ParaPro Assessment — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Arrange the following sentences into the most logical paragraph: (1) Finally, add the flour and mix until just combined. (2) To bake cookies, first cream the butter and sugar together. (3) After that, beat in the eggs and vanilla. (4) Your cookie dough is now ready to be chilled.

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

Correct answer: 2, 3, 1, 4

The sentences describe a sequence of steps. The logical order begins with 'first' (2), followed by the next step 'after that' (3), the 'finally' step (1), and the concluding sentence (4).

Question 2: A paraprofessional is working with a small group of first-grade students on phonemic awareness. Which of the following activities would be most effective?

Reading a story aloud and asking comprehension questions.
Asking students to write the alphabet from memory.
Matching uppercase letters to lowercase letters.
Having students clap for each sound they hear in the word 'cat'. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Having students clap for each sound they hear in the word 'cat'.

Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words. Clapping for each sound in a word helps students practice segmenting, which is a foundational skill for reading and spelling. The other options focus on different, though also important, literacy skills.

Question 3: A triangle has angles measuring 45°, 90°, and x°. What is the value of x?

25
55
35
45 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 45

The sum of angles in a triangle is 180°, so x = 180 − 45 − 90 = 45.

Question 4: Which of the following correctly orders these numbers from least to greatest: 0.6, 0.06, 0.66, 0.606?

0.06, 0.6, 0.606, 0.66 (Correct answer)
0.6, 0.06, 0.606, 0.66
0.66, 0.606, 0.6, 0.06
0.06, 0.606, 0.6, 0.66

Correct answer: 0.06, 0.6, 0.606, 0.66

Converting to thousandths: 0.060, 0.600, 0.606, 0.660 — ordering from least gives 0.06, 0.6, 0.606, 0.66.

Question 5: Passage: "Leaves crunched under Ava's boots, and she zipped her jacket up to her chin as her breath made small clouds." What season is it most likely?

Early summer
Summer
Late spring
Autumn (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Autumn

Fallen crunchy leaves and cold, visible breath suggest autumn.

Question 6: A student asks what 'meticulous' means after reading: 'She was meticulous in her lab work, double-checking every measurement.' The best definition is:

Enthusiastic and passionate
Careless and rushed
Confused and uncertain
Extremely careful and precise (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Extremely careful and precise

Meticulous means showing great attention to detail and being very careful and precise.

Question 7: The pupils' research paper is to be about Aristotle, according to the teacher. What novels from the list below would you advise the student to read?

American History: Part 1
The Origins of Philosophy (Correct answer)
Important Events of the Spanish Inquisition
Greek Mythology

Correct answer: The Origins of Philosophy

Aristotle was a well-known Ancient Greek philosopher, thus the response "The Origins of Philosphy" is the right one.

Question 8: Which of the following sentences contains a misplaced modifier?

Running late, he grabbed his keys and dashed out the door.
The students completed their assignments before the deadline.
She almost drove her children to school every day. (Correct answer)
The teacher graded all the papers carefully.

Correct answer: She almost drove her children to school every day.

'Almost' is misplaced; the sentence should say 'She drove her children to school almost every day.'

Question 9: A student wants to add the following sentence to a paragraph about online safety: 'My favorite website is YouTube.' Where does this sentence belong?

At the end as a concluding sentence
At the beginning as a topic sentence
In the middle as a supporting detail
It should not be included because it is off-topic. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It should not be included because it is off-topic.

A personal preference for a specific website does not support the topic of online safety and should be excluded.

Question 10: A student reads: 'The scientist's hypothesis was corroborated by three independent studies.' What does 'corroborated' mean?

Ignored by researchers
Questioned by peers
Supported or confirmed (Correct answer)
Disproved by evidence

Correct answer: Supported or confirmed

Corroborated means supported or confirmed, especially by additional evidence.

Question 11: A student can read all the words in a sentence but doesn't understand what the sentence means. A paraprofessional asks, 'Can you put that sentence in your own words?' This strategy is called:

Phonics instruction
Decoding
Choral reading
Paraphrasing (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing — restating text in one's own words — is a comprehension monitoring strategy that reveals whether a student has truly understood the meaning of what they read.

Question 12: Which sentence follows standard American punctuation for quotations?

Mr. Ruiz said, "Line up at the door".
Mr. Ruiz said "Line up at the door."
Mr. Ruiz said, "Line up at the door." (Correct answer)
Mr. Ruiz said, "line up at the door."

Correct answer: Mr. Ruiz said, "Line up at the door."

