Language Usage

Strands in this subject:

Parts of Speech

 

Parts of Speech
  Kindergarten Skill ID Standard
1

Use the prepositions "for," "of," and "with."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.K.1.1 L.K.1e
2

Use the prepositions "to," "from," and "by."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.K.1.2 L.K.1e
3

Use the prepositions "in," "out," "on," and "off."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.K.1.3 L.K.1e
  First Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Use the frequently occurring conjunctions "and," "so," "but," "or," and "because."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.1.1 L.1.1g
2

Use definite and indefinite articles.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.1.2 L.1.1h
3

Use the demonstrative pronouns "this," "that," "these," and "those."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.1.3 L.1.1h
4

Use the prepositions "during," "beyond," and "toward."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.1.4 L.1.1i
5

Use regular verbs in the past tense.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.1.5 L.1.1e
6

Use verbs in the present tense.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.1.6 L.1.1e
7

Use verbs in the future tense.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.1.7 L.1.1e
8

Use frequently occurring adjectives.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.1.8 L.1.1f
9

Use singular personal pronouns (e.g., I, me, him, her).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.1.9 L.1.1d
10

Use plural personal pronouns (e.g., we, you, they, them).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.1.10 L.1.1d
11

Use possessive pronouns (e.g., my, his, hers, their).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.1.11 L.1.1d
12

Use indefinite pronouns (e.g., both, anyone, everything).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.1.12 L.1.1d
13

Use common nouns.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.1.13 L.1.1b
14

Use proper nouns.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.1.14 L.1.1b
15

Use possessive nouns.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.1.15 L.1.1b
  Second Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Choose adjectives to modify nouns.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.2.1.1 L.2.1e
2

Choose adverbs to modify verbs.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.2.1.2 L.2.1e
3

Use the past tense of common irregular verbs.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.2.1.3 L.2.1d
4

Use common irregular plural nouns.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.2.1.4 L.2.1b
5

Use reflexive pronouns.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.2.1.5 L.2.1c
6

Use collective nouns (e.g. group, team, class).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.2.1.6 L.2.1a
  Third Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Choose a subordinating conjunction (e.g., because, while, after) to begin or join clauses in a sentence.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.1.1 L.3.1h
2

Choose a coordinating conjunction (e.g., or, and) to connect words or groups of words in sentences.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.1.2 L.3.1h
3

Determine when to use comparative and superlative adverbs (e.g., more carefully, most carefully) as modifiers.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.1.3 L.3.1g
4

Determine when to use irregular comparative and superlative adjectives (e.g., better, best, worse, worst, more, most).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.1.4 L.3.1g
5

Determine when to use regular comparative and superlative adjectives (e.g., bigger, biggest, taller, tallest) as modifiers.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.1.5 L.3.1g
6

Use regular plural nouns.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.1.6 L.3.1b
7

Use irregular plural nouns (e.g., halves, wives, tomatoes).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.1.7 L.3.1b
8

Use regular verbs in the simple tenses.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.1.8 L.3.1d
9

Use the past tense for irregular verbs (e.g., grew, drove, slept).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.1.9 L.3.1d
10

Identify the purpose of an adverb in a sentence.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.1.10 L.3.1a
11

Identify the purpose of an adjective in a sentence.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.1.11 L.3.1a
12

Identify the purpose of a verb in a sentence.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.1.12 L.3.1a
13

Identify the purpose of a pronoun in a sentence.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.1.13 L.3.1a
14

Identify the purpose of a noun in a sentence.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.1.14 L.3.1a
  Fourth Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Use prepositional phrases.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.4.1.1 L.4.1e
2

Understand how to use modal verbs (e.g., might, should, must) to make a request; ask permission; or express ability, probability, or intention.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.4.1.2 L.4.1c
3

Use the progressive verb forms.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.4.1.3 L.4.1b
4

Sequence two modifiers in a sentence using conventional placement patterns (e.g., the tiny gray rock).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.4.1.4 L.4.1d
5

Use relative pronouns (e.g., who, whose, which, that).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.4.1.5 L.4.1a
6

Use relative adverbs (e.g., where, when, why).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.4.1.6 L.4.1a
  Fifth Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Use correlative conjunctions such as "either/or" and "neither/nor."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.5.1.1 L.5.1e
2

Identify the purpose of a preposition in a sentence.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.5.1.2 L.5.1a
3

