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Which sentence states a fact?

closed choice

grade6

language science

writing-strategies

Developing and supporting arguments

Distinguish facts from opinions

A fact is something that can be proved by research or observation. Napoleon Bonaparte was shorter than King Louis XVI. The statement above is a fact. The statement can be proved by researching the height of each man and comparing them. An opinion is something that a person believes, thinks, or feels. An opinion cannot be proved. Napoleon Bonaparte was a better leader than King Louis XVI. The statement above is an opinion. People can have different ideas about what makes someone a "better" leader, so the statement cannot be proved.

The second sentence states a fact. Mia Hamm helped her soccer team at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill win four NCAA titles. It can be proved by reading a biography of Mia Hamm. The first sentence states an opinion. Mia Hamm was the most impressive soccer player in the history of the United States Women's National Team. Most impressive shows what a person believes, thinks, or feels. Another person might have a different opinion about which player in the team's history is the most impressive.

Which of the following contains a vague pronoun reference?

closed choice

grade6

language science

pronouns

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 Robert or his brother. Robert plans to travel around Europe with his brother after he graduates. The first answer choice shows a possible correction for the vague pronoun reference. The text has been rewritten so that the meaning is clear. After Robert graduates, he plans to travel around Europe with his brother.

Select the invertebrate.

Hint: Insects, spiders, and worms are invertebrates.

closed choice

grade5

natural science

biology

Classification

Identify vertebrates and invertebrates

Vertebrates and invertebrates are both groups of animals. A vertebrate has a backbone. The backbone is made of many bones in an animal's back. A vertebrate's backbone helps connect the different parts of its body. In the drawings below, each vertebrate's backbone is colored orange. An invertebrate does not have a backbone. In fact, invertebrates do not have any bones! Some invertebrates have an outer cover on their body called an exoskeleton. Other invertebrates have a soft body.

Like other spiders, a golden orb-weaver is an invertebrate. It does not have a backbone. It has an exoskeleton. A human is a mammal. Like other mammals, a human is a vertebrate. It has a backbone. A puffin is a bird. Like other birds, a puffin is a vertebrate. It has a backbone. A cardinalfish is a fish. Like other fish, a cardinalfish is a vertebrate. It has a backbone.

Would you find the word steadily on a dictionary page with the following guide words? screen - surf

yes or no

grade6

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 steadily is between the guide words screen - surf, it would be found on that page.

Which is the most flexible?

closed choice

grade4

natural science

physics

Materials

Compare properties of materials

Every object is made of one or more materials. A material is a type of matter. Wood, glass, metal, and plastic are common materials. A material has different properties. A material's properties tell you how it looks, feels, tastes, or smells. Some examples of properties are shiny, hard, fragile, and stretchy. For example, a shiny material reflects a lot of light. A fragile material breaks when you drop it.

Flexible is a property. A flexible material can be bent without breaking easily. Look at each picture, one at a time. Imagine bending the material shown in each picture. Of the choices, the silk necktie is the most flexible. If you fold silk fabric, it will not break.

What do these two changes have in common? ice crystals forming on a window water freezing into ice

closed choice

grade8

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. Ice crystals forming on a window is a change of state. So, it is a physical change. Water vapor in the air can change directly into ice when it touches a very cold window! A change of state from a gas to a solid is called depositing. Water freezing into ice is a change of state. So, it is a physical change. The water changes from solid to liquid. But the ice is still made of the same type of matter as the liquid water. Step 2: Look at each answer choice. Both are only physical changes. Both changes are physical changes. No new matter is created. Both are chemical changes. Both changes are physical changes. They are not chemical changes. Both are caused by heating. Neither change is caused by heating. Both are caused by cooling. Both changes are caused by cooling.

What is the mass of a can of soup?

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 can of soup is 14 ounces. 14 pounds and 14 tons are both too heavy.

Which figure of speech is used in this text? Common sense is not so common. —attributed to Voltaire

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 a paradox, a statement that might at first appear to be contradictory, but that may in fact contain some truth. Common sense is not so common at first appears to be contradictory, as common sense refers to basic good judgment shared by most people. However, it contains some truth: many people do not use good sense or judgment in their actions.

Is there a surplus or a shortage of scarves?

A clothing store has 50 scarves for sale. Each scarf costs $17. At that price, 85 people want to buy one.

closed choice

grade5

social science

economics

Supply and demand

Identify shortage and surplus

There is a surplus if there is too much for sale at a given price. There is a shortage if there is not enough for sale at a given price. Surpluses and shortages usually happen when people who are selling goods or services charge too much or too little. When the price is too high, consumers will not want to buy much of the good or service. The quantity demanded will be less than the quantity supplied. So, there will be a surplus. When the price is too low, too many consumers will want to buy the good or service. The quantity demanded will be more than the quantity supplied. So, there will be a shortage.

At the current price, there are not enough scarves for sale. There are 50 scarves for sale, but 85 people want to buy one. So, there is a shortage of scarves.

What is the volume of a kiddie pool?

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 kiddie pool is 1,085 liters. 1,085 milliliters is too little.

What information supports the conclusion that Kenny inherited this trait?

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

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 type of sentence is this? The weather forecast had predicted severe thunderstorms, but the dark, heavy thunderclouds never materialized.

closed choice

grade10

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 compound. It is made up of two independent clauses joined by the coordinating conjunction but. The weather forecast had predicted severe thunderstorms, but the dark, heavy thunderclouds never materialized.

