Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (5752) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: The most appropriate way to communicate ongoing student progress to parents is through:

Regular, proactive updates throughout the term (Correct answer)
Public announcements at school events
Only the final report card
Communication only when problems become severe

Correct answer: Regular, proactive updates throughout the term

Regular, proactive communication keeps families informed and engaged in their child's learning.

Question 2: Which sentence demonstrates correct use of a possessive noun with a plural ending not in 's'?

The childrens' playground was renovated.
The childrens playground was renovated.
The children's playground was renovated. (Correct answer)
The children's' playground was renovated.

Correct answer: The children's playground was renovated.

Irregular plural nouns (like 'children') that don't end in 's' form possessives by adding 's (children's).

Question 3: Identify the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.

Neither the teacher nor the students was ready.
Neither the teacher nor the students is ready.
Neither the teacher nor the students has been ready.
Neither the teacher nor the students were ready. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Neither the teacher nor the students were ready.

With "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the nearer subject, "students."

Question 4: Which sentence best states an opinion rather than a fact?

Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius at sea level.
The mountain trail is the most beautiful hike in the region. (Correct answer)
The library opens at nine in the morning.
The report contains forty pages.

Correct answer: The mountain trail is the most beautiful hike in the region.

'Most beautiful' reflects a personal judgment that cannot be verified, marking it as opinion.

Question 5: Identify the sentence with correct use of a hyphen.

She is a well known author.
She is a well-known author. (Correct answer)
She is a wellknown author.
She is a well known-author.

Correct answer: She is a well-known author.

Compound modifiers before a noun are hyphenated.

Question 6: Select the correctly punctuated list.

She bought pencils, erasers and, paper.
She bought, pencils, erasers, and paper.
She bought pencils, erasers, and paper. (Correct answer)
She bought pencils erasers, and paper.

Correct answer: She bought pencils, erasers, and paper.

Items in a series are separated by commas, including before the final "and."

Question 7: A teacher is planning a field trip. The total cost of the trip is $1,200. The school will contribute $300, and the remaining cost will be split equally among the 25 students attending. If 5 more students decide to attend, by how much will the cost per student decrease?

$30
$6 (Correct answer)
$36
$8

Correct answer: $6

First, calculate the initial cost per student. The total cost for students is $1,200 - $300 = $900. With 25 students, the cost per student is $900 / 25 = $36. Next, calculate the cost per student with the additional students. The total number of students becomes 25 + 5 = 30. The cost per student is now $900 / 30 = $30. The decrease in cost per student is the difference between the original cost and the new cost: $36 - $30 = $6.

Question 8: A passage explains that drought led to crop failure, which then caused food prices to rise. This chain illustrates:

Cause and effect (Correct answer)
Alphabetical order
Compare and contrast
Definition and example

Correct answer: Cause and effect

Each event triggering the next forms a cause-and-effect chain.

Question 9: The following is a breakdown of a year-end test that includes math, science, and language arts questions: The language arts portion accounts for 30% of the overall score, while the math and science sections each account for 35% of the overall score. What is Marys' overall score if he received an 89 on the math exam, an 85 on the science section, and a 76 on the language arts section? Your answer should be rounded to the nearest whole number.

88
80
84 (Correct answer)
83

Correct answer: 84

To calculate the overall weighted score, multiply each section's score by its corresponding percentage weight and then sum the results. For Math (89 * 0.35 = 31.15), Science (85 * 0.35 = 29.75), and Language Arts (76 * 0.30 = 22.8), the total sum is 31.15 + 29.75 + 22.8 = 83.7. Rounding 83.7 to the nearest whole number gives an overall score of 84.

Question 10: Which development resulted from the influence of Christian fundamentalism on 20th century politics?

Promotion of gender equality
Emphasis on consumer culture
Focus on moral issues (Correct answer)
Establishment of welfare programs

Correct answer: Focus on moral issues

Christian fundamentalism, particularly in the latter half of the 20th century, significantly influenced politics by advocating for policies based on conservative moral and religious values. This led to a strong focus on issues such as abortion, prayer in schools, family values, and opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, often mobilizing voters around these specific moral concerns.

Question 11: A data set shows the following temperatures (°F) for one week: 72, 68, 75, 80, 72, 65, 72. What is the mode?

68
65
75
72 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 72

The mode is the value that appears most frequently. 72 appears three times, more than any other value.

Question 12: Which sentence is correctly punctuated with an appositive?

My brother, a teacher is arriving tomorrow.
My brother a teacher is arriving tomorrow.
My brother, a teacher, is arriving tomorrow. (Correct answer)
My brother a teacher, is arriving tomorrow.

Correct answer: My brother, a teacher, is arriving tomorrow.

A non-restrictive appositive is set off by commas on both sides. 'A teacher' is a non-restrictive appositive for 'my brother.'

Question 13: Which best describes a constructivist approach to instruction?

Students build understanding through active inquiry and experience (Correct answer)
The teacher dictates all answers
Learning is purely memorization
Students passively receive transmitted facts

Correct answer: Students build understanding through active inquiry and experience

Constructivism holds that learners actively construct knowledge through experience and inquiry.

Question 14: Identify the sentence with correct pronoun usage.

The principal spoke with her and me. (Correct answer)
The award went to she and her partner.
Between you and I, the test was easy.
Him and I finished the project.

Correct answer: The principal spoke with her and me.

Object pronouns "her" and "me" are correct after the preposition "with."

Question 15: Humanitarian responses to natural disasters led to the creation of what body?

United Nations
Commonwealth of Nations
Red Cross (Correct answer)
European Union

Correct answer: Red Cross

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement was founded in 1863 by Henry Dunant, inspired by the suffering he witnessed after the Battle of Solferino. Its primary mission is to provide humanitarian aid and protection to victims of armed conflict and natural disasters. Thus, it directly resulted from humanitarian responses to such crises.

Question 16: Inherited traits are passed from parents to offspring through what?

Environment
Genes (Correct answer)
Diet
Learned behavior

Correct answer: Genes

Genes carry hereditary information passed from parents to offspring.

Question 17: What does 'evidence-based practice' mean in the context of professional teaching?

Using strategies that colleagues say work, regardless of research support
Selecting and implementing instructional strategies that are supported by rigorous research evidence demonstrating effectiveness for student learning (Correct answer)
Using only teaching strategies that have been personally effective in the past
Following the recommendations of textbook publishers exactly

Correct answer: Selecting and implementing instructional strategies that are supported by rigorous research evidence demonstrating effectiveness for student learning

Evidence-based practice in education means choosing instructional strategies supported by rigorous, peer-reviewed research demonstrating positive student outcomes.

Question 18: A student walks 1/2 mile to school and then 3/4 mile to the library. How far does the student walk in total?

1 1/4 miles (Correct answer)
5/6 mile
1 1/2 miles
4/6 mile

Correct answer: 1 1/4 miles

1/2 + 3/4 = 2/4 + 3/4 = 5/4 = 1 1/4 miles.

Question 19: Which sentence correctly uses "lie" or "lay"?

I am going to lie down for a nap. (Correct answer)
I am going to lying down for a nap.
I am going to lay down for a nap.
I am going to laid down for a nap.

Correct answer: I am going to lie down for a nap.

"Lie" means to recline; "lay" requires a direct object.

Question 20: When should summative assessment typically occur?

Only when students request it
Before instruction begins
Continuously during a lesson
At the end of a unit or course (Correct answer)

Correct answer: At the end of a unit or course

Summative assessment evaluates cumulative learning at the conclusion of instruction.

Question 21: If Edgar eats 8 2/3 doughnuts in a week and Ellen eats 4 ½ doughnuts in a week, how many more doughnuts will Edgar have eaten?

4 1/2
3 1/5
4 1/6 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 4 1/6

To find out how many more doughnuts Edgar ate, subtract Ellen's amount from Edgar's: 8 2/3 - 4 1/2. Convert these mixed numbers to improper fractions: 26/3 - 9/2. Find a common denominator, which is 6, making the fractions 52/6 - 27/6. Subtracting gives 25/6, which converts back to the mixed number 4 1/6.

