An Actor Prepares
Read the following dictionary entry.
flat \ flat\ n 1. a level piece of land 2. a shallow box for planting seeds 3. an apartment located on one floor 4. a piece of theatrical scenery
Which definition matches how the word flats is used in paragraph 16?
A Definition 1
B Definition 2
C Definition 3
D Definition 4
D Definition 4
What does the word impelled mean in paragraph 6?
A Puzzled
B Allowed
C Tricked
D Forced
D Forced
Which words from paragraph 10 help the reader understand the meaning of the word furtively?
A like a detected thief
B caught hold
C round the entrance hall
D poor man
A like a detected thief
Pregracke says that he feels a special connection with —
A Jennifer Anderson
B corporate sponsors
C Huck Finn
D war veterans
D war veterans
Beggar and Huck:
Both Pregracke’s and Olga’s efforts are
examples of —
A self-sacrifice
B self-righteousness
C self-reliance
D self-promotion
A self-sacrifice
Paragraph 15 is mainly about —
A Jake’s role in the play
B the darkness of the set
C the identity of the killer
D the role of the detective
A Jake’s role in the play
Which of these is the best summary of the selection?
A The narrator grew up in a neighborhood where boys played baseball games together in the streets, but he was never asked to be a part of these games. At the time he wanted to become an actor when he grew up. Now he believes that raising a nation of poets would be no better than raising a nation of athletes.
B The narrator looks back with fondness on his urban youth. He used to sit on the curb while the other boys played baseball, prisoner’s base, and gutter hockey. As darkness fell, the boys would gather on a stoop to tell jokes and stories.
C The narrator was affected by an experience he had as a teenager. He admits that he had a lack of toughness and an inability to compete. This kept him from participating in the usual activities enjoyed by the other boys in his neighborhood. Being an avid reader, the narrator preferred books for adults to those read by other boys his age.
D The narrator reflects on an experience that influenced his decision to become a writer. As a teenager, he didn’t fit in with the neighborhood boys, who spent their days playing sports. But at night the narrator captivated the boys by retelling stories that he had read. This memory stayed with the narrator throughout his career as a playwright.
D The narrator reflects on an experience that influenced his decision to become a writer. As a teenager, he didn’t fit in with the neighborhood boys, who spent their days playing sports. But at night the narrator captivated the boys by retelling stories that he had read. This memory stayed with the narrator throughout his career as a playwright.
What is paragraph 46 mostly about?
A Skvortsoff asks Lushkoff to deliver a letter to a friend.
B Lushkoff helps Skvortsoff move to another house.
C Skvortsoff takes credit for turning Lushkoff’s life around.
D Lushkoff has found a respectable, well-paying job.
C Skvortsoff takes credit for turning Lushkoff’s life around.
Which of these is the best summary of the article?
A As a teenager Chad Pregracke spent summers diving for mussels with his father in the Mississippi River. As Pregracke grew older, his opinion about the river began to change. He now understands that the Mississippi River must be protected.
B Chad Pregracke has found a startling array of objects in the Mississippi River: jugs of pesticide, propane tanks, artificial limbs, lawn mowers, and other debris. He uses a forklift on his barge to sort the different items into piles for recycling. He decorates his barges with the logos of his corporate sponsors.
C Troubled by the pollution in U.S. waterways, Chad Pregracke has set out to raise money for the beautification and restoration of rivers. He has learned the value of a good public-relations campaign. Among his influential friends and sources of inspiration is Robert Kennedy, Jr.
D Chad Pregracke is on a quest to remove garbage from the Mississippi River. After initially working alone to remove tons of junk from the river, Pregracke now has several assistants, barges and equipment, and corporate funding to enable him to spend summers removing river debris. His goal is to clean up the major rivers in the United States.
D Chad Pregracke is on a quest to remove garbage from the Mississippi River. After initially working alone to remove tons of junk from the river, Pregracke now has several assistants, barges and equipment, and corporate funding to enable him to spend summers removing river debris. His goal is to clean up the major rivers in the United States.
Beggar and Huck:
The authors of both selections most likely
intended to —
A convince the reader to preserve the
environment
B entertain the reader with stories about
unusual people
C remind readers that most people are
capable of change
D inspire readers to take responsibility for
positive change
D inspire readers to take responsibility for
positive change
What do producing a college student’s play and casting an inexperienced actor demonstrate about Mr. Knowles?
