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Based on this information, what is Mau's genotype for the fur color gene?
[ "ff", "white fur" ]
0
In a group of Bengal tigers, some individuals have orange fur and others have white fur. In this group, the gene for the fur color trait has two alleles. The allele F is for orange fur, and the allele f is for white fur. Mau, a Bengal tiger from this group, has white fur. Mau has two alleles for white fur.
closed choice
grade7
natural science
biology
Genes to traits
Genetics vocabulary: genotype and phenotype
All organisms have pieces of hereditary material called genes, which are passed from parents to offspring. Genes contain instructions for building the parts of an organism. An organism's genes affect its observable traits, including its appearance, its behavior, and which diseases it may have. Genes may have different ...
An organism's genotype for a gene is its combination of alleles for that gene. Mau has two alleles for white fur (f). So, Mau's genotype for the fur color gene is ff.
How long is an eyelash?
[ "9 millimeters", "9 meters", "9 centimeters", "9 kilometers" ]
0
Select the best estimate.
closed choice
grade7
natural science
units-and-measurement
Units and measurement
Choose metric units of distance, mass, and volume
Measurements are written with both a number and a unit. The unit comes after the number. The unit shows what the number means. When you are using metric units, length can be written with units of millimeters, centimeters, meters, or kilometers. One meter contains 100 centimeters or 1,000 millimeters. So, 1 meter is lar...
The best estimate for the length of an eyelash is 9 millimeters. 9 centimeters, 9 meters, and 9 kilometers are all too long.
Complete the sentence. The Third Amendment says that the government cannot force people to keep soldiers in their () during a time of peace.
[ "homes", "towns", "militias", "states" ]
0
closed choice
grade4
social science
civics
Government
The Bill of Rights
The Third Amendment says that the government can't force people to keep soldiers in their homes during a time of peace. The amendment says that no soldier shall be "quartered in any house." In this case, "quartered" means "given a place to stay." The complete text of the Third Amendment is below. Are there any times wh...
What is the source of the allusion in the sentence below? Zane described the situation he was facing with his boss as a catch-22.
[ "literature", "a song" ]
0
closed choice
grade10
language science
figurative-language
Literary devices
Recall the source of an allusion
An allusion is a brief mention of something or someone well known, often from mythology, history, or literature. An allusion lets you reference ideas from an entire story in just a few words. "I'd better get home before I turn into a pumpkin!" Lila remarked. Here, Lila alludes to the fairy tale "Cinderella," in which C...
The source of the allusion catch-22 is literature. Joseph Heller coined the term "catch-22" in his 1961 novel of the same name. In the novel, if an army pilot wants to avoid dangerous missions, he must be deemed mentally unfit; however, his desire to stay safe proves his sanity, so he can never be excused from a missio...
Select the vertebrate.
[ "red-spotted purple butterfly", "peacock mantis shrimp", "peafowl", "bull ant" ]
2
Hint: Mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians are vertebrates.
closed choice
grade5
natural science
biology
Classification
Identify vertebrates and invertebrates
Vertebrates and invertebrates are both groups of animals. A vertebrate has a backbone. The backbone is made of many bones in an animal's back. A vertebrate's backbone helps connect the different parts of its body. In the drawings below, each vertebrate's backbone is colored orange. An invertebrate does not have a backb...
A bull ant is an insect. Like other insects, a bull ant is an invertebrate. It does not have a backbone. It has an exoskeleton. A peafowl is a bird. Like other birds, a peafowl is a vertebrate. It has a backbone. A red-spotted purple butterfly is an insect. Like other insects, a red-spotted purple butterfly is an inver...
What is the mass of an earthworm?
[ "4 kilograms", "4 grams" ]
1
Select the better estimate.
closed choice
grade4
natural science
units-and-measurement
Units and measurement
Choose metric units of mass
Measurements are written with both a number and a unit. The unit comes after the number. The unit shows what the number means. Mass is a measurement of how much matter something contains. There are many different units of mass. When you are using metric units, mass may be written with units of grams or kilograms. There...
The better estimate for the mass of an earthworm is 4 grams. 4 kilograms is too heavy.
Which word would you find on a dictionary page with the following guide words? laugh - lime
[ "log", "leaf" ]
1
closed choice
grade2
language science
reference-skills
Reference skills
Use guide words
Guide words appear on each page of a dictionary. They tell you the first word and last word on the page. The other words on the page come between the guide words in alphabetical order. To put words in alphabetical order, put them in order by their first letters. If the first letters are the same, look at the second let...
Put the words in alphabetical order. Since leaf is between the guide words laugh - lime, it would be found on that page.
Which word does not rhyme?
[ "luck", "black", "duck" ]
1
closed choice
grade2
language science
phonological-awareness
Rhyming
Which word does not rhyme?
Rhyming words are words that end with the same sound. The words tip and slip rhyme. They both end with the same sound. The words meet and treat also rhyme. They both end with the same sound, even though the sound has two different spellings. The words tip and meet don't rhyme. They end with different sounds.
The words luck and duck rhyme. They both end with the uck sound. The word black does not rhyme. It ends with a different sound.
What do these two changes have in common? mixing lettuce and salad dressing water vapor condensing on a bathroom mirror
[ "Both are caused by cooling.", "Both are chemical changes.", "Both are caused by heating.", "Both are only physical changes." ]
3
closed choice
grade7
natural science
chemistry
Chemical reactions
Compare physical and chemical changes
Matter is made of very small particles called atoms. Atoms can be linked together by chemical bonds. When two or more atoms link together, they form a molecule. In a chemical change, the chemical bonds in the molecules break. The atoms then link together to form different molecules. The types of molecules in matter bef...
Step 1: Think about each change. Mixing lettuce and salad dressing is a physical change. Together, the salad and dressing make a mixture. But making this mixture does not form a different type of matter. Water vapor condensing on a bathroom mirror is a change of state. So, it is a physical change. The water changes sta...
Which text uses the word travesty in its traditional sense?
[ "Mark realized that his essay about the Space Race was a bit inaccurate, but he still thought it a travesty that such an entertaining essay should receive a poor grade.", "Mark's ill-researched essay about the Space Race received a poor grade because it presented such a travesty of the actual historical events." ...
1
closed choice
grade10
language science
writing-strategies
Word usage and nuance
Explore words with new or contested usages
Words change in meaning when speakers begin using them in new ways. For example, the word peruse once only meant to examine in detail, but it's now also commonly used to mean to look through in a casual manner. When a word changes in meaning, its correct usage is often debated. Although a newer sense of the word may be...
The first text uses travesty in its traditional sense: a ridiculous imitation; a parody. Mark's ill-researched essay about the Space Race received a poor grade because it presented such a travesty of the actual historical events. The second text uses travesty in its nontraditional sense: a disappointment or a tragedy. ...
What do these two changes have in common? breaking a pencil in half cutting an apple
[ "Both are chemical changes.", "Both are only physical changes.", "Both are caused by cooling.", "Both are caused by heating." ]
1
closed choice
grade3
natural science
chemistry
Physical and chemical change
Compare physical and chemical changes
Chemical changes and physical changes are two common ways matter can change. In a chemical change, the type of matter changes. The types of matter before and after a chemical change are always different. Some chemical changes are caused by heating or cooling. For example, burning a piece of paper is a chemical change c...
Step 1: Think about each change. Breaking a pencil is a physical change. The pencil gets broken into pieces. But each piece is still made of the same type of matter. Cutting an apple is a physical change. The apple gets a different shape. But it is still made of the same type of matter as the uncut apple. Step 2: Look ...
Which tense does the sentence use? The man will type the note on his computer.
[ "present tense", "future tense", "past tense" ]
1
closed choice
grade4
language science
verbs
Verb tense
Is the sentence in the past, present, or future tense?
Present tense verbs tell you about something that is happening now. Most present-tense verbs are regular. They have no ending, or they end in -s or -es. Two verbs are irregular in the present tense, to be and to have. You must remember their forms. Past tense verbs tell you about something that has already happened. Mo...
The sentence is in future tense. You can tell because it uses will before the main verb, type. The verb tells you about something that is going to happen.
