Excerpt from: The System of Dr. Tarr and Prof. Fether Edgar Allan Poe

3 As we rode up to the gate-way, I noticed it slightly open, and the visage of a man peering through. In an instant afterward, this man came forth, accosted my companion by name, shook him cordially by the hand, and begged him to alight. It was Monsieur Maillard himself. He was a portly, fine-looking gentleman of the old school, with a polished manner, and a certain air of gravity which was very impressive.

From the description of Monsieur Maillard you can infer that the author A) does not want to make Monsieur Maillard angry. B) thinks Monsieur Maillard is someone to be admired. C) does not think Monsieur Maillard is a good doctor. D) thinks Monsier Maillard is as crazy as his patients.

Excerpt from: “Saving the Thrift Store: A Drama” Lee Washington

2 ROSA: Eddie, I don’t recognize the shirt you’re wearing. When did you get it?

3 LOUIS: It doesn’t look as disheveled as the soccer shirts you wear all the time.

4 EDDIE: Well, I’m not going to tiptoe through the soccer field to keep my clothes neat. (LOUIS playfully aims a soccer ball at EDDIE. ROSA deflects it.)

5 ROSA: What I was trying to say is that the shirt looks really good. (LOUIS wanders over to the morning newspaper that is still sitting on the front lawn. He leafs through it while EDDIE and ROSA talk.)

In line 5, which point is Rosa making when she says Eddie’s shirt looks good?

A) The store must have new merchandise. B) Rosa is jealous of Eddie’s new shirt. C) Eddie must have done his own laundry. D) Eddie often wears old, tattered shirts. Excerpt from: The Heron and the Hummingbird - A Re-Telling of the Classic Tale Lee Washington

3 Heron and Hummingbird began their ascent from the land, flying high enough to avoid the trees in their path. They coasted over the green canopy of leaves. The heron, realizing that it was going to be a long race, kept a good attitude. After about a half mile, Hummingbird spotted a patch of violets. He dove from his place in the sky with a loud zoom to taste the nectar from the flowers. It was so good that he took a break from the race for a long sweet drink. Heron glanced down at his friend, but kept flying straight ahead like an engine on a railroad track. After a while, Hummingbird struggled to get back into the race, his belly full of nectar. He decided to settle down in a cozy moss nest on the side of a tree for some shuteye.

Which word BEST describes Hummingbird? A)adventurous B)distracted C)lazy D)sneaky

Excerpt from: Richard II William Shakespeare

Some way of common trade, where subjects' feet May hourly trample on their sovereign's head; For on my heart they tread now whilst I live; And buried once, why not upon my head?159

Which statement BEST summarizes the passage? A) The king resigns himself to giving up his crown. B) The king mourns the loss of all his possessions. C) King Richard looks back on his reign with regret. D) King Richard declares his attention to overthrow the current ruler. Excerpt from: The Junior Detective Marie Devers

Here’s a quick biography of how I came to be, 1 the junior lead detective who researches fearlessly. 2

The probability, I find, is just as good as coincidence 3 that I’ll find some hidden mystery by watching some events. 4

This vocation, fair and true, I stumbled on one day, 5 and the verdict was that I’d pursue each fact that comes my way. 6

When I find a question that requires investigation, 7 I pull out all the stops and start my thorough speculation. 8

Which word BEST describes the speaker? A) foolish B) humorous C) inventive D) miserable