Facts and Information Argument and Persuasion M

Cecil County Public Schools Division of Education Services

Please Note: Materials used in this assessment are copyright © by McDougal Littell / Houghton Mifflin Inc. Cecil County Public Schools is recreating and printing with verbal permission from Houghton Mifflin Inc. Grade 8 Unit 8/9 Facts and Information Argument and Persuasion M Unit Assessment Student Test Booklet Part I – Comprehension & Vocabulary Part II –Writing & Grammar 2010-2011 Part I: Comprehension and Vocabulary

Directions: Read the excerpt from Tricky Twisters on pages 1-2 in the Assessment Selections Booklet and then answer questions 1-16.

1. The first two paragraphs reveal that the author’s primary purpose is to A. express feelings about natural disasters. B. persuade states to prepare for storms. C. inform readers of scientific thinking about tornadoes. D. entertain readers with stories about tornado survivors.

2. Why is “Recipe for Disaster” an appropriate subheading for lines 10-27? A. The air temperatures during a tornado are similar to temperatures used in baking. B. The author compares the conditions that produce a tornado to ingredients in cooking. C. Scientists use measures and directions when they study tornadoes’ occurrences. D. You can use kitchen utensils and ingredients to make a tornado model.

3. What important information is highlighted by the use of italicized words as a text feature? A. shocking information about tornadoes B. quotations from weather experts C. areas most frequently hit by tornadoes D. technical vocabulary about tornadoes

4. “These whirlwinds form inside of a thunderstorm. Three main ingredients are needed to cook up a thunderstorm: moist air near the ground, cold air above, and a trigger to make that air rise?”

Which statement best summarizes the sentence above?

A. Thunderstorms occur when moist air near the ground rises to meet cold air above. B. Tornadoes never form as a result of the creation of a thunderstorm. C. The most important ingredient in a thunderstorm is moist air. D. Thunderstorms are complicated and difficult to trigger.

Grade 8 Unit 8/9 Assessment 2 2010-2011 Please Note: Materials used in this assessment are copyright © by McDougal Littell / Houghton Mifflin Inc. Cecil County Public Schools is recreating and printing with verbal permission from Houghton Mifflin Inc. 5. To support the main idea of Wind Shear causing the most trouble, the author provides details about A. how wind shear differs from updrafts. B. what wind shear looks like. C. how wind shear is measured. D. how wind shear affects a storm.

6. Which method would be the best way to verify that the statements about wind shear in lines 20-25 are facts? A. ask an adult B. observe a tornado C. consult an encyclopedia D. conduct a simple experiment

7. The subheading “Tornado Target” refers to A. a dryline. B. the Great Plains. C. the Gulf of Mexico. D. high plateaus in Mexico.

8. The author’s purpose in including the “Tornado Alley” map as a graphic aid is to A. make the article longer. B. show a tornado-shaped region. C. visually support details in the text. D. persuade readers to avoid tornadoes.

9. Which idea from the text does the map help you understand? A. “Tornado Alley” refers to the Great Plains, an area from Texas to Nebraska. B. Warm, moist air blowing north collides with drier air and creates tornadoes. C. We learn about tornadoes mostly by studying supercells in Tornado Alley. D. A squall line consists of separate thunderstorms and can extend hundreds of miles.

Grade 8 Unit 8/9 Assessment 3 2010-2011 Please Note: Materials used in this assessment are copyright © by McDougal Littell / Houghton Mifflin Inc. Cecil County Public Schools is recreating and printing with verbal permission from Houghton Mifflin Inc. 10. The main idea “squall lines pose more of a threat in some regions than in others” is best supported by which detail from the passage?

