Meaning of Words
“Basant Birthday” What is the meaning of the word snickered as it is used in paragraph 8 of the passage?
A. spoke loudly and clearly
B. laughed in a rude or mocking way
C. whispered quietly to someone
D. shouted with excitement
B. laughed in a rude or mocking way
How does Zeray Alemseged make an important contribution to the study of early humans?
A. By traveling to many countries to collect fossils from different places.
B. By discovering a fossilized skeleton that helps scientists learn about human ancestors.
C. By teaching students how to become fossil hunters.
D. By creating new tools for digging up fossils.
B. By discovering a fossilized skeleton that helps scientists learn about human ancestors.
What is the meaning of the word specimen as it is used in paragraph 8 of the passage?
A. a tool used to dig for fossils
B. a living animal in the wild
C. an example or sample of something for study
D. a map that shows where fossils are found
C. an example or sample of something for study
How does Lupe in “The Marble Champ” overcome her challenges?
A. She avoids practicing because she doesn’t believe she can win.
B. She relies on luck to beat her brother in the marbles game.
C. She practices every day to get stronger and improve her skills.
D. She asks her friends to play for her in the championship.
C. She practices every day to get stronger and improve her skills.
11. What phrase supports the idea from “The Marble Champ” that a lot of practice makes a difference?
A. “‘I wish I could win something’” (paragraph 5)
B. “found a can full of her brother’s marbles” (paragraph 6)
C. “father put down his fork” (paragraph 27)
D. “easily beating her brother” (paragraph 33)
D. “easily beating her brother” (paragraph 33)
12. What is one reason that both the narrator in “Basant Birthday” and Lupe in “The Marble
Champ” want to succeed?
A. to be celebrated by others
B. to do something they couldn’t before
C. to prove people who doubted them wrong
D. to show that they know the best way to train for new challenges
B. to do something they couldn’t before
9. The phrase razor-sharp mind as it is used in paragraph 2 suggests that Lupe
A. wants to make new friends.
B. is good at understanding things.
C. wants to be better than her brother.
D. is confused about why she is not faster.
B. is good at understanding things.
“Fossil Hunter: Zeray Alemseged"
What does Zeray Alemseged think is special about studying ancient fossils?
A. learning about humans’ closest living relatives
B. searching for animal species that are still unknown
C. researching how the earth has changed over millions of years
D. understanding the connections between humans and their ancestors
D. understanding the connections between humans and their ancestors
"Marble Champ"
11. How does Lupe’s success at the end of the passage help reveal the theme?
A. It proves that luck is important in sports.
B. It proves that winning is what matters the most.
C. It proves that a lot of practice makes a difference.
D. It proves that it is important to be honest with your parents.
C. It proves that a lot of practice makes a difference.
10. How does the narrator’s use of third-person narration influence how events are described in the passage?
A. It shows readers what Lupe’s brother thinks about her decision to play marbles.
B. It shows readers how much Lupe wants to surprise her parents with her new skill.
C. It allows readers to understand why it is important for Lupe to succeed at playing marbles.
D. It allows readers to know how nervous Lupe is that she will lose in the playground championship.
C. It allows readers to understand why it is important for Lupe to succeed at playing marbles.
“Fossil Hunter: Zeray Alemseged”
The word barren as it is used in paragraph 5 suggests that the Afar depression today
A. is rocky.
B. is empty.
C. is scarce.
D. is dangerous.
B. is empty.
14. How does the narrator in “Basant Birthday” overcome her challenges?
A. She practices kite fighting, focuses on improving her skills, and gains confidence.
B. She lets her brother do the kite fighting for her.
C. She decides to give up because she is afraid of losing.
D. She watches other people fly kites instead of participating.
A. She practices kite fighting, focuses on improving her skills, and gains confidence.
5. How does the author support the idea that Ethiopia is a good place to look for early human fossils?
A. By describing how fossils in Ethiopia are often found near cities and towns.
B. By explaining that the climate in Ethiopia has always been hot and dry.
C. By stating that ancient animals were preserved in layers of sediment that were later exposed by earthquakes.
D. By showing how Ethiopia is the only place where fossils have been found.
C. By stating that ancient animals were preserved in layers of sediment that were later exposed by earthquakes
“Basant Birthday”
What is the theme of the passage?
A. It is smart to be afraid of competing with others.
B. Being prepared can help you convince others to agree.
C. It is expected that younger siblings outgrow older siblings.
D. Being supported by older siblings can help you accomplish goals.
D. Being supported by older siblings can help you accomplish goals.
“Basant Birthday”
How do the narrator and Amir interact in the passage?
A. Amir acts like he is better than the narrator, so he frustrates her.
B. Amir is annoyed that he has to help the narrator, so he tries to avoid her.
C. Amir is more experienced at kite fighting, so he is able to support the narrator.
D. Amir wins more kite-fighting competitions, so he is able to impress the narrator
C. Amir is more experienced at kite fighting, so he is able to support the narrator.
“Fossil Hunter: Zeray Alemseged”
Part A
What is the meaning of the word fundamental as it is used in paragraph 4?
A. basic
B. historic
C. very popular
D. nearly impossible
A. basic
13. How do the brothers in “Basant Birthday” and “The Marble Champ” have similar roles?
A. They both work hard.
B. They both support their sisters.
C. They both are jealous of their sisters.
D. They both are busy with their own activities.
B. They both support their sisters.
“Fossil Hunter: Zeray Alemseged"
What are two main ideas of the interview?
A. Studying fossils teaches people about human ancestors.
B. Paleoanthropologists depend on earthquakes to find fossils.
C. Zeray Alemseged’s fossil discovery is important to scientists.
D. Paleoanthropologists agree that deserts are the best place to search for fossils.
E. Studying fossils is the only way to determine where human ancestors come from.
F. Zeray Alemseged’s discovery has led other scientists to have doubts about the origins
of our human ancestors.
A. Studying fossils teaches people about human ancestors.
C. Zeray Alemseged’s fossil discovery is important to scientists.
What detail supports the idea that the theme of “Basant Birthday” is that being supported by older siblings can help you accomplish goals?
A. “This year my ninth birthday fell on the festival weekend, and for my present, I’d asked if I could stay on the roof with the boys.” (paragraph 7)
B. “‘This is the manjha that will make your string sharp enough to cut down other kites,’ Amir explained to me.” (paragraph 12)
C. “Then our neighbors on the opposite roof challenged Amir to a duel.” (paragraph 21)
D. “Then I found my kite flapping close to Amir’s.” (paragraph 24)
B. “‘This is the manjha that will make your string sharp enough to cut down other kites,’ Amir explained to me.” (paragraph 12)
“Basant Birthday”
How do the narrator and Amir interact in the passage?
A. Amir acts like he is better than the narrator, so he frustrates her.
B. Amir is annoyed that he has to help the narrator, so he tries to avoid her.
C. Amir is more experienced at kite fighting, so he is able to support the narrator.
D. Amir wins more kite-fighting competitions, so he is able to impress the narrator
D. It allows readers to understand how the narrator feels to experience kite fighting for the first time.