FAST Florida Assessment — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A scientific article about climate change includes a graph showing a steady increase in global average temperatures from 1880 to the present. The text discusses the correlation between rising CO2 levels and this temperature increase. What is the most likely purpose of including the graph?

To visually represent the data discussed in the text, making the trend easier to understand. (Correct answer)
To provide a decorative element to the article's layout.
To show that temperature increases are a natural, cyclical phenomenon.
To present the author's opinion about climate change in a visual format.

Correct answer: To visually represent the data discussed in the text, making the trend easier to understand.

In informational texts, graphs, charts, and other visual aids are used to present complex data in a way that is easy to comprehend and that supports the claims made in the text. The graph of rising temperatures visually reinforces the article's discussion of global warming.

Question 2: Read the following excerpt from a story. The old lighthouse stood on a jagged tooth of rock, a lonely sentinel against the churning gray sea. For fifty years, Elias had been its keeper. He knew the rhythm of the waves like his own heartbeat, the cry of the gulls as the voices of old friends. Tonight was his last watch. A new automated light, a sterile, pulsing eye of technology, was to be activated at dawn. He polished the great lens, its glass cool beneath his weathered hands. It wasn't just a lamp to him; it was a heart, and he was its final beat. The foghorn blew, a long, mournful sigh that seemed to echo the feeling in his own chest. Which of the following sentences best states a theme of the passage?

Lighthouses are essential for the safety of ships at sea.
The sea is a powerful and dangerous force.
Technological advancement inevitably leads to the displacement of tradition. (Correct answer)
Loneliness can be overcome by a dedication to one's work.

Correct answer: Technological advancement inevitably leads to the displacement of tradition.

The central theme revolves around the transition from the old, human-maintained tradition (Elias and his lighthouse) to the new, impersonal technology (the automated light). The passage contrasts Elias's deep, personal connection to his work with the 'sterile, pulsing eye' of the new machine, highlighting the sense of loss that comes with this type of progress. The other options are minor details or too general.

Question 3: Which of the following best describes the 'mood' of a literary text?

The author's attitude toward the subject matter
The main message the author wants to convey
The feeling or atmosphere the text creates in the reader (Correct answer)
The sequence in which events occur in the plot

Correct answer: The feeling or atmosphere the text creates in the reader

Mood is the emotional atmosphere of a text — the feeling it evokes in the reader, such as suspense, joy, or sadness.

Question 4: Read the following excerpt from a poem. The winter oak, a skeleton’s hand, Reaches for a sky of stone. Its gnarled fingers, bleak and bare, Remember sun they once had known. A lone crow lands, a spot of ink, And shifts upon the brittle wood, A silent, feathered question mark, By all the world misunderstood. Based on the poem's details, what can the reader infer about the speaker's feelings?

The speaker is angry about the harshness of winter.
The speaker feels a sense of hope for the coming spring.
The speaker is interested in the scientific study of birds.
The speaker is experiencing feelings of isolation and gloom. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The speaker is experiencing feelings of isolation and gloom.

The poem uses words with negative connotations like 'skeleton's hand,' 'sky of stone,' 'bleak and bare,' and 'brittle wood.' The crow is described as a 'spot of ink' and a 'misunderstood' question mark. This consistent use of imagery associated with emptiness, coldness, and misunderstanding suggests the speaker is projecting feelings of sadness and isolation onto the scene.

Question 5: A third-grade teacher, Ms. Daniels, notices several students are reading grade-level texts slowly and without expression, which impacts their comprehension. To improve their reading fluency according to Florida's B.E.S.T. standards, which strategy would be most effective?

Having students memorize the definitions of Tier 3 vocabulary words from the text.
Implementing repeated oral readings of a familiar passage with teacher feedback on prosody. (Correct answer)
Focusing exclusively on phonics drills for single-syllable words.
Assigning more independent, silent reading of complex, unfamiliar texts.

Correct answer: Implementing repeated oral readings of a familiar passage with teacher feedback on prosody.

