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Which correctly shows the title of a movie?

closed choice

grade9

language science

punctuation

Formatting

Formatting titles

The title of a book, movie, play, TV show, magazine, or newspaper should be in italics. If you write it by hand, it can be underlined instead. A Midsummer Night's Dream The title of a poem, song, article, or short story should be in quotation marks. "You Are My Sunshine"

A movie should be in italics. The correct title is **Over the Hedge**.

Is the following trait inherited or acquired? Kimberly has a scar on her right ankle.

Hint: Most scars are caused by accidents during a person's life.

closed choice

grade3

natural science

biology

Heredity

Identify inherited and acquired traits

Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways. Inherited traits are passed down through families. Children gain these traits from their parents. Inherited traits do not need to be learned. Acquired traits are gained during a person's life. Some acquired traits, such as riding a bicycle, are gained by learning. Other acquired traits, such as scars, are caused by the environment. Children do not inherit their parents' acquired traits.

Children do not inherit their parent's scars. Instead, scars are caused by the environment. People can get scars after they get hurt. So, having a scar is an acquired trait.

What information supports the conclusion that Elise inherited this trait?

Read the description of a trait. Elise has straight hair.

closed choice

grade8

natural science

biology

Genes to traits

Inherited and acquired traits: use evidence to support a statement

Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways. Inherited traits are passed down from biological parents to their offspring through genes. Genes are pieces of hereditary material that contain the instructions that affect inherited traits. Offspring receive their genes, and therefore gain their inherited traits, from their biological parents. Inherited traits do not need to be learned. Acquired traits are gained during a person's life. Some acquired traits, such as riding a bicycle, are gained by learning. Other acquired traits, such as scars, are caused by the environment. Parents do not pass acquired traits down to their offspring.

How long does it take to tie your shoes?

Select the better estimate.

closed choice

grade2

natural science

units-and-measurement

Units and measurement

Choose units of time

Measurements are written with both a number and a unit. The unit comes after the number. The unit shows what the number means. Imagine being told that the bus leaves in 7. You might be thinking, 7 what? Does the bus leave in 7 minutes? 7 seconds? The number 7 on its own does not give you much information about when the bus is leaving. That is because the units are missing. Time is usually measured in units of seconds, minutes, or hours. It takes about 1 second to sneeze and 1 minute to get dressed in the morning. It takes about 1 hour to bake a pie in the oven. There are 60 seconds in 1 minute. So, 1 second is much less than 1 minute. There are 60 minutes in 1 hour. So, 1 minute is much less than 1 hour.

The better estimate for how long it takes to tie your shoes is 27 seconds. 27 hours is too slow.

What information supports the conclusion that Harry acquired this trait?

Read the description of a trait. Harry has a scar on his right arm.

closed choice

grade5

natural science

biology

Traits and heredity

Inherited and acquired traits: use evidence to support a statement

Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways. Inherited traits are passed down through families. Children gain these traits from their parents. Inherited traits do not need to be learned. Acquired traits are gained during a person's life. Some acquired traits, such as riding a bicycle, are gained by learning. Other acquired traits, such as scars, are caused by the environment.

Which logical fallacy is used in the text? Senator King announced today that she plans to cut funding to early childhood education programs. The last thing we need is a government official who hates children!

closed choice

grade7

language science

writing-strategies

Developing and supporting arguments

Classify logical fallacies

A strong argument uses valid reasoning and logic in support of a claim. When an argument or claim introduces irrelevant information or misrepresents the issues at hand, it may be committing a logical fallacy. Logical fallacies can hurt a writer's credibility and can lead readers to draw false conclusions. A logical fallacy may present irrelevant information: Fallacy | Description ad hominem | a personal attack meant to discredit one's opponent appeal to nature | an argument that assumes the natural choice is always the best choice bandwagon fallacy | an argument that assumes the popular choice is always the best choice circular reasoning | an argument that supports a claim with the claim itself guilt by association | an unfair negative association with another person or group that is intended to discredit someone or something red herring | the use of a completely unrelated topic in support of a claim A logical fallacy may misrepresent the issues at hand: Fallacy | Description false causation | the assumption that because two things happened together, one caused the other false dichotomy | an argument that presents only two choices when more options exist hasty generalization | a very broad claim based on very little evidence straw man | a misrepresentation of an opponent's position that makes it easier to argue against

The text argues that Senator King hates children, because she wants to cut education funding. However, the fact that Senator King wants to cut education funding doesn't necessarily suggest that she hates children. This illustrates a type of logical fallacy known as a straw man.

Select the one animal that has all of the amphibian traits listed above.

Amphibians are a group of animals with similar traits. The following traits can be used to identify amphibians: They spend part of their lives in water and part on land. They have moist skin. They make eggs with no shells. Observe the animals and read the descriptions.

closed choice

grade5

natural science

biology

Classification

Use evidence to classify mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians

Scientists sort animals with similar traits into groups. This is called classification. Classification helps scientists learn about how animals live. How do scientists classify animals? First, they make observations about an animal. Scientists observe the animal's traits, including its body parts and behavior. Then, scientists compare the animal's traits to other animals' traits. Scientists classify animals with similar traits into a group.

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 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 an amphibian. A Bengal tiger is a mammal. A Japanese 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 Japanese tree frog has the traits of an amphibian. A Japanese tree frog is an amphibian.

The movers lift the boxes at the same speed. Which box is lifted with a larger force?

Two movers are putting heavy boxes into their truck. The boxes are the same shape and size. Each mover lifts one box up into the truck at a time.

closed choice

grade2

natural science

physics

Force and motion

How do mass and force affect motion?

A force is a push or a pull. A force can make an object start moving or stop an object that is moving. A force can also make an object speed up, slow down, or change direction. Forces can be different sizes. Think about trying to move a heavy object and a light object. Imagine you want to move them at the same speed. You will need to use a larger force to move the heavy object.

Look for the box that is heavier. A box holding 23 pounds is heavier than a box holding 21 pounds. So, the box holding 23 pounds needs a larger force to start moving upward at the same speed as the other box.

Complete the sentence so that it uses personification. The sleek new race car () its driver.

closed choice

grade10

language science

writing-strategies

Creative techniques

Use personification

Personification is giving human characteristics to nonhuman things. It is a figure of speech that can be used to make writing more interesting or to emphasize a point. The trees danced in the wind. The word danced describes the trees as if they were people. Unlike people, however, trees can't actually dance. Instead, the personification suggests that the trees are moving.

Complete the sentence with the phrase grinned at. It describes the race car as if it were a happy person.

Which type of sentence is this? As Manuel sat down on the rickety old chair, it abruptly collapsed beneath him.

closed choice

grade12

language science

grammar

Phrases and clauses

Is the sentence simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex?

A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a predicate. An independent clause is a complete thought that can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent clause (or subordinate clause) is not a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence. the oranges on our tree are ripe The clause can stand alone. It is independent. after we pick up Kevin from work The clause cannot stand alone. It is dependent. A simple sentence is made up of a single independent clause. Ben and I spent all day relaxing by the pool. Some simple sentences have introductory phrases, but the introductory phrase is part of the predicate. In the winter, Ben usually wears his heavy coat. Ben usually wears his heavy coat in the winter. A compound sentence is made up of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction such as and, but, or, or so. We saw the flash of lightning, and seconds later we heard a rumble of thunder. A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and a dependent clause. The dependent clause in a complex sentence usually begins with a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun. Subordinating conjunctions include after, although, as, because, before, if, since, unless, until, when, and while. Relative pronouns include that, which, who, whom, or whose. If she ever gets the chance, Terri would love to visit the Egyptian pyramids. During his trip to Italy, Tony visited the Trevi Fountain, which is in Rome. A compound-complex sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. After Samantha left work, she stopped at the bank, and then she went to the gym. Sometimes a dependent clause in a complex or compound-complex sentence can interrupt an independent clause. Orcas that are kept in captivity often have bent dorsal fins.

The sentence is complex. It is made up of an independent clause and a dependent clause. The dependent clause begins with the subordinating conjunction as. As Manuel sat down on the rickety old chair, it abruptly collapsed beneath him.

Choose the poem that has a regular rhythm, or a pattern of sound like a beat.

Adapted from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, "The Arrow and the Song" and adapted from Amy Lowell, "From China"

closed choice

grade4

language science

reading-comprehension

Poetry elements

Identify elements of poetry

Poetry is a special kind of writing. It has many elements that make it different from ordinary writing. Knowing these elements can help you talk about poetry, understand it better, and enjoy it more. A poem rhymes when it has a pattern of words that end in the same sound. End rhyme is when the rhymes appear at the end of a poem's lines. Little Betty Blue, Lost her holiday shoe. —From Mother Goose Internal rhyme is when at least one of the rhyming words appears inside the poem's lines. Sweet dreams of pleasant streams. —From William Blake, "A Cradle Song" Rhythm is the pattern of strong and weak syllables, or stress, in a poem. You can recognize rhythm in a poem by listening to how it sounds. Poems with regular rhythm have a beat, like in music. He watches from his mountain walls, And like a thunderbolt he falls. —From Alfred, Lord Tennyson, "The Eagle" The syllables in bold are strong. We say them with more force than the other syllables. In this poem, every weak syllable is followed by a strong syllable. Each line sounds like da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM. To better hear the rhythm, try reading it aloud while clapping on each strong syllable. Free verse is when a poem has neither a regular rhythm nor a rhyme pattern. The old bridge has a wrinkled face. He bends his back For us to go over. —From Hilda Conkling, "The Old Bridge" The syllables in bold are strong. You can see this poem does not have a regular rhythm. It also doesn't have a rhyme pattern. Repetition is when words, phrases, or whole lines are repeated. The dainty flying squirrel In vest of shining white, In coat of silver gray, And vest of shining white. —Adapted from Mary E. Burt, "The Flying Squirrel" Alliteration is when beginning consonant sounds are repeated in words that are close together. Where the wild men watched and waited Wolves in the forest, and bears in the bush. —From Bayard Taylor, "A Night with a Wolf" Onomatopoeia is when language sounds like what it talks about. Sometimes the onomatopoeia uses made-up words: Tlot-tlot! tlot-tlot! Had they heard it? The horse hoofs ringing clear. —From Alfred Noyes, "The Highwayman" Sometimes the onomatopoeia uses real words: Hark! the honey bee is humming. —From Mary Howitt, "The Voice of Spring"

This poem has a regular rhythm, or a pattern of sound like a beat. The parts in bold show the strong syllables. The pattern is a weak syllable followed by a strong syllable. It sounds like da-DUM da-DUM. That it can track the flight of song?

Which type of sentence is this? As Ryan sat down on the rickety old chair, it abruptly collapsed beneath him.

closed choice

grade11

language science

grammar

Phrases and clauses

Is the sentence simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex?

