Reading & Language Arts (Higher Order

Thinking Questions Practice)

Instructions •  Split your class into even groups •  A question will appear on the board and we

will read it as a class. •  Each group will be given a chance to

answer the question on a white board or sheet of paper – The students will be given only 1 minute to

answer •  If the group gets the question right, they get

a point. •  Group with the most points wins.

Toni Morrison (born Chloe Anthony Wofford in 1931)

Though best known for her fiction, including her latest novel, A Mercy, Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison is also a notable essayist and reviewer. Below, an excerpt from an interview, Morrison offers her thoughts on the practice of writing. My 15-year-old daughter lives to write. What advice do you have for young writers? The work is the work itself. If she writes a lot, that's good. If she revises a lot, that's even better. She should not only write about what she knows but about what she doesn't know. It extends the imagination. Where do you find your inspiration? Sometimes ideas arrive through reading contradictory things in history books or newspapers; sometimes it's a response or reaction to current events. But that only explains where some of the themes come from. I can't explain inspiration. A writer is either compelled to write or not. And if I waited for inspiration I wouldn't really be a writer. Based on the passage, which of the following could be another way to ask the second question? A. What motivates you to be inspired? B. What motivates you to inspire others? C. How do you find your reactions to events? D. How do you develop your ideas for writing?

ANSWER D This is the correct answer because in her answer, Ms. Morrison speaks of inspiration, but also about finding ideas through other ways such as history books, news papers and current events. Choice A –This is not the correct answer because Ms. Morrison’s response states that if she waited around for inspiration she wouldn’t really be a writer. Additionally, the word motivation is similar in meaning to the word inspiration. Choice B—This is not the correct answer because it is an inaccurate interpretation of Ms. Morrison’s answer. She speaks of her own inspiration for writing, not how she inspires others to write. Choice C –This is not the correct answer because Ms. Morrison speaks of finding ideas through history books and news events, but also gives her thoughts on inspiration for writing. This is not the best answer.

Toni Morrison (born Chloe Anthony Wofford in 1931) Though best known for her fiction, including her latest novel, A Mercy, Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison is also a notable essayist and reviewer. Below, an excerpt from an interview, Morrison offers her thoughts on the practice of writing. My 15-year-old daughter lives to write. What advice do you have for young writers? The work is the work itself. If she writes a lot, that's good. If she revises a lot, that's even better. She should not only write about what she knows but about what she doesn't know. It extends the imagination. Where do you find your inspiration? Sometimes ideas arrive through reading contradictory things in history books or newspapers; sometimes it's a response or reaction to current events. But that only explains where some of the themes come from. I can't explain inspiration. A writer is either compelled to write or not. And if I waited for inspiration I wouldn't really be a writer. 1. Based on the italicized introduction, what can the reader conclude about Toni Morrison? A. She prefers to review the work of others. B. She prefers writing fiction over nonfiction. C. She writes both fiction and nonfiction books. D. She writes essays about the works of other writers.

Choice C – This is the correct answer. The reader can draw this conclusion based on details in the passage.

Essays and reviews are nonfiction and in the beginning of the introduction it says that she is known for her fiction.

Explanation of the correct answer: Choice A – This is not the correct answer because this

conclusion is not supported by details in the passage. It states that she is a notable reviewer, but does not elaborate

on her feelings about reviewing. Choice B –This is not the correct answer because it is a misinterpretation of the information in the passage. It

states that she has written award winning fiction in addition to nonfiction works.

Choice D –This is not the correct answer because there is not enough information in the passage to support this

conclusion.

Political cartoons illustrate news events, political issues or social messages. These cartoons use various devices--including metaphors, symbols, humor and occasionally text--to explain complicated situations and summarize events. This cartoon about quarreling between the U.S. Congress and the White House is one example. Cartoon: Another Civil War (Credit: Mike Luckovich The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

The example of a political cartoon helps the reader to better understand that A. serious events and messages can be represented with cartoons. B. the U.S. Congress building is larger than the White House. C. cartoons are the best way to represent the news. D. fighting between political parties is ongoing.

Explanation of the correct answer: Choice A –This is the correct answer because the caption states that political cartoons are used to relate serious and often complicated news. The cartoon is an example of a serious issue being portrayed by a cartoon. Choice B—This is not the correct answer because it is a detail in the cartoon, not the essential message of the cartoon. In addition, the buildings are not labeled. Choice C –This is not the correct answer because it is an opinion not a conclusion that can be drawn from studying the cartoon. Choice D—This is not the correct answer because it is not an inference that can be made from the cartoon or caption. There is no evidence to support this idea.

