American Lit Pre-Assessment Unit 1

American Lit Pre-Assessment Unit 1

Read this passage from "The Earth on Turtle's Back," an Onondaga myth retold by Michael Caduto and Joseph Bruchac. Then, answer the question(s).Read this passage from "The Earth on Turtle's Back," an Onondaga myth retold by Michael Caduto and Joseph Bruchac. Then, answer the question(s).

Before this Earth existed, there was only water… So the birds and animals decided that someone would have to bring up Earth. One by one they tried.

The Duck dove first, some say. He swam down and down, far beneath the surface, but could not reach the bottom and floated back up. Then the Beaver tried. He went even deeper, so deep that it all was dark, but he could not reach the bottom, either. The Loon tried, swimming with his strong wings. He was gone a long long time, but he, too, failed to bring up Earth. Soon it seemed that all had tried and all had failed. Then a small voice spoke.

"I will bring up Earth or die trying."

They looked to see who it was. It was the tiny Muskrat. She dove down and swam and swam. She was not as strong or as swift as the others, but she was determined. She went so deep that it was all dark, and still she swam deeper. She swam so deep that her lungs felt ready to burst, but she swam deeper still. At last, just as she was becoming unconscious, she reached out one small paw and grasped at the bottom, barely touching it before she floated up, almost dead.

When the other animals saw her break the surface, they thought she had failed. Then they saw her right paw was held tightly shut.

"She has the Earth," they said.

Multiple Choice

Based on this passage, what is this myth attempting to explain?

• the origins of the land

• the origins of the sea

• the beginnings of life on earth

• the family traditions of muskrats

Read this passage from "The Earth on Turtle's Back," an Onondaga myth retold by Michael Caduto and Joseph Bruchac. Then, answer the question(s).Read this passage from "The Earth on Turtle's Back," an Onondaga myth retold by Michael Caduto and Joseph Bruchac. Then, answer the question(s).

Before this Earth existed, there was only water… So the birds and animals decided that someone would have to bring up Earth. One by one they tried.

The Duck dove first, some say. He swam down and down, far beneath the surface, but could not reach the bottom and floated back up. Then the Beaver tried. He went even deeper, so deep that it all was dark, but he could not reach the bottom, either. The Loon tried, swimming with his strong wings. He was gone a long long time, but he, too, failed to bring up Earth. Soon it seemed that all had tried and all had failed. Then a small voice spoke.

"I will bring up Earth or die trying."

They looked to see who it was. It was the tiny Muskrat. She dove down and swam and swam. She was not as strong or as swift as the others, but she was determined. She went so deep that it was all dark, and still she swam deeper. She swam so deep that her lungs felt ready to burst, but she swam deeper still. At last, just as she was becoming unconscious, she reached out one small paw and grasped at the bottom, barely touching it before she floated up, almost dead.

When the other animals saw her break the surface, they thought she had failed. Then they saw her right paw was held tightly shut.

"She has the Earth," they said.

Multiple Choice

Which phrase best describes the character of Muskrat in this passage?

• small but determined

• fragile in body and mind

• weak but clever

• foolish and reckless

Read this passage from "The Earth on Turtle's Back," an Onondaga myth retold by Michael Caduto and Joseph Bruchac. Then, answer the question(s).Read this passage from "The Earth on Turtle's Back," an Onondaga myth retold by Michael Caduto and Joseph Bruchac. Then, answer the question(s).

Before this Earth existed, there was only water… So the birds and animals decided that someone would have to bring up Earth. One by one they tried.

The Duck dove first, some say. He swam down and down, far beneath the surface, but could not reach the bottom and floated back up. Then the Beaver tried. He went even deeper, so deep that it all was dark, but he could not reach the bottom, either. The Loon tried, swimming with his strong wings. He was gone a long long time, but he, too, failed to bring up Earth. Soon it seemed that all had tried and all had failed. Then a small voice spoke.

"I will bring up Earth or die trying."

They looked to see who it was. It was the tiny Muskrat. She dove down and swam and swam. She was not as strong or as swift as the others, but she was determined. She went so deep that it was all dark, and still she swam deeper. She swam so deep that her lungs felt ready to burst, but she swam deeper still. At last, just as she was becoming unconscious, she reached out one small paw and grasped at the bottom, barely touching it before she floated up, almost dead.

