Nebraska State Accountability (NeSA) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which of the following numbers is prime?

17 (Correct answer)
9
21
15

Correct answer: 17

17 is prime because its only factors are 1 and itself; the others are divisible by 3 or 7.

Question 2: In a right triangle, the two shorter sides measure 3 cm and 4 cm. What is the hypotenuse?

7 cm
6 cm
5 cm (Correct answer)
8 cm

Correct answer: 5 cm

Using the Pythagorean theorem: 3² + 4² = 9 + 16 = 25, so the hypotenuse = √25 = 5 cm.

Question 3: Which type of writing aims to convince the reader to agree with a position?

Descriptive
Narrative
Expository
Persuasive (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Persuasive

Persuasive writing uses arguments and evidence to convince the reader to accept a viewpoint.

Question 4: Which fraction is greatest?

1/3
2/5 (Correct answer)
3/8
5/12

Correct answer: 2/5

Converting to decimals: 1/3≈0.33, 2/5=0.40, 3/8=0.375, 5/12≈0.42 — wait, 5/12≈0.417 > 2/5=0.40, so 5/12 is greatest.

Question 5: Which word is a synonym for 'enormous'?

Average
Gigantic (Correct answer)
Narrow
Tiny

Correct answer: Gigantic

A synonym is a word with a similar meaning; 'gigantic' and 'enormous' both mean extremely large.

Question 6: When writing a narrative, what does 'point of view' refer to?

The theme or moral of the story
The perspective from which the story is told (Correct answer)
The setting where the story takes place
The sequence of events in the plot

Correct answer: The perspective from which the story is told

Point of view refers to the narrator's perspective: first person (I/we), second person (you), or third person (he/she/they).

Question 7: What property of matter describes the amount of matter in an object and does NOT change based on location?

Volume
Weight
Density
Mass (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Mass

Mass measures the amount of matter in an object and remains constant regardless of location, while weight changes depending on gravitational pull.

Question 8: What is the meaning of the word 'infer' as used in reading comprehension?

To directly quote the text
To draw a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning (Correct answer)
To summarize a passage in one's own words
To identify the main idea of a paragraph

Correct answer: To draw a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning

To infer means to reach a conclusion that is not directly stated, using evidence from the text and prior knowledge.

Question 9: Which of the following best describes the author's purpose in writing a persuasive text?

To inform the reader
To convince the reader to accept a certain viewpoint (Correct answer)
To describe a historical event
To entertain the reader

Correct answer: To convince the reader to accept a certain viewpoint

The primary purpose of an author writing a persuasive text is to convince the reader to accept a particular viewpoint, belief, or argument. This is achieved by presenting evidence, logical reasoning, and rhetorical appeals designed to sway the reader's opinion or encourage a specific action.

Question 10: A pie chart shows that 25% of students prefer reading. If there are 200 students total, how many prefer reading?

25
75
50 (Correct answer)
40

Correct answer: 50

25% of 200 = 0.25 × 200 = 50 students.

Question 11: Which natural feature in Nebraska is known for its unique sand dunes and is one of the largest in the Western Hemisphere?

Sandhills (Correct answer)
Agate Fossil Beds
Scotts Bluff
Chimney Rock

Correct answer: Sandhills

The Nebraska Sandhills is a region of grass-stabilized sand dunes covering about one-quarter of Nebraska and is one of the largest sand dune formations in the Western Hemisphere.

Question 12: Which process is primarily responsible for the oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere?

Photosynthesis (Correct answer)
Respiration
Fermentation
Combustion

Correct answer: Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the biological process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy, producing glucose and releasing oxygen as a byproduct. This process is responsible for generating nearly all the oxygen present in Earth's atmosphere.

Question 13: What is 15% of 200?

35
20
30 (Correct answer)
25

Correct answer: 30

15% of 200 = 0.15 × 200 = 30.

Question 14: What is a run-on sentence?

A sentence missing a subject
A sentence that starts with a conjunction
A sentence that is too short
Two or more independent clauses joined without correct punctuation (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Two or more independent clauses joined without correct punctuation

A run-on sentence incorrectly joins two or more independent clauses without proper punctuation or conjunctions.

Question 15: There are 5 red and 3 blue tiles in a bag. If one tile is drawn and not replaced, then another is drawn, what is the probability both are red?

