Read the excerpt from "Gumption."
“There goes Oyster and that boy of his,” I said, “ragged as a jay-bird, both of ‘em.”
What is the most likely meaning of the phrase ragged as a jay-bird?
stressed and lonely
angry and frustrated
harsh and outspoken
unkempt and worn out
Which sentence is the best description of Clara in "Gumption"?
She is meek and timid.
She is practical and realistic.
She has a strong sense of justice.
She has an innocent and trusting nature.
Which statement best contrasts the use of dialogue in "Gumption" and "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty"?
In "Gumption," dialogue is used to speed the plot along, while in "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" dialogue is used to create a sense of shock
and horror.
In "Gumption," dialogue is used to develop the natural world, while in "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," dialogue is used to contrast reality and
imagined events.
In "Gumption" dialogue is used to create realistic characters, while in "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" dialogue is used to contrast reality and imagined events.
In "Gumption" dialogue is used to create realistic characters, while in "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," dialogue is used to demonstrate correct grammar.
How does the point of view in "The Piece of String" affect reader understanding of the story's conflict?
Because the story is written in the third-person omniscient point of view, readers grasp how characters on both sides of the conflict think and feel.
Because the story is written in the second-person point of view, readers are treated as though they are participants in the conflict.
Because the story is written in the third-person limited point of view, readers only understand the main character's view of the conflict.
Because the story is written in the first-person point of view, readers only understand as much about the conflict as the narrator understands
Read the passage from "The Tell-Tale Heart":
How, then, am I mad? Hearken! and observe how healthily--how calmly I can tell you the whole story.
What is the connotative meaning of the word healthily?
eagerly
fondly
well
sanely
Read the passage from "The Tell-Tale Heart":
I resolved to open a little—a very, very little crevice in the lantern. So I opened it...
Which statement best explains how this action provokes the speaker's decision to murder the old man?
The speaker needs light to be able to see the weapon with which he attacks the old man.
The speaker wants to make sure the old man can see exactly who is killing him.
The lantern illuminates the old man's eye, which enrages the speaker.
The old man becomes furious with the speaker for waking him up.
Read the story.
Racing to Race
Carlo stopped to rest for a minute and tried to catch his breath. He’d been running for so long that he had pains in his side and his legs were beginning to hurt. He hunched over and tried to expand his lungs, but it was like trying to suck air out of a bicycle tire. His body was too exhausted to even allow him to take a deep breath, and he started to wheeze again.
“Great,” he thought, “let me just add asthma to my expanding list of ailments. I can’t believe that I can’t even jog two miles without completely collapsing!” He finally gave in to his aching body and laid down on the grass to recuperate. He closed his eyes and tried to imagine himself running on the school track in the 1,600-meter race. He pictured himself running steadily toward the finish line, running effortlessly like a cheetah in
the jungle. He was so lost in thought that he didn’t even hear Meiya approach.
“Hey sleepyhead, what are you doing napping on Sean’s lawn in the middle of the day?” Meiya asked playfully.
Carlo quickly sat up, breathing normally now and feeling a little
embarrassed. “I am trying to get in shape to try out for track, but I can’t even run two miles,” he said dejectedly.
“Wait, how many months are you out of surgery? Didn’t you just finish rehab last week?” Meiya asked. “You can’t expect to run two miles the first day.”
It had been six months since Carlo’s surgery and he specifically remembered the doctor telling him he could start running after six months. But he thought about what Meiya had said and realized she had a good point. After his surgery, the doctor did say rehab would be crucial to his recovery but that it would take time for him to gain back full use of his leg.
He thought about how a baby had to learn to walk before it could run. He remembered when his nephew was learning to crawl; within days it seemed like he was walking. Running didn’t come right away, Carlo remembered. He realized it was the same with his therapy. The maximum he had run in the past month was one mile on the treadmill, so he realized
that Meiya was probably right. He would have to work at building up his endurance and set more realistic goals for himself. As he thought about what he had already accomplished, he started to smile and felt like a weight was being lifted off his shoulders. He realized that he had run almost a mile and a half before his body started to protest and if he kept working hard, he could get back to where he was before his accident.
