WY-TOPP Summative English Language Arts — Grade 7

Read this passage: "Maya adjusted the sheet music on the stand for the third time. Her fingers brushed the polished wooden surface of her violin, cool against her warm hands. When the auditorium doors closed, signaling the start of the recital, she took a deep breath, lifted her bow, and focused entirely on the opening measure." What does the passage most strongly suggest about Maya's state of mind?

• AShe feels nervous before the performance but is determined to concentrate on her music.
• BShe is bored by the recital and wants the audience to leave immediately.
• CShe is unprepared and wishes she had practiced her solo more thoroughly.
• DShe is angry at the audience for closing the auditorium doors so loudly.

Read this story excerpt: "The town trail committee faced a tight deadline to complete the footbridge before winter. Rather than working independently, Marcus mapped out the timber lengths, Samuel cleared the drainage ditches, and Elena secured the support beams. Working side by side, they completed the span three days ahead of schedule." Which statement best expresses the theme of the excerpt?

• ABuilding bridges requires expensive specialized heavy machinery.
• BCollaborative effort and division of labor yield faster, more effective results.
• CWinter weather makes outdoor construction work completely impossible.
• DIndividual achievement is always superior to group projects.

Read this excerpt: "As dusk settled over the Wind River Range, dark clouds rolled quickly across the peak. Dust whistled through the pine needles, and the temperature dropped ten degrees in minutes. Noah quickly double-checked the tent stakes and drove two extra pegs into the hardened dirt before the rain arrived." How does the setting shape Noah's actions?

• AThe sudden approaching storm forces Noah to secure his campsite immediately.
• BThe scenic mountain sunset encourages Noah to go on an evening hike.
• CThe warm summer breeze causes Noah to remove his jacket and relax.
• DThe dark clouds convince Noah to pack his gear and drive home.

Read these lines from a poem: "The morning fog was a silent silver blanket, Wrapping the valley in quiet grace, Until the sun poked bright gold fingers Through the mist in every place." What figure of speech is used in the first line ("The morning fog was a silent silver blanket")?

• AMetaphor, comparing fog to a blanket without using 'like' or 'as'.
• BSimile, comparing fog to a blanket using the word 'like'.
• COnomatopoeia, imitating the sound of rushing wind.
• DHyperbole, exaggerating the exact temperature of the valley.

Read this passage: "I watched the hawk circle above the ridge, its broad wings barely moving against the updraft. My heart raced as I reached for my camera, hoping I could capture the bird before it soared past the pine trees." From which point of view is the passage narrated?

• AFirst-person, because the narrator uses pronouns like 'I' and 'My' to share personal thou…
• BThird-person limited, because an outside narrator focuses only on the hawk's thoughts.
• CThird-person omniscient, because an all-knowing narrator describes multiple characters' f…
• DSecond-person, because the narrator directly addresses the reader as 'you'.

Read this excerpt: "The glass surface of the lake reflected the pink and orange clouds of early sunrise. Not a single motorboat engine disturbed the calm, and the only sound was the soft tap of a lone kayak paddle against the water." Which word best describes the mood created by the excerpt?

• APeaceful
• BSuspenseful
• CChaotic
• DGloomy

Read this excerpt: "Eli carefully measured the pine board twice before guiding it toward the saw blade. He kept his eye on the pencil line, adjusting his grip whenever the wood vibrated. After sanding the edges until they felt smooth as glass, he set the piece neatly alongside the finished table legs." Which sentence provides the strongest evidence that Eli values high quality in his woodwork?

• AEli carefully measured the pine board twice and sanded the edges until smooth as glass.
• BEli turned off the shop lights as soon as the sun began to set.
• CEli bought his pine boards from a local hardware store downtown.
• DEli preferred working in the morning when the shop was quiet.