What kind of sentence is this? I couldn't believe how talented those trapeze artists were!

closed choice

grade6

language science

punctuation

Sentences, fragments, and run-ons

Is the sentence declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory?

There are four kinds of sentences. A declarative sentence is a statement, and it always ends with a period. The nurse told Mr. Abrams to roll up his sleeve so that she could check his blood pressure. An interrogative sentence is a question, and it always ends with a question mark. Do you have any plans for the upcoming weekend? An imperative sentence is a command. It makes a request or tells someone to do something, and it usually ends with a period. If the command shows strong feeling, it ends with an exclamation point. For this assignment, use references to support your claims. Don't drive so quickly in the construction zone! An exclamatory sentence is like a statement, but it shows surprise or strong feeling. An exclamatory sentence always ends with an exclamation point. I can't wait to travel through Europe this summer!

The sentence tells about something, but it shows strong feeling and ends with an exclamation point. It is an exclamatory sentence.

Which figure of speech is used in this text? Dr. Shelton is unhappy with her new assistant because simple tasks, like fetching coffee, take him years to finish.

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 hyperbole, an obvious exaggeration that is not meant to be taken literally. Take him years to finish is an exaggeration, since it probably does not take him entire years to fetch coffee.

Does the sentence use a simile or a metaphor? If we wake him too early, our dad is a grumpy bear.

closed choice

grade4

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.

If we wake him too early, our dad is a grumpy bear. The words dad and bear are compared without the word like or as. So, the sentence uses a metaphor.

What information supports the conclusion that Edmond inherited this trait?

Read the description of a trait. Edmond has curly 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.

Would you find the word steadily on a dictionary page with the following guide words? solo - support

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 steadily is between the guide words solo - support, it would be found on that page.

What is the source of the allusion in the sentence below? Olivia was known among her coworkers for her spartan ways.

closed choice

grade7

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. "I'd better get home before I turn into a pumpkin!" Lila remarked. Here, Lila alludes to the fairy tale "Cinderella," in which Cinderella must leave the ball before the coach that brought her transforms into a pumpkin. The allusion shows that Lila must depart immediately.

The source of the allusion spartan is Greek history. Soldiers from the city of Sparta in ancient Greece were known for their self-restraint, self-discipline, and indifference to luxury. The allusion spartan means simple and austere.

Which word does not rhyme?

closed choice

grade2

language science

phonological-awareness

Rhyming

Which word does not rhyme?

Rhyming words are words that end with the same sound. The words tip and slip rhyme. They both end with the same sound. The words meet and treat also rhyme. They both end with the same sound, even though the sound has two different spellings. The words tip and meet don't rhyme. They end with different sounds.

The words seal and meal rhyme. They both end with the eal sound. The word goal does not rhyme. It ends with a different sound.

Which figure of speech is used in this text? Dr. Wilkinson is unhappy with her new assistant because simple tasks, like fetching coffee, take him years to finish.

closed choice

grade11

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 hyperbole, an obvious exaggeration that is not meant to be taken literally. Take him years to finish is an exaggeration, since it probably does not take him entire years to fetch coffee.

What information supports the conclusion that Tanvi acquired this trait?

Read the description of a trait. Tanvi knows how to grow sunflowers.

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 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.

Nora just moved here, she's new to our country is a run-on sentence. It has two sentences that are joined by just a comma: Nora just moved here and She's new to our country.

Which figure of speech is used in this text? For the time being, certainly, it had been found necessary to make a readjustment of rations (Squealer always spoke of it as a "readjustment," never as a "reduction") . . . —George Orwell, Animal Farm

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 a euphemism, a polite or indirect expression that is used to de-emphasize an unpleasant topic. A readjustment of rations is an indirect way of saying that food rations would be decreased.

What is the source of the allusion in the sentence below? Much to our shock, Josh chose to turn the other cheek when Olivia insulted him in a meeting.

closed choice

grade9

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. "I'd better get home before I turn into a pumpkin!" Lila remarked. Here, Lila alludes to the fairy tale "Cinderella," in which Cinderella must leave the ball before the coach that brought her transforms into a pumpkin. The allusion shows that Lila must depart immediately.

The source of the allusion turn the other cheek is the Bible. In the Bible, Jesus counsels his followers to resist retaliation. He says that if they are struck on the right cheek, they shouldn't lash out; instead, they should turn the other cheek toward their attacker. The allusion turn the other cheek means to respond without aggression.

Which figure of speech is used in this text? "This mattress is as soft as concrete," Oscar complained as he tested the bed in his hotel room.

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. As soft as concrete shows verbal irony because concrete is not soft.

What does the allusion in this text suggest? With the gutters clogged and water rising in the streets, Bonnie, who was watching the storm from her window, commented, "We're going to need an ark to get out of here."

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. 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.

The text uses an allusion, a brief reference to someone or something well known. The allusion to an ark suggests that Bonnie thinks the storm will cause major flooding. In the Bible, it rains for forty days and forty nights; Noah, his family, and animals of every species survive the great flood in an ark that he builds.

Which is a complex sentence?

closed choice

grade5

language science

grammar

Sentences, fragments, and run-ons

Is the sentence simple, compound, or complex?

A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a predicate. An independent clause is a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent clause is not a complete thought. It 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 a flash of lightning, and seconds later we heard the rumble of thunder. A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and a dependent clause. The dependent clause usually begins with a subordinating conjunction such as after, although, as, because, before, if, since, unless, until, when, or while. If she ever gets the chance, Terri would love to visit the Egyptian pyramids.

The first sentence is the complex sentence. It is made up of an independent clause and a dependent clause. The dependent clause begins with the subordinating conjunction unless. I can review the draft of your story unless you're still editing it.

