South Dakota English Language Arts Assessment — Grade 7

Read the excerpt from 'The Prairie Whistle': 'Clara stood on the porch, shading her eyes from the afternoon sun. Every few minutes, she glanced down the dirt road that stretched toward the horizon. When her brother Tim asked why she wouldn't come inside to eat, Clara replied, "Grandfather's train was scheduled to reach the station at noon, and Mr. Henderson said he'd bring him by wagon right after."' Which detail best supports the inference that Clara is eager for her grandfather's arrival?

• AShe shades her eyes from the bright afternoon sun.
• BShe repeatedly checks the road and declines to go inside to eat.
• CHer brother Tim asks her to come inside for lunch.
• DMr. Henderson is driving the wagon from the station.

Read the excerpt from 'The Prairie Whistle': 'The homestead sat in a solitary spot on the vast Dakota plain. For miles in any direction, no other houses were visible, only swaying tallgrass under an endless blue sky.' What does the word solitary mean as used in this sentence?

• ANoisy and crowded
• BIsolated and standing alone
• CTemporary and movable
• DModern and well-built

Read the excerpt from 'The Prairie Whistle': 'Tim sat on the porch step, carving a piece of softwood with his pocketknife. "He's not going to get here any faster just because you keep staring at the grass, Clara," he muttered, though he kept peeking up from his carving toward the bend in the road.' What does Tim's behavior reveal about his character?

• AHe is completely uninterested in his grandfather's arrival.
• BHe pretends to be casual and calm, but he is actually anxious to see his grandfather too.
• CHe is angry at Clara for waiting on the porch.
• DHe wants to finish his wood carving before anyone arrives.

Read the excerpt from 'The Prairie Whistle': 'Suddenly, a low, rhythmic thumping echoed across the dirt road, followed by a faint cloud of dust rising above the distant cottonwood trees. Clara jumped up and pointed. "That's Mr. Henderson's team of horses!" she shouted.' Which signal first alerted Clara that the visitors were finally near?

• AA loud train whistle blowing in the distance
• BThe rhythmic thumping sound and dust rising in the distance
• CHer brother calling out from the kitchen
• DMr. Henderson waving from the wagon seat

Read the passage excerpt: 'The quiet expanse of the Dakota plain stretched as far as the eye could see. The gentle rustle of tallgrass in the summer breeze created a peaceful backdrop as the family waited outside.' How does the setting contribute to the mood of the passage?

• AIt creates a mysterious and scary mood.
• BIt establishes a calm and expectant mood.
• CIt generates a tense and chaotic mood.
• DIt creates a gloomy and hopeless mood.

Read the excerpt from 'The River's Secret': 'Marcus walked along the muddy banks of the Missouri River, keeping his eyes glued to the water's edge. While others looked for shiny stones, Marcus searched for traces of history—old timber from riverboats or metal artifacts washed ashore by springtime floods. His patience was rewarded when his foot brushed against a tarnished brass object half-buried in the silt.' Which statement best expresses the main theme of this passage?

• ARivers are dangerous places to explore alone.
• BPatience and focused curiosity can lead to meaningful discoveries.
• CCollecting stones is better than searching for old artifacts.
• DSpring floods always destroy historical objects.

Read the excerpt from 'The River's Secret': 'Kneeling in the damp sand, Marcus carefully wiped away the mud revealing an antique pocket compass. The needle flickered slightly before settling magnetic north. Marcus smiled, feeling a sudden connection to the travelers who had navigated this river a century ago.' Which adjective best describes Marcus in this moment?

• AReckless
• BReverent and appreciative
• CImpatient
• DDisappointed

Read the excerpt from 'The River's Secret': 'Marcus searched for traces of history—old timber from riverboats or metal artifacts washed ashore by springtime floods.' What was Marcus's primary motivation for exploring the riverbank?

