PARCC Assessment — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What is the discriminant of x^2 + 4x + 3 = 0?

0
-4
16
4 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 4

The discriminant b^2 - 4ac = 16 - 12 = 4.

Question 2: If 3 maps cover 12 square miles, how many square miles do 7 maps cover at the same rate?

35
24
28 (Correct answer)
21

Correct answer: 28

Each map covers 4 sq mi, so 7 × 4 = 28.

Question 3: Which revision corrects the run-on sentence: 'The storm grew stronger we decided to leave early'?

The storm grew stronger, so we decided to leave early. (Correct answer)
The storm grew stronger we decided, to leave early.
The storm grew stronger we decided to leave, early.
The storm grew stronger we, decided to leave early.

Correct answer: The storm grew stronger, so we decided to leave early.

Adding a comma and the conjunction 'so' joins the two independent clauses correctly.

Question 4: 22. A school handbook is given to everyone who enrolls in our school. No error.

D
B
E (Correct answer)
A
C

Correct answer: E

The sentence is grammatically correct. The singular subject 'handbook' correctly takes the singular verb 'is given.' The pronoun 'who' correctly refers to 'everyone' and acts as the subject of the verb 'enrolls.' All parts of the sentence are used appropriately.

Question 5: 4. What would be a good question for the Headmaster to consider?

Will Gawaine want to learn about fighting dragons? (Correct answer)
Will the professor teach Gawaine to fight the dragons?
Will the professor let Gawaine learn about dragons?
Will Gawaine try hard to fight the dragons?

Correct answer: Will Gawaine want to learn about fighting dragons?

Given Gawaine's implied character (cowardly and apathetic from Q7), a crucial consideration for the Headmaster should be Gawaine's willingness to engage with the training. It's not enough for the professor to be willing to teach or for the opportunity to exist; Gawaine's personal desire and motivation to learn about fighting dragons are paramount to any potential success.

Question 6: 1. Which of the following is listed in order from least to greatest?

18%,0.25,-3/4,2.5,-7 4/5,-8
-8,-7 4/5,-3/4,0.25,2.5,18%
-3/4,-7 4/5,-8,18%,0.25,2.5
-8,-7 4/5,-3/4,18%,0.25,2.5 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: -8,-7 4/5,-3/4,18%,0.25,2.5

To order numbers from least to greatest, it's helpful to convert them to a common format, such as decimals. Converting the given numbers yields: -8, -7.8 (from -7 4/5), -0.75 (from -3/4), 0.18 (from 18%), 0.25, and 2.5. When arranged in ascending order, this sequence is -8, -7 4/5, -3/4, 18%, 0.25, 2.5.

Question 7: What is the x-intercept of the line y = 2x - 6?

6
3 (Correct answer)
-3
-6

Correct answer: 3

Set y = 0: 0 = 2x - 6, so x = 3.

Question 8: An author writes a memoir reflecting on the joy of childhood summers. The main purpose is to:

Express personal feelings (Correct answer)
Report news
Sell a product
Instruct readers

Correct answer: Express personal feelings

A reflective memoir shares the author's personal emotions and experiences.

Question 9: What is the median of the data set 3, 8, 5, 12, 7?

12
5
8
7 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 7

Ordered, the set is 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, and the middle value is 7.

Question 10: Which opening sentence would be most effective for a PARCC argumentative essay about school lunch policies?

This essay will discuss the pros and cons of school lunch policies.
School lunch is an important topic that many people care about.
I think school lunches should be healthier because students need good food.
Every year, millions of students eat school lunches that fail to meet basic nutritional standards, yet policy reform remains stalled. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Every year, millions of students eat school lunches that fail to meet basic nutritional standards, yet policy reform remains stalled.

An effective argumentative opening immediately establishes the issue with specific, compelling detail and implies a clear stance, drawing the reader in. The other options are vague, use first person inappropriately, or announce the essay's structure instead of engaging the reader.

