WY-TOPP Summative English Language Arts — Grade 9

Which punctuation mark correctly completes the sentence? 'After finishing her research paper, Maria realized she still needed to format her bibliography ___ she organized her sources alphabetically.'

• Aperiod
• Bsemicolon
• Ccomma
• Dcolon

Read the excerpt: 'The winter wind howled through the cracked window pane, but inside the small kitchen, the stove glowed warmly as the family shared their meager loaf of bread.' What theme is best supported by this excerpt?

• ANature is always hostile to human survival.
• BWarmth and unity can sustain family spirit despite hardship.
• CFinancial wealth guarantees personal happiness.
• DCold weather leads to unavoidable conflict.

Which sentence demonstrates correct parallel structure?

• ADuring summer break, Sam enjoyed hiking in the mountains, swimming at the lake, and to ca…
• BDuring summer break, Sam enjoyed hiking in the mountains, swimming at the lake, and campi…
• CDuring summer break, Sam enjoyed to hike in the mountains, swimming at the lake, and camp…
• DDuring summer break, Sam enjoyed hiking in the mountains, to swim at the lake, and campin…

In a persuasive article advocating for renewable energy, the author includes statistics showing a 40% reduction in solar panel installation costs over five years. What is the primary purpose of including this statistic?

• ATo argue that non-renewable energy is superior.
• BTo provide empirical evidence supporting the economic feasibility of solar energy.
• CTo explain the scientific physics behind solar technology.
• DTo critique government spending on public education.

Read the sentence: 'Despite facing fierce opposition, the young advocate remained tenacious, working tirelessly until the law was passed.' What does the word 'tenacious' mean in this context?

• AHesitant and uncertain
• BPersistent and maintaining a firm hold on a purpose
• CIndifferent and unconcerned
• DAggressive and hostile

Which sentence uses colons correctly?

• AThe team needed three things: grit, determination, and focus.
• BThe team needed: three things, grit, determination, and focus.
• CThe team: needed three things grit, determination, and focus.
• DThe team needed three: things grit, determination, and focus.

Read the passage: 'Jared paced back and forth across the stage wings, wringing his hands and whispering his lines over and over.' What can be inferred about Jared's internal state?

• AHe is confident and eager to perform.
• BHe is anxious and feeling nervous about his upcoming performance.
• CHe is bored and looking for an excuse to leave.
• DHe is angry with the stage manager.

Which statement represents the most effective thesis statement for an argumentative essay on high school start times?

• AHigh school start times are an interesting topic that many people talk about today.
• BHigh schools should delay morning start times to 8:30 a.m. because extra sleep improves s…
• CSome people think school starts too early, while others think it starts at the right time.
• DWhat time does your high school start in the morning?

An informational article detailing the steps of how a bill becomes a law in the Wyoming State Legislature is organized using which text structure?

• ACause and effect
• BChronological / Sequence
• CCompare and contrast
• DProblem and solution

Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: 'Neither the lead singer nor the guitarists ___ satisfied with the sound check.'

• Awas
• Bwere
• Cis
• Dhas been

Read the sentence: 'The heavy fog acted as a blanket, shrouding the quiet mountain valley in total silence.' What literary device is used in the phrase 'acted as a blanket'?

• APersonification
• BSimile
• CMetaphor
• DHyperbole

What tone is established by the author in a passage described as 'shadowy corridors, creaking floorboards, and flickering candlelight'?

• AHumorous and playful
• BEerie and suspenseful
• COptimistic and cheerful
• DFormal and academic

When writing a research paper on wildlife conservation in Yellowstone, which source would be considered the most credible?

• AAn anonymous blog post published on a personal travel website.
• BA peer-reviewed scientific journal article published by wildlife biologists.
• CAn opinion comment posted on a social media thread.
• DA promotional flyer from a souvenir shop outside the park.

Identify the sentence that correctly uses commas to set off a non-essential appositive phrase.

• AMy older brother, who lives in Laramie, is studying engineering.
• BMy older brother who lives in Laramie is studying engineering.
• CMy older brother who lives in Laramie, is studying engineering.
• DMy older brother, who lives in Laramie is studying engineering.

Read the statement: 'Studies show that students who participate in extracurricular activities maintain higher GPA averages and report lower stress levels.' Which inference is best supported by this statement?

• AExtracurricular activities take away crucial study time from students.
• BParticipation in school activities can positively influence both academic and emotional w…
• CStudents should spend all their time on sports rather than academics.
• DSchool sports are the only factor determining student success.

Which sentence is written in the active voice?

