Grade 8 English SOL Practice Test — Set 3 of 4

Set 3 of 4 — 50 more free Grade 8 English SOL practice questions from official VDOE released tests.

1. 1. The simile in paragraph 30 emphasizes that —

   FJoanna is patientGJoanna is curiousHthe bird is slenderJthe bird is quick
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   Answer: J — the bird is quick

2. 2. Joanna presumes the bird is in distress because it —

   Ais clutching on to a rock within the gladeBhas black markings surrounding its eyesCis shrouded behind the cascading waterfallDlooks fixedly at her while crooking its neck
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   Answer: A — is clutching on to a rock within the glade

3. 3. In the story, Joanna is —

   Fable to adapt easily to new situationsGoverconfident about her abilitiesHquick to respond to a problemJcomfortable with making mistakes
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   Answer: H — quick to respond to a problem

4. 4. The repetition of “Plik-plik-plik-plik!” creates a feeling of —

   AhopeBsuspenseCamusementDpeacefulness
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   Answer: B — suspense

5. 5. The point of view used in the story best helps the reader understand —

   Fhow Joanna reaches the parkGhow Dan feels about seeing the birdHwhy Joanna visits the parkJwhy Dan hikes to the waterfall
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   Answer: H — why Joanna visits the park

6. 6. A theme of the story is that —

   Afinding a new challenge is important for personal growthBadjusting to an unfamiliar environment can be easier than expectedCsolving a problem is possible with the help of a guideDinvestigating a mystery can lead to an unexpected adventure
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   Answer: D — investigating a mystery can lead to an unexpected adventure

7. 7. “The Gum Caper” can best be described as a —

   AnarrativeBfolktaleCbiographyDfantasy
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   Answer: A — narrative

8. 8. What is meant by the narrator’s statement “he is a true craftsman, almost an artist at his work”?

   AWally is able to accurately repair any car which needs fixing.BWally does a spectacular job painting and customizing cars.CThe narrator feels Wally is a great painter and sculptor.DThe narrator believes Wally will make an artistic creation out of his radiator.
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   Answer: A — Wally is able to accurately repair any car which needs fixing.

9. 9. The following is a thesaurus entry for the word figure: figure n. number, configuration, appearance, frame; v. calculate, summate, decide, determine, resolve, compute. If the author wanted to replace the word figured in paragraph 11, which word would be the most precise to use from the entry?

   ANumberedBAppearedCComputedDDetermined
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   Answer: D — Determined

10. 10. Which is the best summary for this passage?

    AA man’s car has broken down and he wants some bubble gum.BA man uses bubble gum to temporarily repair his car.CA man convinces his daughter to chew gum to fix his car.DA man’s car has a leaking radiator and he consults a mechanic named Wally.
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    Answer: B — A man uses bubble gum to temporarily repair his car.

11. 11. The author uses what phrase to relate a feeling of joy?

    AParagraph 13 – “She greeted the question with surprise...”BParagraph 15 – “Her eyes danced with delight,...”CParagraph 17 – “She has complete faith in her father,...”DParagraph 18 – “So we sat there chewing awhile...”
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    Answer: B — Paragraph 15 – “Her eyes danced with delight,...”

12. 12. Which phrase would cause the reader to conclude that the narrator felt silly using chewing gum?

    AParagraph 10 – “I mean: chewing gum, for crying out loud.”BParagraph 16 – “... I’m going to use the gum to plug up the holes.”CParagraph 18 – “... we sat there chewing awhile and it was fun,...”DParagraph 21 – “... frankly, I didn’t think the gum would work.”
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    Answer: A — Paragraph 10 – “I mean: chewing gum, for crying out loud.”

13. 13. Which statement is an opinion expressed in the story?

    A“A minor accident a couple of days before had left the car crippled...”B“... get some chewing gum and seal up the leaks...”C“He takes pride in the jobs he performs.”D“... we don’t encourage her to chew gum. In fact, we discourage her.”
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    Answer: C — “He takes pride in the jobs he performs.”

14. 14. In this story, which tone is created through the author’s word choices?

    ASeriousBLightheartedCMysteriousDExcited
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    Answer: B — Lighthearted

15. 15. What is the overall theme of this story?

    AAlways try new experiences and expand your horizons.BSometimes even the strangest of ideas work.CNever be afraid to go against popularly accepted ideas.DOften our experiences will help teach us life lessons.
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    Answer: B — Sometimes even the strangest of ideas work.

