Wisconsin Forward Exam English Language Arts — Grade 7 Feed

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Read the excerpt below from 'The Whispering Pines of Door County': 'Maya stepped onto the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. The autumn wind whistled through the high branches of the white pines, sounding almost like human voices exchanging old stories. She tightened her coat, listening intently to the rhythmic crash of waves against the limestone cliffs below. In her pocket, she gripped her grandfather's worn wooden compass, knowing that today she had to decide whether to leave her hometown for the boarding school in Madison.' What explicit detail in the passage shows that Maya is feeling cold or physically reacting to the weather?

Reading Literature

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Read the passage below: 'Maya stepped onto the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. The autumn wind whistled through the high branches of the white pines, sounding almost like human voices exchanging old stories. She tightened her coat, listening intently to the rhythmic crash of waves against the limestone cliffs below. In her pocket, she gripped her grandfather's worn wooden compass, knowing that today she had to decide whether to leave her hometown for the boarding school in Madison.' Which sentence best states the central theme introduced in this opening scene?

Reading Literature

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Read the excerpt below: 'The wind whistled through the high branches of the white pines, sounding almost like human voices exchanging old stories.' Which figurative language device is used in this sentence?

Reading Literature

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Read the excerpt below: 'In her pocket, she gripped her grandfather's worn wooden compass, knowing that today she had to decide whether to leave her hometown for the boarding school in Madison.' How does the wooden compass function as a symbol in Maya's story?

Reading Literature

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Read the excerpt below: 'Maya stepped onto the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. The autumn wind whistled through the high branches of the white pines, sounding almost like human voices exchanging old stories. She tightened her coat, listening intently to the rhythmic crash of waves against the limestone cliffs below. In her pocket, she gripped her grandfather's worn wooden compass, knowing that today she had to decide whether to leave her hometown for the boarding school in Madison.' Which inference is best supported by combining evidence from Maya's physical actions and her setting?

Reading Literature

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Read the excerpt from 'The Winter Lake Rescue': 'The ice on Green Bay crackled ominous warnings under Liam's boots, but he refused to turn back. Fifty yards ahead, his young retriever Barnaby stood stranded on a floating ice floe that was slowly drifting into open water. Liam knelt down, carefully spreading his weight across his sled to avoid breaking through.' Why does Liam spread his weight across his sled?

Reading Literature

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Read the excerpt below: 'The ice on Green Bay crackled ominous warnings under Liam's boots, but he refused to turn back. Fifty yards ahead, his young retriever Barnaby stood stranded on a floating ice floe that was slowly drifting into open water. Liam knelt down, carefully spreading his weight across his sled to avoid breaking through.' What does the word 'ominous' mean as used in the passage?

Reading Literature

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Read the excerpt below: 'The ice on Green Bay crackled ominous warnings under Liam's boots, but he refused to turn back. Fifty yards ahead, his young retriever Barnaby stood stranded on a floating ice floe that was slowly drifting into open water. Liam knelt down, carefully spreading his weight across his sled to avoid breaking through.' How does the setting create conflict in the narrative?

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Read the sentence below: 'Fifty yards ahead, his young retriever Barnaby stood stranded on a floating ice floe that was slowly drifting into open water.' Which word in the sentence is an adjective describing Barnaby?

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Read the excerpt below from 'The Winter Lake Rescue': 'Liam refused to turn back... He crawled inch by inch, whispering soothing words across the frigid air until Barnaby leaped onto the sled, allowing both to retreat safely to shore.' Which statement best summarizes how Liam's character traits propel the action of the story?

Reading Literature

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Read the passage below from 'Amelia's Prairie Garden': 'Amelia wiped dirt from her hands onto her denim apron. For three seasons, she had tended the patch of purple coneflowers and black-eyed Susans behind the barn. Neighbors laughed when she planted wild native seeds instead of imported roses, but today, while surrounding manicured lawns withered under the summer drought, Amelia's prairie garden thrived, humming with bees and butterflies.' What happened to the neighbors' manicured lawns during the summer drought?

