FREE PSSA English Questions and Answers

Question 1

Compared to many other trees, Coast redwoods have an advantage because they are bathed in fog on summer mornings.

What does the sentence's figurative language suggest?

Accepted Answer

The redwood trees are covered in fog.

Answer

Explanation:
The figurative language suggests that the fog envelops or covers the redwood trees, emphasizing their unique environmental advantage.

Question 2

(1) Recently in science class, our teacher demonstrated an interesting phenomenon related to light. (2) We were studying ultraviolet light, and she wanted us to observe the effects of this type of light on some classroom objects. (3) She put ink from a highlighter pen in a bowl, turned off the classroom lights, and turned on a black light, which produces ultraviolet light. (4) Glowing in the bowl, we were amazed at how the ink from the highlighter pen was clearly visible.

Which sentence has to be changed to correct the misplaced modifier?

Accepted Answer

Sentence 4

Answer

Explanation:
The phrase "glowing in the bowl" is a misplaced modifier because it should directly modify "ink from a highlighter pen" rather than appearing at the beginning of the sentence. Placing it after "ink from a highlighter pen" would make the sentence clearer.

Question 3

Big Ben is one of the most famous clock towers in the world, and it is also one of the largest. (2) In fact, it is the third largest clock tower in the world. (3) The name “Big Ben” refers to the bell, which was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, who ordered it. (4) As for the bell itself, it weighs an astonishing thirteen tons.

Which sentence should end with an exclamation point to most effectively show excitement?

Accepted Answer

Sentence 4

Answer

Explanation:
Adding an exclamation point to sentence 4 would effectively show excitement about the astonishing weight of the bell.

Question 4

In a letter to a friend, John wrote, “The meeting will start at 7:00 Saturday morning. (2) This means that you and I will have to arrive around 6:45 if we want I am forgetting that we do not have to attend the first part of the meeting. (3) Let’s arrange to arrive at 7:15.

To show a sudden break in thought, where do we insert ellipsis points?

Accepted Answer

In sentence 2, after “want”

Answer

Explanation:
Ellipsis points can be inserted after "want" to indicate a sudden break in thought, signaling that the writer is forgetting something in the middle of the sentence.

Question 5

Many people love calico cats for their patches of white, orange, and black fur. (2) It may be surprising to find out that the word calico refers to the color pattern, not to the breed, size, or personality of the cat. (3) Almost any breed of cat—including the American shorthair the American wirehair, and the Japanese bobtail— can have the calico color pattern. (4) It is interesting that calico cats are considered a sign of good luck, are viewed as peaceful, and are nearly always female.

Which sentence needs a comma?

Accepted Answer

Sentence 3

Answer

Explanation:
A comma is needed after "American wirehair" to separate items in a list of breeds of cats.

PSSA - Pennsylvania System of School Assessment Practice Test

PSSA - Pennsylvania System of School Assessment Practice Test

FREE PSSA English Questions and Answers