Text Detectives (RL.8.1)
Which sentence best supports the idea that Olly is not useful to Pops?
A. “Olly nickered softly, pushing his muzzle against his favorite human being’s palm.”
B. “Well, that would be reasonable, if you had the cash, son...”
C. “But you’re in school most of the year, and a horse doesn’t eat only in summertime.”
D. “He might not be mine much longer!”
C. “But you’re in school most of the year, and a horse doesn’t eat only in summertime.”
What decision does Ted ultimately make in the story?
A. He runs away from home with Olly.
B. He sells Olly and uses the money for chores.
C. He accepts a job at the orchard in exchange for Olly’s care.
D. He convinces Pops to let him keep Olly without working for it.
C. He accepts a job at the orchard in exchange for Olly’s care.
What theme about life’s difficulties is best conveyed in Ted’s Champion?
A. Children should always respect their parents’ wishes.
B. A horse that won’t be ridden becomes a horse without a home.
C. Persistence is the surest way to overcome any challenge.
D. You should think twice about wanting what you can’t afford.
C. Persistence is the surest way to overcome any challenge.
What detail best supports the inference that Mrs. Saunders is a good businesswoman?
A. She offers Olly a treat and compliments him.
B. She remembers Ted and chats about the stable.
C. She offers Ted a deal that benefits both of them.
D. She mentions her granddaughter’s horse.
C. She offers Ted a deal that benefits both of them.
Which detail from paragraph 1 would be least important to include in a summary?
A. On the way to St. John’s Wood station, the narrator finds a demolished handling-machine.
B. The machine seems to have collapsed in the middle of destroying a house.
C. The narrator believes the wreckage might be from a Martian losing control.
D. Due to the lack of light, the narrator cannot see inside the wreck.
D. Due to the lack of light, the narrator cannot see inside the wreck.
Which sentence best supports the idea that Olly truly belongs with Ted?
A. “That gray fellow won’t take commands from kids...”
B. “He cantered him for a mile, enjoying the stallion’s confident gait...”
C. “You’re on a fine horse there,” Mrs. Saunders observed...
D. “Olly nickered softly, pushing his muzzle against his favorite human being’s palm.”
D. “Olly nickered softly, pushing his muzzle against his favorite human being’s palm.”
What most likely motivates Mrs. Saunders to offer Ted a job?
A. She remembers him visiting as a small child.
B. She decides that Olly is a fine horse.
C. She knows that Ted has a practical father.
D. She believes Ted will work hard to help her out.
D. She believes Ted will work hard to help her out.
What does the narrator suggest was humanity’s greatest ally in defeating the Martians?
A. Their military power
B. Their knowledge of disease
C. Their faith in science
D. Earth’s microscopic bacteria
D. Earth’s microscopic bacteria
What can readers infer about the red weed mentioned in paragraph 2?
A. It thrived in Earth's environment.
B. It was just a colorful native plant.
C. It was also vulnerable to Earth’s bacteria.
D. It was planted by humans to trap Martians.
C. It was also vulnerable to Earth’s bacteria.
Which statement is the best summary of paragraph 2?
A. As the narrator approaches Primrose Hill, he finds more signs of the dying Martians.
B. The narrator explores the area around the Zoological Gardens and Regent’s Canal.
C. Curious about the crashed machine, the narrator heads toward Primrose Hill.
D. Two Martian machines have broken down, and the narrator investigates.
A. As the narrator approaches Primrose Hill, he finds more signs of the dying Martians.
What detail best supports the idea that the Martians were unprepared for Earth?
A. The Martians destroyed most of London within a day.
B. The Martians avoided water because it was poisonous to them.
C. The Martians died from Earth’s bacteria because their bodies lacked immunity.
D. The Martians retreated when they saw the first signs of resistance.
C. The Martians died from Earth’s bacteria because their bodies lacked immunity.
What do Ted’s actions throughout the story reveal about his character?
A. He is spoiled and expects others to solve his problems.
B. He is stubborn and ignores good advice.
C. He is responsible and willing to work hard to keep what he loves.
D. He prefers to spend time with his horse rather than with people.
C. He is responsible and willing to work hard to keep what he loves.
What is the correct order of events that summarize the story?
