Grade 8 English SOL Practice Test — Set 1 of 4

169 free Grade 8 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. What does the word anecdotes mean in paragraph 3?

   Astrange picturesBpersonal storiesCschool assignmentsDcommunity projects
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   Answer: B — personal stories

2. 2. In paragraph 9, the word belligerent means —

   Fhostile or argumentativeGstrangely familiarHweak or exhaustedJstrongly determined
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   Answer: F — hostile or argumentative

3. 3. In paragraphs 9–12, the description of Mrs. Watson presents her as —

   Acontent and busyBangry and lonelyCeager to make new friendsDdetermined to leave the center
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   Answer: B — angry and lonely

4. 4. In paragraph 15, Mrs. Watson’s eyes suggest that she is —

   FinterestedGannoyedHashamedJimpressed
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   Answer: F — interested

5. 5. From paragraph 22, the reader may best conclude that Keisha —

   Adoes not plan to visit Mrs. Watson againBwishes that Mrs. Watson was nicerCdoes not think Mrs. Watson likes herDfeels affectionate toward Mrs. Watson
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   Answer: D — feels affectionate toward Mrs. Watson

6. 6. The reader may best infer that Mrs. Watson —

   Fdid volunteer work when she was a teenagerGwas expecting to see her daughter instead of KeishaHfaced discrimination when she was youngJwas relieved when Keisha finally finished her visit
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   Answer: H — faced discrimination when she was young

7. 7. The tone of this story is —

   AcriticalBsorrowfulCrespectfulDsuspenseful
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   Answer: C — respectful

8. 8. Mrs. Ellis wishes Keisha luck before her visit with Mrs. Watson because —

   FKeisha is a shy personGMrs. Watson needs a visitorHKeisha is feeling nervousJMrs. Watson can be difficult
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   Answer: J — Mrs. Watson can be difficult

9. 9. Readers may find this story inspiring because a —

   Agirl enjoys learning about her heroesBwoman prefers spending time by herselfCgirl helps someone feel appreciatedDwoman moves to be near her daughter
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   Answer: C — girl helps someone feel appreciated

10. 10. The reader may best conclude that Mrs. Watson —

    Fparticipated in the Montgomery Bus BoycottGwas pleased to move away from AlabamaHwants to write about her experiences in MontgomeryJstill has family members living in Alabama
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    Answer: F — participated in the Montgomery Bus Boycott

11. 11. What is the main conflict in this story?

    AMrs. Watson does not like listening to poetry.BKeisha does not have anything to read to the residents.CMrs. Watson does not want any visitors.DKeisha is not prepared to meet a new resident.
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    Answer: C — Mrs. Watson does not want any visitors.

12. 12. In paragraph 3, surpassed means —

    Fbeen estimated to beGalmost reachedHincreased beyondJbeen growing toward
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    Answer: H — increased beyond

13. 13. In paragraph 3, the author uses the words “bulldozing,” “squeezed out,” and “conflicts” to show that —

    Athe baby elephants cannot survive aloneBthe loss of elephant habitat is an unfortunate necessityChuman population growth is a threat to elephantsDpeople are trying to maintain some areas for elephants
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    Answer: C — human population growth is a threat to elephants

14. 14. In paragraph 3, the word turmoil means a —

    Fstate of commotionGsense of mysteryHfeeling of suspenseJcondition of illness
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    Answer: F — state of commotion

15. 15. Which detail could best be included in the section “Endangered Baby Elephants”?

    AA list of other baby animals that are sometimes separated from their mothersBA description of how baby elephants become separated from their mothersCA specific story about a baby elephant that is released from the refugeDA description of how adult elephants help the babies survive in the wild
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    Answer: B — A description of how baby elephants become separated from their mothers

16. 16. Which question is answered in paragraph 6?

    FWho gives the elephants their first feeding?GWhat do elephants at the refuge eat?HHow large is the refuge?JWhere does the refuge get the milk for the baby elephants?
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    Answer: G — What do elephants at the refuge eat?

17. 17. What is the main idea of the section “Return to the Wild”?

    AThe ETH needs donations to feed and care for the young elephants.BFoster parents may help release baby elephants when they are able to survive without human help.CBaby elephants are at the ETH for many years before they can be released.DThe objective of the ETH is for elephants to live together in their natural habitats.
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    Answer: D — The objective of the ETH is for elephants to live together in their natural habitats.

