Grade 12 English SOL Practice Test — Set 5 of 6

Set 5 of 6 — 50 more free Grade 12 English SOL practice questions from official VDOE released tests.

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

   FIs sleep essential to physical well-being?GHow can people improve sleeping habits?HWhat is the most demanding activity?JHow does sleep enhance health?
   Show answer

   Answer: F — Is sleep essential to physical well-being?

2. 2. Which heading best fits paragraph 1?

   ALowering StressBToo Busy to SleepCSleep TimeDThe Growing Danger
   Show answer

   Answer: B — Too Busy to Sleep

3. 3. Which action would best help evaluate the accuracy of the report?

   FAsking teachers for opinionsGObserving personal sleep effectsHChecking the Works Cited sourcesJRereading the report
   Show answer

   Answer: H — Checking the Works Cited sources

4. 4. Based on the report, well-rested people are more likely to —

   Amake better decisions at workBdrive more oftenChave stronger family relationshipsDstudy more hours
   Show answer

   Answer: A — make better decisions at work

5. 5. Which source should most likely be checked carefully for accuracy?

   F“Get All-Day Energy Even if You’re Low on Sleep”G“Fail to Snooze, Immune Cells Lose”H“Researchers: Lack of Sleep May Cause Aging, Stress, Flab”J“Sleep and Academic Performance”
   Show answer

   Answer: F — “Get All-Day Energy Even if You’re Low on Sleep”

6. 6. People who lack sleep are more susceptible to viruses because —

   Acortisol levels riseBnatural defenses are weakenedCenergy molecules are reducedDbrain cells are damaged
   Show answer

   Answer: B — natural defenses are weakened

7. 7. Inadequate sleep impairs judgment by —

   Fraising blood pressureGreducing killer cellsHincreasing stress hormonesJinterfering with energy molecule production
   Show answer

   Answer: J — interfering with energy molecule production

8. 8. Which source would best help evaluate how tiredness affects driving?

   AAn article on car safety featuresBA report on causes of car accidentsCA consumer auto safety guideDAn article on car interiors
   Show answer

   Answer: B — A report on causes of car accidents

9. 9. Based on the report, sleep —

   Fhas little effect on immunityGcauses brain swellingHreduces cortisol levelsJslows muscle deterioration
   Show answer

   Answer: H — reduces cortisol levels

10. 10. People who sleep eight hours a night can expect to —

    Abecome immune to diseaseBcreate excess energy moleculesChave more active killer cellsDbecome better athletes
    Show answer

    Answer: C — have more active killer cells

11. 11. According to White’s study, those at greatest risk for heart disease are people who —

    Fwork irregular schedulesGare prone to virusesHsleep fewer than five hoursJhave moderate cortisol levels
    Show answer

    Answer: H — sleep fewer than five hours

12. 12. In the sentence describing a “heavy black cloak,” the cloak represents —

    AreliefBsadnessCclothingDweight
    Show answer

    Answer: B — sadness

13. 13. The sentence comparing a person without purpose to “a sailor at sea without a compass” contains a —

    AoxymoronBallusionCmetaphorDpun
    Show answer

    Answer: C — metaphor

14. 14. The sentence describing an engine that “coughed, sputtered, whined, and then died” uses —

    ApersonificationBparadoxCalliterationDapostrophe
    Show answer

    Answer: A — personification

15. 15. In the final excerpt, the author establishes tone primarily through —

    FimageryGallusionHunderstatementJmetaphor
    Show answer

    Answer: F — imagery

16. 16. Signature of Parent or Guardian Section C Getting a Virginia Driver’s License Every person operating a motor vehicle must be licensed to do so by the state. Pursuant to Virginia state law, applicants must be at least 16 years and 3 months of age to obtain a driver’s license. Required Documentation: 1. Two original forms of identification that give proof of your name and date of birth (no photocopies). One form is required for applicants under age 18. 2. Proof of your social security number. 3. An original proof of Virginia residency such as a pay stub, vehicle registration card, insurance policy, or utility bill (no photocopies). 4. A certificate showing successful completion of a state-approved driver’s education program (if you are under the age of 19). Required Testing: 1. A two-part knowledge exam consisting of 10 traffic sign questions and 25 multiple-choice questions based on the statutes of the state regarding the rules of driving as indicated in Section Two of the Driver’s Manual. All applicants must hold a learner’s permit at least 30 days before taking the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles road skills test. 2. A vision test to assure your eyesight conforms to the state safety standard set for drivers of motor vehicles. 3. A road test administered by a representative of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, in which you demonstrate your skill in maneuvering a motor vehicle and complying with driving regulations. 4. The “Required Documentation” list in Section A states that learners must — A. have a good academic record B. demonstrate compliance with motor vehicle laws C. show proof of school attendance D. be accompanied by a licensed driver 5. Which question is not answered in Section A of the Driver’s Manual? F. How long is the classroom portion of a driver education course? G. Is a social security number required to obtain a learner’s permit? H. When is written permission from a parent required by the state? J. Are photocopies permissible as original proof documents? 6. Look at Sections A and B. Which item on the Learner’s Permit Application could be left blank by someone over the age of 18? A. 5 B. 7 C. 10 D. 11 7. Which proof document is not listed in Section C? F. Pay stub G. Social security card H. Passport J. Driver’s education certificate 8. Which question is not answered under “Required Testing” in Section C? A. How many questions must be answered correctly on the knowledge exam? B. What should be studied to prepare for part two of the knowledge exam? C. Which physical condition is a factor in obtaining a driver’s license? D. What kinds of skills are being tested on a road test? 9. A Department of Motor Vehicles representative is required to be present when a learner is — F. learning to park G. taking a road test H. receiving a driver’s education certificate J. driving with a learner’s permit 10. According to the Driver’s Manual, completion of a driver education program is required — A. for all learner’s permit applicants B. for license applicants under the age of 19 C. if a parent is unable to teach the applicant D. if the applicant lacks a high school diploma The Year I Drove Through the Car Wash Robert Cormier Passage text reproduced in full as provided. 8. “The Year I Drove Through the Car Wash” is a — F. fable G. biography H. narrative J. legend 9. “It was not one of my more glorious moments” is an example of — A. hyperbole B. understatement C. paradox D. pun 10. The word paraphernalia in paragraph 6 means — F. employees G. cleaners H. equipment J. confusion 11. Which of the following questions is not answered in paragraph 12?

