Apex Elite School

English Department

Grade Eight

Revision Worksheet for English Skills

“4th Quarter”
Objectives:

Topics that should be studied during this quarter:

“Vocabulary”
- Idioms
- The root word “-sent- & -path-” vocab list ( source vocab booklet)
- Time vocab list (Source vocab booklet)
- Care & precision (Source vocab booklet)
- Connotation & denotation
- Vocabulary in context (Unseen words)
- Using context clues

Grammar”
-Dangling Modifier
-Transitional & adverbial conjunctions
- Verb Types
-Linking verbs
-Dashes & hyphens
-Direct & indirect speech
-Ellipsis & formatting

“Reading”
- Theme
- Cite evidence
- Literary devices
- Compare & contrast between two texts
- Cause & effect
- Informational text main idea
- Drama features
- (HRW)
- Memoir “One last time” Collection six
- Poem “Find work” Collection six
- Article “Teens need job, not just cash” Collection six

“Writing”
- Writing an analytical essay
- Narrative writing tools “story”
- Memoir features “Writing a memoir”
The following pages contain various exercises for practicing your skills.
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 Vocabulary Skills Practice

Directions Use context clues to determine the meaning of the underlined word.

1-These are some of the names someone wrote in a logbook in Thomas Edison’s laboratory in 1877, after
Edison and his assistants invented the first rudimentary machine for recording and playing back sounds.

What is the meaning of the word rudimentary as it is used in the sentence?

A. basic
B. mobile
C. practical
D. original

2-Women’s suffrage organizations faced determined resistance from groups who argued that a woman’s place was in
the home, not in the political arena. Plenty of women strongly agreed that they deserved more rights. Yet many of
them still deplored the idea of women having a voice in the government.

a-What does the word resistance mean in the paragraph?

A opposition
B agreement
C questions
D approval

b-Which words provide a clue to the meaning of resistance?

A “in the political arena”
B “in the home”
C “groups who argued”
D “in the government”
dWhat does the word deplored mean in the paragraph?
A failed to understand
B disapproved of
C agreed with
D investigated
e-Which words provide a contrast clue to the meaning of deplored?
A “Plenty of women”
B “strongly agreed”
C “deserved more rights”
D “having a voice”

3-Insert the word with the most negative connotation to complete each sentence.

1. It was hard to ignore the baby’s ______________ screams. (Loud/Piercing)

2. Jackie wore a/an ________________ dress to the party. (Ancient/Vintage)
3. Dexter was an __________________ dog. (Obese/Overweight

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4-What do the following idioms mean?

A-“Rome wasn’t built in a day”

-Something that’s very expensive
-Don’t give up
-You need to have patience
-It’s a top secret

B-“Don’t throw in the towel “

-Don’t be messy
-To feel sick
-Something that’s very easy
-Don’t give up

5-The wind velocity, or speed of motion, in a violent tornado can reach 300 miles per hour. The effects of
such a storm can be catastrophic, killing people and destroying wildlife. Within as little
as a few seconds, a tornado can devastate a town in its path. What does the word velocity mean in the paragraph?
A position
B change in direction
C swiftness
D size of something

6-When weather forecasters predict a tornado, it is advisable for people threatened by the storm to find safe
shelter. If the storm destroys property, emergency workers will do their best to accommodate storm victims.
For example, they will set up shelters for those who lost homes.
What does the word accommodate mean?
A to provide with something needed
B to soothe and comfort
C to give necessary information
D to investigate in order to report on

7-We subsequently turned the car around and returned home.

The prefix sub- means ”under or after,” and the root sequ means ”follow.” What is the meaning of subsequently as
used in the sentence?
A slowly but surely
B immediately after
C completely
D eventually
8-After the huge storm, everyone wondered how long it would take the floodwaters to recede. The prefix re- means
“back,“ and the root cede means “go.“ What is the meaning of recede as used in the sentence?
A flow over
B rise higher
C remain stable
D withdraw from
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9-Lexy could be tenacious, but my mother’s news put an end to all discussion. The root ten means “hold,“ and the
suffix -ious means “characterized by.“ What is the meaning of tenacious as used in the sentence?
A stubborn
B talkative
C cranky
D bossy

10-For numbers 1–2, which word has the same denotation as the underlined word but has a more
negative connotation?
1 The director was unpredictable in his reactions to the actors and scenes.
A changeable
B volatile
C whimsical
D variable

