Character & Conflict
In Passage 1, what is Jordan's main motivation for inviting the new student to sit with his group?
He remembers how uncomfortable it was to be new and wants the student to feel welcome.
What type of figurative language compares two unlike things using "like" or "as"?
Simile
Using context clues, what does hesitantly mean in Passage 2?
Hesitantly means uncertainly or with hesitation.
What is the central idea of Passage 3?
Transportation technology has changed over time and continues to develop, creating new opportunities and challenges.
What is one feature commonly found in a dramatic script that is not typically used in the same way in a traditional story?
Dialogue labels, stage directions, character lists, or scene headings.
What is the main conflict Jordan faces in Passage 1?
Jordan must decide whether to join his friends or reach out to someone who is sitting alone.
Read this sentence:
"The classroom was a zoo during the last five minutes of the school day."
What type of figurative language is being used?
Metaphor
What does the word dramatically mean as it is used in the first sentence of Passage 3?
Dramatically means greatly or significantly.
According to Passage 3, what are two technologies used in self-driving vehicles?
Cameras, sensors, and artificial intelligence.
What information do stage directions provide to actors and readers?
They explain character movements, expressions, emotions, and actions.
Which sentence from Passage 1 BEST supports the idea that Jordan understands how the new student feels?
"He remembered being the new kid last year and how uncomfortable it felt to eat lunch without knowing anyone."
Read the sentence:
"Her excitement bubbled like a pot of boiling water."
What does the comparison help readers understand about the character?
Her excitement is intense and energetic.
Read the sentence:
"The scientist examined the device's capacity to store information."
Which dictionary definition best fits capacity?
A. Legal ability to make decisions
B. The ability to hold or store something
C. A person's physical strength
D. A person's emotional intelligence
B. The ability to hold or store something.
What is the purpose of the footnote in Passage 3?
To define a scientific or technical term.
How does Passage 2 communicate Jordan's feelings differently than Passage 1?
The story uses narration to explain Jordan's thoughts and memories. The drama uses dialogue and stage directions to show his actions and emotions.
How does Marcus's dialogue contribute to the development of the plot?
Marcus's dialogue introduces opposition to Jordan's decision and highlights the conflict between fitting in with friends and doing what is right.
Read the sentence:
"His apology was a tiny bandage on a much larger wound."
What does this metaphor suggest about the apology?
The apology is not enough to fix the larger problem.
Which word has the MOST negative connotation?
A. Curious
B. Interested
C. Nosy
D. Observant
C. Nosy.
The author includes the example of a self-driving car recognizing a pedestrian. What is the author's main purpose for including this example?
To provide a specific example of how self-driving technology recognizes objects and responds to its environment.
What information does Passage 1 provide about Jordan's memories of being new that is NOT included in Passage 2?
The story explains that Jordan remembers being the new kid and feeling uncomfortable. The dramatic adaptation does not include this background information.
What theme is developed through Jordan's actions? Explain how two details from the passage support your answer.
Small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference. Jordan invites the student to sit with his group, and the student eventually feels comfortable enough to laugh with everyone.
An author describes a character as "confident" in one paragraph and "arrogant" in another. Both words suggest self-confidence, but one has a more negative connotation. Which word is more negative, and how does that choice affect the reader's impression?
Arrogant. It suggests someone is overly proud or thinks too highly of themselves. Confident is more positive.
Read the sentence:
"The principal's announcement was brief, but its message was significant."
Which word is the best synonym for significant in this context, and why would trivial be an inappropriate replacement?
Important or meaningful. Trivial means unimportant or insignificant, which would change the meaning of the sentence.
How does the author acknowledge that new transportation technology has both advantages and disadvantages? Use evidence from Passage 3.
The author describes benefits, such as reducing certain types of air pollution, but also explains concerns about battery production, safety, cost, and responsibility.
How would performing Passage 2 on stage help an audience better understand the characters' emotions? Identify two specific stage directions that would help.
Stage directions help actors communicate emotions through movement and expression. Examples include "[hesitantly]" and "[shrugging]."