In American English, periods and commas go inside closing quotation marks, and a quoted full sentence begins with a capital.

Question 13: Which sentence uses a semicolon CORRECTLY?

He likes; soccer football and basketball.
I like apples; and oranges.
The movie was long; but entertaining.
She studied hard; therefore, she passed the exam. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: She studied hard; therefore, she passed the exam.

A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses, especially with a conjunctive adverb like 'therefore' followed by a comma: 'She studied hard; therefore, she passed the exam.'

Question 14: A student is graphing the point (3, -2) on a coordinate plane. Where is this point located?

3 units left and 2 units up from the origin
3 units right and 2 units up from the origin
2 units right and 3 units down from the origin
3 units right and 2 units down from the origin (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 3 units right and 2 units down from the origin

The ordered pair (x, y) = (3, -2) means 3 units right on the x-axis (positive) and 2 units down on the y-axis (negative).

Question 15: A different measurement scale used in the real world.

Place value
Hundred chart
Non-Standard unit of measurement (Correct answer)
Independent reading level

Correct answer: Non-Standard unit of measurement

A non-standard unit of measurement refers to using everyday objects or body parts to measure, rather than conventional units like centimeters or inches. Examples include measuring with footsteps, paper clips, or hands. These units are 'non-standard' because they vary from person to person or object to object, making them less precise but often used for informal or introductory measurement activities.

Question 16: To construct pairs of synonyms, the students are collaborating in groups. The following pairings were developed by one group. What pair is accurate?

Fly and soar (Correct answer)
Our and hour
Stop and go
run and ran

Correct answer: Fly and soar

Synonyms are words that have similar meanings. 'Fly' and 'soar' both describe movement through the air, with 'soar' often implying a more graceful or sustained flight. The other options are either antonyms ('Stop and go'), different tenses of the same verb ('run and ran'), or homophones with distinct meanings ('Our and hour').

Question 17: Which pronoun correctly completes the sentence? "The secret stays between you and ___."

myself
me (Correct answer)
I
mine

Correct answer: me

"Between" is a preposition, so it takes the objective pronoun "me."

Question 18: Which sentence best serves as a concluding sentence for a paragraph about the benefits of daily exercise?

Many people enjoy running in the morning.
Some individuals prefer team sports over solo workouts.
Exercise equipment can be expensive to purchase.
In summary, regular physical activity improves both physical and mental well-being. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: In summary, regular physical activity improves both physical and mental well-being.

A concluding sentence summarizes the paragraph's main idea, which here is the benefits of exercise.

Question 19: Which sentence has correct parallel structure?

Students like to read, writing, and drawing.
Students like reading, writing, and drawing. (Correct answer)
Students like reading, writing, and to draw.
Students like reading, to write, and drawing.

Correct answer: Students like reading, writing, and drawing.

Items in a series should share the same grammatical form.

Question 20: Read the passage: 'The gym was eerily quiet. The usual shouts and sneaker squeaks were absent. A single tumbleweed of dust drifted across the floor.' What can you infer?

A game is about to begin.
The janitor just finished cleaning.
The gym is empty and has not been used recently. (Correct answer)
Students are warming up silently.

Correct answer: The gym is empty and has not been used recently.

Silence, absence of activity sounds, and a dust tumbleweed all imply the gym is vacant and has been unused for some time. A clean gym would not have a dust tumbleweed.

Question 21: Which of the following best describes the purpose of a topic sentence in a paragraph?

To give a specific example
To define a vocabulary word
To state the main idea of the paragraph (Correct answer)
To provide a concluding thought

Correct answer: To state the main idea of the paragraph

A topic sentence states the main idea of a paragraph and tells the reader what the paragraph is about.

Question 22: A paraprofessional is using a K-W-L chart with a student before they read a non-fiction text about sharks. What is the primary purpose of the 'K' and 'W' sections?

To assess the student's spelling and grammar.
To test the student's ability to follow directions.
To practice summarizing skills after reading.
To activate prior knowledge and set a purpose for reading. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To activate prior knowledge and set a purpose for reading.

A K-W-L chart is a graphic organizer used to activate prior knowledge (K - What I Know), generate questions to set a purpose for reading (W - What I Want to know), and then summarize what was learned (L - What I Learned). The initial steps are crucial for engaging the student and improving comprehension.

Question 23: Choose the correct verb form: "She has ___ a thank-you letter to the principal."

wrote
writing
writed
written (Correct answer)

Correct answer: written

"Written" is the past participle of the irregular verb "write" and follows "has."

