Common Core: 8th Grade English Language Arts : Capitalization, Punctuation, and Spelling: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.2

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: 8th Grade English Language Arts

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All Common Core: 8th Grade English Language Arts Resources

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Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Language

Jupiter the largest planet in our solar system weighs more than twice as much as all the other planets in our solar system combined.

Possible Answers:

Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, weighs

Jupiter, is the largest planet in our solar system, weighs

Jupiter which is the largest planet in our solar system, weighs

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system, it weighs

NO CHANGE

Correct answer:

Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, weighs

Explanation:

Answer: “Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, weighs”  When two nouns are next to each other, like “Jupiter” and “the largest planet in our solar system” here, there is a good chance that one is being used to describe the other (called an appositive modifier). When that is the case, the modifier needs to be set apart by commas so that the reader can tell that it is a description.  Therefore we need “Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, weighs…” so that we know that “the largest planet…” is a phrase describing Jupiter.  Note that “Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system, it weighs” commits a comma splice error: you cannot separate two independent clauses (complete thoughts that could be their own sentences) simply with a comma - you would need to have a coordinating conjunction such as “and” to go along with the comma.

 

 

Example Question #1 : Use Elipses: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.8.2.B

Jennifer applied to jobs all over the country but ultimately decided to accept a job offer from a company that is located in her hometown.

Select the answer that appropriately uses ellipses to quote the statement above

Possible Answers:

"Jennifer . . . decided to accept a job offer from a company that is located in her hometown."

"Jennifer applied to jobs all over the country . . . located in her hometown."

"Jennifer . . . takes a job offer from a company that is located in her hometown."

"Jennifer . . . is located in her hometown." 

Correct answer:

"Jennifer . . . decided to accept a job offer from a company that is located in her hometown."

Explanation:

An ellipsis ( . . . ) is a series of three periods with a space before and after each one. It can be used to show where words in a quotation have been omitted.

When using an ellipsis, make sure that the resulting text is grammatically correct and maintains the same meaning as the original.

The correct answer is "Jennifer . . . decided to accept a job offer from a company that is located in her hometown." because it is grammatically correct and maintains the same meaning as the original text. 

"Jennifer . . . take a job offer from a company that is located in her hometown." is not grammatically correct because of a shift in verb tense. "Take" is in the present tense, but the original text is in past tense. 

"Jennifer . . . is located in her hometown."  does not maintain the same meaning as the original text. 

""Jennifer applied to jobs all over the country . . . located in her hometown."" does not maintain the same meaning as the original text. 

Example Question #2 : Use Elipses: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.8.2.B

Two phytochemicals in ginger, gingerol and shogaol, are seen as helpful for reducing nausea and improving digestion.

Select the answer that appropriately uses ellipses to quote the statement above

Possible Answers:

"Two phytochemicals in ginger . . . are seen as helpful for reduce nausea and improving digestion."

"Two phytochemicals in ginger . . . are seen as helpful for reducing nausea and improving digestion."

The use of ellipses is not appropriate for this statement

"Two phytochemicals . . . are seen as helpful for reducing nausea and improving digestion."

Correct answer:

"Two phytochemicals in ginger . . . are seen as helpful for reducing nausea and improving digestion."

Explanation:

An ellipsis ( . . . ) is a series of three periods with a space before and after each one. It can be used to show where words in a quotation have been omitted.

When using an ellipsis, make sure that the resulting text is grammatically correct and maintains the same meaning as the original.

The correct answer is "Two phytochemicals in ginger . . . are seen as helpful for reducing nausea and improving digestion." because it is grammatically correct and maintains the same meaning as the original statement. 

""Two phytochemicals . . . are seen as helpful for reducing nausea and improving digestion."" is not correct because it doesn't main the same meaning as the original statement. 

"Two phytochemicals in ginger . . . are seen as helpful for reduce nausea and improving digestion." is not correct because it is not grammatically correct. There is an incorrect verb tense shift. "Reduce" is in the incorrect verb tense. 

Example Question #3 : Use Elipses: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.8.2.B

The local farmer's market, where individuals sell their own goods and produce, is only open on Fridays and Saturdays. 

Select the answer that appropriately uses ellipses to quote the statement above

Possible Answers:

"The . . . where individuals sell their own goods and produce, is only open on Fridays and Saturdays."

"The local farmer's market . . . open on Fridays and Saturdays."

"The local . . . is only open on Fridays and Saturdays."

"The local farmer's market . . .  is only open on Fridays and Saturdays."

Correct answer:

"The local farmer's market . . .  is only open on Fridays and Saturdays."

Explanation:

An ellipsis ( . . . ) is a series of three periods with a space before and after each one. It can be used to show where words in a quotation have been omitted.

When using an ellipsis, make sure that the resulting text is grammatically correct and maintains the same meaning as the original.

"The local farmer's market . . .  is only open on Fridays and Saturdays." is the correct answer because it is grammatically correct and maintains the same meaning as the original statement. 

"The local . . . is only open on Fridays and Saturdays." is not correct because it does not maintain the same meaning as the original statement. 

""The local farmer's market . . . open on Fridays and Saturdays."" is not correct because it is not grammatically correct. 

""The . . . where individuals sell their own goods and produce, is only open on Fridays and Saturdays."" is not correct because it is not grammatically correct and does not maintain the same meaning as the original text. 

Example Question #11 : Capitalization, Punctuation, And Spelling: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.8.2

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?

Possible Answers:

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, the 8th-grade Geography teacher…to class.

I was...not to be late to class.

Correct answer:

I was warned by Mrs. Jacobs...not to be late to class.

Explanation:

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 #12 : Capitalization, Punctuation, And Spelling: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.8.2

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?

Possible Answers:

To omit text from the passage

To show the passing of time

To take up less space

To show hesitation and suspense

Correct answer:

To show hesitation and suspense

Explanation:

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 #13 : Capitalization, Punctuation, And Spelling: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.8.2

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?

Possible Answers:

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.

Correct answer:

Yes, it still has the same meaning as with the full text.

Explanation:

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 #14 : Capitalization, Punctuation, And Spelling: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.8.2

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?

Possible Answers:

Susan applied to college across the country to study economics but decided to stay in-state….

Susan applied to colleges across the country...but decided to stay in-state and attend college locally.

Susan applied to colleges...to study economics but decided to...attend college locally.

Susan applied...but decided to stay in-state and attend college locally.

Correct answer:

Susan applied to colleges across the country...but decided to stay in-state and attend college locally.

Explanation:

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 #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.

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?

Possible Answers:

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 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...put their lives at risk….Their jobs...can lead to...fatalities.

Correct answer:

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.

Explanation:

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 #15 : Capitalization, Punctuation, And Spelling: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.8.2

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?

Possible Answers:

The man needs to talk slowly for the person he is speaking with.

The man is leaving out key details from his thoughts purposefully.

The man is trying to arrange his thoughts and choose his words carefully.

The man forgot what he was going to say.

Correct answer:

The man is trying to arrange his thoughts and choose his words carefully.

Explanation:

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.

 

 

All Common Core: 8th Grade English Language Arts Resources

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