Edge Level A Unit 1 Cluster 1 The Experiment 1. Read this sentence from the story. His back and shoulders hurt from the strain of working in one position. In which sentence does position have the same meaning as used in the sentence above? A. The mayor has a position of authority in the city. B. Members of the debate team argued opposing positions on the issue. C. It is important to put library books back in the correct position. D. My brother has a new position at the restaurant he delivers pizzas to our neighborhood. LA.910.1.6.9 The correct answer is C. Options A, B, and D are incorrect because they represent correct meanings of the assessed word but are inappropriate to the text. The excerpted sentence is found on page 14. Definitions are from wordwizard.scholastic.com which defines position as it is used in the excerpted sentence as the arrangement of the body and its limbs. Option A is incorrect because position in this sentence means a person's rank or status within a group. Option B is incorrect because position in this sentence means point of view; opinion. Option C is correct because position in this sentence means the location of a person or thing. As stated above, in the assessed sentence position means the arrangement of the body and its limbs which is the location of a thing - a body part. Option D is incorrect because position in this sentence means an appointed job. 2. In order to keep the reader interested in this story, the author uses suspense. Which of these sentences from the story is NOT an example of the author s use of suspense? F. At that instant the third prong snapped in his hand. G. But he had been told that there was one way to escape from the cell, and he had three hours to find it. H. There was no way out, or so it seemed to him. I. For a minute he welcomed the excuse to stop working. LA.910.1.7.2 The correct answer is I. Options F, G, and H are incorrect because they represent correct analysis or evaluation of the impact of the author s purpose or perspective on the text. Suspense is defined as a feeling of curiosity, tension, or excitement a narrative creates in the reader about what will happen next (page 763, Literary Terms). Option F is incorrect because this sentence from page 15 creates suspense and creates the question, What will he do now? Option G is incorrect because this sentence from page 12 sets the stage for the experiment and Copyright 2010 The Hampton-Brown Company, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of The National Geographic Society, publishing under the imprints National Geographic School Publishing and Hampton-Brown. Teachers are authorized to reproduce this material in limited quantities and solely for use in their own classrooms.
adds the suspense inherent in the placing of a time limit to the task. It creates the question, Can he escape in time? Option H is incorrect because this sentence from page 12 creates suspense because it lets the reader know that the task seems impossible and creates the question, Will he find the way out? Option I is correct because this sentence from page 14 does not, in itself, create suspense. It represents, in fact, a respite from the suspense and the frantic efforts to gain freedom. 3. What is the main idea of this story? A. If you work hard and focus on your task, you will find the solution in a timely manner. B. Don t participate in behavioral human experiments because you could look foolish. C. The obvious solution to a problem may actually be the best way to solve the problem. D. Be careful when you use tools because a lapse in attention could result in a broken tool. LA.910.1.7.3 The correct answer is C. Options A, B, and D are incorrect because they represent incorrect interpretations of the main idea. Option A is incorrect because although focusing on a task may lead to a solution to your problem; this is not the main idea of the story. Option B is incorrect because the story is about what happens during an experiment and is not intended to be addressing all experiments and whether participating in any experiment is a wise action to take. Option C is correct because the message of the story is to not ignore the obvious, but, rather, to consider that the obvious solution may be the best solution. Option D is incorrect because the tools you select are often limited by your circumstances: the tools in this story represent only a detail, not the main idea. 4. Read the sentences from the story. However, he was sure that he could have escaped. He was convinced that he almost had. Which word is most opposite in meaning to convinced? F. sure G. certain H. positive I. doubtful LA.910.1.6.8 The correct answer is I. Options F, G, and H are incorrect because they represent synonyms to the assessed word. The sentence is from page 16. Definitions are from wordwizard.scholastic.com which defines convince as to cause to believe or accept. Option F is incorrect because sure is a synonym for the assessed word. Sure is defined as free of doubt as to the truth of something; positive. Option G is incorrect because certain is a synonym for the assessed word. Certain is defined as sure; positive; having no doubt. Option H is incorrect because positive is a synonym for the assessed word. Positive is defined as certain; sure. Option I is correct because convince is an Hampton Brown Edge Level A, Unit 1, Cluster 1 2 of 6
antonym for the assessed word. The assessed word, convince, is defined as to cause to believe or accept and doubtful is defined as having or causing doubt. 5. Why did the author select the illustration shown on page 15? A. to show that sometimes our problems seem so big that we are afraid we will never solve them B. to make the point that there is always a way out of a conflict if you look long and high enough C. that as long as you can see the sky and keep your head up, you will solve your problems D. to illustrate the point that often we feel boxed in by the rules and regulations placed upon us LA.910.6.1.1 The correct answer is A. Options B, C, and D are incorrect because they represent incorrect analysis and interpretation of text features. Option A is correct because the little figure is within very high, straight walls which symbolize the enormousness of his problem and the only way out appears to be a very long ladder that may or may not have all the rungs in place. This problem seems so great that the person would have doubts about succeeding. Option B is incorrect because although the figure in the artwork may have a way out, there is not always a solution available. Option C is incorrect because this statement is not true for all problems, nor is it true for the figure in the artwork. Option D is incorrect because we may feel that rules box us in, but that is not the message in the artwork. The artist never defines the meaning of the walls except to imply that the figure has a ladder available that goes to and from the top of the structure. Hampton Brown Edge Level A, Unit 1, Cluster 1 3 of 6
