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Grade 8 English Language Arts practice sheet

Ontario Curriculum · from Gradelings · Name: ______________________

  1. Question 1

    What does the author do in the final paragraph?

    Why We Keep Bees

    When the Hartman family started keeping bees on their roof in the city, their neighbours were nervous. Bees, they said, belonged in the countryside, not beside the laundromat.

    But researchers have found that cities can be surprisingly good homes for pollinators. A city garden, balcony pot or park offers flowers from early spring to late autumn, while farms often have only one crop that blooms for a few weeks. Many cities also use fewer pesticides than large farms.

    Still, urban beekeeping is not a perfect solution. Honey bees are not native to North America, and when too many hives crowd a neighbourhood they can compete with wild bees for food. Experts suggest that city dwellers who want to help should also plant native flowers and leave small patches of bare soil, where many wild bees nest.

    • Presents a limit to the idea and offers a suggestion
    • Tells a personal story
    • Describes how to build a hive
    • Compares two cities
    Show answer

    Presents a limit to the idea and offers a suggestion

    Hint: “Still, … is not a perfect solution” introduces a concern, and the last sentence gives advice.

  2. Question 2

    Which detail best shows Ana is careful?

    The Night Market

    Stalls glowed under strings of lanterns, and the air smelled of grilled corn and sweet dough. Ana held her brother's hand tightly as the crowd pushed past.

    “Stay close,” she said. A moment later, the lights flickered, and the music stopped.

    • Lanterns hung over the stalls.
    • The music played.
    • She held her brother's hand tightly.
    • The air smelled of grilled corn.
    Show answer

    She held her brother's hand tightly.

    Hint: Look for an action that shows she wants to keep him safe.

  3. Question 3

    A story is told about a dog and shares only what the dog thinks and feels. What point of view is it?

    • third-person limited
    • second person
    • third-person omniscient
    • first person
    Show answer

    third-person limited

    Hint: The narrator stays with the thoughts of one character and uses he, she or it.

  4. Question 4

    Which literary device does this excerpt use?

    The fire station burned down on Tuesday.

    • Simile
    • Alliteration
    • Hyperbole
    • Irony
    Show answer

    Irony

    Hint: It is unexpected, and the opposite of what we would expect, that a fire station would burn. That's situational irony.

  5. Question 5

    A character laughs, “I'm so glad my phone died right before the big photo.” What does the irony show?

    • She is actually upset.
    • She was bored by the photo.
    • She wanted the phone to stay dead.
    • She is truly happy.
    Show answer

    She is actually upset.

    Hint: When a speaker says the opposite of what is true, think about how they really feel.

  6. Question 6

    What does a caption do?

    • lists the sources at the end
    • names the author
    • introduces a new chapter
    • explains or adds information about a picture or graphic
    Show answer

    explains or adds information about a picture or graphic

    Hint: It sits next to or under an image.

  7. Question 7

    What does logos mean in a persuasive text?

    • Appealing to the writer's fame
    • Appealing to fear
    • Appealing to logic, reasons and facts
    • Appealing to emotions
    Show answer

    Appealing to logic, reasons and facts

    Hint: Logos uses evidence and clear reasoning.

  8. Question 8

    Which action best shows respect when you collaborate in an online group?

    • use polite language and listen to different views
    • ignore messages you disagree with
    • share other people's ideas as your own
    • write in all capital letters
    Show answer

    use polite language and listen to different views

    Hint: Respect others online as you would in person.

  9. Question 9

    Rewrite in the active voice: “The cake was eaten by Mei.”

    • The cake ate Mei.
    • Mei ate the cake.
    • Eating was done by Mei.
    • The cake was Mei's.
    Show answer

    Mei ate the cake.

    Hint: Active voice puts the doer first: Mei (doer) ate (action) the cake.

  10. Question 10

    Which word has a more negative connotation than “curious”?

    • eager
    • nosy
    • inquisitive
    • interested
    Show answer

    nosy

    Hint: “Nosy” suggests someone who pries where they shouldn't. “Curious” is neutral or positive.

Answer key

  1. 1. Presents a limit to the idea and offers a suggestion (Close Reading)
  2. 2. She held her brother's hand tightly. (Reading Detective)
  3. 3. third-person limited (Whose Story Is It?)
  4. 4. Irony (Literary Devices)
  5. 5. She is actually upset. (Irony, Satire & Allusion)
  6. 6. explains or adds information about a picture or graphic (Forms, Patterns & Visuals)
  7. 7. Appealing to logic, reasons and facts (Argument & Media)
  8. 8. use polite language and listen to different views (Digital Citizens)
  9. 9. Mei ate the cake. (Grammar & Style)
  10. 10. nosy (Word Study)

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