed in percentages, a value close to 1 equates to a high degree of certainty. A probability of one equals 100 percent likelihood. 0.95 is the same as 95% likelihood, which means it's quite likely.

Question 7: What is the value of the digit 6 in the number 3,628?

6
6,000
60
600 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 600

In 3,628, the digit 6 is in the hundreds place, so its value is 600.

Question 8: What is 47 + 36?

74
83 (Correct answer)
73
82

Correct answer: 83

47 + 36: add ones (7 + 6 = 13, write 3, carry 1), add tens (4 + 3 + 1 = 8). Total = 83.

Question 9: Solve for x: x/4 = 9

45
13
2.25
36 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 36

Multiply both sides by 4: x = 9 × 4 = 36.

Question 10: Read the following passage(s) and answer the questions that follow. Passage 1 The New Frontier by Senator John F. Kennedy This is an excerpt from a speech given by John F. Kennedy upon accepting the nomination of the Democratic party on July 15, 1960. (1) . . . I stand tonight facing west on what was once the last frontier. From the lands that stretch three thousand miles behind me, the pioneers gave up their safety, their comfort and sometimes their lives to build a new world here in the West. They were not the captives of their own doubts, the prisoners of their own price tags. Their motto was not "every man for himself"—but "all for the common cause." They were determined to make that new world strong and free, to overcome its hazards and its hardships, to conquer the enemies that threatened from without and within. (2) Today some would say that those struggles are all over—that all the horizons have been explored—that all the battles have been won—that there is no longer an American frontier. (3) But I trust that no one in this vast assemblage would agree with those sentiments. For the problems are not all solved and the battles are not all won—and we stand today on the edge of a New Frontier—the frontier of the 1960s—a frontier of unknown opportunities and perils—a frontier of unfilled hopes and threats. (4) Woodrow Wilson's New Freedom promised our nation a new political and economic framework. Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal promised security and succor to those in need. But the New Frontier of which I speak is not a set of promises—it is a set of challenges. It sums up not what I intend to offer to the American people, but what I intend to ask of them. It appeals to their pride, not to their pocketbook—it holds out the promise of more sacrifice instead of more security. (5) But I tell you the New Frontier is here, whether we seek it or not. Beyond that frontier are the uncharted areas of science and space, unsolved problems of peace and war, unconquered pockets of ignorance and prejudice, unanswered questions of poverty and surplus. It would be easier to shrink back from that frontier, to look to the safe mediocrity of the past, to be lulled by good intentions and high rhetoric—and those who prefer that course should not cast their votes for me, regardless of party. (6) For the harsh facts of the matter are that we stand on this frontier at a turning-point in history. We must prove all over again whether this nation—or any nation so conceived—can long endure—whether our society—with its freedom of choice, its breadth of opportunity, its range of alternatives—can compete with the single-minded advance of the Communist system. (7) Can a nation organized and governed such as ours endure? That is the real question. Have we the nerve and the will? Can we carry through in an age where we will witness not only new breakthroughs in weapons of destruction—but also a race for mastery of the sky and the rain, the ocean and the tides, the far side of space and the inside of men's minds? (8) That is the question of the New Frontier. That is the choice our nation must make—a choice that lies not merely between two men or two parties, but between the public interest and private comfort—between national greatness and national decline—between the fresh air of progress and the stale, dank atmosphere of "normalcy"—between determined dedication and creeping mediocrity. (9) All mankind waits upon our decision. A whole world looks to see what we will do. We cannot fail their trust, we cannot fail to try. Passage 2 The Great Society by President Lyndon B. Johnson This is an excerpt from a speech by President Lyndon B. Johnson given on May 22, 1964. (10) For a century we labored to settle and to subdue a continent. For half a century we called upon unbounded invention and untiring industry to create an order of plenty for all of our people. (11) The challenge of the next half century is whether we have the wisdom to use that wealth to enrich and elevate our national life, and to advance the quality of our American civilization. (12) Your imagination and your initiative, and your indignation will determine whether we build a society where progress is the servant of our needs, or a society where old values and new visions are buried under unbridled growth. For in your time we have the opportunity to move not only toward the rich society and the powerful society, but upward to the Great Society. (13) The Great Society rests on abundance and liberty for all. It demands an end to poverty and racial injustice, to which we are totally committed in our time. But that is just the beginning. (14) The Great Society is a place where every child can find knowledge to enrich his mind and to enlarge his talents. It is a place where leisure is a welcome chance to build and reflect, not a feared cause of boredom and restlessness. It is a place where the city of man serves not only the needs of the body and the demands of commerce but the desire for beauty and the hunger for community. (15) It is a place where man can renew contact with nature. It is a place which honors creation for its own sake and for what it adds to the understanding of the race. It is a place where men are more concerned with the quality of their goals than the quantity of their goods. (16) But most of all, the Great Society is not a safe harbor, a resting place, a final objective, a finished work. It is a challenge constantly renewed, beckoning us toward a destiny where the meaning of our lives matches the marvelous products of our labor. . . . (17) Will you join in the battle to build the Great Society, to prove that our material progress is only the foundation on which we will build a richer life of mind and spirit? (18) There are those timid souls that say this battle cannot be won; that we are condemned to a soulless wealth. I do not agree. We have the power to shape the civilization that we want. But we need your will, and your labor, and your hearts, if we are to build that kind of society. (19) Those who came to this land sought to build more than just a new country. They sought a new world. So I have come here today to your campus to say that you can make their vision our reality. So let us from this moment begin our work so that in the future men will look back and say, "It was then, after a long and weary way, that man turned the exploits of his genius to the full enrichment of his life." What rhetorical devices does Kennedy employ to advance the point of view identified in Part A?

