Practice Test 6 - 7th Grade Writing

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

  1. You're reading a new short story for class and you see an unfamiliar word that is NOT a special class term: perilous. You want to understand it well enough to answer questions about the story. Which reference is the best choice to find its definition and part of speech?
  2. Riley writes a short argument essay in Google Docs about whether students should have homework. A classmate leaves comments suggesting Riley add evidence from a reliable source. Riley finds an article online, copies two sentences into the essay, and changes a few words. Riley does not add quotation marks, does not include an in-text citation, and does not add the article to a Works Cited. Which choice best identifies the problem with Riley's use of sources and what Riley should do?
  3. Emma has 4 weeks to write a 7th-grade research report about how plastic waste affects oceans for her science class. Her plan is: Week 1—find 4 sources and take notes; Week 2—write an outline and a first draft; Week 3—get peer feedback and revise for stronger evidence and clearer organization; Week 4—edit for grammar/citations and submit. Which choice best shows Emma is writing routinely over an extended time frame in a way that uses time effectively?
  4. A student is writing an informational paragraph about the water cycle. Which option provides the most relevant and specific facts to help develop the topic for 7th graders?
  5. Which sentence uses pronouns correctly in formal writing and maintains consistency throughout?
  6. Which sentence contains an error in parallel structure that needs to be corrected for proper grammar?
  7. Marcus is writing a research paper about the history of video games. He has a draft that is hard to follow because it mixes time periods in the same paragraph: Draft excerpt: "In the 2000s, online gaming grew fast. In the 1970s, early arcade games became popular. Today, esports fill stadiums. In the 1980s, home consoles changed entertainment." Marcus tries to fix it by adding commas, but it still feels confusing. What should Marcus do next to strengthen the writing?
  8. Chen is doing a 1–2 week research project on plastic pollution. His initial question is: "How do microplastics enter freshwater lakes, and what are two common pathways in the Great Lakes region?" After reading 5 sources (EPA page, NOAA explainer, a peer-reviewed study, a state environmental agency report, and a local newspaper investigation), he answers his initial question and then writes new questions: A) "How effective are washing-machine microfiber filters at reducing microplastics in wastewater in Great Lakes cities?" B) "What laws about plastic pellets (nurdles) have been proposed or passed in Great Lakes states since 2015?" C) "How does plastic pollution affect the environment all over the world in general?" D) "Which brands of plastic water bottles are the most popular to buy in stores today?" Which option best identifies the two new questions that are both related to Chen's research and focused enough for further investigation?
  9. Improve Introduction: A student is arguing that the school should switch to digital planners instead of paper ones. Current opening: "Paper planners are old. Digital is the future. Everyone should use phones for planning." Which revision best improves the introduction by stating a precise claim, establishing why it matters, and acknowledging an opposing viewpoint fairly?
  10. Read the informational sentences. "A desert may look empty at first. However, many deserts contain a wide variety of plants and animals that are adapted to dry conditions." What relationship does the transition However signal?
  11. Jamal is writing an argument essay for English about whether schools should require uniforms. He works on it across 5 days: Day 1—brainstorm claims and counterclaims; Day 2—write the introduction and first body paragraph with evidence; Day 3—draft the remaining paragraphs; Day 4—revise to improve logic and add stronger evidence; Day 5—edit for word choice, transitions, and punctuation. Which option best identifies why Jamal's process fits writing over an extended time frame?​
  12. Complete the sentence with the most precise academic word: "The results of the experiment _____ the claim that plants grow faster under blue light, because the blue-light group actually grew less than the control group."
  13. A student says, "I need to rewrite my conclusion." Identify the prefix in rewrite and its meaning.
  14. A student is revising this complex sentence: 'Although studying requires dedication, and practicing regularly improves performance, but success depends on consistent effort.' What is the best way to correct the faulty coordination?
  15. 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)?
  16. A student is writing an informational report titled "How Volcanoes Form." Here is the draft introduction: "Volcanoes are found all over the world. They can be dangerous and also create new land. There are many interesting facts about them." Which revision best improves the introduction by clearly stating the topic and previewing what the report will explain?
  17. Chen researched desert animals for a week. His initial question was: "What adaptations help kangaroo rats conserve water?" He used 5 sources (two science websites from museums, a textbook chapter, a journal article summary, and a documentary transcript). He found that kangaroo rats get water from metabolism, have very efficient kidneys, and are active at night to reduce water loss. Which new question most clearly emerges from his findings and stays focused?
  18. A student is writing an informational paragraph explaining the water cycle. Which option is the best set of facts to include because it directly develops the topic with specific, accurate information?
  19. Read the informational paragraph and compare the two possible conclusions. A city's public transportation system can include buses, subways, and trains. Buses are flexible because routes can be changed and they can reach many neighborhoods. Subways can carry large numbers of passengers quickly because they avoid traffic on roads. Trains can connect cities or suburbs to downtown areas, helping commuters travel longer distances efficiently. Conclusion 1: "Buses, subways, and trains each serve different transportation needs, and together they help people move around cities more efficiently." Conclusion 2: "Subways are the best transportation choice, and cities should stop spending money on buses and trains." Which conclusion better supports the information in the paragraph?​​
  20. Choose the word that best completes the sentence: "During mitosis, one cell divides to produce two ______ daughter cells."

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