A. “…Trapp, and atmospheric scientist at Purdue University in Indiana, and his colleagues studied storm records and radar images…” B. “but when the team zeroed in on specific areas, some of the percentages were much higher” C. “Unlike a supercell, this line made up of individual thunderstorms can stretch for hundreds of miles” D. “Overall, only 18 percent of tornadoes they studied, were spawned by squall lines”

11. The author includes the detail about Indiana in lines 55-58 for what purpose?

A. to entertain readers with an example about Indiana’s tornadoes B. to describe how Indiana has suffered devastating tornado damage C. to persuade readers who live in Indiana to take precautions against tornadoes D. to illustrate that squall lines frequently produce tornadoes in some areas

12. Which statement best summarizes the last paragraph of the excerpt? A. A group of scientists discovered that squall lines produce more tornadoes than scientists originally thought. B. Some tornadoes in Indiana are the products of squall lines, and others form from supercells. C. Robert J. Trapp is an atmospheric scientist at Purdue University who studies tornadoes and squall lines. D. Of 3,828 tornadoes that formed in the United States between 1998 and 2000, 18 percent resulted from squall lines.

13. All the phrases below are used for the author’s purpose of helping the reader’s to better visualize the article except

A. spin like a rolling pin. B. tornados may arise. C. tug of war between downdrafts. D. perfect mix of ingredients.

Grade 8 Unit 8/9 Assessment 4 2010-2011 Please Note: Materials used in this assessment are copyright © by McDougal Littell / Houghton Mifflin Inc. Cecil County Public Schools is recreating and printing with verbal permission from Houghton Mifflin Inc. 14. Which type of figurative language device is used in the phrase below?

“spin like a rolling pin”

A. simile B. metaphor C. personification D. alliteration

15. When the author uses the phrase out of the clear blue sky, she means that tornados strike out of

A. nowhere. B. spite. C. control. D. line.

16. The author’s overall style of the article Tricky Twisters can best be described as

A. formal and persuasive. B. formal and informative. C. informal and persuasive. D. informal and informative.

Directions: Read “Put a Laptop in Each Lap” on pages 3-4 in the Assessment Selections Booklet and then answer questions 17-29.

17. The author’s main purpose is to

A. prove that laptops do not threaten students’ health in the classroom. B. report on the influence of computers on teachers. C. persuade the reader to see benefits of widespread use of computers in the classrooms. D. warn people about the hazards of old-fashioned education.

18. What is Richard Olivares’s main claim?

A. Classrooms should contain several types of computers. B. All teachers should take courses in computer technology. C. Every student in a classroom should have a laptop. D. Parents should help their children develop computer skills.

Grade 8 Unit 8/9 Assessment 5 2010-2011 Please Note: Materials used in this assessment are copyright © by McDougal Littell / Houghton Mifflin Inc. Cecil County Public Schools is recreating and printing with verbal permission from Houghton Mifflin Inc. 19. The author most likely includes the phrase “equalizer of education” in order to

A. explain why teachers should use computers more often. B. show readers that the author is concerned with fairness. C. illustrate the lack of resources in various schools. D. convince readers of the value of computers.

20. Olivares supports his claim by providing evidence that

A. many real-world tasks are computerized. B. all doctors rely heavily on technology. C. most parents use computers at home. D. every movie is available on videotape.

21. What counterargument does Olivares offer to people who wish to perform activities “the old-fashioned way?”

A. Computers are used for cash withdrawals. B. Banks charge a fee for using a live person called a “teller”. C. Voters must cast their ballots online. D. Music is not available on vinyl records.

22. Which statement from the essay is a fact?

A. Computers may just be the best equalizer. (line 2) B. they will have to be comfortable with touch screens (lines 11-12) C. banks now often charge their customers an extra fee (line 17) D. They certainly will not get them from their less tech-savvy parents! (line 29)

23. The main idea of paragraph 4 of the article is to

A. show the importance of recognizing reliable web-based information sources. B. explain how to determine a website source's credibility. C. give examples of people who will suffer without website information. D. compare the effects of websites on government officials and doctors.

24. Olivares compares regular classroom work with work on computers to show that A. handwritten work is easier to correct. B. computers allow students to experiment. C. peers help students edit their own work. D. teachers give more effective evaluations.