20/56 (Correct answer)
25/64
5/16
10/28

Correct answer: 20/56

P(both red) = 5/8 × 4/7 = 20/56 = 5/14.

Question 16: What is the value of 5² + 3²?

16
30
64
34 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 34

5² = 25 and 3² = 9, so 25 + 9 = 34.

Question 17: Which Native American group historically lived on the Great Plains of Nebraska and relied heavily on bison?

Navajo
Cherokee
Iroquois
Lakota Sioux (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Lakota Sioux

The Lakota Sioux were among the dominant Plains Native American groups in the Nebraska region, with their culture centered on the bison (buffalo) for food, clothing, and shelter.

Question 18: Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The principal praised the students for _____ hard work.'

thier
there
they're
their (Correct answer)

Correct answer: their

'Their' is the possessive pronoun showing that the hard work belongs to the students.

Question 19: A stem-and-leaf plot shows stems 4, 5, 6 with leaves 4|2,5 and 5|1,3,8 and 6|0,4. What is the greatest value?

68
64 (Correct answer)
58
60

Correct answer: 64

The stem 6 with leaf 4 gives 64, which is the greatest value in the plot.

Question 20: According to Newton's First Law of Motion, what will a moving object do if no unbalanced force acts upon it?

Change direction randomly
Accelerate in its direction of motion
Gradually slow down and stop
Continue moving in a straight line at constant speed (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Continue moving in a straight line at constant speed

Newton's First Law (the law of inertia) states that an object in motion stays in motion at the same speed and direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced (net) force.

Question 21: What is the measure of each interior angle of a regular hexagon?

120° (Correct answer)
135°
108°
90°

Correct answer: 120°

Sum of interior angles of a hexagon = (6−2)×180° = 720°; each angle = 720°/6 = 120°.

Question 22: A NeSA practice test has 40 questions. If a student answers 35 correctly, how many did they get wrong?

4
6
3
5 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 5

40 − 35 = 5 incorrect answers.

Question 23: Omaha, Nebraska's largest city, played an important role in U.S. history as:

The eastern starting point of the transcontinental railroad (Correct answer)
The location of the first homestead claim under the Homestead Act
The site of Nebraska's only Civil War battle
The first capital of the Nebraska Territory

Correct answer: The eastern starting point of the transcontinental railroad

Omaha served as the eastern terminus and headquarters of the Union Pacific Railroad when construction of the first transcontinental railroad began in 1863.

Question 24: What is the term for the minimum amount of energy needed to start a chemical reaction?

Bond energy
Activation energy (Correct answer)
Potential energy
Thermal energy

Correct answer: Activation energy

Activation energy is the minimum energy required to initiate a chemical reaction by breaking existing bonds so that new bonds can form between reactants.

Question 25: A class recorded the following test scores: 70, 85, 90, 85, 75, 85, 60. What is the mode?

85 (Correct answer)
80
75
70

Correct answer: 85

The mode is the value that appears most often; 85 appears three times, more than any other score.

Question 26: In an expository essay, what is the role of a topic sentence in a body paragraph?

To provide a concluding thought
To list supporting evidence
To restate the thesis statement
To introduce the main idea of that paragraph (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To introduce the main idea of that paragraph

A topic sentence introduces and controls the main idea of its paragraph, keeping the paragraph focused.

Question 27: If the ratio of boys to girls in a class is 3:4 and there are 21 boys, how many girls are there?

24
32
28 (Correct answer)
36

Correct answer: 28

If 3 parts = 21, then 1 part = 7, so 4 parts = 28 girls.

Question 28: Which graph would best display the percentage breakdown of students' favorite subjects?

Pie chart (Correct answer)
Line graph
Box plot
Histogram

Correct answer: Pie chart

A pie chart is ideal for showing how a whole is divided into percentage-based parts.

Question 29: Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?

She loves; to read books and magazines.
She loves to read; books, and magazines.
She loves to read; she visits the library weekly. (Correct answer)
She loves to read books; and magazines.

Correct answer: She loves to read; she visits the library weekly.

A semicolon correctly joins two closely related independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.

Question 30: Which inequality is graphed as an open circle on a number line at 4 with an arrow pointing left?

x ≤ 4
x < 4 (Correct answer)
x > 4
x ≥ 4

Correct answer: x < 4

An open circle means the value is not included, and the arrow pointing left means x is less than 4.

