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mini-platypus-scienceqa-two

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### Instruction: Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her sentence fluency? If you want to improve your life, consider exercise. Exercise does more than just help to build stamina and strength. It can help you control your weight. It can also reduce your chances of getting a serious illness, helping ward off a variety of conditions, such as arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, loss of muscle mass, osteoporosis (bone loss), stroke, and type 2 diabetes. It can improve your mood by releasing endorphins and lowering stress levels, decreasing the likelihood of depression and anxiety. Exercise can even help you sleep better. For these reasons, people should aim to exercise every day. A: by varying sentence length B: by varying the beginnings of sentences C: by using more complex sentence structures ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her sentence fluency by varying the beginnings of sentences. For example, the writer could revise the underlined text. If you want to improve your life, consider exercise. Exercise does more than just help to build stamina and strength. It can help you control your weight. It can also reduce your chances of getting a serious illness, helping ward off a variety of conditions, such as arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, loss of muscle mass, osteoporosis (bone loss), stroke, and type 2 diabetes. It can improve your mood by releasing endorphins and lowering stress levels, decreasing the likelihood of depression and anxiety. Exercise can even help you sleep better. For these reasons, people should aim to exercise every day.

### Instruction: Read the following text from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her sentence fluency? Our school needs to serve better food for lunch. Our lunches should be delicious. Our lunches should be nutritious. Our lunches should be satisfying. One way to achieve this would be to have a salad bar available. Salad bars can contain far more than just lettuce. Fresh fruits can be included in a salad bar. Fresh vegetables can be included. Different kinds of meats and cheeses can be included, too. Even pasta can be stocked in a salad bar. With these healthy options, students can make their own tasty lunches. A: by using shorter sentences B: by combining sentences containing related information ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her sentence fluency by combining sentences containing related information. For example, the writer could combine the underlined groups of sentences into sentences like Our lunches should be delicious, nutritious, and satisfying and Fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and different kinds of meats and cheeses can be included in a salad bar. Our school needs to serve better food for lunch. Our lunches should be delicious. Our lunches should be nutritious. Our lunches should be satisfying. One way to achieve this would be to have a salad bar available. Salad bars can contain far more than just lettuce. Fresh fruits can be included in a salad bar. Fresh vegetables can be included. Different kinds of meats and cheeses can be included, too. Even pasta can be stocked in a salad bar. With these healthy options, students can make their own tasty lunches.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the cartilaginous fish traits listed above. A: Great white sharks use rows of jagged teeth to catch their prey. They have fins instead of limbs, and their skeleton is made of cartilage. Great white shark eggs do not have shells for protection. Instead, the eggs grow and hatch inside the mother shark. B: Western rattlesnakes have scaly, waterproof skin. They can use their fangs to inject venom into their prey. Western rattlesnakes lay eggs with shells and are usually found in dry areas. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Cartilaginous fish have the following traits: They have fins, not limbs. They live underwater. They have a skeleton made of cartilage. They make eggs with no shells. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. A western rattlesnake has the following traits: It has scaly, waterproof skin. It makes eggs with shells. A western rattlesnake does not have all of the traits of a cartilaginous fish. A western rattlesnake is a reptile. A great white shark has the following traits: It has fins, not limbs. It lives underwater. It has a skeleton made of cartilage. It makes eggs with no shells. A great white shark has the traits of a cartilaginous fish. A great white shark is a cartilaginous fish.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the bony fish traits listed above. A: Wels catfish have a bony skeleton and live in lakes, rivers, and coastal waters. Wels catfish eggs do not have shells for protection. Male catfish guard the eggs until they hatch. B: Gray tree frogs hatch from eggs without shells. They live underwater when they are tadpoles. They move onto land when they become adults. The moist skin of adult gray tree frogs can be green or gray. The color of their skin helps them hide on rocks or plants. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Bony fish have the following traits: They have fins, not limbs. They live underwater. They have a skeleton made of bone. They make eggs with no shells. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. A gray tree frog has the following traits: It spends part of its life in water and part on land. It has moist skin. It makes eggs with no shells. A gray tree frog does not have all of the traits of a bony fish. A gray tree frog is an amphibian. A wels catfish has the following traits: It has fins, not limbs. It lives underwater. It has a skeleton made of bone. It makes eggs with no shells. A wels catfish has the traits of a bony fish. A wels catfish is a bony fish.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the amphibian traits listed above. A: Painted storks wade in shallow water to look for food. Storks use their beaks to eat fish, insects, worms, and small animals. They have feathers and two wings. Painted storks lay eggs with shells in nests along the water. B: Adult tiger salamanders have moist, smooth skin with stripes. They live in burrows underground, but they begin their lives in water. Young tiger salamanders hatch from eggs with no shells underwater. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Amphibians have the following traits: They spend part of their lives in water and part on land. They have moist skin. They make eggs with no shells. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. A tiger salamander has the following traits: It spends part of its life in water and part on land. It has moist skin. It makes eggs with no shells. A tiger salamander has the traits of an amphibian. A tiger salamander is an amphibian. A painted stork has the following traits: It has feathers. It has wings. It has a beak. It makes eggs with shells. A painted stork does not have all of the traits of an amphibian. A painted stork is a bird.

### Instruction: Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her sentence fluency? Like all penguins, king penguins are mainly black and white, but they have distinctive touches of color. Adult king penguins have black feathers on their backs. Their chests are white. They have orange feathers on their ears and throats. Along the bottom part of the bill, adults also have an orange streak. Juveniles of the species look much like the adults. However, their black feathers may be tipped with gray. Yellow feathers appear on their ears. Their lower necks have grayish white color. Chicks have brown downy feathers until they molt. They molt at about eleven months of age. A: by varying how sentences begin B: by varying sentence length C: by simplifying the first sentence ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her sentence fluency by varying sentence length. For example, the writer could combine the underlined groups of short sentences to create longer ones. Like all penguins, king penguins are mainly black and white, but they have distinctive touches of color. Adult king penguins have black feathers on their backs. Their chests are white. They have orange feathers on their ears and throats. Along the bottom part of the bill, adults also have an orange streak. Juveniles of the species look much like the adults. However, their black feathers may be tipped with gray. Yellow feathers appear on their ears. Their lower necks have grayish white color. Chicks have brown downy feathers until they molt. They molt at about eleven months of age.

### Instruction: Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her ideas and development? Asthma is a lung condition that makes it difficult to breathe. When people have asthma, their breathing passages can become inflamed, swelling up and filling with mucus. Emphysema is another lung disease that makes people short of breath. In people with asthma, inflamed airways become sensitive to smoke and dust, and as a result, the muscles of the airway can tighten up. All of these things make the passages narrow, so it's hard for air to move through. As a result, people with asthma sometimes have a hard time breathing. A: by including more details to support the main idea B: by clearly stating the main idea C: by removing information unrelated to the main idea ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her ideas and development by removing information unrelated to the main idea. For example, the writer could remove the underlined text and focus only on the main idea: how asthma affects breathing. Asthma is a lung condition that makes it difficult to breathe. When people have asthma, their breathing passages can become inflamed, swelling up and filling with mucus. Emphysema is another lung disease that makes people short of breath. In people with asthma, inflamed airways become sensitive to smoke and dust, and as a result, the muscles of the airway can tighten up. All of these things make the passages narrow, so it's hard for air to move through. As a result, people with asthma sometimes have a hard time breathing.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the amphibian traits listed above. A: Red-eye tree frogs lay eggs with no shells. When tadpoles first hatch from the eggs, they live in water. When the tadpoles grow into adults, they live in trees. Adult tree frogs have moist, smooth skin and sticky pads on their toes. The sticky pads help the frogs hold on to leaves. B: Cardinalfish have scaly skin and live near coral reefs. Cardinalfish lay eggs with no shells and have fins that help them swim underwater. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Amphibians have the following traits: They spend part of their lives in water and part on land. They have moist skin. They make eggs with no shells. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. A red-eyed tree frog has the following traits: It spends part of its life in water and part on land. It has moist skin. It makes eggs with no shells. A red-eyed tree frog has the traits of an amphibian. A red-eyed tree frog is an amphibian. A cardinalfish has the following traits: It has fins, not limbs. It makes eggs with no shells. A cardinalfish does not have all of the traits of an amphibian. A cardinalfish is a fish.

### Instruction: Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her grammar and mechanics? Nearly out of breath, the door at the top of the stairs swings open, and I find myself on the main observation deck on the eighty-sixth floor of the Empire State Building. What a view there is! Looking down from this impressive landmark, New York City is displayed before me in every direction. To the southwest, the Statue of Liberty stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. This deck is one of the world's most famous movie sets, and it's also where my father proposed to my mother in 1995. A: by fixing sentence fragments B: by correcting misplaced modifiers C: by fixing run-on sentences ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her grammar and mechanics by correcting misplaced modifiers. For example, the writer could revise the text so that Nearly out of breath modifies I instead of the door and Looking down from this impressive landmark modifies I instead of New York City. Nearly out of breath, the door at the top of the stairs swings open, and I find myself on the main observation deck on the eighty-sixth floor of the Empire State Building. What a view there is! Looking down from this impressive landmark, New York City is displayed before me in every direction. To the southwest, the Statue of Liberty stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. This deck is one of the world's most famous movie sets, and it's also where my father proposed to my mother in 1995.

### Instruction: Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her ideas and development? In the second half of the story, the man finally recognizes the power of nature. He tries to build a fire because of the extremely cold temperature. He is able to start a fire, so he thinks he will survive. However, melting ice from the branches above extinguishes the fire. His half-frozen fingers are too stiff to move, so he clutches desperately to relight the fire. Despite having plenty of matches, he realizes that he won't be able to make it. A: by including more examples from the text B: by removing the second main idea C: by including more analysis ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her ideas and development by including more analysis. For example, the writer could provide analysis for the underlined examples by indicating how the man's sense of hope underscores his arrogant attitude towards nature, how small incidents like an extinguished fire and cold fingers can be all that separates life from death, and how the man is defeated by the brutality of the wilderness. In the second half of the story, the man finally recognizes the power of nature. He tries to build a fire because of the extremely cold temperature. He is able to start a fire, so he thinks he will survive. However, melting ice from the branches above extinguishes the fire. His half-frozen fingers are too stiff to move, so he clutches desperately to relight the fire. Despite having plenty of matches, he realizes that he won't be able to make it.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the bird traits listed above. A: Red salamanders do not have lungs! They can breathe through their moist, smooth skin. Adult red salamanders live near rivers or ponds. They lay eggs with no shells under rocks or logs. The baby red salamanders live underwater. B: Greater flameback woodpeckers have feathers and two wings. They use their strong beaks to make holes in trees. The woodpeckers use these holes as nests for their eggs, which have white shells. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Birds have the following traits: They have feathers. They have wings. They have a beak. They make eggs with shells. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. A red salamander has the following traits: It spends part of its life in water and part on land. It has moist skin. It makes eggs with no shells. A red salamander does not have all of the traits of a bird. A red salamander is an amphibian. A greater flameback woodpecker has the following traits: It has feathers. It has wings. It has a beak. It makes eggs with shells. A greater flameback woodpecker has the traits of a bird. A greater flameback woodpecker is a bird.