Would you find the word please on a dictionary page with the following guide words? painting - peanut
[ "yes", "no" ]
1
yes or no
grade2
language science
reference-skills
Reference skills
Use guide words
Guide words appear on each page of a dictionary. They tell you the first word and last word on the page. The other words on the page come between the guide words in alphabetical order. To put words in alphabetical order, put them in order by their first letters. If the first letters are the same, look at the second let...
Put the words in alphabetical order. Since please is not between the guide words painting - peanut, it would not be found on that page.
What is Abraham Lincoln famous for?
[ "He helped write the Declaration of Independence.", "He was president of the United States.", "He gave women the right to vote." ]
1
closed choice
grade3
social science
us-history
Historical figures
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16 th president of the United States. He is famous for helping to end slavery. He is also famous for leading the country through the Civil War.
How long is a garden rake?
[ "2 kilometers", "2 meters" ]
1
Select the better estimate.
closed choice
grade3
natural science
units-and-measurement
Units and measurement
Choose metric units of distance
Measurements are written with both a number and a unit. The unit comes after the number. The unit shows what the number means. Imagine being told that a pencil is 16 long. You might be thinking, 16 what? Is the pencil 16 centimeters long? 16 meters? 16 kilometers? The number 16 on its own does not give you much informa...
The better estimate for the length of a garden rake is 2 meters. 2 kilometers is too long.
Which sentence is more formal?
[ "Mecca's a city in Saudi Arabia, and it's an important religious center for Muslims around the world.", "Mecca, a city in Saudi Arabia, is a religious center for Muslims around the world." ]
1
closed choice
grade7
language science
writing-strategies
Author's purpose and tone
Which sentence is more formal?
Formal writing is used for essays, business letters, and reports. The following types of informal language should be avoided in formal writing: Type | Examples slang | cool, awesome idioms | knock your socks off conversational language | gonna, kinda, yeah abbreviated language | ASAP, FYI overly simple or imprecise lan...
The first sentence is less formal. You can tell because it uses contractions (Mecca's, it's). The second sentence does not use contractions, so it is more formal.
Which of the following contains a vague pronoun reference?
[ "As Eva entered the harbor, her sailboat bumped into the old wooden pier; she was relieved that it didn't sustain any damage.", "As Eva entered the harbor, her sailboat bumped into the old wooden pier; she was relieved that the boat didn't sustain any damage." ]
0
closed choice
grade11
language science
writing-strategies
Pronouns
Identify vague pronoun references
When writing, make sure to avoid vague pronoun references. A vague pronoun reference occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent. When Lisa and Kim finally landed, she breathed a sigh of relief. The pronoun she could refer to either Lisa or Kim, so the meaning of the sentence is unclear. Vagu...
The second answer choice contains a vague pronoun reference. The pronoun it could refer to the sailboat or the old wooden pier. The first answer choice shows a possible correction for the vague pronoun reference. It has been replaced with the boat. As Eva entered the harbor, her sailboat bumped into the old wooden pier...
What kind of sentence is this? I can't believe this is Denise's first time seeing the Pacific Ocean!
[ "exclamatory", "interrogative", "declarative" ]
0
closed choice
grade6
language science
punctuation
Sentences, fragments, and run-ons
Is the sentence declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory?
There are four kinds of sentences. A declarative sentence is a statement, and it always ends with a period. The nurse told Mr. Abrams to roll up his sleeve so that she could check his blood pressure. An interrogative sentence is a question, and it always ends with a question mark. Do you have any plans for the upcoming...
The sentence tells about something, but it shows surprise and ends with an exclamation point. It is an exclamatory sentence.
Which tense does the sentence use? Quinn will sweep the sidewalk in front of her store.
[ "past tense", "future tense", "present tense" ]
1
closed choice
grade5
language science
verbs
Verb tense
Is the sentence in the past, present, or future tense?
Present tense verbs tell you about something that is happening now. Most present-tense verbs are regular. They have no ending, or they end in -s or -es. Two verbs are irregular in the present tense, to be and to have. You must remember their forms. Past tense verbs tell you about something that has already happened. Mo...
The sentence is in future tense. You can tell because it uses will before the main verb, sweep. The verb tells you about something that is going to happen.
Select the invertebrate.
[ "grasshopper", "West African rubber frog", "bald eagle", "water buffalo" ]
0
Hint: Insects, spiders, and worms are invertebrates.
closed choice
grade5
natural science
biology
Classification
Identify vertebrates and invertebrates
Vertebrates and invertebrates are both groups of animals. A vertebrate has a backbone. The backbone is made of many bones in an animal's back. A vertebrate's backbone helps connect the different parts of its body. In the drawings below, each vertebrate's backbone is colored orange. An invertebrate does not have a backb...
A water buffalo is a mammal. Like other mammals, a water buffalo is a vertebrate. It has a backbone. A grasshopper is an insect. Like other insects, a grasshopper is an invertebrate. It does not have a backbone. It has an exoskeleton. A West African rubber frog is an amphibian. Like other amphibians, a West African rub...
Would you find the word mystery on a dictionary page with the following guide words? magic - merely
[ "yes", "no" ]
1
yes or no
grade3
language science
reference-skills
Reference skills
Use guide words
Guide words appear on each page of a dictionary. They tell you the first word and last word on the page. The other words on the page come between the guide words in alphabetical order. To put words in alphabetical order, put them in order by their first letters. If the first letters are the same, look at the second let...
Put the words in alphabetical order. Since mystery is not between the guide words magic - merely, it would not be found on that page.
Which of the following contains a vague pronoun reference?
[ "Right after she bought it, Leslie dropped the book for her literature class.", "Right after Leslie bought the book for her literature class, she dropped it." ]
1
closed choice
grade6
language science
pronouns
Pronouns and antecedents
Identify vague pronoun references
When writing, make sure to avoid vague pronoun references. A vague pronoun reference occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent. When Lisa and Kim finally landed, she breathed a sigh of relief. The pronoun she could refer to either Lisa or Kim, so the meaning of the sentence is unclear. Vagu...
The first answer choice contains a vague pronoun reference. The pronoun it could refer to the book or the class. Right after Leslie bought the book for her literature class, she dropped it. The second answer choice shows a possible correction for the vague pronoun reference. The text has been rewritten so that the mean...
What do these two changes have in common? stapling an envelope shut ice crystals forming on a window
[ "Both are caused by cooling.", "Both are caused by heating.", "Both are only physical changes.", "Both are chemical changes." ]
2
closed choice
grade8
natural science
chemistry
Chemical reactions
Compare physical and chemical changes
Matter is made of very small particles called atoms. Atoms can be linked together by chemical bonds. When two or more atoms link together, they form a molecule. In a chemical change, the chemical bonds in the molecules break. The atoms then link together to form different molecules. The types of molecules in matter bef...
Step 1: Think about each change. Stapling an envelope shut is a physical change. The envelope and the staple get new shapes. Both are still made of the same type of matter. Ice crystals forming on a window is a change of state. So, it is a physical change. Water vapor in the air can change directly into ice when it tou...
What is the volume of a kiddie pool?
[ "1,170 milliliters", "1,170 liters" ]
1
Select the better estimate.
closed choice
grade5
natural science
units-and-measurement
Units and measurement
Choose metric units of volume
Measurements are written with both a number and a unit. The unit comes after the number. The unit shows what the number means. Volume is a measurement of how much space something takes up. There are many different units of volume. When you are using metric units, volume may be written in units of milliliters or liters....
The better estimate for the volume of a kiddie pool is 1,170 liters. 1,170 milliliters is too little.
Which word would you find on a dictionary page with the following guide words? sale - stammer
[ "sunk", "seldom" ]
1
closed choice
grade4
language science
reference-skills
Reference skills
Use guide words
Guide words appear on each page of a dictionary. They tell you the first word and last word on the page. The other words on the page come between the guide words in alphabetical order. To put words in alphabetical order, put them in order by their first letters. If the first letters are the same, look at the second let...
Put the words in alphabetical order. Since seldom is between the guide words sale - stammer, it would be found on that page.
Using only these supplies, which question can Emily investigate with an experiment?
