8th Grade MAP Practice Test English Reading : Set 1

Question 1 of 23

1. Question

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?

Everyone should use and appreciate computers.
Most computers don’t break down.
People are breaking the computers.
Computers can help educate students.

Question 2 of 23

2. Question

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?

Cells make up all living things.
Scientists believe that further study of the make-up of cells can lead to a cure for cancer.
There are millions of different types of cells in the human body.
Scientists continue their research in the laboratories everyday.

Question 3 of 23

3. Question

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?

the family home
safety
food
protecting himself

Question 4 of 23

4. Question

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?

Brian was stronger, more aware and careful.
Brian felt sorry for himself and wanted to give up.
Brian is angry because he’s made mistakes.
Brian has not changed at all.

Question 5 of 23

5. Question

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?

Go back in the house for her coat.
Take off her coat and boots.
Go back in the house for her gloves.
Ask her mother to help her make the snowman.

Question 6 of 23

6. Question

What is the last page of Chapter 2?

2
27
61
96

Question 7 of 23

7. Question

Read the recipe.

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

dutch oven cooking
microwave cooking
convection oven cooking
stove top cooking

Question 8 of 23

8. Question

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.

no shade
light half of the day
deep shade
cool temperatures

Question 9 of 23

9. Question

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?

Anna
Ron
Narrator
father

Question 10 of 23

10. Question

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

to make a story longer
to add vivid details and descriptions
to demonstrate how to properly punctuation dialogue
to bring characters to life and communicate emotions

Question 11 of 23

11. Question

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?

The wishes didn’t work.
No one was able to make a wish.
The third wish was for death.
The first man had his three wishes.

Question 12 of 23

12. Question

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?

He tells how she likes to go shopping.
He likes pot stickers almost as much as frijoles.
He explains about her garden.
He details her efforts to save money.

Question 13 of 23

13. Question

Interpretive Reading Comprehension—Application Transfer–RIT 211 – 220
Directions for washing the dishes.
a. Dry the dishes off and put them away.
b. Put the dirty dishes in the water and scrub them clean.
c. Fill the sink with warm water and soap.
d. Rinse the dishes with clean water.
What is the correct order the sentences above?

a, b, c, d
c, b, d, a
c, a, b, d
b, c, a, d

Question 14 of 23

14. Question

Interpretive Reading Comprehension—Main Idea–RIT 211 – 220
Read the passage and answer the question.
Leo the lion went the park one day. He sat on the bench and watched everyone playing on the toys. Then, he ate his lunch that he had brought along. Leo had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
Which title tells the main idea of this story?

Going to the Park
Leo Picnics in the Park
Lions like Peanut Butter and Jelly
Where did Leo Go?

Question 15 of 23

15. Question

If you were given a book on outer space, where would you look for cannibal galaxies in the glossary?

under the “G” section
under the “C” section
in the space section
in the “B” section

Question 16 of 23

16. Question

Literal Reading Comprehension—Reading Directions–RIT 211 – 220
Read the directions to Jill’s house.
Drive about five miles down the old highway until you see a really pretty green barn. They have a bunch of trees. Take a left and drive three more miles. You will cross the railroad tracks and on your left will be a big white house. Turn right after the white house, drive one mile, and her house is on the left.
How could you summarize these directions?

5 miles, green barn, turn left, 3 miles, white house, turn right, 1 mile, house is on left
turn at green barn, turn at white house, and her house is on the left
turn right at the green barn, left at the white house, and right to Jill’s house
turn after a mile to the left, then turn right at the white house and right to Jill’s house

Question 17 of 23

17. Question

Literal Reading Comprehension—Reading Directions–RIT 211 – 220
Read the directions to Jill’s house.
Drive about five miles down the old highway until you see a really pretty green barn. They have a bunch of trees. Take a left and drive three more miles. You will cross the railroad tracks and on your left will be a big white house. Turn right after the white house, drive one mile, and her house is on the left.
How could you summarize these directions?

5 miles, green barn, turn left, 3 miles, white house, turn right, 1 mile, house is on left
turn at green barn, turn at white house, and her house is on the left
turn right at the green barn, left at the white house, and right to Jill’s house
turn after a mile to the left, then turn right at the white house and right to Jill’s house

Question 18 of 23

18. Question

Stunned for only a moment, the youth invented a tale that only giants, the most gullible creatures on the earth, would believe. Unfortunately it is a quirk of supernature, a paradox of the cruelest kind, that whatever giants believe becomes their truth. “What was your last job?” asked the boy, knowing full well that giants never do manual work and haven’t the intellect or dexterity required for other types of employment.Copyright Info: The Goatboy and the Giant (Page 252-253) (Teacher authors: Phillips,
Blackman, Felts).
From the context of this passage, which pair of words are opposites?

invented, truth
gullible, supernature
giants, paradox
cruellest, kind

Question 19 of 23

19. Question

Which of the following details indicates that the girl was angry?

Tears began to roll down her face.
She stared at the rest of the class.
She slammed the door in frustration.
She didn’t utter a word.

Question 20 of 23

20. Question

Select the reason below that would best support a writer’s conclusion that teachers are more important than computers.

Teachers can play games with students just as well as computers.
Research shows that students learn 87% more from their teachers than from computers.
Teachers aren’t very proficient with computers, so they seldom use them in class.
Teachers are paid thousands of dollars per year and are therefore more effective than computers.

Question 21 of 23

21. Question

Read the paragraph from a guide to winter snowmobiling.
Experience the opportunity of touring Yellowstone National Park on a snowmobile. We will ride from West Yellowstone and make stops at Old Faithful, Mammouth, and the upper and lower falls. Plan a minimum of 5 hours for this guided tour. Cost is $50.00 per person. Riders can rent or bring his/her own snowmobile. Tickets are available at Basin Motor Sports. We’ll see you on
December 1st for a scenic-filled day.
Which of the following best restates these directions?

The tour takes place on December 1st, rentals are available, and costs $50.00 per person.
The tour is self-guided, costs $50.00 per snowmobile, and lasts about 5 hours.
The tour goes north to south, takes 5 hours, and costs $50.00 per person.
The tour is self-guided, costs $50.00 per person, and includes four stops.

Question 22 of 23

22. Question

Read the passage.
Erin Kennedy traveled to Liverpool, England to attend the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts. After graduation, she moved to Toronto, Canada, where she began teaching drama and art at a private school. She enjoys life and has set out to conquer her dreams.
Which event happened first?

moved to Toronto, Canada
attended the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts
traveled to Liverpool, England
enjoys life

Question 23 of 23

23. Question

Read the paragraph.
Ryan positioned himself in the gate. As the gate opened, he exploded onto the race course and assumed a tucked position. His skis held tightly to the snow-packed floor as he rounded the first corner. This was going to be an awesome race for him.
What did Ryan do right after he rounded the first corner?

exploded onto the race course
held skis tightly to the snow
continued racing the course in a tucked position
accepted his award