Design

The main role of Andy’s art teacher in this story is to help —

• resolve a conflict the main character is experiencing

• create the setting in which the main conflict occurs

• develop the rising action of the plot to a turning point

• supply background information about the main character

What is the best summary of the story?

• Andy wants to use his knowledge of tailoring to design original clothing. His father gives him a sewing machine, so Andy creates an outfit. When Andy wears his new clothing to school, he does not get the response that he wants, but his art teacher helps him regain confidence.

• As Andy waits for Broden, he observes the other students’ clothing. When Andy arrives at his family’s shop, he realizes that being a tailor helps people feel better. After his father gives him a sewing machine, Andy begins working on a unique clothing design.

• After closing the family store for the night, Andy’s father gives Andy a sewing machine that has been in the family for years. Andy is excited and immediately begins creating his own clothing designs. He works hard on his new design and wears his new outfit to school.

• Andy knows a lot about clothing because of the family business, but he wants to do something different. Andy’s father understands his interests, so he gives Andy an old sewing machine. Andy uses this gift to complete a school project.

Which sentence from the story creates an image of how tailoring can help people?

• Being from a family of tailors, Andy had learned a lot about clothing over the years—how to make it and how to alter it. (paragraph 2)

• Mr. Simone paid his bill and then carefully, almost proudly, placed the newly perfected pants over his arm. (paragraph 4)

• There was no denying that tailoring was a valuable service to some. (paragraph 4)

• That was exactly the reason Andy longed to create something of his own. (paragraph 6)

In paragraph 15, the word donned means —

• mended

• thought about

• put on

• imagined

What lesson is referred to in the title of the story?

• Andy learning to work with clothing by watching his father

• Broden learning about fashion from Andy’s clothing designs

• Broden learning how to feel as proud of himself as Andy does

• Andy learning the consequences of trying something different

Read this sentence from paragraph 9.

Mostly he drew during the free minutes of his

day, when he could empty his mind and just

trust his charcoal pencil.

Based on this sentence, the reader can conclude that Andy —

• puts very little thought into his designs

• draws when he is bored and has nothing else to do

• feels compelled to sketch his designs at every opportunity

• is unsure about how to use special drawing techniques

Which sentence best expresses a theme in the story?

• “Often, when people look better, they act better too.”

  (paragraph 5)

• A visit to the fabric store that weekend turned into an expedition as he hunted down the perfect textiles for his creation. (paragraph 10)

• On his way back home, he looked at what people were wearing, the parade of pants, shirts, dresses, jeans, and ordinariness. (paragraph 11)

• “Not everyone is going to see things the way you do—not right away, and maybe not ever.” (paragraph 18)

Read this sentence from paragraph 15.

A morning full of whispers, jeers, and awkward

questions left Andy slumped in his seat in art class like a spent parachute.

The author uses a simile in this sentence to illustrate —

• how difficult it can be to concentrate in Andy’s art class

• how perplexed the students are about Andy’s new outfit

• how discouraged Andy feels by his peers’ reactions to his outfit

• how exhausting a typical day at Andy’s school is