In 2007, about 86% of the energy used in the U.S. came from fossil fuels, mainly petroleum, natural gas, or coal. The rest came mostly from nuclear power, and renewable resources such as hydroelectric power, geothermal, solar, and wind energy. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable sources of energy. That means the amount of fossil fuel available for use will get used up after many years. States may soon have problems keeping up with energy demands. Many states need more power plants because the demand for power is increasing, partly because of the use of computers, flat screen televisions and other appliances. Scientists are trying to find more sources of energy that will reduce pollution and save some of the fossil fuels. People are using several types of renewable resources. Some of these forms of energy exist in an unlimited supply.

1. The information in the article would be most useful for a presentation on A. conserving fossil fuel energy from state to state B. the unlimited supply of renewable resources C. energy in the United States D. renewing fuel sources

Explanation of the correct answer:

Choice C – This is the correct answer because the passage addresses several issues regarding energy in the

United States.

Choice A – This is not the correct answer because conservation of fossil fuels is mentioned, but not discussed at length in the passage.

Choice B – This is not the correct answer because the amount of renewable resources available is mentioned, but not discussed at length in

the passage.

Choice D –This is not the correct answer because the passage discusses more than just renewing fuel sources.

In 2007, about 86% of the energy used in the U.S. came from fossil fuels, mainly petroleum, natural gas, or coal. The rest came mostly from nuclear power, and renewable resources such as hydroelectric power, geothermal, solar, and wind energy. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable sources of energy. That means the amount of fossil fuel available for use will get used up after many years. States may soon have problems keeping up with energy demands. Many states need more power plants because the demand for power is increasing, partly because of the use of computers, flat screen televisions and other appliances. Scientists are trying to find more sources of energy that will reduce pollution and save some of the fossil fuels. People are using several types of renewable resources. Some of these forms of energy exist in an unlimited supply.

Based on the passage, how does the author support the idea that renewable energy sources may soon replace fossil fuels? A. States may soon have problems keeping up with energy demands. B. People are using several types of renewable resources. C. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable sources of energy. D. Scientists are trying to find new energy sources.

Choice C –This is the correct answer because fossil fuels cannot be renewed once they are used up. The passage states that fossil fuels will

get used up in a number of years and will have to be replaced with renewable resources.

Explanation of the correct answer: Choice A –This is not the correct answer because it doesn’t contain any information that would support the concept of nonrenewable fossil fuels. Choice B –This is not the correct answer because although renewable resources are currently used as energy sources, this answer does not contain enough information. Choice D—This is not the correct answer because it doesn’t contain enough information to support the idea that new energy sources will replace fossil fuel.

Read the paragraph and select the best answer.

Are dolphins or sharks the king of the ocean? Here are some facts, you decide. A dolphin’s skeleton is stiff and made of heavy bone. A dolphin’s nostrils are located on the top of their head. This “blowhole” makes it necessary for dolphins to surface to breathe. Dolphins live in open waters from the polar waters all the way to warm tropical seas.

The shark has a very light, flexible skeleton made out of cartilage. Sharks breathe through gills and do not need to surface in order to breath. Sharks can be found in almost any ocean from the North Atlantic to the South Atlantic. 1. What is one way that sharks and dolphins are similar? A. They both eat primarily fish. B. They breathe the same way. C. They live in the same oceans. D. Their skeletons are the same.

Explanation of the correct answer:

Choice C – This answer is correct because the passage states that dolphins live from the polar waters to warm tropical seas and sharks can be found in oceans from the North Atlantic to the South Atlantic, which are the same.

Choice A – This answer is not correct because the passage does not say anything about what they eat. Choice B – This answer is not correct because the passage states that dolphins breathe through blow holes and sharks use gills to breathe. Choice D – This answer is not correct because the passage state that the dolphin’s skeleton is heavy bone and the shark’s is flexible cartilage.

Read the passage and select the best answer. Earth is warming from the North Pole to the South Pole. For the entire world, the temperature has already ascended more than one degree. The effects of warming temperatures are being inflicted on the Earth and its inhabitants right now. Globally, ice is melting, especially at the poles. The sea level is rising faster than previous rates. In addition, the average rainfall has increased around the world.

