Comprehension
Plot Development
Unknown Words/Context Clues
Figurative Language
Conventions: Perfect Tenses of Verbs
100

Level 1:
Question:
What is the main setting of the first paragraph in "Black Cowboy, Wild Horses"?
A. On a bluff overlooking the land
B. Inside a corral

A. On a bluff overlooking the land

100

Level 1:
Question:
What action does Bob Lemmons take first in paragraph 1?
A. He rides his horse up the rise.
B. He looks down at the corral.

A. He rides his horse up the rise.

100

Level 1:
Question:
What does "corral" most likely mean in paragraph 1?
A. A pen or enclosure for livestock animals
B. A type of hill or bluff

A. A pen or enclosure for livestock animals

100

Level 1:
Question:
What type of figurative language is used in "the land stretching as wide as love"?
A. Simile
B. Hyperbole

A. Simile

100

Level 1:
Question:
Which verb is written in the past perfect tense?
A. "had reached"
B. "stopped"

A. "had reached"

200

Level 2:
Question:
What is the primary focus of paragraph 1 in "Black Cowboy, Wild Horses"?
A. Describing the land and atmosphere
B. Explaining the cowboy's chores

A. Describing the land and atmosphere

200

Level 2:
Question:
What does Bob Lemmons do after reaching the top of the bluff?
A. He turns away to stare at the land.
B. He immediately begins his chores.

A. He turns away to stare at the land.

200

Level 2:
Question:
What does the phrase "cold threads of unseen winds" suggest about the wind?
A. It is strong and forceful.
B. It is light and invisible.

B. It is light and invisible.

200

Level 2:
Question:
What type of figurative language is used in "the sky was curved as if it were a lap"?
A. Metaphor
B. Personification

B. Personification

200

Level 2:
Question:
Which sentence correctly uses the future perfect tense?
A. By tomorrow, Bob will have explored the entire area.
B. Bob will explore the area tomorrow.

A. By tomorrow, Bob will have explored the entire area.

300

Level 3 (Part A):
Question:
What does the description of the land in paragraph 1 suggest about Bob Lemmons' connection to it?
A. He feels intimidated by its size.
B. He feels deeply connected and inspired by it.
C. He sees it as a challenge to overcome.
D. He ignores it to focus on his task.

B. He feels deeply connected and inspired by it.

300

Level 3 (Part A):
Question:
What is the effect of beginning the story with Bob Lemmons' observation of the land?
A. It sets the stage for a challenging journey.
B. It introduces the main conflict of the story.
C. It establishes Bob's appreciation for nature.
D. It creates a sense of urgency to complete chores.

C. It establishes Bob's appreciation for nature.

300

Level 3 (Part A):
Question:
What does the phrase "land stretching as wide as love" suggest about the land?
A. It is difficult to cross.
B. It feels endless and vast.
C. It is filled with affection.
D. It is shaped like a heart.

B. It feels endless and vast.

300

 Level 3 (Part A):
Question:
What does the figurative language in "land and sky kissed" emphasize about the setting?
A. The connection between earth and sky
B. The boundary between the land and water
C. The warmth of the atmosphere
D. The speed of the approaching storm

A. The connection between earth and sky

300

Level 3 (Part A):
Question:
Which sentence uses the correct form of the past perfect tense?
A. Bob has seen the hawk flying.
B. Bob had ridden his horse before he saw the sunrise.
C. Bob saw the hawk and stopped to look.
D. Bob was riding his horse when he looked down.

B. Bob had ridden his horse before he saw the sunrise.

400

Level 4 (Part B):
Question:
Which detail from the text best supports the answer to Part A?
A. "He looked down at the corral where the other cowboys were beginning the morning chores."
B. "The land stretching as wide as love in every direction."
C. "High above, a hawk was suspended on cold threads of unseen winds."
D. "Far, far away, at what looked to be the edge of the world, land and sky kissed."

