Cite Strongest Literary Evidence Practice Test
•10 QuestionsRead the passage from a short story:
Aria’s debate notes were color-coded, highlighted, and stacked so neatly they looked like they belonged to someone older. She had practiced her opening statement until her tongue felt tired.
In the auditorium hallway, her partner, Jalen, bounced on his heels. “We’ve got this,” he said.
Aria nodded, but her eyes kept drifting to the trophy case. In the glass, she could see her reflection—chin up, shoulders back—like she was playing the part of “confident.”
When their names were called, Jalen stepped forward first.
Aria’s foot stayed glued to the floor.
“Aria?” Jalen whispered.
She swallowed. The lights inside the auditorium looked too bright, like a spotlight searching for mistakes.
Then she heard a familiar sound: her little sister’s laugh from the back row, quick and fearless.
Aria inhaled, lifted her notes, and walked onto the stage.
Later, when the round ended, Aria’s hands still shook—but she was smiling.
Question: Which piece of evidence most strongly supports the inference that Aria is nervous but chooses to be brave anyway?
Read the passage from a short story:
Aria’s debate notes were color-coded, highlighted, and stacked so neatly they looked like they belonged to someone older. She had practiced her opening statement until her tongue felt tired.
In the auditorium hallway, her partner, Jalen, bounced on his heels. “We’ve got this,” he said.
Aria nodded, but her eyes kept drifting to the trophy case. In the glass, she could see her reflection—chin up, shoulders back—like she was playing the part of “confident.”
When their names were called, Jalen stepped forward first.
Aria’s foot stayed glued to the floor.
“Aria?” Jalen whispered.
She swallowed. The lights inside the auditorium looked too bright, like a spotlight searching for mistakes.
Then she heard a familiar sound: her little sister’s laugh from the back row, quick and fearless.
Aria inhaled, lifted her notes, and walked onto the stage.
Later, when the round ended, Aria’s hands still shook—but she was smiling.
Question: Which piece of evidence most strongly supports the inference that Aria is nervous but chooses to be brave anyway?