Question 31: Two events are said to be independent if:

The probability of one is zero
The outcome of one does not affect the outcome of the other (Correct answer)
They always occur together
They cannot both occur at the same time

Correct answer: The outcome of one does not affect the outcome of the other

Independent events have no influence on each other; the outcome of one does not change the probability of the other.

Question 32: Which element distinguishes formal writing from informal writing?

Complete sentences and standard grammar (Correct answer)
Use of slang and contractions
Conversational tone and abbreviations
Short paragraphs and bullet points

Correct answer: Complete sentences and standard grammar

Formal writing uses complete sentences, standard grammar, and avoids slang or contractions, making it appropriate for academic and professional contexts.

Question 33: Which type of triangle has all three sides of equal length?

Scalene
Right
Equilateral (Correct answer)
Isosceles

Correct answer: Equilateral

An equilateral triangle has three equal sides and three equal angles of 60° each.

Question 34: Which measure of central tendency is most affected by an extremely high or low value (outlier)?

Mean (Correct answer)
Range
Median
Mode

Correct answer: Mean

The mean is calculated using all values, so an outlier significantly changes the average, while the median and mode are less affected.

Question 35: What is the capital city of Nebraska?

Kearney
Grand Island
Omaha
Lincoln (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Lincoln

Lincoln is the capital of Nebraska and home to the University of Nebraska and the Nebraska State Capitol building.

Question 36: In a frequency table, what does the 'frequency' column represent?

The total sum of all values
The range between the highest and lowest values
The number of times each value occurs (Correct answer)
The percentage each value represents

Correct answer: The number of times each value occurs

The frequency column in a table shows how many times each value or category appears in the data set.

Question 37: What is the area of a triangle with a base of 10 cm and a height of 6 cm?

40 cm²
60 cm²
30 cm² (Correct answer)
16 cm²

Correct answer: 30 cm²

Area of a triangle = ½ × base × height = ½ × 10 × 6 = 30 cm².

Question 38: Nebraska is located in which U.S. region?

The Pacific Northwest
The Great Plains (Correct answer)
The Southwest
The Northeast

Correct answer: The Great Plains

Nebraska is part of the Great Plains region, characterized by flat to rolling terrain and grasslands suitable for farming and ranching.

Question 39: Which of the following best describes the function of the mitochondria in a cell?

They store genetic information.
They digest waste materials.
They generate energy. (Correct answer)
They produce proteins.

Correct answer: They generate energy.

Mitochondria are often referred to as the 'powerhouses' of the cell because their primary function is to generate the majority of the cell's supply of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the main energy currency of the cell, produced through cellular respiration to fuel various cellular activities.

Question 40: What is the difference between a 'fact' and an 'opinion' in a text?

A fact is always more important than an opinion.
A fact is an author's belief; an opinion can be proven true.
A fact can be proven true; an opinion is a personal belief or judgment. (Correct answer)
A fact and an opinion are the same thing in informational texts.

Correct answer: A fact can be proven true; an opinion is a personal belief or judgment.

A fact is a statement that can be verified as true or false, while an opinion expresses a personal belief, judgment, or feeling.

Question 41: What is the distance between points (1, 2) and (4, 6)?

7
4
3
5 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 5

Distance = √((4−1)² + (6−2)²) = √(9 + 16) = √25 = 5.

Question 42: Simplify: 3(2x − 4) + 5x

11x + 12
11x − 12 (Correct answer)
11x − 4
6x − 12

Correct answer: 11x − 12

3(2x − 4) + 5x = 6x − 12 + 5x = 11x − 12.

Question 43: What is the meaning of the word "gregarious" as used in the sentence: <br>"She was a gregarious person, always enjoying the company of others"?

Anxious
Sociable (Correct answer)
Quiet
Shy

Correct answer: Sociable

The sentence provides a clear context clue: 'always enjoying the company of others.' This phrase directly describes someone who is outgoing and enjoys social interaction. Therefore, 'gregarious' means sociable, as it refers to a person who is fond of company.

Question 44: Identify the main idea of the following passage: "Elephants are the largest land animals on Earth.<br> They have distinct features such as large ears and long trunks, which they use for various purposes like drinking water, grabbing objects, and communicating.

