OSAS English Language Arts — Grade 6

Read the passage below before answering the question. The Trail Crew (1) Jada pulled on her work gloves and studied the muddy path that wound up Mount Ashland. As leader of the student trail crew, she had spent three weekends clearing brush and laying gravel. Today, however, a fallen Douglas fir blocked the route completely. (2) "We can't just leave it," Jada said, sizing up the thick trunk. "Hikers will try to climb over it and get hurt." (3) Marco, the newest volunteer, stared at the tree. "Maybe we could reroute the trail around it? That would be easier than cutting through." (4) Jada shook her head. "A detour would trample the wildflowers the rangers asked us to protect. We cut it." Which sentence from the passage best shows that Jada values following the rangers' instructions?

• A"A detour would trample the wildflowers the rangers asked us to protect."
• B"We can't just leave it," Jada said, sizing up the thick trunk.
• CMarco, the newest volunteer, stared at the tree.
• DJada pulled on her work gloves and studied the muddy path.

Refer to the passage 'The Trail Crew' from Question 1. What is the most likely theme of the passage?

• AResponsible leadership means choosing the harder path to protect what matters
• BVolunteering outdoors is a good way to make new friends
• CMountain trails are dangerous when trees fall unexpectedly
• DExperienced hikers should always carry a saw

Refer to the passage 'The Trail Crew' from Question 1. How does paragraph 3 contribute to the plot of the story?

• AIt introduces an alternative solution that creates a decision point
• BIt resolves the central conflict by removing the fallen tree
• CIt describes the setting of the trail in greater detail
• DIt reveals a conflict between Marco and the rangers

Read the passage below before answering the question. The Tide Pool (1) The fog hung low over Cannon Beach, and Lena pulled her hood tight against the chill. At dawn the tide pools were quiet, the only sound the soft rush of waves retreating from the rocks. She crouched beside a shallow pool and watched a purple sea star creep slowly along the glassy surface of a stone. (2) Her brother Theo splashed up behind her. "Nothing good today," he said, already bored. (3) "You have to be patient," Lena whispered, not looking up. "The best things hide in plain sight." How does the setting contribute to the mood of the passage?

• AThe quiet, foggy morning creates a calm and watchful mood
• BThe bright sunshine creates a cheerful and energetic mood
• CThe crowded beach creates a noisy and chaotic mood
• DThe stormy waves create a tense and frightening mood

Refer to the passage 'The Tide Pool' from Question 4. What does Lena's response to Theo reveal about her character?

• AShe is observant and values patience over immediate excitement
• BShe is easily annoyed by her brother's lack of interest
• CShe is disappointed that the tide pool has nothing to offer
• DShe is eager to leave the beach and find a more exciting activity

Read the passage below before answering the question. The Library Card (1) Devon had never owned a library card. Every book he wanted sat on the shelves at school, and that had always been enough. But when his science teacher assigned a project on Oregon volcanoes, the school library had only one dusty book, and someone else had already checked it out. (2) "Just go to the public library," his mother said, dropping him off at the entrance. "You'll see." (3) Inside, Devon froze. Rows of shelves stretched in every direction, and a screen near the door showed titles he had never imagined. He walked to the reference desk and asked quietly, "How do I get a card?" What motivates Devon to finally visit the public library?

• AA school assignment requires research his school library cannot support
• BHis mother insists that he read more books for fun
• CHe wants to compete with a classmate who already has a card
• DHe is looking for a quiet place to study after school

Refer to the passage 'The Library Card' from Question 6. From which point of view is the passage narrated?

• AThird-person limited, focusing on Devon's thoughts and reactions
• BFirst-person, told from Devon's perspective using "I"
• CThird-person omniscient, revealing multiple characters' thoughts
• DSecond-person, addressing the reader directly as "you"

Refer to the passage 'The Library Card' from Question 6. How does Devon's perspective change by the end of paragraph 3?

• AHe moves from indifference about libraries to eager curiosity
• BHe changes from excited confidence to nervous disappointment
• CHe shifts from anger at his teacher to gratitude toward his mother
• DHe goes from wanting a specific book to wanting to leave

Read the sentence below. "The old fishing boat groaned like a tired giant as it rocked against the dock." Which type of figurative language is used in this sentence?

• ASimile, because it compares the boat to a tired giant using "like"
• BMetaphor, because it states the boat is a giant
• CPersonification, because it gives the dock human feelings
• DHyperbole, because boats cannot rock at all

Read the sentences below. A) The river was a ribbon of silver winding through the valley. B) The river sparkled like a ribbon of silver in the sunlight. Which statement correctly identifies the figurative language in each sentence?