### Instruction: Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her academic voice? The Hubble Space Telescope, named for twentieth-century American astronomer Edwin Hubble, is an awesome telescope. NASA began building the telescope in 1977 after Congress gave the go-ahead on the project. In 1990, the space shuttle Discovery crew finally positioned the telescope some 370 miles above Earth. Unfortunately, a defect caused it to produce fuzzy images, but ever since repairs were made by astronauts from the space shuttle Endeavour in 1993, it has taken some pretty great pictures. A: by avoiding generalizations B: by using active voice C: by using consistently formal language ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her academic voice by using consistently formal language. For example, the writer could replace the underlined phrases with more formal ones, such as remarkable, launched into, authorized, and excellent. The Hubble Space Telescope, named for twentieth-century American astronomer Edwin Hubble, is an awesome telescope. NASA began building the telescope in 1977 after Congress gave the go-ahead on the project. In 1990, the space shuttle Discovery crew finally positioned the telescope some 370 miles above Earth. Unfortunately, a defect caused it to produce fuzzy images, but ever since repairs were made by astronauts from the space shuttle Endeavour in 1993, it has taken some pretty great pictures.

### Instruction: What do these two changes have in common? acid rain weathering a marble statue compost rotting A: Both are caused by heating. B: Both are caused by cooling. C: Both are only physical changes. D: Both are chemical changes. ### Response:

Step 1: Think about each change. Acid rain weathering a marble statue is a chemical change. The acid rain reacts with the outside of the statue and breaks it down into a different type of matter. This new matter is then washed away by the rain. Acid rain is a type of pollution. It forms when smoke from automobiles and factories mixes with water in clouds. Acid rain is a type of pollution. It forms when automobiles and factories release smoke containing sulfur or nitrogen. Some of these chemicals react with water in the atmosphere. The reaction forms droplets of water that can fall back to the ground as acid rain. Compost forms from the remains of plants and animals, such as vegetable scraps and egg shells. Compost rotting is a chemical change. As the compost rots, it breaks down and turns into a different type of matter. Step 2: Look at each answer choice. Both are only physical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. They are not physical changes. Both are chemical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. The type of matter before and after each change is different. Both are caused by heating. Neither change is caused by heating. Both are caused by cooling. Neither change is caused by cooling.

### Instruction: Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her academic voice? Cloning has come a long way since a sheep named Dolly was successfully cloned in 1996. Now it is becoming possible to use cloning for a variety of purposes. For example, cloning technology could be used to grow stem cells from which replacement organs, such as hearts and livers, could be grown. If a person became ill and needed an organ transplant, cloning could provide the answer. With advances in technology, even cloning humans has become a distinct possibility. Scientists, bioethicists, and governments are all exploring this, even though it is clearly unnatural and unethical. A: by avoiding subjective statements B: by avoiding first-person pronouns C: by including technical terms ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her academic voice by avoiding subjective statements. For example, the writer could cut the underlined text to maintain an objective discussion of human cloning. Cloning has come a long way since a sheep named Dolly was successfully cloned in 1996. Now it is becoming possible to use cloning for a variety of purposes. For example, cloning technology could be used to grow stem cells from which replacement organs, such as hearts and livers, could be grown. If a person became ill and needed an organ transplant, cloning could provide the answer. With advances in technology, even cloning humans has become a distinct possibility. Scientists, bioethicists, and governments are all exploring this, even though it is clearly unnatural and unethical.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the fish traits listed above. A: Great crested newts have moist brown skin with black spots. Adult great crested newts mostly live on land, but young newts live underwater. Great crested newt eggs do not have shells. The female newts wrap their eggs in leaves for protection. B: Common clownfish are marine animals that have fins. They lay eggs with no shells. Many clownfish live within the tentacles of animals called anemones. The clownfish keeps the anemone healthy, while the anemone protects the clownfish from its predators. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Fish have the following traits: They have fins, not limbs. They make eggs with no shells. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. A great crested newt has the following traits: It spends part of its life in water and part on land. It has moist skin. It makes eggs with no shells. A great crested newt does not have all of the traits of a fish. A great crested newt is an amphibian. A common clownfish has the following traits: It has fins, not limbs. It makes eggs with no shells. A common clownfish has the traits of a fish. A common clownfish is a fish.

### Instruction: The Fourth Amendment protects people against "unreasonable searches." Which is an example of the type of "unreasonable search" this amendment protects against? A: A teacher asks a student to answer a hard question in front of the class. B: A parent spends several hours trying to find a lost set of car keys. C: A police officer looks through a student's backpack for no reason. ### Response:

The Fourth Amendment says that "unreasonable searches" are not allowed. It is not always clear what makes a search "unreasonable." But a search for no reason is definitely unreasonable! For example, a police officer cannot look through a student's backpack for no reason. The police officer has to have some sort of reason. Police officers and other government employees search people every day. There are many good reasons the government might have to search someone. For example, the person might be acting in a suspicious or strange way. Or a police officer might see something against the law before the search. It is often hard to know if the government has a good enough reason to do a search. Often a judge will have to decide. The full text of the Fourth Amendment is below. How can a police officer or other member of the government get the right to search someone? The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

### Instruction: Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her ideas and development? An elephant's trunk has many purposes, including breathing, smelling, drinking, lifting, and communicating. It contains about one hundred thousand different muscles. Elephants have a very long gestation period: a female is pregnant for nearly twenty-two months before giving birth. Newborn calves weigh as much as two hundred pounds. Sadly, thousands of elephants are killed every year for their ivory tusks. Even though the ivory trade is illegal, it has not been completely stopped. As a result, elephants are endangered. A: by including more details B: by clearly stating the main idea C: by focusing on one main idea ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her ideas and development by focusing on one main idea. For example, the writer could choose one of the underlined ideas and develop it more fully instead of touching on several different ideas. An elephant's trunk has many purposes, including breathing, smelling, drinking, lifting, and communicating. It contains about one hundred thousand different muscles. Elephants have a very long gestation period: a female is pregnant for nearly twenty-two months before giving birth. Newborn calves weigh as much as two hundred pounds. Sadly, thousands of elephants are killed every year for their ivory tusks. Even though the ivory trade is illegal, it has not been completely stopped. As a result, elephants are endangered.

### Instruction: Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her word choice? One concern in sports is the risk of concussion, or brain injury. If you hit your head on the field, how do you know whether you have a concussion? Some possible signs are feeling dizzy or headachy for more than a few minutes, having blurred vision, and barfing or feeling like barfing. You might also have trouble thinking or concentrating, feel spaced out or unusually blubbery, or jabber in a way that doesn't make sense. If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor right away. A: by including more figurative language B: by fixing misused words C: by avoiding overly informal language ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her word choice by avoiding overly informal language. For example, the writer could replace the underlined text with more formal words, such as vomiting, confused, emotional, and talk. One concern in sports is the risk of concussion, or brain injury. If you hit your head on the field, how do you know whether you have a concussion? Some possible signs are feeling dizzy or headachy for more than a few minutes, having blurred vision, and barfing or feeling like barfing. You might also have trouble thinking or concentrating, feel spaced out or unusually blubbery, or jabber in a way that doesn't make sense. If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor right away.

### Instruction: Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her grammar and mechanics? Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 horror masterpiece The Birds is based on Daphne du Maurier's novella of the same name. In the film version, a quiet town in northern California is terrorized by birds, however, the book is set in Cornwall, England. Du Maurier was unhappy with the movie, which didn't stick to her original storyline, characters, or setting. Most people, though, still think of the film as a classic, in fact, the American Film Institute ranks it as the seventh most thrilling American film of the twentieth century. A: by fixing run-on sentences B: by fixing sentence fragments C: by correcting verb tenses ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her grammar and mechanics by fixing run-on sentences. For example, the writer could revise the underlined text. Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 horror masterpiece The Birds is based on Daphne du Maurier's novella of the same name. In the film version, a quiet town in northern California is terrorized by birds, however, the book is set in Cornwall, England. Du Maurier was unhappy with the movie, which didn't stick to her original storyline, characters, or setting. Most people, though, still think of the film as a classic, in fact, the American Film Institute ranks it as the seventh most thrilling American film of the twentieth century.

### Instruction: Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her word choice? I saw a movie called Blob Invasion. It was really good. It was about a weird guy who was into science. He worked on bugs and small animals. He made a machine that did things to the bugs and the animals. They became big weird things. One day he transformed himself by accident. He became a big blob! He went around doing bad things to the city. In the end, a boy figured out how to change the blob back into a man. I would recommend this movie to everyone who likes fun science movies. A: by using more specific language B: by reducing repetitive language ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her word choice by using more specific language. For example, the writer could replace the underlined text with more specific language, such as incredibly entertaining, strange scientist, experimented, invented, transformed, giant slimy blobs, morphed into, giant, oozed, horrible, and all science fiction fans. I saw a movie called Blob Invasion. It was really good. It was about a weird guy who was into science. He worked on bugs and small animals. He made a machine that did things to the bugs and the animals. They became big weird things. One day he transformed himself by accident. He became a big blob! He went around doing bad things to the city. In the end, a boy figured out how to change the blob back into a man. I would recommend this movie to everyone who likes fun science movies.

### Instruction: Complete the sentence. The Fourth Amendment says that the government needs to have () before it can search a person. A: a good reason B: a declaration of war C: proof of a crime D: a large army ### Response:

The Fourth Amendment says that the government needs to have a good reason before it can search a person or his or her property. The Fourth Amendment says that "unreasonable searches" are not allowed. It is not always clear what makes a search "unreasonable." But a search for no reason is definitely unreasonable! However, the government doesn't need proof of a crime before searching someone. The government just has to have a good reason to believe a crime has taken place. Police officers and other government employees search people every day. There are many good reasons the government might have to search someone. For example, the person might be acting in a suspicious or strange way. Or a police officer might see something against the law before the search. It is often hard to know if the government has a good enough reason to do a search. Often a judge will have to decide. The full text of the Fourth Amendment is below. How can a police officer or other member of the government get the right to search someone? The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the amphibian traits listed above. A: Barn owls live on every continent except Antarctica. They have feathers, two wings, and a beak. They hatch from eggs with shells. B: California newts have moist, smooth skin that is brown and orange. Their eggs have no shells, but they are protected by a poisonous gel. Young California newts live in shallow pools or streams. Adult newts live mostly on land. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Amphibians have the following traits: They spend part of their lives in water and part on land. They have moist skin. They make eggs with no shells. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. A barn owl has the following traits: It has feathers. It has wings. It has a beak. It makes eggs with shells. A barn owl does not have all of the traits of an amphibian. A barn owl is a bird. A California newt has the following traits: It spends part of its life in water and part on land. It has moist skin. It makes eggs with no shells. A California newt has the traits of an amphibian. A California newt is an amphibian.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the bird traits listed above. A: Bengal tigers are one of the world's largest living cats. They have black, white, and orange fur. Female Bengal tigers feed their offspring milk. Male Bengal tigers can be almost twice as large as females! B: Steller's sea eagles have large wings with white and brown feathers. They use their sharp beaks to eat fish. Sea eagles build large, high nests for their eggs, which have greenish-white shells. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Birds have the following traits: They have feathers. They have wings. They have a beak. They make eggs with shells. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. A Steller's sea eagle has the following traits: It has feathers. It has wings. It has a beak. It makes eggs with shells. A Steller's sea eagle has the traits of a bird. A Steller's sea eagle is a bird. A Bengal tiger has the following traits: It feeds its offspring milk. It has hair. A Bengal tiger does not have all of the traits of a bird. A Bengal tiger is a mammal.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the placental mammal traits listed above. A: Brown pelicans live along the west coast of North America. They dive underwater to catch fish in their beaks. Brown pelicans keep their eggs warm by standing on the shells with their large, webbed feet. B: Hippopotamuses have small hairs near their mouths and ears, but most of their skin is hairless. Their skin makes a reddish-brown substance that acts like sunscreen! Hippopotamuses give birth to live offspring. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Placental mammals have the following traits: They give birth to live offspring. They have fur or hair. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. A brown pelican has the following traits: It has feathers. It has wings. It has a beak. It makes eggs with shells. A brown pelican does not have all of the traits of a placental mammal. A brown pelican is a bird. A hippopotamus has the following traits: It gives birth to live offspring. A hippopotamus has the traits of a placental mammal. A hippopotamus is a placental mammal.