A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a predicate. An independent clause is a complete thought that can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent clause (or subordinate clause) is not a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence. the oranges on our tree are ripe The clause can stand alone. It is independent. after we pick up Kevin from work The clause cannot stand alone. It is dependent. A simple sentence is made up of a single independent clause. Ben and I spent all day relaxing by the pool. Some simple sentences have introductory phrases, but the introductory phrase is part of the predicate. In the winter, Ben usually wears his heavy coat. Ben usually wears his heavy coat in the winter. A compound sentence is made up of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction such as and, but, or, or so. We saw the flash of lightning, and seconds later we heard a rumble of thunder. A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and a dependent clause. The dependent clause in a complex sentence usually begins with a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun. Subordinating conjunctions include after, although, as, because, before, if, since, unless, until, when, and while. Relative pronouns include that, which, who, whom, or whose. If she ever gets the chance, Terri would love to visit the Egyptian pyramids. During his trip to Italy, Tony visited the Trevi Fountain, which is in Rome. A compound-complex sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. After Samantha left work, she stopped at the bank, and then she went to the gym. Sometimes a dependent clause in a complex or compound-complex sentence can interrupt an independent clause. Orcas that are kept in captivity often have bent dorsal fins.

The sentence is complex. It is made up of an independent clause and a dependent clause. The dependent clause begins with the subordinating conjunction as. As Ryan sat down on the rickety old chair, it abruptly collapsed beneath him.

Would you find the word house on a dictionary page with the following guide words? hello - hurl

yes or no

grade4

language science

reference-skills

Reference skills

Use guide words

Guide words appear on each page of a dictionary. They tell you the first word and last word on the page. The other words on the page come between the guide words in alphabetical order. To put words in alphabetical order, put them in order by their first letters. If the first letters are the same, look at the second letters. If the second letters are the same, look at the third letters, and so on. If one word is shorter, and there are no more letters to compare, then the shorter word comes first in alphabetical order. For example, be comes before bed.

Put the words in alphabetical order. Since house is between the guide words hello - hurl, it would be found on that page.

Which is a run-on sentence?

closed choice

grade3

language science

writing-strategies

Sentences, fragments, and run-ons

Is it a complete sentence or a run-on?

A sentence is a group of words that forms a complete thought. It has both a subject and a verb. My friends walk along the path. A run-on sentence is made up of two sentences that are joined without end punctuation or with just a comma. I knocked on the door it opened. It started raining, we ran inside. To fix a run-on sentence, separate it into two sentences. Add end punctuation after the first sentence, and capitalize the second sentence. I knocked on the door. It opened. It started raining. We ran inside. You can also fix a run-on sentence by rewriting it as a compound sentence. A compound sentence is two sentences joined by a comma and a conjunction such as and, but, or, or so. I knocked on the door, and it opened. It started raining, so we ran inside.

It was snowing I wore my black boots is a run-on sentence. It has two sentences that are joined without end punctuation: It was snowing and I wore my black boots.

Which of the following contains a vague pronoun reference?

closed choice

grade7

language science

writing-strategies

Pronouns and antecedents

Identify vague pronoun references

When writing, make sure to avoid vague pronoun references. A vague pronoun reference occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent. When Lisa and Kim finally landed, she breathed a sigh of relief. The pronoun she could refer to either Lisa or Kim, so the meaning of the sentence is unclear. Vague pronoun references can be corrected in one of two ways: 1. Replace the pronoun with its correct antecedent: When Lisa and Kim finally landed, Lisa breathed a sigh of relief. 2. Rewrite the sentence: Lisa breathed a sigh of relief when she and Kim finally landed. A vague pronoun reference also occurs when they, them, their, theirs, it, or its is used without its antecedent. They say that this nail polish dries in less than five minutes. The pronoun they is used without its antecedent, so the meaning of the sentence is unclear. This problem can be fixed by replacing the pronoun with its missing antecedent. The advertisements say that this nail polish dries in less than five minutes.

The first answer choice contains a vague pronoun reference. The pronoun his could refer to Andy's or the waiter's. The second answer choice shows a possible correction for the vague pronoun reference. His has been replaced with Andy's. Andy accidentally bumped into the waiter, and food splattered all over Andy's shirt.

Complete the statement. Assume that the scoop of ice cream's mass did not change. The gravitational potential energy stored between the scoop of ice cream and Earth () as the ice cream dropped toward the ground.

Read the text about an object in motion. Jason was holding an ice cream cone with two scoops of mint chip ice cream. When he licked the ice cream, a scoop fell off and dropped to the ground.

closed choice

grade7

natural science

physics

Kinetic and potential energy

Identify changes in gravitational potential energy

Gravitational potential energy is stored between any two objects. So, for every object on or near Earth, there is gravitational potential energy stored between the object and Earth. The amount of gravitational potential energy stored between an object and Earth depends on the mass of the object. The amount of gravitational potential energy also depends on the distance between the object and the center of Earth. This distance increases when the object moves higher and decreases when the object moves lower. If the distance between an object and the center of Earth changes, the gravitational potential energy stored between the object and Earth will change. The table below shows how this change can happen. When an object's mass stays the same and its distance from the center of Earth... | Gravitational potential energy stored between the object and Earth... increases | increases decreases | decreases stays the same | stays the same

Think about how the distance between the scoop of ice cream and the center of Earth changed. The ground was lower than the ice cream cone. As the scoop of ice cream fell toward the ground, the distance between the scoop and the center of Earth decreased. So, the gravitational potential energy stored between the scoop of ice cream and Earth decreased as the ice cream dropped toward the ground.

Would you find the word dues on a dictionary page with the following guide words? decline - dignified

yes or no

grade5

language science

reference-skills

Reference skills

Use guide words

Guide words appear on each page of a dictionary. They tell you the first word and last word on the page. The other words on the page come between the guide words in alphabetical order. To put words in alphabetical order, put them in order by their first letters. If the first letters are the same, look at the second letters. If the second letters are the same, look at the third letters, and so on. If one word is shorter, and there are no more letters to compare, then the shorter word comes first in alphabetical order. For example, be comes before bed.

Put the words in alphabetical order. Since dues is not between the guide words decline - dignified, it would not be found on that page.

How long is a leather belt?

Select the better estimate.

closed choice

grade3

natural science

units-and-measurement

Units and measurement

Choose customary units of distance

Measurements are written with both a number and a unit. The unit comes after the number. The unit shows what the number means. Imagine being told that a pencil is 8 long. You might be thinking, 8 what? Is the pencil 8 inches long? 8 feet? 8 miles? The number 8 on its own does not give you much information about the length of the pencil. That is because the units are missing. Now look at the drawing of the pencil and the ruler. The ruler shows that the units are inches. So, the length of the pencil is 8 inches. There are 12 inches in 1 foot. So, 1 inch is much shorter than 1 foot. There are 3 feet in 1 yard. So, 1 foot is shorter than 1 yard.

The better estimate for the length of a leather belt is 32 inches. 32 feet is too long.

Which word would you find on a dictionary page with the following guide words? hidden - hurdle

closed choice

grade7

language science

reference-skills

Reference skills

Use guide words

Guide words appear on each page of a dictionary. They tell you the first word and last word on the page. The other words on the page come between the guide words in alphabetical order. To put words in alphabetical order, put them in order by their first letters. If the first letters are the same, look at the second letters. If the second letters are the same, look at the third letters, and so on. If one word is shorter, and there are no more letters to compare, then the shorter word comes first in alphabetical order. For example, be comes before bed.

Put the words in alphabetical order. Since hornet is between the guide words hidden - hurdle, it would be found on that page.

Complete the sentence so that it uses personification. Emily finally found her phone () under the bed.

closed choice

grade9

language science

writing-strategies

Creative techniques

Use personification

Personification is giving human characteristics to nonhuman things. It is a figure of speech that can be used to make writing more interesting or to emphasize a point. The trees danced in the wind. The word danced describes the trees as if they were people. Unlike people, however, trees can't actually dance. Instead, the personification suggests that the trees are moving.

Complete the sentence with the word hiding. It describes the phone as if it were a person who is hiding.

Select the one animal that has all of the crustacean traits listed above.

Crustaceans are a group of animals with similar traits. The following traits can be used to identify crustaceans: They have two pairs of antennae. They have an exoskeleton. Observe the animals and read the descriptions.

closed choice

grade5

natural science

biology

Classification

Use evidence to classify animals

Scientists sort animals with similar traits into groups. This is called classification. Classification helps scientists learn about how animals live. How do scientists classify animals? First, they make observations about an animal. Scientists observe the animal's traits, including its body parts and behavior. Then, scientists compare the animal's traits to other animals' traits. Scientists classify animals with similar traits into a group.

To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group. Crustaceans have the following traits: They have two pairs of antennae. They have an exoskeleton. Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits. A rock lobster has the following traits: It has two pairs of antennae. It has an exoskeleton. A rock lobster has the traits of a crustacean. A rock lobster is a crustacean. A trichina worm has the following traits: A trichina worm does not have all of the traits of a crustacean. A trichina worm is a roundworm.

What do these two changes have in common? filtering air to remove dust and pollen pouring milk on oatmeal

closed choice

grade7

natural science

chemistry

Chemical reactions

Compare physical and chemical changes

Matter is made of very small particles called atoms. Atoms can be linked together by chemical bonds. When two or more atoms link together, they form a molecule. In a chemical change, the chemical bonds in the molecules break. The atoms then link together to form different molecules. The types of molecules in matter before and after a chemical change are always different. Some chemical changes are caused by heating or cooling. For example, burning a piece of paper is a chemical change caused by heating. As paper burns, paper molecules react with oxygen molecules in the air. This reaction breaks the chemical bonds in the molecules. The atoms then link together in a different way to form different molecules. For example, carbon dioxide molecules are formed when paper burns. In a physical change, chemical bonds do not break. The types of molecules in matter before and after a physical change are always the same. A change of state is a type of physical change. Changes of state can be caused by heating or cooling. For example, water vaporizing is a physical change that can be caused by heating. Liquid water and water vapor are made of the same type of matter: water. The law of conservation of mass says that all physical and chemical changes conserve mass. Conserve means to keep the same. So, the total mass before a physical or chemical change is equal to the total mass after the change.

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. Pouring milk on oatmeal is a physical change. The oatmeal and milk form a creamy mixture. But making this 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.

Which logical fallacy is used in the text? I'm never setting foot in any seafood restaurant again. We just had a ridiculously overpriced dinner at Cameron's Seafood Hut, and I have no interest in repeating that experience.

closed choice

grade6

language science

writing-strategies

Developing and supporting arguments

Classify logical fallacies

A strong argument uses valid reasoning and logic in support of a claim. When an argument or claim introduces irrelevant information or misrepresents the issues at hand, it may be committing a logical fallacy. Logical fallacies can hurt a writer's credibility and can lead readers to draw false conclusions. A logical fallacy may present irrelevant information: Fallacy | Description ad hominem | a personal attack meant to discredit one's opponent appeal to nature | an argument that assumes the natural choice is always the best choice bandwagon fallacy | an argument that assumes the popular choice is always the best choice circular reasoning | an argument that supports a claim with the claim itself guilt by association | an unfair negative association with another person or group that is intended to discredit someone or something red herring | the use of a completely unrelated topic in support of a claim A logical fallacy may misrepresent the issues at hand: Fallacy | Description false causation | the assumption that because two things happened together, one caused the other false dichotomy | an argument that presents only two choices when more options exist hasty generalization | a very broad claim based on very little evidence straw man | a misrepresentation of an opponent's position that makes it easier to argue against

The text argues that all seafood restaurants are overpriced. However, even though one seafood restaurant was overpriced, that doesn't necessarily mean that all seafood restaurants are overpriced. This illustrates a type of logical fallacy known as a hasty generalization.

