praxis reading language arts 5002 practice test

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

1. The Great Wall of China is actually a network of walls and towers. 2. Much of the Great Wall of China was built in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
Which of the following most effectively combines the statements above into a single coherent and grammatically correct sentence?
  • A. Much of the Great Wall of China, which is actually a network of walls and towers, was built in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
  • B. The Great Wall of China, this is actually a network of walls and towers, much of it is built in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
  • C. Much of the Great Wall of China, building in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, and it is actually a network of walls and towers.
  • D. Actually a network of walls and towers, they built much of the Great Wall of China in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Option A effectively combines the statements into a coherent sentence by using a relative clause ("which is actually a network of walls and towers") to provide additional information about the Great Wall of China without disrupting the main thought. Option B incorrectly uses a comma splice, creating two independent clauses that are improperly joined. Option C introduces a participial phrase that makes the sentence awkward and unclear, failing to maintain grammatical structure. Option D starts with a fragment, lacking a clear subject, and misattributes the building of the wall, leading to confusion about who built it.

Other Related Questions

Which of the following is a compound-complex sentence?
  • A. I want to go on vacation with Sally to Mexico, Costa Rica, and Florida.
  • B. Even though the sun was shining, my mother told me I could not go to the pool.
  • C. Holly needs to go to the grocery store, but she does not have enough time to go there today.
  • D. Since we like to go on roller coasters, we go all the time, but we have not been on that coaster yet.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

A compound-complex sentence contains at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. Option D meets this criterion, featuring the independent clauses "we go all the time" and "we have not been on that coaster yet," along with the dependent clause "Since we like to go on roller coasters." Option A is a simple sentence listing vacation destinations, lacking independent clauses. Option B contains one independent clause and one dependent clause, making it a complex sentence. Option C has two independent clauses joined by "but," classifying it as a compound sentence. Thus, only option D combines both elements required for a compound-complex sentence.
Which of the following best describes why phonological awareness is predictive of beginning reading success?
  • A. It is an auditory skill in which understanding of letter-sound relationships is developed.
  • B. It is a visual skill in which letter recognition skills are developed.
  • C. It is a speaking skill in which oral production of letter sounds is developed.
  • D. It is a fine motor skill in which letter formation skills are developed.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Phonological awareness is fundamentally an auditory skill that involves recognizing and manipulating sounds in spoken language, which is crucial for understanding letter-sound relationships essential for reading. Option A accurately captures this auditory aspect, linking it directly to reading success. Option B mischaracterizes phonological awareness as a visual skill, which is inaccurate since it focuses on sound rather than sight. Option C incorrectly frames it as a speaking skill; while oral production is related, it is not the core of phonological awareness. Option D mistakenly identifies it as a fine motor skill, which pertains to writing rather than the auditory processing needed for reading.
Which of the following is best identified as a simple sentence?
  • A. William, Jorge, and Roberto waited for the storm to pass.
  • B. The plane was late, so I did not get to see my grandfather.
  • C. The dogs went into the backyard, and then they ate their food.
  • D. Because they could not see the sun, the boys got lost on the hike.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

A simple sentence consists of a single independent clause that expresses a complete thought. Option A, "William, Jorge, and Roberto waited for the storm to pass," meets this criterion as it contains a subject and a verb and does not include any dependent clauses or additional conjunctions. Option B features a compound sentence, combining two independent clauses with "so." Option C also presents a compound structure, linking two independent clauses with "and." Lastly, Option D is a complex sentence, as it includes a dependent clause ("Because they could not see the sun") along with an independent clause. Thus, only Option A qualifies as a simple sentence.
The author supports the claim that satellites do not last forever through the use of which of the following?
  • A. An anecdote about why satellites stop working when they do
  • B. Examples of the ways satellites stop working over time
  • C. A comparison of satellites to other common machines that stop working
  • D. Suggestions for ways to keep satellites working over time
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

The author effectively demonstrates that satellites do not last forever by comparing them to other common machines that also have limited lifespans. This comparison highlights the inevitability of wear and tear in technology, providing a relatable context for readers. Option A, an anecdote, may illustrate a specific instance but lacks the broader applicability needed to support the claim. Option B provides examples of satellite failures but does not frame them within a comparative context that strengthens the argument. Option D suggests preventive measures but does not address the inherent limitations of satellites, which is central to the claim.