### Instruction: Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her word choice? Skiing is the most exhilarating sport in the world. I learned to ski when I was three years old and started to ski competitively when I was nine. The beginning of a ski race is the most tense. I hear the sound of the start gates opening and feel the air as I start down the course. Then I am rushing down the hill. When the finish line is in sight, I push myself harder. When I win, I feel triumphant! A: by including more figurative language B: by using words with more appropriate connotations C: by fixing misused words ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her word choice by including more figurative language. For example, the writer could make the writing more vivid and engaging by replacing the underlined phrases with these figurative expressions: buzzes with intensity, the thud of, feel the wind like a smack in the face, flying down the hill like a hawk, and rev my engines. Skiing is the most exhilarating sport in the world. I learned to ski when I was three years old and started to ski competitively when I was nine. The beginning of a ski race is the most tense. I hear the sound of the start gates opening and feel the air as I start down the course. Then I am rushing down the hill. When the finish line is in sight, I push myself harder. When I win, I feel triumphant!

### Instruction: Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her narrative voice? During our last game, our pitcher Felipe suddenly grabbed his wrist after throwing a fastball. Coach Hoffman asked him if he was OK, and Felipe said that it hurt. None of us knew what was wrong with him and he was whisked off to the doctor, who ultimately diagnosed a forearm strain and wrist tendinitis. After three weeks of rehabilitation, Felipe finally returned. Coach Hoffman said he was glad Felipe was back, and Felipe said he was happy and relieved. A: by using active voice B: by removing biased language C: by adding dialogue ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her narrative voice by adding dialogue. For example, the writer could replace the underlined sentences with exchanges between Coach Hoffman and Felipe. During our last game, our pitcher Felipe suddenly grabbed his wrist after throwing a fastball. Coach Hoffman asked him if he was OK, and Felipe said that it hurt. None of us knew what was wrong with him and he was whisked off to the doctor, who ultimately diagnosed a forearm strain and wrist tendinitis. After three weeks of rehabilitation, Felipe finally returned. Coach Hoffman said he was glad Felipe was back, and Felipe said he was happy and relieved.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the bird traits listed above. A: Green violetears are a type of hummingbird. Hummingbirds can use their wings to fly backward and upside-down! Green violetears also have a beak and feathers. Their eggs have shells and are the size of jellybeans. B: Cobras hatch from eggs with shells. They have a wide, flat hood. A cobra can display its hood to scare away a predator. Like the rest of its body, the hood is covered in waterproof scales. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Birds have the following traits: They have feathers. They have wings. They have a beak. They make eggs with shells. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. A green violetear has the following traits: It has feathers. It has wings. It has a beak. It makes eggs with shells. A green violetear has the traits of a bird. A green violetear is a bird. A cobra has the following traits: It has scaly, waterproof skin. It makes eggs with shells. A cobra does not have all of the traits of a bird. A cobra is a reptile.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the mammal traits listed above. A: Gray tree frogs hatch from eggs without shells. They live underwater when they are tadpoles. They move onto land when they become adults. The moist skin of adult gray tree frogs can be green or gray. The color of their skin helps them hide on rocks or plants. B: African elephants have thin hair covering their body. Female elephants feed their offspring milk. Elephants live in groups called herds. The oldest female in the herd is usually the leader. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Mammals have the following traits: They feed their offspring milk. They have fur or hair. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. A gray tree frog has the following traits: It spends part of its life in water and part on land. It has moist skin. It makes eggs with no shells. A gray tree frog does not have all of the traits of a mammal. A gray tree frog is an amphibian. An African elephant has the following traits: It feeds its offspring milk. It has hair. An African elephant has the traits of a mammal. An African elephant is a mammal.

### Instruction: Read the following text from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her grammar and mechanics? When I'm asked to name my favorite teacher, I immediately think of Mr. Sweeney. In fifth grade, Mr. Sweeney taught us all about architecture he had the class start by learning to measure things very accurately. We studied environmentally friendly building methods, and we designed and built our own homes of the future. Mr. Sweeney was always fun and interesting, he believed that we could do more than we thought we could do. He helped me break boundaries in my life, he was a positive influence on me and will always be one of the most inspirational people in my life. A: by using correct verb tenses B: by fixing run-on sentences ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her grammar and mechanics by fixing run-on sentences. For example, the writer could divide each of the underlined run-on sentences into two complete sentences. When I'm asked to name my favorite teacher, I immediately think of Mr. Sweeney. In fifth grade, Mr. Sweeney taught us all about architecture he had the class start by learning to measure things very accurately. We studied environmentally friendly building methods, and we designed and built our own homes of the future. Mr. Sweeney was always fun and interesting, he believed that we could do more than we thought we could do. He helped me break boundaries in my life, he was a positive influence on me and will always be one of the most inspirational people in my life.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the marsupial traits listed above. A: Koalas have fluffy gray fur. Until a baby koala is about seven months old, its mother carries it in a pouch on the front of her body. B: Galapagos giant tortoises hatch from eggs with shells and live on the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean. They can live to be over 150 years old! Galapagos giant tortoises have scaly, waterproof skin. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Marsupials have the following traits: They have offspring that lives in the mother's pouch after birth. They have fur or hair. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. A Galapagos giant tortoise has the following traits: It has scaly, waterproof skin. It makes eggs with shells. A Galapagos giant tortoise does not have all of the traits of a marsupial. A Galapagos giant tortoise is a reptile. A koala has the following traits: It has offspring that lives in the mother's pouch after birth. It has fur. A koala has the traits of a marsupial. A koala is a marsupial.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the monotreme traits listed above. A: Echidnas are covered in fur and spines. Their spines help protect them from predators. When an echidna is scared, it curls up into a ball! Echidnas lay eggs and feed their offspring milk. B: Adult tiger salamanders have moist, smooth skin with stripes. They live in burrows underground, but they begin their lives in water. Young tiger salamanders hatch from eggs with no shells underwater. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Monotremes have the following traits: They make eggs with shells. They have fur or hair. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. An echidna has the following traits: It makes eggs with shells. It has fur. An echidna has the traits of a monotreme. An echidna is a monotreme. A tiger salamander has the following traits: It spends part of its life in water and part on land. It has moist skin. It makes eggs with no shells. A tiger salamander does not have all of the traits of a monotreme. A tiger salamander is an amphibian.

### Instruction: Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her sentence fluency? A 2013 study by Arizona State University's W. P. Carey School of Business examined the relationship between customers and companies in the United States. According to the study, customer satisfaction remains low. Customer satisfaction levels are on par with those reported in the 1970s. One issue is that customers often have to wait a long time to speak to a company representative about their complaint. Even when they finally do manage talk to someone, they may get neither the desired results nor an apology. A: by varying how sentences begin B: by combining sentences that contain similar information C: by using shorter sentences ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her sentence fluency by combining sentences that contain similar information. For example, the writer could turn the underlined text into one sentence, such as According to the study, customer satisfaction levels remain low, on par with those reported in the 1970 s. A 2013 study by Arizona State University's W. P. Carey School of Business examined the relationship between customers and companies in the United States. According to the study, customer satisfaction remains low. Customer satisfaction levels are on par with those reported in the 1970 s. One issue is that customers often have to wait a long time to speak to a company representative about their complaint. Even when they finally do manage talk to someone, they may get neither the desired results nor an apology.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the reptile traits listed above. A: Smooth newts have moist, smooth skin with black spots. Young smooth newts hatch from eggs without shells. They live in streams or ponds until they are about ten weeks old. Then, they crawl onto land. B: Box turtles can live to be over 100 years old! They have scaly, waterproof skin and a thick shell that helps protect them from predators. Box turtles lay eggs with shells. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Reptiles have the following traits: They have scaly, waterproof skin. They make eggs with shells. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. A smooth newt has the following traits: It spends part of its life in water and part on land. It has moist skin. It makes eggs with no shells. A smooth newt does not have all of the traits of a reptile. A smooth newt is an amphibian. A box turtle has the following traits: It has scaly, waterproof skin. It makes eggs with shells. A box turtle has the traits of a reptile. A box turtle is a reptile.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the arachnid traits listed above. A: White-spotted octopuses have tentacles, which are also called arms. White-spotted octopuses can use their tentacles to reach between corals and grab fish. These octopuses have a soft red body with white spots. B: Leaf-curling spiders spin webs with a leaf at the center. These spiders have an exoskeleton and eight legs, but no antennae. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Arachnids have the following traits: They have eight legs. They have an exoskeleton. They have no antennae. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. A leaf-curling spider has the following traits: It has eight legs. It has an exoskeleton. It has no antennae. A leaf-curling spider has the traits of an arachnid. A leaf-curling spider is an arachnid. A white-spotted octopus has the following traits: It has a soft body. It has tentacles. A white-spotted octopus does not have all of the traits of an arachnid. A white-spotted octopus is a mollusk.