1. What is NOT an effect of the rise in temperature mentioned in the passage? A. Animals are losing their habitat. B. The sea level is rising. C. Rain is increasing. D. Ice is melting.

Explanation of the correct answer: Choice A – This answer is correct because the passage does not mention whether or not animal habitats are affected by the rising temperatures. Choice B – This answer is not correct because the passage says that rainfall has increased. Choice C – This answer is not correct because the passage says that sea levels are rising faster than in the past. Choice D – This answer is not correct because the passage says that the ice is melting at the poles.

Read this excerpt from the passage.

By the end, they were hungry, dirty, sleep-deprived and sore from toting around backpacks with 20-pound barbells inside. In the sentence above the author lists the condition of the kids at the end of the experiment in order to

A. show the effects caused by being homeless. B. describe ways the kids became homeless. C. make being homeless seem appealing. D. explain the causes of homelessness.

Answer: Choice A This is the correct answer because the kids experienced being dirty,

tired, and hungry after they lived, homeless, on the streets for 24 hours. Their discomfort was caused by being homeless.

Choice B –This is not the correct answer because the kids volunteered

to experience homelessness. They are not really homeless.

Choice C –This is not the correct answer because the author is describing homelessness in a negative way. The author makes it clear

that being homeless is not appealing.

Choice D –This is not the correct answer because there aren’t any details in the passage that explain how a person becomes homeless.

In 2007, about 86% of the energy used in the U.S. came from fossil fuels, mainly petroleum, natural gas, or coal. The rest came mostly from nuclear power, and renewable resources such as hydroelectric power, geothermal, solar, and wind energy. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable sources of energy. That means the amount of fossil fuel available for use will get used up after many years. States may soon have problems keeping up with energy demands. Many states need more power plants because the demand for power is increasing, partly because of the use of computers, flat screen televisions and other appliances. Scientists are trying to find more sources of energy that will reduce pollution and save some of the fossil fuels. People are using several types of renewable resources. Some of these forms of energy exist in an unlimited supply. The information in the article would be most useful for a presentation on A. conserving fossil fuel energy from state to state B. the unlimited supply of renewable resources C. energy in the United States D. renewing fuel source

ANSWER: Choice C This is the correct answer because the passage addresses several issues regarding energy in the United States. Choice A – This is not the correct answer because conservation of fossil fuels is mentioned, but not discussed at length in the passage. Choice B – This is not the correct answer because the amount of renewable resources available is mentioned, but not discussed at length in the passage. Choice D –This is not the correct answer because the passage discusses more than just renewing fuel sources.

Read the paragraph and select the best answer. In 874 Viking long ships were beached on a promontory in the southwest of Iceland, where Reykjavik now stands. They had brought from the coast of Norway a chieftain, Ingokfuyr Arnarson, together with his family, dependents and livestock. Arnarson established a settlement, based on fishing and sheep farming. Other similar groups soon followed, staking out territories round the coast of the island. Two centuries later the population of Iceland was already about 75,000 people – a level not exceeded until the 20th century. 1. What would be a good title for this passage? A. The Establishment of Reykjavik B. Arnarson Comes to Iceland C. The Growth of Iceland D. Vikings Settle Iceland

Explanation of the correct answer: Choice D – This answer is correct. This article is mostly

about how the Vikings came to Iceland and settled it.

Choice A – This answer is not correct. One of the details is how Reykjavik was established, but that is not what the

whole passage is about. Choice B – This answer is not correct. How Arnarson came to Iceland is one of the details in the passage, but it is not

what the whole passage is about. Choice C – This answer is not correct. This is not what the article is about, it is too broad and goes too far beyond the

details.

A Book

By Emily Dickinson

There is no frigate like a book

To take us lands away,

Nor any coursers like a page

Of prancing poetry.

This traverse may the poorest take

Without oppress of toll;

How frugal is the chariot

That bears a human soul!

What literary device does the author use in the poem above?

A. onomatopoeia, using words that imitate sounds

B. irony, showing the unexpectedness of books

C. simile, comparing a book to a frigate (ship)

D. imagery, creating a vivid image of book

ANSWER: Choice C This is the correct answer. In the first line of the poem the author compares a book to a frigate—both can take you on

a journey.

Choice A –This is not the correct answer because there aren’t any words in the poem that evoke sound when read.

Choice B—This is not the correct answer because there is nothing presented in the poem about books that could be

considered unexpected.