A He judges people in a random fashion.
B He likes to feel superior to people with silly ambitions.
C He thinks everyone has something to contribute.
D He believes that it is easier to teach those with little experience.
C He thinks everyone has something to contribute.
In paragraph 3, Hart says that softness brings people “closest to the angels” because it —
A allows them to ignore practical concerns
B encourages them to develop sensitivity
C makes them interested in religion
D strengthens their desire for power
B encourages them to develop sensitivity
The author uses dialogue in the story mainly to —
A establish the setting
B describe Skvortsoff’s background
C compare ideas
D reveal information about the characters
D reveal information about the characters
Which of these quotations suggests a primary theme in the article?
A “There was an opportunity for me to make a difference.”
B . . . Pregracke began to enlarge upon his ambitions.
C He knows the value of modern public relations.
D “It’s hard work, but it’s fun work,” . . .
A “There was an opportunity for me to make a difference.”
Visual:
The photograph in the announcement
suggests that —
A most people are reluctant to ask for help
B very few people are qualified to help
others
C both helpers and those who are helped can
share a success
D helping someone is difficult
C both helpers and those who are helped can
share a success
Jake’s primary conflict is with —
A age
B a former boss
C his co-workers
D himself
D himself
Throughout his childhood, Hart could best be described as —
A lazy
B cheerful
C arrogant
D solitary
D solitary
In paragraph 27, the author uses a metaphor to —
A emphasize Skvortsoff’s disgust toward Lushkoff
B describe the worn appearance of Lushkoff
C show a contrast between Lushkoff and Skvortsoff
D highlight Lushkoff’s drunken condition
B describe the worn appearance of Lushkoff
In paragraph 1, the author uses incomplete sentences to —
A emphasize the types of equipment used by residents along the Mississippi River
B highlight the distance from St. Louis to Dubuque
C emphasize the various types of trash dumped in the Mississippi River
D provide information about the number of people living on the houseboat
C emphasize the various types of trash dumped in the Mississippi River
Visual: Which of these best describes the primary message of the announcement?
A A small contribution can yield large
results.
B Great achievements begin with
self-reliance.
C A change in attitude can make all the
difference.
D Financial resources can solve most
problems.
A A small contribution can yield large
results.
Which line best signifies the value Jake places on his role in the play?
A Opening night, I had an attack of stage fright, but I kept it to myself and nobody knew about it.
B I was only in the first act.
C I didn’t have any lines to memorize, but I never missed a single rehearsal.
D As a costume, I wore my blue serge suit, a white shirt, and a red bow tie.
C I didn’t have any lines to memorize, but I never missed a single rehearsal.
Which line best explains why the narrator was able to capture the neighborhood boys’ attention?
A It was just after one of those long silences that my life as an outsider changed, and for one glorious summer I was accepted on my own terms as one of the tribe.
B Listening to a tale being told in the dark is one of the most ancient of man’s entertainments, but I was offering them as well, without being aware of doing it, a new and exciting experience.
C Since I was much alone I had become an omnivorous reader and I had gone through the books-for-boys-series in one vast gulp.
D As it grew dark, I would take my place in the center of the stoop and, like Scheherazade, begin the evening’s tale.
B Listening to a tale being told in the dark is one of the most ancient of man’s entertainments, but I was offering them as well, without being aware of doing it, a new and exciting experience.
Lushkoff agrees to chop wood for Skvortsoff mainly because —
A the beggar needs the money for clothes
B the beggar is eager to change his life
C Skvortsoff has promised to feed him
D Skvortsoff has shamed him into working
D Skvortsoff has shamed him into working
The descriptions of the Mississippi River in this article show the —
A difficulty of Pregracke’s task
B beauty of the islands and beaches
C dangers of air pollution
D importance of Pregracke’s large staff
A difficulty of Pregracke’s task
Huck:
The author sees a similarity between Pregracke’s Adopt a Mississippi Mile program and —
A beach-cleanup programs
B wildlife-preservation programs
C tree-conservation programs
D highway-beautification programs
D highway-beautification programs