Grade 8 Unit 8/9 Assessment 6 2010-2011 Please Note: Materials used in this assessment are copyright © by McDougal Littell / Houghton Mifflin Inc. Cecil County Public Schools is recreating and printing with verbal permission from Houghton Mifflin Inc. 25. According to Olivares, the effect of purchasing laptops for students will be to A. increase their awareness of government. B. encourage them to work together. C. improve their overall math abilities. D. help them succeed in the modern world.

26. Olivares uses an ethical appeal by linking the purchase of laptops to the A. depth of teachers’ technical knowledge. B. usefulness of drawing programs. C. value of students’ educational experiences. D. importance of parent-child relationships.

27. What would be an appropriate subheading for paragraph 3?

A. Old Ways vs. New Ways of Computers B. Benefits of Laptops C. Online Banking D. Getting Rid of Bank Tellers

28. How are the sentences organized within paragraphs 2-5?

A. descriptions B. cause/effect C. problem/solution D. main ideas and supporting details

29. What is the author’s style and purpose for the overall article “Put a Laptop in Each Lap?”

A. informal and informative B. informal and persuasive C. formal and informative D. formal and persuasive

Grade 8 Unit 8/9 Assessment 7 2010-2011 Please Note: Materials used in this assessment are copyright © by McDougal Littell / Houghton Mifflin Inc. Cecil County Public Schools is recreating and printing with verbal permission from Houghton Mifflin Inc. Directions: Answer questions 30-31 about both selections.

30. Both author’s purposes can best be summarized that they want to

A. entertain readers with interesting examples of tornadoes and computer use. B. inform readers of the benefits of computers and disastrous effects of tornadoes. C. persuade readers to learn more about tornadoes and value computers. D. explain to readers that tornadoes are deadly and that computers are not always beneficial.

31. Based on the two selections you have read, you can infer that BOTH authors have a passion for

A. the study of natural disasters. B. the topics they are writing about. C. the benefits of technology. D. the readers who will read their articles.

BCR Directions: Answer the following question. Write two or three paragraphs for your response on the provided BCR sheet.

In “Put a Laptop in Each Lap,” what persuasive techniques does Olivares use to support his claim and how effective are they? Use information from the essay to support your answer.

Directions: Use context clues and your knowledge of base words to answer questions 32-34.

32. What is the meaning of the word unsuspected in the sentence below?

New research suggests that tornadoes may arise from unsuspected storms more often than once thought.

A. not known to exist B. frequently occurred C. fully researched D. contrary to human reasoning

Grade 8 Unit 8/9 Assessment 8 2010-2011 Please Note: Materials used in this assessment are copyright © by McDougal Littell / Houghton Mifflin Inc. Cecil County Public Schools is recreating and printing with verbal permission from Houghton Mifflin Inc. 33. What is the meaning of the word atmospheric as it is used in the lines below?

“Where the air is forced to rise, that’s where thunderstorms are triggered,’’ says Paul Markowski, an atmospheric scientist at the Pennsylvania State University.

A. causing galaxies B. creating poisonous gasses C. relating to air D. tracking storm trends

34. Using the context clues in the sentence below, define updraft as it is used in the sentence.

“Then the storm’s updraft, or rising warm air, tugs the rolling column of air upward.”

A. falling cool air B. rising cool air C. falling warm air D. rising warm air

Directions: Use context clues to answer questions 35-36.

35. The quick and easy availability of the vast numbers of resources that computers provide helps compensate for geographic, economic, and cultural differences in our nation's schools.

Use what you know about the word compensation to define the related word compensate in the line above. A. spend resources B. reveal the presence of C. make up for D. further complicate

Grade 8 Unit 8/9 Assessment 9 2010-2011 Please Note: Materials used in this assessment are copyright © by McDougal Littell / Houghton Mifflin Inc. Cecil County Public Schools is recreating and printing with verbal permission from Houghton Mifflin Inc. 36. Do you want your medications prescribed by a doctor who thinks that a pharmaceutical company's Web site provides impartial information?

Use what you know about the word pharmacy to define the related word pharmaceutical in the line above.

A. having to do with information B. relating to medication C. having to do with Web sites D. relating to computers

Directions: Use context clues of multiple meaning words to answer questions 37-40.

