HELLP Question 13
What is the correct way to spell the word in the following sentence:

"Even though she describes them as ‘skinny’ and ‘pointy,’ she has a profound respect for their strength and perserverence."

Group of answer choices

perserverence

perserverince

persarvarance

perserverance

Question 14
Which of the following sentences should be eliminated from the paragraph in order to maintain focus on its central point?
Group of answer choices

The speaker in the passage compares herself to “four skinny trees” that are growing up out of concrete and really shouldn’t be surviving in the middle of city neighborhood, and yet they do.

She mentions tulips as well connecting herself to nature in many ways.

She looks at the trees and feels connected to the tough life they have had pushing through the concrete to get to the sun, sending their roots down into the dirt to find nutrients, and surviving against all odds

Perhaps the speaker, too, feels that she has survived against the odds of her circumstances.

Question 15
Which piece of evidence from the original Sandra Cisneros excerpt (Reading Passage for Questions 8-12) would best support the student's response as textual evidence for the constructed response?
Group of answer choices

Four skinny trees with skinny necks and pointy elbows like mine.

This is how they keep.

From our room we can hear them, but Nenny just sleeps and doesn't appreciate these things.

When I am too sad and too skinny to keep keeping, when I am a tiny thing against so many bricks, then it is I look at trees.

Question 16
If this student were going to do additional research about plants growing up out of concrete, which of the following pieces of research should the student NOT use when they begin to synthesize information into an essay?

Source 1: New cell growth takes place at the tips of plant roots. As the root system grows and develops, these tips act as feelers, seeking out the path of least resistance for expansion. These pervasive little root tips can detect microscopic fissures in the concrete surface and, once they find one, the root pushes into the tiny crack. Eventually, molecule by molecule, the plant’s growth can force its way into the slab and create a surface crack ("How Plants Cause Sidewalk Concrete Cracking").

Source 2: Tree roots present an even bigger potential problem for concrete surfaces. They move through cement in the same way as smaller plants, but with much greater potential energy. Trees near your concrete areas could push roots beneath and through the surface, causing expensive damage and dangerous cracks in the slab. You may have to cut the roots or even remove the tree to permanently resolve this problem ("How, Exactly, Do Plants Break Through Concrete?").

Source 3: Concrete can be harmful for some plants because most cement and concrete mixes contain lime. And lime is the culprit that raises concern as to whether it’s safe to grow plants into cement and concrete pots. Though not toxic, lime has a high pH level, making it highly alkaline. Some plants won’t prosper or even survive in soil with higher alkalinity ("Are Concrete Planters Safe for Plants?").

Group of answer choices

Source 1

Source 2

Source 3

All sources are appropriate for the topic

Question 17
If the student wanted to replace the word "tough" in their response, what would could they chose that has the same meaning and connotation?
Group of answer choices

resilient

rigid

fragile

rugged