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100+ Free Praxis Middle School ELA Practice Questions

Pass your Praxis Middle School English Language Arts (5047) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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A teacher administers a brief diagnostic reading assessment at the start of the year. The primary purpose of this assessment is to:

A
B
C
D
to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Praxis Middle School ELA Exam

110 + 2

Selected-Response + Constructed-Response

ETS Praxis 5047 test page

~130 min

Total Testing Time

ETS Praxis 5047 test page

$156

Test Fee

ETS Praxis fee schedule

~153-164

Common State Passing Scores

State Praxis score requirements

4 categories

Reading, Language, Writing, Instruction

ETS Praxis 5047 study companion

100

Free Practice Questions Here

OpenExamPrep practice bank

ETS lists Praxis Middle School English Language Arts (5047) as 110 selected-response questions plus 2 constructed-response tasks in about 130 minutes, with a test fee of $156. Reading is the largest content category, followed by English language arts instruction, writing/speaking/listening, and language use/vocabulary. Passing scores are set by states or agencies rather than by ETS, and commonly fall around 153 to 164.

Sample Praxis Middle School ELA Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Praxis Middle School ELA exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Read this stanza: "The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor." Which figure of speech is used in "The road was a ribbon of moonlight"?
A.Metaphor
B.Hyperbole
C.Onomatopoeia
D.Alliteration
Explanation: A metaphor directly states that one thing is another without using 'like' or 'as'. The line says the road *was* a ribbon of moonlight, equating the road with a ribbon to create a vivid image. This is the defining structure of a metaphor.
2A short story follows a character who narrates events using 'I' and can report only what she personally observes and feels. Which point of view is being used?
A.Third-person omniscient
B.First-person
C.Third-person limited
D.Second-person
Explanation: First-person point of view uses pronouns such as 'I' and 'me', and the narrator is a character within the story who can relate only her own perceptions, thoughts, and feelings. The restriction to what the narrator personally observes confirms first person.
3Which statement best describes the difference between the theme and the topic of a literary work?
A.The topic is the moral lesson; the theme is the genre
B.The topic is the climax; the theme is the resolution
C.The topic is a general subject; the theme is the central message or insight about that subject
D.The topic and theme are interchangeable terms for the plot
Explanation: A topic is the broad subject a work explores, such as 'friendship' or 'courage', stated in a word or short phrase. The theme is the deeper statement or insight the author conveys about that topic, expressed as a complete idea. Distinguishing them helps students move from summarizing to interpreting.
4An author writes: "The wind whispered secrets through the trees." The wind is given the human ability to whisper. This technique is called:
A.Simile
B.Allusion
C.Symbolism
D.Personification
Explanation: Personification assigns human qualities, actions, or emotions to non-human things or abstract ideas. Giving the wind the human action of whispering secrets is a clear example of personification.
5When a reader is asked to "cite textual evidence to support an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text," the reader must:
A.Quote or paraphrase specific parts of the text to back up both stated facts and reasoned conclusions
B.Summarize the entire plot in chronological order
C.Provide a personal opinion about whether the text is enjoyable
D.List the names of all characters in the order they appear
Explanation: Citing textual evidence means pointing to specific words, phrases, or passages that justify a claim. The standard requires support for both what the text states directly and the inferences a reader makes by combining textual clues with reasoning.
6A nonfiction article organizes information by presenting an issue and then describing what led to it and what resulted from it. Which text structure is this?
A.Compare and contrast
B.Cause and effect
C.Chronological sequence
D.Problem and solution
Explanation: A cause-and-effect structure explains why something happens (the causes) and what results from it (the effects). Describing what led to an issue and what resulted from it is the hallmark of this organizational pattern.
7Read this line of poetry: "The silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain." The repetition of the 's' sound is an example of:
A.Assonance
B.Consonance
C.Alliteration
D.Rhyme
Explanation: Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial consonant sound in closely placed words, as in 'silken sad ... rustling'. The repeated leading 's' sound across these words creates the alliterative effect.
8Which of the following is the best definition of an inference?
A.A direct restatement of a sentence from the text
B.A list of vocabulary words defined in a glossary
C.The title and author of a passage
D.A logical conclusion drawn by combining textual clues with prior knowledge
Explanation: An inference is a conclusion the reader reaches that is not stated outright but is supported by evidence in the text combined with reasoning and background knowledge. It is sometimes described as 'reading between the lines'.
9A story is set during a severe drought in a 1930s farming community, and the harsh conditions shape every choice the characters make. This relationship best illustrates the effect of:
A.Setting on plot and character
B.Rhyme scheme on tone
C.Dialogue on point of view
D.Foreshadowing on theme
Explanation: Setting is the time and place of a story, and it can strongly influence both plot events and character decisions. When harsh drought conditions drive the characters' choices, the setting is functioning as a force shaping plot and character.
10In a Shakespearean (English) sonnet, what is the rhyme scheme and structure?
A.An octave and a sestet, rhyming ABBAABBA CDECDE
B.Three quatrains and a couplet, rhyming ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
C.Two tercets, rhyming AABB CCDD
D.Fourteen unrhymed lines in free verse
Explanation: A Shakespearean sonnet consists of three quatrains followed by a final rhymed couplet, totaling 14 lines, with the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, usually in iambic pentameter. The closing couplet often delivers a turn or summarizing point.

