Supporting Details
A boy named Alistair has joined a group of strangers whom he met while traveling. Select the best evidence to support the statement that Alistair is not particularly brave for his age.
A. If the men had intended to harm him, then they could have done it already. Alistair wasn’t as strong or as fearsome as a bull.
B. Even for a twelve-year-old boy—which is what he was, after all—he was considered timid.
B. Even for a twelve-year-old boy—which is what he was, after all—he was considered timid.
Aram still couldn’t believe his luck. All his friends were working tedious summer jobs—busing tables and babysitting and collecting movie tickets. And here he was, an actual baker’s assistant, right in the heart of Little Italy. It was all thanks to his Aunt Rona. She knew Ms. Chiarelli’s daughter, and the two of them had cooked up a plan to get Ms. Chiarelli some help at the bakery. Aram had jumped at the chance; it was the perfect apprenticeship for his future career. Chiarelli’s Bakery, he was sure, would one day be known as the place where he got his start.
What is Aram’s attitude about his future career?
A. He is confident that he will achieve success.
B. He is sure that he will fail, but he wants to try.
C. He is uncertain how things will turn out.
He is confident that he will achieve success.
Identify 1 short story we have read this year.
Answers will vary.
Story: Self Portrait
Which of the following best describes the main theme or lesson of the story?
A. Don’t assume you won’t like something until you try it.
B. Keep trying even if you fail the first time.
A. Don’t assume you won’t like something until you try it.
Story: If the Shoes Fit
Which of the following best describes the main theme or lesson of the story?
A. Expensive items aren’t always worth the money.
B. Don’t hurry important choices.
B. Don’t hurry important choices.
Select the best evidence to support the statement that the Tin Woodman is kindhearted.
A. Once, indeed, the Tin Woodman stepped upon a beetle that was crawling along the road, and killed the poor little thing.
B. This made the Tin Woodman very unhappy, for he was always careful not to hurt any living creature; and as he walked along he wept several tears of sorrow and regret.
C. These tears ran slowly down his face and over the hinges of his jaw, and there they rusted.
D. When Dorothy presently asked him a question the Tin Woodman could not open his mouth, for his jaws were tightly rusted together.
B. This made the Tin Woodman very unhappy, for he was always careful not to hurt any living creature; and as he walked along he wept several tears of sorrow and regret.
Aram still couldn’t believe his luck. All his friends were working tedious summer jobs—busing tables and babysitting and collecting movie tickets. And here he was, an actual baker’s assistant, right in the heart of Little Italy. It was all thanks to his Aunt Rona. She knew Ms. Chiarelli’s daughter, and the two of them had cooked up a plan to get Ms. Chiarelli some help at the bakery. Aram had jumped at the chance; it was the perfect apprenticeship for his future career. Chiarelli’s Bakery, he was sure, would one day be known as the place where he got his start.
Which quote from the story best supports Aram's attitude about his future career?
A. All his friends were working tedious summer jobs—busing tables and babysitting and collecting movie tickets.
B. She knew Ms. Chiarelli’s daughter, and the two of them had cooked up a plan to get Ms. Chiarelli some help at the bakery.
C. Chiarelli’s Bakery, he was sure, would one day be known as the place where he got his start.
C. Chiarelli’s Bakery, he was sure, would one day be known as the place where he got his start.
The girls cheered, and Tomás gave Valeria a parting slap on the back. “One of these afternoons, we’ll practice hitting some curveballs,” he said.
“When?” Valeria asked eagerly, but the girls were pulling on Tomás’s hands, and he didn’t hear her. She leaned on her bat as she watched Tomás usher them away. Over his shoulder, he shouted back at her, “Curveballs!” The three of them grew smaller and smaller as they retreated into Douglas Park.
Valeria picked the bat back up, now gripping it so tightly that her knuckles turned white. On the next pitch, she swung and missed. The machine was now delivering a softer toss that started high and then sunk perfectly over home plate—curveballs. Valeria hated curveballs. She hated hoe they appeared closer than they really were, how hard it was to predict their path. The next pitch soared toward her. Again, she swung hart, but she was too early to hit the deceptive pitch. When it happened the third time, a strikeout, Valeria nearly dropped her bat in frustration.
How does Valeria feel when Tomás leaves?
A. She is happy that the two young children are leaving.
B. She is upset that Tomás can’t spend time with her.
C. She is angry at Tomás for changing the pitch setting.
B. She is upset that Tomás can’t spend time with her.
Story: Self Portrait
Select the quotation from the story that most strongly suggests that the theme is Don't assume you won't like something until you try it.
A. She loved everything about science, from the way it used facts and formulas to how it revealed the basic nature of things.
B. Alia was surprised by the structure and discipline involved in drawing a portrait.
B. Alia was surprised by the structure and discipline involved in drawing a portrait.
Story: Broken Dishes
Which of the following best describes the main theme or lesson of the story?
