Texas PACT ELAR 7-12 (731) questions with correct
answers, with rationale.
Which of the following pairs of words acquired new, specialized meanings due to the influence of the
field of psychology?
a. broadcast, screen
b. introvert, inhibition
c. network, window
d. sedan, coupe
Option B is correct. This question requires the examinee to recognize historical, social, and cultural
influences that have helped shape the English language. The word introvert was first used in the late
seventeenth century to mean "to concentrate upon oneself." The word inhibition was first used in the
fourteenth century to mean "something that forbids or restricts." Each of these words took on
specialized meanings in the field of psychology in the late nineteenth century: introvert came to mean
"to produce psychological introversion in," and inhibition came to mean "a mental process imposing
restraint on behavior."
Learning how to behave when with your horse is the first step towards building a good working
relationship with him. A well-treated horse is trusting but a frightened horse can be very strong and
could be dangerously unsafe. Always speak calmly. Horses are sensitive to tone of voice, so never
shout. Avoid noises like road drills or motor bikes. Don't move suddenly or carelessly when around
horses. Use persuasion to encourage your horse. Horses never forget a bad experience, but you can
use their memory to your advantage as they will also remember praise and rewards. Horses work best
when they are in a happy environment and they like routine.
For which of the following statements does this excerpt offer a sufficient amount of supporting detail?
a. A calm horse requires less praise than a skittish horse.
b. Horses are best trained in remote, rural places.
c. A highly disciplined horse will be a hard-working horse.
d. Horses respond best to steady, gentle encouragement.
Option D is correct. This question requires the examinee to assess the sufficiency of evidence, examples,
and reasons provided to explain a concept or process presented in an informational text. The details in
the excerpt explain the dos and don'ts of communicating with horses, such as do "speak calmly" to them
but don't "move suddenly or carelessly" around them. Collectively, these tips support the practice of
using steady, gentle encouragement with horses.
Representative government in the United States has broken down. Our legislators do not represent
the public, the voters, or even those who voted for them but rather the commercial-industrial
interests that finance their political campaigns and control the organs of communication—the TV, the
newspapers, the billboards, the radio. Politics is a game for the rich only. Representative government
in the USA represents money, not people, and therefore has forfeited our allegiance and moral
support. We owe it nothing but the taxation it extorts from us under threats of seizure of property. . . .
, Which of the following statements best describes the effect of the author's use of a rhetorical
technique in this excerpt?
a. The author's use of specific examples such as TV, newspapers, and radio demonstrates a thoroughly
researched perspective.
b. A reliance on exaggerations and sweeping generalizations reveals strong biases in the author's
argument.
c. The author's use of a simple, clear position statement at the beginning of the argument helps
reinforce the overall validity of the argument.
d. A focus on appeals to authority and emotion reveals that the author's perspective is based primarily
on hearsay.
Option B is correct. This question requires the examinee to analyze the use of a rhetorical technique in a
persuasive text. In the excerpt, the author reveals strong biases through exaggerations such as
"Representative government in the United States has broken down" and sweeping generalizations such
as "Politics is a game for the rich only."
An individual reads the instructions below for acquiring an absentee ballot. She provides her local
board of elections with her driver's license, a statement identifying the election in which she would
like to vote, and an address to which she would like the absentee ballot mailed.
Voter Registration Information
How can I acquire an absentee ballot?Write or go to the board of elections in your county and request
an absentee ballot application. On the application, you must provide the following information:your
printed name and signature,the address at which you are currently registered to vote,your date of
birth,personal identification, which may be any one of the following:your driver's license number,
orthe last four digits of your social security number, ora copy of your current and valid photo
identification or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other
government document that shows your name and addressa statement identifying the election for
which the absentee ballot is being requested,a statement declaring that you are a qualified elector,
andan address to which you would like the ballot mailed, if applicable.Absentee ballot applications
must be received by your county's board of elections by noon of the Saturday before the election.
Based on these instructions, this individual will need to provide which of the following additional
materials in order to acquire an absentee ballot?
a. a paycheck that she has endorsed but not yet cashed
b. a copy of her birth certificate
c. a statement declaring that she is a qualified elector
d. a copy of her most recent phone bill
Option C is correct. This question requires the examinee to use information presented in a technical text
to gain knowledge and develop skills, such as learning and exercising citizens' rights. When the individual
acquires the application at her local board of elections, she will be able to fill in her name, date of birth,
and current address as well as provide her signature. In addition, she will have in hand her driver's
answers, with rationale.