About the Praxis Middle School ELA Exam

Praxis Middle School English Language Arts (5047) is the ETS subject assessment used by many states for middle-grades ELA licensure. The exam covers reading of literary and informational texts, language use and vocabulary, writing/speaking/listening, and English language arts instruction, combining selected-response and constructed-response items.

Assessment

110 selected-response + 2 constructed-response (official ETS); this practice bank is 100 selected-response items

Time Limit

2 hours 10 minutes

Passing Score

Varies by state (common ~153-164)

Exam Fee

$156 (ETS (Educational Testing Service))

Praxis Middle School ELA Exam Content Outline

~42%

Reading

Analyzing literary and informational text, determining theme and central idea, examining text structure and author's craft, citing textual evidence, applying comprehension strategies, and interpreting genres, poetry, and figurative language.

~12%

Language Use & Vocabulary

Grammar, usage, mechanics, sentence structure and syntax, word relationships, context clues, morphology, and vocabulary development.

~16%

Writing, Speaking & Listening

The writing process, argumentative/informative/narrative writing, revising and editing, research and citation, and effective speaking and listening.

~21%

English Language Arts Instruction

Instructional planning, literacy assessment, differentiation, reading and writing pedagogy, and supporting diverse and multilingual learners.

How to Pass the Praxis Middle School ELA Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Varies by state (common ~153-164)
  • Assessment: 110 selected-response + 2 constructed-response (official ETS); this practice bank is 100 selected-response items
  • Time limit: 2 hours 10 minutes
  • Exam fee: $156

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 Middle School ELA Study Tips from Top Performers

1Weight study time by category: reading is the largest area, so spend the most time on literary and informational analysis, theme, structure, and evidence.
2Practice the two constructed-response tasks separately by drafting timed, text-based responses with clear claims and cited evidence.
3Review grammar, usage, mechanics, and morphology systematically, since language items reward precise, rule-based knowledge.
4Treat ELA instruction items as scenario questions: identify the student need or data first, then choose the research-supported teaching move.
5When reviewing misses, sort them by category and error type such as misread passage, misapplied grammar rule, or weak pedagogy reasoning.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on Praxis Middle School ELA (5047)?

ETS lists the current Praxis Middle School English Language Arts test as 110 selected-response questions plus 2 constructed-response tasks. This free practice bank provides 100 selected-response items aligned to the four official content categories so you can drill reading, language, writing, and instruction.

How much time do I get on Praxis 5047?

The exam allows roughly 130 minutes (about 2 hours 10 minutes) of testing time for the selected-response and constructed-response sections combined. Plan time to read passages carefully and to draft and review your two written responses.

What passing score do I need on Praxis 5047?

ETS does not set one universal passing score for Praxis 5047. States and licensure agencies set their own qualifying scores, which commonly fall around 153 to 164. Confirm the exact required score for your state or educator-preparation pathway before you register.

How much does Praxis Middle School ELA cost?

The Praxis Middle School English Language Arts (5047) test fee is $156. Your final checkout total can vary if you add optional services, so confirm the amount inside your ETS account before payment.

What content matters most on the 5047 exam?

Reading is the largest content category, covering literary and informational analysis, theme, structure, author's craft, citing evidence, poetry, and figurative language. English language arts instruction is the next largest area, followed by writing/speaking/listening and language use/vocabulary, so weight your study time toward reading and pedagogy.

Does Praxis 5047 include written-response questions?

Yes. In addition to 110 selected-response questions, the exam includes 2 constructed-response tasks that require you to analyze and write about text-based prompts. Practice planning and drafting clear, evidence-supported responses under timed conditions.