Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics Central Ideas

Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
Central Ideas
The continent measures 3,300 miles at its widest point—from St. John's, Newfoundland, to the
Pacific Coast. From Alaska to Mexico, the continent extends 4,900 miles. Europe is made up of
many small nations. Unlike it, North America is composed of only three large nations: Canada,
the United States, and Mexico.
1. Which opening sentence best states the main idea of the paragraph?
A. Those countries have many people and different climates.
B. North America stretches "from sea to shining sea."
C. Mexico is well-known for having dry, hot summers.
D. Canada is the largest country in North America.
Text Structure
History of Hybrid Cars
Would you believe the history of hybrid cars goes all the way back to the 1800s? And that the
gas-powered cars most of us still use today weren’t mass-produced until the 1900s? In 1839, a
Scottish man named Robert Anderson built the first electric car. A few decades later, in 1870, Sir
David Salomon developed a car that had a very light electric motor, but its batteries were very
heavy. As a result, the car moved very slowly and could not go very far.
In England, an electric taxicab was introduced in 1886. It had a battery that had 28 cells and a
small electric motor. Over the next 20 years or so, battery technology improved significantly.
One of the most notable accomplishments was the modern lead-acid battery created by H. Tudor
and the nickel-iron battery that was developed by Edison and Junger.
In a two-year period that began in 1897, The Pope Manufacturing Company in Hartford,
Connecticut built 500 electric cars. In 1899, the company merged with two smaller electric
companies to create the Electric Vehicle Company. This was the first large automotive company,
and it was worth $200 million.
When gas-powered, steam-powered, and electric cars were compared at the first National
Automobile Show in 1900, most people preferred the electric ones. Steam-powered cars were
their second choice. Thousands of electric cars were produced at the beginning of the 20th
century.
A change came in 1904 when Henry Ford was able to fix the noise, vibration, and smell
problems people complained about with gas-powered cars. He produced a cheap, light weight
gas-powered car that sank the Electric Vehicle Company. By 1913, gas-powered cars became
easier to use and the number of electric cars sold dropped to 6,000. That same year, 182,809
Model-T Fords were sold.
In 1966, Congress first recommended the use of electric vehicles to reduce the amount of air
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
pollution. Between 1968 and 1971 a group of scientists at a major auto supplier called TRW
developed a hybrid power train, or way of generating power in a car. Many of the concepts they
came up with are used for the hybrid cars we have today.
Although many companies tried their hand at developing hybrid cars, Honda’s Insight became
the first hybrid car to be mass marketed in the United States in 1999. Since then, the Toyota
Prius (first released in 2000) and the Honda Civic Hybrid (available since 2002) have been
popular cars.
2. According to the article, what happened as a result of the National Auto Show in 1901?
A. Honda's Insight became the first hybrid car to be mass marketed in the United States in
1999.
B. Thousands of electric cars were produced at the beginning of the 20th century.
C. Congress first recommended the use of electric vehicles to reduce the amount of air
pollution.
D. Gas-powered cars became easier to use, and the number of electric cars sold dropped to
6,000.
Technical Meanings
Perry needs to lower his monthly expenses, so he can pay off some debt. He decides to keep
his DSL but cancel his landline phone with Bell Mead Phone Company. In place of a landline
phone, he purchases VoIP with Victory Wireless. These changes will save him $35 a month. He
will use the extra money to help pay off his credit card debt.
3. The technical term VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. VoIP allows a person to
A. use the Internet as a radio broadcaster.
B. use an online telephone connection.
C. use the computer to record music.
D. use video-conference software online.
Author's Point of View
Alaska's vast Denali National Park is divided into designated tracts of wilderness, some as big
as whole counties. Snowfields and glaciers on the northern face of the Alaska Range mountains
feed wide-braided rivers that cut valleys through tundra. The landscape is treeless and trail-less
as far as you can see, and far beyond. There are no markers or signposts to designate where one
tract ends and another begins. They appear only on maps for the purpose of allotting backcountry hiking permits.
A portion of one of the tracts is even more special. It's off-limits. It's called Sable Pass, 60 or
so square miles of lumpy tundra protected against human intrusion, except for scientists who
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
have carved themselves an exemption. The purpose is to give wildlife one true sanctuary from
people. Sable Pass is in my thoughts because the last of the nation's public lands are in political
play these days, and too often we limit the discussion to how these lands should be "used."
Backpackers versus Jeeps. Oil drilling versus caribou. Tree cutters versus tree huggers. Jobs
versus recreation.
I would feel better about the future if our political debate about public lands accounted for the
intangible, but vital, need for wilderness. Not just for nature's sake but for the sake of our souls.
Can elk live on pastures with cows? Yes. Can caribou co-exist with oil rigs? They do. Grizzly
bears can live in garbage dumps too.
But wilderness, true wilderness, does not exist with cow pastures and oil rigs and garbage
dumps. Wilderness is not defined by how it can be used. Like Sable Pass, wilderness is about not
using it at all. Except to preserve our diminishing sense of wonder.
4. What is the author's purpose in writing this selection?
A. to inform readers of the huge environmental crisis that looms ahead
B. to persuade readers that wilderness is best left totally alone
C. to convince readers to go hiking in the Denali National Park
D. to persuade political leaders to use caution when developing wilderness land
Evaluating Arguments
Electronics enthusiasts can purchase several different types of monitors today. The oldest are
cathode-ray tubes, or CRTs. These are the older, traditional television monitors and computer
monitors. They are heavy and have low resolution, yet they have fast refresh speeds. This means
images on a CRT are almost constantly being renewed. They are also very cheap.
LCDs, or laser-crystal displays, are much more sophisticated than CRTs. They are cost
affordable, and they have decent resolution. However, their refresh rates are slow. Sometimes
this can create jerky movements on the screen, particularly if the action onscreen is fast-moving.
LCDs use a horrendous amount of energy when compared to CRTs. Also, LCD screens suffer
from a problem called "pixel burn" where images can be burned onto the screen, damaging the
monitor.
Obviously, the best monitors that a person can buy today are LEDs, or light-emitting diodes.
LEDs use less energy. They produce a screen picture with higher resolution. They contain no
toxic or harsh chemicals like mercury or lead. Honestly, there is really very little bad to say
about them. LEDs are worth the price one must pay because of their cutting edge technology.
5. Read the following sentence from the passage.
"Obviously, the best monitors that a person can buy today are LEDs, or light-emitting diodes."
How should the author rewrite this sentence to strengthen the argument?
A. Obviously, the best monitors that a person can buy today are LEDs.
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
B. The best monitors that a person can buy today are LEDs, or light-emitting diodes.
C. Obviously. The best monitors a person can buy are LEDs, or light-emitting diodes.
D. Light-emitting diodes make the best monitors to buy, obviously.
Analyzing Documents
Objections Answered
by Alice Stone Blackwell
1915
Why Should Women Vote?