• AA is a metaphor; B is a simile.
• BA is a simile; B is a metaphor.
• CBoth are similes.
• DBoth are metaphors.

Read the sentence below. "The stubborn old door refused to budge no matter how hard Priya pulled." What does the word "stubborn" suggest about the door in this context?

• AIt seems to resist being opened as if it were deliberately uncooperative
• BIt is made of a particularly heavy and valuable wood
• CIt has been recently repaired and works perfectly well
• DIt is brand new and has never been opened before

Read the sentence below. "After weeks of practice, Aisha's performance in the school play was flawless; not a single line was flubbed or forgotten." Using context clues, what does "flawless" most likely mean?

• APerfect, without any mistakes
• BExtremely fast and energetic
• CQuiet enough to hear only yourself
• DRehearsed but still uncertain

Read the passage below before answering the question. The Race (1) Samir had trained for the 800-meter race all season, and finally the district meet arrived. The starter's pistol cracked, and he settled into a steady pace behind the leaders. (2) With two hundred meters left, Samir surged forward, his legs burning. He could see the finish line ahead and hear his coach shouting from the rail. (3) He crossed the line in second place, chest heaving, and bent over to catch his breath. Then he looked up and grinned at his teammate, who had finished first. Which best describes the structure of this passage?

• AChronological order, following events in the sequence they occur
• BCause and effect, focusing on why Samir lost the race
• CCompare and contrast, comparing two different runners
• DProblem and solution, presenting a problem Samir must solve

Read the two short passages below. Passage A: Mei loved the tall fir behind her house. She climbed it every summer, higher each year, until she could see the whole valley. Passage B: Tomas tended the small garden on his balcony. Each morning he watered the herbs and whispered encouragement to the seedlings pushing through the soil. Both passages share which common theme?

• AA connection between young people and the natural world
• BThe danger of climbing tall trees without supervision
• CThe difficulty of growing plants in a dry climate
• DThe loneliness of living far from neighbors

Read the passage below before answering the question. The Apology (1) When Ben accidentally broke Rina's model bridge, he said nothing and walked away. For two days he avoided her in class. (2) On the third day, his mother found the broken pieces in his backpack. "You need to make this right," she said gently. (3) At lunch, Ben sat beside Rina. "I broke your bridge. I was scared to tell you. I'm sorry, and I'll help you rebuild it." How has Ben changed from the beginning to the end of the passage?

• AHe moves from avoiding responsibility to admitting his mistake and offering to help
• BHe changes from being angry at Rina to forgiving her for an argument
• CHe starts out confident and becomes fearful after talking to his mother
• DHe goes from wanting to hide the bridge to wanting to keep it a secret forever

Refer to the passage 'The Apology' from Question 15. Which statement best expresses a theme of the passage?

• AHonesty and taking responsibility are harder but more rewarding than hiding a mistake
• BMothers always know when their children are keeping secrets
• CModel bridges are difficult to build and easy to break
• DFriendship depends on never making mistakes

Read the passage below before answering the question. The Bake Sale I stacked the last tray of snickerdoodles on the table and adjusted the price sign for the third time. My partner, Olivia, laughed. "You've checked that sign twenty times," she said. I knew she was right, but I wanted everything to be perfect for our first fundraiser. From which point of view is this passage written?

• AFirst-person, because the narrator uses "I" and "my" to tell the story
• BThird-person limited, because the narrator describes Olivia's thoughts
• CThird-person omniscient, because the narrator knows all characters' feelings
• DSecond-person, because the narrator addresses the reader as "you"

Read the sentence below. "The wind whispered through the fir trees, telling secrets to the branches." What effect does the personification create?

• AIt makes the wind seem gentle and alive, as if it could speak softly
• BIt suggests the wind is violent and destructive
• CIt shows that the trees are frightened of the wind
• DIt implies the branches are ignoring the wind entirely

Read the two texts below. Text A (poem excerpt): "The river sings below the bridge, / a silver voice that will not stop." Text B (story excerpt): The river below the bridge rushed over smooth stones, filling the air with a steady, musical sound that never faded. How do the two texts differ most significantly in presenting the same idea?

• AText A uses line breaks and poetic imagery, while Text B uses prose sentences with descri…
• BText A describes a different river than Text B
• CText A presents the river as silent, while Text B presents it as noisy
• DText A is informational, while Text B is a poem

Refer to the passage 'The Bake Sale' from Question 17. Which detail from the passage best supports the inference that the narrator cares deeply about the fundraiser's success?