Is the following trait inherited or acquired? Darnel has a scar on his right leg.

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 do these two changes have in common? mixing lettuce and salad dressing carving a piece of wood

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. Mixing lettuce and salad dressing is a physical change. Together, the salad and dressing make a mixture. But making this mixture does not form a different type of matter. Carving a piece of wood is a physical change. The wood changes shape, but it is still made of the same type of matter. Step 2: Look at each answer choice. Both are only physical changes. Both changes are physical changes. No new matter is created. Both are chemical changes. Both changes are physical changes. They are not chemical changes. Both are caused by heating. Neither change is caused by heating. Both are caused by cooling. Neither change is caused by cooling.

Select the living thing.

closed choice

grade3

natural science

biology

Classification

Identify living and nonliving things

All living things need food and water. Water helps living things break down food and remove waste. Food gives living things energy. Living things use this energy to grow and change. All living things grow and change during their lives. All living things sense changes in the world around them. Living things might sense changes by seeing, smelling, hearing, or feeling. Living things can respond to the changes they sense.

A garden snail is a living thing. Garden snails grow and respond to the world around them. They need food and water. A book is not a living thing. Books do not have all of the traits of living things. They do not grow or respond to the world around them. They do not need food or water.

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

Zoe leaves a glass jar of cold tea outside in full sunlight. When she goes to get it, she notices that the tea is warm. She wonders what factors affect how warm a liquid gets from sitting in the sunlight. So, she decides to design an experiment. She has the following supplies available: two identical glass jars two jar lids tap water a measuring cup two thermometers

closed choice

grade6

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!

Does this passage describe the weather or the climate? Doug complained that the air was too humid today.

closed choice

grade5

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. Doug complained that the air was too humid today. Humidity is the amount of water in the air. This passage tells you about the humidity today where Doug lives. It describes the atmosphere at a certain place and time. So, this passage describes the weather.

Compare the motion of three ships. Which ship was moving at the highest speed?

closed choice

grade3

natural science

physics

Force and motion

Compare the speeds of moving objects

An object's speed tells you how fast the object is moving. Speed depends on both distance and time. Distance tells you how far the object has moved. One unit used to measure distance is the kilometer. Time tells you how long the object has spent moving. One unit used to measure time is the hour. Think about objects moving for the same amount of time. The object that is moving the fastest will go the farthest distance in that time. It is moving at the highest speed.

Look at the distance each ship moved and the time it took to move that distance. The direction each ship moved does not affect its speed. Notice that each ship moved for 5 hours. The ship that moved 335 kilometers moved the farthest distance in that time. So, that ship must have moved at the highest speed.

Select the plant.

closed choice

grade2

natural science

biology

Classification

Identify plants and animals

Plants and animals are living things. Living things are called organisms. Plants come in many shapes and sizes. Most plants grow in the ground. They might grow leaves, flowers, and fruit. Plants cannot move around on their own like animals can. Animals also come in many shapes and sizes. Most animals can move around. Animals might run, swim, jump, or fly. Animals eat plants or other organisms for food.

A lavender bush is a plant. It has many purple flowers. Lavender has a sweet smell. Some people use the oil from lavender bushes for perfume. A koala is an animal. It eats leaves. Koalas spend most of their time in trees. They sleep for up to 20 hours a day!

Which sentence states a fact?

closed choice

grade8

social science

civics

Social studies skills

Identify facts and opinions

A fact is something that can be proved true by research or observation. George Washington became president of the United States in 1789. This statement is a fact. It can be proved by researching what year George Washington was inaugurated president. An opinion is something that a person believes, thinks, or feels. An opinion can be supported by evidence, but it cannot be proved true. George Washington was a better president than Thomas Jefferson. This statement is an opinion. People can have different ideas about what makes someone a "better" president, so the statement cannot be proved.

The second sentence states a fact. Some ancient Egyptians mummified, or preserved, their pets' bodies. It can be proved by researching ancient Eyptian culture. The first sentence states an opinion. Mummifying a pet cat is a strange thing to do. Strange shows what a person believes, thinks, or feels. Another person might have a different opinion about what actions are strange.

Select the mixture.

closed choice

grade2

natural science

physics

Mixtures

Identify mixtures

A pure substance is made of only one type of matter. A mixture is made of two or more types of matter mixed together.

Which text uses the word can 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 second text uses can in its traditional sense: to have the ability to. As they observed the animals on the open grassland, the wildlife photographer said to Evan, "Did you know that cheetahs can run as fast as seventy-five miles per hour?" The first text uses can in its nontraditional sense: to have permission to. As they observed the cheetahs on the open grassland, the wildlife photographer said to Evan, "You can borrow my camera if you want." Most style guides recommend to use the traditional sense of the word can because it is considered more standard.

Select the animal.

closed choice

grade2

natural science

biology

Classification

Identify plants and animals

Plants and animals are living things. Living things are called organisms. Plants come in many shapes and sizes. Most plants grow in the ground. They might grow leaves, flowers, and fruit. Plants cannot move around on their own like animals can. Animals also come in many shapes and sizes. Most animals can move around. Animals might run, swim, jump, or fly. Animals eat plants or other organisms for food.

A salmon is an animal. It swims in the water. Unlike most other fish, salmon can live in both freshwater and seawater. A pumpkin vine is a plant. It has large flat leaves. The largest pumpkins can be as big as a car!

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

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. 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 Johnny felt out of place. A fish out of water is someone out of his or her usual, comfortable environment.

