Released Items

Published June 2026

Grade 8 Reading

North Carolina

End-of-Grade

Diagnostic Assessment

Student Name ________________________

Date of Testing ________________________

NC

Public Schools of North Carolina

Department of Public Instruction | State Board of Education

Division of Accountability Services / North Carolina Testing Program

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Sample Questions

The Biltmore Estate

The Biltmore Estate, located near Asheville, North Carolina, is a historic house museum and tourist attraction. George Washington Vanderbilt II built this palatial chateau between 1889 and 1895. It remains the largest privately-owned home in the United States, spanning an impressive 178,926 square feet of floor space. Vanderbilt hired esteemed architect Richard Morris Hunt to design the home in the French Renaissance revival style, mimicking the grand chateaux of the Loire Valley. Today, visitors travel from across the globe to admire its expansive gardens, designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, and to experience a preserved glimpse into the opulent Gilded Age of American history.

S1

Where is the Biltmore Estate located?

A near Asheville, North Carolina

B in the Loire Valley, France

C near Wilmington, North Carolina

D in New York City, New York

S2

What does palatial mean in the sentence below from the text?

"George Washington Vanderbilt II built this palatial chateau between 1889 and 1895."

A modest and simple

B magnificent and grand

C old and deteriorating

D crowded and narrow

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The Pioneer of Sound

by Lianne George

1 In the winter of 1906, sailors along the Atlantic coast adjusted their headphones, expecting the cold, rhythmic clicks of Morse code. Instead, they were startled by a human voice reciting a poem, followed by a violin playing a solemn Christmas carol. This historic broadcast—the world's first wireless transmission of human speech and music—was designed by Reginald Aubrey Fessenden. While history books often credit Guglielmo Marconi with the invention of radio, it was Fessenden, a brilliant Canadian-born inventor, who transformed it from a sterile telegraphic tool into the rich, vocal medium we recognize today.

2 Born in Quebec in 1866, Fessenden possessed an insatiable curiosity about how things worked. By his twenties, he was working directly under Thomas Edison as a chief chemist. Yet, Fessenden’s true obsession lay in wireless communication. Marconi had already proved that wireless signals could travel across the ocean, but his system relied on spark-gap technology. This crude method cut electric currents on and off to transmit dots and dashes. Fessenden realized that to send the complex vibrations of human speech, the signal could not be chopped into fragments; it had to be a continuous, modulated wave.

3 The scientific establishment ridiculed Fessenden's theory. Prominent physicists insisted that a continuous wave generator could not be built with sufficient power. Undeterred, Fessenden spent years designing high-frequency alternators capable of spinning at incredibly high speeds to maintain a steady signal. He collaborated with engineering firms to build massive broadcast towers, including one at Brant Rock, Massachusetts. His relentless pursuit culminated in that legendary 1906 Christmas Eve broadcast, proving to a skeptical scientific community that human voices could indeed ride the airwaves.

4 Despite his monumental breakthrough, Fessenden is largely forgotten today. He was a brilliant theorist but a notoriously poor businessman. He fell victim to predatory financial partners who seized control of his patents, locking him out of the very companies he helped build. While Marconi capitalized on global fame, Fessenden spent his later years in protracted lawsuits, fighting to secure his legacy. In short, he helped transform radio from a colonial maritime utility into an autonomous industry with a powerful voice, yet died with his magnificent achievements largely obscured by the shadow of less talented but savvier rivals.

¹alternator: a generator that produces alternating electrical current
²maritime: connected with the sea, especially in relation to seafaring commercial activities

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1

What is Fessenden’s most significant achievement?

A He served as chief chemist for Thomas Edison’s laboratories.

B He was the first inventor to send wireless signals across the Atlantic Ocean.

C He engineered the world’s first continuous, voice-modulated wireless broadcast.

D He successfully secured commercial dominance over the global radio market.

2

What does paragraph 1 emphasize about Reginald Fessenden?

A that his profound impact on communication is not fully recognized by history

B that he is widely celebrated as the sole inventor of modern communication

C that he preferred studying classical music over exploring wireless technology

D that he utilized Marconi's spark-gap equipment to send his first signal

3

What claim is made about the relationship between Marconi's technology and Fessenden's invention in paragraph 2?

