1. Which of the following is NOT defined as aggressive behavior?

(4%)
A. inflicting pain accidentally
B. making insulting remarks
C. destroying property
D. trying unsuccessfully to injure someone
Answer: _______

2. The author mentions "belittling and humiliating comments" in paragraph 1 in order to (4%)
A. demonstrate how serious the problem of aggression is
B. clarify the difference between intentional and unintentional aggression
C. provide examples of verbal aggression
D. illustrate the nature of physical aggression
Answer: _______

3. The word "intentional" in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to (4%)

A. deliberate
B. estimated
C. forbidden
D. intermittent
Answer: _______

4. According to paragraph 2, which of the following is true about aggression? (4%)

A. Aggression was not a typical behavior for humans before the seventeenth century.
B.There was probably no specific term to describe aggressive behavior until the seventeenth
century.
C. Animals were much more likely to display aggressive behavior than humans, at least until
recently.
D.The psychological definition of aggression has been around as long as the physical one has.
Answer: _______

5. Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted
sentence in paragraph 3? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out
essential information. (4%)
A. Biological theories of aggression emphasize its instinctive nature.
B. Theories that consider aggression biological are more accepted than those that consider it
learned.
C. Various theories about aggression attribute it to either natural or learned causes.
D. Various theories try to compare the idea that aggression is biological with the idea that it is
learned.
Answer: _______

6. According to paragraph 4, "displacement" is (4%)

A. internally directed aggression
B. a modeled type of aggression
C. aggression that is unintentional
D. aggression that is directed outward
Answer: _______
7. It can be inferred from paragraph 4 that "catharsis" (4%)
A. is a positive process
B. involves channeling aggression internally
C. is studied by ethologists
D. should be negatively reinforced
Answer: _______

8. An ethologist would be most likely to study (4%)

A. learned catharsis in a certain species of monkey
B. the evolution of a certain type of fish
C. the bone structure of a certain type of dinosaur
D. how a certain male lion fights other male lions
Answer: _______

9. Look at the four squares [ ▇ ] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to
paragraph 4.
One may, for example, release aggression by joining a football team or a debate team or
even a cooking competition.
Where would the sentence best fit? Click on a
square [ ▇ ] to add the sentence to the passage. (4%)
A. 9A
B. 9B
C. 9C
D. 9D
Answer: _______

10. The phrase "schools of thought" in paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to (4%)

A. institutions of higher learning
B. lessons to improve behavior
C. methods of instruction
D. sets of shared beliefs
Answer: _______

11. It is NOT mentioned in paragraph 5 that some believe that instinctive aggression may occur
(4%)
A. without being provoked
B. in order to cause provocation
C. in response to minor provocation
D. in response to clear provocation
Answer: _______

12. The word "it" in paragraph 5 refers to (4%)

A. aggression
B. an instinctive response
C. provocation
D. a direct response
Answer: _______

13. The author begins paragraph 6 with the expression "In contrast to instinct theories" in order to
(4%)
A. introduce the instinct theories that will be presented in paragraph 6
B. indicate that paragraph 6 will present two contrasting theories
C. contrast instinctive theories of aggression with biological theories of aggression
D. provide a transition to the idea that will be presented in paragraph 6
Answer: _______

14. It is NOT mentioned in paragraph 6 that aggression can be learned by observing (4%)
A. others of the same age
B. violent programs on TV
C. one's mother or father
D. professional football games
Answer: _______

15. The word "that" in paragraph 6 refers to (4%)

A. research
B. evidence
C. the behavior
D. a live model
Answer: _______

16. What is stated in paragraph 6 about the modeling of aggressive behavior? (4%)
A. Fictional models are as likely to cause aggressive behavior as are live models.
B. Little correlation has been found between viewing of aggressive behavior on television
and acting aggressively.
C. Aggression in works of fiction may cause aggressive behavior.
D. Aggression in society has an effect on the type of violence in movies and on television.
Answer: _______

17. The phrase "in and of itself" in paragraph 6 is closest in meaning to (4%)
A. internally
B. single-handedly
C. genuinely
D. semi-privately
Answer: _______

18. The word "critical" in paragraph 6 could best be replaced by (4%)

A. negative
B. considerate
C. crucial
D. studied
Answer: _______
19. Look at the four squares [ ▇ ] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to
paragraph 6.

Thus, it is more common for a youth to imitate aggressors who have been rewarded than
those who have been punished.