Reading fluency, as defined by the B.E.S.T. standards, includes accuracy, automaticity (rate), and prosody (expression). The most effective, evidence-based strategy to develop all components of fluency is repeated oral reading of a text that the student can already decode with high accuracy. The teacher's feedback on prosody directly addresses the lack of expression.

Question 6: An online article argues that schools should implement later start times for high school students. Which of the following pieces of evidence would most effectively support the author's claim?

A quote from a student who enjoys sleeping in.
An anecdote from a teacher who feels more alert in the morning.
A study from the American Academy of Pediatrics linking adolescent sleep cycles to improved academic performance with later school start times. (Correct answer)
A chart showing the bus schedules for the local school district.

Correct answer: A study from the American Academy of Pediatrics linking adolescent sleep cycles to improved academic performance with later school start times.

To support a claim in an informational text, the strongest evidence is typically from a credible, expert source. A study from a professional medical organization like the American Academy of Pediatrics provides authoritative, research-based evidence, which is more persuasive than personal opinions or unrelated data.

Question 7: When an author reveals a character's thoughts and feelings directly to the reader, this technique is called:

Foreshadowing
Direct characterization (Correct answer)
Dialogue
Indirect characterization

Correct answer: Direct characterization

Direct characterization is when the author explicitly tells the reader about a character's personality, thoughts, or feelings.

Question 8: A swimming pool is being filled at a rate of 200 gallons per hour. How many gallons will be in the pool after 4.5 hours?

850 gallons
800 gallons
900 gallons (Correct answer)
950 gallons

Correct answer: 900 gallons

200 gallons/hour × 4.5 hours = 900 gallons.

Question 9: Maya is buying tickets for a carnival. The admission fee is a flat $10, and each ride ticket costs $1.50. Which expression represents the total cost for Maya to enter the carnival and buy r ride tickets?

10 + 1.50r (Correct answer)
10 - 1.50r
11.50r
10r + 1.50

Correct answer: 10 + 1.50r

The total cost is calculated by starting with the fixed admission fee ($10) and adding the variable cost of the ride tickets. The cost of the tickets is $1.50 multiplied by the number of rides (r), which is 1.50r. Therefore, the correct expression is 10 + 1.50r.

Question 10: The junior class of a local high school sold Candy Grams the week before Valentine's Day to raise money for the Prom. <br> <br> They raised: Monday - $98.25, Tuesday - $101.50, Wednesday - $155.00, Thursday - $137.75, and Friday - $201.50

$0.50
$1.00
$0.75
$0.25 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: $0.25

Total sales were $694. $694 ÷ 2776 = $0.25

Question 11: Which equation correctly demonstrates the distributive property of multiplication over addition?

12y × 1 = 12y
5 + (8 + 2) = (5 + 8) + 2
7(x + 3) = 7x + 21 (Correct answer)
4 × 9 = 9 × 4

Correct answer: 7(x + 3) = 7x + 21

The distributive property states that multiplying a number by a sum is the same as multiplying the number by each addend separately and then adding the products. In option B, the 7 is 'distributed' to both the x and the 3 through multiplication, resulting in 7x + 21. Option A shows the associative property, C shows the commutative property, and D shows the identity property.

Question 12: Read this sentence from a biography: 'Her rise through the company's ranks was meteoric; in just five years, she went from an entry-level assistant to the chief executive officer.' What is the meaning of the word 'meteoric' as it is used in this sentence?

Related to outer space
Unexpected and disastrous
Slow and steady
Very rapid and brilliant (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Very rapid and brilliant

The context clue 'in just five years, she went from an entry-level assistant to the chief executive officer' shows that her rise was extremely fast and impressive. Therefore, 'meteoric' is used figuratively to mean very rapid and brilliant, like a meteor streaking across the sky.

Question 13: Read the following excerpt from a story. I crept through the silent market, the moonlight turning the canvas stalls into pale ghosts. Every shadow seemed to hold a secret, and the gentle flap of an awning in the breeze sounded like a whispered warning. My goal was the baker’s stall at the far end, where a single loaf of bread, forgotten on the counter, represented a feast. My stomach ached with a hunger so deep it had become a dull, constant companion. From which narrative point of view is this passage written?