Question 24: When a reader monitors comprehension and realizes they do not understand a passage, the most effective fix-up strategy is to:

Reread the confusing section more carefully (Correct answer)
Guess the meaning and continue reading
Skip to the end of the chapter
Ask a classmate to summarize it

Correct answer: Reread the confusing section more carefully

Rereading a confusing passage more carefully is a key metacognitive fix-up strategy for comprehension.

Question 25: A pattern repeats: triangle, square, circle, triangle, square, circle, ... What is the 20th shape?

Triangle
Rectangle
Circle
Square (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Square

20 ÷ 3 leaves a remainder of 2, so the 20th shape is the 2nd in the cycle, a square.

Question 26: The prefix 'mis-' in the word 'misinterpret' most likely means:

Wrongly or incorrectly (Correct answer)
Before
Again
Together

Correct answer: Wrongly or incorrectly

The prefix 'mis-' means wrongly or incorrectly, so misinterpret means to interpret incorrectly.

Question 27: A paraprofessional is helping a student who is struggling to understand the concept of fractions. Which of the following is the best first step?

Telling the student to memorize the multiplication table.
Explaining the abstract mathematical definition of a numerator and denominator.
Giving the student a worksheet with 50 fraction problems.
Using physical manipulatives like fraction bars or pizza slices to represent the parts of a whole. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Using physical manipulatives like fraction bars or pizza slices to represent the parts of a whole.

For students struggling with abstract concepts like fractions, using concrete, hands-on manipulatives is a highly effective strategy. Objects like fraction bars, pie pieces, or even food items allow students to see and physically manipulate the parts of a whole, building a strong conceptual foundation before moving to more abstract representations.

Question 28: Passage: "Grandpa squinted at the newspaper, held it at arm's length, then sighed and asked Lily to read the headline aloud." What can be inferred?

The newspaper is in another language
Grandpa has trouble seeing small print (Correct answer)
Grandpa cannot read
Lily wants to practice reading

Correct answer: Grandpa has trouble seeing small print

Squinting and holding the paper far away suggest poor close-up vision.

Question 29: A student struggles to understand a dense paragraph. The best paraprofessional strategy is to:

Skip the paragraph and move on
Tell the student the paragraph is too hard
Help the student identify the main idea and key details (Correct answer)
Read the paragraph aloud faster

Correct answer: Help the student identify the main idea and key details

Breaking down a paragraph by identifying the main idea and supporting details is an effective comprehension strategy.

Question 30: Which of the following is an example of an inference a student might make while reading?

The passage mentions snow fell for six hours
The character must be cold because she is wearing a heavy coat inside (Correct answer)
The title says 'Winter Storm'
The author's name is listed at the top

Correct answer: The character must be cold because she is wearing a heavy coat inside

An inference is a conclusion drawn from clues in the text that is not directly stated, such as concluding a character is cold based on her actions.

Question 31: Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

I studied all week; and I passed the test.
Because I studied all week; I passed the test.
I studied; all week and passed the test.
I studied all week; I passed the test. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: I studied all week; I passed the test.

A semicolon joins two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.

Question 32: A student reads a passage and then retells it in their own words without including their opinion. This is called:

Predicting
Analyzing
Evaluating
Summarizing (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Summarizing

Summarizing means restating the key points of a passage in one's own words without adding personal opinion.

Question 33: A student writes a paragraph with five supporting details but no topic sentence. What revision should the paraprofessional suggest?

Add a topic sentence at the beginning that states the main idea the details support (Correct answer)
Add more supporting details
Remove three of the supporting details
Move the paragraph to the conclusion

Correct answer: Add a topic sentence at the beginning that states the main idea the details support

A paragraph without a topic sentence lacks a controlling idea. Adding a topic sentence at the beginning tells readers what the paragraph is about and unifies the supporting details.

Question 34: A paraprofessional wants to help a student improve reading comprehension by activating prior knowledge. Which activity should happen BEFORE reading?

Answering comprehension questions at the end of the chapter
Discussing what the student already knows about the topic (Correct answer)
Summarizing the story after finishing it
Completing a reading log after the lesson

Correct answer: Discussing what the student already knows about the topic

Activating prior knowledge before reading connects new information to existing schema, improving comprehension and retention. This is a pre-reading strategy.

Question 35: A nonfiction passage describes events in the order they happened. This organizational pattern is called:

Chronological order (Correct answer)
Comparison and contrast
Spatial order
Order of importance

Correct answer: Chronological order

Chronological order presents events in the sequence in which they occurred over time.

