Smarter Balanced Assessment Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A student reads two articles about wolves — one by a rancher who lost livestock, and one by a wildlife biologist. Why is it important to consider the author's perspective in both?

Because perspective only matters in fiction, not in informational text
Because the longer article is always more trustworthy
Because each author's background and interests may affect which information they emphasize or how they interpret it (Correct answer)
Because you should only trust one source on any topic

Correct answer: Because each author's background and interests may affect which information they emphasize or how they interpret it

An author's background, experience, and interests influence what they emphasize and how they present information. Recognizing perspective helps readers evaluate sources critically.

Question 2: Order these from least to greatest: 0.6, 3/5, 0.59, 11/20

3/5, 0.6, 0.59, 11/20
0.59, 11/20, 3/5, 0.6 (Correct answer)
0.59, 0.6, 3/5, 11/20
11/20, 0.59, 3/5, 0.6

Correct answer: 0.59, 11/20, 3/5, 0.6

Convert all to decimals: 0.6 = 0.600, 3/5 = 0.600, 0.59 = 0.590, 11/20 = 0.550. Order: 0.59 (0.590) = 0.59, 11/20 (0.550) — wait, 11/20 = 0.55. So: 0.55 < 0.59 < 0.60 = 0.60.

Question 3: What is 2/3 × 3/4?

5/12
1/2 (Correct answer)
6/7
5/7

Correct answer: 1/2

Multiply numerators and denominators: (2 × 3)/(3 × 4) = 6/12 = 1/2.

Question 4: What is the purpose of a 'summary' of an informational text?

To give your personal opinion about the text
To copy all of the important sentences from the text
To briefly describe the main idea and key details in your own words, without minor details (Correct answer)
To predict what the author will write next

Correct answer: To briefly describe the main idea and key details in your own words, without minor details

A summary restates the main idea and most important details in your own words, leaving out minor details, examples, and personal opinions.

Question 5: Which number is greater than -3?

-1 (Correct answer)
-5
-8
-10

Correct answer: -1

-1 is to the right of -3 on the number line, making it greater.

Question 6: Which fraction is equal to one half?

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

Correct answer: 3/6

3/6 simplifies to 1/2 because 3 is half of 6.

Question 7: John’s Gym charges its members according to the equation C=40m where m is the number of months and C represents the total cost to each customer after m months. Ralph’s Recreation Room charges its members according to the equation C=45m. What relationship can be determined about the monthly cost to the members of each company?

No relationship between the monthly membership fees can be determined.
John’s monthly membership fee is more than Ralph’s monthly membership fee.
John’s monthly membership fee is equal to Ralph’s monthly membership fee.
John’s monthly membership fee is less than Ralph’s monthly membership fee. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: John’s monthly membership fee is less than Ralph’s monthly membership fee.

In the given equations, C=40m for John's Gym and C=45m for Ralph's Recreation Room, the coefficient of 'm' represents the monthly membership fee. For John's Gym, the monthly fee is $40, and for Ralph's Recreation Room, it is $45. Since $40 is less than $45, John's monthly membership fee is less than Ralph's.

Question 8: What does the prefix 'un-' mean in words like 'unlikely' and 'unhappy'?

Before
Not (Correct answer)
Half
Again

Correct answer: Not

The prefix 'un-' means 'not,' so 'unlikely' means not likely and 'unhappy' means not happy.

Question 9: What is 4.25 ÷ 0.5?

0.85
2.125
0.212
8.5 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 8.5

4.25 ÷ 0.5: multiply both by 2 to eliminate the decimal in the divisor: 8.5 ÷ 1 = 8.5.

Question 10: One morning at Jim's café, 25 people ordered juice, 10 ordered milk, and 50 ordered coffee with breakfast. Which ratio best compares the number of people who ordered milk to the number of people who ordered juice?

