Grade 7 English SOL Practice Test — Set 1 of 2

64 free Grade 7 English Virginia SOL practice questions drawn from official Virginia Department of Education released tests. Pick an answer to check it instantly, or open “Show answer” to review. No signup required.

1. 1. The name “the osprey garden” in paragraph 4 gives the reader the impression of —

   Afields of flowers eaten by ospreysBcolorful ospreys that look like flowersCfields filled with flowers and ospreysDospreys living together as thickly as flowers
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   Answer: D — ospreys living together as thickly as flowers

2. 2. Which sentence from the article contains a comparison?

   FUsually, ospreys hit the water feet first, plunging completely underwater to catch their food.GLike other birds, ospreys like to build their nests where people are unlikely to approach them.HWhen the eggs crack open, the chicks, which weigh only about two ounces, crawl out.JIn less than two months, these tiny birds will have grown enough to take their first flight.
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   Answer: G — Like other birds, ospreys like to build their nests where people are unlikely to approach them.

3. 3. Which detail about ospreys should be included in a summary of the article?

   AThe osprey has a wingspan of up to six feet across, and it has a distinctive mix of brown and white feathers.BThe diet of the osprey consists mainly of fish, so it builds its nest in areas near large bodies of water.CThe average life span of an osprey in the wild is around 18 years, but the oldest bird of this type lived to be 25 years old.DThe osprey typically migrates from Alaska to the Caribbean for the winter, so it has a long journey each fall and spring.
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   Answer: B — The diet of the osprey consists mainly of fish, so it builds its nest in areas near large bodies of water.

4. 4. Paragraph 19 contributes to the theme of the story by showing that —

   Aovercoming fears can bring powerBhonoring the beauty of simple objects is importantCexperiencing different cultures can lead to personal growthDcelebrating traditions brings families together
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   Answer: C — experiencing different cultures can lead to personal growth

5. 5. Which sentence from the story best communicates a sense of celebration?

   AWen elaborated on the traditional Chinese festival while Brady listened intently.BRelatives and friends congratulated each other on finishing another year while welcoming in the new one.CBrady followed Wen into his room, asking why everyone was wearing red-colored pajamas for the sleepover.DWhen he went to bed that night, his stomach and his heart felt full.
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   Answer: B — Relatives and friends congratulated each other on finishing another year while welcoming in the new one.

6. 6. In paragraph 3, the newspaper reporter writes about Keichline most likely because she —

   Fhad uncommon abilitiesGused unusual materialsHhad won an impressive contestJwas well known in the community
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   Answer: F — had uncommon abilities

7. 7. In paragraph 5, the word innovative means —

   Aoccurring rarely or infrequentlyBshowing great valueCusing new methodsDquickly or easily built
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   Answer: C — using new methods

8. 8. In paragraph 5, the information is organized by —

   Fcause and effectGprocessHlistingJcomparison/contrast
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   Answer: H — listing

9. 9. “A Leader in Her Profession” would be the best heading for which paragraph?

   A2B3C4D5
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   Answer: D — 5

10. 10. Read lines 21 and 22 from the poem. “No canvas can compete with such a scene; No tube of paint can duplicate so true” These lines show that the speaker believes —

    Fthe beauty of nature is impossible to capture in artGleaves exhibit vivid colors for only a short timeHartists are limited by the materials available to themJthe sights of nature change with each season
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    Answer: F — the beauty of nature is impossible to capture in art

11. 11. In line 31, the word comfort has a connotation of —

    Aan easing of griefBa freedom from hardshipCa relaxed feeling of peaceDan improved mood
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    Answer: C — a relaxed feeling of peace

12. 12. The speaker’s word choice in the poem conveys a tone of —

    FappreciationGhumorHenthusiasmJadmiration
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    Answer: F — appreciation

13. 13. At the top of the article, the words “Student Voices Column” are described as boldface and placed between horizontal lines in order to —

    Ahighlight a featured section of the newspaperBindicate that the newspaper article conveys the ideas of all studentsCsuggest the urgent nature of the newspaper articleDemphasize that the newspaper is published by middle school students
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    Answer: A — highlight a featured section of the newspaper

14. 14. In paragraph 1, the reader knows that the students —

    Fhave expressed interest in newspaper articles about the menuGare divided in their attitudes about the quality of the cafeteria foodHhave discussed their food preferences with the cafeteria staffJare lacking information about the reasons for the menu changes
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    Answer: J — are lacking information about the reasons for the menu changes

15. 15. In paragraph 3, the author puts “old-fashioned” in quotation marks to —

    Ahighlight an important phraseBindicate a disagreement between chefsCemphasize the style of a particular dishDintroduce an unfamiliar term
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    Answer: C — emphasize the style of a particular dish

16. 16. Which detail from paragraphs 3 and 4 emphasizes the author’s positive viewpoint about menu items?

