Adapted from “The Apple Tree”
1. Which lines support the theme of the poem?
a. “When an apple tree’s in blossom it is glorious to see, / But that’s just a hint, at springtime, of the better things to be;”
b. “Architects of splendid vision long have labored on the earth, / And have raised their dreams in marble and we’ve marveled at their worth;”
c. “But I’m sure there’s nothing finer for the eye of man to meet / Than an apple tree that’s ready for the world to come and eat.”
d. “There’s the promise of the apples, red and gleaming in the sun, / Like the medals worn by mortals as rewards for labors done;”
C. “But I’m sure there’s nothing finer for the eye of man to meet / Than an apple tree that’s ready for the world to come and eat.”
1. How do Mr. Wrenn’s actions contribute to the development of the theme?
A. Mr. Wrenn’s dislike of travel makes him nervous about meeting new people.
B. Mr. Wrenn’s love of travel and adventure helps him to imagine a more exciting life.
C. Mr. Wrenn’s dislike of the ticket taker causes him to miss the opportunity for a great experience.
D. Mr. Wrenn’s love of socializing is more important than travel.
B. Mr. Wrenn’s love of travel and adventure helps him to imagine a more exciting life.
What does the word inaccessible mean in the sentence below from paragraph 2?
“As they rest during the day, concealed usually in the most inaccessible places they can find, and are seen only upon the wing, their power of flight is their most striking peculiarity in the popular mind, and it is perhaps no great wonder that by many people, both in ancient and modern times they have been regarded as birds.”
A. not possible to escape
B. present at night
C. difficult to reach
D. not visible on the surface
C. difficult to reach
What does the word analyze mean?
A. To repeat information
B. To examine carefully in detail
C. To change or modify
D. To guess the meaning of something
B. To examine carefully in detail
What is the meaning of relevant evidence?
A. Details that connect directly to the point being made
B. Facts that are entertaining
C. Information that makes the reader laugh
D. Quotes from unrelated sources
A. Details that connect directly to the point being made
Which line supports the analysis that the speaker adores apple trees?
A. “There isn’t any structure in the land that’s ‘got it beat.’ ”
B. “But that’s just a hint, at springtime, of the better things to be;”
C. “The distant edge of summer; just a forecast of the treat”
D. “And have raised their dreams in marble and we’ve marveled at their worth;”
A. “There isn’t any structure in the land that’s ‘got it beat.’ ”
What can be inferred from paragraph 5?
A. The ticket taker is preoccupied; therefore, he neglects to present his normal smile.
B. The ticket taker is angry with Mr. Wrenn; therefore, he refuses to present his normal smile.
C. Mr. Wrenn is angry with the ticket taker; therefore, he refuses to acknowledge his smile.
D. Mr. Wrenn is preoccupied; therefore, he fails to notice the ticket taker.
A. The ticket taker is preoccupied; therefore, he neglects to present his normal smile.
Which quote provides evidence to support the claim that the classification of bats is complex?
A. “Among the sounds which greet the ear of the wayfarer as the shades of evening deepen into night, one of the commonest is a rather faint chirping noise which comes mysteriously from overhead.”
B. “On looking up in search of the source of this peculiar sound, we may see a small, dark, shadow-like creature sweeping to and fro with great rapidity.”
C. “It is one of the curious groups of animals called bats, representatives of which are to be met with in all countries, always active at night or in the twilight, and presenting a remarkable general similarity of structure, although in some respects they may differ considerably in habits.”
D. “Nevertheless, their hairy bodies and leathery wings are so unlike anything that we ordinarily understand as pertaining to a bird, that opinion was apparently always divided, as to the true nature of these creatures—‘a mouse with wings.’
D. “Nevertheless, their hairy bodies and leathery wings are so unlike anything that we ordinarily understand as pertaining to a bird, that opinion was apparently always divided, as to the true nature of these creatures—‘a mouse with wings.’
Which of the following is closest in meaning to propel?
A. To push or drive forward
B. To slow down
C. To gather together
D. To observe closely
A. To push or drive forward
What does evaluate mean in the context of reading and writing?
A. To quickly skim the text
B. To make up your own facts
C. To judge or determine the value or quality of something
D. To rewrite the entire passage
C. To judge or determine the value or quality of something
What does forecast mean in line 11?
A. delay
B. estimate
C. desire
D. curiosity
B. estimate
What do Mr. Wrenn’s thoughts in paragraph 6 reveal about his view of the ticket taker?
A. Mr. Wrenn views himself as inferior to the ticket taker.
B. Mr. Wrenn views himself as superior to the ticket taker.
C. Mr. Wrenn views the ticket taker as an enemy.
D. Mr. Wrenn views the ticket taker as a close friend.
B. Mr. Wrenn views himself as superior to the ticket taker.
How does the last sentence in paragraph 2 refine a key concept about bats?
