Generalist Ec-6 (Practice Test 2 Incorrect)
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- 1.
What might be the benefit of activating background knowledge (schema) of the students prior to reading about a given topic?
- A.
Students develop fluency and increase the speed of reading while reading the text together.
- B.
Students can visualize the imagery of the story as they read it.
- C.
Students can make connections to the story and develop a better understanding of the content.
- D.
Students become more interested and motivated to learn more about the topic.
Correct Answer
C. Students can make connections to the story and develop a better understanding of the content.Explanation
Activating schema, or background knowledge related to a topic, helps students to make connections between new information and what they already know. Teachers can help students to activate the correct schema as a pre-reading strategy so that students can better understand new ideas and terminology. While motivation is important (A), it does not activate their schema of the topic. (C) and (D) are related comprehension strategies; however, they are not the primary reason for a teacher to activate prior knowledge in students. Competency 007Rate this question:
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- 2.
The alphabetic principle has been described as the ability to
- A.
Connect sounds with those spoken by others.
- B.
Connect letters and sounds to pronounce words by syllables.
- C.
Connect letters with sounds and create words based on such associations.
- D.
Create letters in print and say words out loud.
Correct Answer
C. Connect letters with sounds and create words based on such associations.Explanation
The alphabetic principle has been described as the ability to connect letters with sounds and to create words based on these associations. The only option that completely captures these two components is (B). Therefore, (A), (C), and (D) are incorrect. (C) describes the process to identify and create syllables—syllabication. Competency 003Rate this question:
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- 3.
Daniele is a third grader having problems identifying prefixes and suffixes in the words she reads and writes. When asked to identify the free morpheme of the word predetermined, she identified the segment mine as the answer. Based on the scenario, what might be the rationale for her answer?
- A.
She did not understand that free morphemes constitute the main component of the word.
- B.
She does not understand the concept of free morpheme.
- C.
She did not understand that the segment mine is not a free morpheme in that context.
- D.
She is confused with suffixes and prefixes.
Correct Answer
C. She did not understand that the segment mine is not a free morpheme in that context.Explanation
The word mine is a free morpheme when used in isolation; however, it is not a free morpheme in the word predetermined (B). There is no evidence to suggest that the student is having problems with suffixes or prefixes (A). Since she recognized that the segment mine can be classified as a free morpheme in certain conditions, there is no evidence to suggest that she does not understand the concept of free morphemes (C) and (D). Competency 001Rate this question:
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- 4.
What is the median of the data set in question 11?
- A.
7.5
- B.
6.5
- C.
6
- D.
7
Correct Answer
C. 6Explanation
The median is the middle number when the numbers are lined up from the greatest to the least. If this is done, one can see that since there are 28 total numbers there is no clear "middle number." The middle number falls between the fourteenth and fifteenth numbers which happen to be 6 and 6, respectively. Therefore, the two numbers are averaged obtaining the median of 6. Competency 017Rate this question:
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- 5.
What strategy can be used to assess reading comprehension for students who are not proficient readers?
- A.
Oral retelling of the story
- B.
Written reflections
- C.
Graphic organizers
- D.
Drawing inferences
Correct Answer
A. Oral retelling of the storyExplanation
Oral retelling is a good strategy to use when having emergent and beginning readers recall the main elements of the story. It allows students opportunities to recall key events and details of the story, even before they become fluent readers. (A), (B), and (C) describe informal assessment techniques used with students who are already reading and writing at the intermediate and advanced levels. Competency 007Rate this question:
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- 6.
The use of thematic units of instruction is ideal to teach English Language Learners (ELLs) social studies because it
- A.
Exposes children to quality literature.
- B.
Is helpful in teaching new vocabulary.
- C.
Makes content more cognitively accessible.
- D.
Makes learning fun, interactive, and motivating.
Correct Answer
C. Makes content more cognitively accessible.Explanation
Thematic instruction is ideal to teach social studies to ELLs because the multiple components of the theme are presented in multiple disciplines and contexts. This redundancy facilitates the understanding of the multiple components of a theme. (A), (C), and (D) are probably true statements, but they individually do not represent the true advantages of using thematic instruction with ELLs. Competency 019Rate this question:
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- 7.
Advanced organizers and graphic representations are commonly used in social studies. What is the advantage of using these strategies to teach content?
- A.
They can be used to teach high-order thinking skills.
- B.
They can be used to teach other content areas.
- C.
They make learning more interesting.
- D.
They make content accessible to all children.
