TSIA2 – CRC Exam #1

#1. Read the following passage: “The barn owl perched motionless on the rafter, its heart-shaped face tilted toward the floor below. Mice scurried through the hay, unaware of the silent predator overhead. When the owl finally descended, it moved without a whisper of sound, its specially adapted feathers slicing through the air like a blade through silk. The mice never heard their fate approaching.” The author’s use of the simile “like a blade through silk” primarily serves to —

contrast the softness of silk with the sharpness of the owl’s talons

highlight the effortless and silent nature of the owl’s movement

emphasize the dangerous speed of the owl’s descent

suggest that the owl is a cruel and heartless predator

#2. Read the following passage: “Grandmother kept her garden the way a librarian keeps rare manuscripts — with reverence, precision, and an unshakable belief that what grew there mattered more than anyone else could understand. Each tomato vine was staked with the care of a surgeon setting a bone; each row of beans was spaced with the exactitude of a typesetter arranging movable type.” The narrator’s tone toward Grandmother is best described as —

mocking and dismissive

admiring and affectionate

neutral and detached

anxious and concerned

#3. Read the following passage: “Urban beekeeping has surged in popularity over the past decade, with cities from Detroit to Denver relaxing ordinances that once banned hives within municipal boundaries. Proponents argue that urban hives bolster pollinator populations critical to local food gardens. Critics, however, point to studies showing that domesticated honeybees can outcompete native solitary bees for floral resources, potentially harming the very biodiversity advocates claim to protect.” The passage is primarily organized by —

comparing the biology of honeybees with that of native solitary bees

describing a trend and then presenting opposing perspectives on it

listing the steps involved in establishing an urban beekeeping operation

narrating the history of beekeeping laws in American cities

#4. Read the following passage: “Sleep deprivation affects the prefrontal cortex, the brain region responsible for executive functions such as planning, impulse control, and ethical reasoning. Researchers at the University of Zurich found that participants who slept fewer than five hours per night for one week showed a 24 percent decline in cooperative behavior during economic trust games. The findings suggest that chronic sleep loss may erode the social fabric in ways that extend far beyond individual fatigue.” Based on the passage, which conclusion is best supported?

Sleep deprivation may have broader social consequences beyond personal tiredness.

Economic trust games are the most reliable measure of ethical reasoning.

People who sleep fewer than five hours always behave unethically.

The prefrontal cortex is the only brain region affected by lack of sleep.

#5. A student is writing an argumentative essay claiming that public libraries should expand digital lending programs. Which of the following pieces of evidence would MOST effectively support this claim?

A survey showing that 62 percent of library patrons access materials primarily through e-books and audiobooks

A personal anecdote about a child who enjoyed visiting the library on weekends

A historical timeline of the Dewey Decimal System’s development

A quotation from a novelist praising the aesthetic beauty of physical books

#6. Read the following excerpt: “Marcus stared at the acceptance letter, its crisp edges trembling in his hands. He read it once, then again, then folded it carefully along its original creases and slid it back into the envelope. He placed the envelope on the kitchen table, centered it between the salt and pepper shakers, and walked to the window. Outside, the maple tree his father had planted the year Marcus was born swayed in a wind that carried the first chill of autumn.” The detail about the maple tree most likely symbolizes —

the declining health of the natural environment

Marcus’s resentment toward his father’s absence

Marcus’s desire to pursue a career in forestry

the changing seasons and the passage of time in Marcus’s life

#7. Read the following passage: “The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is not, as many imagine, a solid floating island of trash. It is better understood as a diffuse cloud of microplastics — fragments smaller than five millimeters — suspended throughout the water column. Because these particles are often invisible to the naked eye and dispersed across an area twice the size of Texas, cleanup efforts face logistical challenges that traditional waste-collection methods cannot address.” The author includes the comparison to the size of Texas primarily to —

argue that Texas produces the most ocean pollution

persuade readers to support a specific cleanup organization

illustrate the enormous scale of the contaminated area

explain why microplastics are invisible to the naked eye

#8. Read the following claim: “Mandatory financial literacy courses in high school would reduce personal debt among young adults.” Which of the following, if true, would MOST weaken this argument?

