FAST Florida Assessment — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Read the following excerpt from a story. The old lighthouse stood on a jagged tooth of rock, a lonely sentinel against the churning gray sea. For fifty years, Elias had been its keeper. He knew the rhythm of the waves like his own heartbeat, the cry of the gulls as the voices of old friends. Tonight was his last watch. A new automated light, a sterile, pulsing eye of technology, was to be activated at dawn. He polished the great lens, its glass cool beneath his weathered hands. It wasn't just a lamp to him; it was a heart, and he was its final beat. The foghorn blew, a long, mournful sigh that seemed to echo the feeling in his own chest. In the sentence, 'The foghorn blew, a long, mournful sigh that seemed to echo the feeling in his own chest,' what is the primary effect of the figurative language?

It creates a suspenseful and dangerous mood.
It establishes the loud volume of the foghorn.
It provides a technical description of how a foghorn operates.
It connects the sound of the foghorn to Elias's internal feelings of sadness. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It connects the sound of the foghorn to Elias's internal feelings of sadness.

The phrase 'a long, mournful sigh' is an example of personification and metaphor. It attributes a human-like expression of sadness to the foghorn. This directly reflects Elias's own sorrow about his last night, creating a powerful link between the external environment and his internal emotional state.

Question 2: A roller coaster has a sign that reads, 'Riders must be at least 48 inches tall.' Which of the following inequalities correctly represents the height, h, in inches, that a person must be to ride?

h ≥ 48 (Correct answer)
h ≤ 48
h < 48
h > 48

Correct answer: h ≥ 48

The phrase 'at least 48 inches' means that a height of exactly 48 inches is allowed, as well as any height greater than 48 inches. The mathematical symbol for 'greater than or equal to' is ≥. Therefore, the inequality h ≥ 48 correctly represents the height requirement.

Question 3: Read the sentence below. 'After the team lost the championship game by a single point, the mood in the locker room was somber, with players sitting in silence, their heads in their hands.' What is the meaning of the word 'somber' in this context?

Loud and chaotic
Gloomy and serious (Correct answer)
Angry and aggressive
Hopeful and optimistic

Correct answer: Gloomy and serious

The correct answer is 'Gloomy and serious'. The context clues 'lost the championship game,' 'sitting in silence,' and 'heads in their hands' all point to a sad, serious, and dark mood, which is the definition of somber.

Question 4: Savannah has taken five spelling quizzes and wants to determine her overall grade on the spelling quizzes. She earned a 74 on quiz 1, 83 on quizzes 2 and 4, 96 on quiz 3 and 84 on quiz 5.<br> What is her mean grade on spelling quizzes in the class?

96
105
84 (Correct answer)
83

Correct answer: 84

Adding all five quiz scores: 74 + 83 + 83 + 96 + 84 = 420. Dividing by the number of quizzes (5) gives 420 ÷ 5 = 84. Note that quizzes 2 and 4 both scored 83, so that value must be counted twice in the sum.

Question 5: The population of a city is 6,481,592. A news report rounds this number to the nearest hundred thousand. Which number was reported?

6,000,000
6,480,000
6,500,000 (Correct answer)
6,400,000

Correct answer: 6,500,000

To round to the nearest hundred thousand, look at the digit in the ten thousands place (8). Since 8 is 5 or greater, you round up the digit in the hundred thousands place (4) to 5. All digits to the right become zeros. Therefore, 6,481,592 rounds to 6,500,000.

Question 6: May is donating towels to the animal shelter for dogs and cats in need. She finds towels in bulk for $45 for 25 towels. How much is she paying per towel?

$1.80 (Correct answer)
$5.00
$0.44
$20.00

Correct answer: $1.80

Dividing $45 by 25 towels gives $45 ÷ 25 = $1.80 per towel. $0.44 would be far too low, $5.00 would be 25 × $5 = $125 total (not $45), and $20.00 would make 25 towels cost $500 — all inconsistent with the bulk price given.

Question 7: In narrative writing, what is the role of the climax?

