2015 Academic Challenge

ENGLISH TEST - STATE

This Test Consists of 100 Questions

English Test Production Team

Dr. Holly Westcott, Independent Consultant – Author/Team Leader

Dr. Warren Westcott, Tennessee State University (ret.) – Author

Dean Ford, John A. Logan College – Reviewer

Kathryn Torrey, WYSE – Coordinator of Test Production

GENERAL DIRECTIONS

Please read the following instructions carefully. This is a timed test; any instructions from the test supervisor

should be followed promptly.

The test supervisor will give instructions for filling in any necessary information on the answer sheet. Most

Academic Challenge sites will ask you to indicate your answer to each question by marking an oval that

corresponds to the correct answer for that question. Only one oval should be marked to answer each question.

Multiple ovals will automatically be graded as an incorrect answer.

If you wish to change an answer, erase your first mark completely before marking your new choice.

You are advised to use your time effectively and to work as rapidly as you can without losing accuracy. Do not

waste your time on questions that seem too difficult for you. Go on to the other questions, and then come back

to the difficult ones later if time remains.

*** TIME: 40 MINUTES ***

DO NOT OPEN TEST BOOKLET UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO!

© 2015 Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering

“WYSE”, “Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering” and the “WYSE Design” are service marks of and this work is

the Copyright © 2015 of the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign.

All rights reserved.

English - 1

2015 State

WYSE – Academic Challenge English Test (Sectional) - 2015

Choose the standard spelling for each word in items 1 – 10. 1.

a. Perestalsis b. Peristalsis c. Perestalses d. Peristaulsis e. Peristelsis

2.

a. Rhetrograde b. Rhetragrade c. Retragrade d. Retrograde e. Retrigrade

3.

a. Califate b. Calefate c. Caliphate d. Calliphate e. Kalliphate

4.

a. Absconde b. Adscond c. Adsconde d. Abscound e. Abscond

5.

a. Basilisk b. Bassilisk c. Baselisk d. Basillisk e. Basalisk

6.

a. Obsequeous b. Obcequious c. Obsequious d. Obcequius e. Obsequius

7. a. Querrilous b. Querilous c. Querelous d. Querellous e. Querulous

8.

a. Sanctimonnious b. Sanctimonious c. Sanctemonious d. Sanctamonius e. Sanktamonius

9.

a. Efficatious b. Eficatious c. Eficacious d. Efficacious e. Effecatious

10.

a. Fastitious b. Fastidious c. Fastiteous d. Fastidius e. Fastideous

In items 11-40, find the answer that best

develops the meaning of the word in boldface.

11. Mark’s probity was questioned.

a. His impulsiveness might lead to trouble.

b. We wondered if he had a sufficiently serious attitude about the job at hand.

c. We are not sure he has the in depth knowledge that the job requires.

d. We wondered how honest and upright he is.

English - 2

2015 State

12. Mary made a very lucid presentation. a. It did a good job of summarizing the

problem. b. She made a difficult subject clear

and easy to understand. c. She added interest to a dull subject

with her humor. d. It was quite well organized.

13. Is the desk ergonomically designed?

a. Is it designed to make the best use of the materials involved?

b. Did the designer consider the sustainability of the materials used?

c. Is the desk designed for the most efficient use?

d. Is the desk meant to be a beautiful piece of furniture?

14. It is a lachrymose movie.

a. The action is really slow. b. The story is not believable. c. It has lots of slapstick humor. d. The audience is likely to cry.

15. The evidence is anecdotal.

a. It is based on personal stories, not facts or research.

b. It is second hand evidence. c. It is drawn from the lab reports. d. It does not reflect a balanced

approach. 16. What tangible evidence indicates his guilt?

a. Do you have reports by witnesses? b. Do you have concrete physical

evidence? c. Do you have a sufficient amount of

evidence? d. Do you have legal evidence?

17. I seek redress.

a. I want the wrong done me set straight.

b. I want to punish the wrongdoers. c. I want an eye for an eye and a tooth

for a tooth. d. I want to ensure that this injustice

never occurs again.

18. Too many are focused on parochial concerns.

a. They focus on trivial matters. b. They fail to consider how what they

do affects others. c. They want to champion their political

party. d. They care only about what is going

on in the place where they live. 19. Who plays the ingénue in this movie?

a. Who plays the hero? b. Who plays the villain? c. Who plays the sage who comments

on the action? d. Who plays the innocent, young girl?

20. Phyllis’s decorating style is certainly eclectic.

a. You can tell that she is essentially a hippie.

b. She appreciates very ornate things. c. Everything in her house is very

angular. d. Each room reflects a variety of

periods. 21. This edition of the novel is annotated.

a. It has illustrations for most chapters. b. Notes have been added that explain

things. c. There is a very long bibliography at

the end. d. The glossary helps you understand

the vocabulary. 22. Which animals are arboreal?

a. Which ones give birth to live infants? b. Which ones live in trees? c. Which ones have heavy fur? d. Which ones can be hunted for meat?

23. Not a lubritorium could be found.

a. There was not a dressing room backstage.

b. The area had no service stations. c. We did not have an empty spray

bottle in the house. d. I needed something to oil the

squeaky hinge.

