FSA Practice Test (4th Grade: English Language & Arts) 1 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: All day, I'd been craving chocolate ice cream. Finally, school was finished, and I was free to go grab a giant chocolate ice cream cone. Although the line was long, it was well worth the wait. My ice cream cone's first bite was delicious. Then the worst thing that could have happened occurred. I bumped with the person in front of me and spilled my ice cream. Make a one-sentence summary of the preceding text.

The first taste of ice cream was great because I had been craving it all day.
I craved ice cream all day, but when I finally got a cone I dropped it on the floor. (Correct answer)
I craved ice cream all day, but I dropped it.
I bought chocolate ice cream, and I bumped into someone and dropped it.

Correct answer: I craved ice cream all day, but when I finally got a cone I dropped it on the floor.

This option provides the most comprehensive one-sentence summary, capturing the main desire (craving ice cream), the successful acquisition, and the unfortunate climax (dropping it). It covers the beginning, middle, and end of the story more completely than the other options, which either miss key details or are too general. The summary effectively condenses the entire narrative into a single, coherent statement.

Question 2: When we went to the city, we saw senator Davis riding in a car in the parade. Which word should be capitalized?

parade
we
senator (Correct answer)
city

Correct answer: senator

The word 'senator' should be capitalized because it is used as a formal title directly preceding a person's name, 'Davis.' When a title is used as part of a proper noun, it functions as part of that specific individual's name and therefore requires capitalization. If 'senator' were used generally (e.g., 'a senator'), it would remain lowercase.

Question 3: Mike is a also a student at my school. He is popular with both teachers and students. Mike is someone we can trust to protect our secrets, assist us when we need it, and always be on time. We know he is always truthful and wants others to be the same. Mike got a job walking dogs every morning last summer. Everyone advised him to quit his work when school started this year, but he chose to maintain it. He understood it would be difficult to get up at 5 a.m. every morning to walk all of the dogs and then go to school for the rest of the day. This year, he also intends to sing in the chorus, play basketball, and serve as a tutoring program mentor. He knows it won't be easy, but he believes his efforts will be worthwhile. He's attempting to save money so that he can attend a youth camp next summer. Mike is saving money for what forthcoming occasion, according to the above passage?

A chorus trip
Youth camp (Correct answer)
A basketball game
A football game

Correct answer: Youth camp

The passage explicitly states, 'He's attempting to save money so that he can attend a youth camp next summer.' This sentence directly answers the question about Mike's financial goal. The other options refer to activities Mike is involved in, but not the specific occasion for which he is saving money.

Question 4: Which of the following statements is capitalized correctly?

Many American soldiers received the Medal of honor during World War II.
The American revolution was fought against the British.
American Soldiers had to hike many miles during the war.
During World War I, Americans fought against German soldier. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: During World War I, Americans fought against German soldier.

This statement is capitalized correctly because it properly capitalizes proper nouns such as specific historical events ('World War I') and nationalities ('Americans,' 'German'). In contrast, the other options contain capitalization errors, such as 'Medal of honor' (should be 'Medal of Honor') or 'American revolution' (should be 'American Revolution').

Question 5: Shiela had spent an hour practicing her recital piece. She couldn't seem to get it right. She stormed out of the room, throwing her music on the floor. She told her father that she was going to stop playing piano since she would never be able to learn the piece for her recital. Her father advised her to take it slowly. He explained that learning a piano piece took more than one practice session. He assured her that if she practiced her piece every day, she would eventually master it. Shiela wasn't sure she agreed, but she practiced every day for the next week. One day, she was surprised to discover that she had played her piece perfectly. After all, her father had been correct. What is the central theme of the preceding passage?

Knowledge is powerful.
Practice makes perfect. (Correct answer)
Enjoy life while you can.
We create our own happiness.

Correct answer: Practice makes perfect.

The central theme is 'Practice makes perfect' because the story illustrates how Shiela initially struggles with a piano piece but eventually masters it through consistent daily practice, as advised by her father. Her success after dedicated effort directly supports this proverb. The narrative's resolution emphasizes the importance of perseverance and repeated effort.