It wraps up the story and resolves conflict
It introduces the characters and setting
It is the turning point or moment of highest tension in the story (Correct answer)
It provides background information

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

The climax is the peak moment of conflict and tension in a narrative, after which events move toward resolution.

Question 8: Which equation correctly demonstrates the distributive property of multiplication over addition?

12y × 1 = 12y
5 + (8 + 2) = (5 + 8) + 2
7(x + 3) = 7x + 21 (Correct answer)
4 × 9 = 9 × 4

Correct answer: 7(x + 3) = 7x + 21

The distributive property states that multiplying a number by a sum is the same as multiplying the number by each addend separately and then adding the products. In option B, the 7 is 'distributed' to both the x and the 3 through multiplication, resulting in 7x + 21. Option A shows the associative property, C shows the commutative property, and D shows the identity property.

Question 9: A recipe requires 2 cups of flour. If a student wants to make 3 batches, how many cups of flour are needed in total?

8 cups
5 cups
6 cups (Correct answer)
4 cups

Correct answer: 6 cups

2 cups × 3 batches = 6 cups of flour total.

Question 10: In a compare-and-contrast essay, which organizational structure presents all details about Topic A before discussing Topic B?

Problem-solution structure
Point-by-point structure
Block structure (Correct answer)
Chronological structure

Correct answer: Block structure

Block structure organizes a compare-and-contrast essay by discussing everything about one topic first, then everything about the other.

Question 11: Read the following excerpt from a story. The old lighthouse stood on a jagged tooth of rock, a lonely sentinel against the churning gray sea. For fifty years, Elias had been its keeper. He knew the rhythm of the waves like his own heartbeat, the cry of the gulls as the voices of old friends. Tonight was his last watch. A new automated light, a sterile, pulsing eye of technology, was to be activated at dawn. He polished the great lens, its glass cool beneath his weathered hands. It wasn't just a lamp to him; it was a heart, and he was its final beat. The foghorn blew, a long, mournful sigh that seemed to echo the feeling in his own chest. Which of the following sentences best states a theme of the passage?

Lighthouses are essential for the safety of ships at sea.
Loneliness can be overcome by a dedication to one's work.
The sea is a powerful and dangerous force.
Technological advancement inevitably leads to the displacement of tradition. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Technological advancement inevitably leads to the displacement of tradition.

The central theme revolves around the transition from the old, human-maintained tradition (Elias and his lighthouse) to the new, impersonal technology (the automated light). The passage contrasts Elias's deep, personal connection to his work with the 'sterile, pulsing eye' of the new machine, highlighting the sense of loss that comes with this type of progress. The other options are minor details or too general.

Question 12: Which of the following best describes the author's purpose in a text that explains the process of photosynthesis, detailing the roles of sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide?

To express feelings about the beauty of nature.
To entertain the reader with a story about a plant.
To inform the reader about a biological process. (Correct answer)
To persuade the reader to plant more trees.

Correct answer: To inform the reader about a biological process.

The text's focus on explaining a scientific process (photosynthesis) by providing factual details and steps indicates that the author's primary purpose is to inform or explain. The other options (persuade, entertain, express feelings) do not align with the content described.

Question 13: A box weighs 4 pounds and 8 ounces. How many total ounces does the box weigh?

64 ounces
72 ounces (Correct answer)
56 ounces
48 ounces

Correct answer: 72 ounces

4 pounds × 16 ounces/pound = 64 ounces + 8 ounces = 72 ounces.

Question 14: A 13-foot ladder is leaning against a vertical wall. The bottom of the ladder is 5 feet from the base of the wall. How high up the wall does the ladder reach?

8 feet
12 feet (Correct answer)
14 feet
18 feet

Correct answer: 12 feet

The ladder, wall, and ground form a right triangle, with the ladder as the hypotenuse. The Pythagorean theorem, a² + b² = c², can be used to solve this. Here, c = 13 and b = 5. So, a² + 5² = 13², which is a² + 25 = 169. Subtracting 25 from both sides gives a² = 144. Taking the square root of 144 gives a = 12. The ladder reaches 12 feet up the wall.

Question 15: Which of the following statements describes a property that is ALWAYS true for any rhombus?