The reasons why women should vote are the same as the reasons why men should vote—the
same as the reasons for having a republic rather than a monarchy. It is fair and right that the
people who must obey the laws should have a voice in choosing the law-makers, and that those
who must pay the taxes should have a voice as to the amount of the tax, and the way in which the
money shall be spent.
Roughly stated, the fundamental principle of a republic is this: In deciding what is to be done,
we take everybody's opinion, and then go according to the wish of the majority. As we cannot
suit everybody, we do what will suit the greatest number. That seems to be, on the whole, the
fairest way. A vote is simply a written expression of opinion.
In thus taking a vote to get at the wish of the majority, certain classes of persons are passed
over, whose opinions for one reason or another are thought not to be worth counting. In most of
our states, these classes are children, aliens, idiots, lunatics, criminals and women. There are
good and obvious reasons for making all these exceptions but the last. Of course no account
ought to be taken of the opinions of children, insane persons, or criminals. Is there any equally
good reason why no account should be taken of the opinions of women? Let us consider the
reasons commonly given, and see if they are sound.
6. What would be the best way to describe this piece of literature?
A. biography
B. historical document
C. myth
D. historical fiction
Introducing and Closing Topics
Games such as jump rope and hop scotch develop physical skills in children. Children must
have good coordination and timing to be successful at jump roping. Children also have to use
balance in order to win at hop scotch. Board games and cards games strengthen memory,
concentration, and thinking ability. Old Maid requires children to keep track of the cards that
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
they have requested. Monopoly involves math and strategy. All games are important for teaching
social interaction. Children must learn to take turns and to be fair. Cooperation amongst team
players is also a social aspect of playing games. Games are valuable to children because they
help children develop physically, mentally, and socially.
7. Which of the following sentences is the best topic sentence for the paragraph above?
A. Video games can provide some skill development but usually do not help with social
interaction.
B. Games are important learning forums for children because they help them develop
important skills.
C. Some of the best board games for children include Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders.
D. Word games like Hangman and Scrabble can help children improve their spelling and
vocabulary.
Supplying and Developing Evidence
(1) Angelina Jolie, a well-known American actress, has made incredible efforts to help
refugees of unstable countries. (2) Ms. Jolie has worked in refugee camps, donated large sums of
money, and spoken to political officials regarding the problems that refugees face. (3) Angelina
is a dedicated member of the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR). (4)
She has donated millions of dollars to fund organizations that shelter and rehabilitate refugees.
(5) Besides working in the field with other UNHCR staff, Ms. Jolie has become active in the
political arena. (6) Angelina Jolie's humanitarian acts and campaigns have raised awareness of
the appalling circumstances refugees around the world are forced to confront.
8. Which sentence could best be added after sentence 4?
(4) She has donated millions of dollars to fund organizations that shelter and rehabilitate
refugees.
A. Angelina Jolie was named as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2001 and has visited
over twenty countries worldwide to bring attention to refugees and advocate for their
protection.
B. Angelina contributed $1 million to help Afghan refugees, $200,000 to UNHCR's work in
Kenya in 2002, and she and her partner, Brad Pitt, donated $1 million to the UNHCR in
2007.
C. Angelina encourages refugees to use their skills such as sewing, baking, hairdressing, etc.
to contribute to their local economies and to integrate into their new surroundings.
D. Angelina has received many awards including the Citizen of the World Award in 2003,
and in 2005 she was awarded the Global Humanitarian Award, as well as Cambodian
citizenship.
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
Organizing Ideas
Finders Keepers? Not with Cell Phones, Finds Study
by Stephanie Bagley
(1)
NEW YORK (Reuters Life!)—If you were walking along and spotted a cell phone, would
you pocket it or try to find its owner? An international survey found people were more
honest than expected, with Slovenians leading the pack.
(2)
Reporters from the magazine Reader's Digest planted 960 "lost" cell phones in 30 public
places in 32 cities around the world to test people's reactions in a cell phone honesty test.
They rang the phone as people walked past and watched to see if people would answer the
phone, take the phone and attempt to call someone in the pre-programmed contacts later,
or simply pocket it.
(3)
The most honest city in the survey turned out to be the smallest city in the group,
Slovenia's capital Ljubljana. 29 of 30 cell phones were returned there. But bigger cities
showed they also had trustworthy citizens with Canada's largest city, Toronto, coming
second with 28 of 30 phones returned, followed by Seoul, South Korea, and Stockholm in
Sweden.
(4)
The Asian cities of Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur didn't fare so well, tying for worst
performance with only 13 of the 30 "lost" phones returned in each city.
(5)
Reader's Digest spokesman William Adler said while the study was not scientific, the
results were interesting and indicated that people were more honest than preliminary
interviews suggested. Many people predicted in preliminary interviews that return rates
would be in the single digits but the average return rate on the "lost" phones was 68
percent.
(6)
The survey found that parents with children were keen to show the right behavior and
women were slightly more likely to return phones than men.
(7)
New York came fifth in the list, tying with Mumbai in India, and Manila in the Philippines.
New York advertising sales representative Catherine Borelli demonstrates the reason why
people made such an effort to track down the owner. Borelli, 24, said she found a
BlackBerry e-mail and cell phone device in the backseat of a taxi on a recent trip so she
called several contacts in the phone until she reached the owner's wife then set up a
meeting place to return the device. "I know how awful it would be to lose all your contacts.
If I lost my BlackBerry, I would hope someone would do the same for me," she told
Reuters.
Copyright 2007 Reuters. Reprinted with permission from Reuters. Reuters content is the
intellectual property of Reuters or its third party content providers. Any copying,
republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior
written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in content,
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters Sphere Logo are
registered trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world. For additional
information about Reuters content and services, please visit Reuters website at
www.reuters.com.
9. Suppose the author wanted to insert the following sentence:
"People didn't expect a lot of good Samaritans," Adler told Reuters.
Where is the best place to insert this?
A. at the end of paragraph 7
B. at the end of paragraph 5
C. at the end of paragraph 3
D. at the end of paragraph 4
Transitions
Could you imagine what it must be like to travel to every nation in the world? How long
would that journey take? At just 28 years old, Maurizio Giuliano became the youngest person to
ever travel to all the independent nations of the world. He was 14 years old when he started
traveling. He has visited more than 238 territories. The 192 states Guinness World Records
recognizes as sovereign states. Guiliano submitted his more than 40 passports filled with stamps
as evidence.
Guiliano says most of his travel had nothing to do with setting a Guinness World Record.
Instead, the trips were related to his job as a journalist. It wasn’t until 2001 that one of his friends
suggested that he try for the record. On February 24, 2004 he traveled to London to prove his
world record to Guinness with 42 passports. _______, he may never have been able to verify that
he visited all those places.