Question 11: 5. How many babies did Dr. Jones deliver in 1998?

55 (Correct answer)
45
65
25
35

Correct answer: 55

To determine the number of babies Dr. Jones delivered in 1998, one would directly read the corresponding value from the provided graph or data table (not visible here). Locate the year 1998 on the x-axis (or relevant column) and find the data point that represents the number of deliveries for that specific year. The value indicated for 1998 is 55 babies.

Question 12: Solve the system of equations: x + y = 7 and x − y = 3

x = 6, y = 1
x = 3, y = 4
x = 4, y = 3
x = 5, y = 2 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: x = 5, y = 2

Add the two equations to eliminate y: 2x = 10, so x = 5. Substitute back: 5 + y = 7, giving y = 2.

Question 13: Which sentence corrects the dangling modifier? "After finishing dinner, the dishes were washed."

The dishes were washed finishing dinner after.
After finishing dinner, the dishes washed themselves.
After finishing dinner, we washed the dishes. (Correct answer)
Finishing dinner, washed were the dishes after.

Correct answer: After finishing dinner, we washed the dishes.

Adding "we" gives the modifier a logical subject to describe.

Question 14: Which of the following passages would MOST LIKELY have the purpose of persuading the reader?

A recipe that lists ingredients and cooking steps in order
A flyer urging students to join the environmental club to save the planet (Correct answer)
A biography that describes events in a famous artist's life
A dictionary entry defining the word 'ecosystem'

Correct answer: A flyer urging students to join the environmental club to save the planet

A flyer that urges students to take action and uses emotional language like 'save the planet' is designed to convince the reader to do something, making persuasion its clear purpose.

Question 15: 9. If a match box is 0.17 feet long, what is its length in inches the most closely comparable to the following?

2 3/16 inch staple remover (Correct answer)
5 1/16 inch highlighter
4 1/2 inch calculator
2 3/4 inch lipstick
3 1/8 inch jewelry box

Correct answer: 2 3/16 inch staple remover

9. D: A length of 0.17 feet is equal to 2.04 inches. The following proportion may be used to determine the length, in inches: 0.17/x=1/12. A length of 2.1875 inches is the closest to this measurement.

Question 16: 13. The new expenditures will be born by the American taxpayers. No error.

A
D
B (Correct answer)
E
C

Correct answer: B

The error is in option B, 'be born.' The word 'born' refers to being brought into existence. The sentence requires 'borne,' which is the past participle of 'bear' meaning to carry, support, or endure, indicating that the expenditures will be sustained by the taxpayers.

Question 17: Evaluate: (16)^(1/2).

8
256
2
4 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 4

A 1/2 exponent means the square root, and √16 = 4.

Question 18: What is the mean of the data set: 45, 63, 27, 54, 36?

49
43
47
45 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 45

Add all values: 45 + 63 + 27 + 54 + 36 = 225. Divide by the count of 5 values: 225 ÷ 5 = 45.

Question 19: 4. We spent Sunday afternoon wandering aimless in the park.

wandering aimlessly (Correct answer)
wandering aimless
wandering almost aimlessly
wandering without purpose
wandering in an aimless manner

Correct answer: wandering aimlessly

The word "aimless" is an adjective, but it is incorrectly used here to modify the verb "wandering." Verbs should be modified by adverbs. The correct adverbial form is "aimlessly," describing *how* they were wandering.

Question 20: 13. When I was halfway down the stairs, I suddenly knew what I had wanted to have said.

too say
to had say
to have said
to say (Correct answer)
to have been said

Correct answer: to say

The original phrase 'to have said' creates an awkward and unnecessarily complex perfect infinitive, implying an action completed before the desire itself. The simple infinitive 'to say' is more concise and grammatically appropriate. 'I wanted to say' clearly expresses the desire for an action at the moment of wanting, without implying a past desire for a past completed action.