A. People don’t always respect the property of others.
B. If you want something to last a long time, invest in quality.
C. Some things in life are not worth spending a lot of money on.
C. Some things in life are not worth spending a lot of money on.
Select the best evidence to support the statement that the narrator is upset by her sister's crush on a boy.
A. I turned back around, resumed reading, and made my way to the front porch, where I sunk into a chair and promptly got lost in the stampeding passion of the two on the English moors.
B. I liked love safe between the covers of my novel, not in my sister’s heart, where it made her ignore me for months on end.
C. Every so often though, I’d look up at her posing on a rock by the trailhead across the road, so obviously feigning reading her book that I couldn’t believe she was an actress.
B. I liked love safe between the covers of my novel, not in my sister’s heart, where it made her ignore me for months on end.
A thought occurred to Aram, and then, of course, it immediately tumbled out of his mouth. “Maybe you can tell me how to make fried cannoli! I’ll do it exactly how you say, so really it would be like you were doing it.” He pulled out his wallet. “I’ll buy the ingredients! See? I have money.”
Ms. Chiarelli was silent. Aram felt his face get hot; why did he have to blurt out his ridiculous ideas? He slid his wallet back into his pocket and stepped behind the dusty cash register. It was going to be a long summer.
How does Aram feel when Ms. Chiarelli doesn’t respond to his suggestion?
A. He is angry.
B. He is embarrassed.
C. He is excited.
B. He is embarrassed.
The girls cheered, and Tomás gave Valeria a parting slap on the back. “One of these afternoons, we’ll practice hitting some curveballs,” he said.
“When?” Valeria asked eagerly, but the girls were pulling on Tomás’s hands, and he didn’t hear her. She leaned on her bat as she watched Tomás usher them away. Over his shoulder, he shouted back at her, “Curveballs!” The three of them grew smaller and smaller as they retreated into Douglas Park.
Valeria picked the bat back up, now gripping it so tightly that her knuckles turned white. On the next pitch, she swung and missed. The machine was now delivering a softer toss that started high and then sunk perfectly over home plate—curveballs. Valeria hated curveballs. She hated hoe they appeared closer than they really were, how hard it was to predict their path. The next pitch soared toward her. Again, she swung hart, but she was too early to hit the deceptive pitch. When it happened the third time, a strikeout, Valeria nearly dropped her bat in frustration.
Which quote from the story best supports how Valeria feels when Tomás leaves?
A. The three of them grew smaller and smaller as they retreated into Douglas Park.
B. Valeria picked the bat back up, now gripping it so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
C. The machine was now delivering a softer toss that started high and then sunk perfectly over home plate—curveballs.
B. Valeria picked the bat back up, now gripping it so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
Story: Callie's Gift
Which of the following best describes the main theme or lesson of the story?
A. Don’t spend more on a gift than you can afford.
B. The most meaningful gifts don’t have to cost a lot.
B. The most meaningful gifts don’t have to cost a lot.
Story: Broken Dishes
Select the quotation from the story that most strongly suggests that the theme is Some things in life are not worth spending a lot of money on.
A. "Good point," said Joe. "In this business, sooner or later everything breaks."
B. "Please be more careful," he told the dishwasher.
C. They were costly, but he wanted to give his customers the best dining experience he could.
A. "Good point," said Joe. "In this business, sooner or later everything breaks."
Select the best evidence to support the statement that the letters contain bad news.
A. Clara’s mother read the letters aloud, barely able to hold back her tears and skipping paragraphs that her daughter sensed without needing to hear them.
B. Later, as her mother slept, Clara would convince her cousin Claudette to reread her father’s letters from start to finish.
C. That is how Clara read, with borrowed eyes.
D. Nobody ever saw her shed a tear, not even when the letters from the lawyer stopped coming, not even when news of the war made them all fear the worst.
A. Clara’s mother read the letters aloud, barely able to hold back her tears and skipping paragraphs that her daughter sensed without needing to hear them.
A thought occurred to Aram, and then, of course, it immediately tumbled out of his mouth. “Maybe you can tell me how to make fried cannoli! I’ll do it exactly how you say, so really it would be like you were doing it.” He pulled out his wallet. “I’ll buy the ingredients! See? I have money.”
Ms. Chiarelli was silent. Aram felt his face get hot; why did he have to blurt out his ridiculous ideas? He slid his wallet back into his pocket and stepped behind the dusty cash register. It was going to be a long summer.
Which quote from the story best supports Aram felt embarrassed?