by appealing to individual Americans' self-Interest
by contrasting starkly different outcomes (Correct answer)
by offering vivid examples of how the New Frontier will benefit everyone
by describing the catastrophes Americans will face if they fail

Correct answer: by contrasting starkly different outcomes

In paragraph 8, Kennedy employs the rhetorical device of antithesis, or contrasting starkly different outcomes, to advance his point of view. He presents a series of powerful dichotomies such as "public interest and private comfort," "national greatness and national decline," and "fresh air of progress and stale, dank atmosphere of 'normalcy'." These sharp contrasts emphasize the critical nature of the choices facing the nation and underscore the profound consequences of inaction or choosing the easier path.

Question 11: Solve for x: 3(x − 4) = 2x + 1

x = 7
x = 9
x = 13 (Correct answer)
x = 11

Correct answer: x = 13

3x − 12 = 2x + 1 → x = 13.

Question 12: What is the importance of ethics in professional practice?

Ethics only apply to certain professions
Ethics are optional
Ethical practice builds trust, protects clients, maintains professional standards, and ensures long-term career viability (Correct answer)
Ethics are just about following the law

Correct answer: Ethical practice builds trust, protects clients, maintains professional standards, and ensures long-term career viability

Professional ethics go beyond legal requirements to encompass honesty, integrity, confidentiality, and putting client interests first, which are fundamental to any trusted profession.

Question 13: Which fraction is equivalent to 3/4?

6/10
4/6
9/12 (Correct answer)
5/8

Correct answer: 9/12

Multiplying both numerator and denominator of 3/4 by 3 gives 9/12, which is equivalent.

Question 14: A student is reading about the Apollo 11 moon landing. The article states: 'Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969.' Is this a primary or secondary source claim?

Primary source — it happened on a specific date
Secondary source — it is information reported by another author after the event (Correct answer)
Neither — it is an opinion
Primary source — it is a quote from Neil Armstrong

Correct answer: Secondary source — it is information reported by another author after the event

A secondary source is written by someone who did not directly experience or witness the event. An article reporting on the Apollo 11 landing is a secondary source.

Question 15: What is the difference between knowledge and skill?

They are identical
Knowledge is understanding information; skill is the ability to apply that knowledge effectively through practice (Correct answer)
Skill cannot be learned
Knowledge is more important

Correct answer: Knowledge is understanding information; skill is the ability to apply that knowledge effectively through practice

Knowledge is theoretical understanding (knowing what and why), while skill is practical ability (knowing how), developed through deliberate practice.

Question 16: For the number 40, Maggie was looking for factor pairings. The following is Maggie's list of 40 factor pairs: 40 and 1 two and twenty 4 and ten (5) and (8) What is the best way for Maya to demonstrate that her responses are correct?

When you multiply the two numbers in each factor pair, the product is 40. (Correct answer)
When you subtract the two numbers in each factor pair then divide by the first number, the result is 40.
When you add the factor pairs together then divide by 40, the result is an even number.
The difference between the number pairs is 40.

Correct answer: When you multiply the two numbers in each factor pair, the product is 40.

