Life As We Knew It

1. Miranda felt like a "selfish pig" right after she—

Ate the chocolate chips Mom was saving for Matt’s birthday

Used Mrs. Nesbitt’s journals to start a fire in the woodstove

Used the last of the water to shampoo her hair

Put on two pairs of thermal underwear instead of giving one to Mom

Miranda felt like a "selfish pig" right after she ate the chocolate chips Mom was saving for Matt's birthday. This suggests that Miranda recognized her actions as selfish and felt guilty about it. By eating the chocolate chips meant for her brother's birthday, Miranda prioritized her own desires over his special occasion, leading to feelings of selfishness.

Explanation

Miranda felt like a "selfish pig" right after she ate the chocolate chips Mom was saving for Matt's birthday. This suggests that Miranda recognized her actions as selfish and felt guilty about it. By eating the chocolate chips meant for her brother's birthday, Miranda prioritized her own desires over his special occasion, leading to feelings of selfishness.

2. After Miranda stood in line for food, Mom was upset because Miranda had—

Refused to lie about her family to get a second bag of food

Risked getting no food by leaving her place in line to get Dan

Flirted with several boys while she waited in line

Allowed Mrs. Nesbitt to give away a bag of food

The correct answer is "Risked getting no food by leaving her place in line to get Dan." This means that Miranda left her place in line to get Dan, which could have resulted in her not getting any food because she may have lost her spot in line. This action upset Mom because it was a risk that could have potentially left Miranda without any food.

Explanation

The correct answer is "Risked getting no food by leaving her place in line to get Dan." This means that Miranda left her place in line to get Dan, which could have resulted in her not getting any food because she may have lost her spot in line. This action upset Mom because it was a risk that could have potentially left Miranda without any food.

3. Mom took Miranda and Jonny out of school because she wanted to—

Be safe from the armed students

Be near her when the volcanoes erupted

Help her move Mrs. Nesbitt to their house

Fill wagons at the supermarket

The correct answer is "Fill wagons at the supermarket." This can be inferred from the given information that Mom took Miranda and Jonny out of school, suggesting that they were going somewhere together. The other options, such as being safe from armed students or being near her during a volcanic eruption, are not mentioned in the given information and are therefore not valid explanations. The only option that is directly mentioned is helping Mom fill wagons at the supermarket.

Explanation

The correct answer is "Fill wagons at the supermarket." This can be inferred from the given information that Mom took Miranda and Jonny out of school, suggesting that they were going somewhere together. The other options, such as being safe from armed students or being near her during a volcanic eruption, are not mentioned in the given information and are therefore not valid explanations. The only option that is directly mentioned is helping Mom fill wagons at the supermarket.

4. Matt, Jon and Miranda learned to cross-country ski so they could—

Get help in an emergency

Ransack houses

Escape from bands of thieves

Hunt for animals

Matt, Jon, and Miranda learned to cross-country ski so they could get help in an emergency. This suggests that they acquired this skill as a means of transportation and communication in case of emergencies. Cross-country skiing is a practical way to travel in snowy and remote areas, allowing them to reach help or assistance quickly if needed.

Explanation

Matt, Jon, and Miranda learned to cross-country ski so they could get help in an emergency. This suggests that they acquired this skill as a means of transportation and communication in case of emergencies. Cross-country skiing is a practical way to travel in snowy and remote areas, allowing them to reach help or assistance quickly if needed.

5. Why was Sammi leaving town with a forty-year-old George?

She was in love with him and wanted to be his wife

He would take her to get much-needed medical supplies

He could provide her with protection and a chance to live

He had promised to help her find her mother and father

Sammi was leaving town with a forty-year-old George because he could provide her with protection and a chance to live. This suggests that Sammi may be in a dangerous or unstable situation and George is offering her safety and security. It is likely that Sammi is seeking refuge or escape from a threatening environment, and George has promised to protect her and give her a chance at a better life.

Explanation

Sammi was leaving town with a forty-year-old George because he could provide her with protection and a chance to live. This suggests that Sammi may be in a dangerous or unstable situation and George is offering her safety and security. It is likely that Sammi is seeking refuge or escape from a threatening environment, and George has promised to protect her and give her a chance at a better life.

6. Megan sacrificed her friendship with Miranda to—

Keep Miranda from catching her sickness

Devote her time to working as a medical volunteer

Prove how much she loved God

Prevent Miranda from having to choose between saving friends and family

Megan sacrificed her friendship with Miranda to prove how much she loved God. This suggests that Megan believed that by sacrificing her friendship, she would demonstrate her devotion and loyalty to God. It implies that Megan prioritized her relationship with God over her friendship with Miranda and was willing to make sacrifices for her faith.

Explanation

Megan sacrificed her friendship with Miranda to prove how much she loved God. This suggests that Megan believed that by sacrificing her friendship, she would demonstrate her devotion and loyalty to God. It implies that Megan prioritized her relationship with God over her friendship with Miranda and was willing to make sacrifices for her faith.

7. Why did Mrs. Nesbitt think it was better that Miranda, not Mom, visit her?

Mom couldn’t sit quietly the way Miranda could

She didn’t want Mom to find her dead

Miranda would not try to talk her into leaving town

She knew Miranda would play chess with her

Mrs. Nesbitt believed that it was better for Miranda to visit her instead of Mom because she didn't want her mom to discover her dead. This implies that Mrs. Nesbitt was contemplating suicide and wanted to spare her mother the trauma of finding her lifeless body.

Explanation

Mrs. Nesbitt believed that it was better for Miranda to visit her instead of Mom because she didn't want her mom to discover her dead. This implies that Mrs. Nesbitt was contemplating suicide and wanted to spare her mother the trauma of finding her lifeless body.

8. What made Miranda begin to wonder if Mom thought everyone was going to die?

She asked Dad how to obtain things on the black market

She traded her wedding ring for food

She did not care about Miranda’s math grade

She no longer cared about Peter’s feelings

Miranda began to wonder if Mom thought everyone was going to die because she did not care about Miranda's math grade. This suggests that Mom's lack of concern for Miranda's academic performance made Miranda question if her mother believed that there was no future or hope for anyone.

Explanation

Miranda began to wonder if Mom thought everyone was going to die because she did not care about Miranda's math grade. This suggests that Mom's lack of concern for Miranda's academic performance made Miranda question if her mother believed that there was no future or hope for anyone.