Abuela Invents the Zero

Which of the following passages most strongly shows Abuela’s lack of familiarity with New Jersey?

• “Right up to the time when we’re supposed to pick up the old lady at the airport, my mother is telling me stories about how hard times were for la familia on la isla, and how la abuela worked night and day to support them after their father died of a heart attack.”

• “It is January, two feet of snow on the ground, and she’s wearing a shawl over a thick black dress.”

• “It’s like she had a spot picked out for some unknown reason, and although it’s the most inconvenient seat in the house, that’s where she has to sit.”

• “She is praying loud, in Spanish, and singing hymns at the top of her creaky voice.”

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What does the following passage most strongly show about the father’s perspective of his daughter?

• The father believes the daughter needs to learn to drive more safely.

• The father believes the daughter should be punished for being disagreeable.

• The father believes the daughter needs gentle encouragement to do the right thing.

• The father believes the daughter should learn to make decisions more quickly.

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Which is most strongly a similarity between the narrator and Abuela?

• Both the narrator and Abuela wear clothes that make them appear small in stature.

• Both the narrator and Abuela enjoy telling jokes to the family to make them laugh.

• Both the narrator and Abuela cover their faces with their hands when embarrassed.

• Both the narrator and Abuela walk with small steps to get to the church on Sunday.

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Which passage best identifies the reason the narrator feels guilt at the conclusion of the story?

• “Once home, she refuses to let my mother buy her a coat because it’s a waste of money for the two weeks she’ll be in el Polo Norte, as she calls New Jersey, the North Pole.”

• “I do have a responsibility to Sandra and Anita, who don’t drive yet.”

• “When we get to the apartment, my parents are at the kitchen table, where my mother is trying to eat some soup.”

• "Your grandmother says to tell you that of all the hurtful things you can do to a person, the worst is to make them feel as if they are worth nothing.”

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Which inference about the narrator’s feelings toward Abuela is best supported by the text?

• She is hoping to show Abuela around the city.

• She is excited to introduce Abuela to friends.

• She is uncertain how to keep Abuela safe.

• She is ashamed to be seen with Abuela.

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Which sentence from the short story most strongly supports the answer to the previous question?

• “I try to walk far behind them in public so that no one will think we’re together.”

• “There is a Harley-Davidson fashion show at Brookline Square that we cannot miss.”

• “I warm it up for Abuela as instructed by my parents, and drive it to the front of our building.”

• “She doesn’t speak to me on the way home, and she doesn’t let me help her walk, even though she almost falls a couple time.”

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Which of the following best describes how the narrator’s mother feels at the conclusion of the story?

• The mother is upset by the way her daughter has treated Abuela.

• The mother is hopeful that her daughter will get to know Abuela better.

• The mother is confused by the story her daughter tells her about Abuela.

• The mother is grateful to show her daughter photographs of Abuela as a child.

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Which sentence from the story most strongly supports the answer to the previous question?

• “Then she goes to her room.”

• “But it sounds lame, even to my own ears.”

• “She comes out with tears in her eyes.”

• “So I just sit there not saying anything.”

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