BALL HAWK Short Story by Joseph Bruchac

BALL HAWK Short Story by Joseph Bruchac

Selection Test

Multiple Choice

Which phrase from paragraph 2 helps the reader to understand the meaning of the word cryptic as it is used in the paragraph?

**Cryptic means having a meaning that is mysterious or obscure.**

• what Uncle Tommy Fox said on the day

• it started me thinking

• to throw in my glove

What is realistic fiction?

Please pay close attention to the video in order to best answer the next two questions.

Multiple Select

Select two characteristics that best identify this selection as realistic fiction.

• The characters behave in believable ways.

• The setting could not exist in the real world.

• The dialogue uses everyday language.

• Animals are important characters in the story.

Multiple Choice

The reader can tell this story is realistic fiction because it —

• is told from an omniscient point of view

• is about events that could happen in real life

• is written in chronological order

Multiple Choice

Read the dictionary entry below.

blank \'blank\ adj 1. Lacking variety 2. Without writing 3. Having no expression

Which definition most closely matches the way the word blank is used in paragraph 14?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

Multiple Choice

How does the setting of the baseball field contribute to Mitchell’s conflict in the story?

• It flusters him to be on the field knowing his father cannot see him play.

• It makes him feel insecure about his athletic abilities.

• It forces him to consider his role batting on the baseball team.

Multiple Choice

Read the sentences from paragraph 35.

Okay, so I’m good at running bases. Better than most, I guess.

How should the last sentence be changed?

• Change than to then

• Remove the comma after most

• The sentence should not be changed.

Multiple Select

Select two ways in which the hawks contribute to the plot.

• They help Mitchell practice baseball.

• They represent the memories of Mitchell’s home run.

• They catch Mitchell’s ball during the baseball game.

• They interfere with Mitchell’s training plans.

Multiple Choice

What change in Mitchell leads to the story’s resolution?

• He realizes baseball is important to him because it helps him make friends.

• He realizes baseball is important to him because it helps him connect to his father.

• He realizes he wants to quit the baseball team because he does not enjoy playing.

Multiple Choice

Based on paragraphs 19 and 20, what can the reader infer about Uncle Tommy?

• He is trying to learn more about Mitchell and his mom.

• He is dedicated to watching and helping Mitchell.

• He went to the game because Mitchell asked him to.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence from the selection is an example of foreshadowing?

• Robbie almost cracked my ribs when he came running out from shortstop to hug me.

• Whenever I threw up in the locker room before I went out on the mat to wrestle, I usually ended up doing good.

• Instead of the usual heavy feeling of hopeless despair, I was feeling sick to my stomach.

Open Ended

BONUS Question

What is the significance of the hawk catching the ball at the baseball game in paragraph 81?