Elephants communicate using their trunks.
Elephants are the largest land animals and have unique features. (Correct answer)
Elephants use their trunks for drinking water.
Elephants have distinct features.

Correct answer: Elephants are the largest land animals and have unique features.

The passage first states that elephants are the largest land animals, then goes on to describe their 'distinct features' like large ears and long trunks. Option C effectively combines these two main points, encompassing both their size and their unique physical characteristics, which are the primary subjects discussed in the passage.

Question 45: Which shape has exactly 4 right angles and 4 equal sides?

Rhombus
Square (Correct answer)
Trapezoid
Rectangle

Correct answer: Square

A square has 4 equal sides and 4 right angles, distinguishing it from a rhombus which may not have right angles.

Question 46: Which of the following is an example of figurative language?

The dog barked three times.
His voice was thunder rumbling across the sky. (Correct answer)
She ran a mile in seven minutes.
The students sat in rows of five.

Correct answer: His voice was thunder rumbling across the sky.

'His voice was thunder rumbling across the sky' is a metaphor, a type of figurative language.

Question 47: What does the law of conservation of energy state about energy in a closed system?

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed (Correct answer)
Energy is destroyed when it converts to heat
Energy is constantly created from matter
Energy can be created but not destroyed

Correct answer: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed

The law of conservation of energy states that the total energy in a closed system remains constant — energy can change forms (e.g., kinetic to thermal) but cannot be created or destroyed.

Question 48: In a story, what is the climax?

The resolution of the story’s conflict
The highest point of tension or conflict (Correct answer)
The description of the background
The introduction of characters and setting

Correct answer: The highest point of tension or conflict

In a story, the climax is the pivotal moment of highest tension, conflict, or emotional intensity. It is the turning point where the main character confronts the central conflict, and the outcome of the story becomes clear or is decided, leading to the falling action and resolution.

Question 49: Which sentence uses the correct form of the verb to match the subject?

The students were excited about the NeSA results. (Correct answer)
The students is excited about the NeSA results.
The students be excited about the NeSA results.
The students was excited about the NeSA results.

Correct answer: The students were excited about the NeSA results.

'Students' is a plural subject, so it requires the plural verb 'were,' not 'was,' 'is,' or 'be.'

Question 50: What is the correct way to cite a quote within an essay?

Introduce the quote, enclose it in quotation marks, and cite the source. (Correct answer)
Place the quote in italics without attribution.
Summarize the quote in your own words only.
Place the quote in parentheses without quotation marks.

Correct answer: Introduce the quote, enclose it in quotation marks, and cite the source.

Properly cited quotes are introduced, placed in quotation marks, and attributed to their source.

Question 51: What is the value of the expression 4a − 2b when a = 3 and b = 5?

8
2 (Correct answer)
4
6

Correct answer: 2

4(3) − 2(5) = 12 − 10 = 2.

Question 52: Which sentence is written correctly?

Theyre going to the store after school.
Their going to the store after school.
There going to the store after school.
They're going to the store after school. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: They're going to the store after school.

The sentence requires the contraction 'they're', which is short for 'they are'. 'Their' is a possessive pronoun (e.g., their car), and 'there' refers to a place or is used in existential constructions (e.g., there is). Only 'They're' correctly conveys the intended meaning of 'They are going to the store after school'.

Question 53: In an ecosystem, which organisms are classified as primary producers because they create their own food from sunlight?

Decomposers
Herbivores
Carnivores
Autotrophs (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Autotrophs

Autotrophs (such as plants and algae) are primary producers that use photosynthesis to convert solar energy into chemical energy stored in organic compounds.

Question 54: Students record daily high temperatures in Omaha for one week: 42, 45, 38, 50, 47, 44, 41. What is the range?

14
10
8
12 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 12

Range = maximum − minimum = 50 − 38 = 12.

Question 55: A train travels 180 miles in 3 hours. What is its average speed?

60 mph (Correct answer)
75 mph
54 mph
45 mph

Correct answer: 60 mph

Speed = distance ÷ time = 180 ÷ 3 = 60 mph.

Question 56: Nebraska's climate is best described as:

Tropical with high humidity year-round
Mild and rainy with little seasonal variation
Continental with cold winters, hot summers, and variable precipitation (Correct answer)
Arid desert with very little annual rainfall

Correct answer: Continental with cold winters, hot summers, and variable precipitation

Nebraska has a continental climate with cold, snowy winters, hot summers, and variable precipitation, making it typical of the Great Plains region.

