FSA Practice Test (8th Grade: English Language & Arts) 1 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What do the characters of Cinderella and the stepmother represent in the classic fairy tale "Cinderella"?

traditional vs. non-traditional
fun vs. boring
good vs. evil (Correct answer)
young vs. old

Correct answer: good vs. evil

In the classic fairy tale "Cinderella," Cinderella is consistently depicted as kind, virtuous, and good-hearted, while her stepmother is portrayed as cruel, malicious, and evil. Their contrasting characteristics represent the fundamental literary theme of good versus evil.

Question 2: The _________ of a word is its implied or suggested meaning that is understood in addition to its literal meaning.

metaphor
synonym
denotation
connotation (Correct answer)

Correct answer: connotation

Connotation refers to the implied or suggested meaning of a word, which includes the emotional associations and cultural understandings attached to it, in addition to its literal definition. It's how a word makes you feel or what it suggests beyond its direct meaning.

Question 3: Which of the following words is incorrectly spelled?

exemplary
disciplinery (Correct answer)
stationery
machinery

Correct answer: disciplinery

The word "disciplinery" is misspelled in option B. The correct spelling is "disciplinary," which is an adjective relating to discipline or a particular field of study.

Question 4: What is foreshadowing?

The author's/character's attitude towards his/her subject, setting, or character(s)
The way you, the reader, feels at the end of a story.
When an image, object, or person is used to represent a deeper emotion
Hints/clues that the author gives about events to come (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Hints/clues that the author gives about events to come

Foreshadowing is a literary device where an author provides subtle hints or clues about future events or outcomes in a story. These clues help build suspense and prepare the reader for what is to come without explicitly revealing the plot.

Question 5: Josie's heart started pounding so quickly and loudly when she spotted the new boy in class that she was certain everyone could hear it. Her bangs were gently swept behind her right ear as she adjusted her posture. She gave the boy a short glance and then a friendly smile as he sat down next to her. As she bent over her paper, she was sure he noticed her bright red cheeks.<br/><br/> Choose the sentence that best expresses what can be inferred about Josie from the passage above.

She was scared of the boy.
She thought the boy was cute. (Correct answer)
She thought the boy was mean.
She thought the boy had a nice backpack.

Correct answer: She thought the boy was cute.

Josie's physical reactions, such as her heart pounding, adjusting her posture, and her cheeks turning bright red, along with her shy glance and friendly smile, strongly suggest she is experiencing feelings of attraction or nervousness around the new boy. These actions collectively infer that she thought the boy was cute.

Question 6: A __________ is the central message or universal idea of a tale, poem, or play that often reflects the author's beliefs.

connotation
narrative
moral
theme (Correct answer)

Correct answer: theme

The theme of a story, poem, or play is its central message or universal idea that the author conveys, often reflecting their beliefs or insights about life, society, or human nature. It's the underlying meaning that ties the entire work together.

Question 7: Which line has a misspelled word?

altos, pianos, solos
patios, radios, heros (Correct answer)
rodeos, videos, sopranos
potatoes, tomatoes, concertos

Correct answer: patios, radios, heros

The word "heros" is misspelled in option B. The correct plural form of "hero" is "heroes," as words ending in -o preceded by a consonant typically form their plural by adding -es.

Question 8: Unlike suspense, ________ refers to how you, the reader, feel at the conclusion of a story.

conflict
symbolism
mood (Correct answer)
tone

Correct answer: mood

Unlike suspense, which is a feeling of anticipation about future events, "mood" refers to the overall atmosphere or emotional feeling that a literary work creates for the reader. It describes how the reader feels at the conclusion of a story or throughout the narrative.

Question 9: In both poems, what do you believe the poet is trying to say?

The arrow and the song both fell to the ground.
What goes around comes around.
The actions we perform or the thoughts we express will leave their mark. (Correct answer)
We must think before we do our actions.

Correct answer: The actions we perform or the thoughts we express will leave their mark.

While the specific poems are not provided, the statement "The actions we perform or the thoughts we express will leave their mark" is a common literary theme. This theme emphasizes the lasting impact and consequences of one's deeds and words, suggesting that our contributions, whether positive or negative, have enduring effects on the world.

Question 10: ___________ occurs in a creative work when the reader or viewer is aware of integral information that a character does not.

verbal irony
tragic irony
situational irony
dramatic irony (Correct answer)

Correct answer: dramatic irony

Dramatic irony is a literary device where the audience or reader possesses crucial information that one or more characters in the story are unaware of. This creates tension, suspense, or even humor as the audience anticipates events or understands the full implications of a character's actions or words.

Question 11: In a statement, which of the following terms could be used as an adjective?

inspiration
inspirational (Correct answer)
inspires
inspirationally

Correct answer: inspirational

An adjective is a word that modifies a noun or pronoun. The term 'inspirational' (ending in -al) functions as an adjective, as it can describe a noun, such as 'an inspirational speaker' or 'an inspirational story.' The other options are a noun ('inspiration'), a verb ('inspires'), and an adverb ('inspirationally').