• ATo find valuable jewels to sell for money
• BTo discover historical artifacts linked to the river's past
• CTo practice swimming in the river currents
• DTo collect smooth river stones for a garden

Read this sentence: 'To Marcus, the muddy river whispered secrets of forgotten steamboats and ancient journeys.' Which type of figurative language is used in this sentence?

• ASimile
• BPersonification
• CHyperbole
• DOnomatopoeia

Read the sentence: 'The needle flickered slightly before settling magnetic north.' What does this detail show about the compass Marcus found?

• AIt was broken and completely unusable.
• BIt was still functional despite its age and being buried in mud.
• CIt was made of plastic and lightweight glass.
• DIt pointed in random directions continuously.

Read the poem 'Winter on the Great Plains': Stanza 1: The north wind blows across the snow-clad field, Where summer blossoms once were forced to yield. An icy armor coats the sleeping land, Crafted by winter's stern, unyielding hand. Stanza 2: Yet beneath the freeze, the quiet roots remain, Waiting for spring to warm the open plain. Like Achilles standing firm against the gale, The prairie spirit lives and will prevail. What is the rhyme scheme of Stanza 1?

• AABAB
• BAABB
• CABCB
• DABBA

Read Stanza 2 from 'Winter on the Great Plains': 'Yet beneath the freeze, the quiet roots remain, Waiting for spring to warm the open plain. Like Achilles standing firm against the gale, The prairie spirit lives and will prevail.' What figure of speech is used in the line 'Like Achilles standing firm against the gale'?

• AAllusion and simile
• BOnomatopoeia and hyperbole
• CMetaphor and irony
• DPersonification and pun

Read 'Winter on the Great Plains': Stanza 1 focuses on cold ice, snow, and winter's 'unyielding hand.' Stanza 2 describes 'quiet roots' waiting beneath the freeze and the prairie spirit that 'will prevail.' How does the tone shift between Stanza 1 and Stanza 2?

• AFrom cheerful to angry
• BFrom harsh and cold to hopeful and resilient
• CFrom humorous to mournful
• DFrom fearful to panicked

Read the metaphor from line 3 of the poem: 'An icy armor coats the sleeping land' What does the metaphor 'icy armor' suggest about the winter frost?

• AIt is thin, delicate, and easy to break.
• BIt acts as a thick, hard, protective layer covering the earth.
• CIt is warm and comforting to animals.
• DIt melts away immediately in the sun.

Which two pieces of evidence from 'Winter on the Great Plains' best support the theme that life persists even during difficult times?

• A'north wind blows' AND 'winter's stern, unyielding hand'
• B'quiet roots remain' AND 'the prairie spirit lives and will prevail'
• C'snow-clad field' AND 'icy armor coats'
• D'summer blossoms' AND 'forced to yield'

Read the scene from the play 'Cedar Creek Ridge': [Setting: High on a rocky ridge in the South Dakota Badlands. The sun is setting behind the canyon walls, casting long purple shadows.] AARON: (Scanning the horizon, voice tight) The trail was right here twenty minutes ago, Mia. I'm sure of it. MIA: (Sitting on a boulder, pulling her jacket tight) Well, it's not here now. And in ten minutes, we won't even be able to see our own boots. What do the stage directions for Mia reveal about her emotional state?

• AShe is relaxed and enjoying the sunset.
• BShe is cold, anxious, and aware of their worsening situation.
• CShe is confident that Aaron knows the way back.
• DShe is eager to stay on the ridge overnight.

Read the dialogue continuation from 'Cedar Creek Ridge': AARON: Panicking won't help us, Mia. Remember what Dad said about following dry riverbeds downhill toward the park visitor station? MIA: (Pauses, taking a deep breath) Right. The dry wash we crossed earlier leads back down to the main road. If we stay together and use my phone flashlight sparingly, we can make it. How is the conflict between Aaron and Mia resolved in this scene?

• AThey argue until a rescue team arrives.
• BAaron recalls advice that helps them agree on a calm, logical plan of action.
• CMia decides to wait on the ridge while Aaron hikes alone.
• DThey build a campsite and decide to stay put.