Question 57: In the sentence 'The test was a piece of cake,' the phrase 'a piece of cake' is an example of:

A metaphor
An idiom (Correct answer)
A simile
Alliteration

Correct answer: An idiom

An idiom is a phrase whose figurative meaning differs from its literal meaning; 'a piece of cake' means 'very easy.'

Question 58: Which sentence demonstrates correct capitalization?

We Visited Omaha, Nebraska during the summer.
We visited omaha, nebraska during the summer.
We visited Omaha, Nebraska during the Summer.
We visited Omaha, Nebraska during the summer. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: We visited Omaha, Nebraska during the summer.

Proper nouns like city and state names (Omaha, Nebraska) are capitalized, but common nouns like 'summer' are not.

Question 59: Nebraska has a unique feature among U.S. states in that its legislature is:

Unicameral, with only one chamber (Correct answer)
The largest in the United States
Appointed rather than elected
Bicameral, with three chambers

Correct answer: Unicameral, with only one chamber

Nebraska has the only unicameral (one-chamber) state legislature in the United States, adopted in 1937, called the Nebraska Legislature.

Question 60: The Great Platte River Road Archway in Kearney, Nebraska, commemorates:

The historic migration trails that crossed Nebraska (Correct answer)
Nebraska's role in the Civil War
The discovery of oil in central Nebraska
The founding of the city of Kearney

Correct answer: The historic migration trails that crossed Nebraska

The Archway monument spans Interstate 80 and celebrates the history of the migration trails — Oregon, California, Pony Express, and Lincoln Highway — that crossed Nebraska.

Question 61: Which revision corrects the run-on sentence: 'I love Nebraska summers they are warm and sunny.'

I love Nebraska, summers they are warm and sunny.
I love Nebraska summers they, are warm and sunny.
I love Nebraska summers, they are warm and sunny.
I love Nebraska summers. They are warm and sunny. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: I love Nebraska summers. They are warm and sunny.

A run-on sentence can be corrected by separating it into two complete sentences with a period.

Question 62: Which scientific principle explains why populations with favorable traits survive and reproduce more successfully over generations?

Genetic mutation
Selective breeding
Genetic drift
Natural selection (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Natural selection

Natural selection, proposed by Charles Darwin, states that organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass those traits to offspring.

Question 63: Which transition word best shows a contrast between ideas?

Furthermore
Therefore
Similarly
However (Correct answer)

Correct answer: However

'However' signals a contrast or shift between two ideas.

Question 64: What is the main function of the roots in a plant?

To carry out photosynthesis
To produce seeds
To absorb water and nutrients (Correct answer)
To protect the plant from herbivores

Correct answer: To absorb water and nutrients

The primary function of a plant's roots is to anchor the plant firmly in the soil and, most importantly, to absorb water and essential mineral nutrients from the soil. These absorbed substances are then transported to other parts of the plant to support growth and other metabolic processes.

Question 65: If a stem-and-leaf plot shows stems of 6 and 7, with leaves 6|2,5,8 and 7|1,4, what is the largest value?

71
78
68
74 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 74

The largest stem is 7 and the largest leaf attached to it is 4, making the largest value 74.

Question 66: Which pair of angles are supplementary?

110° and 70° (Correct answer)
80° and 20°
30° and 60°
45° and 45°

Correct answer: 110° and 70°

Supplementary angles sum to 180°; 110° + 70° = 180°.

Question 67: What is the solution to the system: y = x + 2 and y = 3x − 2?

(1, 3)
(4, 6)
(3, 5)
(2, 4) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: (2, 4)

Setting x + 2 = 3x − 2 gives 4 = 2x, so x = 2 and y = 4; the solution is (2, 4).

Question 68: A map uses a scale of 1 inch = 50 miles. Two cities are 3.5 inches apart on the map. What is the actual distance?

150 miles
175 miles (Correct answer)
125 miles
200 miles

Correct answer: 175 miles

Multiply the map distance by the scale factor: 3.5 × 50 = 175 miles.

Question 69: Which type of writing primarily aims to convince the reader to adopt a viewpoint?