Correct Answer
D. They make content accessible to all children.Explanation
Information in social studies can be presented in graphic form through the use of graphs and charts. This makes the content accessible to all children, including ELLs. (B), (C), and (D) describe possible ways to use advanced organizers and graphic representations, but individually these options do no fully explain their value. Competency 019Rate this question:
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- 8.
Some of the advantages of using a think-aloud, while reading to students, are that teachers can model comprehension strategies like making inferences, synthesizing information, and visualization. What is another type of comprehension strategy that teachers might model to help students develop reading comprehension skills?
- A.
Structural analysis
- B.
Segmenting multisyllabic words
- C.
Confirming predictions
- D.
Readers' theater
Correct Answer
C. Confirming predictionsExplanation
Confirming predictions is one of the most common ways to engage students in reading, focus their reading, and help them read with comprehension. By thinking aloud a teacher can explicitly model the procedures used when reading a text. Reader's theater (A) is a technique designed for the purpose of building fluency through repeated reading, while (C) and (D) focus primarily on decoding words or word meanings. Competency 007Rate this question:
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- 9.
What measurement principle do children in Pre-K through kindergarten sometimes have difficulty with?
- A.
Conversion
- B.
Condensation
- C.
Conservation
- D.
Conversation
Correct Answer
C. ConservationExplanation
Children that are four and five years old may not understand that changes in the appearance do not necessarily change the characteristics of an object. For example, if an apple is cut in half the children may not understand that there are two pieces of one apple. Instead, many students may say that there are now two apples. The difficulty these students face is with the concept of conservation. Competency 013Rate this question:
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- 10.
The main advantage of using hands-on activities in mathematics is to
- A.
Promote equity, equality, and freedom for the diverse ethnic groups in the nation.
- B.
Lead the students to active learning and guide them to construct their own knowledge.
- C.
Enhance students' ability to think abstractly.
- D.
Make the lesson more enjoyable.
Correct Answer
B. Lead the students to active learning and guide them to construct their own knowledge.Explanation
Hands-on activities can make the curriculum more relevant and guide children to construct their own knowledge. Hands-on activities can probably lead children to think abstractly (A), but the activity is not designed exclusively to accomplish this goal. Hands-on activities can make the class more interesting and enjoyable (B), but they are not the reasons for the activities. (D) is incorrect because there is no evidence to suggest that hands-on activities can promote equity, equality, or freedom among students. Competency 013Rate this question:
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- 11.
The characteristics of the Language Acquisition Device (LAD) include all of the following EXCEPT
- A.
Chomsky's work provided the theoretical rationale for the work related to the LAD.
- B.
The LAD is said to be adaptable as it adjusts to the language being learned.
- C.
The LAD is an external mechanism that allows humans to learn multiple languages.
- D.
The LAD enables human beings to produce language and utilize correct language rules.
Correct Answer
C. The LAD is an external mechanism that allows humans to learn multiple languages.Explanation
The LAD is said to be an internal mechanism that allows human beings to produce language and to make use of their own internal grammar. Of particular interest is Chomsky's work, which led to understanding that the LAD is adaptable to the language that is being learned. Competency 001Rate this question:
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- 12.
When teaching the grapheme-phoneme correspondence in English, teachers must
- A.
Control the inconsistency of the grapheme-phoneme correspondence of English by presenting consistent sounds first.
- B.
Create an atmosphere of cooperation among students from diverse ethnic and linguistic backgrounds.
- C.
Monitor the children so they do not pronounce the letters with a foreign accent.
- D.
Make the activity interesting to all students.
Correct Answer
A. Control the inconsistency of the grapheme-phoneme correspondence of English by presenting consistent sounds first.Explanation
Teachers have to present the consistent sounds of English first to develop self-confidence among children. Once children master those initial grapheme-phoneme correspondences, they can attempt more challenging components. (A) is incorrect because it deals with a generic well-accepted practice, but it does not address the question. (B) is incorrect because the alphabetic principle does not specifically deal with the issue of the development of foreign accents. (C) is incorrect because it failed to address the question. It is always important to create an atmosphere of collaboration among students, but this statement does not address the linguistic nature of the question. Competency 003Rate this question:
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- 13.
What is a bound morpheme?
- A.
A morpheme that cannot occur in isolation and, therefore, is attached to a root word or another morpheme.
- B.
A morpheme that occurs in isolation but is sometimes attached to a root word.
- C.
A morpheme that occurs in isolation but can never be attached to a root word.
- D.
A morpheme that occurs in isolation.