"it had to be a continuous, modulated wave."

A Canada's technology relied on a crude method that Fessenden had to reform.

B Fessenden’s continuous wave generator was directly copied from Marconi’s blueprints.

C Marconi’s technology was more complex and reliable than Fessenden’s alternators.

D The two inventors collaborated closely to design the continuous wave concept.

4

What does the usage of the word autonomous in paragraph 4 emphasize about radio?

"He helped transform radio from a colonial maritime utility into an autonomous industry..."

A its continuous dependence on government support

B its growing irrelevance to modern daily life

C its complex system of maritime tracking codes

D its independent growth and distinct power as a medium

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5

How does paragraph 3 support the central idea?

A It praises Marconi for his help in designing high-frequency alternators.

B It highlights Fessenden's determination and triumph over scientific skepticism.

C It details the financial losses Fessenden suffered from bad partnerships.

D It explains the specific physics formulas behind sound transmission.

6

How does the author reveal the shortcomings that contributed to Fessenden's achievements being overlooked today?

A by criticizing Fessenden’s lack of technical knowledge and training

B by comparing his quiet personality to the outgoing nature of Thomas Edison

C by noting his poor business skills and vulnerability to greedy financial partners

D by pointing out that his 1906 broadcast was poorly documented and unproven

7

Which statement contradicts the idea that Reginald Fessenden was an unimportant figure in technological history?

A "Fessenden spent his later years in protracted lawsuits, fighting to secure his legacy."

B "Fessenden, a brilliant Canadian-born inventor, transformed it from a sterile telegraphic tool..."

C "history books often credit Guglielmo Marconi with the invention of radio"

D "He was a brilliant theorist but a notoriously poor businessman."

8

Which quote shows how Fessenden’s work directly changed how people experienced audio technology?

A "Born in Quebec in 1866, Fessenden possessed an insatiable curiosity..."

B "sailors along the Atlantic coast adjusted their headphones, expecting the cold, rhythmic clicks of Morse code."

C "He collaborated with engineering firms to build massive broadcast towers..."

D "they were startled by a human voice reciting a poem, followed by a violin playing a solemn Christmas carol."

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The Whispering Lantern

by Michael Martone

1 Every October, the town of Oakhaven celebrated the Autumn Festival of Lights. While most families purchased cheap, plastic battery-operated lamps from the hardware store, my grandfather insisted we construct a traditional wooden rice-paper lantern by hand. We spent weeks in his garage, shaved cedar thin as onion skin, and boiled pine sap to make adhesive. "A real lantern does not merely cast away dark," Grandfather would say, tapping the delicate paper casing. "It breathes with the wind, carrying the heat of our labor."

2 I walked home with that lantern tucked under my arm like a precious book under the autumn moon, dreading the moment we had to display it. Compared to the neon, multi-colored LED displays of my classmates, our lantern looked ancient, fragile, and plain. Business would pick up at the commercial booths as crowds gathered to buy shiny glowing toys, ignoring the quiet corner where my family stood. I kept my head down, embarrassed by the soft, warm, amber glow of our small candlelit lantern.

3 But then, a sudden, fierce autumn gale swept down from the hills. In an instant, a collective gasp rose from the crowd as a power surge knocked out the main generators. Almost immediately, the cheap, mass-produced LED lamps flickered and died, their fragile circuits overwhelmed. In the pitch blackness, only our wooden lantern remained alight. Its paper walls, treated with Grandfather's special sap coating, held firm against the wind, shielding the tiny candle flame inside. The warm light danced against the dark, reflecting off the wide, astonished eyes of the crowd.

4 I looked at the fragile cedar frame, realize it was not fragile at all; it was resilient, tested, and true. Its soft amber light did not blindingly pierce the darkness like the neon bulbs, but nested warmly within it, offering comfort. Neighbors gathered around our small beacon, their faces bathed in its golden hue. In that moment of quiet, shared connection, the glowing paper did not feel like an outdated relic of the past, but rather a vital bridge of warmth holding us together in a vast, cold night.

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9

Which detail from the selection supports the theme?