Which is a compound sentence?

closed choice

grade6

language science

grammar

Sentences, fragments, and run-ons

Is the sentence simple, compound, or complex?

A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a predicate. An independent clause is a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent clause is not a complete thought. It 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 a flash of lightning, and seconds later we heard the rumble of thunder. A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and a dependent clause. The dependent clause usually begins with a subordinating conjunction such as after, although, as, because, before, if, since, unless, until, when, or while. If she ever gets the chance, Terri would love to visit the Egyptian pyramids.

The first sentence is the compound sentence. It is made up of two independent clauses joined by the coordinating conjunction so. Reba was stung by a bee, so her finger is slightly swollen.

Is the following trait inherited or acquired? Winston has naturally brown hair.

Hint: Some people dye their hair. But this does not change their natural hair color.

closed choice

grade4

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.

Humans do not choose their natural hair color. Instead, children get their natural hair color from their parents. So, Winston's hair color is an inherited trait.

Which word does not rhyme?

closed choice

grade2

language science

phonological-awareness

Rhyming

Which word does not rhyme?

Rhyming words are words that end with the same sound. The words tip and slip rhyme. They both end with the same sound. The words meet and treat also rhyme. They both end with the same sound, even though the sound has two different spellings. The words tip and meet don't rhyme. They end with different sounds.

The words think and pink rhyme. They both end with the ink sound. The word bank does not rhyme. It ends with a different sound.

Which announcement is more formal?

closed choice

grade11

language science

writing-strategies

Audience, purpose, and tone

Which text is most formal?

Informal writing is typically used in casual situations or when communicating with someone you know well. Informal language often expresses familiarity and tends to sound more like speech. It uses more conversational language, such as slang, idioms, abbreviations, imprecise language, and contractions. Formal writing is typically used in academic and business writing or when writing directly to an authority figure. It tends to be more courteous and impersonal, avoiding overly familiar or conversational language. Compare the following sentences. Informal: Yeah, ostriches can't fly, but I think they're awesome. More formal: Ostriches may be flightless, but they're remarkable runners. Most formal: Though flightless, ostriches are remarkable runners.

The first announcement is more formal. It uses more elevated language (pleased to announce). The other announcement sounds more conversational (so happy).

What information supports the conclusion that Harper acquired this trait?

Read the description of a trait. Harper knows a lot about biology.

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.

Which logical fallacy is used in the text? How could the Harry Potter movies not have won even one Academy Award? It's one of the most popular franchises of all time!

closed choice

grade12

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 | an attack against the person making the argument, rather than the argument itself 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 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 broad claim based on too few observations slippery slope fallacy | the false assumption that a small first step will necessarily lead to extreme consequences straw man | a misrepresentation of an opponent's position that makes it easier to argue against

The text argues that the Harry Potter franchise should have won an award because it's popular. However, the fact that a movie franchise is popular doesn't necessarily mean it's deserving of an award. This illustrates a type of logical fallacy known as the bandwagon fallacy.

Which tense does the sentence use? We see a wide range of animals at the aquarium.

closed choice

grade4

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, see. The verb tells you about something that is true or happening now.

What information supports the conclusion that Hunter inherited this trait?

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

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.

Select the solid.

closed choice

grade2

natural science

physics

States of matter

Identify solids and liquids

Solid and liquid 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.

Which figure of speech is used in this text? Bryan's leaving his job? That's old news. He's been planning that for months.

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. Old news is a contradiction, because news is recent information.

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

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 message is between the guide words mama - mirror, it would be found on that page.

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

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 turban is between the guide words trench - twist, 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 wolf spider does not have a backbone. It has a hard outer cover. A cardinalfish is a fish. Like other fish, a cardinalfish has a backbone.

Suppose Chad decides to bake lemon muffins. Which result would be a cost?

Chad is deciding whether to bake cornbread muffins or lemon 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 Chad wants or needs: Chad will give up the chance to eat cornbread muffins. He thinks cornbread muffins are tastier than lemon muffins.

Which announcement is more formal?

closed choice

grade11

language science

writing-strategies

Audience, purpose, and tone

Which text is most formal?

Informal writing is typically used in casual situations or when communicating with someone you know well. Informal language often expresses familiarity and tends to sound more like speech. It uses more conversational language, such as slang, idioms, abbreviations, imprecise language, and contractions. Formal writing is typically used in academic and business writing or when writing directly to an authority figure. It tends to be more courteous and impersonal, avoiding overly familiar or conversational language. Compare the following sentences. Informal: Yeah, ostriches can't fly, but I think they're awesome. More formal: Ostriches may be flightless, but they're remarkable runners. Most formal: Though flightless, ostriches are remarkable runners.

The first announcement is more formal. It uses more elevated language (pleased to announce). The other announcement sounds more conversational (so happy).

The students start rolling their backpacks at the same speed. Which backpack is pulled with a larger force?

Two students get ready to leave school. The students have the same rolling backpacks. Each student has different books in her backpack.

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 backpack that is heavier. A backpack carrying 8 pounds is heavier than a backpack carrying 7 pounds. So, the backpack carrying 8 pounds needs to be pulled with a larger force to start rolling at the same speed as the other backpack.

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 her could refer to Jill's or Leah's. The second answer choice shows a possible correction for the vague pronoun reference. Her has been replaced with Leah's. Jill roomed with Leah last year, but Leah's messiness became a point of contention.

Which is a simple sentence?

closed choice

grade6

language science

grammar

Sentences, fragments, and run-ons

Is the sentence simple, compound, or complex?