37. Which sentence uses strike as it is used in the sentence below?

Whether it’s springtime or fall, a tornado doesn’t just strike out of the clear blue sky.

A. After the second strike, the batter knew that he needed to focus more on the ball. B. Didn’t Mary’s conversation about rats strike you as odd? C. The snake hid behind the bushes to prepare to strike its prey. D. The workers went on strike and refused to work until their pay was increased.

38. Which sentence uses form as it is used in the sentence below?

But last fall’s tornadoes show that terrible twisters can form anywhere-sometimes even developing from a completely different type of thunderstorm.

A. Your parents must fill out and sign a form before you are able to join the basketball team. B. The mysterious form in the woods did not appear to be human. C. The crowd began to form three lines in order to get into the concert more quickly. D. The ballet dancer showed good form as she spun and leapt across the stage.

39. Which sentence uses tackle as it is used in the sentence below?

The latter may be true because almost anything done on computers is reversible, making it easier for students to try out a new writing style, tackle a challenging math problem, or use a drawing program and learning from their mistakes without being evaluated by their teachers or even by their peers.

A. Roger plays left tackle for the football team. B. He puts bait in his tackle box when he goes fishing. C. We tackled the intruder when he tried to break into our home. D. In order to tackle the test successfully, you must study the night before.

Grade 8 Unit 8/9 Assessment 10 2010-2011 Please Note: Materials used in this assessment are copyright © by McDougal Littell / Houghton Mifflin Inc. Cecil County Public Schools is recreating and printing with verbal permission from Houghton Mifflin Inc. 40. Which sentence uses twist as it is used in the sentence below.

The twist: Spring is considered peak tornado season in the U.S., so people weren’t expecting a funnel-filled fall.

A. No one expected the twist at the end of the movie. B. Twist the cap off the bottle carefully. C. Please tell the truth and don’t twist my words. D. The twist and turns in the road were dangerous.

Stop here and close your booklet until given further directions by your teacher.

Grade 8 Unit 8/9 Assessment 11 2010-2011 Please Note: Materials used in this assessment are copyright © by McDougal Littell / Houghton Mifflin Inc. Cecil County Public Schools is recreating and printing with verbal permission from Houghton Mifflin Inc. Part II: Writing and Grammar

Directions: Read the problem-solution essay on page 5 in the Assessment Selections Booklet and answer questions 51-58.

51. Choose the correct way to punctuate sentence 2 with a comma. A. However, where can students do this? B. However where, can students do this? C. However where can students, do this? D. However where can students do, this?

52. Which transition word would best connect ideas in sentences 2 and 3? A. lately B. instead C. regardless D. undoubtedly

53. Which sentence is the essay’s topic statement? A. The store owner, Gordon Bancroft, has expressed concern about student loitering. B. He claims that student loitering has kept customers from shopping and has hurt sales. C. As a solution, Valley Junior High needs to extend the student lounge hours. D. If the lounge stayed open later, students could socialize safely.

54. Choose the correct way to capitalize the title in sentence 7. A. valley Junior scout Courier B. valley junior Scout Courier C. Valley Junior Scout Courier D. Valley junior Scout courier

55. Choose the correct way to punctuate sentence 8 with a comma. A. Currently, this place is Tot’s parking lot. B. Currently this place, is Tot’s parking lot. C. Currently this place is, Tot’s parking lot. D. Currently this place is Tot’s, parking lot.

Grade 8 Unit 8/9 Assessment 12 2010-2011 Please Note: Materials used in this assessment are copyright © by McDougal Littell / Houghton Mifflin Inc. Cecil County Public Schools is recreating and printing with verbal permission from Houghton Mifflin Inc. 56. Choose the correct way to capitalize the title in sentence 13. A. “A Note to Valley Administration: What your Students Need” B. “A Note to Valley Administration: What Your Students Need” C. “A note to Valley Administration: What your Students Need” D. “A note to Valley Administration: what Your Students Need”

57. Choose the sentence in which the commas are used correctly. A. In the summer the city has many activities, for the tourist. B. In the summer the city, has many activities for the tourist. C. In the summer, the city, has many activities, for the tourist. D. In the summer, the city has many activities for the tourist.

