English Unit Test
She describes her old life of comfort and nice things, then she shows a willingness to learn to work.
"Isabel, I will tell you all about how I used to live. About parties and private school and beautiful dresses. I will even show you the beautiful doll my papa bought me, if you will teach me how to pin diapers, how to wash, and . . ." Isabel interrupted her. "But that is so easy!" Esperanza stood up and carefully practiced with the broom. "It is not easy for me." How does this excerpt show that Esperanza has changed?
she once had a servant but is now doing a servant's job.
Esperanza collected the dirt. "See, you can do it." Miguel raised his thick eyebrows and smiled. "Someday, you just might make a very good servant." Esperanza is changing because
messy
Esperanza looked down at Silvia's dirty hands. Silvia grinned up at her and Esperanza's first thought was to pull her hand away and wash it as soon as possible. According to this description, Silvia is
T.J.'s relationships show the difference between true friendship and false friendship.
How do T.J.'s relationships develop the theme of friendship in this chapter of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry?
T.J.'s relationship with Cassie shows that trust is necessary before a strong friendship can develop
How does T.J.'s relationship with Cassie relate to the theme of friendship in this chapter of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry?
. . . y'all's new coats and books and shiny new Packards!
"Ah, man, leave me be! All y'all Logans think y'all so doggone much with y'all's new coats and books and shiny new Packards!" He swirled around, glaring down at Christopher-John, Little Man, and me. "I'm sick of all y'all. Your mama and your papa, too!" Then he turned and fled angrily up the road. Which sentence or phrase gives the reader a clue to the story's time period?
unsure of himself
But T.J. did not follow immediately. He remained standing in the middle of the compound, his face puzzled and undecided. I had never seen him look more desolately alone, and for a fleeting second I felt almost sorry for him. What does T.J. most likely feel in the excerpt?
She uses dialogue that is true to the time period.
Which is one way that Taylor connects readers to the past in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry?
Taylor's characters attend separate schools based on race.
Which is one way that Taylor helps readers connect to the past in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry?
He senses that Cassie has a valid reason for her behavior
"Mama gonna whip you good, too," said prideful Little Man, still fuming as we approached the school. "'Cause I'm gonna sure tell it." "Naw you ain't," said Stacey. There was a shocked silence as all heads turned to him. "This here thing's between Cassie and Lillian Jean and ain't nobody telling nobody nothin' 'bout this." He stared directly at T.J., caught his eye, and repeated, "Nobody." Why does Stacey most likely defend Cassie's behavior toward Lillian Jean?
depends on Mrs. G
"Mrs. G's actually the one who runs the place," said Mr. Tushman, which again made all the grown-ups laugh. This description suggests that Mr. Tushman
a hard worker
"Mrs. G's actually the one who runs the place," said Mr. Tushman, which again made all the grown-ups laugh. With his words, Mr. Tushman is implying that Mrs. G. is
T.J. accusing Cassie of Uncle Tomming Lillian Jean
"Naw you ain't," said Stacey. There was a shocked silence as all heads turned to him. "This here thing's between Cassie and Lillian Jean and ain't nobody telling nobody nothin' 'bout this." He stared directly at T.J., caught his eye, and repeated, "Nobody." "Ah, man!" cried T.J. "It ain't none of my business." Then, after a moment's silence, he added, "I got too many worries of my own to worry 'bout Cassie Uncle Tomming Lillian Jean." My temper almost flew out of my mouth, but I pressed my lips tightly together, forcing it to stay inside. Based on the excerpt, what causes Cassie to almost lose her temper?
Cassie's father wants Cassie to think carefully before taking a stand about Lillian Jean.
"Now, there ain't no sense in going around being mad. You clear your head so you can think sensibly. Then I want you to think real hard on whether or not Lillian Jean's worth taking a stand about, but keep in mind that Lillian Jean probably won't be the last white person to treat you this way." He turned toward me so that he looked me full in the face, and the seriousness of his eyes startled me. He held my chin up with the wide flat of his hard hand. "This here's an important decision, Cassie, very important—I want you to understand that—but I think you can handle it. Now, you listen to me, and you listen good. This thing, if you make the wrong decision and Charlie Simms gets involved, then I get involved and there'll be trouble." Based on the text, what causes Cassie's father to have a serious talk with her?
