Grade: Grade 11 Subject: English Language Arts Unit: SAT/ACT R&W Mastery Lesson: 6 of 6 SAT: All Domains ACT: Reading, English

Unit Checkpoint: SAT/ACT R&W Mastery

Assessment Overview

This checkpoint tests your mastery of all Reading and Writing domains covered in this unit. The questions mirror the format and difficulty of actual SAT and ACT questions.

Domains Assessed

  • Information & Ideas: Central ideas, textual evidence, inferences, data interpretation
  • Craft & Structure: Word choice, text structure, purpose, point of view
  • Expression of Ideas: Development, organization, effective language use
  • Standard English Conventions: Grammar, punctuation, sentence structure

Test-Taking Reminders

  • Read each passage or question carefully before looking at answer choices
  • Eliminate obviously wrong answers first
  • For grammar questions, identify the error type before selecting an answer
  • For reading questions, always find textual evidence for your answer
  • Manage your time: aim for about 1 minute per question

Checkpoint Assessment

Complete all 12 questions. Track your answers and check them against the key at the end.

Passage-Based Questions (1-6)

The following passage is adapted from a 2024 article about urban planning.

[1] Cities around the world are reimagining their relationship with automobiles. [2] For decades, urban planning prioritized car infrastructure above all else, leading to sprawling highways, vast parking lots, and neighborhoods designed around driving rather than walking. [3] This car-centric approach, however, has come with significant costs: increased pollution, traffic fatalities, and a sense of isolation among residents. [4] In response, a growing movement advocates for "15-minute cities" where residents can access all essential services within a short walk or bike ride.

[5] Paris has emerged as a leader in this transformation. [6] Under Mayor Anne Hidalgo, the city has removed thousands of parking spaces and converted them into parks, bike lanes, and outdoor dining areas. [7] The results have been dramatic; cycling has increased by 54% since 2019, and air quality has measurably improved. [8] Critics argue that these changes disadvantage those who must drive for work or disability-related reasons, but the city has responded by improving public transit and creating exemptions for essential vehicles.

[9] The movement extends beyond Europe. [10] Melbourne, Australia has implemented "20-minute neighborhoods," while cities from Bogota to Seoul have removed highways to create linear parks. [11] However, the success of these initiatives depends on addressing the needs of all residents, not just those who can easily walk or cycle. [12] As cities continue to evolve, the challenge will be balancing livability with accessibility, ensuring that the benefits of urban transformation reach everyone.

1. Which choice best states the main purpose of the passage?

  1. To criticize car-centric urban planning
  2. To describe a global shift in urban design philosophy and its implications
  3. To argue that Paris is the world's most progressive city
  4. To compare European and non-European approaches to city planning

2. As used in sentence 6, "has removed" is:

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. had removed
  3. was removing
  4. removes

3. Which punctuation correctly completes sentence 7?

"The results have been dramatic; cycling has increased..."

  1. NO CHANGE (semicolon)
  2. dramatic: cycling
  3. dramatic, cycling
  4. dramatic. Cycling

4. The author includes sentence 8 primarily to:

  1. Undermine the argument for car-free cities
  2. Acknowledge a counterargument and explain how it has been addressed
  3. Shift focus from Paris to other cities
  4. Provide statistical evidence for the passage's claims

5. In sentence 11, "However" should be:

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. Therefore
  3. Still
  4. Moreover

6. Which sentence, if added after sentence 4, would best support the paragraph's claims about the problems with car-centric planning?

  1. Many people enjoy the freedom that car ownership provides.
  2. According to the WHO, traffic-related air pollution contributes to 4.2 million premature deaths annually worldwide.
  3. Urban planning is a complex field with many competing priorities.
  4. The first traffic light was installed in London in 1868.

Standalone Questions (7-12)

7. Analyzing the data carefully, the conclusion was reached by the researchers that the treatment showed promise.

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. Analyzing the data carefully, the researchers reached the conclusion
  3. The conclusion was reached by the researchers, analyzing the data carefully,
  4. The researchers, analyzing the data carefully, the conclusion was reached

8. The symphony orchestra, along with its guest soloists, perform in the new concert hall tonight.

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. performs
  3. are performing
  4. have performed

9. The CEO announced that the company would focus on three priorities in the coming year; expanding into new markets, improving customer service, and developing innovative products.