Question 21: 15. They read where the governor has appointed a special committee to improve the school calendar.

wear
were
how (Correct answer)
of where
where

Correct answer: how

The word 'where' refers to a place, which is incorrect in this context as the sentence is about information received, not a location. 'How' is the appropriate word to introduce the manner or content of what was read. It correctly indicates that they read *about* the governor's appointment.

Question 22: 4. What point of view is used to tell this story?

All of the above
First person (Correct answer)
Second person
Third person

Correct answer: First person

The story is told from the first-person point of view, indicated by the consistent use of pronouns like 'I,' 'me,' and 'my.' The narrator is a character within the story, sharing their personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences directly.

Question 23: A right triangle has legs measuring 6 cm and 8 cm. What is the length of the hypotenuse?

7 cm
14 cm
12 cm
10 cm (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 10 cm

Using the Pythagorean theorem: c² = a² + b² = 6² + 8² = 36 + 64 = 100, so c = 10 cm.

Question 24: Round 0.25648 to the nearest thousandth.

0.256 (Correct answer)
0.25
0.2565
0.257

Correct answer: 0.256

The digit in the ten-thousandths place is 4, which is < 5, so the thousandths digit stays as 6, giving 0.256.

Question 25: 7. By this time next year, Johanna will begin classes at the University of Colorado.

has began classes
will begin classes
will have begun classes (Correct answer)
should have begun classes
should begin classes

Correct answer: will have begun classes

The phrase "By this time next year" indicates an action that will be completed by a specific point in the future. This requires the future perfect tense, which is formed with "will have" + the past participle. "Will have begun classes" correctly conveys that the action of beginning classes will be complete by the specified future time.

Question 26: The committee have reached a decision after hours of careful deliberation. No error.

deliberation
No error
hours
have reached (Correct answer)

Correct answer: have reached

'Committee' is a collective noun treated as singular in American English, so the verb should be 'has reached,' not 'have reached.' The rest of the sentence is grammatically sound.

Question 27: Which word is a proper noun?

Chicago (Correct answer)
River
Mountain
City

Correct answer: Chicago

'Chicago' names a specific place, so it is a proper noun and capitalized.

Question 28: What is the value of 3^4?

81 (Correct answer)
27
12
64

Correct answer: 81

3^4 = 3×3×3×3 = 81.

Question 29: 21. Last summer I worked in the chemical laboratory at the Brass Company; most of the work came into the lab for testing marked with the words top priority.

words, "Top Priority." (Correct answer)
words "top priority."
words: Top priority.
words top priority.
words-top priority.

Correct answer: words, "Top Priority."

When introducing specific words or a direct label, it is standard to use a comma followed by quotation marks. The phrase 'Top Priority' is being presented as the exact words used for marking. Capitalizing 'Top Priority' and enclosing it in quotation marks after a comma correctly formats the phrase as a direct label.

Question 30: Factor completely: x^2 - 9.

(x - 3)(x + 3) (Correct answer)
(x - 3)^2
(x - 9)(x + 1)
(x + 3)^2

Correct answer: (x - 3)(x + 3)

This is a difference of squares: x^2 - 9 = (x - 3)(x + 3).

Question 31: 8. Mastering basic mathematics is an important goal for younger students.

Younger
Mastering
Important
Students (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Students

A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea. In the sentence, 'Mastering basic mathematics is an important goal for younger students,' 'students' is a plural noun referring to people who are studying. It names the group for whom the goal is important. The other options are a gerund ('mastering'), an adjective ('important'), or another adjective ('younger').

Question 32: Which sentence corrects the redundancy: "She returned back to her seat"?

She returned back again to her seat.
She returned to her seat. (Correct answer)
She returned back to her own seat.
She back returned to her seat.

Correct answer: She returned to her seat.

"Returned" already means going back, so "back" is redundant.

Question 33: What is the value of 2³ + 3²?

25
36
13
17 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 17

2³ = 8 and 3² = 9, so 8 + 9 = 17.