All four sides are equal in length. (Correct answer)
The diagonals are equal in length.
All four angles are right angles.
Only one pair of opposite sides is parallel.

Correct answer: All four sides are equal in length.

By definition, a rhombus is a quadrilateral where all four sides have the same length. While some rhombuses (squares) have right angles and equal diagonals, this is not true for all rhombuses. A rhombus is a parallelogram, so both pairs of opposite sides are parallel.

Question 16: A swimming pool is being filled at a rate of 200 gallons per hour. How many gallons will be in the pool after 4.5 hours?

900 gallons (Correct answer)
950 gallons
850 gallons
800 gallons

Correct answer: 900 gallons

200 gallons/hour × 4.5 hours = 900 gallons.

Question 17: A scientist is comparing the lengths of four different insects. The lengths are 0.521 cm, 0.509 cm, 0.61 cm, and 0.512 cm. Which of the following lists the lengths in order from greatest to least?

0.61 cm, 0.521 cm, 0.512 cm, 0.509 cm (Correct answer)
0.509 cm, 0.512 cm, 0.521 cm, 0.61 cm
0.521 cm, 0.512 cm, 0.509 cm, 0.61 cm
0.61 cm, 0.509 cm, 0.512 cm, 0.521 cm

Correct answer: 0.61 cm, 0.521 cm, 0.512 cm, 0.509 cm

To compare decimals, start from the leftmost digit. The decimal with the largest digit in the tenths place is 0.61. For the remaining numbers, the tenths place is the same (5). Next, compare the hundredths place: 2 is the largest (0.521), then 1 (0.512), then 0 (0.509). So the correct order is 0.61, 0.521, 0.512, 0.509.

Question 18: A student is writing a report about manatees. Read the draft of a paragraph from the report. '(1) Manatees are large, slow-moving marine mammals. (2) Sometimes called “sea cows,” they graze on aquatic plants in shallow waters. (3) A manatee uses its two flippers to help it swim. (4) Many people finds these gentle giants to be fascinating creatures.' Which sentence contains a grammatical error?

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

Correct answer: Sentence 4

Sentence 4 has an error in subject-verb agreement. The subject 'people' is plural, so the verb should be 'find,' not 'finds.' The '-s' ending is used for singular subjects in the present tense.

Question 19: An informational text is structured with the following headings: I. The Problem: Plastic in Our Oceans II. A Major Source: Single-Use Plastics III. A Potential Solution: Biodegradable Alternatives IV. The Path Forward: Policy and Personal Responsibility What is the primary organizational structure of this text?

Problem and solution (Correct answer)
Compare and contrast
Cause and effect
Chronological order

Correct answer: Problem and solution

The headings clearly indicate that the text first identifies a problem (plastic in oceans), explores its cause (single-use plastics), and then proposes solutions (biodegradable alternatives, policy changes). This is a classic problem-and-solution structure.

Question 20: In the number 77,245, how does the value of the 7 in the ten thousands place compare to the value of the 7 in the thousands place?

It is 7 times greater.
It is 100 times greater.
It is 10 times greater. (Correct answer)
It is 1/10 as great.

Correct answer: It is 10 times greater.

The first 7 is in the ten thousands place, so its value is 70,000. The second 7 is in the thousands place, so its value is 7,000. To compare them, you can divide 70,000 by 7,000, which equals 10. Each place value to the left is 10 times greater than the place value to its right.

Question 21: Solve for p: p⁄6 — 68 = 4p + 16 (Round your answer to the tenths place)

-19.9
-24.7
-21.9 (Correct answer)
-17.2

Correct answer: -21.9

Isolate the variable on one side of the = sign. -16 -68 = 4p –p⁄6 Now simplify the math. -84 = 4p - p⁄6 To get rid of the 6 in the denominator, multiply both sides of the equation by 6. -504 = 24p - p Simplify the variables side of the equation -504 + 23 p Divide both sides of the equation by 23. -21.9 = p

Question 22: Which type of irony occurs when the audience knows something that a character in the story does not know?