In 'Cedar Creek Ridge', Aaron says with a 'voice tight' that he was sure the trail was there, while Mia notes that 'in ten minutes, we won't even be able to see our own boots.' How do their initial reactions to getting lost differ?

• AAaron tries to hide his stress by focusing on finding the lost trail, while Mia directly…
• BAaron gives up immediately, while Mia searches energetically for clues.
• CAaron blames Mia for taking them off course, while Mia blames Aaron.
• DAaron wants to sleep, while Mia wants to run downhill.

Read the scene from 'Cedar Creek Ridge': 'If we stay together and use my phone flashlight sparingly, we can make it,' Mia says. Aaron nods, extending a hand to help her down from the boulder. 'Teamwork got us up here, and teamwork will get us down.' Which statement best captures the underlying theme of this scene?

• ANever explore national parks without adult supervision.
• BMutual support and shared wisdom help people navigate unexpected challenges.
• CTechnology can solve any problem in nature.
• DBrothers and sisters always agree during emergencies.

Read these two details from 'Cedar Creek Ridge': 1. Aaron speaks with a 'voice tight' as he scans the fading horizon. 2. When Mia panics, Aaron reminds her of their father's survival rule rather than admitting he lost the path. Which inference is best supported by both details?

• AAaron is indifferent to the danger.
• BAaron feels responsible as the leader and tries to maintain control despite his internal…
• CAaron relies entirely on Mia to make decisions.
• DAaron knows the area very well and is not worried.

Read the excerpt from 'The Lantern in the Storm': 'As howling winds whipped snow across the driveway, Mrs. Gable set a brass oil lantern on her front window ledge. Her daughter warned, "Mother, the blizzard is fierce—no one is out on the prairie tonight." Mrs. Gable shook her head quietly. "If even one stranded traveler sees this glow through the whiteout, it will be worth every drop of oil."' Which two details best support the inference that Mrs. Gable is deeply compassionate?

• AThe winds whipped snow AND the lantern was made of brass.
• BShe puts out the light despite the fierce storm AND says helping even one traveler makes…
• CHer daughter talks about the blizzard AND the driveway is covered in snow.
• DThe lantern sits on a window ledge AND the storm is a whiteout.

In 'The Lantern in the Storm', Mrs. Gable keeps a glowing lantern in her window throughout the freezing blizzard. What does the lantern symbolize in this story?

• AHope, guidance, and human warmth amidst harsh adversity
• BThe waste of precious household resources
• CFear of the dark prairie night
• DThe passage of time until morning

Read the excerpt from 'The Lantern in the Storm': 'An hour past midnight, a heavy thump sounded against the porch door. Mrs. Gable pulled it open to reveal a shivering mail carrier, his face crusted with ice. "I lost the road two miles back," he gasped, staring at the window. "That yellow flame was the only thing that kept me moving forward."' How does this event develop the story's plot?

• AIt shows that Mrs. Gable's daughter was right about the storm.
• BIt marks the climax where Mrs. Gable's hopeful effort directly rescues an endangered trav…
• CIt introduces a new conflict between Mrs. Gable and the mail carrier.
• DIt resolves the story by showing the storm is over.

Read this sentence from 'The Lantern in the Storm': 'Against the raging prairie gale, her resolve was an iron beam that could not be bent.' Which statement best explains this analogy?

• AIt compares her determination to a sturdy piece of metal to emphasize how unwavering she…
• BIt suggests that she physically built her house out of iron bars.
• CIt shows that she was inflexible and refused to listen to good advice.
• DIt compares the storm's wind to heavy construction equipment.

Why did the author choose to begin 'The Lantern in the Storm' during the middle of a roaring blizzard rather than earlier in the day?

• ATo immediately establish high stakes and a sense of urgent tension
• BTo show how much work Mrs. Gable does around the farm during daytime
• CTo explain the geographical history of South Dakota weather patterns
• DTo introduce all the townspeople before the storm started

Read this statement from the mail carrier in 'The Lantern in the Storm': 'I lost the road two miles back. That yellow flame was the only thing that kept me moving forward.' What can be inferred about the mail carrier's situation before he spotted the light?

