OSAS English Language Arts — Grade 7

Read the passage below before answering the question. The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter (1) Every morning before sunrise, Lena climbed the spiral staircase of the Tillamook lighthouse to polish the great lens. Her father had tended the light for twenty years, but lately his cough kept him below decks, and the duty fell to her. She did not mind. The sea at dawn stretched out like hammered silver, and she felt as though the whole coast depended on her small hands. (2) One October morning, a fishing boat rolled helplessly in the spray beyond the rocks. Lena saw the red hull pitch and vanish behind a wave. She lit the emergency lamp and rang the fog bell three times, over and over, until her palms burned. Her father appeared at the foot of the stairs, wrapped in a quilt, and watched her work without a word. (3) By midday the boat had limped into the harbor. Later, a fisherman knocked at the lighthouse door and pressed a tin of saltwater taffy into Lena's hands. 'You rang true,' he said. Her father finally spoke: 'She always does.' Which sentence from the passage best supports the idea that Lena feels a deep sense of responsibility?

• AThe sea at dawn stretched out like hammered silver.
• BShe felt as though the whole coast depended on her small hands.
• CHer father appeared at the foot of the stairs, wrapped in a quilt.
• DLater, a fisherman knocked at the lighthouse door.

Refer to the passage 'The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter' from Question 1. Which statement best expresses a theme of the passage?

• ALiving near the sea is lonely and dangerous.
• BActs of quiet responsibility can earn trust and recognition.
• CFishing boats should carry their own emergency lamps.
• DParents should shield children from difficult duties.

Refer to the passage 'The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter' from Question 1. What does the father's silence in paragraph 2 most likely suggest about his feelings toward Lena?

• AHe is disappointed that she took over his job.
• BHe is too ill to speak but trusts her to handle the crisis.
• CHe wants Lena to stop ringing the bell.
• DHe is angry that she lit the emergency lamp without asking.

Refer to the passage 'The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter' from Question 1. How does the October morning setting contribute to the plot?

• AThe calm weather makes the rescue seem unnecessary.
• BThe stormy, foggy conditions create the danger that drives the rescue.
• CThe sunny weather contrasts with Lena's cheerful mood.
• DThe summer heat causes the father's illness.

Refer to the passage 'The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter' from Question 1. The passage is divided into three paragraphs that move from routine, to crisis, to resolution. How does this structure contribute to the meaning?

• AIt shows that Lena's daily life has no pattern or rhythm.
• BIt mirrors the arc from ordinary duty through tested responsibility to earned respect.
• CIt hides the rescue so readers cannot follow the events.
• DIt proves that the father is the main character, not Lena.

Refer to the passage 'The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter' from Question 1. The passage is narrated from which point of view, and what effect does it create?

• AFirst person, letting readers hear Lena's own voice directly.
• BThird person limited, focusing on Lena's perspective and feelings.
• CSecond person, addressing the reader as the lighthouse keeper.
• DOmniscient, revealing the private thoughts of the fisherman.

Refer to the passage 'The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter' from Question 1. Read this phrase from paragraph 1: 'The sea at dawn stretched out like hammered silver.' What does the simile suggest about the sea?

• AThe sea was dangerous and full of sharp rocks.
• BThe sea was smooth and gleaming in the early light.
• CThe sea was frozen solid like a sheet of metal.
• DThe sea was dark and stormy with heavy waves.

Refer to the passage 'The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter' from Question 1. In paragraph 2, the phrase 'until her palms burned' is used to describe Lena ringing the bell. What does this word choice contribute to the tone?

• AIt creates a playful, lighthearted tone.
• BIt creates an urgent, intense tone that shows Lena's effort.
• CIt creates a spooky, mysterious tone.
• DIt creates a bored, indifferent tone.

Refer to the passage 'The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter' from Question 1. In paragraph 3, the fisherman says, 'You rang true.' In this context, what does 'rang true' most likely mean?