Question 22: A number is multiplied by 6 and then has 4 subtracted from it. The answer is 14. Which of the following equations matches these statements?

4x – 6 = 14
14 = 4 - 6x
6x – 4 = 14 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 6x – 4 = 14

Let 'x' represent the unknown number. The statement 'A number is multiplied by 6' translates to 6x. 'Then has 4 subtracted from it' means 6x - 4. Finally, 'The answer is 14' completes the equation as 6x - 4 = 14. This equation accurately represents the given word problem.

Question 23: Identify the missing term in the following geometric progression: 16, -4, 1, -¼ ....

- 2/6
2/6
1/16 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 1/16

In a geometric progression, each term after the first is found by multiplying the previous one by a fixed, non-zero number called the common ratio. To find the common ratio, divide any term by its preceding term: -4/16 = -1/4. To find the next term, multiply the last given term, -1/4, by the common ratio -1/4, which results in 1/16.

Question 24: The purpose of this passage is:

A: interrogation
B: persuasion
E: description (Correct answer)
C: exclamation
D: lamentation

Correct answer: E: description

The primary purpose of the passage is to create a vivid image of the windmill and its surroundings. By detailing its appearance, age, and the atmosphere it creates, the author aims to paint a picture for the reader, making description its main function.

Question 25: Why did farmers blame the tariff for their problems?"

E: they needed a scapegoat
B: the tariff prevented other countries from buying American goods (Correct answer)
D: they hated all taxes
A: the tariff made them sell their products to other countries
C: they couldn’t afford foreign products

Correct answer: B: the tariff prevented other countries from buying American goods

Farmers blamed the tariff because it made American goods more expensive for other countries to buy, leading to reduced demand for U.S. agricultural exports. While tariffs protected domestic industries, they could also provoke retaliatory tariffs from other nations, hindering American farmers' ability to sell their surplus crops abroad and contributing to low prices.

Question 26: A teacher wants to assess a student's ability to give a persuasive speech. Which assessment method is most appropriate?

Matching exercise
Performance assessment (Correct answer)
True/false quiz
Multiple-choice test

Correct answer: Performance assessment

Performance assessment evaluates students through demonstration of real-world skills like speaking.

Question 27: Which version corrects the faulty comparison? "Her essay was better than any student in the class."

Her essay was better than any other student's in the class. (Correct answer)
Her essay was better than any students in the class.
Her essay was more better than any student.
Her essay was better than any student in the class.

Correct answer: Her essay was better than any other student's in the class.

An essay must be compared to another essay, indicated by the possessive "student's."

Question 28: "If only he had listened to the words of his mother, he wouldn't be in this silly situation."

B: of his mother
D: this silly situation.
C: he wouldn’t be
A: If only he had
E: No error (Correct answer)

Correct answer: E: No error

The sentence is grammatically correct, using the proper conditional structure ("If only he had listened... he wouldn't be"). There are no issues with punctuation, word choice, or verb tense. Therefore, the sentence requires no correction.

Question 29: What is photosynthesis?

The process by which plants absorb water through their roots
The process by which animals convert food into energy
The process by which plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce glucose and oxygen (Correct answer)
The process by which bacteria decompose organic matter

Correct answer: The process by which plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce glucose and oxygen

Photosynthesis is the biological process in which plants (and some other organisms) use light energy to convert CO₂ and water into glucose and oxygen.

Question 30: Which of the following BEST describes 'universal design for learning' (UDL)?

A remediation approach used only after a student fails an assessment
A proactive framework providing multiple means of representation, engagement, and expression (Correct answer)
A standardized testing accommodation granted by an IEP
A curriculum designed exclusively for students with physical disabilities

Correct answer: A proactive framework providing multiple means of representation, engagement, and expression

UDL is a proactive instructional framework that offers flexible means of representation, action/expression, and engagement to benefit all learners.

Question 31: It went on raining, and every day it got a little higher.

raining on; and every day
on raining: and every day
on raining, and every day (Correct answer)
on raining, every day
raining on, and every day

Correct answer: on raining, and every day

The sentence consists of two independent clauses: "It went on raining" and "every day it got a little higher." These two independent clauses are correctly joined by the coordinating conjunction "and." According to standard punctuation rules, a comma should precede a coordinating conjunction when it connects two independent clauses, making option A the grammatically correct choice.

Question 32: Which of the following best describes 'sight words' (also called high-frequency words)?

Frequently occurring words that students should recognize instantly, including some with irregular spellings (Correct answer)
Words that only appear in academic texts
Words that are too difficult for early readers and should be avoided
Words that can always be sounded out phonetically without exception

Correct answer: Frequently occurring words that students should recognize instantly, including some with irregular spellings

Sight words are high-frequency words students should recognize automatically. Some are decodable (is, at, in); others have irregular spellings (the, said, come).

Question 33: The story is set in Boston, in colonial times when much of the land was undeveloped.

Boston, in colonial times: when
Boston in colonial times when
Boston, in colonial times, when (Correct answer)
Boston; in colonial times, when
Boston, in colonial times when"

Correct answer: Boston, in colonial times, when

The phrase "in colonial times" acts as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb "is set." The subsequent clause, "when much of the land was undeveloped," further describes "colonial times" and functions as a non-restrictive clause, providing additional, non-essential information. Therefore, a comma is needed before "when" to properly set off this descriptive clause, following standard punctuation rules for non-restrictive elements.

Question 34: Which choice corrects the pronoun case? "The principal gave the award to Maria and ___."

I
mine
myself
me (Correct answer)

Correct answer: me

The pronoun is the object of "to," so the objective case "me" is correct.

Question 35: The final competitors were Susan, that was considered the challenger, and Gail, the defending champion.

Susan, which was considered the challenger,
Susan, that was considered the challenger,
Susan, who was considered the challenger, (Correct answer)
Susan, whom was considered the challenger,
Susan, considered the challenger,

Correct answer: Susan, who was considered the challenger,

The original sentence incorrectly uses "that" to refer to a person (Susan). For people, the relative pronoun "who" is always the correct choice. "Who" properly introduces a non-restrictive clause providing additional information about Susan, making the sentence grammatically sound.

Question 36: Choose the sentence with correct modifier placement.

She drove almost her kids to school every day.
Almost she drove her kids to school every day.
She drove her kids to school almost every day. (Correct answer)
She almost drove her kids to school every day.

Correct answer: She drove her kids to school almost every day.

"Almost" should modify "every day," placing it closest to that phrase.

Question 37: Which sentence correctly uses 'its' vs. 'it's'?

Its raining outside.
The cat licked its paws. (Correct answer)
The school published it's newsletter.
The dog wagged it's tail.

Correct answer: The cat licked its paws.

'Its' (no apostrophe) is the possessive pronoun. Option D correctly uses 'its' to show possession.

Question 38: Which instructional approach uses letter tiles or magnetic letters to build and change words?

Vocabulary journaling
Sustained silent reading
Round-robin reading
Word building / manipulation (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Word building / manipulation

Manipulating letter tiles to make and change words is a hands-on word-building phonics activity.

Question 39: Mr. Davies gives his students a complex, multi-part project. To grade it, he uses a scoring tool that breaks down the assignment into separate criteria (e.g., research, organization, creativity, presentation) and provides a detailed description of what constitutes different levels of performance for each criterion. This assessment tool is known as a(n):

Checklist
Analytic rubric (Correct answer)
Anecdotal record
Holistic rubric

Correct answer: Analytic rubric

An analytic rubric is the most appropriate tool for this scenario. It is designed to evaluate multiple criteria of an assignment separately, providing distinct scores and detailed feedback for each component. This contrasts with a holistic rubric, which would provide a single, overall score.

Question 40: A teacher says 'cake' and asks students to change the /k/ to /l/. This phonemic awareness task is:

Phoneme blending
Syllable counting
Phoneme substitution (Correct answer)
Rhyme generation

Correct answer: Phoneme substitution

Replacing one phoneme with another to make a new word is phoneme substitution.

Question 41: Choose the sentence with consistent verb tense.

She open the door and walks inside.
She opened the door and walks inside.
She opens the door and walked inside.
She opened the door and walked inside. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: She opened the door and walked inside.