Which figure of speech is used in this text? The baby moon, a canoe, a silver papoose canoe, sails and sails in the Indian west. —Carl Sandburg, "Early Moon"

closed choice

grade11

language science

figurative-language

Literary devices

Classify the figure of speech: review

Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive. Anaphora is the repetition of the same word or words at the beginning of several phrases or clauses. We are united. We are powerful. We are winners. Antithesis involves contrasting opposing ideas within a parallel grammatical structure. I want to help, not to hurt. Apostrophe is a direct address to an absent person or a nonhuman entity. Oh, little bird, what makes you sing so beautifully? Assonance is the repetition of a vowel sound in a series of nearby words. Try to light the fire. Chiasmus is an expression in which the second half parallels the first but reverses the order of words. Never let a fool kiss you or a kiss fool you. A euphemism is a polite or indirect expression that is used to de-emphasize an unpleasant topic. The head of Human Resources would never refer to firing people, only to laying them off. Hyperbole is an obvious exaggeration that is not meant to be taken literally. I ate so much that I think I might explode! An oxymoron is a joining of two seemingly contradictory terms. Some reviewers are calling this book a new classic. A paradox is a statement that might at first appear to be contradictory, but that may in fact contain some truth. Always expect the unexpected. Understatement involves deliberately representing something as less serious or important than it really is. As you know, it can get a little cold in the Antarctic.

The text uses assonance, the repetition of a vowel sound in a series of nearby words. The words moon, canoe, and papoose share a vowel sound.

Is the following trait inherited or acquired? Ben has a scar on his left leg.

closed choice

grade5

natural science

biology

Traits and heredity

Identify inherited and acquired traits

Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways. Inherited traits are passed down through families. Children gain these traits from their parents. Inherited traits do not need to be learned. Acquired traits are gained during a person's life. Some acquired traits, such as riding a bicycle, are gained by learning. Other acquired traits, such as scars, are caused by the environment. Children do not inherit their parents' acquired traits.

Children do not inherit their parent's scars. Instead, scars are caused by the environment. People can get scars after they get hurt. So, having a scar is an acquired trait.

What information supports the conclusion that Maureen acquired this trait?

Read the description of a trait. Maureen can play the cello.

closed choice

grade7

natural science

biology

Genes to traits

Inherited and acquired traits: use evidence to support a statement

Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways. Inherited traits are passed down from biological parents to their offspring through genes. Genes are pieces of hereditary material that contain the instructions that affect inherited traits. Offspring receive their genes, and therefore gain their inherited traits, from their biological parents. Inherited traits do not need to be learned. Acquired traits are gained during a person's life. Some acquired traits, such as riding a bicycle, are gained by learning. Other acquired traits, such as scars, are caused by the environment. Parents do not pass acquired traits down to their offspring.

Is the following trait inherited or acquired? Jacob can ride a motorcycle.

closed choice

grade5

natural science

biology

Traits and heredity

Identify inherited and acquired traits

People are not born knowing how to ride a motorcycle. Instead, many people learn how to ride. So, riding a motorcycle is an acquired trait.

Which text uses the word disinterested in its traditional sense?

closed choice

grade12

language science

writing-strategies

Word usage and nuance

Explore words with new or contested usages

Words change in meaning when speakers begin using them in new ways. For example, the word peruse once only meant to examine in detail, but it's now also commonly used to mean to look through in a casual manner. When a word changes in meaning, its correct usage is often debated. Although a newer sense of the word may be more commonly used, many people consider a word's traditional definition to be the correct usage. Being able to distinguish the different uses of a word can help you use it appropriately for different audiences. Britney perused her notes, carefully preparing for her exam. The traditional usage above is considered more standard. David perused the magazine, absentmindedly flipping through the pages. The nontraditional usage above is now commonly used, but traditional style guides generally advise against it.

The first text uses disinterested in its traditional sense: unbiased or impartial. Liz is excellent in her position as class treasurer. She always manages to be disinterested in student council debates about the allocation of extracurricular funds. The second text uses disinterested in its nontraditional sense: uninterested or indifferent. Liz is happy with her position as class treasurer. Though she would have the support of the student council, she is disinterested in running for student body president. Most style guides recommend to use the traditional sense of the word disinterested because it is considered more standard.

What does the euphemism in this text suggest? Jackson is big-boned, so despite being in middle school, he often shops in the men's department.

closed choice

grade11

language science

figurative-language

Literary devices

Interpret the figure of speech

Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive. A euphemism is a polite or indirect expression that is used to de-emphasize an unpleasant topic. The head of Human Resources would never refer to firing people, only to laying them off.

The text uses a euphemism, a polite or indirect expression that is used to de-emphasize an unpleasant topic. The euphemism big-boned suggests that Jackson is overweight.

What information supports the conclusion that Tanvi inherited this trait?

Read the description of a trait. Tanvi has naturally black hair.

closed choice

grade7

natural science

biology

Genes to traits

Inherited and acquired traits: use evidence to support a statement

Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways. Inherited traits are passed down from biological parents to their offspring through genes. Genes are pieces of hereditary material that contain the instructions that affect inherited traits. Offspring receive their genes, and therefore gain their inherited traits, from their biological parents. Inherited traits do not need to be learned. Acquired traits are gained during a person's life. Some acquired traits, such as riding a bicycle, are gained by learning. Other acquired traits, such as scars, are caused by the environment. Parents do not pass acquired traits down to their offspring.

What is the mass of a goat?

Select the best estimate.

closed choice

grade4

natural science

units-and-measurement

Units and measurement

Choose customary units of mass

Measurements are written with both a number and a unit. The unit comes after the number. The unit shows what the number means. Mass is a measurement of how much matter something contains. There are many different units of mass. When you are using customary units, mass may be written with units of ounces, pounds, or tons. There are 16 ounces in 1 pound and 2,000 pounds in 1 ton. So, 1 ounce is less than 1 pound and much less than 1 ton. A slice of bread has a mass of about 1 ounce, while a can of beans has a mass of about 1 pound. A small car has a mass of about 1 ton.

The best estimate for the mass of a goat is 70 pounds. 70 ounces is too light and 70 tons is too heavy.

What does the idiom in this text suggest? If you don't mind waking up at the crack of dawn (or if you even prefer it), consider a career as a baker, a teacher, or an investment banker.

closed choice

grade10

language science

figurative-language

Literary devices

Interpret figures of speech

Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive. An idiom is an expression that cannot be understood literally. Its meaning must be learned. The assignment was a piece of cake.

The text uses an idiom, an expression that cannot be understood literally. The idiom at the crack of dawn suggests that you have to wake up very early. Dawn is the beginning of the day, so the idiom means very early.

Which word would you find on a dictionary page with the following guide words? octopus - owl

closed choice

grade3

language science

reference-skills

Reference skills

Use guide words

Guide words appear on each page of a dictionary. They tell you the first word and last word on the page. The other words on the page come between the guide words in alphabetical order. To put words in alphabetical order, put them in order by their first letters. If the first letters are the same, look at the second letters. If the second letters are the same, look at the third letters, and so on. If one word is shorter, and there are no more letters to compare, then the shorter word comes first in alphabetical order. For example, be comes before bed.

Put the words in alphabetical order. Since orbit is between the guide words octopus - owl, it would be found on that page.

What does the verbal irony in this text suggest? "Sleeping through the rooster's crowing was no problem," Chandler joked with a yawn.

closed choice

grade8

language science

figurative-language

Literary devices

Interpret figures of speech

Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive. Verbal irony involves saying one thing but implying something very different. People often use verbal irony when they are being sarcastic. Olivia seems thrilled that her car keeps breaking down. Each breakdown is as enjoyable as a punch to the face.

The text uses verbal irony, which involves saying one thing but implying something very different. Sleeping through the rooster's crowing was no problem ironically suggests that Chandler slept poorly. Chandler was tired, so the rooster's crowing was clearly a problem.

Select the animal that has a backbone.

Hint: Mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians all have backbones.

closed choice

grade2

natural science

biology

Classification

Identify animals with and without backbones

Some animals have a backbone. The backbone is made of many bones in an animal's back. An animal's backbone helps connect the different parts of its body. In the drawings below, each animal's backbone is colored orange. Other animals do not have a backbone. In fact, these animals don't have any bones! Some animals without backbones have a hard outer cover. Other animals have a soft body.

A dog is a mammal. Like other mammals, a dog has a backbone. Like other tarantulas, a curlyhair tarantula does not have a backbone. It has a hard outer cover.

Complete the statement. Neon is ().

Neon is a gas that is used to make glowing electric lights and signs. The chemical formula for neon is Ne.

closed choice

grade5

natural science

chemistry

Atoms and molecules

Classify elementary substances and compounds using chemical formulas

Every substance around you is made of one or more chemical elements, or types of atoms. Substances that are made of only one chemical element are elementary substances. Substances that are made of two or more chemical elements bonded together are compounds. Every chemical element is represented by its own symbol. For some elements, the symbol is one capital letter. For other elements, the symbol is one capital letter and one lowercase letter. For example, the symbol for the element fluorine is F, and the symbol for the element beryllium is Be. The symbol for each element in a substance is shown in the substance's chemical formula. An elementary substance is represented by a chemical formula that contains only one symbol. The symbol may be followed by a subscript. A subscript is text that is smaller and placed lower than the normal line of text. A subscript is included when the atoms in the elementary substance are bonded to form molecules. The subscript tells you the number of atoms in each molecule. For example, the chemical formula for the elementary substance oxygen is O2. The formula has a subscript of 2. This subscript tells you that there are two atoms in the molecule represented by this chemical formula. The chemical element represented by the symbol O is also called oxygen. So, the formula O2 tells you that each molecule of O2 contains two oxygen atoms. A compound is represented by a chemical formula that contains multiple symbols. For example, in the compound beryllium fluoride, there is one beryllium atom for every two fluorine atoms. This combination is shown in the compound's chemical formula, BeF2. In the formula, the symbol Be represents one beryllium atom. The symbol F followed by the subscript 2 represents two fluorine atoms.

You can tell whether neon is an elementary substance or a compound by counting the number of symbols in its chemical formula. A symbol contains either one capital letter or a capital letter followed by one or two lowercase letters. The chemical formula for neon is Ne. This formula contains one symbol: Ne. So, the formula tells you that neon is made of one chemical element. Substances made of only one chemical element are elementary substances. So, neon is an elementary substance.

Which object has the least thermal energy?

The objects are identical except for their temperatures.

closed choice

grade4

natural science

physics

Heat and thermal energy

How is temperature related to thermal energy?

All solids, liquids, and gases are made of matter. Matter is made up of tiny particles that are always moving. The energy from the motion of these particles is called thermal energy. Temperature measures how hot or cold matter is. If the particles in matter slow down, the temperature goes down. The matter now has both less thermal energy and a lower temperature.

All three bottles of water have the same mass but different temperatures. Since the 50°F bottle of water is the coldest, it has the least thermal energy.

Which is a sentence fragment?

closed choice

grade3

language science

writing-strategies

Sentences, fragments, and run-ons

Is it a complete sentence, a fragment, or a run-on?

