from Smiles to Go (7th)

What is the narrator’s primary motivation for continuing to visit Jim?

• He wants Jim to ask him to help with the experiments.

• He enjoys watching Jim manage several tasks at once.

• He thinks spending time with Jim will make him smarter.

• He likes witnessing the moments when Jim is surprised.

Why is Jim’s demonstration with the jawbreaker important to the plot?

• It shows the narrator that many scientific concepts are not complicated.

• It allows the narrator to experience a moment of understanding.

• It encourages the narrator to develop his own scientific theory about protons

• It gives the narrator an opportunity to help Jim with one of his projects.

Read the dictionary entry below.

Which definition most closely matches the way the word digest is used in paragraph 28?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

Read this sentence from paragraph 4.

The sensory language in this sentence highlights the narrator’s —

• optimism

• confusion

• excitement

• discomfort

What does the simile in paragraph 3 suggest about Jim?

• He wishes he knew someone who shared his passion.

• He approaches his work with intense focus.

• He is interested in both science and sports.

• He usually makes up experiments as they occur to him.

The setting is important to the plot because it is where the narrator —

• realizes he is good at scientific investigation

• can study with minimal interruptions

• has interesting discussions with Jim

• works with Jim to solve problems

Which of these is an important idea expressed in the excerpt?

• People must start working toward their goals at a young age to achieve their dreams.

• Honesty and openness allow deep friendships to develop.

• True understanding can take place only through quiet reflection.

• Some people influence the lives of others by introducing them to new ideas.