When the other animals saw her break the surface, they thought she had failed. Then they saw her right paw was held tightly shut.

"She has the Earth," they said.

Multiple Choice

Which of these archetypes is illustrated in this passage from the myth?

• good vs. evil

• the triumph of the underdog, the small and weak

• events, activities, or characters that come in threes

• the survival of the fittest

Read this passage from "The Earth on Turtle's Back," an Onondaga myth retold by Michael Caduto and Joseph Bruchac. Then, answer the question(s).Read this passage from "The Earth on Turtle's Back," an Onondaga myth retold by Michael Caduto and Joseph Bruchac. Then, answer the question(s).

Before this Earth existed, there was only water… So the birds and animals decided that someone would have to bring up Earth. One by one they tried.

The Duck dove first, some say. He swam down and down, far beneath the surface, but could not reach the bottom and floated back up. Then the Beaver tried. He went even deeper, so deep that it all was dark, but he could not reach the bottom, either. The Loon tried, swimming with his strong wings. He was gone a long long time, but he, too, failed to bring up Earth. Soon it seemed that all had tried and all had failed. Then a small voice spoke.

"I will bring up Earth or die trying."

They looked to see who it was. It was the tiny Muskrat. She dove down and swam and swam. She was not as strong or as swift as the others, but she was determined. She went so deep that it was all dark, and still she swam deeper. She swam so deep that her lungs felt ready to burst, but she swam deeper still. At last, just as she was becoming unconscious, she reached out one small paw and grasped at the bottom, barely touching it before she floated up, almost dead.

When the other animals saw her break the surface, they thought she had failed. Then they saw her right paw was held tightly shut.

"She has the Earth," they said.

Multiple Choice

What does the passage most clearly indicate was an important value of the Onondaga?

• cooperation

• protecting the Earth

• respect for women

• perseverance

Read this passage from "The Earth on Turtle's Back," an Onondaga myth retold by Michael Caduto and Joseph Bruchac. Then, answer the question(s).Read this passage from "The Earth on Turtle's Back," an Onondaga myth retold by Michael Caduto and Joseph Bruchac. Then, answer the question(s).

Before this Earth existed, there was only water… So the birds and animals decided that someone would have to bring up Earth. One by one they tried.

The Duck dove first, some say. He swam down and down, far beneath the surface, but could not reach the bottom and floated back up. Then the Beaver tried. He went even deeper, so deep that it all was dark, but he could not reach the bottom, either. The Loon tried, swimming with his strong wings. He was gone a long long time, but he, too, failed to bring up Earth. Soon it seemed that all had tried and all had failed. Then a small voice spoke.

"I will bring up Earth or die trying."

They looked to see who it was. It was the tiny Muskrat. She dove down and swam and swam. She was not as strong or as swift as the others, but she was determined. She went so deep that it was all dark, and still she swam deeper. She swam so deep that her lungs felt ready to burst, but she swam deeper still. At last, just as she was becoming unconscious, she reached out one small paw and grasped at the bottom, barely touching it before she floated up, almost dead.

When the other animals saw her break the surface, they thought she had failed. Then they saw her right paw was held tightly shut.

"She has the Earth," they said.

Multiple Choice

Based on this passage, which saying expresses a main theme of the myth?

• Great oaks from little acorns grow.

• Don't count your chickens before they hatch.

• A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

• If at first you don't succeed, try, try, again.

Soon after the American Revolution began in Massachusetts, members of the Virginia Convention debated whether Virginia should join the fighting. Read this passage from Patrick Henry's famous speech in that debate. Then, answer the question(s).

Gentlemen may cry, "Peace, peace"—but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?

Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

Multiple Choice

Based on this passage, what seems to be Henry's main purpose?

• to challenge the British King

• to suggest that the colonists abolish social class

• to convince the Virginia Convention to support the American Revolution

• to convince colonists in Virginia to attend the Virginia Convention

Soon after the American Revolution began in Massachusetts, members of the Virginia Convention debated whether Virginia should join the fighting. Read this passage from Patrick Henry's famous speech in that debate. Then, answer the question(s).

Gentlemen may cry, "Peace, peace"—but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?

Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

Multiple Choice

Which statement most accurately describes the rhetorical devices that Henry uses in this passage?

• He rarely uses rhetorical questions.

• He uses restatement of ideas in his first four sentences.

• He uses parallel structure in every sentence.

