Character & Conflict
Read these sentences from the selection. Then answer the following question:
When I told Aunt Agatha what had happened, she sniffed and said, “Those that take care of themselves get well taken care of. The rest most likely go hungry.” Still, I noticed she dished me out an extra big helping at dinner.
The indirect characterization in these sentences shows readers that
Aunt Agatha —
A. has a caring nature, even though she is outwardly stern.
B. has an anxious nature, even though she is outwardly tough.
C. has a suspicious nature, even though she pretends to be trusting.
D. has an insecure nature, even though she pretends to be confident.
A. has a caring nature, even though she is outwardly stern.
Read these sentences from paragraph 3 of "Lessons From the Farm".
"One day, I went out with a crew to work on some fields a good drive away from the house. I had forgotten to pack my lunch, and although Tony and Bud shared some of theirs with me, my stomach was whining and fussing when we got home. When I told Aunt Agatha what had happened, she sniffed and said, “Those that take care of themselves get well taken care of. The rest most likely go hungry.” Still, I noticed she dished me out an extra big helping at dinner."
Which best explains the effect of the narrator’s point of view in this passage?
A. Events are told from the first-person point-of-view, so readers feel as if they are participating in the narrator’s experiences.
B. Events are told from the third-person point-of-view, so readers feel as if they are participating in the narrator’s experiences.
C. Events are told from the first-person point-of-view, so readers have a better understanding of Aunt Agatha’s thoughts and feelings.
D. Events are told from the third-person point-of-view, so readers have a better understanding of Aunt Agatha’s thoughts and feelings.
A. Events are told from the first-person point-of-view, so readers feel as if they are participating in the narrator’s experiences.
Read the following sentence from the selection.
"Missed milkings weren’t going to make either my aunt or the cows too happy."
What tone does the author’s use of the words too happy convey?
A. frustrated or irritated
B. optimistic or hopeful
C. dark or depressing
D. wry or humorous
D. wry or humorous
Which best explains the way the author uses connotations to create tone in Selection 1?
A. Using words with connotations of lightness, such as feather, and beauty, such as ebony, the author creates a fearful tone.
B. Using words with connotations of lightness, such as feather, and beauty, such as ebony, the author creates an admiring tone.
C. Using words with connotations of horror, such as shadow, and danger, such as hole, the author creates an admiring tone.
D. Using words with connotations of horror, such as shadow, and danger, such as hole, the author creates a fearful tone.
B. Using words with connotations of lightness, such as feather, and beauty, such as ebony, the author creates an admiring tone.
The word transported appears in paragraph 4 of Garden So High. This word is formed from the Latin root -trans-. Using context and your knowledge of -trans-, choose the most likely meaning of transported.
A. to be overwhelmed with emotion
B. to be measured with a response
C. to be carried across an area
D. to be interested in nature
C. to be carried across an area
Which incident in the story most clearly reflects an external conflict in "Lessons From the Farm"?
A. Aunt Agatha’s difficulty admitting that her sight is failing
B. Aunt Agatha’s struggle to save herself when she is injured
C. the narrator’s decision to help Aunt Agatha keep the books
D. the narrator’s debate with herself over whether to go to the fair
B. Aunt Agatha’s struggle to save herself when she is injured
Read the following sentences from "Lessons From the Farm".
I also began to notice that, strong and fiercely independent as she was, age was starting to affect her some. The trick was to find ways to help without challenging that independence. I knew her eyesight was growing poor, for instance, and that made keeping the accounts for the farm hard for her. I told her I had to complete a math project that summer and asked, could I enter the numbers in her accounting books? “So now I have to teach you math as well as milking?” she huffed, but she let me help.
Which best explains the difference between a character’s point of view and the reader’s point of view in these sentences?
A. The reader sees that Aunt Agatha is too proud to ask for help. The narrator does not see her pride.
B. The reader sees that Aunt Agatha is too foolish to do math reliably. The narrator does not see her foolishness.
C. The reader sees that the narrator deceives Aunt Agatha into accepting help. Aunt Agatha does not see the deception.
D. The reader sees that the narrator deceives Aunt Agatha into teaching her math. Aunt Agatha does not see the deception.
C. The reader sees that the narrator deceives Aunt Agatha into accepting help. Aunt Agatha does not see the deception.
Read the following sentence from "Lessons From the Farm".
"I had forgotten to pack my lunch, and although Tony and Bud shared some of theirs with me, my stomach was whining and fussing when we got home."