A sentence is a group of words that forms a complete thought. It has both a subject and a verb. My friends walk along the path. A sentence fragment is a group of words that does not express a complete thought. It is usually missing a subject or a verb. Knows the answer. This is a sentence fragment. It is missing a subject. Who knows the answer? She knows the answer. The bright red car. This is a sentence fragment. It is missing a verb. What did the bright red car do? The bright red car stopped. A run-on sentence is made up of two sentences that are joined without end punctuation or with just a comma. I knocked on the door it opened. It started raining, we ran inside. To fix a run-on sentence, separate it into two sentences. Add end punctuation after the first sentence, and capitalize the second sentence. I knocked on the door. It opened. It started raining. We ran inside. You can also fix a run-on sentence by rewriting it as a compound sentence. A compound sentence is two sentences joined by a comma and a conjunction such as and, but, or, or so. I knocked on the door, and it opened. It started raining, so we ran inside.

Loves to learn about reptiles, like turtles and snakes is a sentence fragment. It is missing a subject.

Which word would you find on a dictionary page with the following guide words? cabinet - cot

closed choice

grade3

language science

reference-skills

Reference skills

Use guide words

Guide words appear on each page of a dictionary. They tell you the first word and last word on the page. The other words on the page come between the guide words in alphabetical order. To put words in alphabetical order, put them in order by their first letters. If the first letters are the same, look at the second letters. If the second letters are the same, look at the third letters, and so on. If one word is shorter, and there are no more letters to compare, then the shorter word comes first in alphabetical order. For example, be comes before bed.

Put the words in alphabetical order. Since cheese is between the guide words cabinet - cot, it would be found on that page.

Select the animal that has a backbone.

Hint: Mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians all have backbones.

closed choice

grade2

natural science

biology

Classification

Identify animals with and without backbones

Some animals have a backbone. The backbone is made of many bones in an animal's back. An animal's backbone helps connect the different parts of its body. In the drawings below, each animal's backbone is colored orange. Other animals do not have a backbone. In fact, these animals don't have any bones! Some animals without backbones have a hard outer cover. Other animals have a soft body.

Like other spiders, a black widow spider does not have a backbone. It has a hard outer cover. A sheep is a mammal. Like other mammals, a sheep has a backbone.

What does the idiom in this text suggest? Reagan has a lot on her plate: she is attending college, has a full-time job as a waitress, and volunteers at the animal shelter.

closed choice

grade9

language science

figurative-language

Literary devices

Interpret figures of speech

Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive. An idiom is an expression that cannot be understood literally. Its meaning must be learned. The assignment was a piece of cake.

The text uses an idiom, an expression that cannot be understood literally. The idiom a lot on her plate suggests that Reagan has many responsibilities. If you have a lot on your plate, you are busy with many different obligations.

What does the idiom in this text suggest? In such an unfamiliar environment, Xavier was a fish out of water.

closed choice

grade10

language science

figurative-language

Literary devices

Interpret figures of speech

Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive. An idiom is an expression that cannot be understood literally. Its meaning must be learned. The assignment was a piece of cake.

The text uses an idiom, an expression that cannot be understood literally. The idiom a fish out of water suggests that Xavier felt out of place. A fish out of water is someone out of his or her usual, comfortable environment.

Which figure of speech is used in this text? With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in. —President Abraham Lincoln, second inaugural address

closed choice

grade11

language science

figurative-language

Literary devices

Classify the figure of speech: anaphora, antithesis, apostrophe, assonance, chiasmus, understatement

Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive. Anaphora is the repetition of the same word or words at the beginning of several phrases or clauses. We are united. We are powerful. We are winners. Antithesis involves contrasting opposing ideas within a parallel grammatical structure. I want to help, not to hurt. Apostrophe is a direct address to an absent person or a nonhuman entity. Oh, little bird, what makes you sing so beautifully? Assonance is the repetition of a vowel sound in a series of nearby words. Try to light the fire. Chiasmus is an expression in which the second half parallels the first but reverses the order of words. Never let a fool kiss you or a kiss fool you. Understatement involves deliberately representing something as less serious or important than it really is. As you know, it can get a little cold in the Antarctic.

The text uses anaphora, the repetition of the same word or words at the beginning of several phrases or clauses. Lincoln repeats the word with at the beginning of each phrase.

Assume all other forces on Madelyn are balanced. Which statement describes the forces on Madelyn?

Madelyn is sitting on a roller coaster cart as it reaches the bottom of a big loop. Earth's gravity is pulling down on Madelyn with a force of 600N. The seat of the cart is pushing up on Madelyn with a force of 1,200N.

closed choice

grade8

natural science

physics

Velocity, acceleration, and forces

Balanced and unbalanced forces

A force is a push or a pull that acts on an object. Every force has a direction and a magnitude, or strength. If two forces act on an object in opposite directions, the forces are called opposing forces. When opposing forces have the same magnitude, they are balanced. If all the forces on an object are balanced, there is no net force on the object. When opposing forces have different magnitudes, the forces are unbalanced. If any forces on an object are unbalanced, there is a net force on the object.

To determine if there is a net force on Madelyn, look at the forces: Earth's gravity is pulling Madelyn down with a force of 600 N. The seat of the cart is pushing Madelyn up with a force of 1,200 N. The forces are in opposite directions, and the forces have different magnitudes: 600 N and 1,200 N. This means that the forces are unbalanced, so there is a net force on Madelyn.

Which pot of spaghetti sauce has a lower temperature?

Two pots of spaghetti sauce are identical except for their thermal energies.

closed choice

grade5

natural science

physics

Heat and thermal energy

How are temperature and mass related to thermal energy?

Matter is made of tiny particles called atoms. Atoms are always moving. The energy of moving atoms is called thermal energy. The total amount of thermal energy in matter depends on three things: the type of matter, the amount of matter, and how fast the atoms are moving. Temperature measures how hot or cold matter is. If the atoms in matter slow down, the temperature goes down. The matter now has both less thermal energy and a lower temperature. What happens if the amount of matter changes? A 2-kilogram brick at 70°F has twice as much thermal energy as a 1-kilogram brick at 70°F. The two bricks have the same temperature, but the larger brick has twice as many atoms. So, it has twice as much thermal energy.

The two pots of spaghetti sauce are made of the same material and have the same mass. So, the pot of spaghetti sauce with less thermal energy has a lower temperature.

Which word would you find on a dictionary page with the following guide words? den - dream

closed choice

grade2

language science

reference-skills

Reference skills

Use guide words

Guide words appear on each page of a dictionary. They tell you the first word and last word on the page. The other words on the page come between the guide words in alphabetical order. To put words in alphabetical order, put them in order by their first letters. If the first letters are the same, look at the second letters. If the second letters are the same, look at the third letters, and so on.

Put the words in alphabetical order. Since doing is between the guide words den - dream, it would be found on that page.

Complete the sentence so that it uses personification. "I can't believe I tripped," Darrell remarked. "The curb must have ()".

closed choice

grade9

language science

writing-strategies

Creative techniques

Use personification

Personification is giving human characteristics to nonhuman things. It is a figure of speech that can be used to make writing more interesting or to emphasize a point. The trees danced in the wind. The word danced describes the trees as if they were people. Unlike people, however, trees can't actually dance. Instead, the personification suggests that the trees are moving.

Complete the sentence with the phrase jumped out in front of me. It describes the curb as if it were a mischievous, unpredictable person.

What information supports the conclusion that Sandra acquired this trait?

Read the description of a trait. Sandra has a scar on her right elbow.

closed choice

grade8

natural science

biology

Genes to traits

Inherited and acquired traits: use evidence to support a statement

Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways. Inherited traits are passed down from biological parents to their offspring through genes. Genes are pieces of hereditary material that contain the instructions that affect inherited traits. Offspring receive their genes, and therefore gain their inherited traits, from their biological parents. Inherited traits do not need to be learned. Acquired traits are gained during a person's life. Some acquired traits, such as riding a bicycle, are gained by learning. Other acquired traits, such as scars, are caused by the environment. Parents do not pass acquired traits down to their offspring.

Which object has the most thermal energy?

The objects are identical except for their temperatures.

closed choice

grade4

natural science

physics

Heat and thermal energy

How is temperature related to thermal energy?

All solids, liquids, and gases are made of matter. Matter is made up of tiny particles that are always moving. The energy from the motion of these particles is called thermal energy. Temperature measures how hot or cold matter is. If the particles in matter move faster, the temperature goes up. The matter now has both more thermal energy and a higher temperature.

All three baked potatoes have the same mass but different temperatures. Since the 40°C potato is the hottest, it has the most thermal energy.

Read the following excerpt from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her word choice? Automobile companies should be required to manufacture more fuel-efficient vehicles. This shift would help the environment by lowering the demand for crude oil and lowering the level of pollutants released into the atmosphere. If fuel-efficient cars were manufactured, the economy would improve, too. As people lowered their expenses for gas, they would be able to increase spending on other products. Also, manufacturing these cars would drive technology forward: other new products would likely be manufactured, too.

closed choice

grade11

language science

writing-strategies

Editing and revising

Suggest appropriate revisions

During peer review, you read and respond to a fellow student's writing. While there are many methods and strategies that you can use for reviewing a text, it is generally helpful to frame your suggestions in concrete and constructive ways and to consider the following areas for revision: Ideas and development: Does the writer express a clear idea and develop it with evidence, examples, or analysis? Organization: Does the writer order ideas in a clear, logical way so that they build on one another and are easy to follow? Voice: Does the writer maintain an appropriate voice, such as a formal and objective voice in an academic essay or an engaging and expressive voice in a narrative essay? Sentence fluency: Does the writer use sentences that vary in structure and length to create a sense of rhythm and flow within and between sentences, or does the writing sound choppy, rambling, or repetitive? Word choice: Does the writer use words accurately and precisely to create clear, effective, and engaging writing? Grammar and mechanics: Does the writer follow appropriate conventions, using accurate spelling, punctuation, and grammar to create writing that is correct and easy to read?

The writer could best improve his or her word choice by reducing repetitive language. For example, the writer could revise the underlined text by using synonyms of manufacture, such as make, produce, create, and build, and synonyms of lower, such as decrease or reduce. Automobile companies should be required to manufacture more fuel-efficient vehicles. This shift would help the environment by lowering the demand for crude oil and lowering the level of pollutants released into the atmosphere. If fuel-efficient cars were manufactured, the economy would improve, too. As people lowered their expenses for gas, they would be able to increase spending on other products. Also, manufacturing these cars would drive technology forward: other new products would likely be manufactured, too.

Which of the following contains a vague pronoun reference?

closed choice

grade7

language science

writing-strategies

Pronouns and antecedents

Identify vague pronoun references

When writing, make sure to avoid vague pronoun references. A vague pronoun reference occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent. When Lisa and Kim finally landed, she breathed a sigh of relief. The pronoun she could refer to either Lisa or Kim, so the meaning of the sentence is unclear. Vague pronoun references can be corrected in one of two ways: 1. Replace the pronoun with its correct antecedent: When Lisa and Kim finally landed, Lisa breathed a sigh of relief. 2. Rewrite the sentence: Lisa breathed a sigh of relief when she and Kim finally landed. A vague pronoun reference also occurs when they, them, their, theirs, it, or its is used without its antecedent. They say that this nail polish dries in less than five minutes. The pronoun they is used without its antecedent, so the meaning of the sentence is unclear. This problem can be fixed by replacing the pronoun with its missing antecedent. The advertisements say that this nail polish dries in less than five minutes.