A. by describing how owls and bats fly at night
B. by explaining the functions of a bat’s wings and its furry body
C. by showing how a bat is different from both a mouse and a bird
D. by illustrating how other languages have similar meanings for the word “bat”
D. by illustrating how other languages have similar meanings for the word “bat”
What does it mean to refine something?
A. To simplify it
B. To improve it by making small changes
C. To make it more complicated
D. To abandon it completely
B. To improve it by making small changes
What is the best definition of irony?
A. A serious moment in a story
B. A surprising or unexpected difference between what is expected and what actually happens
C. A clue about what will happen later in the text
D. A comparison using “like” or “as”
B. A surprising or unexpected difference between what is expected and what actually happens
How do lines 13–18 support the theme of beauty in the poem?
A. by declaring that tall, exquisite buildings and gorgeous apples are costly
B. by describing how architects use marble in their designs
C. by comparing amazing architectural designs with an apple tree’s attractiveness
D. by praising architects who design attractive buildings
C. by comparing amazing architectural designs with an apple tree’s attractiveness
How does the perspective of Mr. Wrenn at the movie theater create irony in the selection?
A. Mr. Wrenn believes the ticket taker is rude, but the ticket taker is unaware that he has hurt Mr. Wrenn’s feelings.
B. Mr. Wrenn believes the ticket taker is rude, and the ticket taker knowingly hurts Mr. Wrenn’s feelings.
C. Mr. Wrenn imagines that he is traveling on an adventure with the ticket taker.
D. Mr. Wrenn imagines that he is traveling while paying for his ticket at the movie theater.
A. Mr. Wrenn believes the ticket taker is rude, but the ticket taker is unaware that he has hurt Mr. Wrenn’s feelings.
Which statement reflects the author’s point of view about the bat’s abilities?
A. The author is puzzled as to why the bat is unable to be considered a bird.
B. The author is dismayed by the bat’s comparison to a mouse.
C. The author is fascinated that the bat can both walk and fly.
D. The author is disturbed about the bat’s ability to fly noiselessly.
C. The author is fascinated that the bat can both walk and fly.
Which of the following best describes an objective point of view in writing?
A. A personal opinion about the topic
B. An approach that presents facts without bias
C. A perspective that includes emotions and feelings
D. A detailed explanation of the author’s emotions
B. An approach that presents facts without bias
| What is the best definition of imagery in literature?
A. The use of facts to explain an idea
B. A summary of the main events in a story
C. Words that create a mental picture by appealing to the senses
D. The author’s opinion about a topic
C. Words that create a mental picture by appealing to the senses
What can be inferred from lines 19–24?
A. The speaker wins awards for beautiful apples.
B. The speaker lacks interest in viewing or eating apples.
C. Apple trees grow in various shapes and sizes.
D. Apple trees produce beautiful apples for people to enjoy.
D. Apple trees produce beautiful apples for people to enjoy.
How do the different perspectives of the ticket taker and Mr. Wrenn affect the story?
A. The ticket taker’s friendliness to the unfriendly Mr. Wrenn creates a tone of confusion.
B. The ticket taker’s indifference to Mr. Wrenn’s need for attention creates a tone of isolation.
C. The ticket taker’s enjoyment of movies and Mr. Wrenn’s indifference to them creates a tone of disappointment.
D. The ticket taker’s commitment to his job compared to Mr. Wrenn’s laziness creates a tone of unfairness and resentment.
B. The ticket taker’s indifference to Mr. Wrenn’s need for attention creates a tone of isolation.
Which statement provides an objective summary of the text?
A. Bats have been difficult animals to classify throughout history. A deeper understanding of the animals has led to their categorization as mammals that can fly like birds.
B. Bats have been studied extensively so that we can better understand their similarity to humans. This study is leading to treatments and cures for various diseases.
C. Bats are beautiful animals that are important to the global ecosystem. Efforts are being made to bring them back from the brink of extinction.
D. Bats are dangerous, bloodthirsty predators that spread rabies. Homes should be safeguarded against their inhabitation.
A. Bats have been difficult animals to classify throughout history. A deeper understanding of the animals has led to their categorization as mammals that can fly like birds.
What does it mean to distinguish between two ideas?
A. To ignore their differences
B. To identify their similarities
C. To make them sound the same
D. To recognize or point out the differences
D. To recognize or point out the differences
What does the word symbolize mean in literature?
A. To describe something with great detail
B. To show a character’s thoughts
C. To stand for or represent an idea, quality, or concept
D. To repeat the same word or phrase
C. To stand for or represent an idea, quality, or concept