Grade 12 English SOL Practice Test — Set 3 of 6

Set 3 of 6 — 50 more free Grade 12 English SOL practice questions from official VDOE released tests.

1. 1. Which question is answered in paragraph 8?

   AHow many times Elizabeth visited the cityBWhy Elizabeth came to the cityCHow long Elizabeth stayedDWhere Elizabeth stayed
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   Answer: B — Why Elizabeth came to the city

2. 2. In paragraph 9, the word culmination means

   Fconclusion or resultGbeginning or causeHunexpected consequenceJunspoken purpose
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   Answer: F — conclusion or result

3. 3. The main purpose of paragraph 9 is to

   Adescribe Elizabeth’s experiencesBpresent impressions of the cityCcreate atmosphereDprovide historical context
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   Answer: D — provide historical context

4. 4. The description of the city in paragraph 10

   Fforeshadows later eventsGsuggests confusionHshows rapid growthJreinforces excitement
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   Answer: J — reinforces excitement

5. 5. What conclusion may be drawn from paragraph 10?

   AThe city frightened ElizabethBDelivery boys made her nervousCVendors amused herDThe sounds seemed musical
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   Answer: D — The sounds seemed musical

6. 6. The phrase “she nearly choked on the extravagance” shows that Elizabeth

   Fwonders if she will like the chocolatesGfeels guilty about spending the moneyHworries about payingJfears getting sick
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   Answer: G — feels guilty about spending the money

7. 7. The phrase “exploded from the box” is used to

   Aadd ironyBunderstate the eventCcreate tensionDexaggerate the incident
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   Answer: D — exaggerate the incident

8. 8. The comparison in paragraph 19 is used to

   Fexpress views on women’s rightsGstress cost of chocolatesHshow love of sweetsJshow exhaustion
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   Answer: F — express views on women’s rights

9. 9. Which sentence most clearly places the selection in historical context?

   ADescription of clothingBElizabeth holding her bagCReference to Model T carsDDescription of storefronts
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   Answer: C — Reference to Model T cars

10. 10. Which book would best help someone learn about women gaining the right to vote?

    FThe Voting Process in American SocietyGThe Encyclopedia of Famous American WomenHThe Women’s Equality Movement in AmericaJThe Struggle for Civil Liberties in America
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    Answer: H — The Women’s Equality Movement in America

11. 11. Which sentence is the best example of vivid imagery?

    AElizabeth accepted the porter’s hand.BElizabeth was two years shy of voting.CThis was the face from newspapers.DPeople whirled around her like a carousel.
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    Answer: D — People whirled around her like a carousel.

12. 12. The author suggests Elizabeth

    Fis independentGwastes moneyHplans to stay long-termJis uninterested in politics
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    Answer: F — is independent

13. 13. The tone of the selection is best described as

    AmelancholyBoptimisticCscholarlyDsarcastic
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    Answer: B — optimistic

14. 14. Which would be the best source of information about ancient Roman architectural style?

    FA video on ancient civilizationsGA book titled Principles of Architecture Through HistoryHA current architecture magazineJAn encyclopedia entry on Italian culture
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    Answer: G — A book titled Principles of Architecture Through History

15. 15. Which keywords would best help find information about early filmmaking?

    Amotion picturesBorigins of moviesCvideo camerasDtheater history
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    Answer: B — origins of movies

16. 16. An online search for “Galapagos” produces the following types of results: • A commercial tour website • A personal vacation blog • A university geology department page • An educational travel company page Which website would be the most reliable source of information about the Galapagos Islands?

    FA tour company websiteGA personal blogHA university geology department websiteJAn educational travel company website
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    Answer: H — A university geology department website

17. 17. Which sentence expresses an opinion?

    AMachu Picchu was inhabited for centuries.BThe Spanish never discovered its location.CMachu Picchu is a region of incredible mystery and power.DHow Machu Picchu was built remains unknown.
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    Answer: C — Machu Picchu is a region of incredible mystery and power.