Correct Answer
A. A morpheme that cannot occur in isolation and, therefore, is attached to a root word or another morpheme.Explanation
The word 'bound' in this type of morpheme should immediately indicate that this type of morpheme cannot occur in isolation; that is, it is bound to 'something else.' In this case, a bound morpheme must always be attached to a root word or another morpheme. This explanation makes (A), (B) and (C) incorrect. Competency 001Rate this question:
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- 14.
What is one of the key challenges that children in upper elementary school experience when moving from the stage of "learning to read" to "reading to learn"?
- A.
Develop an understanding of academic English
- B.
Predict the content of the writing efficiently
- C.
Use graphic organizers effectively to learn and to present information
- D.
Understand the organizational patterns of the text to read more efficiently
Correct Answer
D. Understand the organizational patterns of the text to read more efficientlyExplanation
When reading informational text, students have to analyze the type of text structure and organizational pattern used in the writing. The faster they learn to decipher the structure, the faster they will be able to retrieve information and read with greater efficiency. Using graphic organizers (A) and developing academic English (C) are important but secondary strategies that children need to master to move to the stage of "reading to learn." Predicting the content (D) is an effective strategy for narrative text, but it loses its effectiveness with expository writing. Competency 008Rate this question:
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- 15.
Ms. Pompa uses DRTA (Directed Reading-Thinking Activity) regularly during her guided reading groups. What is the main purpose of this instructional activity?
- A.
To synthesize information in order to better retell the story
- B.
To confirm or correct predictions as one reads
- C.
To pose questions to students related to the themes in the text
- D.
To interpret the text according to one's own background knowledge
Correct Answer
B. To confirm or correct predictions as one readsExplanation
The main purpose of DRTA is to enable students to make ongoing predictions and confirmations of those predictions while reading a text. The teacher models this during a read-aloud or shared reading and instructs students to do the same as they read. (A), (B), and (D) focus on activities that will enhance and develop students' comprehension; however, they are not centrally related to the specific instructional focus of DRTA. Competency 008Rate this question:
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- 16.
Ms. Thomas introduces new vocabulary words within the context of a sentence and through the use of visuals. Once children understand the concept linked to the word, she repeats individual words, pausing after each syllable. Once children can separate the word into syllables, she guides them to separate syllables into individual phonemes. What skills is Ms. Thomas introducing with the last two activities?
- A.
Phonological awareness
- B.
Vocabulary development
- C.
Pronunciation drills
- D.
The intonation pattern of the language
Correct Answer
A. Phonological awarenessExplanation
Separating syllables into individual phonemes calls for syllabication and phoneme segmentation. Both concepts are part of phonological awareness. (A) is incorrect because sentence analysis was not the primary concern in the scenario. The intonation pattern describes the rhythm and pitch used in phrases and sentences. (C) is incorrect because in the latter activity, the issue is the phonological analysis of words. Vocabulary development was emphasized in the first part of the scenario only. (D) is incorrect because the scenario does not address pronunciation at all. Competency 002Rate this question:
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- 17.
Identify the statement that BEST describes the advantages of using the language experience approach to teach reading to language minority students.
- A.
It facilitates reading by ensuring a positive match between L1 and L2
- B.
It minimizes the possibility of errors due to idiomatic expressions from both L1 and L2.
- C.
It uses the vocabulary and the experience common to both language minority and mainstream students.
- D.
It provides the schema or experiential background to facilitate the comprehension of the story.
Correct Answer
D. It provides the schema or experiential background to facilitate the comprehension of the story.Explanation
The main reason for the creation of the language experience approach (LEA), also known as language charts, was to eliminate the discrepancy between the background knowledge that the child brings to the reading process and the experiential background required to understand the story, i.e., the schema of the author. (B) is incorrect because it eliminates the need to discuss the schema of the story by exposing children to a common experience and guiding them to dictate a story using the experience. (C) is incorrect because students will use their own vocabulary in the story; if they use idioms, these are probably known to children in the group. (D) is incorrect because the main purpose of LEA is not to contrast L1 and L2. Competency 004Rate this question:
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- 18.
Scenario: Mr. Jones brought a small peach tree with peaches to school to explain the process of photosynthesis. He indicated that the tree takes energy from the sun and converts it into chemical energy. Part of the chemical energy produced is used for its survival and growth. The excess energy is stored in the leaves and in the fruits produced. To close the lesson, he gave students pieces of peaches and guided them to discuss how the process of photosynthesis supports life on Earth. Based on this scenario, what is the main topic of the lesson?
- A.
The importance of peach trees for survival
- B.
Energy transformation
- C.
Survival of the fittest
- D.