### Instruction: Read the following text from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her ideas and development? The Servicemen's Readjustment Act, also known as the G.I. Bill, gave veterans money to pay college costs and buy books and supplies. Ex-servicemen were also eligible to receive low-interest home loans so that they could afford to buy their own homes, as well as commercial loans to set up their own businesses. One of the more controversial aspects of the bill was the provision of unemployment benefits to the veterans who were unable to find jobs. A: by stating the main idea clearly B: by removing a second main idea ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her ideas and development by stating the main idea clearly. For example, the writer could add a main idea statement before the underlined sentence, such as The Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 was a widely influential bill that helped veterans in many ways. The Servicemen's Readjustment Act, also known as the G.I. Bill, gave veterans money to pay college costs and buy books and supplies. Ex-servicemen were also eligible to receive low-interest home loans so that they could afford to buy their own homes, as well as commercial loans to set up their own businesses. One of the more controversial aspects of the bill was the provision of unemployment benefits to the veterans who were unable to find jobs.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the bird traits listed above. A: Minnows live underwater and have fins to help them swim. They have scaly skin and lay eggs with no shells. Many fishermen use minnows as bait to catch other fish. B: Painted storks wade in shallow water to look for food. Storks use their beaks to eat fish, insects, worms, and small animals. They have feathers and two wings. Painted storks lay eggs with shells in nests along the water. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Birds have the following traits: They have feathers. They have wings. They have a beak. They make eggs with shells. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. A painted stork has the following traits: It has feathers. It has wings. It has a beak. It makes eggs with shells. A painted stork has the traits of a bird. A painted stork is a bird. A minnow has the following traits: It has fins, not limbs. It makes eggs with no shells. A minnow does not have all of the traits of a bird. A minnow is a fish.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the mammal traits listed above. A: Peregrine falcons are the fastest animals in the world! They use their wings to fly quickly and hunt prey. Peregrine falcons also have a beak and feathers. They hatch from eggs with speckled or spotted shells. B: Western gorillas have black, gray, or brown fur. Adult males are sometimes called silverbacks because they have often have gray fur on their backs. Female western gorillas feed their offspring milk. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Mammals have the following traits: They feed their offspring milk. They have fur or hair. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. A peregrine falcon has the following traits: It has feathers. It has wings. It has a beak. It makes eggs with shells. A peregrine falcon does not have all of the traits of a mammal. A peregrine falcon is a bird. A western gorilla has the following traits: It feeds its offspring milk. It has fur. A western gorilla has the traits of a mammal. A western gorilla is a mammal.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the mammal traits listed above. A: Adult tiger salamanders have moist, smooth skin with stripes. They live in burrows underground, but they begin their lives in water. Young tiger salamanders hatch from eggs with no shells underwater. B: Okapis have hair and live in forests in Central Africa. Female okapis feed their offspring milk. Adult okapis are herbivores. Herbivores are animals that are adapted to eat plants. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Mammals have the following traits: They feed their offspring milk. They have fur or hair. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. A tiger salamander has the following traits: It spends part of its life in water and part on land. It has moist skin. It makes eggs with no shells. A tiger salamander does not have all of the traits of a mammal. A tiger salamander is an amphibian. An okapi has the following traits: It feeds its offspring milk. It has hair. An okapi has the traits of a mammal. An okapi is a mammal.

### Instruction: Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her word choice? If I could invent something, I would create a really nice bicycle. My bike would have a good seat and great tires so that I could ride it anywhere. It would also have a bell and special pockets for carrying things. A special top would be wonderful, so I could ride it in the rain but also enjoy the sun. I would choose a fun color to reflect my personality. Inventing a new bike would be cool. A: by reducing repetitive language B: by using more specific language ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her word choice by using more specific language. For example, the writer could replace the underlined text more descriptive language, such as the perfect bicycle; comfortable; durable; my cell phone, a water bottle, and a snack; foldable, umbrella-like top; unusual color like turquoise or magenta; my own custom bicycle; and thrilling. If I could invent something, I would create a really nice bicycle. My bike would have a good seat and great tires so that I could ride it anywhere. It would also have a bell and special pockets for carrying things. A special top would be wonderful, so I could ride it in the rain but also enjoy the sun. I would choose a fun color to reflect my personality. Inventing a new bike would be cool.

### Instruction: Read the following text from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her ideas and development? Why is smoking cigarettes bad for your health? Cigarettes contain poisonous substances like carbon monoxide and tar, which can harm every part of your body. Smoking causes heart disease and damages your blood vessels. Eating a diet high in fat, sugar, and salt can also lead to heart disease. A lack of exercise contributes to heart disease, too. Smoking damages your lungs and can cause breathing problems or lung cancer. In fact, it can cause cancer in any organ in your body. A: by focusing on one main idea B: by stating the main idea clearly ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her ideas and development by focusing on one main idea. For example, the writer could remove the underlined text to focus only on the reasons why smoking cigarettes is bad for your health. Why is smoking cigarettes bad for your health? Cigarettes contain poisonous substances like carbon monoxide and tar, which can harm every part of your body. Smoking causes heart disease and damages your blood vessels. Eating a diet high in fat, sugar, and salt can also lead to heart disease. A lack of exercise contributes to heart disease, too. Smoking damages your lungs and can cause breathing problems or lung cancer. In fact, it can cause cancer in any organ in your body.

### Instruction: Read the following text from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her organization? In the 1800s, egrets were hunted in the United States for their long white plumes (feathers). As a result, the birds were nearly wiped out completely. Thankfully, conservation measures were put in place, and the birds were protected. In fact, in recent years, egrets have expanded their range northward, moving beyond their original habitat in the American South. The egret is a large white bird that lives near marshes, lakes, ponds, and other wetland areas. A: by providing the description of egrets when they are first introduced B: by removing the sentence about the egrets' expanded range ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her organization by providing the description of egrets when they are first introduced. For example, the writer could move the underlined text to the beginning of the paragraph. In the 1800 s, egrets were hunted in the United States for their long white plumes (feathers). As a result, the birds were nearly wiped out completely. Thankfully, conservation measures were put in place, and the birds were protected. In fact, in recent years, egrets have expanded their range northward, moving beyond their original habitat in the American South. The egret is a large white bird that lives near marshes, lakes, ponds, and other wetland areas.

### Instruction: Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her sentence fluency? Getting involved in high school sports is a great way for students to build a variety of important skills. When students play on teams, for example, they learn the importance of teamwork. Teamwork is developed when players work together to achieve success. Players have to balance schoolwork with time spent on practice and games, so they learn how to budget their time well. Sports also provide an opportunity to build confidence. When players practice diligently and see improvement, they feel a sense of accomplishment, which builds self-esteem. A: by simplifying the last sentence B: by using longer sentences C: by adding a transition between two sentences ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her sentence fluency by adding a transition between two sentences. For example, the writer could add a sentence such as Improved time management is another valuable benefit of playing sports before the underlined sentence. Getting involved in high school sports is a great way for students to build a variety of important skills. When students play on teams, for example, they learn the importance of teamwork. Teamwork is developed when players work together to achieve success. Players have to balance schoolwork with time spent on practice and games, so they learn how to budget their time well. Sports also provide an opportunity to build confidence. When players practice diligently and see improvement, they feel a sense of accomplishment, which builds self-esteem.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the reptile traits listed above. A: Cardinalfish have scaly skin and live near coral reefs. Cardinalfish lay eggs with no shells and have fins that help them swim underwater. B: Galapagos giant tortoises hatch from eggs with shells and live on the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean. They can live to be over 150 years old! Galapagos giant tortoises have scaly, waterproof skin. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Reptiles have the following traits: They have scaly, waterproof skin. They make eggs with shells. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. A Galapagos giant tortoise has the following traits: It has scaly, waterproof skin. It makes eggs with shells. A Galapagos giant tortoise has the traits of a reptile. A Galapagos giant tortoise is a reptile. A cardinalfish has the following traits: It has fins, not limbs. It makes eggs with no shells. A cardinalfish does not have all of the traits of a reptile. A cardinalfish is a fish.

### Instruction: Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her grammar and mechanics? Found in the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean the narwhal is a species of whale with a long tusk. Generally, only males have tusks but occasionally females may develop them. The tusks grow up to nine feet long and weigh more than twenty pounds. Researchers aren't exactly sure why narwhals grow these tusks. They might be used to fight other males, to impress females or to help the creatures detect changes in their environment. A: by fixing misplaced modifiers B: by fixing run-on sentences C: by adding missing commas ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her grammar and mechanics by adding missing commas. For example, the writer could add commas in the underlined sentences to follow an introductory phrase, to separate the clauses of a compound sentence, and to separate items in a series. Found in the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean the narwhal is a species of whale with a long tusk. Generally, only males have tusks but occasionally females may develop them. The tusks grow up to nine feet long and weigh more than twenty pounds. Researchers aren't exactly sure why narwhals grow these tusks. They might be used to fight other males, to impress females or to help the creatures detect changes in their environment.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the reptile traits listed above. A: Western rattlesnakes have scaly, waterproof skin. They can use their fangs to inject venom into their prey. Western rattlesnakes lay eggs with shells and are usually found in dry areas. B: Thresher sharks hatch from eggs with no shells. They have a long tail and fins. They can use their tail to hit and stun their prey. Thresher sharks live in salt water. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Reptiles have the following traits: They have scaly, waterproof skin. They make eggs with shells. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. A thresher shark has the following traits: It has fins, not limbs. It makes eggs with no shells. A thresher shark does not have all of the traits of a reptile. A thresher shark is a fish. A western rattlesnake has the following traits: It has scaly, waterproof skin. It makes eggs with shells. A western rattlesnake has the traits of a reptile. A western rattlesnake is a reptile.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the fish traits listed above. A: European flounders have a flat body and fins. They spend most of their time lying flat on the ocean floor. Both of their eyes are on the top of their head. European flounders have scaly skin and lay eggs with no shells. B: American tree sparrows have a beak and lay eggs with shells. They have dark feathers on their wings and lighter feathers on other parts of their bodies. Male tree sparrows sing songs to attract mates. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Fish have the following traits: They have fins, not limbs. They make eggs with no shells. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. An American tree sparrow has the following traits: It has feathers. It has wings. It has a beak. It makes eggs with shells. An American tree sparrow does not have all of the traits of a fish. An American tree sparrow is a bird. A European flounder has the following traits: It has fins, not limbs. It makes eggs with no shells. A European flounder has the traits of a fish. A European flounder is a fish.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the bird traits listed above. A: American tree sparrows have a beak and lay eggs with shells. They have dark feathers on their wings and lighter feathers on other parts of their bodies. Male tree sparrows sing songs to attract mates. B: Florida manatees have hairs on their bodies that are similar to whiskers. These hairs help the manatees feel the water moving around them. Female manatees feed their offspring milk. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Birds have the following traits: They have feathers. They have wings. They have a beak. They make eggs with shells. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. An American tree sparrow has the following traits: It has feathers. It has wings. It has a beak. It makes eggs with shells. An American tree sparrow has the traits of a bird. An American tree sparrow is a bird. A Florida manatee has the following traits: It feeds its offspring milk. It has hair. A Florida manatee does not have all of the traits of a bird. A Florida manatee is a mammal.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the insect traits listed above. A: Birdwing butterflies have an exoskeleton and six legs. Males are bright green and black, and females are brown or yellow. Both males and females have one pair of antennae. B: Trichina worms have soft, thin bodies. They have a cylindrical shape and do not have limbs. Trichina worms are not made up of segments. They can infect and feed off of humans, pigs, and other mammals. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Insects have the following traits: They have six legs. They have an exoskeleton. They have one pair of antennae. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. A birdwing butterfly has the following traits: It has six legs. It has an exoskeleton. It has one pair of antennae. A birdwing butterfly has the traits of an insect. A birdwing butterfly is an insect. A trichina worm has the following traits: A trichina worm does not have all of the traits of an insect. A trichina worm is a roundworm.