Reading Literature

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Read the passage below: 'Amelia wiped dirt from her hands onto her denim apron. For three seasons, she had tended the patch of purple coneflowers and black-eyed Susans behind the barn. Neighbors laughed when she planted wild native seeds instead of imported roses, but today, while surrounding manicured lawns withered under the summer drought, Amelia's prairie garden thrived, humming with bees and butterflies.' What contrast does the author construct in this passage?

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Read the passage below: 'Amelia wiped dirt from her hands onto her denim apron. For three seasons, she had tended the patch of purple coneflowers and black-eyed Susans behind the barn. Neighbors laughed when she planted wild native seeds instead of imported roses, but today, while surrounding manicured lawns withered under the summer drought, Amelia's prairie garden thrived, humming with bees and butterflies.' Which sentence best expresses the theme of the passage?

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Read the phrase from the passage: 'Amelia's prairie garden thrived, humming with bees and butterflies.' What imagery is primarily created by the word 'humming'?

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Read the excerpt below: 'Neighbors laughed when she planted wild native seeds instead of imported roses, but today, while surrounding manicured lawns withered under the summer drought, Amelia's prairie garden thrived, humming with bees and butterflies.' What point of view does the author use, and how does it shape the reader's perspective?

Reading Literature

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Read the excerpt from 'The Clockmaker's Secret Blueprint': 'In his dusty Milwaukee workshop, Master Elias adjusted his brass magnifying loupe. On the workbench lay a brass pocket watch crafted in 1888. Tucked behind the mainspring, his apprentice Jonah discovered a tiny folded parchment inscribed with mathematical coordinates and a single sentence: "The gears turn not for time, but for truth."' Where was the folded parchment hidden?

Reading Literature

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Read the excerpt below: 'Tucked behind the mainspring, his apprentice Jonah discovered a tiny folded parchment inscribed with mathematical coordinates and a single sentence: "The gears turn not for time, but for truth."' How does this discovery build suspense in the plot?

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Read the sentence below: 'In his dusty Milwaukee workshop, Master Elias adjusted his brass magnifying loupe.' What does the word 'loupe' mean in this context?

Reading Literature

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Read the passage below: 'In his dusty Milwaukee workshop, Master Elias adjusted his brass magnifying loupe. On the workbench lay a brass pocket watch crafted in 1888. Tucked behind the mainspring, his apprentice Jonah discovered a tiny folded parchment inscribed with mathematical coordinates and a single sentence: "The gears turn not for time, but for truth."' Which atmosphere or mood is created by words like 'dusty', 'brass', '1888', and 'tiny folded parchment'?

Reading Literature

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Read the passage below: 'In his dusty Milwaukee workshop, Master Elias adjusted his brass magnifying loupe. On the workbench lay a brass pocket watch crafted in 1888. Tucked behind the mainspring, his apprentice Jonah discovered a tiny folded parchment inscribed with mathematical coordinates and a single sentence: "The gears turn not for time, but for truth."' How does Jonah's discovery alter the relationship between the master and the apprentice?

Reading Literature

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Read the poem excerpt below from 'Night Sky Over Apostle Islands': 'The sea kayak glides on water black as ink, Past sandstone arches where cold currents sink. Above our heads, a sea of diamonds gleams, Reflecting ancient light and starlight dreams. We drop our oars and watch the cosmos spin, And wonder where the universe begins.' What metaphor is used in line 3 to describe the stars?

Reading Literature

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Read the poem excerpt below: 'The sea kayak glides on water black as ink, Past sandstone arches where cold currents sink. Above our heads, a sea of diamonds gleams, Reflecting ancient light and starlight dreams. We drop our oars and watch the cosmos spin, And wonder where the universe begins.' What is the rhyme scheme of this six-line excerpt?

