1. Read the passage.

First introduced in 1941, M&M’s may look like any other candy, but they

are in fact the healthiest candy! They make a wonderful, healthy

breakfast! Your breakfast will also be a very memorable one! M&M’s are

on sale for only $2.99 at a store near you!

Which of the following sentences is the most reliable?

A. M&M’s were first introduced in 1941.

B. They are in fact the healthiest candy.

C. They make a wonderful, healthy breakfast.

D. Your breakfast will also be a very memorable one.

2. The Oceanic Dolphin

1        Dolphins are a diverse group of aquatic mammals. They live in all

the oceans and even in some rivers. Most dolphins prefer the warmer
waters of the tropic zones, but some prefer colder climates. Oceanic
dolphins are one family of dolphins.

What They Look Like

2        Oceanic dolphins range in size. In some of the species, the males

are larger than the females. They have two limbs that can be changed
into flippers. They typically have "beaks" at the front of their heads,
although there are exceptions to this rule. Their skin has a wide range
of colors and patterns.

What They Eat

3        Most oceanic dolphins eat fish, along with a smaller number of

squid and small crustaceans. Some of these dolphins also eat marine
mammals and birds. They all only eat other animals. They typically have
between 100 and 200 teeth. There are several ways of feeding among
oceanic species. Corralling is a method in which dolphins chase fish
into shallow water to catch them more easily. 

Senses

4        Oceanic dolphins can make a broad range of sounds and

whistles to communicate with other dolphins. The eye of an oceanic
dolphin is small for an animal of its size, yet it does have a good
eyesight. There are signs that suggest oceanic dolphins have no sense
of smell. Oceanic dolphins are not thought to have a good sense of
taste, as their taste buds are usually missing. 

In Captivity

5        Several species of dolphins are kept in captivity. They are kept in

theme parks, commonly known as a dolphinarium. Hundreds of
dolphins live in captivity across the world, though exact numbers are
unknown. 

          Swimming with dolphins is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It can

be done in the wild, where dolphins swim free. You may be able to see
the dolphins jump in the water and invite you to play. You may also be
able to communicate with them, using a special device to hear their
response.

Based on the passage, what is corralling?

A. chasing fish into shallow water

B. keeping dolphins in captivity

C. swimming with dolphins in the wild

D. feeding on other fish

3. Read the passage.

Jon Bon Jovi started a foundation called Soul Kitchen that runs two

restaurants in which there are no prices, and meals are paid for by

donation or volunteer work. The foundation fights against hunger and

homelessness and helps miserable people in need.

The phrase "miserable people in need" is trying to influence the

reader in what way?

A. by using the bandwagon effect

B. by using loaded words

C. by stating a simple fact

D. by including irrelevant details

4. Read the paragraph.

        Technology surrounds today's kids most of their waking hours.

Children spend on average close to eight hours a day watching TV,

playing video games, and using their cell phones. This reliance on

technology limits challenges to kids' creativity and imaginations. It also

limits challenges to their bodies.

How is this paragraph organized?

A. compare and contrast

B. cause and effect

C. problem and solution

D. order of importance

5. Read the passage.

     King's Cross train station, a major London railway terminal located in

central London, is featured in J. K. Rowling’s series of fictional

books Harry Potter. It is the starting point of the Hogwarts Express train

to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In the series, the

train uses a secret platform—"9¾"—accessed through the brick wall

between platforms 9 and 10.

     At King's Cross station, a "Platform 9¾" plaque was presented in 1999

to mark the location of the fictional platform. Part of a luggage trolley

was installed below the sign: the near end of the trolley is visible, but the

rest seems to have disappeared into the wall. The location quickly became

a popular tourist spot among Harry Potter fans.

One may conclude from the information in this passage that

"Platform 9¾"

A. can be found in a work of fiction.

B. is a genuine, secret platform.

C. is where the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is.

D. is not very popular.

 6. The Oceanic Dolphin

1        Dolphins are a diverse group of aquatic mammals. They live in all the
oceans and even in some rivers. Most dolphins prefer the warmer waters of the
tropic zones, but some prefer colder climates. Oceanic dolphins are one family
of dolphins.

