1.
At the beginning of teh excerpt from An American Childhood, what important thing do you learn about Annie Dillard when she talks about playing football?
Correct Answer
C. She values concentration and courage.
Explanation
In the excerpt from An American Childhood, when Annie Dillard talks about playing football, she mentions that the game requires concentration and courage. This suggests that she values these qualities and recognizes their importance in the context of playing football. The fact that she specifically highlights these attributes indicates that she appreciates the mental and emotional aspects of the game, rather than solely focusing on physical prowess or winning.
2.
Why are the children throwing snowballs at cars?
Correct Answer
D. The cars are moving slowly and make good targets.
Explanation
The children are throwing snowballs at cars because the cars are moving slowly and make good targets.
3.
Use context clues in the following passage coose the correct meaning of the underlined word.
He chased us silently over picket fences, through thorny hedges, between houses, around garbage cans, and across streets. Every time I glanced back, choking for breath, I expected he would have quit.
Correct Answer
B. Looked quickly
Explanation
In this passage, the narrator is running away from someone and looking back to see if they have stopped chasing. The word "glanced" suggests that the narrator is quickly looking back. Therefore, the correct meaning of the underlined word is "looked quickly".
4.
Use context clues to choose the correct meaning of the underlined word.
Mikey and I had nowhere to go, in our own neighborhood or out of it, but away from this man who was chasing us. He impelled us forward.
Correct Answer
B. Pushed
Explanation
The correct answer is "pushed" because the word "impelled" suggests that the man was forcefully moving Mikey and the speaker forward, indicating that he was pushing them.
5.
After the man catches Dillard and Mikey, Dillard says:
He had released our jackets;...he knew we weren't going anywhere. We all played by the rules.
What does she mean?
Correct Answer
C. The children will not try to run away once they have been fairly caught.
Explanation
Dillard means that since the man released their jackets, he is confident that they will not attempt to escape. By saying they all played by the rules, she implies that they understand the game they were playing and will not break the agreed-upon rules by trying to run away.
6.
Why does the man chase the children?
Correct Answer
D. To teach them a lesson
Explanation
The man chases the children to teach them a lesson. This implies that the man is pursuing the children in order to impart a disciplinary action or consequence for their behavior.
7.
Dillard writes from the first-person point of view. Which of the following statements is always true of a first person narrative?
Correct Answer
B. It is told by one of the characters.
Explanation
A first-person narrative is always told by one of the characters in the story. This means that the narrator is a participant in the events and is sharing their own perspective and experiences. This point of view allows the reader to have direct insight into the thoughts, feelings, and actions of the character who is telling the story. Therefore, the statement "It is told by one of the characters" is always true of a first-person narrative.
8.
Since this excerpt is told in first person point-of-view, what information must be left out of the story?
Correct Answer
A. How the man feels as he chases the two children.
Explanation
In a first-person point-of-view narrative, the story is told from the perspective of one character, and the reader only has access to that character's thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Therefore, information about how the man feels as he chases the two children would be left out of the story. The focus is on the narrator's own feelings and experiences, not those of other characters.
9.
Which word best describes the young Annie Dillard?
Correct Answer
C. Adventurous
Explanation
Annie Dillard is described as adventurous because the word "adventurous" suggests that she is daring, willing to take risks, and eager to explore new experiences. This word implies that she is not afraid to step out of her comfort zone and seek out excitement and challenges. It also suggests that she has a curious and enthusiastic nature, always seeking new adventures and opportunities for growth.
10.
Why does Dillard admire the driver of the Buick?
Correct Answer
C. He is braver than other drivers
Explanation
Dillard admires the driver of the Buick because he is braver than other drivers. This suggests that the driver displays courage and fearlessness in his actions, possibly during a chase or pursuit. Dillard appreciates this bravery and admires the driver for his ability to stand out from other drivers in terms of bravery and determination.
11.
What lesson does Annie Dillard share in this excerpt?
Correct Answer
B. The joy of flinging oneself into life's events.
Explanation
Annie Dillard shares the lesson of the joy of flinging oneself into life's events in this excerpt. This suggests that she believes in fully immersing oneself in experiences and embracing the excitement and unpredictability that life has to offer.
12.
Which statement from the except explains what Dillard finds disappointing about being captured by the man?
Correct Answer
B. "Now he came down to earth. I wanted the glory to last forever."
Explanation
Dillard finds being captured by the man disappointing because she wanted the excitement and thrill of being chased to continue indefinitely. The statement "Now he came down to earth. I wanted the glory to last forever." suggests that Dillard had hoped for the chase to be more intense and for the feeling of being pursued to continue, but the man's capture brought an end to that excitement.
13.
Why does the author describe the path of teh chase in such detail?
Correct Answer
D. To show how determined the man is to catch the children.
Explanation
The author describes the path of the chase in such detail to show how determined the man is to catch the children. By providing specific details about the route the man takes, the author emphasizes the man's relentless pursuit and his unwillingness to give up. This level of detail highlights the man's determination and adds to the tension and suspense of the chase.
14.
In which sentence is the word strategy used correctly?
Correct Answer
A. When children throw snowballs at cars, they are wise to plan a strategy for escape.
Explanation
In this sentence, the word "strategy" is used correctly because it refers to a plan or approach that the children should have in order to escape when they throw snowballs at cars. It implies that they need to think ahead and come up with a plan to avoid getting caught or getting into trouble.
15.
Which sentence uses the word compelled correctly?
Correct Answer
D. The cold compelled the children to wear mittens and jackets.
Explanation
The correct answer is "The cold compelled the children to wear mittens and jackets." This sentence uses the word "compelled" correctly because it means that the cold forced or strongly influenced the children to wear mittens and jackets.