Read this informational paragraph: "Wyoming's Yellowstone National Park contains over half of the world's hydrothermal features, including more than 500 active geysers. Heat from underlying magma warms groundwater, creating immense pressure that periodically forces boiling water and steam high into the air. Old Faithful, the park's most famous geyser, erupts roughly every 90 minutes, drawing millions of visitors annually." What is the central idea of the paragraph?

• AYellowstone National Park features a unique collection of geothermal activity powered by…
• BOld Faithful is the only active geyser left in North America today.
• CGroundwater in Wyoming is too hot for local wildlife to drink safely.
• DMagma chambers under national parks are rapidly cooling down each year.

Read this excerpt: "American bison once roamed the Great Plains in herds numbering tens of millions. By the late 19th century, overhunting reduced their population to fewer than 1,000 animals. Conservation efforts, including protected herds in Yellowstone National Park and private ranches, helped rescue the species from extinction." Which statement is directly supported by textual evidence in the excerpt?

• AConservation initiatives in places like Yellowstone helped prevent American bison from go…
• BBison herds migrated across South America every winter season.
• COverhunting had no significant impact on wild bison populations in the 19th century.
• DBison are currently the most populous wild mammal in North America.

Read this excerpt: "Wind energy has become one of Wyoming's fastest-growing electricity sources. Giant turbines on windy ridges generate clean power without emitting greenhouse gases or consuming large quantities of water. Installing wind farms creates local maintenance jobs and provides steady lease revenue for ranchers." What is the author's primary purpose in writing this excerpt?

• ATo inform readers about the environmental and economic benefits of wind energy in Wyoming.
• BTo persuade ranchers to sell all their land to utility companies immediately.
• CTo explain the mechanical steps required to assemble a wind turbine rotor.
• DTo argue that wind energy is more expensive than traditional fossil fuels.

Read this paragraph: "When heavy rain falls on bare soil, water washes away topsoil that contains essential nutrients. As a result, native plants struggle to take root, which leads to further land erosion. Planting groundcover vegetation stops this cycle by holding soil in place with deep roots." Which organizational structure does the paragraph use?

• ACause and effect
• BChronological order
• CSpatial description
• DOrder of importance

Read these two sentences: 1. The Oregon Trail stretched over 2,000 miles across the United States during the 19th century. 2. Traveling the Oregon Trail was the most exciting adventure anyone could ever experience. How do these sentences differ?

• ASentence 1 is a verifiable fact, while Sentence 2 is an expression of opinion.
• BSentence 1 is an opinion, while Sentence 2 is a scientific fact.
• CBoth sentences express personal opinions about western migration.
• DBoth sentences state historical facts backed by government records.

Read this sentence: "Alpine plants must be extremely resilient to survive severe mountain frosts, violent winds, and shallow rocky soil." What is the meaning of the word **resilient** as used in the sentence?

• AAble to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
• BBrightly colored to attract pollinating insects.
• CGrowing tall enough to shadow neighboring species.
• DRequiring constant watering and warm greenhouse shelter.

Read this excerpt from a letter to the editor: "Our town should invest in expanding the public library's computer lab. Many students lack high-speed internet at home, making it difficult to complete research projects. Adding ten new workstations will ensure equal learning opportunities for all residents." What claim does the writer make in the letter?

• AExpanding the library's computer lab will provide essential research access for students…
• BHigh-speed internet should be banned in public schools.
• CStudents prefer reading physical encyclopedias over digital resources.
• DThe public library should replace all books with gaming consoles.

Read this sentence: "The restorer was so **meticulous** that she spent three hours examining every square inch of the historic painting under a magnifying glass." Which word is a synonym for **meticulous** as used in the sentence?

• AThorough and precise
• BHasty and careless
• CGenerous and friendly
• DNoisy and dramatic

The Greek root **chron** means "time." Based on this knowledge, what does the word **chronological** mean in the phrase "events listed in chronological order"?

• AArranged in the order of time in which they occurred.
• BGrouped by geographic location or distance.
• CRanked from most expensive to least expensive.
• DSorted alphabetically by the author's last name.

Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?

• AThe box of art supplies sits on the top shelf.
• BThe box of art supplies sit on the top shelf.
• CThe box of art supplies are sitting on the top shelf.
• DThe box of art supplies have sat on the top shelf.

Read this sentence: "Walking through the mountain meadow, wildflower scents filled the crisp autumn air." Which revision correctly fixes the misplaced modifier?

• AAs we walked through the mountain meadow, wildflower scents filled the crisp autumn air.
• BWalking through the mountain meadow, the crisp autumn air was filled with wildflower scen…
• CWildflower scents, walking through the mountain meadow, filled the crisp autumn air.
• DThrough the mountain meadow walking, wildflower scents filled the crisp autumn air.

Which sentence uses commas correctly with coordinate adjectives?

• AThe path led through a dense, foggy forest.
• BThe path led through a dense, green, forest.
• CThe path led through a, dense foggy forest.
• DThe path led through a dense foggy, forest.

Read the definitions: • **Denotation**: The literal dictionary definition of a word. • **Connotation**: The emotional feeling associated with a word. Which pair of words have similar denotations but different connotations?

• AThrifty (positive) and Stingy (negative)
• BLarge (neutral) and Massive (neutral)
• CRun (action) and Sprint (action)
• DQuiet (silent) and Silent (quiet)

Which sentence is free of spelling and capitalization errors?

• ALast Tuesday, Professor Vance gave a lecture on North American wildlife.
• BLast tuesday, professor Vance gave a lecture on North american wildlife.
• CLast Tuesday, Professor vance gave a lecture on north American wildlife.
• DLast Tuesday, Professor Vance gave a lecture on North American wild-life.

Read this sentence: "Although the trail was steep, Samantha reached the summit before noon." What type of sentence structure is this?

• AComplex sentence
• BSimple sentence
• CCompound sentence
• DCompound-complex sentence

A student is writing an argumentative essay advocating for school recycling programs. Which sentence serves as the clearest thesis statement?

• ASchools should implement mandatory recycling programs because they reduce landfill waste,…
• BRecycling is something that some people do when they have extra plastic bottles at home.
• CThere are many different opinion articles written about climate change and waste disposal.
• DIn this essay, I will talk about rubbish and garbage in local parks.

Read these two sentences: "Solar power is an abundant renewable energy source. ________, cloudy weather can temporarily reduce solar panel output." Which transition word best fills the blank to show contrast?

• AHowever
• BFurthermore
• CTherefore
• DSimilarly

Which sentence correctly integrates a direct quote into a student essay?

• AAccording to Dr. Aris, "Volcanic ash enriches soil with vital minerals over time."
• BAccording to Dr. Aris "Volcanic ash enriches soil with vital minerals over time".
• C"Volcanic ash enriches soil with vital minerals over time" according to Dr. Aris
• DDr. Aris said that: "volcanic ash enriches soil with vital minerals over time."

A student is conducting research on Yellowstone National Park's wolf reintroduction project. Which source is the most credible?

• AA peer-reviewed report published by the National Park Service wildlife biology department.
• BA personal opinion blog post written by an anonymous tourist.
• CAn unverified social media comment thread discussing wild animals.
• DA fictional short story about a pet wolf living on a farm.

A student is writing an informative paragraph about how honeybees communicate. Which sentence makes the best topic sentence?

• AHoneybees use a complex series of movements known as the 'waggle dance' to inform hive me…
• BBees are yellow and black insects that fly around flower gardens in summer.
• CI saw three bees near a clover patch yesterday afternoon while eating lunch.
• DHoney is sold in glass jars at most local grocery stores.

A student claims that middle schools should offer financial literacy classes. Which evidence best supports this claim?

• AStudies show that teenagers who take basic money management courses make wiser spending d…
• BMany students enjoy playing board games about buying property during recess.
• CMathematics teachers often have master's degrees in education.
• DPaper currency in the United States is printed on a cotton-linen blend.

