MY SHADOW by Robert Louis Stevenson I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me, And what can be the use of him is more than I can see. He is very, very like me, from the heels up to the head; And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed. The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow— Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow; For he sometimes shoots up taller, like an india-rubber ball, And he sometimes gets so little that there's none of him at all. What literary element does the author use to create a humor in this poem?

Figurative language to describe the shadow

FSA Practice Test (7th Grade: English Language & Arts) 1 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Moral of “The Dog and the Wolf” by Marmaduke Park Our neighbors sometimes seem to be A vast deal better off than we; Yet seldom 'tis they really are, Since they have troubles too to bear, Which, if the truth were really known, Are quite as grievous as our own. What is the best way to summarize the poem's moral?

Avoid those who look down on you.
It's best to ignore those who complain.
Dogs and wolves will never get along.
Someone else is always worse off than you are. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Someone else is always worse off than you are.

The poem's moral is explicitly stated in lines like 'Yet seldom 'tis they really are, / Since they have troubles too to bear, / Which, if the truth were really known, / Are quite as grievous as our own.' This means that even if others seem better off, they also face difficulties. The best summary, 'Someone else is always worse off than you are,' captures the essence that everyone has their own struggles, and perceived advantages are often misleading.

Question 2: Which statement makes sense and has all of the terms spelled correctly?

The wind was too strong to wind the sail. (Correct answer)
The bandage was wound around the woond.
A bass was painted on the head of the base drum.
He could lead if he would get the led out.

Correct answer: The wind was too strong to wind the sail.

The sentence 'The wind was too strong to wind the sail' correctly uses homophones and proper grammar. 'Wind' (noun) refers to moving air, 'too' means excessively, and 'wind' (verb) means to coil or turn. The other options contain spelling errors ('woond' instead of 'wound,' 'bass' instead of 'base') or incorrect homophone usage ('led' instead of 'lead').

Question 3: What does it represent when the question asks you about the essential message?

theme
organization
plot
main idea (Correct answer)

Correct answer: main idea

The 'essential message' of a text refers to the central point or the most important idea the author wants to convey. This is precisely what the 'main idea' represents in literature and comprehension. While 'theme' is a broader underlying message, and 'plot' and 'organization' refer to structure, 'main idea' directly answers what the core message is.

Question 4: The _____ of a story is when and where it takes place.

Setting (Correct answer)
Point of view
Climax
Characters

Correct answer: Setting

The setting of a story is a crucial literary element that defines the time and geographical location where the narrative takes place. It provides the background and atmosphere for the characters and events. Options like point of view, climax, and characters refer to different, distinct aspects of a story.

Question 5: MY SHADOW by Robert Louis Stevenson I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me, And what can be the use of him is more than I can see. He is very, very like me, from the heels up to the head; And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed. The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow— Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow; For he sometimes shoots up taller, like an india-rubber ball, And he sometimes gets so little that there's none of him at all. What literary element does the author use to create a humor in this poem?

Allusion to shadow
A "mixed up" plot
A child as the narrator (Correct answer)
Figurative language to describe the shadow

Correct answer: A child as the narrator

The humor in 'My Shadow' primarily stems from the innocent and literal perspective of a child narrator. The child's observations and attempts to understand their shadow, such as wondering about its 'use' or its unusual 'growth' compared to 'proper children,' are amusing due to their childlike logic and naivety. While figurative language is present, the unique viewpoint of the child is the main source of the poem's humor.

Question 6: Which of the following sentences does not have the words in the correct order?

The teacher called the parent to thank her.
Out the door ran two cats, one dog, a tiny mouse, and a little girl. (Correct answer)
The angry principal was late for his noon meeting.
Many children played on the swings, slides, and climbing gym.

Correct answer: Out the door ran two cats, one dog, a tiny mouse, and a little girl.

The sentence 'Out the door ran two cats, one dog, a tiny mouse, and a little girl' uses an inverted sentence structure. In this construction, the adverbial phrase ('Out the door') comes before the verb ('ran') and the subject ('two cats, one dog, a tiny mouse, and a little girl'). While grammatically correct, it deviates from the typical subject-verb-object (SVO) order, making its word arrangement less standard compared to the other options.