A. He pulled out his wallet. “I’ll buy the ingredients! See? I have money.”
B. Aram felt his face get hot; why did he have to blurt out his ridiculous ideas?
C. He slid his wallet back into his pocket and stepped behind the dusty cash register.
B. Aram felt his face get hot; why did he have to blurt out his ridiculous ideas?
While Valeria had mastered the fastball, the curveball was a whole new rhythm. She didn’t have the luxury of looking at the skyscrapers now. She had to put her whole self into the task. On the next pitch, she smacked the ball hard, a line drive. Valeria smiled and knocked the dirt from her cleats. She was getting the hang of it. She imagined Tomás standing next to her in the batting cage, nodding in approval.
Valeria didn’t notice how the sun had shifted. As the hurrying crowds started racing home, they could see the silhouette of Valeria, a lone shadow against the sunset, the shape of her bat raised high, poised for the next curveball. She didn’t know when she would be practicing curveballs with Tomás, but she was going to be ready.
How does practicing curveballs ultimately change Valeria?
A. Practicing curveballs helps Valeria understand Tomás better.
B. Practicing curveballs helps Valeria feel less lonely.
C. Practicing curveballs helps Valeria learn responsibility.
B. Practicing curveballs helps Valeria feel less lonely.
Story: Callie's Gift
Select the quotation from the story that most strongly suggests that the theme is The most meaningful gifts don't have to cost a lot.
A. However, she was relieved that she had gotten an appropriate gift.
B. Callie recalled the price she had paid, and she blushed.
B. Callie recalled the price she had paid, and she blushed.
Story: The Pedal Boat
Which of the following best describes the main theme or lesson of the story?
A. Trying too hard to save money can cost you.
B. Deep down, people always know what is truly best for themselves.
C. If you don’t do your research, people will take advantage of you.
A. Trying too hard to save money can cost you.
Jaden compares his foster mother Penni to Penni's sister, Catherine. Select the best evidence to support the statement that Penni will overlook the faults of family members.
A. Catherine was kind of strange because she was so different from Penni.
B. Jaden had to admit that Penni was a nice person … but Catherine was less than nice. Much less.
C. But Penni refused to see this because of “the importance of family.” The importance of family was one of Penni’s themes.
D. Penni told him that the more family who loved him, the better.
C. But Penni refused to see this because of “the importance of family.” The importance of family was one of Penni’s themes.
Valeria smacked a fastball inside the Douglas Park batting cage. In between pitches, she glanced up at the skyscrapers towering over the park. She imagined all the people living and working in those tall towers—families, friends, bosses, and workers. She thought about the crowed sidewalks, full of friends chatting and window shopping, parents searching for birthday presents, and co-workers enjoying a walk together. She thought about all the cars carrying friends to parties, families to their homes, and busy people to important meetings. Everyone was hurrying. Everyone had somewhere to go, something to do, and someone to meet. Everyone, that is, except her.
In the batting cage, it was just Valeria and the pitching machine. She loosely gripped the baseball bat and hit a line drive.
How does Valeria feel?
A. She feels lonely practicing by herself.
B. She feels overwhelmed by the city’s crowds and buildings.
C. She feels happy that she doesn’t have to go to work.
A. She feels lonely practicing by herself.
While Valeria had mastered the fastball, the curveball was a whole new rhythm. She didn’t have the luxury of looking at the skyscrapers now. She had to put her whole self into the task. On the next pitch, she smacked the ball hard, a line drive. Valeria smiled and knocked the dirt from her cleats. She was getting the hang of it. She imagined Tomás standing next to her in the batting cage, nodding in approval.
Valeria didn’t notice how the sun had shifted. As the hurrying crowds started racing home, they could see the silhouette of Valeria, a lone shadow against the sunset, the shape of her bat raised high, poised for the next curveball. She didn’t know when she would be practicing curveballs with Tomás, but she was going to be ready.
Which quote supports how does practicing curveballs ultimately change Valeria's perspective on being alone?
A. While Valeria had mastered the fastball, the curveball was a whole new rhythm.
B. On the next pitch, she smacked the ball hard, a line drive.
C. She imagined Tomás standing next to her in the batting cage, nodding in approval.
C. She imagined Tomás standing next to her in the batting cage, nodding in approval.
Story: If the Shoes Fit
Select the quotation from the story that most strongly suggests that the theme is Don't hurry important choices.
A. She opened the box and tried sliding her feet into the shoes she'd rushed to purchase, and her heart sank.
B. When the coach substituted her for another player, she pulled out her old shoes from beneath the bench.
A. She opened the box and tried sliding her feet into the shoes she'd rushed to purchase, and her heart sank.
Story: The Pedal Boat
Select the quotation from the story that most strongly suggests that the theme is Trying too hard to save money can cost you.
A. The boat hardly went fifty feet before the front started sinking. Rachel's summer fantasy sunk along with it.
B. Rachel and Arnel spent the summer catching perch and shaking their heads over their mistake.
C. The clerk pointed to a brand-new canoe. "This is our top seller. Dependable, good reviews, comes with a ten-year warranty."
A. The boat hardly went fifty feet before the front started sinking. Rachel's summer fantasy sunk along with it.