The NYST is a Computer-Based Longitudinal Assessment System for College and Career Readiness. The students will face a variety of new technology-enhanced questions as a part of the computer-based tests.
Some of them are Multiple choice-single correct responses, Multiple choice-multiple correct responses, Matching Tables, Drag and Drop, Hot text, Table Fill in, Graphing, Equation/numeric, Extended constructed response, Short answer, and many more.
Today, we will share several sample questions along with practice test links for grade 6 English Language Arts that gives you an idea of questions that your students are likely to see on the test. After each sample question, an explanation follows that includes any important aspects of the task that you may need to consider with respect to the skills, processes, and information your students need to know.
Domain: Grade 6 >> Reading Standards for Informational Text
Sample Question: When Michael Jordan played for the Chicago Bulls, they had one winning season after another. He scored more than 100 points in 1,108 games, won two Olympic gold medals, and was ranked #1 by ESPN Magazine. Chosen for the NBA All-Stars 14 times, Jordan was ten times the scoring champ, five times the Most Valuable Player, and six times the scoring champ of the NBA. When he began losing his hair, he shaved his head completely and started a fashion trend for other players. He was chosen to make an animated movie called “Space Jam” with Bugs Bunny. No other player has come close to those achievements.
Which of the following would be the best introductory, or topic sentence, for the above passage?
- Michael Jordan is often considered to be the greatest basketball player of all time.
- Michael Jordan loves playing basketball.
- When Michael Jordan isn’t playing basketball he is staring in movies.
- Michael Jordan won games, medals, and awards as a basketball player.
Answer Explanation: The only answer choice which completely identifies who Michael Jordan is and why is answer choice A.
Standards: RI.6.3
Click here to practice: Reading Standards for Informational Text Questions on 6th Grade
Domain: Grade 6 >> Writing Standards
Sample Question: Select the best introductory sentence for the following paragraph.
As long ago as 300 B.C., a Greek astronomer named Aristarchus came to the conclusion that the sun stood still while the earth and other planets revolved around it. Using only his naked eye because there were no telescopes in those days, Aristarchus determined that the passing of night and day and the changing of the seasons could all be explained by viewing the heavens in that way.
- A few astronomers in ancient times understood the organization of the universe long before most people knew about it.
- It was many centuries before the workings of the universe were understood by scientists.
- Many ancient astronomers were confused about the revolution of the earth around the sun.
- A telescope is not always necessary for astronomical observations.
Answer Explanation: Answer choice A is correct because it is an effective introductory sentence and goes well with the rest of the paragraph. The other three answers either aren’t true or do not effectively introduce the paragraph.
Standards: W.6.1.A
Click here to practice: Grade 6 Writing Standards Questions
Domain: Grade 6 >> Language Standards
Sample Question: Choose the answer with the correct punctuation for the sentence below.
Ryan stated “you shouldnt bully other kids.
- Ryan stated, you shouldn’t bully other kids.
- Ryan stated, “you shouldnt bully other kids”
- Ryan stated, “you shouldnt bully other kids.
- Ryan stated, “You shouldn’t bully other kids.”
Answer Explanation: Answer choice D is correct because it’s the only one where the You is capitalized. Any time a new sentence is used in dialogue, the first word in the sentence needs to be capitalized.
Standards: L.6.2
Click here to practice: 6th Grade Language Standards Questions
Domain: Grade 6 >> Reading Standards for Literature
Sample Question: At school, Mrs. Taylor read a story with us about a girl who moved from Japan to America, and had to learn American customs. There were some differences between her customs and ours, and the new girl taught the class some of her customs. Even though she did things differently, they weren’t wrong because each culture has its own way of doing things.
This story taught the class_____?
- We must respect the customs of different cultures.
- The American customs are the right way to do things.
- Japan is the only country that has different customs.
- Moving to a new country is hard.
Answer Explanation: A is the correct answer. While D is true, that is not mentioned in the passage. B and C are not correct because they are untrue according to the passage.
Standards: RL.6.2
Click here to practice: Reading Standards for Literature Questions for 6th Grade
