"The Land" By Mildred Taylor

Excerpt from "The Land": It was some three days later when Mitchell and I were brushing down the horses in the stalls my daddy was renting, Mitchell said to me, "That man from Alabama, one wanted you to ride for him, he come askin' me 'bout you. Came to the stables earlier." This dialogue advances the plot by telling the reader that Paul...

• may have an opportunity to ride Sutcliffe’s horse

• may have a conflict with Mitchell.

• will soon be participating in a race.

• Like's the color blue.

From "New Land, New Life": “Nonsense,” said Ruth sternly. “The nearest town is a week away by horseback. With all due respect, Mr. Thorpe, you’re in homesteading country now. We take care of our own. There isn’t a homesteader within one hundred miles of here who has survived these parts without jumping at the chance for help when it’s offered.”

Based on this dialogue, which word best describes Ruth?

• Strict

• Caring

• She's a Mechanic

• Easygoing

From "The Land, Part 2": In the late afternoon I did the same, but all the time I was on the stallion, I was aware that Mitchell was watching me. He had appeared on the edge of the woods and had just stood there watching Ghost Wind and me as we went round and round the meadow. Finally, on one of our turns past him, he said: "S'pose you thinkin' you a real somebody 'cause you can ride that stallion."

Which is a reasonable prediction?

• Paul and Mitchell will have a conflict about Ghost Wind

• Paul and Mitchell will have an understanding about Ghost

• With Paul's help, Mitchell will be able to ride Ghost Wind.

• They will talk it out over tea while the sun sets.

From "New Land, New Life": Her hand was rough and worn from the years of hard work and harsh weather, but her heart was light and airy. The land inspector would be arriving soon, and this land and the home built from its very earth would be hers. She would be a landowner, the head of her household, as successful as any homesteader could hope to be.

Which statement best describes Ruth?

• Ruth is proud of the home she built

• Ruth is nervous about facing the inspector.

• She is disappointed she's not the landowner.

• She hates getting dirty.

Which line from "New Land, New Life" best supports the claim that families on the prairie survive by helping one another?

• The land inspector will make Ruth's dreams come true, making her landowner of the land.

• Under the Homestead Act, Ruth was able to file claim to 160 acres of Nebraska land.

• “Henry, ride out to the Shelby homestead and send word.” The Shelbys lived four miles away, so Henry would have to bunk with them for the night, but Ruth knew that they’d arrive the next day with provisions and help for the new family.

• Everybody showed up to sell their fruits and veggies at the farmers market

In “New Land, New Life,” what most develops the theme that hard work pays off?

• the description of Calvin's wife

• Team Work

• Ruth's Boys

• the description of Ruth

Which situation gives an example of intrinsic motivation?

• Writing an essay to win a free trip!

• Writing an essay to earn a scholarship.

• A student writes an essay to explain his feelings

• Writing a essay to get a free pie!

What does conflict mean?

• Eating ice cream after your parents told you not to.

• Struggle between opposing characters

• Feeling of sunshine and rainbows.

What does Influence mean?

• Have an affect without using force

• The early stages of learning something new.

• Fixing something after breaking it.

What does intrinsic mean?

• A feeling of reward from within

• Being happy

• A person who likes inventing things.