Correct answer: This activity requires you to use mathematical reasoning to find factoring pairs for a whole number in the range of 1 to 100. Because factor pairs are two numbers that, when multiplied together, equal another number (or product), the right answer is (c) "When you multiply the two values in each factor pair, the product is 40."

Question 17: An article includes this graphic: a bar graph showing Arizona's population growth from 1950 to 2020. What is the PRIMARY purpose of including this graphic?

To replace the text of the article entirely
To show the author's ability to create charts
To visually represent data that supports and clarifies the text's claims (Correct answer)
To make the article appear more professional

Correct answer: To visually represent data that supports and clarifies the text's claims

Graphics like bar graphs visually represent data to help readers understand trends and relationships that might be harder to grasp from text alone.

Question 18: What role does networking play in professional development?

It is only about finding jobs
It is only for extroverts
Networking provides opportunities for learning, mentorship, referrals, and staying current with industry trends (Correct answer)
It is unnecessary

Correct answer: Networking provides opportunities for learning, mentorship, referrals, and staying current with industry trends

Professional networking connects you with peers, mentors, and opportunities while keeping you informed about industry developments and best practices.

Question 19: What is a short squeeze?

A market crash
A broker fee
A type of juice
A rapid price increase that occurs when short sellers are forced to buy back shares, driving the price even higher (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A rapid price increase that occurs when short sellers are forced to buy back shares, driving the price even higher

When a heavily shorted asset's price rises, short sellers rush to buy back (cover) their positions to limit losses, which further drives up the price in a feedback loop.

Question 20: Which of the following is an odd number?

96
42
84
57 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 57

57 ends in 7, which is odd; numbers ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 are even.

Question 21: An author's PURPOSE in an editorial about school lunch programs is most likely:

To persuade readers about the importance of improving school nutrition (Correct answer)
To describe the history of school lunches
To explain step-by-step how school lunches are prepared
To entertain readers with funny stories about cafeteria food

Correct answer: To persuade readers about the importance of improving school nutrition

An editorial is an opinion piece intended to persuade. An editorial about school lunch programs would argue for a specific position about improving nutrition.

Question 22: A student reads two articles about wolves. Article 1 says wolves are dangerous predators that threaten livestock. Article 2 says wolves are essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems. What should the student do FIRST when evaluating these sources?

Accept Article 1 since it warns of danger
Conclude that both articles are wrong since they disagree
Examine the author's credentials, purpose, and sources for each article (Correct answer)
Accept whichever article was written more recently

Correct answer: Examine the author's credentials, purpose, and sources for each article

When encountering conflicting sources, readers should evaluate each source's credibility by examining author qualifications, purpose, and supporting evidence.

Question 23: During photosynthesis, what are the raw materials (inputs) that plants use?

Oxygen and glucose
Oxygen, water, and minerals
Carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight (Correct answer)
Nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and sunlight

Correct answer: Carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight

Photosynthesis equation: CO₂ + H₂O + light energy → glucose + O₂. The inputs are carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight.

Question 24: Read the following passage(s) and answer the questions that follow. Passage 1 How the Hyperloop Works by Catherine Casteel (1) The Hyperloop is an idea for a high-speed transportation system that was proposed by Son Musk in 2013. Elon Musk is an entrepreneur, engineer, and inventor who founded SpaceX and is the co-founder of Zip2, PayPal, and Tesla Motors. (2) The Hyperloop is different from bullet trains or high-speed rail. Bullet trains use magnetic levitation (maglev) to move vehicles without touching the ground. With maglev, a vehicle travels along a guideway, using magnets to create both lift and propulsion, which reduces friction and allows for very high speeds to be achieved. High-speed rail is more like a traditional train system, but uses a system of specialized train cars and tracks. (3) The Hyperloop uses magnets and fans to push aluminum pods through pressurized tubes. The steel tubes are topped with solar panels and carry battery packs to store energy that can be used at night or in cloudy weather. (4) While there are some innovations, a lot of technology already exists to support the project. It's very similar to the old pneumatic tubes that used air pressure to move messages in banks and other buildings in the twentieth century. (5) In Hyperloop transportation, the pods or capsules travel inside tubes elevated by pylons that are 17 to 20 feet above ground. Choose two ways in which the visual in Passage 1 helps the reader understand the Hyperloop.

It shows the technology of the Hyperloop in greater detail. (Correct answer)
It shows how the Hyperloop could be suitable for sizable cargo and freight. (Correct answer)
It shows how the Hyperloop uses existing technology to hover above the ground.
It shows that the Hyperloop is capable of moving quickly between cities.
It shows how many human passengers one Hyperloop could hold.