2 to 7
5 to 2
2 to 5 (Correct answer)
5 to 7

Correct answer: 2 to 5

A ratio compares two quantities. The question asks for the ratio of people who ordered milk (10) to those who ordered juice (25). This gives the ratio 10:25. Simplifying this ratio by dividing both numbers by their greatest common divisor (5) results in 2:5, or '2 to 5'.

Question 11: Which statement best describes 'ethos' as a persuasive technique?

Appealing to the reader's emotions with vivid stories and descriptions
Using statistics and data to prove a factual claim
Establishing the writer's credibility and trustworthiness to persuade readers (Correct answer)
Using logical reasoning to connect evidence to a conclusion

Correct answer: Establishing the writer's credibility and trustworthiness to persuade readers

Ethos is a rhetorical appeal based on the writer's or speaker's credibility, character, and trustworthiness — persuading through established authority.

Question 12: Which fraction is greater than 1/2?

3/8
2/5
5/8 (Correct answer)
1/4

Correct answer: 5/8

5/8 is more than 4/8, which equals 1/2.

Question 13: A writer wants to revise this sentence to use a more sophisticated word choice: 'The plan was good because it fixed the problem.' Which revision BEST demonstrates eighth-grade level writing?

'The plan was really good because it fixed the problem well.'
'It was a good plan and worked on the problem.'
'The plan, which was good, fixed what needed to be fixed.'
'The plan was effective because it resolved the underlying issue.' (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 'The plan was effective because it resolved the underlying issue.'

'Effective' is more precise than 'good,' and 'resolved the underlying issue' is more specific and formal than 'fixed the problem,' demonstrating better word choice.

Question 14: When citing textual evidence, a writer should:

Add personal opinions as facts
Omit the source
Change the meaning
Quote or paraphrase accurately (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Quote or paraphrase accurately

Strong textual evidence is quoted or paraphrased accurately to support a point.

Question 15: Read this passage: 'Liam had practiced his speech every night for a week. When his name was called, he walked slowly to the front of the room and took a deep breath.' What is Liam most likely feeling?

Nervous but prepared (Correct answer)
Surprised by the assignment
Angry at his teacher
Bored and uninterested

Correct answer: Nervous but prepared

Liam practiced a lot, which shows he is prepared, but walking slowly and taking a deep breath are clues that he is also nervous.

Question 16: What number sentence is illustrated by the diagram below?

32-4=28
32+4=36
32÷4=8 (Correct answer)
32×4=128

Correct answer: 32÷4=8

The diagram (not provided, but implied by the answer) would illustrate 32 items being divided into 4 equal groups. If each group contains 8 items, this visually represents the division operation 32 ÷ 4 = 8, showing how a total quantity is split into equal parts.

Question 17: What is 7/10 + 2/10?

9/10 (Correct answer)
9/20
14/10
5/10

Correct answer: 9/10

Add the numerators over the common denominator: 7 + 2 = 9, giving 9/10.

Question 18: Which fraction is greater, 3/4 or 2/4?

They are equal
3/4 (Correct answer)
Cannot tell
2/4

Correct answer: 3/4

With the same denominator, the larger numerator is greater.

Question 19: A clock shows 3:45. How many minutes until 4:00?

20
10
15 (Correct answer)
25

Correct answer: 15

From 3:45 to 4:00 is 15 minutes.

Question 20: What is 7 × 8?

63
54
56 (Correct answer)
64

Correct answer: 56

7 × 8 = 56. You can think of it as 7 groups of 8, or count by 8s: 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56.

Question 21: Which of the following best describes the 'point of view' of a story told using 'I, me, we'?

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

Correct answer: First person

When a story uses 'I, me, we,' it is told from the first-person point of view, meaning the narrator is a character in the story telling their own experience.

Question 22: A student reads an article about the water cycle. The article states that evaporation, condensation, and precipitation all work together to move water around Earth. Which of the following best describes the main idea of this article?