By using personification to describe her stomach, the narrator creates—
A. a desperate tone that implies the narrator is tired of farm life.
B. an immature tone that suggests the narrator still has a lot to learn.
C. a resentful tone that signals the narrator dislikes working hard.
D. a lighthearted tone that indicates the narrator has a sense of humor.
D. a lighthearted tone that indicates the narrator has a sense of humor.
Why is the author’s use of poetic structure effective in Selection 1?
A. Lines 7–11 grow progressively shorter, suggesting a tarantula vanishing down a hole.
B. Line 5 is short but lines 6–7 grow longer, suggesting a tarantula capturing and eating prey.
C. Line 5 is short but lines 6–7 grow longer, suggesting the tarantula’s stamina.
D. Lines 7–11 grow progressively shorter, suggesting the tarantula’s impatience.
A. Lines 7–11 grow progressively shorter, suggesting a tarantula vanishing down a hole.
What is the meaning of the word stewardship as it is used in paragraph 1 of Bees, Please!?
A. the role of designing something
B. the role of watching over something
C. the process of raising something from infancy
D. the process of cleaning up waste from something
B. the role of watching over something
How does the external conflict in "Lessons From the Farm" most clearly help readers understand a character’s values?
A. It helps show that the narrator values keeping promises.
B. It helps show that Aunt Agatha values collaboration.
C. It helps show why Aunt Agatha values self-reliance.
D. It helps show why the narrator values hard work.
C. It helps show why Aunt Agatha values self-reliance.
Which is most clearly the effect on readers of the difference in point of view from the following passage?
I also began to notice that, strong and fiercely independent as she was, age was starting to affect her some. The trick was to find ways to help without challenging that independence. I knew her eyesight was growing poor, for instance, and that made keeping the accounts for the farm hard for her. I told her I had to complete a math project that summer and asked, could I enter the numbers in her accounting books? “So now I have to teach you math as well as milking?” she huffed, but she let me help.
A. increased empathy with Aunt Agatha
B. decreased respect for Aunt Agatha
C. increased empathy with the narrator
D. decreased respect for the narrator
A. increased empathy with Aunt Agatha
Read the following sentences from "Gardens So High".
"Oh, I admit, I didn’t like the chore at first, and I would complain about it in a charmingly cheeky manner. “This lawn is so vast, it’ll take forever to mow. See you in a week!” I’d yell on my way out the door."
Which best analyzes an example of figurative language in these sentences?
A. idiom, “See you in a week!” The narrator uses an expression that cannot be understood literally.
B. hyperbole, “See you in a week!” The narrator deliberately exaggerates how long her chore will take.
C. idiom, “in a charmingly cheeky manner.” The narrator uses an expression commonly used in her community.
D. hyperbole, “in a charmingly cheeky manner.” The narrator deliberately exaggerates the effect of her personal style.
B. hyperbole, “See you in a week!” The narrator deliberately exaggerates how long her chore will take.
The metaphor “a fluffed shadow” in Selection 1 suggests that the
tarantula is—
A. a soft and subtle creature.
B. a daring and lethal hunter.
C. an animal similar to a kitten.
D. a menace that can cause fear.
A. a soft and subtle creature.
In What to Do in Sommerville, Valentina shifts voice unnecessarily between sentence 1 and 2. Which revision of sentence 2 corrects the error?
A. In this post, I’ve described a number of options that visitors should check out.
B. A number of options that are sure to please visitors are described by me in this post.
C. Visitors are told by me in this post about a number of options they should check out.
D. In this post, a number of options worth being checked out by visitors are described by me.
A. In this post, I’ve described a number of options that visitors should check out.
One theme of "Lessons From the Farm" might be stated as follows:
"What we learn from our mistakes is more important than the mistakes themselves."
Which action or experience in the selection most clearly helps develop
this theme?
A. Aunt Agatha cuts herself badly and must rely on her strength and a first-aid kit to stay alive.
B. Aunt Agatha criticizes the narrator for forgetting her lunch but still feeds her a big serving at dinner.
C. The narrator develops a sense of responsibility after her difficulty getting up on time causes her problems.
D. The narrator realizes that she will miss the lunar eclipse if she attends the state fair with kids from a nearby farm.
C. The narrator develops a sense of responsibility after her difficulty getting up on time causes her problems.
Which sentence from the story best supports the suggested theme "By forming good habits, we show self-respect" from "Lessons From the Farm?"