Guiliano chose Suriname as the last sovereign state to visit because it is the only Dutch
speaking nation in Latin America. He said the nation’s mix of ethnicities and cultures make it
one of his favorites.
10. Which of these is the best transitional phrase to combine these sentences?
He has visited more than 238 territories. The 192 Guinness World Records recognizes as
sovereign states.
A. He has visited more than 238 territories, as a rule the 192 states Guinness World Records
recognizes as sovereign states.
B. He has visited more than 238 territories, particularly the 192 states Guinness World
Records recognizes as sovereign states.
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
C. He has visited more than 238 territories, but also the 192 states Guinness World Records
recognizes as sovereign states.
D. He has visited more than 238 territories, including the 192 states Guinness World Records
recognizes as sovereign states
Task, Purpose, and Audience
The Williams Sisters
Sporty siblings are not uncommon. Brothers Eli and Peyton Manning both have promising
football careers. Twins Tiki and Ronde Barber (football) and Bob and Mike Bryan (tennis) have
also played a role in the history of their sports. But sisters Venus and Serena are two of the most
famous siblings in the history of professional sports.
Together, the Williams sisters have dominated the world of professional tennis in the more
than 10 years since they went pro. They consistently win the four most important tournaments, or
Grand Slams, in the World Tennis Association: the U.S. Open, French Open, Australian Open,
and Wimbledon.
As two of the world’s best players, Serena and Venus met in six of the eight Grand Slam
championships they competed in from the U.S. Open in 2001 to Wimbledon in 2003. Serena won
all but one of those matches. In all, she has won eight Grand Slam titles, and Venus has won
seven. The pair has also won seven major doubles championships together.
The older sister, Venus, started a comeback in their sibling rivalry by winning the 2008
Wimbledon finals against Serena. During the match, Venus’ serves reached speeds of more than
120 miles per hour.
11. Which of these is the main purpose of the article above?
A. to instruct readers on how to get their siblings to play tennis, too
B. to inform the readers about the Williams sisters' tennis careers
C. to convince readers to join a sport with their sisters and brothers
D. to entertain readers with a humorous story about the Williams sisters
Formatting and Graphics
Visit Pebblelane Park Today!
Want to plan an outdoor adventure for your family and friends? Spend a day at Pebblelane Park.
It’s the perfect way to connect with nature and enjoy the outdoors.
Location
Pebblelane Park covers 150 acres of scenic land in eastern Pennsylvania. It is located just 50
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
miles north of Philadelphia off Interstate 76 at Pebblelane Road.
Activities
Visitors to Pebblelane Park spend the day enjoying a wide range of activities. Near the river, you
can fish, swim, canoe, and kayak. In the forest area, you can go on hikes, look at cave paintings,
or play sports at the activity center. Classes are available in archery, orienteering, and
conservation. You can join in organized group activities or make your own schedule.
Cost
To enter Pebblelane Park, you must purchase a pass at the gate. The price varies depending on
the type of pass, the month, and the age of the visitor. Look at the chart below.
Winter Prices (November-February)
One-day pass Overnight pass
Extended pass
(up to 1 week)
Children
under 12
1.00
1.50
3.00
Adults
2.00
3.00
6.00
Senior
Citizens
1.00
1.50
3.00
Contact Information
Have any questions, comments, or suggestions? Contact Pebblelane Park.
Phone: (888) 555-PARK
Email: pebblelane@net.com.gov
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
12. If the passage included a map to the park, which subheading would it be under?
A. Activities
B. Location
C. Cost
D. Contact Information
Precise Language and Sensory Details
Krystal is writing a research paper on the Harlem Renaissance. This is her first draft.
(1) The beginning and end of the Harlem Renaissance are always argued about by a lot of
people, but people do not argue about the movement’s importance to everyone who loves art,
music, dance, literature, and theater. (2) Social sciences like philosophy, sociology, and
historiography also experienced growth during the Harlem Renaissance. (3) The movement had a
major impact on people throughout the Diaspora, or people of African descent spread throughout
the world. (4) Afro-Caribbean artists were influenced and many black artists from colonies living
in Paris who spoke French were also influenced by the Harlem Renaissance.
(5) Part of the reason why the Harlem Renaissance happened was because of things like
people moving to the city to work in factories. (6) They called the movement of people from the
South and rural areas to cities in the North the Great Migration. (7) Harlem became a center for
the black middle class in New York City. (8) The freedom from racially-motivated social and
intellectual constraints of the South helped make Harlem for many. (9) The culture of Harlem
helped artists work better and make more art.
(10) Claude McKay’s Harlem Shadows, Jean Toomer’s Cane, and Jessie Fauset’s Confusion
all showed different aspects of African American life and helped to develop an audience for
more literature. (11) Claude McKay, Jean Toomer, and Jessie Fauset all made it easier for new
up and coming writers like Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Nella Larsen and others. (12)
Alain Locke, often called the Father of the Harlem Renaissance, James Weldon Johnson, and
W.E.B. DuBois were some of the foremost thinkers and intellectuals in the movement. (13)
Important visual artists included Romare Bearden, Lois Mailou Jones, and William H. Johnson.
13. How can Krystal best revise this sentence from the passage?
Alain Locke, often called the "Father of the Harlem Renaissance," James Weldon Johnson, and
W.E.B. DuBois were some of the foremost thinkers and intellectuals in the movement.
A. Alain Locke, the "Father of the Harlem Renaissance," James Weldon Johnson, and W.E.B.
DuBois were the Harlem Renaissance's foremost thinkers and intellectuals in the movement.
B. Alain Locke, the "Father of the Harlem Renaissance," James Weldon Johnson, and W.E.B.
DuBois were some of the Harlem Renaissance's foremost intellectuals.
C. Alain Locke, called the "Father of the Harlem Renaissance," James Weldon Johnson, and
W.E.B. DuBois were some of the foremost thinkers in the movement.
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
D. Alain Locke, the "Father of the Harlem Renaissance," James Weldon Johnson, and W.E.B.
DuBois were some of the foremost thinkers and intellectuals in the movement.
Planning
Shalondra is writing a paper on how to inspect a used car before buying it. She is creating an
outline to organize her paper. Use the outline to answer the question.
I.
II.
Exterior
A.
Body Condition
1.
Check for rust, rot, scratches, dents, overspray, and alignment
a.
Panels
b.
Roof
c.
Trunk
d.
Wheel wells
e.
Doors
f.
Hood
g.
Rubber seals
B.
Glass
1.
X
a.
Windshield
b.
Windows
C.
Suspension
1.
Check for noises and too much bounce
a.
Shock absorbers
b.
Wheel bearings
c.
Joint suspension
D.
Tires
1.
Check for unity and wear
a.
Tread
i.
should be evenly worn on tire
ii. should be evenly worn across tires
iii. must be 1/16 of an inch
E.
Y
1.
Check that they work, look for cracks and moisture
a.
headlights
b.
parking lights
c.
turn signals
d.
tail lights
e.
brake lights
f.
emergency lights
Interior
A.