It shows that African Americans in the South experienced unjust treatment by white people that was dangerous to confront.
"Now, there ain't no sense in going around being mad. You clear your head so you can think sensibly. Then I want you to think real hard on whether or not Lillian Jean's worth taking a stand about, but keep in mind that Lillian Jean probably won't be the last white person to treat you this way." He turned toward me so that he looked me full in the face, and the seriousness of his eyes startled me. He held my chin up with the wide flat of his hard hand. "This here's an important decision, Cassie, very important—I want you to understand that—but I think you can handle it." What does the excerpt show about the historical time period of the story?
Mrs. Garcia holds out her hand for August to shake, which shows that she is polite; August does not want to look at her face, which shows that he is insecure.
"Such a pleasure to meet you, August," she said, holding out her hand for me to shake. "Hi," I said quietly, giving her my hand, but I didn't want to look at her face, so I kept staring at her glasses, which hung from a chain around her neck. "Wow, what a firm grip!" said Mrs. Garcia. Her hand was really warm. Which inference correctly identifies how August and Mrs. Garcia are feeling?
T.J. asks again about the tests and Stacey becomes angry.
"T.J., don't you come talking to me 'bout no more cheating!" cried Stacey angrily. "After all that trouble I got in the last time 'count of you. You got questions, you ask Mama yourself, but you say one more word to me 'bout them tests, I'm gonna—" Which statement best describes and explains a character's actions?
He thinks it will cause problems between himself and Charlie Simms.
"This here's an important decision, Cassie, very important—I want you to understand that—but I think you can handle it. Now, you listen to me, and you listen good. This thing, if you make the wrong decision and Charlie Simms gets involved, then I get involved and there'll be trouble." Why is Cassie's father stressing the importance of the decision Cassie must make?
She wants Lillian Jean to trust her
"Well," I said, walking beside her, "I been thinking 'bout what happened in Strawberry back last month." "Yeah?" commented Lillian Jean suspiciously. "Well, to tell you the truth, I was real upset for a while there. But my papa told me it don't do no good sitting around being mad. Then I seen how things was. I mean, I should've seen it all along. After all, I'm who I am and you're who you are." Lillian Jean looked at me with astonishment that I could see the matter so clearly. "Well, I'm glad you finally learned the way of things." Why does Cassie tell Lillian Jean that she's no longer upset about the Strawberry incident?
August gets stared at wherever he goes.
After reading Wonder, Janelle makes the inference that August does not go out in public very often. Which explicit text detail supports Janelle's inference?
The author uses the character of T.J. to present an incorrect view of friendship.
Again he laughed, then said soberly, "Well, this is a fine how-do-you-do. I come all the way over here to introduce my friends, R.W. and Melvin, to y'all and y'all actin' like y'all ain't got no manners at all. Yeah, ole R.W. and Melvin," he said, rolling the Simmses' names slowly off his tongue to bring to our attention that he had not bothered to place a "Mister" before either, "they been mighty fine friends to me. Better than any of y'all. Look, see here what they give me." Proudly he tugged at the suit coat. "Pretty nice stuff, eh? Everything I want they give me 'cause they really likes me. I'm they best friend." How does the excerpt develop the theme of friendship in the story?
"burning with humiliation"
Burning with humiliation, Esperanza dropped the broom and ran back to the cabin. In her room, she sat on the edge of the cot Her face flushed again at the thought of the ridicule. She was still sitting there, staring at the wall, when Isabel found her. "I said I could work. I told Mama I could help. But I cannot even wash clothes or sweep a floor. Does the whole camp know?" Isabel sat down on the bed next to her and patted her back. "Yes." Esperanza groaned. "I will never be able to show my face." She put her head in her hands until she heard someone else come into the room. Which words does the author use to show that Esperanza is ashamed
alarmed and angry
Cautiously, I climbed from the bed, careful not to awaken Big Ma, who was still snoring soundly, and crept to the door. I pressed my ear against the door and listened, then slipped the latch furiously and darted outside. "Boy, what you doing here?" I hissed. What does Cassie most likely feel in the excerpt?
she is gentle with Silvia instead of acting unkind like she did with the peasant girl.
