5511 Praxis Test - Poker Exams

Question 1

The following excerpt is from the introduction to The Way to Rainy Mountain by N. Scott Momaday.
Once there was a lot of sound in my grandmother's house, a lot of coming and going, feasting and talk. The summers there were full of excitement and reunion. The Kiowas are a summer people; they abide the cold and keep to themselves, but when the season turns and the land becomes warm and vital they cannot hold still; an old love of going returns upon them.

A teacher is a person who is patient. A teacher is dedicated. A teacher helps others. Which of the following revisions to the sentence best demonstrates parallel structure?

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) A

Rationale

A teacher is a person who is patient, dedicated, and helpful.

This revision maintains a consistent structure by using parallel forms in the list of descriptors, ensuring that all elements fit seamlessly together to enhance clarity and readability.

A) A teacher is a person who is patient, dedicated, and helpful.
This option effectively employs parallel structure by using a uniform format for the qualities listed. Each descriptor ("patient," "dedicated," "helpful") is presented as an adjective, creating a rhythm that makes the sentence easier to read and understand.

B) A teacher is patient, likes to be dedicated, and to help.
This choice disrupts parallel structure due to the varied grammatical forms used. "Likes to be dedicated" introduces an additional verb phrase that does not match the straightforward adjective forms of the other qualities, leading to inconsistency in the sentence structure.

C) A teacher is a person who is patient, dedicated, and likes to help.
While this option maintains some level of parallelism, it falters by mixing the structure of "a person who is" with "likes to help." This inconsistency in phrasing diminishes the overall clarity and flow of the sentence.

D) A teacher is patient, dedicated, and helps.
This version maintains a degree of parallel structure but shifts from adjectives to the verb "helps" at the end, creating a lack of uniformity. The inconsistency in the grammatical form of the last item disrupts the rhythm of the sentence.

Conclusion
Achieving parallel structure is essential for clarity and coherence in writing. Option A stands out as the best choice, as it consistently uses adjectives to describe a teacher's qualities, providing a smooth and effective sentence. The other options fail to maintain this consistency, compromising the overall effectiveness of the sentence.

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Question 2

The 'old love of going' mentioned in the last line of the passage most likely refers to the

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) A

Rationale

Kiowas' fondness for traveling during the summer.

The phrase 'old love of going' suggests a deep-rooted affection the Kiowas have for traveling, particularly during the summer months, when they likely engaged in nomadic activities or seasonal migrations.

A) Kiowas' fondness for traveling during the summer
This choice accurately captures the essence of the 'old love of going,' highlighting the Kiowas' historical practice of traveling during the summer for various purposes, including hunting and gathering. This fondness is an integral part of their cultural identity and seasonal traditions.

B) Kiowas' fondness for spending summer in solitary contemplation
While solitary contemplation may be a personal activity for some, it does not relate to the communal and active nature implied by the phrase 'old love of going.' The context suggests movement and travel, which is inconsistent with a solitary experience.

C) Tendency of the Kiowas to leave their houses during the winter months
This choice misinterprets the seasonal context, as 'going' specifically refers to summer activities rather than winter departures. The Kiowas' movement in winter would not reflect a fondness associated with summer travel.

D) Speaker's desire to go to his grandmother's house during the summer
Although this choice touches on a personal desire, it narrows the focus to the speaker rather than the Kiowas as a whole. The phrase implies a broader cultural tradition of travel rather than a specific familial connection.

Conclusion
The phrase 'old love of going' most likely illustrates the Kiowas' enduring passion for summer travel, reflecting their cultural practices and lifestyle. While other options present related ideas, they fail to encompass the communal and seasonal essence of the Kiowas' traditions, making option A the most fitting interpretation.

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Question 3

The following is an excerpt from John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath (1939), a novel depicting the plight of migrant workers during the Great Depression.
In the passage, Tom Joad and his family have reached a government-sponsored tent camp where many migrant workers have settled. Tom is walking and surveying the camp in the early morning.
The ground of the street had been swept and sprinkled. From the tents came the snores of sleeping people. The whole camp buzzed and snorted. Tom walked slowly. He neared Number Four Sanitary Unit and he looked at it curiously, an unpainted building, low and rough. Under a roof, but open at the sides, the rows of wash trays. He sawthe Joad truck standing near by, and went quietly toward it. The tarpaulin was pitched and the camp was quiet. As he drew near a figure moved from the shadow of the truck and came toward him.
Ma said softly, "That you, Tom?
"Yeah." "Sh!" she said. "They're all asleep. They was tar'd out."
"You ought to be asleep too," Tom said.

Which of the following sentences would be most likely to begin an essay intended to explain?

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) D

Rationale

In order to train dogs to listen to your commands, you must set up a system that rewards their positive responses.

This sentence clearly establishes a topic for explanation by outlining a specific process related to dog training, indicating that the subsequent essay will detail how to effectively train dogs.