Question 36: What is an inference?

A heading that introduces a new section
A direct quote from a text
A word defined in a glossary
A conclusion drawn using evidence and reasoning beyond what is stated (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A conclusion drawn using evidence and reasoning beyond what is stated

An inference is a logical conclusion drawn from clues in the text combined with prior knowledge.

Question 37: Choose the correct verb: "Neither the teacher nor the students ___ ready for the fire drill."

has been
is
were (Correct answer)
was

Correct answer: were

With neither/nor, the verb agrees with the closer subject, "students," which is plural.

Question 38: A student reads a passage about dolphins and identifies three specific behaviors they exhibit. These behaviors are best described as:

Supporting details (Correct answer)
Main ideas
Themes
Text features

Correct answer: Supporting details

Supporting details are specific facts, examples, or descriptions that support and expand upon the main idea.

Question 39: A triangle has angles measuring 45°, 90°, and what third angle?

45° (Correct answer)
135°
60°
90°

Correct answer: 45°

The sum of angles in a triangle is 180°, so the third angle = 180° − 45° − 90° = 45°.

Question 40: Choose the best transition word to complete the sentence: 'The students studied hard for the test; __________, they all received high scores.'

however
for example
consequently (Correct answer)
meanwhile

Correct answer: consequently

The word 'consequently' indicates a result or effect. Because the students studied hard (cause), they received high scores (effect).

Question 41: Which phrase correctly shows possession by more than one child?

the children's books (Correct answer)
the childrens books
the childrens' books
the childs' books

Correct answer: the children's books

"Children" is an irregular plural not ending in s, so add an apostrophe and s.

Question 42: Which sentence is an example of a run-on sentence?

It was a beautiful day we decided to go to the park. (Correct answer)
The game was exciting, and the crowd cheered loudly.
After the storm passed, we cleaned up the yard.
She studied all night; consequently, she felt tired.

Correct answer: It was a beautiful day we decided to go to the park.

Two independent clauses are joined without a conjunction or punctuation, creating a run-on sentence.

Question 43: Which of the following best describes the author's purpose in a persuasive essay?

To inform readers about historical events
To convince readers to adopt a particular viewpoint (Correct answer)
To entertain readers with a fictional story
To describe the steps in a process

Correct answer: To convince readers to adopt a particular viewpoint

A persuasive essay aims to convince the reader to agree with the author's position or take an action.

Question 44: A student writes: 'Dogs make great pets. They are loyal and friendly. Also dogs are easy to train.' Which revision BEST improves the paragraph's flow?

Combine the sentences using transitions: 'Dogs make great pets because they are loyal, friendly, and easy to train.' (Correct answer)
Change 'dogs' to 'puppies' in every sentence
Delete the third sentence entirely
Add more sentences about cats

Correct answer: Combine the sentences using transitions: 'Dogs make great pets because they are loyal, friendly, and easy to train.'

Combining the three choppy sentences into one using the conjunction 'because' and a list with proper transitions creates smoother, more cohesive writing.

Question 45: Solve the proportion 3/8 = x/40.

x = 12
x = 20
x = 15 (Correct answer)
x = 120

Correct answer: x = 15

Since 40 = 8 × 5, x = 3 × 5 = 15.

Question 46: A circle has a radius of 5 cm. What is its diameter?

10 cm (Correct answer)
5 cm
25 cm
15 cm

Correct answer: 10 cm

The diameter equals twice the radius, so diameter = 2 × 5 = 10 cm.

Question 47: Which sentence uses a colon correctly?

Please bring: a pencil, an eraser, and a ruler.
You need to: bring a pencil and a ruler.
Bring three items: a pencil, an eraser, and a ruler. (Correct answer)
The items are: a pencil, an eraser, and a ruler.

Correct answer: Bring three items: a pencil, an eraser, and a ruler.

A colon should follow a complete independent clause that introduces a list.

Question 48: A student reads: 'He raced down the hall, his backpack bouncing wildly.' What can be inferred from this sentence?

He is angry at someone.
He is in a hurry. (Correct answer)
He is walking slowly and carefully.
He forgot his backpack.

Correct answer: He is in a hurry.

The words 'raced' and 'bouncing wildly' suggest rapid movement, implying the person is in a hurry.

Question 49: Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

When, the bell rang the students left quickly.
When the bell rang the students, left quickly.
When the bell rang, the students left quickly. (Correct answer)
When the bell rang the students left, quickly.

