Language Mechanics

1. Language Mechanics 6th Grade

2. Most Popular Activities of Campers Ben is working as a camp counselor this summer. He and the camp staff are trying to make schedules. He has surveyed more than 100 campers about their favorite activities. Swimming 19 Baseball 17 Hiking 18 Golf 19 Horseback riding 14 Computer games 13

3. (1) Which conclusion could be drawn from Ben’s survey? • Students do not like to spend time outdoors. • More than half the students prefer hiking. • Students prefer computer games to swimming. • Students enjoy several types of activities.

4. (2) Who would be most interested in Ben’s survey? • Students at camp • The counselors who make the schedule • The owners of the camp • The stores which sell equipment to the camp

5. (3) What might students have said as a reason for choosing swimming as their favorite summer activity? • Swimming is good exercise. • Swimming is a great way to cool off on a hot day. • Swimming across the lake is difficult. • Swimming in deep water can be dangerous.

6. The Best History Lesson Aunt Cassandra has collected salt and pepper shakers for over sixty years. For example, she has a set of soldiers wearing World War I gear. She has another set of World War II soldiers, and the sugar bowl is shaped like the cloud-shaped bomb dropped on Hiroshima. From the Civil War, she has one soldier wearing gray and one wearing blue, to represent the two sides. From the Revolutionary War era, she has a set of George Washington (salt) and Martha Washington (pepper). I love to learn history by listening to Aunt Cassandra tell the stories from her collection.

7. (4) Which sentence would go best after the second sentence of the paragraph? A. She also has a collection of old quilts. • She has many that commemorate special events in history. • Aunt Cassandra is older than my grandfather. • Aunt Cassandra loves to watch old movies.

8. (5) What is the main reason this paragraph was written? • to encourage you to collect salt and pepper shakers • to tell a personal story about a time learning was fun • to praise Aunt Cassandra for keeping her collection so long • to describe a collection

9. Want a Website? You’ve started your small business and don’t have many dollars for advertising. What should you do? Call me. I can set up a website that will bring in business from all over the nation. Five years ago, I set up a website for my grandfather’s real estate office, and he estimates that more than half of his sales come from the ads on that site. Last year, I set up a website for my uncle’s computer repair. The number of requests he was getting doubled.

10. (6) Which sentence could best be added at the end of the paragraph? • My uncle is thinking about hiring an assistant. • If you’re considering a website, I’m the person to call. • I have loved computers since I was a toddler. • You can choose your background and theme.

11. (7) Which sentence would not belong in this paragraph? • Once the website is set up, I can show you how to delete and add items. • My grandpa is now 65 years old. • I can set up a site that will give your business a positive image. • I can usually put a site together in under two weeks.

12. Home Sweet Home My cousin Josh lives in Texas. He lives near an airport. A major hospital is right down the street. Ambulances rush to and fro day and night. The sound of planes landing and taking off never stops. His house is on an extremely busy street. We have to walk three blocks before we can find a crosswalk. Even at night, the traffic never stops. I always enjoy visiting Josh’s house, but I don’t think I’d like to live there.

13. (8) My cousin Josh lives in Texas. He lives near an airport. How could these sentences be combined? • Near an airport in Texas my cousin Josh lives. • My cousin Josh lives in Texas near an airport. • My cousin Josh lives in Texas, which is near an airport. • My cousin Josh lives near an airport, which is in Texas.

14. (9) The sound of planes landing and taking off never stops. This sentence is in the wrong place. Which sentence should it follow? • My cousin Josh lives in Texas. • He lives near an airport. • Ambulances rush to and fro day and night. • A major hospital is right down the street.

15. George Washington Carver George Washington Carver invented a species of cotton, which became known as “Carver’s Hybrid.” It grew quickly and could be harvested before insects would destroy the crop. Carver also helped farmers by showing them how to rotate cotton crops and black-eyed peas to keep from depleting the soil. He showed farmers how to grow sweet potatoes. The crop could be sold to buy flour, bread, and sugar. He encouraged farmers to feed their hogs free acorns instead of corn meal. Possibly Carver’s most significant achievement was the invention of peanut butter.

16. (10) He showed farmers how to grow sweet potatoes. The crop could be sold to buy flour, bread, and sugar. How could these two sentences best be combined? • The crop of sweet potatoes could be sold to buy flour, bread and sugar because he showed farmers how to grow the sweet potatoes. • He showed farmers how to grow sweet potatoes, which could be sold to buy flour, bread, and sugar. • Because he showed the farmers how to grow sweet potatoes, the farmers could buy flour, bread, and sugar.

17. (11) George Washington Carver taught farmers many things. How could the underlined words be written to include exact details? • how to grow better crops and spend less on food for pigs • how to look for other ways to make a living • how to identify steps in making crops grow • how to find ways to do other things

18. (12) Which one would be the best topic sentence for this paragraph? • George Washington Carver was born in the early 1860s. • George Washington Carver was born into slavery. • George Washington Carver was an amazing inventor. • George Washington Carver knew a great deal about plants.

19. Ben thinks he may want to become a veterinarian, so he has been volunteering at the local animal shelter. The shelter needs more volunteers, so Ben is writing a piece for his school paper to persuade students to help.

20. (13) To get ideas for his piece, Ben should talk to – A. his friends B. the vets who volunteer at the shelter C. his principal D. someone who writes for the newspaper

21. (14) Which of these sentences is the best ending for Ben’s newspaper piece? • Animal shelters play an important role in our society. • Today, across the country, animal shelters rescue hundreds of thousands of animals. C. When you volunteer, you’ll be making a difference in the lives of animals and may even find a furry friend to be part of your family. D. Animal shelters always welcome monetary donations.