Identify the purpose of a conjunction in a sentence.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.5.1.3 L.5.1a
4

Recognize an inappropriate shift in verb tense.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.5.1.4 L.5.1d
5

Use the perfect verb tenses.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.5.1.5 L.5.1b
  Sixth Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Revise sentences in which a pronoun has two possible antecedents (e.g., After Rusty told Jim he bought a new hat, he went to catch the bus).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.6.1.1 L.6.1d
2

Use a pronoun that agrees in number and person with an antecedent that is a single word (e.g., Cats do not like to share their food).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.6.1.2 L.6.1c
3

Correct an inappropriate shift in verb tense.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.6.1.3 L.5.1d
4

Use a subjective case personal pronoun (e.g., I, he, she) in a sentence that contains a compound subject (e.g., Jack and I have blue backpacks).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.6.1.4 L.6.1a
5

Use an objective case personal pronoun in a sentence that contains a compound object (e.g., The teacher smiled at Maya and me).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.6.1.5 L.6.1a
  Seventh Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Revise sentences that inappropriately use "you" as an indefinite reference (e.g., At the ice rink, you can rent a pair of skates).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.7.1.1 L.6.1d
2

Use a pronoun that agrees in number with an antecedent that includes an indefinite pronoun (e.g., each of the girls had worn out her shoes).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.7.1.2 L.6.1c
  Eighth Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Revise a sentence in the passive voice to put it in the active voice.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.8.1.1 L.8.3a
2

Revise a sentence that contains a pronoun that lacks an antecedent (e.g., It said on the Internet that it would rain tomorrow).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.8.1.2 L.6.1d
3

Use the appropriate pronoun in a sentence that has a collective noun as an antecedent (e.g., The team won its first trophy).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.8.1.3 L.6.1c

 

Punctuation and Capitalization

 

Punctuation and Capitalization
  Kindergarten Skill ID Standard
1

Recognize end punctuation.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.K.3.1 L.K.2b
2

Distinguish between uppercase and lowercase letters.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.K.3.2 L.K.1a
3

Capitalize the first word in a sentence.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.K.3.3 L.K.2a
4

Capitalize the pronoun "I."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.K.3.4 L.K.2a
  First Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Use commas in dates.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.3.1 L.1.2c
2

Use commas to separate single words in a series.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.3.2 L.1.2c
3

Use question marks and periods correctly.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.3.3 L.1.2b
4

Capitalize days of the week and names of months.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.3.4 L.1.2a
5

Capitalize names of people.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.3.5 L.1.2a
  Second Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Use an apostrophe to form contractions.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.2.3.1 L.2.2c
2

Use an apostrophe to form frequently occurring possessives.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.2.3.2 L.2.2c
3 Use commas in greeting and closing of letters.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.2.3.3 L.2.2b
4

Capitalize holidays.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.2.3.4 L.2.2a
5

Capitalize dates.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.2.3.5 L.2.2a
6

Capitalize geographic names.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.2.3.6 L.2.2a
  Third Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Form possessives for singular nouns correctly.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.3.1 L.3.2d
2

Form possessives for plural nouns correctly.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.3.2 L.3.2d
3

Punctuate dialogue correctly.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.3.3 L.3.2c
4

Use commas in addresses.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.3.4 L.3.2b
5

Capitalize titles of books correctly.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.3.5 L.3.2a
  Fourth Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.4.3.1 L.4.2c
  Fifth Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Use punctuation and formatting rules for indicating the titles of various types of works (e.g., books, plays, short stories, movies).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.5.3.1 L.5.2d
2

Use a comma to set off the words "yes" and "no" when they introduce a sentence.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.5.3.2 L.5.2c
3

Use a comma to indicate direct address.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.5.3.3 L.5.2c
4

Use a comma to separate a phrase or dependent clause from the rest of the sentence.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.5.3.4 L.5.2b
5

Use commas to separate words and phrases in a series.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.5.3.5 L.5.2a
6

Apply capitalization rules to directions and regions (e.g., traveling north, the Southwest).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.5.3.6 L.5.2
  Sixth Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Use punctuation to set off nonrestrictive/parenthetical elements.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.6.3.1 L.6.2a
  Seventh Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.7.3.1 L.7.2a
2

Use colons to introduce items in a series correctly.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.7.3.2 L.5.2a
  Eighth Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Use dashes to set off an appositive.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.8.3.1 L.8.2a
2