• AThe bell sounded loud and clear.
• BLena's actions proved reliable and trustworthy.
• CThe bell was tuned to the correct musical pitch.
• DLena had been ringing the bell for a long time.

Refer to the passage 'The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter' from Question 1. In paragraph 1, Lena 'did not mind' the duty. Which word has the closest connotation to how Lena feels about her task?

• AResented
• BWelcomed
• CIgnored
• DDreaded

Refer to the passage 'The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter' from Question 1. Why does the father climb the stairs in paragraph 2 despite his illness?

• ATo take over ringing the bell from Lena
• BTo make sure Lena is handling the emergency correctly
• CTo scold Lena for lighting the lamp
• DTo watch for more boats from the top of the lighthouse

Refer to the passage 'The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter' from Question 1. Which two details best support the theme that responsibility can earn trust? Select the stronger pair.

• ALena polishes the lens every morning; the sea looks like silver.
• BLena rings the bell until her palms burn; her father says, 'She always does.'
• CThe fisherman brings taffy; the father is wrapped in a quilt.
• DThe lighthouse is on the coast; the boat is red.

Read the passage below before answering the question. The Robot Club (1) Marcus stared at the circuit board on his desk. The school robot club competition was in three days, and his team's robot still could not pick up a single foam block. 'Maybe we should just quit,' his teammate Priya muttered. (2) Marcus shook his head. 'Let's try one more thing.' He flipped the manual to the gripper section and studied the diagram. The problem was not the motor—it was the arm's angle. He adjusted the joint by fifteen degrees and reprogrammed the grip pressure. (3) The robot rolled forward, opened its claw, and lifted the block cleanly. Priya grinned. 'One more thing,' she repeated, as if it were now their team motto. What is the main conflict in the passage, and how is it resolved?

• AMarcus and Priya argue about quitting; Marcus wins the argument.
• BThe robot cannot pick up blocks; Marcus fixes the arm angle and reprograms the grip.
• CThe competition is too soon; the team decides to withdraw.
• DPriya breaks the circuit board; Marcus repairs it.

Refer to the passage 'The Robot Club' from Question 13. How does Priya change from the beginning to the end of the passage?

• AShe goes from discouraged to encouraged and proud.
• BShe goes from confident to worried and afraid.
• CShe stays angry at Marcus throughout the story.
• DShe becomes jealous of Marcus's success.

Refer to the passage 'The Robot Club' from Question 13. Which statement best expresses a theme of 'The Robot Club'?

• ACompetitions are stressful and usually not worth entering.
• BPersistence and willingness to try again can lead to success.
• CRobotics is too difficult for middle school students.
• DManuals are confusing and rarely helpful.

A student interprets 'The Robot Club' as a story about friendship. Another student interprets it as a story about problem-solving. Which interpretation is better supported by the text?

• AThe friendship interpretation, because Marcus and Priya are on the same team.
• BThe problem-solving interpretation, because the plot centers on diagnosing and fixing the…
• CThe friendship interpretation, because Priya grins at the end.
• DBoth interpretations are equally unsupported by the text.

Read the poem excerpt below before answering the question. The Old Cottonwood The old cottonwood rattles its leaves like a handful of wooden coins, tossing them down to the creek bed where water smoothes every stone to the color of patience. What does the simile 'like a handful of wooden coins' suggest about the cottonwood's leaves?

• AThe leaves are valuable and precious like money.
• BThe leaves make a dry, rattling, clicking sound similar to wooden coins shaking.
• CThe leaves are shaped exactly like coins.
• DThe leaves are made of wood.

Refer to the poem 'The Old Cottonwood' from Question 17. How does the poem's movement from the tree's leaves down to the creek bed contribute to its meaning?

• AIt shows that the tree is taller than the creek.
• BIt creates a downward motion from action above to stillness below, suggesting change and…
• CIt proves the creek is flooding and washing the tree away.
• DIt has no relationship to the poem's meaning.