Question 34: A right circular cone has a radius of 6 cm and a slant height of 10 cm. What is the lateral surface area of the cone?

120π cm²
60π cm² (Correct answer)
96π cm²
36π cm²

Correct answer: 60π cm²

LSA = π × 6 × 10 = 60π cm².

Question 35: Which sentence uses "farther" correctly?

Nothing could be farther from the truth in idea.
Let's discuss this farther later.
She read farther into the topic.
We drove farther than planned. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: We drove farther than planned.

"Farther" refers to physical distance, fitting how far they drove.

Question 36: Which word is a synonym for 'enormous'?

Tiny
Average
Gigantic (Correct answer)
Narrow

Correct answer: Gigantic

'Gigantic' means extremely large, just like 'enormous'.

Question 37: Which choice best restates this main idea: 'Reading every day strengthens vocabulary, focus, and imagination'?

Some people dislike reading
Books are heavy to carry
Daily reading benefits the mind in several ways (Correct answer)
Vocabulary lists are long

Correct answer: Daily reading benefits the mind in several ways

The restatement captures the multiple mental benefits of daily reading.

Question 38: Which sentence correctly uses a comma with a quotation?

She said "I am ready."
She said, "I am ready." (Correct answer)
She, said "I am ready."
She said "I am ready",.

Correct answer: She said, "I am ready."

A comma precedes a direct quotation that follows a speaking verb.

Question 39: What is 144 ÷ 12?

14
11
12 (Correct answer)
13

Correct answer: 12

12 × 12 = 144, so the quotient is 12.

Question 40: Which decimal equals the fraction 7/10?

0.07
7.0
0.7 (Correct answer)
0.71

Correct answer: 0.7

Seven tenths written as a decimal is 0.7.

Question 41: A right triangle has legs of length 9 and 12. What is the length of the hypotenuse?

16
15 (Correct answer)
13
21

Correct answer: 15

By the Pythagorean theorem, √(9² + 12²) = √225 = 15.

Question 42: Which sentence correctly uses commas with 'too' meaning 'also'?

I, want to go too.
I want to, go too.
I want, to go too.
I want to go, too. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: I want to go, too.

A comma may set off 'too' when it means 'also' at the end of a sentence.

Question 43: A reader encounters the word 'ephemeral' in a passage about social media trends. The surrounding sentences state: 'Viral moments captivate millions overnight but are forgotten within days. Nothing online seems to last.' Which strategy best determines the word's meaning?

Skipping the word because the main idea is still understandable without it
Searching for a cognate in a familiar foreign language
Using context clues — the sentences describe things that disappear quickly, suggesting 'ephemeral' means short-lived (Correct answer)
Assuming the word is negative because it appears in a criticism of social media

Correct answer: Using context clues — the sentences describe things that disappear quickly, suggesting 'ephemeral' means short-lived

Context clues are the most efficient and reliable strategy here; the surrounding sentences explicitly describe things vanishing quickly, directly defining 'ephemeral' (meaning lasting for a very short time) without requiring an external source.

Question 44: A writer wants to make a claim more convincing. The best added support would be:

An unrelated personal story
Relevant facts, statistics, or expert testimony (Correct answer)
A repeated version of the claim
A vague general statement

Correct answer: Relevant facts, statistics, or expert testimony

Concrete evidence such as facts, statistics, or expert testimony strengthens a claim.

Question 45: Which of the following sentences uses apostrophes correctly?

The childrens' laughter could be heard from across the playground.
Its important to check your work for error's.
All of the students' projects were displayed in the main hallway. (Correct answer)
The two dog's leashes got tangled during their walk.

Correct answer: All of the students' projects were displayed in the main hallway.

This sentence correctly uses an apostrophe to show plural possession. The projects belong to multiple students, so the apostrophe goes after the 's' in 'students'.