A "Every October, the town of Oakhaven celebrated the Autumn Festival of Lights."

B "Business would pick up at the commercial booths as crowds gathered..."

C "I walked home with that lantern tucked under my arm like a precious book under the autumn moon..."

D "the glowing paper did not feel like an outdated relic of the past, but rather a vital bridge of warmth..."

10

What does the handmade wooden lantern symbolize?

A the burden of carrying tedious and outdated tasks

B the enduring strength of familial bonds and heritage

C the unpredictable danger of natural emergencies

D the rise of modern industrial technology and commercial growth

11

What is meant by the phrase "Business would pick up then" in paragraph 2?

A The commercial booths would attract many customers wanting modern, glowing toys.

B The grandfather would receive custom orders to build more wooden lanterns.

C The festival organizers would charge people to enter the viewing area.

D The local utility company would quickly fix the broken generator.

12

How does the imagery in paragraph 3 impact the selection?

A It shows how fragile the grandfather’s paper lantern was compared to the sturdy LED lights.

B It contrasts the overwhelming darkness of the storm with the small, resilient amber glow of the lantern.

C It illustrates the narrator’s intense jealousy of his peers’ colorful plastic lights.

D It emphasizes the chaos and violence of the crowd during the power outage.

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13

What effect does the author create by using the description of the candle flame in paragraph 3?

A It creates a sense of lingering tension and quiet resilience.

B It establishes a tone of dark hopelessness and despair.

C It creates a sudden air of mystery and suspicion.

D It establishes a feeling of anger and frustration.

14

How does the narrator’s experience during the power outage affect his perspective on the handmade lantern?

A His appreciation of his peers' plastic lanterns grows stronger.

B He realizes the true value and durability of his grandfather’s craft.

C He feels foolish for having worked so hard on the wooden frame.

D He resolves to replace the candle with electric light in the future.

15

Which statement summarizes the selection?

A A boy and his grandfather build a delicate paper lantern that unfortunately gets ruined by an unexpected autumn rainstorm.

B An embarrassed boy learns to value his grandfather’s traditional handiwork when their handmade lantern proves more resilient than modern commercial lights during a storm.

C A town holds an autumn festival of lights where people compete to see who can buy the brightest and most colorful LED light displays.

D An old craftsman teaches his grandson how to harvest cedar and pine sap to start a successful family-owned commercial lantern company.

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Adapted from "The Oak Tree's Dream"

by Edgar A. Guest

When an old oak tree is ready for the winter’s quiet sleep,

There isn’t any guardian that has a watch so deep.

There’s nothing man has fashioned with such dignity or grace

That can touch the ancient majesty of this monarch of the space.

5

There’s never any painting from an artist’s careful brush

That has ever caught the beauty of the autumn leaf’s deep blush.

When the giant tree’s in blossom in the vernal days of spring,

But that’s just a hint of summer and the blessings it will bring;

That is just a fleeting glimpse, a transient vision quickly gone,

10

Of the wonders and the splendors that are waiting just beyond

The distant edge of autumn; just a forecast of the treat

When the old oak tree is ready for the world to come and meet.

Builders of splendid vision long have labored on the soil,

And have raised their dreams in marble, monument to human toil;

15

Long the spires of mighty cathedrals have pointed toward the sky,

Rich in promise and in beauty, they have cheered the passer-by.

But I’m sure there’s nothing finer for the eye of man to meet

Than an oak tree that is ready for the weary world's retreat.

There’s the promise of the acorns, falling golden on the clay,

20

Like the medals worn by soldiers as rewards for battle day;

And the big arms stretched wide open, with a welcome warm and true,

In a way that sets you thinking that its shade was made for you.

There is nothing with a beauty so enchanting, so complete,

As an old oak tree that’s ready for the weary world’s retreat.

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16

Which lines support the theme of the poem?

A "When the giant tree’s in blossom in the vernal days of spring, / But that’s just a hint of summer..."

B "Builders of splendid vision long have labored on the soil, / And have raised their dreams in marble..."

C "There is nothing with a beauty so enchanting, so complete, / As an old oak tree that’s ready for the weary world’s retreat."