[ "Do sunflowers grow taller if they are planted in planter boxes or in pots?", "Which type of sunflower grows more leaves?", "Do sunflowers grow bigger in sunny planter boxes or in shady planter boxes?" ]
2
Emily wants to grow sunflowers in her backyard garden. She notices that some sunflowers grow much taller than others. She is curious about what factors affect how sunflowers grow. So, she decides to design an experiment. She has the following supplies available: seeds from one type of sunflower soil one wooden planter ...
closed choice
grade8
natural science
science-and-engineering-practices
Designing experiments
Identify questions that can be investigated with a set of materials
Experiments can be designed to answer specific questions. When designing an experiment, you must identify the supplies that are necessary to answer your question. In order to do this, you need to figure out what will be tested and what will be measured during the experiment. Imagine that you are wondering if plants gro...
Which greeting is correct for a letter?
[ "Dear aunt jenny,", "Dear Aunt Jenny," ]
1
closed choice
grade4
language science
punctuation
Formatting
Greetings and closings of letters
A letter starts with a greeting and ends with a closing. For each one, capitalize the first word and end with a comma. You should also capitalize proper nouns, such as Aunt Sue. Dear Aunt Sue, I'm glad you could come to my party, and thank you for the birthday gift. I could not have asked for a better one! Every time I...
The second greeting is correct: Its first word is capitalized, and it ends with a comma. Aunt Jenny is capitalized because it is a proper noun.
Which is a compound sentence?
[ "Dad took the last chair, so you will have to stand.", "The Mississippi River flows from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico." ]
0
closed choice
grade3
language science
grammar
Sentences, fragments, and run-ons
Is the sentence simple or compound?
A simple sentence is a sentence with only one subject and predicate. The pitcher threw the ball to first base. A compound sentence is two simple sentences joined by a comma and a conjunction such as and, but, or, or so. The pitcher threw the ball, and the batter hit it. Some simple sentences have a compound subject or ...
The first sentence is the compound sentence. It is made up of two simple sentences joined by a comma and the conjunction so. Dad took the last chair, so you will have to stand.
Which would smell more?
[ "bone", "gum" ]
1
closed choice
grade2
natural science
physics
Materials
Compare properties of materials
Every object is made of one or more materials. A material is a type of matter. Wood, glass, metal, and plastic are common materials. A material has different properties. A material's properties tell you how it looks, feels, tastes, or smells.
Smelly is a property. A smelly material has a strong smell. Look at each picture, one at a time. Imagine smelling the material shown in each picture. Of the choices, the gum would smell more. Gum has a strong smell.
Which is a run-on sentence?
[ "The child chews her food carefully.", "The park is a beautiful place, everyone goes there." ]
1
closed choice
grade3
language science
writing-strategies
Sentences, fragments, and run-ons
Is it a complete sentence or a run-on?
A sentence is a group of words that forms a complete thought. It has both a subject and a verb. My friends walk along the path. A run-on sentence is made up of two sentences that are joined without end punctuation or with just a comma. I knocked on the door it opened. It started raining, we ran inside. To fix a run-on ...
The park is a beautiful place, everyone goes there is a run-on sentence. It has two sentences that are joined by just a comma: The park is a beautiful place and Everyone goes there.
Which logical fallacy is used in the text? Did you hear? A bunch of Liam's friends were at that protest that got out of hand. I had no idea that Liam was such a troublemaker.
[ "false dichotomy: an argument that presents only two choices when more options exist", "guilt by association: a negative association intended to discredit someone or something", "straw man: a misrepresentation of an opponent's position that makes it easier to argue against" ]
1
closed choice
grade10
language science
writing-strategies
Developing and supporting arguments
Classify logical fallacies
A strong argument uses valid reasoning and logic in support of a claim. When an argument or claim introduces irrelevant information or misrepresents the issues at hand, it may be committing a logical fallacy. Logical fallacies can hurt a writer's credibility and can lead readers to draw false conclusions. A logical fal...
The text argues that Liam must be a troublemaker because his friends were at an unruly protest. However, the behavior of Liam's friends doesn't necessarily determine his own behavior. This illustrates a type of logical fallacy known as guilt by association.
Which is a run-on sentence?
[ "An email from my friend in Italy.", "Mr. Soto will teach a math lesson the children will take notes." ]
1
closed choice
grade3
language science
writing-strategies
Sentences, fragments, and run-ons
Is it a complete sentence, a fragment, or a run-on?
A sentence is a group of words that forms a complete thought. It has both a subject and a verb. My friends walk along the path. A sentence fragment is a group of words that does not express a complete thought. It is usually missing a subject or a verb. Knows the answer. This is a sentence fragment. It is missing a subj...
Mr. Soto will teach a math lesson the children will take notes is a run-on sentence. It has two sentences that are joined without end punctuation: Mr. Soto will teach a math lesson and The children will take notes.
Complete the statement. During this chemical reaction, the airbag becomes ().
[ "warmer", "colder" ]
0
When a chemical reaction absorbs or releases thermal energy, the reaction causes a change in temperature. Read the passage about a chemical reaction that absorbs or releases thermal energy. Then, follow the instructions below. Airbags reduce injuries during car crashes by inflating quickly to provide cushions for peopl...
closed choice
grade6
natural science
chemistry
Chemical reactions
Describe energy changes in chemical reactions
During a chemical reaction, thermal energy is absorbed or released as heat. This transfer of thermal energy changes the temperature of the reaction's surroundings. The surroundings are everything around the reaction, such as the solution that the reaction takes place in or the air nearby. Some reactions release thermal...
To determine whether the airbag becomes warmer or colder, look for the text that describes the movement of thermal energy during the reaction.Airbags reduce injuries during car crashes by inflating quickly to provide cushions for people inside a car. Older airbags contain a small amount of sodium azide (NaN3). If a cra...
Is the following trait inherited or acquired? Ed has a scar on his left hand.
[ "acquired", "inherited" ]
0
Hint: Most scars are caused by accidents during a person's life.
closed choice
grade4
natural science
biology
Traits and heredity
Identify inherited and acquired traits
Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways. Inherited traits are passed down through families. Children gain these traits from their parents. Inherited traits do not need to be learned. Acquired traits are gained during a person's lif...
Children do not inherit their parent's scars. Instead, scars are caused by the environment. People can get scars after they get hurt. So, having a scar is an acquired trait.
Complete the sentence. In this chemical reaction, hydrogen is a ().
[ "reactant", "product" ]
0
This passage describes a chemical reaction. Read the passage. Then, follow the instructions below. The Space Shuttle program sent astronauts on 135 missions using a fleet of five shuttles between 1981 and 2011. The engines of each shuttle, like other modern rocket engines, used liquid hydrogen as fuel. When liquid hydr...
closed choice
grade7
natural science
chemistry
Chemical reactions
Identify reactants and products
A chemical change occurs when new substances are formed from existing substances. This process is called a chemical reaction. In a chemical reaction, one or more substances change into one or more different substances. During the reaction, the atoms of the original substances are rearranged to form other substances. Th...
Read the underlined text carefully. Look for information about what happens to hydrogen in this chemical reaction. The Space Shuttle program sent astronauts on 135 missions using a fleet of five shuttles between 1981 and 2011. The engines of each shuttle, like other modern rocket engines, used liquid hydrogen as fuel. ...
Which word would you find on a dictionary page with the following guide words? bitter - buffalo
[ "bound", "bed" ]
0
closed choice
grade3
language science
reference-skills
Reference skills
Use guide words
Guide words appear on each page of a dictionary. They tell you the first word and last word on the page. The other words on the page come between the guide words in alphabetical order. To put words in alphabetical order, put them in order by their first letters. If the first letters are the same, look at the second let...
Put the words in alphabetical order. Since bound is between the guide words bitter - buffalo, it would be found on that page.
Which phrase has a more negative connotation?
[ "speak about something", "grumble about something" ]
1
closed choice
grade4
language science
vocabulary
Shades of meaning
Positive and negative connotation
Connotation is the feeling or idea that goes along with a word or phrase. Some words are close in meaning but have different connotations. For example, think about the words eager and impatient. They both mean wanting something to happen, but they have different connotations. Eager has a positive connotation. It is a n...
Grumble about something has a more negative connotation. If you grumble about something, you speak about it in an unhappy, complaining way.
Select the solid.
[ "fork", "grape juice", "air inside a bubble" ]
0
closed choice
grade2
natural science
physics
States of matter
Identify solids, liquids, and gases
Solid, liquid, and gas are states of matter. Matter is anything that takes up space. Matter can come in different states, or forms. When matter is a solid, it has a shape of its own. Some solids can be bent or broken easily. Others are hard to bend or break. A glass cup is a solid. A sock is also a solid. When matter i...