“Since when did you get so smart, Dr. Meiya?” he teased. “Do you want to race to the next mailbox?”
“You’re on!” she challenged and took off running at full speed.
Part A
What is a central theme of “Racing to Race?”
Good things always come to those who wait.
A close friend is good medicine.
Running a race is not always about winning.
Training takes time and dedication.
Part B
Which statement best shows how the theme identified in Part A is developed in the story?
Meiya reminds Carlo that he has just finished rehab, and Carlo
acknowledges that he will once again have to build up his
strength and endurance.
Carlo pictures himself winning a big race on the school track
team and when he realizes that he may not be able to run, he
is very discouraged and disappointed.
Meiya knows that she is faster than Carlo, so she does her best to encourage him and also lets him win a race between them to boost his spirits.
Carlo realizes that he may not be able to compete on the
school track team because his injury is not fully healed but
discovers that he can still run for fun with his friend.
Read the sentence from “Racing to Race.” "Hey, sleepyhead, what are you doing napping on Sean's lawn in the middle of the day?" Meiya asked playfully.
What does this sentence reveal about how Meiya views Carlo?
Meiya knows Carlo well enough to know that he won't take
offense at her teasing.
Meiya is concerned about Carlo’s lack of energy.
Meiya thinks that Carlo is not a very good athlete.
Meiya is sarcastic to hide the fact that she does not really like
Carlo.
Read the passage from “Racing to Race.” It had been six months since Carlo’s surgery and he specifically remembered the doctor telling him he could start running after six months. But he thought about what Meiya had said and realized she had a good point. After his surgery, the doctor did say rehab would be crucial to his recovery but that it would take time for him to gain back full use of his leg.
He thought about how a baby had to learn to walk before it could run. He remembered when his nephew was learning to crawl; within days it seemed like he was walking. Running didn’t come right away, Carlo remembered. He realized it was the same with his therapy. The maximum he had run in the past month was one mile on the treadmill, so he realized that Meiya was probably right. He would have to work at building up his endurance and set more realistic goals for himself. As he thought about what he had already accomplished, he started to smile and felt like a weight was being lifted off his shoulders. He realized that he had run almost a mile and a half before his body started to protest and if he kept working hard, he could get back to where he was before his accident.
What analogy does the author make in the passage?
Carlo compares his rehabilitation with his nephew's birth.
Carlo compares his rehabilitation with that of other patients'.
Carlo compares his rehabilitation with a baby learning to walk
before learning to run.
Carlo compares his rehabilitation with that of a previous
surgery
Which statement best identifies the relationship between the words outgoing and reclusive and explains how it influences their meaning?
They are antonyms; their meanings are the opposite of each other.
They are cognates; their meanings are connected because they developed from the same Greek root words.
They are synonyms; their meanings are nearly the same.
They are synonyms; their meanings are exactly the same.
Read the analogy.
wheel: bike :: catalytic converter: car
Based on this analogy, what can be inferred about the meaning of catalytic converter?
It causes the car to be made.
It is round.
It's a type of car.
It is part of the car.
Which word is a synonym of formidable?
weak
dismantled
intimidating
able to be shaped or created
Read the sentence.
Sally practiced the anthem after she will learn the Chopin sonata.
Which choice best corrects the tense shift by modifying the bolded verb phrase?
learned
learns
had learn
learn
Which sentence is written in the conditional mood?
I don't have enough experience, so I can't be a lifeguard this summer.
You have some interesting choices ahead of you.
Since we're out of eggs, I'll just have oatmeal instead.
If I had a few dollars, I'd buy us some ice cream sandwiches.
Which sentence uses the verb voice that emphasizes the actor rather than the action?
The tango is being taught to the children.
This dish will be greatly improved by only a few dashes of salt.
Ronnie appears so sweet and kind in public, but she can be difficult at times.
My garden is being invaded by weeds.