Question 6: Which of the following statements is correct?

what time is dinner?
where did you go?
When did you read that book? (Correct answer)
who wants a rootbeer float?

Correct answer: When did you read that book?

This sentence is correctly phrased as a question, starting with a capital letter and ending with a question mark. The word order is appropriate for an interrogative sentence in English. The other options either lack proper capitalization at the beginning or are missing the correct punctuation at the end.

Question 7: When John was walking to his friend's house, he noticed a stranger approaching him. John was greeted by the man. John came to a halt and greeted the man, even though he didn't recognize him. The man invited John to accompany him to his car and demonstrate how to use his cellphone. Because he didn't know the man, John didn't think he should do it. He told him he didn't have time, but the man persisted. When John attempted to walk away, the man grabbed his arm and began dragging him back to his car. John screamed as loudly as he possibly could. A cop arrived and forced the man to flee from John. John then dashed to his friend's house and informed him of the incident. When his friend's mother walked outside to look for him, she noticed a police officer arresting the man. John was relieved that he had followed his mother's warnings about strangers. What is the central theme of the preceding passage?

Love your neighbor.
Hard work can bring a great reward.
Practice makes perfect.
Beware of strangers (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Beware of strangers

The central theme is 'Beware of strangers' because the story details John's dangerous encounter with an unknown man who attempts to abduct him. The narrative concludes with John's relief that he 'had followed his mother's warnings about strangers,' explicitly stating the moral lesson. The entire passage serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of interacting with unknown individuals.

Question 8: Before this incident, she _______ to the principal’s office many times. What is the correct verb phrase?

have been
will have been
had been (Correct answer)
has been

Correct answer: had been

The phrase 'Before this incident' indicates an action that was completed prior to another past event. The past perfect tense, 'had been,' is correctly used to describe an action that occurred before another action in the past. This tense accurately conveys the sequence of events in the sentence.

Question 9: 2754 East Main Street Jojo, TX 49256 May 24, 2013 Greetings, Mr. Alex! I placed an order to your company for a Magic Racing Top. The toy was sent to me today in a severely damaged package. Before I opened the package, I snapped an image of it, which I am providing to you as proof of damage. The toy inside was broken, most likely as a result of package damage during shipping. This toy was going to be a birthday present for one of my friends. I don't have enough time until his celebration to wait for a replacement toy, so I don't need it. I'd like to get my money refunded to me. Please supply a prepaid shipping label if you want me to return the broken item. Thank you for taking care of things for me. I eagerly await your response and hope that we will be able to handle this issue to our satisfaction. Sincerely, Michael Brown Choose the most accurate summary of the preceding letter.

Michael got a broken toy. He is mad. He wants a refund.
Michael ordered a toy for his friend’s birthday. When the toy arrived, the package was damaged and the toy was broken. He doesn’t want a replacement toy because he doesn’t have enough time to wait on it. He wants a refund from the company.
Michael bought a Magic Racing Top. The package was damaged during shipping. When he opened the package, the toy was broken. He doesn’t want a replacement. He wants a refund for the toy. He looks forward to hearing from Mr. Alex.
Michael received a broken Magic Racing Top in a damaged package. Since the toy was a gift and there is no time to wait for a replacement, Michael wants his money back. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Michael received a broken Magic Racing Top in a damaged package. Since the toy was a gift and there is no time to wait for a replacement, Michael wants his money back.

This summary accurately captures all the essential details of the letter in a concise and comprehensive manner. It includes the problem (broken toy, damaged package), the reason for not wanting a replacement (gift, no time), and the desired resolution (refund). The other options are either too brief, missing key information, or include unnecessary conversational elements.

Question 10: They _______ it will be easy to run the mile. Select the appropriate verb.

thinks
has thought
will thinks
think (Correct answer)

Correct answer: think

The subject of the sentence is 'They,' which is a plural pronoun. In the present tense, plural subjects require the base form of the verb without an '-s' ending. Therefore, 'think' is the correct verb to ensure subject-verb agreement with 'They.'

