Practice Test 3 - 7th Grade Writing

20 questions. Answer them in any order, then submit to see your score and every explanation.

Keisha is researching: "What causes urban heat islands in cities?" She reads 3 credible sources (EPA page, a university article, and a science news report), takes notes on pavement, lack of trees, building materials, and waste heat from vehicles/AC. Her final answer explains the main causes and includes citations. She proposes these follow-up questions: A) "How does increasing tree canopy coverage by 10% in one neighborhood change average summer surface temperatures compared to a similar neighborhood without added trees?" B) "How does the Earth's overall climate get warmer over many decades across the entire planet?" C) "How do average summer temperatures vary between coastal cities and inland cities around the world?" D) "How do cool roofs and reflective pavement compare in reducing nighttime air temperatures in dense urban areas?" Which pair of follow-up questions are the best examples of related, focused questions that extend Keisha's research?
Read the informational paragraph and choose the best concluding sentence. During a lunar eclipse, Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon. Earth blocks direct sunlight from reaching the Moon. However, some sunlight bends through Earth's atmosphere and reaches the Moon anyway. This filtered light makes the Moon appear dim and often reddish. Which sentence best concludes the paragraph?
Read the narrative and answer the question. Marcus pushed his trumpet case under the bed the moment he got home. The latch clicked too loudly. "Practice?" his dad called from the kitchen. "Later," Marcus said. He sat at his desk and opened his math homework, but the numbers swam. At rehearsal, Mr. Dorsey had stopped the band and pointed straight at Marcus. "That entrance was yours. Again." Marcus had played it again. And again. Each time, his note cracked like a twig. Now, in his room, the silence felt crowded. He stared at the homework page until his eyes blurred. Then he pulled the trumpet case back out. His fingers hovered over the latch. "I hate this," he muttered. He opened the case anyway. Which technique is most responsible for showing Marcus's determination despite embarrassment, and how does it work?
Marcus wants to acknowledge an opposing claim in his essay arguing FOR school uniforms. Which approach would most effectively strengthen his overall argument while demonstrating understanding of counterarguments?
In a novel, you read: "Maya seemed reserved at the party and didn't share much about herself." The word reserved can have more than one meaning. Which dictionary definition best fits the way the word is used in this sentence?
Complete the analogy: exercise is to fitness as practice is to ____.
A student is drafting an informational essay about "Why Some Cities Have More Air Pollution." The student's outline is: - Causes: vehicle exhaust, factory emissions, weather patterns that trap smog - Effects: health problems, reduced visibility, damage to buildings Which statement best evaluates the organization of this outline?
W.7.9.b (apply reading standards to literary nonfiction): Students read an excerpt from a personal essay about school start times. In the excerpt, the author argues, "Middle school should start later because teens' brains are still developing," and then includes: "A 2019 district report showed tardies dropped 18% after a pilot later start," plus a quote from a pediatrician. Jamal's paragraph: "The author is basically saying school is too early. He talks about teens and being tired and then gives some facts. I agree because I'm tired too. The essay is convincing." Which evaluation best matches how well Jamal applies grade 7 reading standards to literary nonfiction (claims vs. evidence and author's craft)?
The word reluctant describes how someone feels about doing a task. Based on how the word is used in a sentence like "She was reluctant to leave her friends," what does reluctant most nearly mean?
Which term from life science correctly completes the sentence? "During _____, one parent cell divides to produce two identical daughter cells used for growth and repair."
A student wrote an informational explanation about how glaciers shape land: "As glaciers move, they pick up rocks and sediment. This material scrapes the ground like sandpaper, carving valleys. When glaciers melt, they drop the sediment, creating landforms like moraines." The student's conclusion is: "Glaciers are made of frozen water." What is the main weakness of this conclusion?
A dictionary entry shows: conduct /ˈkänˌdəkt/ n. behavior; conduct /kənˈdəkt/ v. to lead or manage. In the sentence "Ms. Chen will conduct the experiment," which pronunciation matches the word as used?
In an essay about the water cycle, a student wrote: "Evaporation occurs when the sun's heat causes water to turn into vapor, and then this vapor stuff rises into the atmosphere." Which revision best corrects the informal word choice while keeping the sentence's meaning the same?
Chen is comparing two sources for a report on earthquakes: Source A: A U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) page explaining earthquake magnitude and intensity, updated 2022. Source B: A 2008 forum post where users argue about whether earthquakes are caused by "secret machines," with no evidence or expert names. Which statement best compares the credibility of the two sources?
In a civics class, the teacher says: "The Constitution did not take effect until enough states voted to accept it through ratification." What does "ratification" mean here?
Chen has a narrative project due in 3 weeks for a class anthology (audience: classmates and families). Week 1—plan the story arc and characters; Week 2—draft scenes and add dialogue; Week 3—revise for pacing and description, then edit and publish. Which benefit of extended time is best shown in Chen's schedule?
A student wrote this informational paragraph about renewable energy, but the ideas feel choppy. "Solar panels create electricity from sunlight. Wind turbines create electricity from moving air. Both reduce air pollution." Which revision uses the best transitions to create cohesion and clarify relationships among ideas?
Jamal writes a response about the main character in The Giver by Lois Lowry, focusing on Jonas's character development: "Jamal: Jonas is brave and responsible. He becomes the Receiver and learns things. He is scared sometimes but he keeps going. In the end he leaves the community because it is wrong. I liked how he didn't give up." What is the biggest problem with Jamal's analysis in terms of applying grade 7 reading standards to literature (W.7.9.a)?
Identify Opposition Acknowledgment: A student argues, "Our school should require reusable water bottles to cut down on plastic waste." The next sentence says, "Some students think this rule would be annoying to remember and might cost families money at first, but the school could provide low-cost options and refill stations." How does the writer acknowledge an opposing viewpoint?
Two versions of the same narrative are shown below. Version 1: Amir finished his math quiz and shoved it into the tray. He heard someone whisper his name. He was outside by the bike rack, gripping his handlebars. Chen was asking if he wanted to trade lunches. Version 2: Amir finished his math quiz and shoved it into the tray. After class, outside by the bike rack, he gripped his handlebars. Chen asked if he wanted to trade lunches. Which version more clearly signals the shift in time and setting, and why?

Practice tests