2 The actors felt that the director’s comments were sometimes clever.
A perceptive
B insightful
C keen
D shrewd

For numbers 3 and 4, which word has the same denotation as the underlined word but has a more
positive connotation?
3 The director’s great arrogance made it difficult for him to compromise in his way of doing things.
A conceit
B smugness
C confidence
D haughtiness

4 At the end of the rehearsals, the actors admitted that this director brought out the best in them.
A declared
B confessed
C gossiped
D vented
11-What is the suffix that gives the antonym of the word “expensive”?
A not
B un
C in
D dis
12-The antonym of “prudent” is………….
A.imprudent
B.unprudent
C.inprudent
D.abprudent
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13-Fastidious is the synonym of ………………….
A unmindful
B finicky
C slovenly
D judicious

14-Most …………………..should be planted in the spring or fall.

A perennial
B precipitation
C provisional
D harbinger

15-Because the building was in ………………..danger of collapsing , the police roped off the area around it.
A eminent
B ephemeral
C imminent
D retrospective

16- Use the word “ ensue” in a sentence .

After the argument, a period of silence ensued.

Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the words
given in brackets.
1. She is ___________ enough to get admission in a fully funded American
University. (fortune)
2. I am ___________ yet ___________ of India’s win in today’s match.
(hope, suspicion)
3. One should be ___________ while using someone else’s books. (care)
4. The ___________ mountain ranges shone brightly when the sunlight fell
on them. (north)
5. Children, these days, are ___________ to their elders. (disobey)
6. Amisha is a ___________ child. (love)

Grammar

For numbers 1 and 2, which is the best way to change the voice in each sentence from active to
passive without changing the meaning?

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1 The committee chose three students to attend Science Camp.
A Science Camp was chosen for three students to attend.
B Three students were chosen by the committee to attend Science Camp.
C Science Camp was chosen for three students by the committee.
D Three students who attended Science Camp were chosen by the committee.

2 The Science Camp sent the students a letter of acceptance.

A The Science Camp was sent a letter of acceptance for the students.
B A letter of acceptance to the students was received from the Science Camp.
C A letter of acceptance was received by the Science Camp for the students.
D The students were sent a letter of acceptance by the Science Camp

For numbers 1–4, choose the best way to punctuate the pause in each sentence.

(1)
AThe ball slowly rolled around the rim and finally, dropped through the hoop.
B The ball slowly rolled, around the rim, and finally dropped through the hoop.
C The ball slowly rolled . . . around the rim and finally dropped through the hoop.
D The ball slowly rolled around the rim . . . and finally dropped through the hoop.
(2)
A That tennis ball is flying toward you—watch out!
B That tennis ball is—flying toward you watch out!
C That tennis ball is flying toward you, watch out!
D That tennis ball is—flying toward you—watch out!
(3)

A Let’s get something to eat, maybe popcorn or nachos—at halftime.

B Let’s get something to eat—maybe popcorn or nachos—at halftime.
C Let’s get something to eat maybe popcorn or nachos, at halftime.
D Let’s get something to eat—maybe popcorn or nachos, at halftime.
(4)
A Competing in the Olympics, what an amazing experience , that would be.
B Competing in the Olympics . . . what an amazing experience, that would be.
C Competing in the Olympics . . . what an amazing experience that would be.
D Competing in the Olympics—what an amazing experience—that would be.

Choose the correct answer

1-The transition words "and", "in addition", and "furthermore" do this.

Summarize
Contrast

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Emphasize
Add ideas

2-Karen is rich; ___, her cousin Kate is poor.

therefore
however
otherwise

3-To show an addition (more information), use a transition like:

obviously, clearly, evidently

as a result, because, since, so
besides, for example, furthermore
but, yet, although, though

4-There are other factors that could lead to violence besides video games. _______________ , poor mental
health could cause violence behavior.

for instance
so
however
in addition

5-Mother didn't have time to go to the store; _____________, there was no milk in the refrigerator.

nevertheless
although
consequently
however

6-There is no homework tonight; ____________, there has been no homework all week.

in fact
as a result
therefore
consequently

7-James and his team didn't finish the project; ____________, they did work hard.

actually
however
therefore
in addition

8-It is important to complete your homework; _____________, it should be turned in on time.