Verbal irony
Situational irony
Cosmic irony
Dramatic irony (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Dramatic irony

Dramatic irony occurs when the reader or audience has information that a character lacks, creating tension, suspense, or humor.

Question 23: Which algebraic expression correctly translates the verbal phrase '8 less than the product of a number, n, and 3'?

8 < 3n
3n - 8 (Correct answer)
3(n - 8)
8 - 3n

Correct answer: 3n - 8

First, identify 'the product of a number, n, and 3,' which translates to 3n. The key phrase 'less than' indicates subtraction, but it reverses the order of the terms. So, '8 less than' means you subtract 8 from the previously identified product. This results in the expression 3n - 8.

Question 24: Leo sold boxes of cookies for a fundraiser, earning $2.50 for each box he sold. By the end of the fundraiser, he had raised a total of $112.50. If b represents the number of boxes Leo sold, which equation correctly models this situation?

112.50 - b = 2.50
2.50 + b = 112.50
b / 2.50 = 112.50
2.50b = 112.50 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 2.50b = 112.50

The total amount raised ($112.50) is the result of multiplying the earnings per box ($2.50) by the number of boxes sold (b). Therefore, the situation is correctly modeled by the equation 2.50b = 112.50.

Question 25: A restaurant offers a lunch special where customers can choose one sandwich, one side, and one drink. The choices are: Sandwiches (Turkey, Ham), Sides (Fries, Salad, Soup), and Drinks (Soda, Water). How many different meal combinations are possible?

12 (Correct answer)
9
7
24

Correct answer: 12

To find the total number of possible combinations, you multiply the number of choices for each category. There are 2 sandwich choices, 3 side choices, and 2 drink choices. The total number of combinations is 2 × 3 × 2 = 12.

Question 26: Read the following excerpt from a story. Liam traced the rim of the chipped teacup, the last of his grandmother’s set. His older sister, Clara, breezed into the kitchen, dropping a stack of mail on the table. 'Still moping over that old thing?' she asked, not unkindly. 'It’s just a cup.' Liam shook his head. 'It’s not just a cup,' he mumbled. 'It’s the feel of the handle, worn smooth where she held it. It’s the memory of her stories, the scent of cinnamon tea.' Clara paused, her expression softening. She picked up the cup, her fingers finding the same worn spot. 'I remember,' she said softly. 'She always said a story was just a memory you shared out loud.' How does Clara's perspective on the teacup change over the course of the passage?

She shifts from viewing the cup as a simple object to understanding its sentimental importance. (Correct answer)
She decides that she should be the one to keep the teacup.
She becomes angry that Liam is so focused on the past.
She remains convinced that the cup is just an object with no real value.

Correct answer: She shifts from viewing the cup as a simple object to understanding its sentimental importance.

Initially, Clara dismisses the teacup as an 'old thing' and 'just a cup,' indicating she sees only its physical, utilitarian value. However, after Liam explains its connection to their grandmother's memory and stories, her 'expression softening' and her quiet statement, 'I remember,' show she has come to understand and share in its sentimental value.

Question 27: Read the following excerpt from a story. I crept through the silent market, the moonlight turning the canvas stalls into pale ghosts. Every shadow seemed to hold a secret, and the gentle flap of an awning in the breeze sounded like a whispered warning. My goal was the baker’s stall at the far end, where a single loaf of bread, forgotten on the counter, represented a feast. My stomach ached with a hunger so deep it had become a dull, constant companion. From which narrative point of view is this passage written?

Third-person limited
Third-person omniscient
First-person (Correct answer)
Second-person

Correct answer: First-person

The passage is told from the first-person point of view. This is evident through the use of first-person pronouns like 'I,' 'My,' and the direct access to the narrator's personal thoughts and feelings ('My stomach ached...'). The reader experiences the events directly through the narrator's eyes.

Question 28: A scientific article about climate change includes a graph showing a steady increase in global average temperatures from 1880 to the present. The text discusses the correlation between rising CO2 levels and this temperature increase. What is the most likely purpose of including the graph?

To show that temperature increases are a natural, cyclical phenomenon.
To visually represent the data discussed in the text, making the trend easier to understand. (Correct answer)
To provide a decorative element to the article's layout.
To present the author's opinion about climate change in a visual format.