A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a predicate. An independent clause is a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent clause is not a complete thought. It 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 a flash of lightning, and seconds later we heard the rumble of thunder. A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and a dependent clause. The dependent clause usually begins with a subordinating conjunction such as after, although, as, because, before, if, since, unless, until, when, or while. If she ever gets the chance, Terri would love to visit the Egyptian pyramids.

The second sentence is the simple sentence. It is a single independent clause. During last night's game, the tall, lanky girl easily spiked the volleyball over the net and blocked all the other team's hits.

Which change better matches the sentence? The ground in an area shakes.

closed choice

grade2

natural science

earth-science

Earth events

Classify changes to Earth's surface

Suppose Lucy decides to join the Photography Club. Which result would be a cost?

Lucy is deciding whether to join the Theater Club or the Photography Club at school. She wants the club she joins to be fun. But she doesn't want it to take up too much time.

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 Lucy wants or needs: Lucy will give up the chance to be in the Theater Club. She would have had more fun in the Theater Club than in the Photography Club.

What information supports the conclusion that Tanvi acquired this trait?

Read the description of a trait. Tanvi knows how to fly a plane.

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 text uses the word random 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 random in its traditional sense: made or occurring without a definite pattern. For the final challenge of the contest, participants had to choose three random restaurants in town and serenade diners as they ate. The second text uses random in its nontraditional sense: odd or out of place. The final challenge of the contest was really random: participants had to choose three restaurants in town and serenade diners as they ate. Most style guides recommend to avoid using the nontraditional sense of the word random because it is generally considered incorrect.

Which of the following contains a vague pronoun reference?

closed choice

grade10

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 first answer choice contains a vague pronoun reference. The pronoun it is used without its antecedent. The second answer choice shows a possible correction for the vague pronoun reference. It has been replaced with the breed standard. When Zoe researched Dachshunds, the breed standard said that they can be short-haired, wire-haired, or long-haired.

Is the following trait inherited or acquired? Jason can play the xylophone.

Hint: Playing an instrument well takes practice.

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.

People are not born knowing how to play the xylophone. Instead, some people learn how to play. So, playing the xylophone is an acquired trait.

Complete the sentence. Roasting a marshmallow over a campfire is a ().

closed choice

grade5

natural science

chemistry

Physical and chemical change

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 new molecules. The types of molecules in matter before and after a chemical change are always different. Burning a piece of paper is a chemical change. As paper burns, paper molecules react with oxygen molecules in the air. This reaction breaks the chemical bonds in the molecules. The atoms then relink and form different molecules. For example, carbon dioxide molecules are created 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. For example, water vaporizing is a physical change. Liquid water and water vapor are made of the same type of matter: water.

Roasting a marshmallow is a chemical change. The type of matter on the outside of the marshmallow changes. As a marshmallow is roasted, it turns brown and crispy.

Which figure of speech is used in this text? Tear it down, my wife said. Tear it down, my friends said. Tear it down, the neighbors said. But I did not tear it down; I renovated that shed and made it my own personal music studio.

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. The words tear it down are repeated at the beginning of each sentence.

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

Addison is sledding with her friends. She notices that some of them go faster down the sledding hill. She wonders what factors affect sledding speed. So, she decides to design an experiment. She has the following supplies available: access to a small snow-covered hill at the park a small plastic sled a large plastic sled a rubber inner tube sled a stopwatch

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 this a sentence fragment? In the early 1800s, yellow fever, a viral disease spread by mosquitoes, not by unsanitary conditions as was believed at the time.

yes or no

grade12

language science

writing-strategies

Sentences, fragments, and run-ons

Identify sentence fragments

A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. The band I'm in has been rehearsing daily because we have a concert in two weeks. A sentence fragment is a group of words that does not express a complete thought. Rehearsing daily because we have a concert in two weeks. This fragment is missing a subject. It doesn't tell who is rehearsing. The band I'm in. This fragment is missing a verb. It doesn't tell what the band I'm in is doing. Because we have a concert in two weeks. This fragment is missing an independent clause. It doesn't tell what happened because of the concert.

This is a sentence fragment. It does not express a complete thought. In the early 1800 s, yellow fever, a viral disease spread by mosquitoes, not by unsanitary conditions as was believed at the time. Here is one way to fix the sentence fragment: In the early 1800 s, yellow fever, a viral disease, was spread by mosquitoes, not by unsanitary conditions as was believed at the time.

Is the following statement true or false? Animal cells do not have cytoplasm.

true-or false

grade4

natural science

biology

Cells

Cell part functions: true or false

Animal cells do not have cytoplasm. This statement is false. All cells have cytoplasm. The cytoplasm fills and maintains the space inside the cell.

Select the invertebrate.

Hint: Insects, spiders, and worms are invertebrates.

closed choice

grade5

natural science

biology

Classification

Identify vertebrates and invertebrates

Vertebrates and invertebrates are both groups of animals. A vertebrate has a backbone. The backbone is made of many bones in an animal's back. A vertebrate's backbone helps connect the different parts of its body. In the drawings below, each vertebrate's backbone is colored orange. An invertebrate does not have a backbone. In fact, invertebrates do not have any bones! Some invertebrates have an outer cover on their body called an exoskeleton. Other invertebrates have a soft body.

A lionfish is a fish. Like other fish, a lionfish is a vertebrate. It has a backbone. A penguin is a bird. Like other birds, a penguin is a vertebrate. It has a backbone. A grizzly bear is a mammal. Like other mammals, a grizzly bear is a vertebrate. It has a backbone. A julia butterfly is an insect. Like other insects, a julia butterfly is an invertebrate. It does not have a backbone. It has an exoskeleton.