D "There’s the promise of the acorns, falling golden on the clay, / Like the medals worn by soldiers..."

17

Which line supports the analysis that the speaker deeply adores oak trees?

A "There isn’t any guardian that has a watch so deep."

B "But that’s just a hint of summer and the blessings it will bring;"

C "The distant edge of autumn; just a forecast of the treat"

D "And have raised their dreams in marble, monument to human toil;"

18

What does the word transient mean in line 9?

A permanent and fixed

B brief and passing

C artificial and false

D glorious and golden

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19

How do lines 13–18 support the theme of natural beauty in the poem?

A by showing that human architectural structures are far more durable than old trees

B by comparing grand human-built designs unfavorably with the peaceful charm of the oak tree

C by describing the precise physical tools builders use to shape marble monuments

D by suggesting that trees and cathedral spires require the same level of human labor

20

What can be inferred from lines 19–24?

A The speaker believes oak trees grow acorns as prizes to reward themselves.

B The oak tree represents an inviting, generous haven designed to provide solace.

C The branches of the oak tree are dangerously unstable during the autumn storm.

D The oak tree is highly valued by local communities primarily for its financial worth.

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Adapted from "The Clockmaker's Assistant"

by Arthur S. Loring

1 The bakery clerk on Fleet Street is a public personage, who stands out wearing a gorgeous embroidered apron of crisp white linen. She nods to all the patrons, and her nod is the most cordial in town. Silas used to trot down to Fleet Street, passing other bakeries, just to get that cordial nod, because he had a lonely furnished attic room for evenings, and for daytime a tedious job that always made his fingers stiff.

2 He stands out in the records of the Sterling Clockwork Company as "Our Silas," who would be polishing the gears and explaining the repairs most satisfactorily. At thirty-two, Silas was the primary assembly assistant of the Sterling Company. He was always bending over brass wheels and columns of inventory at a desk behind the heavy stockroom. He was a meek little bachelor—a person of inconspicuous¹ blue wool suits, and a small unsuccessful mustache.

3 Today—historians have established the date as April 9, 1912—there had been some confusing mixed orders from the York retailers, and Silas had been "called down" by the office manager, Mr. Reginald Sterling. He needed the friendly nod of the bakery clerk. He found Fleet Street, after office hours, swept by a dusty wind. Under the stone arches he secretly made believe that he was in Venice, for here flower-sellers swayed with trays of lavender; a street-vender displayed crimson mechanical clockwork birds, which chirped, on silvery leading-strings; and a newsstand was heaped with the orange and green and gold of magazine covers.

4 "My!" inarticulated Silas. "Lots of colors. Hope I see foreign stuff like that in the travel-lantern slides."

5 He came primly up to the bakery, feeling in his waistcoat pockets for a copper and peering around the counter at the friendly clerk. But the latter was thinking about buying Johnny’s boots. Should she get them at the Fleet Street Store, or Harrods, or over at Miller’s, near home? So ruminating, she sorted her coins mechanically, and Silas’s copper coin was indifferently received in the brass slot of the coin-till² without the clerk’s even seeing the assistant’s bow and smile.

6 Silas trembled into the doorway. He wanted to turn back and rebuke this girl, but was restrained by shyness. He had liked the girl’s "Fine evening, sir"—rain or shine—but he wouldn’t stand for being cut. Wasn’t he making eighteen shillings a week, as against the bakery clerk's nine or ten? He shook his head with the defiance of a cornered mouse, fussed with his collar, and entered the lecture hall gloomily.

¹inconspicuous: not noticeable or prominent
²coin-till: a mechanical drawer or tray used to store coins in a shop

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21

How do Silas’s actions contribute to the development of the theme?

A Silas’s extreme dislike of travel makes him highly nervous about meeting foreign people.

B Silas's reliance on small social gestures and daydreams highlights his profound loneliness.

C Silas's direct conflict with his office manager causes him to lose his clockmaker job.

D Silas's close friendship with the bakery clerk is the most important relationship in his life.

22

What can be inferred from paragraph 5?

A The bakery clerk is deeply preoccupied with personal chores and ignores Silas.

B The bakery clerk is extremely angry with Silas and intentionally snubs him.