Question 11: Mike is a also a student at my school. He is popular with both teachers and students. Mike is someone we can trust to protect our secrets, assist us when we need it, and always be on time. We know he is always truthful and wants others to be the same. Mike got a job walking dogs every morning last summer. Everyone advised him to quit his work when school started this year, but he chose to maintain it. He understood it would be difficult to get up at 5 a.m. every morning to walk all of the dogs and then go to school for the rest of the day. This year, he also intends to sing in the chorus, play basketball, and serve as a tutoring program mentor. He knows it won't be easy, but he believes his efforts will be worthwhile. He's attempting to save money so that he can attend a youth camp next summer. Mike gets up every morning at 5 a.m. to:

Tutor a classmate
Do his homework
Walk dogs (Correct answer)
Practice basketball

Correct answer: Walk dogs

The passage explicitly states, 'Mike got a job walking dogs every morning last summer' and 'He understood it would be difficult to get up at 5 a.m. every morning to walk all of the dogs.' This directly answers the question about his 5 a.m. activity. The other options are activities Mike is involved in, but not what he does at 5 a.m.

Question 12: Anne and Ara ordered two cheeseburgers each. Which of the following words is a verb?

cheeseburgers
Anne
each
ordered (Correct answer)

Correct answer: ordered

A verb is a word that describes an action, state, or occurrence. In the sentence, 'ordered' is the action performed by Anne and Ara, making it the verb. The other words are either nouns ('cheeseburgers,' 'Anne') or a determiner/pronoun ('each').

Question 13: Alexa the Great was a queen who lived over two thousand five hundred years ago. She was Ronald II of Macedonia's daughter. When Princess Alexa was a young girl, a lovely horse that was for sale was brought to the court of his father. It was planned to sell the animal for thirteen talents. Talents are like gold coins from the past. Many people wanted to buy the horse, but no one could get close enough to saddle it. He was uncontrollable and difficult to ride. Alexa begged his father to let her try. She moved the horse towards the sun so that its shadow fell behind it, realizing that the horse was scared of its own shadow. The princess proudly rode away after this calmed the horse. Observing this, her father said, “My daughter, look for a kingdom worthy of your greatness. Macedonia is too small for you.” That is just what Alexa attempted to accomplish as she grew older. She fought several fights and was always accompanied by Brono (the horse's name). The girl and her horse developed a bond of friendship and trust. Alexa was heartbroken and mourned the death of her horse Brono after he died of wounds sustained in war. When did the events of this narrative take place?

twenty five hundred years ago
two thousand five hundred years ago (Correct answer)
It is happening now
two hundred and fifty years ago

Correct answer: two thousand five hundred years ago

The first sentence of the passage explicitly states, 'Alexa the Great was a queen who lived over two thousand five hundred years ago.' This directly provides the timeframe for the events of the narrative. No inference is needed, as the information is clearly given.

Question 14: In a pet-related outline, which of the following would be a subheading?

shoes
rocks
dogs (Correct answer)
flowers

Correct answer: dogs

An outline organizes information, and a subheading categorizes specific topics under a broader main heading. If the main heading is 'pets,' then 'dogs' is a logical and relevant subheading, as dogs are a common type of pet. The other options (shoes, rocks, flowers) are unrelated to the topic of pets.

Question 15: His eyes twinkled like diamonds as he looked lovingly at his new kitten. Identify the simile in the preceding sentence.

twinkled like diamonds (Correct answer)
at his new kitten
as he looked lovingly
his eyes twinkled

Correct answer: twinkled like diamonds

A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things using the words 'like' or 'as.' In the sentence, 'twinkled like diamonds' directly compares the twinkling of his eyes to the sparkle of diamonds using the word 'like,' making it the simile.

Question 16: Which of the following questions is accurately phrased?

Have you seen the weather report? (Correct answer)
The weather report you have seen?
Have seen you the weather report?
You have seen the weather report?

Correct answer: Have you seen the weather report?

This sentence is correctly phrased as an interrogative sentence (a question) with proper subject-verb inversion for a question. It begins with the auxiliary verb 'Have,' followed by the subject 'you,' and then the main verb 'seen,' concluding with a question mark. The other options have incorrect word order for a standard English question.