B. "The land stretching as wide as love in every direction."

400

Level 4 (Part B):
Question:
Which detail from paragraph 1 best supports the answer to Part A?
A. "He looked down at the corral where the other cowboys were beginning the morning chores."
B. "The sky was curved as if it were a lap on which the earth lay napping like a curled cat."
C. "When he reached the top, he stopped at the edge of the bluff."
D. "Far, far away, at what looked to be the edge of the world, land and sky kissed."

B. "The sky was curved as if it were a lap on which the earth lay napping like a curled cat."

400

Level 4 (Part B):
Question:
Which word or phrase in paragraph 1 helps clarify the meaning of "wide as love"?
A. "Far, far away"
B. "Looked down at the corral"
C. "Cold threads of unseen winds"
D. "Land and sky kissed"

A. "Far, far away"

400

Level 4 (Part B):
Question:
Which phrase from paragraph 1 best supports the idea of unity between earth and sky?
A. "Far, far away, at what looked to be the edge of the world."
B. "The land stretching as wide as love in every direction."
C. "The sky was curved as if it were a lap."
D. "High above, a hawk was suspended."

A. "Far, far away, at what looked to be the edge of the world."

400

Level 4 (Part B):
Question:
Why is the past perfect tense used in the correct answer to Part A?
A. To show an action that occurred after another event in the past
B. To indicate an action that was ongoing in the past
C. To describe an action completed before another past event
D. To indicate an action that is still relevant in the present

C. To describe an action completed before another past event

500

Level 5 (Multiple Select):
Question:
Select two details from paragraph 1 that describe the peacefulness of the setting.
A. "He looked down at the corral where the other cowboys were beginning the morning chores."
B. "The sky was curved as if it were a lap on which the earth lay napping like a curled cat."
C. "High above, a hawk was suspended on cold threads of unseen winds."
D. "Far, far away, at what looked to be the edge of the world, land and sky kissed."

B. "The sky was curved as if it were a lap on which the earth lay napping like a curled cat."
D. "Far, far away, at what looked to be the edge of the world, land and sky kissed."

500

Level 5 (Multiple Select):
Question:
Select all actions in paragraph 1 that contribute to introducing the story's setting.
A. Bob Lemmons rode his horse slowly up the rise.
B. He looked down at the corral where the other cowboys were beginning the morning chores.
C. He turned away and stared at the land stretching as wide as love.
D. The hawk was suspended on cold threads of unseen winds.

A. Bob Lemmons rode his horse slowly up the rise.
C. He turned away and stared at the land stretching as wide as love.

500

Level 5 (Multiple Select):
Question:
Select all phrases that use context clues to suggest vastness in paragraph 1.
A. "The land stretching as wide as love in every direction."
B. "Far, far away, at what looked to be the edge of the world."
C. "He looked down at the corral where the other cowboys were beginning the morning chores."
D. "The sky was curved as if it were a lap."

A. "The land stretching as wide as love in every direction."
B. "Far, far away, at what looked to be the edge of the world."

500

Level 5 (Multiple Select):
Question:
Select all examples of figurative language from paragraph 1.
A. "The land stretching as wide as love in every direction."
B. "The sky was curved as if it were a lap."
C. "High above, a hawk was suspended on cold threads of unseen winds."
D. "Far, far away, at what looked to be the edge of the world, land and sky kissed."

A. "The land stretching as wide as love in every direction."
B. "The sky was curved as if it were a lap."
D. "Far, far away, at what looked to be the edge of the world, land and sky kissed."

500

Level 5 (Multiple Select):
Question:
Select all sentences that use the perfect tenses correctly.
A. Bob has looked at the corral and ridden up the bluff.
B. The cowboys will have finished their chores by the time Bob returns.
C. Bob was looking at the land when the hawk flew by.
D. Bob had admired the sunrise before he turned away from the edge.

A. Bob has looked at the corral and ridden up the bluff.
B. The cowboys will have finished their chores by the time Bob returns.
D. Bob had admired the sunrise before he turned away from the edge.