Common Core: 8th Grade English Language Arts : Common Core: 8th Grade English Language Arts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: 8th Grade English Language Arts
All Common Core: 8th Grade English Language Arts Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Use Elipses: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.8.2.B
Read the sentence(s) below for full context. Choose the answer that uses ellipses properly to indicate an omission.
I was warned by Mrs. Jacobs, the 8th-grade Geography teacher, not to be late to class.
Which of the following best summarizes the complete meaning of the sentence above?
I was...not to be late to class.
I was warned by Mrs. Jacobs, the 8th-grade Geography teacher…to class.
I was warned by Mrs. Jacobs...not to be late to class.
I was warned...not to be late to class.
I was warned by Mrs. Jacobs...not to be late to class.
I was warned by Mrs. Jacobs...not to be late to class. The main parts of the sentence are included in this answer choice. This choice tells readers who warned the students and about what. This summarizes the full meaning of the sentence. What Mrs. Jacobs teaches is extraneous information that is not needed for a full understanding.
Example Question #2 : Use Elipses: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.8.2.B
Read the excerpt below and determine how the ellipses are being used in the text.
He began to puff at his pipe, no doubt arranging his opinion in his mind. Tiresome old fool! When we knew him first he used to be rather interesting, talking of faints and worms; but I soon grew tired of him and his endless stories about the distillery. “I have my own theory about it,” he said. “I think it was one of those ... peculiar cases...But it’s hard to say....”
How have the ellipses been used in the text excerpt?
To omit text from the passage
To show the passing of time
To show hesitation and suspense
To take up less space
To show hesitation and suspense
The character in the story is taking long pauses to think of the right words to use to describe the man he is speaking about. It creates drama and suspense as the reader waits to see how the man will be described. Using the ellipses helps to create the mood and tone in the characters’ voice.
Example Question #3 : Use Elipses: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.8.2.B
Read the sentence(s) below for full context. Choose the answer that explains if the ellipses are used properly.
Full context: Crop circles - or patterns created in crops by flattening vegetation - were believed to be created by aliens visiting Earth.
Ellipses: Crop circles...were believed to be created by aliens visiting Earth.
Is this an appropriate use of an ellipsis and why?
Yes, it still has the same meaning as with the full text.
Yes, it is shorter which is always the goal of ellipses.
No, the ellipses were not used properly.
No, the meaning has changed and it is not complete.
Yes, it still has the same meaning as with the full text.
Yes, it still has the same meaning as with the full text. The ellipses are used properly and eliminate information that is not key to understanding the meaning of the text. The important information is that crop circles were believed to be created by aliens which are still understandable with answer choice A. The goal of ellipses is not to just shorten text but to ensure it is still keeping the same meaning.
Example Question #4 : Use Elipses: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.8.2.B
Read the sentence(s) below for full context. Choose the answer that uses ellipses properly to indicate an omission.
Susan applied to colleges across the country to study economics but decided to stay in-state and attend college locally.
Which of the following options properly uses ellipses to summarize the full meaning of the sentence above?
Susan applied...but decided to stay in-state and attend college locally.
Susan applied to college across the country to study economics but decided to stay in-state….
Susan applied to colleges...to study economics but decided to...attend college locally.
Susan applied to colleges across the country...but decided to stay in-state and attend college locally.
Susan applied to colleges across the country...but decided to stay in-state and attend college locally.
Susan applied to colleges across the country...but decided to stay in-state and attend college locally. The point of this sentence is that Susan applied all over the country but decided to attend a local college instead. This option includes all the necessary information to understand the situation.
Example Question #8 : Use Elipses: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.8.2.B
Read the sentence(s) below for full context. Choose the answer that uses ellipses properly to indicate an omission.
Stuntmen and women are an important part of action movies and television shows. They put their lives at risk for the viewers’ entertainment. Their jobs are very dangerous and can lead to injuries or even fatalities.
Which of the following best summarizes the complete meaning of the sentences above?
Stuntmen and women are an important part...for the viewers’ entertainment. Their jobs ...can lead to injuries or even fatalities.
Stuntmen and women are an important part...shows. They put their lives at risk for the viewers’ entertainment. Their jobs are very dangerous and can lead to injuries or even fatalities.
Stuntmen and women...put their lives at risk….Their jobs...can lead to...fatalities.
Stuntmen and women are an important part of action movies and television shows. They put their lives at risk...Their jobs…can lead to injuries or even fatalities.
Stuntmen and women are an important part of action movies and television shows. They put their lives at risk...Their jobs…can lead to injuries or even fatalities.
Stuntmen and women are an important part of action movies and television shows. They put their lives at risk...Their jobs…can lead to injuries or even fatalities. The main point of the sentences is that stuntmen and women are important parts of movies and shows and that their jobs put their lives at risk for injuries or death. The correct answer choice makes this apparent and contains all the necessary info.