In a text-dependent writing task analyzing a biographical passage about Thomas Edison, which detail best supports the claim that Edison was persistent?

• AEdison tested thousands of different filament materials before finding one that produced…
• BEdison established a famous research laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey.
• CEdison was born in Milan, Ohio, in 1847.
• DEdison received many patents throughout his lifetime.

Read this sentence: "The scientific researcher made a discovery that was unexpected and surprising to everyone in the lab." Which revision eliminates redundant word choice?

• AThe researcher made a surprising discovery.
• BThe scientific researcher made an unexpected, surprising discovery.
• CThe researcher made a discovery that surprised everyone unexpected.
• DThe scientific researcher discovered an unexpected discovery.

Read this passage: "Leo tapped his wooden pencil against his notebook, watching the clock tick down to the debate deadline. If he presented the statistics on wetland preservation, his team would gain points for scientific evidence. However, those same numbers showed that local farm production might decrease short-term. He looked at his partner, took a breath, and decided to include both facts, trusting the judges to respect an honest argument." How does Leo's internal conflict advance the plot?

• ALeo's dilemma over presenting balanced facts leads him to choose honesty, strengthening t…
• BLeo's worry about the clock causes him to forfeit the debate match entirely.
• CLeo's argument with his partner forces the debate moderator to end the session early.
• DLeo's failure to find scientific data leaves his team with no evidence to present.

Read this story excerpt: "Grandmother Rosa sat on the porch, guiding Clara's hands as she held the leather carving knife. 'A stamp made in haste wears down by winter,' Rosa said softly, adjusting Clara's wrist angle. 'Move with the grain, not against it.' Clara slowed her cut, feeling the leather yield cleanly. By sunset, the belt pattern matched the one Rosa had crafted fifty years before." Which theme is developed in the passage?

• AMastery of traditional crafts requires patience and guidance across generations.
• BModern technology makes handmade leather craft unnecessary.
• CYoung people should avoid learning older family traditions.
• DSpeed is the most important factor in completing artisan projects.

Read this excerpt: "The river level rose rapidly, flooding the mudbank where the expedition kayaks were anchored. Julian saw the lead kayak drift into the main current. Without hesitation, he threw a line to Sam on the high bank, leaped into the shallow water, and secured the tow rope to a fallen log just before the boat was swept down the rapids." Which structural element of plot is represented in this passage?

• AClimax, because it features the high-stakes turning point of immediate action.
• BExposition, because it introduces the background history of the kayak trip.
• CResolution, because all characters return home safely after their journey.
• DFalling action, because the conflict is fully resolved and the river subsides.

Read this excerpt: "Grandfather insisted that the old stone well was built in 1912 by his own uncle. I didn't want to argument with him, but the brass plaque near the base clearly read 1934. I smiled, nodded, and let him tell his story, knowing some memories mattered more than exact dates." How does the narrator's point of view contrast with Grandfather's?

• AThe narrator knows the factual date from the plaque but values Grandfather's emotional co…
• BThe narrator believes Grandfather is lying on purpose to fool the family.
• CGrandfather relies on written historical records while the narrator relies on oral storie…
• DBoth characters agree that the brass plaque contains inaccurate information.

Read these lines from a poem: "The old wooden barn stood guard upon the hill, Its weathered timber standing tall and still. It whispered secrets of forgotten grain, And held its breath against the coming rain." How does the poet's use of personification impact the meaning of the poem?

• AIt gives the barn human qualities ('stood guard', 'whispered', 'held its breath'), making…
• BIt compares the barn to a modern metal skyscraper using explicit simile terms.
• CIt exaggerates the size of the barn to make it seem larger than the hill.
• DIt creates a humorous mood by describing animals inside the barn talking.

