Puerto Rico CRECE English as a Second Language — Grade 8

Read the excerpt from an article about El Yunque National Forest: 'El Yunque National Forest, located in northeastern Puerto Rico, is the only tropical rainforest in the United States National Forest System. Covering nearly 29,000 acres, it receives up to 200 inches of rainfall annually. This abundant precipitation supports a incredibly diverse ecosystem, home to hundreds of native plant species and rare wildlife, including the endangered Puerto Rican parrot.' What is the main idea of the passage?

• AEl Yunque is a unique tropical rainforest in Puerto Rico whose high rainfall supports ric…
• BThe Puerto Rican parrot is the only animal species that can survive in El Yunque's high r…
• CEl Yunque receives less rainfall than most other forests in North America.
• DNational forests across the United States are mostly located in tropical rainforest zones.

Read the excerpt about bioluminescent bays in Vieques: 'Mosquito Bay on the island of Vieques is world-famous for its luminous waters. The glow is created by microscopic single-celled organisms called dinoflagellates. When these organisms are disturbed by movement in the water, such as a splashing paddle or swimming fish, they release a burst of blue-green light as a protective defense mechanism.' According to the passage, why do dinoflagellates glow?

• AThey emit blue-green light as a defense mechanism when disturbed by water movement.
• BThey produce light to attract visitors and tourists to Mosquito Bay.
• CThey absorb sunlight during the night and reflect it back as green heat.
• DThey glow continuously to help fish navigate through dark coastal waters.

Read the story excerpt: 'Sofia arranged her display board for the school science fair with meticulous care. Her project on solar energy conversion had taken four weeks of testing. As the judges entered the gymnasium with their clipboards, Sofia took a deep breath, smoothed down her shirt, and smiled warmly, ready to present her findings.' What can be inferred about Sofia's state of mind right before the presentation?

• AShe feels prepared and composed despite the initial nervousness.
• BShe regrets choosing solar energy as her project topic.
• CShe is upset because she ran out of time to complete her display board.
• DShe is distracted and wants to leave the gymnasium immediately.

Read the informational text on recycling: 'Recycling programs in urban areas offer significant environmental benefits. By converting used plastics into new raw materials, cities reduce the total volume of waste sent to landfills. Furthermore, re-manufacturing recycled plastic requires up to 60 percent less energy than producing new plastic from crude oil.' Which detail directly supports the claim that recycling saves energy?

• AManufacturing recycled plastic uses up to 60% less energy than creating new plastic from…
• BRecycling programs are only established in densely populated urban cities.
• CCrude oil is the cleanest energy source available for plastics manufacturing.
• DLandfills are designed to eliminate plastic waste within a few days.

Read the literary excerpt: 'Every Saturday morning, Abuela Carmen gathered her grandchildren in the courtyard behind her home in Ponce. Together with her grandson Mateo, she carefully dug shallow trenches along the fence line. Mateo held the saplings steady while Abuela packed rich dark soil around the roots of the young orange trees.' Who helped Abuela plant the orange trees?

• AHer grandson Mateo
• BA neighborhood gardener from Ponce
• CHer daughter Isabel
• DThe local agricultural instructor

Read the passage about marine conservation in Culebra: 'The coral reefs surrounding the island of Culebra provide essential shelter for sea turtles, tropical fish, and invertebrates. However, anchor damage from boats and climate change threaten these fragile underwater ecosystems. Community volunteers are planting nursery-grown corals to restore damaged reef structures and educate visitors about ocean stewardship.' What is the author's primary purpose in writing this passage?

• ATo inform readers about threats to Culebra's coral reefs and community efforts to restore…
• BTo persuade readers to stop traveling to coastal islands in Puerto Rico.
• CTo entertain readers with a fictional story about sea turtles in Culebra.
• DTo explain step-by-step how to build a commercial coral nursery at home.

Read the historical text about Taíno culture: 'Before the arrival of Europeans, the Taíno people inhabited the Caribbean islands. They carved religious statues called zemís from materials such as wood, stone, cotton, and bones. These zemís represented ancestral spirits and deities that controlled natural phenomena like rain, wind, and crop fertility.' According to the passage, which materials were used by the Taíno to carve zemís?

• AWood, stone, cotton, and bones
• BIron, bronze, glass, and steel
• CPlastic, clay, copper, and cement
• DGold coins, silver leaves, and marble

Read the narrative excerpt: 'The school choir arrived in Mayagüez excited for their evening performance. However, upon opening the equipment trunk, the music director discovered that the sheet music folders had been left behind at their school. Fortunately, the choir president had saved digital copies on her tablet, allowing the group to print new copies just in time.' What problem did the choir face upon arriving in Mayagüez?

