GMAS 8th Grade ELA Practice Test

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• Which term means to back up a claim with evidence?
• What term refers to 'A letter or a group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning'?
• Write a paragraph that points out the main ideas or key events of the story.
• Which statement describes a sentence fragment?
• How do quotation marks function in dialogue and indirect quotes?
• Which term asks you to tell about something in detail?
• Which term refers to an additional storyline that runs alongside the main plot?
• When might the passive voice be used to emphasize a point?
• Which option is best described as the act of explaining how language creates a mood?
• Which term refers to hints within the passage that reveal the meaning of a word?
• In a novel, the character who drives the plot and faces the main challenges is the
• To establish or apply; to force.
• Which sentence demonstrates indirect characterization?
• Which meaning refers to the emotional or cultural associations of a word beyond its literal meaning?
• Which term describes a work that contains several layers of meaning, often hidden at first sight?
• Not the same as subject (subject is one word); Theme is the moral or lesson.
• Which concept refers to the author's attitude toward a subject as shown in the writing?
• Connect the dots (ideas) and judge the strength/validity of the writer's reasons and evidence.
• Which term describes a narrative written to be humorous and end with a happy outcome?
• What is connotation, and how can word choice affect a reader's perception?
• What is the primary function of the introduction in a piece of writing?
• Which term denotes an extreme exaggeration used to make a point?
• How would you attach textual evidence to a claim in a short constructed response?
• Break apart and explain.
• Usually the first in a paragraph; describes what the paragraph is about.
• Which option best reflects how audience and tone influence the use of quotations?
• Which term describes a rhythmic, compressed language that uses figure of speech and imagery designed to appeal to our emotions and imagination?
• Which sentence is a complete sentence?
• What feature distinguishes the 'text structure' of a chronological passage, and how does it aid comprehension?
• What is the function of a hook in an introductory paragraph?
• Which term means 'Unnecessary expression of ideas'?
• Back up or something in detail.
• In a narrative, how does an author typically develop a theme over the course of the story?
• What term refers to 'The order in which things occur'?
• What is the function of transitions in writing?
• Which term refers to the global system of interconnected computer networks?
• Discuss important details (be careful not to retell the entire text or story.)
• Which term refers to the feeling the author creates in the reader through the text?
• Which term means to discuss how things are different?
• Make an inference.
• Which term describes the specific word choices used by an author?
• How can word choice affect a reader's perception through connotation?
• In informational text, what is the main idea, and what are the best kinds of details that support it?
• How do mood and tone differ, and how can you determine each in a passage?
• Which term describes the writer's attitude toward the subject or audience?
• Which term describes a narrative element that moves from one idea to another and helps connect ideas within a text?
• How would you use a chart or graph in a passage to answer a question about author claims?
• What are the essential components of a strong thesis statement in an argumentative or expository essay?
• Which statement explains why minor details should be omitted from a concise summary?
• What do you call the conclusion you draw from the text based on evidence?
• Which textual clue most helps you infer a character's attitude?
• Which term refers to publications like journals and newspapers that come out regularly?
• How do you decide whether to set off a nonessential phrase with commas?
• Which term refers to the explicit, dictionary-like meaning of a word?
• Which term describes the feeling or emotional association of a word, beyond its literal definition?
• Which task asks you to summarize the story by noting the main ideas or events?
• Provide an example of subject-verb agreement error and its correction.
• Which of the following describes credible evidence when supporting a claim?
• Tell about something in detail.
• Which term describes the central message of a paragraph?
• Which term refers to a literary device used to express resistance against the protagonist?
• In a reasonable argument, what best describes how evidence should function with the central claim?
• What is the correct punctuation rule for a speaker tag in dialogue, such as 'she said'?
• Which term means the most probable conclusion drawn from clues in a passage?
• Which term describes the writer's attitude toward the topic revealed through word choice and tone?
• In argumentative writing, what is the relationship between a claim and its supporting evidence?
• The term for the punctuation consisting of three dots used to indicate omitted text is
• How should you integrate a quotation into your own writing to support a claim?
• Comparing two texts on the same topic helps you identify what about each author's perspective?
• In informational text, how can you identify cause-and-effect relationships?
• When synthesizing information from multiple sources, what is a key step to ensure proper integration?
• Which element is required to form a complete sentence?
• Which term describes a concise nonfiction piece about a single topic?
• What is the impact of common spelling errors on reading comprehension in GMAS ELA tasks?
• What is the difference between internal and external conflict in a story, and give an example of each?
• Judge (good or bad? strong or weak? Reliable or unreliable? Relevant or irrelevant?)
• When evaluating an author's purpose, what are three common purposes a writer might have?
• Which point of view affords access to a single character's thoughts and feelings without using first-person pronouns?
• Which part of a piece of writing introduces the topic and sets up the main idea?
• What term refers to giving credit to where information came from?
• Which term means the author's or narrator's position or stance about the topic?
• Which point of view allows the narrator to share thoughts of multiple characters and provide different perspectives?
• Which statement best describes the function of supporting details in a nonfiction passage?
• In tricky questions, may be more than one answer may be correct; choose the best.
• Which term describes how the story makes the reader feel?
• Which term means 'Takes the place of'?
• Which term refers to sound words whose pronunciation imitates the actual sound they describe?
• Which term refers to the reference to text; from where was the information retrieved?
• Which term describes a short, nonfiction piece that examines a single subject?
• Which term refers to publications published at regular intervals such as journals and magazines?
• What should not be included in a concluding paragraph of a formal essay?
• In a well-structured intro paragraph, what elements create an effective hook and thesis?
• Which term refers to three dots used to indicate omitted material?