Correct answer: It shows the technology of the Hyperloop in greater detail.

The correct answer It shows the technology of the Hyperloop in greater detail. It shows how the Hyperloop could be suitable for sizable cargo and freight.

Question 25: A clock shows 3:45. How many minutes until it is 4:00?

5 minutes
15 minutes (Correct answer)
20 minutes
10 minutes

Correct answer: 15 minutes

From 3:45 to 4:00 is 15 minutes (4:00 - 3:45 = 15 minutes).

Question 26: At the end of a short story, after the climax, tensions decrease and loose ends are tied up. This part of the plot structure is called:

Rising action
The inciting incident
Exposition
Falling action and resolution (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Falling action and resolution

After the climax, falling action shows the results of the climax, and the resolution (denouement) ties up loose ends. Together they conclude the story.

Question 27: An author writes: 'The sun was a golden coin dropped into the ocean at sunset.' What type of figurative language is this?

Personification
Onomatopoeia
Metaphor (Correct answer)
Simile

Correct answer: Metaphor

This is a metaphor — it directly equates the sun with 'a golden coin' without using 'like' or 'as.'

Question 28: What does it mean when a story is told from a FIRST-PERSON point of view?

The narrator addresses the reader directly as 'you'
The narrator is a character in the story and uses 'I' and 'we' (Correct answer)
The narrator is outside the story and refers to characters as 'he' or 'she'
The narrator knows everything about all characters' thoughts

Correct answer: The narrator is a character in the story and uses 'I' and 'we'

In first-person point of view, the narrator is a character within the story and uses 'I,' 'me,' 'my,' and 'we.'

Question 29: Which of the following best describes the purpose of a concluding paragraph in an essay?

To restate the thesis and summarize main points, leaving the reader with a final thought (Correct answer)
To introduce new evidence that strengthens the argument
To list all sources used in the essay
To describe the writer's personal experience with the topic

Correct answer: To restate the thesis and summarize main points, leaving the reader with a final thought

A conclusion restates the thesis (without copying it word for word), summarizes key points, and leaves the reader with a meaningful closing thought.

Question 30: Which number is EVEN?

71
53
37
42 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 42

An even number ends in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8. 42 ends in 2, so it is even.

Question 31: How do you handle test anxiety effectively?

Prepare thoroughly, practice relaxation techniques, arrive early, and maintain a positive mindset (Correct answer)
Take medication only
It cannot be managed
Ignore it

Correct answer: Prepare thoroughly, practice relaxation techniques, arrive early, and maintain a positive mindset

Test anxiety is best managed through a combination of thorough preparation (which builds confidence), relaxation techniques, and positive self-talk.

Question 32: The climax of a story is BEST described as:

The events after the conflict is resolved
The moment of highest tension or turning point in the story (Correct answer)
The introduction of the main characters and setting
The lesson or moral the story teaches

Correct answer: The moment of highest tension or turning point in the story

The climax is the moment of highest tension and emotional intensity in the story — the turning point where the main conflict reaches its peak.

Question 33: Which process in the water cycle returns water from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface?

Transpiration
Condensation
Evaporation
Precipitation (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Precipitation

Precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, hail) returns water from clouds in the atmosphere to Earth's surface.

Question 34: A student reads a poem about a soldier leaving for war. The poet uses the imagery of autumn — falling leaves, bare trees, and cold winds. What does this imagery most likely SYMBOLIZE?

The soldier's love of nature
Loss, endings, and the approach of darkness/death (Correct answer)
The beauty of the changing seasons
The soldier's hometown in autumn

Correct answer: Loss, endings, and the approach of darkness/death

Autumn imagery (falling leaves, bare trees, cold winds) traditionally symbolizes loss, endings, and the approach of winter/death — especially powerful in a poem about war.

Question 35: Which of the following is equivalent to 5⁻³?

−125
125
−15
1/125 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 1/125

A negative exponent means take the reciprocal: 5⁻³ = 1/5³ = 1/125.

Question 36: A student reads: 'The Hohokam people of ancient Arizona constructed an extensive canal system that stretched over 500 miles, irrigating crops in the Sonoran Desert.' What is the BEST summary of this sentence?

