praxis 5002 reading practice questions

A series of tests developed by ETS to assess the skills and knowledge of prospective teachers.

The following passage is from A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'Engle. IT was a brain. A disembodied brain. An oversized brain, just enough larger than normal to be completely revolting and terrifying. A living brain. A brain that pulsed and quivered, that seized and commanded. No wonder the brain was called IT. IT was the most horrible, most repellent thing she had ever seen, far more horrible than anything she had ever imagined.
Which THREE of the following words from the passage best create the overall tone?
  • A. brain""
  • B. oversized""
  • C. seized"
  • D. horrible"
  • E. nauseating""
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C,D,E

The words "seized," "horrible," and "nauseating" effectively convey a tone of urgency and distress. "Seized" suggests a sudden, forceful action, implying a sense of chaos or loss of control. "Horrible" evokes strong negative emotions, indicating something deeply unsettling, while "nauseating" intensifies this feeling, suggesting physical revulsion. In contrast, "brain" is neutral and lacks emotional weight, failing to contribute to the tone. "Oversized," while descriptive, does not carry the same emotional impact and is more factual than evocative. Together, the selected words create a powerful atmosphere that resonates with the passage’s themes.

Other Related Questions

Which of the following are appropriate first-grade sight words?
  • A. Are, because, of
  • B. Cat, hat, that
  • C. Should, sure, though
  • D. Kitten, bubble, ladder
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Option A includes "are," "because," and "of," which are foundational sight words commonly taught in first grade to help students develop reading fluency. Option B, while including simple words, focuses more on rhyming and may not be as frequently encountered in early texts. Option C presents words that are more complex and less common, making them inappropriate for first graders who are just beginning to build their vocabulary. Option D contains nouns that, although relevant, do not align with the high-frequency sight words essential for early reading success.
For each row, select ONE column.
  • A. In/sect
  • B. Pen/cil
  • C. Be/gin
  • D. Sub/ject
  • E. Stu/dent
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: Open Syllable: E; Closed Syllable: A,B,C,D

Open syllables end with a vowel that typically has a long sound, while closed syllables end with a consonant, leading to a short vowel sound. Option E (Stu/dent) is an open syllable because "stu" ends in a vowel and has a long sound. Options A (In/sect), B (Pen/cil), C (Be/gin), and D (Sub/ject) are closed syllables. Each ends in a consonant, causing the vowel sound to be short: "in," "pen," "be," and "sub," respectively. Thus, they do not fit the criteria for open syllables.
Which THREE of the following statements best describe how improved fluency impacts a student's comprehension?
  • A. Students experience greater comprehension and ability to make connections to the text.
  • B. Students are able to monitor intonation and punctuation to understand meaning of the text.
  • C. Students are able to focus on the meaning ofthe text rather than on laboring through reading the words.
  • D. Students experience a neutral effect on their comprehension but develop a faster reading rate.
  • E. Students are able to recall facts at a higher rate as they gain automaticity.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A,B,C

Improved fluency enhances comprehension by allowing students to engage more deeply with the text. Option A is accurate, as fluent readers can make connections and grasp the overall meaning more effectively. Option B is also correct; monitoring intonation and punctuation aids in understanding the nuances of the text. Option C highlights that fluency enables students to concentrate on meaning instead of struggling with word recognition, facilitating deeper comprehension. In contrast, Option D incorrectly suggests that fluency has a neutral effect on comprehension, which undermines its significance. Option E misrepresents automaticity, as it focuses on fact recall rather than the broader understanding that fluency fosters.
Which of the following is a compound-complex sentence?
  • A. I want to go on vacation with Sally to Mexico, Costa Rica, and Florida.
  • B. Even though the sun was shining, my mother told me I could not go to the pool.
  • C. Holly needs to go to the grocery store, but she does not have enough time to go there today.
  • D. Since we like to go on roller coasters, we go all the time, but we have not been on that coaster yet.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

A compound-complex sentence contains at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. Option D meets this criterion with "Since we like to go on roller coasters" (dependent clause) and "we go all the time, but we have not been on that coaster yet" (two independent clauses). Option A is a simple sentence with a list and lacks any dependent clauses. Option B contains one independent clause and one dependent clause, making it a complex sentence, not compound-complex. Option C is a compound sentence with two independent clauses but lacks a dependent clause. Thus, only option D fulfills the requirements for a compound-complex sentence.