Wonders: Historical Fiction Review

Wonders: Historical Fiction Review

Multiple Choice

In the beginning of the story, how does Mr. Jenson feel after he gets off the phone?

• He is looking forward to his fishing trip with his daughter.

• He is upset that he has to cancel the fishing trip in order to work.

• He is excited to go and interview the Carter family.

Multiple Choice

How does Nancy react to the change in plans?

• Nancy becomes angry with her father; she was really looking forward to their trip.

• Nancy is relieved; she didn't want to go on the fishing trip anyway.

• Nancy smiles and tries not to look upset; she doesn't want to make her father feel guilty.

Multiple Choice

Contrast Nancy's reaction to the change in plans to her reaction to her father's suggestion that she help him with his assignment.

• She tried to hide her disappointment when the fishing trip was canceled, but she couldn't hide her excitement at joining her father on assignment.

• She couldn't hide her disappointment when the fishing trip was canceled, but she didn't really want to work with her father either.

• She was glad when the fishing trip was canceled, but she refused to work as a photographer.

Multiple Choice

How do Mr. Jenson's feelings toward Nancy change from the beginning of the story to the end?

• At first he feels bad for cancelling the fishing trip; at the end he regrets bringing Nancy on the job.

• At first he feels bad for canceling the fishing trip; at the end he is proud of Nancy and glad she joined him on the job.

• At first he's glad he canceled the fishing trip; at the end he is embarrassed to have brought her on the job.

Multiple Choice

How do the events in the story change Nancy's character?

• While interviewing the Carters with her father, Nancy realizes she should not have become angry with her father when their plans changed.

• While interviewing the Carters with her father, Nancy realizes the universal importance of supporting your family during tough times.

• While interviewing the Carters with her father, Nancy realizes she should not have brought her father.

Multiple Choice

"You're really putting me on the spot," he said to the person at the other end of the line. "I already have a commitment today."

Using the context clues in the sentence, choose the meaning of the idiom putting me on the spot.

• forcing me to stand in one spot

• forcing m to make an unpleasant choice

• forcing me to give up my spot

Multiple Choice

After the stock market crash of 1929, his newspaper had laid off most of the reporters. Four years later, they still had only a skeleton crew. He was glad to have a job.

Using the context clues in the sentences, choose the meaning of the idiom skeleton crew.

• very small number of workers

• very large number of workers

• very thin workers

Multiple Choice

Nancy jumped up from her chair and ran to her bedroom to change out of her fishing clothes. "Make tracks," her dad called down the hallway. "We're in a hurry!"

Using the context clues in the sentences, choose the meaning of the idiom "Make tracks."

• slow down

• leave a trail

• hurry up

Multiple Choice

He explained that they had owned a farm in Oklahoma, but lost it when costs rose. "Upkeep cost an arm and a leg, and the drought killed our chances of a good crop."

Using the context clues in the sentences, choose the meaning of the idiom, cost an arm and a leg.

• was very dangerous

• was very expensive

• damaged arms and legs

Multiple Choice

Mr Jenson grinned and ruffled Nancy's hair. "I taught her everything she knows," he said. "She's a chip off the old block."

Using the context clues in the sentences, choose the meaning of the idiom "a chip off the old block."

• just like her sister

• smart person

• just like her father