18. 18. What tone is created by the author’s word choice in this article?

    FPersuasiveGConcernedHHumorousJAngry
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    Answer: G — Concerned

19. 19. Which is the best summary of this article?

    AElephants in Asia and Africa are being threatened by people moving into their territories.BThe Elephant Transit Home helps orphaned baby elephants until they can return to the wild.CElephants at the ETH receive food, shelter, and medical care.DElephant refuges offer foster parent programs to support elephants.
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    Answer: B — The Elephant Transit Home helps orphaned baby elephants until they can return to the wild.

20. 20. Which sentence best shows the author’s attitude toward elephants?

    FIn 1900 there were 12,000 wild elephants living in Sri Lanka’s tropical environment.GEvery year about 30 baby elephants in Sri Lanka need refuge.HThen the elephants are released to roam on the preserve’s land.JNot only are the elephants cared for, they are treated with respect and dignity.
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    Answer: J — Not only are the elephants cared for, they are treated with respect and dignity.

21. 21. The author uses section headings to —

    Ahelp readers locate specific informationBstate an opinion to be supported with detailsCmake the article more appealing to the eyeDbuild suspense about the ideas that follow
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    Answer: A — help readers locate specific information

22. 22. About one o’clock, while finishing our lunch, we heard honking like a hungry goose. Which literary device does this sentence contain?

    FPersonificationGSimileHAnalogyJHyperbole
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    Answer: G — Simile

23. 23. The author uses the phrase “put Grandma’s ruby ring to shame” to show —

    Athe condition of the truckBembarrassment about the ringCthe brilliant color of the truckDthe type of stone in the ring
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    Answer: C — the brilliant color of the truck

24. 24. The author uses the words “satisfied silence” to indicate —

    Fappreciation of the truckGthe soft sounds of the engineHthe emptiness of the barnJenjoyment of working in the barn
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    Answer: F — appreciation of the truck

25. 25. Why was the barn mostly empty when the truck pulled into it?

    AThe horses were hitched to the wagon.BThe load of lumber was placed outside.CThe family owned few animals.DThe barn was cleared to fit the truck.
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    Answer: C — The family owned few animals.

26. 26. The reader may best infer that Joe refused the candy because —

    Fhe does not like sweetsGhe felt too busy for a treatHhe was full from eating lunchJhe wanted to be considered a grownup
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    Answer: J — he wanted to be considered a grownup

27. 27. The main reason Joe likes the idea of owning a truck is because —

    Ahe would be able to sit next to his fatherBit holds more lumber than the wagonCit would help Pa win more contractsDhe would have more free time
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    Answer: D — he would have more free time

28. 28. Stunned is to amazed as —

    Fsad is to happyGelaborate is to plainHgentle is to calmJinteresting is to confusing
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    Answer: H — gentle is to calm

29. 29. What may the reader infer is most likely to happen in the future?

    APa will sell the truck because he prefers the wagon.BPa will slowly feel comfortable about using the truck.CPa will be awarded more contracts.DPa will buy another truck for Joe.
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    Answer: B — Pa will slowly feel comfortable about using the truck.

30. 30. Which sentence best expresses the theme of the story?

    FI shook my head “no” toward Pa, and he called out, “No, it’s all for you two kids.”G“The truck can carry twice as much as our wagon,” I said.H“I’ll hitch the team,” I finally said, “unless you want me to load.”JI think it might have said, “Don’t rush him. I’m in no hurry.”
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    Answer: J — I think it might have said, “Don’t rush him. I’m in no hurry.”

31. 31. From which point of view is this story written?

    AFirst person, JoeBFirst person, PaCThird person, limitedDThird person, omniscient
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    Answer: A — First person, Joe

32. 32. What does paragraph 3 suggest about the letter writer?

    FHe finds Ms. Jackson’s tutoring sessions to be easy.GHe respects Ms. Jackson’s tutoring rule.HHe thinks Ms. Jackson’s methods can be frustrating.JHe has had trouble with Ms. Jackson’s assignments.
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    Answer: G — He respects Ms. Jackson’s tutoring rule.