The Hohokam people lived in Arizona
Ancient Hohokam people built a large irrigation system to farm the desert (Correct answer)
Arizona has many canals today
Farming in the desert is very difficult

Correct answer: Ancient Hohokam people built a large irrigation system to farm the desert

A summary captures the main idea — here, that the Hohokam built an extensive canal system for agriculture in the desert. It includes the key who, what, and why.

Question 37: What is 4 × (2 + 3)?

24
11
20 (Correct answer)
14

Correct answer: 20

Using order of operations: add inside parentheses first: 2 + 3 = 5. Then multiply: 4 × 5 = 20.

Question 38: What is 5,000 − 2,347?

2,753
2,653 (Correct answer)
3,343
2,643

Correct answer: 2,653

5,000 − 2,347 = 2,653, calculated by regrouping across zeros.

Question 39: A bag has 15 red marbles and 5 blue marbles. What fraction of the marbles are blue?

5/15
1/3
3/4
1/4 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 1/4

There are 5 blue out of 20 total, so 5/20 = 1/4.

Question 40: Water changes from liquid to gas during evaporation. What type of change is this?

Nuclear change, because atoms are rearranged
Physical change, because the water molecules remain H₂O (Correct answer)
Chemical change, because a new substance is formed
Biological change, because it happens in nature

Correct answer: Physical change, because the water molecules remain H₂O

Evaporation is a physical change — the water changes state (liquid to gas) but the molecules remain H₂O. No new substance is created.

Question 41: What role does feedback play in professional improvement?

Feedback is unnecessary
Constructive feedback identifies blind spots, validates strengths, and provides specific guidance for improvement (Correct answer)
Only positive feedback is useful
All feedback is criticism

Correct answer: Constructive feedback identifies blind spots, validates strengths, and provides specific guidance for improvement

Feedback from peers, supervisors, and clients provides external perspectives that reveal areas for improvement that self-assessment may miss.

Question 42: What is 9 × 7?

56
63 (Correct answer)
72
54

Correct answer: 63

9 × 7 = 63. Use the 9s trick: 9 × 7 = 70 - 7 = 63.

Question 43: Why is critical thinking important in professional practice?

It slows down work
It is not important
It only matters in academic settings
It enables evaluation of information, identification of assumptions, and making well-reasoned decisions rather than relying on assumptions (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It enables evaluation of information, identification of assumptions, and making well-reasoned decisions rather than relying on assumptions

Critical thinking prevents errors from assumptions, biases, and incomplete information by systematically evaluating evidence before making decisions.

Question 44: Which of the following BEST describes the difference between explicit and implicit information in a text?

Explicit information is directly stated; implicit information must be inferred (Correct answer)
Explicit information is in the heading; implicit information is in the body
Explicit information is important; implicit information is unimportant
Explicit information is factual; implicit information is fictional

Correct answer: Explicit information is directly stated; implicit information must be inferred

Explicit information is clearly and directly stated in the text. Implicit information is suggested or implied — readers must use inference to understand it.

Question 45: A student reads a biography and an autobiography both written about the same person. What is the MAIN difference between the two sources?

A biography contains only facts; an autobiography contains only opinions
A biography is nonfiction; an autobiography is fiction
A biography is always longer than an autobiography
A biography is written by someone else; an autobiography is written by the subject (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A biography is written by someone else; an autobiography is written by the subject

A biography is written about someone by another person. An autobiography is written by the person themselves about their own life.

Question 46: Which of the following best describes how to find the perimeter of a square with side length 9 cm?

Multiply 9 × 9 = 81 cm
Add 9 + 9 = 18 cm
Multiply 9 × 4 = 36 cm (Correct answer)
Divide 9 ÷ 4 = 2.25 cm

Correct answer: Multiply 9 × 4 = 36 cm

A square has 4 equal sides. Perimeter = 4 × side = 4 × 9 = 36 cm.

Question 47: What is 25 × 16?

400 (Correct answer)
410
380
390

Correct answer: 400

25 × 16 = 25 × 4 × 4 = 100 × 4 = 400.

Question 48: Which unit would you use to measure the weight of a watermelon?

Inch
Gallon
Degree
Pound (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Pound

Pounds are used to measure weight of objects like a watermelon.

Question 49: Which revision makes this sentence more concise? 'Due to the fact that it was raining outside, we decided to stay indoors inside the house.'

Due to the fact that it was raining outside, we stayed indoors.
Because it was raining, we stayed inside. (Correct answer)
It was raining outside and so therefore we stayed inside the house.
Since outside it was raining in the weather, we decided to stay.