18. 18. In the sentence describing sunlight, leaves, and a butterfly, the tone is created through the use of

    FsimileGallusionHimageryJsymbolism
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    Answer: H — imagery

19. 19. The phrase “entry-level position” is intended to—

    Apersuade only those with multiple years of job experience to apply for this positionBencourage applicants who possess the necessary skills but might not yet have job experienceCshow that this job primarily involves the entry of data into various computer databasesDinvite applicants who would like to receive free training in the skills required for the job
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    Answer: B — encourage applicants who possess the necessary skills but might not yet have job experience

20. 20. Read this excerpt from the first paragraph of the job description: “…involves skill in the operation of a standard typewriter, word processor, or computer alphanumeric keyboard.” Which of the following words would be the best replacement for “operation”?

    FOperationGManeuverHOrchestrationJManagement
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    Answer: F — Operation

21. 21. The job description indicates that keyboard specialists are expected to—

    Areceive training from the Virginia Department of Personnel and TrainingBhire office workers when additional help is neededCcorrect the spelling and punctuation of handwritten draftsDrepair copiers and other kinds of office machines
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    Answer: C — correct the spelling and punctuation of handwritten drafts

22. 22. What paragraph contains information about how many words per minute an applicant must be able to type?

    F1G2H3J4
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    Answer: F — 1

23. 23. Which skill is most important for a keyboard specialist to have?

    AMaking speeches to large audiencesBPaying close attention to detailsCPlanning to meet long-term goalsDFinding creative solutions to problems
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    Answer: B — Paying close attention to details

24. 24. There is enough information in the job description to show that—

    Fword processors are more efficient to use than computersGthe job of a keyboard specialist varies from one office to anotherHit is more important to know word usage than English grammarJkeyboard specialists earn more in Virginia than in most other states
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    Answer: G — the job of a keyboard specialist varies from one office to another

25. 25. Which question is not answered in this job description?

    AWhat is the telephone number for the Virginia Department of Personnel and Training?BDoes the job require contact with persons outside the office?CIn what order are the files maintained?DWhat kind of material does a keyboard specialist type?
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    Answer: A — What is the telephone number for the Virginia Department of Personnel and Training?

26. 26. The rhyme scheme in the first stanza is—

    Fa a b bGa b a bHa b c dJa b c b
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    Answer: G — a b a b

27. 27. In stanza 1, fire balloons are described as “frail” and “illegal” in order to—

    Aforeshadow what happens in the second half of the poemBillustrate why the people in that part of the world use fire balloonsCreflect what happens in the first half of the poemDexplain why the poet felt compelled to write about fire balloons
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    Answer: A — foreshadow what happens in the second half of the poem

28. 28. Which lines from the poem suggest fleeting love?

    FLines 3 and 4GLines 7 and 8HLines 13 and 14JLines 21 and 22
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    Answer: G — Lines 7 and 8

29. 29. The references to color in lines describing the owls as “stained bright pink underneath” and the armadillo as “rose-flecked” indicate that—

    Aflowers were bloomingBthe fire balloons were different colorsCthe animals may have been injuredDthe animals are unusual
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    Answer: C — the animals may have been injured

30. 30. In the last stanza, the image of the “weak mailed fist / clenched ignorant against the sky” refers to the—

    FspeakerGbaby rabbitHowlsJarmadillo
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    Answer: J — armadillo

31. 31. What is the effect of putting the last stanza in italics?

    AIt provides structural unity for the poem.BIt emphasizes the word choice of this stanza.CIt introduces a new speaker.DIt illustrates that this is the most significant stanza.
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    Answer: D — It illustrates that this is the most significant stanza.

32. 32. Which line contains an example of simile?

    F“they flare and falter, wobble and toss;”G“It splattered like an egg of fire”H“and then a baby rabbit jumped out,”J“Too pretty, dreamlike mimicry!”
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    Answer: G — “It splattered like an egg of fire”

33. 33. The armadillo in this poem serves as—

    Aa symbolBan allusionCa foilDa cliché
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    Answer: A — a symbol

34. 34. Naomi most likely began her paper with quoted lines of poetry in order to—

    Fdemonstrate the importance of the blacksmith in early American lifeGdescribe in detail what an American chestnut tree looks likeHmake the introductory paragraph easier to understandJshow that the chestnut tree was once an important part of American life
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    Answer: J — show that the chestnut tree was once an important part of American life

35. 35. Naomi has supported her thesis for this paper with all of the following except—

    Afacts about the Asian fungus that attacked the American chestnut treesBher own experience with American chestnut treesCothers’ opinions about the future of American chestnut treesDfigures about the size of American chestnut trees
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    Answer: B — her own experience with American chestnut trees

36. 36. According to this paper, the new blight will help the American chestnut tree by—

    Fproviding a source of knowledge about tree diseasesGattacking the fungus that has ravaged themHbringing the public’s attention and support to the problemJcausing importers to stop bringing in foreign trees
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    Answer: G — attacking the fungus that has ravaged them

37. 37. Which question is not answered in paragraph 4 of this paper?

