5th Grade ELA – Post-test Assessment 2

1. Question

Part A

In paragraph 19 of “Phillis’s Big Test,” what is the meaning of the phrase testifying to?

A. Offering
B. Exhibiting
C. Confirming
D. Representing

2. Question

Part B

Which sentence from the article helps the reader determine the meaning of the phrase testifying to as it is used in paragraph 19?

A. “She would make her own way to the public hall, where a group of men would decide once and for all: was she or was she not the author of her poems?” (paragraph 2)
B. “She had spent recent evenings copying and recopying her poetry in her own neat handwriting.” (paragraph 3)
C. “She was not content to recite her verse in drawing rooms or read one of her poems from a newspaper.” (paragraph 11)
D. “Maybe soon she would visit and find her own name on a volume.” (paragraph 12)

3. Question

Part A

According to the article “Phillis’s Big Test,” which statement explains Phillis Wheatley’s relationship with her master and his family?

A. They treated her as a servant.
B. They supported her as a writer.
C. They provided her with transportation.
D. They named her after a ship.

4. Question

Part B

Which sentence from the article provides support for the answer to Part A?

A. “ONE CRISP EARLY-AUTUMN morning in 1772, Phillis Wheatley was crossing the Boston cobblestones with a sheaf of papers held tightly under her arm.” (paragraph 1)
B. “She was just shedding her front teeth when John Wheatley bought her on the Boston docks as a servant for his wife, Susanna.” (paragraph 5)
C. “They christened their new slave Phillis, the name of the slave ship on which she arrived.” (paragraph 5)
D. “She started to turn away, but then Susanna Wheatley’s words echoed in her head: Your talent will speak for itself.” (paragraph 15)

5. Question

Part A

Which statement best expresses the main ideas of the article?

A. Phillis memorized her poetry by copying it, and she was fully prepared to pass her exam.
B. Phillis was grateful to her new family, and she wrote poetry to describe her experiences with them.
C. Phillis was grateful to her new family, and she wrote poetry to describe her experiences with them.
D. Phillis was motivated by literature to express herself, and she overcame challenges to become a poet.

6. Question

Part B

Which two details from the article support the answer to Part A?

A. “She knew every line, every syllable, by heart.” (paragraph 3)
B. “She survived only by the kindness of her masters, especially the Wheatleys’ twins . . . .” (paragraph 60
C. “As she began to read poetry, glorious sonnets had inspired her to try her own hand at writing.” (paragraph 7)
D. “Over time she had come to appreciate her own time and place, her very own role in the chain of events . . . .” (paragraph 10)
E. “But she knew that she must now make the most of her opportunities.” (paragraph 10)
F. “But she must first pass this examination to make her dream come true.” (paragraph 13)

7. Question

Part A

How did the Wheatley twins influence Phillis’s success?

A. The twins encouraged Phillis to go to the exam.
B. The twins helped Phillis to remember her poetry.
C. The twins helped Phillis to keep busy during the winter.
D. The twins shared their education with Phillis.

8. Question

Part B

Which detail from the article provides evidence to best support the answer to Part A?

A. “. . . survived only by the kindness . . .” (paragraph 6)
B. “. . . those lessons that led her to where she was today.” (paragraph 7)
C. “. . . inspired her to try her own hand at writing.” (paragraph 7)
D. “. . . memorized the names of cities and countries . . .” (paragraph 9)

9. Question

Part A

What is the difference between Phillis’s audience at the Wheatley’s home and the men at the exam?

A. The Wheatley audience reads her poetry before she recites it.
B. The men at the exam require her to prove herself.
C. The Wheatley audience includes highly educated people.
D. The men at the exam are greater in number.

10. Question

Part B

Which paragraph from “Phillis’s Big Test” provides evidence to support the answer to Part A?

A. Paragraph 11
B. Paragraph 13
C. Paragraph 14
D. Paragraph 16

11. Question

Part A

How does the author use evidence to support the point that Phillis was determined to succeed?

A. By showing that she stayed busy reading literature
B. By showing that she worked hard and had future plans
C. By showing that she was independent and had strong opinions
D. By showing that she received support and a good education

12. Question

Part B

Which two details from the article support the answer in Part A?

A. “. . . had offered her a ride to her examination, but she preferred to walk.” (paragraph 1)
B. “. . . could not be taken away, no matter the outcome of today.” (paragraph 3)
C. “They taught her not just English but Latin and Greek.” (paragraph 6)
D. “She had stayed up late, night after night, preparing for the examination.” (paragraph 8)
E. “She wanted her own book, because books would not just last a lifetime . . . .” (paragraph 11)
F. “She hurried by the bookseller’s shop that she visited weekly.” (paragraph 12)

13. Question

Part A

Based on information in “Phillis’s Big Test,” what is the main reason that Phillis works hard to pass the examination?

A. To gain fame as a poet.
B. To show her skill at reciting poetry.
C. To make the Wheatley family proud.
D. To achieve what she thinks she is meant to do.

14. Question

Part B

Which two sentences provide evidence for the answer in Part A?

A. “As she began to read poetry, glorious sonnets had inspired her to try her own hand at writing.” (paragraph 7)
B. “‘Your talent will speak for itself.’” (paragraph 8)
C. “‘They will discover the poet we know you to be!’” (paragraph 8)
D. “Over time she had come to appreciate her own time and place, her very own role in the chain of events stretching from past to present.” (paragraph 10)
E. “But she knew that she must now make the most of her opportunities.” (paragraph 10)
F. “‘I am the poet, Phillis Wheatley.’” (paragraph 18)