Use semicolons and commas with items in a series correctly.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.8.3.2 L.5.2a

Sentences, Phrases, Clauses, and Agreement

 

Sentences, Phrases, Clauses, and Agreement
  Kindergarten Skill ID Standard
1

Understand and use question words "who," "what," and "where."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.K.2.1 L.K.1d
2

Understand and use question words "when," "why," and "how."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.K.2.2 L.K.1d
  First Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Use singular nouns with matching verbs in basic sentences.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.2.1 L.1.1c
2

Use plural nouns with matching verbs in basic sentences.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.2.2 L.1.1c
3

Recognize that sentences with a subject and a predicate are complete.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.2.3 L.1.1j
4

Distinguish sentences that ask questions from sentences that make statements.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.2.4 L.1.1j
  Second Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Recognize complete simple sentences.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.2.2.1 L.2.1f
2

Recognize complete compound sentences.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.2.2.2 L.2.1f
  Third Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Ensure subject-verb agreement in a sentence with a singular subject.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.2.1 L.3.1f
2

Ensure pronoun-antecedent agreement with a singular pronoun replacing a singular noun.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.2.2 L.3.1f
3

Produce complete simple sentences.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.2.3 L.3.1i
4

Produce complete compound sentences.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.2.4 L.3.1i
5

Produce complete complex sentences.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.2.5 L.3.1i
  Fourth Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Correct sentence fragments.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.4.2.1 L.4.1f
2

Ensure subject-verb agreement in a sentence with a plural subject.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.4.2.2 L.3.1f
3

Ensure pronoun-antecedent agreement with a plural pronoun replacing a plural noun.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.4.2.3 L.3.1f
  Fifth Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Ensure subject-verb agreement for two singular subjects connected by coordinating conjunctions (e.g., and, or).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.5.2.1 L.3.1f
2

Recognize run-on sentences and comma splices.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.5.2.2 L.4.1f
3

Ensure pronoun-antecedent agreement when there is a phrase or clause between the subject and verb.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.5.2.3 L.3.1f
  Sixth Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Ensure subject-verb agreement when there are phrases or clauses between the noun and verb.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.6.2.1 L.3.1f
2

Correct run-on sentences and comma splices.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.6.2.2 L.4.1f
3

Ensure subject-verb agreement for two singular subjects connected by correlative conjunctions (e.g., either/or, neither/nor).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.6.2.3 L.3.1f
  Seventh Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Place prepositional phrases within a sentence correctly.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.7.2.1 L.7.1a
2

Correct dangling and misplaced modifiers.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.7.2.2 L.7.1c
3

Correct sentence fragments in the context of a piece of writing.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.7.2.3 L.4.1i
4

Ensure subject-verb agreement with singular indefinite pronouns (each, everybody, anyone, etc.).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.7.2.4 L.3.1f
  Eighth Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Ensure subject-verb agreement with collective nouns.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.8.2.1 L.3.1f
2

Correct run-on sentences and comma splices in the context of a piece of writing.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.8.2.2 L.4.1f
3

Place restrictive and non-restrictive clauses within a sentence correctly.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.8.2.3 L.7.1c

Spelling

 

Spelling
  First Grade Skill ID Standard
1
Use conventional spelling for single-syllable words with the CVC short vowel spelling pattern such as "cat."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.4.1 L.1.2d
2
Use conventional spelling for single-syllable words with the CVCC and CCVC short vowel spelling patterns such as "cost" and "trap."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.4.2 L.1.2d
3

Use conventional spelling for single-syllable words with the CVVC and CVCe long vowel spelling patterns such as "main" and "bake."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.4.3 L.1.2d
4
Use conventional spelling for single-syllable words with the -ar and -or spelling patterns such as "park" and "cork."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.4.4 L.1.2d
5

Use conventional spelling for single-syllable words with the -er, -ir-, -ur- spelling patterns such as "her," "bird," and "turn."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.1.4.5 L.1.2d
  Second Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Use a learned spelling pattern for the conventional spelling of single-syllable words ending in -dge/-ge such as "fudge" and "age."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.2.4.1 L.2.2d
2

Use a learned spelling pattern for the conventional spelling of single-syllable words ending in double consonants such as "ball" and "dress."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.2.4.2 L.2.2d
3

Use a learned spelling pattern for the conventional spelling of single-syllable words ending in -ck such as "pack."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.2.4.3 L.2.2d
4

