Common Core: 8th Grade English Language Arts : Reading to Analyze Elements of a Text
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: 8th Grade English Language Arts
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Example Questions
Example Question #21 : Reading
As technology continues to advance, relics of much earlier innovations remain in the terms we use to describe today’s tech. These terms, often referred to as “technological fossil words,” have outlived their meaning, but are still used in conversation today.
Perhaps the most well-known example of a technological fossil word is the term “DJ” or “Disc Jockey.” The term originated in a time when a DJ actually “jockeyed,” the machine playing a disc or record. Nowadays, a Disc Jockey is almost never seen with an actual disc, but the name lives on!
Technological fossil words have also found their way into the language we use to describe phone use. When operators of the original phone that coined most of the terms we use today made a call, they would “dial” by turning an actual dial of rotating numbers. When they would “hang up,” they would physically hang the phone up on the wall, at which point the phone's pressure on the latch it hung on would end the call. Even the terms phone line and cell phone refer to aspects of telephone use that no longer apply today.
One of the most interesting and lesser-known of these technological fossil words is the term “soap opera.” Today, this term refers broadly to dramatic television programs. However, the history of the term comes from the radio dramas once sponsored by soap companies to entice housewives listening in during the day to purchase their products.
From typing messages to “pen pals,” to “filming” a video, technological fossil words give us a glimpse into the history behind the tech we use today!
Which of the following is NOT referenced in the passage as an example of a technological fossil term?
DJ
Pen pal
Filming
Dial
Operators
Operators
Here, we can use process of elimination to see that dial, pen pal, filming, and DJ were all used in the passage as examples of technological fossil words. In fact - the author has left a helpful hint to make that process easier! All the technological fossil words in the passage are written with quotations around them! So, the only term that doesn’t follow that pattern is the term “operators” - our answer to this question! We can also use some critical thinking to see that while people were physically operating a phone in the context of the passage, we no longer truly “dial a phone,” “pen” letters to a pen pal, “film a video” or “jockey a disc.”
Example Question #23 : Key Ideas And Details
As technology continues to advance, relics of much earlier innovations remain in the terms we use to describe today’s tech. These terms, often referred to as “technological fossil words,” have outlived their meaning, but are still used in conversation today.
Perhaps the most well-known example of a technological fossil word is the term “DJ” or “Disc Jockey.” The term originated in a time when a DJ actually “jockeyed,” the machine playing a disc or record. Nowadays, a Disc Jockey is almost never seen with an actual disc, but the name lives on!
Technological fossil words have also found their way into the language we use to describe phone use. When operators of the original phone that coined most of the terms we use today made a call, they would “dial” by turning an actual dial of rotating numbers. When they would “hang up,” they would physically hang the phone up on the wall, at which point the phone's pressure on the latch it hung on would end the call. Even the terms phone line and cell phone refer to aspects of telephone use that no longer apply today.
One of the most interesting and lesser-known of these technological fossil words is the term “soap opera.” Today, this term refers broadly to dramatic television programs. However, the history of the term comes from the radio dramas once sponsored by soap companies to entice housewives listening in during the day to purchase their products.
From typing messages to “pen pals,” to “filming” a video, technological fossil words give us a glimpse into the history behind the tech we use today!
Which of the following best describes the function of the sentence below?
“When they would “hang up,” they would physically hang the phone up on the wall, at which point the phone's pressure on the latch it hung on would end the call.”
To show how inconvenient original models of the telephone were
To provide the historical context behind the phrase “hang up,” a term used today to mean “end the call.”
To prove why it is important to update the names we give to actions when we update technology
To encourage readers to be patient with older relatives who may not be “with the times” as technology advances
To help readers understand why phone calls were more complicated and less frequently used in the past
To provide the historical context behind the phrase “hang up,” a term used today to mean “end the call.”
Here, the author cites an example of a technological fossil term - a term that is still in use despite the fact that its contextual meaning no longer applies. The author describes how users of older models of the telephone would literally hang the phone up on a device on the wall when a call was ready to be ended to allow the reader to understand why we use the phrase “hang up” the phone today.
Example Question #24 : Key Ideas And Details
As technology continues to advance, relics of much earlier innovations remain in the terms we use to describe today’s tech. These terms, often referred to as “technological fossil words,” have outlived their meaning, but are still used in conversation today.
Perhaps the most well-known example of a technological fossil word is the term “DJ” or “Disc Jockey.” The term originated in a time when a DJ actually “jockeyed,” the machine playing a disc or record. Nowadays, a Disc Jockey is almost never seen with an actual disc, but the name lives on!
Technological fossil words have also found their way into the language we use to describe phone use. When operators of the original phone that coined most of the terms we use today made a call, they would “dial” by turning an actual dial of rotating numbers. When they would “hang up,” they would physically hang the phone up on the wall, at which point the phone's pressure on the latch it hung on would end the call. Even the terms phone line and cell phone refer to aspects of telephone use that no longer apply today.
One of the most interesting and lesser-known of these technological fossil words is the term “soap opera.” Today, this term refers broadly to dramatic television programs. However, the history of the term comes from the radio dramas once sponsored by soap companies to entice housewives listening in during the day to purchase their products.
From typing messages to “pen pals,” to “filming” a video, technological fossil words give us a glimpse into the history behind the tech we use today!
According to the meaning of the term “technological fossil word” as described in the passage, which of the following provides an additional example of a technological fossil word, and why?