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. year: expanding
  3. year, expanding
  4. year. Expanding

10. Neither the manager nor the employees was aware of the policy change.

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. were
  3. is
  4. has been

11. Which choice most effectively combines the sentences?

"The ancient library contained thousands of scrolls. These scrolls documented the history of Mediterranean civilizations."

  1. The ancient library contained thousands of scrolls, and these scrolls documented the history of Mediterranean civilizations.
  2. The ancient library contained thousands of scrolls documenting the history of Mediterranean civilizations.
  3. The ancient library contained thousands of scrolls, they documented the history of Mediterranean civilizations.
  4. Documenting the history of Mediterranean civilizations, the ancient library contained thousands of scrolls.

12. The scientist's groundbreaking research has effected significant changes in how we understand climate systems.

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. affected
  3. has an effect on
  4. effectively changed

Answer Key and Explanations

Answers

1. B | 2. A | 3. A | 4. B | 5. C | 6. B | 7. B | 8. B | 9. B | 10. B | 11. B | 12. A

Detailed Explanations

1. B - The passage describes how cities globally are moving away from car-centric design and discusses the implications (benefits and challenges). It's not primarily a criticism (A), doesn't claim Paris is "most progressive" (C), and comparison isn't its main purpose (D).

2. A - "Has removed" (present perfect) is correct because it describes an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance to the present. "Had removed" (past perfect) would require a later past action. "Was removing" is past progressive. "Removes" is simple present.

3. A - A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses. A colon (B) would work if the second clause explained or elaborated on "dramatic." A comma (C) creates a comma splice. A period (D) is acceptable but the semicolon better shows the close relationship.

4. B - The sentence presents a counterargument ("Critics argue...") and then explains how Paris has addressed it ("but the city has responded..."). This acknowledges-and-respond structure strengthens the overall argument.

5. C - "Still" works because the sentence adds a caveat or condition (success depends on addressing all residents' needs) while maintaining continuity with the positive examples. "However" suggests contradiction with the previous sentence, which is about expansion beyond Europe. "Therefore" suggests causation. "Moreover" suggests addition without qualification.

6. B - This choice provides specific evidence (WHO statistics on deaths from traffic-related pollution) that directly supports the claim about "significant costs" mentioned in sentence 3. The other options are off-topic or too general.

7. B - The original has a dangling modifier: "Analyzing the data carefully" should modify "researchers," not "conclusion." B correctly makes "researchers" the subject of the main clause.

8. B - "The symphony orchestra" is the subject; "along with its guest soloists" is a parenthetical phrase that doesn't change the singular subject. Therefore, the singular verb "performs" is correct.

9. B - A colon is correct here because it follows a complete sentence and introduces a list. A semicolon joins independent clauses, not a sentence and a list.

10. B - With "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. "Employees" is plural, so "were" is correct.

11. B - This choice efficiently combines the sentences using a participial phrase without redundancy or errors. A is wordy. C is a comma splice. D creates a misplaced modifier (the library wasn't documenting).

12. A - "Effected" (verb meaning "brought about" or "caused") is correct here. "Affected" means "influenced." The scientist's research "effected" (caused/produced) changes.

Scoring and Next Steps

Score Interpretation

  • 11-12 correct: Excellent! You've mastered the R&W domains. Move on to timed full-section practice.
  • 9-10 correct: Strong performance. Review any missed questions and their explanations.
  • 7-8 correct: Good foundation. Revisit lessons for your weaker domains before continuing.
  • Below 7: Review all lessons in this unit before attempting full practice tests.

Recommended Actions

  • Review explanations for any questions you missed
  • Return to specific lessons for domains where you struggled
  • Practice timed sections to build speed and stamina
  • Continue to the SAT/ACT Skills subject for comprehensive test prep strategies