Phillis's Big Test

Part A

In paragraph 19 of "Phillis's Big Test," what is the meaning of the phrase testifying to?​

• offering

• exhibiting

• confirming

• representing

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.5.4

Part B

Which sentence from the article helps the reader understand the meaning of the phrase testifying to as it is used in paragraph 19?​

• "She would make her own way to the public hall, where a group of men would decide once and for all: was she or was she not the author of her poems?" (paragraph 2)

• "She had spent recent evenings copying and recopying her poetry in her own neat handwriting." (paragraph 3)

• "She was not content to recite her verse in drawing rooms or read one of her poems from a newspaper." (paragraph 11)

• "She wanted her own book, because books would not just last a lifetime; they would be there for her children and her children's children." (paragraph 11)

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.5.4

Part A

According to the article "Phillis's Big Test," which statement explains Phillis Wheatley's relationship with her master and his family?

• They treated her as a servant.

• They supported her as a writer.

• They provided her with transportation.

• They named her after a ship.

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

Part B

Which sentence from the article provides support for the answer to Part A?​

• "ONE CRISP EARLY-AUTUMN morning in 1772, Phillis Wheatley was crossing the Boston cobblestones with a sheaf of papers held tightly under her arm." (paragraph 1)

• "She was just shedding her front teeth when John Wheatley bought her on the Boston docks as a servant for his wife, Susanna." (paragraph 5)

• "They christened their new slave Phillis, the name of the slave ship on which she arrived." (paragraph 5)

• "She started to turn away, but then Susanna Wheatley's words echoed in her head: Your talent will speak for itself." (paragraph 15)

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

Part A

Which statement best expresses the main ideas of the article?

• Phillis memorized her poetry by copying it, and she was fully prepared to pass her exam.

• Phillis was grateful to her new family, and she wrote poetry to describe her experiences with them.

• Phillis enjoyed writing poetry, and she was encouraged to publish her work.

• Phillis was motivated by literature to express herself, and she overcame challenges to become a poet.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.9

CCSS.RI.5.9

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

Part B

Which two details from the article support the answer to Part A?​

• "She knew every line, every syllable, by heart." (paragraph 3)

• "She survived only by the kindness of her masters, especially the Wheatleys' twins . . . ."(paragraph 6)

• "As she began to read poetry, glorious sonnets had inspired her to try her own hand at writing." (paragraph 7)

• "Over time she had come to appreciate her own time and place, her very own role in the chain of events . . . ." (paragraph 10)

• "But she must first pass this examination to make her dream come true." (paragraph 13)

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

Part A

What is the difference between Phillis's audience at the Wheatley's home and the men at the exam?

• The Wheatley audience reads her poetry before she recites it.

• The men at the exam require her to prove herself.

• The Wheatley audience includes highly educated people.

• The men at the exam are greater in number.

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.7

CCSS.RI.6.7

CCSS.RL.4.7

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.6.9