33. 33. The letter writer repeats the phrase “does not simply” in paragraphs 3 and 5 in order to —

    Acompare Ms. Jackson with previous speakersBshow that Ms. Jackson does more than expectedCsuggest a complicated approach to teachingDcompare Ms. Jackson with other teachers
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    Answer: B — show that Ms. Jackson does more than expected

34. 34. What is paragraph 4 mostly about?

    FMs. Jackson’s interest in sporting eventsGMs. Jackson’s willingness to chaperone tripsHMs. Jackson’s occasional absence from eventsJMs. Jackson’s support of students outside the classroom
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    Answer: J — Ms. Jackson’s support of students outside the classroom

35. 35. The word bright suggests that the letter writer sees the future as filled with —

    AhopeBchallengeCmysteryDadventure
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    Answer: A — hope

36. 36. Ms. Jackson would be an unusual choice to speak because she is a —

    FPTA memberGparentHpoliticianJteacher
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    Answer: J — teacher

37. 37. To support his request, the letter writer describes —

    Ahow Ms. Jackson became a teacherBawards Ms. Jackson has wonChow students perceive Ms. JacksonDspeeches Ms. Jackson has given
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    Answer: C — how students perceive Ms. Jackson

38. 38. Which lesson might a student have learned from Ms. Jackson?

    FReal learning takes effort.GNever settle for second best.HSome people are naturally bright.JSeek advice when making decisions.
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    Answer: F — Real learning takes effort.

39. 39. To demonstrate Ms. Jackson’s involvement, the letter writer mentions —

    Adrama performancesBspeech contestsCmusical concertsDgraduation ceremonies
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    Answer: C — musical concerts

40. 40. Which sentence makes the strongest argument for Ms. Jackson?

    FAs an eighth-grade student, I would like you to consider Ms. Jackson.GThe ceremony is an important event.HThe speaker should understand where students have been and are going.JI hope you will consider asking Ms. Jackson to speak.
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    Answer: H — The speaker should understand where students have been and are going.

41. 41. Ms. Jackson is helpful as a tutor primarily because she is —

    Aenthusiastic about homeworkBknowledgeable in three subjectsCavailable during the summerDpopular with students
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    Answer: B — knowledgeable in three subjects

42. 42. Speaker is to inspire as —

    Fstudent is to assistGteacher is to motivateHcoach is to practiceJparent is to improve
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    Answer: G — teacher is to motivate

43. 43. Which sentence contains the best example of personification?

    AThe dog ate its food in exactly thirty seconds.BBenjamin races across the field like a jackrabbit.CThe sun poked its face through the curtains.DNadine was swamped with letters.
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    Answer: C — The sun poked its face through the curtains.

44. 44. Which is a synonym for scrutinize?

    FrejectGmodifyHdiscountJinspect
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    Answer: J — inspect

45. 45. Which sentence contains a metaphor?

    AThe moon was a gleaming silver coin in the sky.BA brown buffalo blundered into the pasture.CMelinda had waited forever.DThe camera captured the scene.
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    Answer: A — The moon was a gleaming silver coin in the sky.

46. 46. In paragraph 2, the author’s use of the words “distinguish” and “like” indicates that the information is organized by —

    Adetermining the causes of an effectBarranging the ideas in order of importanceCplacing the events in chronological sequenceDcomparing and contrasting similar subjects
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    Answer: D — comparing and contrasting similar subjects

47. 47. Based on paragraph 8, the reader may best infer that the kinkajou —

    Ais unsuited for domestic lifeBrequires a tropical habitatCrequires a special dietDis unable to coexist with other pets
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    Answer: A — is unsuited for domestic life

48. 48. According to the article, which sense best helps a kinkajou locate another kinkajou’s territory?

    ASightBSmellCTouchDHearing
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    Answer: B — Smell

49. 49. According to the article, the kinkajou resembles a monkey because of its —

    Agrooming habitsBsharp teethCsleep scheduleDcommunication style
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    Answer: A — grooming habits

50. 50. After their first meeting, the narrator and the horse learn about each other when they —

    Aeat their meals togetherBgo for short rides togetherCreceive training from an elderDspend time observing one another
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    Answer: D — spend time observing one another

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.