Read the following selection. Then choose the best answer for each question.

Two eighth-grade students from student council wrote their principal hoping they could break the tie to determine the
location for the eighth grade graduation trip. The following letter is from the Student Council President.

1 Dear Mr. Davies,

As President of Creeklane Junior High School’s Student Council, I am writing to you on behalf of the eighth grade
students that would like to go to Sea World in San Antonio, Texas for our graduation trip.

2 We chose Sea World for a few reasons. Since we are currently learning about oceans and marine life in science
class, going to Sea World would provide an opportunity to extend our learning beyond the walls of the classroom.
We could see the creatures and better understand their environments. Our trip will be fun and informative.

3 The proximity of San Antonio was also a factor in planning this trip. San Antonio can be reached by bus in less
than six hours. If we left Creeklane after school on Friday afternoon, we should arrive in time to have a late dinner
and get settled into our hotel rooms before midnight.

4 This could be a once in a lifetime experience for us without breaking the bank. We are suggesting that the school
host a “Marine Madness” night for family, friends, and community members for a small charge. The activities would
be organized and led by eighth grade students. Some of our ideas for the evening include selling baked treats,
treasure chest scavenger hunts, and a musical rendition about a forgetful fish trying to find its way home.

5 Many of the eighth grade students have gone to school together since kindergarten. We believe that this trip
would be an excellent way to celebrate those bonds. This trip would be the last time we see our friends because
students from Creeklane Junior High School attend four different high schools.

6 We invite you to our next student council meeting on December 6, 2009, to discuss your thoughts and work out
any concerns you may still have. Thank you for taking the time to consider our request for an eighth grade
graduation trip.

Sincerely,

Jeff Casas
 1. 6.9A What is the author’s main goal in writing this letter?

A. Inform the principal that the students are studying marine life in science class
B. Ask for permission to attend a field trip
C. To convince the principal that Sea World is where the 8th grade field trip should occur
D. To invite the principal to their next meeting

6.2B
2. In paragraph 4, the word rendition means —

A record
B performance
C important
D condition

6.5F
3. Paragraph 4 supports Jeff’s argument by —

A describing how the community will pay for the entire trip
B suggesting that the school will save money
C explaining how expensive the trip will be
D listing the charges to attend the school events

6.5F
4. Read this sentence from Jeff’s letter.

This could be a once in a lifetime experience for us without breaking the bank.

The reader can infer that Jeff is —

A lavish
B economical
C clumsy
D wasteful
Read the following selection. Then choose the best answer for each question.

Two eighth-grade students from student council wrote their principal hoping they could break the tie to determine the
location for the eighth grade graduation trip. The following letter is from the Student Council Vice President.

1 Dear Mr. Davies,

We know you’ve already received a letter from our Student Council President regarding a trip to Sea World, but
I’m representing the other half of the student body who would like to go to the Redwood National Forest in California
for our eighth grade graduation trip. We would appreciate it if you’d consider our proposition.

2 While most people know the Redwoods for its vast and majestic trees, we chose the Redwoods for additional
reasons. In addition to marine life, we are also learning about ecosystems in science class. Trees play a vital role in
balancing and maintaining the world’s ecosystem. In an era where deforestation is wreaking havoc on our planet,
seeing a forest that has been around since the dinosaur era would be an amazing wonder. This, too, could be a once
in a lifetime experience for those of us who have never been outside of Texas.

3 Though San Antonio is much closer than California, it would take less time on a plane traveling a little over three
hours compared to the approximately six hours to drive to San Antonio. With less travel time, this would allow us to
have dinner at a decent time and get enough sleep to prepare for the next day’s adventure awaiting us in the
Redwood Forest.

4 We know that financing this trip would require us to do some significant fundraising. We are asking that the
school fund the plane tickets, and we will finance the hotel. The student council has already raised some money with
various events throughout the year. We had a few ideas for additional fundraising such as “Race to Redwood” where
family, friends, and community members can donate a certain dollar amount for each lap we run around the track.
Other options include Cones for Conifers which would be an ice cream social to present our research on the types of
conifer trees in the United States particularly those in California.

5 At the end of our eighth grade year, many of us will leave and attend separate high schools. What better way to
celebrate years of memories with a night of camping under the stars with the sequoia trees watching over you? Think
of the stories we will be able to share as we hike through trails, taking pictures in front of 500-year-old trees. If we’re
lucky, we may see a bear or two wandering around.

6 We look forward to seeing you at our next Student Council meeting on December 6, 2019 where we hope that
you’ll be informing us of your decision. Thank you for considering our request.

Sincerely,

Kennedy Johnson
6.9A
5. The author wrote this selection most likely to-
A. Describe the Redwood Forest
B. Convince the principal that the Redwood Forest has a more educational value
C. Convince the class to participate in the fundraiser activity
D. Inform the readers about the ecosystems they are learning about in science class

6.2B
6. In paragraph 1, the word proposition means —

A chaos
B appreciation
C dissatisfaction
D plan

6.5F
7. Which sentence from Kennedy’s letter shows that she has considered an opposing perspective?

A. I’m representing the other half of the student body who would like to go to the Redwood National Forest in
California for our eighth grade graduation trip.
B. We know that financing this trip would require us to do some significant fundraising.
C. Though San Antonio is much closer than California, it would take less time on a plane traveling a little over
three hours compared to the approximately six hours to drive to San Antonio.
D. At the end of our eighth grade year, many of us will leave and attend separate high schools

6.5F
8. Which sentence from Kennedy’s letter suggests that she enjoys the outdoors?

A. In addition to marine life, we are also learning about ecosystems in science class.
B. What better way to celebrate years of memories with a night of camping under the stars with the sequoia
trees watching over you?
C. This, too, could be a once in a lifetime experience for those of us who have never been outside of Texas.
D. Trees play a vital role in balancing and maintaining the world’s ecosystem.

Use Jeff and Kennedy’s letter to answer the following questions.

6.5F
9. Jeff and Kennedy would most likely believe that —

A fundraising is ineffective
B learning only happens in the classroom
C field trips can provide real-world experiences
D schools should pay for all student events
6.8Eii
10. Why do Jeff and Kennedy mention that many of the students have gone to kindergarten together?

A. To provide an accurate description of their age

B. To explain to the principal the importance of teamwork
C. To convince their classmates to graduate
D. To strengthen their argument for an 8th grade trip

6.5F
11. Jeff and Kennedy would most likely agree about the importance of —

A. trees
B. music
C. competition
D. friendships