1.

Choose the answer that correctly completes this sentence: The signal changes __________ at the
intersection; motorists should proceed ________.

Correct answer

(A)

quickly; cautiously

(B)

quick; cautious

Correct Answer: (A) Correct! In both cases, a verb is being modified, so the blanks must be filled by
adverbs.
2.

Choose the answer that correctly completes this sentence: Turn ________ at the sign; be _________ not
to miss that corner.

(A)

sharp; carefully

Correct answer

(B)

sharply; careful

Correct Answer: (B) Well done! The first blank modifies the verb Turn and needs an adverb. The second
blank modifies a noun, the unspoken (you), and needs an adjective.
3.

Choose the answer that correctly completes this sentence: The speaker appeared _________; his
handwritten speech was held ________ in his hand.

(A)

anxiously; firmly

Correct answer

(B)

anxious; firmly

Correct Answer: (B) Good eye! The first blank requires an adjective, because it modifies the noun
speaker. The second blank needs an adverb to modify the verb held.

4.
Choose the answer that correctly completes this sentence: Last night's championship game was the
__________ basketball game I've ever seen!

(A)

incrediblest

(B)

more incredible

Correct answer

(C)

most incredible

Correct Answer: (C) Right! Because the game is being compare to all other games, the superlative
comparison is used. Incrediblest is not a word. For words with three or more syllables, use most before
the regular form of the word.
5.

Choose the answer that correctly completes this sentence: The shop classes at Deer Valley Vocational
School turn out _________ trade apprentices than any other vocational school in the state.

(A)

good

Correct answer

(B)

better

(C)

best
Correct Answer: (B) Good work! Better is used because the sentence isn't saying that these apprentices
are the best, just that they're better than others.

6.

Choose the answer that correctly completes this sentence: The passengers spoke ________ of their
cruise to northern Alaska than they did about their cruise to southern California.

(A)

favorably

Correct answer

(B)

less favorably

(C)

least favorably
Correct Answer: (B) Correct! Only two things are being compared here, so the comparative form is used.

7.

Choose the answer in each group that uses comparisons correctly.

(A)

The Foucault Pendulum is a most unique mechanism.

Correct answer

(B)

The Foucault Pendulum is a unique mechanism.

Correct Answer: (B) Well done! The Foucault Pendulum is not being compared to anything, so using
most doesn't make sense.

8.

Choose the answer in each group that uses comparisons correctly.

(A)

My brother Simon likes reggae music better than Mother.

Correct answer

(B)

My brother Simon likes reggae music better than Mother does.

Correct Answer: (B) Good job! In the first sentence, it sounds as if reggae music is being compared to
Mother, which doesn't make sense. By adding the verb in the second part of the comparison, it is clear
that Simon's feelings about the music are compared with Mother's feelings about the music.
9.

Choose the modifier that correctly completes this sentence: ___________ kind of inflatable raft is made
for a new underwater sport that is safer and easier than scuba diving.

Correct answer

(A)

This

(B)

These

Correct Answer: (A) Right! The blank is modifying a singular noun, raft, so the pronoun must be singular
also.
10.

Choose the modifier that correctly completes each sentence: The cold ocean felt _________ running
over my sandals.

(A)

well

Correct answer

(B)

good

Correct Answer: (B) Excellent work! Good is an adjective, modifying ocean.

Top of Page
Doctors recommend that everyone exercise every day, particularly those who spend many hours doing
SEDENTARY activities like reading, watching television, or playing video games."

Which of the following correctly defines the meaning of the word SEDENTARY?

To engage in physical activity.

To spend time using minimal brain function.

To engage in criminal activity.

To spend much time seated.

In a stagnant housing market, few people buy homes.

In the above sentence, the word STAGNANT means:

not impressionable

very popular

not active

very busy

After having spent his entire life in a middle-class neighborhood in a small town, Joey was struck by the
poverty and suffering he saw when he traveled across the country for the first time. He was overcome
by feelings of deep sadness and confusion. Like many people, he believed that poverty no longer existed
in the United States. He wanted to help, but he did not know what to do.

Based on its context in this passage, what does the word struck mean in the first sentence?
to have an emotional response

to be viciously attacked

to pose in a certain way

to hit something intentionally

Kane was unabashed about his opinion of the school lunch.

Which definition best defines the word "unabashed"?

Ashamed

Angry

Happy

Unashamed

Pennies saved one and two at a time by bulldozing the grocer and the vegetable man and the butcher
until one's cheeks burned with the silent imputation of parsimony that such close dealing implied."

What does PARSIMONY mean?

being careless with spending

embarrassment

the quality of being careful with money

being rude
The student was apprehensive about the test.

Which definition best describes the word "apprehensive"?

anxious

upset

excited

depressed

The author says that for a red moon to appear the Earth, sun, and moon must align precisely. PRECISELY
means:

connect in a circle

happens only twice a year

must happen exactly

on top of each other

What is a creative lead?

The angle of a story

The main idea of a feature story

A piece of information that attracts and keeps the reader interested

A point in the story where the reader loses interest

A summary lead contains___________________.

A list of all the sources quoted in the story

Instructions on how to read the story

A direct quote

The most important facts of the story

What is soft news?

News that’s entertaining or interesting

News that’s circulated on the Internet, not on paper

News that’s based on opinions, not facts

Advice columns

What is hard news?

News that’s based on opinions, not facts

News that affects an entire group of people

The only kind of news there is

News that covers hard to understand topics

What do profile stories focus on?

Current events

A group’s behavior

An individual

Celebrity interviews only

What is meant by balance in a news story?

Covering all sides of an issue as fairly as possible

Giving the same amount of space to every paragraph

Getting a lawyer’s opinion before writing an article

Having several authors write a story

All (35)
Unanswered (29)

What is meant by balance in a news story?

Covering all sides of an issue as fairly as possible Giving the same amount of space to every paragraph
Getting a lawyer’s opinion before writing an article Having several authors write a story

What is a review?

An article about movies only An article about what government officials are doing in office An article
that helps consumers decide whether or not they should buy a product Feedback a reporter gets from
his publisher

What is meant by balance in a news story?

Having several authors write a story Covering all sides of an issue as fairly as possible Getting a lawyer’s
opinion before writing an article Giving the same amount of space to every paragraph

Question 3 / 35

9%

What does a direct quotation look like?

Obama has asserted the authority to assassinate American terror suspects abroad and has tried to block
court challenges of that authority by invoking “state secrets.”

Obama vowed change and roared about “the fierce urgency of now”.

“He loves to buckle,” MSNBC host Clark Urban declared in a July. “Obama’s not going to give us real
change.”

Obama teased Michelle saying that she was an only good with kids when playing Poker with them.

What does a partial quote look like?

Obama has asserted the authority to assassinate American terror suspects abroad and has tried to block
court challenges of that authority by invoking “state secrets.”

Obama vowed Change and roared about “the fierce urgency of now”.

“He loves to buckle,” MSNBC host Clark Urban declared in a July. “Obama’s not going to give us real
change.”

Obama teased Michelle saying that she was an only good with kids when playing Poker with them.

Incorrect Incorrect

Why is it important for reporter's to talk to sources?

Sources are the people that help edit and revise copy Sources buy newspapers Sources give a story
balance by offering different perspectives Sources help publish a reporter’s story