Use a learned spelling pattern for the conventional spelling of single-syllable words with the diphthongs "oy/oi" and "ow/ou."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.2.4.4 L.2.2d
  Third Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Use conventional spelling for words with the -igh and -ugh spelling patterns such as "high" and "tough."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.4.1 L.3.2f
2

Use conventional spelling for words with the -ould and -oo spelling patterns such as could and moon.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.4.2 L.3.2f
3

Use conventional spelling for words with the -ie and -ei spelling patterns such as belief and weigh.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.4.3 L.3.2f
4

Use conventional spelling for words with the kn- and wr- digraphs such as know and wrist.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.4.4 L.3.2f
5

Use conventional spelling for words with the -gh and ph- digraphs such as "laugh" and "phone."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.4.5 L.3.2f
6

Use conventional spelling for two-syllable VCCV and VCV words such as "clever" and "fancy."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.4.6 L.3.2f
7

Use conventional spelling for words ending in -le/-al/-el such as "puddle," "travel," and "local."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.4.7 L.3.2f
8

Use conventional spelling to add a suffix that begins with a consonant (ful, less, ly) to words ending in -e such as "hope>hopeful" and "late>lately."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.4.8 L.3.2e
9

Use conventional spelling to add a suffix that begins with a vowel (er, y, ed, ing) to words ending in -e such as "note>noting" and "late>later."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.4.9 L.3.2e
10

Use conventional spelling to add the suffixes -est, -ous, and -en.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.4.10 L.3.2e
11

Use conventional spelling for regular plural words ending in -ch or -sh such as "wish>wishes" and "beach>beaches."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.4.11 L.3.2e
12

Use conventional spelling for regular plural words ending in -s or -x such as "bus>buses" and "mix>mixes."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.4.12 L.3.2e
13
Use conventional spelling for adding the -ing suffix to words ending in -ie such as "lie>lying."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.4.13 L.3.2e
14

Use conventional spelling for adding a plural suffix to words ending in -f/-fe such as "knife>knives" and "leaf>leaves."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.4.14 L.3.2e
15

Use conventional spelling for words ending in -able/-ible such as "washable" and "possible."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.4.15 L.3.2e
16

Use conventional spelling for adding a suffix to words ending in -y such as "carry>carried" and "play>playful."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.4.16 L.3.2e
17

Use conventional spelling for doubling a final consonant when adding a suffix such as "cap>capped."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.3.4.17 L.3.2e
  Fourth Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Use conventional spelling for frequently confused words (e.g., then/than).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.4.4.1 L.4.1g
2

Use conventional spelling for the frequently confused homophones "do/due/dew."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.4.4.2 L.4.1g
3

Use conventional spelling for the frequently confused homophones "their/there" and "pair/pear."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.4.4.3 L.4.1g
4

Use conventional spelling for the frequently confused homophones "know/no" and "by/buy/bye."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.4.4.4 L.4.1g
5

Use conventional spelling for the frequently confused homophones "peace/piece" and "weather/whether."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.4.4.5 L.4.1g
6

Use conventional spelling for the frequently confused homophones "scene/seen" and "meat/meet."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.4.4.6 L.4.1g
7

Use conventional spelling for frequently misspelled words such as "business" and "tomorrow."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.4.4.7 L.4.2d
8

Use conventional spelling for words ending in -tion/-sion such as "nation" and "vision."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.4.4.8 L.4.2d
  Fifth Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Use conventional spelling for frequently misspelled words (e.g., separate, especially).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.5.4.1 L.5.2e
2

Use conventional spelling for frequently confused words (e.g., advice/advise).

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.5.4.2 L.5.2e
  Sixth Grade Skill ID Standard
1 Use conventional spelling for frequently misspelled words such as "schedule."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.6.4.1 L.6.2b
2

Use conventional spelling for frequently confused words such as "adapt/adopt."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.6.4.2 L.6.2b
  Seventh Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Use conventional spelling for frequently misspelled words such as "recommend."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.7.4.1 L.7.2b
2

Use conventional spelling for frequently confused words such as decent/descent/dissent.

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.7.4.2 L.7.2b
  Eighth Grade Skill ID Standard
1

Use conventional spelling for frequently misspelled words such as "accommodate."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.8.4.1 L.8.2c
2

Use conventional spelling for frequently confused words such as "affect/effect."

Sample Question—click to preview:

LA.8.4.2 L.8.2c