The importance of conservation and adoption of green practices
Correct Answer
B. Energy transformationExplanation
The survival of the fittest (B) or the conservation efforts (C) are not addressed in the scenario. (D) is a very simplistic answer, and it does not address the main purpose of the lesson. Competency 032Rate this question:
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- 19.
Scenario: Mr. Jones brought a small peach tree with peaches to school to explain the process of photosynthesis. He indicated that the tree takes energy from the sun and converts it into chemical energy. Part of the chemical energy produced is used for its survival and growth. The excess energy is stored in the leaves and in the fruits produced. To close the lesson, he gave students pieces of peaches and guided them to discuss how the process of photosynthesis supports life on Earth. What was the instructional purpose of using a live plant with fruits to begin the lesson?
- A.
To provide concrete evidence that without peaches life will not be possible on Earth
- B.
To promote hands-on science experimentation
- C.
To promote interest in the lesson
- D.
To provide concrete evidence that plants produce energy
Correct Answer
C. To promote interest in the lessonExplanation
Bringing concrete objects to class are generally used to build interest in the lesson. In lesson planning, this segment of the lesson is called focus activity or motivation. (B) and (C) provide a generic rationale for the answer. (D) is incorrect because there is no evidence to suggest that the tree was used for experimentation. Competency 025Rate this question:
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- 20.
The basic states of matter are
- A.
Liquid, plasma, and solid.
- B.
Gas, liquid, and solid.
- C.
Liquid, water, ice, and gas.
- D.
Plasma, liquid, solid, and gas.
Correct Answer
D. Plasma, liquid, solid, and gas.Explanation
The traditional states of matter found in the Earth are liquid, solid, and gas. In space, the most common form of mass is plasma. Plasma cannot be identified as a solid, liquid, or gas; thus, this new classification was created to describe it. Competency 031Rate this question:
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- 21.
Ms. Jefferson has guided first-grade students to read polysyllabic words until they can read them fluently. Later, students are asked to separate the words into syllables, and finally she guides students to identify the main stress in each word. What skill is Ms. Jefferson emphasizing?
- A.
Alphabetic awareness
- B.
Reading fluency
- C.
Phonological awareness
- D.
Syllabication
Correct Answer
C. Phonological awarenessExplanation
Syllabication and word stress are part of the concept called phonological awareness. (A) is incorrect because the activity goes beyond establishing the connection between letters and sounds typical of the alphabetic principle. (B) is incorrect because the development of fluency goes beyond the analysis of individual words. The development of phonological awareness is a prerequisite for the development of fluency. (D) is incorrect because the concept of syllabication is only one of two elements presented in the scenario—syllabication and word stress. Competency 003Rate this question:
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- 22.
Which of the following is a nonlinear function?
- A.
F(x)=3x-1
- B.
F(x)=x
- C.
F(x)=x/5
- D.
F(x)=x/5
Correct Answer
D. F(x)=x/5Explanation
Recalling that the definition of a linear function is and f(ax)=af(x) and (a + b) = f(a) + f(b), we may view each of the options. We see that applying these rules will mean that (A), (B), and (C) are all linear functions. After further investigation we see that (D) is nonlinear. Competency 015Rate this question:
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- 23.
The development of fatty tissue and hibernation typical of bears is a system _____________ for survival
- A.
Of adaptation
- B.
To avoid competition with other predators
- C.
To keep a healthy balance in the ecosystem
- D.
To prevent the migration of bears to residential areas
Correct Answer
A. Of adaptationExplanation
Bears add fatty tissue to their body in preparation for hibernation during the winter months. Hibernation is a survival mechanism and a system of adaption to avoid starvation during the winter months. It is highly improbable that hibernation is done to avoid competition with other animals (B), to maintain a healthy ecosystem (C), or to prevent the movement of animals to residential areas (D). Competency 037Rate this question:
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- 24.
What is an algorithm?
- A.
A computer program used to evaluate students
- B.
A system of discovering students' abilities
- C.
A step-by-step procedure for evaluating students
- D.
A step-by-step procedure for solving problems
Correct Answer
D. A step-by-step procedure for solving problemsExplanation
An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure for solving problems. Although algorithms are often implemented using computers and can be used to evaluate students (A), this does not give the fundamental property of an algorithm. (B) and (C) are not appropriate answers for the definition of an algorithm, although they may be true. Therefore, (D) is the correct answer. Competency 014Rate this question:
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- 25.
Which strategy would LESS LIKELY support students' understanding of writing for different audiences?
- A.
Having a group of students role play a given audience and asking them to react to a piece of writing
- B.
In a persuasive writing, guiding students to revise the writing based on possible arguments from the intended audience
- C.
Identifying the audience prior to beginning writing
- D.