Question 46: A passage explains how to set up a tablet with clear labeled steps. Its purpose is to:

Entertain
Persuade
Instruct (Correct answer)
Express emotion

Correct answer: Instruct

Setup steps instruct the reader to complete a task.

Question 47: 17. As you approach the intersection, drive as cautious as you can. No error.

B (Correct answer)
A
D
E
C

Correct answer: B

The word "cautious" is an adjective, but it is incorrectly used here to modify the verb "drive." Verbs should be modified by adverbs. The correct adverbial form is "cautiously," making the phrase "drive as cautiously as you can."

Question 48: A triangle has a base of 10 in and a height of 6 in. What is its area?

60 in²
16 in²
32 in²
30 in² (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 30 in²

Area = ½ × base × height = ½ × 10 × 6 = 30 in².

Question 49: A jar has between 280 and 320 marbles. Which single estimate is most appropriate?

Exactly 280
About 500
About 300 (Correct answer)
About 200

Correct answer: About 300

300 sits in the middle of the given range.

Question 50: 12. A room measures 11 ft x 12 ft x 9 ft. What is the volume?

120 ft3</li>
1350 ft3</li>
1300 ft3</li>
32 ft3</li>
1188 ft3</li> (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 1188 ft3</li>

The volume of a rectangular room (or any rectangular prism) is calculated by multiplying its length, width, and height. For a room measuring 11 ft x 12 ft x 9 ft, the volume is 11 * 12 * 9 cubic feet. Performing this multiplication gives 1188 cubic feet.

Question 51: A student researching early 20th-century labor movements reads both a 1912 speech by a union leader and a modern economics textbook chapter on the same era. Which statement best explains why a researcher would need BOTH sources to fully understand the topic?

The speech is written in an older style that is harder to understand without additional context.
The speech is a primary source, which automatically makes it more reliable than any secondary source.
The textbook is always more accurate because it was written with the benefit of hindsight.
The speech captures the emotional urgency and specific demands of workers at the time, while the textbook provides broader historical patterns and outcomes. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The speech captures the emotional urgency and specific demands of workers at the time, while the textbook provides broader historical patterns and outcomes.

Each source type offers something the other cannot: the primary source conveys lived perspective and specific demands, while the secondary source provides analytical distance and broader context. Together they produce a fuller understanding than either alone.

Question 52: When revising for word economy, a writer should:

Add as many adjectives as possible
Remove redundant or unnecessary words (Correct answer)
Repeat ideas for emphasis
Use the longest words available

Correct answer: Remove redundant or unnecessary words

Cutting redundant words makes writing clearer and more concise.

Question 53: What is the slope of the line passing through points (1, 2) and (4, 11)?

3 (Correct answer)
1/3
13
9

Correct answer: 3

Slope = (11 - 2)/(4 - 1) = 9/3 = 3.

Question 54: In "a fragile vase," the word "fragile" means:

Easily broken (Correct answer)
Heavy
Colorful
Expensive

Correct answer: Easily broken

"Fragile" means delicate and easily broken.

Question 55: What are the solutions to x² − 5x + 6 = 0?

x = −2 and x = −3
x = 3 and x = 6
x = 2 and x = 3 (Correct answer)
x = 1 and x = 6

Correct answer: x = 2 and x = 3

Factor the quadratic: (x − 2)(x − 3) = 0. Setting each factor to zero gives x = 2 or x = 3.

Question 56: A geometric sequence has a first term of 3 and a common ratio of 2. What is the sum of the first 5 terms?

63
93 (Correct answer)
48
96

Correct answer: 93

The terms are 3, 6, 12, 24, 48. Using the formula Sₙ = a(rⁿ − 1)/(r − 1): S₅ = 3(2⁵ − 1)/(2 − 1) = 3(32 − 1)/1 = 3 × 31 = 93.

Question 57: Which title best reflects the main idea of a passage that describes the history of the printing press, how it spread literacy, and its effect on science and religion?