English - 3

2015 State

24. My reaction was visceral. a. I held my tongue and did not say a

word. b. I felt sympathy for his predicament. c. Without thinking, I began to curse

the driver who caused my wreck. d. I spoke politely, choosing my words

carefully. 25. Phillip is such a pedant.

a. He is always willing to offer help. b. He is a stick-in-the-mud who seldom

joins us in our fun. c. He always points out the negative

side of things. d. He is quick to show off all that he

knows. 26. Oh, the vagaries of life!

a. Exciting things are always going on. b. Bad things happen to good people

all the time. c. What would life be without

annoyances? d. We can anticipate that there will be

fluctuations. 27. The Norman Conquest brought much relexification.

a. The Normans changed many of the legal practices of the Anglo-Saxons.

b. The Normans introduced means of building better roads.

c. The English language began to replace some Anglo-Saxon words with French words.

d. Society was reconstructed to fit a European model.

28. Were there mitigating circumstances?

a. Were there circumstances that caused the prisoner to be given a less severe sentence?

b. Were there circumstances that caused the prisoner to be given a more severe than usual sentence?

c. Were there factors that incriminated the accused man?

d. Were the circumstances considered to be an act of nature?

29. The young child was quite malleable. a. He lacked self-control. b. He learned quickly. c. He was obedient to his elders. d. He was easily influenced by the

older boys. 30. Some of these words are completely arcane.

a. It is likely that only a very few people know them.

b. They are hard to spell. c. They reflect a highly specialized

vocabulary. d. They are archaic words that are no

longer used. 31. I think we have found the animal’s hibernacle.

a. I wonder how it lost this claw. b. This is where it stores food for the

winter. c. If we follow this spoor, we may find

where it lives. d. This lair keeps it warm in winter.

32. The bombination became very annoying.

a. The fly kept buzzing around my head.

b. Restaurants are so noisy these days.

c. He sighed constantly as he dealt with his frustrations.

d. The boys behind us threw popcorn at us throughout the movie.

33. They go everywhere in tandem.

a. They just love that car. b. They’re always together, arm in arm. c. They are so in love. d. What crazy outfits they wear!

English - 4

2015 State

34. I want to find a dress that will help me to look ethereal.

a. Do you think I can achieve that kind of out of this world delicacy?

b. I always try to select clothes that make me look skinny.

c. I want to be sexy like Marilyn Monroe.

d. In an interview, it’s important to look as if you are capable of the job.

35. I will not indulge in debauchery with you.

a. Practical jokes are not very funny. b. I don’t think anyone should kiss and

tell. c. Cheating on a test is not honest. d. Extreme indulgence in sensual

pleasure can only lead to trouble. 36. Oh, for the days of swashbuckling movies!

a. The ostentatious bravado the hero of the movie displayed was always a thrill.

b. A funny walk and a few pratfalls add up to a good movie.

c. The more doors that are slammed as the characters run in and out, the better.

d. Boy and girl meet cute, boy and girl meet some impediment, problem is solved, and boy and girl get back together.

37. The brontide-like noise kept us awake. a. Sirens are ear-piercing. b. The low and steady rumble came

from afar. c. We thought we heard cats fighting. d. The faucet dripped steadily all night

long. 38. In every situation, Mrs. Brown offers a bromide.

a. She always says something that brightens the situation.

b. Her cynical views do not help us to feel better.

c. She can say the corniest things in the most clever way.

d. Her supposedly wise sayings are downright trite.

39. Haptic customs vary among cultures.

a. When and how you touch others is different from group to group.

b. Food and how it is served depends on custom.

c. Meeting and greeting people depends on custom.

d. Educational methods is different from one culture to another.

40. It was a serendipitous meeting.

a. It was all too brief. b. Everyone was so terribly serious. c. I’m so glad I happened to run into

you because I need to talk with you. d. Members of the board kept

interrupting each other and nothing could get done.

English - 5

2015 State

Each group in items 41-45 contains four different sentences. Select the best sentence that has no grammar or punctuation errors. 41.

a. Since we are fond of watching wild animals up close, my wife and me have taken steps to attract at least the more innocuous ones to our house.

b. We have a wild bird feeder and a hummingbird feeder just outside our rear window, so that we can watch the local birds as they come to consume the seeds, the suet, and the nectar that we provide.

c. Birds apparently have no table manners: they squabble constantly over which one has right of access (usually either the biggest bird or the most aggressive gets the first place at the feeder), and they have no compunctions at all about scattering far more seed on the ground than they actually consume.

d. We also keep a statue of Saint Frances in the yard in hopes that his benign looks and his obvious affection for the assorted creatures in his arms reassures the birds and the squirrels and whatever other animals venture in that they will be safe.

42.

a. Teaching a highly technical subject to people whom you are sure do no want to be bothered with small details can be a very frustrating experience.

b. In the days before Windows or even mice, I attempted to teach a course in writing on a computer to a group of writing teachers whose experience with composing on machines were largely limited to mechanical typewriters.

c. The secret to success I thought, was to teach them to use the help menus built into the word processing program to discover how to accomplish tasks like setting margins or change fonts as they worked.

d. What the students wanted, however, was for me to give them lists of exactly what commands they needed for every step of the writing process; predictably, they quickly became frustrated because they could not remember the dozens of individual keystrokes necessary.