• AThe physical sheet music folders had been left behind at school.
• BThe concert hall was closed due to a power outage.
• CThe choir president forgot her tablet at home.
• DThe bus broke down on the highway before reaching the city.

Read the informational paragraph on solar energy: 'Solar energy systems harness sunlight using photovoltaic panels to generate electricity without emitting greenhouse gases. In recent years, several public schools in Puerto Rico have installed solar panels on their roofs. These installations lower monthly utility costs and ensure schools maintain power during electrical outages.' Which sentence states an explicit factual benefit of school solar panels mentioned in the text?

• ASolar panels lower monthly utility costs and provide power during electrical outages.
• BSolar panels require zero maintenance and last for over one hundred years.
• CRoof solar panels generate more electricity at night than during daytime.
• DInstalling solar panels completely eliminates the need for water conservation.

Read the story excerpt: 'While cleaning out his grandfather's attic, Mateo uncovered a dusty wooden chest tucked behind old trunks. Inside, wrapped in yellowed linen, was a hand-drawn map of the island's central mountain trails. Instead of keeping it hidden, Mateo immediately brought the map downstairs to show his grandfather.' What action did Mateo take immediately after finding the hand-drawn map?

• AHe brought the map downstairs to show his grandfather.
• BHe sold the map to a local museum curator.
• CHe packed his backpack and set off into the mountains alone.
• DHe locked the wooden chest and threw away the key.

Read the science excerpt about leatherback turtles: 'Leatherback sea turtles, known locally as tinglares, are the largest turtle species in the world. Each spring, females travel thousands of ocean miles to lay their eggs on the sandy beaches of Puerto Rico, such as Luquillo and Mona Island. Conservation groups patrol these beaches at night to mark nests and protect eggs from predators and human disturbance.' What is the main topic of this passage?

• AThe nesting habits of leatherback sea turtles in Puerto Rico and protection efforts
• BThe commercial fishing industry in Mona Island
• CHow to train volunteer guards for beach hotels
• DThe migration patterns of freshwater fish in tropical rivers

Read the narrative excerpt: 'Gabriel tried to rush through mashing the fried plantains for the family's Sunday mofongo, but his grandfather gently stayed his arm. "Patience, Gabriel," Abuelo said with a warm smile. "Good cooking cannot be rushed. When you rush, the garlic and seasonings do not blend evenly." Gabriel slowed down, listening to his grandfather's instructions, and the final dish turned out delicious.' What lesson does Gabriel learn from his grandfather?

• APatience and taking time lead to better results in cooking.
• BPlantains should always be boiled rather than fried.
• CCooking is best done as fast as possible to save energy.
• DGarlic should never be added to traditional recipes.

Choose the correct past-tense verb form to complete the sentence: 'Yesterday evening, Luis _____ his science project presentation before going to bed.'

• Acompleted
• Bcompletes
• Cwill complete
• Dis completing

Choose the correct verb form to complete the sentence: 'The students in the eighth-grade class _____ preparing for the upcoming English exam.'

• Aare
• Bis
• Cwas
• Dbe

Which pronoun correctly completes the sentence? 'When the band members finished their rehearsal, _____ carefully stored their instruments in the music room.'

• Athey
• Bhe
• Cshe
• Dit

Which sentence follows correct capitalization rules for proper nouns?

• ALast summer, my family visited Old San Juan and explored El Morro fortress.
• BLast summer, my Family visited old San juan and explored el Morro fortress.
• Clast summer, my family visited old san juan and explored el morro fortress.
• DLast Summer, my family Visited Old san Juan and Explored El morro Fortress.

What are the correct plural forms for the words 'child' and 'leaf'?

• Achildren, leaves
• Bchilds, leafs
• Cchildrens, leafes
• Dchildes, leavs

Which sentence uses commas correctly to separate items in a series?

• AFor breakfast, Ana ate fresh papaya, sliced mangos, toasted bread, and orange juice.
• BFor breakfast Ana ate fresh papaya sliced mangos toasted bread, and orange juice.
• CFor breakfast, Ana ate, fresh papaya, sliced mangos, toasted bread and, orange juice.
• DFor breakfast Ana ate fresh, papaya, sliced, mangos, toasted, bread, and orange juice.

Which modal auxiliary verb best expresses a formal obligation or rule in the sentence below? 'All students _____ wear their school ID badges at all times while on campus.'

• Amust
• Bmight
• Ccould
• Dwould

Choose the correct prepositions of time and place to complete the sentence: 'The science fair begins _____ 9:00 AM _____ Saturday morning.'

