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 is best identified as a simple sentence?
  • A. William, Jorge, and Roberto waited for the storm to pass.
  • B. The plane was late, so I did not get to see my grandfather.
  • C. The dogs went into the backyard, and then they ate their food.
  • D. Because they could not see the sun, the boys got lost on the like.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

A simple sentence contains a subject and a predicate and expresses a complete thought without any dependent clauses. Option A, "William, Jorge, and Roberto waited for the storm to pass," meets this criteria as it has a clear subject and verb, forming a complete thought. Options B and C are compound sentences; they contain two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. Option B has "The plane was late" and "I did not get to see my grandfather," while Option C includes "The dogs went into the backyard" and "they ate their food." Option D is a complex sentence, featuring a dependent clause "Because they could not see the sun," which cannot stand alone. Thus, it does not qualify as a simple sentence.
Which of the following comes last in a student's writing development continuum?
  • A. Reproducing common environmental words displayed in the classroom
  • B. Stringing random letters together to form words
  • C. Using uppercase and lowercase letters correctly
  • D. Leaving spaces between words
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

In a student's writing development continuum, using uppercase and lowercase letters correctly represents a more advanced skill, as it requires an understanding of grammar and conventions. This stage typically comes after foundational skills have been established. Option A, reproducing common environmental words, indicates early recognition and copying skills. Option B, stringing random letters together, shows initial attempts at writing but lacks coherence. Option D, leaving spaces between words, is an important step in developing readable text, but it generally precedes mastering letter case. Thus, correct letter usage is a culmination of these earlier skills.
For each row, select ALL that apply. Some rows may be empty.
  • A. And
  • B. Said
  • C. Win
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A: Sight Word/ Decodable Word, B: Sight Word, C: Decodable Word

Option A, "And," is categorized as a sight word and decodable word because it is frequently used in texts and can be phonetically sounded out. Option B, "Said," is a sight word, as it does not follow standard phonetic rules and is commonly recognized in reading, but it is not decodable. Option C, "Win," is a decodable word since it follows phonetic rules, allowing students to sound it out easily. Each option serves a different purpose in literacy development, highlighting the distinction between sight words and decodable words in reading instruction.
As part of a classroom activity, students read and annotate a one-page piece of text. Then, the teacher acts as a discussion leader and asks an open-ended question about the text. Students do not have to raise their hand to speak but are mindful of making sure their classmates have adequate time to speak as well. All students have a chance to speak, and they support their comments with text evidence. The conversation lasts for fifteen minutes, with the overall goal being a deeper understanding of the text. The activity described is best categorized as which of the following?
  • A. Fishbowl
  • B. Socratic seminar
  • C. Think-pair-share
  • D. Literature circle
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

The activity described aligns with a Socratic seminar, where students engage in open dialogue about a text, emphasizing critical thinking and text-based evidence. This format encourages collaboration and deeper understanding, as seen in the fifteen-minute discussion. Option A, Fishbowl, typically involves a small group discussing while others observe, which is not the case here. Option C, Think-pair-share, focuses on individual reflection followed by paired discussion, lacking the group dynamic present in this scenario. Option D, Literature circle, involves specific roles and tasks among students, which does not reflect the open-ended discussion format described.