Odor
1.
Check for musty or mildew smell and moisture
a.
under floor mats
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
b.
c.
B.
C.
D.
carpet
trunk
Seats
1.
Check upholstery, adjustments, and seatbelts
a.
driver's seat
b.
passenger seats
Pedals
1.
Check for wear, (brand new indicates it has been replaced)
a.
gas
b.
brake
c.
clutch
Instruments and controls
1.
Check that they work
a.
warning lights
b.
heater and air conditioner
c.
stereo
d.
gauges
14. Choose the best concluding statement for Sholandra's paper.
A. In conclusion, the pros to buying a used vehicle include the fact that it is a lot more
affordable than buying a new vehicle, it is possible to find used cars that are in great
condition, and car insurance for used vehicles is usually cheaper than insurance for new
vehicles.
B. In summary, car buyers can avoid costly repairs by doing a thorough inspection of the
interior and exterior of a used vehicle before buying it. In addition to doing this inspection, it
is wise to have a mechanic give a detailed diagnostic report of the vehicle.
C. Lastly, car buyers can inspect the interior of a car by using his or her eyes, ears, hands, and
nose by sniffing to detect unpleasant odors, lifting the floor mats to feel underneath for
dampness, looking for rusted metal, and looking for tears in the upholstery.
D. Finally, buying a used car can be a lot of fun if you follow these simple steps: decide on a
color, mark the best cars in sales ads, test drive any of the cars chosen in the sales ads, and
buy the used car that is wanted the most.
Revising
Belle is trying to persuade her school administration to retain extracurricular art programs. This
is a draft of her letter to the school administration board.
(1) There are many things a kid takes away from school besides education. (2) I am talking
about the memories I have created with my friends, the friendships I have made, and the
adventures I have done outside of class. (3) Creating the Free Art Club was the highlight of my
sixth grade career. (4) I remember being inspired to start an organization where students were
free to create music, art, paintings, and anything to express themselves. (5) For the first time in
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
my life, I was a leader.
(6) Do you remember the mural my friends from the Free Art Club created in the community
center? (7) We received so much attention from the press. (8) The city’s mayor even gave our
school an extra grant for art programs, including the Free Art Club that created the mural.
(9) When the schools decided to cut the art program, many students—including me—were
disappointed. (10) To make the matters worse, the school has asked all seniors to stop any
participation in extracurricular activities and to only focus on academics. (11) The school
administration has failed to consider the fact that students focus better on studies when they are
refreshed.
(12) Wouldn’t students engage in sports and other activities in their homes anyway? (13)
Restricting students from taking part in school programs can’t stop them from finding other ways
to entertain and relax themselves. (14) Why take away the students’ choice to engage in
productive extracurricular activities at school?
(15) I hope you consider the voice of students like me, and let us enjoy a dynamic high school
experience.
15. Where would the sentence below best fit in the passage?
The art programs and activities have benefited our school as a whole as well.
A. after sentence 12
B. before sentence 6
C. after sentence 1
D. before sentence 11
Gathering Relevant Information
China Finds New Species of Big, Bird-like Dinosaur
by Tan Ee Lyn and Ben Blanchard
HONG KONG/BEIJING, June 13 (Reuters)—China has uncovered the skeletal remains of a
gigantic, surprisingly bird-like dinosaur. It has been classified as a new species.
The dinosaur measures eight meters (26 feet) long and stands at twice the height of a man at the
shoulder. The fossil of the feathered but flightless Gigantoraptor erlianensis was found in the
Erlian basin in Inner Mongolia, researchers wrote in the latest issue of Nature.
The scientists had originally thought they had found tyrannosaur bones, as they were so large.
They said the dinosaur, discovered in April 2005, weighed about 1.4 metric tons and lived some
85 million years ago.
According to lines of arrested growth detected on its bones, it died as a young adult in its 11th
year of life.
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
What was particularly surprising was its sheer size and weight because most theories point to
carnivorous dinosaurs getting smaller as they got more bird-like.
"It had no teeth and had a beak. Its forelimbs were very long and we believe it had feathers," Xu
Xing at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology &
Paleonanthropology said in a telephone interview.
"It's a giant dinosaur that looked very much like a bird ... whereas from what we have known
before, bird-like dinosaurs were very, very small. Large dinosaurs are usually not bird-like. So
this Gigantoraptor was an exception," Xu said.
If the Gigantoraptor had lived to a full-sized adult, it would have been a lot larger. However, Xu
could not estimate what that would have been.
The researchers believe it had an accelerated growth rate that was faster than the large North
American tyrannosaurs.
Copyright 2007 Reuters. Reprinted with permission from Reuters. Reuters content is the
intellectual property of Reuters or its third party content providers. Any copying, republication
or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of
Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in content, or for any actions taken
in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters Sphere Logo are registered trademarks of the
Reuters group of companies around the world. For additional information about Reuters content
and services, please visit Reuters website at www.reuters.com.
16. The author's main motive was most likely which of these?
A. The chance of making people laugh at the dinosaur
B. The desire to provide information to the reader
C. The need to convince people that fossils are important
D. The wish to help the scientists in China gain publicity
Citation Formats
Phil wrote the sentence below using the information from the article "The Works of 18th
Century" by Harold Vandergriff and Libby Evanston. It was published in the newspaper London
Central on June 28, 2009. It was found on page E2.
During the height of the Qing Dynasty in the 18th century, the Guoqing Temple was renovated,
which helped preserve its place in Chinese history.
17. Based on this information, what would the entry for the works cited page look like?
A. Vandergriff, Harold, and Libby Evanston. London Central "The Works of 18th Century."
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
28 Jun. 2009: E2. Print.
B. Vandergriff, Harold, and Libby Evanston. "The Works of 18th Century." London Central
28 June 2009: E2. Print.
C. Harold Vandergriff and Libby Evanston. "The Works of 18th Century." London Central:
E2 28 June 2009. Print.
D. Vandergriff, Harold, and Evanston, Libby. "The Works of 18th Century." London Central
28 Jun. 2009: E2. Print.
Subject-Verb Agreement
(1) “Garnet, I can’t believe your mother is letting you turn the basement into a game room,”
commented Dubois as he opened a can of soda and sat down on the couch. (2) His friend Shazzar
nodded as he opened a bag of chips.
(3) “My parents are amazing,” Garnet replied with a smile. (4) “They even gave us a box of
old movies to watch when we get tired of playing games.”
(5) “What kind of movies are in the box?” asked Shazzar. (6) “Most old movies is too boring
for me to watch.”
(7) “Don’t be silly,” Garnet said. (8) “Movies like Nosferatu and Scaramouche is being
interesting. (9) In fact, Scaramouche contain the longest swordfighting scene in cinematic
history.”
(10) “I love sword fights,” said Dubois. (11) “They _______ even more exciting than martial
arts.”