Question 7: This literary term is exemplified by the word swoosh.

simile
personification
alliteration
onomatopaia (Correct answer)

Correct answer: onomatopaia

Onomatopoeia is a literary device where a word's pronunciation imitates the sound it describes. The word 'swoosh' perfectly exemplifies this, as it sounds like the action it represents, such as air or water moving rapidly. This direct imitation of a sound is the defining characteristic of onomatopoeia, unlike simile, personification, or alliteration.

Question 8: _______ is where the climax part of the story.

We meet our characters, and learn our setting.
The event that starts the story happens.
The story ends.
The turning point, high point, or main event is in a story. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The turning point, high point, or main event is in a story.

The climax of a story is the peak of the action and the moment of greatest tension, where the main conflict comes to a head. It is considered the turning point because, after this event, the story begins to move towards its resolution. The other options describe the exposition (meeting characters/setting), inciting incident (event starting the story), or resolution (story ends).

Question 9: Which of the following sentences has a conjunction that suggests a possible relationship?

The oven did not cook right because the cakes were not completely done.
Due to the large number of offers, Greg had to increase his giveaway time limit. (Correct answer)
The promise of a better life brought many immigrants to Egypt.
Kath is coming to dinner and a movie with me tonight.

Correct answer: Due to the large number of offers, Greg had to increase his giveaway time limit.

The phrase 'Due to' in option B functions as a conjunctive phrase that establishes a cause-and-effect relationship. It clearly indicates that the 'large number of offers' was the reason or cause for 'Greg had to increase his giveaway time limit.' This directly links two parts of the sentence, showing a logical connection between them. Option A's cause-effect statement is grammatically inverted, making it less clear.

Question 10: Which shows Levi is the owner of the backpack?

Levis’ backpack
Levis’s backpack
Levi’s backpack (Correct answer)
Levis backpack

Correct answer: Levi’s backpack

To show possession for a singular noun like 'Levi,' an apostrophe followed by an 's' ('s) is used. Therefore, 'Levi’s backpack' correctly indicates that the backpack belongs to Levi. Options A and B use incorrect apostrophe placement for singular possession, and option D lacks the necessary apostrophe entirely.

Question 11: This is referred to as denotation.

definition of the word (Correct answer)
textual evidence
implied meaning
inference

Correct answer: definition of the word

Denotation refers to the literal, explicit, or dictionary definition of a word. It is the objective meaning, devoid of any emotional associations or implied interpretations. This contrasts with connotation, which refers to the feelings or ideas associated with a word beyond its literal meaning.

Question 12: The _________ are within the falling action.

characters, setting, and opening situations in a story
details as to how the story ends
turning points of the story
results of the climax and events leading to the conclusion (Correct answer)

Correct answer: results of the climax and events leading to the conclusion

The falling action in a story occurs after the climax and leads up to the resolution. During this stage, the tension from the climax begins to decrease, and the story explores the consequences and immediate aftermath of the main conflict. It details the events that set the stage for the story's conclusion.

Question 13: One player starts a game of lawn bowling by rolling a metal jack or a little white ball known as a kitty onto the grass rink. The kitty will be the target of the participants' lawn bowling. When the kitty is thrown and lands on the grass, it is aligned with the rink's center. The real fun begins now! Each team's players take turns throwing their lawn bowls towards the kitty. Each lawn bowl is a colored, baseball-sized ball made of leather-wrapped wood, pure wood, heavy plastic, or metal. ______________ each team takes all of their turns, points are given to the team whose bowls are closest to the kitty. The teams will continue to play rounds like this until one team has scored 21 points. When your team reaches 21 points, the game is over. Which of the transitional terms below best fits in the blank?

Then
After (Correct answer)
During
Before

Correct answer: After

The paragraph describes players taking turns throwing their bowls, and then, once all turns are complete, points are awarded. The word 'After' correctly indicates this sequence of events, signifying that the scoring process happens subsequent to the completion of each team's turns. This transitional term establishes the correct temporal relationship between the actions.

Question 14: The teachers neatly stacked __________ books on the shelves. Select the appropriate pronoun.

there
her
they’re
their (Correct answer)

Correct answer: their

The sentence requires a possessive pronoun to show that the books belong to 'the teachers,' which is a plural subject. 'Their' is the correct possessive pronoun for plural nouns. 'There' indicates a place, and 'they’re' is a contraction for 'they are,' neither of which fits the context of possession.