Telling students they will be writing narrative text
Correct Answer
D. Telling students they will be writing narrative textExplanation
Telling the students the mode of writing is likely not sufficient to support students' understanding of writing for an audience (D). Revising a piece of writing based on feedback provided from the audience (B), and asking students to role play and react to it can guide children to adjust the writing (A). (C) helps students internalize that a specific audience will be reading their paper and that they need to develop the writing accordingly. Competency 010Rate this question:
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- 26.
One of the main reasons for the strong Texas economy of the last 20 years is the number of corporations that have moved to Texas. Corporations moved to Texas to enjoy the state's beneficial corporate tax structure and for the
- A.
Climate conditions of the state.
- B.
History and development of the state.
- C.
State's proximity to Mexico and Central America.
- D.
State's lack of a state personal income tax.
Correct Answer
D. State's lack of a state personal income tax.Explanation
The state of Texas does not have a state personal income tax. The personal and corporate tax structure, together with the technological development of the state, attracts corporations and investors to the state. The climate (A) and the history (B) play minimal roles in the decision of corporations to relocate in Texas. The proximity with Mexico and Central American (C) might play a role, but not as strong as the financial incentives offered in the state. Competency 022Rate this question:
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- 27.
Which of the following best illustrates a teacher using multimedia as a model or "mentor text" for her students in a writing workshop to teach the concept of "presentation"?
- A.
Reading aloud from a chapter book and discussing rich imagery and style
- B.
Providing electronic storybooks on a CD-ROM as a listening center during guided reading
- C.
Bookmarking links to websites with video clips for students to watch during guided reading
- D.
Using a digital picture book to model and analyze visual coherence or sense of unity in a text's layout
Correct Answer
A. Reading aloud from a chapter book and discussing rich imagery and styleExplanation
The teacher is explicitly modeling the features of visual design that will assist students in their own creation and authoring of multi-media. (B), (C), and (D) are incorrect because they focus more on passive viewing rather than discussion and a focus on naming and analyzing specific features of media that makes a piece have a strong presentation. Competency 011Rate this question:
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- 28.
Mr. Lawrence read a story to his kindergarten students in a very pleasant and natural tone of voice. Later, he uses a series of connected pictures representing events in the story. In addition to helping children understand the story, what other element is he teaching?
- A.
The teacher is introducing the sound-symbol correspondence of the story.
- B.
The teacher is filling the experiential gaps to be sure students can understand the story.
- C.
The teacher is introducing sequencing and the story structure.
- D.
The teacher is using developmentally appropriate practices since children at this stage cannot read on their own.
Correct Answer
C. The teacher is introducing sequencing and the story structure.Explanation
The use of pictures to represent events in the story can be used to represent the sequencing of events in the story. It can also be used to introduce visually the parts of the story, i.e., characters, setting, plot, climax, and resolution. (A) is incorrect because the teacher is not connecting directly the pictures with the written text and the appropriate pronunciation. Teachers can fill the background knowledge of the students through visuals (B); however, this activity is usually done as a pre-reading activity. Since the visuals were used as a post-reading activity, we can believe that filling the gaps was not the primary purpose of the activity. The teacher is definitely using developmentally appropriate practices (D), but the real intent of the activity goes beyond that. Competency 007Rate this question:
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- 29.
What was the most important economic implication of the discovery of oil in Texas in 1901?
- A.
It made the United States the leading producer of fossil fuel of the twentieth century.
- B.
It moved Texas from its rural and agricultural economy to petroleum and the industrial age.
- C.
It made Texas the No. 1 producer of textiles and cattle.
- D.
It made the United States the No. 1 economy in the world.
Correct Answer
C. It made Texas the No. 1 producer of textiles and cattle.Explanation
The discovery of oil and the economic and technologic development that followed moved Texas from a rural/agrarian society to a modern industrial state. During the twentieth century the production of oil in the United States has never been large enough to supply local and international demands (A). The discovery of oil has not had a direct impact in the production of textiles and cattle in Texas (B). The discovery of oil helped the development of the American economy, but it was not the only element that helped the nation in its economic development (D). Competency 022Rate this question:
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- 30.
Marcos is a five-year-old student in the process of first language acquisition. He often produces statements like: This lollipop is the bestest Mom. Based on this speech sample, this child is
- A.
Applying language rules.
- B.
Experiencing language interference.
- C.
Applying the concepts from L1 to L2.
- D.
Imitating the speech sample of cartoons on television.