What They Look Like

2        Oceanic dolphins range in size. In some of the species, the males are
larger than the females. They have two limbs that can be changed into flippers.
They typically have "beaks" at the front of their heads, although there are
exceptions to this rule. Their skin has a wide range of colors and patterns.
What They Eat

3        Most oceanic dolphins eat fish, along with a smaller number of squid and
small crustaceans. Some of these dolphins also eat marine mammals and birds.
They all only eat other animals. They typically have between 100 and 200
teeth. There are several ways of feeding among oceanic species. Corralling is a
method in which dolphins chase fish into shallow water to catch them more
easily. 

Senses

4        Oceanic dolphins can make a broad range of sounds and whistles to

communicate with other dolphins. The eye of an oceanic dolphin is small for an
animal of its size, yet it does have a good eyesight. There are signs that suggest
oceanic dolphins have no sense of smell. Oceanic dolphins are not thought to
have a good sense of taste, as their taste buds are usually missing. 

In Captivity

5        Several species of dolphins are kept in captivity. They are kept in theme
parks, commonly known as a dolphinarium. Hundreds of dolphins live in
captivity across the world, though exact numbers are unknown. 
          Swimming with dolphins is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It can be
done in the wild, where dolphins swim free. You may be able to see the
dolphins jump in the water and invite you to play. You may also be able to
communicate with them, using a special device to hear their response.

What is the most likely reason Galápagos penguins usually only raise one

child?
A. The Galápagos penguin searches for food only during the day.
B. The Galápagos penguin is unable to provide food for the young at certain
times.
C. The Galápagos penguin has to handle the danger of many predators.
D. The Galápagos penguin is an endangered species.

7. Read the passage.

My friend Marco was always late. We would schedule a time and a place

to meet, and I would usually have to wait there for at least half an hour.

We discussed this issue so many times; Marco always agreed he had a

problem and always promised to change, yet when we scheduled another

meeting, he always came late. Due to his tardiness, we were forever late

for movies, and more than once we missed our reservation at a restaurant.

This situation went on and on until I decided to give Marco a taste of his

own medicine. We scheduled another meeting, this time at the football

stadium. There was a game Marco had wanted to see for months. He

knew the stadium reserved the tickets for fifteen minutes only, so he was
counting on me to show up on time. Well, I didn’t. When Marco strolled

in, about twenty-five minutes late, I wasn’t there to give him his ticket,

and he couldn’t go in! I only showed up twenty minutes later and we had

to give up the game.

A few days ago, we decided to go to a movie. I showed up right on time.

To my surprise, Marco was already there, waiting for me!

Which of the following sentences predicts the end of the story?

A. We would schedule a time and a place to meet, and I would usually

have to wait there at least half an hour.

B. Due to his tardiness, we were forever late for movies, and more than

once we missed our reservation at a restaurant.

C. This situation went on and on until I decided to give Marco a taste of

his own medicine.

D. When Marco strolled in, about twenty-five minutes late, I wasn’t

there to give him his ticket, and he couldn’t go in!

8. Read the passage.

In recent years, the process of clearing out an area that was once covered

in forests has become more common. There are several reasons for this

process, including the need for logs, living areas, or pastures. Other

causes for this process can be natural, such as forest fires, earthquakes,

and tsunamis.

Today, this process mostly takes place in countries in which there is not

enough awareness of the results of engaging in such a process. These

countries also do not have enough resources to restore forests that have

been converted to other uses.

The damage caused by the clearing of forest areas is unknown to most

people. The first effect of this process is the loss of habitat for forest-

dwelling animals. In addition, trees function as natural air filters. Thus,

when there are less trees, pollution levels rise.

Which of the following sentences describes the sequence of events in

the passage?

A. The decrease in trees leads to the need for logs.

B. The clearing of forest areas leads to a rise in pollution levels.

C. The functioning of trees as natural air filters leads to forest fires.

D. The loss of habitat for animals leads to the restoration of forests.

9. Read the passage.

Robert was always watching television. When his parents called him for

dinner, he kept watching television. He didn’t like to have dinner with his

parents, or go out with friends, or play games, or talk to people. He just

liked watching television.

One day, as he was riding his bike home, Robert accidentally hit a small

dog. He stopped and stared at the dog. It was the first time he had ever

felt sorry for someone other than himself. He had seen accidents on

television and had never given them much thought, but this was not

television—this was real life, and he was responsible for hurting this dog.