Esperanza looked down at Silvia's dirty hands. Silvia grinned up at her and Esperanza's first thought was to pull her hand away and wash it as soon as possible. Then she remembered Mama's kindness to the peasant girl on the train—and her disappointment in Esperanza. She didn't want Silvia to start crying if she were to pull away. She looked around at the dusty camp and thought that it must be hard to stay clean in such a place. She squeezed Silvia's hand and said, "I have a best friend, too. Her name is Marisol and she lives in Aguascalientes." This passage shows a change in Esperanza because
Miguel says she only knows how to give orders to servants.
Esperanza looked up to see Miguel, holding a broom and a dustpan. But he wasn't laughing. She looked down and bit her lip so she wouldn't cry in front of him. He shut the door, then stood in front of her and said, "How would you know how to sweep a floor? The only thing that you ever learned was how to give orders. That is not your fault. Anza, look at me." Which detail explains how Esperanza must change?
It shows that there were white citizens who treated African American citizens in unjust and humiliating ways.
For the month of January I was Lillian Jean's slave and she thoroughly enjoyed it. She even took to waiting for me in the morning with Jeremy so that I could carry her books. When friends of hers walked with us, she bragged about her little colored friend and almost hugged herself with pleasure when I called her "Miz" Lillian Jean. What does the excerpt show about the historical time period of the story?
T.J.'s relationship with R.W. and Melvin demonstrates qualities of false friendship.
How does T.J.'s relationship with R.W. and Melvin relate to the theme of friendship in this chapter of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry?
T.J.'s relationship with Stacey demonstrates qualities of true friendship.
How does T.J.'s relationship with Stacey relate to the theme of friendship in this chapter of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry?
Taylor gives an accurate description of the South in the 1930s.
How does Taylor's use of setting in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry connect readers to the past?
he has challenges
How is August from the novel Wonder like the character in the song "Wonder"?
He will learn a lot of new things.
In Wonder, August has no idea what a science elective is. What does this detail tell readers about his future at Beecher Prep?
He has good manners.
In Wonder, Jack Will reaches out to shake August's hand. What does this act tell readers about him?
She has never held a broom in her life.
In her entire life, Esperanza had never held a broom in her hand. But she had seen Hortensia sweep and she tried to visualize the memory. It couldn't possibly be that hard. She put both hands near the middle of the broomstick and moved it back and forth. It swung wildly. The motion seemed awkward and the fine dirt on the wooden planks lifted into a cloud. Which detail best explains how Esperanza is changing?
"sob," "groped," and "dragging"
In the darkness there was a low sob and T.J., hardly sounding like T.J., mumbled, "They the ones got me in it. Where's the bed? I gotta sit down." In the darkness he groped for the bed, his feet dragging as if he could hardly lift them. "I ain't no bed!" I exclaimed as his hands fell on me. Which words from the excerpt best help the reader determine a tone of distress?
a young mother
Isabel introduced Esperanza to Irene and Melina, two women who were hanging clothes to dry on a long line stretched between the cabins and a tree. Irene had long gray hair tied in a tail. Melina didn't look much older than Miguel and she already had a baby of her own. According to this description, Melina is
Esperanza tries to help Isabel wash the diapers, but she is disgusted and not able to do the job well.
Isabel pulled on Esperanza's arm. "We need to change the babies." How does Esperanza respond to this event?
persistence
Isabel's eyes got bigger and she looked worried. "Esperanza, when I go to school next week, you will be here alone with the babies and will have to do the laundry." Esperanza took a deep breath and said weakly, "I can learn." "And later today, you must sweep the platform. You . . . you do know how to sweep?" "Of course," said Esperanza. She had seen people sweep many times. Many, many times, she assured herself. Besides, she was already too embarrassed about the washing to admit anything else to Isabel. This description shows Esperanza has which character trait?
words and actions
It's funny: even though Christopher's the one who moved far away, I still see him more than I see Zachary and Alex. They have all these new friends now. If we bump into each other on the street, they're still nice to me, though. They always say hello. R. J. Palacio helps readers understand Zachary's and Alex's feelings toward August by revealing their
Miguel is understanding when Esperanza feels badly about her new responsibilities. He teaches her how to sweep.