Persuasive writing (Correct answer)
Descriptive writing
Narrative writing
Expository writing

Correct answer: Persuasive writing

Persuasive writing uses arguments and evidence to convince the reader to agree with the writer's position.

Question 70: A number line shows points at −3, 0, and 4. Which order lists them from least to greatest?

0, −3, 4
−3, 4, 0
4, 0, −3
−3, 0, 4 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: −3, 0, 4

On a number line, values increase from left to right, so the correct order is −3, 0, 4.

Question 71: What is the best definition of 'supporting details' in a paragraph?

Sentences that restate the thesis
Facts, examples, or explanations that develop the topic sentence (Correct answer)
Transitional phrases that connect paragraphs
The concluding sentence that wraps up the paragraph

Correct answer: Facts, examples, or explanations that develop the topic sentence

Supporting details are facts, examples, or explanations that provide evidence or development for the topic sentence.

Question 72: What is the volume of a rectangular prism with length 5 cm, width 4 cm, and height 3 cm?

60 cm³ (Correct answer)
48 cm³
72 cm³
36 cm³

Correct answer: 60 cm³

Volume = length × width × height = 5 × 4 × 3 = 60 cm³.

Question 73: Which type of wave requires a physical medium (such as air, water, or solid material) to travel through?

Electromagnetic wave
Radio wave
Mechanical wave (Correct answer)
Light wave

Correct answer: Mechanical wave

Mechanical waves, such as sound waves and seismic waves, require a medium of particles to transfer energy; electromagnetic waves like light can travel through a vacuum.

Question 74: Which of the following is an example of a compound sentence?

Although she studied hard, the test was difficult.
She studied for the NeSA test.
Running through the park, she spotted a deer.
She studied hard, but she still felt nervous. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: She studied hard, but she still felt nervous.

A compound sentence joins two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS); option C has 'she studied hard' and 'she still felt nervous' joined by 'but.'

Question 75: A survey of 200 Nebraska students found that 50 students walk to school. What percentage walks to school?

15%
20%
30%
25% (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 25%

Percentage = (part / whole) × 100 = (50 / 200) × 100 = 25%.

Question 76: How many degrees are in a straight angle?

180° (Correct answer)
45°
90°
360°

Correct answer: 180°

A straight angle forms a straight line and measures exactly 180°.

Question 77: The Platte River is significant to Nebraska because it:

Forms the northern border with South Dakota
Provides water only to Omaha
Flows through the center of the state and was a key Oregon Trail route (Correct answer)
Is the deepest river in the Midwest

Correct answer: Flows through the center of the state and was a key Oregon Trail route

The Platte River flows east through the heart of Nebraska and its broad, shallow valley served as a natural highway for Oregon, California, and Mormon Trail travelers.

Question 78: Choose the word that best completes the sentence: The cat ____ on the windowsill all afternoon.

lain
lie
lay (Correct answer)
laid

Correct answer: lay

The sentence describes the cat reclining itself on the windowsill, which requires a form of the intransitive verb 'lie' (to recline). The action occurred 'all afternoon,' indicating a completed past action. The simple past tense of 'lie' is 'lay', making 'The cat lay on the windowsill all afternoon' the correct choice. 'Laid' is the past tense of the transitive verb 'lay' (to place something).

Question 79: Nebraska became the 37th state in the United States in which year?

1860
1878
1867 (Correct answer)
1854

Correct answer: 1867

Nebraska was admitted to the Union on March 1, 1867, following the end of the Civil War.

Question 80: When analyzing NeSA test score data, which measure tells you the most typical score earned by students?

Maximum
Median (Correct answer)
Range
Minimum

Correct answer: Median

The median is the middle value that splits the data in half, representing the most typical score better than range, minimum, or maximum.

Question 81: What is Nebraska's primary agricultural product for which it is nationally recognized?

Tobacco
Cotton
Corn and cattle (Correct answer)
Oranges

Correct answer: Corn and cattle

Nebraska is a leading producer of corn and beef cattle, earning it the nickname 'The Cornhusker State' and making agriculture central to its economy.

Question 82: A spinner has 8 equal sections numbered 1–8. What is the probability of landing on an even number?

5/8
1/4
3/8
1/2 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 1/2

Even numbers 1–8 are 2, 4, 6, 8 — that is 4 out of 8 sections = 1/2.