furthermore
nevertheless
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otherwise
although

9-Ms. Jones can be grumpy sometimes; ______________, we should help her whenever we can.

for instance
furthermore
nevertheless
instead

10- Black (the team) students get gotchas every week for awesome behavior; _____________, they earn
gotchas for respect, responsibility and safety.
similarly
yet
so
in addition

11-What is the difference between a hyphen and a dash?

a-The length of a hyphen is shorter than the length of a dash.

b-Hyphens are typically used in compound adjectives, while dashes can be used to indicate an interruption,
or a substitute for parentheses.

c-There are two types of dashes (em and en) but there is only one type of hyphen.

d-all of the above

12-Add the correct hyphen(s) or dash(es) to the below sentence:

There are fewer Italian American communities these days.

a-There are fewer Italian-American communities these days.

b-No change necessary.

c-There are fewer Italian—American communities these days.

d-There are fewer Italian —American communities these days

13-Choose the most accurate option to rewrite this statement “Newburyport a small town in
Massachusetts is the place she calls home.”

a-Newburyport- a small town in Massachusetts- is the place she calls home.

b-Newburyport — small town in Massachusetts — is the place she calls home.

c-Newburyport —a small town in Massachusetts is the place she calls home.

d-Newburyport a small town in Massachusetts - is the place she calls home.

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14- Change this sentence to the indirect form

(They said: "We passed our driving test.")

a-They said they had passed their driving test.

b-They said they passed their driving test.

c-They said we passed the driving test.

d-They said that they had passed our driving test.

15-My father said to me, "You must work hard".

a-My father said to me that I must work hard.

b-My father said to me that you must work hard.

c-My father said to me that you have to work hard.

d-My father said to me that I had to work hard.

16-"When will this exercise end?"

a-He asked when that exercise would end.

b-He asked when this exercise will end.

c-He asked if this exercise would end.

d-He asked if this exercise will end.

17-"Run as soon as you can".

a-He told me to run as soon as I could.

b-He said me to run as soon as I could.

c-He told me to run as soon as I can.

d-He told me that I must run as soon as I could.

18-‘Did you see Jack last night?’

a-He asked me if I’d seen Jack the night before.

b-He asked me if I saw Jack the night before.

c-He asked if I did see Jack previous night

d-He asked if I saw Jack last night

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19-What is the linking verb? Earth is home to more than two thousand species of snakes.

a-Earth

b-more

c-snakes

d-is

20-What is the predicate noun- One dangerous snake is the indigo.

a-snake
b-dangerous
c-indigo
d-is

21-What is the predicate adjective? - Some snakes are extremely long.

a-some

b-some are

c-are extremely

d-long

22-What is being linked: Not all snakes are poisonous.

a-all snakes poisonous

b-call poisonous

c-snakes poisonous

d-not

Read the sentences below. In the blank, place the letter of the sentence that is written most
clearly.
_____1.
A) The preschool children watched the pelicans holding hands.
B) The preschool children were holding hands and watching the pelicans.
C) Holding hands, the pelicans walked around the preschool children.

_____2.
A) She found a spider cleaning the bathroom.
B) While cleaning the bathroom, she found a spider.
C) While cleaning the bathroom, a spider ran under the door.

_____3.
A) Wearing a bathing suit, she washed the car.
B) Wearing a bathing suit, washing the car was fun.

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C) She washed the car in her bathing suit.

_____4.
A) Smiling, the refund was handed to her by the clerk.
B) The clerk handed her the refund with a smile.
C) Smiling, the clerk handed her the refund.

_____5.
A) She thanked the usher wearing a badge in the theater.
B) She thanked the usher in the theater wearing a badge.

C) Wearing a badge, she thanked the usher in the theater

A. Underline the main verbs in the following sentences and state if they are linking verbs.
1. When the class got over, Jyoti appeared out of nowhere.
__________________________________________________________
2. Anwesha became a politician as she wanted to serve her nation.
__________________________________________________________
3. I am a teacher.
__________________________________________________________
4. I am a mother and also a teacher.
__________________________________________________________
5. Her face turned red in anger.
___________________________________________________________

Reading skills & Literary devices

SYMPATHY

I know what the caged bird feels, alas!

