Stitches in Time by Philip Gulley

How does the arrival of electricity propel the main events of the plot?

• The arrival of electricity brings electrical poles to Grimes Lake Road. 

• The arrival of electricity makes it cheaper for Ruby to clothe her growing family.

• The arrival of electricity forces Ruby to update the technology she uses for sewing.

• The arrival of electricity causes Ruby to consider buying an electric sewing machine.

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 How do lines 11 through 18 help develop the plot of the passage?

• They illustrate Ruby’s passion for her hobby.

• They emphasize Ruby’s generosity toward children. 

• They prove the economic value of an electric sewing machine. 

• They demonstrate the benefits of an electric sewing machine.

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The author most likely includes the event described in lines 23 through 34 to show that

• metal sewing machines are still in use but no longer practical 

• the value of an object is not always related to its price 

• any object can be purchased for the right price 

• metal sewing machines can still be located

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 Read lines 31 through 33. 

I told him about Ruby—how she lives by herself and sews to keep busy, how she charges only six dollars to make a dress because the people she sews for don’t have a lot of money, how a lot of times she doesn’t charge a dime, how sewing is her ministry.

 The word “ministry” is connected to

• Ruby’s purpose in life 

• what people expect of Ruby 

• why Ruby chooses to treat her customers fairly 

• Ruby’s desire to share the profits from her sewing

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Which statement best shows how the author reveals the narrator’s opinion of Ruby?

• by telling about the purchase of the first sewing machine in lines 8 through 10 

• by including the explanation given to the man in lines 31 through 33

• by quoting Ruby’s words when she sees the replacement machine in line 39 

• by describing Ruby’s reaction to the sewing machine in line 41

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Which detail shows the main reward Ruby receives for her efforts?

• “Her family would fall asleep under Ruby-made quilts, lulled to sleep by the Singer hum.” (lines 15 and 16)

• “The Singer stitched maternity clothes, baby dresses, baptismal gowns and quilts for the cribs.” (lines 17 and 18)

• “When Ruby heard the hum, she clapped her hands.” (line 41)

• “Rachael called to say ‘Thank you’ and ‘I love you’ and ‘When can I see you again?’ ” (lines 48 and 49)

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 Read this sentence from lines 54 and 55.

 I’m grateful, too, for a woman who sews way into the night, who dispenses love one stitch at a time. 

The phrase “dispenses love one stitch at a time” mainly suggests that Ruby

• is obsessed with her interest in sewing

• approaches her sewing in a tender and patient way 

• shows her kindness for others through her sewing

• divides her attention between sewing and her family

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