(12) “That’s not true!” Shazzar protested, striking a kung fu pose. (13) “Bruce Lee, Jackie
Chan, and I _______ with you about that. (14) _______ is the most exciting entertainment in the
world.”
(15) “We will see about that,” said Dubois as he grabbed a broom and a mop from the
corner. (16) “I challenges you to a sword fight. (17) Your puny kung fu skills do not frighten
me!” (18) As her friends raced around the basement with their makeshift swords, Garnet put her
head in her hands and sighed.
(19) “I’m not sure these were the kinds of games my parents had in mind,” she said with a
wry grin.
18. Choose the correct verb to complete sentence 11.
A. was
B. has been
C. is
D. are
Parallel Structure
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
(1) Dear Peggy,
(2) I’ve read your advice column for years and trust your opinion in any situation. (3) I hope
you will give me your feedback on a problem that I’m having with my mother.
(4) I’m 15 years old and live most of the time with my mother. (5) My mother is supportive,
positive, and cares for others. (6) My only complaint about her is that she embarrasses me in
public. (7) She has an odd way of dressing that makes people stare. (8) She is easily recognized
by her brightly colored pants and looking at her mismatched socks. (9) She also has a habit of
dancing in public any time she hears music. (10) My favorite clothing store plays rock and pop
over the speakers. (11) My mom will bob her head, sway her hips, and pump her arms right there
between the racks.
(12) I’ve talked to my mother about her clothes and her dancing, but she won’t listen to me.
(13) She says that she just wants to be herself and that I shouldn’t care so much about what other
people think. (14) What do you think I should do?
(15) —Embarrassed Daughter, Spokane, Washington
19. What is the best way to revise sentence 5?
A. My mother is supportive, also positive, and also cares for others.
B. My mother is supportive, positive, and to care for others.
C. My mother is supportive, is positive, and caring.
D. My mother is supportive, positive, and caring.
Punctuation
Waiting for Gunov
(1) “What time is it” asked Olga for the hundredth time? (2) “I can’t believe my car broke
down again. (3) We were supposed to be at the museum at noon to meet our class.”
(4) “My brother Gunov is on his way to pick us up,” Ibrahim replied patiently. (5) “He drives
as slowly as a turtle, so we may be here for a while.”
(6) “He drives a Mini-Cooper, doesn't he?” Timofei asked. (7) “When he finally arrives, I
hope we will all fit into his small, cramped car.”
(8) “I should have bought a Mini-Cooper,” said Olga. (9) “My father wanted me to have his
ancient Toyota pickup truck for sentimental reasons however, it’s always breaking down.”
(10) “At least we have a nice cozy park bench to wait on” Ibrahim said. (11) “It could be
snowing, or raining." (12) Before he finished his sentence, a rumble of thunder filled the air.
(13) “Hurry, lets get into the car!” Olga yelled. (14) She and her friends raced to the car as
rain began pouring from the sky.
(15) “Does anyone want a snack”? asked Timofei when they were settled. (16) He pulled a
box of Fig Newtons out of his backpack and began munching on a cookie.
(17) “Those look delicious,” Ibrahim told his friend as he took several Fig Newtons.
(18) “I always bring three things with me wherever I go; a toothbrush, a book, and a snack,”
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
replied Timofei.
(19) “Youre our hero,” Olga said with a grateful smile. (20) She checked the time on the
dashboard of her car and frowned. (21) Ibrahim who was sleepy after his snack smiled at her.
(22) “You shouldn’t worry so much,” he chided Olga. (23) “I told Gunov to pick us up at the
corner of Marsh Lane and Regal Road.” (24) Olga and Timofei stared at him in alarm.
(25) “That intersection is all the way across town,” Timofei said. (26) “We’re at the corner of
Munich Lane and Royal Road.”
(27) “You gave him the wrong address!” shrieked Olga. (28) “We’ll never get to the
museum now.” (29) She began swatting Ibrahim on the arm with her newspaper as Timofei fell
over laughing in the backseat.
(30) “I’ll let someone else give directions next time,” Ibrahim said sheepishly. (31) “In the
meantime, I guess we’re stuck waiting for Gunov to find us.”
20. How should the author revise sentence 19 to correct the error in punctuation?
A. "You're our hero" Olga said with a grateful smile.
B. "You're our hero?" Olga said with a grateful smile.
C. "Youre our hero!" Olga said with a grateful smile.
D. "You're our hero," Olga said with a grateful smile.
Spelling
(1) "Are you sure the oven is set at the right temprature?" asked Tocara as she gathered the
ingredients to make chocolate frosting. (2) She opened a bag of confectioner's sugar and poured
several cups of the powdery substance into a bowl. (3) After adding butter, vanilla, and cocoa,
she began to whisk the ingredients together.
(4) "Stop being so anxious," Yelvin replied. (5) "We could have taken Remudo to an
expensive restarant and avoided all this effort. (6) I don't understand why we needed to bake a
fancy three-layer cake for him."
(7) "We're not talking about a casual acquantance," Tocara said
argumentatively. (8) "Remudo is one of our closest friends, and he deserves a big celebration for
his achievement."
(9) "I still can't believe our friend has a pilot's lisence," said Yelvin. (10) "Undoubtedly, he
will let us accompany him to the airfield whenever we want."
(11) "You wish!" Tocara laughed. (12) "He plans to become a test pilot for experamental
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
aircraft. (13) I don't think he wants to waste time chauffeuring you around the friendly
skies." (14) She pulled the oven door open to check on the cake and frowned. (15) Yelvin's
mouth dropped open in surprise when he peered over her shoulder.
(16) "What happened?" wondered Yelvin. (17) "Our cake doesn't look anything like the one
pictured in the reciepe book."
(18) "It sure doesn't," Tocara groaned. (19) "This mess looks more like a minature volcano
than a cake. (20) I guess we'll have to start over from scratch."
(21) "I'd better get at least one free flight after all of this work," muttered Yelvin as he
grabbed a bowl and a ladle from the cupboard.
21. Read sentence 7 from the passage.
"We're not talking about a casual acquantance," Tocara said argumentatively.
Which underlined word, if any, is misspelled?
A. argumentatively
B. casual
C. no error
D. acquantance
Reference Materials
Researchers Begin Humpback Whale Study
by Peggy Andersen, Associated Press Writer
SEATTLE – Researchers are heading out to the North Pacific this weekend on a four-month
mission to learn more about humpback whales, which have had their population decimated by
more than a century of commercial whaling.
The voyage of the federal research ship McArthur II marks the kickoff of a three-year, $3
million multinational effort to assess the region's humpback population.
"This is the largest whale project that has ever been attempted — the most people and the
biggest ocean," said Jay Barlow, chief scientist on the ship, which is part of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration fleet.
