Standard Words
to figure out
determine
to make an educated guess using what you know and what the text says
inference
Which represents a theme of the passage?
A. Dreams are only fulfilled for those who are patient.
B. True happiness can only be achieved by a life well-lived.
C. It often requires failing before one can find true contentment.
D. It is pointless to try to escape from the responsibilities of life.
B. True happiness can only be achieved by a life well-lived.
What does the word profane mean as it is used in paragraph 16?
a. childish; irresponsible
b. excessive; unneeded
c. ideal; perfect
d. offensive; disrespectful
d. offensive; disrespectful
to quote from the text
cite
stated exactly in the text
explicitly
what the text is mostly about
central idea
Which quotation from the passage supports the theme chosen in Part A?
A. “‘Do you know how hard a hermit’s life is? A hermit must cut himself off from the world so that his heart may become as pure as gold and free from every earthly desire.’” (paragraph 11)
B. “He had come to the land of Perpetual Life with great relief and joy, only to find that the inhabitants themselves, doomed never to die, would consider it bliss to find death.” (paragraph 15)
C. “Three hundred years went by in this monotonous way, and then at last he began to grow tired of life in this country, and he longed to see his own land and his old home.” (paragraph 18)
D. “‘Thus will you live to a good old age and be happy, but give up the vain desire to escape death, for no man can do that, and by this time you have surely found out that even when selfish desires are granted they do not bring happiness.’” (paragraph 22)
D. “‘Thus will you live to a good old age and be happy, but give up the vain desire to escape death, for no man can do that, and by this time you have surely found out that even when selfish desires are granted they do not bring happiness.’” (paragraph 22)
What does Jofuku know that Sentaro does not?
a. There was never a king named Shin-no-Shiko
b. There is not a drink called the "Elixir of Life"
c. Sentaro will never be able to become a hermit.
d. Sentaro was never in the country of Perpetual Life.
d. Sentaro was never in the country of Perpetual Life.
to give
provide
to examine or look closely at
analyze
the lesson the author is trying to teach you
theme
Why does Jofuku believe Sentaro would find it difficult to become a hermit?
A. because Sentaro is spoiled and lazy
B. because Sentaro is already too old
C. because Sentaro is weak and fragile
D. because Sentaro is confused about life
A. because Sentaro is spoiled and lazy
What does the messenger mean when he commands Sentaro to "live a good and industrious life" in paragraph 22?
a. Sentaro should tell others the true meaning of life.
b. Sentaro should be kind to strangers.
c. Sentaro should work hard and treat others well.
d. Sentaro should try to become successful in business.
c. Sentaro should work hard and treat others well.
a certain or particular one
specific
What is the meaning of the word development?
What is a summary?
A brief statement of the most important points in the text
How does the author use paragraphs 5-8 to propel the action of the passage?
A. The author uses the story of Shin-no-Shiko to highlight the discontent Sentaro feels at the start of his journey.
B. The author uses the story of Shin-no-Shiko to convey the history of discontent the people in Sentaro’s village have experienced, which teaches Sentaro a valuable lesson.
C. The author uses the story of Shin-no-Shiko to reveal the foolishness of Sentaro’s plan to find the “Elixir of Life.”
D. The author uses the story of Shin-no-Shiko to illustrate why Sentaro believes achieving eternal life is a realistic possibility, which causes Sentaro to leave his home.
D. The author uses the story of Shin-no-Shiko to illustrate why Sentaro believes achieving eternal life is a realistic possibility, which causes Sentaro to leave his home.
Which two quotations from the passage reveal aspects of Sentaro’s character?
A. “He had inherited a small fortune from his father and lived on this, spending his time carelessly, without any serious thoughts of work, till he was about thirty-two years of age.” (paragraph 1)
B. “He wondered whether it were possible, by living simply and frugally, to prolong his life as long as he wished.” (paragraph 4)
C. “He traveled through all the mountainous regions of the land, climbing to the tops of the highest peaks, but never a hermit did he find. So he decided to go at once to the shrine of Jofuku.” (paragraph 9)
D. “‘You, Sentaro, are fond of good living and of every comfort. You are not even like an ordinary man, for you are exceptionally idle. You would never be able to go barefoot or to wear only one thin dress in the winter time!’” (paragraph 12)
E. “He set himself up in business, and for the present never even dreamed of going back to his old home.” (paragraph 16)
A, D
What is the meaning of the word accurate?
correct
What is the meaning of the word refined?
To clear up or change to make better
brief, accurate, objective
The following is an incomplete summary of the text.
Sentaro, a lazy man, wishes to live forever. While searching for the “Elixir of Life,” Sentaro prays to Jofuku to help him on his quest. Jofuku sends him, instead, to the country of Perpetual Life, where the inhabitants cannot die. After three hundred years, Sentaro grows weary and wishes he could return home.
Which statement could be added to make a complete and objective summary of the text?
A. After learning his lesson, Sentaro vows to spend the rest of his life working toward achieving the life of a hermit.
B. Sentaro prays to Jofuku to allow him to return home, and Jofuku sends a messenger to deliver him home.
C. Sentaro learns that his experiences have all been a dream, and he is grateful to return to his old life.
D. Frustrated with his setbacks in business and with his neighbors, Sentaro regrets ever wishing to find eternal life.
C. Sentaro learns that his experiences have all been a dream, and he is grateful to return to his old life.
Which quotation from the selection reveals aspects of Sentaro’s character?
A. “He had inherited a small fortune from his father and lived on this, spending his time carelessly, without any serious thoughts of work, till he was about thirty-two years of age.” (paragraph 1)
B. “He wondered whether it were possible, by living simply and frugally, to prolong his life as long as he wished.” (paragraph 4)
C. “He traveled through all the mountainous regions of the land, climbing to the tops of the highest peaks, but never a hermit did he find. So he decided to go at once to the shrine of Jofuku.” (paragraph 9)“
D. “He set himself up in business, and for the present never even dreamed of going back to his old home.” (paragraph 16)
A. “He had inherited a small fortune from his father and lived on this, spending his time carelessly, without any serious thoughts of work, till he was about thirty-two years of age.” (paragraph 1)
What is the meaning of the word objective?
free from personal thoughts and opinions; unbiased