7th Grade ELA – Post-test Assessment 5

1. Question

Part A

In paragraph 2 of “NOAA’s Big Miracle Worker,” what tone does the phrase it was a total zoo convey?

A. Urgent
B. Chaotic
C. Annoyed
D. Pleading

2. Question

Part B

Which detail from the interview indicates a tone similar to the one identified in Part A?

A. “All of the other gray whales had started migrating much earlier, but these three whales stayed in the feeding grounds too long.” (paragraph 2)
B. “They seemed to understand that we were there to help them along.” (paragraph 2)
C. “Access was limited for safety reasons and to minimize disturbance to the whales and those involved directly with the rescue effort.” (paragraph 3)
D. “There were so many groups—Inupiat hunters, biologists, oil companies, United States and Soviet Union government agencies, the military, non-profit organizations, and the press—on the scene and everyone wanted to play a part.” (paragraph 4)

3. Question

Part A

In what way did the people living in the area impact the whale rescue?

A. They knew how to coordinate diverse groups of wildlife specialists.
B. They kept rescuers safe by giving advice about conditions.
C. They had experience working with reporters during previous whale rescues.
D. They had connections to companies that could supply necessary equipment.

4. Question

Part B

Which detail from the interview best supports the answer to Part A?

A. “. . . the lack of factual information . . .” (paragraph 1)
B. “. . . their knowledge and guidance helped the operation . . . .” (paragraph 3)
C. “. . . everyone wanted to play a part.” (paragraph 4)
D. “. . . pumps made to circulate water and prevent freezing.” (paragraph 5)

5. Question

Part A

Which sentence from “NOAA’s Big Miracle Worker” includes two central ideas from the interview?

A. “Once we started moving the whales toward freedom, however, I couldn’t help but think that they knew something was happening.” (paragraph 2)
B. “It did help that the whales were located a good way from Barrow and the only route there was by snow machine or on one of the helicopters dedicated to the rescue effort.” (paragraph 3)
C. “If they said it was time to stop because it was too dangerous, we listened.” (paragraph 3)
D. “Aside from freeing the whales, it was the involvement of so many groups that actually became the operation’s biggest success story.” (paragraph 4)

6. Question

Part B

Which additional sentence offers the best support for the central ideas in Part A?

A. “The whales were relatively young and confused.” (paragraph 2)
B. “We followed their advice and they helped us make decisions along the way.” (paragraph 3)
C. “All along, we had planned to use whale mating sounds to lure the whales from hole to hole.” (paragraph 5)
D. “While we were carefully moving the whales, a Soviet ice-breaker arrived.” (paragraph 5)

7. Question

Part A

How does paragraph 2 contribute to the structure of the interview?

A. It presents an explanation for the whales’ stranding.
B. It explains how the setting affected the rescue.
C. It captures the reader’s interest with a description of the whales.
D. It provides the reader with information about the groups involved in the rescue.

8. Question

Part B

Which detail from paragraph 2 of the interview best supports the answer to Part A?

A. “This was October in Alaska . . . .”
B. “. . . a total zoo in Barrow with all the reporters there.”
C. “. . . were relatively young and confused.”
D. “. . . the other gray whales had started migrating . . . .”

9. Question

Part A

What effect did the owners of a Minnesota company have on the rescue?

A. The equipment they sent allowed breathing holes to be cut in the ice.
B. The equipment they sent helped to provide light for the workers.
C. The equipment they sent helped the whales move forward from one hole to the next.
D. The equipment they sent broke through the ice to create a path through the bay.

10. Question

Part B

Which two details from paragraph 5 of the interview best support the answer to Part A?

A. “. . . chain saws to help cut holes in the ice.”
B. “. . . circulate water and prevent freezing.”
C. “. . . whale mating sounds to lure the whales . . .”
D. “. . . noise generated by the pumps attracted the whales.”
E. “. . . broke through a 15-foot area at the head of the bay . . .”
F. “. . . cutting holes to meet the channel . . .”

11. Question

Part A

What made Dave Withrow uniquely qualified to join Operation Breakthrough?

A. His experience participating in marine mammal rescues.
B. His knowledge about the behavior of marine mammals.
C. His knowledge about the behavior of marine mammals.
D. His relationship with members of the news media.

12. Question

Part B

Which piece of evidence from the interview best supports the answer to Part A?

A. “. . . anything whale-related, especially on the West Coast, comes through our office.” (paragraph 1)
B. “. . . not at all like the average whale stranding at the beach.” (paragraph 2)
C. “. . . we didn’t know why this had captured the whole world’s attention, but all eyes were on us.” (paragraph 2)
D. “. . . their knowledge and guidance helped the operation stay safe and on track.” (paragraph 3)