Correct answer: When the bell rang, the students left quickly.

A comma follows an introductory dependent clause.

Question 50: When helping a student identify the main idea of a paragraph, which question would be most helpful for the paraprofessional to ask?

Can you find any interesting details in this paragraph?
How many sentences are in this paragraph?
Are there any words you don't know?
What is the one most important thing the author wants you to know about? (Correct answer)

Correct answer: What is the one most important thing the author wants you to know about?

The main idea is the most important point the author is trying to make. Asking what the author wants the reader to know helps the student move beyond specific details and focus on the overarching message of the paragraph or passage.

Question 51: A student reads a poem and notices that lines 1 and 3 rhyme, and lines 2 and 4 rhyme. What rhyme scheme does this represent?

AAAA
ABBA
ABAB (Correct answer)
AABB

Correct answer: ABAB

ABAB means lines 1 and 3 share rhyme A, while lines 2 and 4 share rhyme B — alternating rhyme. This is one of the most common rhyme schemes in English poetry.

Question 52: A student reads: 'The arid desert receives less than 10 inches of rain per year.' What does 'arid' most likely mean?

Extremely dry (Correct answer)
Cold and frozen
Densely forested
Wet and humid

Correct answer: Extremely dry

Context clues from 'less than 10 inches of rain' indicate that 'arid' means extremely dry.

Question 53: Which sentence provides the best supporting detail for the topic sentence: 'Regular exercise is crucial for a student's well-being'?

Physical activity can improve concentration and memory. (Correct answer)
Some students prefer reading to sports.
The school gym is open after classes.
Many schools have sports teams.

Correct answer: Physical activity can improve concentration and memory.

This sentence directly supports the topic sentence by providing a specific, proven benefit of exercise (improving concentration and memory), which is directly related to a student's well-being and academic performance.

Question 54: When a student identifies the main idea of a paragraph, they are identifying:

A supporting detail
The central point the paragraph is about (Correct answer)
The author's biography
The title of the passage

Correct answer: The central point the paragraph is about

The main idea is the central point or most important message that the paragraph communicates.

Question 55: Passage: "The puppy's tail drooped, and it hid under the bed after the thunder started." What can be inferred about the puppy?

It is playing a game
It is frightened by the storm (Correct answer)
It is sleepy
It is hungry

Correct answer: It is frightened by the storm

Hiding and a drooping tail right after thunder show fear.

Question 56: In a compare-and-contrast passage, which signal word would most likely indicate a difference between two subjects?

Also
Similarly
However (Correct answer)
Furthermore

Correct answer: However

The word 'however' is a contrast signal word that indicates the author is about to point out a difference.

Question 57: Passage: "Maria glanced at the clock for the third time, tapped her pencil, and kept looking toward the classroom door." What can the reader infer about Maria?

She is waiting anxiously for someone or something (Correct answer)
She is bored by the lesson content
She is angry at her teacher
She cannot read the clock

Correct answer: She is waiting anxiously for someone or something

Repeatedly checking the clock and watching the door suggests she is anxiously waiting.

Question 58: Choose the correct word: "To ___ should I address the permission slip?"

who's
whose
who
whom (Correct answer)

Correct answer: whom

"Whom" is the object of the preposition "to."

Question 59: An inference is best described as:

A statement directly and explicitly written in the text
The author's opinion stated in the first sentence
A summary of the main idea of a passage
A logical conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning beyond what is directly stated (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A logical conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning beyond what is directly stated

An inference goes beyond what is literally stated — it uses clues from the text combined with background knowledge to reach a logical conclusion not explicitly written.

Question 60: What is the purpose of a topic sentence in a paragraph?

To introduce the paragraph's main idea (Correct answer)
To provide evidence and examples for the main idea
To transition smoothly to the next paragraph
To summarize all details presented in the paragraph

Correct answer: To introduce the paragraph's main idea

A topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph, giving readers a preview of what follows.

Question 61: Which sentence contains a comma splice error?

The students finished the test, they handed it in. (Correct answer)
The students finished the test before handing it in.
The students finished the test; they handed it in.
The students finished the test, and they handed it in.

Correct answer: The students finished the test, they handed it in.

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined with only a comma. Option C joins two complete sentences ('The students finished the test' and 'they handed it in') with just a comma, which is an error.

Question 62: Which transition word BEST shows a contrast between two ideas?