Choice D—This is not the correct answer because the reader does not use vivid language that evokes the senses

PANDORA'S BOX A Story From Ancient Greece retold by Jan McPherson

A box was hidden away in a back room of Pandora's house. Pandora had been told never to open it or touch it. Only the great god Zeus knew what was inside. Each day as she swept the room, Pandora could see the box, high on a shelf. It looked old and mysterious, and there were strange patterns carved on the outside. One day, as she was sweeping and cleaning, Pandora took a chair and climbed up onto it to get a better look at the box.

"I'm just cleaning the box," Pandora said to herself, "not really touching it.” She lifted the box down and blew dust off the lid. Strange--a faint humming noise seemed to be coming from inside the box. When Pandora put her ear to the lid, the humming grew louder, like little high voices.

"Pandora, Pandora, open the box!" sang the little humming voices .Pandora was frightened. Quickly she put the box back on the shelf and ran outside. However, each day after that, as she swept and cleaned, Pandora looked up at the box and wondered what strange humming things were inside. Then one day, when Pandora was home by herself, she took down the box and opened it--just a crack...

"Aaaah!" cried Pandora as a cloud of ugly creatures buzzed about the room, fighting and screeching and screaming. Hate, greed, anger, sickness and lies! The creatures turned and headed for the door. All the ugly, screaming creatures were flying out into the world. All except one. "I am Hope," said the tiny, bright-winged creature. "Wherever they go, I follow." From the box opened by Pandora, trouble and worry and unhappiness first entered the world, but Hope came, too. What is Pandora’s problem in the beginning of the story? A. The voices kept calling her name every day. B. She thought cleaning the box wouldn’t hurt anything. C. She was intrigued by the noises coming from inside the box. D. She thought the creatures making the noise inside really wanted to get out

ANSWER: Choice C This is the correct answer because in the passage it states that Pandora wondered what was inside the box making the noise. She is so curious

that she eventually opens the box.

Choice A –This is not the correct answer because it is unclear if the voices continued to call her name or if it was just when she took it

down from the shelf the first time.

Choice B – This is not the correct answer because it is a detail from the passage that lets the reader know what Pandora is thinking.

Choice D –This is not the correct answer because this is not supported

by the information in the passage

A Book By Emily Dickinson

There is no frigate like a book

To take us lands away, Nor any coursers like a page

Of prancing poetry. This traverse may the poorest take

Without oppress of toll; How frugal is the chariot That bears a human soul!

What is the author’s tone in the poem above? A. confused about which book to read B. melancholy about the sad stories she reads in books C. enthusiastic about the trip a good book can take you on D. frustrated by how complicated poetry can be for the reader

Answer - Choice C This is the correct answer because the author says there’s nothing like

a book or poem to take you on trip to lands away and that even the poorest may read a book and travel far away

Choice A –This is not the correct answer because the reader can

conclude that the author would probably know exactly what books she wanted to read. Furthermore, there aren’t any details in the poem to

support the idea that she is confused.

Choice B – This is not the correct answer because the author does not use any words that would suggest that she is sad.

Choice D –This is not the correct answer because there are no details in the poem to support that idea that she thinks poetry is confusing.

A Book By Emily Dickinson

There is no frigate like a book

To take us lands away, Nor any coursers like a page

Of prancing poetry. This traverse may the poorest take

Without oppress of toll; How frugal is the chariot That bears a human soul!

The author uses symbolism in the poem through A. The comparison of a frigate to a book B. The chariot representing the journey readers take C. The prancing poetry does to give it human qualities D. The repetition of the sound in the words between lines 3 and 4

ANSWER: CHOICE B

The chariot symbolizes (represents) the journey reading or a book takes a

reader.

PANDORA'S BOX

A Story From Ancient Greece retold by Jan McPherson

A box was hidden away in a back room of Pandora's house. Pandora had been told never to open it or touch it. Only the great god Zeus knew what was inside. Each day as she swept the room,

Pandora could see the box, high on a shelf. It looked old and mysterious, and there were strange patterns carved on the outside. One day, as she was sweeping and cleaning, Pandora took a chair and

climbed up onto it to get a better look at the box. "I'm just cleaning the box," Pandora said to herself, "not really touching it.” She lifted the

box down and blew dust off the lid. Strange--a faint humming noise seemed to be coming from inside the box. When Pandora put her ear to the lid, the humming grew louder, like little high voices.