Both verbs are in the past tense, keeping the sentence consistent.

Question 42: Choose the sentence with the correct pronoun-antecedent agreement.

Each student must bring our own pencil.
Each student must bring his or her own pencil. (Correct answer)
Each student must bring their own pencil.
Each student must bring they own pencil.

Correct answer: Each student must bring his or her own pencil.

The singular antecedent "each student" requires the singular "his or her."

Question 43: Which shape has exactly one pair of parallel sides?

Trapezoid (Correct answer)
Rectangle
Rhombus
Square

Correct answer: Trapezoid

A trapezoid has exactly one pair of parallel sides.

Question 44: Which of the following correctly describes the process of natural selection?

Organisms can choose which traits they pass on to their offspring.
New species form when organisms deliberately change their behavior.
Organisms with traits better suited to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more, passing those traits on. (Correct answer)
All members of a species evolve at the same rate.

Correct answer: Organisms with traits better suited to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more, passing those traits on.

Natural selection: individuals with heritable traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, increasing the frequency of those traits over generations.

Question 45: A teacher asks students to identify the author's purpose in a public health pamphlet urging citizens to get vaccinated. What is the most likely purpose?

To describe the scientific process of vaccine development
To persuade readers to take a specific health action (Correct answer)
To entertain readers with stories about vaccines
To inform readers about the history of vaccines

Correct answer: To persuade readers to take a specific health action

A public health pamphlet urging a specific action (getting vaccinated) has a persuasive purpose — it wants to influence reader behavior.

Question 46: What does 'growth mindset' mean in the context of professional development for teachers?

The belief that professional abilities can be developed through dedication, learning from feedback, and embracing challenges (Correct answer)
The administrative evaluation system for measuring teacher growth
The belief that some students are naturally gifted and others are not
A specific curriculum for teaching students about brain science

Correct answer: The belief that professional abilities can be developed through dedication, learning from feedback, and embracing challenges

A growth mindset (Carol Dweck) for teachers means believing that professional skills and effectiveness can improve through effort, feedback, reflection, and continuous learning.

Question 47: Choose the sentence with correct parallel structure.

She likes to read, writing, and to jog.
She likes reading, writing, and jogging. (Correct answer)
She likes read, write, and jog.
She likes reading, to write, and jogging.

Correct answer: She likes reading, writing, and jogging.

All three items in the list use the same -ing gerund form for parallelism.

Question 48: In the sentence 'The policy was ostensibly designed to help, but it harmed many,' the word 'ostensibly' most nearly means:

Secretly
Permanently
Apparently or supposedly (Correct answer)
Accidentally

Correct answer: Apparently or supposedly

'Ostensibly' means apparently or as stated outwardly, often implying the appearance differs from reality.

Question 49: Which activity best develops phoneme segmentation?

Copying a sentence from the board
Identifying the main idea of a passage
Matching pictures to vocabulary words
Tapping out each sound in a word with counters (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Tapping out each sound in a word with counters

Using counters or taps to mark each sound helps students break a word into its individual phonemes.

Question 50: Which of the following units of measurement could no be used to report the length of a pencil?

millimeters
liters (Correct answer)
square meters

Correct answer: liters

Length is a one-dimensional measurement. Millimeters are units used to measure length. Liters, however, are units used to measure volume or capacity, typically for liquids. Therefore, liters cannot be used to report the length of a pencil, as they describe the amount of space a substance occupies, not its linear dimension.

Question 51: What is the purpose of a decodable text in early reading instruction?

To provide practice reading words that contain phonics patterns students have already been taught (Correct answer)
To assess reading comprehension of unfamiliar texts
To build background knowledge about various topics
To expose students to complex literary language before they can read independently

Correct answer: To provide practice reading words that contain phonics patterns students have already been taught

Decodable texts contain a high proportion of words built from phonics patterns students have been explicitly taught, allowing them to apply and practice decoding skills.

Question 52: If x + 7 = 15, what is the value of x?

7
8 (Correct answer)
9
22

Correct answer: 8

Subtracting 7 from both sides gives x = 8.

Question 53: When organizing a compare-and-contrast essay, which method presents all points about one subject before all points about the other?

Point-by-point method
Chronological method
Block method (Correct answer)
Spatial method

Correct answer: Block method

The block method organizes a compare-and-contrast essay by discussing all aspects of one subject first, then all aspects of the second subject.

Question 54: A teacher is preparing a lesson on identifying an author's tone. Which of the following sentences from a text would be the best example of a sentence with a sarcastic tone?

"Oh, fantastic. Another flat tire. That's exactly what I needed on my way to a job interview." (Correct answer)
"The sun shone brightly, warming the faces of the children as they played in the park."
"According to the study, 15% of participants showed improvement after the trial."
"The intricate network of ancient Roman roads is a testament to their engineering prowess."

Correct answer: "Oh, fantastic. Another flat tire. That's exactly what I needed on my way to a job interview."

Sarcasm is a form of verbal irony where the intended meaning is the opposite of the literal meaning, often used to convey contempt or mock. The sentence 'Oh, fantastic. Another flat tire...' expresses frustration and disappointment through words that literally mean the opposite, which is characteristic of a sarcastic tone.

Question 55: Which sentence demonstrates correct parallel structure?

She likes hike, swim, and biking.
She likes to hike, swimming, and biking.
She likes hiking, swimming, and to bike.
She likes hiking, swimming, and biking. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: She likes hiking, swimming, and biking.

All three items use the same gerund (-ing) form, maintaining parallelism.

Question 56: Identify the sentence with correct usage of "lie" or "lay."

Please lie the book on the table.
The dog laid in the sun all day.
I need to lie down for a nap. (Correct answer)
I need to lay down for a nap.

Correct answer: I need to lie down for a nap.

"Lie" means to recline and takes no object; "lay" requires an object.

Question 57: Which approach best demonstrates culturally responsive teaching?

Teaching about only the dominant culture's history and literature
Treating all students identically, regardless of cultural background
Incorporating students' cultural backgrounds, languages, and experiences as assets to enhance learning for all students (Correct answer)
Avoiding any discussion of culture in the classroom to stay neutral

Correct answer: Incorporating students' cultural backgrounds, languages, and experiences as assets to enhance learning for all students

Culturally responsive teaching (Gloria Ladson-Billings) incorporates students' cultural identities and experiences as relevant, valued resources that enrich learning for the entire class.

Question 58: Which vowel team correctly represents a long vowel sound?

'ou' in 'cloud'
'oo' in 'book'
'ea' in 'bread'
'ai' in 'rain' (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 'ai' in 'rain'

'Ai' in 'rain' is a vowel team that produces the long /eɪ/ sound. The others produce short or different vowel sounds in these specific words.

Question 59: Which reading strategy would best help a student comprehend a complex informational text on quantum physics?

Reading the text once without stopping
Annotating the text, noting questions, and looking up unfamiliar terms (Correct answer)
Reading only the conclusion
Skipping sections with unfamiliar vocabulary

Correct answer: Annotating the text, noting questions, and looking up unfamiliar terms

Active reading strategies — annotating, questioning, and defining unfamiliar terms — build comprehension of complex texts.

Question 60: Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?"

B: “The Great American Pioneers”
C: “The Life of Daniel Boone” (Correct answer)
A: “The Birth of Daniel Boone”
E: “Westward to the Pacific”
D: “Daniel Boone’s Parents”

Correct answer: C: “The Life of Daniel Boone”

If the passage covers details such as Daniel Boone's birth, his parents, and potentially other early life events or significant contributions, then 'The Life of Daniel Boone' would be the most comprehensive and fitting title. It suggests a broad overview of his existence rather than a specific event.

Question 61: An author summarizes opposing studies fairly before stating a position. This approach primarily makes the argument:

Impossible to understand
Purely fictional
More balanced and credible (Correct answer)
Less believable and biased

Correct answer: More balanced and credible

Fairly addressing opposing studies strengthens credibility by showing balanced reasoning.

Question 62: Which sentence uses "who" and "whom" correctly?

To whom should I address the letter? (Correct answer)
Who did you give the book to?
Whom is responsible for this?
Whom wrote this essay?