16. 16. What is the main idea of paragraph 3?

    AEagles are larger than red-tailed hawks.BBirds of prey are large and require special handling.CRedtails are somewhat large with four-foot wingspans.DSometimes eagles feel unfriendly.
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    Answer: B — Birds of prey are large and require special handling.

17. 17. In this passage, the author uses the word unforgiving in paragraph 5 to —

    Aemphasize that there is no room for error or weakness in the landBexplain that the people in this land often hold grudges against each otherCdescribe the Kazakh peoples’ custom of offering peace to visitorsDestablish that eagles must be careful where they land to catch rabbits
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    Answer: A — emphasize that there is no room for error or weakness in the land

18. 18. Which of these would best help the reader evaluate the accuracy of the information in paragraph 7?

    AA dictionaryBA world atlasCA thesaurusDAn almanac
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    Answer: B — A world atlas

19. 19. In paragraph 11, the author uses a quotation to —

    Aemphasize why Manai no longer hunts wolvesBdescribe the language of the KazakhsCshow how friendly the family wasDexplain the eagles’ preferences for hunting
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    Answer: A — emphasize why Manai no longer hunts wolves

20. 20. Which is the best summary of this passage?

    AThe most traditional Kazakhs have always trained eagles to help them in their hunts.BThe author has been hunting with birds for 37 years and was drawn to it by their beauty and the challenge of training them.CUntil 1997, the author could not realize his dream of visiting western Mongolia because people from Europe and the United States were not allowed to travel there.DThe author visited the Kazakh people of western Mongolia, who are experts in falconry and depend on birds for their livelihood.
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    Answer: D — The author visited the Kazakh people of western Mongolia, who are experts in falconry and depend on birds for their livelihood.

21. 21. In this passage, the author appeals to the reader’s sense of —

    AhumorBprideChorrorDadventure
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    Answer: D — adventure

22. 22. Which point of view does the author use in this passage?

    AFirst person, limited to the narratorBFirst person, limited to the KazakhsCThird person, limited to the narratorDThird person, limited to the Kazakhs
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    Answer: A — First person, limited to the narrator

23. 23. Which sentence expresses a theme of the selection?

    A“He now only hunted foxes, he told me.”B“For two hours we poked around in the bushes...”C“... I’ve collected everything I could find about these people...”D“This visit to Mongolia was a dream fulfilled...”
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    Answer: D — “This visit to Mongolia was a dream fulfilled...”

24. 24. From the tone of this passage, the reader can tell that the author is —

    Atired from a long, hard tripBconfused about how the eagles are trainedCfascinated with the work of the Kazakh peopleDsympathetic to the birds of prey
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    Answer: C — fascinated with the work of the Kazakh people

25. 25. Which of the following is the best summary for “Praying Mantis”?

    AA girl leaves her insect jar where anyone can steal it.BA girl captures an insect and keeps it in a glass jar.CThe speaker steals a girl’s insect from a glass jar.DThe speaker feels sorry for an insect and frees it.
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    Answer: D — The speaker feels sorry for an insect and frees it.

26. 26. In “Dragonflies,” “buzz” and “zoom” are both examples of —

    AsimileBonomatopoeiaCalliterationDpersonification
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    Answer: B — onomatopoeia

27. 27. In “Dragonflies,” line 10 provides an image of —

    Aa hot day when nothing seems to moveBa warm day when dragonflies restCa quiet day when no wind blowsDa sunny day when only insects fly
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    Answer: A — a hot day when nothing seems to move

28. 28. Which phrase from “Dragonflies” offers the best visual description of the insects’ movements?

    A“shiny as metal”B“heat has stilled”C“blur of wings”D“glorious and fragile”
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    Answer: C — “blur of wings”

29. 29. How are the insects treated differently in the poems?

    AThe praying mantis is respected; the dragonflies are not.BThe praying mantis is captured; the dragonflies are not.CThe dragonflies are watched; the praying mantis is not.DThe dragonflies are studied; the praying mantis is not.
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    Answer: B — The praying mantis is captured; the dragonflies are not.

30. 30. Both poems portray insects as —

    AdangerousBinterestingCquickDshimmering
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    Answer: B — interesting

31. 31. How do the writers’ styles differ in the two poems?