Where would the sentence best fit? Click on a square [ ▇ ] to add the sentence to the passage.(4)
A. 19A
B. 19B
C. 19C
D. 19D

Answer: _______

20. The word "imitated" in paragraph 6 is closest in meaning to (4%)

A. repeated
B. copied
C. exhibited
D. initiated
Answer: _______

21. Which situation would most likely result in increased aggressive behavior in children? (4%)
A. witnessing TV shows in which the aggressor gets away without being punished
B. watching two friends compete in a wrestling match
C. viewing a verbal argument between parents
D. viewing TV shows in which the hero defeats the aggressor
Answer: _______

22.
Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below.
Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important
ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas
that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage.

(16%for 3 correct answers, 10% for 2 correct answers, 5% for 1 correct answers).

Aggression, which causes harm to those affected by it, has been accounted for by
numerous theories.

1. _____
2. _____
3. _____

Answer Choices (choose 3 to complete the summary):

(1) Various theories indicate that learned aggression occurs as a result of observation of this type
of behavior and reward for it.
(2) Various theories indicate aggression is neither instinctive nor learned.

(3) Various theories indicate that instinctively caused aggression is always cathartic.

(4) Various theories indicate that instinctively caused aggression may occur with or without
provocation.

(5) Various theories indicate that aggression may be instinctive or learned.

(6) Various theories indicate that learned aggression results from displacement of anger.

Answer Keys:
1. Negative Factual Information Question Answer choice A is correct because it is mentioned in
the first paragraph: What is key to the definition of aggression is that whenever physical or verbal
harm is inflicted, it is intentional. Answer choice B is incorrect because it is mentioned in the first
paragraph: verbal attacks such as… belittling and humiliating comments… can also be a type of
aggression. Answer choice C is incorrect because it is mentioned in the first paragraph:
Aggressive behavior is any behavior that is intended to cause… destruction. Answer choice D is
incorrect because it is mentioned in the first paragraph: Aggressive behavior is any behavior that
is intended to cause… injury.

2. Infer Rhetorical Purpose Question Answer choice C is correct because While aggressive
behavior is often thought of as purely physical, verbal attacks such as screaming and shouting or
belittling and humiliating comments aimed at causing harm and suffering can also be a type of
aggression. Answer choice A is incorrect because the context of the paragraph provides for
examples and a definition of aggression. It does not state how severe or how widespread
aggression is. Answer choice B is incorrect because the paragraph does not categorize
aggression into intentional and unintentional acts. Answer choice D is incorrect because While
aggressive behavior is often thought of as purely physical, verbal attacks such as screaming and
shouting or belittling and humiliating comments aimed at causing harm and suffering can also be a
type of aggression.”

3. Vocabulary Question Answer choice A is correct because “deliberate” fits the context of the
sentence. Answer choice B is incorrect because “estimated” does not fit the context of the
sentence. Answer choice C is incorrect because “forbidden” is not a synonym for “intentional.”
Answer choice D is incorrect because “intermittent” is not a synonym for “intentional.”

4. Factual Information Question Answer choice B is correct because Despite this, it is generally
thought that aggressive behavior was not named as such before the seventeenth century. Answer
choice A is incorrect because Aggression was likely an early survival mechanism for humans,
much in the same way it was for animals. Answer choice C is incorrect because there is no
information given on this in the paragraph. Answer choice D is incorrect because the paragraph
states The term expanded beyond the description of purely physical aggression to include a
psychological dimension in the early twentieth century.
5. Paraphrasing Question Answer choice C is correct because the original sentence states
Theories about the causes of aggression cover a broad spectrum, ranging from those with
biological or instinctive emphases to those that portray aggression as a learned behavior. Answer
choice A is incorrect because the answer is incomplete; it does not mention theories of aggression
as learned behavior. Answer choice B is incorrect because the original sentence does not state
that one type of theory is more accepted. Answer choice D is incorrect because the original
sentence does not compare the two types of theories.

6. Vocabulary Question Answer choice D is correct because Aggression has been explained as an
instinct that is directed externally toward others in a process called displacement. Answer choice A is
incorrect because Aggression has been explained as an instinct that is directed externally toward others in
a process called displacement. Answer choice B is incorrect because Aggression has been explained as
an instinct that is directed externally toward others in a process called displacement. Answer choice C is
incorrect because there is no information on this in the sentence.