• AThe narrator adjusts the price sign three times and wants everything to be perfect
• BOlivia laughs at the narrator during the bake sale
• CThe snickerdoodles are stacked on a table
• DThis is described as their first fundraiser

Read the passage below before answering the question. Beavers: Nature's Engineers (1) Beavers reshape the streams where they live more than almost any other animal except humans. By building dams from sticks and mud, they slow rushing water and create deep ponds that flood surrounding meadows. (2) These ponds benefit many species. Fish find calm water for spawning, frogs lay eggs along the quiet edges, and migratory birds stop to rest in the new wetlands. Even young trees, grazed by beavers, often sprout again denser than before. (3) Not every effect is positive. Flooding can damage roads or farmland, and some landowners view beavers as pests. Even so, scientists argue that the benefits to ecosystems usually outweigh the costs. What is the central idea of this passage?

• ABeavers significantly reshape their environments, bringing both benefits and some problems
• BBeavers are dangerous pests that should be removed from all wetlands
• CBeavers are the only animals that build structures in the wild
• DBeaver dams always destroy roads and farmland wherever they appear

Refer to the passage 'Beavers: Nature's Engineers' from Question 21. Which detail from the passage best supports the idea that beaver ponds help wildlife?

• A"Fish find calm water for spawning, frogs lay eggs along the quiet edges, and migratory b…
• B"Flooding can damage roads or farmland"
• C"By building dams from sticks and mud"
• D"Even so, scientists argue that the benefits to ecosystems usually outweigh the costs"

Refer to the passage 'Beavers: Nature's Engineers' from Question 21. In paragraph 2, the word "spawning" most likely refers to:

• AReleasing eggs so that fish can reproduce
• BSwimming rapidly upstream to escape predators
• CBuilding nests from sticks and mud
• DHibernating during the cold winter months

Refer to the passage 'Beavers: Nature's Engineers' from Question 21. Which sentence from the passage shows a cause-and-effect relationship?

• A"By building dams from sticks and mud, they slow rushing water and create deep ponds"
• B"Even young trees, grazed by beavers, often sprout again denser than before"
• C"Not every effect is positive"
• D"Even so, scientists argue that the benefits to ecosystems usually outweigh the costs"

Read the passage below before answering the question. Two Volcanoes (1) Mount Hood and Mount Mazama are two of Oregon's most famous volcanoes, but they differ in important ways. Mount Hood stands tall today, its snowy peak visible from Portland on clear days. Mount Mazama, by contrast, erupted so violently about 7,700 years ago that its peak collapsed, creating the basin now known as Crater Lake. (2) Both volcanoes began as stratovolcanoes, built layer by layer from repeated eruptions of ash and lava. However, Mount Hood remains dormant, while Mount Mazama's major eruption ended its active phase and left behind a deep, water-filled caldera. Which structural pattern does the passage use?

• ACompare and contrast, highlighting similarities and differences between two volcanoes
• BChronological order, describing events in the order they happened
• CProblem and solution, presenting a danger and how it was solved
• DCause and effect, explaining why volcanoes erupt

Read the passage below before answering the question. Saving the Salmon (1) For decades, the number of salmon returning to Oregon's rivers to spawn has dropped sharply. Dams block their migration routes, and rising water temperatures stress the fish before they can reproduce. (2) One promising solution is the installation of fish ladders, stepped pools that allow salmon to swim past dams. Another approach is planting trees along riverbanks to shade the water and lower its temperature. Which text structure does this passage primarily use?

• AProblem and solution, presenting a threat to salmon and methods to address it
• BChronological order, listing events in the order they occurred
• CCompare and contrast, comparing two types of fish
• DDescription, listing the physical features of salmon

Read the passage below before answering the question. Why You Should Visit the High Desert Museum (1) Just south of Bend, the High Desert Museum brings the region's wildlife and history to life. Live raptor demonstrations let visitors watch hawks and owls up close, while indoor exhibits show how Native peoples of the plateau adapted to the dry landscape. (2) The museum also offers hands-on workshops where families can try traditional crafts and learn about desert ecology. With affordable admission and free programs for children under four, it is an ideal stop for a weekend outing. What is the author's primary purpose in this passage?

• ATo persuade families to visit the High Desert Museum
• BTo explain the scientific classification of desert hawks
• CTo argue that museums should always offer free admission
• DTo narrate a fictional story about a family trip

Read the passage below before answering the question. Should School Start Later? (1) Many teenagers struggle to focus during first period, and researchers say there is a biological reason. During adolescence, the body's internal clock shifts, making it natural for teens to fall asleep later and wake up later. (2) For this reason, some health experts argue that middle and high schools should start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. Later start times, they note, are linked to better attendance, improved grades, and fewer car accidents among teen drivers. What is the main claim of this passage?