Furthermore
However (Correct answer)
Therefore
Additionally

Correct answer: However

'However' signals a contrast or contradiction between two ideas, helping readers understand that the second idea differs from or limits the first.

Question 63: A paraprofessional asks a student: 'Why do you think the author included this section about polar ice melting?' This question is designed to assess the student's understanding of:

Vocabulary
Author's purpose (Correct answer)
Phonics
Text structure

Correct answer: Author's purpose

Asking why an author included specific content is a direct question about author's purpose — understanding the reason behind the author's choices.

Question 64: A circle has a diameter of 14 cm. What is its radius?

14 cm
7 cm (Correct answer)
3.5 cm
28 cm

Correct answer: 7 cm

The radius is half the diameter, so radius = 14 ÷ 2 = 7 cm.

Question 65: Which of the following is the best topic sentence for a paragraph with these supporting details: The students use tablets for research. Interactive whiteboards display multimedia lessons. Online platforms allow for collaborative projects.

Online projects require internet access.
Technology has become an integral part of the modern classroom. (Correct answer)
Students enjoy using tablets.
Interactive whiteboards are expensive.

Correct answer: Technology has become an integral part of the modern classroom.

All the supporting details are examples of how technology is used in a modern classroom. This sentence effectively introduces and summarizes the specific examples that follow.

Question 66: A student reads a story where the main character stops eating lunch with his friends and starts sitting alone. The author never states how the character feels. What can a reader most reasonably infer?

The character is not hungry at lunchtime.
The character has been told to sit in a different area.
The character prefers a different cafeteria.
The character is experiencing a conflict or emotional difficulty with friends. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The character is experiencing a conflict or emotional difficulty with friends.

A sudden change in social behavior — avoiding former friends — is a classic implied signal of interpersonal conflict or emotional distress. The text provides no evidence for hunger, location preference, or rules.

Question 67: When assisting a student with editing their work, what is the most appropriate way for a paraprofessional to provide support?

Asking guiding questions like, 'What kind of punctuation goes at the end of a question?' (Correct answer)
Using a red pen to mark all the errors for the student.
Rewriting the student's sentences to make them grammatically correct.
Telling the student their work is fine and doesn't need any changes.

Correct answer: Asking guiding questions like, 'What kind of punctuation goes at the end of a question?'

Effective support during the editing stage involves guiding students to find and correct their own errors. Asking probing questions empowers students to think critically about grammar, spelling, and punctuation rules, fostering independence and deeper learning.

Question 68: A passage states: 'Although Maria was nervous, she delivered her speech with poise.' What is the best meaning of 'poise'?

Hesitation
Loudness
Confusion
Grace and composure (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Grace and composure

The contrast signal 'although she was nervous' implies poise means the opposite — grace and composure.

Question 69: Read the passage: 'The teacher handed back the tests without a word. Several students slumped in their chairs. One student quietly put his paper face-down on the desk.' What is the most reasonable inference?

The teacher is angry at the students.
The test has not yet been graded.
The students performed poorly on the test. (Correct answer)
The students all received perfect scores.

Correct answer: The students performed poorly on the test.

Slumping and hiding a paper face-down are behaviors typically associated with disappointment over poor results. The silence and body language collectively imply the class did not do well.

Question 70: Passage: "After reading the menu, Carlos frowned, counted the bills in his wallet twice, and ordered only a glass of water." What can be inferred?

Carlos dislikes the restaurant
Carlos is on a strict diet
Carlos is not hungry
Carlos does not have enough money for a meal (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Carlos does not have enough money for a meal

Counting money twice and ordering only water suggests he cannot afford food.

Question 71: Find 33 and 44's largest common factor.

1
11 (Correct answer)
22
33

Correct answer: 11

A number's components are values that are split into them in an exact ratio. For instance, the factors of 4 are 1, 2, and 4 since each of them can be used to divide 4 without leaving a residual. List the factors of both 33 and 44 in order to find their largest common factor: Factors of 33 are: 1,3,11,33 Factors of 44 are: 1,2,4,11,22,44 The greatest common factor is the largest number that is in both lists of factors: 11.

Question 72: A teacher introduced root words to his pupils. The term "rephrased" has which of the following roots?

-ed
Phrase (Correct answer)
Re-
Phrased

Correct answer: Phrase

A root word is the fundamental part of a word that carries its primary meaning. In 'rephrased,' 're-' is a prefix meaning 'again,' and '-ed' is a suffix indicating past tense. The core meaning unit, or root, is 'phrase,' which refers to a group of words or a particular expression.