"Pandora, Pandora, open the box!" sang the little humming voices .Pandora was frightened. Quickly she put the box back on the shelf and ran outside. However, each day after that, as she swept and cleaned, Pandora looked up at the box and wondered what strange humming things were inside. Then one day, when Pandora was home by herself, she took down the box and opened it--just a

crack... "Aaaah!" cried Pandora as a cloud of ugly creatures buzzed about the room,

fighting and screeching and screaming. Hate, greed, anger, sickness and lies! The creatures turned and headed for the door. All the ugly, screaming creatures were flying out into the world. All except one. "I am Hope," said the tiny, bright-winged creature. "Wherever they go, I follow." From the box opened

by Pandora, trouble and worry and unhappiness first entered the world, but Hope came, too. What is the theme of this ancient story? A. Be careful what you wish for. B. Don’t listen to voices that call you. C. Never underestimate the power of hope. D. Your curiosity can get you into big trouble.

ANSWER: Choice D This is the correct answer because throughout the passage Pandora is struggling with her curiosity about the box even though she had been

warned not to touch it.

Choice A –This is not the correct answer because Pandora is not wishing for anything in the passage.

Choice B—This is not the correct answer because it wasn’t the voices

calling Pandora that caused the trouble, it was her curiosity about what was in the box.

Choice C –This is not the correct answer because hope is only a detail

from the passage, it is not the theme.

Read the following sentence.

The pageant contestants considered wearing white after Labor Day an utter faux pas. If a beauty queen was caught

dead in white she was shunned for the next year. What does the word faux pas mean as used in the sentence above?

a)   Taboo b)  Triumph c)   Anomaly d)  Trend

ANSWER: CHOICE A Taboo means something that is outside the norms of a culture or unacceptable. Faux

pas has the same meaning.

Read the following sentence:

The cast of characters in Molly’s play were taken aback when the audience screamed, “Encore!”

In which sentence does the word “cast” have the same meaning as in the excerpt above.

a. The foundation the statue was cast with wasn’t strong.

b. I didn’t want to audition for the cast of “Romeo and Juliet” due to my lack of confidence.

c. When I broke my leg, I hated wearing a cast.

d. Little slivers of light cast through my window disturbing my afternoon nap.

B

Read the paragraph and select the best answer.

I found my friend’s behavior to be contemptible. He lied about where he had been last night, and he got into a

fight with one of my other friends. When we got to school he was rude to his teachers, and refused to help

me in math class.

1. What does the word contemptible mean as used in the paragraph above? A. usual B. disgraceful C. natural D. dishonest

Explanation of the correct answer:

Choice B – This answer is correct because the statement that follows contemptible describes several bad things his friend had done like lying, fighting, being rude and refusing help. All of these things

describe disgraceful behavior.

Choice A – This answer is not correct because nothing in the paragraph suggests that this is his usual behavior.

Choice C – This answer is not correct because nothing in the paragraph suggests that this is natural behavior.

Choice D – This answer is not correct because even though his friend lied, which is dishonest, the other behavior that is described such as fighting,

being rude and refusing help are not dishonest.

Read the following sentence.

Bobby was always reprimanded for his lack of participation and laconic answers.

The word laconic derives from the Roman region of Laconia, known for their abrupt speech. Based on this information, what quality does the character possess?

a)   Melancholy b)  Volubility c)   Terseness d)  Joviality

ANSWER: CHOICE C Laconic means brief or succinct in speech.

Terse means the same thing.

Which pair of words best describes the photo above? a.  destructive, melancholy b.  authoritative, classic c.   humorous, ironic d.  heroic, commanding

C

Read the paragraph and select the best answer. Recently in the news there was a story about a fire company that was called out on a fire call. When they arrived at the location, they found out that it was a false alarm. After surveying the building to insure that there was no fire they were ready to leave the scene. Just as they started back to the station they received a new call. The address was familiar to the driver. He realized that it was the address of the station house. When they arrived back at the house, they discovered that someone had forgotten to turn off the burner on the stove under the dinner they had been preparing. 1. The above paragraph is an example of what kind of descriptive language? A. hyperbole B. metaphor C. symbolism D. irony

Explanation of the correct answer:

Choice D – This answer is correct. This is an example of a situation that turns out differently than you would expect.

Choice A – This answer is not correct. This story is not an

exaggeration. Choice B – This answer is not correct. This is not a

comparison of two unlike things saying that one thing is the other thing.

Choice C – This answer is not correct. This is not a reference to something well known to the reader.