RL1 Citing Textual Evidence

Excerpt from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Chapter 1 (excerpt) Mark Twain

The old lady pulled her spectacles down and looked over them about the room; then she put them up and looked out under them. She seldom or never looked THROUGH them for so small a thing as a boy; they were her state pair, the pride of her heart, and were built for "style," not service—she could have seen through a pair of stove-lids just as well. She looked perplexed for a moment, and then said, not fiercely, but still loud enough for the furniture to hear:5 "Well, I lay if I get hold of you I'll—"6 She did not finish, for by this time she was bending down and punching under the bed with the broom, and so she needed breath to punctuate the punches with. She resurrected nothing but the cat.7 "I never did see the beat of that boy!"8 She went to the open door and stood in it and looked out among the tomato vines and "jimpson" weeds that constituted the garden. No Tom. So she lifted up her voice at an angle calculated for distance and shouted:9 "Y-o-u-u TOM!"10 There was a slight noise behind her and she turned just in time to seize a small boy by the slack of his roundabout and arrest his flight.11 "There! I might 'a' thought of that closet. What you been doing in there?"12 "Nothing."13 "Nothing! Look at your hands. And look at your mouth. What IS that truck?"14 "I don't know, aunt."15 "Well, I know. It's jam—that's what it is. Forty times I've said if you didn't let that jam alone I'd skin you. Hand me that switch."16 The switch hovered in the air—the peril was desperate—17 "My! Look behind you, aunt!"

Based on the passage, what can the reader infer about Tom Sawyer?

• A) Tom enjoys hiding.

• B) Tom is mischievous.

• C) Tom loves his aunt.

• D) Tom is old enough to know better.

1) Austin reached into his backpack to make sure that it was there. He wasn’t sure he needed his inhaler, but he was checking just in case. His chest was tight as he once again attempted a deep breath. He completely filled his lungs and exhaled smoothly. He repeated this rhythm several times, surprised at the ease at which it came. But he’d keep the inhaler in his pocket. It had been a long time since he’d had a real asthma attack, since Little League, in fact. But it was never too far from his mind, especially when he played baseball.2) Austin loved baseball, like fish love water, but he felt his asthma had probably kept him from reaching his full athletic potential. He knew today’s practice would be tough, for tomorrow was a big game. He was right. It was rough, and Austin and several others weren’t at the top of their game today. Coach Tanner firmly patted Austin’s shoulder as they headed for the dugout. “You’ve got to stop using it as a crutch, and let it go son.” Coach said in a firm, low voice.

Coach Tanner appears to be the kind of person who:

• A) is mean and unsympathetic.

• B) is only worried about winning.

• C) doesn’t say what he means.

• D) sees the reasons for people’s behaviors.

Excerpt from An Unexplainable Occurrence Elizabeth Kibler

³As I strolled to the carnival, I noticed that my town looked deserted. The usually hectic streets seemed lonely in the moonlight, and many of the businesses had closed so that everyone could enjoy the exhibition. The only sounds I heard were the echoes of music and cheering that arose from the park.

Why was the narrator surprised when she walked to the carnival?

• A) She heard noises coming from the park.

• B) She saw shadows on the walls of the tent.

• C) The moonlight lit up the streets in the town.

• D) It seemed as if she was alone on the streets.

An Enemy of the People

Henrik Ibsen

Peter Stockmann. I happened to be passing, and so--(looks into the dining-room). But you have company with you, I see.Mrs. Stockmann. (a little embarrassed). Oh, no--it was quite by chance he came in. (Hurriedly.) Won't you come in and have something, too?Peter Stockmann. I! No, thank you. Good gracious--hot meat at night! Not with my digestion,Mrs. Stockmann. Oh, but just once in a way--Peter Stockmann. No, no, my dear lady; I stick to my tea and bread and butter. It is much more wholesome in the long run—and a little more economical, too.

"No, no, my dear lady; I stick to my tea and bread and butter. It is much more wholesome in the long run—and a little more economical, too."

What is Peter implying when he speaks these lines?

• A) that he is very hungry at the moment

• B) that the Stockmanns spend too much on food

• C) that Mrs. Stockmann is a very good cook

• D) that he is annoyed at not being invited to dinner

Dear Ms. Pembroke:

The marching band is planning its annual trip to Florida for a parade and contests. This trip is something that the band members anticipate each year. To prepare for the journey, the members of the band have raised funds to cover their expenses. The band director, Ms. Lantzy, will be coming on the trip; however, we still need more volunteers. Because you have worked with the band in the past, I believe you would make a wonderful chaperone. Please consider joining the Smithfield Middle School marching band on our trip to Florida. I believe you would be a wonderful candidate for the position, and I look forward to speaking with you about the trip. Sincerely, Madison Ray

Which of these statements BEST fits into paragraph 2?