Studies show that knowledge gained in financial literacy courses fades significantly within two years if not applied in real-world contexts.

Young adults carry an average of $28,000 in student loan debt.

Several states have already implemented financial literacy requirements.

Financial literacy textbooks are expensive and difficult to update.

#9. Read the following sentence: “The diplomat’s remarks were deliberately opaque, designed to satisfy reporters’ questions without committing the administration to any concrete policy position.” As used in this sentence, “opaque” most nearly means —

lengthy and overly detailed

hostile and confrontational

unclear and difficult to interpret

transparent and forthcoming

#10. Read the following passage: “In 1928, Alexander Fleming returned from vacation to find mold growing on a petri dish of Staphylococcus bacteria. Rather than discarding the contaminated sample, he noticed that bacteria near the mold had died. This serendipitous observation led to the discovery of penicillin, which has since saved an estimated 200 million lives. Fleming himself often remarked that chance favors the prepared mind — he recognized the significance of what others might have thrown away.” The author’s primary purpose in this passage is to —

argue that all great discoveries are accidental

illustrate how observation and readiness can transform an accident into a breakthrough

criticize scientists who discard contaminated samples

provide a step-by-step explanation of how penicillin is manufactured

#11. Read the following passage: “Coral reefs occupy less than one percent of the ocean floor yet support roughly twenty-five percent of all marine species. Rising ocean temperatures trigger coral bleaching, a stress response in which corals expel the symbiotic algae that provide them with both color and up to ninety percent of their energy. Without these algae, corals starve and, if conditions do not improve within weeks, die permanently. Scientists estimate that the world has already lost half of its coral cover since 1950.” Which of the following best summarizes the central idea of the passage?

Symbiotic algae are harmful parasites that weaken coral structures.

Scientists have successfully restored most coral reefs damaged since 1950.

Coral reefs, despite their ecological importance, are rapidly declining due to rising ocean temperatures.

Coral reefs are the most beautiful feature of the ocean floor.

#12. Read the following passage: “She placed the violin beneath her chin the way one cradles a sleeping infant — gently, but with the absolute certainty that dropping it would shatter something irreplaceable. The first note rose from the strings and hung in the auditorium like smoke, curling into the silence until every breath in the room paused to listen.” The figurative language in this passage primarily creates a mood of —

tension and fear

reverence and intimacy

confusion and disorientation

humor and lightheartedness

#13. A student is researching the effects of social media on adolescent mental health. Which source would provide the MOST credible and relevant evidence?

A peer-reviewed longitudinal study published in a psychology journal tracking 10,000 adolescents over five years

A blog post written by a parent describing their teenager’s phone habits

A social media company’s annual report highlighting increased user engagement

An opinion editorial by a technology CEO arguing that screen time concerns are exaggerated

#14. Read the following passage: “Proponents of year-round schooling argue that eliminating the traditional summer break prevents the well-documented phenomenon of summer learning loss, in which students — particularly those from low-income families — lose up to two months of reading and math skills. Opponents counter that year-round schedules impose financial burdens on families who rely on summer employment for teenagers and increase operational costs for school districts that must maintain air-conditioned facilities throughout the hottest months.” The opponents’ counterargument primarily focuses on —

the economic consequences of year-round schooling for families and districts

disputing the existence of summer learning loss

evidence that students in year-round schools score lower on standardized tests

the psychological benefits of unstructured summer play for children

#15. Read the following excerpt: “I watched my brother cross the stage, his mortarboard tilting to one side, his grin wide enough to be seen from the back row. I clapped until my palms stung. He was the first in our family to earn a diploma, and though he would never say it, I knew the weight of that walk — every unpaid bill, every double shift, every evening spent at the kitchen table with a textbook propped against the sugar bowl.” The narrator’s point of view allows the reader to understand —

the brother’s private thoughts about his academic struggles

an objective, unbiased account of the family’s financial situation

only the external events of the graduation ceremony

the narrator’s personal feelings and awareness of the family’s sacrifices

#16. Read the following statements: (1) All employees who complete the safety certification receive a pay increase. (2) Daniela is an employee who recently received a pay increase. Based solely on these two statements, which conclusion is valid?

