English/Language Arts General Knowledge Pre-Test 2010

1. English/Language Arts General Knowledge Pre-Test 2010 8th Grade English Language Arts Mr. Correia September 2010 Dr. Kevin M. Hurley Middle School

2. Why are we taking this Pre-test? • Ahhh! We just got back from vacation! Why are we taking this test already?  • CHILL OUT! The reason for this test, if you’re wondering, is to simply gauge how much knowledge you already have of reading, writing, literature, spelling and grammar. • I know what you’re thinking... How can all this be tested in ONE test??? Actually, it CAN’T! • This is why the grade/score you achieve on this test WILL NOT hurt your grade!  • But... The results will give me a much better idea of where our strengths/weaknesses are as a class, and what skills we should spend more time on to start the year

3. How to Set Up Your Answer Sheet • Write your First & Last Name on the TOP LEFT • Write Today’s Date on the TOP RIGHT • Write English Pre-Test UNDER Your Name • Write your Class Nickname UNDER the Date • SKIP A SPACE • NUMBER from 1-50 (you may use the back of your paper if necessary, or make two columns)

4. How the Pre-Test Will Look • You will be asked a variety of different questions (30 total) about Language Arts and Literature: • Multiple Choice • Definitions • Critical Thinking/Short Answer • Each question will appear on a slide in this PowerPoint presentation • Make sure you read the directions/questions carefully as you hear me read them aloud. • Please, try your best! Good Luck!

5. Question #1 Multiple Choice • Language Arts consist of reading, writing and ________. • A. speaking • B. listening • C. using technology • D. communicating with those around you • E. none of the above • F. all of the above

6. Question #2 Multiple Choice • Which of these responses includes ONLY genres of literature? • A. poetry, rhythm, alliteration, imagery, rhyme • B. poetry, fiction, nonfiction, drama, myth • C. main idea, theme, tone, mood, legend • D. climax, resolution, short story, antagonist, plot • E. none of the above • F. all of the above

7. Question #3 Multiple Choice • Which of these words is a SYNONYM of the word serene? • A. green • B. peaceful • C. violent • D. siren • E. none of the above • F. all of the above

8. Question #4 Multiple Choice • Which of these words is an ANTONYM of the word delicious? • A. nauseating • B. suspicious • C. tasty • D. delicate • E. none of the above • F. all of the above

9. Question #5 Multiple Choice • Which of these words is a HOMONYM of the word war? • A. peace • B. battle • C. scar • D. wore • E. none of the above • F. all of the above

10. Question #6 Multiple Choice • Which of these English words is derived from another language? • A. cliché • B. adobe • C. fiasco • D. spiel • E. none of the above • F. all of the above

11. Question #7 Multiple Choice • Which of these English words is a superlative? • A. good • B. greatest • C. better • D. awesome • E. none of the above • F. all of the above

12. Question #8 Multiple Choice • Which of these should NOT be capitalized within a sentence in English? • A. Winter • B. Midwest • C. September • D. Jacksonville • E. none of the above • F. all of the above

13. Question #9 Multiple Choice • Which of these sentences is an example of proper punctuation? • A. “His name is: Clifford?” • B. “What is his name, Clifford?” • C. “Clifford; what is his name?” • D. “Clifford is! His name.” • E. none of the above • F. all of the above

14. Question #10 Multiple Choice • Which of these words is spelled correctly, making it a true exception to the “I before E except after C” rule? • A. ancient • B. reciept • C. cieling • D. decieve • E. none of the above • F. all of the above

15. Question #11 Multiple Choice • Which of these tricky words correctly completes the sentence below? “______ the new members of the White Team!” • A. There • B. Their • C. They’re • D. Thayer • E. none of the above • F. all of the above

16. Question #12 Multiple Choice • Which of these tricky words correctly completes the sentence below? “Have your cake, and eat it ___.” • A. too • B. two • C. to • D. tue • E. none of the above • F. all of the above

17. Question #13 Multiple Choice • Which of these words is NOT an adjective? • A. Vietnamese • B. never • C. friendly • D. blue • E. none of the above • F. all of the above

18. Question #14 Multiple Choice • Which of these words is a gerund? • A. leaping • B. working • C. skiing • D. murmuring • E. none of the above • F. all of the above

19. Question #15 Multiple Choice • Which of these verbs is in the past tense? • A. met • B. get • C. net • D. regret • E. none of the above • F. all of the above

20. Question #16 Multiple Choice • Which of these verbs can be written/spelled the same way in the present AND past tenses? • A. to play • B. to find • C. to write • D. to read • E. none of the above • F. all of the above

21. Question #17 Multiple Choice • Which of these words has a prefix AND a suffix? • A. bicycle • B. endless • C. uniform • D. discrimination • E. none of the above • F. all of the above

22. Question #18 Multiple Choice • Which of the following is an example of alliteration? • A. Snap! Crackle! Pop! • B. Boston Bruins • C. The Cat in the Hat • D. Cold as Ice • E. none of the above • F. all of the above

23. Question #19 Multiple Choice • Which of the following is an example of personification? • A. The puppy begged us for attention. • B. The sun smiled at the beach-goers. • C. A tree whispered to the boy in the night. • D. Music sang at high volume from his iPod. • E. none of the above • F. all of the above

24. Question #20 Multiple Choice • Which of the following includes a simile? • A. The taxi driver is as stubborn as a mule. • B. Fresh food was fuel for the fire in my stomach. • C. He has a heart of stone towards his enemies. • D. Life is a box of candy—sweet and enjoyable. • E. none of the above • F. all of the above

25. Question #21 Definitions • Write a short definition of the following term on your answer sheet: • DIALOGUE Hint!  Start your answer with: “Dialogue is...”

26. Question #22 Definitions • Write a short definition of the following term on your answer sheet: • IMAGERY Hint!  Start your answer with: “Imagery is...”

27. Question #23 Definitions • Write a short definition of the following term on your answer sheet: • COMMUNICATION Hint!  Start your answer with: “Communication is...”

28. Question #24 Definitions • Write a short definition of the following term on your answer sheet: • PEER-EDITING Hint!  Start your answer with: “Peer-editing is...”

29. Question #25 Definitions • Write a short definition of the following term on your answer sheet: • PLAGIARISM Hint!  Start your answer with: “Plagiarism is...”

30. Question #26 Critical Thinking • Write a SYNONYM for the word “junk.”

31. Question #27 Critical Thinking • Write an ANTONYM for the word “dangerous.”

32. Question #28 Critical Thinking • Write an example of a contraction.

33. Question #29 Critical Thinking • How does the word “compare” differ from the word “contrast?” • No, this is NOT meant to be a trick question!

34. Question #30 Critical Thinking • Write a word with 5 or more syllables. • Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious does NOT count as an answer! • Please use good judgment when choosing your word.

35. CONGRATULATIONS! • You made it through your FIRST test of the year in 8th Grade English class! (Phew...) • Now, we will swap papers with someone in a different row. • This person will score/grade your test results as we discuss them out loud as a class. • Each question is worth 10 points • 30 questions x 10 pts each = 300 possible pts. • TOP scores will be posted on our Bulletin Board and will receive a prize!