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Grades 6–8 ELA Training
Test
Answer Key
To offer students a variety of texts on the FSA ELA Reading tests, authentic
and copyrighted stories, poems, and articles appear as they were originally
published, as requested by the publisher and/or author. While these
real-world examples do not always adhere to strict style conventions and/or
grammar rules, inconsistencies among passages should not detract from
students’ ability to understand and answer questions about the texts.
All trademarks and trade names found in this publication are the property
of their respective owners and are not associated with the publishers of this
publication.
Every effort has been made to trace the ownership of all copyrighted
material and to secure the necessary permissions to reprint selections.
Some items are reproduced with permission from the American Institutes for
Research as copyright holder or under license from third parties.
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FSA ELA Reading Training Test Questions
Read the passage “James “Jim” Bridger” and then answer Numbers 1
through 5.
James “Jim” Bridger
1804-1881
1
James Felix “Jim” Bridger’s life story is as interesting as the tall
tales he used to tell. Bridger was born in Virginia in 1804. Later, his
family moved to a farm near St. Louis, Missouri. At age fourteen, he
went to work as a blacksmith’s apprentice. He learned how to make
horseshoes and other products out of iron.
2
When Bridger was eighteen years old, he was the youngest member
of a group that explored and mapped the Missouri River. As a part of
the expedition, he was one of the first European American people to
see the natural wonders of what is now Yellowstone National Park.
3
Yellowstone was the first in a long line of landscapes that Bridger
was to encounter before others. While spending the winter of 1824–25
in what is now Cove, Utah, members of the team Bridger was with
argued about which direction they thought the Bear River went. The
team chose Bridger to explore the river. He ended up at the Great Salt
Lake, which he mistook for an inlet of the Pacific Ocean because of the
lake’s saltiness. For many years, people assumed Bridger was the first
non-Native American to discover the Great Salt Lake. However, some
now think that Etienne Provost, a French-Canadian trapper, may have
seen it first.
4
Using the skills he learned while exploring the Missouri, Bridger
became very good at trapping beavers for their furs, also called “pelts.”
By 1830, Bridger became part owner of a company that specialized in
beaver trapping. Beaver pelts were very popular for hats and clothing
at the time.
5
Bridger’s success at trapping—as well as the growing number of
people moving to the western part of America—led to the building of a
trading post and fort near the Green River in Wyoming. It became
known as Fort Bridger. Many people passed the fort as they traveled
west on the Oregon Trail. Often, the settlers stopped to buy supplies,
get their wagons fixed, and hear Jim Bridger’s stories. He became
famous for telling tall tales to the people passing through.
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FSA ELA Reading Training Test Questions
6
Bridger’s stories were funny, extravagant, and often unbelievable.
He would tell stories of glass mountains, “peetrified” birds singing
“peetrified” songs, and talk about days when Pike’s Peak was just a
hole in the ground. These outrageous stories were told both to tease
new arrivals from the east and to amuse the locals who knew they
weren’t true.
7
The Rocky Mountains were largely unexplored and Bridger spent
many years hiking them and trapping animals. In his travels, he
learned a great deal about the terrain and wildlife of the area. Because
of his knowledge and skills, he became a valued guide. People often
hired him to lead them across the mountains.
8
In 1850, Bridger found a short cut through the mountains of
Wyoming through the Rocky Mountains. This path became known as
Bridger’s Pass. Because the pass shortened trips by sixty-one miles,
settlers moving west frequently used it. In addition, the pass later
became part of the Union Pacific Railroad. The Union Pacific was part of
the Transcontinental Railroad, the first railroad to cross America from
coast to coast.
9
Bridger spent twenty years working as a guide. When he retired, he
went back to Missouri to live on a farm, where he died in 1881 at the
age of seventy-seven. Jim Bridger is remembered for being a skilled
mountain man and storyteller. Today, there are many places in the
American West named in honor of Jim Bridger.
“James “Jim” Bridger” written for educational purposes.
958
Page 4
FSA ELA Reading Training Test Questions
Now answer Numbers 1 through 5. Base your answers on the
passage “James “Jim” Bridger.”
1. How does the author introduce Jim Bridger in the passage?
A by mentioning the tall tales he often told
B by mentioning a few of the places that he discovered
C by describing his first career as a blacksmith’s apprentice
D by describing the details of his first trip exploring the country
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Option A: This answer is correct. The passage begins with the author comparing Jim Bridger’s
life to the tall tales he often told.
Option B: This answer is incorrect. Although the author describes Bridger’s exploration, the
author does not introduce Bridger this way.
Option C: This answer is incorrect. Although the author states Bridger was a blacksmith’s
apprentice, this is just a detail of his early life. The author has already introduced Bridger by
other means.
Option D: This answer is incorrect. Although the author includes this information in the passage,
the author does not introduce Bridger this way.
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FSA ELA Reading Training Test Questions
2. Part A
Which statement describes Bridger’s importance as an explorer?
A Bridger spent many years hiking and traveling the Rocky Mountains.
B By the time he reached his fifties, Bridger was an experienced explorer.
C Bridger was the first European American to discover much of the West.
D Bridger had many talents besides exploring: blacksmithing, trapping,
and story-telling.
Part B
Which statement from the passage supports the response in Part A?
A “At age fourteen, he went to work as a blacksmith’s apprentice.”
B “Yellowstone was the first in a long line of landscapes that Bridger
was to encounter before others.”
C “For many years, people assumed Bridger discovered the Great
Salt Lake.”
D “Because of his knowledge and skills, he became a valued guide.”
