Unit 1: American Vocies W-G

What main message is the writer trying to communicate in "A Quilt of a Country"?

• The United States is very different from other countries.

• People in the United States value the idea that all people are created equal.

• It is amazing that a country made up of such diverse people can be united as one nation.

• A nation in which people are so deeply divided by ethnicity, background, and customs makes no sense.

Which of the following statements best expresses the central idea of "The Immigrant Contribution"?

• Immigration is a core part of American society and an expression of the nation's values.

• Immigrants have made key contributions to American history, culture, and politics.

• Immigrants have had difficulty assimilating into American society, but eventually they adapt.

• Immigration to America reflects the plentiful opportunities the nation offers to newcomers.

According to "The Immigrant Contribution," what main hopes did nearly all immigrants to the United States share? Choose two options.

• the hope for security

• the hope for adventure

• the hope for personal freedom

• the hope for economic opportunities

According to "The Immigrant Contribution," how is immigration a "gesture of faith in social mobility"?

• U.S. society is constantly changing, and immigrants are a central part of that social process.

• Immigrants have contributed to the United States' growth in industry, agriculture, and business.

• Immigrants believe that moving to the United States offers them a chance to improve their social and economic status.

• The pioneering spirit of the nation—the desire to conquer new frontiers and explore the unknown—is kept alive by immigrants.

Which of the following statements describes a main difference between John F. Kennedy's "Immigrant Contribution" and Anna Quindlen's "A Quilt of a Country"?

• Quindlen focuses more on immigrants' accomplishments than Kennedy does.

• Quindlen focuses on immigration in an earlier time period than Kennedy does.

• Quindlen gives fewer details from her own personal experience than Kennedy does.

• Quindlen gives more details about immigrant problems and tensions than Kennedy does.

In "American History," why do the little house and its residents have such a fascination for Elena even before Eugene moves to the neighborhood?

• She believes that one day her family will move into a house just like it.

• She feels that she has become part of the life she witnesses unfolding in the house.

• She is a curious person who likes knowing about all the various people on her block.

• She worries about the elderly people who live there and wants to help them.

In “American History,” Elena’s mother and Eugene’s mother have a similar concern about their children. From the details in the story, choose the statement that best describes the viewpoint they share.

• Both mothers worry about their children's continual failing grades in their classes.

• Both mothers wish their children to avoid mixing with members of another ethnic group.

• Both mothers want their children to study hard, graduate on time, and go to college.

• Both mothers are eager to protect their children from the influence of troublemakers.

Which statement best describes the external conflict between Elena and her mother in “American History”?

• Elena wants to return to Puerto Rico; her mother wants the family to stay in New Jersey.

• Elena wants to play games and jump rope; her mother wants her to help with the housework.

• Elena wants to act according to her emotions; her mother wants her to be prudent and careful.

• Elena wants to study and become a teacher; her mother wants her to marry and raise a family.