The second answer choice contains a vague pronoun reference. The pronoun he could refer to Tyler or Bob. The first answer choice shows a possible correction for the vague pronoun reference. He has been replaced with Tyler. After Tyler explained the chemistry homework to Bob, Tyler understood it better, too.

What is the volume of a bottle of nail polish?

Select the better estimate.

closed choice

grade5

natural science

units-and-measurement

Units and measurement

Choose metric units of volume

Measurements are written with both a number and a unit. The unit comes after the number. The unit shows what the number means. Volume is a measurement of how much space something takes up. There are many different units of volume. When you are using metric units, volume may be written in units of milliliters or liters. There are 1,000 milliliters in 1 liter. So, 1 milliliter is much less than 1 liter. A raindrop has a volume of about 20 milliliters, while a large soda bottle has a volume of 2 liters. The flask shown here measures volumes up to 500 milliliters.

The better estimate for the volume of a bottle of nail polish is 14 milliliters. 14 liters is too much.

What information supports the conclusion that Alan acquired this trait?

Read the description of a trait. Alan has a scar on his right arm.

closed choice

grade6

natural science

biology

Genes to traits

Inherited and acquired traits: use evidence to support a statement

Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways. Inherited traits are passed down from biological parents to their offspring through genes. Genes are pieces of hereditary material that contain the instructions that affect inherited traits. Offspring receive their genes, and therefore gain their inherited traits, from their biological parents. Inherited traits do not need to be learned. Acquired traits are gained during a person's life. Some acquired traits, such as riding a bicycle, are gained by learning. Other acquired traits, such as scars, are caused by the environment. Parents do not pass acquired traits down to their offspring.

Using only these supplies, which question can Tara investigate with an experiment?

Tara has a small vegetable garden, which includes a compost pile of food scraps. She notices that some of the squash plants growing next to the compost pile grow differently than squash plants that are farther away. She wonders what factors affect how her squash plants grow. So, she decides to design an experiment. She has the following supplies available: one type of squash seeds four large clay pots soil a compost pile water

closed choice

grade7

natural science

science-and-engineering-practices

Designing experiments

Identify questions that can be investigated with a set of materials

Experiments can be designed to answer specific questions. When designing an experiment, you must identify the supplies that are necessary to answer your question. In order to do this, you need to figure out what will be tested and what will be measured during the experiment. Imagine that you are wondering if plants grow to different heights when planted in different types of soil. How might you decide what supplies are necessary to conduct this experiment? First, you need to identify the part of the experiment that will be tested, which is the independent variable. This is usually the part of the experiment that is different or changed. In this case, you would like to know how plants grow in different types of soil. So, you must have different types of soil available. Next, you need to identify the part of the experiment that will be measured or observed, which is the dependent variable. In this experiment, you would like to know if some plants grow taller than others. So, you must be able to compare the plants' heights. To do this, you can observe which plants are taller by looking at them, or you can measure their exact heights with a meterstick. So, if you have different types of soil and can observe or measure the heights of your plants, then you have the supplies you need to investigate your question with an experiment!

Which figure of speech is used in this text? The salesperson tried hard to convince Edgar that the jacket was a good buy; after all, it was made of genuine imitation leather.

closed choice

grade11

language science

figurative-language

Literary devices

Classify the figure of speech: review

Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive. Anaphora is the repetition of the same word or words at the beginning of several phrases or clauses. We are united. We are powerful. We are winners. Antithesis involves contrasting opposing ideas within a parallel grammatical structure. I want to help, not to hurt. Apostrophe is a direct address to an absent person or a nonhuman entity. Oh, little bird, what makes you sing so beautifully? Assonance is the repetition of a vowel sound in a series of nearby words. Try to light the fire. Chiasmus is an expression in which the second half parallels the first but reverses the order of words. Never let a fool kiss you or a kiss fool you. A euphemism is a polite or indirect expression that is used to de-emphasize an unpleasant topic. The head of Human Resources would never refer to firing people, only to laying them off. Hyperbole is an obvious exaggeration that is not meant to be taken literally. I ate so much that I think I might explode! An oxymoron is a joining of two seemingly contradictory terms. Some reviewers are calling this book a new classic. A paradox is a statement that might at first appear to be contradictory, but that may in fact contain some truth. Always expect the unexpected. Understatement involves deliberately representing something as less serious or important than it really is. As you know, it can get a little cold in the Antarctic.

The text uses an oxymoron, a joining of two seemingly contradictory terms. Genuine imitation is a contradiction, because genuine means real, and imitation means fake or synthetic.

Colton starts to pull the wagon across the yard. To move the wagon at the same speed each time, which friend does Colton need to pull with a larger force?

Colton gives two friends a ride in his wagon. One friend sits in the wagon at a time.

closed choice

grade2

natural science

physics

Force and motion

How do mass and force affect motion?

A force is a push or a pull. A force can make an object start moving or stop an object that is moving. A force can also make an object speed up, slow down, or change direction. Forces can be different sizes. Think about trying to move a heavy object and a light object. Imagine you want to move them at the same speed. You will need to use a larger force to move the heavy object.

Look for the friend who is heavier. A friend who weighs 32 pounds is heavier than a friend who weighs 27 pounds. So, to move the wagon at the same speed each time, Colton needs to use a larger force to start moving the wagon with a friend who weighs 32 pounds.

What information supports the conclusion that Damon acquired this trait?

Read the description of a trait. Damon is good at identifying fish.

closed choice

grade3

natural science

biology

Heredity

Inherited and acquired traits: use evidence to support a statement

Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways. Inherited traits are passed down through families. Children gain these traits from their parents. Inherited traits do not need to be learned. Acquired traits are gained during a person's life. Some acquired traits, such as riding a bicycle, are gained by learning. Other acquired traits, such as scars, are caused by the environment.

Which tense does the sentence use? Lexi practices the drums in her family's garage.

closed choice

grade3

language science

verbs

Verb tense

Is the sentence in the past, present, or future tense?

Present tense verbs tell you about something that is happening now. Most present-tense verbs are regular. They have no ending, or they end in -s or -es. Two verbs are irregular in the present tense, to be and to have. You must remember their forms. Past tense verbs tell you about something that has already happened. Most past-tense verbs are regular. They end in -ed. Some verbs are irregular in the past tense. You must remember their past-tense forms. Future tense verbs tell you about something that is going to happen. All future-tense verbs use the word will. Present | Past | Future walk, walks | walked | will walk go, goes | went | will go

The sentence is in present tense. You can tell because it uses a present-tense verb, practices. The verb ends in -s and tells you about something that is true or happening now.

Which text uses the word ironic in its traditional sense?

closed choice

grade10

language science

writing-strategies

Word usage and nuance

Explore words with new or contested usages

Words change in meaning when speakers begin using them in new ways. For example, the word peruse once only meant to examine in detail, but it's now also commonly used to mean to look through in a casual manner. When a word changes in meaning, its correct usage is often debated. Although a newer sense of the word may be more commonly used, many people consider a word's traditional definition to be the correct usage. Being able to distinguish the different uses of a word can help you use it appropriately for different audiences. Britney perused her notes, carefully preparing for her exam. The traditional usage above is considered more standard. David perused the magazine, absentmindedly flipping through the pages. The nontraditional usage above is now commonly used, but traditional style guides generally advise against it.

The first text uses ironic in its traditional sense: contrary to what was intended, often in an amusing way. It's ironic because Jordan tried to get away from the snow but found himself in a snowstorm regardless. Last winter, Jordan 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 Jordan's friends were in Florida the week before. Last winter, Jordan 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.

What is the source of the allusion in the sentence below? In the mornings, working alone in the cold, I sometimes imagined myself to be trapped in a Sisyphean nightmare.

closed choice

grade12

language science

figurative-language

Literary devices

Recall the source of an allusion

An allusion is a brief mention of something or someone well known, often from mythology, history, or literature. An allusion lets you reference ideas from an entire story in just a few words. The protean nature of the disease makes it difficult to diagnose. The word protean is an allusion to the sea god Proteus in Greek mythology. Because the sea is constantly changing, to describe something as protean suggests that it is variable or in flux.

The source of the allusion Sisyphean is Greek mythology. In Greek mythology, Sisyphus is punished by the gods with the task of eternally rolling a boulder up a hill just to watch it roll down again. The allusion Sisyphean means interminable.

What information supports the conclusion that Ethan inherited this trait?

Read the description of a trait. Ethan has blue eyes.

closed choice

grade4

natural science

biology

Traits and heredity

Inherited and acquired traits: use evidence to support a statement

Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways. Inherited traits are passed down through families. Children gain these traits from their parents. Inherited traits do not need to be learned. Acquired traits are gained during a person's life. Some acquired traits, such as riding a bicycle, are gained by learning. Other acquired traits, such as scars, are caused by the environment.

What is the temperature of a warm grilled cheese sandwich?

Select the better estimate.

closed choice

grade7

natural science

units-and-measurement

Units and measurement

Estimate temperatures

Measurements are written with both a number and a unit. The unit comes after the number. The unit shows what the number means. Temperature can be written with units of degrees Fahrenheit (°F) or Celsius (°C). Use the list below to compare the two units. 212°F | Water boils | 100°C 98.6°F | Body temperature | 37°C 68°F | Room temperature | 20°C 32°F | Water freezes | 0°C

The better estimate for the temperature of a warm grilled cheese sandwich is 50°C. 50°F is too cold.

Which word would you find on a dictionary page with the following guide words? harvest - hid

closed choice

grade4

language science

reference-skills

Reference skills

Use guide words

Guide words appear on each page of a dictionary. They tell you the first word and last word on the page. The other words on the page come between the guide words in alphabetical order. To put words in alphabetical order, put them in order by their first letters. If the first letters are the same, look at the second letters. If the second letters are the same, look at the third letters, and so on. If one word is shorter, and there are no more letters to compare, then the shorter word comes first in alphabetical order. For example, be comes before bed.

Put the words in alphabetical order. Since height is between the guide words harvest - hid, it would be found on that page.

What information supports the conclusion that Nellie inherited this trait?

Read the description of a trait. Nellie has dark skin.

closed choice

grade3

natural science

biology

Heredity

Inherited and acquired traits: use evidence to support a statement

Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways. Inherited traits are passed down through families. Children gain these traits from their parents. Inherited traits do not need to be learned. Acquired traits are gained during a person's life. Some acquired traits, such as riding a bicycle, are gained by learning. Other acquired traits, such as scars, are caused by the environment.

