Vocabulary
Short Stories
The Circuit
A Work in Progress
Story of My Life
100

What does instinctively mean?

To do something without thinking.

100

In “The Girl Who Fell from the Sky,” what does the author believe she must do to be rescued?

Follow the river to civilization

100

In one sentence, give a summary of "The Circuit."

It is a story about the narrator’s experience as a migrant farm worker.

100

Based on its context, what is the most likely meaning of accomplishments in the following sentence?

Cara was proud of her accomplishments, like getting straight A’s at school.

Achievements

100

According to the selection from The Story of My Life, how does Keller mainly perceive her surroundings?

Her sense of touch

200

The word fixed has more than one meaning. Which meaning of fixed is most likely used in this excerpt from “Rikki-tikki-tavi”?

Teddy’s eyes were fixed on his father, and all his father could do was to whisper, “Sit still, Teddy. You mustn’t move. Teddy, keep still.”

Focused steadily

200

In the excerpt from Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna, how was the author raised as a young child?

He was raised as a nomad in Kenya.

200

In “The Circuit,” how does the narrator, Panchito, feel about moving?

He dislikes moving from place to place.

200

According to “A Work in Progress,” what problem does the author have with her waterproof legs?

They float to the surface of the water.

200

According to the selection from The Story of My Life, which action directly causes Keller to understand the concept of language?

Having water flow over her hand and then learning to spell water

300

What is the meaning of elite in this sentence from the excerpt from Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna?

Every day there were little things, little symbols that showed I was not from the right class, that maybe I didn’t belong there socially, that maybe I had stepped out of line by leaving my cows and coming to such an elite place.

Of the most socially powerful

300

 In “The Girl Who Fell from the Sky,” why are the author’s food choices very limited?

She does not have tools to cook or obtain food.

300

In “The Circuit,” what does Mr. Lema do that causes Panchito to feel dizzy?

Mr. Lema asked Panchito to read from an English book.

300

In “A Work in Progress,” what excuse does the author’s teacher give for not wanting the author back in class after her operation?

The author's casts and wheelchair will be a distraction.

300

In the selection from The Story of My Life, why does Keller feel pleasure when Miss Sullivan brings her hat to her?

She knows that she gets to go outside when she has her hat.

400

What would a child most likely do to imitate her sister’s behavior?

Try to copy it

400

How is the author of the excerpt from Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna different from most of the other students at the school?

He is poor and does not know anything about city life, while most of the others are rich and were raised in cities.

400

In “The Circuit,” what is the one constant thing in Panchito’s life?

His family

400

In “A Work in Progress,” what makes the author’s parents stop asking the author to hide her legs?

They hear relatives saying how nice their daughter looks despite her legs showing.

400

In the selection from The Story of My Life, why does Keller break the new doll that Miss Sullivan gives her?

She feels impatient with Miss Sullivan’s attempts to teach her words.

500

What would be a barrier to knowing how to sing well?

Being tone-deaf

500

What does the context suggest is the most likely meaning of restless in this excerpt from “Rikki-tikki-tavi”?

At nightfall he ran into Teddy’s nursery to watch how kerosene lamps were lighted, and when Teddy went to bed Rikki-tikki climbed up too; but he was a restless companion, because he had to get up and attend to every noise all through the night, and find out what made it.

Unable to rest

500

In “The Circuit,” a school bus arrives while Panchito and Roberto are working in the fields. How do they react?

They run away and hide.

500

In “A Work in Progress,” why is the author shocked by what the man who calls and asks her to give a speech says?

He does not think that anyone will like her if she seems confident

500

According to the selection from The Story of My Life, how does Keller feel the night following her discovery of language?

Joyful