Sample SBA Practice Test

English Language Arts & Math Practice

Directions

Read each question carefully. Choose the best answer for multiple-choice questions. For written-response questions, type your answer in the box provided.

Part 1: Reading

Passage: A Garden on the Roof

When Maya first saw the empty rooftop of her apartment building, she imagined more than gray concrete and metal vents. She imagined tomatoes climbing wooden stakes, bees moving from flower to flower, and neighbors gathering in the evening to water the plants.

At first, only three people came to help. They carried bags of soil up five flights of stairs and planted seeds in old buckets. Some residents laughed and said the project would never work. But by midsummer, green leaves covered the roof, and the first red tomato appeared near the doorway.

Soon, people who had never spoken to each other began meeting on the roof. Children learned the names of herbs. Older neighbors shared recipes. The garden did not just grow food; it grew a small community above the city streets.

1. What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Maya wanted to move away from the city. B. A rooftop garden helped bring neighbors together. C. Tomatoes are difficult to grow on rooftops. D. Children should learn more about herbs.

2. Which sentence best supports the idea that the garden created community?

A. "She imagined tomatoes climbing wooden stakes." B. "They carried bags of soil up five flights of stairs." C. "Some residents laughed and said the project would never work." D. "People who had never spoken to each other began meeting on the roof."

3. What does the phrase "it grew a small community" mean?

A. The garden became larger than expected. B. The plants grew very quickly. C. The garden helped people build relationships. D. More apartments were built on the roof.

4. Written Response: Explain how Maya's idea changed the apartment building. Use evidence from the passage.

Part 2: Language and Writing

5. Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly.

A. After school Maya watered, the tomatoes. B. After school, Maya watered the tomatoes. C. After, school Maya watered the tomatoes. D. After school Maya, watered the tomatoes.

6. Which word best replaces "empty" in the sentence: "Maya first saw the empty rooftop"?

A. crowded B. vacant C. noisy D. colorful

Part 3: Math

7. Maya planted 6 buckets of tomatoes. Each bucket had 4 plants. How many tomato plants did she plant?

A. 10 B. 18 C. 24 D. 30

8. The garden club bought 3 bags of soil for $8 each and 2 watering cans for $6 each. What was the total cost?

A. $20 B. $30 C. $36 D. $42

9. A rectangular garden box is 5 feet long and 3 feet wide. What is its area?

A. 8 square feet B. 15 square feet C. 16 square feet D. 30 square feet

10. Explain how to solve Question 8. Show your work.

Answer Key

1. B

2. D

3. C

4. Sample response: Maya's idea changed the building by helping neighbors connect. At first, only a few people helped, but later people who had never spoken began meeting on the roof. Children learned about herbs, and older neighbors shared recipes.

5. B

6. B

7. C

8. C

9. B

10. Sample response: 3 bags of soil cost 3 × 8 = 24 dollars. 2 watering cans cost 2 × 6 = 12 dollars. 24 + 12 = 36 dollars total.