Comprehension
At the beginning of “The Fun They Had,” what has caused Margie to hate school even more than before?
a. learning about real teachers instead of teaching machines
b. reading an old book that Tommy has found in his attic
c. doing poorly on test after test in geography
d. having no friends in school anymore
c. doing poorly on test after test in geography
Which of these technological advances is most clearly featured in the science-fiction story “The Fun They Had”?
a. the Internet
b. satellite TV
c. on-screen readers
d. the Global Positioning System (GPS)
c. on-screen readers
The postman will deliver it to your house.
Which part of speech is the underlined word in this sentence?
a. conjunction
b. noun
c. pronoun
d. interjection
c. pronoun
At which of these events would a person most likely speak sorrowfully?
a. a funeral
b. a concert
c. a wedding
d. a graduation
a. a funeral
The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.
Part A In “The Fun They Had,” in what way is Margie’s education more personal than the education of students her age in most schools today?
a. Her teacher is a robot who is very caring to only one student.
b. Her schoolwork is programmed to suit her own specific learning abilities.
c. She is able to decide when to take tests and how difficult those tests should be.
d. She is able to connect with other students who are studying the same subjects at a similar pace.
b. Her schoolwork is programmed to suit her own specific learning abilities.
In “The Fun They Had,” how is Margie’s teacher different from the teachers that most students who attend schools today have?
a. Margie’s teacher has been told very little about her.
b. Margie’s teacher is a person at a remote location.
c. Margie’s teacher is her mother.
d. Margie’s teacher is a machine.
d. Margie’s teacher is a machine.
In what way is the setting of “The Fun They Had” typical of science fiction?
a. The story takes place in the distant past.
b. The story takes place on another world.
c. The story takes place in outer space.
d. The story takes place in the future.
d. The story takes place in the future.
Neighborhood children are gathering outside to play.
Which of the following parts of speech is the underlined word in this sentence?
a. adjective
b. adverb
c. interjection
d. preposition
d. preposition
Which of these adjectives would best describe someone who loftily answers a question?
a. inspirational
b. thoughtful
c. snobby
d. kind
c. snobby
Part B Which quotation from “The Fun They Had” best supports the answer
to Part A?
a. The mechanical teacher had been giving her test after test in geography, and she had been doing worse and worse….
b. “Sure they had a teacher, but it wasn’t a regular teacher. It was a man.”
c. “But my mother says a teacher has to be adjusted to fit the mind of each boy and girl it teaches and that each kid has to be taught differently.”
d. It was always on at the same time every day except Saturday and Sunday, because her mother said little girls learned better if they learned at regular hours.
c. “But my mother says a teacher has to be adjusted to fit the mind of each boy and girl it teaches and that each kid has to be taught differently.”
In “The Fun They Had,” why does Margie’s mother have the county inspector visit?
a. to reprogram Margie’s teacher
b. to punish Margie for her poor grades
c. to explain what Margie needs to learn
d. to give Margie personal instruction in geography
a. to reprogram Margie’s teacher
In “The Fun They Had,” Margie and Tommy are realistic characters in an imagined world. Which words describe the realistic qualities that they display?
Choose two options.
a. lazy
b. timid
c. heroic
d. curious
e. villainous
f. argumentative
d, f
I can see my reflection in my new car.
Which of the following parts of speech is the underline word in this sentence?
a. adjective
b. adverb
c. noun
d. pronoun
a. adjective
If a person behaves nonchalantly, how does he or she most likely feel?
a. sad
b. angry
c. worried
d. carefree
d. carefree
The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.
Part A At the end of “The Fun They Had,” what does Margie think of the schools she has learned about from Tommy’s book?
a. Those schools must have been very enjoyable.
b. Those schools must have been very unpleasant.
c. Those schools seem like a complete waste of time.
d. Those schools seem very similar to her own schooling.
a. Those schools must have been very enjoyable.
What surprises Margie about teachers of the past?
a. They were smart
b. They were human beings
c. They weren't as smart as computers
d. They cared for their students
b. They were human beings
In “The Fun They Had,” which of these scientific advances does the author most clearly use as the basis of an imaginary invention?
a. machines that can perform human functions
b. paper that is made from recycled materials
c. clothing that resists wear and tear
d. lighting that can save electricity
a. machines that can perform human functions
"Maybe," he said, nonchalantly.
Nonchalantly in this sentence is a(n):
a. verb
b. adverb
c. interjection
d. preposition
b. adverb
Which of the following is a synonym of nonchalantly?
a. sadly
b. casually
c. angrily
d. happily
b. casually
Part B Which quotation from “The Fun They Had” best supports the answer
to Part A?
a. “Sure they had a teacher, but it wasn’t a regular teacher. It was a man.”
b. “They had a special building and all the kids went there.”
c. She wanted to read about those funny schools.
d. Margie was thinking about how the kids must have loved it in the old days. She was thinking about the fun they had.
d. Margie was thinking about how the kids must have loved it in the old days. She was thinking about the fun they had.
In “The Fun They Had,” which of these things are unfamiliar to Margie until she learns about them from Tommy or his book? Choose three options.
a. tests
b. group learning
c. homework
d. human teachers
e. computer programs
f. school buildings
b,d,f
Which of these serious themes is most clearly conveyed in the science-fiction story “The Fun They Had”?
a. Humanity is in danger of becoming extinct.
b. All human beings need to think for themselves.
c. We must stop wasting natural resources before it is too late.
d. People often fail to appreciate things until they no longer have them.
d. People often fail to appreciate things until they no longer have them.
Which of the following sentences contains an action verb?
a. Eduardo is enthusiastic about science.
b. Shawna memorized math facts last night.
c. Li appears upset about the broken crystal vase.
d. John and Marcy may be happy with that new movie.
b. Shawna memorized math facts last night.
Which of the following is a synonym of sorrowfully?
a. greedily
b. powerfully
c. apologetically
d. mournfully
d. mournfully