Question 83: Which equation represents a line parallel to y = 2x + 1?

y = −2x + 3
y = 2x − 4 (Correct answer)
y = 1/2 x + 1
y = −1/2 x + 2

Correct answer: y = 2x − 4

Parallel lines have the same slope; y = 2x − 4 has the same slope (2) as y = 2x + 1.

Question 84: Which sentence is written in active voice?

Maria wrote the report. (Correct answer)
The award was given to Jake.
The report was written by Maria.
The book was read by the class.

Correct answer: Maria wrote the report.

In active voice, the subject performs the action: Maria (subject) wrote (verb) the report.

Question 85: What is the least common multiple (LCM) of 4 and 6?

24
10
8
12 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 12

The smallest number divisible by both 4 and 6 is 12.

Question 86: A triangle has angles measuring 45° and 65°. What is the measure of the third angle?

70° (Correct answer)
60°
80°
90°

Correct answer: 70°

The sum of angles in a triangle is 180°, so the third angle = 180 − 45 − 65 = 70°.

Question 87: A pie chart shows that 40% of students prefer math and 35% prefer reading. What percentage prefer other subjects?

15%
30%
25% (Correct answer)
20%

Correct answer: 25%

Since all percentages in a pie chart must total 100%, the remaining percentage is 100 − 40 − 35 = 25%.

Question 88: Which measure of central tendency is most affected by an outlier?

Median
Mode
Range
Mean (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Mean

The mean uses all values in its calculation, so extreme values (outliers) can skew it significantly.

Question 89: Which major river forms Nebraska's eastern border?

Missouri River (Correct answer)
Platte River
Niobrara River
Republican River

Correct answer: Missouri River

The Missouri River forms Nebraska's eastern border, separating it from Iowa and Missouri.

Question 90: Which of the following sentences uses parallel structure?

She likes running, biking, and swimming. (Correct answer)
She likes to run, biking, and swimming.
She likes to run, biking, and to swim.
She likes to run, to bike, and swimming.

Correct answer: She likes running, biking, and swimming.

Parallel structure requires that items in a list or series maintain the same grammatical form. In option A, 'running,' 'biking,' and 'swimming' are all gerunds (verb-ing nouns), creating a consistent and grammatically parallel construction. The other options mix different grammatical forms, such as infinitives and gerunds, breaking the parallel structure.

Question 91: Chimney Rock, a famous Nebraska landmark visible on the Oregon Trail, is located in which part of the state?

Western Nebraska (Correct answer)
Northern Nebraska
Central Nebraska
Eastern Nebraska

Correct answer: Western Nebraska

Chimney Rock is located in the western panhandle of Nebraska near Bayard and was an important landmark for Oregon Trail travelers.

Question 92: Which transition word best shows contrast between two ideas?

Therefore
Similarly
However (Correct answer)
Furthermore

Correct answer: However

'However' signals a contrast or shift in ideas, making it the appropriate transition for opposing information.

Question 93: What type of energy transformation occurs in a solar panel?

Mechanical to electrical
Thermal to electrical
Light to electrical (Correct answer)
Chemical to electrical

Correct answer: Light to electrical

Solar panels, specifically photovoltaic cells, are designed to convert light energy (from the sun) directly into electrical energy. This process involves photons striking the semiconductor material in the panel, exciting electrons and creating an electric current, without an intermediate thermal or mechanical step.

Question 94: What is the domain of the function f(x) = x + 4 for x ∈ {1, 2, 3}?

{4, 5, 6}
{2, 3, 4}
{1, 2, 3} (Correct answer)
{5, 6, 7}

Correct answer: {1, 2, 3}

The domain is the set of input values, which is {1, 2, 3}.

Question 95: What was the primary purpose of the Lewis and Clark expedition?

To find a new trade route to Asia
To explore and map the Louisiana Territory (Correct answer)
To convert Native Americans to Christianity
To establish military forts in the West

Correct answer: To explore and map the Louisiana Territory

Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson after the Louisiana Purchase, the primary purpose of the Lewis and Clark expedition was to explore and map the newly acquired territory. Their mission included documenting the geography, flora, fauna, and indigenous peoples, as well as seeking a practical water route across the western half of the continent.

Question 96: Which sentence is the most specific and descriptive?

The animal moved fast.
It was running somewhere.
The dog ran.
The golden retriever sprinted across the yard. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The golden retriever sprinted across the yard.