Correct answer: Because it was raining, we stayed inside.

Answer B eliminates redundancy ('due to the fact that' → 'because'; 'indoors inside the house' → 'inside') to create the most concise version.

Question 50: An author reveals a character's internal conflict through the character's thoughts rather than through dialogue or action. What technique is this?

Direct characterization
Third-person limited narration from outside the character
Dialogue
Stream of consciousness or interior monologue (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Stream of consciousness or interior monologue

When an author reveals a character's internal conflict through their thoughts, this is interior monologue — a technique showing the character's inner mental experience directly.

Question 51: Which type of text is MOST likely to present information objectively without expressing an opinion?

A newspaper editorial
A personal blog post
A science textbook chapter (Correct answer)
A persuasive essay

Correct answer: A science textbook chapter

A science textbook chapter presents factual, researched information in an objective, balanced way without the author's personal opinions.

Question 52: Which shape has exactly 4 equal sides and 4 right angles?

Trapezoid
Rectangle
Square (Correct answer)
Rhombus

Correct answer: Square

A square has 4 equal sides AND 4 right angles. A rectangle has right angles but not necessarily equal sides; a rhombus has equal sides but not necessarily right angles.

Question 53: A number line shows: 0, , 1/2, , 1. What fraction goes in the FIRST blank?

1/3
1/4 (Correct answer)
3/4
2/4

Correct answer: 1/4

If the number line is divided into 4 equal parts between 0 and 1, the fractions are 1/4, 2/4 (=1/2), 3/4, and 1. The first blank is 1/4.

Question 54: Round 364 to the nearest ten.

365
370
360 (Correct answer)
300

Correct answer: 360

364 rounded to the nearest ten is 360 because 4 in the ones place is less than 5.

Question 55: When annotating an informational text, a student circles unfamiliar words and writes 'WHY?' next to surprising facts. What is the PURPOSE of annotation?

To impress the teacher with careful notes
To summarize every sentence in the margin
To make the text look more colorful and organized
To actively engage with the text and monitor comprehension (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To actively engage with the text and monitor comprehension

Annotation is an active reading strategy that helps readers engage with, question, and process information while monitoring their own understanding.

Question 56: In 'Romeo and Juliet,' two young people fall in love despite their families' bitter feud, and they die as a result. What is the THEME of this tragedy?

Young people should never fall in love
Hatred and conflict can destroy innocent lives (Correct answer)
Families should live in the same city
Loyalty to family is the most important value

Correct answer: Hatred and conflict can destroy innocent lives

The central theme of Romeo and Juliet is that hatred and conflict (the feud) have tragic consequences — they destroy the innocent love of Romeo and Juliet.

Question 57: An article about climate change uses the text structure of cause and effect. What should a reader EXPECT to find in the article?

Explanations of how specific actions lead to climate change outcomes (Correct answer)
A comparison of different countries' temperatures
Steps to follow in chronological order
A story about a scientist who studies climate change

Correct answer: Explanations of how specific actions lead to climate change outcomes

Cause-and-effect text structure explains relationships: how certain actions or events (causes) lead to specific outcomes (effects). Climate change articles using this structure would explain how human activities cause warming, rising seas, etc.

Question 58: In an article about the Arizona heat, the author writes: 'Phoenix recorded 145 days above 100°F in 2023.' What is the BEST inference a reader can make?

Phoenix's extreme heat poses significant challenges for residents (Correct answer)
100°F temperatures are normal in all U.S. cities
Phoenix has a mild, comfortable climate
All of Arizona experiences the same extreme heat as Phoenix

Correct answer: Phoenix's extreme heat poses significant challenges for residents

Nearly half the year above 100°F allows the reader to infer that such extreme heat creates challenges for daily life, infrastructure, and public health.

Question 59: A student reads an informational paragraph and identifies the sentence that tells the most important idea. This sentence is called the:

Concluding sentence
Topic sentence (Correct answer)
Supporting detail
Transition sentence

Correct answer: Topic sentence

The topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. It is typically the first sentence and tells what the entire paragraph is about.

Question 60: Which of the following is the BEST thesis statement for an essay about the importance of reading?

Reading books regularly improves vocabulary, critical thinking, and empathy. (Correct answer)
Reading is something many people do every day.
In this essay, I will talk about reading.
Reading can sometimes be boring, but it is also useful.

Correct answer: Reading books regularly improves vocabulary, critical thinking, and empathy.

An effective thesis statement is specific, makes a clear argument, and previews the essay's main points. Answer C does all three.

