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

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?

Accepted Answer

Someone else is always worse off than you are.

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

The wind was too strong to wind the sail.

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

main idea

Answer

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.

Accepted Answer

Setting

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

A child as the narrator

Answer

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.