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Connecticut State Assessments · Smarter Balanced · ELA

Connecticut Smarter Balanced ELA Practice Test: Grades 3–8

Build reading, writing, language, evidence, and research skills with five focused 10-question Connecticut Smarter Balanced ELA practice sets.

Connecticut Smarter Balanced ELA practice sets

This Connecticut Smarter Balanced ELA Practice Test page provides five short practice sets with 10 original multiple-choice questions each. The sets focus on literary text, informational text, evidence, vocabulary, writing, language, research, and paired-text analysis for Grades 3–8.

Skills covered

  • Theme, character development, point of view, plot, setting, figurative language, and symbolism
  • Central ideas, summaries, text structures, author purpose, text features, objective statements, and relevant details
  • Claims, evidence, paired sources, context clues, inferences, transitions, and source reliability
  • Grammar, subject-verb agreement, sentence combining, commas, pronoun clarity, parallel structure, verb forms, precise language, and conclusions
  • Research questions, search terms, note-taking, paraphrasing, source integration, evidence selection, and report organization

How to use this page

Complete one 10-question set at a time. Cite the strongest evidence for reading tasks, explain how language affects meaning, and revise writing for clarity before moving to the next set.

This is supplemental State Test Practice, State Assessment Practice, and Standardized Test Practice. It does not replace current Connecticut State Department of Education guidance, official Smarter Balanced materials, accommodations, or testing policies.

For the Connecticut assessment hub, visit Connecticut State Assessments.

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4. Test

Connecticut Smarter Balanced ELA Practice Questions

A 10-question Connecticut Smarter Balanced ELA practice set on writing and language, with answers and explanations.

Read each passage or task carefully, choose one answer, and review the explanation after responding.

10 Questions
0/10 Questions0 %
Correct 0
Incorrect 0
Unanswered 10
1. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence has correct subject-verb agreement?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is The group of students prepares a presentation..

  1. Read the text: Identify the central idea, detail, language choice, or relationship the task is testing.
  2. Use evidence: The singular subject group takes the singular verb prepares.
  3. Check the choice: Select the answer that is best supported by the passage, wording, or writing goal.

The singular subject group takes the singular verb prepares.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

Which transition best completes the sentence? “The team tested the model several times. ___, the final version worked reliably.”

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is As a result.

  1. Read the text: Identify the central idea, detail, language choice, or relationship the task is testing.
  2. Use evidence: As a result shows that the reliable final version followed the repeated testing.
  3. Check the choice: Select the answer that is best supported by the passage, wording, or writing goal.

As a result shows that the reliable final version followed the repeated testing.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

Which revision combines the sentences most clearly? “The road was flooded. The buses used another route.”

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Because the road was flooded, the buses used another route..

  1. Read the text: Identify the central idea, detail, language choice, or relationship the task is testing.
  2. Use evidence: Because clearly shows the cause-and-effect relationship between the two ideas.
  3. Check the choice: Select the answer that is best supported by the passage, wording, or writing goal.

Because clearly shows the cause-and-effect relationship between the two ideas.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence uses commas correctly?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is After the experiment, the students cleaned the tables..

  1. Read the text: Identify the central idea, detail, language choice, or relationship the task is testing.
  2. Use evidence: A comma follows the introductory phrase after the experiment.
  3. Check the choice: Select the answer that is best supported by the passage, wording, or writing goal.

A comma follows the introductory phrase after the experiment.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

Which revision removes the vague pronoun? “When the coach spoke to the captain, she explained the schedule.”

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is When the coach spoke to the captain, the coach explained the schedule..

  1. Read the text: Identify the central idea, detail, language choice, or relationship the task is testing.
  2. Use evidence: Naming the coach makes the subject of explained clear.
  3. Check the choice: Select the answer that is best supported by the passage, wording, or writing goal.

Naming the coach makes the subject of explained clear.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence uses parallel structure?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The class will research the topic, write a report, and present its findings..

  1. Read the text: Identify the central idea, detail, language choice, or relationship the task is testing.
  2. Use evidence: Research, write, and present are parallel verbs in the series.
  3. Check the choice: Select the answer that is best supported by the passage, wording, or writing goal.

Research, write, and present are parallel verbs in the series.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

Which word best completes the sentence? “The editor asked the writer to ___ the claim with two quotations.”

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is support.

  1. Read the text: Identify the central idea, detail, language choice, or relationship the task is testing.
  2. Use evidence: The infinitive to is followed by the base verb support.
  3. Check the choice: Select the answer that is best supported by the passage, wording, or writing goal.

The infinitive to is followed by the base verb support.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence has the most precise word choice?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is The team measured the stream’s depth at three locations..

  1. Read the text: Identify the central idea, detail, language choice, or relationship the task is testing.
  2. Use evidence: Measured precisely describes collecting a numerical depth value.
  3. Check the choice: Select the answer that is best supported by the passage, wording, or writing goal.

Measured precisely describes collecting a numerical depth value.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence correctly uses an apostrophe?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is The students’ projects were displayed in the hall..

  1. Read the text: Identify the central idea, detail, language choice, or relationship the task is testing.
  2. Use evidence: The plural possessive students’ shows that the projects belong to multiple students.
  3. Check the choice: Select the answer that is best supported by the passage, wording, or writing goal.

The plural possessive students’ shows that the projects belong to multiple students.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Which concluding sentence best fits a paragraph about revising an essay?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Careful revision helps writers make their ideas clearer and better supported..

  1. Read the text: Identify the central idea, detail, language choice, or relationship the task is testing.
  2. Use evidence: The conclusion returns to the purpose of revision and the paragraph’s main idea.
  3. Check the choice: Select the answer that is best supported by the passage, wording, or writing goal.

The conclusion returns to the purpose of revision and the paragraph’s main idea.

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Elementary School Tests

Build foundational reading, math, science, and social studies skills for Grades 1–5.

Middle School Tests

Review grade-level ELA, math, science, and social studies skills for Grades 6–8.

High School Tests

Explore course and assessment preparation for Grades 9–12.

Pomodoro Timer

Use focused study intervals to work through your next practice set.

Frequently asked questions about Connecticut Smarter Balanced ELA Practice

Which ELA skills are covered?

The page covers literary and informational reading, evidence, vocabulary, writing, language, research, and paired-text analysis for Grades 3–8.

How many questions are included?

There are five practice sets with 10 questions each, for 50 questions in total. Each set can be completed separately.

Are these official Smarter Balanced questions?

No. These are original supplemental practice questions. Check the latest Connecticut State Department of Education and Smarter Balanced information for official materials, accommodations, and policies.