Correct answer: To visually represent the data discussed in the text, making the trend easier to understand.

In informational texts, graphs, charts, and other visual aids are used to present complex data in a way that is easy to comprehend and that supports the claims made in the text. The graph of rising temperatures visually reinforces the article's discussion of global warming.

Question 29: Read the sentence below. 'The archeologist had to be meticulous, carefully brushing away centuries of dust from the fragile artifact without causing any damage.' Based on the context, what is the meaning of the word 'meticulous'?

Having extensive knowledge of a subject.
Lacking interest or concern.
Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise. (Correct answer)
Acting with great speed and urgency.

Correct answer: Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.

The correct answer is 'Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.' The context clues 'carefully brushing' and 'without causing any damage' indicate that the work requires extreme care and precision, which is the definition of meticulous.

Question 30: Two angles are supplementary. If the measure of the first angle is 115°, what is the measure of the second angle?

245°
115°
25°
65° (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 65°

Supplementary angles are two angles whose measures add up to 180 degrees. To find the measure of the second angle, subtract the known angle from 180: 180° - 115° = 65°.

Question 31: Read the following excerpt from a historical article: 'The construction of the Panama Canal was a monumental undertaking, fraught with challenges. French efforts in the 1880s were plagued by disease and financial problems, ultimately leading to their failure. The United States took over the project in 1904, and one of its first priorities was to control the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses like yellow fever and malaria. Dr. William Gorgas implemented sanitation programs that virtually eradicated these diseases from the canal zone, a critical step that enabled the workforce to proceed. The engineering feats were equally impressive, involving the creation of the massive Gatun Lake and a series of complex locks to lift ships over the continental divide.' Which of the following statements best summarizes the central idea of the passage?

The successful construction of the Panama Canal by the United States was dependent on both overcoming disease and achieving significant engineering feats. (Correct answer)
French and American engineers collaborated to build the Panama Canal.
Dr. William Gorgas was the most important figure in the construction of the Panama Canal.
The primary challenge in building the Panama Canal was the engineering, such as creating Gatun Lake and the locks.

Correct answer: The successful construction of the Panama Canal by the United States was dependent on both overcoming disease and achieving significant engineering feats.

This answer choice correctly synthesizes the two main points discussed in the text: the crucial role of sanitation and disease control, and the impressive engineering accomplishments. The other options are either inaccurate or focus on only one aspect of the passage.

Question 32: A shipping company uses a box shaped like a rectangular prism with a length of 10 inches, a width of 6 inches, and a height of 4 inches. What is the total volume of the box?

20 cubic inches
64 cubic inches
240 cubic inches (Correct answer)
120 cubic inches

Correct answer: 240 cubic inches

The formula for the volume of a rectangular prism is V = length × width × height. Plugging in the given dimensions: V = 10 in × 6 in × 4 in = 240 cubic inches.

Question 33: On a pictograph, each picture of a sun represents 4 sunny days. If there are 5 suns shown for July, how many sunny days were there?

5 days
9 days
20 days (Correct answer)
45 days

Correct answer: 20 days

5 suns × 4 days per sun = 20 sunny days in July.

Question 34: Which of the following is an example of a primary source a student might cite in a research report about the Florida environment?

An encyclopedia article about the Everglades
A scientist's original research journal documenting water quality measurements (Correct answer)
A children's book about Florida animals
A textbook chapter summarizing Florida ecosystems

Correct answer: A scientist's original research journal documenting water quality measurements

A primary source is original, firsthand material such as original research data, diaries, or eyewitness accounts.

Question 35: During a progress monitoring assessment for the FAST exam, a kindergarten student is asked to say the word 'cat', then say it again without the /k/ sound. This task is designed to assess which specific area of phonological awareness?

Rhyme production
Phoneme blending
Syllable segmentation
Phoneme deletion (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Phoneme deletion

This task requires the student to identify and remove a specific sound (phoneme) from the beginning of a word, which is known as phoneme deletion. Phoneme blending involves combining sounds to form a word. Syllable segmentation involves breaking a word into its syllables. Rhyme production involves creating a word that sounds the same as another.