    Flooked like real fried chicken, golden brown and crispyGcauliflower crust instead of pizza doughHmacaroni and cheese using nonfat dairy productsJmade with grilled bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions
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    Answer: F — looked like real fried chicken, golden brown and crispy

17. 17. Why does the author include the statement that the tacos are “the best food in the world”?

    Ato indicate which days the tacos will be servedBto convey how large the tacos will beCto emphasize how delicious the new tacos tasteDto highlight which students will eat the tacos
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    Answer: C — to emphasize how delicious the new tacos taste

18. 18. Which glossary entry gives the meaning of the word surveyed as it is used in paragraph 5?

    FalertGapproachHdesignedJsurveyed
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    Answer: J — surveyed

19. 19. What is the main idea of paragraph 5?

    AThe chefs are knowledgeable about the health of students.BThe nutritious food that the students are eating makes them feel better.CThe new menu includes fresh ingredients that students have requested.DThe students have responded positively to dishes on the new menu.
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    Answer: D — The students have responded positively to dishes on the new menu.

20. 20. Based on paragraph 6, the main outcome of interviewing Marge LaRough was that the author —

    Fwas able to tell cafeteria staff what the students think about the meal varietyGgained a better understanding of the requirements placed on the school cafeteriaHcould understand the challenges of locating the ingredients for certain dishesJlearned that additional meal options would soon become available to students
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    Answer: G — gained a better understanding of the requirements placed on the school cafeteria

21. 21. Based on the word choice in paragraph 7, what does the author most likely believe?

    AStudents should accept that healthful dishes are often similar in flavor.BCurrently served dishes will be replaced with new versions.CStaff should consult students when making menu decisions.DConsistent improvements in the cafeteria will continue.
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    Answer: D — Consistent improvements in the cafeteria will continue.

22. 22. Which action by cafeteria staff suggests that student opinions are taken into consideration?

    FContinuing the tradition of serving tacos on TuesdayGDeveloping dishes that are more modernHStudying the rules of the U.S. Department of AgricultureJReplacing macaroni and cheese with a new dish
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    Answer: F — Continuing the tradition of serving tacos on Tuesday

23. 23. According to the article, cafeteria offerings were different before the 2012 rules in that they —

    Afeatured familiar ingredientsBcontained fresh fruits and vegetablesCincluded sugary and fried foodsDprovided few vegetarian dishes
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    Answer: C — included sugary and fried foods

24. 24. Which sentence is NOT supported by relevant evidence?

    FThe cafeteria staff took the not-so-healthful meals and made them better for us.GThe old tacos were made of seasoned and browned ground turkey topped with low-fat cheese and canned salsa.HThe chefs who designed the new menu definitely have the health of today’s young people in mind.JThe new menu may currently lack variety, but we are fortunate to now have dishes that focus on freshness and health.
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    Answer: H — The chefs who designed the new menu definitely have the health of today’s young people in mind.

25. 25. Which paragraph contains useful information for a presentation about how to make dishes healthier?

    Aparagraph 2Bparagraph 3Cparagraph 4Dparagraph 5
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    Answer: B — paragraph 3

26. 26. Which statement best expresses the author's viewpoint?

    AThe cafeteria’s healthful food options are delicious.BSome items on the current menu are more flavorful than others.CTraditional dishes should be added to the current menu.DThe cafeteria’s chefs are more concerned about nutrition than taste.
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    Answer: A — The cafeteria’s healthful food options are delicious.

27. 27. The phrase “My heart swelled” conveys that the narrator is —

    Anot feeling very wellBproud of the dish he has createdCnervous that his dish will not earn him a good gradeDhoping that the teacher will make a decision quickly
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    Answer: B — proud of the dish he has created

28. 28. In paragraph 5, the word consecutively comes from a Latin root that means —

    Ffinish earlyGempty rapidlyHhappen carefullyJfollow closely
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    Answer: J — follow closely

29. 29. Which word is a synonym for enhance as used in the story?

    AcirculateBdiscoverCintensifyDscatter
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    Answer: C — intensify

30. 30. How is figurative language used in the first stanza of the poem?

    FTo show that the speaker’s experience was agonizingGTo re-create sounds from the speaker’s past experiencesHTo emphasize the effects of the speaker’s reactionJTo exaggerate the speaker’s feelings of impatience
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    Answer: H — To emphasize the effects of the speaker’s reaction

31. 31. Lines 13–14 of the poem convey that the speaker’s anger is —

    Adifficult to controlBpart of the healing processCthe result of many argumentsDa normal reaction to the situation
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    Answer: A — difficult to control

32. 32. Lines 29–32 reveal that the speaker —

    Fis usually a sensible personGaccepts responsibility for what she has done wrongHfails to understand her actionsJis unable to forgive her friend for her betrayal
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    Answer: G — accepts responsibility for what she has done wrong

33. 33. Which idea is developed in both the story and the poem?