The Dangers of Early Printing Technology
Books and Their Many Different Formats
How the Printing Press Changed the World (Correct answer)
Famous Inventors Throughout History

Correct answer: How the Printing Press Changed the World

The passage covers the printing press's broad historical impact on literacy, science, and religion, so 'How the Printing Press Changed the World' captures that overarching main idea best.

Question 58: 9. The official exhibited a heedless attitude when dealing with the dignitaries. Heedless means...

Pleasant.
Bitter.
Thoughtless. (Correct answer)
Friendly.

Correct answer: Thoughtless.

The word 'heedless' describes someone who shows a reckless lack of care or attention, or is unmindful. An official exhibiting a 'heedless attitude' is acting without proper consideration or thought for the dignitaries. Thus, 'thoughtless' is the most accurate synonym, as it conveys the idea of acting without sufficient care or deliberation.

Question 59: Which of the following fractions has the greatest value?

3/4
11/16
7/8 (Correct answer)
5/6

Correct answer: 7/8

Converting to decimals: 7/8 = 0.875, 5/6 ≈ 0.833, 3/4 = 0.75, 11/16 = 0.6875. The largest is 7/8.

Question 60: What is the measure of each interior angle of a regular pentagon?

108° (Correct answer)
90°
72°
120°

Correct answer: 108°

Each angle = (5 − 2) × 180° ÷ 5 = 540° ÷ 5 = 108°.

Question 61: Two passages describe the same storm: one calls it 'a gift of rain,' the other 'a wall of ruin.' What accounts for the difference?

The authors' differing purposes or perspectives (Correct answer)
Different spelling rules
The length of each passage
A factual error in dates

Correct answer: The authors' differing purposes or perspectives

Opposite framings of one event reflect different authorial perspectives or purposes.

Question 62: 7. I am certain that the English scholarship winner will be hear. No error.

E
A
C
D (Correct answer)
B

Correct answer: D

The error is in option D, 'hear.' This is a homophone error. 'Hear' means to perceive sound with one's ears. The correct word for 'in this place' or 'at this location' is 'here.' The sentence should state that the winner 'will be here.'

Question 63: Solve for y: 4y + 8 = 0.

y = -2 (Correct answer)
y = -8
y = 8
y = 2

Correct answer: y = -2

Subtract 8 to get 4y = -8, then y = -2.

Question 64: Which expression represents 'the sum of a number n and 8'?

n - 8
n ÷ 8
8n
n + 8 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: n + 8

Sum means addition, so it is n + 8.

Question 65: Which of the following is an irrational number?

√20 (Correct answer)
√36
√25
√16

Correct answer: √20

√16 = 4, √25 = 5, and √36 = 6 are all rational (perfect squares). √20 is irrational because 20 is not a perfect square.

Question 66: A car travels 150 miles in 3 hours. What is its unit rate in miles per hour?

45 mph
60 mph
50 mph (Correct answer)
55 mph

Correct answer: 50 mph

150 ÷ 3 = 50 miles per hour.

Question 67: Which estimate best checks whether 612 + 389 = 1,001 is reasonable?

600 + 300 = 900
600 + 390 = 990
600 + 400 = 1,000 (Correct answer)
700 + 400 = 1,100

Correct answer: 600 + 400 = 1,000

Rounding to 600 + 400 = 1,000 confirms the answer is reasonable.

Question 68: 3. Suppose that the function f(x) is a quadratic function with roots at x=2-3i and x=2+3i. Find f(x).

f(x)=x2-4x-5</li>
f(x)=x2-6ix+13</li>
f(x)=x2-6ix-5</li>
f(x)=x2-4x+13</li> (Correct answer)

Correct answer: f(x)=x2-4x+13</li>

If the roots are x=2-3i and x=2+3i, the factors of the quadratic function are (x - (2-3i)) and (x - (2+3i)). Multiplying these factors gives (x - 2 + 3i)(x - 2 - 3i). This is a difference of squares, ( (x-2) + 3i ) ( (x-2) - 3i ), which simplifies to (x-2)^2 - (3i)^2. Expanding yields x^2 - 4x + 4 - 9i^2, and since i^2 = -1, the function is x^2 - 4x + 4 + 9, or f(x) = x^2 - 4x + 13.