A. “I felt better about myself once I learned to get up on time.”
(paragraph 1)
B. “At first, I admit, I found Aunt Agatha’s ideas about life a little harsh and unforgiving.” (paragraph 2)
C. "I had forgotten to pack my lunch, and although Tony and Bud shared some of theirs with me, my stomach was whining and fussing when we got home.” (paragraph 3)
D. “When I told Aunt Agatha what had happened, she sniffed and said, ‘Those that take care of themselves get well taken care of. The rest most likely go hungry.’” (paragraph 3)
A. “I felt better about myself once I learned to get up on time.”
(paragraph 1)
What tone is created by the narrator’s use of the figurative language in the following passage:
"Oh, I admit, I didn’t like the chore at first, and I would complain about it in a charmingly cheeky manner. “This lawn is so vast, it’ll take forever to mow. See you in a week!” I’d yell on my way out the door."
A. playful
B. puzzled
C. angry
D. rude
A. playful
Which best explains the author’s use of an extended metaphor in Selection 2?
A. The author shows his respect for winter by referring to beloved poems.
B. The author reveals his love of winter by comparing it to a kind and trusted friend.
C. The author suggests his frustration with winter by describing the effects of snow and rain.
D. The author expresses his appreciation for winter by comparing the beauty it creates to poetry.
D. The author expresses his appreciation for winter by comparing the beauty it creates to poetry.
Which revision of sentences 11 and 12 in What to Do in Sommerville most appropriately uses passive voice to emphasize an action rather than an actor?
A. For seafood, I especially enjoy the restaurant El Pescador Morado.
A person prepares each dish from scratch, which takes time, but the results are found by many to be worth the wait!
B. For seafood, I especially enjoy the restaurant El Pescador Morado. Someone in the kitchen prepares each dish from scratch, which takes time, but the results are worth the wait!
C. For seafood, the restaurant El Pescador Morado is especially enjoyed by me. A person prepares each dish from scratch, which takes time, but the results are worth the wait!
D. For seafood, I especially enjoy the restaurant El Pescador Morado. Each dish is prepared from scratch, which takes time, but the results are worth the wait!
D. For seafood, I especially enjoy the restaurant El Pescador Morado. Each dish is prepared from scratch, which takes time, but the results are worth the wait!
Which theme is suggested by "Lessons From the Farm"?
A. By wasting time, we create misery for others.
B. By forming good habits, we show self-respect.
C. By showing kindness to others, we weaken them.
D. By learning to endure suffering, we gain self-control.
B. By forming good habits, we show self-respect.
What is Mr. Kelly's and Miss McKenna's dating anniversary?
A. November 1, 2021
B. October 24, 2022
C. June 7, 2021
D. March 14, 2022
A. November 1, 2021
Read these sentences from paragraph 5 in "Gardens So High".
In big cities like this one, there are still hazardous concentrations of pollutants in the air. Trees and plants act like giant filters that pull pollutants directly from the air. One green space in a city of millions like ours may only be a drop in the bucket, but by setting a good example, we hope a few drops will turn into a wave!
How does the narrator’s mother create an informative yet approachable tone in these sentences?
A. by using the casual idiom “hazardous concentrations” to help explain the impact of pollution
B. by using vivid sensory language such as “hazardous concentrations” to paint a picture of pollution
C. by using vivid sensory language such as “a drop in the bucket” to appeal to the emotions of the narrator
D. by using the casual idiom “a drop in the bucket” to help explain the potential impact of vertical gardens
D. by using the casual idiom “a drop in the bucket” to help explain the potential impact of vertical gardens.
How do the authors of Selection 1 and Selection 2 differ in their use of poetic structure to reinforce meaning?
A. The author of Selection 1 uses creative punctuation to connect ideas, while the author of Selection 2 uses irregular line breaks to create visual interest for the reader.
B. The author of Selection 1 uses lines all of the same length to create a sense of movement, while the author of Selection 2 uses creative punctuation to connect ideas.
C. The author of Selection 1 uses one-word lines to emphasize key words and images, while the author of Selection 2 groups ideas into stanzas that follow a regular rhyming pattern.
D. The author of Selection 1 groups ideas into stanzas that follow a regular pattern, while the author of Selection 2 breaks sentences across lines to create natural pause points.
C. The author of Selection 1 uses one-word lines to emphasize key words and images, while the author of Selection 2 groups ideas into stanzas that follow a regular rhyming pattern.
Which revision best corrects the punctuation errors in sentence 13 in What to Do in Sommerville?
A. Whatever your interest or style from culture to kayaks to coffeehouses, Sommerville has it going on.
B. Whatever your interest or style, from culture to kayaks to coffeehouses Sommerville has it going on.
C. Whatever your interest or style from culture . . . to kayaks . . . to coffeehouses Sommerville has it going on.
D. Whatever your interest or style—from culture to kayaks to coffeehouses—Sommerville has it going on.
D. Whatever your interest or style—from culture to kayaks to coffeehouses—Sommerville has it going on.