English/Language Arts General Knowledge Pre-Test 2010

8 th Grade English Language Arts Mr. Correia September 2010 Dr. Kevin M. Hurley Middle School

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

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)

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 • carefully as you hear me read them aloud.

• Make sure you read the directions/questions Please, try your best! Good Luck!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Question #21 Definitions • Write a short definition of the following term on your answer sheet: •

DIALOGUE

Hint!  Start your answer with: “Dialogue is...”

Question #22 Definitions • Write a short definition of the following term on your answer sheet: •

IMAGERY

Hint!  Start your answer with: “Imagery is...”

Question #23 Definitions • Write a short definition of the following term on your answer sheet: •

COMMUNICATION

Hint!  Start your answer with: “Communication is...”

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...”

Question #25 Definitions • Write a short definition of the following term on your answer sheet: •

PLAGIARISM

Hint!  Start your answer with: “Plagiarism is...”

Question #26 Critical Thinking • Write a SYNONYM for the word

“junk.”

Question #27 Critical Thinking • Write an ANTONYM for the word

“dangerous.”

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

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

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.

CONGRATULATIONS!

• • • • • • You made it through your FIRST test of the year in 8 th 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!