### Instruction: What do these two changes have in common? a log decomposing in the woods using polish to remove tarnish from a silver spoon A: Both are chemical changes. B: Both are caused by heating. C: Both are only physical changes. D: Both are caused by cooling. ### Response:

Step 1: Think about each change. The breakdown of plant and animal matter by organisms such as fungi and earthworms is called decomposition. A log decomposing in the woods is a chemical change. As the log breaks down, the type of matter in it changes. Over time, the log becomes softer and has a different smell. A tarnished silver spoon is one that has become less shiny over time. Polishing the spoon makes it look shiny again. The polish changes the tarnish into a different type of matter that can be easily wiped away. So, using polish to remove tarnish from silver is a chemical change. Step 2: Look at each answer choice. Both are only physical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. They are not physical changes. Both are chemical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. The type of matter before and after each change is different. Both are caused by heating. Neither change is caused by heating. Both are caused by cooling. Neither change is caused by cooling.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the fish traits listed above. A: Salmon lay eggs with no shells at the bottom of freshwater streams. Salmon use their powerful fins to swim. They can even jump up small waterfalls! B: Red salamanders do not have lungs! They can breathe through their moist, smooth skin. Adult red salamanders live near rivers or ponds. They lay eggs with no shells under rocks or logs. The baby red salamanders live underwater. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Fish have the following traits: They have fins, not limbs. They make eggs with no shells. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. A salmon has the following traits: It has fins, not limbs. It makes eggs with no shells. A salmon has the traits of a fish. A salmon is a fish. A red salamander has the following traits: It spends part of its life in water and part on land. It has moist skin. It makes eggs with no shells. A red salamander does not have all of the traits of a fish. A red salamander is an amphibian.

### Instruction: Read the following text from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her grammar and mechanics? Everyone agree that recess is important for children in elementary school, but what about middle school students? I believe that students in middle school needs time to relax and have fun during the school day. A period of free time in the afternoons give students the opportunity to go outside and enjoy some fresh air. Studies shows that exercise benefits students' attention spans. Exercise can also reduce stress, which many middle school students face on a daily basis. Therefore, middle school students in our country deserves recess, too. A: by fixing subject-verb agreement errors B: by adding missing commas ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her grammar and mechanics by fixing subject-verb agreement errors. For example, the writer could change the first underlined verb to agree with the indefinite pronoun everyone and the others to agree with their simple subjects. Everyone agree that recess is important for children in elementary school, but what about middle school students? I believe that students in middle school needs time to relax and have fun during the school day. A period of free time in the afternoons give students the opportunity to go outside and enjoy some fresh air. Studies shows that exercise benefits students' attention spans. Exercise can also reduce stress, which many middle school students face on a daily basis. Therefore, middle school students in our country deserves recess, too.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the segmented worm traits listed above. A: Earthworms live in soil and have no limbs. Their bodies are soft, cylindrical, and made up of many segments. B: Blue crabs are omnivores. Omnivores are animals that are adapted to eat both plants and animals. Blue crabs have an exoskeleton and two pairs of antennae. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Segmented worms have the following traits: They have a soft, cylindrical body. They have no limbs. They are made up of segments. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. A blue crab has the following traits: It has two pairs of antennae. It has an exoskeleton. A blue crab does not have all of the traits of a segmented worm. A blue crab is a crustacean. An earthworm has the following traits: It has a soft, cylindrical body. It has no limbs. It is made up of segments. An earthworm has the traits of a segmented worm. An earthworm is a segmented worm.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the mollusk traits listed above. A: Earthworms live in soil and have no limbs. Their bodies are soft, cylindrical, and made up of many segments. B: Banana slugs have a soft body with a flat underside called the foot. Slugs use their muscular foot to move. Banana slugs also have small teeth on their tongue! These file-like teeth help banana slugs eat leaves and dead plants. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Mollusks have the following traits: They have a soft body. They have a muscular foot or tentacles. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. A banana slug has the following traits: It has a soft body. It has a muscular foot. A banana slug has the traits of a mollusk. A banana slug is a mollusk. An earthworm has the following traits: It has a soft, cylindrical body. It has no limbs. It is made up of segments. An earthworm does not have all of the traits of a mollusk. An earthworm is a segmented worm.

### Instruction: Select the one animal that has all of the mammal traits listed above. A: Black howler monkeys have loud calls, or howls. The howls can be heard over three miles away! Howler monkeys have fur and feed their offspring milk. B: Smooth newts have moist, smooth skin with black spots. Young smooth newts hatch from eggs without shells. They live in streams or ponds until they are about ten weeks old. Then, they crawl onto land. ### Response:

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Mammals have the following traits: They feed their offspring milk. They have fur or hair. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. A smooth newt has the following traits: It spends part of its life in water and part on land. It has moist skin. It makes eggs with no shells. A smooth newt does not have all of the traits of a mammal. A smooth newt is an amphibian. A black howler has the following traits: It feeds its offspring milk. It has fur. A black howler has the traits of a mammal. A black howler is a mammal.

### Instruction: Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her word choice? Just about every channel on television today offers some kind of reality TV show. These reality TV shows can often be entertaining and addictive to watch, but they are hardly ever really showing "reality." Participants on reality TV shows often follow a script, and the reality TV shows are often based around artificial scenarios that create conflict. In addition, when people are being filmed, they often act differently from the way they would if they weren't being observed. A: by fixing misused words B: by reducing repetitive language C: by replacing vague language ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her word choice by reducing repetitive language. For example, the writer could reduce the use of reality TV shows by using pronouns such as they or phrases such as these programs. Similarly, the writer could reduce the use of often by using synonyms such as frequently. Just about every channel on television today offers some kind of reality TV show. These reality TV shows can often be entertaining and addictive to watch, but they are hardly ever really showing "reality." Participants on reality TV shows often follow a script, and the reality TV shows are often based around artificial scenarios that create conflict. In addition, when people are being filmed, they often act differently from the way they would if they weren't being observed.

### Instruction: Which text uses the word ironic in its traditional sense? A: Last winter, Simon took a vacation to Florida to escape Boston's cold, snowy weather. In an ironic twist, a rare snowstorm happened to hit Florida that week. B: Last winter, Simon took a vacation to Florida to escape Boston's cold, snowy weather. In an ironic twist, he just missed a few of his college friends, who had been in Florida the previous week. ### Response:

The first text uses ironic in its traditional sense: contrary to what was intended, often in an amusing way. It's ironic because Simon tried to get away from the snow but found himself in a snowstorm regardless. Last winter, Simon took a vacation to Florida to escape Boston's cold, snowy weather. In an ironic twist, a rare snowstorm happened to hit Florida that week. The second text uses ironic in its nontraditional sense: marked by coincidence. It was a coincidence that Simon's friends were in Florida the week before. Last winter, Simon took a vacation to Florida to escape Boston's cold, snowy weather. In an ironic twist, he just missed a few of his college friends, who had been in Florida the previous week. Most style guides recommend to avoid using the nontraditional sense of the word ironic because it is generally considered incorrect.

### Instruction: Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her academic voice? The belly produces acid to break down food. In patients who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease, more commonly known as GERD or acid reflux, the acid moves backward into the eating tube. Most often, GERD occurs because the lower esophageal sphincter, the thing at the junction of the eating tube and the belly, doesn't close the way it should or opens at the wrong time. A: by using unbiased language B: by avoiding first-person pronouns C: by using more technical terms ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her academic voice by using more technical terms. For example, the writer could use technical terms for the underlined words: stomach, esophagus, and valve. The belly produces acid to break down food. In patients who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease, more commonly known as GERD or acid reflux, the acid moves backward into the eating tube. Most often, GERD occurs because the lower esophageal sphincter, the thing at the junction of the eating tube and the belly, doesn't close the way it should or opens at the wrong time.

### Instruction: Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her ideas and development? Shade-grown coffee is better for the environment than coffee grown in full sun. Coffee naturally grows in shade. However, in the 1990s, farmers began cultivating hybrid coffee plants that grew in full sun because they produced higher yields. These sun-loving plants have harmed the environment in many ways. Now there are huge full-sun coffee plantations where small, shady farms once stood. A: by including more background information on the plantations B: by addressing an opposing point of view C: by including evidence to support the claim ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her ideas and development by including evidence to support the claim. For example, the writer could support the underlined text with examples that show how shade-grown coffee is better for the environment and sun-grown coffee is damaging. Shade-grown coffee is better for the environment than coffee grown in full sun. Coffee naturally grows in shade. However, in the 1990 s, farmers began cultivating hybrid coffee plants that grew in full sun because they produced higher yields. These sun-loving plants have harmed the environment in many ways. Now there are huge full-sun coffee plantations where small, shady farms once stood.

### Instruction: Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her narrative voice? Before I took a photography class, I always shot photos using the camera's automatic mode. In the class, though, I learned how important it is to take control of things like exposure to make photos look how you want them to look. The instructor also taught us how to change the aperture and choose the correct f-stop number. Now I know how to control shutter speed and ISO to capture clear, beautiful photos under any lighting conditions. My photos have never been better! A: by defining technical terms B: by using more emotional language C: by including more technical terms ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her narrative voice by defining technical terms. For example, the writer could provide definitions for the underlined terms so that a person unfamiliar with them will have a better understanding. Before I took a photography class, I always shot photos using the camera's automatic mode. In the class, though, I learned how important it is to take control of things like exposure to make photos look how you want them to look. The instructor also taught us how to change the aperture and choose the correct f-stop number. Now I know how to control shutter speed and ISO to capture clear, beautiful photos under any lighting conditions. My photos have never been better!

### Instruction: Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her grammar and mechanics? Raise the minimum driving age from sixteen? I don't think so. Driving a vehicle is important for teens. A life-changing experience. Being able to drive teaches teens responsibility and decision-making skills. Many teens have jobs or sports practices after school. Need to drive themselves to these places. If the driving age were raised, there would be problems for teens. More difficult to get around. Fewer chances for responsibility. No to raising the driving age! A: by fixing sentence fragments B: by fixing subject-verb agreement errors C: by correcting misplaced modifiers ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her grammar and mechanics by fixing sentence fragments. For example, the writer could revise the underlined fragments to make them complete sentences. Raise the minimum driving age from sixteen? I don't think so. Driving a vehicle is important for teens. A life-changing experience. Being able to drive teaches teens responsibility and decision-making skills. Many teens have jobs or sports practices after school. Need to drive themselves to these places. If the driving age were raised, there would be problems for teens. More difficult to get around. Fewer chances for responsibility. No to raising the driving age!