Question 73: Passage: "The bakery's shelves were nearly empty by 9 a.m., and a line of customers stretched out the door." Which conclusion is best supported?

The bakery raised its prices
The bakery is going out of business
The bakery's products are very popular (Correct answer)
The bakery opened late

Correct answer: The bakery's products are very popular

Empty shelves early plus a long line indicate high demand.

Question 74: Passage: "Every seat in the auditorium was filled, and some families stood along the back wall holding cameras." Which conclusion is MOST reasonable?

The cameras are for security
An important school performance is taking place (Correct answer)
The auditorium is being cleaned
The event is poorly attended

Correct answer: An important school performance is taking place

Crowds and families with cameras suggest a meaningful event such as a performance.

Question 75: A student reads a passage and identifies the author as using third-person omniscient point of view. What does this mean?

The narrator reports only what can be seen and heard, with no access to character thoughts
The narrator stands outside the story and can reveal the thoughts and feelings of all characters (Correct answer)
The narrator addresses the reader directly using 'you'
The narrator is a character within the story who knows only their own thoughts

Correct answer: The narrator stands outside the story and can reveal the thoughts and feelings of all characters

Third-person omniscient means the all-knowing narrator (using he/she/they) can enter any character's mind and reveal internal thoughts throughout the story.

Question 76: Peter intends to spend $305 on as many bags of mulch as he can, and he wants them delivered to her house. The price per bag is $8.00, and the shipping fee is $21.00. Mulch is only offered for sale in whole bags. How many bags is Peter able to buy?

35 (Correct answer)
39
36
38

Correct answer: 35

Explanation: From Peter's initial amount of $305, a flat $21.00 delivery charge is deducted: $305−$21.00=$284.00 We can then divide this amount by the cost per bag to find the total number of bags that Peter can buy: $284.00÷$8.00 =35.5 bags However, the question states that the mulch can only be sold in full bags, so we must round our answer down to ensure that Peter doesn't exceed his budget.

Question 77: How many square feet are in 1 square yard?

9 square feet (Correct answer)
6 square feet
3 square feet
12 square feet

Correct answer: 9 square feet

Since 1 yard = 3 feet, 1 square yard = 3 × 3 = 9 square feet.

Question 78: Which of the following text's underlined passages is false? What the monkey don't realize, though, was that the banana was just bait to lure him to the back of his cage.

was that
don’t realize (Correct answer)
him to
banana was

Correct answer: don’t realize

Explanation: The verb form of ""do not"" that would be used with a plural noun is ""don't"". Given that there is only one monkey, the proper word to use is "doesn't."

Question 79: Which of the following is an example of a compound sentence?

Although it was raining, the game continued.
The dog barked loudly at the mail carrier.
Maria loves to read, and her brother prefers watching movies. (Correct answer)
Running through the park, she tripped on a root.

Correct answer: Maria loves to read, and her brother prefers watching movies.

A compound sentence joins two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction like 'and.'

Question 80: Which sentence corrects the misplaced modifier in the following: 'Covered in mud, the teacher told the boy to go to the nurse's office.'

The teacher, covered in mud, told the boy to go to the nurse's office.
The teacher told the boy covered in mud to go to the nurse's office. (Correct answer)
The teacher told the boy to go to the nurse's office covered in mud.
To go to the nurse's office, the teacher told the boy covered in mud.

Correct answer: The teacher told the boy covered in mud to go to the nurse's office.

The original sentence implies the teacher was covered in mud. The corrected sentence clarifies that the boy was the one covered in mud by placing the modifying phrase 'covered in mud' right next to 'the boy'.

Question 81: Texas Fundamental Skills and Knowledge.

Teks (Correct answer)
People
Taks
Bloom's Taxonomy

Correct answer: Teks

TEKS stands for Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. These are the state standards that define what students should know and be able to do in each grade level and subject area in Texas public schools. They serve as the curriculum framework for educators across the state.

Question 82: In a well-organized paragraph, supporting sentences should:

contradict the topic sentence to show balance
summarize the entire essay's argument
provide details, examples, or evidence related to the topic sentence (Correct answer)
introduce a new topic to add variety

Correct answer: provide details, examples, or evidence related to the topic sentence

Supporting sentences develop the topic sentence by adding relevant details, examples, or evidence.

Question 83: A text includes headings, bold terms, and numbered lists. These are examples of:

Narrative elements
Point of view markers
Figurative language
Text features (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Text features

Headings, bold terms, and numbered lists are text features that help organize and highlight information.