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Reading Literature

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Read the line from the poem: 'The sea kayak glides on water black as ink,' Which device is used in 'water black as ink'?

Reading Literature

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Reading Literature

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Read the excerpt from 'The Driftless Valley Echo': 'Unlike the flat plains shaped by ancient glaciers, the Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin featured steep ridges and unglaciated valleys. Caleb stood on the limestone ridge, watching fog roll over the Kickapoo River. His grandmother had told him stories of how their ancestors farmed these unglaciated hills for generations without modern machinery.' What geological feature distinguishes the Driftless Area mentioned in the story?

Reading Literature

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Read the excerpt below: 'Unlike the flat plains shaped by ancient glaciers, the Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin featured steep ridges and unglaciated valleys. Caleb stood on the limestone ridge, watching fog roll over the Kickapoo River. His grandmother had told him stories of how their ancestors farmed these unglaciated hills for generations without modern machinery.' Why does Caleb's grandmother tell him stories about their ancestors?

Reading Literature

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Read the sentence below: 'Unlike the flat plains shaped by ancient glaciers, the Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin featured steep ridges and unglaciated valleys.' What does the prefix 'un-' mean in the word 'unglaciated'?

Reading Literature

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Read the passage below: 'Caleb stood on the limestone ridge, watching fog roll over the Kickapoo River. His grandmother had told him stories of how their ancestors farmed these unglaciated hills for generations without modern machinery.' Which narrative technique is used when referring to the grandmother's stories of past ancestors?

Reading Literature

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Read the passage below: 'Unlike the flat plains shaped by ancient glaciers, the Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin featured steep ridges and unglaciated valleys. Caleb stood on the limestone ridge, watching fog roll over the Kickapoo River. His grandmother had told him stories of how their ancestors farmed these unglaciated hills for generations without modern machinery.' How does the unique geography of the Driftless Area shape Caleb's identity?

Reading Literature

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Read the excerpt from 'The Song of the Copper Mine': 'Deep below the earth near Lake Superior, miners worked in dark rock shafts. Young Thomas held the lantern steady for his uncle. The clinking of hammers against red copper ore created a steady rhythm, echoing through stone tunnels like a heartbeat beneath the north woods.' What created the steady rhythm in the underground mine?

Reading Literature

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Read the excerpt below: 'The clinking of hammers against red copper ore created a steady rhythm, echoing through stone tunnels like a heartbeat beneath the north woods.' What comparison is made in this sentence?

Reading Literature

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Read the passage below: 'Deep below the earth near Lake Superior, miners worked in dark rock shafts. Young Thomas held the lantern steady for his uncle. The clinking of hammers against red copper ore created a steady rhythm, echoing through stone tunnels like a heartbeat beneath the north woods.' What role does Thomas play in this scene?

Reading Literature

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Reading Literature

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Read the excerpt below: 'Deep below the earth near Lake Superior, miners worked in dark rock shafts. Young Thomas held the lantern steady for his uncle. The clinking of hammers against red copper ore created a steady rhythm, echoing through stone tunnels like a heartbeat beneath the north woods.' How does comparing the mine's echoes to 'a heartbeat beneath the north woods' contribute to the passage's overall meaning?

Reading Literature

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Read the passage below from 'The Great Lakes Restoration Project': 'The Great Lakes contain more than 20 percent of the world's surface fresh water. However, pollution, invasive species such as zebra mussels, and habitat loss have threatened these essential aquatic ecosystems for decades. In response, federal and state agencies launched the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). Since its inception, GLRI programs have successfully restored thousands of miles of fish habitat and cleaned up toxic hotspots across Lake Michigan and Lake Superior.' What percentage of the world's surface fresh water is contained in the Great Lakes?

Reading Informational

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Read the passage below: 'The Great Lakes contain more than 20 percent of the world's surface fresh water. However, pollution, invasive species such as zebra mussels, and habitat loss have threatened these essential aquatic ecosystems for decades. In response, federal and state agencies launched the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). Since its inception, GLRI programs have successfully restored thousands of miles of fish habitat and cleaned up toxic hotspots across Lake Michigan and Lake Superior.' Which sentence best expresses the central idea of the passage?