Question 36: Read the following excerpt from a poem. The winter oak, a skeleton’s hand, Reaches for a sky of stone. Its gnarled fingers, bleak and bare, Remember sun they once had known. A lone crow lands, a spot of ink, And shifts upon the brittle wood, A silent, feathered question mark, By all the world misunderstood. Based on the poem's details, what can the reader infer about the speaker's feelings?

The speaker is interested in the scientific study of birds.
The speaker is angry about the harshness of winter.
The speaker is experiencing feelings of isolation and gloom. (Correct answer)
The speaker feels a sense of hope for the coming spring.

Correct answer: The speaker is experiencing feelings of isolation and gloom.

The poem uses words with negative connotations like 'skeleton's hand,' 'sky of stone,' 'bleak and bare,' and 'brittle wood.' The crow is described as a 'spot of ink' and a 'misunderstood' question mark. This consistent use of imagery associated with emptiness, coldness, and misunderstanding suggests the speaker is projecting feelings of sadness and isolation onto the scene.

Question 37: Which sentence uses the most precise and formal language appropriate for an informative essay?

Pollution is super terrible and we all hate it.
You should know that pollution is a problem.
Pollution negatively impacts human health and natural ecosystems. (Correct answer)
The thing about pollution is that it's really bad for everyone.

Correct answer: Pollution negatively impacts human health and natural ecosystems.

Formal, informative writing uses precise vocabulary and objective language rather than informal or vague expressions.

Question 38: Read the following excerpt from a story. I crept through the silent market, the moonlight turning the canvas stalls into pale ghosts. Every shadow seemed to hold a secret, and the gentle flap of an awning in the breeze sounded like a whispered warning. My goal was the baker’s stall at the far end, where a single loaf of bread, forgotten on the counter, represented a feast. My stomach ached with a hunger so deep it had become a dull, constant companion. How does the author's choice of the word 'ghosts' to describe the market stalls affect the tone of the passage?

It suggests a festive and celebratory tone.
It establishes a scholarly and academic tone.
It develops an eerie and mysterious tone. (Correct answer)
It creates a comical and lighthearted tone.

Correct answer: It develops an eerie and mysterious tone.

The word 'ghosts' has connotations of the supernatural, emptiness, and the uncanny. By comparing the moonlit stalls to 'pale ghosts,' the author creates an eerie, mysterious, and slightly tense atmosphere. This is reinforced by other word choices like 'secret' shadows and 'whispered warning.'

Question 39: Read this sentence from a biography: 'Her rise through the company's ranks was meteoric; in just five years, she went from an entry-level assistant to the chief executive officer.' What is the meaning of the word 'meteoric' as it is used in this sentence?

Slow and steady
Related to outer space
Unexpected and disastrous
Very rapid and brilliant (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Very rapid and brilliant

The context clue 'in just five years, she went from an entry-level assistant to the chief executive officer' shows that her rise was extremely fast and impressive. Therefore, 'meteoric' is used figuratively to mean very rapid and brilliant, like a meteor streaking across the sky.

Question 40: An online article argues that schools should implement later start times for high school students. Which of the following pieces of evidence would most effectively support the author's claim?

A study from the American Academy of Pediatrics linking adolescent sleep cycles to improved academic performance with later school start times. (Correct answer)
An anecdote from a teacher who feels more alert in the morning.
A quote from a student who enjoys sleeping in.
A chart showing the bus schedules for the local school district.

Correct answer: A study from the American Academy of Pediatrics linking adolescent sleep cycles to improved academic performance with later school start times.

To support a claim in an informational text, the strongest evidence is typically from a credible, expert source. A study from a professional medical organization like the American Academy of Pediatrics provides authoritative, research-based evidence, which is more persuasive than personal opinions or unrelated data.

FAST Florida Assessment

The FAST (Florida Assessment of Student Thinking) measures student proficiency in ELA and Mathematics for grades 3-10, using computer-adaptive testing.

Questions

90 min

Time Limit

60%

To Pass

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