ParaPro Reading Practice Test 2

John was always moving. His father was a Navy captain, which meant he moved around a lot from state to state. Every two years it seemed, John’s family was moving. One year it was Florida, then Texas, and finally Virginia. This made things difficult for John because every time he made new friends, he had to leave them and start school somewhere new and start the process of making friends again. He was upset because he was shy, meaning it took him a while to open up and make new friends. Some kids are better at meeting new people than others.

One day when John was in high school, he met the girl of his dreams and they began dating. They fell in love. Unfortunately, three weeks into his senior year, John’s father told him he had to relocate again, this time to California. John was heartbroken. Once again, he had to leave behind a close friend, this time one he had feelings for, and move to a new state. He knew it would be challenging again for him.

John was always moving. His father was a Navy captain, which meant he moved around a lot from state to state. Every two years it seemed, John’s family was moving. One year it was Florida, then Texas, and finally Virginia. This made things difficult for John because every time he made new friends, he had to leave them and start school somewhere new and start the process of making friends again. He was upset because he was shy, meaning it took him a while to open up and make new friends. Some kids are better at meeting new people than others.

One day when John was in high school, he met the girl of his dreams and they began dating. They fell in love. Unfortunately, three weeks into his senior year, John’s father told him he had to relocate again, this time to California. John was heartbroken. Once again, he had to leave behind a close friend, this time one he had feelings for, and move to a new state. He knew it would be challenging again for him.

The leaves were so still that even Bibi thought it was going to rain. Bobint, who was accustomed to converse on terms of perfect equality with his little son, called the child’s attention to certain somber clouds that were rolling with sinister intention from the west, accompanied by a sullen, threatening roar. They were at Friedheimer’s store and decided to remain there till the storm had passed. They sat within the door on two empty kegs. Bibi was four years old and looked very wise.

“Mama’ll be ‘fraid, yes,” he suggested with blinking eyes.

“She’ll shut the house. Maybe she got Sylvie helpin’ her this evenin’,” Bobint responded reassuringly.

“No; she ent got Sylvie. Sylvie was helpin’ her yistiday,” piped Bibi.

The leaves were so still that even Bibi thought it was going to rain. Bobint, who was accustomed to converse on terms of perfect equality with his little son, called the child’s attention to certain somber clouds that were rolling with sinister intention from the west, accompanied by a sullen, threatening roar. They were at Friedheimer’s store and decided to remain there till the storm had passed. They sat within the door on two empty kegs. Bibi was four years old and looked very wise.

“Mama’ll be ‘fraid, yes,” he suggested with blinking eyes.

“She’ll shut the house. Maybe she got Sylvie helpin’ her this evenin’,” Bobint responded reassuringly.

“No; she ent got Sylvie. Sylvie was helpin’ her yistiday,” piped Bibi.

The Civil War started primarily because of a large range of differences between free and slave states, most notably over the power of the national government to prohibit territories that had not yet become states. Free states believed that slavery should be illegal in the United States while slave states demanded that they should be provided the freedom to allow slavery as a requirement. Abraham Lincoln was elected in 1860 and vowed to keep slavery out of the territories, leading to seven Deep South slave states to secede and form a new union, known as the Confederate States of America. The new Lincoln administration and most all Northern people refused to recognize the Confederate States and their secession. The fear was that secession would create a deadly precedent leading to the downfall of the United States, dividing it up into several small, squabbling countries.

The Confederate States continued to refuse to accept the United States’ demand they withdraw their secession. Eventually, on April 12, 1861, the first shot was fired at Fort Sumter in South Carolina by the Confederate Army, leading to the Northern troops to lower the American flag in surrender. This was the beginning of the Civil War. Lincoln called on the militia to suppress the “insurrection,” but shortly after, four more slave states seceded and joined the Conederaacy. By the end of 1861, nearly 1 million armed men were standing face to face with their former ally, separated only by an invisible line that separated the North and the South (USA and Confederacy). It was the start of the bloodiest four years in American history, a war that led to the death of over 620,000 men. Eventually, the North won and the South were forced to re-join the United States, but it wasn’t without its cost.