### Instruction: What do these two changes have in common? compost rotting cooking a pancake A: Both are caused by heating. B: Both are only physical changes. C: Both are chemical changes. D: Both are caused by cooling. ### Response:

Step 1: Think about each change. Compost forms from the remains of plants and animals, such as vegetable scraps and egg shells. Compost rotting is a chemical change. As the compost rots, it breaks down and turns into a different type of matter. Cooking a pancake is a chemical change. Pancakes are made from pancake batter. A cooked pancake is a different type of matter than pancake batter. Pancake batter is wet and slippery. Cooked pancakes are fluffy and can be good to eat! Step 2: Look at each answer choice. Both are only physical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. They are not physical changes. Both are chemical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. The type of matter before and after each change is different. Both are caused by heating. Cooking is caused by heating. But compost rotting is not. Both are caused by cooling. Neither change is caused by cooling.

### Instruction: Ancient China was ruled by dynasties. A dynasty is a line of rulers from the same family, which i often called the royal family. Starting in 1046 BCE, rulers from the Zhou (pronounced JO) dynasty claimed to have something called the Mandate of Heaven. A mandate is the authority to act in a certain way. What did it mean to have the Mandate of Heaven? A: Heaven made the ruler rich. B: Heaven gave the ruler the authority to rule. C: Heaven required the ruler to pray every day. D: Heaven allowed the ruler to act however he wanted. ### Response:

When a person has a mandate, it means that he or she is allowed to act in a certain way. In ancient China, the Mandate of Heaven meant that a ruler had special authority to rule, and that authority came from heaven. The Mandate of Heaven gave a ruler permission to act in a certain way, so the ruler was not allowed to act however he wanted. The Mandate of Heaven did not force the ruler to pray or make the ruler rich. What did "heaven" mean in ancient China? People in ancient China did not think heaven was a place where people went after they died. Instead, heaven was a general force, like the universe or cosmos.

### Instruction: Select the solid. A: water in a glass B: sand C: rain puddle D: air inside a bubble ### Response:

Sand is a solid. A solid has a size and shape of its own. Sand is made of many small pieces of rocks and minerals, called grains. Imagine putting many grains of sand into a bucket. The sand takes the shape of the bucket, as a liquid would. But be careful! Sand is not a liquid. Each grain of sand still has a size and shape of its own. So, sand is a solid. The air inside a bubble is a gas. A gas expands to fill a space. The air inside a bubble fills all the space in the bubble. If the bubble pops, the air will expand to fill a much larger space. A rain puddle is a liquid. A liquid takes the shape of any container it is in. If you collect rainwater in a bucket, the rainwater will take the shape of the bucket. But the rainwater will still take up the same amount of space. The water in a glass is a liquid. A liquid takes the shape of any container it is in. If you pour water from a glass into a different container, the water will take the shape of that container. But the water will still take up the same amount of space.

### Instruction: What do these two changes have in common? plants making food from sunlight, air, and water cooking a pancake A: Both are only physical changes. B: Both are chemical changes. C: Both are caused by heating. D: Both are caused by cooling. ### Response:

Step 1: Think about each change. Plants making food is a chemical change. Plants use energy from sunlight to change air and water into food. The food is sugar. Sugar is a different type of matter than air or water. Cooking a pancake is a chemical change. Pancakes are made from pancake batter. A cooked pancake is a different type of matter than pancake batter. Pancake batter is wet and slippery. Cooked pancakes are fluffy and can be good to eat! Step 2: Look at each answer choice. Both are only physical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. They are not physical changes. Both are chemical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. The type of matter before and after each change is different. Both are caused by heating. Cooking is caused by heating. But plants making food is not. Both are caused by cooling. Neither change is caused by cooling.

### Instruction: What do these two changes have in common? filtering air to remove dust and pollen a crayon melting in the sun A: Both are only physical changes. B: Both are caused by heating. C: Both are chemical changes. D: Both are caused by cooling. ### Response:

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 change of state. So, it is a physical change. The crayon changes state from solid to liquid. The crayon is still made of wax, even after it melts. Step 2: Look at each answer choice. Both are only physical changes. Both changes are physical changes. No new matter is created. Both are chemical changes. Both changes are physical changes. They are not chemical changes. Both are caused by heating. A crayon melting in the sun is caused by heating. But filtering air is not. Both are caused by cooling. Neither change is caused by cooling.

### Instruction: What do these two changes have in common? adding dish soap to water in a sink sediment settling to the bottom of a muddy puddle A: Both are caused by heating. B: Both are only physical changes. C: Both are chemical changes. D: Both are caused by cooling. ### Response:

Step 1: Think about each change. Adding dish soap to water in a sink is a physical change. Bubbles may appear if air gets trapped in the soapy water, but a different type of matter does not form. Loose matter such as sand and dirt is called sediment. Sediment settling to the bottom of a muddy puddle is a physical change. The sediment sinks, and the water above becomes clearer. This separates the water from the sediment. But separating a mixture does not form a different type of matter. Step 2: Look at each answer choice. Both are only physical changes. Both changes are physical changes. No new matter is created. Both are chemical changes. Both changes are physical changes. They are not chemical changes. Both are caused by heating. Neither change is caused by heating. Both are caused by cooling. Neither change is caused by cooling.

### Instruction: Which text uses the word unique in its traditional sense? A: Beth's collection of handmade pottery was featured in last week's edition of the Georgetown Journal, which identified her as "one of the most unique young artists to debut this year." B: Each vase and bowl in Beth's collection of handmade pottery is unique. The colors and designs reflect both her cultural heritage and her individual artistic style. ### Response:

The second text uses unique in its traditional sense: being the only one of its kind. Each vase and bowl in Beth's collection of handmade pottery is unique. The colors and designs reflect both her cultural heritage and her individual artistic style. The first text uses unique in its nontraditional sense: interesting or unusual. Beth is a distinctive artist, but might not be one of a kind. It may be helpful to remember that if unique is modified by an adverb—as in most unique, very unique, or quite unique—it is probably being used nontraditionally. Beth's collection of handmade pottery was featured in last week's edition of the Georgetown Journal, which identified her as "one of the most unique young artists to debut this year." Most style guides recommend to use the traditional sense of the word unique because it is considered more standard.

### Instruction: Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her ideas and development? In Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club, four Chinese American daughters and their more traditional Chinese mothers try to reconcile their cultural differences. When the daughters are young girls, they are embarrassed by their mothers and think they are strange. The mothers feel misunderstood by their daughters. As the girls grow into women, their attitudes change. Over time, the mothers and daughters develop a new appreciation for one another. A: by clearly stating the main idea B: by removing a second main idea C: by including specific examples from the text ### Response:

The writer could best improve his or her ideas and development by including specific examples from the text. For example, the writer could provide specific examples and quotations from the book to illustrate the points being made in the underlined text. In Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club, four Chinese American daughters and their more traditional Chinese mothers try to reconcile their cultural differences. When the daughters are young girls, they are embarrassed by their mothers and think they are strange. The mothers feel misunderstood by their daughters. As the girls grow into women, their attitudes change. Over time, the mothers and daughters develop a new appreciation for one another.

### Instruction: Select the elementary substance. A: fluoromethane (CH3F) B: copper (Cu) C: hydrogen sulfide (H2S) ### Response:

Look at the chemical formula for each substance, and count the number of symbols in the formula. Then, decide if the substance is an elementary substance. The chemical formula for fluoromethane contains three symbols: C for carbon, H for hydrogen, and F for fluorine. So, fluoromethane is made of three chemical elements bonded together. Substances that are made of two or more chemical elements bonded together are compounds. So, fluoromethane is a compound, not an elementary substance. The chemical formula for hydrogen sulfide contains two symbols: H for hydrogen and S for sulfur. So, hydrogen sulfide is made of two chemical elements bonded together. Substances that are made of two or more chemical elements bonded together are compounds. So, hydrogen sulfide is a compound, not an elementary substance. The chemical formula for copper contains one symbol: Cu. So, copper is made of one chemical element. Substances that are made of one chemical element are elementary substances. So, copper is an elementary substance.

### Instruction: What does this Works Cited entry indicate about the cited work? Lee, Menelik, and Nicholas Kenney. "Pregnancy Following Endometrial Ablation Resulting in Subtotal Hysterectomy under Spinal Anaesthesia – A Case Report." Medical Case Studies 4.2 (2013): 13–14. Web. 14 Sept. 2014. A: It is a newspaper article. B: It is a web page. C: It is a journal article. ### Response:

Look closely at the Works Cited entry: Lee, Menelik, and Nicholas Kenney. "Pregnancy Following Endometrial Ablation Resulting in Subtotal Hysterectomy under Spinal Anaesthesia – A Case Report." Medical Case Studies 4.2 (2013): 13–14. Web. 14 Sept. 2014. You can tell that the cited work is a journal article because of the entry's formatting. Journal articles always include the article title in quotation marks, the name of the journal in italics, and the volume and issue number separated by a period. Journal articles also include the year of publication in parentheses followed by the article's page numbers.

### Instruction: Select the elementary substance. A: cobalt (Co) B: glucose (C6H12O6) C: sulfur dioxide (SO2) ### Response:

Look at the chemical formula for each substance, and count the number of symbols in the formula. Then, decide if the substance is an elementary substance. The chemical formula for cobalt contains one symbol: Co. So, cobalt is made of one chemical element. Substances that are made of one chemical element are elementary substances. So, cobalt is an elementary substance. The chemical formula for glucose contains three symbols: C for carbon, H for hydrogen, and O for oxygen. So, glucose is made of three chemical elements bonded together. Substances that are made of two or more chemical elements bonded together are compounds. So, glucose is a compound, not an elementary substance. The chemical formula for sulfur dioxide contains two symbols: S for sulfur and O for oxygen. So, sulfur dioxide is made of two chemical elements bonded together. Substances that are made of two or more chemical elements bonded together are compounds. So, sulfur dioxide is a compound, not an elementary substance.

### Instruction: What do these two changes have in common? water vapor condensing on a bathroom mirror your breath becoming visible on a cold day A: Both are caused by heating. B: Both are only physical changes. C: Both are chemical changes. ### Response:

Step 1: Think about each change. Water vapor condensing on a bathroom mirror is a change of state. So, it is a physical change. The water changes state from gas in the air to liquid water on the mirror. But the water vapor and the liquid water are both made of water. Your breath becoming visible on a cold day is a change of state. So, it is a physical change. Water vapor in your breath touches the cold air outside and becomes liquid. The water vapor changes state, but it is made of water. A different type of matter is not formed. Step 2: Look at each answer choice. Both are only physical changes. Both changes are physical changes. No new matter is created. Both are chemical changes. Both changes are physical changes. They are not chemical changes. Both are caused by heating. Neither change is caused by heating. Both are caused by cooling. Both changes are caused by cooling.

### Instruction: What do these two changes have in common? an antacid tablet reacting with water a penny tarnishing A: Both are caused by cooling. B: Both are caused by heating. C: Both are only physical changes. D: Both are chemical changes. ### Response:

Step 1: Think about each change. An antacid tablet reacting with water is a chemical change. When the tablet touches water, the type of matter in the tablet changes and carbon dioxide gas is released. This gas makes the water fizz. Metal turning less shiny over time is called tarnishing. A penny tarnishing is a chemical change. When air touches the penny, the surface of the penny changes into a different type of matter. This matter makes the penny dull. Step 2: Look at each answer choice. Both are only physical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. They are not physical changes. Both are chemical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. The type of matter before and after each change is different. Both are caused by heating. Neither change is caused by heating. Both are caused by cooling. Neither change is caused by cooling.