Scientists and volunteers along the Pacific Rim are participating in the count, including Japan,
Russia, Mexico, Canada, the Philippines, Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, Guatemala and the
U.S. coast. The project is bankrolled by the NOAA.
Humpbacks feed in northern waters over the summer and then head south in winter to breed
off Hawaii, Japan, Mexico and Central America.
They are believed to make the longest migration of any mammal, as much as 5,000 miles one
way, said John Calambokidis of Cascadia Research, who will be conducting small-boat counts
on the West Coast.
That makes international cooperation essential, said the researchers. Up to now, "we knew
about each other's research," but there had been little formal collaboration, Calambokidis said.
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
Scientists believe the North Pacific population had dropped to about 2,000 when California
whaling stations were shut down in 1966. The huge mammals were hunted for their oil and for
use as fertilizer and dog food.
They're now believed to number more than 10,000, Barlow said, and the population appears
to be growing 6 percent to 8 percent a year. But humpbacks remain a mystery to humans.
"We see so little of the humpback whale. . . . All its life is conducted under water," Barlow
said. And while 10,000 may sound like a lot of animals, spread over the vast Pacific "they can be
very difficult to find."
McArthur II will travel north to explore feeding grounds along the coasts of British Columbia
and Alaska, west to Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula and then east to the south Bering Sea before
heading home to NOAA's Lake Union dock north of downtown.
When whales are spotted, researchers will approach on inflatable vessels to photograph their
tail flukes—the undersides, visible when they dive, are as individual as fingerprints.
The vessel also will tow an array of hydrophones to listen for whales below the surface. The
singing tends to occur only at the winter breeding grounds, Barlow said, but humpbacks do make
sounds while feeding.
Tissue samples less than an inch thick will be taken by crossbow so researchers can collect
genetic data and learn about toxin levels.
The whales are now protected under the Endangered Species Act and by the International
Whaling Commission, but humpback meat can still sometimes be found in Japanese markets, he
said.
Used with permission of the Associated Press © 2007. All rights reserved.
22. Which word from the article above would most likely be found in most dictionaries?
A. Barlow
B. Decimated
C. National Whaling Commission
D. Calambokidis
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
by Harriet Ann Jacobs
I was born a slave; but I never knew it till six years of happy childhood had passed away. My father
was a carpenter, and considered so intelligent and skilful in his trade, that, when buildings out of the
common line were to be erected, he was sent for from long distances, to be head workman. On condition
of paying his mistress two hundred dollars a year, and supporting himself, he was allowed to work at his
trade, and manage his own affairs. His strongest wish was to purchase his children; but, though he several
times offered his hard earnings for that purpose, he never succeeded. . . .
Such were the unusually fortunate circumstances of my early childhood. When I was six years old, my
mother died; and then, for the first time, I learned, by the talk around me, that I was a slave. My mother's
mistress was the daughter of my grandmother's mistress. She was the foster sister of my mother; they
were both nourished at my grandmother's breast. In fact, my mother had been weaned at three months old,
that the babe of the mistress might obtain sufficient food. They played together as children; and, when
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
they became women, my mother was a most faithful servant to her whiter foster sister. On her death-bed
her mistress promised that her children should never suffer for anything; and during her lifetime she kept
her word. . . .
When I was nearly twelve years old, my kind mistress sickened and died. As I saw the cheek grow
paler, and the eye more glassy, how earnestly I prayed in my heart that she might live! I loved her; for she
had been almost like a mother to me. My prayers were not answered. She died, and they buried her in the
little churchyard, where, day after day, my tears fell upon her grave.
I was sent to spend a week with my grandmother. I was now old enough to begin to think of the future;
and again and again I asked myself what they would do with me. I felt sure I should never find another
mistress so kind as the one who was gone. She had promised my dying mother that her children should
never suffer for anything; and when I remembered that, and recalled her many proofs of attachment to
me, I could not help having some hopes that she had left me free. My friends were almost certain it would
be so. They thought she would be sure to do it, on account of my mother's love and faithful service. But,
alas! we all know that the memory of a faithful slave does not avail much to save her children from the
auction block.
After a brief period of suspense, the will of my mistress was read, and we learned that she had
bequeathed me to her sister's daughter, a child of five years old. So vanished our hopes. My mistress had
taught me the precepts of God's Word: "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." "Whatsoever ye would
that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them." But I was her slave, and I suppose she did not
recognize me as her neighbor. I would give much to blot out from my memory that one great wrong. As a
child, I loved my mistress; and, looking back on the happy days I spent with her, I try to think with less
bitterness of this act of injustice. While I was with her, she taught me to read and spell; and for this
privilege, which so rarely falls to the lot of a slave, I bless her memory.
adapted from Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs
23. What effect does the language in this passage provide?
A.
B.
C.
D.
It describes everything in detail for the reader.
It helps to persuade the readers to some action.
It provides the readers with specific instructions.
It helps set a historical tone for the passage.
24.
"'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' 'Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do
ye even so unto them.' But I was her slave, and I suppose she did not recognize me as her neighbor."
Why did the author most likely include the quotation in this passage?
A.
B.
C.
D.
25.
A.
B.
C.
D.
to describe how the narrator was treated in her mistress' home
to inform the reader about the lessons her mistress taught the narrator
to show a contradiction between the words and the actions of her mistress
to explain the events that led to the narrator becoming a slave
How is this text structured?
problem and solution
compare and contrast
chronological order
cause and effect
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
Gary Paulsen, author of many young adult novels including Hatchet and Dogsong, has lived many of
the adventures he writes about in his books. Paulsen did not have an easy childhood, and he spent many
hours outdoors to escape his unhappy home. At an early age, he learned how to hunt, fish, and trap in the
woods near his home. Paulsen used a bow and arrow for hunting because it was less noisy and disruptive
in an outdoor environment.
The author also wrote several books based on his experiences with the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in
Alaska. Participants in this race, which covers approximately 1,160 miles of undeveloped Alaskan
wilderness, face hazardous terrain, blizzards, and sub-zero weather. Gary Paulsen has competed in the
Iditarod three times, and although he has been forced to retire from competition, he still maintains land in
Alaska where he trains sled dogs.
Paulsen's most famous book exemplifies the author's use of personal experience to explore common
themes. Hatchet features a young man named Brian who faces incredible odds to survive in the Canadian
wilderness. The book won the Newberry Award in 1987 and was made into a television movie called A
Cry in the Wild. The events of Hatchet include many of Paulsen's own experiences, and the book's
coming of age storyline, set against the backdrop of the great outdoors, is a common theme in both
Paulsen's life and his writing.
26. Which sentence best expresses the main idea of the third paragraph?
A. Gary Paulsen, like many authors, incorporates themes into his work, and Hatchet centers on the theme
of protecting the environment.
B. The events of Hatchet take place in the wilderness, and it is the only book of Paulsen's that explores a
coming of age theme.
C. Although it received the Newberry Award in 1987, Hatchet is considered by many to be too violent
for a young adult novel.
