MEGA Elementary Education Multi-Content Practice Test

A student is drafting a research report about the California desert. Which passage should they quote directly?

1. Evidence of twentieth-century man's passage here was minimal before 1940

2. In a century, roads and railroads were constructed across the desert

3. The dark mouths of mines yawned from the desert ranges, reflecting perspective

4. And crops of grapes...

The correct answer is: The dark mouths of mines yawned from the desert ranges, reflecting perspective

The choice to quote directly is particularly well-founded when it comes to passage C, which provides a vivid, descriptive image of the mines within the California desert. Direct quotes are often chosen for their striking language or unique phrasing that captures the reader's attention or conveys a specific tone or emotion. In this case, the phrase "the dark mouths of mines yawned from the desert ranges" employs metaphorical language that adds depth and visual imagery to the report. This direct quote enhances the student's work by offering a compelling and poetic portrayal of a specific aspect of the desert environment, thus enriching the overall narrative of the research report. Other passages, while informative, relay more straightforward facts or statements about historical developments (as seen in passages A and B) or provide an incomplete thought (like D), which may not offer the same level of engagement or illustrative detail as the chosen passage. Therefore, citing the descriptive language in passage C helps to evoke imagery and capture the reader's imagination regarding the California desert.