Question 17: His eyes twinkled like diamonds as he looked lovingly at his new kitten. What two things are being compared in the given passage by the simile?

his love to a diamond
his eyes to a kitten
his kitten to a diamond
his eyes to a diamond (Correct answer)

Correct answer: his eyes to a diamond

The simile 'His eyes twinkled like diamonds' directly compares the way his eyes twinkled to the way diamonds sparkle. Therefore, the two things being compared are 'his eyes' and 'diamonds,' highlighting a shared quality of brightness or sparkle. The word 'like' explicitly draws this comparison.

Question 18: Dianne walked across the house quietly so as not to wake her parents. She stood and listened before entering the kitchen, making sure no one had gotten up because they had heard her. She carefully opened the cabinet door, making sure it didn't squeak. Something warm and furry touched Dianne's hand as she reached into the cabinet. Dianne screamed and ran from the kitchen. Her father dashed into the room to find out what had happened. When he noticed their cat Purr Purr sitting quietly in the kitchen cabinet wagging her tail, he burst out laughing. Which style of narration is used in the above passage?

Third person (Correct answer)
Fourth person
First person
Second person

Correct answer: Third person

Third-person narration is used when the narrator is an outside observer, referring to characters using pronouns like 'she,' 'her,' 'Dianne,' and 'father.' The story is told from a perspective that is not one of the characters involved in the action, providing an external viewpoint.

Question 19: _______________ found a bag of chocolate.

a big dog
Four children (Correct answer)
one old lady
a policeman

Correct answer: Four children

'Four children' is a grammatically correct plural noun phrase that can serve as the subject of the sentence. It fits the sentence structure and makes logical sense as the entity performing the action of finding a bag of chocolate. All options are grammatically valid subjects, but 'Four children' is presented as the correct choice.

Question 20: You're not the type of girl who'd show up at a place like this so early in the morning. But now you're here, and you can't say the terrain is completely unknown, even if the specifics are fuzzy. —From Jay McInerney's novel Bright Lights, Big City (1984) Which type of narration is used in the above passage?

Third person
Fourth person
First person
Second person (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Second person

Second-person narration directly addresses the reader using the pronoun 'you.' The passage uses phrases like 'You're not the type of girl who'd show up...' and 'But now you're here,' directly involving the reader as the main character. This creates an immediate and personal connection with the audience.

Question 21: Choose the proper comma placement for an introductory word.

No you can’t, eat a cookie.
No, you can’t eat a cookie. (Correct answer)
No you, can’t eat a cookie.
No you can’t eat a cookie.

Correct answer: No, you can’t eat a cookie.

When an introductory word like 'No' is used to begin a sentence, it should be followed by a comma to separate it from the rest of the sentence. This comma helps to clarify the sentence structure and indicates a natural pause after the introductory word. This is a standard rule for comma usage.

Question 22: When I first realized that I would be getting a tooth pulled, I was terrified. The night before the procedure, I didn't get any sleep at all. I was scared that it might hurt too much for me to bear. When I sat in the dentist's chair, I was trembling. He assured me that procedure would be painless, but I had my reservations. I was given some medication by the dentist. My tooth was gone when I awoke, and I had no knowledge of what had happened. Which type of narration is used in the above passage?

Third person
Fourth person
First person (Correct answer)
Second person

Correct answer: First person

First-person narration is characterized by the use of pronouns like 'I,' 'me,' and 'my,' indicating that the story is told from the perspective of a character within the narrative. The passage uses phrases such as 'I was terrified,' 'I didn't get any sleep,' and 'my tooth was gone,' clearly showing the narrator is experiencing the events directly.

Question 23: Which of the following sentences has the comma in the proper place?

Ryan put, your coat on.
Ryan put your, coat on.
Ryan, put your coat on. (Correct answer)
Ryan put your coat on.

Correct answer: Ryan, put your coat on.

When directly addressing someone by name at the beginning of a sentence, a comma should be placed after the name to separate it from the rest of the command or statement. This is known as using a comma for direct address, which signals a pause and clarifies who is being spoken to.

Question 24: What is the shape of a muscle tissue cell, according to the table above?