7. Make Inferences from Stated Fact Question Answer choice A is correct because it has been noted
that aggressive impulses that are not channeled toward a specific person or group may be expressed
indirectly through socially acceptable activities such as sports and competition in a process called
catharsis. Answer choice B is incorrect because it has been noted that aggressive impulses that are not
channeled toward a specific person or group may be expressed indirectly through socially acceptable
activities such as sports and competition in a process called catharsis. Answer choice C is incorrect
because ethologists… study the behavior of animals in their natural environments. Answer choice D is
incorrect because no information is given about how to reinforce catharsis.

8. Vocabulary Question Answer choice D is correct because Biological, or instinctive, theories of

aggression have also been put forth by ethologists, who study the behavior of animals in their natural
environments. Answer choice A is incorrect because Biological, or instinctive, theories of aggression have
also been put forth by ethologists, who study the behavior of animals in their natural environments. Answer
choice B is incorrect because Biological, or instinctive, theories of aggression have also been put forth by
ethologists, who study the behavior of animals in their natural environments. Answer choice C is incorrect
because Biological, or instinctive, theories of aggression have also been put forth by ethologists, who study
the behavior of animals in their natural environments.

9. Sentence Insertion Question Answer choice B is correct because the sentence has the key phrase for
example followed by specific examples of sports and competitions, which links it to socially acceptable
activities such as sports and competition. Answer choice A is incorrect because the sentence has the key
phrase for example followed by specific examples of sports and competitions, not examples of natural
aggressive instincts. Answer choice C is incorrect because the sentence does not give examples of animal
behaviors or their natural environments. Answer choice D is incorrect because the sentence does not give
examples of ethologists that support the view or observations of animals.

10. Vocabulary Question Answer choice D is correct because Two different schools of thought exist
among those who view aggression as instinct. One group holds the view that aggression can build up
spontaneously. The phrase holds the view is similar to “believes.” Answer choice A is incorrect because
Two different schools of thought exist among those who view aggression as instinct. One group holds the
view that aggression can build up spontaneously. Answer choice B is incorrect because Two different
schools of thought exist among those who view aggression as instinct. One group holds the view that
aggression can build up spontaneously. Answer choice C is incorrect because Two different schools of
thought exist among those who view aggression as instinct. One group holds the view that aggression can
build up spontaneously.
11. Negative Factual Information Question Answer choice B is correct because there is no mention of
aggression being used to provoke behavior. Answer choice A is incorrect because aggression can build up
spontaneously, with or without outside provocation, and violent behavior will thus result, perhaps as a result
of little or no provocation. Answer choice C is incorrect because aggression can build up spontaneously,
with or without outside provocation, and violent behavior will thus result, perhaps as a result of little or no
provocation. Answer choice D is incorrect because aggression is indeed an instinctive response but that,
rather than occurring spontaneously and without provocation, it is a direct response to provocation from an
outside source.

12. Referent Question Answer choice A is correct because Another suggests that aggression is indeed an
instinctive response but that, rather than occurring spontaneously and without provocation, it [aggression]
is a direct response to provocation from an outside source. Answer choice B is incorrect because in the
original sentence, “an instinctive response” describes “aggression;” the pronoun refers to the original
concept, not the description of it. Answer choice C is incorrect because it is a direct response to
provocation. Answer choice D is incorrect because “a direct response” describes aggression; the pronoun
refers to the original concept, not the description of it.

13. Infer Rhetorical Purpose Question Answer choice D is correct because In contrast to instinct
theories, social learning theories view aggression as a learned behavior. The phrase in contrast to tells us
that the writer is switching topics to discuss a different type of theory than in paragraph 5. Answer choice A
is incorrect because paragraph 6 talks about theories that view aggression as “learned behavior” not
instinct. Answer choice B is incorrect because paragraph 6 does not present contrasting theories. Answer
choice C is incorrect because paragraph 6 does not discuss instinctive and biological theories of
aggression.

14. Negative Factual Information Question Answer choice D is correct because observing professional
football games is not mentioned as a cause of learned aggression. Answer choices A, B, and C are
incorrect, because in the paragraph, it states that children are influenced by the combined forces of
observing aggressive behavior in parents, peers, or fictional role models.

15. Referent Question Answer choice C is correct because the word “that” is being used to compare types
of behavior: research has provided evidence that the behavior of a live model is more influential than that of
a fictional model. Answer choice A is incorrect because the word “that” is being used to compare types of
behavior, not types of research. Answer choice B is incorrect because the word “that” is being used to
compare types of behavior, not types of evidence. Answer choice D is incorrect because the word “that” is
being used to compare types of behavior, not types of live models.