• AMiddle and high schools should start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. to support teen health and…
• BTeenagers are naturally lazy and need stricter bedtimes
• CCar accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers
• DAll schools should eliminate first period entirely

Refer to the passage 'Should School Start Later?' from Question 28. Which piece of evidence in the passage most directly supports the claim that later start times improve student outcomes?

• A"Later start times... are linked to better attendance, improved grades, and fewer car acc…
• B"During adolescence, the body's internal clock shifts"
• C"Many teenagers struggle to focus during first period"
• D"For this reason, some health experts argue"

Read the passage below before answering the question. The Power of Tides (1) Twice each day, the ocean's level rises and falls along the Oregon coast. This regular movement, caused mainly by the gravitational pull of the moon, is called the tide. (2) Tides do more than move water. They shape the coastline by carving sea caves and depositing sand on beaches. They also expose tide pools at low tide, revealing creatures like anemones, crabs, and barnacles that live between the high and low water marks. (3) Today, engineers are exploring ways to capture the energy of rising and falling tides to generate electricity, offering a renewable power source for coastal communities. What is the central idea of this passage?

• ATides are a powerful, regular ocean movement shaped by the moon that affects coastlines a…
• BTide pools are the only place to find ocean creatures along the Oregon coast
• CThe moon is the single cause of all ocean waves and currents
• DEngineers have already built large tide-powered power plants along the Oregon coast

Refer to the passage 'The Power of Tides' from Question 30. Which detail from the passage best supports the idea that tides shape the coastline?

• A"They shape the coastline by carving sea caves and depositing sand on beaches"
• B"This regular movement, caused mainly by the gravitational pull of the moon, is called th…
• C"Today, engineers are exploring ways to capture the energy"
• D"They also expose tide pools at low tide"

Refer to the passage 'The Power of Tides' from Question 30. In paragraph 3, the word "renewable" most likely describes a power source that:

• ACan be naturally replaced and is not used up
• BIs extremely expensive to produce
• CHas never been used by humans before
• DComes only from underground heat

Read the passage below before answering the question. Wildfires and Forest Health (1) Some people view wildfires only as destructive forces that should be suppressed wherever they appear. However, ecologists point out that low-intensity fires have always played a role in keeping forests healthy. (2) Before modern fire suppression, small fires regularly cleared dead wood and opened space for new growth. Certain trees, like the lodgepole pine, even rely on fire to release their seeds. (3) The real danger, scientists argue, is not fire itself but the buildup of fuel from decades of suppressing it, which can turn a manageable fire into a catastrophic one. What is the author's point of view about wildfire?

• AWildfire is a natural process that becomes dangerous only when suppressed for too long
• BAll wildfires should be extinguished as quickly as possible
• CWildfires are primarily caused by careless humans
• DLodgepole pines are the only trees that benefit from fire

Refer to the passage 'Wildfires and Forest Health' from Question 33. Which statement best evaluates the strength of the author's argument?

• AThe argument is strong because it uses scientific evidence and addresses an opposing view…
• BThe argument is weak because it relies only on personal opinion without any evidence
• CThe argument is strong because it states that all fires are beneficial in every situation
• DThe argument is weak because it does not mention any cause of wildfires

Read the passage below before answering the question. The Oregon Trail (1) In the 1840s, more than 300,000 settlers traveled the Oregon Trail in search of farmland and a new life in the Pacific Northwest. The 2,000-mile journey from Missouri to Oregon took four to six months by covered wagon. (2) The trail was dangerous. Settlers faced river crossings, disease, and harsh weather. Many walked most of the way to spare their oxen, and one in ten did not survive the trip. (3) Despite the hardships, the influx of settlers helped establish towns, farms, and trade networks that shaped the future of Oregon and the wider region. What is the central idea of this passage?

• AThe Oregon Trail was a difficult but important journey that helped settle the Pacific Nor…
• BThe Oregon Trail was a relaxing vacation route for families in the 1840s
• CDisease was the only reason settlers failed to complete the Oregon Trail
• DCovered wagons were invented specifically for the Oregon Trail

Refer to the passage 'The Oregon Trail' from Question 35. Which paragraph of the passage uses a chronological structure?