• He uses understatement frequently.

Soon after the American Revolution began in Massachusetts, members of the Virginia Convention debated whether Virginia should join the fighting. Read this passage from Patrick Henry's famous speech in that debate. Then, answer the question(s).

Gentlemen may cry, "Peace, peace"—but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?

Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

Multiple Choice

Based on his word choice and rhetorical devices, which phrase best describes Henry's tone?

• angry but jolly

• brave but fearful

• logical and unemotional

• urgent and committed

Soon after the American Revolution began in Massachusetts, members of the Virginia Convention debated whether Virginia should join the fighting. Read this passage from Patrick Henry's famous speech in that debate. Then, answer the question(s).

Gentlemen may cry, "Peace, peace"—but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?

Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

Multiple Choice

Which of these political assumptions does Patrick Henry make in the passage?

• All human beings are born equal.

• It is worth risking your life to fight for political freedom.

• Virginia has little in common with Massachusetts.

• Once war has begun, there is no point in questioning its cause.

Soon after the American Revolution began in Massachusetts, members of the Virginia Convention debated whether Virginia should join the fighting. Read this passage from Patrick Henry's famous speech in that debate. Then, answer the question(s).

Gentlemen may cry, "Peace, peace"—but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?

Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

Multiple Choice

Which of his listeners' concerns does Henry anticipate and attempt to ease in this passage?

• their concern that their decision may lead to violence

• their concern that their decision may divide public opinion

• their concern that they do not have the same interests as Massachusetts

• their concern about losing their slaves

Read this passage from a food Web site. Then, answer the question(s).

(1) There are all kinds of rice—white, brown, basmati, wild. (2) The most common kind, long-grain white rice, is not as nutritious as the other kinds. (3) Still, long-grain white rice is a great accompaniment to chicken, fish, Chinese food, Indian curries, and many other dishes. (4) Common though long-grain white rice may be, cooking it can be surprisingly tricky. (5) My method, however, is fail-safe. (6) Ignore the package instructions and instead use just 3 cups of water for 2 cups of rice. (7) You will also need a tablespoon or less of unsalted butter and no more than half a teaspoon of salt. (8) First, warm the butter in a pot. (9) When it is melted, add the rice and salt and stir until all the rice is coated with the butter. (10) Next, add the water and continue stirring. (11) As soon as the mixture begins to boil, cover the pot with a tight lid and turn the heat down as low as you can. (12) Then, cook the rice without lifting the lid for 25 minutes. (13) When the time is up, turn off the heat and let the pot rest, with the lid still on, for another 5 minutes. (14) Remove the lid, and the rice should be perfect.

Multiple Choice

What procedure does this passage explain?

• How to cook different kinds of rice.

• How to choose which kind of rice to cook.

• How to cook long-grain white rice.

• How to prepare long-grain white rice so that it is more nutritious.

Read this passage from a food Web site. Then, answer the question(s).

(1) There are all kinds of rice—white, brown, basmati, wild. (2) The most common kind, long-grain white rice, is not as nutritious as the other kinds. (3) Still, long-grain white rice is a great accompaniment to chicken, fish, Chinese food, Indian curries, and many other dishes. (4) Common though long-grain white rice may be, cooking it can be surprisingly tricky. (5) My method, however, is fail-safe. (6) Ignore the package instructions and instead use just 3 cups of water for 2 cups of rice. (7) You will also need a tablespoon or less of unsalted butter and no more than half a teaspoon of salt. (8) First, warm the butter in a pot. (9) When it is melted, add the rice and salt and stir until all the rice is coated with the butter. (10) Next, add the water and continue stirring. (11) As soon as the mixture begins to boil, cover the pot with a tight lid and turn the heat down as low as you can. (12) Then, cook the rice without lifting the lid for 25 minutes. (13) When the time is up, turn off the heat and let the pot rest, with the lid still on, for another 5 minutes. (14) Remove the lid, and the rice should be perfect.

Multiple Choice

Where would be the best place to verify the information in sentence 2 of the passage?

• a cookbook

• a reliable Web site on healthful foods

• a general encyclopedia

• a rice company brochure

Read this passage from a food Web site. Then, answer the question(s).