What does this Works Cited entry indicate about the cited work? Norman, Howard. "Advice of the Fatherly Sort." I Hate to Leave This Beautiful Place. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013. 1–40. Print.

closed choice

grade11

language science

reference-skills

Research skills

Understand a Works Cited entry (MLA 7th edition)

When writing research papers, you will often be asked to follow a particular style guide for your citations. One popular style guide is the Modern Language Association (MLA) Handbook. Below are the basic formats for some common types of Works Cited entries. Consult the MLA Handbook for a complete list. Books: Format | Author(s). Book Title. City of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication. Example | Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. New York: Dover Publications, 1995. Print. Essays, short stories, or poems in an anthology or book: Format | Author(s). "Essay, Poem, or Short Story Title." Anthology or Book Title. Ed. Editor Name. City of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Page Number(s). Medium of Publication. Example | James, Henry. "The Middle Years." The Oxford Book of American Short Stories. Ed. Joyce Carol Oates. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2013. 116-135. Print. Magazine and newspaper articles: Format | Author(s). "Article Title." Title of Magazine or Newspaper Date of Publication: Page(s). Medium of Publication. Example | Hayes, David J., and James H. Stock. "The Real Cost of Coal." New York Times 24 Mar. 2015: n. pag. Web. 25 Mar. 2015. Journal articles: Format | Author(s). "Article Title." Title of Journal Volume.Issue (Year): Page(s). Medium of Publication. Example | Gillette, Jane, et al. "Human Simulations of Vocabulary Learning." Cognition 73.2 (1999): 135-176. Print. Web pages: Format | Author(s). "Page Title." Name of Website. Publisher, Date of Publication. Medium of Publication. Date of Access. Example | Gunn, Janelle P., and Lauren E. Owens. "How to Slash Sodium from Your Diet." Livestrong.com. Demand Media, 30 Mar. 2015. Web. 31 Mar. 2015. Additional guidelines: Author Names. The first author's name is written in last name, first name format (Smith, Jane). Additional author names are written in first name last name format (Smith, Jane, and John Doe). If there are more than three authors, the first author's name is followed by "et al.," which stands for and others (e.g., Smith, Jane, et al.). Medium of Publication. Each entry must include information about what form the content was communicated in. The most common mediums are "Print" and "Web," but other possibilities include "Film," "E-mail," and "Lecture." Whenever the Medium of Publication is "Web," the date of access (the day, month, and year the webpage was viewed) must be listed directly after the Medium of Publication. Editors and Translators. If a work has an editor or a translator, this information must be added to the Works Cited entry using the appropriate abbreviation. "Ed." stands for edited by. "Trans." stands for translated by. Missing Information. If a work has no known author, the author section of the citation is simply left out. If a work has no available page numbers, the abbreviation "n. pag." is used instead. If a work has no available publication date, the abbreviation "n.d." is used instead. If a work has no available publisher or no available city of publication, the abbreviation "n.p." is used instead.

Look closely at the Works Cited entry: Norman, Howard. "Advice of the Fatherly Sort." I Hate to Leave This Beautiful Place. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013. 1–40. Print. You can tell that Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is the publisher by looking at the publisher name, which appears after the place of publication.

Select the solid.

closed choice

grade2

natural science

physics

States of matter

Identify solids, liquids, and gases

Solid, liquid, and gas are states of matter. Matter is anything that takes up space. Matter can come in different states, or forms. When matter is a solid, it has a shape of its own. Some solids can be bent or broken easily. Others are hard to bend or break. A glass cup is a solid. A sock is also a solid. When matter is a liquid, it takes the shape of its container. Think about pouring a liquid from a cup into a bottle. The shape of the liquid is different in the cup than in the bottle. But the liquid still takes up the same amount of space. Juice is a liquid. Honey is also a liquid. When matter is a gas, it spreads out to fill a space. Many gases are invisible. So, you can’t see them. Air is a gas.

Rain is a liquid. A liquid takes the shape of any container it is in. If you put rainwater into a bucket, the rainwater will take the shape of the bucket. But the rainwater will still take up the same amount of space. A coin is a solid. A solid has a size and shape of its own. Many coins are made of solid metal. Apple juice is a liquid. A liquid takes the shape of any container it is in. If you pour apple juice into a different container, the apple juice will take the shape of that container. But the apple juice will still take up the same amount of space.

Suppose Joe decides to bake chocolate muffins. Which result would be a cost?

Joe is deciding whether to bake pumpkin muffins or chocolate muffins. He wants the muffins to be tasty. But he also wants to make a lot of muffins.

closed choice

grade5

social science

economics

Basic economic principles

Costs and benefits

Before you decide to do something, it is often helpful to list costs and benefits. Costs are what you give up or spend when you decide to do something. Costs involve giving up things that you want or need. Benefits are what you gain or save when you decide to do something. Benefits involve gaining something that you want or need.

This result is a cost. It involves giving up or spending something that Joe wants or needs: Joe will give up the chance to eat pumpkin muffins. He thinks pumpkin muffins are tastier than chocolate muffins.

Which figure of speech is used in this text? Trisha swore she would never go back to Oakland, but I told her she should never say never. The city might be a very different place in ten years.

closed choice

grade12

language science

figurative-language

Literary devices

Classify the figure of speech: euphemism, hyperbole, oxymoron, paradox

Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive. A euphemism is a polite or indirect expression that is used to de-emphasize an unpleasant topic. The head of Human Resources would never refer to firing people, only to laying them off. Hyperbole is an obvious exaggeration that is not meant to be taken literally. I ate so much that I think I might explode! An oxymoron is a joining of two seemingly contradictory terms. Some reviewers are calling this book a new classic. A paradox is a statement that might at first appear to be contradictory, but that may in fact contain some truth. Always expect the unexpected.

The text uses a paradox, a statement that might at first appear to be contradictory, but that may in fact contain some truth. Never say never at first appears to be contradictory: by saying the phrase itself, you have already said never. However, it contains some truth: people often change their minds as they age and so should not rule anything out by saying never.

Would you find the word raid on a dictionary page with the following guide words? recess - rose

yes or no

grade3

language science

reference-skills

Reference skills

Use guide words

Guide words appear on each page of a dictionary. They tell you the first word and last word on the page. The other words on the page come between the guide words in alphabetical order. To put words in alphabetical order, put them in order by their first letters. If the first letters are the same, look at the second letters. If the second letters are the same, look at the third letters, and so on. If one word is shorter, and there are no more letters to compare, then the shorter word comes first in alphabetical order. For example, be comes before bed.

Put the words in alphabetical order. Since raid is not between the guide words recess - rose, it would not be found on that page.

Which figure of speech is used in this text? It's an open secret that Gordon is writing a book based on his experiences living in Singapore. He never talks about it, but almost all his friends know.

closed choice

grade10

language science

figurative-language

Literary devices

Classify figures of speech: euphemism, hyperbole, oxymoron, paradox

Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive. A euphemism is a polite or indirect expression that is used to de-emphasize an unpleasant topic. The head of Human Resources would never refer to firing people, only to laying them off. Hyperbole is an obvious exaggeration that is not meant to be taken literally. I ate so much that I think I might explode! An oxymoron is a joining of two seemingly contradictory terms. Some reviewers are calling this book a new classic. A paradox is a statement that might at first appear to be contradictory, but that may in fact contain some truth. Always expect the unexpected.

The text uses an oxymoron, a joining of two seemingly contradictory terms. Open secret is a contradiction, because open describes something that is freely or publicly known, and a secret is hidden.

Which correctly shows the title of a magazine?

closed choice

grade6

language science

punctuation

Formatting

Formatting titles

The title of a book, movie, play, TV show, magazine, or newspaper should be in italics. If you write it by hand, it can be underlined instead. A Midsummer Night's Dream The title of a poem, song, article, or short story should be in quotation marks. "You Are My Sunshine"

A magazine should be in italics. The correct title is **Taste of Home**.

Which of the following contains a vague pronoun reference?

closed choice

grade7

language science

writing-strategies

Pronouns and antecedents

Identify vague pronoun references

When writing, make sure to avoid vague pronoun references. A vague pronoun reference occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent. When Lisa and Kim finally landed, she breathed a sigh of relief. The pronoun she could refer to either Lisa or Kim, so the meaning of the sentence is unclear. Vague pronoun references can be corrected in one of two ways: 1. Replace the pronoun with its correct antecedent: When Lisa and Kim finally landed, Lisa breathed a sigh of relief. 2. Rewrite the sentence: Lisa breathed a sigh of relief when she and Kim finally landed. A vague pronoun reference also occurs when they, them, their, theirs, it, or its is used without its antecedent. They say that this nail polish dries in less than five minutes. The pronoun they is used without its antecedent, so the meaning of the sentence is unclear. This problem can be fixed by replacing the pronoun with its missing antecedent. The advertisements say that this nail polish dries in less than five minutes.

The first answer choice contains a vague pronoun reference. The pronoun it could refer to the battery or the computer. Patrick replaced the battery in his computer when he noticed that it wasn't working properly. The second answer choice shows a possible correction for the vague pronoun reference. The text has been rewritten so that the meaning is clear. When Patrick's computer wasn't working properly, he replaced the battery.

What does the hyperbole in this text suggest? The last time Fernando cleaned his room, dinosaurs were still roaming the Earth.

closed choice

grade11

language science

figurative-language

Literary devices

Interpret the figure of speech

Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive. Hyperbole is an obvious exaggeration that is not meant to be taken literally. I ate so much that I think I might explode!

The text uses hyperbole, an obvious exaggeration that is not meant to be taken literally. The hyperbole dinosaurs were still roaming the Earth suggests that Fernando hasn't cleaned his room in a very long time. He did not actually clean his room millions of years ago when dinosaurs existed.

Which text uses the word travesty in its traditional sense?

closed choice

grade11

language science

writing-strategies

Word usage and nuance

Explore words with new or contested usages

Words change in meaning when speakers begin using them in new ways. For example, the word peruse once only meant to examine in detail, but it's now also commonly used to mean to look through in a casual manner. When a word changes in meaning, its correct usage is often debated. Although a newer sense of the word may be more commonly used, many people consider a word's traditional definition to be the correct usage. Being able to distinguish the different uses of a word can help you use it appropriately for different audiences. Britney perused her notes, carefully preparing for her exam. The traditional usage above is considered more standard. David perused the magazine, absentmindedly flipping through the pages. The nontraditional usage above is now commonly used, but traditional style guides generally advise against it.

The first text uses travesty in its traditional sense: a ridiculous imitation; a parody. Jaden's ill-researched essay about the Space Race received a poor grade because it presented such a travesty of the actual historical events. The second text uses travesty in its nontraditional sense: a disappointment or a tragedy. Jaden realized that his essay about the Space Race was a bit inaccurate, but he still thought it a travesty that such an entertaining essay should receive a poor grade. Most style guides recommend to use the traditional sense of the word travesty because it is considered more standard.

Does this passage describe the weather or the climate? Cairo, Egypt, had clear skies today.

Hint: Weather is what the atmosphere is like at a certain place and time. Climate is the pattern of weather in a certain place.

closed choice

grade4

natural science

earth-science

Weather and climate

What's the difference between weather and climate?

The atmosphere is the layer of air that surrounds Earth. Both weather and climate tell you about the atmosphere. Weather is what the atmosphere is like at a certain place and time. Weather can change quickly. For example, the temperature outside your house might get higher throughout the day. Climate is the pattern of weather in a certain place. For example, summer temperatures in New York are usually higher than winter temperatures.

Read the text carefully. Cairo, Egypt, had clear skies today. This passage tells you about the cloud cover in Cairo today. It describes the atmosphere at a certain place and time. So, this passage describes the weather.

Is a bicycle a good or a service?

closed choice

grade2

social science

economics

Economics

Goods and services

Everything you can buy is either a good or a service. A good is something you can touch or hold in your hands. For example, a hammer is a good. A service is a job you pay someone else to do. For example, cooking food in a restaurant is a service.

To decide whether a bicycle is a good or a service, ask these questions: Is a bicycle something you can touch? Yes. Is a bicycle a job you might pay someone else to do? No. So, a bicycle is a good.