The air inside a bubble is a gas. A gas spreads out to fill a space. The air inside a bubble fills all the space in the bubble. If the bubble pops, the air will spread out to fill a much larger space. A fork is a solid. You can bend a fork. But it will still have a size and shape of its own. Grape juice is a liquid. A ...
Complete the sentence so that it uses personification. The run-down truck () through its very last trip.
[ "lasted", "suffered" ]
1
closed choice
grade8
language science
writing-strategies
Creative techniques
Use personification
Personification is giving human characteristics to nonhuman things. It is a figure of speech that can be used to make writing more interesting or to emphasize a point. The trees danced in the wind. The word danced describes the trees as if they were people. Unlike people, however, trees can't actually dance. Instead, t...
Complete the sentence with the word suffered. It describes the truck as if it were an old, sick person.
Which closing is correct for a letter?
[ "Thank You,\nLuther", "Thank you,\nLuther" ]
1
closed choice
grade3
language science
punctuation
Formatting
Greetings and closings of letters
A letter starts with a greeting and ends with a closing. For each one, capitalize the first word and end with a comma. You should also capitalize proper nouns, such as Aunt Sue. Dear Aunt Sue, I'm glad you could come to my party, and thank you for the birthday gift. I could not have asked for a better one! Every time I...
The first closing is correct: Its first word is capitalized, and it ends with a comma.
Which tense does the sentence use? They will fix the car engine.
[ "past tense", "present tense", "future tense" ]
2
closed choice
grade2
language science
verbs
Verb tense
Is the sentence in the past, present, or future tense?
Present tense verbs tell you about something that is happening now. Most present-tense verbs are regular. They have no ending, or they end in -s or -es. Two verbs are irregular in the present tense, to be and to have. You must remember their forms. Past tense verbs tell you about something that has already happened. Mo...
The sentence is in future tense. You can tell because it uses will before the main verb, fix. The verb tells you about something that is going to happen.
Which object has the most thermal energy?
[ "a metal paper clip at a temperature of 16°C", "a metal paper clip at a temperature of 20°C", "a metal paper clip at a temperature of 23°C" ]
2
The objects are identical except for their temperatures.
closed choice
grade4
natural science
physics
Heat and thermal energy
How is temperature related to thermal energy?
All solids, liquids, and gases are made of matter. Matter is made up of tiny particles that are always moving. The energy from the motion of these particles is called thermal energy. Temperature measures how hot or cold matter is. If the particles in matter move faster, the temperature goes up. The matter now has both ...
All three metal paper clips have the same mass but different temperatures. Since the 23°C paper clip is the hottest, it has the most thermal energy.
Which of the following contains a vague pronoun reference?
[ "At lunchtime, Mike can often be found reading at his favorite café, where they provide unlimited coffee refills.", "At lunchtime, Mike can often be found reading at his favorite café, where the servers provide unlimited coffee refills." ]
0
closed choice
grade10
language science
writing-strategies
Pronouns
Identify vague pronoun references
When writing, make sure to avoid vague pronoun references. A vague pronoun reference occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent. When Lisa and Kim finally landed, she breathed a sigh of relief. The pronoun she could refer to either Lisa or Kim, so the meaning of the sentence is unclear. Vagu...
The first answer choice contains a vague pronoun reference. The pronoun they is used without its antecedent. The second answer choice shows a possible correction for the vague pronoun reference. They has been replaced with the servers. At lunchtime, Mike can often be found reading at his favorite café, where the server...
Would you find the word sung on a dictionary page with the following guide words? shot - stork
[ "yes", "no" ]
1
yes or no
grade7
language science
reference-skills
Reference skills
Use guide words
Guide words appear on each page of a dictionary. They tell you the first word and last word on the page. The other words on the page come between the guide words in alphabetical order. To put words in alphabetical order, put them in order by their first letters. If the first letters are the same, look at the second let...
Put the words in alphabetical order. Since sung is not between the guide words shot - stork, it would not be found on that page.
Which is a run-on sentence?
[ "We wanted a snack we ate some cherries.", "The conductor took tickets from everyone on the train." ]
0
closed choice
grade3
language science
writing-strategies
Sentences, fragments, and run-ons
Is it a complete sentence or a run-on?
A sentence is a group of words that forms a complete thought. It has both a subject and a verb. My friends walk along the path. A run-on sentence is made up of two sentences that are joined without end punctuation or with just a comma. I knocked on the door it opened. It started raining, we ran inside. To fix a run-on ...
We wanted a snack we ate some cherries is a run-on sentence. It has two sentences that are joined without end punctuation: We wanted a snack and We ate some cherries.
Does this passage describe the weather or the climate? The air in Boulder, Colorado, is often dry in the winter.
[ "weather", "climate" ]
1
closed choice
grade5
natural science
earth-science
Weather and climate
What's the difference between weather and climate?
The atmosphere is the layer of air that surrounds Earth. Both weather and climate tell you about the atmosphere. Weather is what the atmosphere is like at a certain place and time. Weather can change quickly. For example, the temperature outside your house might get higher throughout the day. Climate is the pattern of ...
Read the text carefully. The air in Boulder, Colorado, is often dry in the winter. Humidity is the amount of water in the air. This passage tells you about the usual winter humidity in Boulder. It does not describe what the weather is like on a particular day. So, this passage describes the climate.
Complete the statement. Assume that the athlete's mass did not change. The gravitational potential energy stored between the athlete and Earth () as she sped up around the track.
[ "increased", "stayed the same", "decreased" ]
1
Read the text about a person in motion. An athlete competed in a 5,000-meter wheelchair race. As she began her last lap around the flat track, she pushed hard and sped past another racer.
closed choice
grade7
natural science
physics
Kinetic and potential energy
Identify changes in gravitational potential energy
Gravitational potential energy is stored between any two objects. So, for every object on or near Earth, there is gravitational potential energy stored between the object and Earth. The amount of gravitational potential energy stored between an object and Earth depends on the mass of the object. The amount of gravitati...
Think about how the distance between the athlete and the center of Earth changed. Because the track was flat, each point on the track was the same distance from the center of Earth. As she sped up around the track, the distance between the athlete and the center of Earth stayed the same. So, the gravitational potential...
What do these two changes have in common? a sidewalk heating up in the sun a puddle freezing into ice on a cold night
[ "Both are chemical changes.", "Both are caused by cooling.", "Both are caused by heating.", "Both are only physical changes." ]
3
closed choice
grade3
natural science
chemistry
Physical and chemical change
Compare physical and chemical changes
Chemical changes and physical changes are two common ways matter can change. In a chemical change, the type of matter changes. The types of matter before and after a chemical change are always different. Some chemical changes are caused by heating or cooling. For example, burning a piece of paper is a chemical change c...
Step 1: Think about each change. A sidewalk heating up in the sun is a physical change. The temperature of the sidewalk goes up, but the sidewalk is still made of the same type of matter. A puddle freezing into ice on a cold night is a change of state. So, it is a physical change. Liquid water freezes and becomes solid...
How long is a caterpillar?
[ "49 millimeters", "49 kilometers", "49 centimeters" ]
0
Select the best estimate.
closed choice
grade5
natural science
units-and-measurement
Units and measurement
Choose metric units of distance
Measurements are written with both a number and a unit. The unit comes after the number. The unit shows what the number means. When you are using metric units, length can be written with units of millimeters, centimeters, meters, or kilometers. One meter contains 100 centimeters or 1,000 millimeters. So, 1 meter is lar...
The best estimate for the length of a caterpillar is 49 millimeters. 49 centimeters and 49 kilometers are both too long.
Which object has less thermal energy?
[ "a 300-gram glass of water at a temperature of 75°F", "a 300-gram glass of water at a temperature of 80°F" ]
0
The objects are identical except for their temperatures.
closed choice
grade3
natural science
physics
Heat and thermal energy
How is temperature related to thermal energy?
All solids, liquids, and gases are made of matter. Matter is made up of tiny particles that are always moving. The energy from the motion of these particles is called thermal energy. Temperature measures how hot or cold matter is. If the particles in matter slow down, the temperature goes down. The matter now has both ...