Daniela definitely completed the safety certification.

Daniela did not complete the safety certification.

All employees who receive a pay increase have completed the safety certification.

Daniela may or may not have completed the safety certification, since other factors could also lead to a pay increase.

#17. Read the following passage: “Every eight minutes, another American is added to the national organ transplant waiting list. Every day, seventeen people on that list die because a matching organ was not available in time. These are not abstract statistics; they are mothers, teachers, veterans, and children whose futures hinge on a decision most of us have never seriously considered — whether to register as an organ donor.” The author uses specific statistics and categories of people primarily to —

create an emotional and logical appeal that motivates readers to act

compare organ donation rates across different countries

demonstrate expertise in medical research methodology

criticize hospitals for failing to perform transplant surgeries quickly enough

#18. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly?

The committee members who were appointed last March, have not yet submitted their report.

The committee members, who were appointed last March, have not yet submitted their report.

The committee members who were appointed last March have not yet, submitted their report.

The committee members, who were appointed last March have not yet submitted their report.

#19. Select the sentence that demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement.

Neither the manager nor the employees was informed about the policy change.

The collection of rare stamps were donated to the museum last Tuesday.

The group of students has completed its community service requirement ahead of schedule.

Each of the candidates have prepared a detailed platform for the debate.

#20. A student has written the following two sentences in an essay: “The city invested $4 million in expanding its public transit network. Ridership increased by 30 percent within eighteen months.” Which transition word or phrase, inserted at the beginning of the second sentence, would MOST effectively show the relationship between these ideas?

As a result,

On the other hand,

Nevertheless,

Similarly,

#21. Which of the following sentences contains a clear and unambiguous pronoun reference?

When Sarah spoke to Maria, she seemed upset about the decision.

The hikers told the rangers that they needed better trail markers.

The company informed its shareholders that they would hold a vote on the merger.

After the coach reviewed the player’s performance, he scheduled a meeting with the athletic director to discuss her progress.

#22. A student is writing a paragraph arguing that municipalities should invest in protected bike lanes. Which sentence would BEST develop the student’s argument?

Bicycles were first invented in the early nineteenth century and have evolved significantly since then.

Cities that installed protected bike lanes saw a 75 percent reduction in cyclist injuries and a 20 percent increase in bike commuters, according to a 2024 Department of Transportation study.

Many people enjoy cycling as a weekend hobby with friends and family.

Some drivers find bike lanes inconvenient because they reduce the number of available parking spaces.

#23. In which sentence is the comma used correctly?

The tall, brick building on Main Street was constructed in 1923.

She ordered a large, pepperoni pizza for the party.

His calm, methodical approach to problem-solving impressed the hiring panel.

The exhausted, frustrated, contestant finally answered the question.

#24. A student is writing an essay about the benefits of bilingual education. The student’s outline includes: I. Introduction, II. Cognitive benefits, III. Economic advantages, IV. Cultural awareness, V. Conclusion. The student has written the following sentence: “Research indicates that bilingual individuals earn, on average, 10 to 15 percent more than their monolingual peers over the course of a career.” This sentence belongs in which section of the outline?

Section IV — Cultural awareness

Section II — Cognitive benefits

Section I — Introduction

Section III — Economic advantages

#25. Which of the following contains a sentence boundary error (run-on or comma splice)?

Because the roads were icy, school was canceled for the third consecutive day.

Although the experiment failed, the researchers gained valuable data for future trials.

The library closes at nine o’clock; however, the study rooms remain open until midnight.

The deadline was extended by one week, many students still submitted their papers late.