The Civil War started primarily because of a large range of differences between free and slave states, most notably over the power of the national government to prohibit territories that had not yet become states. Free states believed that slavery should be illegal in the United States while slave states demanded that they should be provided the freedom to allow slavery as a requirement. Abraham Lincoln was elected in 1860 and vowed to keep slavery out of the territories, leading to seven Deep South slave states to secede and form a new union, known as the Confederate States of America. The new Lincoln administration and most all Northern people refused to recognize the Confederate States and their secession. The fear was that secession would create a deadly precedent leading to the downfall of the United States, dividing it up into several small, squabbling countries.

The Confederate States continued to refuse to accept the United States’ demand they withdraw their secession; eventually on April 12, 1861, the first shot was fired at Fort Sumter in South Carolina by the Confederate Army, leading to the Northern troops to lower the American flag in surrender. This was the beginning of the Civil War. Lincoln called on the militia to suppress the “insurrection,” but shortly after, four more slave states seceded and joined the Conederaacy. By the end of 1861, nearly 1 million armed men were standing face to face with their former ally, separated only by an invisible line that separated the North and the South (USA and Confederacy). It was the start of the bloodiest four years in American history, a war that led to the death of over 620,000 men. Eventually, the North won and the South were forced to re-join the United States, but it wasn’t without its cost.

(1) Many young adults like to play sports because it helps them improve their fitness and body while also aiding their social life. (2) It also plays a big role in helping students have a more successful life after high school. (3) According to statistics, students that play sports are 15 percent more likely to go to college than those who don’t compete in sports. (4) All students should play sports because it would help them enjoy life more, get additional friends, and be happier. (5) Statistics also show that those who compete in sports achieve better fitness with their body than those who don’t.

Several investigations have been conducted to try and discover if “rock apes” truly exist. These apes are known famously as cryptids, which are humanoids that have unusual features and whose existence has been disputed or doubted by science; there’s no evidence they exist. Famous cryptids include Bigfoot, the Lochness Monster, the Yeti, and the Chupacabra.

Rock ape sightings were famous during the Vietnam War. Some American soldiers returned to tell the story of these apes standing up and throwing rocks at them, even grenades, from high above locations. They had dark red or black hair, were roughly 5 feet in height, and were known to attack both American troops and Viet Cong troops. Most sightings were around the Son Tra Peninsula at a location called “Monkey Mountain.” However, despite investigations and soldiers’ testimonies, there has been no attestation of any rock apes, meaning they’re still known as cryptids. The most any scientist has uncovered has been footprints of an unknown animal around the area where they were said to have existed.

Several investigations have been conducted to try and discover if “rock apes” truly exist. These apes are known famously as cryptids, which are humanoids that have unusual features and whose existence has been disputed or doubted by science; there’s no evidence they exist. Famous cryptids include Bigfoot, the Lochness Monster, the Yeti, and the Chupacabra.

Rock ape sightings were famous during the Vietnam War. Some American soldiers returned to tell the story of these apes standing up and throwing rocks at them, even grenades, from high above locations. They had dark red or black hair, were roughly 5 feet in height, and were known to attack both American troops and Viet Cong troops. Most sightings were around the Son Tra Peninsula at a location called “Monkey Mountain.” However, despite investigations and soldiers’ testimonies, there has been no attestation of any rock apes, meaning they’re still known as cryptids. The most any scientist has uncovered has been footprints of an unknown animal around the area where they were said to have existed.

Jake’s knuckles were white on the steering wheel as he sped down the empty road, the fields of corn and cotton whipping by in a blur. His mind was consumed with regret as he tried to reach Jenn on the phone, but she never picked up.

He pounded on the steering wheel, angry at himself. He told himself he had panicked, nothing more, and regardless of what he had said, he was eager to be a father and anxious to find Jenn in time. Jenn was the love of his life.

