NM-MSSA English Language Arts 4

Question 1

Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The team celebrated ___ victory'?

Accepted Answer

its

Answer

'Its' is the possessive pronoun showing the victory belongs to the team; 'it's' is a contraction for 'it is.'

Question 2

What is the effect of an author using short, choppy sentences in an action scene?

Accepted Answer

It creates a sense of speed and urgency.

Answer

Short sentences speed up the reader's pace, which mirrors the tension and rapid movement of an action scene.

Question 3

Which revision best improves this vague sentence: 'She did a lot of stuff at school'?

Accepted Answer

She participated in drama club, tutored classmates, and joined the debate team.

Answer

Specific details replace vague language ('stuff') and make the sentence clear and informative.

Question 4

What does the prefix 'mis-' mean in the word 'misunderstand'?

Accepted Answer

Wrongly or incorrectly

Answer

The prefix 'mis-' means wrongly or badly, so 'misunderstand' means to understand incorrectly.

Question 5

In a persuasive essay, what is the purpose of a counterclaim?

Accepted Answer

To acknowledge the opposing view before refuting it

Answer

Addressing a counterclaim shows the writer understands opposing views and strengthens credibility by refuting them.

(NM-MSSA) New Mexico Measures of Student Success and Achievement Practice Test