The two glasses of water have the same mass but different temperatures. Since the 75°F glass of water is colder than the 80°F glass of water, it has less thermal energy.
Which set of instructions is more formal?
[ "Enter the applicant's name and address in the spaces provided.", "Write down your name and address on the lines." ]
0
closed choice
grade11
language science
writing-strategies
Audience, purpose, and tone
Which text is most formal?
Informal writing is typically used in casual situations or when communicating with someone you know well. Informal language often expresses familiarity and tends to sound more like speech. It uses more conversational language, such as slang, idioms, abbreviations, imprecise language, and contractions. Formal writing is...
The first set of instructions is more formal. Its uses clear, impersonal language.
What do these two changes have in common? a piece of avocado turning brown a piece of pizza rotting in a trashcan
[ "Both are only physical changes.", "Both are chemical changes.", "Both are caused by heating.", "Both are caused by cooling." ]
1
closed choice
grade7
natural science
chemistry
Chemical reactions
Compare physical and chemical changes
Matter is made of very small particles called atoms. Atoms can be linked together by chemical bonds. When two or more atoms link together, they form a molecule. In a chemical change, the chemical bonds in the molecules break. The atoms then link together to form different molecules. The types of molecules in matter bef...
Step 1: Think about each change. A piece of avocado turning brown is a chemical change. The avocado reacts with oxygen in the air to form a different type of matter. If you scrape off the brown part of the avocado, the inside will still be green. The inside hasn't touched the air. So the chemical change hasn't happened...
What do these two changes have in common? burning a candle roasting a marshmallow over a campfire
[ "Both are chemical changes.", "Both are only physical changes.", "Both are caused by cooling." ]
0
closed choice
grade4
natural science
chemistry
Physical and chemical change
Compare physical and chemical changes
Chemical changes and physical changes are two common ways matter can change. In a chemical change, the type of matter changes. The types of matter before and after a chemical change are always different. Some chemical changes are caused by heating or cooling. For example, burning a piece of paper is a chemical change c...
Step 1: Think about each change. Burning a candle is a chemical change. Both the wick and the melted wax burn. They react with oxygen in the air and turn into soot, carbon dioxide, and water. Roasting a marshmallow is a chemical change. The type of matter on the outside of the marshmallow changes. As a marshmallow is r...
What do these two changes have in common? breaking a piece of glass butter melting on a hot day
[ "Both are only physical changes.", "Both are caused by heating.", "Both are chemical changes.", "Both are caused by cooling." ]
0
closed choice
grade7
natural science
chemistry
Chemical reactions
Compare physical and chemical changes
Matter is made of very small particles called atoms. Atoms can be linked together by chemical bonds. When two or more atoms link together, they form a molecule. In a chemical change, the chemical bonds in the molecules break. The atoms then link together to form different molecules. The types of molecules in matter bef...
Step 1: Think about each change. Breaking a piece of glass is a physical change. The glass gets broken into pieces. But each piece is still made of the same type of matter. Butter melting on a hot day is a change of state. So, it is a physical change. The butter changes from solid to liquid, but it is still made of the...
The city of Seaside has been one of the world's biggest makers of cough drops for many years. But last month, Seaside's cough drop factories were destroyed by floods. What will probably happen to the overall supply of cough drops?
[ "The supply will probably go down.", "The supply will probably go up." ]
0
closed choice
grade7
social science
economics
Supply and demand
Understand overall supply and demand
Overall supply is the total amount of a good or service that producers make and sell. There are several things that can make overall supply go up or down. The table below shows how changes to these things might affect overall supply. | Resources | Number of producers or suppliers | Expected change in demand Supply goe...
Floods destroyed the cough drop factories in Seaside. The number of producers of cough drops went down. So, the supply of cough drops will probably go down.
Which of the following contains a vague pronoun reference?
[ "After Paul beat Aaron in tennis, he asked for a rematch.", "Aaron asked for a rematch after Paul beat him in tennis." ]
0
closed choice
grade10
language science
writing-strategies
Pronouns
Identify vague pronoun references
When writing, make sure to avoid vague pronoun references. A vague pronoun reference occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent. When Lisa and Kim finally landed, she breathed a sigh of relief. The pronoun she could refer to either Lisa or Kim, so the meaning of the sentence is unclear. Vagu...
The second answer choice contains a vague pronoun reference. The pronoun he could refer to Paul or Aaron. After Paul beat Aaron in tennis, he asked for a rematch. The first answer choice shows a possible correction for the vague pronoun reference. The text has been rewritten so that the meaning is clear. Aaron asked fo...
Answer the riddle. I am a toy. I look like a person. You can dress me up. What am I?
[ "a girl", "a doll" ]
1
closed choice
grade1
language science
vocabulary
Comprehension strategies
What am I?
A doll is a toy. A doll looks like a person. You can dress a doll up.
Using only these supplies, which question can Edgar investigate with an experiment?
[ "Do cloth towels dry faster if they are hung in the laundry room or in the backyard?", "When hung in the laundry room, do black cloth towels or white cloth towels dry more quickly?", "Does a small cloth towel or a large cloth towel dry faster when hung in the backyard?" ]
0
After Edgar cleans up a spill, he hangs a wet cloth towel in the laundry room. Two hours later, he notices that the towel has partially dried. He wonders what factors affect how cloth dries. So, he decides to design an experiment. He has the following supplies available: two identical white cloth towels water a clothes...
closed choice
grade6
natural science
science-and-engineering-practices
Designing experiments
Identify questions that can be investigated with a set of materials
Experiments can be designed to answer specific questions. When designing an experiment, you must identify the supplies that are necessary to answer your question. In order to do this, you need to figure out what will be tested and what will be measured during the experiment. Imagine that you are wondering if plants gro...
What do these two changes have in common? an iceberg melting slowly carving a piece of wood
[ "Both are caused by cooling.", "Both are chemical changes.", "Both are caused by heating.", "Both are only physical changes." ]
3
closed choice
grade7
natural science
chemistry
Chemical reactions
Compare physical and chemical changes
Matter is made of very small particles called atoms. Atoms can be linked together by chemical bonds. When two or more atoms link together, they form a molecule. In a chemical change, the chemical bonds in the molecules break. The atoms then link together to form different molecules. The types of molecules in matter bef...
Step 1: Think about each change. An iceberg melting is a change of state. So, it is a physical change. An iceberg is made of frozen water. As it melts, the water changes from a solid to a liquid. But a different type of matter is not formed. Carving a piece of wood is a physical change. The wood changes shape, but it i...
Based on this information, what is Vivian's phenotype for the Marfan syndrome trait?
[ "mm", "not having Marfan syndrome" ]
1
This passage describes the Marfan syndrome trait in humans: In a group of humans, some individuals have Marfan syndrome and others do not. In this group, the gene for the Marfan syndrome trait has two alleles. The allele M is for having Marfan syndrome, and the allele m is for not having Marfan syndrome. Vivian, a hum...
closed choice
grade8
natural science
biology
Genes to traits
Genetics vocabulary: genotype and phenotype
All organisms have pieces of hereditary material called genes, which are passed from parents to offspring. Genes contain instructions for building the parts of an organism. An organism's genes affect its observable traits, including its appearance, its behavior, and which diseases it may have. Genes may have different ...
An organism's phenotype for a trait is its observable version of that trait. Vivian's observable version of the Marfan syndrome trait is not having Marfan syndrome. So, Vivian's phenotype for the Marfan syndrome trait is not having Marfan syndrome.
What does the verbal irony in this text suggest? "Sleeping through the rooster's crowing was no problem," Raymond joked with a yawn.
[ "Raymond slept poorly.", "Raymond finds roosters amusing." ]
0
closed choice
grade10
language science
figurative-language
Literary devices
Interpret figures of speech
Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive. Verbal irony involves saying one thing but implying something very different. People often use verbal irony when they are being sarcastic. Olivia seems thrilled that her car keeps breaking dow...
The text uses verbal irony, which involves saying one thing but implying something very different. Sleeping through the rooster's crowing was no problem ironically suggests that Raymond slept poorly. Raymond was tired, so the rooster's crowing was clearly a problem.
Is the following trait inherited or acquired? Liz plays basketball.