Third-person limited
First-person (Correct answer)
Second-person
Third-person omniscient

Correct answer: First-person

The passage is told from the first-person point of view. This is evident through the use of first-person pronouns like 'I,' 'My,' and the direct access to the narrator's personal thoughts and feelings ('My stomach ached...'). The reader experiences the events directly through the narrator's eyes.

Question 14: In an informative essay, what is the primary purpose of the introduction?

To summarize the conclusion
To introduce the topic and present a thesis statement (Correct answer)
To list all supporting details
To entertain the reader with a story

Correct answer: To introduce the topic and present a thesis statement

The introduction of an informative essay presents the topic and states the thesis, giving the reader a preview of the essay's focus.

Question 15: Read the following excerpt from a story. Liam traced the rim of the chipped teacup, the last of his grandmother’s set. His older sister, Clara, breezed into the kitchen, dropping a stack of mail on the table. 'Still moping over that old thing?' she asked, not unkindly. 'It’s just a cup.' Liam shook his head. 'It’s not just a cup,' he mumbled. 'It’s the feel of the handle, worn smooth where she held it. It’s the memory of her stories, the scent of cinnamon tea.' Clara paused, her expression softening. She picked up the cup, her fingers finding the same worn spot. 'I remember,' she said softly. 'She always said a story was just a memory you shared out loud.' How does Clara's perspective on the teacup change over the course of the passage?

She becomes angry that Liam is so focused on the past.
She decides that she should be the one to keep the teacup.
She shifts from viewing the cup as a simple object to understanding its sentimental importance. (Correct answer)
She remains convinced that the cup is just an object with no real value.

Correct answer: She shifts from viewing the cup as a simple object to understanding its sentimental importance.

Initially, Clara dismisses the teacup as an 'old thing' and 'just a cup,' indicating she sees only its physical, utilitarian value. However, after Liam explains its connection to their grandmother's memory and stories, her 'expression softening' and her quiet statement, 'I remember,' show she has come to understand and share in its sentimental value.

Question 16: Two angles are supplementary. If the measure of the first angle is 115°, what is the measure of the second angle?

25°
65° (Correct answer)
115°
245°

Correct answer: 65°

Supplementary angles are two angles whose measures add up to 180 degrees. To find the measure of the second angle, subtract the known angle from 180: 180° - 115° = 65°.

Question 17: What is the purpose of the editing stage in the writing process?

To correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization errors (Correct answer)
To choose a new topic
To generate new ideas for the essay
To reorganize the structure of the essay

Correct answer: To correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization errors

Editing focuses on correcting surface-level errors in mechanics such as grammar, spelling, and punctuation after the content has been revised.

Question 18: An informational text is structured with the following headings: I. The Problem: Plastic in Our Oceans II. A Major Source: Single-Use Plastics III. A Potential Solution: Biodegradable Alternatives IV. The Path Forward: Policy and Personal Responsibility What is the primary organizational structure of this text?

Chronological order
Compare and contrast
Problem and solution (Correct answer)
Cause and effect

Correct answer: Problem and solution

The headings clearly indicate that the text first identifies a problem (plastic in oceans), explores its cause (single-use plastics), and then proposes solutions (biodegradable alternatives, policy changes). This is a classic problem-and-solution structure.

Question 19: Read the following excerpt from a story. The old lighthouse stood on a jagged tooth of rock, a lonely sentinel against the churning gray sea. For fifty years, Elias had been its keeper. He knew the rhythm of the waves like his own heartbeat, the cry of the gulls as the voices of old friends. Tonight was his last watch. A new automated light, a sterile, pulsing eye of technology, was to be activated at dawn. He polished the great lens, its glass cool beneath his weathered hands. It wasn't just a lamp to him; it was a heart, and he was its final beat. The foghorn blew, a long, mournful sigh that seemed to echo the feeling in his own chest. In the sentence, 'The foghorn blew, a long, mournful sigh that seemed to echo the feeling in his own chest,' what is the primary effect of the figurative language?

It creates a suspenseful and dangerous mood.
It provides a technical description of how a foghorn operates.
It connects the sound of the foghorn to Elias's internal feelings of sadness. (Correct answer)
It establishes the loud volume of the foghorn.