Complete the statement. Assume that the horse's mass did not change. The gravitational potential energy stored between the horse and Earth () as the horse ran toward the river.

Read the text about an animal in motion. A horse was grazing at the top of a small hill. The horse got thirsty and ran toward a river at the bottom of the hill.

closed choice

grade7

natural science

physics

Kinetic and potential energy

Identify changes in gravitational potential energy

Gravitational potential energy is stored between any two objects. So, for every object on or near Earth, there is gravitational potential energy stored between the object and Earth. The amount of gravitational potential energy stored between an object and Earth depends on the mass of the object. The amount of gravitational potential energy also depends on the distance between the object and the center of Earth. This distance increases when the object moves higher and decreases when the object moves lower. If the distance between an object and the center of Earth changes, the gravitational potential energy stored between the object and Earth will change. The table below shows how this change can happen. When an object's mass stays the same and its distance from the center of Earth... | Gravitational potential energy stored between the object and Earth... increases | increases decreases | decreases stays the same | stays the same

Think about how the distance between the horse and the center of Earth changed. The bottom of the small hill is lower than the top of the hill. As the horse ran down the hill, the distance between the horse and the center of Earth decreased. So, the gravitational potential energy stored between the horse and Earth decreased as the horse ran toward the river.

How long does it take to fry an egg in a pan?

Select the better estimate.

closed choice

grade2

natural science

units-and-measurement

Units and measurement

Choose units of time

Measurements are written with both a number and a unit. The unit comes after the number. The unit shows what the number means. Imagine being told that the bus leaves in 7. You might be thinking, 7 what? Does the bus leave in 7 minutes? 7 seconds? The number 7 on its own does not give you much information about when the bus is leaving. That is because the units are missing. Time is usually measured in units of seconds, minutes, or hours. It takes about 1 second to sneeze and 1 minute to get dressed in the morning. It takes about 1 hour to bake a pie in the oven. There are 60 seconds in 1 minute. So, 1 second is much less than 1 minute. There are 60 minutes in 1 hour. So, 1 minute is much less than 1 hour.

The better estimate for how long it takes to fry an egg in a pan is 6 minutes. 6 hours is too slow.

Complete the sentence. Bending a paper clip is a ().

closed choice

grade2

natural science

chemistry

Physical and chemical change

Identify physical and chemical changes

Chemical changes and physical changes are two ways matter can change. In a chemical change, the type of matter changes. Burning a piece of paper is a chemical change. The paper changes into ash and smoke. In a physical change, the type of matter stays the same. Cutting a piece of paper is a physical change. The cut pieces are still made of paper. Ice melting is also a physical change. When ice melts, it changes from a solid to a liquid. But both ice and liquid water are made of the same type of matter: water! This kind of change is called a change of state.

Bending a paper clip is a physical change. After you bend it, the paper clip has a different shape. But it is still made of the same type of matter.

Does the sentence use a simile or a metaphor? On that winter morning, Sadie's hands were as cold as ice.

closed choice

grade5

language science

figurative-language

Literary devices

Identify similes and metaphors

Similes and metaphors are figures of speech that compare two things that are not actually alike. A simile compares two things by saying that one is like the other. Similes often use the words like and as. My sister runs like a cheetah. The sister's running and a cheetah's running are compared using the word like. A cheetah is known for running fast, so the simile means that the sister also runs fast. The cat's fur was as dark as the night. The cat's fur and the night are compared using the word as. The night is dark, so the simile means that the cat's fur is also dark. A metaphor compares two things by saying that one of them is the other. Unlike similes, metaphors don't use the word like or as. The snow formed a blanket over the town. The snow and a blanket are compared without the word like or as. A blanket is a large piece of cloth that completely covers a bed. The metaphor makes the reader imagine that the snow becomes a blanket, covering the town completely. Using similes and metaphors in your writing can help you create an interesting picture for the reader.

On that winter morning, Sadie's hands were as cold as ice. The words hands and ice are compared using the word as. So, the sentence uses a simile.

Which closing is correct for a letter?

closed choice

grade2

language science

capitalization

Capitalization

Greetings and closings of letters

A letter starts with a greeting and ends with a closing. For each one, capitalize the first word and end with a comma. You should also capitalize proper nouns, such as Aunt Sue. Dear Aunt Sue, I'm glad you could come to my party, and thank you for the birthday gift. I could not have asked for a better one! Every time I see it, I think of you. With love, Rory

The second closing is correct: Its first word is capitalized, and it ends with a comma.

Which change better matches the sentence? A grassy hill catches fire and burns.

closed choice

grade2

natural science

earth-science

Earth events

Classify changes to Earth's surface

What does the euphemism in this text suggest? Isabella is between jobs right now, so she's selling some of her old jewelry to help pay the bills.

closed choice

grade11

language science

figurative-language

Literary devices

Interpret the figure of speech

Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive. A euphemism is a polite or indirect expression that is used to de-emphasize an unpleasant topic. The head of Human Resources would never refer to firing people, only to laying them off.

The text uses a euphemism, a polite or indirect expression that is used to de-emphasize an unpleasant topic. The euphemism between jobs means that Isabella is unemployed.

Does this passage describe the weather or the climate? It has not rained in over a week at Paula's house.

Hint: Weather is what the atmosphere is like at a certain place and time. Climate is the pattern of weather in a certain place.

closed choice

grade3

natural science

earth-science

Weather and climate

What's the difference between weather and climate?

The atmosphere is the layer of air that surrounds Earth. Both weather and climate tell you about the atmosphere. Weather is what the atmosphere is like at a certain place and time. Weather can change quickly. For example, the temperature outside your house might get higher throughout the day. Climate is the pattern of weather in a certain place. For example, summer temperatures in New York are usually higher than winter temperatures.

Read the text carefully. It has not rained in over a week at Paula's house. This passage tells you about the precipitation last week at Paula's house. It describes the atmosphere at a certain place and time. So, this passage describes the weather.

What does the euphemism in this text suggest? "Thank you for your work over the years," Mrs. Duran said to her gardener. "As of next week, however, your services will no longer be required."

closed choice

grade11

language science

figurative-language

Literary devices

Interpret the figure of speech

Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive. A euphemism is a polite or indirect expression that is used to de-emphasize an unpleasant topic. The head of Human Resources would never refer to firing people, only to laying them off.

The text uses a euphemism, a polite or indirect expression that is used to de-emphasize an unpleasant topic. The euphemism your services will no longer be required means that the gardener is being fired.

Complete the statement. Assume that Gordon's mass did not change. The gravitational potential energy stored between Gordon and Earth () as he hiked toward the summit.

Read the text about a person in motion. Gordon hiked up a tall mountain. He followed a trail all the way to the summit.

closed choice

grade6

natural science

physics

Kinetic and potential energy

Identify changes in gravitational potential energy

Gravitational potential energy is stored between any two objects. So, for every object on or near Earth, there is gravitational potential energy stored between the object and Earth. The amount of gravitational potential energy stored between an object and Earth depends on the mass of the object. The amount of gravitational potential energy also depends on the distance between the object and the center of Earth. This distance increases when the object moves higher and decreases when the object moves lower. If the distance between an object and the center of Earth changes, the gravitational potential energy stored between the object and Earth will change. The table below shows how this change can happen. When an object's mass stays the same and its distance from the center of Earth... | Gravitational potential energy stored between the object and Earth... increases | increases decreases | decreases stays the same | stays the same

Think about how the distance between Gordon and the center of Earth changed. The summit of the mountain was higher than the point where Gordon started hiking. As he hiked toward the summit, the distance between Gordon and the center of Earth increased. So, the gravitational potential energy stored between Gordon and Earth increased as he hiked toward the summit.

Is the student text plagiarized?

Compare the student text with the source. Source: Suemedha Sood, "Australia's penal colony roots." Published on BBC, 26 Jan. 2012. New South Wales, a state in southeast Australia, was founded by the British as a penal colony in 1788. Over the next 80 years, more than 160,000 convicts were transported to Australia from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Student text: According to Sood, "more than 160,000 convicts were transported to Australia" between 1788 and 1868.

closed choice

grade11

language science

writing-strategies

Research skills

Identify plagiarism

Plagiarism is the act of taking another person's work or ideas and presenting them as your own, either accidentally or on purpose. When you use an outside source in your own writing, you should make sure to cite the source in order to avoid plagiarism. Consider the following source: Fisher, Goddu, and Keil, "Searching for Explanations: How the Internet Inflates Estimates of Internal Knowledge." Copyright 2015 by the American Psychological Association The results of these experiments suggest that searching the Internet may cause a systematic failure to recognize the extent to which we rely on outsourced knowledge. Searching for explanations on the Internet inflates self-assessed knowledge in unrelated domains. If you use a direct quotation in your writing, you must use quotation marks around the exact words that were copied from the source, in addition to citing the source. Researchers have found that relying on the Internet for information may cause a systematic failure to recognize the extent to which we rely on outsourced knowledge. This sentence is plagiarized because it uses the source's exact words without quotation marks and without properly citing the source. Researchers have found that relying on the Internet for information "may cause a systematic failure to recognize the extent to which we rely on outsourced knowledge" (Fisher, Goddu, and Keil). If you paraphrase a source, or put a source's ideas into your own words, you must still cite the source. Even if properly cited, a paraphrase that is too similar to the source in wording or sentence structure is still considered plagiarized. According to Fisher, Goddu, and Keil, searching the Internet can lead to a regular failure to perceive the extent to which we rely on outside knowledge. This sentence is plagiarized because it is an insufficient paraphrase. Even though it is properly cited, it borrows too much of the source's wording and sentence structure. According to Fisher, Goddu, and Keil, relying on the Internet to look up information can make it difficult for us to estimate how much of our knowledge comes from internal versus external sources. There are different rules about how to format citations, such as when to include page numbers for print sources. Check a style guide, such as the Modern Language Association (MLA) Handbook, for a complete list of these rules.

The student text is not plagiarized. It correctly uses quotation marks and properly cites the source. According to Sood, "more than 160,000 convicts were transported to Australia" between 1788 and 1868. Source: Suemedha Sood, "Australia's penal colony roots." Published on BBC, 26 Jan. 2012. New South Wales, a state in southeast Australia, was founded by the British as a penal colony in 1788. Over the next 80 years, more than 160,000 convicts were transported to Australia from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Select the living thing.

closed choice

grade4

natural science

biology

Classification

Identify living and nonliving things

All living things are made up of cells. Plants, animals, and some fungi have many cells. Other living things are made up of just one cell. All living things need food and water. Water helps living things break down food and remove waste. Food gives living things energy. They use energy from food to grow and change. All living things sense changes in their environment. Living things might sense changes by seeing, smelling, hearing, or feeling. Living things can respond to the changes they sense.

A mug is not a living thing. Mugs 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. Clay is not a living thing. Clay does not have all of the traits of a living thing. It can be formed into different shapes, but it does not grow or respond to the world around it. It does not need food or water. A crayon is not a living thing. Crayons 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. A mangrove tree is a living thing. Mangrove trees grow and respond to their environment. They need food and water. Mangrove trees are made up of many cells. Mangrove trees are plants. They make their own food using water, carbon dioxide, and energy from sunlight.

Based on this information, what is Asgore's genotype for the wool color gene?