• Which term describes the writer's attitude toward the subject as revealed through language?
• What term describes something that is hindered or blocked?
• Which term describes a short piece of nonfiction that examines a single subject?
• What is the purpose of headings and subheadings in nonfiction text?
• Which term describes something hinted at or suggested but not directly stated?
• What term describes the central point or the most important idea that the author wants readers to understand?
• What capitalization rule is tested when using proper nouns and titles?
• Which term refers to a secondary plot that supplements the main storyline?
• How can you identify a simile in a text, and why is it used?
• Which term is used for the way an author describes and introduces a character, directly or indirectly?
• Which form of writing aims to inform or explain a topic?
• Which option involves describing the text in your own words, capturing the main ideas?
• In a persuasive/argumentative text, what is a central claim, and how does it differ from the evidence?
• Which technique involves appealing to readers' senses or emotions to create vivid imagery?
• Identify a rhetorical device that relies on loaded language to persuade, and explain why it can influence readers.
• Tell how.
• Which term refers to the central message or idea in a text?
• Which term best matches the idea of an unnecessary repetition in writing?
• Which term describes writing that is made up rather than true?
• Which term describes a work of literature meant to be performed for an audience?
• When asked to identify the best summary of a paragraph, what criteria should you use?
• What is the term for the beginning of a piece of writing that introduces the topic?
• Which concept refers to the order of events in a story?
• Which term describes a story that ends happily for its main characters?
• Which term means keeping together or holding together in a work?
• Which term describes writing that deals with real people, events, and places?
• Which term describes the central message or the most important point in a text?
• Passages, journal entries, newspaper stories are examples of what?
• In a story, the leading character is called the
• When a chart accompanies a claim, what is the best way to use it in your reasoning?
• Create.,
• When should a colon be used to introduce a list?
• What point of view would a narrator use if the story is told from one character's perspective using 'I' and 'me'?
• Which action asks you to list the ways two pieces differ?
• Which element of a plot is described as the moment that begins the rising action and sets the main conflict in motion?
• Which term means the opposite of a given word?
• Which term describes arranging supporting details into related groups, including compare and contrast?
• Which sentence demonstrates correct comma usage in a series?
• Which term describes the writer's target audience—the people the text is written for?
• What constitutes a strong concluding paragraph in formal writing?
• Which term means to plan and express something in a formal way?
• Which term refers to the sentence that states the main idea of a paragraph?
• Which term describes the emotional atmosphere created by the author in a text?
• What best describes an inference and which textual clues support forming one?
• Which type of writing presents facts to inform the reader?
• Which term describes a narrative written by the subject about their own life?
• Which term is the practice of giving human characteristics to nonhuman things?
• Which term describes the mood or feeling the author creates toward the subject?
• Which is the term for identifying how two texts are alike?
• What is the central idea of a literary text, and which type of evidence best supports identifying it?
• The way in which a piece of writing is structured, with similar ideas grouped together, is called
• When comparing two texts, what factors help you determine the differences in the authors' perspectives?
• Which term means the same as another word?
• What is the sequence of events in a story called?
• What distinguishes a direct quote from an indirect quote?
• Which term describes the 'Reason something is said or done; why?'
• Which best describes the role of recurring motifs in reinforcing a theme?
• If the author uses formal, neutral language, what effect does that have on perceived credibility?
• What is symbolism, and why do authors use symbols in fiction?
• Which opening section introduces the topic and main idea?
• Which term describes the way ideas are grouped together and the overall structure of a text?
• Use specific reasons and evidence to prove your positions or opinion.
• Which term describes a novel, story or play set during a real historical era?
• What is a run-on sentence, and how can you fix it?
• Which term describes a bridging element that moves readers from one paragraph to another?
• Which term means to discuss how things are alike?
• In a story, who is the character actively opposing the protagonist?
• What does it mean to synthesize information from multiple sources, and what is a key step in this process?
• What term answers 'Where and when did it happen? Time and place'?
• What term matches the definition 'Placed before the base/foot of a word; beginning of word'?
• What should a concise summary include?
• Which term describes giving human traits to non-human things, such as objects, phenomena, or animals?
• Which term best describes the main point a text is making overall?
• Which term describes the surrounding time and place in a story?
• When is a semicolon appropriately used in a sentence?
• In which order should the main ideas and key details appear when summarizing across paragraphs to maintain coherence?
• Which sentence best explains how a quotation should support a claim?
• Which term means 'To repeat; repeated'?
• Which term describes a publication that is released regularly, such as a magazine or newspaper?
• Which term best matches a concise overview of a longer text?
• What term describes the main point that the details in a paragraph support?
• Differentiate between direct and indirect characterization with an example of each.
• What is the difference between the central idea and the theme of a literary work?
• Which term means 'The act of taking the place of something'?
• What is a counterclaim, and why should a strong argument address it?
• When summarizing across paragraphs, what strategy helps maintain coherence?
• Explain how the tone of two pieces is alike and different.
• Which term best describes a literary device that conveys deeper, multi-layered meanings beyond the surface text?
• Which term describes a word that has the same meaning as another word?
• Which term means the word that is the opposite of another word?
• Which sentence uses active voice?
• The perspective from which a story is told. First, Second, Third.
• Which term refers to a reference to the source of information used in writing?
• Which term describes biographies and histories that recount real events?
• A colon should be used to introduce a list after which type of clause?
• What is the role of transitions and connective words in a paragraph?
• Which factors help determine an author's intended audience and influence tone and diction?
• What best describes why parallel structure improves clarity in a list or series?
• Which term means to tell how or why something happened?
• What term describes the central message of a reading selection?
• What makes evidence credible in an informational text?