praxis reading language arts 5002 practice test

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

At about 11 p.m. on Christmas, Washington's army commenced its crossing of the half-frozen river at three locations. The 2,400 soldiers led by Washington successfully braved the icy and freezing river and reached the New Jersey side of the Delaware just before dawn. The other two divisions, made up of some 3,000 men and crucial artillery, failed to reach the meeting point at the appointed time. —'Washington Crosses the Delaware,' from the History Channel Web site Christmas, 6 PM... It is fearfully cold and raw and a snow-storm is setting in. The wind is northeast and beats in the faces of the men. It will be a terrible night for the soldiers who have no shoes... but I have not heard a man complain... December 26, 3 AM I have never seen Washington so determined as he is now. He stands on the bank of the stream, wrapped in his cloak, superintending the landing of his troops. He is calm and collected, but very determined. —Diary of Colonel John Fitzgerald, December 25 and December 26, 1776
Which of the following best describes a benefit of having students read both excerpts?
  • A. Students can analyze the differences between a primary and a secondary source document.
  • B. Students can compare the facts in the primary source to the emotions expressed in the secondary source.
  • C. Students can understand different points of view when forming an opinion about an event.
  • D. Students can learn to recognize whether sources are reliable.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Analyzing both excerpts allows students to distinguish between primary and secondary sources, enhancing their understanding of historical context and perspective. Option B is misleading; while comparing facts and emotions is valuable, it does not specifically address the unique characteristics of primary versus secondary sources. Option C is also important, yet it focuses more on perspectives rather than the source types themselves. Option D, while relevant to evaluating reliability, does not emphasize the distinction between primary and secondary sources, which is central to the learning objective. Understanding these differences is crucial for critical analysis in historical studies.

Other Related Questions

Which of the following teacher recommendations will best help the student to strengthen the essay?
  • A. Add evidence from the text.
  • B. Focus the argument on one topic.
  • C. State the argument in the first sentence.
  • D. Write a conclusion sentence that restates the main idea.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

Focusing the argument on one topic allows for a more coherent and persuasive essay, enhancing clarity and depth. This concentrated approach helps the student develop their ideas thoroughly, making their argument more compelling. Adding evidence from the text (A) is important, but without a clear focus, the evidence may not effectively support the argument. Stating the argument in the first sentence (C) is useful for clarity, but it does not address the overall structure and focus needed for a strong essay. Writing a conclusion that restates the main idea (D) is essential for summarizing, but it does not strengthen the argument itself if the essay lacks focus.
Which of the following parts of speech expresses emotion?
  • A. A verb
  • B. An interjection
  • C. An adverb
  • D. A pronoun
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

Interjections are unique parts of speech specifically designed to express emotions or sudden feelings, such as joy, surprise, or frustration (e.g., "Wow!" or "Oh no!"). In contrast, verbs indicate actions or states of being but do not inherently express emotions. Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, providing context rather than emotion. Pronouns serve to replace nouns and do not convey feelings directly. Thus, interjections stand out as the only option that directly embodies emotional expression.
Once a writer enters the intermediate, or syllables and affixes, stage of spelling development, which of the following proficiencies becomes evident?
  • A. Using rules to accurately add inflectional endings to words
  • B. Making a clear distinction between writing and drawing
  • C. Correctly writing words that possess r-controlled vowel sounds
  • D. Accurately spelling words with consonants in various positions
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

In the intermediate stage of spelling development, writers begin to understand and apply spelling rules, particularly for inflectional endings, such as -ed and -ing. This proficiency reflects their growing grasp of morphological structures in language. Option B, while important, pertains more to early literacy skills and does not specifically relate to spelling development at this stage. Option C focuses on r-controlled vowels, which may be addressed in earlier stages rather than the intermediate phase. Option D involves consonant positioning, which is also a foundational skill but does not highlight the specific rule-based approach that characterizes the intermediate stage.
When evaluating the student's writing, the teacher should highlight which of the following as a strength?
  • A. A clear focus in paragraph 1
  • B. Coherent development of ideas in paragraph 2
  • C. A clear transition between the paragraphs
  • D. Effective use of figurative language in both paragraphs
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

Highlighting the coherent development of ideas in paragraph 2 emphasizes the student's ability to organize and elaborate on their thoughts effectively, which is crucial for persuasive and analytical writing. Option A, while important, only addresses focus in a single paragraph, lacking the depth of development seen in option B. Option C, though valuable, pertains to transitions, which are secondary to the overall idea development. Option D focuses on figurative language, which, while creative, may not contribute as significantly to the clarity and logic of the argument as the coherent development of ideas does.