Edge Level A Unit 1 Cluster 1 Superstitions: The Truth Uncovered 6. Which is most similar in meaning to superstition? F. truth G. belief H. reality I. fact LA.910.1.6.8 The correct answer is G. Options F, H, and I are incorrect because they represent antonyms to the assessed word. Superstition is defined on page 19. Definitions are from wordwizard.scholastic.com which defines superstition as a belief that is not based on fact. Option F is incorrect because truth is an antonym to the assessed word. Truth is defined as agreement with the facts or what is real. Option G is correct because a superstition is a kind of belief and, therefore, belief is similar in meaning to the assessed word. Belief is defined as a strong opinion. Option H is incorrect because reality is an antonym to the assessed word. Reality is defined as the state or quality of being real. Option I is incorrect because fact is an antonym to the assessed word. Fact is defined as something said or known to be true. 7. Read this sentence from the article. For instance, the larva of the pine sawyer beetle makes a loud gnawing sound when it chews on wood. What does the word gnawing mean in the sentence above? A. talking B. growling C. biting D. climbing LA.910.1.6.3 The correct answer is C. Options A, B, and D are incorrect because they represent incorrect meanings of the assessed word. The sentence is found on page 22. Definitions are from wordwizard.scholastic.com which defines gnaw as to bite or chew on again and again. Option A is incorrect because talk means to use spoken words; talking may be loud and may be a sound, but it is not the definition of the assessed word. Option B is incorrect because growl means to make a deep, rumbling sound to Hampton Brown Edge Level A, Unit 1, Cluster 1 4 of 6
express anger or hostility; the beetle larva makes a sound, but it is not a growling sound. Option C is correct because bite means to cut or pierce with the teeth biting and gnawing are both a form of chewing. Option D is incorrect because climb is defined as to move upward; go towards the top; rise. This is not the definition of the assessed word. 8. What was the author s purpose in writing this article? F. to entertain the reader with examples of odd things people do G. to tell how some work done by scientists and mathematicians relates to our everyday lives H. to provide the reader with the truth behind some long-held actions and beliefs I. to encourage the reader to take precautions to ensure safety and good luck LA.910.1.7.2 The correct answer is H. Options F, G, and I are incorrect because they represent incorrect interpretations of the author s purpose or perspective. Option F is incorrect because although the author does inform the reader about various actions/superstitions that people hold, the purpose is to then provide the truth about these beliefs. Option G is incorrect because the work done by scientists and mathematicians is cited as providing the truth about superstitions providing details, but telling who discovered the truth behind the superstition is not the purpose of the article. Option H is correct because as the reader can ascertain from the organization of the article, the author presents various common superstitions and then provides the truth about these beliefs. Option I is incorrect because although this may be an outcome of reading the article, but it is not the purpose of the article. 9. The author sets apart each section of the article in many ways EXCEPT A. placing it above a solid line B. placing each section on a new page C. using a different colored ink D. using all capital letters LA.910.2.2.1 The correct answer is B. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because they represent correct techniques used to identify sections of the article. Option A is incorrect because the section headings appear above a solid blue line that is as wide as the column of type. Option B is correct because the sections do not appear on separate pages; for instance, page 20 contains information from two different sections of the article. Option C is incorrect because the sections begin with the word SUPERSTITION followed by a number and both appear in blue type. Option D is incorrect because the section headings begin with the word SUPERSTITION which is printed using capital letters. Hampton Brown Edge Level A, Unit 1, Cluster 1 5 of 6
10. According to the article, which superstition is NOT a predictor of bad luck? F. walking under a ladder G. breaking a mirror H. knocking on wood I. spotting ravens LA.910.1.7.3 The correct answer is H. Options F, G, and I are incorrect because they represent details that do not support the statement being assessed. Option F is incorrect because this superstition (#2), which appears on page 20, is a predictor of bad luck, and it has as its heading, Walking under a ladder is bad luck. Option G is incorrect because this superstition (#4), which appears on page 21, is a predictor of bad luck, and the reader learns that the belief was, if you broke a mirror, you d break and therefore lose your soul. Option H is correct because this superstition (#5), which appears on page 22, is not a predictor of bad luck but is actually a means of getting good luck, and it has as its heading, Knocking on wood keeps misfortune away. Option I is incorrect because the superstition (#1), which appears on page 19, is a predictor of bad luck, and has as its heading, Ravens predict death. Hampton Brown Edge Level A, Unit 1, Cluster 1 6 of 6