Correct answer: It connects the sound of the foghorn to Elias's internal feelings of sadness.

The phrase 'a long, mournful sigh' is an example of personification and metaphor. It attributes a human-like expression of sadness to the foghorn. This directly reflects Elias's own sorrow about his last night, creating a powerful link between the external environment and his internal emotional state.

Question 20: A line plot shows the heights (in inches) of 8 plants: 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6. What is the mode?

5
3
6
4 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 4

The mode is the value that appears most often; 4 appears three times, more than any other value.

Question 21: A 13-foot ladder is leaning against a vertical wall. The bottom of the ladder is 5 feet from the base of the wall. How high up the wall does the ladder reach?

12 feet (Correct answer)
18 feet
8 feet
14 feet

Correct answer: 12 feet

The ladder, wall, and ground form a right triangle, with the ladder as the hypotenuse. The Pythagorean theorem, a² + b² = c², can be used to solve this. Here, c = 13 and b = 5. So, a² + 5² = 13², which is a² + 25 = 169. Subtracting 25 from both sides gives a² = 144. Taking the square root of 144 gives a = 12. The ladder reaches 12 feet up the wall.

Question 22: Which of the following foundational skills is considered a primary focus of the Florida B.E.S.T. Standards for ELA in the early elementary grades (K-2) to ensure students can access grade-level text?

Conducting short research projects.
Writing multi-paragraph argumentative essays.
Analyzing an author's purpose and perspective.
Explicit, systematic phonics instruction. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Explicit, systematic phonics instruction.

The Florida B.E.S.T. Standards for ELA place a strong emphasis on explicit and systematic phonics instruction in grades K-2 as the foundation for literacy. The ability to decode words through phonics is seen as essential for developing reading fluency and, ultimately, comprehension. The other skills are important but are typically emphasized in later grades after a solid foundational base is established.

Question 23: Which of the following is an example of a counterclaim in an argumentative essay about year-round school?

Year-round school improves academic performance.
Year-round school was introduced decades ago.
Some argue that year-round school eliminates students' needed rest, but research shows breaks can be scheduled throughout the year. (Correct answer)
Students attend school in many Florida counties.

Correct answer: Some argue that year-round school eliminates students' needed rest, but research shows breaks can be scheduled throughout the year.

A counterclaim acknowledges the opposing view before the writer refutes it, strengthening the overall argument.

Question 24: Read the following excerpt from a story. I crept through the silent market, the moonlight turning the canvas stalls into pale ghosts. Every shadow seemed to hold a secret, and the gentle flap of an awning in the breeze sounded like a whispered warning. My goal was the baker’s stall at the far end, where a single loaf of bread, forgotten on the counter, represented a feast. My stomach ached with a hunger so deep it had become a dull, constant companion. How does the author's choice of the word 'ghosts' to describe the market stalls affect the tone of the passage?

It creates a comical and lighthearted tone.
It establishes a scholarly and academic tone.
It develops an eerie and mysterious tone. (Correct answer)
It suggests a festive and celebratory tone.

Correct answer: It develops an eerie and mysterious tone.

The word 'ghosts' has connotations of the supernatural, emptiness, and the uncanny. By comparing the moonlit stalls to 'pale ghosts,' the author creates an eerie, mysterious, and slightly tense atmosphere. This is reinforced by other word choices like 'secret' shadows and 'whispered warning.'

Question 25: Read the following excerpt from a historical article: 'The construction of the Panama Canal was a monumental undertaking, fraught with challenges. French efforts in the 1880s were plagued by disease and financial problems, ultimately leading to their failure. The United States took over the project in 1904, and one of its first priorities was to control the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses like yellow fever and malaria. Dr. William Gorgas implemented sanitation programs that virtually eradicated these diseases from the canal zone, a critical step that enabled the workforce to proceed. The engineering feats were equally impressive, involving the creation of the massive Gatun Lake and a series of complex locks to lift ships over the continental divide.' Which of the following statements best summarizes the central idea of the passage?