Liam is writing about Miguel in Esperanza Rising. Esperanza looked up to see Miguel, holding a broom and a dustpan. But he wasn't laughing. She looked down and bit her lip so she wouldn't cry in front of him. He shut the door, then stood in front of her and said, "How would you know how to sweep a floor? The only thing that you ever learned was how to give orders. That is not your fault. Anza, look at me." She looked up. "Pay attention," he said, his face serious. "You hold the broom like this. One hand here and the other here." Which is the best description of how Miguel's character is revealed in his response to Esperanza?
Esperanza is so discouraged after hearing the laughter of the women that she drops her broom and runs back to the cabin. However, after an encouraging talk with her brother, Esperanza feels the courage to try again.
Lucia is writing about an event in Esperanza Rising. She hadn't noticed that several trucks were already unloading workers nearby. Then she heard it. First a small tittering and then louder. She turned around. A group of women were laughing at her. And in the middle of the group was Marta, pointing. "¡La Cenicienta! Cinderella!" she laughed. Which writing best describes how Esperanza responds to this event?
Esperanza's mother is wearing her hair in a new style.
Mama reached up and stroked the back of her head. She seemed embarrassed. "I . . . I figured out that I can't wear a hat with my hair on top of my head. And this makes more sense, does it not? After all, I am going to work today, not to a fiesta." Then she hugged Esperanza. "We must go now. The trucks leave at 6:30 to take us to the sheds. Take good care of the babies and stay with Isabel. She knows the camp." This passage provides details about which change?
Esperanza is surprised and unhappy with the way her mother looks.
Mama's hair ran down her back in a single long braid, almost touching her waist. Esperanza had never seen Mama wear her hair that way. How does Esperanza respond to her mother's new hairstyle?
Once Esperanza had a maid to do her laundry; later, she asks Isabel to teach her to wash clothes.
Puzzled, Isabel looked at Esperanza. "Don't you know how to wash clothes?" "Well, Hortensia took everything out to the laundry quarters. And the servants, they always . . . " She looked at Isabel and shook her head no. How can Jackie best explain a change in Esperanza as the story develops?
she seemed embarrassed
Read the excerpt from Esperanza Rising. Mama reached up and stroked the back of her head. She seemed embarrassed. "I . . . I figured out that I can't wear a hat with my hair on top of my head. And this makes more sense, does it not? After all, I am going to work today, not to a fiesta." What phrase does the author use to describe Mama's feelings?
"furiously" and "hissed"
Read the excerpt from Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Cautiously, I climbed from the bed, careful not to awaken Big Ma, who was still snoring soundly, and crept to the door. I pressed my ear against the door and listened, then slipped the latch furiously and darted outside. "Boy, what you doing here?" I hissed. Which words from the excerpt best help the reader determine an angry tone?
he flew into frenzied action, hopping madly down the stairs
Read the excerpt from Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. For a long moment no one moved or said a word as Mr. Barnett shone the light directly on T.J., then on R.W. and Melvin, their faces darkened by the stockings. But when Mr. Barnett saw the cabinet lock busted, he flew into frenzied action, hopping madly down the stairs and trying to grab the metal box from Melvin. They struggled, with Mr. Barnett getting the better of Melvin, until R.W. whopped Mr. Barnett solidly on the head from behind with the flat of the axe, and Mr. Barnett slumped into a heap upon the floor as if dead. Which detail in the excerpt best helps the reader determine the frantic tone?
Mr. Morrison never made sounds like that.
Read the excerpt from Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. I had gotten as far west as the Dakotas when my silent recitation was disturbed by a tapping on the porch. I lay very still. Mr. Morrison never made sounds like that. Which detail from the excerpt best helps the reader determine a tone of alarm?
"strange" and "suffocating"
Read the excerpt from Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. On the last night of the revival the sky took on a strange yellowish cast. The air felt close, suffocating, and no wind stirred. Which words from the excerpt best help the reader determine a tone of anxiety?
by thinking about a time when one felt angry because of a friend's behavior
Read the excerpt from Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. T.J. grinned widely. Stacey turned away in disgust. "Come on," he said, "service is 'bout to start." How best could a reader relate to Stacey's feelings in the excerpt?
by thinking about a time when one felt helpless
Read the excerpt from Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. T.J. gulped and leaned over, his head between his legs. "I . . . I'm sick, Stacey. I gotta get home 'fore my daddy wake up. . . . He say I stay 'way from that house one more night, he gonna put me out, and he mean it, too. He put me out, I got no place to go. You gotta help me." How best could a reader relate to T.J.'s feelings in the excerpt?