Water is found in oceans, lakes, and rivers.
The water cycle is a continuous process that moves water through Earth's systems. (Correct answer)
Evaporation happens faster on hot, sunny days.
Rain falls from clouds when water droplets become heavy enough.

Correct answer: The water cycle is a continuous process that moves water through Earth's systems.

The main idea is the central point the entire article supports. The other options are supporting details, not the overarching idea that ties all the information together.

Question 23: An author writes an article comparing wolves and dogs. She describes how wolves hunt in packs while dogs are domesticated pets, but notes that both have similar physical features and are closely related species. Which text structure is the author most likely using?

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

Correct answer: Compare and contrast

When an author examines the similarities and differences between two subjects, this is the compare and contrast text structure. Signal words like 'while' and 'both' are clues.

Question 24: What is the slope of the line through points (2, 3) and (6, 11)?

4
1/2
8
2 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 2

Slope = (11 - 3)/(6 - 2) = 8/4 = 2.

Question 25: Which symbol makes this true: 4,512 ___ 4,521?

< (Correct answer)
>
+
=

Correct answer: <

4,512 is less than 4,521 because the tens digit is smaller.

Question 26: What is 1.25 + 0.75?

1.75
2.00 (Correct answer)
1.90
2.10

Correct answer: 2.00

Line up the decimal points and add: 1.25 + 0.75 = 2.00. The tenths digits (2+7=9→carry) and hundredths digits (5+5=10) combine to give exactly 2.

Question 27: What is 0.6 × 0.4?

0.24 (Correct answer)
0.024
0.10
2.4

Correct answer: 0.24

6 × 4 = 24, and with two decimal places the product is 0.24.

Question 28: What is the value of 4³ (4 cubed)?

81
64 (Correct answer)
16
12

Correct answer: 64

4 cubed means 4 × 4 × 4, which equals 64.

Question 29: A garden is 3/4 meter wide and 5 meters long. What is its area?

5 3/4 square meters
15/4 meters
4 square meters
3 3/4 square meters (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 3 3/4 square meters

Area = 3/4 × 5 = 15/4 = 3 3/4 square meters.

Question 30: Which sentence uses the most formal academic language appropriate for an argumentative essay?

Scientific consensus indicates that anthropogenic climate change poses significant risks to global ecosystems. (Correct answer)
Climate change is totally messing up the environment.
Everyone knows that climate change is a huge deal.
Climate change is bad and scientists have been talking about it for a while now.

Correct answer: Scientific consensus indicates that anthropogenic climate change poses significant risks to global ecosystems.

Academic argumentative writing uses precise, formal language. 'Scientific consensus indicates that anthropogenic climate change poses significant risks to global ecosystems' uses technical vocabulary and formal phrasing appropriate for academic essays.

Question 31: A pizza is cut into 8 equal slices. If Maya eats 3 slices, what fraction of the pizza did she eat?

1/3
3/5
3/8 (Correct answer)
5/8

Correct answer: 3/8

Maya ate 3 out of 8 equal slices, so the fraction is 3/8. The number of slices eaten goes on top (numerator) and the total slices go on the bottom (denominator).

Question 32: What is the absolute value of -9?

9 (Correct answer)
0
-9
18

Correct answer: 9

Absolute value is the distance from zero, so |-9| equals 9.

Question 33: What is the main purpose of a 'text feature' like a diagram or chart in a nonfiction book?

To test whether readers are paying attention
To provide visual information that supports or extends the main text (Correct answer)
To replace written text when the author runs out of things to say
To decorate the page and make it look interesting

Correct answer: To provide visual information that supports or extends the main text

Text features like diagrams and charts provide visual information that helps readers understand, organize, and extend the concepts explained in the written text.

Question 34: Which sentence contains the weakest evidence for an argumentative essay?

Research published in the Journal of Education shows a link between class size and student achievement.
I personally feel that school lunches should be healthier because my friend agrees with me. (Correct answer)
A 2023 CDC report found that teens who sleep at least nine hours perform better on standardized tests.
According to the American Psychological Association, mindfulness reduces student anxiety by 30%.

