Analyzing Literary Text #4

Caribou, like deer or elk, are sure-footed, hooved animals.  Their hooves serve them well for their yearly extended migration.  However, they also serve another purpose.  Caribou commonly use their hooves like spades to find tasty plants beneath the snow.  Within their cold northern climate, this skill is essential.

 

Why does the author say their hooves are like spades?

• Caribou live in northern areas where spade are essential tools.

• Caribou do not migrate until they have a clear pathway to travel.

• Caribou use them to scoop off snow that has covered their food source.

Olivia stood among the cluster of students watching her older sister, Megan, on the hockey field.  Olivia was always impressed with how Megan seemed to dominate on the field.  Olivia grimaced as she recalled how she herself had once considered donning a hockey uniform.  Olivia had plenty of enthusiasm for field hockey, but she had no desire to exist in Megan’s shadow.  Olivia had to find her own place to shine.

 

How do Olivia’s reflections on her sister affect this story?

• They reveal Olivia’s desire to be her own person.

• They explain Olivia’s reluctance to cheer for her sister.

• They anticipate Olivia’s eventual success at hockey.

Andy and his mom found a tree with lots of apples.  Andy’s mom climbed a ladder to pick the apples at the top.  Andy picked the lower apples.  They put the apples in a basket to take home.

Which is the main idea?

• Andy could reach the lower apples

• Andy and his mom picked apples.

• The apples were put in a basket.

The realization struck Shantell at precisely the instant she detected the approaching school bus.  She had completely forgotten it was school pride day, when sophomores were supposed to wear green apparel.  She looked down at the beautiful white blouse she was wearing and blushed.  Shantell knew she would feel like a circus clown at a formal wedding when she walked into school.  Then she spied her mother striding briskly toward her, carrying her green school sweater!

What is the meaning of the analogy in the passage?

• Shantell would have fun with all of the activities planned for school pride day.

• Shantell would noticeably stand out from other students when she entered school.

• Shantell’s friends at school would do anything to help her when she got to school.

Maureen wandered through the museum’s Village from the Past.  Actors in costume performed tasks in the museum as they were done in the 1800s.  Maureen was a bit bored until she heard some interesting noises coming from the blacksmith’s shop.  Inside, a man in an apron and gloves held a piece of iron inside a forge.  When he pulled the iron from the flames, it was bright red.  Maureen watched, fascinated, as he pounded the glowing metal on an anvil.

 

How does the blacksmith shop affect Maureen?

• It changes her attitude from one of boredom to one of fascination.

• It helps her realize she’s never really known what a blacksmith does.

• It causes her to stop wandering around aimlessly and pay attention.

The following is an old nursery rhyme:

 

Oh I can play on a big bass drum,

And this is the way I do it.

Boom, Boom, Boom goes the big bass drum,

Boom, Boom, Boom goes the big bass drum,

And this is the way I do it.

 

What helps the reader to know what the drum sounds like?

• The words big bass drum

• The words Boom, Boom, Boom

• The words this is the way

The weather had been gloomy for weeks, and Garret noticed his classmates seemed gloomy too.  He decided to do something.  Every morning, he smiled at everyone at school.  He kept doing it, even if people didn’t smile back.  The weather got worse, but Garret began seeing smiles on his schoolmates’ faces.

What lesson does the story teach?

• To spread happiness

• To prepare for bad weather

• To be calm in times of trouble

How much wood could a woodchuck chuck,

If a woodchuck could chuck wood?

As much wood as a woodchuck could chuck,

If a woodchuck could chuck wood.

      --From “The Woodchuck Song” by Robert Hobart Davis

What is true about the author’s choice of words in this song?

• They show that the author knew a lot about animals and nature.

• They were chosen because the word sounds make a fun pattern.

• They help make it easier for readers to understand woodchucks.

Long ago, there lived a young man known as Runner.  Whenever the villagers needed something in another town, they sent Runner to get it.  One day, the village elder sent Runner out in search of a great treasure thought to be on the other side of the world.  Runner ran to the other side of the world in five days but couldn’t find the treasure.  He returned to his village empty-handed.

What is unrealistic about the story?

• No job is so difficult that it cannot be completed.

• No person runs fast enough to go that far in five days.

• No treasure is so far that it cannot be found in five days.

As I tie my running shoes, Dad says, “Dante, you need to relax.”  My excitement level is so high, it’s unlikely that will happen.  My greatest challenge in this race will be running against my cousin, Troy.  He will also be my greatest comfort.  He always runs with grace and confidence.  Troy says he feels a powerful rush of energy when he starts running.  I’m hoping Troy inspires me to do my best.

Who is telling the story?

• A runner named Dante

• Dante’s cousin, Troy

• A person not in the story