Grade 8 ELA Practice Test: Author's Point of View and Comparing Conflicting Texts
- Author's Point of View and Conflicting Texts
- 10 questions
- 15 minutes
Read the two opinion pieces, then answer the 10 questions. Tip: when two authors disagree, look at what each one has seen firsthand, because it often explains their point of view.
Tap an option to mark your answer. You can change your mind, or tap the same option again to leave the question blank. The correct answers and explanations appear when you finish the test.Tap an option to answer; tap it again to leave the question blank.
Your result
- 0 correct
- 0 wrong
- 0 blank
-
Question 1
Read both texts and answer questions 1-10.
Text 1: Scooters Belong in Millbrook
by the owner of a bakery on Main StreetSince the rental scooters arrived in June, my bakery has had more lunch customers than ever. Office workers who once drove across town now ride over in five minutes and leave their cars at work. Critics call the scooters a nuisance, but almost every new way of getting around has had growing pains; bicycles were once called dangerous too. With a few clear rules about where to park, scooters can make downtown livelier and less crowded with cars.
Text 2: Slow Down on Scooters
by a nurse at Millbrook's hospitalIn the four months since rental scooters came to Millbrook, our emergency room has treated a steady stream of riders with broken wrists and head injuries, most of them without helmets. I am not against new ideas. But the town started the program before deciding where riders could go or how fast they could travel. Until riders must wear helmets and stay off crowded sidewalks, the town should pause the program.
Which statement best describes the point of view of the author of Text 1?
Correct answer: A
The bakery owner describes more customers and fewer cars, then says "a few clear rules about where to park" will handle the problems. The text never calls for a ban.
-
Question 2
Texts 1 and 2 (see above):
Which statement best describes the point of view of the author of Text 2?
Correct answer: C
The nurse asks the town to "pause the program" until helmets and sidewalk rules are required. "Pause" means a temporary stop, not a permanent ban.
-
Question 3
Texts 1 and 2 (see above):
On which point do the two authors agree?
Correct answer: B
Text 1 calls for parking rules, and Text 2 calls for helmet and sidewalk rules, so both think rules are needed. Only Text 2 discusses injuries or a pause.
-
Question 4
Texts 1 and 2 (see above):
What kind of evidence does each author mainly use?
Correct answer: D
The bakery owner reports what happened to the business, and the nurse reports what the emergency room has seen. Neither cites a study, survey or report.
-
Question 5
Texts 1 and 2 (see above):
How does the author of Text 1 respond to critics of the scooters?
Correct answer: C
The bakery owner argues that new forms of transportation always have "growing pains" and mentions bicycles as an example. The text gives no injury numbers.
-
Question 6
Texts 1 and 2 (see above):
Which sentence from Text 2 acknowledges that the other side has a point?
Correct answer: B
With this sentence, the nurse admits that new ideas like scooters can be worthwhile before explaining the concern. The other sentences support the nurse's own position.
-
Question 7
Texts 1 and 2 (see above):
On which question do the authors most clearly disagree?
Correct answer: D
Text 1 wants the program to continue with parking rules, while Text 2 wants it paused. Neither author disputes when the scooters arrived.
-
Question 8
Texts 1 and 2 (see above):
How does each author's job most likely shape his or her point of view?
Correct answer: A
Each author writes from what the job shows firsthand: business benefits at the bakery and injuries at the hospital. The texts say nothing about payments or who rides scooters.
-
Question 9
Texts 1 and 2 (see above):
Which information would best help a reader decide how serious the safety problem is?
Correct answer: C
Knowing how many rides led to injuries would show whether injuries are common or rare. The other facts have nothing to do with safety.
-
Question 10
Texts 1 and 2 (see above):
Which words best describe the tone of Text 2?
Correct answer: B
The nurse is worried about injuries but proposes a fair solution and admits being "not against new ideas." The text never insults anyone.
Questions you leave blank are not counted as wrong.
More English Language Arts tests
English Language ArtsGrade 8 ELA Practice Test: Point of View and Dramatic IronyPoint of View and Irony10 questions12 min English Language ArtsGrade 8 ELA Practice Test: Reading Comprehension and GrammarReading Comprehension and Grammar12 questions15 minEnglish Language ArtsGrade 8 ELA Practice Test: Verbals, Active and Passive Voice, and Literary AnalysisVerbals, Active and Passive Voice, and Literary Analysis15 questions20 minEnglish Language ArtsGrade 8 ELA Practice Test: Claims and Counterclaims in Argument WritingClaims and Counterclaims10 questions12 minEnglish Language ArtsGrade 8 ELA Practice Test: Verb Moods (Indicative, Imperative, Subjunctive and More)Verb Moods10 questions12 minEnglish Language ArtsGrade 8 ELA Practice Test: Comma Rules and EllipsesComma Rules and Ellipses10 questions12 minEnglish Language ArtsGrade 8 ELA Practice Test: Poetry Analysis, Form, Figurative Language and ThemePoetry Analysis: Form, Figurative Language and Theme10 questions15 min