C Silas is furious with the bakery clerk and deliberately walks past without nodding.

D Silas is too distracted by his work to notice whether the bakery clerk smiles at him.

23

What do Silas’s thoughts in paragraph 6 reveal about his view of the bakery clerk?

A Silas views himself as socially and intellectually inferior to the bakery clerk.

B Silas attempts to assert a fragile sense of superiority based on his higher salary.

C Silas views the bakery clerk as a dangerous and malicious enemy.

D Silas views the bakery clerk as an intimate companion who knows him well.

24

Which quote reveals Silas’s timid and fragile nature?

A "At thirty-two, Silas was the primary assembly assistant of the Sterling Company."

B "He was always bending over brass wheels and columns of inventory..."

C "He shook his head with the defiance of a cornered mouse, fussed with his collar..."

D "Under the stone arches he secretly made believe that he was in Venice..."

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25

How does the perspective of Silas at the bakery create irony in the selection?

A Silas believes the bakery clerk is deliberately being rude, but the clerk is simply lost in her own ordinary daydreams.

B Silas expects to buy delicious warm bread, but the shop is completely out of inventory.

C Silas feels rich because of his clockmaker job, but he cannot afford to buy a single bun.

D Silas imagines himself as a bold world traveler while paying to sit in a local travel lecture.

26

What is the meaning of the word "inconspicuous" in paragraph 2?

A highly stylish and modern

B not easily noticed or blending in

C extremely cheap and poorly made

D bright and colorful

27

How do the different perspectives of the bakery clerk and Silas affect the tone of the selection?

A The bakery clerk's sudden anger towards Silas creates a highly intense and aggressive tone.

B The bakery clerk’s complete indifference to Silas's desperate need for connection creates a tone of isolation.

C The bakery clerk’s excitement about buying boots contrasts with Silas’s professional ambition to create a comical tone.

D The bakery clerk's dedication to her work highlights Silas's complete laziness.

28

Which statement provides an objective summary of the selection?

A A lonely clerk, seeking a moment of human warmth, is disappointed when a local bakery clerk fails to recognize him, highlighting his deep isolation in the city.

B An ambitious assistant gets into a serious argument with Mr. Sterling and decides to purchase a movie ticket to escape his problems.

C A bakery worker ignores a regular customer because she is planning a fun trip to Venice with her family.

D A quiet man works hard behind a dark stockroom to earn enough money to buy gorgeous white linen aprons.

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Adapted from "The Whispering Owls"

by W. S. Dallas

1 Among the sounds that greet the ear of the nighttime wanderer as dusk deepens, one of the most haunting is the soft, airy whisper sweeping overhead. On looking up, one might catch a fleeting glimpse of a pale, heart-faced creature gliding with absolute silence through the trees. This is the barn owl (Tyto alba), an extraordinary bird found in nearly every corner of the globe. Always active under the cover of darkness, these birds present a remarkable physical design engineered specifically for acoustic¹ mastery.

2 Unlike other raptors, whose flight is often accompanied by the heavy rushing sound of wind over feathers, the barn owl enjoys perfectly noiseless flight. This stealth is achieved through specialized structures on their wings. The leading edge of their primary feathers features a stiff, comb-like fringe that breaks up turbulent air into tiny, quiet currents. Additionally, a soft, downy surface covering the feathers absorbs any remaining high-frequency sounds. Resting during the day in hidden, inaccessible barns or hollow trees, their silent flight is their most striking adaptation, allowing them to ambush prey without warning.

3 Because of their pale plumage and quiet habits, historical observers often regarded them with superstitious dread, sometimes calling them "ghost owls" or "winged spirits." However, once scientists began utilizing definite anatomical characteristics for classification, they had no difficulty assigning these creatures to their proper place in the class Aves. While they share the nocturnal dominion of the forests with bats, owls are true birds—possessing feathers, laying eggs, and nurturing their young through completely different biological mechanisms.

4 Perhaps the special characteristics of the barn owl are best understood when compared to other predatory birds, such as hawks or falcons. While hawks rely on blinding speed and sharp vision during daylight hours, the owl has sacrificed speed for stealth and highly advanced auditory navigation. Its heart-shaped facial disc acts like a satellite dish, funneling the faintest sounds of scurrying prey directly to its asymmetrical ears. In point of fact, the owl is a marvel of evolutionary engineering, perfectly adapted to rule the quiet, dark spaces of our world.