58. Choose the sentence in which the words are capitalized correctly. A. Harry potter and the goblet of fire B. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire C. Harry Potter and the goblet of fire D. Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire

Directions: Read the persuasive essay on page 6 in the Assessment Selections Booklet and then answer questions 59-70.

59. Choose the correct word or words to capitalize in sentence 2. A. you Wishes B. someone Would clean C. Clean Up the mess D. in Hayden Park

60. Choose the best way to rewrite the thesis statement in sentence 5 to include the writer’s position. A. This organization would help the park by eliminating various types of waste, such as bottles and cans. B. This organization would be a great help to nature, and it would have positive benefits for people too. C. This organization would maintain the park’s appearance, and the proposal deserves the community’s support. D. This organization would protect the community from people who like to litter in public areas.

Grade 8 Unit 8/9 Assessment 13 2010-2011 Please Note: Materials used in this assessment are copyright © by McDougal Littell / Houghton Mifflin Inc. Cecil County Public Schools is recreating and printing with verbal permission from Houghton Mifflin Inc. 61. To correct the subject-verb agreement error in sentence 2, change “wishes” to A. wishs. B. wishing. C. wished. D. wish.

62. How would you rewrite the first part of sentence 7 to maintain parallel structure? A. Duties such as picking up garbage, cleaning bleachers, and washing equipment B. Duties such as pick up garbage, clean bleachers, and washing equipment C. Duties such as picked up garbage, clean bleachers, and washing equipment D. Duties such as picking up garbage, clean bleachers, and wash equipment

63. Which transition could best be added to the beginning of sentence 9? A. Then B. However C. Because D. Therefore

64. How would you rewrite the second part of sentence 11 to make its structure parallel? A. encounter rusty cans, stepping on food wrappers, or trip on torn plastic bags. B. encountering rusty cans, stepped on food wrappers, or tripped on torn plastic bags. C. encounter rusty cans, stepping on food wrappers, or tripping on torn plastic bags. D. encounter rusty cans, stepping on food wrappers, or tripped on torn plastic bags.

65. Which transition could best be added to the beginning of sentence 12? A. However B. In addition C. Next D. Regardless

66. Choose the best way to incorporate persuasive language into sentence 14. A. Park Protectors is a pretty idea for our pretty city. B. Park Protectors is one idea for our sizeable community. C. Park Protectors is a decent idea for our small town. D. Park Protectors is an inspired idea for enriching our community.

Grade 8 Unit 8/9 Assessment 14 2010-2011 Please Note: Materials used in this assessment are copyright © by McDougal Littell / Houghton Mifflin Inc. Cecil County Public Schools is recreating and printing with verbal permission from Houghton Mifflin Inc. 67. Which word should be capitalized in sentence 15? A. can B. show C. your D. merrick

68. Choose the best way to rewrite sentence 16 to include persuasive language. A. Jump in line to help out. B. Jump in line to show your community pride. C. Be the first volunteer to join the new organization. D. Be the first person to help out the community park.

69. Which opposing argument could the writer have addressed in this essay? A. People do not have time to volunteer. B. Children do not like the play equipment. C. Volunteering is complicated work. D. Cleaning up the park requires uniforms.

70. Choose the sentence in which the words are capitalized correctly. A. The tasty treat hot dog company sets up a stand on the beach during the summer months. B. The Tasty Treat Hot Dog company sets up a stand on the beach during the Summer months. C. The Tasty Treat Hot Dog Company sets up a stand on the beach during the summer months. D. The Tasty Treat hot dog company sets up a stand on the beach during the summer months.

Grade 8 Unit 8/9 Assessment 15 2010-2011 Please Note: Materials used in this assessment are copyright © by McDougal Littell / Houghton Mifflin Inc. Cecil County Public Schools is recreating and printing with verbal permission from Houghton Mifflin Inc.