Question 84: Which sentence is written correctly?

Running through, the park the dog wagged its tail.
Running through the park, the dog wagged its tail. (Correct answer)
Running through the park the dog wagged its tail.
Running through the park the dog wagged it's tail.

Correct answer: Running through the park, the dog wagged its tail.

A comma is required after an introductory participial phrase ('Running through the park'), and 'its' (possessive) is correct — not 'it's' (it is).

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

8
12 (Correct answer)
24
10

Correct answer: 12

The multiples of 4 are 4, 8, 12… and of 6 are 6, 12…, so the LCM is 12.

Question 86: Which pronoun correctly completes the sentence? 'Every student must bring _____ own pencil.'

their
its
our
his or her (Correct answer)

Correct answer: his or her

'Every student' is singular, so the pronoun must be singular. 'His or her' is the formally correct singular pronoun reference. (In formal written English tested on the ParaPro, 'his or her' is preferred over 'their' with a singular antecedent.)

Question 87: A student earns $240 for working 15 hours. What is the student's hourly rate?

$15.00 per hour
$12.00 per hour
$18.00 per hour
$16.00 per hour (Correct answer)

Correct answer: $16.00 per hour

Hourly rate = total earnings ÷ hours worked = $240 ÷ 15 = $16.00 per hour.

Question 88: A student writes: 'The library has many books. It also has computers. There are magazines there too. You can study there.' What is the primary weakness of this paragraph?

It lacks a clear topic sentence and sentence variety. (Correct answer)
It contains factual errors about libraries.
The sentences are too long and complex.
The paragraph is too long and should be split.

Correct answer: It lacks a clear topic sentence and sentence variety.

The paragraph lacks a unifying topic sentence and uses repetitive short sentence structures throughout.

Question 89: A passage states: 'Unlike her reserved sister, Mia was gregarious at every social event.' What does 'gregarious' mean?

Anxious and nervous
Rude and impolite
Shy and quiet
Sociable and outgoing (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Sociable and outgoing

Gregarious means fond of company and sociable, contrasted here with 'reserved.'

Question 90: Use the passage below to help you with your answers: Should a government decide to control emissions, it may choose from a broad menu of regulatory approaches. One option is direct controls, which set emissions standards for equipment and processes, require households and businesses to use specific types of equipment, or prohibit them from using others. A government could also adopt more indirect, incentive-based approaches, either singly or in combination—for example, by restricting overall quantities of emissions through a system of permits or by raising the price of emissions through fees or taxes. Incentive-based approaches are generally more cost-effective than direct controls as a means of regulating greenhouse gas emissions. What does ""incentive-based"" mean in the context of the passage?

persuading people to change using rewards. (Correct answer)
using research to decide the best course of action.
giving people an example of what will happen if they don’t comply.
requiring everyone to follow the same rules.

Correct answer: persuading people to change using rewards.

The passage describes incentive-based approaches as using 'permits' or 'fees or taxes' to restrict emissions. These methods work by making undesirable actions (high emissions) more costly or by creating a market for reductions, thereby encouraging desired behavior (lower emissions) through financial motivation. This aligns with the idea of persuading people to change their behavior by offering rewards or imposing penalties, which act as incentives.

Question 91: A parent approaches a paraprofessional before school and asks for a detailed update on her child's academic progress. The paraprofessional should:

Decline to speak with parents under any circumstances
Tell the parent the child is doing fine and redirect her to the teacher (Correct answer)
Provide a thorough verbal report since she works directly with the student
Share progress report grades from the teacher's gradebook

Correct answer: Tell the parent the child is doing fine and redirect her to the teacher

Academic progress reporting is the classroom teacher's responsibility. The paraprofessional should warmly redirect the parent to the teacher rather than overstep professional boundaries or share incomplete information.

ParaPro Assessment

The ParaPro Assessment measures the reading, writing, and math skills of prospective and practicing paraprofessionals.

Questions

150 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

Checking for saved progress...

Exam Rules

You can skip questions and return to them later
Flag questions for review before submitting
No feedback shown until you submit the entire exam
Unanswered questions count as wrong — answer everything
10 pretest questions are mixed in and don't affect your score
Timer auto-submits when time runs out
Your progress is auto-saved every 30 seconds

These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

parapro.ets.org — Test delivery, fees, retake policy, test dates, score validity, passing score, exam information · verified Nov 2026
ets.org — Exam format, time limit · verified Nov 2026