43.

a. If you’ve ever stood in your closet under an incandescent bulb and carefully matched a green tie with your blue suit, you know something about the problems that the influence of the color of light on the color of objects we perceive can cause.

b. Its amazing to me how confident we are that the world around us is as we believe it to be until little, seemingly inconsequential events make us realize that our perceptions are not really reliable.

c. I have gone into my bathroom and been shocked by the sickly yellow tone of my skin, and changed to a different type of bulb only to see myself in an equally putrid shade of green.

d. In fact, I have taken to carrying a small, LED flashlight with me when ever I feel the need to check colors because it produces a blue light that is closer in color to natural sunlight.

English - 6

2015 State

44. a. My stepdaughter has wrecked her nearly new Nissan van, that she bought just five

months ago. b. She is very upset by the accident that crushed one side of the van, but she is also

greatful that no one was injured. c. Luckily, the person driving the other vehicle (that we believe was clearly at fault) was

covered by liability insurance which should cover the cost of repairs. d. While getting the van repaired will be a major inconvenience, since the process will

involve replacing and repainting major body parts, the end result should be a vehicle that is restored to its former nearly-new state; although, the new car smell may be gone forever.

45. a. One’s ancestors, especially those who died before we were born, are a source of

endless curiosity. b. We may look very carefully at old photographs of grandfathers, grandmothers, and even

their parents in an attempt to recognize our own features in their faces c. Is this fascination because of our knowledge that “All things pass;” that we, like they will

eventually become a part of the past; that generations after us may look with similar curiosity at our likenesses?

d. It is important to preserve information in the present for the generations coming after us, because they deserve to know who they are and where they come from.

In items 46-65, you are given a sentence that may or may not contain an error or errors. Select the answer that best revises any grammatical or punctuation errors or improves the style. 46. We have a long history, Hank and me; we were schoolmates in elementary school and have been firm friends ever since.

a. We have a long history together; Hank and me were schoolmates in elementary school and have been firm friends ever since.

b. We, Hank and I, have a long history together; we were schoolmates in elementary school and have been firm friends ever sence.

c. We have a long history, Hank and I; we were schoolmates in elementary school and have been firm friends ever since.

d. No change necessary. 47. ”Who steals my purse, steals trash . . . ,” says Shakespeare’s character, Iago, in his famous speech, “But he that filches from me my good name/Robs me of that which not enriches him,/And makes me poor indeed.”

a. ”Who steals my purse, steals trash,” says Shakespeare’s character Iago in his famous speech, “But he that filches from me my good name/Robs me of that which not enriches him,/And makes me poor indeed.”

b. ”Who steels my purse, steels trash . . . ,” says Shakespeare’s character, Iago, in his famous speech, “But he that filches from me my good name/Robs me of that which not enriches him,/And makes me poor indeed.”

c. ”Who steals my purse, steals trash . . . ,” says Shakespeare’s character Iago in his famous speech, “But he that filches from me my good name/Robs me of that which not enriches him,/And makes me poor indeed.”

d. No change necessary.

English - 7

2015 State

48. When the store security person saw a man hiding DVDs under his large coat, he challenged him with these words: “Sir, please follow me to the office.”

a. When the store security person saw a man hiding DVDs under his large coat, he challenged him with these words: “Sir please follow me to the office.”

b. When the store security person saw a man hiding DVDs under his large coat, he challenged him with these words: “Please follow me to the office sir.”

c. When the store security person saw a man hiding DVDs under his large coat he challenged him with these words: “Please, Sir, follow me to the office.”

d. No change necessary. 49. Standing in the corner of our front hall constructed nearly indestructible and very heavy iron pieces, I see an antique hall tree that belonged to my great-great-grandfather; it is remarkable that it has stood the test of time so well.

a. Constructed of nearly indestructible and very heavy iron pieces standing in the corner of our front hall is an antique hall tree that belonged to my great-great-grandfather; it is remarkable that it has stood the test of time so well.

b. Constructed of nearly indestructible and very heavy iron pieces, an antique hall tree that belonged to my great-great-grandfather stands in the corner of our front hall; it is remarkable that it has stood the test of time so well.

c. Standing in the corner of our front hall, constructed nearly indestructible and very heavy iron pieces, I see an antique hall tree that belonged to my great-great-grandfather and it is remarkable that it has stood the test of time so well.

d. No change necessary. 50. The local Chamber of Commerce has announced it’s support for a new penny increase in the local sales tax, and they’re planning a major campaign to convince citizens that the extra money is necessary to upgrade their schools because they are in such poor physical condition.

a. The local Chamber of Commerce has announced its support for a new penny increase in the local sales tax, and it is planning a major campaign to convince citizens that the extra money is necessary to upgrade their schools that are in poor physical condition.

b. The local Chamber of Commerce has announced its support for a new penny increase in the local sales tax, and their planning a major campaign to convince citizens that the extra money is necessary to upgrade there schools because they are in such poor physical condition.

c. The local Chamber of Commerce has announced it’s support for a new penny increase in the local sales tax, and they’re planning a major campaign to convince citizens that the extra money is necessary to upgrade their schools which are in poor physical condition.

d. No change necessary.