Question 69: Identify the dangling modifier: 'Walking to school, the rain soaked my clothes.'

There is none
soaked my clothes
the rain
Walking to school (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Walking to school

'Walking to school' illogically modifies 'the rain' instead of a person.

Question 70: Which sentence flows best by varying its opening?

Quietly, the cat slipped through the open door. (Correct answer)
The cat slipped the cat through the door.
Slipped the cat quietly door open through.
The cat the cat slipped through the door.

Correct answer: Quietly, the cat slipped through the open door.

Beginning with an adverb varies the sentence opener and reads smoothly.

Question 71: A poet writes a humorous rhyming poem about a dog who is terrified of the vacuum cleaner, including silly sound effects and made-up words. What is the author's primary purpose?

To inform readers about dog behavior and psychology
To explain how vacuum cleaners work
To persuade readers to adopt rescue dogs
To entertain readers with humor and playful language (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To entertain readers with humor and playful language

The use of humor, rhyme, silly sound effects, and made-up words signals that the author's goal is to entertain the reader rather than inform or persuade.

Question 72: An author writes a funny short story about a clumsy cat knocking over plants. What is the purpose?

To instruct
To entertain (Correct answer)
To persuade
To inform

Correct answer: To entertain

A humorous story is meant to amuse the reader.

Question 73: 10. "The boy in the kayak," whispered Sue "is the new football captain."

new, football
No error
boy, in the
whispered Sue, (Correct answer)

Correct answer: whispered Sue,

When an explanatory phrase, such as 'whispered Sue,' interrupts a direct quotation, it must be set off by commas. A comma is needed before the interrupting phrase and another comma after it, before the continuation of the quotation. This correctly separates the speaker's attribution from the quoted words.

Question 74: What is the area of a circle with diameter 14 cm? (Use π ≈ 3.14)

615.44 cm²
175.84 cm²
43.96 cm²
153.86 cm² (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 153.86 cm²

Radius = 14/2 = 7 cm. Area = πr² = 3.14 × 7² = 3.14 × 49 = 153.86 cm².

Question 75: Which sentence correctly uses an em dash?

She had one goal—to win. (Correct answer)
She had one—goal to win.
She—had one goal to win.
She had one goal-to win.

Correct answer: She had one goal—to win.

An em dash sets off an emphatic phrase that explains the preceding clause.

Question 76: Which transition word best signals a contrast between two ideas?

However (Correct answer)
Therefore
Likewise
Furthermore

Correct answer: However

'However' signals a contrast or opposing idea between two statements.

Question 77: Which expression represents 'seven less than twice a number p'?

2(p − 7)
7p − 2
2p − 7 (Correct answer)
7 − 2p

Correct answer: 2p − 7

'Twice a number p' is 2p, and 'seven less than' means subtract 7 from it, giving 2p − 7.

Question 78: To determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word, the most reliable in-text strategy is to:

Guess based on length
Count its syllables
Use surrounding context clues (Correct answer)
Skip it entirely

Correct answer: Use surrounding context clues

Context clues in nearby sentences usually reveal a word's intended meaning.

Question 79: What is the value of √144?

11
14
12 (Correct answer)
10

Correct answer: 12

Since 12 × 12 = 144, the square root of 144 is 12.

Question 80: 1. If Sara can read 15 pages in 10 minutes, how long will it take her to read 45 pages?

40 minutes
30 minutes (Correct answer)
20 minutes
50 minutes

Correct answer: 30 minutes

Sara reads 15 pages in 10 minutes. To read 45 pages, which is three times the original amount (45 / 15 = 3), it will take her three times as long. Therefore, multiply her original reading time by three: 10 minutes * 3 = 30 minutes.