Question 61: Read this passage: 'The old house creaked and groaned in the wind, its shutters banging like a warning.' What mood does this passage create?

Ominous and unsettling (Correct answer)
Joyful and celebratory
Humorous and lighthearted
Peaceful and calm

Correct answer: Ominous and unsettling

Words like 'creaked,' 'groaned,' and 'warning' create a mood of unease and foreboding — the setting feels threatening.

Question 62: What is the importance of professional standards?

They are suggestions only
They establish consistent quality expectations, protect the public, and provide a framework for professional conduct (Correct answer)
They restrict freedom
They only apply to large organizations

Correct answer: They establish consistent quality expectations, protect the public, and provide a framework for professional conduct

Professional standards ensure consistent quality, protect public safety, and provide clear expectations for competent, ethical professional behavior.

Question 63: In a short story, the main character is described as determined but impatient, and these traits cause conflict throughout the plot. What literary term describes the character's personality traits and how they influence the story?

Characterization (Correct answer)
Theme
Rising action
Setting

Correct answer: Characterization

Characterization refers to how an author develops a character's personality traits, motivations, and how those traits influence the narrative.

Question 64: An author writes a story where a lonely character watches raindrops race down a window. The author describes the rain as 'weeping' and 'mournful.' What technique is the author using, and what effect does it create?

Pathetic fallacy; the weather reflects and amplifies the character's emotional state (Correct answer)
Hyperbole; it exaggerates the weather to create comedy
Flashback; the rain reminds the character of past sadness
Alliteration; the repeated sounds create a musical rhythm

Correct answer: Pathetic fallacy; the weather reflects and amplifies the character's emotional state

Pathetic fallacy is the technique of giving human emotions to natural elements (rain 'weeping,' 'mournful') so the environment reflects the character's inner state.

Question 65: A student reads an informational article about the history of the Grand Canyon. The article includes headings like 'Formation,' 'Wildlife,' and 'Tourism.' What is the PURPOSE of these headings?

To help readers quickly locate specific sections of information (Correct answer)
To replace the need for an introduction
To make the article longer
To show the author's personal opinions about each topic

Correct answer: To help readers quickly locate specific sections of information

Headings in informational texts help readers navigate the text and quickly find specific information without reading the entire article.

Question 66: Identify and solve the problem: 5 x (3+4) + 6 x (3+4) =

1,400
77 (Correct answer)
85
230

Correct answer: 77

Correct answer: Parentheses, multiplication, and remaining addition would be the order of operations for this problem. When the numbers in the parenthesis (3+4) are added together, the result is 7. 5x7, 6x7 is multiplied in front of them. Finally, the sum of 35 and 42 is calculated.

Question 67: Which of the following BEST describes natural selection?

All members of a species change at the same rate
Traits that improve survival are passed on to offspring more often over generations (Correct answer)
Organisms choose the traits that will help them survive
New species form only through human intervention

Correct answer: Traits that improve survival are passed on to offspring more often over generations

Natural selection is the process by which traits that improve survival and reproduction become more common in a population over generations, without conscious choice.

Question 68: A recipe calls for 2¾ cups of flour. If you want to make 2 batches, how much flour do you need?

4¾ cups
4½ cups
5½ cups (Correct answer)
5 cups

Correct answer: 5½ cups

2¾ × 2 = 11/4 × 2 = 22/4 = 5½ cups.

Question 69: The author of an article about electric vehicles works for an electric vehicle company. How might this AFFECT the reliability of the information?

The author's affiliation has no effect on the article's reliability
The author may present biased information that favors electric vehicles (Correct answer)
The author's experience makes the article more reliable
The article would be more reliable because the author has firsthand knowledge

Correct answer: The author may present biased information that favors electric vehicles

Authors with financial or professional stakes in a topic may present information that favors their interests, creating potential bias that readers should recognize.

Question 70: How should professionals balance speed and quality?

Speed is always most important
Understand the requirements and constraints, maintain quality standards, and communicate when timelines conflict with quality expectations (Correct answer)
Always prioritize speed
Quality never matters

Correct answer: Understand the requirements and constraints, maintain quality standards, and communicate when timelines conflict with quality expectations

The right balance depends on context. Critical tasks demand quality over speed, while routine tasks may prioritize efficiency. Communication about constraints is key.

Question 71: Sam has 24 stickers. He puts them equally into 3 bags. How many stickers are in each bag?