Refer to the poem 'The Old Cottonwood' from Question 17. What does the phrase 'the color of patience' suggest about the stones in the creek bed?

• AThe stones are a bright, flashy color.
• BThe stones have been worn slowly over time, reflecting calm endurance.
• CThe stones are painted by someone patient.
• DThe stones are a specific color named 'patience gray.'

Both 'The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter' (Question 1) and 'The Old Cottonwood' (Question 17) explore themes related to persistence. Which pairing best describes how each text presents this theme?

• AThe story shows persistence through a rescue; the poem shows it through natural wear over…
• BThe story shows persistence through a robot competition; the poem shows it through a stor…
• CBoth texts present persistence identically through human dialogue.
• DThe story shows persistence as useless; the poem shows it as beautiful.

Read the passage below before answering the question. The Silent Pollinators (1) When people hear the word 'pollinator,' most picture a honeybee. Yet honeybees are only one piece of the pollination puzzle. In Oregon's Willamette Valley, native mason bees, syrphid flies, and even certain beetles do critical work transferring pollen among berry blossoms and orchard trees. Researchers at Oregon State University have found that some native species pollinate crops more efficiently than honeybees in cool, wet weather. (2) Unlike honeybees, which live in large colonies, mason bees are solitary. Each female builds her own nest in hollow stems or wooden tunnels, provisioning each cell with pollen and a single egg. Because they do not have a hive to defend, mason bees are gentle and rarely sting. (3) Unfortunately, native pollinator populations are declining. Habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and climate shifts all contribute. Scientists urge farmers and gardeners to plant native flowers, reduce pesticide use, and leave bare patches of soil for ground-nesting bees. Protecting these unsung pollinators, they argue, is essential to food security. What is the central idea of the passage?

• AHoneybees are the most important pollinators in Oregon.
• BNative pollinators are valuable but often overlooked, and they need protection.
• CMason bees are dangerous and should be avoided by gardeners.
• DOregon State University studies only honeybees.

Refer to the passage 'The Silent Pollinators' from Question 21. Which detail from the passage best supports the central idea that native pollinators are efficient?

• AHoneybees live in large colonies.
• BResearchers have found that some native species pollinate crops more efficiently than hon…
• CMason bees are solitary and build their own nests.
• DNative pollinator populations are declining.

Refer to the passage 'The Silent Pollinators' from Question 21. What is the author's primary purpose in writing this passage?

• ATo entertain readers with a fictional story about bees
• BTo inform readers about native pollinators and persuade them to protect these species
• CTo argue that honeybees should be replaced by mason bees entirely
• DTo explain how to build a mason bee nest at home

Refer to the passage 'The Silent Pollinators' from Question 21. In paragraph 2, the word 'provisioning' most nearly means what in context?

• ASinging loudly to attract a mate
• BSupplying with food and resources for the young
• CBuilding a fence around the nest
• DDigging tunnels deep underground

Refer to the passage 'The Silent Pollinators' from Question 21. How is the passage organized?

• AChronological order, from morning to night
• BProblem and solution, presenting the decline of native pollinators and actions to protect…
• CCompare and contrast only, with no call to action
• DCause and effect, focusing solely on pesticide harm

Refer to the passage 'The Silent Pollinators' from Question 21. The passage claims that protecting native pollinators is 'essential to food security.' What evidence does the author provide to support this claim?

• ANative species pollinate crops efficiently, and pollination is necessary for crop product…
• BHoneybees are gentle and never sting anyone.
• CMason bees build nests in hollow stems.
• DOregon has more pollinators than any other state.

Refer to the passage 'The Silent Pollinators' from Question 21. From whose perspective is the passage written, and how can you tell?

• AA mason bee's first-person perspective, told as a personal story.
• BAn objective third-person perspective, using facts and expert references without personal…
• CA honeybee keeper's biased perspective, arguing against native bees.
• DA second-person perspective, giving the reader direct instructions.

