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Which of the following is a defining characteristic of a sonnet?

It is a long narrative poem about a heroic figure.

It has a specific rhyme scheme and is written in iambic pentameter.

It is a form of free verse with no regular meter or rhyme.

It is a humorous poem with a distinct AABBA rhyme scheme.

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Praxis 5038 Exam

130

Selected-Response Questions

ETS test page / study companion

2h 30m

Testing Time

ETS test page / study companion

$130

Current Fee Category

ETS Praxis Information Bulletin

38 / 25 / 37

Official Domain Weighting

ETS 5038 study companion

167

Common Benchmark Score

ETS multistate standard-setting materials

Mar 7, 2026

Latest Verified Review Date

Current official ETS pages checked for this bank

For 2026 planning, ETS still lists Praxis 5038 as a 130-question, 2 hour 30 minute, computer-delivered selected-response subject assessment priced at $130. The official study companion weights Reading at 38%, Language Use and Vocabulary at 25%, and Writing, Speaking, and Listening at 37%. As of March 7, 2026, I did not find an official nationwide redesign notice for 5038; the main current policy context is that passing scores remain state-set and some states continue using 2025-2026 adoption timelines tied to Praxis Bridge or updated licensure rules.

Sample Praxis 5038 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Praxis 5038 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which of the following is a defining characteristic of a sonnet?

A.It is a long narrative poem about a heroic figure.

B.It has a specific rhyme scheme and is written in iambic pentameter.

C.It is a form of free verse with no regular meter or rhyme.

D.It is a humorous poem with a distinct AABBA rhyme scheme.

Explanation: A sonnet is a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and meter, which is traditionally iambic pentameter. The other options describe an epic poem, free verse, and a limerick, respectively.

2In the sentence, 'The old house, which had been vacant for years, was finally sold,' the clause 'which had been vacant for years' is an example of a(n):

A.Independent clause

B.Adjective clause

C.Adverb clause

D.Noun clause

Explanation: The clause 'which had been vacant for years' is an adjective clause because it modifies the noun 'house.' It provides additional information about the house and functions as an adjective.

3Which of the following is the most effective strategy for encouraging active listening in a classroom discussion?

A.Asking students to summarize the speaker's points before responding.

B.Ensuring that only one student speaks at a time.

C.Requiring students to take detailed notes during the discussion.

D.Providing a list of questions for students to answer after the discussion.

Explanation: Asking students to summarize or paraphrase a speaker's points before they respond ensures that they have been actively listening and have understood the information. This technique, often called 'reflective listening,' is a powerful tool for improving comprehension and fostering respectful dialogue.

4The literary device in which a non-human object is given human qualities or abilities is known as:

A.Metaphor

B.Simile

C.Personification

D.Hyperbole

Explanation: Personification is a figure of speech in which an idea or thing is given human attributes and/or feelings or is spoken of as if it were human. For example, 'The wind whispered through the trees.'

5Which of the following is a primary source?

A.A biography of a historical figure

B.A documentary about a historical event

C.A letter written by a soldier during a war

D.A textbook chapter about a scientific discovery

Explanation: A primary source is a firsthand account of an event or topic. A letter written by a soldier during a war is a direct, personal account of their experiences. The other options are secondary sources, as they analyze, interpret, or summarize information from primary sources.

6The word 'unbelievable' contains which of the following?

A.A prefix and a suffix

B.Two prefixes

C.Two suffixes

D.Only a prefix

Explanation: The word 'unbelievable' is formed from the root word 'believe' with the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') and the suffix '-able' (meaning 'can be done').

7In the context of rhetorical analysis, 'pathos' refers to an appeal to:

A.Logic and reason

B.The speaker's credibility and authority

C.The audience's emotions

D.The timing and occasion of the argument

Explanation: Pathos is a rhetorical device used to appeal to the emotions of the audience. It is one of the three modes of persuasion identified by Aristotle, along with ethos (appeal to credibility) and logos (appeal to logic).

8Which of the following is the best example of a thesis statement for an analytical essay?

A.This essay will discuss the themes in 'The Great Gatsby'.

B.The American Dream is a major theme in 'The Great Gatsby'.

C.In 'The Great Gatsby', F. Scott Fitzgerald uses the character of Jay Gatsby to critique the illusion of the American Dream.

D.'The Great Gatsby' is a novel set in the 1920s about a wealthy man named Jay Gatsby.

Explanation: A strong thesis statement is specific, arguable, and provides a roadmap for the essay. This option presents a clear argument about how the author uses a specific character to explore a particular theme, which can be supported with evidence from the text.

