I Just Wanna Be Average by Mike Rose

Paragraph 11 contains all except...

• Parallel syntax

• a general assertion

• oxymoron

• metaphor

• allusion

The rhetorical function of the sentence "But I did learn things about people and eventually came into my own socially" (par. 13) to

• introduce the accomplishments of the speaker

• acknowledge that the speaker's experiences were not entirely negative

• signal a shift of focus from the speaker's academic problems to his social differences

• suggest that the speaker was more mature than he realized

• emphasize the importance of social life in vocational education

Which of the following phrases contribute to the image pattern that unifies paragraph 11?

I. "bobbing in pretty shallow water"

II. "a dumping ground for the disaffected"

III. "scuttling along at the bottom of the pond"

• I only

• II only

• III only

• I and III only

• I, II, III only

In paragraph 12, what point does Rose emphasize?

• that the teachers in Voc. Ed. were ineffective

• that he lacked the knowledge to do more challenging work

• that his attitude toward learning ensured his mediocre performance

• that the subjects being taught in Voc. Ed. were irrelevant

• that he was bored because he wasn't being challenged

All of the following can be found in paragraph 14 except

• parallel syntax

• figurative language

• general conclusions

• a detached viewpoint

• specific detail

Which of the following best describes Rose's attitude toward Ted Richard?

• sheer admiration

• melancholy respect

• resentful envy

• concern and disappointment

• both sympathy and disdain

At the end of the passage, what understanding of Ken Harvey's statement "I just wanna be average" has Rose reached?

• Rose is relieved that he never settled for being average

• Rose recognizes that he underestimated Ken Harvey

• Rose feels guilty for his attitude toward athletes

• Rose realizes the sadness of believing that one has little potential

• Rose doubts that he was actually any smarter than the other kids in Voc. Ed.

Which of the following best describes Rose's style in this excerpt?

• descriptive and allusive

• lively and sarcastic

• didactic and abstract

• detached yet detailed

• retrospective and discursive