Which logical fallacy is used in the text? If you don't do tonight's homework, it'll become a habit, and eventually you'll end up at a dead-end job.

closed choice

grade10

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 | an attack against the person making the argument, rather than the argument itself 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 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 broad claim based on too few observations slippery slope fallacy | the false assumption that a small first step will necessarily lead to extreme consequences straw man | a misrepresentation of an opponent's position that makes it easier to argue against

The text argues that not doing tonight's homework will lead to a dead-end job. However, this argument only offers one extreme and unlikely outcome. This illustrates a type of logical fallacy known as the slippery slope fallacy.

Which would stretch more?

closed choice

grade2

natural science

physics

Materials

Compare properties of materials

Every object is made of one or more materials. A material is a type of matter. Wood, glass, metal, and plastic are common materials. A material has different properties. A material's properties tell you how it looks, feels, tastes, or smells.

Stretchy is a property. A stretchy material gets longer when you pull on it. Look at each picture, one at a time. Imagine pulling on the material shown in each picture. Of the choices, the cotton head band would stretch more. If you pull the ends of a cotton headband, it will get longer.

Which type of sentence is this? An avid reader, Logan attends weekly book club meetings, and he finishes several novels every month.

closed choice

grade10

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 compound. It is made up of two independent clauses joined by the coordinating conjunction and. An avid reader, Logan attends weekly book club meetings, and he finishes several novels every month.

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

Molly gets a basketball for her birthday and dribbles it around her neighborhood. She notices that sometimes the ball bounces higher than other times. She wonders what factors affect how high her ball bounces. So, she decides to design an experiment. She has the following supplies available: one basketball access to a brick patio access to a grassy lawn access to a gravel driveway a meterstick

closed choice

grade6

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!

Based on this information, what is Arrow's genotype for the fur length gene?

In a group of dogs, some individuals have short fur and others have long fur. In this group, the gene for the fur length trait has two alleles. The allele F is for short fur, and the allele f is for long fur. Arrow, a dog from this group, has short fur. Arrow has one allele for short fur and one allele for long fur.

closed choice

grade7

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. Arrow has one allele for short fur (F) and one allele for long fur (f). So, Arrow's genotype for the fur length gene is Ff.

Which sentence states a fact?

closed choice

grade6

language science

writing-strategies

Developing and supporting arguments

Distinguish facts from opinions

A fact is something that can be proved by research or observation. Napoleon Bonaparte was shorter than King Louis XVI. The statement above is a fact. The statement can be proved by researching the height of each man and comparing them. An opinion is something that a person believes, thinks, or feels. An opinion cannot be proved. Napoleon Bonaparte was a better leader than King Louis XVI. The statement above is an opinion. People can have different ideas about what makes someone a "better" leader, so the statement cannot be proved.

The second sentence states a fact. Island of the Blue Dolphins is based on the true story of a girl stranded on an island for eighteen years. It can be proved by reading the information on the book jacket. The first sentence states an opinion. Scott O'Dell's Island of the Blue Dolphins, which is about a girl named Karana, is a beautiful novel. Beautiful shows what a person believes, thinks, or feels. Another person might have a different opinion about what makes a novel beautiful.

Which closing is correct for a letter?

closed choice

grade4

language science

punctuation

Formatting

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

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

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

Paul is painting watercolor pictures with his friend. An hour after they have finished, Paul 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!

Select the mixture.

closed choice

grade2

natural science

physics

Mixtures

Identify mixtures

A pure substance is made of only one type of matter. A mixture is made of two or more types of matter mixed together.

What is the volume of a water bottle?

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 water bottle is 2 cups. 2 fluid ounces is too little and 2 gallons is too much.

How long is a paintbrush?

Select the better estimate.

closed choice

grade3

natural science

units-and-measurement

Units and measurement

Choose metric 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 16 long. You might be thinking, 16 what? Is the pencil 16 centimeters long? 16 meters? 16 kilometers? The number 16 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 centimeters. So, the length of the pencil is 16 centimeters. There are 100 centimeters in 1 meter. So, 1 centimeter is much shorter than 1 meter. There are 1,000 meters in 1 kilometer. So, 1 meter is much shorter than 1 kilometer.

The better estimate for the length of a paintbrush is 30 centimeters. 30 meters is too long.

Would you find the word grunt on a dictionary page with the following guide words? generous - glitter

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 grunt is not between the guide words generous - glitter, it would not be found on that page.

Which tense does the sentence use? For Thanksgiving, Mom will cook a turkey.

closed choice

grade4

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 future tense. You can tell because it uses will before the main verb, cook. The verb tells you about something that is going to happen.

Select the invertebrate.

Hint: Insects, spiders, and worms are invertebrates.

closed choice

grade5

natural science

biology

Classification

Identify vertebrates and invertebrates

Vertebrates and invertebrates are both groups of animals. A vertebrate has a backbone. The backbone is made of many bones in an animal's back. A vertebrate's backbone helps connect the different parts of its body. In the drawings below, each vertebrate's backbone is colored orange. An invertebrate does not have a backbone. In fact, invertebrates do not have any bones! Some invertebrates have an outer cover on their body called an exoskeleton. Other invertebrates have a soft body.

