FSA Practice Test (8th Grade: English Language & Arts)
What do the characters of Cinderella and the stepmother represent in the classic fairy tale "Cinderella"?
Correct answer: good vs. evil
Third choice is correct. Remember that fairy tales always include a good character and an evil character. In “Cinderella,” Cinderella is the good character and her stepmother is evil, thus their characters represent good vs. evil.
The _________ of a word is its implied or suggested meaning that is understood in addition to its literal meaning.
Correct answer: connotation
A word's connotation is its suggested or implied meaning, which is understood in addition to its literal meaning.
Which of the following words is incorrectly spelled?
Correct answer: disciplinery
disciplinery should be spelled disciplinary
What is foreshadowing?
Correct answer: Hints/clues that the author gives about events to come
Foreshadowing is hints/clues that the author gives about events to come.
Josie's heart started pounding so quickly and loudly when she spotted the new boy in class that she was certain everyone could hear it. Her bangs were gently swept behind her right ear as she adjusted her posture. She gave the boy a short glance and then a friendly smile as he sat down next to her. As she bent over her paper, she was sure he noticed her bright red cheeks.
Choose the sentence that best expresses what can be inferred about Josie from the passage above.
Correct answer: She thought the boy was cute.
Second choice is correct. Josie's heart pounding loudly, her friendly smile and blushing all indicate she thought the boy was cute. Answer choices 1st, 3rd and 4th are not supported by the text. Nothing in the text referred to the boy's backpack and the boy's actions were not discussed so the reader cannot draw an inference based on his behavior.
A __________ is the central message or universal idea of a tale, poem, or play that often reflects the author's beliefs.
Correct answer: theme
The main message or universal idea of a story, poem, or play that often reflects the author's beliefs is known as theme.
Which line has a misspelled word?
Correct answer: patios, radios, heros
2nd line contains misspelled word
Unlike suspense, ________ refers to how you, the reader, feel at the conclusion of a story.
Correct answer: mood
Different from suspense, mood is the way you, the reader, feels at the end of a story.
In both poems, what do you believe the poet is trying to say?
Correct answer: The actions we perform or the thoughts we express will leave their mark.
Third choice is correct. Both poems include characters who either say or do something; they did not think anyone would notice or care about. 2nd choice is incorrect because neither poem supports this statement. Answer choices 1st and 4th are not supported by any evidence to support this inference.
___________ occurs in a creative work when the reader or viewer is aware of integral information that a character does not.
Correct answer: dramatic irony
In a creative work, when the reader or viewer knows integral information that a character does not, we refer to that as dramatic irony.
In a statement, which of the following terms could be used as an adjective?
Correct answer: inspirational
The word "inspirational" can be an adjective in a sentence.
When an image, object, or person is used to represent a more profound emotion or feeling.
Correct answer: Symbolism
Symbolism are used to represent a deeper emotion or feeling such as an image, object, or person.
What is the definition of an objective summary?
Correct answer: a restatement of the main idea of a text without the addition of the writer's opinion of the idea
First choice is correct. An objective summary is one that does not include an opinion. Answer choices 2nd, 3rd, and 4th are not definitions of an objective summary.
___________ research is defined as research that is based on numerical data that can be analyzed.
Correct answer: quantitative
Research based on numerical data that can be analyzed is known as quantitative research.
Which of the following sentences is incorrectly written?
Correct answer: The choir sounded so good good at last night’s concert.
2nd sentence is not written correctly.
Character vs. Character means
Correct answer: Two or more characters in conflict
Character vs. Character is when two or more characters in conflict.
__________________ should always be included in an objective summary.
Correct answer: clearly communicates a summary of the text
Third choice is correct. An objective summary should adequately summarize the text. 2nd choice is incorrect because an objective summary should not include opinions. 4thchoice is incorrect because a summary should not include information about all the characters in a text. 1st choice is incorrect because a summary does not have a specific length.
___________ are used to provide visual cues in public speaking to help audience members maintain interest and learn from the speech.
Correct answer: visual aids
Public speaking supplements used to provide visual cues that help audience members maintain interest and learn from the speech are referred to as visual aids.
Which of the following sentences is incorrectly written?
Correct answer: Lovely drives cautious on icy roads.
First sentence is not written correctly.
______ is when character vs. Him/herself
Correct answer: Internal/mental conflict
Character vs. Him/herself is when internal/mental conflict
What is a piece of literature's theme?
Correct answer: the message that the author is trying to convey
Second choice is correct. 4th choice is incorrect. The series of events in a story is called the plot. 1st choice is incorrect. 3rd choice is incorrect. The way characters develop in a story is called characterization.
__________ are morphemes that can change the function or meaning of a word and can be either suffixes or prefixes.
Correct answer: derivational morphemes
Morphemes that can change the function or the meaning of a word and can be either suffixes or prefixes are called derivational morphemes.
Which of the following sentences contains a superlative adverb?
Correct answer: Out of the entire class, Ivory works most carefully.
3rd sentence shows a superlative adverb.
The problem is also known as _______.
Correct answer: Conflict
Conflict is another name for the problem.
Which of the following describes the theme of a story?
Correct answer: all of the above
A theme is determined by the reader who considers the characters, setting and plot of the story.
In writing, which of the following is NOT a common cause of redundancy?
Correct answer: trying to edit writing for conciseness
Trying to edit writing for conciseness is NOT a common cause of redundancy in writing.
The flower turns ________ without water.
Choose the best word to fill in the blanks.
Correct answer: brown
The flower turns brown without water.
What does the term "plot" mean?
Correct answer: The sequence of events in the story
Plot is the sequence of events in the story.
What are the plot elements?
Correct answer: introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution
The elements of plot are introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Which of the following actions is NOT recommended for determining an author's credibility?
Correct answer: Find out if early life trauma may be influencing the author's conclusions.
Finding out if early life trauma may be influencing the author's conclusions is not recommended when determining an author's credibility.