7
9
8 (Correct answer)
6

Correct answer: 8

24 ÷ 3 = 8 stickers per bag.

Question 72: How does technology impact professional fields?

It has no impact
It only affects IT fields
Technology changes tools, methods, and expectations, requiring professionals to continuously adapt and learn new skills (Correct answer)
It makes all jobs easier

Correct answer: Technology changes tools, methods, and expectations, requiring professionals to continuously adapt and learn new skills

Technology transforms how work is done across all fields. Professionals who adapt to new tools and methods maintain their effectiveness and relevance.

Question 73: An informational text uses the following signal words: 'first, then, next, finally.' What text structure does this indicate?

Sequence/chronological order (Correct answer)
Problem and solution
Cause and effect
Compare and contrast

Correct answer: Sequence/chronological order

Signal words like 'first, then, next, finally' indicate a sequence — events or steps presented in a specific order.

Question 74: This summer, a group of buddies went on fishing outings. During their trip, they were required to spend a particular number of days and catch a certain amount of fish. Whose ratio of fish caught every day is comparable to Brian's, according to the table?

York
Justin
Brody (Correct answer)
Kevin

Correct answer: Brody

Correct answer: Brian's ratio is 3:21, which can be broken down to 1:7. Brody's ratio is 5:35, which can be broken down into 1:7. They're in proportion.

Question 75: A scientist observes that plants in a shaded area are shorter than plants of the same species in a sunny area. What is the MOST reasonable explanation?

Shaded plants receive more water
The shade causes the soil to become less fertile
Shaded plants have different genetics
Sunlight is needed for photosynthesis, which provides energy for growth (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Sunlight is needed for photosynthesis, which provides energy for growth

Sunlight drives photosynthesis, which produces the energy (glucose) plants need to grow. Less light means less photosynthesis and slower growth.

Question 76: A student wants to add a transition to show contrast between two ideas. Which word or phrase would be MOST appropriate?

As a result
Furthermore
In addition
However (Correct answer)

Correct answer: However

'However' is a transitional word used to introduce a contrasting or opposing idea.

Question 77: How does understanding the exam format help your performance?

It does not help
Format does not affect difficulty
Only the content matters
Knowing the format reduces anxiety, allows better time planning, and helps you practice effectively (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Knowing the format reduces anxiety, allows better time planning, and helps you practice effectively

Familiarity with question types, time limits, and test structure lets you focus your preparation and reduces test-day surprises.

Question 78: An author includes a scene where a character discovers an old photograph that triggers memories of their childhood. This technique of going back in time is called:

Flashback (Correct answer)
Deus ex machina
Flash-forward
Foreshadowing

Correct answer: Flashback

A flashback is a narrative technique that interrupts the present story to show events from the past, triggered here by the discovery of the old photograph.

Question 79: Simplify: √(48)

2√12
6√2
12√2
4√3 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 4√3

Factor 48 = 16 × 3. √(16 × 3) = √16 × √3 = 4√3.

Question 80: A poem repeats the line 'The river runs, the river runs' at the end of every stanza. What is this literary device called?

Personification
Refrain (Correct answer)
Metaphor
Stanza

Correct answer: Refrain

A refrain is a line or group of lines repeated at regular intervals in a poem, similar to a chorus in a song.

Question 81: A student wants to write a persuasive essay about reducing plastic waste. Which type of evidence would BEST support this argument?

An anecdote about a friend who recycles
Statistics showing the percentage of ocean pollution caused by plastic (Correct answer)
A description of what plastic looks like
A personal story about forgetting to bring a reusable bag

Correct answer: Statistics showing the percentage of ocean pollution caused by plastic

Statistical evidence provides objective, quantifiable support for arguments and is more persuasive than personal anecdotes or descriptions.

Question 82: At the Ethnic Festival, Allison bought 24 stamps. At the same fair, her companion Jack bought 53 stamps. In comparison to Allison, how many more stamps did Jack buy?

20
75
29 (Correct answer)
35

Correct answer: 29

Correct answer: 29

Arizona's Measurement of Educational Readiness to Inform Teaching (AzM2)

Arizona's standardized assessment for grades 3–8 measuring student proficiency in English Language Arts and Mathematics against Arizona Academic Standards. Performance is reported as Minimally Proficient, Partially Proficient, Proficient, or Highly Proficient.

Questions

90 min

Time Limit

65%

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These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

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azed.gov — Eligibility, test dates, test delivery · verified Oct 2026