Correct Answer
A. Applying language rules.Explanation
When children over generalize like in the example—bestest—they are in reality applying grammar rules which indicate that they have passed the stage of mere repetition, and they are beginning to decipher the grammar of the language. This overgeneralization is typical of English native speakers acquiring a language, and does not show any kind of interference from a language. This statement eliminates (B) and (C). (D) is incorrect but it can be confusing because cartoons such as "Rugrats" often use this kind of overgeneralization to mimic the speech of children; however, the continuous overgeneralization typical of children cannot be attributed to cartoons on television. Competency 005Rate this question:
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- 31.
The Andes mountain range and the Amazon River are two of the key physical features in
- A.
North America
- B.
Central America.
- C.
South America
- D.
Central and South America.
Correct Answer
D. Central and South America.Explanation
The Andes and the Amazon River are geographical barriers that separate the many ethnic groups in Central and South America. Competency 021Rate this question:
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- 32.
When analyzing and interpreting assessment data from culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students, what must assessors take into account?
- A.
The main objective of assessment is to make students feel valued and wanted in school.
- B.
Students go through different stages of development, and these stages should not affect the way that children are assessed.
- C.
The students might express potential differently due to linguistic and cultural influences.
- D.
Students may have culture and language deficits which can preclude them from effective participation in the testing process.
Correct Answer
C. The students might express potential differently due to linguistic and cultural influences.Explanation
Culture shapes the way that children behave and perform in school. Linguistic limitations can also affect the ability of children to demonstrate capabilities and potential. The option of making students feel valued and wanted (A) is a noble cause, but it should not be the main concern when assessing CLD learners. (B) presents a true statement when it indicated that students go through different stages of development, but invalidated the answer by saying that these should not affect the way in which they are assessed. The term cultural deficit used in (D) invalidates the answer because CLD learners cannot be considered culturally deficient since they already bring with them their language and culture. Competency 012Rate this question:
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- 33.
The movement of planets around the Sun creates what is known as a calendar year. Based on this information and the relative location of the planets in reference to the Sun, what is the planet with the shortest year?
- A.
Jupiter
- B.
Earth
- C.
Venus
- D.
Mercury
Correct Answer
D. MercuryExplanation
The year is calculated based on the time needed for the planet to go around the sun (revolution), and the distance from the Sun determines the length of the year. Since Mercury is the closes planet to the Sun, it takes shorter time to complete the revolution. Competency 041Rate this question:
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- 34.
When plants take solar energy from the sun and transform it to usable energy, we say that energy was transformed to
- A.
Chemical energy.
- B.
Oxygen.
- C.
Chlorophyll.
- D.
Carbon dioxide
Correct Answer
A. Chemical energy.Explanation
Plants take energy from sunlight and convert it to produce chemical energy. Through the process of cellular respiration, this type of energy in converted into ATP—the type of fuel used by living things. As part of the process of photosynthesis, plants take carbon dioxide (B) from the environment and convert it into oxygen (D). Thus, these two elements are part of the process, not the final product. Plants contain a pigment called chlorophyll (C), which also plays a role but does not constitute the product of photosynthesis. Competency 037Rate this question:
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- 35.
What is the scientific explanation of the popular saying "once in a blue moon"?
- A.
An extra full moon period that occurs every two or three years.
- B.
A stage of the moon that precedes a lunar eclipse.
- C.
An idiomatic expression not directly linked to the stages of the moon.
- D.
An idiomatic expression implying that people are blue or sad.
Correct Answer
A. An extra full moon period that occurs every two or three years.Explanation
A full moon occurs 12 months a year. Because the year contains about eleven extra days, these days accumulate, in such a way that every two or three years, we have an extra full moon a year. This extra full moon is called a blue moon. (B) is incorrect because a blue moon does not necessarily precede a lunar eclipse. (C) and (D) are incorrect because they do not provide a scientific explanation for the saying. In (C), the idiomatic expression makes reference to a strange rare event in general. (D) incorrectly links this expression to another idiomatic expression that links the color blue with sadness. Competency 041Rate this question:
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- 36.
The state curriculum officially introduces children to the people and places of the contemporary world in
- A.
Third grade.
- B.
Fourth grade.
- C.
Fifth grade.
- D.
Sixth grade.
Correct Answer
D. Sixth grade.Explanation
The state curriculum officially introduces children to the people and places of the contemporary world in sixth grade. (A) is incorrect because in third grade the social studies curriculum covers how individuals change their communities and the world but does not include places of the contemporary world. (B) is incorrect because in fourth grade students become familiar with the history of Texas. (C) is incorrect because in fifth grade the curriculum centers on the history of the United States. Competency 019Rate this question:
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- 37.