English - 8

2015 State

51. When presenting evidence to a jury, a lawyer must be careful not to damage his case by introducing information that is based purely on hearsay and that cannot be supported by hard, factual evidence.

a. When presenting evidence to a jury, evidence that is based purely on hearsay and that cannot be supported by hard, factual evidence should not be introduced because it may damage the lawyers case.

b. When presenting evidence to a jury, evidence that is based purely on hearsay and that cannot be supported by hard, factual evidence should not be introduced because it may damage the lawyer’s case.

c. When presenting evidence to a jury, a lawyer must be careful not to damage his or her case by introducing information based purely on hearsay that cannot be supported by hard, factual evidence.

d. No change necessary. 52. Emma Watson, the well-known star of the Harry Potter series of films, recently made an address to the United Nations in which she called for global emphasis on equal rights for women and, more uniquely, encouraged boys and men to adopt more feminist approaches in both their attitudes and approaches to equality for both genders.

a. Emma Watson, the well-known star of the Harry Potter’s series of films, recently made an address to the United Nations in which she called for global emphasis on equal rights for women and, more uniquely, encouraged boys and men to adopt more feminist approaches in both their attitudes and approaches to equality for both genders.

b. Emma Watson, the well-known star of the Harry Potter series of films, recently made an address to the United Nations where she called for global emphasis on equal rights for women and, more uniquely, encouraged boys and men to adopt more feminist approaches in both their attitudes and approaches to equality for both genders.

c. Emma Watson, the well-known star of the Harry Potter series of films, recently made an address to the United Nations in which she called for global emphasis on equal rights for women, and, more uniquely, encouraged boys and men to adopt more feminist approaches in both their attitudes and approaches to equality for both genders.

d. No change necessary. 53. Words like picturesque, romantic, and sentimental, tend to be very nebulous because their meanings depend so heavily on the speaker’s particular emotional response; and, because another hearing these utterances may think they know what the speaker is experiencing, they can never be completely sure their own response is the same.

a. Words like picturesque, romantic, and sentimental tend to be very nebulous because their meanings depend so heavily on the speaker’s particular emotional response; and, because others hearing these utterances may think they know what the speaker is experiencing, they can never be completely sure their own responses are the same.

b. Words like picturesque, romantic, and sentimental tend to be very nebulous because their meanings depend so heavily on the speakers’ particular emotional response; and, because another hearing these utterances may think they know what the speaker is experiencing, they can never be completely sure their own response is the same.

c. Words like “picturesque,” “romantic,” and “sentimental,” tend to be very nebulous because their meanings depend so heavily on the speaker’s particular emotional response; and, because another hearing these utterances may think he knows what the speaker is experiencing, he can never be completely sure their own response is the same.

d. No change necessary.

English - 9

2015 State

54. Vampires have been standard characters in many horror tales ever since Bram Stoker popularized them in his novel Dracula, and they have recently enjoyed a huge resurgence of popularity in the Twilight film series.

a. Vampires have been standard characters in many horror tales ever sence Bram Stoker popularized them in his novel Dracula, and they have recently enjoyed a huge resurgence of popularity in the Twilight film series.

b. Vampires have been standard characters in many horror tales every since Bram Stoker popularized them in his novel Dracula, and they have recently enjoyed a huge resurgence of popularity in the “Twilight” film series.

c. Vampires have been standard characters in many horror tales since Bram Stoker popularized them in his novel Dracula, and they have recently enjoyed a huge resurgence of popularity in the Twilight film series.

d. No change necessary. 55. Grumpy Cat, the popular star of many social media sites like Facebook is famous for his scowl, but his discomfiting appearance is not the result of a temperamental disposition but of a genetic defect that makes him seem to always be unhappy.

a. Grumpy Cat, the popular star of many social media sites like Facebook, is famous for his scowl but his discomfiting appearance is not the result of a temperamental disposition but of a genetic defect that makes him seem always unhappy.

b. Grumpy Cat, the popular star of many social media sites like Facebook, is famous for his scowl; however, his discomfiting appearance is not the result of a temperamental disposition but of a genetic defect that makes him seem always to be unhappy.

c. Grumpy Cat, the popular star of many social media sites like Facebook is famous for his scowl, but his discomfiting appearance is not the result of a temperamental disposition, but of a genetic defect that makes him seem always to be unhappy.

d. No change necessary. 56. Despite its power to move readers, English teachers tend to disparage sentimental writing as somehow an illegitimate or cheapened portrayal of people’s emotions, but by doing so they deny their students appreciation of writers like Longfellow and Bryant who, although hugely popular in their day, have fallen out of favor in our more cynical age.

a. English teachers tend to disparage sentimental writing as somehow an illegitimate or cheapened portrayal of people’s emotions despite its power to move readers, but. by doing so, they deny their students’ appreciation of writers like Longfellow and Bryant who, although hugely popular in their day, have fallen out of favor in our more cynical age.

b. English teachers tend to disparage sentimental writing, despite its power to move readers, as somehow an illegitimate or cheapened portrayal of people’s emotions, but by doing so they deny their student’s appreciation of writers like Longfellow and Bryant who, although hugely popular in their day, have fallen out of favor in our more cynical age.

c. Despite it’s power to move readers, English teachers tend to disparage sentimental writing as somehow an illegitimate or cheapened portrayal of people’s emotions, but by doing so they deny their students’ appreciation of writers like Longfellow and Bryant who, although hugely popular in their day, have fallen out of favor in our more cynical age.

d. No change necessary.