Correct answer: To whom should I address the letter?

"Whom" is the object of the preposition "to," so "To whom" is correct.

Question 63: What is the difference between kinetic energy and potential energy?

Kinetic energy comes from electricity; potential energy comes from chemical reactions.
Kinetic energy is stored energy; potential energy is energy of motion.
Kinetic energy is the energy of motion; potential energy is stored energy due to position or condition. (Correct answer)
They are the same type of energy at different temperatures.

Correct answer: Kinetic energy is the energy of motion; potential energy is stored energy due to position or condition.

Kinetic energy is the energy an object has due to its motion (KE = ½mv²). Potential energy is stored energy based on position, shape, or chemical state.

Question 64: Which of the following phrases is an example of simile?

B: “dark as ink” (Correct answer)
D: “a faint gleam of daylight”
A: “up against a tree”
D: “a faint gleam of daylight”
C: “pitch-black night”

Correct answer: B: “dark as ink”

A simile is a literary device that directly compares two different things using the words 'like' or 'as'. The phrase 'dark as ink' explicitly uses 'as' to draw a comparison between the degree of darkness and the color of ink. This makes it a clear example of a simile.

Question 65: Which of the following is a phoneme?

The syllable 'cat'
The word 'cat'
The letter 'c'
The sound /k/ in 'cat' (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The sound /k/ in 'cat'

A phoneme is the smallest unit of sound in a language. The /k/ sound is a phoneme — it is not a letter, word, or syllable.

Question 66: A scientific article describes a study with a sample size of 12 people. What should a critical reader note about this study?

Small samples are always more accurate than large ones.
The study is highly reliable because it involved real people.
The study is invalid because it should have used animals.
The small sample size limits how broadly the results can be generalized. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The small sample size limits how broadly the results can be generalized.

Small sample sizes reduce statistical power and limit the generalizability of findings to broader populations.

Question 67: A teacher wants students to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant details in a passage about photosynthesis. Which detail is IRRELEVANT?

The scientist who studied photosynthesis grew up in Germany. (Correct answer)
Chlorophyll is the green pigment that absorbs light.
Carbon dioxide is absorbed through tiny pores called stomata.
Photosynthesis requires sunlight to produce energy.

Correct answer: The scientist who studied photosynthesis grew up in Germany.

A scientist's birthplace has no bearing on how photosynthesis works. It is irrelevant to the scientific topic of the passage.

Question 68: What is the next term in the sequence 2, 6, 18, 54, ...?

72
216
108
162 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 162

Each term is multiplied by 3, so 54 × 3 = 162.

Question 69: The hard and soft sounds of 'c' depend on the letter that follows. 'C' is usually soft (/s/) when followed by:

e, i, or y (Correct answer)
a, o, or u
any consonant
a silent e only

Correct answer: e, i, or y

The letter 'c' typically makes the soft /s/ sound before e, i, or y, as in 'cent,' 'city,' and 'cycle.'

Question 70: What is the primary purpose of the conclusion in an argumentative essay?

To introduce new arguments not previously discussed
To restate the thesis and summarize how evidence supports it (Correct answer)
To provide additional evidence for the main claim
To list all sources used in the essay

Correct answer: To restate the thesis and summarize how evidence supports it

The conclusion restates the thesis and synthesizes how the body paragraphs' evidence supports the central argument.

Question 71: Which is the most reliable way to determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word in an informational text?

Guess based on how the word sounds
Assume it means the opposite of a nearby word
Skip it entirely and ignore the sentence
Use surrounding context clues and sentence logic (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Use surrounding context clues and sentence logic

Context clues within and around the sentence are the most dependable strategy for inferring word meaning.

Question 72: A text states a claim and then provides three studies that contradict it before concluding. The structure of this passage is best described as:

Spatial description
Simple definition
Claim and counterevidence (Correct answer)
Chronological sequence

Correct answer: Claim and counterevidence

Presenting a claim followed by evidence that contradicts it is a claim-and-counterevidence organization.

Question 73: Sigmund Freud claims that we often push unwanted ideas or urges into our unconscious to protect our ego. What is this defense mechanism called?

Reaction Formation
Repression (Correct answer)
Projection
Regression

Correct answer: Repression

According to Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory, repression is a fundamental defense mechanism where the ego unconsciously pushes distressing thoughts, memories, or urges out of conscious awareness into the unconscious mind. This process serves to protect the individual from anxiety or psychological pain associated with these unwanted ideas.

Question 74: Jerry invests in a 24-foot fence to keep his garden safe. He intends to create a rectangle garden. With this amount of fencing, what is the size of the largest rectangular garden Jim can create?

He cannot form a rectangle using that length of fencing.
Any rectangle he makes from a given length of fencing will have the same area.
36 square feet (Correct answer)
35 square feet

Correct answer: 36 square feet

The 24-foot fence represents the perimeter of the rectangular garden. For a fixed perimeter, a square encloses the maximum possible area. If the perimeter is 24 feet, then 2 * (length + width) = 24, meaning length + width = 12 feet. For a square, length equals width, so each side would be 6 feet (6 + 6 = 12). The area of this square garden would then be 6 feet * 6 feet = 36 square feet.

Question 75: What is the teacher's role in participating in school-wide professional development?

To attend only sessions that are directly relevant to their own subject area
To engage actively, apply new learning to practice, and contribute collegially to the school improvement process (Correct answer)
To evaluate the effectiveness of the professional development for the principal
To comply minimally since professional development is an administrative requirement

Correct answer: To engage actively, apply new learning to practice, and contribute collegially to the school improvement process

Professionalism requires genuine engagement in professional development — applying new learning, collaborating with colleagues, and contributing to the school's collective growth.

Question 76: Which transition word would best connect a cause to its result in an informational text?

For instance
Meanwhile
Similarly
Consequently (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Consequently

'Consequently' explicitly signals that what follows is a result of what came before.

Question 77: Choose the correct word: "The effect of the new policy was ___ on morale."

positive (Correct answer)
an affect
affect
effected

Correct answer: positive

"Positive" is an adjective correctly modifying the noun "effect."

Question 78: A teacher receives critical feedback from an administrator during an evaluation. The most professional response is to:

Ignore it and continue as before
Dismiss the feedback as unfair
File a complaint immediately
Listen, reflect, and create an improvement plan (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Listen, reflect, and create an improvement plan

Professionals accept feedback openly and use it to set goals for improvement.

Question 79: Identify the sentence with the correct verb tense.

By next year, she graduated.
By next year, she will graduate.
By next year, she will have graduated. (Correct answer)
By next year, she has graduated.

Correct answer: By next year, she will have graduated.

The future perfect "will have graduated" describes an action completed before a future point.

Question 80: The description of the windmill as "rheumatic and stiff in the joints from age" is an example of what literary device?"

E: assonance
D: simile
C: personification (Correct answer)
A: synecdoche
B: alliteration

Correct answer: C: personification

Personification is a literary device where human qualities or actions are attributed to inanimate objects or abstract ideas. Describing the windmill as 'rheumatic and stiff in the joints from age' gives it human ailments, making it a clear example of personification.

Question 81: What is fluency in the context of reading instruction?

The ability to sound out unfamiliar words
The ability to read silently without lip movement
The ability to read accurately, at an appropriate rate, and with expression (Correct answer)
The ability to comprehend complex texts

Correct answer: The ability to read accurately, at an appropriate rate, and with expression

Reading fluency encompasses accuracy (correct word recognition), rate (appropriate speed), and prosody (expression/phrasing that reflects meaning).

Question 82: What is the value of 4³?

12
64 (Correct answer)
16
81

Correct answer: 64

4³ = 4 × 4 × 4 = 64.

Question 83: Which of the following best describes the concept of 'academic integrity' in the context of teaching?

Restricting student collaboration to prevent cheating
Ensuring students always earn passing grades
Upholding honesty, fairness, and ethical conduct in all academic work — both for students and teachers (Correct answer)
Giving students the same test questions every year for consistency

Correct answer: Upholding honesty, fairness, and ethical conduct in all academic work — both for students and teachers

Academic integrity encompasses honesty, fairness, and ethical conduct in all aspects of academic work — applies to both students (plagiarism, cheating) and teachers (grading fairly, reporting accurately).