A diving beetle is an insect. Like other insects, a diving beetle is an invertebrate. It does not have a backbone. It has an exoskeleton. A harvest mouse is a mammal. Like other mammals, a harvest mouse is a vertebrate. It has a backbone. A blue jay is a bird. Like other birds, a blue jay is a vertebrate. It has a backbone. A komodo dragon is a reptile. Like other reptiles, a komodo dragon is a vertebrate. It has a backbone.

What is the mass of a fly?

Select the better estimate.

closed choice

grade4

natural science

units-and-measurement

Units and measurement

Choose metric 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 metric units, mass may be written with units of grams or kilograms. There are 1,000 grams in 1 kilogram. So, 1 gram is much less than 1 kilogram. A paper clip has a mass of about 1 gram, while a textbook has a mass of about 1 kilogram.

The better estimate for the mass of a fly is 1 gram. 1 kilogram is too heavy.

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 castor bean tick is an insect. Like other insects, a castor bean tick does not have a backbone. It has a hard outer cover. A goldfish is a fish. Like other fish, a goldfish has a backbone.

Which figure of speech is used in this text? At twenty-one, Tyler felt overwhelmed with adult responsibilities and wished he could fly off to Neverland.

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 an allusion, a brief reference to someone or something well known. Neverland alludes to the story of Peter Pan, a boy who lived in Neverland and never grew up.

Compare the motion of three ducks. Which duck was moving at the lowest speed?

closed choice

grade3

natural science

physics

Force and motion

Compare the speeds of moving objects

An object's speed tells you how fast the object is moving. Speed depends on both distance and time. Distance tells you how far the object has moved. One unit used to measure distance is the kilometer. Time tells you how long the object has spent moving. One unit used to measure time is the hour. Think about objects moving for the same amount of time. The object that is moving the slowest will go the shortest distance in that time. It is moving at the lowest speed.

Look at the distance each duck moved and the time it took to move that distance. The direction each duck moved does not affect its speed. Notice that each duck moved for 5 hours. The duck that moved 320 kilometers moved the shortest distance in that time. So, that duck must have moved at the lowest speed.

Select the phase of the Moon shown in the model.

The model below shows the Moon at one position in its orbit around Earth. The white half of the Moon shows the part that is lit up by the Sun.

closed choice

grade5

natural science

earth-science

Astronomy

Identify phases of the Moon

Although the Moon appears to shine, it does not give off light. Instead, we can see the Moon because it is lit up by the Sun. The part of the Moon that is both lit up by the Sun and facing Earth is called the Moon's phase. The Moon orbits, or goes around, Earth. As it does, the Moon's phase changes. The model below shows the Moon's phase at eight positions in its orbit. The smaller moons closer to Earth show where sunlight hits the Moon. The larger moons farther from Earth show how the Moon will look during that phase. To use the model, first pick one of the eight positions. Then, imagine standing on Earth and looking up at the Moon. Use the dotted white lines in the model to guide you. The picture of the Moon shows its phase for that position. If you are in the Southern Hemisphere, the Moon will appear flipped, left to right.

Which logical fallacy is used in the text? Adele never lies. She told me herself, so it must be true.

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 Adele is telling the truth because she says she never lies. However, the "evidence" is just a restatement of the claim itself. This illustrates a type of logical fallacy known as circular reasoning.

According to Newton's third law, what other force must be happening?

Isaac Newton was born in the 1600s and studied how objects move. He discovered three fundamental laws about forces and motion. According to Newton's third law, for every force, there is an equal and opposite force. Consider the following force: Danny is pushing on his friend's wheelchair.

closed choice

grade8

natural science

physics

Velocity, acceleration, and forces

Predict forces using Newton's third law

According to Newton's third law, for every force, there is an equal and opposite force. This means that if one object is applying a force on a second object, the second object must also be applying a force on the first object, but in the opposite direction. For example, if your hand is pushing down on a table, the table is also pushing up on your hand. Or, if you are pulling forward on a rope, the rope is also pulling back on you.

Danny is pushing on the wheelchair. So, Newton's third law tells you that the wheelchair is pushing on Danny.

Which is harder?

closed choice

grade3

natural science

physics

Materials

Compare properties of materials

Every object is made of one or more materials. A material is a type of matter. Wood, glass, metal, and plastic are common materials. A material has different properties. A material's properties tell you how it looks, feels, tastes, or smells. Some examples of properties are shiny, hard, fragile, and stretchy. For example, a shiny material reflects a lot of light. A fragile material breaks when you drop it.

Hard is a property. A hard material keeps its shape when you press on it with your finger. Look at each picture, one at a time. Imagine pushing on the material shown in each picture. Of the choices, the plastic slide is harder. A plastic slide does not change shape when you slide down it.

What do these two changes have in common? acid rain weathering a marble statue deep-frying chicken

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. Acid rain weathering a marble statue is a chemical change. The acid rain reacts with the outside of the statue and breaks it down into a different type of matter. This new matter is then washed away by the rain. Acid rain is a type of pollution. It forms when smoke from automobiles and factories mixes with water in clouds. Acid rain is a type of pollution. It forms when automobiles and factories release smoke containing sulfur or nitrogen. Some of these chemicals react with water in the atmosphere. The reaction forms droplets of water that can fall back to the ground as acid rain. Deep-frying chicken is a chemical change. The heat causes the matter in the chicken to change. Cooked chicken and raw chicken are different types of matter. Step 2: Look at each answer choice. Both are only physical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. They are not physical changes. Both are chemical changes. Both changes are chemical changes. The type of matter before and after each change is different. Both are caused by heating. Cooking is caused by heating. But acid rain weathering a marble statue is not. Both are caused by cooling. Neither change is caused by cooling.