Correct answer: I personally feel that school lunches should be healthier because my friend agrees with me.

Personal feelings and anecdotal agreement from a friend are not credible evidence. Strong argumentative essays rely on data, expert sources, and peer-reviewed research rather than personal opinion.

Question 35: What is 1,000 - 367?

733
637
633 (Correct answer)
643

Correct answer: 633

1,000 - 367 = 633.

Question 36: Solve for x: x + 7 = 15

22
7
8 (Correct answer)
9

Correct answer: 8

Subtracting 7 from both sides gives x = 8.

Question 37: What is 36 ÷ 9?

3
4 (Correct answer)
6
9

Correct answer: 4

36 ÷ 9 = 4 because 9 × 4 = 36. Division is the opposite of multiplication, so knowing your 9s multiplication facts helps.

Question 38: When a writer uses the phrase 'According to the American Medical Association...' what is the purpose?

To signal that the information is controversial
To show that the writer is not sure of the information
To introduce a personal opinion
To attribute evidence to a credible source, increasing the argument's persuasiveness (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To attribute evidence to a credible source, increasing the argument's persuasiveness

Attributing evidence to a credible source (like a professional medical organization) strengthens an argument by showing that the claim is supported by expert authority.

Question 39: An author writes: 'The thunder grumbled across the sky.' What literary device is being used?

Simile
Personification (Correct answer)
Alliteration
Rhyme

Correct answer: Personification

Personification gives human qualities to non-human things. Thunder cannot actually 'grumble' (a human action), so describing it this way is personification.

Question 40: What is the purpose of a 'claim' in an argumentative essay?

To present evidence that the writer will analyze
To state the writer's central position or argument on the topic (Correct answer)
To summarize what others have said about the topic
To describe the history of the topic

Correct answer: To state the writer's central position or argument on the topic

A claim is the central argument or position the writer is asserting and intends to support with evidence throughout the essay.

Question 41: Which is greater: 0.7 or 0.65?

Cannot be determined
They are equal
0.65
0.7 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 0.7

0.70 is greater than 0.65 when comparing the tenths place.

Question 42: Given the figure of the parallelogram below, which side is parallel to side<br><br><div style="text-decoration: overline;"> RT </div>

None of the Above
<div style="text-decoration: overline;"> QT </div>
<div style="text-decoration: overline;"> RS </div>
<div style="text-decoration: overline;"> QS </div> (Correct answer)

Correct answer: <div style="text-decoration: overline;"> QS </div>

In a parallelogram (labeled QRST, implied), opposite sides are parallel to each other. If side RT is one side, then the side directly opposite to it is QS. Therefore, side QS is parallel to side RT.

Question 43: A solution is 15% acid. How many milliliters of acid are in 200 mL of the solution?

20 mL
15 mL
35 mL
30 mL (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 30 mL

15% of 200 mL = 0.15 × 200 = 30 mL of acid.

Question 44: In a story, what is the 'conflict'?

The first sentence of the story
The title that tells what the story is about
The happy ending where the problem is solved
The main challenge or problem the character must face (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The main challenge or problem the character must face

The conflict is the main problem or challenge a character must deal with — it is what drives the story forward and keeps readers interested.

Question 45: What is a 'counterclaim' and why do strong argumentative essays include one?

A counterclaim is evidence that directly supports the writer's position
A counterclaim presents an opposing argument, which the writer then addresses to strengthen their own argument (Correct answer)
A counterclaim is a second, unrelated argument that the writer wants to make
A counterclaim repeats the main claim in different words for emphasis

Correct answer: A counterclaim presents an opposing argument, which the writer then addresses to strengthen their own argument

A counterclaim presents an opposing viewpoint that the writer then refutes, demonstrating awareness of multiple perspectives and strengthening the argument by showing the opposing view is less valid.

