End of 1st 9 Weeks

Most people participate in leisure activities, such as reading or playing sports, on a regular basis. Research shows that these activities benefit people's overall health and well-being.

Leisure activities improve physical health. People who participate in these activities are healthier and live longer. A study the National Library of Medicine published states, "Higher levels of participation in enjoyable activities relate to lower blood pressure, better sleep quality, and fitness in participants." Antwon Masters, a warehouse supervisor, states, "Most of the day, I sit indoors, in my office, working on my computer, but playing baseball on the weekends helps me exercise and stay fit."

Leisure activities improve mental health. Social activities, such as joining book clubs or theater groups, have proven to improve people's self-esteem. Samira Cohen, a psychology professor, states, "Participating in leisure activities helps people relax and unwind, which improves their mental well-being." Ramone Hernandez, a jazz musician, says, "Rehearsing a song with or just talking to my musical group of friends helps me feel calm and relaxed."

Some argue that leisure activities can distract people from their responsibilities. This argument, however, does not hold true. In fact, these activities improve people's physical and mental well-being, helping them become better members of society.

What evidence does the author present to support the idea that leisure activities are beneficial to people?

• Leisure activities are related to lowered blood pressure.

• Engaging in leisure activities is better than working in an office.

• Some leisure activities can distract people from their responsibilities.

• Most people participate in leisure activities on a regular basis.

A female akukojeesh, or groundhog, with a numerous family of young ones, was burrowing in her wauzh, or hole in the ground, one long winter, in the north, when the young ones became impatient for spring. Every day the mother would go out and get roots and other things, which she brought in to them to eat; and she always told them to lie close and keep warm, and never to venture towards the mouth of the wauzh. But they became very impatient at last to see the light and the green woods. "Mother," said they, "is it not almost spring?" "No! no!" said she, in a cross humor, "keep still and wait patiently; it hails, it snows, it is cold—it is windy. Why should you wish to go out?" This she told them so often, and said it in such a bad temper, that they at last suspected some deception. One day she came in, after having been a long while absent, and fell asleep, with her mouth open. The little ones peeped in slyly, and saw on her teeth the remains of the nice white bulbous roots of the mo-na-wing, or adder's tongue violet. They at once knew it was spring, and without disturbing the old one, who only wanted to keep them in till they were full grown, away they scampered, out of the hole, and dispersed themselves about the forest, and so the family were all scattered.

What is one of the themes expressed in this passage?

• Slow and steady wins the race.

• Laziness leads to severe hardship.

• Be very grateful for what you already have.

• Parents cannot protect their children forever.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Bianca was in a miserable state. She had broken her new cellphone. She kept blaming herself for being careless. It was my fault. I should have paid attention while walking, she thought to herself. Bianca was talking to her cousin Debby about the activities for the weekend birthday party Debby was throwing for her parents. In her excitement she did not see Chris coming from the opposite direction and collided with him. The phone slipped from her hand, fell to the ground, and the display screen shattered into tiny fragments of glass.

She could feel the tears streaming down her face. Her heart was filled with sadness and guilt when she thought of how her Mom had sacrificed buying that expensive dress for herself last month so that her daughter could buy the latest model of the cell phone. Bianca decided that she would salvage the situation. With a determined look on her face, she wiped her tears and picked up the newspaper. Bianca was determined to pay the cost this time.

Which of these can be inferred from the last sentence in the passage?

• Bianca will read the newspaper so that she can forget the fact that she broke her cell phone.

• Bianca will ask her parents to curtail their shopping so that she can buy a new cell phone.

• Bianca will cancel her weekend program with her cousin.

• Bianca will try to find a weekend job so that she can save money for her cell phone.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

"Could you be any more polite?" Opal asked her son, Reeve.

Reeve had called his Aunt Millie "hair" as he stared at her elaborate hairstyle.

"It was an accident, Mom," Reeve replied, embarrassed. "I have been good at this party. I have tried everything, including the appetizer."

"Oh, but you haven't tried the lamb stew with pumpkins and pineapples," Opal said. "You will love it."

"Yuck," Reeve said, feeling a little queasy at the thought of the flavor combination in the stew. "Thanks for the tip, Mom. I promise I will love it."

Opal's remark "You will love it" is an example of verbal irony because

• she is upset about Reeve calling the aunt "hair."

• she means to warn Reeve about the lamb stew.

• she means to ask her son to apologize to his aunt.

• she is asking her son to improve his eating habits.

Mrs. Avery ordered a large pizza for her family's dinner. Her 12-year-old son, Shawn, answered the door when the delivery person brought the pizza to the house. Shawn paid for the pizza and took it to the kitchen. He was very hungry and started eating it straight out of the box.

Mrs. Avery walked into the kitchen several minutes later and sternly asked, "Well, Son, how is the pizza?"

At that moment, Shawn finished eating the whole left side of the pizza.

Which of the following responses would make Shawn's answer a pun?

• "My belly is stuffed."

• "That was cheesy."

• "It's all right now."

• "Where did it go?"

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.1.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

Brain arteries are like a river system, only flowing in reverse. Where small streams and creeks flow together into bigger and bigger rivers, blood flow in the brain goes from large blood vessels to smaller and smaller ones. The very smallest are called "capillaries," and they aren't much bigger than a piece of hair.

The writer compares arteries in the brain to

• capillaries.

• a river system.

• a dam in a river.

• a piece of hair.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Agent Fulbright gripped the steering wheel and expertly held it steady even though both sides of the road were teaming with cheering and shouting onlookers. He was collected and focused as he drove the lead vehicle in the president's motorcade.

Which word best describes the mood of this story?

• lonely

• powerful

• calm

• stressed

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4