Reading Informational

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Read the sentence from the passage: 'However, pollution, invasive species such as zebra mussels, and habitat loss have threatened these essential aquatic ecosystems for decades.' What does the word 'aquatic' mean in this sentence?

Reading Informational

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Reading Informational

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Read the passage below: 'The Great Lakes contain more than 20 percent of the world's surface fresh water. However, pollution, invasive species such as zebra mussels, and habitat loss have threatened these essential aquatic ecosystems for decades. In response, federal and state agencies launched the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). Since its inception, GLRI programs have successfully restored thousands of miles of fish habitat and cleaned up toxic hotspots across Lake Michigan and Lake Superior.' Which statement best evaluates the author's argument regarding GLRI's effectiveness?

Reading Informational

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Read the passage below from 'Wisconsin's Historic Cranberry Harvest': 'Wisconsin is the nation's leading producer of cranberries, harvesting over 60 percent of the U.S. crop annually. Contrary to popular belief, cranberries do not grow underwater. They grow on low-running vines in acidic peat bogs. In autumn, growers flood the bogs with water. Because cranberries contain tiny air pockets, they float to the surface, making them easy to corral and harvest.' How do growers collect cranberries efficiently during the autumn harvest?

Reading Informational

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Read the excerpt below: 'Contrary to popular belief, cranberries do not grow underwater. They grow on low-running vines in acidic peat bogs. In autumn, growers flood the bogs with water. Because cranberries contain tiny air pockets, they float to the surface, making them easy to corral and harvest.' Why does the author include the detail about 'tiny air pockets' inside cranberries?

Reading Informational

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Read the sentence from the passage: 'Contrary to popular belief, cranberries do not grow underwater.' What is the function of the phrase 'Contrary to popular belief'?

Reading Informational

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Read the sentence from the passage: 'Wisconsin is the nation's leading producer of cranberries, harvesting over 60 percent of the U.S. crop annually.' Which word in this sentence indicates a time frame recurring every year?

Reading Informational

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Read the passage below: 'Wisconsin is the nation's leading producer of cranberries, harvesting over 60 percent of the U.S. crop annually. Contrary to popular belief, cranberries do not grow underwater. They grow on low-running vines in acidic peat bogs. In autumn, growers flood the bogs with water. Because cranberries contain tiny air pockets, they float to the surface, making them easy to corral and harvest.' What objective summary best captures the key informational points of this text?

Reading Informational

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Read the passage below from 'Harnessing Renewable Wind in the Midwest': 'Wind energy has become one of the fastest-growing sources of electricity across the Midwestern United States. Wind turbines convert kinetic energy from moving air into clean electrical power without emitting greenhouse gases. Critics point out that turbine installation requires significant upfront land and capital, and variable wind speeds mean backup energy sources are needed. However, proponents emphasize that long-term fuel cost savings and zero carbon emissions make wind power a vital pillar of future energy grids.' According to the passage, what type of energy do wind turbines convert into electricity?

Reading Informational

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Read the passage below: 'Wind energy has become one of the fastest-growing sources of electricity across the Midwestern United States. Wind turbines convert kinetic energy from moving air into clean electrical power without emitting greenhouse gases. Critics point out that turbine installation requires significant upfront land and capital, and variable wind speeds mean backup energy sources are needed. However, proponents emphasize that long-term fuel cost savings and zero carbon emissions make wind power a vital pillar of future energy grids.' How does the author maintain balance when presenting the topic of wind energy?

Reading Informational

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Read the excerpt below: 'Critics point out that turbine installation requires significant upfront land and capital, and variable wind speeds mean backup energy sources are needed.' What does the word 'capital' mean in this sentence?

Reading Informational

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