Page 12 - SpringBoard_ELA_Assessment_Grade8_FlipBook

Name: ______________________ ID: A
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Read the excerpt from the passage.
If it were possible for a man to arrive at 90° north latitude without being utterly exhausted, body and brain, he would doubtless enjoy a series of unique sensations and reflections. But the attainment of the Pole was the culmination of days and weeks of forced marches, physical discomfort, insufficient sleep, and racking anxiety.
In these sentences, Peary explains why the first thing he wanted to do upon reaching the North Pole was rest. Which of the following accurately summarizes his explanation?
a. It was possible to reach the Pole without being utterly exhausted, but this was not true in Peary's case.
b. Because of the extreme hardship of the journey, the sensations you experience upon reaching the Pole are unique.
c. By the time you reach the Pole, you are too exhausted to think about it and all you want to do is rest.
d. Reaching the Pole is so exciting that all you can do is reflect on the experience and feel how great it is.
Which of the following BEST states the theme of this passage, especially the final paragraph?
a. Going to the North Pole makes you too tired to think, and only with heroic dedication can you overcome this condition.
b. To achieve a great goal, you have to work alone and dedicate yourself completely to it.
c. Taking risks is an essential part of achieving any goal, especially a difficult goal like reaching the North Pole.
d. With total dedication, persistence, and the help of friends, you can achieve seemingly impossible goals.
Read the following sentence from the passage.
I long ago ceased to think of myself save as an instrument for the attainment of that end.
Which of the following is closest to the meaning of instrument as it is used in the passage?
a. a measuring device
b. a tool
c. a device to make music
d. a means
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