Example Question #1 : Use Elipses: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.8.2.B
Read the excerpt below and determine how the ellipses are being used in the text.
He began to puff at his pipe, no doubt arranging his opinion in his mind. Tiresome old fool! When we knew him first he used to be rather interesting, talking of faints and worms; but I soon grew tired of him and his endless stories about the distillery. “I have my own theory about it,” he said. “I think it was one of those ... peculiar cases...But it’s hard to say....”
What is the function of the ellipsis examples in this excerpt?
The man needs to talk slowly for the person he is speaking with.
The man is trying to arrange his thoughts and choose his words carefully.
The man is leaving out key details from his thoughts purposefully.
The man forgot what he was going to say.
The man is trying to arrange his thoughts and choose his words carefully.
The man is trying to arrange his thoughts and choose his words carefully.
He is trying to be precise with his words and make sure that the right words are chosen. He has his own theory about the “old fool” and wants to be sure that his meaning is clear.
Example Question #2 : Use Elipses: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.8.2.B
Read the sentence(s) below for full context. Choose the answer that uses ellipses properly to indicate an omission.
I dropped my pencil case on the stairs as I headed to math, luckily my friend Andrew was walking past and helped me clean up the mess so I wouldn’t be late.
Which of the following best summarizes the complete meaning of the sentence above?
I dropped my pencil case on the stairs...my friend Andrew...helped me clean up the mess so I wouldn’t be late.
I dropped my pencil case...Andrew was walking past and helped me clean up the mess so I wouldn’t be late.
I dropped my pencil case on the stairs as I headed to math, luckily my friend Andrew was walking past...so I wouldn’t be late.
I dropped my pencil...as I headed to math...I wouldn’t be late.
I dropped my pencil case on the stairs...my friend Andrew...helped me clean up the mess so I wouldn’t be late.
I dropped my pencil case on the stairs...my friend Andrew...helped me clean up the mess so I wouldn’t be late. This answer contains the main points of the sentence, I dropped my pencil case so Andrew helped me clean it up so I wouldn’t be late. The class I was headed too and that he was walking past are not key details to understanding the sentence.
Example Question #61 : Language
Read the sentence(s) below for full context. Choose the answer that explains if the ellipses are used properly.
Full context: Bears have learned to live amongst humans, due to adaptations because of changes in their environment. They can be a danger to humans when they move into residential communities searching for food and shelter.
Ellipses: Bears have learned to live amongst humans...They can be a danger when they move into residential communities...
Is this an appropriate use of an ellipsis and why?
Yes, it still has the same meaning as with the full text.
Yes, it is shorter which is always the goal of ellipses.
No, the meaning has changed and it is not complete.
No, the ellipses were not used properly.
No, the meaning has changed and it is not complete.
No, the meaning has changed and it is not complete. This answer choice has left out why the bears are able to live amongst humans and when they pose a danger. Major pieces of the original text are left out and cause the sentences’ meaning to change.
Example Question #22 : Capitalization, Punctuation, And Spelling: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.8.2
As an author, Lauren draws on her experience as an avid hiker, rock climber, kayaker, and backpacker as she paints vivid pictures of outdoor scenes for her readers.
Which of the following best encapsulates the complete meaning of the sentence above?
As an author, Lauren…paints vivid pictures of outdoor scenes for her readers.
As an author, Lauren draws...for her readers.
As an author, Lauren draws on her experience as an avid hiker, rock climber, kayaker, and backpacker as she paints…
As an author, Lauren draws on her experience...for her readers.
As an author, Lauren…paints vivid pictures of outdoor scenes for her readers.
The point of this sentence is to say that because of Lauren’s amazing outdoor adventures, she is able as an author to “paint vivid pictures” of outdoor scenes so that readers can use her words to visualize them almost as if they were there. The critical meaning of the sentence is that Lauren makes these outdoor scenes come alive for her readers, and only choice B captures that essence.
Example Question #23 : Capitalization, Punctuation, And Spelling: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.8.2
Bronson attended but was expelled from Oberlin - for reasons he considers invalid - but got back on track and graduated from Ohio State.
Which of the following options properly uses ellipses to summarize the full meaning of the sentence above?
Bronson...graduated from Ohio State.
Bronson attended but was expelled from Oberlin - for reasons he considers invalid…
Bronson attended but was expelled from Oberlin...but got back on track and graduated from Ohio State.
Bronson...was expelled from Oberlin - for reasons he considers invalid.
Bronson attended but was expelled from Oberlin...but got back on track and graduated from Ohio State.
][\The point of the sentence is that Bronson encountered academic hardship but still had a happy ending. Only the choice that mentions both expulsion and graduation captures the full meaning of the sentence.
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All Common Core: 8th Grade English Language Arts Resources