As he saw the lights of a small town in the distance, he checked his fuel. He cursed his luck and slowed down to look for a petrol station. He pumped gas and tried Jenn once more. Nothing. Once he filled up, he was back on the road and heading towards Arkansas to find Jenn. But the drive was long and eventually exhaustion gnawed at him, and his eyelids grew heavy. In a moment of weakness, he closed his eyes, and when he opened them, the car was careening off the road and into a remote farm.

The impact knocked him unconscious, and when he woke up, he found himself in a dusty barn with two farmers hovering over him. “You’ve had a nasty spill, son,” one of them grunted, helping him sit up.

“I am Marvin, this here is Darrell. Have you been drinking, son?”

“No, uh, fell asleep. Where’s my phone? My wallet?” Jake asked, panic rising in his chest. The two farmers exchanged a glance before Marvin replied, “We’ll take care of that later. You need to rest first.”

Jake’s knuckles were white on the steering wheel as he sped down the empty road, the fields of corn and cotton whipping by in a blur. His mind was consumed with regret as he tried to reach Jenn on the phone, but she never picked up.

He pounded on the steering wheel, angry at himself. He told himself he had panicked, nothing more, and regardless of what he had said, he was eager to be a father and anxious to find Jenn in time. Jenn was the love of his life.

As he saw the lights of a small town in the distance, he checked his fuel. He cursed his luck and slowed down to look for a petrol station. He pumped gas and tried Jenn once more. Nothing. Once he filled up, he was back on the road and heading towards Arkansas to find Jenn. But the drive was long and eventually exhaustion gnawed at him, and his eyelids grew heavy. In a moment of weakness, he closed his eyes, and when he opened them, the car was careening off the road and into a remote farm.

The impact knocked him unconscious, and when he woke up, he found himself in a dusty barn with two farmers hovering over him. “You’ve had a nasty spill, son,” one of them grunted, helping him sit up.

“I am Marvin, this here is Darrell. Have you been drinking, son?”

“No, uh, fell asleep. Where’s my phone? My wallet?” Jake asked, panic rising in his chest. The two farmers exchanged a glance before Marvin replied, “We’ll take care of that later. You need to rest first.”

Jake’s knuckles were white on the steering wheel as he sped down the empty road, the fields of corn and cotton whipping by in a blur. His mind was consumed with regret as he tried to reach Jenn on the phone, but she never picked up.

He pounded on the steering wheel, angry at himself. He told himself he had panicked, nothing more, and regardless of what he had said, he was eager to be a father and anxious to find Jenn in time. Jenn was the love of his life.

As he saw the lights of a small town in the distance, he checked his fuel. He cursed his luck and slowed down to look for a petrol station. He pumped gas and tried Jenn once more. Nothing. Once he filled up, he was back on the road and heading towards Arkansas to find Jenn. But the drive was long and eventually exhaustion gnawed at him, and his eyelids grew heavy. In a moment of weakness, he closed his eyes, and when he opened them, the car was careening off the road and into a remote farm.

The impact knocked him unconscious, and when he woke up, he found himself in a dusty barn with two farmers hovering over him. “You’ve had a nasty spill, son,” one of them grunted, helping him sit up.

“I am Marvin, this here is Darrell. Have you been drinking, son?”

“No, uh, fell asleep. Where’s my phone? My wallet?” Jake asked, panic rising in his chest. The two farmers exchanged a glance before Marvin replied, “We’ll take care of that later. You need to rest first.”

The coach was left in disbelief when his undefeated team lost their first game of the season to a team they had beaten 10 times in a row.

Today, London is one of the biggest cities in the world. However, over its history, it has been overtaken and ruled by different groups and empires. It was first discovered by the Romans, who sailed through the River Thames to invade the country in 47 AD. They found a small narrowing in the estuary deep into the river and settled on the land there. They build a bridge to connect both sides of the river, which today is known as the London Bridge.

