NM-MSSA English Language Arts

Question 1

What is the main idea of the following passage?
"The vast oceans cover more than 70% of Earth's surface and are home to an incredible variety of life. They provide food, regulate the climate, and offer recreational opportunities, making them essential to human survival."

Accepted Answer

Oceans are vast and important to life on Earth.

Answer

The passage highlights that oceans cover over 70% of Earth, support diverse life, provide food, regulate climate, and are essential for human survival. These details collectively emphasize the vastness and critical importance of oceans to life on Earth. The other options either misrepresent the passage's focus or only capture a partial aspect of its main message.

Question 2

Which sentence uses correct grammar?

Accepted Answer

The dog wags its tail excitedly when it sees the boy.

Answer

Sentence B, 'The dog wags its tail excitedly when it sees the boy,' uses correct subject-verb agreement for singular subjects in the present tense ('dog wags,' 'it sees'). It also correctly uses the possessive pronoun 'its' (belonging to the dog). The other options contain grammatical errors such as incorrect verb tenses, lack of subject-verb agreement, or misuse of 'it's' (which means 'it is').

Question 3

What is the synonym of the word “benevolent” as used in the sentence?
"The benevolent teacher donated books to the library."

Accepted Answer

Generous

Answer

The word 'benevolent' means well-meaning and kindly, often characterized by generosity or charity. In the context of a teacher donating books to a library, 'generous' is the most fitting synonym, as it describes someone who is willing to give freely and unselfishly. The other options do not align with the meaning of 'benevolent' in this context.

Question 4

Which detail supports the idea that exercise improves mental health?

Accepted Answer

Exercise can reduce stress and anxiety.

Answer

Mental health refers to a person's psychological and emotional well-being. The statement 'Exercise can reduce stress and anxiety' directly addresses a positive impact on these aspects of mental health. While exercise has physical benefits like building strength and improving flexibility, these are not direct indicators of improved mental health in the same way that stress and anxiety reduction are.

Question 5

What type of figurative language is used in the following sentence?
"The thunder roared like a lion in the jungle."

Accepted Answer

Simile

Answer

A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things using the words 'like' or 'as.' In the sentence 'The thunder roared like a lion in the jungle,' the thunder's sound is explicitly compared to a lion's roar using the word 'like.' This direct comparison is the defining characteristic of a simile.

(NM-MSSA) New Mexico Measures of Student Success and Achievement Practice Test Practice Test

(NM-MSSA) New Mexico Measures of Student Success and Achievement Practice Test Practice Test

NM-MSSA English Language Arts