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Part A
Option A: This answer is incorrect. Students might incorrectly generalize that his numerous
talents illustrate his importance as an explorer. However, this detail does not emphasize his
importance as an explorer but instead shows that Bridger had many skills.
Option B: This answer is incorrect. While this statement tells that Bridger was an experienced
explorer, it does not describe his importance.
Option C: This answer is correct. Bridger’s explorations made it possible for others to travel to
and settle the West.
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FSA ELA Reading Training Test Questions
Option D: This answer is incorrect. Although this is a true statement, it does not tell the impact
of his exploration.
Part B
Option A: This answer is incorrect. This statement tells us how Bridger got his start, but it does
not support the answer to part A.
Option B: This answer is correct. Based on the information in the passage, Bridger was one of
the first European Americans to explore the Yellowstone area, and this statement supports the
answer in part A.
Option C: This answer is incorrect. Students might think this answer is correct because it notes
an important discovery. However, the reader learns that another explorer may be responsible
for the discovery, and, consequently, the detail does not support the larger statement.
Option D: This answer is incorrect. Students might select this answer because the detail notes
Bridger’s value as a guide. However, this part of the passage does not focus on the importance
or impact of his exploration.
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FSA ELA Reading Training Test Questions
3.
Cove
Wyoming
Fort Bridger
Utah
St. Louis
Missouri
Virginia
What three details can the reader get from both the map and the
passage?
A the state where Bridger died
B the route of Bridger’s travels
C the location of Bridger’s Pass
D the state where Bridger was born
E a place that was named after Bridger
Option A: This answer is correct. The passage states that Bridger died in Missouri and the state
is labeled on the map.
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Option B: This answer is incorrect. Although this information is discussed in the passage, it is not
included on the map.
Option C: This answer is incorrect. Although Bridger’s Pass is mentioned in the passage, it is not
included on the map.
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FSA ELA Reading Training Test Questions
Option D: This answer is correct. The passage states that Bridger was born in Virginia, which is
included in the map of the United States.
Option E: This answer is correct. This information is discussed in the passage and the location of
the fort named after Bridger can also be seen on the map.
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FSA ELA Reading Training Test Questions
4. The root of the word terrain is terra, which means “earth.”
Based on this information, what does the word terrain mean as it is used
in the passage?
“In his travels, he learned a great deal about the terrain and wildlife of
the area.” (paragraph 7)
A a type of soil
B a rugged area
C plants and animals
D features of the land
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Option A: This answer is incorrect. While soil is part of the terrain, terrain includes more than
the type of soil in an area.
Option B: This answer is incorrect. Terrain might be rugged, but the term terrain is broader and
includes all features of the land.
Option C: This answer is incorrect. Plants could be considered part of the terrain; however,
terrain does not include animals.
Option D: This answer is correct. Terrain is the term for the features of the land, such as hills,
water, and rocks.
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FSA ELA Reading Training Test Questions
5. Part A
Fill in the circle before the meaning of the word extravagant as it is used
in this sentence from the passage.
“Bridger’s stories were funny, extravagant, and often unbelievable.”
(paragraph 6)
A reckless
B wasteful
C generous
D larger than life
Part B
Fill in the circle before the two words or phrases from the passage that
help readers determine the meaning of the word.
6
A Bridger’s stories were B funny, C extravagant, and D often
unbelievable. E He would F tell stories G of glass mountains,
H “peetrified” birds singing “peetrified” songs, I and talk about days
when Pike’s Peak was just a hole in the ground. J These
K outrageous stories L were told both to M tease new arrivals
N from the east and to O amuse the locals P who knew Q they
weren’t true.
PART A
Option A: This answer is incorrect. Reckless means thoughtless or careless. Bridger carefully
constructed his stories to be larger than life.
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Option B: This answer is incorrect. Extravagant can suggest wastefulness, but that meaning is
not used to describe Bridger’s stories.
Option C: This answer is incorrect. Extravagant can be used to mean generous. However,
Bridger’s stories are described in the passage as tall tales and unbelievable. These are clues to
“larger than life.”
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FSA ELA Reading Training Test Questions
Option D: This answer is correct. As it is used in the passage, extravagant means “larger than
life.”
PART B
Selection of BOTH of the following phrases:
•
•
“often unbelievable”
“outrageous stories”
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FSA ELA Reading Training Test Questions
Choose the correct word or phrase to fill in each blank in the passage. For
each blank, fill in the circle before the word or phrase that is correct. 965
6. Have you ever wondered how a relatively thin sleeping bag, jacket, or
comforter filled with down can be so warm? Down feathers are the light,
soft feathers found beneath the tougher exterior feathers of birds. Their
loose structure allows them to trap air, and this insulation keeps the bird
warm. In the same way, humans use down as insulation in many
everyday products that keep __________ [ A us B it C we D who]
warm.
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7. People have been using down feathers in this way for centuries. Though
__________ [ A feathers from various B feathers variously from
C variously feathers from D various feathers from] species of birds
were used in the past, the most common source today is the domestic
goose. Most of the supply comes from __________ [ A China. While
B China, C China, while D China, and while] the rest mostly originates
in Europe and Canada.
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8. How do you know whether your jacket or pillow is actually lined with
down? The Federal Trade Commission, which __________
[ A prommotes B primotes C premotes D promotes] consumer
__________ [ A protection-- B protection: C protection, D protection]
mandates that products labeled “100% Down” must contain nothing but
down feathers. If you just see “Down” on the label, this indicates there is
a mixture of both fiber and feathers. A label of “Goose Down” signifies a
composition of at least 90% goose feathers.
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BLANK PAGE
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