    AWhat subject was the family discussing?BWhen was the family talking?CHow was the mood of the family discussion?DWhy did the car wash malfunction?
    Show answer

    Answer: D — Why did the car wash malfunction?

17. 17. The humorous tone of this story is mostly created by —

    Fdiction (word choice)Guse of chronological orderHcharacterizationJuse of symbols
    Show answer

    Answer: F — diction (word choice)

18. 18. The words “catapulted,” “aimed,” and “shot” evoke images of —

    AchaosBwarfareCstormsDhumiliation
    Show answer

    Answer: B — warfare

19. 19. Which of the following statements contains personification?

    F“We all laughed. It was a nice moment.”G“... the car looked as if it had caught some terrible disease.”H“At the end of the tunnel we zoomed out into the street...”J“But somehow the gear slipped into drive...”
    Show answer

    Answer: G — “... the car looked as if it had caught some terrible disease.”

20. 20. The point of view of this selection is —

    Afirst person, narratorBfirst person, car wash attendantCthird person, childrenDthird person omniscient
    Show answer

    Answer: A — first person, narrator

21. 21. A student is writing a report on the development of the car wash in the United States. Which website would be the best place to begin researching?

    FThe New York Times websiteGA website about automobile historyHThe Ford Motor Company’s websiteJA website about the history of car care
    Show answer

    Answer: J — A website about the history of car care

22. 22. This selection is free verse because —

    Ait lacks rhymeBit contains stanzasCit relates a themeDit praises a character
    Show answer

    Answer: A — it lacks rhyme

23. 23. One effect of line 18 (“I watch silently and this coffee is good”) is to —

    Fcreate a humorous tone in the poemGprovide a transition to a new image in the poemHintroduce a new speaker to the poemJdevelop a depressing mood in the second half of the poem
    Show answer

    Answer: G — provide a transition to a new image in the poem

24. 24. When the speaker describes the son’s body as “an intense arc,” she is —

    Ausing a clichéBspeaking in dialectCusing ironyDcreating an image
    Show answer

    Answer: D — creating an image

25. 25. In lines 22–23, the poet writes, “The dull rhythm of winter / is the swinging of the axe.” She is speaking —

    FsarcasticallyGfigurativelyHobjectivelyJliterally
    Show answer

    Answer: G — figuratively

26. 26. Which literary device is used in lines 24–26?

    ASimileBHyperboleCPersonificationDParadox
    Show answer

    Answer: C — Personification

27. 27. Lines 20–26 suggest that the speaker is —

    Fmaking conversationGtaking notesHlooking out of a windowJdrinking strong, fresh coffee
    Show answer

    Answer: H — looking out of a window

28. 28. Which line contains alliteration?

    A“The table trembles with her movements”B“Outside, her son is chopping wood,”C“She pats and tosses it furiously”D“I just know by my hands”
    Show answer

    Answer: A — “The table trembles with her movements”

29. 29. Which of the following best states a theme found in this poem?

    FModern-day life leads inevitably to a loss of tranquility.GSimple things can bring the greatest contentment.HRebelling against authority is an obligation of the young.JPersonal isolation can lead to disillusionment.
    Show answer

    Answer: G — Simple things can bring the greatest contentment.