D. Hatchet is a good example of Paulsen's writing because it uses many of his own experiences and takes
place in the wilderness.
My Youngest Friend
by A. Gautam
Years ago, I was forced to travel with my grandparents in a train. I say forced because I was an unruly
child of nine who felt like a teenager. I was in a hurry for everything all the time. To my surprise, I
learned to lean back and relax when my compartment presented me with a strange surprise. Next to me
sat a beautiful child who had not yet grown any teeth or acquired words to express herself.
The boredom of the trip had inspired me to play peek-a-boo with the little girl. Before an hour had
passed, the little girl had become my new best friend. She pulled my hair if I did not look into her
direction for more than five minutes. My spiky hair—shaped like mountaintops as a courtesy of my
father's gel—had become her new toy. The little girl even found my cheeks appealing—like a plush toy.
Her parents had trusted me to feed her some grapes my mother had packed for the trip. Before that
encounter, I had never desired a sibling.
Hours had passed, and the young family motioned to me that it was time for them to get off the train.
My heart sank and stood still. I had grown to love the little girl as my own baby sister—perhaps, one who
existed all these years without my notice. She cried and shrieked when she was pulled away from me, and
I suffered the rest of my journey in silence.
Before I knew it, my vacation in Seattle was over, and my grandparents were taking me home in the
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
same train. To my surprise, our fellow passengers were the same young family I had met a month back.
The little girl—my youngest friend—was napping on her mother's lap. I eagerly waited for her to wake up
and play with me. Meanwhile, I thought of interesting games to play. When she would be old enough, I
would write to her—I had thought it all out. When my little friend woke up, she looked at me as if I we
had never met. She cried when I patted her head and went back to sleep. She had no memories of our
friendship.
27. A theme of this passage is attachment brings sorrow. Which of these best supports the theme of the
passage?
A.
B.
C.
D.
"I was in a hurry for everything all the time."
"She pulled my hair if I did not look into her direction. . ."
"She had no memories of our friendship."
"The little girl even found my cheeks appealing. . ."
Passage 1
Celebrating a Leader
Mao Zedong is considered a highly regarded founding leader of the People's Republic of China. He
was a great revolutionary and strategist who transformed China. Mao led China to victory in the Chinese
Civil War and turned the country into a major power. Mao put an end to two decades of international and
civil war and lifted China through his policies. When China became a republic on 1 October 1949, Mao
became the Chairman of the People's Republic of China. Mao is also considered one of the most
influential poets of modern China. An avid poet and calligrapher, Mao wrote traditional Chinese verses.
His poetry is part of mandatory reading in Chinese elementary schools.
Passage 2
The Truth behind Mao
Many historians and academics criticize Mao Zedong's political career. They claim his social and
political programs only harmed China's domestic progress. Mao's "The Great Leap Forward" program and
the Cultural Revolution only led the country backwards. Critics argue that these programs hurt China's
culture, society, and economy. Mao's land reform movement took away life-savings from many
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
landowners. Mao ran numerous campaigns to suppress his political enemies. Historians remind us that
Mao ordered mass killings of many people who did not support his revolution. Many of Mao's enemies
were publicly executed. Mao also damaged China's relations with the rest of the world.
28. Which of these is a universal idea found in both passages?
A.
B.
C.
D.
a changing nation
a beloved leader
an unfair world
a stable economy
29. Which of these best describes the similarities between the two passages?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Both passages describe the Chinese Civil War.
Both passages show China's foreign relations.
Both passages portray Mao as a literary figure.
Both passages discuss Mao's influence in China.
The Lost Boy of Sudan
Gabriel seemed like any other young boy eager to finish high school and move to college—that is
until one saw his eyes and heard his story. Those long legs that aided him to jump high during basketball
practice had survived an amazing journey. Gabriel had walked for three months to Ethiopia from his wartorn village in Sudan. After four relatively safe years in the refugee camp, Gabriel had to flee again. This
time, he walked to Kenya. His legs never gave up even in the most trying of times and refused defeat in
the face of death. At the age of twelve, Gabriel knew about the world of letters, alphabets, and the
possibilities that words promised. His life had more surprises in store for him. One day, he learned that
along with a few thousand young refugees from his country, Gabriel was being resettled into America to
live a life of freedom. That morning, the sun had never been brighter, and the birds had never chirped in
more beautiful melodies. Gabriel looked at the crowd outside his tent—cheering like a crowd of
sunflowers facing the sun. He was an orphan, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, yet he had found himself.
When Gabriel jumped high to dunk the ball, his strong legs and soul were the happiest.
30. Which sentence contributes to the optimistic tone of the passage?
A.
B.
C.
D.
"After four relatively safe years in the refugee camp, Gabriel had to flee again."
"Gabriel seemed like any other young boy eager to finish high school. . ."
"Gabriel was being resettled into America to live a life of freedom. . ."
"Gabriel had walked for three months to Ethiopia from his war-torn village. . ."
Toni Morrison
1931–present
Toni Morrison was born Chloe Wofford in Lorain, Ohio. She was the second child of four. Morrison
attended Howard University where she earned her B.A. in English. After receiving a Master’s in English
from Cornell University, she returned to her alma mater to teach. Between her work at Howard and
rearing her two sons as a single mother, Morrison got involved with a group of writers and poets. She
brought a short story about a little girl who wished for blue eyes to one of their meetings. That story
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
became Morrison’s first novel, The Bluest Eye. The book was published in 1970.
Her second novel, Sula, was nominated for a National Book Award in 1975. Song of Solomon,
published in 1977, was her third novel and the first to bring her national attention. The book was chosen
as a Book of the Month Club main selection. Solomon was the first novel by an African American author
to earn that privilege in more than 30 years.
Morrison’s 1988 novel Beloved was praised by critics and readers alike. Many balked when it failed to
win both the National Book Award and National Book Critics Circle Award. That same year, Beloved
won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. The story about a mother who chose to take her infant daughter's life
rather than see her return to slavery was based on the life of a real woman, Margaret Garner. Morrison
also used Garner's story for an opera named for her.
In 1993, she became the first black woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. Toni Morrison has
also enjoyed a distinguished career as an editor through her work with authors like Toni Cade Bambara
and Angela Davis. She has been honored by many academic institutions including Barnard College,
Oxford University, and the Lourve Museum in Paris.
31. What genre is this work?
A.
B.
C.
D.
autobiography
memoir
journal
biography
32. The author most likely wrote this selection in order
A.
B.
C.
D.
to share Toni Morrison's life story with readers.
to persuade people to read Toni Morrison's novels.
to explain the difference between two people.
to show how people can accomplish the same things.
33.
A.
B.
C.
D.
How can the reader tell what genre this is?
It
It
It
It
includes detail about the author's personal experiences.
is about a specific time period in Morrison's life.
is written from first person point of view.
is written by someone other than the person it's about.