Which civil rights group challenged the laws of segregation with the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Supreme Court case?
- A.
The Civil Rights Organization
- B.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
- C.
The Civil Rights Leadership Organization
- D.
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference
Correct Answer
B. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored PeopleExplanation
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) challenged the laws of segregation with the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka case. In 1954 the Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. (A) and (C) are incorrect because there were no civil rights associations by those names. (D) is also incorrect because while the Southern Christian Leadership Conference was an association led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it was not the group that challenged the Topeka Board of Education. Competency 020Rate this question:
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- 38.
What economic impact did the emergence of railroad transportation have on the last decades of the nineteenth century?
- A.
It expanded farmers' and ranchers' markets.
- B.
It moved Texas from its rural economy to an industrial era.
- C.
It connected the East and West.
- D.
It made Texas the number one economy of the nation.
Correct Answer
A. It expanded farmers' and ranchers' markets.Explanation
The expansion of the railroad system made transportation of cattle and agricultural products easier for Texas' farmers and ranchers. (B) is incorrect because the railroad facilitated the industrialization of the state but this development did not happen in the nineteenth century. Connecting the East and the West (C) is not necessarily a relevant economic development. (D) is a false statement; the economy of Texas in the latter part of the 19th century was still developing. Competency 022Rate this question:
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- 39.
What type of informal assessment instrument would best be used when reporting information about how students work together in discussion groups during a book club?
- A.
Running records
- B.
Portfolios
- C.
Summative evaluations
- D.
Anecdotal records
Correct Answer
D. Anecdotal recordsExplanation
Anecdotal records are notes a teacher takes while observing students as they work on tasks in the classroom. It provides insight into the processes and interactions the group is using during their discussion and work on activities. The teacher can also provide feedback to the students at a later time using the anecdotal record for reference. (A) is incorrect because running records are used mostly for assessing miscue analysis, reading accuracy, and fluency. (B) is incorrect because portfolios focus more on looking at student work products and/or self-assessments and reflections over time, while summative evaluation (C) is more for end-of-term evaluations on students. Competency 012Rate this question:
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- 40.
The state curriculum officially introduces children to U.S. history in
- A.
Second grade.
- B.
Third grade.
- C.
Fourth grade.
- D.
Fifth grade.
Correct Answer
D. Fifth grade.Explanation
The TEKS introduces the history of the United States in fifth grade. (A) is incorrect because in second grade the social studies curriculum covers local communities. (B) is incorrect because in third grade the curriculum centers on how individuals change their communities and the world. (C) is incorrect because in fourth grade students become familiar with the history of Texas. Competency 019Rate this question:
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- 41.
A world region is an area identified based on
- A.
Topographical features.
- B.
Cultural features, political boundaries, and natural resources.
- C.
Political features.
- D.
Sharing similar, unifying cultural or physical characteristics.
Correct Answer
D. Sharing similar, unifying cultural or physical characteristics.Explanation
A world region is an area of the world that shares similar, unifying cultural or physical characteristics, which are different from those of surrounding areas. (A) is incorrect because topographical characteristics like elevation, rivers, and mountains are part of the unifying elements of a world region but not the only ones. (B) and (C) present partial descriptions of a region, but failed to capture all the elements linked to the concept of a region. Competency 021Rate this question:
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- 42.
The Fourteenth Amendment declared that all persons born in the U.S. were citizens and that all citizens were entitled to equal rights, and that their rights were protected by due process. A group of people living in the U.S. was not included. Which group was excluded from the equal rights provisions?
- A.
Blacks
- B.
Women
- C.
Children
- D.
Native Americans
Correct Answer
D. Native AmericansExplanation
The Fourteenth Amendment declared that all persons born in the U.S. were citizens, that all citizens were entitled to equal rights, and that their rights were protected by due process. The amendment, however, excludes Native Americans. (A) and (B) are incorrect because while blacks and women did not enjoy the benefits of full equal rights, such as voting rights, until later on, the amendment did not specifically exclude them. (C) is incorrect because the rights of children were not mentioned in the amendment. Competency 023Rate this question:
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- 43.
Geographers have divided the world into ten regions: North America, Central and South America, Europe, Central Eurasia, the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, East Asia, and Australasia. These divisions are based on
- A.
Location and the presence of body of waters.
- B.
Language.
- C.
Climate.
- D.
Physical and cultural similarities.
Correct Answer
D. Physical and cultural similarities.Explanation
These divisions are based on physical and cultural similarities. (A), (B), and (C) are partial answers, but individually they do not constitute an appropriate answer. Competency 021Rate this question:
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- 44.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) with other African-American leaders. His famous I Have a Dream speech took place during the march in Washington in support of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This speech
- A.