• A) The band has gone to Florida once a year for five years, and we want to go again this year.

• B) While we are in Florida, the band will be participating in competitions with bands from around the country.

• C) The members of the band sponsored a car wash and a bake sale to raise money for the trip.

• D) Ms. Lantzy suggested that I contact you because of your past volunteerism with the band.

Excerpt from Johnny Town-mouse (excerpt)

Beatrix Potter

Johnny Town-mouse was born in a cupboard. Timmy Willie was born in a garden. Timmy Willie was a little country mouse who went to town by mistake in a hamper. The gardener sent vegetables to town once a week by carrier; he packed them in a big hamper. The gardener left the hamper by the garden gate, so that the carrier could pick it up when he passed. Timmy Willie crept in through a hole in the wicker-work, and after eating some peas--Timmy Willie fell fast asleep. He awoke in a fright, while the hamper was being lifted into the carrier's cart. Then there was a jolting, and a clattering of horse's feet; other packages were thrown in; for miles and miles--jolt--jolt--jolt! and Timmy Willie trembled amongst the jumbled up vegetables. At last the cart stopped at a house, where the hamper was taken out, carried in, and set down. The cook gave the carrier sixpence; the back door banged, and the cart rumbled away. But there was no quiet; there seemed to be hundreds of carts passing. Dogs barked; boys whistled in the street; the cook laughed, the parlour maid ran up and down-stairs; and a canary sang like a steam engine. Timmy Willie, who had lived all his life in a garden, was almost frightened to death. Presently the cook opened the hamper and began to unpack the vegetables. Out sprang the terrified Timmy Willie. Up jumped the cook on a chair, exclaiming "A mouse! a mouse! Call the cat! Fetch me the poker, Sarah!" Timmy Willie did not wait for Sarah with the poker; he rushed along the skirting board till he came to a little hole, and in he popped.

Why was Timmy Willie afraid when the cook opened the hamper?

• A) Timmy Willie wanted to go home.

• B) The cook shouted when he say Timmy Willie.

• C) Timmy Willie thought the cook was scary looking

• D) Timmy Willie did not know where he was because he had never been in the house

Devon is writing a report about keeping dogs happy and healthy. He will collect information about dogs' health from many different sources. One will be an interview with a dog walker. The dog walker would NOT be the correct source to answer which of these questions?

• A) What qualities make a person an effective dog walker?

• B) What type of dog food has the best nutrition for dogs?

• C) Why is walking an important exercise for dogs?

• D) Where are good places to take dogs for a walk?

(1) Jack-o'-lantern mushrooms—which have the scientific name omphalotus illudens—are orange mushrooms that grow in North America. (2) Jack-o'-lantern mushrooms take their name from their orange color and from another interesting feature. (3) Many people try to find these mushrooms in the fall to see their eerie glow, but they can be difficult to spot. (4) People should not pick jack-o'-lantern mushrooms as they are toxic and can make humans very ill. (5) The best way to appreciate these unique mushrooms is to see them growing in the wild.

What is the supporting detail that would fit best after sentence number 2?

• A) Jack-o'-lantern mushrooms grow east of the Rocky Mountains

• B) Jack-o'-lantern mushrooms grow in bunches on decaying wood and leaves.

• C) The gills of jack-o'-lantern mushrooms give off a faint, glowing light.

• D) Some people confuse jack-o'-lantern mushrooms with nontoxic chanterelles.

Crows are black birds with hoarse, cawing voices. They have been found to remember faces. In a study, scientists decided to put on masks to harass crows. The crows would dive-bomb6 the scientists when they wore the masks. Crows use traffic lights for cracking tough nuts. Scientists have observed crows placing nuts under cars until these are cracked. Crows steal food from other birds. They have been seen watching where birds hide their food.

What inference can you make about crows?

• A. Crows have been observed a lot by scientists.

• B. Crows are very intelligent.

• C. Crows are very tricky or deceitful.

• D. Crows have black feathers and like to eat nuts.

1 Water is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid. 2 A human can survive1 more than three weeks without food, but it can only survive for about a week without water. 3 At least 60% of the body is made of water, and every living cell needs it. 4 Water keeps all our joints very flexible2 . 5 It also helps us adjust our temperature through sweating. 6 Water is also necessary to get rid of waste.

What inference can you make about water?

• A. Water is needed for the body to work.

• B. Water is used in many households.

• C. Water is odorless.

• D. Water is needed to keep our joints supple.