Passage 1
The Diary of a Survivor
I can never forget the cold January morning of 1941. It had snowed endlessly for days in Bukovina,
my hometown in Romania. You might not know about Bukovina because that name doesn't show
anywhere in the map. When the Nazis wiped out the face of my city from the map, they had erased my
home, too.
Although I was a Jewish boy who had seen his country and people come to ruin during the dawn of an
ugly war, I was still just a young boy. I was not prepared for what was to come. That morning I had
refused to eat the meager meal my mother had somehow managed to prepare. How I wish I hadn't
stormed out of the house in protest! That night, I stayed over at my best friend's house. Sure, I had felt
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
guilty about snapping at my mother seconds after I blurted out those angry words, but it wasn't safe to
return home at night. I could have been found by the Gestapo if I had tried to sneak out.
I returned as soon as the sun was high in the sky, but there was nobody waiting for me at home. The
doors were broken and the windows had been smashed. Nobody knew where my mother and father had
been taken.
Passage 2
Quit India Movement
The British colonizers in India had a tough battle in the ripe hours of the World War II. The British
needed cooperation from the country in the life or death struggle against the Holocaust. India, however,
wanted an end to the long fight for independence and freedom.
Mohandas Gandhi and his supporters had made it clear that they would not support the war unless
India was granted immediate independence. Gandhi had already called on all Congressmen and Indians to
unite against their colonizers and to stand by nonviolence.
Some argued about the immorality of refusing to assist the British in the fight against Germany. Others
thought that Gandhi's opposition to the British was insufficient. This was the time that gave birth to "Quit
India," the most powerful movement in the history of India's struggle for independence. Soon, mass
arrests and an unforeseen amount of violence shook the nation that was ready for "Do or Die" in the cause
of freedom.
34. A student wants to compare these passages for a research paper. How should the student best explain
the difference between the two views of the World War II?
A. Passage 1 shows how the war created a city on the map; Passage 2 shows how the war united a
country against the Nazis.
B. Passage 1 shows the effect of the war on an individual person; Passage 2 shows the effect of the war
on a colonized nation.
C. Passage 1 shows how teenagers should behave during a big war; Passage 2 shows how adults must
behave during a war.
D. Passage 1 shows unusual problems of families during a war; Passage 2 shows the universal struggles
of a nation in a war.
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
Answers
1. B
2. B
3. B
4. B
5. B
6. B
7. B
8. B
9. B
10. D
11. B
12. B
13. B
14. B
15. B
16. B
17. B
18. D
19. D
20. D
21. D
22. B
Explanations
1. A good opening sentence expresses the main idea of the paragraph; it does not focus on a
specific detail within the paragraph. The details relate the span of North America (3,300 miles at
its widest point and 4,900 miles north to south). So the opening sentence should reflect that.
2. Read the passage again. At the National Car Show, people preferred the electric car over the
other models. After that car show, thousands of electric cars were produced.
3. The technical term "VoIP" may be familiar to you. It is a telephone connection over the
Internet. VoIP service is cheaper than traditional landline, or analog, telephone service.
4. The author wants readers to think like he does—that developing the wilderness would be a
huge mistake.
5. The inclusion of the word "obviously" in the first sentence of the last paragraph makes the
author appear to be arrogant or overconfident. This can make the reader less receptive to
agreeing with the author. The author should remove this word from the sentence.
6. Historical documents are texts from the past that reveal important information about people,
places, or events in history. In a pamphlet published in 1915, Alice Stone Blackwell explains
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
why women should have the right to vote. Between 1900 and 1915, hundreds of articles were
written on woman suffrage. These articles are all historical documents because they reveal
important information about the women's suffrage movement. The 19th amendment, giving
women the right to vote, was finally passed in 1920.
7. A topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. The rest of the sentences in the
paragraph should support the topic sentence. The correct answer states, "Games are important
learning forums for children." All of the sentences in this paragraph are about the benefits
children receive from playing different games.
8. Sentence 4 states that Angelina has donated millions of dollars to help refugees. The sentence
in the correct answer choice gives details about the money Angelina Jolie has donated.
9. Paragraph 5 introduces William Adler, who discusses how the results of the study differed
from what people were expecting. This sentence is a quote from Adler saying that people did not
expect so many people to return the phones. It would make the most sense for it to be placed at
the end of paragraph 5.
10. "Including" is a transition used to show an example. The 192 states Guinness recognizes are
an example of the 238 territories Guiliano has been to.
11. The article is not meant to entertain, instruct, or persuade. It gives information and lists facts
about sisters and world-renowned tennis players, Venus and Serena Williams.
12. If a map to the park was included in the passage, that would have to do with where the park
is located. The subheading "Location" has information about where the park is located.
13. The original sentence is wordy and vague. An "intellectual" and a "thinker" are essentially
the same thing. One of these words can be eliminated. In this case, "Harlem Renaissance" is
more precise than "the movement."
14. The concluding statement in the correct answer choice restates the main idea of the paper and
gives one last piece of advice to used car buyers.
The other concluding statements are either off topic, or focus only on part of the information
given in the outline.
The closing statement in a paper should restate the main idea. The closing statement may also
give the reader something more to consider.
15. The sentence about the art activities benefiting the school provides a good transition into
paragraph 2. In paragraph 2, Belle talks about how the Free Art Club benefited the school by
attracting a grant and media coverage. Thus, the sentence would best fit before sentence 6 that
begins the second paragraph.
16. This is a serious article on a scientific subject. It contains facts and other information that is
appropriate for a news article. Someone writing for a news company like Reuters would be part
Sample Test for Unit 2: Immortality and Ethics
of a team of writers who are charged with providing information to the readership. That is their
main motive for writing the articles.
17. A works cited page provides detailed information about the sources used in a research paper.
When there are two or more authors listed, the name of the first author is reversed (Last name,
First name). The other names are then written in standard form (First name Last name). The
citation for a newspaper article is similar to that of a magazine:
First author (Last name, First name), and Second author (First name Last name). "Article Title."
Newspaper Name Date published: Page number(s). Medium of publication.
18. The plural subject "They" in sentence 11 requires a plural verb. The best way to write this
sentence is "They are even more exciting than martial arts."
19. To achieve correct parallel structure, all items in a series must be in the same form. In
sentence 5, the last item is a verb phrase instead of a simple adjective. The correct way to write
the sentence is, "My mother is supportive, positive, and caring."
20. The word "you're" is a contraction for "you are," so an apostrophe should be added to correct
the punctuation error.
21. The correct spelling of this word is "acquaintance." It may be helpful to break the word into
parts: acquaint—ance.
22. Unless its a very, very famous person, the names of people do not typically appear in the
dictionary. The same goes for organizations. The National Whaling Commission is not an
extremely well known organization. The word "decimate" is a legitimate vocabulary word,
however. It means "to kill or destroy."