Question 12: When an image, object, or person is used to represent a more profound emotion or feeling.

Symbolism (Correct answer)
Mood
Tone
Irony

Correct answer: Symbolism

Symbolism is a literary device where an object, person, or idea is used to represent something else, often a deeper, abstract concept or emotion. For instance, a dove might symbolize peace, or a red rose might symbolize love. This technique adds layers of meaning to a text beyond its literal interpretation.

Question 13: What is the definition of an objective summary?

a restatement of the main idea of a text without the addition of the writer's opinion of the idea (Correct answer)
a paraphrase of the text with a focus on the writer's opinion and how it affects the main idea of the passage
a paraphrase of the text with a focus on the reader's opinion
a restatement of the main idea of a text with the addition of the writer's opinion on the idea

Correct answer: a restatement of the main idea of a text without the addition of the writer's opinion of the idea

An objective summary is a concise restatement of the main ideas of a text that strictly avoids personal opinions, interpretations, or judgments from the summarizer. Its purpose is to accurately reflect the original content without any bias. This ensures that the summary remains neutral and faithful to the source material.

Question 14: ___________ research is defined as research that is based on numerical data that can be analyzed.

epistemological
quantitative (Correct answer)
qualitative
empirical

Correct answer: quantitative

Quantitative research is defined by its focus on numerical data that can be measured, counted, and statistically analyzed. This approach is used to quantify problems, attitudes, opinions, and behaviors, allowing researchers to test hypotheses and draw generalizable conclusions. In contrast, qualitative research explores non-numerical data to understand underlying reasons and motivations.

Question 15: Which of the following sentences is incorrectly written?

That haircut looks good on you.
The choir sounded so good good at last night’s concert. (Correct answer)
How well do you know the material for the French exam?
Bryce runs well, now that he has new shoes.

Correct answer: The choir sounded so good good at last night’s concert.

The sentence 'The choir sounded so good good at last night’s concert' is incorrectly written because of the redundant repetition of the word 'good.' While 'good' is correctly used as an adjective here, repeating it is grammatically unnecessary and creates an awkward phrase. The correct phrasing would simply be 'The choir sounded so good at last night’s concert.'

Question 16: Character vs. Character means

Two or more characters in conflict (Correct answer)
Environmental conflict such as a hurricane
A character in conflict with societal
Internal/mental conflict

Correct answer: Two or more characters in conflict

Character vs. Character refers to a type of external conflict in literature where two or more characters are in direct opposition to each other. This conflict can manifest through arguments, physical altercations, clashing personalities, or opposing goals. It is a fundamental element that drives the plot and often reveals aspects of the characters' motivations and values.

Question 17: __________________ should always be included in an objective summary.

include at least four sentences
clearly show your opinions of the text
clearly communicates a summary of the text (Correct answer)
clearly indicate all the characters in the text

Correct answer: clearly communicates a summary of the text

An objective summary's primary goal is to clearly and accurately communicate the main points and essential information of the original text. It should convey the core message without including personal opinions or extraneous details. While other factors like length or character mentions might be relevant in specific contexts, effective communication of the text's summary is paramount.

Question 18: ___________ are used to provide visual cues in public speaking to help audience members maintain interest and learn from the speech.

technological supplements
props
powerpoint slides
visual aids (Correct answer)

Correct answer: visual aids

Visual aids are essential tools in public speaking that help audiences understand and retain information by providing visual cues. These can include charts, graphs, images, videos, or physical objects that illustrate complex ideas, reinforce key points, and maintain audience engagement. They complement the spoken word, making the presentation more impactful and memorable.

Question 19: Which of the following sentences is incorrectly written?

Lovely drives cautious on icy roads. (Correct answer)
Brix never seems to make it to the bus stop on time.
Girlie seldom uses the book.
Daniel drives more slowly than the average driver.

Correct answer: Lovely drives cautious on icy roads.

The sentence 'Lovely drives cautious on icy roads' is grammatically incorrect because 'cautious' is an adjective, but it is used to modify the verb 'drives.' To describe how someone drives, an adverb is required. The correct word should be 'cautiously,' making the sentence: 'Lovely drives cautiously on icy roads.'

Question 20: ______ is when character vs. Him/herself

Two or more characters in conflict
A character in conflict with societal
Environmental conflict such as a hurricane
Internal/mental conflict (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Internal/mental conflict

Character vs. Him/herself describes an internal conflict, where a character struggles with their own thoughts, emotions, desires, or moral dilemmas. This type of conflict takes place within the character's mind, often involving difficult decisions or overcoming personal flaws. It is crucial for character development and exploring psychological depth.