### Instruction: What do these two changes have in common? an engine using gasoline to power a car melting glass A: Both are caused by cooling. B: Both are only physical changes. C: Both are chemical changes. D: Both are caused by heating. ### Response:

Step 1: Think about each change. An engine using gasoline to power a car is a chemical change. High temperatures in the engine break the chemical bonds in the molecules of gasoline and release energy. The atoms then link together to form new molecules, such as water, carbon dioxide, and other chemicals. Melting glass is a change of state. So, it is a physical change. The glass changes from solid to liquid. But a different type of matter is not formed. Step 2: Look at each answer choice. Both are only physical changes. Melting glass is a physical change. But an engine using gasoline to power a car is not. Both are chemical changes. An engine using gasoline to power a car is a chemical change. But melting glass is not. Both are caused by heating. Both changes are caused by heating. Both are caused by cooling. Neither change is caused by cooling.

### Instruction: What do these two changes have in common? burning a candle mixing glue and laundry powder to create putty A: Both are caused by heating. B: Both are only physical changes. C: Both are chemical changes. D: Both are caused by cooling. ### Response:

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. Mixing glue and laundry powder to create putty is a chemical change. The putty is a different type of matter that was not there before the change. Step 2: Look at each answer choice. Both are only physical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. They are not physical changes. Both are chemical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. The type of matter before and after each change is different. Both are caused by heating. Burning is caused by heating. But mixing glue and laundry powder to create putty is not. Both are caused by cooling. Neither change is caused by cooling.

### Instruction: What do these two changes have in common? sauce burning on a stove a crayon melting in the sun A: Both are only physical changes. B: Both are caused by cooling. C: Both are caused by heating. D: Both are chemical changes. ### Response:

Step 1: Think about each change. Sauce burning on a stove is a chemical change. High temperatures case the sauce to react with oxygen in the air. The sauce turns black and no longer tastes good. A crayon melting in the sun is a change of state. So, it is a physical change. The crayon changes state from solid to liquid. The crayon is still made of wax, even after it melts. Step 2: Look at each answer choice. Both are only physical changes. A crayon melting in the sun is a physical change. But sauce burning is not. Both are chemical changes. Sauce burning is a chemical change. But a crayon melting is not. Both are caused by heating. Both changes are caused by heating. Both are caused by cooling. Neither change is caused by cooling.

### Instruction: What do these two changes have in common? a copper statue turning green rust forming on a bicycle frame A: Both are caused by heating. B: Both are only physical changes. C: Both are chemical changes. D: Both are caused by cooling. ### Response:

Step 1: Think about each change. A copper statue turning green is a chemical change. The copper reacts with oxygen in the air. This reaction forms a different type of matter called copper oxide. The copper oxide is green. Rust forming on a bicycle frame is a chemical change. Oxygen in the air reacts with iron in the bicycle frame. The outside of the frame turns into a different type of matter called rust. Rust is reddish-brown and falls apart easily. Step 2: Look at each answer choice. Both are only physical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. They are not physical changes. Both are chemical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. The type of matter before and after each change is different. Both are caused by heating. Neither change is caused by heating. Both are caused by cooling. Neither change is caused by cooling.

### Instruction: Select the elementary substance. A: platinum (Pt) B: sulfur dioxide (SO2) C: hydrazine (N2H4) ### Response:

Look at the chemical formula for each substance, and count the number of symbols in the formula. Then, decide if the substance is an elementary substance. The chemical formula for sulfur dioxide contains two symbols: S for sulfur and O for oxygen. So, sulfur dioxide is made of two chemical elements bonded together. Substances that are made of two or more chemical elements bonded together are compounds. So, sulfur dioxide is a compound, not an elementary substance. The chemical formula for hydrazine contains two symbols: N for nitrogen and H for hydrogen. So, hydrazine is made of two chemical elements bonded together. Substances that are made of two or more chemical elements bonded together are compounds. So, hydrazine is a compound, not an elementary substance. The chemical formula for platinum contains one symbol: Pt. So, platinum is made of one chemical element. Substances that are made of one chemical element are elementary substances. So, platinum is an elementary substance.

### Instruction: Is this a run-on sentence? In 1960, American pilot Francis Gary Powers was shot down and captured by the Soviets as he flew over the Ural Mountains on an intelligence mission for the CIA, nearly two years later, Powers was released in exchange for Rudolf Abel, a KGB spy who had been caught in the United States. A: no B: yes ### Response:

This is a run-on sentence. It is a comma splice formed from two sentences run together, joined by just a comma. In 1960, American pilot Francis Gary Powers was shot down and captured by the Soviets as he flew over the Ural Mountains on an intelligence mission for the CIA, nearly two years later, Powers was released in exchange for Rudolf Abel, a KGB spy who had been caught in the United States. Here is one way to fix the run-on sentence: In 1960, American pilot Francis Gary Powers was shot down and captured by the Soviets as he flew over the Ural Mountains on an intelligence mission for the CIA. Nearly two years later, Powers was released in exchange for Rudolf Abel, a KGB spy who had been caught in the United States.

### Instruction: Select the elementary substance. A: benzene (C6H6) B: silicon (Si) C: boron trichloride (BCl3) ### Response:

Look at the chemical formula for each substance, and count the number of symbols in the formula. Then, decide if the substance is an elementary substance. The chemical formula for boron trichloride contains two symbols: B for boron and Cl for chlorine. So, boron trichloride is made of two chemical elements bonded together. Substances that are made of two or more chemical elements bonded together are compounds. So, boron trichloride is a compound, not an elementary substance. The chemical formula for benzene contains two symbols: C for carbon and H for hydrogen. So, benzene is made of two chemical elements bonded together. Substances that are made of two or more chemical elements bonded together are compounds. So, benzene is a compound, not an elementary substance. The chemical formula for silicon contains one symbol: Si. So, silicon is made of one chemical element. Substances that are made of one chemical element are elementary substances. So, silicon is an elementary substance.

### Instruction: Which text uses the word can in its traditional sense? A: The director of the community garden says that if we want, we can try to introduce dragonflies into the garden. However, there is no guarantee that the dragonflies won't migrate elsewhere. B: Adult dragonflies prey on insects such as flies, moths, midges, and mosquitoes. They can eat hundreds of insects a day, making them attractive to gardeners who want to reduce insect pest populations. ### Response:

The second text uses can in its traditional sense: to have the ability to. Adult dragonflies prey on insects such as flies, moths, midges, and mosquitoes. They can eat hundreds of insects a day, making them attractive to gardeners who want to reduce insect pest populations. The first text uses can in its nontraditional sense: to have permission to. The director of the community garden says that if we want, we can try to introduce dragonflies into the garden. However, there is no guarantee that the dragonflies won't migrate elsewhere. Most style guides recommend to use the traditional sense of the word can because it is considered more standard.

### Instruction: What do these two changes have in common? water evaporating from a puddle dry ice sublimating and becoming a gas A: Both are caused by cooling. B: Both are only physical changes. C: Both are chemical changes. ### Response:

Step 1: Think about each change. Water evaporating from a puddle is a change of state. So, it is a physical change. The liquid changes into a gas, but a different type of matter is not formed. Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide. When dry ice gets warm, it changes state and becomes carbon dioxide gas. This change of state, from solid to gas, is called sublimation. Dry ice becoming a gas is a physical change. A change of state does not form a different type of matter. Step 2: Look at each answer choice. Both are only physical changes. Both changes are physical changes. No new matter is created. Both are chemical changes. Both changes are physical changes. They are not chemical changes. Both are caused by heating. Both changes are caused by heating. Both are caused by cooling. Neither change is caused by cooling.

### Instruction: What do these two changes have in common? a penny tarnishing chicken cooking in an oven A: Both are caused by heating. B: Both are chemical changes. C: Both are caused by cooling. D: Both are only physical changes. ### Response:

Step 1: Think about each change. Metal turning less shiny over time is called tarnishing. A penny tarnishing is a chemical change. When air touches the penny, the surface of the penny changes into a different type of matter. This matter makes the penny dull. Cooking chicken is a chemical change. The heat causes the matter in the chicken to change. Cooked chicken and raw chicken are different types of matter. Step 2: Look at each answer choice. Both are only physical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. They are not physical changes. Both are chemical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. The type of matter before and after each change is different. Both are caused by heating. Cooking is caused by heating. But a penny tarnishing is not. Both are caused by cooling. Neither change is caused by cooling.

### Instruction: Select the elementary substance. A: bromomethane (CH3Br) B: ammonia (NH3) C: gold (Au) ### Response:

Look at the chemical formula for each substance, and count the number of symbols in the formula. Then, decide if the substance is an elementary substance. The chemical formula for ammonia contains two symbols: N for nitrogen and H for hydrogen. So, ammonia is made of two chemical elements bonded together. Substances that are made of two or more chemical elements bonded together are compounds. So, ammonia is a compound, not an elementary substance. The chemical formula for bromomethane contains three symbols: C for carbon, H for hydrogen, and Br for bromine. So, bromomethane is made of three chemical elements bonded together. Substances that are made of two or more chemical elements bonded together are compounds. So, bromomethane is a compound, not an elementary substance. The chemical formula for gold contains one symbol: Au. So, gold is made of one chemical element. Substances that are made of one chemical element are elementary substances. So, gold is an elementary substance.

### Instruction: What do these two changes have in common? a puddle freezing into ice on a cold night shaking up salad dressing A: Both are caused by heating. B: Both are chemical changes. C: Both are caused by cooling. D: Both are only physical changes. ### Response:

Step 1: Think about each change. 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, but it is still made of water. A different type of matter is not formed. Shaking up salad dressing is a physical change. The different parts mix together, but they are still made of the same type of matter. Step 2: Look at each answer choice. Both are only physical changes. Both changes are physical changes. No new matter is created. Both are chemical changes. Both changes are physical changes. They are not chemical changes. Both are caused by heating. Neither change is caused by heating. Both are caused by cooling. A puddle freezing is caused by cooling. But shaking up salad dressing is not.

### Instruction: What do these two changes have in common? silver jewelry tarnishing baking cookies A: Both are only physical changes. B: Both are caused by heating. C: Both are chemical changes. D: Both are caused by cooling. ### Response:

Step 1: Think about each change. Metal turning less shiny over time is called tarnishing. Silver jewelry tarnishing is a chemical change. The silver reacts with sulfur in the air to form black tarnish. The tarnish is a different type of matter that was not there before the change. Baking cookies is a chemical change. The type of matter in the cookie dough changes when it is baked. The cookie dough turns into cookies! Step 2: Look at each answer choice. Both are only physical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. They are not physical changes. Both are chemical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. The type of matter before and after each change is different. Both are caused by heating. Baking is caused by heating. But silver tarnishing is not. Both are caused by cooling. Neither change is caused by cooling.