Question 46: A garden has 9 rows with 6 plants in each row. How many plants are there?

15
45
63
54 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 54

9 rows times 6 plants equals 54 plants.

Question 47: An author's tone is best defined as the author's:

Number of paragraphs
Attitude toward the subject (Correct answer)
Choice of font
Word count

Correct answer: Attitude toward the subject

Tone reflects the author's attitude toward the subject or audience.

Question 48: Jasper collects 1,082 cans of food. He gives a certain number of cans to the first local charity he finds. He now has 602 cans of food. How many cans of food did he give to the first local charity?

430
682
1,684
480 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 480

To find out how many cans Jasper gave away, subtract the number of cans he has left from the initial number of cans he collected. Starting with 1,082 cans and ending with 602 cans, the difference is 1,082 - 602 = 480 cans.

Question 49: In a story, what does the 'setting' describe?

The lesson or message the author wants to share
The feelings and personality of the main character
The problem that the main character must solve
The time and place where the story happens (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The time and place where the story happens

The setting describes where and when a story takes place. It provides the background environment for the events and characters.

Question 50: What does it mean to 'develop' a body paragraph in an argumentative essay?

To repeat the essay's introduction in different words
To present a topic sentence, provide evidence, analyze how it supports the claim, and connect back to the thesis (Correct answer)
To write a very long paragraph with many unrelated sentences
To copy multiple sources and list them without explanation

Correct answer: To present a topic sentence, provide evidence, analyze how it supports the claim, and connect back to the thesis

A developed body paragraph includes a clear topic sentence, specific evidence, analysis explaining how the evidence supports the claim, and a connection to the thesis.

Question 51: Maria's car gets 32 miles per gallon. How many gallons does she need to drive 400 miles?

10 gallons
11 gallons
15 gallons
12.5 gallons (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 12.5 gallons

400 miles ÷ 32 miles/gallon = 12.5 gallons.

Question 52: A store offers a 20% discount on a $50 jacket. What is the sale price?

$45
$30
$10
$40 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: $40

20% of $50 is $10, so $50 - $10 = $40.

Question 53: A tank holds 12.5 gallons of water. Each day, 0.25 gallons evaporate. How many days until the tank is empty?

5 days
25 days
312 days
50 days (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 50 days

12.5 ÷ 0.25 = 50 days. Multiply both by 4: 50 ÷ 1 = 50.

Question 54: A car travels 150 miles in 3 hours. What is its unit rate in miles per hour?

50 mph (Correct answer)
45 mph
30 mph
75 mph

Correct answer: 50 mph

Dividing 150 miles by 3 hours gives 50 miles per hour.

Question 55: The table below shows changes in the area of several trapezoids as the lengths of the bases, b1 and b2, remain the same and the height, h, changes.<br><br>Which formula best represents the relationship between A, the areas of these trapezoids, and h, their heights?

A=12h
A=6h (Correct answer)
A=7h
A=5h

Correct answer: A=6h

The area of a trapezoid is given by A = 0.5 * (b1 + b2) * h. If the bases b1 and b2 remain constant (e.g., b1+b2 = 12), then the formula simplifies to A = 0.5 * 12 * h, which is A = 6h. This formula would accurately represent the relationship between the area and height in the given table.

Question 56: What is 3/4 + 2/3?

1/2
5/12
5/7
17/12 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 17/12

To add fractions with unlike denominators, find the LCD (12), convert: 9/12 + 8/12 = 17/12.

Question 57: An argumentative essay ends: 'Therefore, school districts should invest in social-emotional learning programs because they improve student mental health, reduce disciplinary problems, and create more positive school communities.' What is the function of this sentence?

It restates the claim and summarizes the main supporting reasons, serving as a conclusion (Correct answer)
It introduces the first piece of evidence
It presents a counterclaim that will be refuted
It provides a quote from an expert

Correct answer: It restates the claim and summarizes the main supporting reasons, serving as a conclusion

This sentence restates the essay's main claim and summarizes the three main reasons (mental health, discipline, community), making it a concluding thesis restatement.