Which logical fallacy is used in the text? My favorite band signed with this huge record label, and then their next album was terrible. Basically, signing with a big label ruined their music.

closed choice

grade12

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 | an attack against the person making the argument, rather than the argument itself 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 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 broad claim based on too few observations slippery slope fallacy | the false assumption that a small first step will necessarily lead to extreme consequences straw man | a misrepresentation of an opponent's position that makes it easier to argue against

The text argues that the band's music was ruined because they signed with a big record label. However, this isn't necessarily true. For instance, the causation could go the other way: the band's music changed, which led to a big record label signing them. In this case, the change in the music came first. This illustrates a type of logical fallacy known as false causation.

Based on this information, what is Ringo's phenotype for the fur texture trait?

In a group of Syrian hamsters, some individuals have straight fur and others have wavy fur. In this group, the gene for the fur texture trait has two alleles. The allele for straight fur (F) is dominant over the allele for wavy fur (f). Ringo is a Syrian hamster from this group. Ringo has the heterozygous genotype Ff for the fur texture gene.

closed choice

grade7

natural science

biology

Genes to traits

Genetics vocabulary: dominant and recessive

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. Some traits, like flower color in pea plants, are controlled by a single gene. Most plants and animals have a genotype made up of two alleles for these traits. These two alleles determine whether an organism is homozygous or heterozygous for the gene. An organism with two identical alleles for a gene is homozygous for that gene. A pea plant with the genotype FF or ff is homozygous for the flower color gene. An organism with two different alleles for a gene is heterozygous for that gene. A pea plant with the genotype Ff is heterozygous for the flower color gene. The types of alleles in an organism's genotype determine the organism's phenotype. Some alleles have types called dominant and recessive. These two types can cause different versions of a trait to appear as the organism's phenotype. A dominant allele causes its version of the trait to appear even when the organism also has a recessive allele for the gene. In pea plants, the F allele, which causes purple flowers, is dominant over the f allele. A pea plant with at least one F allele will have the F allele's version of the flower color trait. So, a plant with the genotype FF or Ff will have purple flowers. A recessive allele causes its version of the trait to appear only when the organism does not have any dominant alleles for the gene. In pea plants, the f allele, which causes white flowers, is recessive to the F allele. A pea plant with only f alleles will have the f allele's version of the flower color trait. So, a plant with the genotype ff will have white flowers.

You need to determine Ringo's phenotype for the fur texture trait. First, consider the alleles in Ringo's genotype for the fur texture gene. Then, decide whether these alleles are dominant or recessive. The allele for straight fur (F) is dominant over the allele for wavy fur (f). This means F is a dominant allele, and f is a recessive allele. Ringo's genotype of Ff has one dominant allele and one recessive allele. An organism with at least one dominant allele for a gene will have the dominant allele's version of the trait. So, Ringo's phenotype for the fur texture trait must be straight fur.

Which letter opening is more formal?

closed choice

grade11

language science

writing-strategies

Audience, purpose, and tone

Which text is most formal?

Informal writing is typically used in casual situations or when communicating with someone you know well. Informal language often expresses familiarity and tends to sound more like speech. It uses more conversational language, such as slang, idioms, abbreviations, imprecise language, and contractions. Formal writing is typically used in academic and business writing or when writing directly to an authority figure. It tends to be more courteous and impersonal, avoiding overly familiar or conversational language. Compare the following sentences. Informal: Yeah, ostriches can't fly, but I think they're awesome. More formal: Ostriches may be flightless, but they're remarkable runners. Most formal: Though flightless, ostriches are remarkable runners.

The first letter opening is more formal. It uses the recipient's personal title and last name. The other opening uses the recipient's first name, suggesting a more familiar relationship.

What kind of sentence is this? Caribou eat plants and grass in the summer and mushrooms and lichen in the winter.

closed choice

grade6

language science

punctuation

Sentences, fragments, and run-ons

Is the sentence declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory?

There are four kinds of sentences. A declarative sentence is a statement, and it always ends with a period. The nurse told Mr. Abrams to roll up his sleeve so that she could check his blood pressure. An interrogative sentence is a question, and it always ends with a question mark. Do you have any plans for the upcoming weekend? An imperative sentence is a command. It makes a request or tells someone to do something, and it usually ends with a period. If the command shows strong feeling, it ends with an exclamation point. For this assignment, use references to support your claims. Don't drive so quickly in the construction zone! An exclamatory sentence is like a statement, but it shows surprise or strong feeling. An exclamatory sentence always ends with an exclamation point. I can't wait to travel through Europe this summer!

The sentence tells about something, and it ends with a period. It is a declarative sentence.

Which figure of speech is used in this text? Regan's Bistro used to be a great place to go for a delicious and carefully prepared dinner, but nobody goes there anymore: it's too crowded.

closed choice

grade9

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 a paradox, a statement that might at first appear to be contradictory, but that may in fact contain some truth. Nobody goes there anymore: it's too crowded at first appears to be contradictory, because if no one goes to the restaurant, then the restaurant should be empty, not crowded. However, it contains some truth: if a restaurant is frequently perceived to be too crowded, many people will no longer want to go there.

Which object has more 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 move faster, the temperature goes up. The matter now has both more thermal energy and a higher temperature.

The two trays of lasagna have the same mass but different temperatures. Since the 110°F tray of lasagna is hotter than the 100°F tray of lasagna, it has more thermal energy.

Would you find the word decay on a dictionary page with the following guide words? distinct - draw

yes or no

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 decay is not between the guide words distinct - draw, it would not be found on that page.