The Boy Nobody Knew

Which event in “The Boy Nobody Knew” causes Kenneth to become known to the neighbors?

• When Mrs. Mullen needs help, she asks the neighbors to provide care for Kenneth.

• When Kenneth makes noises in his apartment, neighbors find out that a child is hidden there.

• When the author’s mother sees Kenneth in a wheelchair, she persuades Mrs. Mullen to let him play with the other children.

• When a fire forces people out of their apartments, the neighbors see the firefighters carry Kenneth in his wheelchair down to the street.

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CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

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CCSS.RL.4.3

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In “The Boy Nobody Knew,” how do the other mothers react to Mrs. Mullen’s sadness?

• They feel embarrassed about her sick child and say nothing.

• They support and encourage her in caring for her sick child.

• They are angry at her for hiding her child from other people.

• They try to ignore her sadness because it makes them feel unhappy.

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CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

Which sentence best describes how the neighbors treat Kenneth at the end of “The Boy Nobody Knew”?

• Most of the neighbors avoid him because he acts strangely and makes odd noises.

• Most think his disease is catching and do not let their children play with him.

• Most of the neighbors spend time with him and give him attention and love.

• Most accept him but do not spend much time with him or his family.

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CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.

Part A Read this paragraph from “The Boy Nobody Knew.” Then choose the answer that is the best definition for the word grunts as it is used in the paragraph.

The little boy looked very strange as he sat twisting and turning in his wheelchair and reaching out to the other children, trying to grab their outstretched hands. He attempted to speak, but only grunts came from his mouth.

• silly sounds meant to make the other children laugh

• short, low-pitched sounds meant to communicate

• sweet sounds of happiness

• sharp sounds of pain

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CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.6.4

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Part A answer: Grunts means short, low-pitched sounds meant to communicate.

Part B Which group of words from the paragraph best supports the answer to Part A?

The little boy looked very strange as he sat twisting and turning in his wheelchair and reaching out to the other children, trying to grab their outstretched hands. He attempted to speak, but only grunts came from his mouth.

• twisting and turning in his wheelchair

• reaching out to the other children

• trying to grab their outstretched hands

• He attempted to speak

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CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.6.4

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CCSS.RI.7.4

The word bear has multiple meanings. Which meaning of bear is the most likely meaning in this sentence from “The Boy Nobody Knew”? Use context clues to help you.

My mother and some of the other mothers put their arms around Mrs. Mullen. “God don’t put no more on us than we can bear, Mrs. Mullen,” my mother said softly. “We understand.”

• give birth to a child

• act like a mother bear

• move in a certain direction

• remain strong while carrying a burden

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CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.6.4

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CCSS.RL.5.4

What is the most accurate meaning of tenants in this paragraph from “The Boy Nobody Knew”? Use context clues to help you.

Some of the tenants remembered hearing strange sounds coming from the Mullens’ apartment, and after that they’d hear “Shh, shh.” Mrs. Potter, their next-door neighbor, said, “I would have never guessed that they had a little boy living there. We all thought that Mr. and Mrs. Mullen lived alone.”

• people who repair or clean other people’s apartments

• people who are good friends with their neighbors

• people who rent apartments in the same building

• people who spy on their neighbors

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CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.

Part A Which pair of character traits do the neighbors in “The Boy Nobody Knew” show most clearly?

• curiosity and humor

• distrust and disbelief

• sympathy and kindness

• selfishness and nastiness

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CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

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Part A answer: The neighbors show sympathy and kindness.

Part B Which quotation from “The Boy Nobody Knew” best supports the answer to Part A?

• “You sure are crazy, Hilliard,” Mother yelled down the stairs at Uncle Hilliard; he’d told my father, “Now don’t you get no uglier till I get back. You need a license now to walk the street.”

• The adults gathered in groups and talked softly so that we kids could hardly hear. There was a new little boy among us whom nobody knew. He was Mr. and Mrs. Mullen’s little boy, from the fifth floor.

• “What’s wrong with him?” one of the neighbors asked his mother. “Is he your boy? Does he live in the building?” another neighbor asked. But Mrs. Mullen didn’t answer.

• The men in the building gathered around the boy’s wheelchair and lifted him up and carried him upstairs. My mother and some of the other mothers put their arms around Mrs. Mullen.

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CCSS.RL.6.2

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Which of these sentences best express an important idea that the author presents in “The Boy Nobody Knew”? Choose two options.

• Families in 1937, when the story takes place, were very different from families today.

• People should not be ashamed of their disability or that of a family member.

• Families should not let their children make fun of other children.

• Families should be able to educate a sick child at home.

• People in a community should help each other.

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CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9