Question 84: A __________. often described as a centralized government, is one in which all the powers held by the government belong to a single, central agency.

presidential government
unitary government (Correct answer)
democratic government
parliamentary government

Correct answer: unitary government

A unitary government is defined by a single, central agency holding all governmental powers. This structure means that all authority and decision-making are concentrated at the national level, with any local or regional governments deriving their power from the central government. This perfectly matches the description of a centralized government.

Question 85: Which sentence correctly uses the semicolon with a conjunctive adverb?

The test was hard however; most passed.
The test was hard, however, most passed.
The test was hard; however, most passed. (Correct answer)
The test was hard, however most passed.

Correct answer: The test was hard; however, most passed.

A semicolon precedes "however" and a comma follows it when joining independent clauses.

Question 86: Which is the best example of a vowel team (vowel digraph)?

best
bump
bond
boat (Correct answer)

Correct answer: boat

'Boat' uses the vowel team 'oa,' two vowels working together to make one long /o/ sound.

Question 87: A teacher uses data from a formative assessment to adjust instruction mid-unit. What principle does this reflect?

Standardized testing accountability
Teaching to the test
Summative evaluation of student mastery
Data-driven, responsive instruction that uses student performance evidence to modify teaching in real time (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Data-driven, responsive instruction that uses student performance evidence to modify teaching in real time

Using formative assessment data to adjust ongoing instruction is a core principle of responsive, data-driven teaching — making instruction more effective for current student needs.

Question 88: What does 'assessment bias' most directly threaten?

Fairness and validity for certain groups (Correct answer)
The grading scale
Reliability of scoring
Length of the test

Correct answer: Fairness and validity for certain groups

Bias unfairly advantages or disadvantages groups, undermining fairness and validity.

Question 89: What is the law of conservation of energy?

Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transformed from one form to another. (Correct answer)
Energy is destroyed when objects stop moving.
Energy can be created by magnets but not by electricity.
Energy increases as objects move faster.

Correct answer: Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transformed from one form to another.

The law of conservation of energy states that the total energy in a closed system remains constant — energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted between forms.

Question 90: A reader encounters a headline that exaggerates while the article itself is measured. This mismatch should prompt the reader to:

Assume the article is fictional
Trust the headline over the article
Ignore the article completely
Read the full article before judging the claim (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Read the full article before judging the claim

Reading the full article guards against being misled by a sensational headline.

Question 91: A teacher wants to involve families who speak limited English. The most effective strategy is to:

Avoid contacting these families to prevent confusion
Send all communications in English only
Require parents to bring their own translators
Provide translated materials and interpreters when possible (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Provide translated materials and interpreters when possible

Providing translation and interpretation removes language barriers and promotes equitable family engagement.

Question 92: Which of the following is an example of a physical change?

Burning wood
Rusting iron
Cutting paper into pieces (Correct answer)
Baking a cake

Correct answer: Cutting paper into pieces

Cutting paper changes the shape and size but not the chemical composition — it is a physical change. Burning, rusting, and baking all produce new substances (chemical changes).

Question 93: In context, 'The evidence is compelling but not conclusive' suggests the author believes the evidence is:

Entirely false
Irrelevant
Strong yet incomplete (Correct answer)
Completely proven

Correct answer: Strong yet incomplete

'Compelling but not conclusive' means the evidence is persuasive but does not fully prove the point.

Question 94: Which sentence correctly uses "affect" as a verb?

The weather affect our plans badly.
The weather had no affect on plans.
The weather did not affect our plans. (Correct answer)
The weather did not effect our plans.

Correct answer: The weather did not affect our plans.

"Affect" is the verb meaning to influence.

Question 95: Why did the message have to be delivered that night?

B: so that the captain could get a good night’s sleep
C: so that the captain could brush his teeth
E: so that Edison could learn a lesson
D: so that Edison could earn his money
A: so that the captain could catch the morning train (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A: so that the captain could catch the morning train

The message had to be delivered that night because the captain needed the information to catch the morning train. This detail highlights the urgency of the task and the critical role Edison played in ensuring the captain's timely departure. The captain's travel schedule was dependent on the immediate delivery of the message.

Question 96: A teacher wants students to blend the sounds /s/ /t/ /o/ /p/ into 'stop.' This skill is best described as:

Phoneme blending (Correct answer)
Syllable deletion
Phoneme segmentation
Rhyming

Correct answer: Phoneme blending

Combining individual phonemes into a spoken word is phoneme blending.

Question 97: What is 7 × 8?

48
56 (Correct answer)
54
63

Correct answer: 56

7 multiplied by 8 equals 56.

Question 98: What lesson din Edison learn from this experience?

A: to be prepared (Correct answer)
C: to learn about animals
B: to always hold out for more money
E: to climb a tree
D: to buy extra lamp oil

Correct answer: A: to be prepared

Edison's experience, likely involving a challenging or unexpected situation during his delivery, taught him the importance of foresight and readiness. Being prepared for potential obstacles, such as needing extra help or supplies, is a common lesson derived from such adventurous or demanding tasks. This emphasizes the value of planning ahead.

Question 99: "Lester, a giant fro his age; was respected by all the other children."

E: No error
D: other children.
A: Lester
B: a giant for
C: age; was (Correct answer)

Correct answer: C: age; was

The phrase "a giant for his age" is an appositive, providing additional information about Lester. Appositives should be set off by commas, not semicolons, when they are non-essential. A semicolon incorrectly separates the subject ("Lester") from its verb ("was respected").

Question 100: What is the most research-supported sequence for introducing letter-sound correspondences to beginning readers?

Vowels first, then consonants
Random order based on letter frequency in text
Alphabetical order (a, b, c, d...)
High-utility, easily distinguishable letters first, moving to more complex patterns (Correct answer)

Correct answer: High-utility, easily distinguishable letters first, moving to more complex patterns

Effective phonics sequences introduce high-utility, easily distinguishable sounds first (like /s/, /a/, /t/) to enable early reading of simple words, avoiding visually or acoustically similar letters simultaneously.

Question 101: When he emerged from the pool, wondering how good he had done, he immediately looked to the clock.

done wondering he had done well,
wondering how well he had done, (Correct answer)
wondering how good he had done,
wondering if he had done good,
wondering well, had he done good,

Correct answer: wondering how well he had done,

The original sentence incorrectly uses the adjective "good" to modify the verb "done." To describe the manner in which an action was performed, an adverb is required. "Well" is the correct adverb to modify the verb "done," indicating the quality of his performance. Therefore, "wondering how well he had done" is the grammatically correct phrasing.

Question 102: To determine the weight of a bowling ball, which unit should be used?

kilogram (Correct answer)
milliliter
centimeter
meter

Correct answer: kilogram

The kilogram is the standard unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI), which is commonly used to measure the 'weight' (more accurately, mass) of objects in everyday contexts. A bowling ball is a relatively heavy object, making the kilogram an appropriate and practical unit for its measurement. Other options like milliliter, centimeter, and meter are units for volume and length, not mass or weight.

Question 103: Which technological advancement has had greatest impact on globalization?

Assembly line
Wi-fi
Internet communications (Correct answer)
Satellite GPS

Correct answer: Internet communications

Internet communications have fundamentally transformed the speed and ease of global interaction, facilitating instant exchange of information, ideas, and goods across borders. This pervasive connectivity has dramatically accelerated international trade, cultural exchange, and the spread of knowledge. Its comprehensive reach and transformative impact on nearly all aspects of global interaction make it the most significant driver of globalization.

Question 104: Which sentence corrects the sentence fragment?

Because the students worked hard, they passed. (Correct answer)
Because the students worked hard.
Worked hard the students.
The students worked hard. Because of effort.

Correct answer: Because the students worked hard, they passed.

Adding an independent clause completes the thought and fixes the fragment.

Question 105: What does it mean to 'analyze' an informational text?

To translate the text into simpler language
To read the text one time quickly
To examine how elements of the text work together to create meaning (Correct answer)
To copy the main points word for word

Correct answer: To examine how elements of the text work together to create meaning

Analysis involves examining how components of a text — structure, language, evidence, purpose — function together to produce meaning.