The city was first known as Londinium, and the Romans built it up and made it Britain’s capital. When the Roman empire crumbled, it was then occupied by a number of different tribes, including the Angles, Danes, Saxons, Jutes, Germans, and others. Wars were fought for hundreds of years for the occupation of the city, and the capital underwent a series of name changes, including Augusta, Lundenwic, Lundin, Lounden, Ludnen, and eventually London. Finally, after the Anglo-Saxons were defeated in 1066 by the Duke of Normandy, the English controlled London and expanded their empire. Eventually, they would unite with Scotland to make up Great Britain.

Today, London is one of the biggest cities in the world. However, over its history, it has been overtaken and ruled by different groups and empires. It was first discovered by the Romans, who sailed through the River Thames to invade the country in 47 AD. They found a small narrowing in the estuary deep into the river and settled on the land there. They build a bridge to connect both sides of the river, which today is known as the London Bridge.

The city was first known as Londinium, and the Romans built it up and made it Britain’s capital. When the Roman empire crumbled, it was then occupied by a number of different tribes, including the Angles, Danes, Saxons, Jutes, Germans, and others. Wars were fought for hundreds of years for the occupation of the city, and the capital underwent a series of name changes, including Augusta, Lundenwic, Lundin, Lounden, Ludnen, and eventually London. Finally, after the Anglo-Saxons were defeated in 1066 by the Duke of Normandy, the English controlled London and expanded their empire. Eventually, they would unite with Scotland to make up Great Britain.

A paraprofessional is about to introduce a unit on British Literature and wants students to learn more about William Shakespeare. However, the paraprofessional has no idea how much students already know about Shakespeare and wants to structure the lessons around the students’ knowledge.

Mark Twain is one of the most famous writers from the 19th century. While many recognize him for his novels The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885), Twain was also renowned for his humorist essays and travel writings. He used his experiences from traveling to help frame his famous pieces and even wrote an essay about New England weather.

There were many things that Gip fancied there.

He turned to this astonishing tradesman with mingled confidence and respect. “Is that a Magic Sword?” he said.

“A Magic Toy Sword. It neither bends, breaks, nor cuts the fingers. It makes the holder invincible in battle against anyone under eighteen. Half-a-crown to seven and sixpence, according to size. These panoplies on cards are for juvenile knights-errant and very useful– shield of safety, sandals of swiftness, helmet of invisibility.”

“Oh, daddy!” gasped Gip.

I tried to find out what they cost, but the shopman did not heed me. He had got Gip now; he had got him away from my finger; he had embarked upon the exposition of all his confounded stock, and nothing was going to stop him. Presently, I saw with a qualm of distrust and something very like jealousy that Gip had hold of this person’s finger as usually he has hold of mine. No doubt the fellow was interesting, I thought, and had an interestingly faked lot of stuff, really good faked stuff, still–

I wandered after them, saying very little, but keeping an eye on this prestidigital fellow. After all, Gip was enjoying it. And no doubt when the time came to go, we should be able to go quite easily.

There were many things that Gip fancied there.

He turned to this astonishing tradesman with mingled confidence and respect. “Is that a Magic Sword?” he said.

“A Magic Toy Sword. It neither bends, breaks, nor cuts the fingers. It makes the holder invincible in battle against anyone under eighteen. Half-a-crown to seven and sixpence, according to size. These panoplies on cards are for juvenile knights-errant and very useful– shield of safety, sandals of swiftness, helmet of invisibility.”

“Oh, daddy!” gasped Gip.

I tried to find out what they cost, but the shopman did not heed me. He had got Gip now; he had got him away from my finger; he had embarked upon the exposition of all his confounded stock, and nothing was going to stop him. Presently, I saw with a qualm of distrust and something very like jealousy that Gip had hold of this person’s finger as usually he has hold of mine. No doubt the fellow was interesting, I thought, and had an interestingly faked lot of stuff, really good faked stuff, still–

I wandered after them, saying very little, but keeping an eye on this prestidigital fellow. After all, Gip was enjoying it. And no doubt when the time came to go, we should be able to go quite easily.