• AThe final report was written by the committee chairman.
• BThe committee chairman wrote the final report.
• CThe report had been reviewed by three separate editors.
• DThe award was presented to the student by the principal.

In a story, a character refuses to give up searching for her lost dog despite freezing rain and darkness. What character trait is highlighted by these actions?

• APerseverance
• BCowardice
• CArrogance
• DIndecision

The root 'chron' comes from Greek meaning 'time'. What does a 'chronological' arrangement of events mean?

• AArranged in order of importance
• BArranged in the order of occurrence in time
• CArranged by geographical location
• DArranged in alphabetical order

Which option corrects the dangling modifier in the sentence: 'Walking through the park, the autumn leaves fell gracefully.'

• AWalking through the park, the leaves were falling gracefully.
• BAs I walked through the park, I watched the autumn leaves fall gracefully.
• CFalling gracefully, the park was full of autumn leaves.
• DWalking through the park, graceful autumn leaves fell.

When an author repeats the phrase 'We must act now' at the beginning of three consecutive paragraphs in a speech, which rhetorical device is being used?

• AAnaphora
• BOxymoron
• COnomatopoeia
• DAlliteration

In MLA format, how should an entry in a Works Cited list be ordered?

• AIn order of appearance in the essay body
• BAlphabetically by the author's last name (or title if no author is listed)
• CBy date of publication from newest to oldest
• DGrouped by primary vs secondary sources

Read the line from a poem: 'The old oak stood like a silent guardian over the meadow.' What does this figurative comparison suggest about the tree?

• AIt is weak and about to fall.
• BIt provides a sense of protective, enduring presence.
• CIt is frightening to animals in the field.
• DIt was recently planted by farmers.

Which word in the sentence functions as a subordinate (dependent) conjunction? 'Although the rain was heavy, the team continued their practice.'

• AAlthough
• Bheavy
• Ccontinued
• Dpractice

Which statement best describes a counterclaim in an argumentative essay?

• AThe main point that the author is trying to prove.
• BAn opposing perspective that challenges the author's primary claim.
• CA summary statement at the end of a paragraph.
• DA direct quote taken from a dictionary.

Which word has a more positive connotation than 'stubborn' when describing someone who refuses to give up?

• AObstinate
• BPersistent
• CPigheaded
• DWillful

Which sentence correctly uses apostrophes for possession?

• AThe student's books were left in the principal's office.
• BThe students book's were left in the principals office.
• CThe student's book's were left in the principals' office.
• DThe students's books were left in the principals office.

When a story suddenly shifts to an event that occurred ten years earlier to explain a character's fear of water, what structural technique is being used?

• AForeshadowing
• BFlashback
• CJuxtaposition
• DAllegory

In an informative essay about renewable energy sources in Wyoming, which topic sentence is most appropriate for a paragraph about wind power?

• AWind power is very cool and I like wind turbines.
• BWyoming's high-altitude plains generate substantial wind energy, making it one of the top…
• CSolar energy is another source of renewable power that works well in sunny places.
• DCoal has historically been a major energy industry across western states.

Read the excerpt from an editorial: 'If we continue to ignore the decay of our town park, we will forfeit the heart of our community.' What is the author's primary goal in using the phrase 'heart of our community'?

• ATo present a scientific measurement of soil health.
• BTo appeal to readers' emotions and sense of civic pride.
• CTo explain the mathematical budget required for repairs.
• DTo describe the physical geography of the park's center.

Select the sentence that correctly corrects the run-on sentence: 'The bell rang students gathered their books and walked out.'

• AThe bell rang, students gathered their books and walked out.
• BWhen the bell rang, students gathered their books and walked out.
• CThe bell rang students gathered their books, and walked out.
• DThe bell rang: students gathered their books and walked out.

Read the passage: 'Every morning, Mr. Gable polished his pocket watch until his reflection shone in the silver casing. Though the clock on the wall ticked faithfully, he preferred his father's watch, its scratches telling stories of long-forgotten journeys.' What does the pocket watch symbolize in this passage?

• AA desire to accumulate expensive luxury items.
• BA personal connection to family history, memory, and heritage.
• CAn obsession with strict punctuality and scheduling.
• DA fear of growing old and facing mortality.

In a speech regarding environmental conservation, a speaker states: 'Shall we leave our children a barren wasteland, or shall we hand them a thriving, resilient planet?' What rhetorical device is used here?

• ARhetorical question
• BSynecdoche
• CUnderstatement
• DMetonymy

Which sentence correctly uses a dash to emphasize an abrupt shift or explanatory comment?