by remembering a time when one had trouble falling asleep
Read the excerpt from Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Unable to sleep, I resigned myself to await his return by counting states. Miss Crocker had had a big thing about states, and I sometimes found that if I pretended that she was naming them off I could fall asleep. I decided to count the states geographically rather than alphabetically; that was more of a challenge. How best could a reader make a text-to-self connection for this excerpt?
by thinking about a time when one was worried about a friend's choices
Read the excerpt from Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. When I reached the church steps, I looked back again. T.J. was still there, an indistinct blur blending into the gathering dusk, and I began to think that perhaps he would not go with the Simmses. But then the rude squawk of the truck's horn blasted the quiet evening, and T.J. turned his back on us and fled across the field. How best could a reader make a text-to-self connection for this excerpt?
August and Via have a close relationship.
Read the excerpt from Wonder by R. J. Palacio. She can get really annoyed when people do something rude. Like, for instance, one time in the playground some older kids made some noises. I don't even know what the noises were exactly because I didn't hear them myself, but Via heard and she just started yelling at the kids. Based on the excerpt, which inference can be made?
Here's what I think: the only reason I'm not ordinary is that no one else sees me that way.
Read the lyrics from Natalie Merchant's song "Wonder." People see me I'm a challenge to your balance Which sentence from Wonder is most likely inspired by these song lyrics?
Monique
Richard: Via goes to Beecher Prep. Monique: Mr. Tushman is prepared for August's visit to the school. Jase: August's father agrees that he should go to Beecher Prep. Kelly: Via is younger than August. Which student makes an inference supported by details in the text?
Miguel is discouraged because he cannot find work.
She remembered that he had gone to look for work at the railroad. "Did you get a job?" His sniffle faded. He put his hands in his pockets and shrugged his shoulders. "It is frustrating. I can fix any engine. But they will only hire Mexicans to lay track and dig ditches, not as mechanics. I've decided to work in the fields until I can convince someone to give me a chance." What do the words help the reader understand about Miguel's character?
tense
The night whispered of distant thunder. It was muggy, hot, a miserable night for sleeping. Twice I had awakened hoping that it was time to be up, but each time the night had been total blackness with no hint of a graying dawn. On the front porch Mr. Morrison sat singing soft and low into the long night, chanting to the approaching thunder. He had been there since the house had darkened after church, watching and waiting as he had done every night since Papa had been injured. No one had ever explained why he watched and waited, but I knew. It had to do with the Wallaces. Which best describes the tone of the excerpt?
August does not answer his mother, which shows that he is angry and scared; his mother's voice sounds a little higher than normal, which shows that she is worried.
The other kids had started out the door, so I followed them. "See you soon," said Mom, her voice sounding a little higher than normal. I didn't answer her. Which inference correctly identifies how August and his mother are most likely feeling?
anger
What feeling motivates Cassie's behavior toward Lillian Jean in Chapter 8 of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
She wants to fool Lillian Jean into trusting her.
What motivates Cassie to act nicely toward Lillian Jean at the start of Chapter 8 of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry?
a need for respect
What need motivates Cassie's behavior toward Lillian Jean in Chapter 8 of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry?
It shows that racial injustice occurred between adults in the South but not between the children.
When we reached the crossroads, I waved good-bye to Lillian Jean and waited for the others. Before they reached me, Little Man exclaimed, "Owwww, I'm gonna tell Mama! Carrying that ole dumb Lillian Jean's books!" "Cassie, whatja do that for?" questioned Christopher-John, his round face pained. "Ah, shoot," laughed T.J. "Ole Cassie jus' learned she better do what's good for her if she don't want no more of Mr. Simms's back hand." I clinched my fists behind me, and narrowed my eyes in the Logan gaze, but managed to hold my tongue. What does the excerpt show about the historical time period of the story?
She believes Cassie is trustworthy.
When we were alone, [Lillian Jean] confided her secrets to me: the boy she had passionately loved for the past year and the things she had done to attract his attention (with no success, I might add); the secrets of the girls she couldn't stand as well as those she could; and even a tidbit or two about her elder brothers' romantic adventures. All I had to do to prime the gossip pump was smile nicely and whisper a "Miz Lillian Jean" every now and then. Why does Lillian Jean confide in Cassie?