When the sun is bright on the upland slopes;
When the wind stirs soft through the springing grass,
And the river flows like a stream of glass;
5 When the first bird sings and the first bud opes,1
And the faint perfume from its chalice2 steals—
I know what the caged bird feels!
I know why the caged bird beats his wing
Till its blood is red on the cruel bars;
10 For he must fly back to his perch and cling
When he fain3 would be on the bough4 a-swing;
And a pain still throbs in the old, old scars
And they pulse again with a keener sting—
I know why he beats his wing!
15 I know why the caged bird sings, ah me,
When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,—
When he beats his bars and he would be free;
It is not a carol of joy or glee,
But a prayer that he sends from his heart’s deep core,
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20 Buta plea, that upward to Heaven he flings—
I know why the caged bird sings!

1-Which of the following words best describes the feeling created by the description in line 3?
A. peaceful
B. surprised
C. impatient
D. suspenseful

2-In line 4, the phrase “like a stream of glass” suggests the water is
A. cold.
B. deep.
C. dirty.
D. smooth.

3-In line 5, what do the “first bird” and the “first bud” most likely represent?
A. the cage
B. the springtime
C. the bud’s beauty
D. the bird’s ancestor

4-How is the first stanza most different from the rest of the poem?
A. The stanza suggests the bird is bored with his life.
B. The stanza describes how the bird looks, rather than how he acts.
C. The stanza suggests the bird is unwise for wanting his life to change.
D. The stanza describes what the bird likely desires, rather than what he experiences.

5-Which of the following words best describes the tone of the poem?
A. fearful
B. apologetic
C. passionate
D. wondering
6-Which meaning of the word faint is used in line 6?
A. exhausted
B. whispered
C. lacking courage
D. barely noticeable

Directions Read the following article and view the timeline. Then answer the questions that
follow.
Signs of Change

1 Jason knelt and examined the winter grass on the baseball field. Yes, there it was, a small
strand of green mixed with the yellow and brown blades. He reached out and lightly
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touched it. Finally, the first signs that spring had arrived. He gazed out at the field, his
eyes gravitating to the spot where his team’s season had ended last year. It was his spot,
second base.

2 Jason could almost hear the slap of leather from baseballs popping into gloves as he
remembered warming up with his teammates for the big playoff game. The stands behind
him had been a sea of parents, teachers, and fellow students. They were there to watch
the Northglenn Knights take on the West Hills Hornets. The winner would play for the
city’s Junior League Championship. The buzz of the crowd and the chatter of the players
filled the air, putting a bounce in everyone’s step. Jason felt wonderful, joking with his
teammates, waving at people in the crowd. He was even bantering lightheartedly with the
other team, keeping up small talk. As usual, he was generally clowning around, going
through the warm-up drills at half-speed, showing off by making catches behind his back
and flipping balls to his teammates.

3 “Knock it off, Jason,” Coach Fowler warned. As usual, Jason paid little attention. He was
the Knights’ best player and knew Coach wouldn’t put him on the bench in a playoff
game. Besides, it had been that way all season. Jason didn’t really do anything wrong; he
just didn’t try as hard as the other players. He didn’t need to try because he had what the
coach called “natural talent.”

4 He was shocked when Coach Fowler announced the starting lineup and left Jason sitting
on the bench. Never fear, he told himself, Coach is just trying to teach me a lesson. Jason
was confident he would get into the game soon. As the game progressed, though, Jason
began to worry. Maybe Coach Fowler had finally had enough.
5 As the Knights came to bat for the last time, Coach Fowler called Jason. “Grab a bat,” he
instructed. “You go in for Reuben,” he added, nodding toward Jason’s teammate. “He’s not
feeling well right now.”

6 “Don’t worry, Coach,” Jason said. “I’ll get a hit.”

7 “Jason,” Coach Fowler warned, “keep your focus. The team is counting on you.” When it
came his turn to bat, Jason forgot Coach’s words. He strutted up to the plate, grinned,
and gave a thumbs-up sign to the cheering crowd. Despite his antics, Jason hit a ball that
allowed two of his teammates to score, putting the Knights in the lead.

