8th Grade Reading Practice Quiz

Read the paragraph.
Some people don’t like to use computers. They think that it is too hard and they break down too often. Don’t they realize that computers save us time and effort? Surely, these anti-computer people are confused.
What assumption is underlying this paragraph?

Read the paragraph.
Cells make up all living things. There are millions of different types of cells in the human body. Scientists believe that further study of the make-up of cells can lead to a cure for cancer. Scientists continue their research in laboratories everyday.
Which sentence best describes an assumption in this paragraph?

Read the passage.
“Best of all, perhaps, [Buck] loved to lie near the fire, hind legs crouched under him, forelegs stretched out front, head raised, and eyes blinking dreamily at the flames. Sometimes he thought of Judge Miller’s big house in the sun-kissed Santa Clara Valley, and of the cement swimming tank.” – from “Against Odds”
Copyright Info: Not enough informationL Against Odds, page 392 (Phillips, Blackman, Felts).
What is important to Buck?

Read the passage and answer the question.
He was not the same. The plane passing by without rescuing him had changed him completely. He was not the same and would never be like he had been before. The old Brian was weak, now he was new, stronger and would not give up so he could survive.
How do you think Brian has changed?

Interpretive Reading Comprehension—Prediction–RIT 201 – 210
Read the passage and answer the question.
Janet looked out her bedroom window and saw the beautiful, new, white snow covering the ground outside. She quickly got dressed and ran out the front door to make the first snowman of the season. “Don’t forget your gloves! Your fingers will freeze!” called her mother, as the door slammed. “Don’t need them! No time!” yelled Janet as she jumped into the snow. After about 5 minutes of working in the ice-cold snow with her bare hands to make the snowman, Janet
realized that her fingers were so cold they were starting to hurt.
What will Janet most likely do next?

What is the last page of Chapter 2?

Read the recipe.

If you choose not to bake this recipe, what alternative cooking method is recommended?

Read the passage.
Once the flower buds are formed, it doesn’t matter if the plant is kept indoors or in deep shade. Full sun tends to fade the flowers faster, while cool temperatures prolong their staying power. Although a light frost won’t harm most mums, play it safe and bring them indoors if a cold snap threatens.
In the passage, the phrase “full sun” means:
Copyright Info: “Mums the Word.” First for Women 30 Sept. 2002: 86.

Read the passage.
It is always possible to find fish and shellfish along the waters edge in the early morning, and we walked with heightened awareness to find our quota for the morning, so we could return to more important things, like playing in the trees and building our fort. Ron walked behind me, and he was very distracted, “What do you think will happen to the dolphins if they forget to come up for air?” he asked as he meandered along in my footprints, not really helping with the task at hand. “They don’t forget, now get back to work and help me,” I said in an irritated tone. Ron was only six years old, so I could hardly blame him for his distraction, but I really was getting tired of being the older sister in charge all the time. “Anna, he said, are you mad at me?” This made me feel guilty for snapping at him, and I replied, “No I am not upset with you, I just want to get back to the camp and help father and Tina with the rest of the daily chores, so I have some time for myself later.” Just then I saw Brandon walking toward us with a basket full of shellfish.
Who is telling this story?

Select the best option.
What is the purpose of using dialogue in a story?

Evaluative Reading Comprehension—Evaluate Validity –RIT 211 – 220
Read the passage.
“And did you really have the three wishes granted?” asked Mrs. White. “I did,” said the sergeant major, and his glass tapped against his strong teeth. “And has anybody else wished?” inquired the old lady. “The first man had his three wishes, yes,” was the reply. “I don’t know what the first two were, but the third was for death. That’s how I got the paw.” His tones were so grave that a hush fell upon the group.Copyright Info: Jacobs, W.W., The Monkey’s Paw and Other Tales of Mystery and the Macabre, Academy Chicago Publishers, Chicago, 1997.
Which statement best supports the conclusion that the Monkey’s Paw will bring heartache?

Read the following passage.
His mother clipped coupons from magazines and newspapers, kept a vegetable garden in the summer, and shopped at JC Penney and K-Mart. Their family ate a lot of frijoles, which was OK because nothing else tasted so good, though one time Alfonso had Chinese pot stickers and thought they were the next best food in the world. He didn’t ask his mother for braces again, even when she was in a better mood.Copyright Info: Elements of Literature. Holt, Rinehart, and Winston. 1997.
How does Alfonso support his assumption that his mother will not pay for braces?