Read this excerpt: "Darius looked at the application for the summer forestry internship. The deadline was tomorrow. Although he had never spent more than two days camping, he thought of his grandfather's stories about park conservation and filled out every section carefully, attaching his science teacher's letter of recommendation." Which inference about Darius is best supported by textual evidence?

• AHe is motivated by his grandfather's legacy and willing to step outside his comfort zone.
• BHe is an expert camper who has spent years living in remote wilderness cabins.
• CHe expects to be rejected because his science teacher refused to write a letter.
• DHe applied for the forestry job only because his school forced all students to submit app…

Read this scene from a drama: **SCENE START** **STAGE DIRECTION**: [A dimly lit community center hall. NORA is sitting beside a box of unsold festival tickets. SETH enters carrying a clipboard.] **SETH**: (sighs) Only twenty tickets sold, Nora? The festival opens on Friday. **NORA**: (setting down her pen) I know. But if we post short video previews of the student musical online tonight, people will see what they're missing. **SETH**: (pauses, looking at the ticket stack) That might actually work... but who can edit the video in time? **NORA**: (smiling) I already cut the trailer during study hall. **SCENE END** How does this dialogue develop Nora's character?

• AIt demonstrates that Nora is resourceful and proactive when solving problems.
• BIt reveals that Nora is careless and unconcerned about the festival's failure.
• CIt shows that Nora depends entirely on Seth to handle emergency planning.
• DIt indicates that Nora prefers working alone without telling anyone.

Read this stanza: "The river rushes wild and fast, Through canyons deep and shadows vast. It carves the stone with ancient force, And never halts along its course." How does the stanza's regular AABB rhyme scheme contribute to its meaning?

• AThe steady, driving rhythm mirrors the relentless onward movement of the river.
• BThe rhyme scheme creates an irregular, unpredictable pace that mimics a drying stream.
• CThe rhyming couplets interrupt the flow to emphasize sudden quiet moments.
• DThe structure creates a sarcastic tone toward natural erosion processes.

Read this excerpt: "The old cabin sat deep within the shadow of Red Mountain. Creaking floorboards responded to every gust of mountain wind, and cobwebs hung like grey lace across the broken windowpanes. Yet inside, Hannah sat calmly by the hearth, stoking a small fire that filled the room with golden light." How does the author create contrast in the passage?

• ABy setting an eerie, neglected exterior environment against Hannah's warm, peaceful inter…
• BBy comparing Hannah's fear of the dark with her desire to explore the forest.
• CBy showing that Red Mountain is warmer than the surrounding valley.
• DBy demonstrating that the cabin is modern despite its rustic appearance.

Read this story excerpt: "Carter and Liam had competed for top science honors since elementary school. But when their solar-powered vehicle prototype failed two hours before the state fair judging, Carter held the soldering iron steady while Liam recalculated the wire connections. Working without a word of argument, they resoldered the circuit just as the judges walked into the hall." What does the interaction reveal about the relationship between Carter and Liam?

• ATheir shared goal enables them to set rivalry aside and collaborate under pressure.
• BTheir intense competition prevents them from fixing the vehicle in time.
• CCarter relies entirely on Liam because Carter lacks technical skills.
• DLiam sabotaged the prototype earlier to win the science award himself.

Read this excerpt: "When Sophie accidentally dropped her neighbor's vintage ceramic teapot, her first instinct was to hide the pieces. Instead, she swept up the fragments, walked next door, and explained what happened, offering to pay for a replacement from her lawn-mowing savings. Mrs. Gable looked at the shattered pieces, then smiled softly. 'Instruments can be replaced, Sophie,' she said. 'Integrity cannot.'" Which statement best summarizes the theme of the passage?

• AAdmitting mistakes honestly builds trust and demonstrates true character.
• BOld ceramic dishes should never be borrowed by neighbors.
• CLawn-mowing jobs are the best way for young people to earn money.
• DHiding broken items is acceptable if nobody notices right away.