Question 58: Compare functions A: y = 2x + 1 and B: y = 3x + 1. Which has the greater rate of change?

A
They are equal
B (Correct answer)
Cannot tell

Correct answer: B

B has slope 3, which is greater than A's slope of 2.

Question 59: What is 3/4 ÷ 1/2?

3/8
1 1/4
2
1 1/2 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 1 1/2

Dividing by a fraction means multiplying by its reciprocal: 3/4 × 2/1 = 6/4 = 3/2 = 1 1/2.

Question 60: What is an inference?

A conclusion drawn from evidence (Correct answer)
A title
A spelling rule
A direct quotation

Correct answer: A conclusion drawn from evidence

An inference is a logical conclusion based on textual evidence and reasoning.

Question 61: What does it mean to 'cite evidence from the text'?

To use specific quotes or details from the reading to support your claims (Correct answer)
To find information from outside the text to support your ideas
To summarize the entire text in your own words
To make up examples that support your opinion

Correct answer: To use specific quotes or details from the reading to support your claims

Citing evidence means using specific quotes, paraphrases, or details directly from the text to support your claims or answers about the text.

Question 62: A polynomial has factors of x-3, x+6, and x+2. Which of the following represents the graph of the polynomial?

B.
C.
D.
A. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A.

The factors of a polynomial directly correspond to its x-intercepts, also known as its zeros. If (x-3) is a factor, then x=3 is an x-intercept. Similarly, if (x+6) is a factor, x=-6 is an x-intercept, and if (x+2) is a factor, x=-2 is an x-intercept. Therefore, the graph of the polynomial must cross the x-axis at x=3, x=-6, and x=-2, which is represented by graph A.

Question 63: A student finds a website with no author listed and no publication date. Which criteria for evaluating sources are being violated?

Currency only
Relevance only
Both credibility and currency (Correct answer)
Credibility only

Correct answer: Both credibility and currency

A source with no author lacks credibility (we can't verify expertise), and no publication date means we can't assess currency (how recent the information is).

Question 64: Which decimal is equivalent to 3/8?

0.38
0.375 (Correct answer)
0.3
0.35

Correct answer: 0.375

3/8 = 0.375. Divide 3 ÷ 8: 8 goes into 30 three times (0.3), remainder 6; 8 goes into 60 seven times (0.07), remainder 4; 8 goes into 40 five times (0.005). So 3/8 = 0.375.

Question 65: Which number sentence is in the same fact family as 6 × 4 = 24?

24 ÷ 6 = 4 (Correct answer)
4 × 6 = 10
24 + 6 = 30
6 + 4 = 10

Correct answer: 24 ÷ 6 = 4

24 ÷ 6 = 4 is in the same fact family as 6 × 4 = 24 because multiplication and division are inverse operations using the same three numbers: 6, 4, and 24.

Question 66: What is the perimeter of a square with sides of 9 cm?

81 cm
27 cm
36 cm (Correct answer)
18 cm

Correct answer: 36 cm

Perimeter is 4 × 9 = 36 cm.

Question 67: 4. Which of the following best explains why the author referred to one of the soldiers as “the poor lad”?

She wanted to build sympathy for the young man who died. (Correct answer)
She wanted to show that the soldier had only been a young boy, not a man.
She wanted to show that the man had little or no material belongings.
She wanted to create an image in the mind of the reader about the soldier.

Correct answer: She wanted to build sympathy for the young man who died.

The phrase 'poor lad' is an expression of pity and sorrow. By using it immediately after describing how a bullet 'ended the life of the poor lad,' the author aims to evoke a strong emotional response from the reader, fostering sympathy and compassion for the young soldier who tragically lost his life.

Question 68: What is the primary purpose of a concluding paragraph in an argumentative essay?