¹acoustic: relating to sound or the sense of hearing
²plumage: a bird's feathers collectively

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29

What does the word inaccessible mean in the sentence below from paragraph 2?

"Resting during the day in hidden, inaccessible barns or hollow trees, their silent flight is their most striking adaptation..."

A not safe from predators

B very bright and warm

C difficult or impossible to reach

D frequently changing locations

30

Which quote provides evidence to support the claim that the historical perception of barn owls was complex and misunderstood?

A "This is the barn owl (Tyto alba), an extraordinary bird found in nearly every corner of the globe."

B "historical observers often regarded them with superstitious dread, sometimes calling them 'ghost owls'..."

C "The leading edge of their primary feathers features a stiff, comb-like fringe..."

D "While they share the nocturnal dominion of the forests with bats, owls are true birds..."

31

What does the word anatomical mean in the sentence below from paragraph 3?

"However, once scientists began utilizing definite anatomical characteristics for classification..."

A relating to physical body structure

B relating to geographic habitat location

C relating to nocturnal hunting habits

D relating to ancestral fossil history

32

How does the last sentence in paragraph 2 refine a key concept about barn owls?

A by explaining how the owl’s noiseless flight directly assists in hunting prey

B by comparing the physical speed of barn owls with that of other raptors

C by outlining the nesting cycles of owls during the daylight hours

D by describing the biochemical sap used to glue feathers together

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33

How does paragraph 3 contribute to the development of the idea of scientific classification of owls?

A It explains why categorizing birds is crucial to protecting endangered forest habitats.

B It describes the specific structural traits that prove owls belong in the bird class rather than being supernatural.

C It contrasts the scientific behavior of forest bats with the nesting habits of birds of prey.

D It outlines the history of superstition and folklore surrounding nocturnal animals.

34

How does the author distinguish barn owls from hawks and falcons in paragraph 4?

A by showing that hawks hunt primarily at night using infrared vision

B by explaining that owls prioritize auditory stealth over physical flying speed

C by comparing the wing size and flight mechanics of modern falcons with ancient owls

D by conveying that owls are less evolved than other daylight predators

35

Which statement reflects the author’s point of view about the barn owl’s abilities?

A The author is puzzled as to why owls are often feared by humans.

B The author is fascinated by the owl's precise evolutionary and physical engineering.

C The author is alarmed by the predatory and silent nature of nocturnal raptors.

D The author is disappointed that owls cannot hunt effectively during daylight.

36

Which statement provides an objective summary of the text?

A Barn owls have unique physical features, such as fringed feathers and facial discs, that make them highly efficient, silent nocturnal hunters.

B Superstitious beliefs about ghost owls have historically prevented scientists from classifying these birds accurately.

C Barn owls are highly aggressive birds of prey that compete directly with bats for forest nesting grounds.

D Raptors like hawks and falcons are far more successful hunters than silent owls because they fly much faster.

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Chasing the Aurora

by Kelly Margaret Smith

1 For centuries, humans looking up at the polar night skies believed the swirling ribbons of green and violet light in the atmosphere were supernatural. Early Norse legends described the lights as the glowing armor of Valkyries, while other northern cultures viewed them as spirits dancing in the heavens. Today, we know this breathtaking display as the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. Far from magic, the aurora is a spectacular natural phenomenon resulting from violent solar storms occurring millions of miles away on the surface of the sun.

2 The science behind the dance is a complex interaction of cosmic particles and magnetic fields. Solar winds constantly blast highly charged electrons toward Earth. Fortunately, our planet's magnetic field acts as a protective shield, funneling these particles toward the north and south magnetic poles. As these charged solar electrons collide with gases in Earth's upper atmosphere, they transfer energy, heating the gas molecules. These excited molecules eventually release this energy in the form of glowing light, illuminating the polar skies.