Refer to the passage 'The Silent Pollinators' from Question 21. Which statement best describes how the author builds the argument in the passage?

• AThe author states an opinion, repeats it, and offers no evidence.
• BThe author introduces a misconception, presents facts about native pollinators, identifie…
• CThe author tells a story about a single bee and draws a moral lesson.
• DThe author lists statistics only, with no explanatory context.

Refer to the passage 'The Silent Pollinators' from Question 21. Based on the passage, what distinguishes 'solitary' bees like mason bees from 'colonial' bees like honeybees?

• ASolitary bees live in large groups; colonial bees live alone.
• BSolitary bees build individual nests, while colonial bees live together in a shared hive.
• CSolitary bees cannot fly; colonial bees can fly.
• DSolitary bees only pollinate at night; colonial bees pollinate during the day.

Refer to the passage 'The Silent Pollinators' from Question 21. The author lists habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and climate shifts as causes of pollinator decline. Is this reasoning sound, and why?

• AYes, because the author identifies multiple contributing factors rather than a single cau…
• BNo, because only pesticides could possibly harm bees.
• CNo, because the author provides no reasons at all for the decline.
• DYes, because the author claims climate shifts are the only cause.

Read the passage below before answering the question. Why Teens Need More Sleep (1) Adolescents need between eight and ten hours of sleep per night, yet most get far less. During puberty, the body's internal clock shifts by about two hours, making teenagers naturally fall asleep later and wake up later. This biological change is not laziness—it is physiology. (2) When schools start before 8:30 a.m., many teens must wake before their bodies are ready. Studies link early start times to decreased academic performance, higher rates of depression, and more car accidents among teen drivers. Schools that have delayed start times report improved attendance, better grades, and healthier students. (3) Critics argue that later start times complicate bus schedules and after-school activities. However, several districts that made the switch found that adjusting bus routes solved most logistical issues, and the benefits to student well-being far outweighed the inconvenience. What is the central idea of this passage?

• ATeenagers are lazy and need stricter bedtime rules.
• BLater school start times align with teens' biological needs and improve well-being.
• CBus schedules are the most important factor in school planning.
• DCar accidents are caused entirely by early school start times.

Refer to the passage 'Why Teens Need More Sleep' from Question 31. How does the author address the counterargument about bus schedules and after-school activities?

• ABy ignoring it completely and changing the subject
• BBy acknowledging the concern and explaining that districts have solved logistics through…
• CBy agreeing that bus schedules should determine school start times
• DBy claiming after-school activities are unimportant

Refer to the passage 'Why Teens Need More Sleep' from Question 31. Which piece of evidence most strongly supports the claim that later start times benefit students?

• AAdolescents need between eight and ten hours of sleep per night.
• BSchools that delayed start times report improved attendance, better grades, and healthier…
• CThe body's internal clock shifts by about two hours during puberty.
• DCritics argue that later start times complicate bus schedules.

Refer to the passage 'Why Teens Need More Sleep' from Question 31. Which word best describes the author's tone in the passage?

• AAngry and accusatory toward teenagers
• BReasoned and persuasive, presenting evidence to advocate for change
• CHumorous and lighthearted about a trivial topic
• DIndifferent and unconcerned about the outcome

Both 'The Silent Pollinators' (Question 21) and 'Why Teens Need More Sleep' (Question 31) are informational texts that call for change. How do their approaches differ?

• AThe pollinator passage focuses on environmental protection; the sleep passage focuses on…
• BThe pollinator passage is a fictional story; the sleep passage is a poem.
• CBoth passages use identical structures and address the same audience.
• DThe pollinator passage argues against science; the sleep passage argues for science.

Refer to the passage 'Why Teens Need More Sleep' from Question 31. Which statement is the best summary of the passage?