    A“Praying Mantis” is detailed; “Dragonflies” is to the point.B“Praying Mantis” includes imagery; “Dragonflies” contains prose.C“Praying Mantis” tells a story; “Dragonflies” gives a description.D“Praying Mantis” uses rhyme; “Dragonflies” uses rhythm.
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    Answer: C — “Praying Mantis” tells a story; “Dragonflies” gives a description.

32. 32. Which point of view does the author use in this story?

    AFirst person, limited to NinaBFirst person, limited to the twinsCThird person, as an observerDThird person, limited to Larry
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    Answer: C — Third person, as an observer

33. 33. Nina wants Larry to go to the basketball camp because —

    Ahe needs something else to doBhe needs to practice his free throwCshe wants to help him with his projectDmore students are needed
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    Answer: D — more students are needed

34. 34. In paragraph 12, the phrase “perfect project for the pair” is an example of —

    AconsonanceBalliterationCmetaphorDassonance
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    Answer: B — alliteration

35. 35. Which source did the librarian most likely show to the group?

    AAn encyclopedia volume labeled “Fi to Fr”BAn index of magazine articlesCAn atlas with maps of rivers and creeksDA book titled Amphibians of the United States
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    Answer: B — An index of magazine articles

36. 36. The word mutations in paragraph 24 means —

    AalterationsBpopulationsCexplorationsDindications
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    Answer: A — alterations

37. 37. Paragraphs 25 and 26 reflect a feeling of —

    AloveBboredomCsympathyDpride
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    Answer: D — pride

38. 38. According to information in the story, which is most likely to happen next?

    ANina will quit going to basketball camp.BThe group will release the tadpoles into the creek.CScientists will study the area where the tadpoles were found.DThe twins will no longer be interested in the project.
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    Answer: C — Scientists will study the area where the tadpoles were found.

39. 39. Which of these is the overall theme in this story?

    APeople should be more concerned with the environment.BTaking care of eight-year-old twins can be a chore.CSometimes things turn out to be different from what is expected.DThe library is a great source of information about frog mutations.
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    Answer: C — Sometimes things turn out to be different from what is expected.

40. 40. The events of the story are presented in the following sequence: Event 1: Nina talks about basketball. Event 2: Larry talks about his idea for a project for the twins. Event 3: The group sets up a cage and puts tadpoles into it. Event 4: ________ Event 5: The group learns that the discovery is important to a scientific study. Which statement belongs as Event 4?

    ANina makes a telephone call to a toll-free number to make a report.BThe group discovers something different about some of the tadpoles.CSarah and Sammy go to the creek with Larry and Nina.DThe tadpole project becomes more intriguing than basketball.
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    Answer: B — The group discovers something different about some of the tadpoles.

41. 41. Which word in this story has a root word that means “usual or average”?

    AparticularlyBeventuallyCabnormalitiesDdevelopment
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    Answer: C — abnormalities

42. 42. Which words from Guest’s poem show his attitude toward the phrase “it couldn’t be done”?

    AChuckle, grin, singBScoffed, couldn’t, cannotCDoubting, failure, dangersDReplied, worried, started
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    Answer: A — Chuckle, grin, sing

43. 43. The simple, straightforward style of “It Couldn’t Be Done” is probably meant to reflect the —

    Avalues of an earlier historical periodBauthor’s natural speaking voiceCease of a task once it is attemptedDskill needed to write a poem
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    Answer: C — ease of a task once it is attempted

44. 44. The last two lines in each stanza of “It Couldn’t Be Done” give the reader a sense of —

    AfailureBhappinessCconfusionDaccomplishment
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    Answer: D — accomplishment

45. 45. What is one way the author of “Be the Best of Whatever You Are” emphasizes the theme in his poem?

    AThe use of action words throughout the poemBEmployment of an abab rhyme schemeCRepetition of the phrase “If you can’t”DPunctuating with dashes and semicolons
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    Answer: C — Repetition of the phrase “If you can’t”

46. 46. The rhythm in both of these poems contributes to a mood that is —

    AshockingBupbeatCgloomyDfoolish
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    Answer: B — upbeat

47. 47. The speakers in both poems would probably disagree with which of the following statements?

    AWork hard at whatever task you take on and be proud of it.BYou’ll never know what you can accomplish until you give it your best effort.CYou shouldn’t accept the role you are given — keep waiting for something better.DIf you don’t succeed at something, keep trying until you do.
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    Answer: C — You shouldn’t accept the role you are given — keep waiting for something better.