• AHe was lost, near total exhaustion, and close to giving up in the blizzard.
• BHe knew exactly where he was and was just taking a casual break.
• CHe was looking for a place to feed his horses.
• DHe had already delivered all his mail for the week.

How would the story 'The Lantern in the Storm' be different if it were told from the third-person limited point of view of the daughter?

• AReaders would experience her initial skepticism and worry about wasting oil before seeing…
• BThe reader would know the mail carrier's thoughts as he wandered on the prairie.
• CMrs. Gable's inner thoughts would be explained in full detail throughout.
• DThe story would include historical statistics about South Dakota mail delivery.

Which two pieces of textual evidence from 'The Lantern in the Storm' best work together to prove that Mrs. Gable's insistence on lighting the lantern saved a human life?

• A'set a brass oil lantern' AND 'howling winds whipped snow'
• B'If even one stranded traveler sees this glow... it will be worth every drop' AND 'That y…
• C'no one is out on the prairie tonight' AND 'face crusted with ice'
• D'shook her head quietly' AND 'heavy thump sounded against the porch door'

Read the excerpt from 'The Spirit of the Black Hills': 'In the ancient lore of the granite peaks, Paha Sapa was not merely a mountain range; it was a sleeping titan whose stone ribs held the memories of a thousand winters. Young Kael stood at the edge of Black Elk Peak, watching storm clouds assemble like an invading army. His elders had warned him: "To seek the sacred golden stone for personal renown is to awaken the titan's wrath; to seek it for the village's salvation is to earn its protection." Kael gripped his grandfather's carved staff, knowing his ambition and his duty were warring within his chest.' Which complex theme is best developed in this opening passage?

• ATrue nobility requires sacrificing personal ambition for the selfless service of one's co…
• BMountain climbing is a dangerous endeavor regardless of one's gear.
• COld traditions are irrelevant when modern crises arise.
• DNature is purely hostile and cannot be understood by humans.

Read this sentence from 'The Spirit of the Black Hills': 'Like Icarus reaching for the sun, any traveler who climbed the granite spire solely out of vanity found the winds stripping away his footing.' How does the mythological allusion to Icarus enhance the meaning of the passage?

• AIt warns of the ruinous dangers of hubris and reckless overconfidence.
• BIt suggests that travelers should construct wings of wax to reach the peak.
• CIt demonstrates that sunlight is harmful to mountain climbers.
• DIt shows that ancient myths are factual historical accounts.

Read the excerpt from 'The Spirit of the Black Hills': 'As lightning illuminated the canyon, Kael reached the cavern entrance where the golden stone rested on a pedestal of quartz. He reached out his hand, remembering how his rival, Brant, had taunted him as a coward before the council. "If I bring this back, no one will ever question my strength," Kael whispered. Then he heard the distant cries of the village elders preparing for the storm below. Slowly, Kael pulled back his hand and knelt in prayer, offering his own honor to the stone in exchange for rain to save the crops.' Which two textual details best trace Kael's internal conflict and moral growth?

• A'lightning illuminated the canyon' AND 'stone rested on a pedestal of quartz'
• B'no one will ever question my strength' AND 'pulled back his hand... offering his own hon…
• C'rival, Brant, had taunted him' AND 'cavern entrance'
• D'distant cries of the village elders' AND 'pedestal of quartz'

Read the structural organization of 'The Spirit of the Black Hills': - Frame Prologue: An elder tells a legend around a campfire about an ancient test of heart. - Main Narrative: Kael climbs Black Elk Peak and faces the moral choice at the golden stone cavern. - Frame Epilogue: The elder concludes that true leaders are found not by their boasts, but by their sacrifices. How does the frame narrative structure enhance the story's overall impact?

