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.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

 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.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

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

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

 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

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

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

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

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)

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

 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

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3