A. Ted rides Olly, the family debates, Ted finds work, Pops gives Olly away.
B. Pops wants to sell Olly, Ted visits stores, Ted talks to Mrs. Saunders, Ted accepts her offer.
C. Ted meets Mrs. Saunders, Pops praises Ted, Olly wins a prize, Ted buys a new horse.
D. The family agrees on keeping Olly, Ted visits stores, Mrs. Saunders buys Olly, Ted is sad.
B. Pops wants to sell Olly, Ted visits stores, Ted talks to Mrs. Saunders, Ted accepts her offer.
Based on the narrator’s description of the dead Martians, what tone does he convey?
A. Pity for the defeated invaders
B. Triumph mixed with awe
C. Anger over their destruction
D. Regret for mankind’s violence
B. Triumph mixed with awe
Which of the following is not an objective statement of events?
A. The narrator notices a second smashed and motionless machine.
B. The aliens probably felt they had nothing to fear from the weak creatures of Earth.
C. After seeing smoke behind the redoubt, the narrator runs toward another machine.
D. The remains of a Martian’s body are hanging out of the machine's hood.
B. The aliens probably felt they had nothing to fear from the weak creatures of Earth.
Which phrase from paragraph 1 most clearly signals a shift in the narrator's understanding of the wrecked machine?
A. “I came upon the wrecked handling-machine...”
B. “...I saw, with a start...”
C. “...the twilight was now far advanced...”
D. “...a house had fallen across the road...”
B. “...I saw, with a start...”
Which of Mom’s actions best shows that she is a wise judge?
A. She shakes her head while Pops and Ted argue.
B. She summarizes both sides of the argument.
C. She interrupts the argument to make a point.
D. She suggests a way for Ted to earn extra money.
D. She suggests a way for Ted to earn extra money.
Which two quotes best support the story's theme?
A. “Early Saturday morning, just after dawn, Ted saddled Olly and eased him out of the paddock and then across the fields.”
B. “So what I suggest, Teddy, is that you do some thinking and figure out what you can do...”
C. “Mrs. Saunders brought Olly to the paddock and then led Ted into the kitchen...”
D. “Ted visited every local store in search of work.”
B. “So what I suggest, Teddy, is that you do some thinking and figure out what you can do...”
D. “Ted visited every local store in search of work.”
What can be inferred about why the dog is included in paragraph 3?
A. To show that life on Earth continues despite destruction
B. To symbolize the aliens’ weakness
C. To foreshadow another attack
D. To distract the narrator from the Martian fort
A. To show that life on Earth continues despite destruction
Which statement about paragraphs 4 and 5 is most important to include in a summary?
A. The narrator stands on the Martian fortification crest to see inside.
B. The other side of the redoubt has odd shelter areas.
C. The Martians are defeated by simple Earth bacteria.
D. People should have realized the power of bacteria earlier.
C. The Martians are defeated by simple Earth bacteria.
Which sentence best supports the idea that the Martian base had been fully abandoned?
A. “A mighty space it was, with gigantic machines here and there within it...”
B. “...scattered about it... were the Martians—dead...”
C. “I stood upon its crest, and the interior of the redoubt was below me.”
D. “Great mounds had been heaped about the crest of the hill...”
B. “...scattered about it... were the Martians—dead...”
What does the narrator’s decision to continue toward the hill despite the destruction suggest about his character?
A. He is desperate for help.
B. He is cautious and fearful.
C. He is curious and brave.
D. He is easily distracted by scenery.
C. He is curious and brave.
What central idea is developed in paragraphs 4 and 5?
A. Technology can easily be defeated by human determination.
B. Even the smallest forces in nature can overcome great threats.
C. The Martians chose to leave Earth peacefully.
D. Humanity was ultimately powerless against invasion.
B. Even the smallest forces in nature can overcome great threats.
What might the phrase “wild trembling exultation” suggest about the narrator’s emotional state?
A. He is terrified and fleeing.
B. He is overwhelmed with sorrow.
C. He feels victorious and amazed.
D. He is physically ill from fear.
C. He feels victorious and amazed.
What is the best objective summary of The War of the Worlds excerpt?
A. The Martians destroy everything in their path until Earth's bacteria unexpectedly kill them, showing the power of nature over technology.
B. The narrator climbs a hill and explores a battlefield with broken machines.
C. After witnessing destruction, the narrator concludes that humans are smarter than Martians.
D. The red weed and Martian forts create a dramatic setting for the narrator’s journey.
A. The Martians destroy everything in their path until Earth's bacteria unexpectedly kill them, showing the power of nature over technology.