FSA Practice Test (9th-10th Grade: English Language & Arts) 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a persuasive essay, which element most directly establishes the author's credibility (ethos)?
- Citing the author's relevant expertise and credentials (Correct answer)
- Using emotional anecdotes
- Repeating the thesis several times
- Adding rhetorical questions
Correct answer: Citing the author's relevant expertise and credentials
Ethos is built by demonstrating the author's authority, expertise, or trustworthiness on the subject.
Question 2: Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?
- The storm passed; the streets were flooded by morning. (Correct answer)
- The storm passed, the streets were flooded.
- The storm passed; and the streets flooded.
- The storm; passed and flooded the streets.
Correct answer: The storm passed; the streets were flooded by morning.
A semicolon correctly joins two related independent clauses without a conjunction.
Question 3: When analyzing a poem, the term 'enjambment' refers to:
- A line of poetry continuing into the next without a pause (Correct answer)
- The repetition of beginning consonant sounds
- A comparison using 'like' or 'as'
- The rhythmic pattern of stressed syllables
Correct answer: A line of poetry continuing into the next without a pause
Enjambment occurs when a sentence or thought runs over from one line of verse to the next without terminal punctuation.
Question 4: A reader wants to determine an author's purpose in an informational article. The BEST strategy is to:
- Examine the central idea, tone, and the type of evidence presented (Correct answer)
- Count the number of paragraphs
- Look only at the title
- Identify the longest sentence
Correct answer: Examine the central idea, tone, and the type of evidence presented
Author's purpose is revealed by analyzing the central idea, tone, and supporting evidence together.
Question 5: Which revision corrects this sentence: 'Each of the students have submitted their essay.'?
- Each of the students has submitted an essay. (Correct answer)
- Each of the students have submitted an essay.
- Each of the students has submitted their essays.
- Each of the student have submitted essays.
Correct answer: Each of the students has submitted an essay.
The subject 'Each' is singular, so it requires the singular verb 'has.'
Question 6: In an argumentative text, a counterclaim is BEST defined as:
- An opposing viewpoint the author addresses to strengthen the argument (Correct answer)
- The author's main thesis statement
- A piece of statistical evidence
- A concluding summary
Correct answer: An opposing viewpoint the author addresses to strengthen the argument
A counterclaim presents an opposing position that the writer acknowledges and refutes to bolster their own argument.
Question 7: The connotation of the word 'thrifty' compared to 'cheap' is:
- More positive, suggesting wise money management (Correct answer)
- More negative, suggesting stinginess
- Identical in meaning and tone
- Neutral with no emotional shade
Correct answer: More positive, suggesting wise money management
'Thrifty' carries a positive connotation of sensible saving, while 'cheap' implies an undesirable stinginess.
FSA Practice Test (9th-10th Grade: English Language & Arts) 2
In a persuasive essay, which element most directly establishes the author's credibility (ethos)?