I don’t even need to play the whole game to help us win, Jason thought as the team took
the field. Three more outs and the Knights would go to the championship. The first two
outs came easily. The Knights’ pitcher struck out the first batter. The second batter hit a
high pitch, and the catcher caught it for the second out. The third batter hit one to left
field and made it to first base. Then came the play that had seared Jason’s memory like a
red-hot coal. He had been looking into the crowd for his friends, when . . . Thwack! The
fourth batter connected. As Jason looked back, he saw the ball coming at him fast. “No
problem,” he whispered. He put out his glove, already dreaming about the championship.
Then to his surprise, the ball sailed over his glove into the outfield, rolling all the way to
the fence. The outfielder chased it down and threw it to the catcher, but it was too late.
Both Hornet players had scored, and the Knights’ season was over.

9 Jasonhad felt terrible. He knew he had not concentrated, and he had let his team down.
He had promised himself that the next season would be different. Besides apologizing to
his coach and teammates, he had worked hard to improve his skills. In addition to helping
Coach Fowler clean and check the equipment, he had volunteered to work in the park,
tending the field and cleaning and painting the bleachers. Never before had he considered
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all the people who worked hard and gave their time so that he and his friends could play
on a first-rate field.

10 Jason finally began to understand what it meant to be part of a team. He helped raise
money for uniforms and equipment by working at car washes and bake sales, activities he
had always avoided in the past. All the while he counted the days on the calendar, staring
out at the winter grass on the field.
11 Now, at last, a few blades were pushing their way through the hard, cold ground. Jason
felt his spirits soar. He couldn’t wait for the new season to begin. He was so focused on
the grass that he hadn’t noticed Coach Fowler walk up behind him. “Won’t be long now,”
Coach Fowler said.

12 Jasonlooked up. “It sure was a long winter,” he said, looking back at the field.
13 “Yes, it was,” Coach Fowler said, “but I’m seeing signs of change.” When Jason looked
up again, though, Coach Fowler wasn’t looking at the new spring grass. He was looking
at Jason.

1 What does the word bantering mean in paragraph 2?

A chatting
B practicing
C disagreeing
D competing

2 Which excerpt from paragraph 2 contains a metaphor?

F Jason could almost hear the slap of leather . . .
G The stands behind him had been a sea of parents . . .
H The winner would play for the city’s . . .
J Jason felt wonderful, joking with his teammates . . .

3 The italics in the story are primarily used in order to —

A emphasize the coach’s instructions
B highlight unfamiliar baseball terms
C create the voice of the announcer
D identify the main character’s thoughts

4 The author uses third-person limited point of view because —

F Jason’s thoughts provide the main conflict
G Jason’s actions are not important to the plot
H Coach’s thoughts can be expressed by dialogue
J Coach’s actions are not important to the theme

5 How will Jason most likely be described in the upcoming baseball season?
A Dedicated
B Courageous
C Generous
D Patient

6 Which sentence best shows that Jason intentionally ignores Coach Fowler’s warnings?
F As the game progressed, though, Jason began to worry.
G He strutted up to the plate, grinned, and gave a thumbs-up sign to the cheering crowd.
H As Jason looked back, he saw the ball coming at him fast.
J Besides apologizing to his coach and teammates, he had worked hard to improve his skills.
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7 Which is most important to the structure of the story?
A Irony
B Flashback
C Setting
D Foreshadowing

8 What does this story suggest is most important to Coach Fowler?

F Talent
G Style
H Cooperation
J Strength

9 The author includes details about baseball in paragraph 8 to —

A explain the game
B create humor
C develop the characters
D build suspense

10 Why does Coach Fowler decide to put Jason in the game?

F The team has begun to lose the game.
G Jason has finally focused on the game.
H One of the players has started to feel sick.
J Jason has promised to stop clowning around

Writing Practice

Read the passage & correct the mistakes. “14 mistakes”

Nevertheless £10 seemed a lot for a guided walking tour, I paid like most of the others
staying at the hotel. The tour was supposed starting at 9 o'clock, so we were getting a little
angry and were just about to go and have a cup of coffee together if the guide finally turned
up at reception 30 minutes late. She said she has left home in time but had to go back while
she'd forgotten the tour maps - it was her first day on the job!

First of all, she wanted to know who of us already had maps and who didn't. We eventually
started more then an hour behind schedule and started walking through the old town.
However there were only about ten of us, I found it hard hearing her commentary because
she was only talking to the three or four people closest to her. As we walked along I asked
her if we can go and see a beautiful old church, but she replied that we had to stick to the
timetable. After that, I decided I'd better rely to my own map and walk through the city
myself.

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