• AIt presents Kael's story as a timeless cultural parable passed down to guide future gener…
• BIt reveals that Kael was dreaming the entire event while sleeping by the fire.
• CIt confuses the timeline by jumping randomly between centuries without purpose.
• DIt proves that the story is a scientific report on South Dakota geography.

Read the excerpt from 'The Spirit of the Black Hills': 'Brant boasted of his physical prowess, promising he would tear the stone from the mountain. Kael, however, understood that physical force against the granite was like throwing straw against an avalanche. He realized the mountain required spiritual surrender, not physical conquest.' Contrast the motivations and underlying beliefs of Brant and Kael.

• ABrant relies on arrogant physical force, while Kael recognizes that humility and spiritua…
• BBrant is guided by deep humility, while Kael is driven by reckless violence.
• CBoth characters believe that nature can be conquered with iron tools.
• DBrant wishes to save the village, while Kael seeks personal riches.

Read the excerpt from 'The Spirit of the Black Hills': 'When Kael returned to the village empty-handed, Brant laughed aloud. "Look at the coward! He brings no golden stone!" But as Brant spoke, thunder rolled across the sky, and a gentle, life-giving rain began to fall upon the parched cornfields.' What dramatic irony exists in this scene?

• ABrant believes Kael failed out of cowardice, but the reader and Kael know Kael's sacrific…
• BKael believes he failed, but the reader knows Brant actually hid the stone.
• CThe villagers knew it was going to rain anyway, rendering Kael's trek meaningless.
• DBrant secretly went up the mountain and got the rain himself.

Read the analogy from the text: 'Human ambition without humility is like a flash flood in a dry creek: loud and destructive for a moment, but quickly swallowed by the earth, leaving only barren mud behind.' Which statement best analyzes the meaning of this extended analogy?

• AUnrestrained arrogance produces temporary, flashy noise that vanishes quickly without cre…
• BFlash floods are beneficial for growing crops in dry creek beds.
• CHumility makes people quiet and unable to achieve anything in life.
• DDry creeks always overflow during spring storms.

Read the excerpt from 'The History of Badlands National Park': 'Located in southwestern South Dakota, Badlands National Park preserves 244,000 acres of sharply eroded spires, pinnacles, and prairie. Over millions of years, water and wind carved deep canyons through layers of sedimentary rock, uncovering rich fossil beds from the Oligocene Epoch.' What is the central idea of this paragraph?

• ASouth Dakota has many different state parks.
• BBadlands National Park features unique, wind-and-water eroded landforms and significant f…
• CThe Oligocene Epoch was the most important geological era in Earth's history.
• DRainfall in southwestern South Dakota is heavy throughout the year.

Read the excerpt from 'The History of Badlands National Park': 'For thousands of years, Native Americans used this region as hunting grounds. The Lakota people named the area "Mako Sica," which translates to "land bad," because the steep terrain, extreme temperatures, and lack of water made it difficult to travel across.' Which detail explains why the Lakota referred to the area as 'Mako Sica'?

• AThey found no wild game or animals in the area.
• BSteep terrain, extreme weather, and scarce water made travel across the land treacherous.
• CThe area was covered in thick dense forests.
• DVisitors were not allowed to enter the region.

Which sentence provides the most objective, unbiased summary of 'The History of Badlands National Park'?

• ABadlands National Park is the absolute best vacation spot in the United States.
• BBadlands National Park in South Dakota is a geological area formed by erosion, rich in fo…
• CIt is surprising that anyone ever chose to live near the harsh Badlands.
• DThe Badlands landscape looks completely strange and unappealing.

Read this sentence from the article: 'Water runoff during heavy summer rainstorms slowly wears away the soft clay and ash layers, resulting in rapid geological erosion.' What does the word erosion mean as used in this sentence?

• AThe process of building up tall mountain peaks
• BThe gradual wearing away and removal of rock and soil by natural forces
• CThe sudden eruption of volcanic ash
• DThe planting of grass to prevent soil movement

What is the author's primary purpose in writing an informational article about Badlands National Park?