Long
Long and wide
Long and narrow (Correct answer)
Wide and flat

Correct answer: Long and narrow

Based on the information that would be presented in the (unseen) table, the specific shape attributed to a muscle tissue cell is 'Long and narrow.' This detail would be directly stated or clearly implied within the table's data for cell types and their characteristics. Without the table, this answer relies on the provided correct option.

Question 25: Which one is correct in spelling?

anonimus
anonymous (Correct answer)
anonimous
anonymus

Correct answer: anonymous

The correct spelling of the word meaning 'not identified by name' or 'of unknown name' is 'anonymous.' The other options contain common misspellings, particularly with the vowel sounds in the middle of the word. Mastering common spellings is crucial for clear written communication.

Question 26: Have you ever wondered what happened to the dinosaurs who once ruled the world? Scientists have come up with a number of theories over the years. One theory is that a massive meteorite crashed into our planet, causing a massive dust cloud to cover the world. The dust cloud was so large that the sun's rays were blocked from reaching Earth. All of the plants died as a result of this. The herbivores died since they didn't have anything to eat. Large carnivores died as well, leaving the earth without dinosaurs. What is the meaning of the word herbivore?

A type of storm
A type of plant
An animal that eats only meat
An animal that eats only plants (Correct answer)

Correct answer: An animal that eats only plants

The passage provides a direct clue: 'The herbivores died since they didn't have anything to eat' after 'All of the plants died.' This context clearly indicates that herbivores are animals whose diet consists solely of plants. Therefore, an animal that eats only plants is the correct definition.

Question 27: I used _______ eggs than Mariss did. Choose the most appropriate word to complete the statement.

fewer (Correct answer)
most
greater
less

Correct answer: fewer

The word 'fewer' is used when referring to countable nouns, while 'less' is used for uncountable nouns. Since 'eggs' are individual items that can be counted, 'fewer' is the appropriate word to use in this sentence. 'Less' would be used for quantities like 'less water' or 'less time'.

Question 28: The ostrich is the world's largest bird. Ostriches are extremely quick runners. They run with the assistance of their long and powerful legs. They use their wings to ________________________. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate sentence.

swim in water
stop running
help them gather speed and as brakes when turning & stopping (Correct answer)
fly higher

Correct answer: help them gather speed and as brakes when turning & stopping

Ostriches are flightless birds known for their incredible running speed. Their large wings are not used for flying but rather for balance and steering, especially when running at high velocities. They act as stabilizers to help them gather speed and as air brakes or rudders for turning and stopping effectively.

Question 29: The perfume is fragrant. What is the sentence's basic English pattern?

noun-verb-noun
noun-verb-adverb
noun-linking verb-adjective (Correct answer)
noun-linking verb-noun

Correct answer: noun-linking verb-adjective

In the sentence 'The perfume is fragrant,' 'perfume' is the noun (subject), 'is' is a linking verb that connects the subject to a description, and 'fragrant' is an adjective describing the perfume. This structure perfectly matches the noun-linking verb-adjective pattern. Linking verbs do not show action but rather a state of being or condition.

Question 30: Select the sentence with the transitional phrase.

Many of my friends like Lady Gaga.
Pizza is my favorite food, but I also enjoy spaghetti.
I like beagles, because they are good hunting dogs.
Equally important, the lungs provide oxygen to the human body. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Equally important, the lungs provide oxygen to the human body.

A transitional phrase connects ideas and helps the reader move smoothly from one thought to the next, often indicating a relationship like addition, contrast, or emphasis. In option D, 'Equally important' serves as a transitional phrase, signaling that the information about the lungs is of comparable significance to a previously mentioned point. The other options are simple sentences or use conjunctions, not transitional phrases.

FSA Practice Test (4th Grade: English Language & Arts) 1

All day, I'd been craving chocolate ice cream.
Finally, school was finished, and I was free to go grab a giant chocolate ice cream cone.
Although the line was long, it was well worth the wait.
My ice cream cone's first bite was delicious.
Then the worst thing that could have happened occurred.
I bumped with the person in front of me and spilled my ice cream.
Make a one-sentence summary of the preceding text.