[ "inherited", "acquired" ]
1
closed choice
grade5
natural science
biology
Traits and heredity
Identify inherited and acquired traits
Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways. Inherited traits are passed down through families. Children gain these traits from their parents. Inherited traits do not need to be learned. Acquired traits are gained during a person's lif...
People are not born knowing how to play basketball. Instead, some people learn how to play basketball. Playing the sport takes practice. So, playing basketball is an acquired trait.
Select the animal.
[ "Octopuses eat animals that live underwater.", "Apple trees can grow fruit.", "Cypress trees have green leaves.", "Hydrangea bushes can grow colorful flowers." ]
0
closed choice
grade3
natural science
biology
Classification
Identify plants and animals
Plants and animals are living things. Living things are called organisms. Plants come in many shapes and sizes. Most plants grow in the ground. They might grow leaves, flowers, and fruit. Plants cannot move around on their own like animals can. Animals also come in many shapes and sizes. Most animals can move around. A...
An octopus is an animal. It eats animals that live underwater. An octopus has two eyes and eight arms. An apple tree is a plant. It can grow fruit. People have been growing apples for thousands of years. There are more than 7,500 types of apples! A cypress tree is a plant. It has green leaves. The leaves of cypress tre...
What do these two changes have in common? filtering air to remove dust and pollen a crayon melting in the sun
[ "Both are only physical changes.", "Both are caused by heating.", "Both are chemical changes.", "Both are caused by cooling." ]
0
closed choice
grade8
natural science
chemistry
Chemical reactions
Compare physical and chemical changes
Matter is made of very small particles called atoms. Atoms can be linked together by chemical bonds. When two or more atoms link together, they form a molecule. In a chemical change, the chemical bonds in the molecules break. The atoms then link together to form different molecules. The types of molecules in matter bef...
Step 1: Think about each change. Filtering air to remove dust and pollen is a physical change. The air flows through the filter, and the pollen and dust stay behind. This separates the mixture of air, pollen, and dust. But separating a mixture does not form a different type of matter. A crayon melting in the sun is a c...
What information supports the conclusion that Alec acquired this trait?
[ "Alec learned biology by reading, observing, and experimenting.", "Alec is most interested in human biology." ]
0
Read the description of a trait. Alec knows a lot about biology.
closed choice
grade4
natural science
biology
Traits and heredity
Inherited and acquired traits: use evidence to support a statement
Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways. Inherited traits are passed down through families. Children gain these traits from their parents. Inherited traits do not need to be learned. Acquired traits are gained during a person's lif...
Which word is not like the others?
[ "cookie", "ice cream", "cake", "dirt" ]
3
closed choice
grade1
language science
vocabulary
Categories
Which word is not like the others?
Some words are alike. They go together in a group. Red, blue, and green go together. They are colors. Mom, dad, grandma, and grandpa go together. They are people in a family.
Ice cream, cookie, and cake go together. They are sweet things. Dirt is not a sweet thing, so it is not like the other words.
Which sentence uses a simile?
[ "The bare tree's branches were as sharp as needles.", "The bare tree's branches were sharp needles." ]
0
closed choice
grade4
language science
figurative-language
Literary devices
Identify similes and metaphors
Similes and metaphors are figures of speech that compare two things that are not actually alike. A simile compares two things by saying that one is like the other. Similes often use the words like and as. My sister runs like a cheetah. The sister's running and a cheetah's running are compared using the word like. A che...
This sentence uses a simile: The bare tree's branches were as sharp as needles. The words branches and needles are compared using the word as. This sentence uses a metaphor: The bare tree's branches were sharp needles. The words branches and needles are compared without the word like or as.
Would you find the word smell on a dictionary page with the following guide words? send - swung
[ "yes", "no" ]
0
yes or no
grade7
language science
reference-skills
Reference skills
Use guide words
Guide words appear on each page of a dictionary. They tell you the first word and last word on the page. The other words on the page come between the guide words in alphabetical order. To put words in alphabetical order, put them in order by their first letters. If the first letters are the same, look at the second let...
Put the words in alphabetical order. Since smell is between the guide words send - swung, it would be found on that page.
Which text uses the word peruse in its traditional sense?
[ "Jasper perused a catalog from his wife's favorite clothing store, searching for the perfect birthday gift.", "Jasper perused a clothing catalog as he waited for his appointment, flipping through the pages distractedly." ]
0
closed choice
grade11
language science
writing-strategies
Word usage and nuance
Explore words with new or contested usages
Words change in meaning when speakers begin using them in new ways. For example, the word peruse once only meant to examine in detail, but it's now also commonly used to mean to look through in a casual manner. When a word changes in meaning, its correct usage is often debated. Although a newer sense of the word may be...
The first text uses peruse in its traditional sense: to examine in detail. Jasper perused a catalog from his wife's favorite clothing store, searching for the perfect birthday gift. The second text uses peruse in its nontraditional sense: to look through in a casual manner. Jasper perused a clothing catalog as he waite...
Complete the statement. Assume that the penny's mass did not change. The gravitational potential energy stored between the penny and Earth () as the penny fell toward the bottom of the well.
[ "decreased", "stayed the same", "increased" ]
0
Read the text about an object in motion. Sofia dropped a penny in a wishing well. The penny fell to the bottom of the well as she made a wish.
closed choice
grade7
natural science
physics
Kinetic and potential energy
Identify changes in gravitational potential energy
Gravitational potential energy is stored between any two objects. So, for every object on or near Earth, there is gravitational potential energy stored between the object and Earth. The amount of gravitational potential energy stored between an object and Earth depends on the mass of the object. The amount of gravitati...
Think about how the distance between the penny and the center of Earth changed. The bottom of the well is lower than the point where Sofia dropped the penny. As it fell toward the bottom of the well, the distance between the penny and the center of Earth decreased. So, the gravitational potential energy stored between ...
Which figure of speech is used in this text? The Kramer family is going to spend two weeks in Ocean City, but for Jim it will be a working vacation, since he'll be checking in with the office every day.
[ "oxymoron", "hyperbole" ]
0
closed choice
grade9
language science
figurative-language
Literary devices
Classify figures of speech: euphemism, hyperbole, oxymoron, paradox
Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive. A euphemism is a polite or indirect expression that is used to de-emphasize an unpleasant topic. The head of Human Resources would never refer to firing people, only to laying them off. Hyperb...
The text uses an oxymoron, a joining of two seemingly contradictory terms. Working vacation is a contradiction, because going on a vacation implies that you are taking a break from work.
Would you find the word greet on a dictionary page with the following guide words? gander - glider
[ "yes", "no" ]
1
yes or no
grade3
language science
reference-skills
Reference skills
Use guide words
Guide words appear on each page of a dictionary. They tell you the first word and last word on the page. The other words on the page come between the guide words in alphabetical order. To put words in alphabetical order, put them in order by their first letters. If the first letters are the same, look at the second let...
Put the words in alphabetical order. Since greet is not between the guide words gander - glider, it would not be found on that page.
Which figure of speech is used in this text? Harold's '64 Impala groaned as he turned the ignition. Yet again he resolved to refurbish it over the summer.
[ "metaphor", "personification" ]
1
closed choice
grade8
language science
figurative-language
Literary devices
Classify figures of speech
Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive. Alliteration is the repetition of sounds at the beginning of nearby words. What a lucky little lady you are! An allusion is a brief reference to something or someone well known, often from his...
The text uses personification, giving human characteristics to nonhuman things. Harold's '64 Impala groaned describes the car as if it were human.
What information supports the conclusion that Hector inherited this trait?
[ "Hector's parents were born with straight hair. They passed down this trait to Hector.", "Hector and his father both have short hair." ]
0
Read the description of a trait. Hector has straight hair.
closed choice
grade6
natural science
biology
Genes to traits
Inherited and acquired traits: use evidence to support a statement
Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways. Inherited traits are passed down from biological parents to their offspring through genes. Genes are pieces of hereditary material that contain the instructions that affect inherited traits....
Does this passage describe the weather or the climate? Jack noticed that fall usually has mild temperatures.
[ "weather", "climate" ]
1
Hint: Weather is what the atmosphere is like at a certain place and time. Climate is the pattern of weather in a certain place.
closed choice
grade3
natural science
earth-science
Weather and climate
What's the difference between weather and climate?
