Identifying Source or Genre Practice Test

Read the passage titled “The Mystery of the Missing Poster”:

“Someone took it,” Taylor said, staring at the blank wall. The hallway bulletin board still had thumbtacks, but the poster was gone.

Alex frowned. “It was here this morning. The art show starts tomorrow.”

Taylor crouched and picked up a torn corner of paper. “Look,” Taylor said. “It ripped. Whoever did it was in a hurry.”

A group of students passed by, laughing. One of them carried a roll of tape and a paint-stained apron.

Alex watched them go. “Why would anyone steal a poster?” Alex asked.

Taylor pointed toward the gym doors. “Because it wasn’t just a poster,” Taylor said. “It had the list of judges.”

Alex’s eyes widened. “So someone wanted to change the results?”

Taylor shrugged. “Or someone wanted us to think that.” Taylor tapped the torn corner. “This paper is thick, like the kind from the office.”

Alex lowered their voice. “You think it was reprinted?”

Taylor nodded. “Let’s check the printer log,” Taylor said. “If we’re right, we’ll have a name.”

Which genre does this passage most likely belong to?

Read the passage titled “The Great Mail Run of 1910”:

In 1910, many rural families received mail only once or twice a week. Dirt roads and long distances made delivery difficult. To solve this, the postal service expanded Rural Free Delivery routes.

Records from April 1910 show that new routes were added in several counties. Carriers used horses, bicycles, and early motor vehicles. Each method had advantages and problems.

A report from the Post Office Department noted that reliable mail improved local business. Farmers could order supplies more easily. Stores could advertise sales to a wider area.

Community leaders also valued faster communication. Letters brought news from relatives in other states. Schools received updated materials, including maps and books.

The change was not instant. Some routes were delayed by floods and snow. Carriers sometimes repaired bridges or cleared fallen branches themselves.

By 1915, Rural Free Delivery reached millions of Americans. Historians describe it as an important step in connecting the nation. It helped rural communities feel less isolated.

Which genre does this passage most likely belong to?