English - 10

2015 State

57. A well-manicured lawn has become one of the most prevalent symbols of arrival in the American middle class, but establishing and then maintaining all the miles and miles of green grass are very wasteful for the homeowners and harmful to the environment that has to absorb all the tons of chemicals and the clouds of exhaust from the lawnmowers and trimmers needed to keep them up.

a. A well-manicured lawn has become one of the most prevalent symbols of arrival in the American middle class, but establishing and also maintaining all the miles and miles of green grass is very wasteful for the homeowners and harmful to the environment that has to absorb all the tons of chemicals and the clouds of exhaust from the lawnmowers and trimmers needed to keep them up.

b. A well-manicured lawn has become one of the most prevalent symbols of arrival in the American middle class, but establishing and maintaining all the miles and miles of green grass are very wasteful for the homeowners and harmful to the environment which has to absorb all the tons of chemicals and the clouds of exhaust from the lawnmowers and trimmers needed to keep them up.

c. A well-manicured lawn has become one of the most prevalent symbols of arrival in the American middle class, but establishing and maintaining all the miles and miles of green grass are very wasteful for the homeowners, and harmful to the environment that has to absorb all the tons of chemicals and the clouds of exhaust from the lawnmowers and trimmers needed to keep it up.

d. No change necessary. 58. If we had not had to pay for the repairs to our house after the big storm, we could have went on a very expensive vacation to Alaska.

a. If we were able to not pay for the repairs to our house after the big storm, we could have gone on a very expensive vacation to Alaska.

b. If we could have avoided paying for the repairs to our house after the big storm, we would have went on a very expensive vacation to Alaska.

c. If we had not had to pay for the repairs to our house after the big storm, we could have gone on a very expensive vacation to Alaska.

d. No change necessary. 59. Any person who plans on a long road trip should be sure that they have checked the car’s tires, hoses, and belts for wear so they will not have a breakdown at a very inconvenient moment when they are miles from the nearest service station.

a. Any person who plans on a long road trip should be sure that he has checked the tires, hoses, and belts for wear so they will not have a breakdown at a very inconvenient moment when they are miles from the nearest service station.

b. Any person who plans on a long road trip should be sure that he or she has checked the car’s tires, hoses, and belts for wear so they will not have a breakdown at a very inconvenient moment when they are miles from the nearest service station.

c. People who plan on long road trips should be sure that they have checked the car’s tires, hoses, and belts for wear so that they will not have a breakdown at a very inconvenient moment when they are miles from the nearest service station.

d. No change necessary.

English - 11

2015 State

60. People who love musical comedy will love the new production of “The Music Man” at the local community theater; you will not believe how much talent your neighbors have been hiding when you see them dancing and singing on stage.

a. People who love musical comedy will love the new production of The Music Man at the local community theater; they will not believe how much talent their neighbors have been hiding when you see the lively dancing and singing on stage.

b. People who love musical comedy will love the new production of The Music Man at the local community theater; they can not believe how much talent your neighbors have been hiding when they will see them dancing and singing on stage.

c. People who love musical comedy will love the new production of The Music Man at the local community theater; they will not believe how much talent their neighbors have been hiding when they see the lively dancing and singing on stage.

d. No change necessary. 61. Even though this area of the country has a history of minor earthquakes, the representative from the insurance company discouraged us from purchasing an earthquake rider for our policy because the risk is very low; if an earthquake should strike, we may have to absorb a major financial loss.

a. Even though this area of the country has a history of minor earthquakes, we were discouraged by the insurance company representative from purchasing a earthquake rider for our policy because the risk is very low, but if he is wrong and an earthquake should strike we may have to absorb a major financial loss.

b. Even though a history of minor earthquakes is in this area of the country, the representative from the insurance companies have discouraged us from purchasing an earthquake rider for our policy because the risk is very low; if an earthquake should strike, we may have to absorb a major financial loss.

c. Even though this area of the country has a history of minor earthquakes, the risk is very low that the representative from the insurance company discouraged us from purchasing an earthquake rider for our policy: if he be wrong and an earthquake should strike, we may have to absorb a major financial loss.

d. No change necessary. 62. If the workmen who lay the tile on the kitchen floor of our house would of set down a firm subfloor that would not sag before they put the tiles in place, we would not have this problem of tiles buckling and cracking now.

a. If, before they put the tiles in place, the workmen who laid the tile on the kitchen floor of our house had set down a firm subfloor that could not sag, we would not now have this problem of tiles buckling and cracking.

b. If the workmen who lay the tile on the kitchen floor of house would have set down a firm subfloor that would not sag before they put the tiles in place, we would not have this problem of tiles buckling and cracking now.

c. If the workmen who laid the tile on the kitchen floor of house had lain down a firm subfloor that would not sag before they put the tiles in place, we would not have this problem of tiles buckling and cracking.

d. No change necessary.