Which of the following pairs of words acquired new, specialized meanings due to the influence of the
field of psychology?
a. broadcast, screen
b. introvert, inhibition
c. network, window
d. sedan, coupe
Option B is correct. This question requires the examinee to recognize historical, social, and cultural
influences that have helped shape the English language. The word introvert was first used in the late
seventeenth century to mean "to concentrate upon oneself." The word inhibition was first used in the
fourteenth century to mean "something that forbids or restricts." Each of these words took on
specialized meanings in the field of psychology in the late nineteenth century: introvert came to mean
"to produce psychological introversion in," and inhibition came to mean "a mental process imposing
restraint on behavior."
Learning how to behave when with your horse is the first step towards building a good working
relationship with him. A well-treated horse is trusting but a frightened horse can be very strong and
could be dangerously unsafe. Always speak calmly. Horses are sensitive to tone of voice, so never
shout. Avoid noises like road drills or motor bikes. Don't move suddenly or carelessly when around
horses. Use persuasion to encourage your horse. Horses never forget a bad experience, but you can
use their memory to your advantage as they will also remember praise and rewards. Horses work best
when they are in a happy environment and they like routine.
For which of the following statements does this excerpt offer a sufficient amount of supporting detail?
a. A calm horse requires less praise than a skittish horse.
b. Horses are best trained in remote, rural places.
c. A highly disciplined horse will be a hard-working horse.
d. Horses respond best to steady, gentle encouragement.
Option D is correct. This question requires the examinee to assess the sufficiency of evidence, examples,
and reasons provided to explain a concept or process presented in an informational text. The details in
the excerpt explain the dos and don'ts of communicating with horses, such as do "speak calmly" to them
but don't "move suddenly or carelessly" around them. Collectively, these tips support the practice of
using steady, gentle encouragement with horses.
Representative government in the United States has broken down. Our legislators do not represent
the public, the voters, or even those who voted for them but rather the commercial-industrial
interests that finance their political campaigns and control the organs of communication—the TV, the
newspapers, the billboards, the radio. Politics is a game for the rich only. Representative government
in the USA represents money, not people, and therefore has forfeited our allegiance and moral
support. We owe it nothing but the taxation it extorts from us under threats of seizure of property. . . .
, Which of the following statements best describes the effect of the author's use of a rhetorical
technique in this excerpt?
a. The author's use of specific examples such as TV, newspapers, and radio demonstrates a thoroughly
researched perspective.
b. A reliance on exaggerations and sweeping generalizations reveals strong biases in the author's
argument.
c. The author's use of a simple, clear position statement at the beginning of the argument helps
reinforce the overall validity of the argument.
d. A focus on appeals to authority and emotion reveals that the author's perspective is based primarily
on hearsay.
Option B is correct. This question requires the examinee to analyze the use of a rhetorical technique in a
persuasive text. In the excerpt, the author reveals strong biases through exaggerations such as
"Representative government in the United States has broken down" and sweeping generalizations such
as "Politics is a game for the rich only."
An individual reads the instructions below for acquiring an absentee ballot. She provides her local
board of elections with her driver's license, a statement identifying the election in which she would
like to vote, and an address to which she would like the absentee ballot mailed.
Voter Registration Information
How can I acquire an absentee ballot?Write or go to the board of elections in your county and request
an absentee ballot application. On the application, you must provide the following information:your
printed name and signature,the address at which you are currently registered to vote,your date of
birth,personal identification, which may be any one of the following:your driver's license number,
orthe last four digits of your social security number, ora copy of your current and valid photo
identification or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other
government document that shows your name and addressa statement identifying the election for
which the absentee ballot is being requested,a statement declaring that you are a qualified elector,
andan address to which you would like the ballot mailed, if applicable.Absentee ballot applications
must be received by your county's board of elections by noon of the Saturday before the election.
Based on these instructions, this individual will need to provide which of the following additional
materials in order to acquire an absentee ballot?
a. a paycheck that she has endorsed but not yet cashed
b. a copy of her birth certificate
c. a statement declaring that she is a qualified elector
d. a copy of her most recent phone bill
Option C is correct. This question requires the examinee to use information presented in a technical text
to gain knowledge and develop skills, such as learning and exercising citizens' rights. When the individual
acquires the application at her local board of elections, she will be able to fill in her name, date of birth,
and current address as well as provide her signature. In addition, she will have in hand her driver's