Question 106: "He wasn't going to not say anything, until it became clear that this would be impossible."

C: it became
B: say anything
E: No error
A: wasn’t (Correct answer)
D: impossible.

Correct answer: A: wasn’t

The sentence contains a double negative: "wasn't going to not say anything." This construction is grammatically incorrect and confusing, as two negatives cancel each other out, implying the opposite of the intended meaning. To correct it, one of the negatives should be removed, for example, by changing "wasn't" to "was" or removing "not say anything" and replacing it with a positive action.

Question 107: A student summarizes an informational article. Which is the most important criterion for a good summary?

Making the summary longer than the original
Including as many details as possible
Capturing the central idea and key supporting points in the student's own words (Correct answer)
Using the same vocabulary as the original text

Correct answer: Capturing the central idea and key supporting points in the student's own words

A good summary captures the central idea and main support without copying the text or including unnecessary details.

Question 108: Which sentence uses apostrophes correctly?

The student's notebook were on the desk.
The student's notebook's were on the desk.
The students notebook's were on the desk.
The students' notebooks were on the desk. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The students' notebooks were on the desk.

When a noun is plural and possessive, the apostrophe comes after the 's'. 'Students'' indicates possession by multiple students.

Question 109: A parent-teacher conference is most productive when the teacher:

Speaks for the entire time without pausing
Focuses only on the student's deficits
Compares the student to classmates
Begins with strengths and partners on solutions (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Begins with strengths and partners on solutions

Effective conferences highlight strengths and engage families as partners in problem-solving.

Question 110: What is the difference between decoding and encoding in reading instruction?

Decoding involves comprehension; encoding involves phonics.
Decoding and encoding are the same skill.
Decoding is reading (sounding out words); encoding is spelling (writing sounds as letters). (Correct answer)
Decoding is spelling; encoding is reading.

Correct answer: Decoding is reading (sounding out words); encoding is spelling (writing sounds as letters).

Decoding is converting printed letters into spoken sounds (reading). Encoding is converting spoken sounds into written letters (spelling).

Question 111: Which verb tense is correct in the following sentence? 'By the time the bell rings, the students _____ their exams.'

have finished
finished
will have finished (Correct answer)
will finish

Correct answer: will have finished

The future perfect tense ('will have finished') is used to show an action that will be completed before a specific future time.

Question 112: What is a 'schwa' sound?

A consonant sound that is always silent
A vowel sound that only occurs in closed syllables
A long vowel sound in a stressed syllable
The reduced, unstressed vowel sound /ə/ found in unstressed syllables (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The reduced, unstressed vowel sound /ə/ found in unstressed syllables

The schwa (/ə/) is the most common vowel sound in English — a reduced, unstressed 'uh' sound that appears in unstressed syllables (e.g., 'a' in 'about,' 'e' in 'taken').

Question 113: Which sentence correctly uses a hyphen?

She is a well known author.
Well known authors inspire readers.
The author is well-known.
She is a well-known author. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: She is a well-known author.

Compound modifiers before a noun are hyphenated. 'Well-known' modifies 'author' and precedes it, so a hyphen is required.

Question 114: When adding fractions with dissimilar denominators, the common denominator should be the least common multiple of the denominators. When adding the fractions 5/6 and 7/9, what common denominator should you use

30
18 (Correct answer)
10
35

Correct answer: 18

To find the least common denominator for fractions, you need to find the least common multiple (LCM) of their denominators. For the fractions 5/6 and 7/9, the denominators are 6 and 9. The multiples of 6 are 6, 12, 18, 24, etc., and the multiples of 9 are 9, 18, 27, etc. The smallest number that appears in both lists is 18, making it the least common denominator.

Question 115: What is the difference between inherited and acquired traits?

Inherited traits are passed from parents through genes; acquired traits are developed through experience or environment. (Correct answer)
They are the same — all traits come from parents.
Inherited traits include behavior; acquired traits include physical features.
Inherited traits are learned; acquired traits are genetic.

Correct answer: Inherited traits are passed from parents through genes; acquired traits are developed through experience or environment.

Inherited traits are encoded in DNA and passed from parents to offspring. Acquired traits develop through experience, learning, or environmental influence and are not passed to offspring genetically.

Question 116: Which sentence corrects the comma splice? "The experiment failed, the hypothesis was wrong."

The experiment, failed the hypothesis was wrong.
The experiment failed, the hypothesis, was wrong.
The experiment failed; the hypothesis was wrong. (Correct answer)
The experiment failed the hypothesis was wrong.

Correct answer: The experiment failed; the hypothesis was wrong.

A semicolon correctly joins two related independent clauses.

Question 117: A teacher introduces word families such as -at, -an, and -ap. This approach primarily builds skill with:

Diphthongs
Onset and rime (Correct answer)
Morphological analysis
Syllable stress

Correct answer: Onset and rime

Word families teach rimes, helping students decode by analogy using the onset and rime structure.

Question 118: What is the primary purpose of a thesis statement in an argumentative essay?

To summarize the entire essay
To introduce background information
To list supporting evidence
To state the writer's main claim and position (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To state the writer's main claim and position

A thesis statement presents the writer's central argument or position that will be supported throughout the essay.

Question 119: A test item is answered correctly by 95% of students. What does this high difficulty index suggest?

The item is biased
The item is very easy (Correct answer)
The item is unreliable
The item is very hard

Correct answer: The item is very easy

A high p-value (proportion correct) indicates the item is easy for most students.

Question 120: A teacher checks understanding by having all students show answers on whiteboards. This is an example of:

Curriculum alignment
Formative assessment (Correct answer)
Summative grading
Standardized testing

Correct answer: Formative assessment

Whiteboard responses give immediate feedback on understanding, a hallmark of formative assessment.

Question 121: Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly?

The dog wagged its' tail happily.
The dog wagged its tail happily. (Correct answer)
The dog wagged it's tail happily.
The dog wagged its's tail happily.

Correct answer: The dog wagged its tail happily.

"Its" is the possessive form; "it's" means "it is."

Question 122: Which word best signals a compare-and-contrast text structure?

As a result
Therefore
However (Correct answer)
Consequently

Correct answer: However

'However' signals contrast between two ideas, which is characteristic of compare-and-contrast text structure.

Question 123: Which sentence uses "who" or "whom" correctly?

Whom is responsible for the supplies?
Who did you give the supplies to?
Who is responsible for the supplies? (Correct answer)
To who should I report?

Correct answer: Who is responsible for the supplies?

"Who" is the subject of the verb "is," so it is correct.

Question 124: To find the central idea of a multi-paragraph article, a reader should look for:

The longest single sentence
The point all paragraphs work together to support (Correct answer)
Any unusual vocabulary term
Only the first word of each paragraph

Correct answer: The point all paragraphs work together to support

The central idea is the overarching point that every paragraph collectively develops.

Question 125: What is the primary gas that plants take in for photosynthesis?

Hydrogen
Carbon dioxide (Correct answer)
Nitrogen
Oxygen

Correct answer: Carbon dioxide

Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen during photosynthesis.

Question 126: A teacher conducts a running record and finds that a student reads 95 out of 100 words correctly. What reading level is this?

Frustration level
Independent level
Mastery level
Instructional level (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Instructional level

An accuracy rate of 90-94% indicates instructional level. 95-100% is independent; below 90% is frustration level.

Question 127: Which sentence demonstrates the most precise and formal academic writing style?

Everyone knows pollution is bad.
The data clearly indicates a significant correlation between emissions and temperature rise. (Correct answer)
This stuff totally proves my point about climate.
We should all care about the environment a lot.

Correct answer: The data clearly indicates a significant correlation between emissions and temperature rise.

Precise, formal academic writing uses specific terminology, avoids colloquialisms, and presents evidence objectively.

Question 128: When a writer uses statistical data and logical reasoning to support a claim, which rhetorical appeal are they primarily employing?

Pathos
Kairos
Logos (Correct answer)
Ethos

Correct answer: Logos

Logos appeals to the audience's reason and logic, often using facts, statistics, and logical arguments as evidence.