English - 12

2015 State

63. At the end of each of her popular cooking shows, Chef Julia Child would wish her television audience an enthusiastic Bon appétit!

a. At the end of each of her popular cooking shows, chef Julia Child would wish her television audience an enthusiastic “Bon appétit!”

b. At the end of each of her popular cooking shows, chef Julia Child would wish her television audience an enthusiastic Bon appétit!

c. At the end of each of her popular cooking shows, Chef Julia Child would wish her television audience an enthusiastic “Bon appétit!”

d. No change necessary. 64. The Doctor, the central character of the very popular BBC science fiction series Doctor Who, has been played (to date) by twelve different actors, but the fans are not bothered by the Doctor constantly changing appearance because they know that it is a result of his ability to regenerate himself periodically.

a. The Doctor, the central character of the very popular BBC science fiction series Doctor Who, has been played (to date) by twelve different actors, but the fans are not bothered by the Doctors constantly changing appearance because they know that it results from his ability to regenerate himself periodically.

b. The Doctor, the central character of the very popular BBC science fiction series Doctor Who, has been played (to date) by twelve different actors, however the fans are not bothered by the Doctor’s constantly changing appearance because they know that it is a result of his ability to regenerate himself periodically.

c. The Doctor, the central character of the very popular BBC science fiction series Doctor Who, has been played (to date) by twelve different actors; however, the fans are not bothered by the Doctor’s constantly changing appearance because they know that it is a result of his ability to regenerate himself periodically.

d. No change necessary. 65. We were amused to see that the local newspaper published a serious story by a reporter whom we know is reliable and experienced, and gave it the title, “Local Celebrity Alive Hours Before His Murder”; the reporters name ought to be Captain Obvious.

a. We were amused to see that the local newspaper published a serious story by a reporter whom we know to be reliable and experienced and gave it the title, “Local Celebrity Alive Hours Before His Murder”; the reporters name ought to be Captain Obvious.

b. We were amused to see that the local newspaper published a serious story by a reporter who we know is reliable and experienced and gave it the title, “Local Celebrity Alive Hours Before His Murder”; the reporter’s name ought to be Captain Obvious.

c. We were amused to see that the local newspaper published a serious story by a reporter whom we know is reliable and experienced and gave it the title “Local Celebrity Alive Hours Before His Murder;” the reporter’s name ought to be Captain Obvious.

d. No change necessary.

English - 13

2015 State

Select the phrase or statement that best describes the underlined words in items 66-70. 66. The rippling water ran rampant over the countryside, causing devastating destruction.

a. The use of many long, polysyllabic words gives this sentence a pompous tone. b. This is stylistically poor writing because consonance is more appropriate to poetry than

to prose. c. The style of this sentence gives a welcome light touch to an otherwise depressing

subject. d. This sentence should be revised because the overuse of alliteration detracts from the

serious message. 67. Ken Burns’ documentary film The Central Park Five shows clearly how suspects can be coerced by officials into giving false confessions that then make it very difficult for them to prove their innocence.

a. This includes both an adjective clause and an adverb clause. b. This is a noun clause with an imbedded adjective clause. c. The phrase “can be coerced” should be replaced with “may be coerced.” d. A comma should be placed between “very” and “difficult” to separate two equivalent

adjectives. 68. Bird watching is a sport that many people enjoy, and to see a new species they have never observed before is a great thrill.

a. “Watching” is a verb form, and its subject is “bird.” b. “To see a new species they have never observed before” is the subject of the second

independent clause. c. This is not a compound sentence, so there should be no comma before “and.” d. The first independent clause in the sentence includes an adjective clause; the second

does not. 69. Many citizens of our country feel that two major political parties are not enough to represent all of the alternative views in our country; that is especially true now that the two big parties seem locked into opposing positions on most issues and nearly incapable of finding intermediary positions by compromise.

a. “That” at the beginning marks this as an independent clause; therefore, this not a compound sentence and the semicolon is incorrect.

b. Because only two parties are discussed, this is an example of a logical “either/or” fallacy. c. The sentence needs a coordinating conjunction to link the second main clause to the

first. d. “That” after the semicolon is the main subject of the clause; the second “that” is a

relative pronoun.

English - 14

2015 State

70. I counted four different species of grass in our front lawn each of which grows at a different rate than the others; if there were some easy way to eliminate all but one variety, my wife and I would certainly attempt it.

a. “If there were” is incorrect since “way” is actually the subject; the clause should say “if there was some easy way.”

b. “My wife and I” should be revised to say “my wife and me” since both us would be involved in the attempt.

c. Although the main subject of this clause is “way,” the verb that precedes it is “were” because it is in the subjunctive mode.

d. This second half of the sentence is misleading because my wife doesn’t really give a rip what kind of grass is growing in my front yard.

Read “Ballad of Dead Friends” by Edwin Arlington Robinson and answer the questions that follow in items 71-80. As we the withered ferns By the roadway lying, Time, the jester, spurns All our prayers and prying – All our tears and sighing, Sorrow, change, and woe – All our where-and-whying For friends that come and go. Life awakes and burns, Age and death defying, Till at last it learns All but Love is dying; Love's the trade we're plying, God has willed it so; Shrouds are what we're buying For friends that come and go. Man forever yearns For the thing that's flying. Everywhere he turns, Men to dust are drying, -- Dust that wanders, eying (With eyes that hardly glow) New faces, dimly spying For friends that come and go. ENVOY And thus we all are nighing The truth we fear to know: Death will end our crying For friends that come and go.

