Main Idea and Details
Part A
Which statement best expresses the main idea of the article "Phillis's Big Test"?
A. Phillis memorized her poetry by copying it, and she was fully prepared to pass her exam.
B. Phillis was grateful to her new family, and she wrote poetry to describe her experiences with them.
C. Phillis enjoyed writing poetry, and she was encouraged to publish her work.
D. Phillis was motivated by literature to express herself, and she overcame challenges to become a poet.
D. Phillis was motivated by literature to express herself, and she overcame challenges to become a poet.
Part A
In paragraph 19 of “Phillis’s Big Test,” what is the meaning of the phrase testifying to?
A. offering
B. exhibiting
C. confirming
D. representing
C. confirming
Part A
According to the article “Phillis’s Big Test,” which statement explains Phillis Wheatley’s relationship with her master and his family?
A. They treated her as a servant.
B. They supported her as a writer.
C. They provided her with transportation.
D. They named her after a ship.
B. They supported her as a writer.
Part A
How does the author use evidence to support the point that Phillis was determined to succeed?
A. by showing that she stayed busy reading literature
B. by showing that she worked hard and had future plans
C. by showing that she was independent and had strong opinions
D. by showing that she received support and a good education
B. by showing that she worked hard and had future plans
Part A
What is the difference between Phillis’s audience at the Wheatley’s home and the men at the exam?
A. The Wheatley audience reads her poetry before she recites it.
B. The men at the exam require her to prove herself.
C. The Wheatley audience includes highly educated people.
D. The men at the exam are greater in number.
B. The men at the exam require her to prove herself.
Part A
D. Phillis was motivated by literature to express herself, and she overcame challenges to become a poet.
Part B
Which two details from the article support the answer to Part A?
A. “She knew every line, every syllable, by heart.” (paragraph 3)
B. “She survived only by the kindness of her masters, especially the Wheatleys’ twins . . . .” (paragraph 6)
C. “As she began to read poetry, glorious sonnets had inspired her to try her own hand at writing.” (paragraph 7)
D. “Over time she had come to appreciate her own time and place, her very own role in the chain of events . . . .” (paragraph 10)
E. “But she knew that she must now make the most of her opportunities.” (paragraph 10)
F. “But she must first pass this examination to make her dream come true.” (paragraph 13)
A. “She knew every line, every syllable, by heart.” (paragraph 3)
F. “But she must first pass this examination to make her dream come true.” (paragraph 13)
Part A
C. confirming
Part B
Which sentence from the article helps the reader understand the meaning of the phrase testifying to as it is used in paragraph 19?
A. “She would make her own way to the public hall, where a group of men would decide once and for all: was she or was she not the author of her poems?” (paragraph 2)
B. “She had spent recent evenings copying and recopying her poetry in her own neat handwriting.” (paragraph 3)
C. “She was not content to recite her verse in drawing rooms or read one of her poems from a newspaper.” (paragraph 11)
D. “She wanted her own book, because books would not just last a lifetime; they would be there for her children and her children’s children.” (paragraph 11)
A. “She would make her own way to the public hall, where a group of men would decide once and for all: was she or was she not the author of her poems?” (paragraph 2)
Part A
B. They supported her as a writer.
Part B
Which sentence from the article provides support for the answer to Part A?
A. “ONE CRISP EARLY-AUTUMN morning in 1772, Phillis Wheatley was crossing the Boston cobblestones with a sheaf of papers held tightly under her arm." (paragraph 1)
B. “She was just shedding her front teeth when John Wheatley bought her on the Boston docks as a servant for his wife, Susanna.” (paragraph 5)
C. “They christened their new slave Phillis, the name of the slave ship on which she arrived.” (paragraph 5)
D. “She started to turn away, but then Susanna Wheatley’s words echoed in her head: Your talent will speak for itself.” (paragraph 15)
D. “She started to turn away, but then Susanna Wheatley’s words echoed in her head: Your talent will speak for itself.” (paragraph 15)
Part A
B. by showing that she worked hard and had future plans
Part B
Which two details from the article support the answer in Part A?
A. “. . . had offered her a ride to her examination, but she preferred to walk.” (paragraph 1)
B. “. . . could not be taken away, no matter the outcome of today.” (paragraph 3)
C. “They taught her not just English but Latin and Greek.” (paragraph 6)
D. “She had stayed up late, night after night, preparing for the examination.” (paragraph 8)
E. “She wanted her own book, because books would not just last a lifetime . . . .” (paragraph 11)
F. “She hurried by the bookseller’s shop that she visited weekly.” (paragraph 12)
D. “She had stayed up late, night after night, preparing for the examination.” (paragraph 8)
E. “She wanted her own book, because books would not just last a lifetime . . . .” (paragraph 11)
Part A
B. The men at the exam require her to prove herself.
Part B
Which paragraph from “Phillis’s Big Test” provides evidence to support the answer to Part A?
A. paragraph 11
B. paragraph 13
C. paragraph 14
D. paragraph 16
D. paragraph 16
BONUS ROUND (tie Breaker):
The article describes how Phillis was determined to achieve her goals. Select two statements that describe her opportunities and two that describe her challenges. Write each statement into the correct box.
Statements:
A. became a slave at a young age
B. was able to travel by herself
C. was supported by the family
D. had to prove she was a poet
E. was taught lessons by the twins
F. could copy her lines of poetry
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Opportunities Challenges
1. 1.
2. 2.
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Opportunities:
C. was supported by the family
E. was taught lessons by the twins
Challenges:
A. became a slave at a young age
D. had to prove she was a poet