### Instruction: Select the living thing. A: banana tree B: yo-yo C: Mount Rushmore National Memorial D: candle ### Response:

A banana tree is a living thing. Banana trees grow and respond to their environment. They need food and water. Banana trees are made up of many cells. Banana trees are plants. They make their own food using water, carbon dioxide, and energy from sunlight. A candle is not a living thing. A candle does not have all the traits of a living thing. It gives off light and heat, but it does not need food or water to survive. Mount Rushmore National Memorial is not a living thing. The Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a sculpture of four American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The sculpture does not have all the traits of a living thing. It does not grow or respond to the world around it. It does not need food or water. A yo-yo is not a living thing. Yo-yos do not have all of the traits of living things. They do not grow or respond to their environment. They do not need food or water.

### Instruction: Select the living thing. A: the Statue of Liberty B: rain C: helicopter D: rosemary bush ### Response:

A rosemary bush is a living thing. Rosemary bushes grow and respond to their environment. They need food and water. Rosemary bushes are made up of many cells. Rosemary bushes are plants. They make their own food using water, carbon dioxide, and energy from sunlight. The Statue of Liberty is not a living thing. The Statue of Liberty is shaped like a person. But it does not have all the traits of a living thing. It does not grow or respond to the world around it. It does not need food or water. A helicopter is not a living thing. A helicopter does not have all the traits of a living thing. It needs energy to fly, but it does not eat food. Helicopters get energy from gasoline or other fuel. They do not grow. Rain is not a living thing. Rain is made of water. It helps living things survive. But it does not have all the traits of a living thing. Rain does not grow or need food.

### Instruction: Complete the sentence. According to the Seventh Amendment, a () is usually not allowed to change the decision of a (). A: criminal . . . victim B: jury . . . judge C: victim . . . criminal D: judge . . . jury ### Response:

According to the Seventh Amendment, a judge is usually not allowed to change the decision of a jury. The jury has the final say. A jury is a group of regular citizens who listen to a trial. Then they decide together which side is right. In the United States, juries are supposed to come from the area where the crime or disagreement took place. Most trial juries have between 6 and 12 people, called jurors. If you are an American citizen, you may be asked to be on a jury someday! Part of the text of the Seventh Amendment is below. What kind of trials does the amendment talk about? In suits at common law. . .the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

### Instruction: Select the solid. A: milk B: water in a fishbowl C: rain puddle D: beans ### Response:

The water in a fishbowl is a liquid. A liquid takes the shape of any container it is in. If you pour water from a fishbowl into a different container, the water will take the shape of that container. But the water will still take up the same amount of space. Milk is a liquid. A liquid takes the shape of any container it is in. If you pour milk into a different container, the milk will take the shape of that container. But the milk will still take up the same amount of space. A rain puddle is a liquid. A liquid takes the shape of any container it is in. If you collect rainwater in a bucket, the rainwater will take the shape of the bucket. But the rainwater will still take up the same amount of space. A bean is a solid. A solid has a size and shape of its own. If you put many beans into a jar, the group of beans will take the shape of the jar, as a liquid would. But be careful! A bean is not a liquid. Each bean still has a size and shape of its own.

### Instruction: What do these two changes have in common? chemicals in a battery reacting to power a flashlight an old sandwich rotting in a trashcan A: Both are chemical changes. B: Both are only physical changes. C: Both are caused by cooling. D: Both are caused by heating. ### Response:

Step 1: Think about each change. Chemicals in a battery reacting to power a flashlight is a chemical change. When the flashlight is turned on, the chemicals in the battery react with each other to form new chemicals. This creates electricity, which powers the lightbulb. A sandwich rotting is a chemical change. The matter in the sandwich breaks down and slowly turns into a different type of matter. Step 2: Look at each answer choice. Both are only physical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. They are not physical changes. Both are chemical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. The type of matter before and after each change is different. Both are caused by heating. Neither change is caused by heating. Both are caused by cooling. Neither change is caused by cooling.

### Instruction: Select the elementary substance. A: silicon dioxide (SiO2) B: tin (Sn) C: phosphine (PH3) ### Response:

Look at the chemical formula for each substance, and count the number of symbols in the formula. Then, decide if the substance is an elementary substance. The chemical formula for tin contains one symbol: Sn. So, tin is made of one chemical element. Substances that are made of one chemical element are elementary substances. So, tin is an elementary substance. The chemical formula for phosphine contains two symbols: P for phosphorus and H for hydrogen. So, phosphine is made of two chemical elements bonded together. Substances that are made of two or more chemical elements bonded together are compounds. So, phosphine is a compound, not an elementary substance. The chemical formula for silicon dioxide contains two symbols: Si for silicon and O for oxygen. So, silicon dioxide is made of two chemical elements bonded together. Substances that are made of two or more chemical elements bonded together are compounds. So, silicon dioxide is a compound, not an elementary substance.

### Instruction: What does this Works Cited entry indicate about the cited work? Onishi, Kristine H., and Renée Baillargeon. "Do 15-Month-Old Infants Understand False Beliefs?" Science 308.5719 (2005): 255–258. Web. 15 Dec. 2012. A: It is a book. B: It is a poem. C: It is a journal article. ### Response:

Look closely at the Works Cited entry: Onishi, Kristine H., and Renée Baillargeon. "Do 15-Month-Old Infants Understand False Beliefs?" Science 308.5719 (2005): 255–258. Web. 15 Dec. 2012. You can tell that the source is a journal article because of the entry's formatting. Journal articles always include the article title in quotation marks, the name of the journal in italics, and the volume and issue number separated by a period. Journal articles also include the year of publication in parentheses followed by the article's page numbers.

### Instruction: Complete the sentences. The Sixth Amendment talks about criminal trials. It says that anyone charged with a crime has a right to get help from a lawyer. It also says that all criminal trials must be () and (). A: long . . . private B: speedy . . . public C: cheap . . . easy D: secret . . . safe ### Response:

The Sixth Amendment says that anyone charged with a crime has a right to get help from a lawyer. It also says that all criminal trials must be speedy and public. Speedy means that the government must be ready for the trial as quickly as possible. A judge can decide that the government is taking too long. If that happens, the accused criminal is let go. Public means that a trial can never be secret. Usually, anyone can go see a trial take place. Part of the text of the Sixth Amendment is below. What other rules do criminal trials have to follow? In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed. . .and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

### Instruction: What do these two changes have in common? making jam photosynthesis A: Both are chemical changes. B: Both are caused by cooling. C: Both are only physical changes. D: Both are caused by heating. ### Response:

Step 1: Think about each change. Making jam is a chemical change. It involves mixing fruit, sugar, and a substance called pectin. When these ingredients are mixed and cooked, the chemical bonds in their molecules are broken. The atoms then link together to form different molecules that make up the jam. Photosynthesis is a chemical change. Plants make sugar using carbon dioxide, water, and energy from sunlight. Step 2: Look at each answer choice. Both are only physical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. They are not physical changes. Both are chemical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. The type of matter before and after each change is different. Both are caused by heating. The reaction that makes jam is caused by heating. But photosynthesis is not. Both are caused by cooling. Neither change is caused by cooling.

### Instruction: What do these two changes have in common? plants making food from sunlight, air, and water rust forming on a metal gate A: Both are caused by cooling. B: Both are caused by heating. C: Both are only physical changes. D: Both are chemical changes. ### Response:

Step 1: Think about each change. Plants making food is a chemical change. Plants use energy from sunlight to change air and water into food. The food is sugar. Sugar is a different type of matter than air or water. Rust forming on a metal gate is a chemical change. As the gate rusts, the metal turns into a different type of matter called rust. Rust is reddish-brown and falls apart easily. Step 2: Look at each answer choice. Both are only physical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. They are not physical changes. Both are chemical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. The type of matter before and after each change is different. Both are caused by heating. Neither change is caused by heating. Both are caused by cooling. Neither change is caused by cooling.

### Instruction: Select the bird. A: sugar glider B: whale shark C: peafowl D: porcupinefish ### Response:

A sugar glider is a mammal. It has fur and feeds its young milk. Sugar gliders can jump long distances from tree to tree. They have flaps of loose skin on their sides. These flaps help them stay in the air. A whale shark is a fish. It lives underwater. It has fins, not limbs. Whale sharks are the largest fish in the world! Adult whale sharks can weigh over 21 tons—as much as seven elephants! A peafowl is a bird. It has feathers, two wings, and a beak. The image shows a male peafowl. Male peafowl are called peacocks. Female peafowl are called peahens. Young peafowl are called peachicks! A porcupinefish is a fish. It lives underwater. It has fins, not limbs. Porcupinefish can puff up their bodies with air or water to scare off predators.

### Instruction: What do these two changes have in common? boiling sugar to make caramel water boiling on a stove A: Both are only physical changes. B: Both are caused by heating. C: Both are caused by cooling. D: Both are chemical changes. ### Response:

Step 1: Think about each change. Boiling sugar to make caramel is a chemical change. The heat causes the sugar to change into a different type of matter. Unlike sugar, the new matter is brown and sticky. Water boiling on the stove is a change of state. So, it is a physical change. The liquid changes into a gas, but a different type of matter is not formed. Step 2: Look at each answer choice. Both are only physical changes. Water boiling is a physical change. But boiling sugar to make caramel is not. Both are chemical changes. Boiling sugar to make caramel is a chemical change. But water boiling is not. Both are caused by heating. Both changes are caused by heating. Both are caused by cooling. Neither change is caused by cooling.

### Instruction: What do these two changes have in common? a slice of banana turning brown grilling a hamburger A: Both are chemical changes. B: Both are caused by heating. C: Both are caused by cooling. D: Both are only physical changes. ### Response:

Step 1: Think about each change. A slice of banana turning brown is a chemical change. The part of the banana in contact with the air reacts with oxygen and turns into a different type of matter. Grilling a hamburger is a chemical change. Heat from the grill causes the matter in the meat to change. Cooked meat and raw meat are different types of matter. Step 2: Look at each answer choice. Both are only physical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. They are not physical changes. Both are chemical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. The type of matter before and after each change is different. Both are caused by heating. Cooking a hamburger is caused by heating. But a slice of banana turning brown is not. Both are caused by cooling. Neither change is caused by cooling.

### Instruction: Which text uses the word literally in its traditional sense? A: Cara adores the classic Renaissance style of the Rialto Bridge in Venice. She was surprised to learn that the bridge remains functional even though it is literally a million years old. B: Cara adores the classic Renaissance style of the Rialto Bridge in Venice. She was surprised to learn that the bridge remains functional even though it is literally hundreds of years old. ### Response:

The second text uses literally in its traditional sense: in a factual, non-exaggerated way. Cara adores the classic Renaissance style of the Rialto Bridge in Venice. She was surprised to learn that the bridge remains functional even though it is literally hundreds of years old. The first text uses literally in its nontraditional sense: nearly or in effect (often exaggerated). The bridge is old, but it is not actually a million years old. Cara adores the classic Renaissance style of the Rialto Bridge in Venice. She was surprised to learn that the bridge remains functional even though it is literally a million years old. Most style guides recommend to avoid using the nontraditional sense of the word literally because it is generally considered incorrect.