Reading Standards for Informational Text: Advanced Literary Comprehension (CCSS.RI.8.4)
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Common Core 8th Grade ELA › Reading Standards for Informational Text: Advanced Literary Comprehension (CCSS.RI.8.4)
Public health officials focused on reducing standing water because it attracts mosquitoes, a known vector for West Nile virus. By interrupting the insects' breeding cycle, the campaign aimed to limit transmission.
As used in the passage, what does the word vector most nearly mean?
a quantity with both direction and magnitude
a straight path
an organism that transmits a pathogen between hosts
the central point of an area
Explanation
The mention of mosquitoes and disease transmission signals the biological meaning: a vector is an organism that carries a pathogen between hosts. The math definition (direction and magnitude) does not fit this context.
The company advertised greater bandwidth for the new router, but our video calls still stuttered because the old cables created a bottleneck, limiting how much information could move at once.
As used in the passage, what does the word "bandwidth" most nearly mean?
a specific radio frequency
the width of a physical strip or band
loudness of a sound
data-carrying capacity
Explanation
The context "limiting how much information could move at once" shows bandwidth means capacity for data transfer, not a particular frequency, physical width, or volume of sound.
In the city council, a single viral video became a catalyst for change. While previous petitions had languished, this brief clip triggered a cascade of town hall meetings and policy drafts. Like a spark falling on dry tinder, it did not become the fire itself; it set other materials ablaze.
As used in the passage, what does the word "catalyst" most nearly mean?
a substance that speeds a chemical reaction without being consumed
a complete record of items arranged systematically
the gradual buildup of pressure over time
something that causes change to happen more quickly without itself changing much
Explanation
The video "triggered a cascade" of actions, like a spark igniting tinder, so catalyst means something that sparks change. The chemical definition is literal but not the intended figurative sense; the other choices do not match the context.
Before the drone's maiden flight, engineers calibrated its altimeter, adjusting it to match a known elevation. If the instrument wasn't calibrated, even a light breeze could produce misleading readings.
As used in the passage, what does the word calibrated most nearly mean?
adjusted for accuracy using a standard
replaced with a new part
measured for the first time
protected with a cover
Explanation
The phrase "adjusting it to match a known elevation" shows calibrate means to set an instrument using a standard so it reads accurately.
After a brief sprinkle, the seeds remained dormant, conserving energy in the parched soil until sustained rains arrived.
As used in the passage, what does the word "dormant" most nearly mean?
asleep
inactive but capable of growth
dead
hidden from view
Explanation
Phrases like "remained" and "until sustained rains arrived" show a temporary, inactive state that can change, so it means inactive but able to grow—not asleep, dead, or merely hidden.
Though the committee had debated reforms for months, progress stalled. Then a student-led report exposed inequities with clear charts and case studies. The findings galvanized the board: within a week, they scheduled emergency sessions, drafted new guidelines, and publicly committed to measurable benchmarks.
As used in the passage, what does the word "galvanized" most nearly mean?
coated with a protective layer of zinc
motivated into urgent action
moved in a slow, hesitant manner
conducted an electric current
Explanation
After the report, the board quickly scheduled sessions and drafted guidelines, showing they were spurred into action. The zinc coating and electricity senses are technical but do not fit the context; moving slowly is the opposite of what happened.
Historians often point to a single article as the catalyst for reform; like a spark in dry grass, it set off a sweeping investigation and a series of new laws. Before that piece of reporting, complaints smoldered without change.
Which phrase best helps the reader understand catalyst?
complaints smoldered
a series of new laws
single article
like a spark in dry grass, it set off a sweeping investigation
Explanation
The simile "like a spark in dry grass" shows that a catalyst is something that triggers or starts a larger reaction or change.
Engineers evaluate a fluid's viscosity, its resistance to flow, before selecting a lubricant. Honey, for instance, creeps along the glass, while water slips quickly; at low temperatures, even oils that are usually slick can thicken.
Which phrase best helps the reader understand "viscosity"?
creeps along the glass
before selecting a lubricant
at low temperatures... can thicken
its resistance to flow
Explanation
The appositive phrase "its resistance to flow" directly defines viscosity, while the other phrases are examples or context that do not explicitly state the meaning.
Fresh snow gleamed atop the glacier. Because its surface had a high albedo, it bounced much of the sunlight back into the atmosphere, leaving the adjacent valley cooler by afternoon.
As used in the passage, what does the word "albedo" most nearly mean?
elevation
paleness
reflectivity
excuse or defense
Explanation
The clue "it bounced much of the sunlight back" shows the word refers to how reflective the surface is. That fits reflectivity, not elevation, simple paleness, or an excuse (alibi).
In the lab report, the microbiologist noted that the signal grew attenuated as the sample moved through successive dilutions, until the once-vivid band became a pale shadow. To avoid misinterpretation, she calibrated the sensor and repeated the assay.
As used in the passage, what does the word "attenuated" most nearly mean?
expanded
concentrated
weakened
amplified
Explanation
The context mentions "successive dilutions" and a band that becomes a "pale shadow," suggesting the signal is getting weaker, so "attenuated" means weakened.