"Born Worker" by Gary Soto

1. Read the sentences from the text:

"Jose walked away from Arnie's jabbering. He walked away, and realized that there were people like his cousin, the liar, and people like himself, someone he was getting to know. He walked away in the midmorning heat and boosted himself up a telephone pole...and saw for himself...a future lost in the layers of yellowish haze." (Soto)

From reading this, what can you infer about Jose's character?

• The future made him sad, but now he's happier about the future.

• He is brave and likes to see the world from a telephone pole.

• Jose realized he did not have to fall into the category of a born worker.

• He has a new understanding of himself and what he is capable of.

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CCSS.RL.7.2

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Which of the following in the central topic from which a theme to this story can best be developed?

• the value of work

• caring for swimming pools

• the bond between cousins

• making business contacts

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Which of the following sentences is NOT consistent with Jose's beliefs?

• A smart worker knows how to cut corners.

• It is important to take pride in your work.

• There is honor in hard work.

• There is no shame in doing physical labor

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CCSS.RL.6.3

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Which of these summaries is most accurate of Born Worker?

• The story reveals the power of good values and hard work through two cousins who see life very differently.

• Hard work makes someone not just a good worker, but a good person.

• Jose learns that his cousin doesn't know how to be a hard worker and will fail in life.

• One character is honest, the other lies. Both characters learn that honesty is the best policy.

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CCSS.RL.7.2

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From which point of view is "Born Worker" told from?

• First person and the narrator is the main character of the story.

• Third person limited, and an outside narrator tells us the thoughts and feelings of only Jose.

• Third person limited, and the an outside narrator tells us the thoughts and feelings of only Arnie.

• Third person omniscient, and the narrator tells us the thoughts and feelings of both Jose and Arnie.

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What new information does Jose come to learn about his cousin by the end of the story.

• He is very professional.

• Arnie is irresponsible.

• Arnie is afraid in the middle of a crisis.

• Arnie makes a good partner.

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Jose believes that actions...

• are often louder than words.

• are no match for wisdom.

• don't reveal a person's character.

• only take you so far in life.

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“Life is hard,” his father repeated from the time José could first make out the meaning of words until he was stroking his fingers against the grain of his sandpaper beard.

His mother was an example to José. She would raise her hands, showing her fingers pierced from the sewing machines. She bled on her machine, bled because there was money to make, a child to raise, and a

roof to stay under."

This passage indicates José’s parents do not try to:

• influence their son's values.

• shield their son from the realities of life.

• shield their son from the realities of life.

• teach Jose that hard physical labor is to be expected.

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CCSS.RL.7.2

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One similarity between José and Arnie is their

• view of themselves.

• desire to make money.

• approach to customers.

• belief that charm trumps effort.

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The story's point of view gives the reader insight into

• the benefits of two people coming together to create a business plan.

• doing the right thing trumps what other people think of you.

• the world of manual labor.

• the fact that Jose was born to be, and will only be, a laborer in life.

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