“Rewind the video,” because video cassettes used to need to have their film wound in reverse in order to replay the video
“Hark,” because it is primarily seen in historical literature from earlier centuries
“Motion picture,” because it is used to refer to movies, or “moving pictures”
“Ado,” because it is only used in phrases and sayings such as “much ado about nothing”
“Groovy,” because it is a dated term exclusively used by older people in an attempt to sound “hip”
“Rewind the video,” because video cassettes used to need to have their film wound in reverse in order to replay the video
In this case, we want another example of a term that has lost its literal interpretation, but has remained the common term for a particular element of technology despite this fact. We still say that we need to “rewind” the video, despite the fact that we are no longer winding an actual reel of film. Our other answers make up different types of words that are either no longer in use, or only come into play in sayings, but none of them express terminology that is no longer relevant to the action or term at hand. (Motion picture is a tricky one! It *sounds* dated and old-fashioned, but it technically refers to something that is still the case - a moving picture!)
Example Question #25 : Key Ideas And Details
When you hear the phrase “man’s best friend,” you probably think of one animal, and one animal alone: the dog. But why is that? How did dogs come to earn the name “man’s best friend,” and why has the name stuck around since?
Many historians trace the relationship between man and dog back more than 30,000 years, to when wolves used to scavenge alongside humans. Other historians cite the point when dogs and people began living together, around 15,000 years ago, as the start to this friendship.
Literature from long ago also references the friendship between man and dog, most famously in Homer’s The Odyssey. However, it wasn’t until the 1700s when King Frederick of Prussia coined the term that dogs were formally given the position “best friend to man.” Frederick referred to his friendship with his dogs in a way that was unusual at the time. While pet dogs were common for those of his rank and stature, they were normally used for hunting and protecting, and it would be considered strange to speak of them as “friends.” Frederick, however, was so fond of his dogs that he had portraits of them painted, spoke often of their loyalty, and even requested that he be buried next to them when he was laid to rest.
It is this strange but enduring relationship with “man’s best friend” that has stood the test of time. Today, dogs are often thought of for their loyalty and companionship. Studies even suggest that a canine companion can increase one’s lifespan, lower cardiovascular disease, and improve mental health. Even if you don’t share Frederick’s opinion that companionship with a dog is the only way to be truly “free of cares,” there’s no arguing that dogs have earned the title “man’s best friend” over the thousands of years they have stood by man’s side.
The author of the passage most likely italicized “The Odyssey” because it
is the most important example used in the passage
needed to be clarified from other works entitled “The Odyssey”
requires additional emphasis
is the main subject of the passage
is a title
is a title
While the appearance of a friendship between man and dog is one of several important examples provided by the author, the italics were used in this context to identify the phrase as a title. This example is far too narrow, and one of too many examples to be considered the “most important” example, or the “main subject” of the passage. The title was put into italics because, well… it’s a title!
Example Question #171 : Common Core: 8th Grade English Language Arts
Passage 1:
When schools prepare elective courses for their students (courses that provide an optional list of classes to suit different students’ interests), they should not comply with pressures to make those classes more “practical” or “career driven.” Elective courses should be a way for students to express their creativity and interests in a format they enjoy, and should provide students with a break from the mundane math and English topics they’ve spent the day learning about. Whether it’s painting, photography, dodgeball, or gardening, elective courses should be a way for students to establish and embrace hobbies and interests, a break from an otherwise full day of learning all are subjected to.
Passage 2:
Elective courses provide an opportunity for students to branch out and take different courses from those of their classmates. However, too much emphasis in school has been placed on topics that most students will never use as adults! Most students will not grow up to be artists, or to use the Pythagorean Theorem in their day-to-day lives. So, it’s only logical that elective courses should be focused on life skills students will find helpful as adults, such as personal finance and home economics. It’s never too early to build life skills that will make an individual more well-rounded as an adult!
Passage 3:
Core classes are fighting a losing battle against electives for middle and highschool-aged children. While schools mean well when they encourage students to express their creativity in class, emphasis on elective classes must come at the direct expense of core material. Schools should understand that their job is to prepare children and young adults for the workforce, and should place more emphasis on STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) material. There is currently more demand for STEM workers than there are interested and qualified adults. Therefore, if we place more emphasis on STEM skills for students, we will encourage interest in the jobs most needed when those children grow up and plan for their careers.
Which of the following best expresses why the author of Passage 2 chose to include the Pythagorean Theorem as an example?
To appeal to readers interested in math
To argue that STEM is an important set of skills for upcoming generations of adults
To give a reason why students should emphasize creative outlets such as visual arts
To show that math is not a useful topic to learn in school
To give an example of a concept in schooling that, according to the author, is not commonly used by most adults
To give an example of a concept in schooling that, according to the author, is not commonly used by most adults
The author of Passage 2 claims that “too much emphasis in school has been placed on topics that most students will never use as adults,” and then goes on to use art and the Pythagorean Theorem as examples of skills that are taught in school despite the fact that they are rarely necessary for adults to apply. So, the author is giving an example of a concept taught in school that is - according to the author - not often used by most adults. The sentence in question even goes on to reinforce that purpose by referring to the Pythagorean Theorem as a concept not commonly used by adults in their day-to-day lives. Incorrect answers to this question either emphasize a different passage’s perspective (D&E), contrast the use of the example "To appeal to readers interested in math", or make too much of a generalization to be the correct answer "To show that math is not a useful topic to learn in school". After all, the author is not claiming that adults never have use for any math, just that the Pythagorean Theorem specifically is not a common mathematics tool applied by the average adult.
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