    AWhy is the Asian fungus dangerous to the chestnut tree?BHow does the Asian fungus travel from tree to tree?CWhere was the chestnut tree blight first noticed?DHow did the Asian fungus enter the United States?
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    Answer: D — How did the Asian fungus enter the United States?

38. 38. Naomi included enough information in this paper to show that—

    Fit is probably too late to save the American chestnut treeGthe threat to the American chestnut tree has been successfully eradicatedHscientists might be able to save the American chestnut treeJthe American chestnut tree is now thriving in this country
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    Answer: H — scientists might be able to save the American chestnut tree

39. 39. In paragraph 5, the word demise most nearly means—

    AdefianceBdiscoveryCdeathDdevelopment
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    Answer: C — death

40. 40. Which of the following would be considered plagiarism of the excerpt from Trees in North America?

    FA direct quotation with citationGA paraphrase with citationHA quoted summary with attributionJA paraphrase with no citation
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    Answer: J — A paraphrase with no citation

41. 41. Which question does Naomi not attempt to answer in this paper?

    AHow does the fungus disease destroy the Asian fungus?BWhat was the natural range of the American chestnut?CIn what ways has the timber of American chestnuts been used?DWhen was The American Chestnut Foundation established?
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    Answer: A — How does the fungus disease destroy the Asian fungus?

42. 42. Which of these would best help the reader evaluate the accurate use of information in this paper?

    FConsulting the sources cited in the paperGFinding the word “chestnut” in a dictionaryHLooking for additional facts in other sourcesJExamining an American chestnut tree
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    Answer: F — Consulting the sources cited in the paper

43. 43. Al Gore’s image of America drowning in an “endless stream of waste” is designed to elicit what emotion in the reader?

    AFearBSympathyCHostilityDRegret
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    Answer: A — Fear

44. 44. Al Gore uses the phrases “throwaway society” and “out of sight, out of mind.” These are examples of—

    FmetaphorGhyperboleHironyJcliché
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    Answer: J — cliché

45. 45. The organizational structure of the selection from Al Gore’s book is best described as—

    Aspatial sequenceBcompare/contrastCtime sequenceDproblem/solution
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    Answer: D — problem/solution

46. 46. The tone of this selection from Al Gore’s book is best described as—

    FscholarlyGhostileHcautionaryJempathetic
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    Answer: H — cautionary

47. 47. Chief Seattle’s statement “Like a man dying for many days, he is numb to the stench” is an example of—

    AmetaphorBhyperboleCsimileDsymbolism
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    Answer: C — simile

48. 48. In paragraph 5, Chief Seattle asks three questions and answers each himself. What is the effect of this technique?

    FIt engages the reader more directly than a simple statement would.GIt creates reader sympathy for the fate of the Indian.HIt reflects Chief Seattle’s educational background.JIt frustrates the reader because it is not straightforward.
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    Answer: F — It engages the reader more directly than a simple statement would.

49. 49. Chief Seattle’s warning about suffocating in one’s own waste can best be described as—

    Aa critique of Al Gore’s essayBan explanation of the concept Al Gore presentsCa foreshadowing of the concerns expressed in Al Gore’s essayDthe antithesis of Al Gore’s essay
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    Answer: C — a foreshadowing of the concerns expressed in Al Gore’s essay

50. 50. This sentence contains an example of — “He swung wide around an anonymous heap of metal being swallowed by a greedy mound of blackberry brambles and came to an abrupt halt.”

    AapostropheBmetaphorCsymbolismDpersonification
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    Answer: D — personification

Practice items adapted from Virginia Department of Education released SOL tests. Practice items are provided for study purposes and are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Virginia Department of Education.