Question 81: In a literary analysis, a theme is best described as the text's:

List of characters
Sequence of events
Central message or insight (Correct answer)
Setting and time period

Correct answer: Central message or insight

Theme is the underlying message or insight a work conveys.

Question 82: Which is the correct order of a friendly letter?

Signature, body, greeting, date
Date, greeting, body, closing, signature (Correct answer)
Greeting, date, body, closing
Body, greeting, closing, date

Correct answer: Date, greeting, body, closing, signature

The correct order is: date, greeting, body, closing, signature.

Question 83: In a narrative, dialogue should be punctuated so that:

Each word gets its own quotation mark
Quotation marks surround the spoken words and a comma separates the tag (Correct answer)
No punctuation is needed at all
Periods replace all quotation marks

Correct answer: Quotation marks surround the spoken words and a comma separates the tag

Spoken words go inside quotation marks, with commas separating them from dialogue tags.

Question 84: Which sentence shows correct subject-verb agreement?

He don't like spinach.
He didn't likes spinach.
He doesn't like spinach. (Correct answer)
He not like spinach.

Correct answer: He doesn't like spinach.

The singular subject 'He' requires 'doesn't,' not 'don't.'

Question 85: The average of six test scores is 75. Five scores total 380. What is the sixth score?

85
75
70 (Correct answer)
80

Correct answer: 70

The full total is 450, and 450 minus 380 leaves 70.

Question 86: Which of the following is an example of a compound sentence?

Running through the park happily.
I wanted to go outside, but it was raining. (Correct answer)
The dog barked loudly.
She sang and danced.

Correct answer: I wanted to go outside, but it was raining.

A compound sentence joins two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction like 'but,' 'and,' or 'so.' 'I wanted to go outside, but it was raining' has two complete thoughts connected by 'but.'

Question 87: 3. Which of the following choices best summarizes the fifth paragraph?

Mr. Morgan sheers the sheep in the spring.
Marcus and Shep take care of the sheep.
Marcus enjoys working with the sheep. (Correct answer)
Shep is a good sheep dog.

Correct answer: Marcus enjoys working with the sheep.

This question asks for the best summary of the fifth paragraph. The fifth paragraph (not provided) would focus on Marcus's personal experience and feelings about his work with the sheep. The correct answer suggests it highlights his enjoyment and positive attitude towards these responsibilities.

Question 88: Which sentence uses an apostrophe correctly to show possession?

The dog's bone was buried. (Correct answer)
The dogs bone was buried.
The dogs' is buried.
The dog s bone was buried.

Correct answer: The dog's bone was buried.

'Dog's' correctly shows that the bone belongs to one dog.

Question 89: What is the difference between a topic and a main idea?

A topic and a main idea mean exactly the same thing
A topic is always found in the last paragraph; a main idea is in the first paragraph
A topic is a full sentence; a main idea is just one word
A topic names what the passage is about; a main idea states a specific point about that topic (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A topic names what the passage is about; a main idea states a specific point about that topic

The topic is the broad subject (e.g., 'recycling'), while the main idea makes a specific claim about that subject (e.g., 'Recycling helps reduce waste and protect the environment').

Question 90: Round 7,249 to the nearest thousand.

8,000
7,000 (Correct answer)
7,300
7,200

Correct answer: 7,000

The hundreds digit is 2, so round down to 7,000.

Question 91: Simplify: (x^2 y^3)^2

x^4 y^5
x^4 y^6 (Correct answer)
x^2 y^6
x^4 y^9

Correct answer: x^4 y^6

Multiply each exponent by 2: x^4 y^6.

PARCC Assessment

The PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) is a standardized test for grades 3–11 measuring student proficiency in English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics aligned to Common Core State Standards.

Questions

240 min

Time Limit

60%

To Pass

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Exam Rules

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