• AParagraph 1, which describes when and how settlers traveled the trail in the 1840s
• BParagraph 2, which lists the dangers settlers faced in no particular order
• CParagraph 3, which summarizes the outcomes after the journey ended
• DNone of the paragraphs use chronological structure

Read the two passages below. Passage A: The gray wolf was reintroduced to Yellowstone in 1995. Within a decade, elk populations decreased, and willow trees along streams began to recover as grazing pressure eased. Passage B: The removal of wolves from Yellowstone in the 1920s allowed elk populations to grow unchecked. Without predators, elk overgrazed young willows, and streamside habitats declined. How do the two passages differ in their focus?

• APassage A focuses on the effects of returning wolves, while Passage B focuses on the effe…
• BPassage A argues against wolf reintroduction, while Passage B supports it
• CPassage A describes wolf hunting habits, while Passage B describes elk migration
• DPassage A is fiction, while Passage B is informational

Read the sentence below from an informational article. "The Columbia River is the lifeblood of the Pacific Northwest, powering cities and watering farmland across the region." What does the metaphor "lifeblood" suggest about the Columbia River?

• AThe river is essential to the survival and prosperity of the region, like blood is to a b…
• BThe river is dangerous and should be avoided by people
• CThe river is red in color when viewed from above
• DThe river is the smallest but fastest river in the Northwest

Read the passage below before answering the question. Homework Debate (1) Some parents argue that middle school students receive too much homework and that it leaves no time for family, sports, or sleep. They point to studies showing that excessive homework can increase stress. (2) Teachers, however, respond that a moderate amount of homework reinforces classroom learning and builds responsibility. They argue that the problem is not homework itself but poorly designed assignments. What is the counterclaim presented in the passage?

• AModerate homework reinforces learning and builds responsibility; poor assignment design,…
• BMiddle school students receive too much homework and should have none at all
• CHomework has no effect on student learning either way
• DParents and teachers always agree about how much homework to assign

Refer to the passage 'Homework Debate' from Question 39. Which statement best summarizes the passage?

• AParents and teachers disagree about whether homework is harmful or helpful, with each sid…
• BAll parents want homework banned completely, and all teachers refuse to listen
• CStudies prove that homework is always beneficial for middle school students
• DHomework was invented recently and is still not used in most schools

A student is writing an argumentative essay about school lunches. Which sentence would make the strongest, clearest claim for the essay?

• ASchool cafeterias should offer a daily vegetarian option because it promotes healthier ch…
• BSome people think school lunches are okay, but others disagree.
• CLunch is my favorite part of the school day.
• DSchool lunches can be many different things.

A student's claim is: "Middle school students should have at least 30 minutes of recess daily." Which piece of evidence best supports this claim?

• AA study showing that students who have daily recess show improved focus and lower stress…
• BA survey showing that most students prefer pizza over salad in the cafeteria
• CAn article describing the history of public schools in the United States
• DA personal story about a student who once enjoyed playing basketball

Which list best shows the logical order of parts in an argumentative essay?

• AIntroduction with claim, supporting reasons and evidence, counterclaim and rebuttal, conc…
• BCounterclaim, introduction, conclusion, supporting reasons
• CConcluding statement, evidence, claim, introduction
• DSupporting reasons, random facts, opinion, title

A student claims that "reading fiction helps students develop empathy." Which piece of evidence is most relevant to this claim?

• AA study finding that students who read fiction regularly score higher on tests measuring…
• BA report showing that the average middle school has a library of 3,000 books
• CA survey showing that students prefer ebooks to printed books
• DAn article about the cost of publishing a novel

Which sentence is written in the most appropriate formal style for a school report?

• AThe data indicate that recycling rates increased by fifteen percent after the new program…
• BRecycling is like super important and stuff, you know?
• CI think recycling is cool and everybody should do it.
• DRecycling rocks, man! It's the best thing ever!

Choose the transition that best connects the two sentences. Sentence 1: Beavers build dams that create ponds. Sentence 2: ____, these ponds provide habitat for fish, frogs, and birds.

• AAs a result
• BHowever
• CFor example
• DIn contrast

Choose the transition that best fits the sentence. "Many students enjoy group projects. ____, some students prefer to work alone because they concentrate better without distractions."

• AOn the other hand
• BSimilarly
• CTherefore
• DIn addition

An essay argues that the school should build a community garden. Which sentence would make the strongest concluding statement?

• ABy providing fresh food, hands-on learning, and a place for students to work together, a…
• BSo yeah, a garden would be nice, I guess.
• CIn conclusion, I have said what I wanted to say.
• DGardens are planted in many places around the world.