Motivated a riot.
- B.
Prompted the creation of the Montgomery Improvement Association.
- C.
Resulted in the lost of supporters.
- D.
Gained more supporters for the cause.
Correct Answer
D. Gained more supporters for the cause.Explanation
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous I Have a Dream speech took place during the march in Washington in support of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The eloquent speech and orderly demonstration gained more supporters for the cause. He was assassinated in 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee, but his work resulted in the official Civil Right Act in 1964. (A) is incorrect because the speech did not prompt a riot. (B) is incorrect because the Montgomery Improvement Association was formed after Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus in 1955. (C) is incorrect because the speech did not result in a loss of supporters. Competency 020Rate this question:
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- 45.
In compliance with NCLB legislation, Texas adopted an instrument to assess the English achievement of ELLs—the Texas Observation Protocol (TOP). The TOP assesses the listening, speaking, reading, and writing components of English. In addition to the writing samples required, this instrument uses __________ to assess the linguistic performance of children in English.
- A.
A rating scale containing three options (agree, disagree, uncertain)
- B.
A multiple-choice test with four choices (A, B, C, and D)
- C.
A series of open-ended questions to guide the teacher in the collection of data
- D.
A checklist identifying specific literacy components
Correct Answer
D. A checklist identifying specific literacy componentsExplanation
The TOP contains a checklist of specific skills for teachers to document when these behaviors occur during observation. (A) and (B) are incorrect because the TOP does not contain rating scales or multiple-choice questions. (C) is incorrect because the TOP is a checklist identifying the specific linguistic features for observation. Competency 012Rate this question:
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- 46.
How many faces does a cube have?
- A.
7
- B.
6
- C.
5
- D.
4
Correct Answer
B. 6Explanation
Remembering that a face is a plain region of a geometric body, one can determine that since there are six sides to a cube that there are also six faces. Competency 016Rate this question:
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- 47.
Warm- and cold-blooded animals need heat to survive; however, only warm-blooded animals produce heat. Cold-blooded animals obtain heat from
- A.
The food that they eat.
- B.
The sun.
- C.
The moon.
- D.
The water that they drink.
Correct Answer
B. The sun.Explanation
Cold-blooded animals, like snakes and turtles, get their heat from solar energy. Competency 036Rate this question:
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- 48.
The principles of art describe
- A.
The guidelines that artists follow to create art and to deliver their intended message.
- B.
The individual components that combine to create artwork.
- C.
The ideas, emotions, and experiences that can be communicated through art.
- D.
The sequence of artistic concepts that are presented in grades kindergarten through 6.
Correct Answer
A. The guidelines that artists follow to create art and to deliver their intended message.Explanation
Artists use the principles of art to create and communicate through their artwork. (B) is incorrect because it describes the elements of art, as opposed to the principles of art. (C) is incorrect because subjects are communicated through art. (D) is incorrect because there are several different artistic concepts presented in the standards for kindergarten through grade 6. Competency 042Rate this question:
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- 49.
What is one of the key advantages of using integrated thematic instruction?
- A.
The four literacy skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—are introduced sequentially
- B.
It is used to introduce and practice basic computation skills
- C.
It eliminates the artificial boundaries created through traditional course scheduling.
- D.
It allows for the teaching of the content areas using the inductive method.
Correct Answer
C. It eliminates the artificial boundaries created through traditional course scheduling.Explanation
Integrated thematic units are organized around a common theme. Thus, the lesson can contain basic mathematics objectives in conjunction with science and social studies concepts. (A) is incorrect because thematic instruction does not require the introduction of literacy skills in a sequential fashion. (B) is too limited in scope; it addresses only one of the possible topics that can be covered in thematic instruction. (D) is also too limited in scope, because thematic instruction can be delivered in both ways—inductively (from the specific to the general) or deductively (general to specific). Competency 013Rate this question:
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- 50.
Identify the instructional activity for viewing and representing for first-grade students that also involves higher-order thinking.
- A.
Sketching an image of what a character might be thinking or feeling during a story
- B.
Developing a PowerPoint presentation with embedded clip art
- C.
Creating a video response to a story
- D.
Designing a newsletter related to a social studies unit
Correct Answer
A. Sketching an image of what a character might be thinking or feeling during a storyExplanation
Sketching a character is developmentally appropriate for students in first grade for viewing and representing and involves creating a visual depiction of a character that can then be discussed. (B), (C), and (D) are more appropriate activities for students in grades 3–6. Competency 011Rate this question:
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