48. 48. How does the author’s style in “It Couldn’t Be Done” compare to the author’s style in “Be the Best of Whatever You Are”?

    ABoth authors enthusiastically offer advice to the reader.BThe author of “Be the Best of Whatever You Are” speaks directly to the reader.CBoth authors use a four-line stanza.DThe author of “It Couldn’t Be Done” is more optimistic.
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    Answer: A — Both authors enthusiastically offer advice to the reader.

49. 49. In which collection might these poems be found? A. Rousing Poems for Every Day B. Poetry for Quiet Moments C. Travel Poems from Many Lands D. Fishing Poems for the Angler Vasco’s Choice 1. I am Vasco Salazar, and I live in a coastal town in Portugal. Many people who live here make their living from fishing. My father Paulo is a fisherman, as was his father before him and his father’s father long ago. Fishing is part of my heritage. 2. I’m thirteen. I think about the future and wonder if I will become a fisherman someday. I want to study at the university; but at the same time, I long to go out to sea with my father. I already help bring in the fish and mend the nets. My cousin Alfonso, who is nineteen and a fisherman, tells me of his adventures on the ocean. My parents say that Alfonso embellishes his tales to make them sound more interesting so they will impress and encourage me to become a fisherman like him. Fishing is really hard work, they say, and can be quite dangerous. You spend much of your life wet, salty, and smelling of fish. 3. “You should explore many areas before deciding what to do with your life,” says my father. “You were named after Vasco da Gama, the explorer who made Portugal an important sea-trading nation. Explore, and then decide what is best for you.” 4. The weather was calm and clear one day last week as we stood on shore and awaited the return of the fishing boats. They’d been at sea for a week because of rough weather. When my father’s boat arrived, my cousin and I reached for the ropes attached to the nets. We had to use all our strength to pull in the nets, for they were overflowing with fish after seven days. Later that day, I helped my mother make fish stew for our dinner. 5. The next day, Father told me to ask the lighthouse keeper, Carlos, what weather was coming. Carlos can see much from his post high above things, so he has a good understanding of weather and other aspects of life. 6. I reached the top of the hill and walked to the lighthouse, once a fortress. Carlos greeted me with enthusiasm. He spends much of his time alone. Part of the week, another lighthouse keeper takes over, and then Carlos goes home to his family. 7. “I would like to be a fisherman,” I told Carlos, “but I also like learning. I might be good at teaching or something else.” 8. “Look,” says Carlos, stretching his arms wide. I see the long crescent of sand to the south, the islands to the west, and the forest to the north. “It’s a big world with many opportunities. If you choose fishing now, you will be limiting yourself and will not benefit as you should from your education. Explore your options. You can always return to fishing.” 9. We were quiet for a while; then I asked about the weather. “See those islands farthest west?” he said. “When you can see them from here, rain is coming toward us.” As he had predicted, fat raindrops soon began to fall. 10. After the storm, people gathered on the beach. In the seaweed, we found things that had washed upon shore. It was mostly junk, like bottles, cans, and old boots. Sometimes we were lucky and found something more valuable. I untangled a chain from the seaweed and found a compass attached. 11. “Look!” Alfonso exclaimed. “A compass! Now Vasco can explore the world.” In that moment, I knew Carlos was right. I can always come back to fishing. 12. Which is a primary theme in this selection? A. Know your place and keep it. B. Don’t believe everything you hear. C. Think twice before you decide. D. You can’t please everybody. 13. Which organizational pattern is used in the passage? A. Compare/contrast B. Cause/effect C. Time order D. Order of importance 14. Which question is not answered in the selection? A. Why doesn’t Vasco want to be a lighthouse keeper? B. How old is Vasco? C. What was the former use of the lighthouse? D. What is the name of the country where Vasco lives? 15. Whose point of view does the author use in this selection?

    ACarlos’sBAlfonso’sCVasco’sDPaulo’s
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    Answer: A — Carlos’s

50. 50. Vasco’s father tells him that he was named after Vasco da Gama in order to —

    Ateach him a lesson in the history of PortugalBhelp him feel more important than AlfonsoCpersuade him to explore his own futureDtease him about his first name
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    Answer: C — persuade him to explore his own future

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.