"Finally Home"

In paragraph 16, the word nonchalantly means

• happily
• slightly
• casually
• thoughtfully

Cassie's thoughts in paragraph 14 show that she

• wants to take a risk to make new friends
• is trying too hard to impress the others
• has a false sense of pride
• is reluctant to let people get to know her

The story reaches its climax when

• Cassie hears the sound of an electric guitar
• Matt asks whether Cassie plays drums
• Matt recognizes Cassie as a girl from his class
• Cassie sits against the wall and listens to the band

Which sentence from the story provides the best evidence that Cassie feels insecure?

• Overwhelmed with curiosity, I followed the sound down a narrow cobblestone walkway.
• I slid my hands into my pockets and attempted to smile confidently.
• A green wooden door was slightly ajar, and I peeked inside.
• I glanced at Janis, who was quietly studying me.

The repetition of words "my" and "my own" emphasizes the speaker's desire to

• show appreciation for something that is personal and unique
• express opinions that challenge accepted wisdom
• argue that people share some similar characteristics
• make a distinction between scientific facts and personal beliefs

The poet chose an irregular and unpredictable rhyme scheme most likely to

• highlight the speaker's actions
• provide a sense of playfulness
• emphasize the poem's message
• suggest that the speaker is confused

What does line 6 suggest about the "whorls", "whirls", and "wheels" on the pad of the speaker's thumb?

• They are evidence of her intelligence and emotional depth.
• They represent more than physical identity.
• They reveal her genetic characteristics.
• They symbolize a link to the past.

The last two lines of the poem suggest that the thumbprint referred to in the title is a symbol for

• a person's individuality
• an important clue to life's timeless mysteries
• a prediction about the future
• an anticipation of change