Question 21: What is a piece of literature's theme?

what the story is about
the message that the author is trying to convey (Correct answer)
the way the characters develop in the story
the series of events in a story

Correct answer: the message that the author is trying to convey

The theme of a piece of literature is the central idea or underlying message that the author is trying to convey to the reader. It's often a universal truth about life, society, or human nature, explored through the story's characters, plot, and setting. The theme is not simply what the story is about, but rather the deeper meaning or insight it offers.

Question 22: __________ are morphemes that can change the function or meaning of a word and can be either suffixes or prefixes.

bound morphemes
base morphemes
derivational morphemes (Correct answer)
inflectional morphemes

Correct answer: derivational morphemes

Derivational morphemes are affixes (prefixes or suffixes) that can change the grammatical category or the core meaning of a word. For example, adding '-ness' to the adjective 'happy' creates the noun 'happiness,' or adding 'un-' to 'happy' changes its meaning to 'unhappy.' They are distinct from inflectional morphemes, which only change grammatical features like tense or number without altering the word's fundamental meaning or part of speech.

Question 23: Which of the following sentences contains a superlative adverb?

Ebonie works more quickly than most.
Kim completed the process very efficiently.
Out of the entire class, Ivory works most carefully. (Correct answer)
Jovern reads quietly in the window seat.

Correct answer: Out of the entire class, Ivory works most carefully.

A superlative adverb describes an action to the highest degree, typically comparing three or more actions. It often uses 'most' before the adverb or ends in '-est' (though less common for adverbs). In the sentence, 'most carefully' indicates that Ivory works with the greatest degree of care compared to everyone else in the class, making it a superlative adverb.

Question 24: The problem is also known as _______.

Plot
Setting
Point of View
Conflict (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Conflict

In literature, the 'problem' that drives the narrative and creates tension is known as the conflict. Conflict is the struggle between opposing forces, which can be internal (character vs. self) or external (character vs. character, nature, or society). It is essential for propelling the plot forward and engaging the reader.

Question 25: Which of the following describes the theme of a story?

plot
characters
setting
all of the above (Correct answer)

Correct answer: all of the above

While the theme is the central message, it is developed and expressed through all the elements of a story. The plot (sequence of events), characters (their actions, motivations, and development), and setting (time and place) all contribute to conveying the author's underlying message. Therefore, understanding the theme requires considering how all these components interact.

Question 26: In writing, which of the following is NOT a common cause of redundancy?

trying to sound official
trying to edit writing for conciseness (Correct answer)
trying to meet a word count
trying to emphasize a point

Correct answer: trying to edit writing for conciseness

Redundancy in writing means using unnecessary words or phrases that repeat information, making the text less concise. Trying to edit writing for conciseness involves actively removing such superfluous elements to make the prose clearer and more impactful. Therefore, editing for conciseness is a solution to redundancy, not a cause of it.

Question 27: The flower turns ________ without water.<br/> Choose the best word to fill in the blanks.

grow
brown (Correct answer)
best
empty

Correct answer: brown

When a flower does not receive water, it typically begins to wither and dry out. As it loses moisture and vitality, its color often changes to brown, indicating decay or death. Therefore, 'brown' is the most accurate and common descriptor for a flower that is dying due to lack of water.

Question 28: What does the term "plot" mean?

The conflict in the story
The sequence of events in the story (Correct answer)
The lesson in the story
The turning point of the story

Correct answer: The sequence of events in the story

The term 'plot' refers to the organized sequence of events that make up a story, from its beginning to its end. It typically includes the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. The plot is essentially 'what happens' in the narrative, driving the story forward and revealing character and theme.

Question 29: What are the plot elements?

introduction, setting, action, conflict, falling action
introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution (Correct answer)
beginning, middle, end
prelude, beginning, interlude, middle, end

Correct answer: introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution

The plot elements, often depicted in Freytag's Pyramid, describe the traditional structure of a narrative. These include the introduction (exposition), which sets the scene; the rising action, where conflict builds; the climax, the story's turning point; the falling action, where events lead to resolution; and the resolution, which concludes the story.

Question 30: Which of the following actions is NOT recommended for determining an author's credibility?

Find out if early life trauma may be influencing the author's conclusions. (Correct answer)
Find out if the author stands to gain financially from his or her conclusions.
Find out if the author is represented by a reputable organization.
Find out if material used was once considered credible, but is now out of date.

Correct answer: Find out if early life trauma may be influencing the author's conclusions.

When determining an author's credibility, it is important to focus on factors directly related to their expertise, potential biases, and the reliability of their information. Investigating an author's early life trauma is generally irrelevant and unprofessional for evaluating their academic or professional credibility. Instead, focus on qualifications, conflicts of interest, and the currency of their sources.

FSA Practice Test (8th Grade: English Language & Arts) 1

What do the characters of Cinderella and the stepmother represent in the classic fairy tale "Cinderella"?