NCAA football has undergone a significant transformation in the last five years. Besides the playoff expansion to 12 teams and bigger conferences adding teams, players can now get compensated through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) regulations. Athletes are allowed to be paid through commercials and other means. Additionally, players can freely transfer to another school after a season ends without any penalty. The NCAA believes this will improve the sport and allow more teams to compete for a championship. I disagree. I think this is bad for college football, allowing schools to poach players from other schools for financial reasons. It used to be about choosing a school you want to play for. Now, it’s becoming which school will pay you the most. College football was doing great for so many years, and they shouldn’t try to fix something that wasn’t broken.

Some 245 light years away from Earth, a new planet was recently discovered by scientific experts, named TOl-733b. It is twice the size of Earth but doesn’t have the same favorable atmospheric conditions as we do. Experts believe this new planet could include “a highly irradiated oceanic world” and that it may have also lost its atmospheric layer.

The new planet is believed to have a density of 3.98 grams per cubic centimeter, which is lower than Earth’s 5.51 grams per cubic centimeter. This planet also orbits a smaller star considered its sun in just 4.9 days compared to Earth which orbits the sun in 365 days. The proximity to this star has led scientists to believe their hypotheses regarding the planet’s atmosphere and why it would evaporate. There’s also the hypothesis this could be an oceanic planet.

Some 245 light years away from Earth, a new planet was recently discovered by scientific experts, named TOl-733b. It is twice the size of Earth but doesn’t have the same favorable atmospheric conditions as we do. Experts believe this new planet could include “a highly irradiated oceanic world” and that it may have also lost its atmospheric layer.

The new planet is believed to have a density of 3.98 grams per cubic centimeter, which is lower than Earth’s 5.51 grams per cubic centimeter. This planet also orbits a smaller star considered its sun in just 4.9 days compared to Earth which orbits the sun in 365 days. The proximity to this star has led scientists to believe their hypotheses regarding the planet’s atmosphere and why it would evaporate. There’s also the hypothesis this could be an oceanic planet.

Video games have undergone a massive transformation since the early 1990s. Back then, Nintendo was the top video game console, which used Japanese animation to create visuals. Unlike the current Sony Playstation 5 console which sometimes looks so real that it’s hard to decipher real life from the animations on screen, Nintendo was more basic and arcade-like. Kids of all ages were obsessed with Nintendos, despite their high price. While they enjoy using the PlayStation console, most kids still have their favorite Nintendo cartridges stored away in their old belongings.

Gatsby smiled understandingly—much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced—or seemed to face—the whole eternal world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. It understood you just so far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself, and assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey. Precisely at that point it vanished—and I was looking at an elegant young roughneck, a year or two over thirty, whose elaborate formality of speech just missed being absurd. Some time before he introduced himself or showed us around his large house I’d got a strong impression that he was picking his words with care.

Almost at the moment when Mr. Gatsby identified himself his butler hurried toward him with the information that Chicago was calling him on the wire. He excused himself with a small bow that included each of us in turn.

“If you want anything just ask for it, old sport,” he urged me. “Excuse me. I will rejoin you later.”

Gatsby smiled understandingly—much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced—or seemed to face—the whole eternal world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. It understood you just so far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself, and assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey. Precisely at that point it vanished—and I was looking at an elegant young roughneck, a year or two over thirty, whose elaborate formality of speech just missed being absurd. Some time before he introduced himself or showed us around his large house I’d got a strong impression that he was picking his words with care.

Almost at the moment when Mr. Gatsby identified himself his butler hurried toward him with the information that Chicago was calling him on the wire. He excused himself with a small bow that included each of us in turn.

“If you want anything just ask for it, old sport,” he urged me. “Excuse me. I will rejoin you later.”

It was an unusually cold night inside our apartment, so much so that I went down to the woods to gather some firewood. As I began walking, I came across a mysterious man who who was wearing nothing but black. He looked at me with a mean and angry look, as if I did something wrong. I looked at him quickly and then kept on walking towards the woods.