praxis reading language arts 5002 practice test

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

Now the Wicked Witch of the West had but one eye, yet that was as powerful as a telescope, and could see everywhere. So, as she sat in the door of her castle, she happened to look around and saw Dorothy lying asleep, with her friends all about her. They were a long distance off, but the Wicked Witch was angry to find them in her country; so she blew upon a silver whistle that hung around her neck. At once there came running to her from all directions a pack of great wolves. They had long legs and fierce eyes and sharp teeth. -L. Frank Baum, from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Write the sentence in the passage that best identifies the motive of the Wicked Witch.
  • A. They were a long distance off, but the Wicked Witch was angry to find them in her country; so she blew upon a silver whistle that hung around her neck.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: They were a long distance off, but the Wicked Witch was angry to find them in her country; so she blew upon a silver whistle that hung around her neck.

The selected sentence clearly illustrates the Wicked Witch's motive, which is her anger at the presence of intruders in her territory. This emotion drives her to take action by using the silver whistle, indicating her desire to assert control over her domain. Option A, while similar, does not capture the full essence of her motive. It merely states her anger without highlighting her subsequent action, which reveals her intent to confront the intruders. Other options may not mention her feelings or actions at all, failing to connect her emotions to her behavior, thus missing the core of her motivation.

Other Related Questions

The author supports the claim that satellites do not last forever through the use of which of the following?
  • A. An anecdote about why satellites stop working when they do
  • B. Examples of the ways satellites stop working over time
  • C. A comparison of satellites to other common machines that stop working
  • D. Suggestions for ways to keep satellites working over time
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

The author effectively demonstrates that satellites do not last forever by comparing them to other common machines that also have limited lifespans. This comparison highlights the inevitability of wear and tear in technology, providing a relatable context for readers. Option A, an anecdote, may illustrate a specific instance but lacks the broader applicability needed to support the claim. Option B provides examples of satellite failures but does not frame them within a comparative context that strengthens the argument. Option D suggests preventive measures but does not address the inherent limitations of satellites, which is central to the claim.
Which of the following statements is true?
  • A. Sentences 1 and 2 are compound sentences.
  • B. Sentences 3 and 5 are complex sentences.
  • C. Sentence 1 is complex and sentence 4 is simple.
  • D. Sentence 2 is complex and sentence 6 is compound.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Option A accurately identifies that sentences 1 and 2 are compound sentences, which consist of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. This structure allows for the combination of related ideas, making the statement true. Option B incorrectly categorizes sentences 3 and 5 as complex. Complex sentences contain an independent clause and at least one dependent clause, which does not apply here. Option C misclassifies sentence 1 as complex; it is, in fact, compound. Additionally, sentence 4 is not simple, as it may contain additional clauses. Option D mistakenly labels sentence 2 as complex and sentence 6 as compound, which misrepresents their structures.
Children at the phonetic stage of spelling are most likely to do which of the following?
  • A. Show an understanding of sound-symbol relationships
  • B. Include all the necessary letters in a word, though some letters may be reversed
  • C. Use morphology to spell unfamiliar words
  • D. Learn irregular spelling patterns
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Children at the phonetic stage of spelling primarily demonstrate an understanding of sound-symbol relationships, as they rely on their knowledge of sounds to represent words phonetically. Option B is incorrect because, while children may include some letters, they often omit or misplace letters rather than reversing them. Option C is not applicable at this stage, as children typically do not use morphological knowledge to spell unfamiliar words; they focus on phonetics instead. Option D is also inaccurate, as children at this stage are still mastering basic phonetic spelling and generally struggle with irregular spelling patterns.
Place each of the following stages of writing development in order from beginning to most advanced.
  • A. Scribbling
  • B. Letter-like symbols
  • C. Strings of letters
  • D. Letter-sound correspondence
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D,C,B,A

Understanding the stages of writing development is crucial for recognizing how young learners progress. - **Letter-sound correspondence (D)** represents an advanced stage where children begin to connect sounds with specific letters, indicating a deeper understanding of language. - **Strings of letters (C)** follow, where children start to combine letters, even if not forming actual words, showing their grasp of letter formation and sequencing. - **Letter-like symbols (B)** come next; at this stage, learners create shapes that resemble letters but may not have consistent meanings. - **Scribbling (A)** is the initial stage, where children express themselves through random marks, laying the foundation for later writing. This progression highlights the increasing complexity of writing skills.