Read this excerpt: "Tariq knew the winter trail was dangerous after nightfall. Even though his companions urged him to push forward to reach the resort lodge, Tariq stopped at the emergency ranger shelter, unpacked his sleeping bag, and began setting up camp. 'We stay here until dawn,' he said quietly, placing his flashlight on the table." Which trait does Tariq display in this passage?

• APrudent leadership
• BReckless ambition
• CTimid indecisiveness
• DFoolish stubbornness

Read this sentence: "After running five miles up the steep ridge trail, Julian felt as if his legs had turned to lead and his lungs were on fire." What impact does the author's figurative language have on the reader?

• AIt uses hyperbole and metaphor to vividly convey Julian's extreme physical exhaustion.
• BIt uses a literal description to explain the chemical composition of metals.
• CIt uses personification to make the mountain trail seem friendly.
• DIt uses irony to show that Julian was not tired at all after the run.

Read this informational excerpt: "In the mid-19th century, the Pony Express operated a relay system across 1,900 miles between Missouri and California. Young riders on horseback carried mail pouches through rugged terrain, changing horses at stations positioned every 10 to 15 miles. Although replaced by the transcontinental telegraph after just 18 months, the Pony Express proved that rapid overland communication across the American West was possible." What is the central idea of the excerpt?

• AThe Pony Express demonstrated that fast cross-country mail service was feasible despite h…
• BPony Express horses were required to run 1,900 miles without resting.
• CThe transcontinental telegraph was invented in Missouri by horse riders.
• DCalifornia was completely isolated from communication until the 20th century.

Read this excerpt: "Critics of urban park expansion argue that converting vacant lots into green space reduces potential commercial tax revenue. However, city planner Elena Torres demonstrates that public parks raise surrounding property values, reduce stormwater runoff management costs, and improve public health. 'Green spaces are not luxury expenses,' Torres argues. 'They are essential municipal infrastructure.'" How does the author develop Torres's point of view in contrast to critics?

• ABy presenting Torres's economic and environmental evidence to refute the idea that parks…
• BBy showing that Torres agrees with critics that parks waste city funds.
• CBy proving that commercial tax revenue is the only metric city leaders care about.
• DBy arguing that vacant lots should be turned into industrial warehouses.

Read this excerpt: "Heavy snowfall in alpine passes often triggers dangerous avalanches that block highways. To address this threat, transportation departments install remote snow-avalanche shed structures over vulnerable road sections. Additionally, artillery crews perform controlled explosive blasts after major storms to release packed snow before it accumulates dangerously. Together, these measures keep mountain transit routes open and safe throughout winter." Which text structure is used in this passage?

• AProblem and solution
• BChronological narrative
• CCompare and contrast
• DSpatial description

Read this excerpt: "School districts should extend lunch periods from 20 minutes to 35 minutes. Research indicates that students who have adequate time to eat digest food better and consume higher proportions of fresh fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, longer breaks lower classroom behavior disruptions during afternoon instruction." Which evaluation best assesses the author's claim and supporting evidence?

• AThe claim is well-supported by relevant health and behavioral evidence regarding student…
• BThe claim is invalid because it relies entirely on emotional personal stories.
• CThe evidence is insufficient because it does not list cafeteria food prices.
• DThe claim is weak because longer lunches always cause lower academic test scores.

Read this passage: "GPS wildlife collars have revolutionized how biologists track animal movement. Previously, researchers relied on visual sightings and footprint tracking, which provided limited seasonal data. Today, lightweight satellite collars send location coordinates every hour, allowing scientists to identify migration corridors and protect critical habitats from habitat fragmentation." Which statement represents the best objective summary of the passage?

• AGPS collars allow biologists to continuously track animal movements, providing precise da…
• BBiologists used to be lazy because footprint tracking took too much effort.
• CSatellite collars are the only tool modern scientists should ever use in wildlife biology.
• DMigration corridors are being completely destroyed across North America.