• AThe expedition reached the summit—after weeks of relentless blizzard conditions—just befo…
• BThe expedition—reached the summit after weeks of relentless blizzard conditions just befo…
• CThe expedition reached the summit after weeks—of relentless blizzard conditions just befo…
• DThe expedition reached the summit after weeks of relentless blizzard conditions just—befo…

Read the dialogue: '"I don't need your help with the blueprint," Elena insisted, pushing the papers aside even though her measurements were clearly inaccurate. "I can figure it out myself."' What does this interaction reveal about Elena?

• AShe is collaborative and eager for mentorship.
• BHer pride makes her reluctant to accept assistance even when struggling.
• CShe is completely indifferent to the success of the project.
• DShe lacks confidence in her artistic abilities.

Which sentence contains a subject-verb agreement error?

• AEach of the student delegates presents a summary of their research.
• BThe herd of bison were grazing quietly across the open valley.
• CNeither the captain nor the crew members have boarded the vessel.
• DPhysics is a challenging subject for many high school freshmen.

Read the excerpt: 'While traditional coal-fired power plants provide reliable baseline electricity, they emit substantial greenhouse gases. Conversely, solar arrays produce zero direct emissions during operation, but their output fluctuates based on weather conditions.' Which organizational structure is utilized here?

• AProblem and solution
• BCompare and contrast
• CChronological order
• DSpatial order

The Latin root 'bene' means 'well' or 'good'. Based on this knowledge, what is a 'benefactor'?

• ASomeone who speaks ill of others
• BA person who gives money or help to a person or cause
• CA person who receives government aid
• DA dangerous adversary in a conflict

Which transition word best connects these two sentences? 'The team spent months perfecting their solar car design. ___, they won first place at the national engineering competition.'

• AHowever
• BConsequently
• CMeanwhile
• DOtherwise

Which narrative point of view is used when an all-knowing narrator describes the internal thoughts, feelings, and motivations of multiple characters?

• AFirst-person point of view
• BSecond-person point of view
• CThird-person limited point of view
• DThird-person omniscient point of view

Which sentence correctly uses a colon to introduce a quote?

• AThe speaker delivered an inspiring message: 'Future generations depend on the choices we…
• BThe speaker: delivered an inspiring message 'Future generations depend on the choices we…
• CThe speaker delivered: an inspiring message 'Future generations depend on the choices we…
• DThe speaker delivered an inspiring: message 'Future generations depend on the choices we…

What type of argument logic is present when an author relies on expert testimony, accredited studies, and verified credentials to persuade the audience?

• APathos
• BEthos
• CLogos
• DKairos

Which sentence uses the correct relative pronoun?

• AThe scientist which discovered the new enzyme won a national award.
• BThe scientist who discovered the new enzyme won a national award.
• CThe scientist whom discovered the new enzyme won a national award.
• DThe scientist whose discovered the new enzyme won a national award.

Read the lines: 'The thunder grumbled like an old man complaining about the weather.' What two literary devices are combined in this sentence?

• ASimile and Personification
• BMetaphor and Hyperbole
• CAlliteration and Oxymoron
• DOnomatopoeia and Irony

Which of the following demonstrates correct MLA in-text citation for a quote from page 45 of a book by author Jane Bennett?

• A(Bennett, p. 45)
• B(Bennett 45)
• C(Bennett, 45)
• D(Jane Bennett 45)

Read the claim: 'Public libraries should receive increased municipal funding because they provide free internet access, educational workshops, and community meeting spaces.' Which evidence would best support this claim?

• AA survey showing that 75% of local residents rely on library internet for job application…
• BA list of famous novels published during the nineteenth century.
• CAn article describing the architectural history of famous European libraries.
• DAn interview with an author discussing how to write a fiction novel.

Which sentence correctly uses hyphenation for a compound modifier before a noun?

• AThe school board approved a well funded academic program.
• BThe school board approved a well-funded academic program.
• CThe school board approved an academic program that is well-funded.
• DThe school board approved a well funded-academic program.

In a short story, a young violinist practices eight hours a day, refuses invitations to social gatherings, and rewrites her music scores until every note is flawless. What does this behavior convey about her character?

• AShe is easily distracted by peers.
• BShe possesses an extraordinary level of discipline and perfectionism.
• CShe dislikes playing the violin and wants to quit.
• DShe lacks ambition and desires an easy career.

Read the sentence: 'The CEO's speech was so enigmatic that analysts spent days debating its true meaning.' What does 'enigmatic' mean?

• AClear and easily understood
• BMysterious, puzzling, and difficult to interpret
• CBoring and repetitive
• DLoud and aggressive