The atmosphere is the layer of air that surrounds Earth. Both weather and climate tell you about the atmosphere. Weather is what the atmosphere is like at a certain place and time. Weather can change quickly. For example, the temperature outside your house might get higher throughout the day. Climate is the pattern of ...
Read the text carefully. Jack noticed that fall usually has mild temperatures. This passage tells you about the usual fall temperatures where Jack lives. It does not describe what the weather is like on a particular day. So, this passage describes the climate.
Is there a surplus or a shortage of tickets?
[ "surplus", "shortage" ]
0
There are 300 concert tickets for sale. Tickets cost $20 each. At that price, there are 200 people who want to buy a ticket.
closed choice
grade5
social science
economics
Supply and demand
Identify shortage and surplus
There is a surplus if there is too much for sale at a given price. There is a shortage if there is not enough for sale at a given price. Surpluses and shortages usually happen when people who are selling goods or services charge too much or too little. When the price is too high, consumers will not want to buy much of ...
At the current price, there are too many tickets for sale. There are 300 tickets for sale, but only 200 people want to buy a ticket. So, there is a surplus of tickets. The ticket seller will not get any money for the leftover tickets.
Is the following statement true or false? Plant cells do not have chloroplasts.
[ "false", "true" ]
0
true-or false
grade4
natural science
biology
Cells
Cell part functions: true or false
Plant cells do not have chloroplasts. This statement is false. Most plant cells have chloroplasts. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, the green substance that gives plants their color.
Which logical fallacy is used in the text? All the popular guys at school are dyeing their hair purple, so you should, too!
[ "hasty generalization: a very broad claim based on very little evidence", "bandwagon fallacy: the assumption that the popular choice is automatically correct" ]
1
closed choice
grade8
language science
writing-strategies
Developing and supporting arguments
Classify logical fallacies
A strong argument uses valid reasoning and logic in support of a claim. When an argument or claim introduces irrelevant information or misrepresents the issues at hand, it may be committing a logical fallacy. Logical fallacies can hurt a writer's credibility and can lead readers to draw false conclusions. A logical fal...
The text argues that someone should dye his hair purple, because other people are dyeing their hair purple. However, even though some people are dyeing their hair purple, that doesn't necessarily mean that everyone else should. This illustrates a type of logical fallacy known as the bandwagon fallacy.
Which text uses the word factoid in its traditional sense?
[ "As a geneticist, Justine dislikes many popular sci-fi movies because they often present audiences with factoids that misrepresent her field.", "As a geneticist, Justine enjoys watching science documentaries and sharing various factoids she's learned with her colleagues." ]
0
closed choice
grade9
language science
writing-strategies
Word usage and nuance
Explore words with new or contested usages
Words change in meaning when speakers begin using them in new ways. For example, the word peruse once only meant to examine in detail, but it's now also commonly used to mean to look through in a casual manner. When a word changes in meaning, its correct usage is often debated. Although a newer sense of the word may be...
The first text uses factoid in its traditional sense: something made up presented as a true fact. As a geneticist, Justine dislikes many popular sci-fi movies because they often present audiences with factoids that misrepresent her field. The second text uses factoid in its nontraditional sense: a trivial but true fact...
Which correctly shows the title of a movie?
[ "One fine Day", "One Fine Day" ]
1
closed choice
grade4
language science
capitalization
Formatting
Capitalizing titles
In a title, capitalize the first word, the last word, and every important word in between. The Wind in the Willows James and the Giant Peach These words are not important in titles: Articles, a, an, the Short prepositions, such as at, by, for, in, of, on, to, up Coordinating conjunctions, such as and, but, or
Capitalize the first word, the last word, and every important word in between. The correct title is One Fine Day.
Which figure of speech is used in this text? Dr. Shepherd is unhappy with her new assistant because simple tasks, like fetching coffee, take him years to finish.
[ "hyperbole", "oxymoron" ]
0
closed choice
grade9
language science
figurative-language
Literary devices
Classify figures of speech: euphemism, hyperbole, oxymoron, paradox
Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive. A euphemism is a polite or indirect expression that is used to de-emphasize an unpleasant topic. The head of Human Resources would never refer to firing people, only to laying them off. Hyperb...
The text uses hyperbole, an obvious exaggeration that is not meant to be taken literally. Take him years to finish is an exaggeration, since it probably does not take him entire years to fetch coffee.
What is the volume of a bowl of soup?
[ "10 gallons", "10 fluid ounces", "10 cups" ]
1
Select the best estimate.
closed choice
grade5
natural science
units-and-measurement
Units and measurement
Choose customary units of volume
Measurements are written with both a number and a unit. The unit comes after the number. The unit shows what the number means. Volume is a measurement of how much space something takes up. There are many different units of volume. When you are using customary units, volume may be written in units of fluid ounces, cups,...
The best estimate for the volume of a bowl of soup is 10 fluid ounces. 10 cups and 10 gallons are both too much.
What information supports the conclusion that Leslie acquired this trait?
[ "Leslie learned to speak two languages in school.", "Leslie's mother speaks one language." ]
0
Read the description of a trait. Leslie speaks two languages.
closed choice
grade4
natural science
biology
Traits and heredity
Inherited and acquired traits: use evidence to support a statement
Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways. Inherited traits are passed down through families. Children gain these traits from their parents. Inherited traits do not need to be learned. Acquired traits are gained during a person's lif...
Select the living thing.
[ "shoe", "opossum" ]
1
closed choice
grade3
natural science
biology
Classification
Identify living and nonliving things
All living things need food and water. Water helps living things break down food and remove waste. Food gives living things energy. Living things use this energy to grow and change. All living things grow and change during their lives. All living things sense changes in the world around them. Living things might sense ...
A shoe is not a living thing. Shoes do not have all of the traits of living things. They do not grow or respond to the world around them. They do not need food or water. An opossum is a living thing. Opossums grow and respond to the world around them. They need food and water.
What is the temperature of the air on a cold, snowy day?
[ "21°F", "21°C" ]
0
Select the better estimate.
closed choice
grade7
natural science
units-and-measurement
Units and measurement
Estimate temperatures
Measurements are written with both a number and a unit. The unit comes after the number. The unit shows what the number means. Temperature can be written with units of degrees Fahrenheit (°F) or Celsius (°C). Use the list below to compare the two units. 212°F | Water boils | 100°C 98.6°F | Body temperature | 37°C 68°F ...
The better estimate for the temperature of the air on a cold, snowy day is 21°F. 21°C is too hot.
What does the verbal irony in this text suggest? "Sleeping through the rooster's crowing was no problem," Dale joked with a yawn.
[ "Dale finds roosters amusing.", "Dale slept poorly." ]
1
closed choice
grade8
language science
figurative-language
Literary devices
Interpret figures of speech
Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive. Verbal irony involves saying one thing but implying something very different. People often use verbal irony when they are being sarcastic. Olivia seems thrilled that her car keeps breaking dow...
The text uses verbal irony, which involves saying one thing but implying something very different. Sleeping through the rooster's crowing was no problem ironically suggests that Dale slept poorly. Dale was tired, so the rooster's crowing was clearly a problem.
Which of the following contains a vague pronoun reference?
[ "Mr. King was reaching for the ladle in the gravy bowl when his wife took it away.", "Mr. King was reaching for the ladle in the gravy bowl when his wife took the ladle away." ]
0
closed choice
grade10
language science
writing-strategies
Pronouns
Identify vague pronoun references
When writing, make sure to avoid vague pronoun references. A vague pronoun reference occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent. When Lisa and Kim finally landed, she breathed a sigh of relief. The pronoun she could refer to either Lisa or Kim, so the meaning of the sentence is unclear. Vagu...
The second answer choice contains a vague pronoun reference. The pronoun it could refer to the ladle or the gravy bowl. The first answer choice shows a possible correction for the vague pronoun reference. It has been replaced with the ladle. Mr. King was reaching for the ladle in the gravy bowl when his wife took the l...
What does the metaphor in this text suggest? Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. —Marcel Proust
[ "People who cultivate beautiful gardens make us happy.", "People nourish our souls when they make us happy." ]
1
closed choice
grade10
language science
figurative-language
Literary devices
Interpret figures of speech
Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive. A metaphor compares two things that are not actually alike without using like or as. The snow formed a blanket over the town.
