Reading 6 Semester Exam Practice Test Author’s Purpose

Allowing students to have cell phones at school is a topic which causes controversy. Each year, the number of students using cell phones grows. According to the nonprofit group NetDay, 70% of students in grades 6-12 use cell phones. One poll, conducted by Benenson Strategy Group, reveals that teens send an average of 440 text messages a week, 110 of which are sent while in school in each week. So to prevent the improper use of cell phones, the school must create a blanket rule relating to their use. Often students do not understand why a school does not allow them to bring cell phones. One reason is because it can be a distraction in the classroom. Instead of paying attention in class, many students find reading text messages more important. As a result, students miss out on important classroom instruction. Also, cell phones get stolen. Not only does this cause a child to lose valuable classroom time, some parents get upset with the school as a result because they are the ones who ultimately have to pay the price of the loss. Some parents will try to blame the school. To nip that problem in the bud, schools simply ban cell phones from campus. Schools are also concerned about students using their cell phones in class to cheat. The Benenson poll showed that more than 35% of teenagers admitted to using a cell phone to cheat in some fashion while at school. Students will text each other the answers on tests. Students who have cameras on their phones might even take pictures of the test. This can get students into a lot of trouble. For every student that says he or she will not use a cell phone in a way it should not be used in school, there is another student who will break the rules. Cheating is not something schools take lightly. Many schools hand out severe punishments for cheating. Students are not the only ones who oppose cell phone bans in schools. Some parents are bothered by this. Many parents want their children to carry phones for emergency and communication purposes. Some schools have adopted a policy where students can bring cell phones, but the phones must stay in lockers and cannot enter the classrooms. Whatever the case is, cell phones have changed the face of education. They have integrated themselves into our culture and are here to stay. Schools need to find fair and effective ways to regulate cell phone use among their students.

A. One poll reveals that teens send about 440 texts a week, with 110 of those sent from school.

B. One study claims that 70% of students in grades 6-12 own their own cell phones.

C. One poll shows that over 35% of teenagers said they had used a cell phone to cheat in school.

D. Some schools let students carry cell phones to school, but the phones must not enter
2. Which of these best supports the idea that cell phones should not be completely banned?

A. Whatever the case is, cell phones have changed the face of education.

B. Students are not the only ones who oppose cell phone bans in schools.

C. Many parents want their children to carry phones for emergency and communication purposes.

D. Often students do not understand why a school does not allow them to bring cell phones.
3. Read this sentence from the passage. Schools need to find fair and effective ways to regulate their use among their students. What does this sentence from the passage imply?

A. Schools should have severe punishments for students who use cell phones to cheat.

B. It will be very difficult for schools in the U.S. to ban cell phone usage completely.

C. All students have used cell phones to cheat in school at some point in their lives.

D. Banning cellphones in schools may not be the best answer for everyone involved.
4. Which sentence from the passage supports the claim that having a cell phone in class is bad?

A. As a result, students miss out on important classroom instruction.

B. Students are not the only ones who oppose cell phone bans in schools.

C. To nip that problem in the bud, schools simply ban cell phones from campus.

D. Each year, the number of students using cell phones grows.

A Day for Strawberries

Rita's family had just moved to Scrantonville, Michigan. Before leaving for school, Rita's mom took a few moments to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for Rita. She placed the sandwich into a brown paper sack along with a bag of chips and some strawberries. Rita loved strawberries, and it wasn't too often that she got to eat them at lunch. She usually got a banana instead. Once at the school, Rita's mom walked her daughter to the office to check Rita into the school. Rita met the counselor, Ms. Beckham, who handed her the schedule and a map of the school. Rita hugged her mom and tried to manage a smile so that her mom would not worry about her. Ms. Beckham showed Rita where her locker was located and helped her open up the locker. She also showed Rita where her classes were located on the map. As Rita began walking toward her first period class, she heard a loud bell sound. Immediately, the students who had been heading to their classes stopped and began filing outside the building through the nearest doors. Rita followed a nearby group of girls outside.


5. Which of these best supports the idea that the students at Rita's school know what to do when they hear the loud bell?

A. The students began going outside right after they heard the bell.

B. The students looked around with a confused look on their faces.

C. The students began panicking when they heard the bell sound.

D. The students began walking much more quickly to their classes.
6. How does the author show that it is Rita's first day at the school?

A. by having Rita go to her first period class instead of outside with the others when the alarm sounds

B. by having the counselor give Rita a school map and show Rita where her locker is

C. by having Rita hug her mom good-bye when it is time for Rita to go to her locker and first period class

D. by having Rita's mom pack the sack lunch and drive Rita to school.
7. Based on this passage, which of the following best describes Ms. Beckham?

A. someone who panics easily

B. a patient person

C. someone Rita can confide in

D. a forceful person
8. The reader can conclude that the alarm that Rita hears is

A.the first period bell.

B.a fire drill.

C.the lunchtime bell.