#26. Which revision of the following sentence BEST eliminates wordiness while preserving the original meaning? Original: “Due to the fact that the rainfall amounts were in excess of what was expected, the river rose to a level that was higher than normal.”

The river rose due to the fact that there was an excess of rainfall that was more than what people expected.

Due to the fact that it rained more, the river was higher than it usually is in most situations.

Because rainfall exceeded expectations, the river rose above its normal level.

Rainfall being in excess of expectations was the reason for the river rising to a higher level than normal.

#27. Which sentence uses apostrophes correctly?

The dog wagged it’s tail when it’s owner returned from work.

The two sister’s apartments are on the same floor of the building.

The children’s toys were scattered across the neighbor’s yard.

Its been three year’s since the company changed it’s logo.

#28. A student is writing a formal research paper on renewable energy. Which sentence is MOST appropriate for the paper’s tone and audience?

I personally think wind turbines look awesome on the horizon and we should build more of them everywhere.

According to the International Energy Agency, renewable sources accounted for nearly 30 percent of global electricity generation in 2023, marking a significant shift from fossil fuel dependence.

Everybody knows that solar panels are the obvious answer to all our energy problems.

Wind energy is super cool and way better than burning nasty fossil fuels.

#29. Which sentence demonstrates correct parallel structure?

The internship requires applicants to write clearly, thinking critically, and collaborate effectively.

The internship requires applicants to write clearly, to think critically, and to collaborate effectively.

The internship requires applicants to write clearly, think critically, and to be effective collaborators.

The internship requires applicants writing clearly, to think critically, and effective collaboration.

#30. Which sentence correctly places its modifying phrase?

Having studied for three consecutive nights, the calculus exam felt manageable to Priya.

The teacher handed out exams to the students covered in red ink.

Sprinting across the finish line, the crowd erupted in applause for the runner.

After reviewing the blueprints carefully, the architect approved the revised design.

#31. A bakery sells cupcakes in boxes of 6 for $14.50 and boxes of 12 for $26.00. What is the approximate savings per cupcake when purchasing the larger box instead of the smaller box?

$0.25

$0.59

$0.18

$0.42

#32. A car’s fuel tank holds 15.5 gallons. If the car averages 28.4 miles per gallon in the city and 36.2 miles per gallon on the highway, how many MORE miles can the car travel on a full tank on the highway compared to the city? Round to the nearest whole number.

135 miles

111 miles

121 miles

98 miles

#33. Tomás earns a gross monthly salary of $4,200. After deductions of 6.2% for Social Security, 1.45% for Medicare, and 12% for federal income tax, what is his approximate net monthly pay?

$3,412.50

$3,386.70

$3,354.90

$3,375.30

#34. A store marks up the wholesale price of a jacket by 80% to set the retail price. During a clearance sale, the retail price is then discounted by 40%. What is the overall percent change from the wholesale price to the final sale price?

40% increase

20% decrease

8% decrease

8% increase

#35. A recipe that serves 4 people calls for 2⅓ cups of flour. If a chef needs to prepare the recipe for 14 people, how many cups of flour are needed?

7⅔ cups

8⅙ cups

8⅓ cups

9⅓ cups

#36. Solve for x: 3(2x − 5) + 4 = 7x − 8

x = −1

x = 7

x = 3

x = −3

#37. A cell phone plan charges a flat fee of $35 per month plus $0.05 per text message sent. If Mia’s bill for the month was $52.50, how many text messages did she send?

325

375

300

350

#38. Which of the following represents the solution set of the inequality 2(x + 3) ≥ 5x − 9?

x ≤ 5

x ≤ 3

x ≥ 5

x ≥ 3

#39. If f(x) = x² − 4x + 7, what is the value of f(−2)?

11

15

19

3

#40. A parking garage charges $8 for the first hour and $3 for each additional hour or fraction thereof. Which equation represents the total cost C, in dollars, for parking h hours, where h > 1?

C = 3 + 8(h − 1)

C = 11h

C = 8 + 3(h − 1)

C = 8 + 3h

#41. A rectangular garden measures 18 feet by 24 feet. A diagonal path is laid from one corner to the opposite corner. What is the length of the path?