3 The resulting colors are determined by the specific gases involved and their altitude. Oxygen molecules colliding with solar particles roughly 60 miles above the ground produce the classic, vibrant green-yellow color. At higher altitudes, oxygen collisions can create rare, deep red displays. Nitrogen molecules, on the other hand, produce beautiful purples and deep blues. In short, the aurora is a massive cosmic neon sign, powered entirely by our sun's solar energy.

4 Today, chasing the aurora has become a global obsession, driving thousands of tourists to Arctic regions like Tromsø, Norway, or Fairbanks, Alaska, during the freezing winter months. Tour guide Lars Ericson says that, unlike static tourist landmarks, the aurora is highly dynamic and unpredictable, changing by the second. The green bands can stretch lazily across the sky for hours, then suddenly erupt into a dazzling, rapid dance of violet and white light. This unpredictability only adds to the magic, making a sighting feel like a personal gift from the universe.

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37

Which quote supports the central idea that the Aurora Borealis is a natural scientific phenomenon?

A "Early Norse legends described the lights as the glowing armor of Valkyries..."

B "the aurora is a spectacular natural phenomenon resulting from violent solar storms occurring millions of miles away..."

C "This unpredictability only adds to the magic, making a sighting feel like a personal gift..."

D "Today, chasing the aurora has become a global obsession, driving thousands of tourists..."

38

How does paragraph 3 refine a key concept in the text?

A It explains how different atmospheric gases and altitudes create the aurora's distinct colors.

B It describes how solar wind speeds vary between the summer and winter months.

C It proves that nitrogen is more abundant in Earth's atmosphere than oxygen.

D It outlines the commercial pricing models used by Arctic tour operators.

39

Which quote from the text is irrelevant to the scientific explanation of the aurora?

A "As these charged solar electrons collide with gases in Earth's upper atmosphere, they transfer energy..."

B "Oxygen molecules colliding with solar particles roughly 60 miles above the ground produce the classic, vibrant green-yellow color."

C "Early Norse legends described the lights as the glowing armor of Valkyries..."

D "Solar winds constantly blast highly charged electrons toward Earth."

40

What is the meaning of the word dynamic in paragraph 4?

A constantly active and changing

B extremely cold and freezing

C quiet and stationary

D expensive to observe

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41

Which detail from the text supports the analysis that witnessing the aurora can have a deep emotional impact on observers?

A "Today, chasing the aurora has become a global obsession, driving thousands of tourists..."

B "making a sighting feel like a personal gift from the universe."

C "Nitrogen molecules, on the other hand, produce beautiful purples and deep blues."

D "Oxygen molecules colliding with solar particles roughly 60 miles above the ground..."

42

Which quote supports the connection between cosmic events and the passage of time on Earth?

A "For centuries, humans looking up at the polar night skies believed..."

B "The green bands can stretch lazily across the sky for hours, then suddenly erupt..."

C "As these charged solar electrons collide with gases in Earth's upper atmosphere..."

D "Solar winds constantly blast highly charged electrons toward Earth."

43

How does the phrase "massive cosmic neon sign" in paragraph 3 affect the meaning of the text?

A It suggests that human cities are trying to build artificial auroras in the sky.

B It provides an easy-to-understand analogy of how excited gases glow when charged with energy.

C It implies that nitrogen is a highly dangerous gas when mixed with solar particles.

D It emphasizes that the sun is cooling down and changing colors.

44

How does the author connect ancient mythology and modern science in the text?

A by proving that Norse legends about Valkyries were scientifically accurate

B by comparing mythological stories of dancing spirits with the scientific reality of charged particle collisions

C by explaining that ancient civilizations knew how to track solar winds accurately

D by showing how modern tourists prefer ancient legends over astronomical data

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This is the end of the Reading test.

Directions:

Look back over your answers for the test questions.
Make sure all your answers are entered on the answer sheet. Only what is entered on the answer sheet will be scored.
Put all of your papers inside your test book and close your test book.
Stay quietly in your seat until your teacher tells you that testing is finished.
Remember, teachers are not allowed to discuss questions from the test with you, and you are not allowed to discuss with others any of the test questions or information in the test.

20

NC

STOP

EOG Reading Diagnostic Student Booklet

EOG Reading Diagnostic Student Booklet

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