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Delaware State Assessments · DeSSA · ELA · Grade 8

Delaware Grade 8 DeSSA ELA Practice Test

Build Grade 8 Delaware DeSSA ELA readiness with five focused 10-question practice sets covering literary analysis, informational text, vocabulary, language, argument writing, research, and evidence.

Grade 8 DeSSA ELA practice sets

This Delaware Grade 8 DeSSA ELA Practice Test page provides five short practice sets with 10 original multiple-choice questions each. The sets cover literary analysis, informational text, vocabulary, language, argument writing, research, and evidence.

Skills covered

  • Theme, nonlinear structure, metaphor, point of view, symbolism, inference, character contrast, climax, summaries, and poetic shifts
  • Central ideas, text structure, evidence, diagrams, cause and effect, academic vocabulary, opinions, interpretations, data, and summaries
  • Word meaning, antonyms, multiple meanings, hypothetical verbs, dashes, pronoun clarity, concessions, formal style, concise revision, and spelling
  • Claims, evidence, argument organization, precise revision, reliable sources, quotation integration, focused research, conclusions, relevance, and transitions
  • Grade 8 review tasks combining graphs, limitations, investigations, punctuation, source verification, summaries, clarity, arguments, and policy evaluation

How to use this page

Complete one 10-question set at a time. Return to the text for evidence, evaluate the strength of support, and review the explanation after each response.

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

For the Delaware assessment hub, visit Delaware State Assessments.

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Delaware Grade 8 DeSSA ELA Practice Questions

A 10-question Delaware Grade 8 DeSSA ELA practice set on writing and research, with answers and explanations.

Read each passage or sentence 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 claim is strongest for an argument about school energy use?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Schools can reduce energy waste by monitoring building use and improving lighting controls..

  1. Read closely: Read the passage or sentence and identify the author’s idea, structure, evidence, or language choice.
  2. Use evidence: The claim is focused, supportable, and identifies practical approaches.
  3. Check the response: Choose the answer best supported by the Delaware Grade 8 DeSSA ELA task.

The claim is focused, supportable, and identifies practical approaches.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

Which evidence best supports the claim that flexible deadlines can improve the quality of student research?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is A comparison shows that students with one extra revision day submitted more accurate citations..

  1. Read closely: Read the passage or sentence and identify the author’s idea, structure, evidence, or language choice.
  2. Use evidence: The comparison measures revision time and citation accuracy.
  3. Check the response: Choose the answer best supported by the Delaware Grade 8 DeSSA ELA task.

The comparison measures revision time and citation accuracy.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

Which organization best supports a researched argument?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Present the claim, explain its significance, develop reasons with evidence, address a counterclaim, and conclude..

  1. Read closely: Read the passage or sentence and identify the author’s idea, structure, evidence, or language choice.
  2. Use evidence: The structure develops a logical claim with support and response.
  3. Check the response: Choose the answer best supported by the Delaware Grade 8 DeSSA ELA task.

The structure develops a logical claim with support and response.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

Which revision makes the sentence more precise? “The policy changed things for residents.”

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is After the policy took effect, average bus wait times fell by six minutes for residents on three routes..

  1. Read closely: Read the passage or sentence and identify the author’s idea, structure, evidence, or language choice.
  2. Use evidence: The revision identifies the measured change, people affected, and scope.
  3. Check the response: Choose the answer best supported by the Delaware Grade 8 DeSSA ELA task.

The revision identifies the measured change, people affected, and scope.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

Which source would be most reliable for a report about Delaware groundwater recharge?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is A peer-reviewed study and state monitoring report with methods and dates.

  1. Read closely: Read the passage or sentence and identify the author’s idea, structure, evidence, or language choice.
  2. Use evidence: Methods, dates, and expert review make the sources more verifiable.
  3. Check the response: Choose the answer best supported by the Delaware Grade 8 DeSSA ELA task.

Methods, dates, and expert review make the sources more verifiable.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence integrates source evidence most effectively?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is A monitoring report found that recharge increased after wetlands were restored, supporting the project’s design..

  1. Read closely: Read the passage or sentence and identify the author’s idea, structure, evidence, or language choice.
  2. Use evidence: The sentence explains both the source finding and its relevance to the claim.
  3. Check the response: Choose the answer best supported by the Delaware Grade 8 DeSSA ELA task.

The sentence explains both the source finding and its relevance to the claim.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

Which research question is focused enough for a short report?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is How did one Delaware town’s rain-garden program affect runoff at two monitored intersections?.

  1. Read closely: Read the passage or sentence and identify the author’s idea, structure, evidence, or language choice.
  2. Use evidence: The question identifies a place, program, measured outcome, and locations.
  3. Check the response: Choose the answer best supported by the Delaware Grade 8 DeSSA ELA task.

The question identifies a place, program, measured outcome, and locations.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

Which conclusion best completes an argument about open educational resources?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Open resources can improve access when schools also provide support for quality, updates, and digital access..

  1. Read closely: Read the passage or sentence and identify the author’s idea, structure, evidence, or language choice.
  2. Use evidence: The conclusion reinforces the claim and acknowledges implementation conditions.
  3. Check the response: Choose the answer best supported by the Delaware Grade 8 DeSSA ELA task.

The conclusion reinforces the claim and acknowledges implementation conditions.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

Which detail should be removed from a paragraph arguing for better emergency alerts?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is My favorite athlete changed teams during the season..

  1. Read closely: Read the passage or sentence and identify the author’s idea, structure, evidence, or language choice.
  2. Use evidence: The athlete detail is unrelated to emergency alert design.
  3. Check the response: Choose the answer best supported by the Delaware Grade 8 DeSSA ELA task.

The athlete detail is unrelated to emergency alert design.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Which transition best connects these ideas? “The intervention costs more at first. ___, its long-term savings may exceed the initial expense.”

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Nevertheless.

  1. Read closely: Read the passage or sentence and identify the author’s idea, structure, evidence, or language choice.
  2. Use evidence: Nevertheless signals a contrast between initial expense and later savings.
  3. Check the response: Choose the answer best supported by the Delaware Grade 8 DeSSA ELA task.

Nevertheless signals a contrast between initial expense and later savings.

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Frequently asked questions about Delaware Grade 8 DeSSA ELA Practice

Which grade is covered?

This page is organized for Grade 8 Delaware DeSSA ELA practice, with literary analysis, informational reading, vocabulary, language, argument writing, research, and evidence tasks.

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 DeSSA questions?

No. These are original supplemental practice questions. Check the latest Delaware Department of Education and official DeSSA information for current materials, accommodations, and policies.