English - 15

2015 State

71. What type of poem is a ballad? a. An elegiac poem in memory of the

dead. b. A poem with the melodic rhythms of

a song. c. A poem focusing on emotions. d. A poem dedicated to a particular

person or thing. 72. Though Robinson calls this poem a ballad, it lacks one quality that a ballad typically has:

a. It does not tell a story. b. It has no refrain. c. It is not happy. d. It is written in blank verse.

73. Because the poem focuses on the persona’s thoughts about death and dying, the poem could also be considered

a. a narrative poem. b. a dramatic monologue. c. a lyric poem d. a sonnet.

74. The rhyme scheme used in this poem is

a. ABBACBBC b. ABAABAAB c. ABABBCBC d. ABCBBDBD

75. An envoy in a piece of literature is a

a. short stanza. b. climactic summary. c. final stanza. d. four-line stanza.

76. When Robinson speaks of “Time, the jester,” in the third line of the first stanza, he is using

a. exaggeration. b. personification. c. hyperbole. d. litotes.

77. When Robinson refers to “all our where and whying,” he is speaking of

a. the constant whining of humans about the loss of life.

b. the confusion we may feel when we lose a friend.

c. the fact that death seems so unnecessary to us mortals.

d. the questions we all have when a friend dies about the reasons for his/her death.

78. There is one positive note in Robinson’s poem:

a. All humans suffer together. b. All but love dies when a friend dies. c. We can look forward to a better life

after death. d. We eventually become inured to

life’s pain. 79. Which sentence best sums up Robinson’s thought in this poem?

a. No matter how often we experience it, death is always a mystery.

b. Life is not worth living because it only leads to death.

c. We mourn for those who die, not wanting to realize that our sorrow will end when we too die.

d. The greatest sorrow of life is the loss through death of friends and family.

80. A poem by Edwin Arlington Robinson that is better known than this one is

a. “Richard Corey.” b. “Song of Myself.” c. “John Brown’s Body.” d. “Spoon River Anthology.”

English - 16

2015 State

Read the following paragraph from “Christmas” by Washington Irving and answer the questions in items 81-90. One of the least pleasing effects of modern refinement is the havoc it has made among the hearty old holiday customs. It has completely taken off the sharp touchings and spirited reliefs of these embellishments of life, and has worn down society into a more smooth and polished, but certainly a less characteristic surface. Many of the games and ceremonials of Christmas have entirely disappeared, and like the sherris sack of old Falstaff, are become matters of speculation and dispute among commentators. They flourished in times full of spirit and lustihood, when men enjoyed life roughly, but heartily and vigorously; times wild and picturesque, which have furnished poetry with its richest materials, and the drama with its most attractive variety of characters and manners. The world has become more worldly. There is more of dissipation, and less of enjoyment. Pleasure has expanded into a broader, but a shallower stream, and has forsaken many of those deep and quiet channels where it flowed sweetly through the calm bosom of domestic life. Society has acquired a more enlightened and elegant tone; but it has lost many of its strong local peculiarities, its homebred feelings, its honest fireside delights. The traditionary customs of golden-hearted antiquity, its feudal hospitalities, and lordly wassailings, have passed away with the baronial castles and stately manor-houses in which they were celebrated. They comported with the shadowy hall, the great oaken gallery, and the tapestried parlour, but are unfitted to the light showy saloons and gay drawing-rooms of the modern villa. 81. Writing in 1820, Irving’s essential message in this paragraph is that

a. Christmas is a time to reflect on the birth of Jesus.

b. Modern times have caused aspects of the Christmas celebration to be lost.

c. It is important to maintain all the traditions of Christmas.

d. The English celebrate Christmas differently than Americans.

82. The reference to the Old Falstaff can be considered

a. an anachronism. b. an allusion. c. a metaphor. d. hyperbole.

83. “There is more of dissipation, and less of enjoyment.” What type of sentence is this?

a. balanced sentence b. epigram c. periodic sentence d. euphuism

84. “The world has become more worldly.” Which sentence would represent another way to express this idea?

a. Nowadays, we are aware of other cultures and their customs.

b. With modern transportation, distances are shorter than they once were.

c. We focus on material things and not on those that are of true importance.

d. Technological advances has caused us to value the products of change.

85. ”Pleasure has expanded into a broader, but a shallower stream, and has forsaken many of those deep and quiet channels where it flowed sweetly through the calm bosom of domestic life.” What literary device does this sentence use?

a. Extended metaphor b. Antithesis c. Aphorism d. Anastrophe

English - 17

2015 State

86. This paragraph is likely taken from a. a short story. b. a novel. c. an essay. d. a biography.

87. Washington Irving has been called our country’s first belletristic writer. This means that

a. he was the first writer to create best sellers.

b. his impact as a writer was not just in the area where he lived, but all across the nation.

c. his writing was intended to convey pleasure and not to achieve some practical purpose.

d. he wrote for his own pleasure, not publication.