Question 15: This is also referred to as the opposite of a word...

thesaurus
contrast
synonym
antonym (Correct answer)

Correct answer: antonym

An antonym is a word that has a meaning opposite to that of another word. For example, 'hot' is the antonym of 'cold.' This is a fundamental concept in vocabulary and language studies. A synonym, in contrast, is a word with a similar meaning.

Question 16: The resolution is the point at which the story ________.

shows when and where the story takes place
has the final outcome (Correct answer)
has an event that starts the story
introduces characters and setting

Correct answer: has the final outcome

The resolution, also known as the denouement, is the final stage of a story's plot. It is the point where the main conflict is resolved, and all the loose ends of the narrative are tied up, leading to the story's ultimate conclusion or final outcome. It provides closure for the reader.

Question 17: Skunks are nocturnal animals that only active at night. This implies they sleep during the day. Skunks can't see well in the daylight, but they have exceptional senses of smell and hearing.___________ Skunks prefer to move around at night. In fact, the majority of skunks are killed when they wander onto roadways and are hit by cars. They can't see where they're going and end up walking into dangerous areas. Which of the transitional words below best fits in the blank?

In addition
Therefore (Correct answer)
Even though
Because

Correct answer: Therefore

The preceding sentences explain that skunks are nocturnal and have poor vision in daylight. The blank requires a transitional word that indicates a consequence or conclusion drawn from these facts. 'Therefore' logically connects these details to the conclusion that skunks prefer to move at night and are vulnerable to cars due to their poor sight, making it the most appropriate choice.

Question 18: Receiving the trophy was exciting for Ivan and Kenny. What word can be substituted for the underlined words?

they
her
we
them (Correct answer)

Correct answer: them

The phrase 'Ivan and Kenny' functions as the object of the preposition 'for.' When replacing an object with a pronoun, the objective case pronoun is required. 'Them' is the correct objective pronoun for a plural group of people, making it the appropriate substitute for 'Ivan and Kenny.'

Question 19: This literary device is an example by the phrase "I could eat a horse."

fiction
realism
personification
hyperbole (Correct answer)

Correct answer: hyperbole

Hyperbole is a literary device characterized by extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or effect, not meant to be taken literally. The phrase 'I could eat a horse' is a classic example, as it dramatically overstates one's hunger to convey its intensity. It is a figure of speech, not a statement of fact.

Question 20: What is the term of the struggle between a character and one or more opposing forces?

Plot
Conflict (Correct answer)
Setting
Point of View

Correct answer: Conflict

Conflict is a fundamental element of storytelling, referring to the struggle between opposing forces that drives the plot forward. This struggle can be internal (within a character) or external (between a character and another character, nature, society, or fate). It creates tension and interest in the narrative.

Question 21: The Highland Games are Scotland's equivalent of the Olympic Games. Athletes are skilled at different sports. Athletes compete to earn medals. The Highland Games feature sports unlike any other sporting event on the world. How can the underlined sentences be merged without losing their meaning?

Athletes are skilled at different sports, but they compete to earn medals.
Athletes are skilled at different sports, so they earn medals.
Athletes are skilled at different sports, and they compete to earn medals in these sports. (Correct answer)
Athletes are skilled at different sports, yet they compete to earn medals.

Correct answer: Athletes are skilled at different sports, and they compete to earn medals in these sports.

The conjunction 'and' correctly combines the two independent clauses, indicating that both actions (being skilled and competing for medals) are true and related. Adding 'in these sports' further clarifies that the medals are earned in the sports the athletes are skilled at, maintaining the original meaning while creating a more concise and grammatically sound sentence.

Question 22: Which of the following is a complete sentence?

The road leads to the state assembly building. (Correct answer)
The money stolen from the largest bank in city.
Because he waited too long to call for help.
Three or four miles down the highway at the traffic light.

Correct answer: The road leads to the state assembly building.

A complete sentence must contain a subject and a predicate (verb phrase) and express a complete thought. Option A, 'The road leads to the state assembly building,' has 'The road' as its subject and 'leads to the state assembly building' as its predicate, forming a grammatically complete and meaningful statement. The other options are sentence fragments lacking a main verb or a complete independent clause.

