Vocab
Define “cooped up” (paragraph 1)
A. Excited to travel
B. Trapped indoors
C. Hidden from danger
D. Working very hard
b. trapped indoors
Why does Jim spend so much time reading online news articles at the beginning of the story?
A. He hopes to find entertainment
B. He wants to become a reporter
C. He is searching for hopeful information
D. He is helping his parents research
C. he is searching for hopeful information
Which quotation BEST supports the idea that the garbage crisis had been ignored for years?
A. “Every day they looked more exhausted…”
B. “Earth’s people continued to make more and more waste.”
C. “Ignoring warnings about a coming garbage crisis…”
D. “The scientists attended an awards ceremony…”
C. “Ignoring warnings about a coming garbage crisis…”
Which statement BEST expresses a theme of the story?
A. Technology always creates problems
B. Young people should avoid dangerous work
C. Cooperation and persistence can lead to solutions
D. Governments should control all businesses
C. Cooperation and persistence can lead to solutions
Which phrase from the passage best helps the reader understand the meaning of “stranded” in paragraph 4?
A. “started pumping oxygen”
B. “families like Jim’s”
C. “no one would have to go outside”
D. “airdropping food”
C. "no one would have to go outside"
What can the reader infer about the waste disposal companies?
A. They care deeply about the environment
B. They gained power from the garbage crisis
C. They are secretly helping scientists
D. They work closely with farmers
Which detail BEST supports the conclusion that Jim wanted to help his parents?
A. “Jim was left with nothing to do…”
B. “He frequently traveled through the tunnels…”
C. “Jim scrubbed the equipment…”
D. “Jim wished there was something he could do to help.”
D. “Jim wished there was something he could do to help.”
How does Jim contribute to the development of the story’s theme?
A. He proves that scientists work too slowly
B. He shows that even small actions can matter
C. He demonstrates that luck is more important than effort
D. He convinces the government to fund research
B. He shows that even small actions can matter
What does the word “hazardous” most likely mean in the sentence below?
“Sorry to interrupt, but I have a bit of a hazardous situation here.”
A. Funny
B. Dangerous
C. Confusing
D. Expensive
B. dangerous
Why do Molly and Clifford keep the lab a secret?
A. They are ashamed of their work
B. They fear losing funding
C. They worry waste companies will stop them
D. They do not trust Jim
C. they worry waste companies will stop them
Which quotation BEST supports the theme that teamwork can solve difficult problems?
A. “Months passed with no solution.”
B. “They’d banded together with other concerned scientists…”
C. “Jim noticed that one had sprung a leak.”
D. “The garbage smell was the worst…”
B. “They’d banded together with other concerned scientists…”
Which detail BEST helps develop the theme that greed can harm society?
A. “Huge vegetables could grow in it…”
B. “They worked into the night…”
C. “Waste disposal companies took over farmland…”
D. “The scientists attended an awards ceremony…”
C. “Waste disposal companies took over farmland…”
Which word is the BEST synonym for “infuriating” in the sentence: "after a particularly infuriating day, when a promising test suddenly failed..."
A. Exciting
B. Embarrassing
C. Frustrating
D. Confusing
c. frustrating
What does Jim’s work at the lab reveal about his character?
A. He is responsible
B. He wants attention
C. He is selfish
D. He dislikes science
A. he is responsible
Which sentence BEST shows that the bacteria discovery could help the environment?
A. “The bacteria have completely eaten through the plastic!”
B. “The scientists immediately began experimenting…”
C. “The waste from the plastic-eating bacteria was actually good for soil.”
D. “Both were unharmed.”
C. “The waste from the plastic-eating bacteria was actually good for soil.”
Which summary of the passage is MOST accurate?
A. Jim becomes trapped alone in his home and eventually escapes through underground tunnels to another city.
B. Scientists struggle to solve a worldwide garbage crisis until Jim accidentally discovers bacteria that can safely break down plastic.
C. A wealthy businessman creates a dangerous bacteria experiment that causes more environmental problems around the world.
D. Governments successfully solve the garbage crisis by providing oxygen and food to families trapped indoors.
B. Scientists struggle to solve a worldwide garbage crisis until Jim accidentally discovers bacteria that can safely break down plastic.
What does the phrase “change of heart” suggest about the former landfill owner?
A. He became ill
B. He forgot his goals
C. He regretted his actions
D. He lost his business
C. he regretted his actions
Why is the bacteria discovery unexpected?
A. Jim had been secretly studying bacteria
B. The scientists planned the experiment carefully
C. The bacteria came from farmland
D. The discovery happened by accident
D. the discovery happened by accident
Which detail BEST supports the conclusion that Jim played an important role in the discovery?
A. “Jim wished there was something he could do…”
B. “Jim didn't want to interrupt so he focused on his latest task...”
C. “He frequently traveled through the tunnels…”
D. “Jim was left with nothing to do…”
B. “Jim didn't want to interrupt so he focused on his latest task...”
Which sentence should be included in an objective summary of the passage?
A. Jim’s parents are unfair for making him work in the lab.
B. The garbage crisis proves technology is harmful.
C. Jim’s life was boring before he joined the scientists.
D. Scientists discover plastic-eating bacteria that helps restore farmland.
D. Scientists discover plastic-eating bacteria that helps restore farmland.