NON NEGOTIABLE 3

Based on the labels in the diagram of the human eye, the reader can conclude that —

• more muscles are used to move the eye than to blink

• eye muscles are stronger than any other muscles in the body

• blinking provides several benefits to the eyeball

• blinking happens in a way that does not affect a person’s vision

Read this sentence from paragraph 1.

Blinking usually occurs automatically, like your heartbeat.

Which statement from the article supports the idea in this sentence?

• That’s when the muscles that control eyelids eventually lose some of their tone and ability to move.

• You rarely notice this type of blink, which is incredibly fast.

• Without this repeated lubrication, your eyeballs begin to dry, and your eyelids feel sticky.

• Each time you blink, your eye closes for about three-tenths of a second.

Which sentence from the article helps explain why staring at a computer screen affects blink rates?

• Then blink rates decrease as people move into older adulthood.

• After 30 seconds you probably struggle to resist closing and then reopening your eyes.

• You’ll blink less when you’re concentrating on something.

• When you’re thinking but not actually looking at something, your blink rate will also decrease.

Read the dictionary entry for the word violate.

violate \ı vī-ə-ı lāt\ v 1. to break a rule 2. to interfere with someone’s rights 3. to abuse something by causing damage 4. to interrupt a continuous state or action Which definition most closely matches the way the word violated is used in paragraph 24?

24 DEANNA: So it’s my fault you violated my privacy?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

Read this sentence from paragraph 10.

He attempted to work with the girls’ locks of hair but found the hair to be as slippery as a handful of wet noodles.

The author uses the simile in this sentence to show that Patrick —

• thinks the girls have gotten food in their hair

• thinks that the girls’ hair is too wet to make proper braids

• would prefer to be cooking dinner rather than braiding hair

• finds it very difficult to make braids in the girls’ hair

The word tentative comes from the Latin word tentare, which means “to feel or try.” What does tentative mean in paragraph 12?

I figured out how to push off and glide too. By the end of the day, I was able to make tiny, tentative turns on the ice.

• Cautious

• Exciting

• Multiple

• Enjoyable

Read this sentence from paragraph 8.

The untouched snow bordering the pond glittered in the sun as if a million diamonds were sprinkled across its surface.

What does the author’s use of imagery in this sentence emphasize?

• Emily believes that the icy pond will be hard if she falls.

• Emily realizes the value of learning how to ice-skate.

• Emily thinks the snow is beautiful.

• Emily thinks the snow is too bright.

What do these sentences show about the main character of each story?

• They both rely on friends for support.

• They both are used to taking care of others.

• They both have accepted a big responsibility.

• They both realize their situation is not going as planned.

Read the dictionary entry.

jewel \ı jü-əl\ n 1. a decorative piece of metal worn as an accessory 2. a valuable gem 3. a person or object that is highly valued 4. a part of a watch that is made of crystal or glass

Which definition best matches the meaning of jewel as it is used in paragraph 8?

8 The jewel of the fleet in Hangar B is a PBY Catalina plane. During World War II, seaplanes like the Catalina would roll down the ramp behind the hangar and into New York Harbor. These seaplanes, which could float as well as fly, had the important role of defending ships leaving the harbor. After taking off from the water, the planes would escort the ships from above to safeguard them from enemy submarines below.

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

What does the word remnant mean in paragraph 5?

5 The project brought new life to the airfield. What had become a neglected remnant of history transformed into a place where people could learn about and explore planes from the past.

• Story

• Leftover

• Machine

• Discovery