In a group of sheep, some individuals have white wool and others have black wool. In this group, the gene for the wool color trait has two alleles. The allele L is for white wool, and the allele l is for black wool. Asgore, a sheep from this group, has white wool. Asgore has one allele for white wool and one allele for black wool.

closed choice

grade6

natural science

biology

Genes to traits

Genetics vocabulary: genotype and phenotype

All organisms have pieces of hereditary material called genes, which are passed from parents to offspring. Genes contain instructions for building the parts of an organism. An organism's genes affect its observable traits, including its appearance, its behavior, and which diseases it may have. Genes may have different alleles, or forms, that can cause different versions of a trait. For example, flower color is a trait in pea plants. The gene for this trait has two possible alleles. Each allele is represented by an uppercase or lowercase letter. The allele F is for purple flowers, and the allele f is for white flowers. Each pea plant has two alleles for the flower color gene—one allele inherited from each parent. An organism's genotype for a gene is its combination of alleles for that gene. So, a pea plant may have a genotype of FF, Ff, or ff for the flower color gene. An organism's phenotype for a trait is its observable version of that trait, which depends on the organism's combination of alleles. A pea plant may have a phenotype of purple flowers or white flowers for the flower color trait.

An organism's genotype for a gene is its combination of alleles for that gene. Asgore has one allele for white wool (L) and one allele for black wool (l). So, Asgore's genotype for the wool color gene is Ll.

Which is a run-on sentence?

closed choice

grade3

language science

writing-strategies

Sentences, fragments, and run-ons

Is it a complete sentence, a fragment, or a run-on?

A sentence is a group of words that forms a complete thought. It has both a subject and a verb. My friends walk along the path. A sentence fragment is a group of words that does not express a complete thought. It is usually missing a subject or a verb. Knows the answer. This is a sentence fragment. It is missing a subject. Who knows the answer? She knows the answer. The bright red car. This is a sentence fragment. It is missing a verb. What did the bright red car do? The bright red car stopped. A run-on sentence is made up of two sentences that are joined without end punctuation or with just a comma. I knocked on the door it opened. It started raining, we ran inside. To fix a run-on sentence, separate it into two sentences. Add end punctuation after the first sentence, and capitalize the second sentence. I knocked on the door. It opened. It started raining. We ran inside. You can also fix a run-on sentence by rewriting it as a compound sentence. A compound sentence is two sentences joined by a comma and a conjunction such as and, but, or, or so. I knocked on the door, and it opened. It started raining, so we ran inside.

Lions are mammals, we are mammals, too is a run-on sentence. It has two sentences that are joined by just a comma: Lions are mammals and We are mammals, too.

Which figure of speech is used in this text? Nicholas's '64 Impala groaned as he turned the ignition. Yet again he resolved to refurbish it over the summer.

closed choice

grade8

language science

figurative-language

Literary devices

Classify figures of speech

Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive. Alliteration is the repetition of sounds at the beginning of nearby words. What a lucky little lady you are! An allusion is a brief reference to something or someone well known, often from history or literature. "I'd better get home before I turn into a pumpkin!" Lila remarked. An idiom is an expression that cannot be understood literally. Its meaning must be learned. The assignment was a piece of cake. A simile uses like or as to compare two things that are not actually alike. The cat's fur was as dark as the night. A metaphor compares two things that are not actually alike without using like or as. The snow formed a blanket over the town. Onomatopoeia involves using a word that expresses a sound. The scrambled eggs hit the floor with a splat. Personification is giving human characteristics to nonhuman things. The trees danced in the wind. A pun involves using a word or phrase in a humorous way that suggests more than one meaning. A great new broom is sweeping the nation. Verbal irony involves saying one thing but implying something very different. People often use verbal irony when they are being sarcastic. Olivia seems thrilled that her car keeps breaking down. Each breakdown is as enjoyable as a punch to the face.

The text uses personification, giving human characteristics to nonhuman things. Nicholas's '64 Impala groaned describes the car as if it were human.

What information supports the conclusion that Nancy inherited this trait?

Read the description of a trait. Nancy has red hair.

closed choice

grade5

natural science

biology

Traits and heredity

Inherited and acquired traits: use evidence to support a statement

Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways. Inherited traits are passed down through families. Children gain these traits from their parents. Inherited traits do not need to be learned. Acquired traits are gained during a person's life. Some acquired traits, such as riding a bicycle, are gained by learning. Other acquired traits, such as scars, are caused by the environment.

Which figure of speech is used in this text? "There's nothing I love more than skipping lunch," Mr. Scott told the flight attendant when he learned that no food would be available on his cross-country flight.

closed choice

grade7

language science

figurative-language

Literary devices

Classify figures of speech

Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in a nonliteral or unusual way. They can make writing more expressive. Alliteration is the repetition of sounds at the beginning of nearby words. What a lucky little lady you are! An allusion is a brief reference to something or someone well known, often from history or literature. "I'd better get home before I turn into a pumpkin!" Lila remarked. An idiom is an expression that cannot be understood literally. Its meaning must be learned. The assignment was a piece of cake. A simile uses like or as to compare two things that are not actually alike. The cat's fur was as dark as the night. A metaphor compares two things that are not actually alike without using like or as. The snow formed a blanket over the town. Onomatopoeia involves using a word that expresses a sound. The scrambled eggs hit the floor with a splat. Personification is giving human characteristics to nonhuman things. The trees danced in the wind. A pun involves using a word or phrase in a humorous way that suggests more than one meaning. A great new broom is sweeping the nation. Verbal irony involves saying one thing but implying something very different. People often use verbal irony when they are being sarcastic. Olivia seems thrilled that her car keeps breaking down. Each breakdown is as enjoyable as a punch to the face.

The text uses verbal irony, which involves saying one thing but implying something very different. Nothing I love more shows verbal irony because Mr. Scott is probably upset that there isn't anything to eat.

Which organ holds partially-digested food?

closed choice

grade5

natural science

biology

Animals

Human organs and their functions

What is the volume of armos?

Select the best estimate.

closed choice

grade5

natural science

units-and-measurement

Units and measurement

Choose customary units of volume

Measurements are written with both a number and a unit. The unit comes after the number. The unit shows what the number means. Volume is a measurement of how much space something takes up. There are many different units of volume. When you are using customary units, volume may be written in units of fluid ounces, cups, or gallons. As the diagram shows, there are 8 fluid ounces in 1 cup and 16 cups in 1 gallon. So, 1 fluid ounce is less than 1 cup and much less than 1 gallon. A glass of milk has a volume of about 8 fluid ounces, or 1 cup. A jug of milk has a volume of 1 gallon.

The best estimate for the volume of a thermos is 8 cups. 8 fluid ounces is too little and 8 gallons is too much.

Which object has less thermal energy?

The objects are identical except for their temperatures.

closed choice

grade3

natural science

physics

Heat and thermal energy

How is temperature related to thermal energy?

All solids, liquids, and gases are made of matter. Matter is made up of tiny particles that are always moving. The energy from the motion of these particles is called thermal energy. Temperature measures how hot or cold matter is. If the particles in matter slow down, the temperature goes down. The matter now has both less thermal energy and a lower temperature.

The two mugs of cider have the same mass but different temperatures. Since the 85°F mug of cider is colder than the 115°F mug of cider, it has less thermal energy.

Using only these supplies, which question can Eric investigate with an experiment?

Eric is painting watercolor pictures with his friend. An hour after they have finished, Eric notices one painting is dry but the other is not. He wonders what factors affect how quickly watercolor paintings dry. So, he decides to design an experiment. He has the following supplies available: two freshly painted watercolor pictures of the same size his dining room table a picnic table in his backyard a heater

closed choice

grade8

natural science

science-and-engineering-practices

Designing experiments

Identify questions that can be investigated with a set of materials

Experiments can be designed to answer specific questions. When designing an experiment, you must identify the supplies that are necessary to answer your question. In order to do this, you need to figure out what will be tested and what will be measured during the experiment. Imagine that you are wondering if plants grow to different heights when planted in different types of soil. How might you decide what supplies are necessary to conduct this experiment? First, you need to identify the part of the experiment that will be tested, which is the independent variable. This is usually the part of the experiment that is different or changed. In this case, you would like to know how plants grow in different types of soil. So, you must have different types of soil available. Next, you need to identify the part of the experiment that will be measured or observed, which is the dependent variable. In this experiment, you would like to know if some plants grow taller than others. So, you must be able to compare the plants' heights. To do this, you can observe which plants are taller by looking at them, or you can measure their exact heights with a meterstick. So, if you have different types of soil and can observe or measure the heights of your plants, then you have the supplies you need to investigate your question with an experiment!

Is the following trait inherited or acquired? Ayana can ride a motorcycle.

closed choice

grade5

natural science

biology

Traits and heredity

Identify inherited and acquired traits

Organisms, including people, have both inherited and acquired traits. Inherited and acquired traits are gained in different ways. Inherited traits are passed down through families. Children gain these traits from their parents. Inherited traits do not need to be learned. Acquired traits are gained during a person's life. Some acquired traits, such as riding a bicycle, are gained by learning. Other acquired traits, such as scars, are caused by the environment. Children do not inherit their parents' acquired traits.

People are not born knowing how to ride a motorcycle. Instead, many people learn how to ride. So, riding a motorcycle is an acquired trait.

Which sentence is more formal?

closed choice

grade5

language science

writing-strategies

Author's purpose and tone

Which sentence is more formal?

Formal writing is used for essays, business letters, and reports. The following types of informal language should be avoided in formal writing: Type | Examples slang | cool, awesome idioms | knock your socks off conversational language | gonna, kinda, yeah abbreviated language | ASAP, FYI overly simple or imprecise language | he got some stuff at the store contractions | can't, won't Contractions are not as informal as the other types, but they should be used sparingly in formal writing. Compare the following sentences. The first is informal. The second is formal. Informal: Yeah, ostriches can't fly, but they're awesome runners. Formal: Though ostriches are flightless, they are remarkably adept runners.

The first sentence is less formal. You can tell because it uses a contraction (isn't). The second sentence does not use a contraction, so it is more formal.

Which of the following contains a vague pronoun reference?

closed choice

grade11

language science

writing-strategies

Pronouns

Identify vague pronoun references

When writing, make sure to avoid vague pronoun references. A vague pronoun reference occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent. When Lisa and Kim finally landed, she breathed a sigh of relief. The pronoun she could refer to either Lisa or Kim, so the meaning of the sentence is unclear. Vague pronoun references can be corrected in one of two ways: 1. Replace the pronoun with its correct antecedent: When Lisa and Kim finally landed, Lisa breathed a sigh of relief. 2. Rewrite the sentence: Lisa breathed a sigh of relief when she and Kim finally landed. A vague pronoun reference also occurs when they, them, their, theirs, it, or its is used without its antecedent. They say that this nail polish dries in less than five minutes. The pronoun they is used without its antecedent, so the meaning of the sentence is unclear. This problem can be fixed by replacing the pronoun with its missing antecedent. The advertisements say that this nail polish dries in less than five minutes.

The second answer choice contains a vague pronoun reference. The pronoun them could refer to the new employees or their intake forms. The first answer choice shows a possible correction for the vague pronoun reference. Them has been replaced with the forms. Mr. Hammond wanted the new employees to fill out their intake forms, but he couldn't find the forms.