PARCC Grade 9 ELA Practice Test Questions 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: 1. What is the author's primary purpose in writing this article?
- The author's purpose is to scare people.
- The author's purpose is to warn people.
- The author's purpose is to inspire people.
- The author's purpose is to inform people. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The author's purpose is to inform people.
An author's primary purpose is their main reason for writing. If an article presents facts, details, or explanations about a topic without a strong call to action or emotional appeal, its main goal is to inform the reader. The other options suggest a more specific or emotional intent that would need explicit support from the text.
Question 2: 2. Part A: How does the author make a connection between the second and third paragraphs?
- The author indicates he will now make suggestions for how to use what you bought. (Correct answer)
- The author indicates he will continue to give more examples of what you should buy.
- The author indicates he will make suggestions for how to keep from buying more items.
- The author indicates he will make suggestions for how to tell other people what to buy.
Correct answer: The author indicates he will now make suggestions for how to use what you bought.
This answer suggests a logical progression in the article's structure. If paragraph two discusses the act of purchasing items, the author would naturally transition in paragraph three to providing guidance or suggestions on how to effectively use or manage those acquired items, creating a clear connection between buying and utilizing.
Question 3: 2. Part B: What specific item is used as an example in paragraph 2 and 3?
- Water
- Food (Correct answer)
- Toys
- Driving
Correct answer: Food
This question requires direct recall from the article's content. If both the second and third paragraphs specifically use 'food' as a recurring example to illustrate points about purchasing and consumption, then it is the item that serves as a common thread connecting these sections of the text.
Question 4: 3. What is the main idea of this article?
- People should use less water and energy.
- People should make responsible choices in what they purchase and how they use their available resources. (Correct answer)
- People are quickly destroying the earth, and there is no way to stop the destruction.
- People should organize everyone they know to join the fight to save the environment.
Correct answer: People should make responsible choices in what they purchase and how they use their available resources.
The main idea is the central message or argument the author wants to convey. Option B broadly encompasses themes of personal accountability regarding both what is bought and how resources are used, which is a common message in articles promoting environmental stewardship. This statement effectively summarizes the overarching advice or perspective of the article.
Question 5: 4. Which organizational pattern did the author use?
- Comparison and contrast
- Chronological order
- Cause and effect
- Problem/solution
The correct answer is missing from the provided information, so an explanation cannot be given.
Question 6: 5. What does the author say is the place to begin saving our planet?
- The place to begin is with getting rid of products that are not earth friendly.
- The place to begin is with using less water when we take a shower.
- The place to begin is with the choices we make every day. (Correct answer)
- The place to begin is with buying locally-grown food.
Correct answer: The place to begin is with the choices we make every day.
This answer indicates that the article emphasizes individual agency and the cumulative impact of daily actions. By highlighting 'the choices we make every day,' the author suggests that environmental change begins with personal responsibility and conscious decisions in our routines, rather than solely relying on larger-scale initiatives or specific product changes.
Question 7: 6. Part A: What does the author imply will happen if people do not follow his suggestions?
- The author implies we will run out of resources in the next 10 years.
- The author implies water and energy prices will rise sharply in the near future.
- The author implies global warming and the depletion of natural resources will continue. (Correct answer)
- The author implies local farmers will lose their farms.
Correct answer: The author implies global warming and the depletion of natural resources will continue.
If an article advocates for environmental responsibility, the logical implication of not following its suggestions is the continuation or exacerbation of existing environmental problems. Global warming and the depletion of natural resources are frequently cited as the major negative consequences of unsustainable practices, making this the most likely implied outcome.
Question 8: 6. Part B: Which sentence supports your answer from Part A?
- Food that remains on your plate is a wasted resource, and you can always go back for seconds.
- From what you buy to what you do to how much you use, your decisions affect the planet and everyone around you.
- Turn off the water when you brush your teeth, and limit your showers to five minutes.
- Global warming and the depletion of natural resources are constant threats to the future of our planet. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Global warming and the depletion of natural resources are constant threats to the future of our planet.
This sentence directly states that 'Global warming and the depletion of natural resources are constant threats to the future of our planet.' This explicitly supports the idea that these environmental issues will persist if the author's suggestions for responsible choices are not followed, reinforcing the implied consequence from Part A.
Question 9: 7. You are working with a group to compile further research on what people can do to help the environment. Your teacher has asked your group to present a broad overview of the topic. Which of the following would be the best choice for dividing the topic among the individuals in your group?
- Products that can be recycled, products that cannot be recycled, and products that should not be recycled.
- Products that can be recycled, products that consume less energy, and products that use recycled packaging.
- Products that can be recycled, hybrid cars, and water conservation.
- Products that can be recycled, products that consume less energy, and accomplishing everyday tasks using environmentally friendly practices.
The correct answer is missing from the provided information, so an explanation cannot be given.
Question 10: 8. "When choosing what to buy, look for sustainable products made from renewable or recycled resources."
- Able to be maintained or kept in existence (Correct answer)
- Produced locally
- Chosen for specific characteristics
- Manufactured using an energy efficient process
Correct answer: Able to be maintained or kept in existence
In the context of 'sustainable products,' the word 'sustainable' refers to practices or products that can be maintained over the long term without depleting natural resources or causing severe environmental harm. Therefore, 'able to be maintained or kept in existence' accurately captures this meaning of enduring viability and ecological responsibility.
Question 11: 9. Part A: "You should try to be aware of your consumption of water and energy." What does the word "consumption" mean in the context of this selection?
- Using the greatest amount
- Illness of the lungs
- Using the least amount
- Depletion of goods (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Depletion of goods
In the phrase 'consumption of water and energy,' 'consumption' refers to the act of using up or utilizing these resources. 'Depletion of goods' accurately describes this process, as using resources leads to their reduction or exhaustion. The other options do not fit the context of resource usage.
1.
What is the author's primary purpose in writing this article?