Question 129: An animal with a backbone is classified as which of the following?

Vertebrate (Correct answer)
Invertebrate
Arthropod
Mollusk

Correct answer: Vertebrate

Vertebrates are animals that possess an internal backbone or spine.

Question 130: Which assessment best measures a student's phonics decoding skill while controlling for sight-word memorization?

Nonsense (pseudo) word reading (Correct answer)
Reading a familiar storybook
A spelling test of high-frequency words
An oral vocabulary interview

Correct answer: Nonsense (pseudo) word reading

Nonsense words cannot be memorized, so they isolate a student's ability to apply phonics rules.

Question 131: A text about the benefits of exercise includes the sentence: 'Exercise is the most important factor in maintaining good health.' What type of claim is this?

A proven medical fact
An absolute claim that may be an overstatement (Correct answer)
A qualified claim with appropriate hedging
A fact supported by universal scientific consensus

Correct answer: An absolute claim that may be an overstatement

Calling exercise 'the most important factor' is an absolute claim that oversimplifies health, ignoring nutrition, genetics, sleep, and other factors.

Question 132: Which of the following factors did NOT drive crop prices down after the Civil War?"

B: advances in transportation
D: advances in communication
C: decrease in supply (Correct answer)
A: increase in supply
E: None of the above.

Correct answer: C: decrease in supply

A decrease in supply, assuming demand remains constant, typically leads to an *increase* in prices, not a decrease. Factors like an increase in supply, advances in transportation (making goods cheaper to move), and advances in communication (improving market efficiency) would all contribute to driving crop prices down after the Civil War.

Question 133: What does it mean to make an inference from an informational text?

Drawing a logical conclusion based on evidence and reasoning (Correct answer)
Repeating information that is directly stated in the text
Finding errors in the author's argument
Summarizing the text in your own words

Correct answer: Drawing a logical conclusion based on evidence and reasoning

Inference involves reading between the lines — using stated evidence plus prior knowledge to draw conclusions not explicitly stated.

Question 134: Choose the sentence where the modifier is correctly placed.

Only I eat vegetables on Tuesdays.
I eat vegetables only on Tuesdays. (Correct answer)
I only eat vegetables on Tuesdays.
I eat only vegetables on Tuesdays.

Correct answer: I eat vegetables only on Tuesdays.

Option D places 'only' directly before 'on Tuesdays,' clarifying that the restriction is about the day, not the food.

Question 135: Which of Newton's laws states that an object at rest remains at rest unless acted upon by an outside force?

Newton's Second Law (F = ma)
Newton's Third Law (Action-Reaction)
Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation
Newton's First Law (Law of Inertia) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Newton's First Law (Law of Inertia)

Newton's First Law (Law of Inertia) states that an object will remain in its current state of motion unless acted upon by an unbalanced external force.

Question 136: Which word best describes the villagers' attitude to the mill?

A: loyal (Correct answer)
C: reverent
E: apathetic
D: calm
B: annoyed

Correct answer: A: loyal

If the windmill is described with human-like qualities and is an old, established part of the community, it suggests a deep-seated connection and affection from the villagers. This implies a sense of loyalty, as they likely view the mill as a venerable and integral part of their heritage and daily lives.

Question 137: At seventeen he shipped as a cabin boy, bound for Liverpool.

a cabin boy: bound for
a cabin boy, bound for" (Correct answer)
a cabin boy; bound
a cabin boy—bound for
a cabin boy—for bound

Correct answer: a cabin boy, bound for"

The phrase "bound for Liverpool" is a non-restrictive participial phrase that provides additional, descriptive information about the "cabin boy." Since this information is not essential to the meaning of the main clause, it should be set off by a comma. The comma correctly separates the descriptive phrase from the rest of the sentence, following standard punctuation rules for non-essential elements.

Question 138: Solve 3 1/5 x 5 =

16 (Correct answer)
10 5/15
13

Correct answer: 16

To solve this multiplication problem, first convert the mixed number 3 1/5 into an improper fraction. This is done by multiplying the whole number (3) by the denominator (5) and adding the numerator (1), keeping the same denominator, which yields 16/5. Then, multiply 16/5 by 5. The 5 in the numerator and the 5 in the denominator cancel each other out, leaving 16 as the result.

Question 139: Choose the sentence with correct usage of "good" or "well."

She sings very good.
She did good on the test, well done.
She sings very well. (Correct answer)
The soup tastes well.

Correct answer: She sings very well.

"Well" is an adverb modifying the verb "sings."

Question 140: Which strategy best supports differentiated instruction in a mixed-ability classroom?

Lecturing for the entire period
Offering tiered tasks at varying complexity (Correct answer)
Giving every student the identical worksheet
Grading only on final exams

Correct answer: Offering tiered tasks at varying complexity

Tiered tasks let students work at appropriate challenge levels while pursuing the same objective.

Question 141: Him and his sister ran and ran, but they could not seem to get away from the pack of dogs."

A: Him and his sister (Correct answer)
B: ran and ran
C: could not seem
D: pack of dogs.
E: No error

Correct answer: A: Him and his sister

The original sentence incorrectly uses the objective pronoun "Him" as part of the compound subject. As subjects of a sentence, pronouns should be in the nominative case, so "He" is required instead of "Him." The correct phrasing would be "He and his sister."

Question 142: Which assessment type is MOST useful for identifying specific skill gaps and guiding immediate instructional decisions for a student with a learning disability?

Norm-referenced standardized tests
Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM) (Correct answer)
Intelligence quotient (IQ) tests
Summative state assessments

Correct answer: Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM)

CBM provides frequent, brief, standardized probes of academic skills that are directly tied to the curriculum, making data immediately actionable for instructional planning.

Question 143: Which choice corrects the verb tense? "By the time class ended, the teacher ___ the entire lesson."

will cover
covering
covers
had covered (Correct answer)

Correct answer: had covered

The past perfect "had covered" shows an action completed before another past event.

Question 144: From this passage, we can infer that Edison:

D: read the newspaper every day.
A: knew all about animals.
B: hated the other boy.
E: could not climb a tree.
C: lived in a city. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: C: lived in a city.

Working as a newsboy, especially one who would 'fetch the captain' for a shipping company, strongly implies that Edison lived in an urban area or a town with a port. These activities are characteristic of a city environment, where newspapers are distributed and shipping operations are concentrated.

Question 145: Select the sentence with correct verb agreement: "Each of the questions ___ worth two points."

being
were
are
is (Correct answer)

Correct answer: is

"Each" is singular, so the singular verb "is" is correct.

Question 146: A student confides in a teacher that they are being physically abused at home. What is the teacher's legal and ethical obligation?

Consult with colleagues before deciding whether to report.
Report the suspected abuse to the appropriate authorities or child protective services immediately. (Correct answer)
Speak with the parents before contacting authorities.
Keep the information confidential to maintain the student's trust.

Correct answer: Report the suspected abuse to the appropriate authorities or child protective services immediately.

Teachers are mandated reporters — they are legally required to report suspected child abuse or neglect to authorities immediately. Confidentiality does not apply in cases involving student safety.

Question 147: Which sentence uses the correct form of "there," "their," or "they're"?

Their going to the library after school.
They're going to the library after school. (Correct answer)
They're books are on the shelf.
There going to the library after school.

Correct answer: They're going to the library after school.

"They're" is the contraction of "they are," which fits the sentence.

Question 148: Which word is the correct choice? "The new policy will ____ all employees."

effect
affect (Correct answer)
effected
affects

Correct answer: affect

"Affect" is a verb meaning to influence; "effect" is usually a noun.

Question 149: A student writes 'becuz' for 'because.' This invented spelling shows the student is:

Applying phonetic spelling based on sounds heard (Correct answer)
Reading above grade level
Unable to hear any phonemes
Confusing letter names with letter sounds

Correct answer: Applying phonetic spelling based on sounds heard

The spelling 'becuz' maps reasonably to the sounds in the word, showing phonemic awareness applied to spelling.

Question 150: Which word pair best illustrates a minimal pair useful for teaching phoneme discrimination?

bat / pat (Correct answer)
house / home
big / large
run / running

Correct answer: bat / pat

'Bat' and 'pat' differ by a single phoneme, making them a minimal pair for practicing sound discrimination.