    AThe past is often the reason people are unable to move forward.BHaving a disagreement will usually bring people closer in the end.CAdmitting the reason for failures is the first step toward transformation.DThe harshest judgments people receive often come from themselves.
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    Answer: C — Admitting the reason for failures is the first step toward transformation.

34. 34. The endings of the story and the poem both convey a tone of —

    AcalmnessBconfusionChopefulnessDindecision
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    Answer: C — hopefulness

35. 35. How do the narrator of the story and the speaker of the poem resolve their conflicts?

    ABy seeking guidance from someone who offers wise adviceBBy sharing an idea with someone who may or may not respondCBy standing up for their beliefs even when others do not agreeDBy using a different approach than they have used in the past
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    Answer: D — By using a different approach than they have used in the past

36. 36. Which major theme do the story and the poem have in common?

    AExpressing feelings in a kind and patient way can be difficult.BMaking changes in life requires taking the necessary steps.CRespecting peers involves being honest with them.DRemaining loyal to one another in difficult times is important.
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    Answer: B — Making changes in life requires taking the necessary steps.

37. 37. In paragraph 4, the author includes the detail of Mrs. Parker sounding “a little too patient” to suggest that —

    Ashe is known as a tough teacherBshe is trying hard to be tolerantCstudents usually find her voice soothingDstudents rarely misbehave in her class
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    Answer: B — she is trying hard to be tolerant

38. 38. Read this sentence from paragraph 7. “They’re fictional, of course, but I want to name them after real places that nobody knows much about.” In which word does the suffix -al have the same meaning as it does in fictional?

    AcasualBmetalCjournalDregional
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    Answer: D — regional

39. 39. Which word in paragraph 17 conveys Jared’s embarrassment?

    AsnickersBhushingCslouchedDcaught
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    Answer: C — slouched

40. 40. Which statement best completes a summary web about Jared?

    AJared’s friendship with Sam helps them become better science students.BJared’s frustration causes him to spend too much time visiting with Sam.CJared’s imagination wanders long enough to find names for his characters.DJared’s interest in science increases during a field trip to a planetarium.
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    Answer: C — Jared’s imagination wanders long enough to find names for his characters.

41. 41. In this story, Jared’s main conflict can be described as —

    Aindividual vs. selfBindividual vs. natureCindividual vs. societyDindividual vs. technology
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    Answer: A — individual vs. self

42. 42. In a summary of this story, the most important detail to include is how Jared —

    Atakes his permission slip to the front of the classroomBlearns that some stars have numbers in their namesCtells Sam when the writing assignment is dueDhears Astrid talking about features of outer space
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    Answer: D — hears Astrid talking about features of outer space

43. 43. By the end of the story, readers can best predict that Jared will —

    Afinish his science-fiction story after schoolBapologize to Astrid after the presentationChelp Sam with his story assignmentDvisit the planetarium again soon
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    Answer: A — finish his science-fiction story after school

44. 44. Why does the author include paragraph 1?

    ATo show how cats have changed over the yearsBTo establish an image of common cat behaviorCTo create a link between the cat and the MauDTo compare the personality of the cat to the Mau
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    Answer: B — To establish an image of common cat behavior

45. 45. What does domesticated mean in paragraph 2?

    AmovedBcapturedCtamedDproduced
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    Answer: C — tamed

46. 46. In paragraph 4, reverence means —

    Aexcellent careBkind rewardsCgreat powerDdeep respect
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    Answer: D — deep respect

47. 47. Why does the author include the detail that Egyptians did not wish to harm cats?

    ATo show that Egyptians are kindBTo offer a reason for releasing the catsCTo show that Egyptians are reasonableDTo demonstrate the high standing of cats
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    Answer: D — To demonstrate the high standing of cats

48. 48. Which statement best summarizes paragraph 5?

    AWeighing 8–12 pounds, Egyptian Maus have short hair.BKnown for spotted coats, Egyptian Maus can be one of five colors.CDescended from ancient Egyptian cats, Maus are medium-sized with short, spotted fur.DPurebred Egyptian Maus are blue, black, silver, or smoke in color.
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    Answer: C — Descended from ancient Egyptian cats, Maus are medium-sized with short, spotted fur.

49. 49. Which word from paragraph 7 best shows how Maus are viewed in Egypt today?

    AdevotedBmagnificentCnumerousDnuisance
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    Answer: D — nuisance

50. 50. According to the article, cats started gaining acceptance in Egypt when —

    Athey kept homes free from pestsBimages of cats appeared on jewelryCchildren received cat namesDthey aided armies in battle
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    Answer: A — they kept homes free from pests

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.