• Aat, on
• Bin, at
• Con, in
• Dby, at

Choose the correct comparative form of the adjective to complete the sentence: 'Mount Cerro de Punta is _____ than any other mountain peak in Puerto Rico.'

• Ahigher
• Bmore high
• Chighest
• Dmost highest

Identify the complete subject in the following sentence: 'The bright green iguana sunned itself on the warm stone wall.'

• AThe bright green iguana
• Bsunned itself
• Con the warm stone wall
• Dbright green

Read the sentence and determine the meaning of the underlined word using context clues: 'Heavy tropical rains provide an **abundant** water supply for the island's lush mountain vegetation.'

• Aplentiful and existing in large quantities
• Bscarce and difficult to find
• Cpolluted and unsafe to drink
• Dfrozen and solid

Based on knowledge of the prefix *un-*, what is the meaning of the word **unusual**?

• Anot ordinary or common
• Bvery frequent or expected
• Crelated to the past
• Dfull of energy

Based on knowledge of the suffix *-less*, what is the meaning of the word **careless**?

• Awithout care or thought
• Bfull of excessive care
• Cable to care easily
• Dthe study of caring

Which word is a **synonym** for the word **rapidly** in the sentence below? 'The water in the river rose rapidly after the afternoon thunderstorm.'

• Aquickly
• Bslowly
• Cquietly
• Drarely

Which word is an **antonym** for the word **ancient**?

• Amodern
• Bhistoric
• Cold
• Daged

Which of the following words is a compound word?

• Asunlight
• Bbrightly
• Crainy
• Dforest

What does the Latin root **port** mean in words such as *transport*, *portable*, and *export*?

• Ato carry
• Bto write
• Cto look
• Dto speak

Which sentence contains an example of a **simile**?

• AThe calm ocean surface shone like polished glass under the tropical sun.
• BThe palm trees danced in the evening breeze.
• CHer room was a complete disaster zone after studying all weekend.
• DI have told you a thousand times to review your notes!

Read the informational excerpt on coffee production: 'In the mountainous region of Adjuntas, coffee harvesting follows a traditional step-by-step process. First, ripe red coffee cherries are hand-picked from the bushes. Next, the outer pulpy layer is removed using water channels. After that, the washed beans are spread out on large sunlit drying decks for several days. Finally, the dried beans are roasted to develop their rich flavor.' How does the author organize the information in this passage?

• ASequential order (chronological steps)
• BCompare and contrast
• CProblem and solution
• DCause and effect

Read the story excerpt: '"If we don't clear the drainage ditch before the heavy rain begins, the lower courtyard will flood," warned Mr. Rivera, looking at the dark storm clouds over the valley. Maya grabbed two shovels from the shed and handed one to Carlos. "I'll dig near the culvert if you clear the fallen palm leaves," she urged. Five minutes later, water began flowing freely through the ditch just as the first raindrops fell.' How does the dialogue propel the plot of the story?

• AIt alerts the characters to an urgent danger and motivates immediate coordinated action.
• BIt reveals that Mr. Rivera is planning to cancel the school sports event.
• CIt shows that Maya and Carlos prefer working independently without talking.
• DIt explains the historical origins of drainage systems in tropical climates.

Read the two excerpts on renewable energy: Excerpt A: 'Hydroelectric power plants harness the kinetic energy of flowing water in rivers and dams. Because water flow can be regulated continuous power is generated without burning fossil fuels.' Excerpt B: 'Wind farms utilize large turbines placed on breezy mountain ridges to capture atmospheric wind currents. This clean energy technology reduces carbon emissions and provides sustainable electricity for coastal communities.' What central theme or idea is shared by both excerpts?

• ABoth excerpts describe clean energy sources that generate electricity without relying on…
• BBoth excerpts argue that solar power is superior to water and wind technologies.
• CBoth excerpts focus exclusively on the financial costs of building giant dams.
• DBoth excerpts warn about the environmental destruction caused by electric turbines.

Read the science excerpt about mangrove forests: 'Mangrove forests act as natural coastal shields along tropical coastlines. Their dense networks of stilt roots trap fine sediments washed down by rivers, stabilizing the shoreline. During severe coastal storms, these submerged root systems absorb wave energy, reducing shoreline erosion by up to 66 percent.' Which sentence provides the strongest evidence that mangroves protect coastlines from storm damage?

• ASubmerged root systems absorb wave energy, reducing shoreline erosion by up to 66 percent…
• BMangroves are found exclusively along tropical coastline regions.
• CSediments are washed down by rivers into coastal waters.
• DStilt roots grow above the water surface in fine tropical soil.