Question 151: Which text structure is used in an article that explains what caused a decrease in reading scores and what resulted from it?

Cause and effect (Correct answer)
Compare and contrast
Description
Problem and solution

Correct answer: Cause and effect

Cause-and-effect text structure explains why something happened (cause) and what happened as a result (effect).

Question 152: What is the 'simple view of reading'?

Reading comprehension = vocabulary + background knowledge
Reading = memorization of sight words
Reading = phonics + fluency only
Reading comprehension = decoding × language comprehension (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Reading comprehension = decoding × language comprehension

The simple view of reading (Gough & Tunmer, 1986) states that reading comprehension is the product of decoding ability and language comprehension.

Question 153: What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

They produce energy from sunlight
They prey on secondary consumers
They consume living plants as herbivores
They break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients back into the environment (Correct answer)

Correct answer: They break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients back into the environment

Decomposers (fungi, bacteria) break down dead organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the soil and environment, completing the nutrient cycle.

Question 154: Choose the sentence with correct capitalization.

we studied the civil war in history class.
We studied the Civil War in History class.
We studied the civil war in History class.
We studied the Civil War in history class. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: We studied the Civil War in history class.

"Civil War" is a proper noun, but the general subject "history" is not capitalized.

Question 155: Which sentence corrects the comma splice?

It was raining we stayed, inside.
It was raining, we stayed inside.
It, was raining we stayed inside.
It was raining, so we stayed inside. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It was raining, so we stayed inside.

Adding the coordinating conjunction "so" fixes the comma splice.

Question 156: " I didn't hear you." she exclaimed.

hear you:” she
hear you!” she
hear you.” she
hear you,” she (Correct answer)
hear you.” She

Correct answer: hear you,” she

When a quotation is followed by a speaker tag (like "she exclaimed") that is part of the same sentence, the punctuation mark ending the quotation should be a comma, placed inside the closing quotation mark. The original sentence incorrectly uses a period, which would indicate the end of the sentence before the tag. Changing the period to a comma correctly integrates the quotation with the speaker tag.

Question 157: Identify the sentence that is correctly punctuated.

After the rain stopped we went outside.
After the rain stopped, we went outside. (Correct answer)
After, the rain stopped we went outside.
After the rain, stopped we went outside.

Correct answer: After the rain stopped, we went outside.

An introductory dependent clause is followed by a comma.

Question 158: A student consistently reverses 'b' and 'd' when reading. The most appropriate response is to:

Move the student to a higher reading level
Discontinue all phonics work
Provide explicit multisensory practice distinguishing the two letters (Correct answer)
Assume the student has a vision impairment requiring no instruction

Correct answer: Provide explicit multisensory practice distinguishing the two letters

Letter reversals are common and best addressed with explicit, multisensory practice differentiating the letters.

Question 159: Choose the version with correct pronoun agreement: "Each student must submit ___ portfolio by Friday."

there
their
his or her (Correct answer)
they're

Correct answer: his or her

"Each student" is singular, so the matching pronoun is "his or her."

Question 160: "Once you get the hang of it, surfing is one of the funnest activities around."

E: No error
"B: hang of it, "
C: funnest (Correct answer)
D: around.
A: Once you

Correct answer: C: funnest

"Funnest" is an informal and non-standard superlative form. The correct superlative for "fun" is "most fun." While "funnest" is sometimes used colloquially, in formal writing, "most fun" is preferred to maintain grammatical correctness.

Question 161: What does it mean when a text includes a counterargument?

The text contains factual errors.
The author has changed their position.
The author disagrees with the main claim of the text.
The author acknowledges an opposing viewpoint before rebutting it. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The author acknowledges an opposing viewpoint before rebutting it.

A counterargument is an opposing view that the author presents and then addresses or refutes to strengthen their overall argument.

Question 162: A teacher wants to introduce multiplication using equal groups. Which problem best illustrates this concept?

If apples cost $6 each, how much change from $10?
What is 6 more than 4?
If there are 4 bags with 6 apples each, how many apples total? (Correct answer)
Share 24 apples equally among 6 friends.

Correct answer: If there are 4 bags with 6 apples each, how many apples total?

The equal groups model of multiplication: 4 bags × 6 apples each = 4 groups of 6 = 24. This directly models multiplication as repeated equal groups.

Question 163: A teacher serves on a curriculum committee that is selecting a new reading program. What is the most professional approach to decision-making?

Select the program with the lowest cost, regardless of effectiveness.
Defer all decisions to the principal.
Review evidence on program effectiveness, consider diverse student needs, and make data-driven recommendations collaboratively. (Correct answer)
Advocate strongly for the program preferred by the most senior teacher.

Correct answer: Review evidence on program effectiveness, consider diverse student needs, and make data-driven recommendations collaboratively.

Professional collaborative decision-making uses evidence — research on program effectiveness and student outcome data — and considers the full range of student needs.

Question 164: It is a great glory to always be sitting among friends and kinfolk.

A: great glory
C: among friends
E: No error
D: kinfolk.
B: to always be (Correct answer)

Correct answer: B: to always be

The phrase "to always be sitting" is an example of a split infinitive, where the adverb "always" is placed between "to" and the base verb "be." While sometimes acceptable in informal speech, in formal writing, it is generally preferred to keep the infinitive intact. The more grammatically conventional phrasing would be "to be always sitting" or "always to be sitting."

Question 165: Read the sentence below: 'Despite the artist's burgeoning fame, he remained remarkably humble, shunning the limelight to focus on his craft.' As used in the sentence, the word 'burgeoning' most nearly means:

Rapidly growing (Correct answer)
Unappreciated
Mysterious
Declining

Correct answer: Rapidly growing

The context of the sentence contrasts the artist's 'fame' with his 'humble' nature. The word 'burgeoning' is used to describe this fame. Given that fame can grow, and the contrast implies it was significant, 'rapidly growing' is the most logical meaning.

Question 166: Which of the following were reasons that immigrants settled in ethnic neighborhoods in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States?

Promoting cultural heritage (Correct answer)
Increase access to quality public education
Seeking affordable housing (Correct answer)
Avoiding discrimination (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Promoting cultural heritage

Immigrants often settled in ethnic neighborhoods to find communities where they shared language, customs, and support networks, which helped them avoid discrimination from the broader society. These neighborhoods also allowed them to preserve and promote their cultural heritage. Additionally, these areas often offered more affordable housing options and job opportunities within their community.

Question 167: A teacher reflects on a lesson that went poorly and revises it for next time. This best demonstrates:

Defensiveness
Standardization
Avoidance
Reflective practice (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Reflective practice

Reflective practice involves analyzing one's own teaching to make improvements.

Question 168: What is a 'bibliography' or 'works cited' list in an informational text?

A list of all sources the author used in creating the text (Correct answer)
A list of suggested books for further reading
A list of questions for discussion after reading
A summary of the main points in the text

Correct answer: A list of all sources the author used in creating the text

A bibliography or works cited lists all sources the author consulted and cited in creating the text, supporting transparency and allowing verification.

Question 169: What does 'onset' and 'rime' refer to in phonological awareness?

The initial consonant(s) and the vowel-consonant unit of a syllable (Correct answer)
The stressed and unstressed syllables in a word
The first and last syllables of a multisyllabic word
The beginning and ending sounds of a sentence

Correct answer: The initial consonant(s) and the vowel-consonant unit of a syllable

The onset is the initial consonant(s) before the vowel; the rime is the vowel and everything after it in the syllable (e.g., 'cat': onset = /k/, rime = /æt/).

Question 170: "I don't want too and you can't make me," said he."

E: No error
A: “I don’t
D: said he.
B: too (Correct answer)
"C: me,”"

Correct answer: B: too

The original sentence incorrectly uses "too," which means "also" or "excessively." The correct word here is "to," which is part of the implied infinitive phrase "to do something" (e.g., "I don't want to [do it]"). This is a common homophone error.

Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (5752)

The Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) tests measure academic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics deemed essential for all candidates entering teacher preparation programs.

170

Questions

270 min

Time Limit

65%

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