88. Irving is probably best known for having written

a. Frankenstein. b. Walden. c. “Self-Reliance.” d. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”

89. “The traditionary customs of golden-hearted antiquity, its feudal hospitalities, and lordly wassailings, have passed away with the baronial castles and stately manor-houses in which they were celebrated. They comported with the shadowy hall, the great oaken gallery, and the tapestried parlour, but are unfitted to the light showy saloons and gay drawing-rooms of the modern villa.” Irving is looking at Christmas as practiced by

a. all strata of society b. the middle class c. people of some wealth. d. people around the world.

90. What aspects of Christmas that we might think of does Irving not consider?

a. Gift giving b. The decoration of a tree c. An image of a plump Santa Claus

as a man in red suit trimmed in fur d. All of the above.

Read the following selection from Herman Melville’s novella Billy Budd and answer the questions in items 91- 100. This selection is from the opening chapter when Budd, a sailor in the Royal Navy, is impressed from serving on a ship called the Rights of Man in order to serve on the HMS Bellipotent. . . . the Master broke the silence; and there lurked a rueful reproach in the tone of his voice: "Lieutenant, you are going to take my best man from me, the jewel of 'em." "Yes, I know," rejoined the other, immediately drawing back the tumbler preliminary to a replenishing; "Yes, I know. Sorry." "Beg pardon, but you don't understand, Lieutenant. See here now. Before I shipped that young fellow, my forecastle was a rat-pit of quarrels. It was black times, I tell you, aboard the Rights here. I was worried to that degree my pipe had no comfort for me. But Billy came; and it was like a Catholic priest striking peace in an Irish shindy. Not that he preached to them or said or did anything in particular; but a virtue went out of him, sugaring the sour ones. They took to him like hornets to treacle; all but the buffer of the gang, the big shaggy chap with the fire-red whiskers. He indeed out of envy, perhaps, of the newcomer, and thinking such a 'sweet and pleasant fellow,' as he mockingly designated him to the others, could hardly have the spirit of a game-cock, must needs bestir himself in trying to get up an ugly row with him. Billy forebore with him and reasoned with him in a pleasant way -- he is something like myself, Lieutenant, to whom aught like a quarrel is hateful -- but nothing served. So, in the second dog-watch one day the Red Whiskers in presence of the others, under pretence of showing Billy just whence a sirloin steak was cut -- for the fellow had once been a butcher -- insultingly gave him a dig under the ribs. Quick as lightning Billy let fly his arm. I dare say he never meant to do quite as much as

English - 18

2015 State

he did, but anyhow he gave the burly fool a terrible drubbing. It took about half a minute, I should think. And, lord bless you, the lubber was astonished at the celerity. And will you believe it, Lieutenant, the Red Whiskers now really loves Billy -- loves him, or is the biggest hypocrite that ever I heard of. But they all love him. Some of 'em do his washing, darn his old trousers for him; the carpenter is at odd times making a pretty little chest of drawers for him. Anybody will do anything for Billy Budd; and it's the happy family here. But now, Lieutenant, if that young fellow goes -- I know how it will be aboard the Rights. Not again very soon shall I, coming up from dinner, lean over the capstan smoking a quiet pipe -- no, not very soon again, I think. Ay, Lieutenant, you are going to take away the jewel of 'em; you are going to take away my peacemaker!" And with that the good soul had really some ado in checking a rising sob. 91. The Master tells the lieutenant, “Before I shipped that young fellow, my forecastle was a rat-pit of quarrels.” His choice of words demonstrates the use of

a. simile. b. metaphor. c. personification. d. litotes.

92. The Master goes on to say, “But Billy came; and it was like a Catholic priest striking peace in an Irish shindy.” His choice of words demonstrates the use of

a. simile. b. metaphor. c. hyperbole. d. litotes.

93. Given the context, a shindy is most likely a

a. shindig, i.e. a big party. b. shack. c. noisy fracas. d. chapel.

94. Billy Budd made peace with Red Whiskers by

a. pouring on the kindness. b. offering to help him in his job. c. fighting with him. d. coming back at him verbally.

95. According to the Master, Billy’s unique characteristic is that he

a. never utters an unkind word. b. has the capacity to make everyone love him. c. always performs his work well, no matter what it is. d. puts the welfare of others ahead of his own welfare.

96. The Master hates to lose Billy because

a. so long as Billy has been on his ship, it has been a happier place with less quarreling. b. Billy was an excellent sailor with good skills and the will to use them. c. he knows that with Billy on board, he can serve the Royal Navy well. d. with Billy around, something fun is always going on.

English - 19

2015 State

97. What explains the three dots at the beginning of this passage? a. They form an ellipsis that indicates words have been omitted. b. They are a stylistic peculiarity of Melville’s writing. c. They form a kind of super-comma to separate what is coming from what has preceded it. d. They are a determiner that marks the noun that follows.

98. In this passage, we see Melville’s ability to

a. create suspense. b. describe nature. c. tell a sentimental story. d. write realistic dialogue.

99. A novella is

a. an Italian novel. b. a short novel. c. an action story set at sea. d. a novel based on a true story.

100. Dialogue in a novel or short story serves to

a. reveal character. b. advance the plot. c. develop setting. d. all of the above.