• ATeenagers sleep too much because they are lazy, and schools should start earlier.
• BPuberty shifts teens' internal clocks later, and early school start times harm their heal…
• CBus drivers prefer early schedules, and after-school activities should be canceled.
• DAdolescents need exactly five hours of sleep per night to function well.

Refer to the passage 'Why Teens Need More Sleep' from Question 31. Which statement from the passage is a verifiable fact rather than an opinion?

• ALater start times are always the best choice for every school.
• BDuring puberty, the body's internal clock shifts by about two hours.
• CAfter-school activities are less important than sleep.
• DSchools should never listen to critics about start times.

Refer to the passage 'The Silent Pollinators' from Question 21. The author calls native pollinators 'unsung pollinators' in paragraph 3. What does 'unsung' suggest?

• AThe pollinators cannot sing or make noise.
• BThe pollinators are unappreciated or unrecognized for their contributions.
• CThe pollinators are dangerous and should be feared.
• DThe pollinators are a new, recently discovered species.

Refer to the passage 'Why Teens Need More Sleep' from Question 31. Which type of evidence would best strengthen the author's argument about later start times?

• AA personal story about one student who likes sleeping in
• BData from multiple school districts showing grade improvements after delaying start times
• CA quote from a teen who enjoys morning sports practice
• DAn anecdote about a teacher who prefers early mornings

Both 'The Silent Pollinators' (Question 21) and 'Why Teens Need More Sleep' (Question 31) argue that a natural process is being disrupted. Which pair correctly identifies what is disrupted in each passage?

• APollination is disrupted by human activity; adolescent sleep is disrupted by early school…
• BHoneybee hives are disrupted by mason bees; bus routes are disrupted by lazy students.
• CRainfall is disrupted by climate change; homework is disrupted by too much sleep.
• DBoth passages describe the same disruption: pesticide use in schools.

A student is writing an argumentative essay about school uniforms. Which of the following is the clearest, most debatable claim?

• ASchool uniforms are clothing that students wear to school.
• BSchool uniforms should be required because they reduce distractions and promote equality…
• CSome students wear uniforms and some do not.
• DUniforms come in many colors and sizes.

A student's claim is: 'School uniforms reduce bullying by making students look equal.' Which piece of evidence best supports this claim?

• AA study showing that schools with uniforms reported a 30% decrease in bullying related to…
• BA survey showing that 60% of students prefer wearing their own clothes
• CAn article about the history of school uniforms in Europe
• DA statistic showing that uniforms cost less than designer brands

Original text: 'Native mason bees are remarkably efficient pollinators, often visiting more flowers per minute than honeybees do in the same conditions.' Which paraphrase is most accurate and avoids plagiarism?

• AMason bees are efficient pollinators that typically visit more flowers per minute than ho…
• BBees are cool insects that like flowers a lot.
• CNative mason bees are remarkably efficient pollinators, often visiting more flowers per m…
• DHoneybees are better than mason bees at pollinating flowers.

A student is writing an informative essay about renewable energy. Which sentence maintains a formal style?

• ASolar panels are super cool and way better than ugly old coal plants.
• BSolar energy provides a renewable alternative to fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gas em…
• CI think renewable energy is the best thing ever and everyone should get on board.
• DWind turbines are like, really tall and stuff, and they spin around.

Read the two sentences: 'School start times affect student health. ______, many districts have begun reconsidering their morning schedules.' Which transition best fills the blank to show cause and effect?

• AHowever
• BAs a result
• CFor example
• DIn contrast

Which strategy makes for the most effective conclusion to an argumentative essay?

• AIntroduce a brand-new topic not discussed in the essay
• BRestate the claim in a fresh way and summarize the strongest evidence without simply repe…
• CEnd abruptly with a one-word sentence for dramatic effect
• DApologize for the essay's weaknesses and wish the reader luck

Which of the following is a compound sentence?

• AAfter the storm ended, the sun appeared.
• BThe storm ended, and the sun appeared.
• CThe storm that raged all night finally ended.
• DThe sun appearing after the storm.