Read the story excerpt: 'Carlos inherited his great-grandfather's ten-string *cuatro*, a traditional Puerto Rican instrument. The wood was weathered, but when Carlos plucked the strings, the vibrant melody connected him to generations of family musicians who had played at traditional holiday gatherings.' Based on the excerpt, what does the *cuatro* symbolize to Carlos?

• AA meaningful connection to his family's cultural heritage and musical lineage
• BAn expensive antique object he intends to sell at an auction
• CA burden that prevents him from learning modern electric instruments
• DA reminder of how difficult it is to repair old wooden furniture

Read the excerpt from an essay on Julia de Burgos: 'Julia de Burgos is celebrated as one of Puerto Rico's most influential 20th-century poets. Her powerful verses tackled themes of social justice, island identity, and feminism long before these issues gained widespread political traction. By blending passionate lyricism with fearless advocacy, de Burgos transformed Caribbean literature and inspired future generations of female writers.' What is the author's point of view regarding Julia de Burgos's work?

• AThe author deeply admires her visionary poetry and lasting impact on Caribbean literature.
• BThe author believes her work was overly political and lacked literary merit.
• CThe author views her poetry as difficult for modern audiences to understand.
• DThe author thinks her influence was strictly limited to 20th-century readers.

Read the article on ocean conservation: 'When single-use plastics are discarded improperly on land, rainwater carries them into rivers and eventually out to sea. As ocean waves and ultraviolet sunlight break plastic debris into microplastics, marine animals mistake these tiny particles for food. Consequently, toxic chemicals enter the marine food web, threatening fish populations and coastal ecosystems.' Which cause-and-effect relationship is described in the passage?

• AImproper land waste disposal causes microplastics to form in the ocean, leading marine li…
• BMarine life eating healthy seaweed causes rivers to carry plastic debris to urban landfil…
• CUltraviolet sunlight purifies plastic waste, preventing toxic chemicals from reaching mar…
• DIncreased rain in coastal regions causes single-use plastics to dissolve into harmless dr…

Read the speech excerpt on digital media: 'In today's interconnected digital age, evaluating online information critically is as vital as reading printed books. Middle school students encounter hundreds of news headlines daily across social media platforms. Without verifying sources and checking evidence, false information spreads rapidly, undermining informed civic participation.' What is the speaker's main claim?

• AStudents must learn to critically evaluate online sources to prevent the spread of misinf…
• BSocial media platforms should be completely banned for all middle school students.
• CPrinted books no longer hold any educational value compared to digital headlines.
• DVerifying information is unnecessary because online news is always reviewed by experts.

Read the story excerpt set in the Camuy River Caves: 'The vast underground chamber was illuminated only by the thin beams of their headlamps. Stalactites hung like icy spears from the limestone ceiling, and the roar of the subterranean river reverberated off the damp walls. Remembering her safety training, Valeria paused, checked her compass, and anchored her safety line before stepping onto the slippery rock ledge.' How does the setting influence Valeria's actions?

• AThe dark, damp, and hazardous cave setting prompts Valeria to take careful safety precaut…
• BThe loud noise of the river convinces Valeria to run ahead without checking her gear.
• CThe brightly lit chamber allows Valeria to remove her headlamp and rest on the ledge.
• DThe dry weather inside the cave causes Valeria to search for fresh drinking water.

Read the excerpt from an article on hurricane tracking: 'Advanced meteorological satellites orbiting Earth monitor atmospheric moisture, sea surface temperatures, and wind patterns in real time. When a tropical disturbance forms in the Atlantic Ocean, satellite imagery allows scientists to project storm paths days in advance. Consequently, island communities receive early warnings, giving emergency teams vital time to coordinate evacuations and secure infrastructure.' Which detail best explains why satellite monitoring is crucial for island safety?

• ASatellite imagery projects storm paths days in advance, providing early warnings for emer…
• BSatellites absorb moisture from tropical storms to reduce wind speeds.
• CMeteorological satellites change storm trajectories away from inhabited islands.
• DSatellites replace the need for emergency teams and ground infrastructure.

Read the narrative excerpt: 'During the regional debate finals, Javier noticed that his teammate Elena was struggling to recall the statistical data for their final rebuttal. Instead of taking over the microphone, Javier quietly slid an index card with the organized figures across the table. Elena caught his eye, nodded in gratitude, and seamlessly delivered the winning counterargument.' What does Javier's action reveal about his character?

• AHe is supportive and observant, prioritizing team success over personal spotlight.
• BHe is impatient and eager to prove he is smarter than Elena.
• CHe is indifferent to the debate outcome and prefers not to participate.
• DHe is competitive and wishes to take credit for Elena's speech.

