praxis reading language arts 5002 practice test

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

Which THREE of the following words contain diphthongs?
  • A. Boy
  • B. Mother
  • C. Buy
  • D. Apple
  • E. Coin
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A,C,E

Diphthongs are complex vowel sounds that begin with one vowel sound and glide into another within the same syllable. Option A, "Boy," contains the diphthong /ɔɪ/, where the sound transitions from "o" to "i." Option C, "Buy," features the diphthong /aɪ/, transitioning from "a" to "i." Option E, "Coin," includes the diphthong /ɔɪ/, moving from "o" to "i." In contrast, Option B, "Mother," has a single vowel sound /ʌ/, and Option D, "Apple," contains the vowel sound /æ/, both lacking the glide characteristic of diphthongs. Thus, A, C, and E correctly identify words with diphthongs.

Other Related Questions

Which of the following best explains a primary benefit of the activity?
  • A. It improves students' inferential reading comprehension.
  • B. It helps students learn to integrate humor into their writing.
  • C. It gives students an opportunity to work on expressing their opinions clearly.
  • D. It allows students to practice communicating with diverse partners.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

Option D highlights a primary benefit by emphasizing the importance of communication skills in diverse settings. Engaging with various partners fosters adaptability and cultural awareness, essential skills in today’s interconnected world. Option A, while valuable, focuses specifically on reading comprehension rather than the broader communication aspect. Option B narrows the focus to humor in writing, which may not be the main goal of the activity. Option C addresses opinion expression, but it does not encompass the collaborative and diverse interaction that option D provides, making it less comprehensive in capturing the activity's primary benefit.
In the sentence “The gazelle passed swiftly through the grassy plains,” which word functions as an adverb?
  • A. gazelle
  • B. passed
  • C. swiftly
  • D. grassy
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

In the sentence, "The gazelle passed swiftly through the grassy plains," the word "swiftly" modifies the verb "passed," indicating how the action was performed. This makes "swiftly" an adverb, as adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Option A, "gazelle," is a noun, representing the subject of the sentence. Option B, "passed," is the main verb, indicating the action taken by the subject. Option D, "grassy," is an adjective describing the noun "plains." Therefore, only "swiftly" fulfills the role of an adverb in this context.
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 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.