30 feet

32 feet

36 feet

28 feet

#42. A cylindrical water tank has a diameter of 10 feet and a height of 8 feet. What is the approximate volume of the tank in cubic feet? (Use π ≈ 3.14)

502.4 ft³

2,512.0 ft³

628.0 ft³

251.2 ft³

#43. Triangle PQR has angles measuring 55°, 65°, and 60°. Triangle STU has two angles measuring 55° and 60°. Which of the following statements is true?

The triangles are similar because all three corresponding angles are equal.

The triangles are neither similar nor congruent.

The triangles cannot be compared without knowing the side lengths.

The triangles are congruent.

#44. On a coordinate plane, point A is at (−3, 2) and point B is at (5, −4). What is the midpoint of segment AB?

(1, −1)

(1, 1)

(4, −3)

(2, −2)

#45. A scale drawing of a building uses a scale of 1 inch = 12 feet. If the building’s actual height is 78 feet, what is the height of the building on the drawing?

5.5 inches

6.5 inches

7.0 inches

6.0 inches

#46. A bag contains 5 red marbles, 8 blue marbles, and 7 green marbles. If one marble is drawn at random, what is the probability that it is NOT blue?

7/20

3/5

2/5

2/3

#47. The following data set represents quiz scores for a class of 9 students: 72, 75, 78, 82, 85, 85, 88, 91, 94. What is the interquartile range (IQR) of the scores?

22

13

16

10

#48. A company surveyed 400 customers about product satisfaction. The results showed 68% were satisfied, with a margin of error of ±4%. Which of the following is the best interpretation of this result?

Between 64% and 72% of the customer population is likely satisfied.

At least 72% of customers are satisfied with the product.

The survey is unreliable because the margin of error is too large.

Exactly 272 customers in the entire population are satisfied.

#49. A standard six-sided die is rolled twice. What is the probability that the sum of the two rolls is exactly 9?

1/9

1/12

1/6

5/36

#50. A data set has a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 6. According to the empirical rule (68-95-99.7 rule), approximately what percentage of data values fall between 38 and 62?

99.7%

84%

68%

95%

#51. ESSAY PROMPT: Some educators and policymakers argue that high schools should require every student to complete at least one semester of vocational or trade education — such as welding, electrical work, culinary arts, or healthcare certification — regardless of whether the student plans to attend a four-year university. Supporters claim that vocational training provides practical life skills, reduces student debt by opening alternative career pathways, and addresses critical labor shortages in skilled trades. Opponents contend that mandatory vocational courses would take time away from core academic subjects, limit students’ ability to pursue advanced coursework, and reinforce outdated assumptions about which students belong on which educational track. Write a persuasive essay of 300 to 600 words in which you take a clear position on whether high schools should require vocational or trade education for all students. Support your position with specific reasons, evidence, and examples. Address at least one counterargument and explain why your position is stronger. Your essay will be scored on how well you demonstrate clear purpose and focus, logical organization, thorough development of ideas with supporting details, varied and effective sentence structure, control of grammar and mechanics, and critical thinking.

Consider arguing either that vocational requirements empower all students with practical skills and economic flexibility, OR that mandating trade courses undermines academic rigor and student choice.

1) Economic impact: skilled-trade salaries, student debt reduction, labor shortage data; 2) Educational equity: access to diverse career paths regardless of socioeconomic background; 3) Practical life skills: financial literacy through real-world application, self-sufficiency, and problem-solving beyond traditional academics.

Scored on 6 dimensions: (1) Purpose and Focus — clear thesis and consistent argument; (2) Organization — logical structure with effective introduction, body, and conclusion; (3) Development — specific evidence, examples, and reasoning that support the thesis; (4) Sentence Variety — varied sentence structures and lengths for readability; (5) Mechanics and Conventions — correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage; (6) Critical Thinking — nuanced analysis, acknowledgment of complexity, and effective counterargument handling.

CRC Exam #1

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