16. Paraphrasing Question Answer choice A is correct because the original sentence states aggressive
behavior can be learned through a combination of modeling and positive reinforcement of the aggressive
behavior and that children are influenced by the combined forces of observing aggressive behavior in
parents, peers, or fictional role models and of noting either positive reinforcement for the aggressive
behavior or, minimally, a lack of negative reinforcement... Answer choice B is incorrect because the
paragraph states studies have shown correlations between viewing of violence and incidences of
aggressive behavior in both childhood and adolescence. Answer choice C is incorrect because works of
fiction are not mentioned in the paragraph. Answer choice D is incorrect because the paragraph discusses
studies in which the opposite is true.

17. Vocabulary Question Answer choice B is correct because both “in and of itself” and “single-handedly”
have the meaning of “alone” or “by [one’s] self.” Answer choice A is incorrect because the phrase in and of
itself has the meaning of “alone” or “by [one’s] self;” “internally” means “inside.” Answer choice C is
incorrect because the phrase in and of itself has the meaning of “alone” or “by [one’s] self;” “genuinely”
means “truly.” Answer choice D is incorrect because the phrase in and of itself has the meaning of “alone”
or “by [one’s] self;” “semi-privately” means “with partial privacy.”

18. Vocabulary Question Answer choice C is correct because “crucial” fits the context of the sentence.
Answer choice A is incorrect because “negative” does not fit the context of the sentence. Answer choice B
is incorrect because “considerate” is not a synonym of “critical.” Answer choice D is incorrect because
“studied” is not a synonym for “critical.”

19. Sentence Insertion Question Answer choice D is correct because the sentence before states If the
aggressive role model is rewarded rather than punished for violent behavior, that behavior is more likely to
be seen as positive and is thus more likely to be imitated. Answer choice A is incorrect because the key
sentence has the transition Thus which links it as the result of a prior cause, which is connected to rewards
and punishment. The sentence before does not mention rewards or punishment for aggressors. Answer
choice B is incorrect because the key sentence has the transition Thus which links it as the result of a prior
cause, which is connected to rewards and punishment. The sentence before does not mention rewards or
punishment for aggressors. Answer choice C is incorrect because the key sentence has the transition Thus
which links it as the result of a prior cause, which is connected to rewards and punishment. While the
sentence before does mention reinforcement of the behavior, it does not tie this in to rewards and
punishment.

20. Vocabulary Question Answer choice B is correct because “copied” is a synonym for “imitated,” and
fits the context of the sentence. Answer choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they have different
meanings.

21. Make Inferences from Stated Fact Question Answer choice A is correct, because the passage states
that children are influenced by the combined forces of observing aggressive behavior in… fictional role
models and of noting either positive reinforcement for the aggressive behavior or, minimally, a lack of
negative reinforcement. Answer choice B is incorrect because viewing organized sporting events was not
mentioned as causes of aggressive behavior. Answer choice C is incorrect because the passage discusses
physical aggression, not verbal aggression. Answer choice D is incorrect because the aggressor is
defeated, which is negative reinforcement for aggressive behavior.

22.
Select Summary Information Question Answers – 1, 4, 5
1 – This is a correct response. Paragraph 6 states that social learning theories view aggression as a
learned behavior. This approach focuses on the effect that role models and reinforcement of behavior have
on the acquisition of aggressive behavior.
2 – This is not a correct response. Most of the passage compares theories of aggression as instinctive
behavior and aggression as learned behavior.
3 – This is not a correct response. The passage mentions a beneficial cathartic effect in relation to fictional
models of aggression, not instinctive aggression.
4 – This is a correct response. Paragraph 5 talks about two schools of thought. The first belief mentioned
states that aggression can build up spontaneously, with or without outside provocation, and violent
behavior will thus result, perhaps as a result of little or no provocation. The second belief states that it is a
direct response to provocation from an outside source.
5 – This is a correct response. Paragraph 3 mentions that theories discuss both biological and learned
aggression. Paragraphs 4 and 5 explore aggression as instinctive behavior and paragraph 6 goes into
detail about aggression as learned behavior.
6 – This is not a correct response. “Displacement” in paragraph 4 refers to how aggression is directed
towards others, but it does not mention whether or not the aggression is the result of anger.