SOL Woman of Courage and Conviction

“I finished a minute ago, Mom,” Keisha answered. “Don’t worry, I won’t be late getting to the assisted living center. I just have to put some things in my backpack.” Keisha pulled down a collection of Maya Angelou’s poetry as well as a book of funny anecdotes from her bookshelf. She liked to be prepared with a selection of literature to read to the center’s residents. On an impulse, she added her English notebook as well.

What does the word anecdotes mean in the above paragraph

• strange pictures

• personal stories

• school assignments

• community project

“I’m Keisha Jackson, a student volunteer,” Keisha explained as she walked over to Mrs. Watson and sat down in the chair beside her. “I come here every Thursday afternoon to help pass the time with residents, or read to them, or, or . . .” Keisha started to stumble over her words as Mrs. Watson continued to stare at her with an almost belligerent gaze.

What does the word belligerent means —

• hostile or argumentative

• strangely familiar

• weak or exhausted

• strongly determined

“I’m Keisha Jackson, a student volunteer,” Keisha explained as she walked over to Mrs. Watson and sat down in the chair beside her. “I come here every Thursday afternoon to help pass the time with residents, or read to them, or, or . . .” Keisha started to stumble over her words as Mrs. Watson continued to stare at her with an almost belligerent gaze.

“I didn’t request anyone to keep me company,” Mrs. Watson interrupted. “I’m alone most of the time, and that’s how I prefer it.”

“But it must be nice to see your daughter,” Keisha said, hoping to give the conversation a more positive turn.

In the above paragraphs the description of Mrs. Watson presents her as —

• content and busy

• angry and lonely

• eager to make new

• determined to leave the center

Nervously, Keisha pulled out her English notebook and opened it to her essay. She read the title aloud: “Rosa Parks: A Woman of Courage and Conviction.” She glanced at Mrs. Watson to see what kind of reaction she might have, but to her surprise, Mrs. Watson’s face had relaxed and her eyes shone with anticipation.

In the above paragraph , Mrs. Watson’s eyes suggest that she is —

• interested

• annoyed

• ashamed

• impressed

“Mrs. Watson, I’d like to see you again next Thursday, if that’s okay,” Keisha asked, hoping her voice wasn’t shaking with the emotions she felt.

In the above paragraph the reader may best conclude that Keisha

• does not plan to visit Mrs. Watson again

• wishes that Mrs. Watson was nicer

• does not think Mrs. Watson likes her

• feels affectionate toward Mrs. Watson

The reader may best infer that Mrs. Watson —

• did volunteer work when she was a teenager

• was expecting to see her daughter instead of Keisha

• faced discrimination when she was young

• was relieved when Keisha finally finished her visit

The tone of this story is

• critical

• sorrowful

• respectful

• suspenseful

Mrs. Ellis wishes Keisha luck before her visit with Mrs. Watson because —

• Keisha is a shy person

• Mrs. Watson needs a visitor

• Keisha is feeling nervous

• Mrs. Watson can be difficult

Readers may find this story inspiring because a — A girl enjoys learning about her heroes B woman prefers spending time by herself C girl helps someone feel appreciated D woman moves to be near her daughter

• A girl enjoys learning about her heroes

• woman perfers spending time by herself

• girl helps someone feel appreciated

• woman moves to be near her daughter

The reader may best conclude that Mrs. Watson —

• participated in the Montgomery Bus Boycott

• was pleased to move away from Alabama

• wants to write about her experiences in Montgomery

• still has family members living in Alabama