He called his mother, who came and picked him and the dog up and

drove them to the local veterinarian.

At the clinic, Robert watched as the vet took care of the injured dog and

promised that the dog will be just fine. He asked some questions and the

vet answered them all. Then the vet offered to give him a tour of the
clinic, since it was the end of the day. He had a few cages with animals

that were injured or sick and had to stay at the clinic for a while: dogs,

cats, birds, squirrels, hamsters and even a young deer. Robert found

himself asking dozens of questions, crouching next to the animals and

touching them gently, watching fascinated as the vet gave them some

medicine.

That night when they came home, Robert told his mother that he wanted

to volunteer at the animal hospital. The next day he did just that. Since

then, every day after school, Robert rode his bike to the hospital and

helped the vets take care of the animals. He had never been happier in his

life.

How does Robert’s character develop throughout the story?

A. He learns how to stop watching television.

B. He learns how to ride his bike more safely.

C. He learns that it is very important to take responsibility for your

mistakes.

D. He learns that there are other things in life besides watching

television.
10. Which of the following words is a synonym (a word that shares

the same meaning with another) of the word consequence?

A. ramification

B. publication

C. revelation

D. finalization
11. Read the passage.

I had been an admirer of Amy Greenhouse’s music for years and years

before I finally got the chance to meet her. I had gone to all her concerts.

Every day, I listened to all her songs on my iPod. When I listened to her

voice, I felt like the sky had opened and I was entering heaven, it was so
good. I read every single article about her; I watched interviews with her;

I hung her posters in my room. I would have liked nothing better than to

meet her and tell her how much I loved her and her voice.

Last August was my best friend Annie’s birthday. She had planned a big

party and invited all our friends. I had already bought her a present and

promised to be in charge of the music during the party, when I found out

that Amy Greenhouse was coming to town and giving a concert on the

very same night.

I begged Annie to change the date of the party, but unfortunately, her

parents had already booked a caterer and it was impossible. Amy

Greenhouse was my hero and I wanted to see her more than anything, but

I knew that if I wouldn’t go to the party, no one would help with the

music and the party would be ruined. It was a very difficult decision, but

eventually I decided that friendship was more important and I would go

to Annie’s party instead of the concert.

According to the story, which of the following is a quality of the

narrator?

A. good listener
B. reliable

C. likes parties

D. brave

12. Which of the following words has the same root as the word

"captivate"?

A. Capricorn

B. capacity

C. cope

D. enchant
13. Read the passage.

It was late afternoon, and three young children were walking in the forest.

The high trees were full of leaves and were blocking their view of the

sky, but they were able to see the way. The day was hot—so hot that

beads of sweat were running down the children’s foreheads and cheeks,

and their clothes were sticking to their backs. Small birds were flying

around and chirping, but as the children kept walking, they could hear

fewer and fewer birds. The trees were growing further apart now, and

they could see the sky.

Suddenly, they came to a clearing. They looked around them, unsure

where to go next. Then, before they could reach a decision, they heard

thunder in the distance and the sky above them turned dark almost at

once. They looked up and saw clouds gathering up quickly—a storm was

coming. Heavy raindrops started to fall all around them and the thunder

grew louder and closer.

What does the storm in the story symbolize?

A. sadness

B. a surprise

C. danger

D. anger
14. Read the passage.

Edmund’s little sister, Lucy, suddenly started telling the entire family

about a magical land she had found inside the closet. Edmund did not

believe her, and he constantly made fun of her. A few days later, Edmund

found out that Lucy hadn’t been lying—the magical land was real!

However, he didn’t want the other family members to think he was insane

like Lucy, so when they asked him about it, he lied, saying that he and

Lucy had only been pretending that her land was real. "Thank you very

much, Edmund," said Lucy.

Lucy’s words are an example for which literary device?

A. metaphor

B. irony

C. alliteration

D. personification
15. Read the sentence.

Last year, our garden was so profuse with fruit and vegetables that we

had to give some of them away.

Which of the following words is a synonym (a word that shares the

same meaning with another) of the word profuse?

A. lacking

B. ajar

C. sparse

D. abundant