The successful construction of the Panama Canal by the United States was dependent on both overcoming disease and achieving significant engineering feats. (Correct answer)
The primary challenge in building the Panama Canal was the engineering, such as creating Gatun Lake and the locks.
French and American engineers collaborated to build the Panama Canal.
Dr. William Gorgas was the most important figure in the construction of the Panama Canal.

Correct answer: The successful construction of the Panama Canal by the United States was dependent on both overcoming disease and achieving significant engineering feats.

This answer choice correctly synthesizes the two main points discussed in the text: the crucial role of sanitation and disease control, and the impressive engineering accomplishments. The other options are either inaccurate or focus on only one aspect of the passage.

Question 26: A student is writing about the importance of exercise and includes a statistic from the Centers for Disease Control. What writing technique is this?

Using a counterclaim
Using figurative language
Using a personal anecdote
Using evidence to support a claim (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Using evidence to support a claim

Citing a credible statistic from a reliable source is a standard technique for supporting a claim with evidence in argumentative or informative writing.

Question 27: A recipe requires 2 cups of flour. If a student wants to make 3 batches, how many cups of flour are needed in total?

5 cups
4 cups
6 cups (Correct answer)
8 cups

Correct answer: 6 cups

2 cups × 3 batches = 6 cups of flour total.

Question 28: A rectangular garden is 12 feet long and 8 feet wide. The owner wants to install a fence around the entire perimeter and cover the garden with a layer of topsoil. Which statement accurately describes the amount of fencing and topsoil needed?

40 feet of fencing and 96 square feet of topsoil are needed. (Correct answer)
40 feet of fencing and 20 square feet of topsoil are needed.
96 feet of fencing and 40 square feet of topsoil are needed.
20 feet of fencing and 96 square feet of topsoil are needed.

Correct answer: 40 feet of fencing and 96 square feet of topsoil are needed.

The amount of fencing required is the perimeter of the garden. The formula for the perimeter of a rectangle is P = 2(length + width). So, P = 2(12 ft + 8 ft) = 2(20 ft) = 40 feet. The amount of topsoil needed is the area of the garden. The formula for the area of a rectangle is A = length × width. So, A = 12 ft × 8 ft = 96 square feet.

Question 29: A student measures a desk and finds it is 1.2 meters long. How many centimeters is that?

12 cm
0.12 cm
1,200 cm
120 cm (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 120 cm

Since 1 meter = 100 centimeters, 1.2 meters × 100 = 120 centimeters.

Question 30: A roller coaster has a sign that reads, 'Riders must be at least 48 inches tall.' Which of the following inequalities correctly represents the height, h, in inches, that a person must be to ride?

h ≤ 48
h > 48
h < 48
h ≥ 48 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: h ≥ 48

The phrase 'at least 48 inches' means that a height of exactly 48 inches is allowed, as well as any height greater than 48 inches. The mathematical symbol for 'greater than or equal to' is ≥. Therefore, the inequality h ≥ 48 correctly represents the height requirement.

Question 31: Read the following excerpt from a passage about a city council meeting. 'While the mayor's speech was full of promises, his plans remained nebulous, offering no specific details on how the new programs would be funded or implemented. This lack of clarity left many council members feeling uncertain.' What does the word 'nebulous' most likely mean?

Long-term
Expensive
Unclear or vague (Correct answer)
Controversial

Correct answer: Unclear or vague

The correct answer is 'Unclear or vague'. The sentence provides direct context clues by stating the plans offered 'no specific details' and resulted in a 'lack of clarity,' which are hallmarks of something that is nebulous.

Question 32: Read the sentence from a movie review. 'The director’s attempt to juxtapose the serene beauty of the countryside with the chaotic violence of the war created a powerful and unsettling viewing experience.' In this context, the word 'juxtapose' means to:

analyze the differences between two things.
replace one thing with another.
combine into a single entity.
place different things side by side to create a contrasting effect. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: place different things side by side to create a contrasting effect.

The correct answer is 'place different things side by side to create a contrasting effect.' The sentence describes placing two opposite ideas—'serene beauty' and 'chaotic violence'—next to each other to highlight their differences and create a specific 'unsettling' effect.