30. 30. In paragraphs 1–6, the grandmother’s character is revealed through all of the following EXCEPT her —

    AdialogueBactionsCappearanceDthoughts
    Show answer

    Answer: D — thoughts

31. 31. Paragraphs 3–5 reveal that this story is set in a society in which —

    Achildren are taught to be seen and not heardBboys learn different skills than girlsCfamilies struggle with poverty and hungerDwomen make knitted garments to sell
    Show answer

    Answer: B — boys learn different skills than girls

32. 32. In paragraph 6, the character of the girl in the photograph is revealed through —

    Fher actionsGthe narrator’s descriptionHher thoughtsJthe characters’ dialogue
    Show answer

    Answer: G — the narrator’s description

33. 33. According to paragraph 18, the photograph differs from the grandmother’s memory of the setting because the photograph does not capture —

    Athe appearance of the girlBthe kinds of plantsCthe position of the wallDthe colors of the flowers
    Show answer

    Answer: D — the colors of the flowers

34. 34. In paragraphs 22 and 24, the description of the girl creates an impression that —

    Fshe was affectionate and lovingGthe boys were unfriendly and meanHshe was rebellious and carefreeJthe mother was patient and supportive
    Show answer

    Answer: H — she was rebellious and carefree

35. 35. The effect of the description of the butterfly in paragraph 29 is to —

    Ademonstrate that not all families are closeBillustrate how the grandmother has changedCemphasize that not everything can be capturedDreinforce the grandmother’s desire to be young again
    Show answer

    Answer: C — emphasize that not everything can be captured

36. 36. The style of paragraphs 29 and 30 creates a tone of —

    FanxietyGreflectionHunconcernJexcitement
    Show answer

    Answer: G — reflection

37. 37. The fact that the grandmother describes the photograph in detail but will not tell who the girl is affects the story by —

    Aforeshadowing later events involving the grandmotherBproviding tension between the grandmother and the boyCcreating mystery around the character of the grandmotherDclarifying the background culture of the grandmother and the boy
    Show answer

    Answer: C — creating mystery around the character of the grandmother

38. 38. The dialogue used in this selection has all of the following effects EXCEPT —

    Fadding information about the charactersGraising questions about the main problemHclarifying the resolution to the conflictJincreasing the suspense of the plot
    Show answer

    Answer: H — clarifying the resolution to the conflict

39. 39. As it is used in paragraph 5, the word muster means —

    AexplainBgatherCcarry throughDcheck out
    Show answer

    Answer: B — gather

40. 40. Which statement supports the concept that long-distance human flight is possible?

    FKanellopoulos pedaled for four hours before seeing the island.GThe pilot’s body would exhaust its glucose within three hours.HFlights were cancelled due to inclement weather.JThe wingspan of the aircraft was extremely large.
    Show answer

    Answer: F — Kanellopoulos pedaled for four hours before seeing the island.

41. 41. Which question is not answered in this report?

    AWhy was the aircraft named Daedalus?BWhat organizations carried out this experiment?CWhat types of materials were used to build the aircraft?DAre other human-powered flights planned for the future?
    Show answer

    Answer: D — Are other human-powered flights planned for the future?

42. 42. How did Icarus’s flight differ from Kanellopoulos’s?

    FA fall into the Aegean SeaGThe materials used in the flight deviceHA flight between two islandsJThe flight device created by someone else
    Show answer

    Answer: G — The materials used in the flight device

43. 43. Which would be one of the final steps in completing this report?

    AWrite a letter to Kanellopoulos asking for informationBCreate a preliminary outlineCProofread the rough draft of the paper for plagiarismDSearch the Internet for recent articles about Daedalus
    Show answer

    Answer: C — Proofread the rough draft of the paper for plagiarism

44. 44. Which topic is too broad for a research paper?

    FHuman-powered flightGMan’s efforts to flyHFunding the Daedalus flightJProblems faced by Daedalus scientists
    Show answer

    Answer: G — Man’s efforts to fly

45. 45. Chuck has decided to learn more about attempts at flight before the 1900s. Which resource will be the most useful?

    AA Flight Through the AgesBThe Stories of the GreeksCThe Wright Brothers Fly HighDGreat Flights of the Twentieth Century
    Show answer

    Answer: A — A Flight Through the Ages

46. 46. Which of the following is not considered plagiarism?

    FA close paraphrase of the passage with no citationGA summary with in-text citationHA direct quotation with quotation marks and citationJA partial quotation embedded in original text with citation
    Show answer

    Answer: H — A direct quotation with quotation marks and citation

47. 47. In paragraph 1, the expression “rhythm of their lives” suggests that people’s lives were filled with —

    Atedium and consistencyBpatterns and routinesCdifficulties and changesDpleasure and seriousness
    Show answer

    Answer: B — patterns and routines

48. 48. Based on paragraph 4, the reader can determine that the sundial was the first timekeeping device to —

    Fmeasure time more accurately than an obeliskGhave a rod that indicated the location of the sunHmake timekeeping more accessibleJdivide the day into specific hours
    Show answer

    Answer: H — make timekeeping more accessible

49. 49. The main idea of paragraph 5 focuses on the concept that water clocks were —

    Aimportant technology of the ancient worldBfirst developed by Egyptians and then improved by GreeksCdeveloped so that people could tell time without relying on the sunDknown as “water thieves” by the Egyptians and the Greeks
    Show answer

    Answer: C — developed so that people could tell time without relying on the sun

50. 50. This selection supports all of these statements about timekeeping EXCEPT —

    Ftimekeeping divides moments into segmentsGtimekeeping relies on observable movementHtimekeeping requires functioning mechanical partsJtimekeeping satisfies a human need for order
    Show answer

    Answer: H — timekeeping requires functioning mechanical parts

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.