Question 23: This method is a great way to figure out what words signify.

Ask the teacher for a dictionary
Read the answer your neighbor has
Look it up on your cell phone
Use context clues (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Use context clues

Using context clues involves analyzing the surrounding words, sentences, and overall text to infer the meaning of an unfamiliar word. This method is a valuable reading comprehension strategy that helps readers understand vocabulary without needing to consult external resources immediately. It builds critical thinking skills by encouraging readers to make logical deductions based on the provided information.

Question 24: The __________ is a perspective which a story is told in the first or third person.

Setting
Conflict
Point of View (Correct answer)
Plot

Correct answer: Point of View

Point of view refers to the perspective from which a story is told, determining whose eyes the reader sees the events through. This can be first person (using 'I' or 'we') or third person (using 'he,' 'she,' 'it,' or 'they'), among other variations. The choice of point of view significantly influences how information is presented and how the reader connects with the narrative.

Question 25: All of these are reasons for revising an essay, except:

adding additional details to the essay
changing the order of ideas in the essay
correcting spelling mistakes in the essay (Correct answer)
deleting irrelevant details from the essay

Correct answer: correcting spelling mistakes in the essay

Revising an essay focuses on improving the content, organization, and clarity of ideas, such as adding details, changing the order of paragraphs, or deleting irrelevant information. Correcting spelling mistakes, however, falls under the category of editing or proofreading, which addresses surface-level errors like grammar, punctuation, and spelling after the main revision process is complete.

Question 26: In which of the following sentences is a pronoun incorrectly used?

The usher escorted him to his chair.
Four of the girls put on skirts.
“Hand her them booklets,” she said. (Correct answer)
They copied their notes for other examiners.

Correct answer: “Hand her them booklets,” she said.

In the sentence 'Hand her them booklets,' the word 'them' is incorrectly used as a demonstrative adjective modifying 'booklets.' 'Them' is an objective pronoun and should not directly precede a noun in this way. The correct usage would be 'Hand her those booklets' or 'Hand those booklets to her' to specify which booklets are being referred to.

Question 27: What do you need to support up an answer you give?

Textual Evidence (Correct answer)
Specific dates and times
Facts
Opinions

Correct answer: Textual Evidence

Textual evidence refers to specific details, examples, or direct quotes taken from a text to support an answer or claim. It provides concrete proof and demonstrates that the answer is based on information presented in the reading material. Relying on textual evidence ensures that responses are well-substantiated and not merely based on opinion.

Question 28: What is a theme?

When an image, object, or person is used to represent a deeper emotion or feeling.
When something happens that is unexpected.
Hints/clues that the author gives about events to come.
The message or truth about life carried by the story. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The message or truth about life carried by the story.

A theme is the central idea, underlying message, or universal truth about life or human nature that an author conveys through a story. It is often an abstract concept that recurs throughout the narrative and provides insight into the human condition or society. Themes are distinct from plot, characters, or setting, representing the deeper meaning of the work.

Question 29: Which resource would provide you with the most up-to-date information if you were researching information for an essay on an event that occurred last Tuesday?

A videotaped interview with someone who was at the event
A magazine article
The Internet (Correct answer)
A newspaper article

Correct answer: The Internet

For an event that occurred very recently, such as 'last Tuesday,' the Internet is the most reliable and up-to-date resource. Online news sources, social media, and official websites are continuously updated, providing the quickest access to the latest developments, reports, and details. Other sources like magazines or newspapers have longer publication cycles and would likely contain older information.

Question 30: After completing a difficult competition, Andrew was proud to find his name on the winner’s board. The words underlined are:

verbs
nouns
adverbs
adjectives (Correct answer)

Correct answer: adjectives

Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns or pronouns. In the given sentence, 'difficult' describes the noun 'competition,' indicating its nature, and 'proud' describes Andrew (the implied subject of 'was proud'), indicating his emotional state. Both words function to provide more information about the nouns they modify.

FSA Practice Test (7th Grade: English Language & Arts) 1

Moral of “The Dog and the Wolf” by Marmaduke Park
Our neighbors sometimes seem to be
A vast deal better off than we;
Yet seldom 'tis they really are,
Since they have troubles too to bear,
Which, if the truth were really known,
Are quite as grievous as our own.
What is the best way to summarize the poem's moral?