Question 33: Which unit is most appropriate for measuring the volume of water in a swimming pool?

Gallons (Correct answer)
Milliliters
Liters
Cubic centimeters

Correct answer: Gallons

Gallons are the standard US customary unit used to measure large volumes of liquid like swimming pools.

Question 34: Kevin is creating a small birdhouse with a cube base using the following net with dimensions in inches. If each square of wood is equal and each triangle for the top is equal, how many square inches of wood does Kevin need?

160
155 (Correct answer)
185
130

Correct answer: 155

The surface area of the birdhouse net is calculated by summing the area of each panel: the five square faces of the cube base plus the two triangular roof panels. Using the given dimensions, the total comes to 155 square inches. The other values result from miscounting panels or using incorrect dimensions.

Question 35: When an author deliberately repeats a word, phrase, or structure for emphasis or effect, this device is called:

Repetition (Correct answer)
Assonance
Consonance
Onomatopoeia

Correct answer: Repetition

Repetition is when authors deliberately repeat words or phrases to emphasize an idea, create rhythm, or make an impression on the reader.

Question 36: Which of the following statements describes a property that is ALWAYS true for any rhombus?

All four angles are right angles.
The diagonals are equal in length.
All four sides are equal in length. (Correct answer)
Only one pair of opposite sides is parallel.

Correct answer: All four sides are equal in length.

By definition, a rhombus is a quadrilateral where all four sides have the same length. While some rhombuses (squares) have right angles and equal diagonals, this is not true for all rhombuses. A rhombus is a parallelogram, so both pairs of opposite sides are parallel.

Question 37: Oliver is grabbing a pencil from his backpack. He has 6 pencils in his backpack, 4 of which are mechanical and 2 of which are standard non-mechanical pencils. What is the probability that he will get a non-mechanical pencil if he selects randomly?

1/4
1/3 (Correct answer)
1/6
2/3

Correct answer: 1/3

There are 2 non-mechanical pencils out of 6 total, giving a probability of 2/6, which simplifies to 1/3. 1/6 would be the probability of picking one specific pencil, 1/4 doesn't reflect the actual ratio, and 2/3 is the probability of picking a mechanical pencil — the complement.

Question 38: Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of a persuasive text?

To present neutral facts about a historical event
To describe a sequence of steps in a process
To entertain readers with a fictional story
To convince the reader to adopt a viewpoint or take action (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To convince the reader to adopt a viewpoint or take action

Persuasive texts aim to influence the reader's opinions or actions by presenting arguments and evidence supporting a specific viewpoint.

Question 39: Which of the following best describes the author's purpose in a text that explains the process of photosynthesis, detailing the roles of sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide?

To persuade the reader to plant more trees.
To express feelings about the beauty of nature.
To inform the reader about a biological process. (Correct answer)
To entertain the reader with a story about a plant.

Correct answer: To inform the reader about a biological process.

The text's focus on explaining a scientific process (photosynthesis) by providing factual details and steps indicates that the author's primary purpose is to inform or explain. The other options (persuade, entertain, express feelings) do not align with the content described.

Question 40: Which algebraic expression correctly translates the verbal phrase '8 less than the product of a number, n, and 3'?

3n - 8 (Correct answer)
3(n - 8)
8 - 3n
8 < 3n

Correct answer: 3n - 8

First, identify 'the product of a number, n, and 3,' which translates to 3n. The key phrase 'less than' indicates subtraction, but it reverses the order of the terms. So, '8 less than' means you subtract 8 from the previously identified product. This results in the expression 3n - 8.

FAST Florida Assessment

The FAST (Florida Assessment of Student Thinking) measures student proficiency in ELA and Mathematics for grades 3-10, using computer-adaptive testing.

Questions

90 min

Time Limit

60%

To Pass

Checking for saved progress...

Exam Rules

You can skip questions and return to them later
Flag questions for review before submitting
No feedback shown until you submit the entire exam
Unanswered questions count as wrong — answer everything
10 pretest questions are mixed in and don't affect your score
Timer auto-submits when time runs out
Your progress is auto-saved every 30 seconds