Specific nouns and vivid verbs make writing more precise and engaging for the reader.

Question 97: What is 25% of 160?

30
35
45
40 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 40

25% means 25/100 = 0.25, and 0.25 × 160 = 40.

Question 98: Which bordering state lies directly south of Nebraska?

Colorado
Missouri
Iowa
Kansas (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Kansas

Kansas lies directly along Nebraska's southern border, sharing the 40th parallel boundary.

Question 99: A line graph shows temperature each month for a year. Which conclusion can best be drawn from a line graph?

The percentage of warm months
The total temperature for the year
How temperature changes over time (Correct answer)
The most common temperature

Correct answer: How temperature changes over time

Line graphs are best for showing trends and changes over time, making them ideal for tracking monthly temperature.

Question 100: Which equation has no solution?

x + 3 = 3
x + 2 = x + 5 (Correct answer)
3x = 9
2x = 2x

Correct answer: x + 2 = x + 5

x + 2 = x + 5 simplifies to 2 = 5, which is false, so there is no solution.

Question 101: Which event marked the beginning of the American Civil War?

The attack on Fort Sumter (Correct answer)
The Emancipation Proclamation
The Battle of Gettysburg
The election of Abraham Lincoln

Correct answer: The attack on Fort Sumter

The American Civil War officially began with the attack on Fort Sumter by Confederate forces on April 12, 1861. This act of aggression against a federal outpost in Charleston, South Carolina, prompted President Lincoln to call for troops, escalating the conflict into full-scale war.

Question 102: Which revision best improves this sentence? 'The dog was walked by Maria every morning.'

The dog walked by Maria every morning.
Maria walked the dog every morning. (Correct answer)
Every morning, a dog was walked.
Walking the dog was done by Maria every morning.

Correct answer: Maria walked the dog every morning.

Converting from passive voice to active voice makes the sentence clearer and more direct.

Question 103: A student scores 72 out of 90 on a NeSA math section. What percentage did they score?

75%
82%
78%
80% (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 80%

72 divided by 90 equals 0.80, which is 80%.

Question 104: The Oregon Trail, an important historic route through Nebraska, was primarily used by:

Confederate soldiers during the Civil War
Spanish explorers searching for gold
Settlers heading west seeking land and new opportunities (Correct answer)
Fur traders from Canada

Correct answer: Settlers heading west seeking land and new opportunities

The Oregon Trail was used by thousands of westward-bound settlers during the 1840s–1860s who traveled through Nebraska seeking farmland and new lives.

Question 105: Which type of essay presents both sides of an issue and then takes a position?

Narrative essay
Argumentative essay (Correct answer)
Descriptive essay
Personal essay

Correct answer: Argumentative essay

An argumentative essay examines multiple perspectives and defends a clear position with evidence.

Question 106: What is the median of the data set: 4, 7, 9, 12, 15?

7
9 (Correct answer)
12
10.5

Correct answer: 9

When arranged in order, the median is the middle value; the third value is 9.

Question 107: What is the value of √144?

11
12 (Correct answer)
14
10

Correct answer: 12

12 × 12 = 144, so √144 = 12.

Question 108: What is the perimeter of a square with a side length of 9 cm?

36 cm (Correct answer)
27 cm
45 cm
81 cm

Correct answer: 36 cm

Perimeter of a square = 4 × side = 4 × 9 = 36 cm.

Question 109: If f(x) = 2x − 3, what is f(5)?

10
7 (Correct answer)
5
13

Correct answer: 7

f(5) = 2(5) − 3 = 10 − 3 = 7.

Question 110: What nickname is Nebraska commonly known by, reflecting its agricultural heritage?

The Hawkeye State
The Prairie State
The Cornhusker State (Correct answer)
The Sunflower State

Correct answer: The Cornhusker State

Nebraska is nicknamed 'The Cornhusker State,' a reference to the practice of husking (removing husks from) corn, which was central to its agricultural economy.

Nebraska State Accountability (NeSA)

The Nebraska State Accountability (NeSA) is a statewide K-12 assessment measuring student proficiency in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Nebraska History & Geography for grades 3-8 and 11. Results are reported as Below Standards, Meets Standards, or Exceeds Standards.

110

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120 min

Time Limit

70%

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