A) Even though mobile phones are seen as more convenient, there are many advantages to maintaining a landline.
This statement presents a contrast between mobile phones and landlines but does not indicate an explanatory approach. Instead, it suggests a discussion or argument rather than a structured explanation of a topic.

B) It always calmed my nerves when my father sat on the back porch drinking tea from a flowered mug and humming 'Old Man River.'
This sentence is anecdotal and personal, focusing on a nostalgic moment rather than introducing a topic for explanation. It lacks the clarity needed to guide the reader into an explanatory essay format.

C) Negative political ads should not be not used in campaigns because they fail to give the public any reliable evidence about candidates.
While this statement conveys a clear opinion and rationale, it is argumentative rather than explanatory. It suggests reasons against a practice rather than laying out a process or concept that can be explained in detail.

Conclusion
An effective introductory sentence for an explanatory essay should clearly outline the topic and suggest a process or method to be elaborated upon. Option D does this by indicating a systematic approach to dog training, while the other options present either opinions, personal anecdotes, or contrasts that do not serve as suitable openings for an explanatory essay.

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Question 4

When the bill reaches committee, the committee members-groups of representatives who are experts on topics such as agriculture, education, or international relationsreview, research, and revise the bill before voting on whether or not to send the bill back to the House floor. If the committee members would like more information before deciding if the bill should be sent to the House floor, the bill is sent to a subcommittee. While in subcommittee, the bill is closely examined and expert opinions are gathered before it is sent back to the committee for approval.

Which of the following best describes the author's purpose in the passage?

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) C

Rationale

Describing a setting through a character's perspective.

The passage provides a detailed overview of the legislative process, focusing specifically on how committees and subcommittees operate within the House of Representatives. This framework offers insights into the setting of legislative action, illustrating how experts review and refine bills, thus highlighting the procedural environment in which these actions take place.

A) Describing a character's feelings about a situation
This option suggests a focus on the emotional state of a character, which is not present in the passage. The text instead centers on the procedural aspects of bill review and does not delve into any individual character's emotions or personal reflections.

B) Exploring a character's relationship with another character
This choice implies an examination of interpersonal dynamics between characters, which is absent in the passage. The content does not introduce any characters or relationships but rather discusses the roles of committee members and their functions in the legislative process.

C) Describing a setting through a character's perspective
The passage effectively describes the legislative setting, specifically the committee and subcommittee processes, without focusing on individual characters' viewpoints. The emphasis on the procedural setting aligns with this option, as it illustrates how the environment of legislative action operates.

D) Exploring a conflict through a character's perspective
This option indicates a focus on conflict as experienced by a character, which is not applicable to the passage. The text does not present any conflicts or character-driven narratives; instead, it outlines procedural steps in the legislative process.

Conclusion
The passage serves primarily to describe the legislative setting, emphasizing how committees and subcommittees function in reviewing bills. While it outlines the process in detail, it does not include characters or emotional dynamics, making option C the most fitting description of the author's purpose in conveying the intricacies of legislative procedures.

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Question 5

In her attic bedroom Margaret Murry, wrapped in an old patchwork quilt, sat on the foot of her bed and watched the trees tossing in the frenzied lashing of the wind. Behind the trees clouds scudded frantically across the sky. Every few moments the moon ripped through them, creating wraithlike shadows that raced along the ground.
-Madeleine L'Engle, from A Wrinkle in Time

Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) D

Rationale

Process order

The passage describes a scene where Margaret Murry is observing the chaotic movement of trees and clouds, emphasizing the process of nature in action, particularly during a storm. This organization focuses on the unfolding events and the dynamic interactions between the elements, illustrating a vivid depiction of the atmosphere.

A) Cause and effect
This choice would imply that the passage discusses a scenario where one event leads to another in a direct relationship. However, the passage does not establish such a relationship; rather, it presents a description of simultaneous occurrences without indicating causality.

B) Chronological order
Chronological order refers to organizing information based on the sequence of time. While the passage describes a moment in time, it does not follow a timeline or sequence of events but instead captures a singular experience in a snapshot format, lacking a clear progression.

C) Compare and contrast
This organizational structure involves evaluating similarities and differences between two or more subjects. The passage does not present any comparisons or contrasts; it solely focuses on Margaret's observation of the natural elements without juxtaposing them against other concepts.

D) Process order
The passage effectively illustrates the process of nature as Margaret observes the storm's unfolding. It captures the movement of the trees and clouds, showcasing how elements interact dynamically in a vivid scene. This organization highlights the continuous action and movement in the environment.

Conclusion
In summary, the passage's organization aligns best with process order, as it vividly portrays the unfolding natural scene through Margaret's eyes. Unlike the other options, which suggest specific structural relationships not present in the text, process order aptly captures the essence of the dynamic observations made by the character.

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A teacher is a person who is patient, dedicated, and helpful.

Kiowas' fondness for traveling during the summer.

In order to train dogs to listen to your commands, you must set up a system that rewards their positive responses.

Describing a setting through a character's perspective.

Process order

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