22. (15) Cats protect themselves against dogs. With claws, teeth, and speed. • Cats protect themselves against dogs they use claws, teeth, and speed. • Cats protect themselves. Against dogs with claws, teeth, and speed. • Cats protect themselves against dogs with claws, teeth, and speed. • Correct as is

23. (16) The crowd stood in line, and waited for autographs, and the crowd settled in to watch the movie. • The crowd stood in line, waited for autographs, and settled in to watch the movie. • The crowd stood in line. They waited for autographs, they settled in to watch the movie. • The crowd stood in line, they waited for autographs. They settled in to watch the movie. • Correct as is

24. (17) A supervisor who criticizes workers and has favorites is what Miranda’s boss is. • Criticizing workers and having favorites is Miranda’s boss, her supervisor. • Miranda’s boss she is a supervisor who criticizes workers and has favorites. • Miranda’s boss is a supervisor who criticizes workers and has favorites. • Correct as is

25. (18) Ben can’t wait for Thanksgiving break, it will happen next week. • Ben can’t wait for Thanksgiving break next week. • Ben can’t wait for next week. Because of Thanksgiving break. • Ben can’t wait for Thanksgiving break it will happen next week. • Correct as is

26. (19) Before the game began, our quarterback tripped and broke his ankle. • The quarterback tripping and breaking his ankle before the game. • Our quarterback fell before the game began, he broke his ankle. • Our quarterback tripped and broke his ankle. Before the game began. • Correct as is

27. (20) The dogs were tired after hunting all night. • The dogs were tired. After hunting all night. • After hunting all night; the dogs were tired. • After hunting all night. The dogs were tired. • Correct as is

28. (21) The members discussed the choices they had, and the members talked about them before the vote. • Discussing their choices, the members talked before making a decision. • The members discussed the choices, and members talked about them before the vote. • Before the vote, the members discussed their choices. • Correct as is

29. (22) Hiding under the couch, Ben searched for his new pet. • Ben, hiding under the couch, searched for his new pet. • Ben searched for his new pet as it hid underneath the couch. • His new pet was searched for by Ben hiding under the couch. • Correct as is

30. (23) In the cafeteria were the children waiting because the teacher was making a phone call. • In the cafeteria were the children because the teacher was making a call. • The children were waiting in the cafeteria because the teacher was making a call. • In the cafeteria were the children, waiting because the teacher was making a call. • Correct as is

31. Look at the underlined words in each sentence. There may be a mistake in punctuation, capitalization, or word usage. If you find mistake, choose the answer that is the best way to write the underlined section of the sentence. If there is no mistake, choose Correct as is.

32. (24) Templeton found a leftover sandwich of ham and swiss cheese. • and Swiss cheese. • and Swiss Cheese. • and swiss Cheese • Correct as is

33. (25) “I’m looking for my dog, said Ben. • dog,” said Ben. • dog, said” Ben. • dog, said Ben.” • Correct as is

34. (26) In the recycling contest Ben’s tree of liter bottles won second prize. • recycling, contest Ben’s tree • recycling contest Ben’s tree • recycling contest, Ben’s tree • Correct as is

35. (27) Will senator Stevens vote for the budget bill? • Will Senator, Stevens vote • Will Senator Stevens vote • Will senator Stevens votes • Correct as is

36. (28) The dogs under the tree is relaxed and happy. • tree are relaxed • tree was relaxed • tree, is relaxed • Correct as is

37. (29) My dad’s Grandfather is from Boston. • Dads Grandfather • Dad’s grandfather • dad’s grandfather • Correct as is

38. (30) The coach raised his hand, the players stopped talking. • hand the • hand; the • hand the • Correct as is

39. (31) Before the rain stopped, we need our umbrellas. • we have needed • we will need • we needed • Correct as is

40. (32) The plane tickets were on the table. • Plane tickets • Plane Tickets • plane Tickets • Correct as is

41. (33) My neighbor’s favorite painting is “Hounds on a green slide.” • “Hounds on a Green slide.” • “Hounds on a Green Slide.” • “hounds on a green slide.” • Correct as is

42. (34) In a years time, we should be out of debt. • year’s time, we • years, time, we • years’ time we • Correct as is

43. (35) Ashland is closest to the river than Paintsville. • more close • close • closer • Correct as is

44. (36) The restaurant is having a party for its employees. • its’ employees • their employees • them employees • Correct as is

45. (37) People in the Middle East are accustomed to a warmer climate. • the Middle east are • The Middle East are • the Middle East is • Correct as is

46. (38) Ben packed the following items for his picnic: Coke, bread, and peanut butter. • for his picnic, Coke • for his picnic; Coke • for his picnic Coke • Correct as is

47. (39) Miranda and Ben went to the championship game with Uncle thomas. • Championship Game with Uncle Thomas. • championship game with Uncle Thomas. • Championship game with uncle Thomas. • Correct as is

48. (40) The manager to whom you talked is in the back section. • who you talked is • whom you talked are • who you talked are D. Correct as is

49. (41) Joe loves the story Through the Magical Glass. • story Through the Magical “Glass.” • story “Through the Magical Glass.” • “story through the magical glass.” • Correct as is

50. (42) To be treasurers of the county fair, Ben and Miranda completes the training last week. • completed the training • is completing the training • completing the training • Correct as is