9A student who is able to recognize and manipulate the sounds in spoken language is demonstrating:

A.Phonological awareness

B.Reading fluency

C.Vocabulary knowledge

D.Print awareness

Explanation: Phonological awareness is the ability to recognize and work with the sounds of spoken language. This is a foundational skill for reading and includes tasks such as rhyming, alliteration, and segmenting words into individual sounds.

10Which of the following sentences contains a dangling modifier?

A.Having finished the assignment, Jill turned on the TV.

B.After reading the original study, the article remains unconvincing.

C.The dog, wagging its tail, greeted the visitors at the door.

D.To improve his results, the experiment was done again.

Explanation: A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence. In this sentence, the modifier 'After reading the original study' has nothing to modify. It seems to modify 'the article', but an article cannot read a study.

About the Praxis 5038 Exam

Praxis English Language Arts: Content Knowledge (5038) is the ETS secondary English licensure exam focused on literature, informational texts, rhetoric, grammar, vocabulary, writing, speaking, and listening. The current official blueprint uses three weighted areas: Reading (38%), Language Use and Vocabulary (25%), and Writing, Speaking, and Listening (37%).

Questions

130 scored questions

Time Limit

2h 30m

Passing Score

Varies by state (167 is a common benchmark, but verify your state)

Exam Fee

$130 (ETS / Pearson VUE)

Praxis 5038 Exam Content Outline

38%

Reading

Literature, informational texts, rhetoric, genre, literary context, theme, figurative language, poetry analysis, media interpretation, and reading strategies supported by textual evidence.

25%

Language Use and Vocabulary

Standard English grammar, usage, syntax, mechanics, affixes, context clues, reference tools, diction and dialect variation, and research-based vocabulary-development approaches.

37%

Writing, Speaking, and Listening

Writing modes, task-purpose-audience decisions, organization and style, ethical research and citation, source evaluation, oral presentation, collaborative discussion, assessment, and effective use of digital media.

How to Pass the Praxis 5038 Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Varies by state (167 is a common benchmark, but verify your state)
Exam length: 130 questions
Time limit: 2h 30m
Exam fee: $130

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Praxis 5038 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Use the official weighting as your study schedule: reading first, writing/communication second, grammar/vocabulary third only if that matches your weakness profile

2For literature questions, prove every claim with textual evidence and know the signature features of major genres, forms, and literary movements

3On rhetoric and argument items, separate purpose, audience, evidence quality, and fallacies instead of treating them as one skill

4For grammar and usage, train sentence structure, parallelism, agreement, pronoun case, punctuation, and modifier placement in mixed sets rather than isolated drills

5In writing and research questions, prefer choices that improve coherence, maintain ethical source use, match audience and purpose, and preserve the writer’s line of reasoning

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on Praxis 5038 and how long is it?

ETS lists Praxis English Language Arts: Content Knowledge (5038) as 130 selected-response questions in 2 hours and 30 minutes. The computer-delivered exam may include a variety of selected-response formats, including single-answer, multi-select, and interactive response types.

What content areas matter most on Praxis 5038?

The official ETS study companion weights Reading at 38%, Language Use and Vocabulary at 25%, and Writing, Speaking, and Listening at 37%. That means nearly three quarters of the exam sits in reading analysis plus writing/communication decisions, so those should dominate your timed practice.

What passing score do I need for Praxis 5038?

Praxis passing scores are set by states and educator-licensure agencies, not by one universal national cutoff. ETS multistate standard-setting materials use 167 as a common benchmark for 5038, but you should still confirm the exact score required by your state or program.

How much does Praxis 5038 cost?

The current ETS Praxis Information Bulletin lists selected-response Praxis Subject Assessments at $130, which applies to Praxis 5038. Always confirm the live registration total before checkout in case ETS updates fees or adds service charges.

What changed for Praxis 5038 in 2026?

As of March 7, 2026, I did not find an official ETS notice announcing a nationwide 5038 blueprint redesign, score change, or fee-category change. The broader Praxis program has separate 2026 activity, such as new Elementary Education Fundamentals testing, but that is a different assessment family and not a replacement for 5038.

How should I study for Praxis ELA effectively?

Study by blueprint weight, not comfort zone. Start with literary and rhetorical reading analysis, then train grammar and vocabulary, and finish with writing/research/speaking tasks that require audience awareness, source evaluation, and clear organization under time pressure.

What is the difference between Praxis 5038 and Praxis 5039?

Praxis 5038 is English Language Arts: Content Knowledge, while Praxis 5039 is English Language Arts: Content and Analysis. States and certification routes may require one or the other, so confirm the exact test code your licensure pathway specifies before registering.