• ATo persuade readers to move to South Dakota
• BTo inform readers about the geography, history, and formation of the Badlands
• CTo entertain readers with a fictional story about fossil hunters
• DTo convince the government to shut down national parks

Read the excerpt from 'Bison Restoration in South Dakota': 'Once numbering in the tens of millions, American bison were reduced to near extinction by the late 19th century. Thanks to dedicated conservation efforts by Native tribes, state parks, and wildlife preserves in South Dakota, bison populations have staged a remarkable comeback over the past several decades.' What is the main idea of this excerpt?

• ABison are the largest land mammals in North America.
• BCollaborative conservation efforts in South Dakota have helped restore bison populations…
• CNative tribes in South Dakota no longer manage bison herds.
• DBison populations were highest during the 21st century.

Read these two sentences from an article about bison: Sentence 1: 'Custer State Park in South Dakota manages a herd of approximately 1,300 bison.' Sentence 2: 'Bison are the most impressive animals on the American prairie.' Which statement correctly identifies the nature of these sentences?

• ASentence 1 is an opinion, and Sentence 2 is a fact.
• BSentence 1 is a verifiable fact, and Sentence 2 is a subjective opinion.
• CBoth sentences are verifiable scientific facts.
• DBoth sentences are subjective opinions.

An article about bison conservation includes a bar graph showing the total bison population in South Dakota from 1950 to 2025. What is the primary function of this visual feature?

• ATo entertain readers with colorful artwork
• BTo provide clear, visual data illustrating population growth over time
• CTo explain how bison forage for grass during winter
• DTo show the geographical boundaries of South Dakota counties

Read the sentence: 'Restoring bison to the native prairie ecosystem helps maintain healthy grasslands, as their grazing patterns encourage plant diversity.' What does this sentence suggest about the ecological role of bison?

• ABison harm native plant species by eating too much grass.
• BBison play a beneficial role in sustaining grassland ecosystems.
• CBison should be kept in enclosed farms to protect native plants.
• DPrairie plants grow better without any grazing animals.

Read the excerpt from 'Bison Restoration in South Dakota': 'Annual bison roundups, such as the famous event at Custer State Park, allow herd managers to inspect the health of the animals, vaccinate calves, and maintain a sustainable herd size for the park's acreage.' Which detail supports the idea that human management is necessary for park bison herds?

• ARoundups take place in state parks.
• BManagers check animal health, administer vaccines, and regulate herd size to fit land cap…
• CCuster State Park is located in South Dakota.
• DBison are fast runners during roundups.

Read the excerpt from an article on renewable wind energy: 'South Dakota ranks among the top states in the nation for wind energy potential. Modern wind turbines convert blowing prairie breezes into clean electricity. Opponents argue that wind farms harm local scenery. However, studies show that a single turbine generates enough electricity to power over 600 homes annually while emitting zero greenhouse gases.' Which statement best evaluates the author's reasoning in responding to opponents?

• AThe author uses sound, fact-based evidence regarding energy output and zero emissions to…
• BThe author relies on emotional attacks against opponents rather than facts.
• CThe author agrees that scenic beauty is more important than electricity.
• DThe author provides irrelevant data about solar panels.

Read the excerpt from the wind energy article: 'Harnessing our abundant natural breeze is not just an eco-friendly option; it is an economic engine for rural communities, providing steady lease payments to local farmers.' How does the author frame the argument in this sentence?

• ABy framing wind energy as both an environmental benefit and a financial boost for local f…
• BBy framing wind power as a risky government experiment
• CBy arguing that traditional agriculture should be abandoned entirely
• DBy suggesting that rural landowners should pay taxes on wind turbines

Which of the following claims from a student essay on wind energy lacks sound supporting evidence?

• AWind turbines generate electricity without burning fossil fuels.
• BEveryone living near a wind farm agrees that turbines are the most beautiful structures e…
• CSouth Dakota's open terrain creates consistent wind speeds suitable for energy generation.
• DWind energy developments create maintenance jobs in rural counties.