Question

mid-year ela diagnostic assessment (grades 9 & 11)
time: 60 minutes
instructions: read each passage carefully and answer all questions. answer t
choice questions by circling or highlighting the correct choice. respond to the
response and writing prompts in complete sentences.
section a: reading & analysis (both grades)
passage:
during the early morning hours, the school hallway is quiet, almost respectful, as
building itself is preparing for the noise that will soon arrive. custodians move
methodically, wiping lockers and mopping floors, while the scent of cleaning solu
lingers in the air. hygiene, though often ignored by students rushing to class, play
invisible role in shaping how a school feels and functions. a clean environment pr
focus, safety, and even a sense of pride, yet its importance is rarely acknowledged
who benefit most from it, unless it is missing.

1. what is the central idea of the passage?

a. schools are quiet in the early morning hours when custodians are hard at work
b. custodians work harder than students realize to keep schools clean and hygien
c. hygiene plays an important but overlooked role in schools.
d. students don’t recognize the importance of the smell of cleaning supplies.

1. which sentence best supports the central idea?

a. during the early morning hours, the school hallway is quiet.
b. custodians move methodically, wiping lockers and mopping floors.
c. hygiene, though often ignored by students rushing to class, plays an invisible
d. the scent of cleaning solution lingers in the air.

1. the tone of the passage can best be described as:

a. angry
b. reflective
c. humorous
d. critical
section b: language & conventions (both grades)

1. choose the sentence that is written correctly.

a. there hygiene habits affects how others feel.
b. students forget to wash they’re hands after lunch
c. good hygiene habits help prevent illnesses at school.
d. clean floors is important for sanitary purposes.

Explanation:

Question 1

To find the central idea, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Describes the morning scene but not the main idea.
• Option B: Focuses on custodians' effort, not the key point about hygiene's role.
• Option C: The passage states hygiene is important but overlooked in schools (supports like "Hygiene... often ignored... plays an invisible role... importance is rarely acknowledged").
• Option D: Focuses on students' recognition of cleaning smell, not the main idea.

We need a sentence supporting the central idea (hygiene's overlooked importance in schools):

• Option A: Describes morning quiet, not hygiene's role.
• Option B: Describes custodians' work, not hygiene's importance.
• Option C: States hygiene is ignored by students but plays an invisible role, directly supporting the central idea.
• Option D: Describes cleaning solution smell, not hygiene's importance.

The passage reflects on hygiene's role in schools (not angry, humorous, or critical; it's thoughtful about hygiene's impact):

• Option A: No anger in tone.
• Option B: Reflective (thinking about and explaining hygiene's role and its overlooked nature).
• Option C: No humor.
• Option D: Not critical (no negative judgment, just reflection).

Answer:

C. Hygiene plays an important but overlooked role in schools.

Question 2