The text uses a metaphor, comparing two things that are not actually alike without using like or as. The metaphor they are the charming gardeners suggests that people nourish our souls when they make us happy. Like gardeners caring for flowers, our friends help our souls thrive and grow.
When is Thanksgiving celebrated in the United States?
[ "on January 12", "on the second Sunday of September", "on the fourth Thursday of November", "on December 5" ]
2
closed choice
grade2
social science
civics
Cultural celebrations
Thanksgiving
This is a symbol of the harvest. It shows fruits and vegetables that are picked in the fall. In the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. In the past, Thanksgiving celebrated the harvest. It celebrated the food that was picked in the fall. So, Thanksgiving is celebrated in the fa...
Which sentence is more formal?
[ "The president and prime minister discussed new trade regulations and announced that they were in agreement.", "The president and prime minister discussed new trade regulations and announced that they were on the same page." ]
0
closed choice
grade5
language science
writing-strategies
Author's purpose and tone
Which sentence is more formal?
Formal writing is used for essays, business letters, and reports. The following types of informal language should be avoided in formal writing: Type | Examples slang | cool, awesome idioms | knock your socks off conversational language | gonna, kinda, yeah abbreviated language | ASAP, FYI overly simple or imprecise lan...
The second sentence is less formal. You can tell because it uses an idiom (on the same page). The first sentence uses formal language in place of the idiom, so it is more formal overall.
Does the sentence use a simile or a metaphor? The joking boys and girls are silly clowns.
[ "metaphor", "simile" ]
0
closed choice
grade4
language science
figurative-language
Literary devices
Identify similes and metaphors
Similes and metaphors are figures of speech that compare two things that are not actually alike. A simile compares two things by saying that one is like the other. Similes often use the words like and as. My sister runs like a cheetah. The sister's running and a cheetah's running are compared using the word like. A che...
The joking boys and girls are silly clowns. The words boys and girls and clowns are compared without the word like or as. So, the sentence uses a metaphor.
Which object has the least thermal energy?
[ "a 7-kilogram block of copper at a temperature of 17°C", "a 7-kilogram block of copper at a temperature of 19°C", "a 7-kilogram block of copper at a temperature of 27°C" ]
0
The objects are identical except for their temperatures.
closed choice
grade4
natural science
physics
Heat and thermal energy
How is temperature related to thermal energy?
All solids, liquids, and gases are made of matter. Matter is made up of tiny particles that are always moving. The energy from the motion of these particles is called thermal energy. Temperature measures how hot or cold matter is. If the particles in matter slow down, the temperature goes down. The matter now has both ...
All three blocks of copper have the same mass but different temperatures. Since the 17°C block is the coldest, it has the least thermal energy.
What is the mass of a small candy bar?
[ "45 kilograms", "45 grams" ]
1
Select the better estimate.
closed choice
grade4
natural science
units-and-measurement
Units and measurement
Choose metric units of mass
Measurements are written with both a number and a unit. The unit comes after the number. The unit shows what the number means. Mass is a measurement of how much matter something contains. There are many different units of mass. When you are using metric units, mass may be written with units of grams or kilograms. There...
The better estimate for the mass of a small candy bar is 45 grams. 45 kilograms is too heavy.
Compare the motion of two beluga whales. Which beluga whale was moving at a higher speed?
[ "a beluga whale that moved 10miles in 5hours", "a beluga whale that moved 15miles in 5hours" ]
1
closed choice
grade2
natural science
physics
Force and motion
Compare the speeds of moving objects
An object's speed tells you how fast the object is moving. Speed depends on both distance and time. Distance tells you how far the object has moved. One unit used to measure distance is the mile. Time tells you how long the object has spent moving. One unit used to measure time is the hour. Think about two objects movi...
Look at the distance each beluga whale moved and the time it took to move that distance. One beluga whale moved 15 miles in 5 hours. The other beluga whale moved 10 miles in 5 hours. Notice that each beluga whale spent the same amount of time moving. The beluga whale that moved 15 miles moved a farther distance in that...
What is the source of the allusion in the sentence below? Red velvet cupcakes were Brooke's Achilles's heel when she was trying to eat more healthily.
[ "a movie", "Greek mythology" ]
1
closed choice
grade9
language science
figurative-language
Literary devices
Recall the source of an allusion
An allusion is a brief mention of something or someone well known, often from mythology, history, or literature. An allusion lets you reference ideas from an entire story in just a few words. "I'd better get home before I turn into a pumpkin!" Lila remarked. Here, Lila alludes to the fairy tale "Cinderella," in which C...
The source of the allusion Achilles's heel is Greek mythology. In Greek mythology, Achilles's mother dips him in a river that protects his body wherever it touches. His heel does not get wet, so it is the one part of his body left unprotected. During the Trojan War, an arrow hits Achilles in the heel and kills him. The...
How long is a long-distance running race?
[ "33 kilometers", "33 centimeters" ]
0
Select the better estimate.
closed choice
grade2
natural science
units-and-measurement
Units and measurement
Choose metric units of distance
Measurements are written with both a number and a unit. The unit comes after the number. The unit shows what the number means. Imagine being told that a pencil is 16 long. You might be thinking, 16 what? Is the pencil 16 centimeters long? 16 meters? 16 kilometers? The number 16 on its own does not give you much informa...
The better estimate for the length of a long-distance running race is 33 kilometers. 33 centimeters is too short.
Complete the statement. Assume that the water balloon's mass did not change. The gravitational potential energy stored between the water balloon and Earth () as the water balloon fell toward Nate.
[ "decreased", "stayed the same", "increased" ]
0
Read the text about an object in motion. Mariana dropped a water balloon off a balcony. The water balloon fell toward her friend Nate, who was standing below the balcony.
closed choice
grade8
natural science
physics
Kinetic and potential energy
Identify changes in gravitational potential energy
Gravitational potential energy is stored between any two objects. So, for every object on or near Earth, there is gravitational potential energy stored between the object and Earth. The amount of gravitational potential energy stored between an object and Earth depends on the mass of the object. The amount of gravitati...
Think about how the distance between the water balloon and the center of Earth changed. Nate was lower than the balcony. As the water balloon fell toward Nate, the distance between the water balloon and the center of Earth decreased. So, the gravitational potential energy stored between the water balloon and Earth decr...
Which sentence is more formal?
[ "Although penguins, ostriches, and kiwis are birds, they cannot fly.", "Penguins, ostriches, and kiwis can't fly, even though they are birds." ]
0
closed choice
grade7
language science
writing-strategies
Author's purpose and tone
Which sentence is more formal?
Formal writing is used for essays, business letters, and reports. The following types of informal language should be avoided in formal writing: Type | Examples slang | cool, awesome idioms | knock your socks off conversational language | gonna, kinda, yeah abbreviated language | ASAP, FYI overly simple or imprecise lan...
The first sentence is less formal. You can tell because it uses a contraction (can't). The second sentence does not use a contraction, so it is more formal.
Use the evidence in the text to select the photosynthetic organism.
[ "Emerald tree boas eat only once every few months. The boas eat small animals, which their bodies break down for energy.", "Snake plants use carbon dioxide and water to make sugars. These plants use the sugars to get the energy they need to live." ]
1
closed choice
grade5
natural science
biology
Plants
Identify the photosynthetic organism
Organisms that carry out photosynthesis are called photosynthetic organisms. During photosynthesis, these organisms use light energy to turn water and carbon dioxide into sugars and oxygen. Photosynthetic organisms also often have the following characteristics: They are producers, which are organisms that make their ow...
This organism is photosynthetic: The text tells you that snake plants use carbon dioxide and water to make sugars, and then use these sugars to get energy. This is evidence that the snake plant is a photosynthetic organism. This organism is not photosynthetic: The text does not provide evidence that the emerald tree bo...
Which tense does the sentence use? The mouse nibbles on the bread.
[ "future tense", "past tense", "present tense" ]
2
closed choice
grade3
language science
verbs
Verb tense
Is the sentence in the past, present, or future tense?
Present tense verbs tell you about something that is happening now. Most present-tense verbs are regular. They have no ending, or they end in -s or -es. Two verbs are irregular in the present tense, to be and to have. You must remember their forms. Past tense verbs tell you about something that has already happened. Mo...
The sentence is in present tense. You can tell because it uses a present-tense verb, nibbles. The verb ends in -s and tells you about something that is true or happening now.