(1) There are all kinds of rice—white, brown, basmati, wild. (2) The most common kind, long-grain white rice, is not as nutritious as the other kinds. (3) Still, long-grain white rice is a great accompaniment to chicken, fish, Chinese food, Indian curries, and many other dishes. (4) Common though long-grain white rice may be, cooking it can be surprisingly tricky. (5) My method, however, is fail-safe. (6) Ignore the package instructions and instead use just 3 cups of water for 2 cups of rice. (7) You will also need a tablespoon or less of unsalted butter and no more than half a teaspoon of salt. (8) First, warm the butter in a pot. (9) When it is melted, add the rice and salt and stir until all the rice is coated with the butter. (10) Next, add the water and continue stirring. (11) As soon as the mixture begins to boil, cover the pot with a tight lid and turn the heat down as low as you can. (12) Then, cook the rice without lifting the lid for 25 minutes. (13) When the time is up, turn off the heat and let the pot rest, with the lid still on, for another 5 minutes. (14) Remove the lid, and the rice should be perfect.

Multiple Choice

Which of these graphics would be the most useful accompaniment to this passage?

• a list of dishes that go well with rice

• a graph showing the popularity of different kinds of rice in the United States

• a diagram of a pot of rice cooking on a stove

• photographs illustrating each main step of the process

Read this passage from a food Web site. Then, answer the question(s).

(1) There are all kinds of rice—white, brown, basmati, wild. (2) The most common kind, long-grain white rice, is not as nutritious as the other kinds. (3) Still, long-grain white rice is a great accompaniment to chicken, fish, Chinese food, Indian curries, and many other dishes. (4) Common though long-grain white rice may be, cooking it can be surprisingly tricky. (5) My method, however, is fail-safe. (6) Ignore the package instructions and instead use just 3 cups of water for 2 cups of rice. (7) You will also need a tablespoon or less of unsalted butter and no more than half a teaspoon of salt. (8) First, warm the butter in a pot. (9) When it is melted, add the rice and salt and stir until all the rice is coated with the butter. (10) Next, add the water and continue stirring. (11) As soon as the mixture begins to boil, cover the pot with a tight lid and turn the heat down as low as you can. (12) Then, cook the rice without lifting the lid for 25 minutes. (13) When the time is up, turn off the heat and let the pot rest, with the lid still on, for another 5 minutes. (14) Remove the lid, and the rice should be perfect.

Multiple Choice

What change in the text structure of the passage would most improve its clarity and organization?

• Divide the passage into four paragraphs.

• Use italics for sentence 5.

• Turn sentences 6-14 into numbered steps.

• Turn sentence 6 into a heading.

Multiple Choice

Which reference could best help you determine the meaning of the word corpulent in this sentence?

The doctor warned my corpulent uncle that if he did not lose fifty pounds in the next year, he would be risking serious health problems.

• a dictionary

• an encyclopedia

• a thesaurus

• a book of quotations

Multiple Choice

Which mode or type of writing would be most appropriate for an essay about a summer that changed your life?

• narration

• exposition

• persuasion

• description

Multiple Choice

If you were writing a research report, which of these topics would be most suitable to address because it is neither too broad nor too narrow?

• imagery in American poetry

• Emerson's influence on the poetry of Walt Whitman

• botanical references in Thoreau's Walden

• public transportation options for New Yorkers at the time Whitman wrote the poem "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry"

Multiple Choice

Imagine that you are preparing a multimedia report about the regional influences on the writing style of various American writers. Which would be the most appropriate visual aid to include in your presentation?

• a bibliographical timeline showing when writers published their works

• a literary map showing writers and their regions

• family trees showing each writer's family background

• a slide show of your uncle's visit to New Orleans

Multiple Choice

What do you call reasoning that makes a generalization from many specific examples?

• deductive reasoning

• inductive reasoning

• circular reasoning

• hasty generalization

Open Ended

What are five things that a good story needs?

What are the the different parts of the plot diagram, and what are they?

How would you outline this prompt?

Recall a movie, a play, a short story, or a novel that you found powerful and memorable. In an essay, explain what aspect of the work—theme, style, story, characters, performances, and so on—made such a lasting impression.

Begin with an introductory paragraph that captures your reader's attention and includes a thesis statement that clearly identifies the aspect of the work that struck you most forcefully. Then, in the body of your essay, explain the elements or features that you found so powerful (for example, an author's use of vivid descriptive language to create a mood), making sure to cite specific examples to support your opinions. End with a strong concluding paragraph that sums up your main idea.