Lesson 14 Test RI5.2

Mary Margaret McBride, Writer and Radio Host

During the 1930s, no one had smartphones or MP3 players or tablets. Texting was a crazy idea, far in the future. Even television was not yet popular. Instead, thousands of Americans stopped what they were doing at 1:00 p.m. every day and tuned their radios to listen to one of the most popular radio hosts of all time, Mary Margaret McBride.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• Even television was not yet popular.

• During the 1930's, no one had smartphones or MP3 players or tablets.

• Texting was a crazy idea.

• Thousands of Americans stopped what they were doing at 1:00 p.m. everyday and turned their radios to listen to one of the most popular radio hosts of all time, Mary Margaret McBride.

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Growing up in rural Missouri, McBride probably never dreamed that her voice would be heard throughout the United States. In fact, as a young girl, McBride dreamed about becoming a writer. Always a quick learner, McBride earned a degree in journalism from the University of Missouri in two and a half years. Then the Cleveland Press hired McBride as a newspaper reporter. McBride enjoyed writing for the newspaper, but she wanted to live and work in New York City. After moving there, McBride had many different jobs. She was a publicity agent, a reporter, and a magazine writer

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• Mary Margaret McBride became a writer and moved to New York City.

• McBride earned a degree from the University of Missouri.

• The Cleveland Press hired McBride as a newspaper reporter.

• After moving to New York City McBride had many different jobs.

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One day, while on assignment, McBride had the opportunity to attend a radio show. She thought it was funny to watch the entertainers and announcers jostle each other as they tried to get their turn at the microphone. While radio was becoming a popular means of entertainment, McBride was glad to be entertaining people as a writer.

Select all of the key ideas or jot dots. Pick more than one answer.

• McBride had the opportunity to attend a radio show.

• Radio was becoming a popular means of entertainment.

• McBride thought it was funny to watch the entertainers and announcers jostle each other as they tried to get their turn at the microphone.

• McBride was glad to be entertaining people as a writer.

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In 1929, the nation entered the Great Depression. Many businesses failed, and thousands of people were out of work. McBride was having a hard time getting work as a writer, but she needed a job. When a radio station advertised that it was holding auditions for a radio host, McBride tried out. She worried that the station would not like her country speech patterns. She needn’t have worried; the radio station loved her Missouri accent. They hired her as the host for the radio show Martha Deane, Grandmother. It was a talk show in which McBride pretended to be a grandmother with several children and grandchildren. She told stories, offered advice and household hints, interviewed guests, and sold products. In fact, McBride was one of the first people to use the radio and television talk/interview show format that is still popular today.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• In 1929, the nation entered the Great Depression.

• McBride became a radio host and she was one of the first people to use the radio and television talk/interview show format that is still popular today.

• The radio station needed a radio host.

• McBride pretended to be a grandmother.

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Later, McBride would leave Martha Deane, Grandmother and host her own talk show. Working both as Martha Deane and under her own name, McBride entertained listeners at the CBS, NBC, and ABC radio stations. She was famous for being able to connect with the person she was interviewing—and her listeners—as few others could. McBride put her guests at ease, resulting in conversations that were both revealing and entertaining. She read two books a night and remembered everything. With this background, McBride could quote long passages from the books of the authors she interviewed. Her guests included many famous people, such as Carl Sandburg, Pearl S. Buck, President Harry S. Truman, and Eleanor Roosevelt.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• McBride entertained listeners at the CBS, NBC, and ABC radio stations.

• McBride put her guests at ease.

• She read two books a night and remembered everything.

• McBride would leave Martha Deane, Grandmother and host her own talk show.

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McBride quickly became the most popular woman on the radio. She often received more than 5,000 fan letters per day, many asking for her autograph. McBride had a huge portfolio filled with the letters. Her tenth anniversary celebration in Madison Square Garden was sold out and drew 20,000 admirers. However, 125,000 people had asked for tickets! There just wasn’t room for them all. Her fifteenth anniversary celebration filled the much bigger Yankee Stadium, which could seat many more of her fans. She also won many awards, but more important than the awards was the fact that McBride entertained millions of Americans during the Golden Age of Radio.

Select the key details or jot dots of this paragraph. Pick more than one answer.

• McBride quickly became the most popular woman on the radio and entertained millions of Americans during the Golden Age of Radio.

• She received more than 5,000 fan letters per day, many asking for her autograph.

• Her tenth anniversary celebration in Madison Square Garden was sold out and drew 20,000 admirers.

• Her fifteenth anniversary celebration filled the much bigger Yankee Stadium, which could seat many more of her fans.

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What effect did the Great Depression have on Mary Margaret McBride’s career? Pick more than one answer.

• The Great Depression caused many businesses to fail.

• No one could afford to hire McBride as a writer, but she needed to support herself.

• When a radio host job came up, she auditioned and became a star.

• The Great Depression didn't effect McBride because she became famous as a writer.

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Read this sentence from the text.

She often received more than 5,000 fan letters per day, many asking for her autograph.

What is most likely the meaning of the word autograph?

• a person’s signature

• a person’s artwork

• a person’s feelings

• a person’s voice

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Why was McBride’s fifteenth anniversary celebration held at Yankee Stadium?

• McBride lived near Yankee Stadium.

• McBride ended the program Martha Deane, Grandmother

• McBride was a baseball fan and wanted to celebrate with a game

• Yankee Stadium could hold more fans than Madison Square Garden could.

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How did McBride leave her mark on history?

• McBride read a lot and remembered everything.

• McBride earned a college degree in two and a half years.

• McBride easily connected with her interviewees and her listeners.

• McBride entertained millions of Americans during the Golden Age of Radio.

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