Read the informational text on urban agriculture: 'In densely populated neighborhoods, vacant lots often accumulate trash and contribute to urban heat. To address this problem, community groups in Santurce have converted several abandoned plots into thriving community gardens. These green spaces produce fresh vegetables, reduce neighborhood temperatures, and foster a strong sense of community pride.' Which problem-and-solution pair is described in the text?

• AProblem: Vacant lots accumulating trash and heat. Solution: Creating community gardens on…
• BProblem: High rainfall flooding urban gardens. Solution: Building taller concrete walls a…
• CProblem: Overproduction of vegetables in markets. Solution: Exporting crops to neighborin…
• DProblem: Lack of street lighting in Santurce. Solution: Installing solar lanterns in vaca…

Read the historical passage about Castillo San Felipe del Morro: 'Constructed by Spanish military engineers over a period of 250 years, Castillo San Felipe del Morro stands on a rocky promontory at the entrance to San Juan Bay. Featuring thick sandstone walls, sea-facing battery platforms, and gun ports, the fortress was strategically designed to defend San Juan harbour against naval attacks by foreign rivals.' What was the main strategic purpose of building El Morro?

• ATo defend San Juan harbor against naval invasions by foreign adversaries
• BTo serve as a commercial trading market for agricultural goods
• CTo store imported textiles and livestock during hurricane seasons
• DTo serve as a residence for Spanish royal governors and diplomats

Read the fable excerpt: 'A hummingbird boasted daily that its rapid wingbeats made it superior to all other creatures in the forest. However, during a prolonged storm, the hummingbird grew exhausted trying to fight the fierce winds. Meanwhile, the humble coqui frog rested safely inside a hollow bamboo trunk, singing calmly until the storm passed.' What is the central moral theme of the fable?

• AArrogance and overconfidence can lead to failure, while modesty and prudence bring safety.
• BSpeed and physical strength are the only qualities that guarantee success in nature.
• CBirds are naturally better suited for tropical storms than amphibians.
• DBamboo trunks should be cleared from forests to prevent wild animals from hiding.

Read the article excerpt on wildlife conservation: 'In the 1970s, the wild population of the Puerto Rican parrot (*Amazona vitata*) dropped to a critical low of just 13 individuals due to habitat loss and severe storms. In response, biologists established captive breeding centers in El Yunque and Rio Abajo State Forest. Today, thanks to reintroduction efforts, over 200 wild parrots thrive in protected reserves.' Which statement best summarizes the success of conservation efforts described in the passage?

• ACaptive breeding and reintroduction programs helped the parrot population recover from 13…
• BBiologists decided to transport all wild parrots to international zoos in North America.
• CHabitat loss was solved automatically without human intervention.
• DThe Puerto Rican parrot population declined further after captive breeding began.

Read the excerpt from an argumentative essay: 'Schools should maintain robust arts and music programs alongside academic subjects. Participating in visual arts and instrumental music fosters spatial reasoning, enhances creative problem-solving skills, and boosts academic performance in mathematics. Furthermore, medical studies confirm that playing an instrument reduces stress and improves memory retention in adolescents.' How does the writer support the claim that music programs benefit students?

• ABy citing cognitive benefits like enhanced problem-solving, math performance, and medical…
• BBy comparing the monetary budget of sports programs with art departments.
• CBy sharing a personal story about learning to play the piano in kindergarten.
• DBy arguing that academic subjects should be completely replaced by music classes.

Read the excerpt on traditional crafts in Loíza: 'In the coastal town of Loíza, artisans preserve the centuries-old tradition of crafting *vejigante* masks. Made primarily from carved coconut shells or papier-mâché, these intricate masks feature sharp painted horns, bold geometric patterns, and vibrant primary colors. Worn during annual cultural festivals, the masks represent folk folklore and African artistic roots.' What materials are primarily used to construct traditional *vejigante* masks in Loíza?

• ACarved coconut shells or papier-mâché
• BMolded plastic and aluminum sheets
• CPolished marble and woven wool
• DHeavy iron plates and glass beads

Read the descriptive excerpt: 'As twilight descended over Toro Negro State Forest, a cool mountain mist blanketed the canopy. The gentle rhythmic chirping of hidden coqui frogs echoed softly through the ferns, while the scent of damp moss filled the crisp evening air, instilling a sense of peaceful solitude in the hikers.' What mood does the author create through descriptive sensory details in this passage?

• ATranquil and serene
• BTerrifying and chaotic
• CHumorous and silly
• DTense and frantic