To reinforce the argument by synthesizing key points and leaving the reader with a final impression (Correct answer)
To introduce new evidence that was not mentioned in the body paragraphs
To restate the claim in exactly the same words used in the introduction
To apologize for any weaknesses in the argument presented

Correct answer: To reinforce the argument by synthesizing key points and leaving the reader with a final impression

A strong conclusion synthesizes — rather than simply repeats — the main argument and evidence, reminding the reader why the claim is valid and often ending with a broader implication or call to action.

Question 69: What does a character's 'trait' describe?

The words a character says out loud
A quality that describes what a character is like on the inside (Correct answer)
The place where the character lives
The problem the character needs to solve

Correct answer: A quality that describes what a character is like on the inside

A character trait is an inside quality — like being kind, brave, or stubborn — that tells us what a character is really like.

Question 70: An author writes about climate change and states, 'Scientists agree that human activities are warming the planet.' What type of statement is this?

A fact because it can be verified with scientific evidence (Correct answer)
A prediction about the future
A hypothesis that scientists are still testing
An opinion because some people disagree with it

Correct answer: A fact because it can be verified with scientific evidence

This is a factual statement because it reflects the documented consensus of the scientific community, which can be verified through published research and data.

Question 71: A student writes: 'The team played good in the championship game.' What revision makes this sentence grammatically correct?

The team played better in the championship game.
The team played the best in the championship game.
The team played goodly in the championship game.
The team played well in the championship game. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The team played well in the championship game.

'Well' is the correct adverb form to describe how the team played; 'good' is an adjective and cannot modify the verb 'played.'

Question 72: What does it mean when a story has a 'conflict'?

The story has a happy ending
The story has more than one main character
There is a problem or struggle that the character must face (Correct answer)
The story is based on real events

Correct answer: There is a problem or struggle that the character must face

Conflict is the central problem or struggle in a story. It can be between characters, between a character and nature, or within a character's own thoughts and feelings.

Question 73: Round 7.682 to the nearest tenth.

7.7 (Correct answer)
7.6
8.0
7.68

Correct answer: 7.7

The hundredths digit is 8, so round the tenths digit up from 6 to 7, giving 7.7.

Question 74: What is 4 1/3 + 2 3/4?

7 1/12 (Correct answer)
6 13/12
7 13/12
6 4/7

Correct answer: 7 1/12

Add whole numbers (4+2=6) and fractions separately. LCD of 3 and 4 is 12: 4/12 + 9/12 = 13/12 = 1 1/12. Total: 6 + 1 1/12 = 7 1/12.

Question 75: What is the primary purpose of using transitions in an argumentative essay?

To make the essay longer by adding extra words
To introduce new topics that are unrelated to the main argument
To repeat important evidence multiple times for emphasis
To connect ideas smoothly and show the logical relationships between paragraphs and sentences (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To connect ideas smoothly and show the logical relationships between paragraphs and sentences

Transitions connect ideas and show how they relate (contrast, sequence, addition, cause-effect), making the essay flow logically and helping readers follow the argument.

Question 76: What is 45 ÷ 9?

5 (Correct answer)
4
6
7

Correct answer: 5

9 × 5 = 45, so 45 ÷ 9 = 5.

Question 77: What does the prefix 'mis-' mean in the word 'misinterpret'?

Wrongly (Correct answer)
Together
Again
Before

Correct answer: Wrongly

The prefix 'mis-' means wrongly or badly, so 'misinterpret' means to interpret wrongly.

Question 78: There are 24 apples to be shared equally among 4 baskets. How many apples go in each basket?

5
8
4
6 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 6

24 ÷ 4 = 6. When 24 items are divided equally into 4 groups, each group gets 6 items.

Smarter Balanced Assessment Exam

The Smarter Balanced Assessment is a computer-adaptive standardized test administered to students in grades 3–8 and 11, measuring proficiency in English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics aligned to Common Core State Standards.

Questions

240 min

Time Limit

50%

To Pass

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