Checkpoint Challenge #3 Review

Read the following excerpt from "Tansen's Gift":

Once, long ago, lived a great emperor called Akbar. His kingdom spanned all of northern India, and he lived in a red sandstone palace along a craggy ridge, which came to be called Fatehpur Sikri. Not far from the palace lived a small boy named Tansen. As a child, Tansen would venture into the mangrove forests with his friends, and much to their delight, he would expertly imitate the sounds of the birds in the treetops.

As Tansen grew older, his father brought many tutors to the house, hoping his son might learn to read and write. But Tansen was not interested. He wanted only to sing, and his voice was so tender to all who heard it that they stopped what they were doing to listen to its passion.

What is the author's purpose of starting the passage off this way?

• to give a general description of Tansen and his gift of singing

• to give a general description of the setting

• to introduce the beginning of the passage

• to establish the story in a major way

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

Read the following excerpt from "Tansen's Gift":

One day, while hunting in a nearby forest, Emperor Akbar spotted a Bengal tiger, whose reddish-orange fur stood out against the tall, green blades of grass. Its narrow black stripes were as dark and angry as its eyes. The enraged, ferocious tiger tried to escape its attackers. Its strong, powerful jaw opened to display its large, sharp teeth.

The emperor’s men tried in despair to capture it but were intimidated by its sharp talons that ripped repeatedly through the empty air. The men were about to fling a net over this beautiful, wild creature when they stopped and cocked their heads to hear a faint, enchanting sound in the distance.

Even the tiger seemed soothed by the melody and soon calmed. He lay down upon the tall grass, as if in a trance. The emperor gestured to his men to remain silent. He pointed to the lazy tiger. It had rolled to its side, showing its creamy white stomach. The tiger looked gentle, no longer threatening

What effect does the tiger's reaction to Tansen's singing having on the development of the text?

• it provides the Emperor an animal

• it helps Tansen gain confidence in his singing gift

• it demonstrates the power of Tansen's singing

• it demonstrates how nature overcomes humans

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.7.3

Read the following excerpt from "Tansen's Gift":

Tansen’s reputation spread. After a time, the other Jewels of the Crown grew jealous of the attention Tansen was receiving and plotted secretly for his downfall. To reclaim their influence, they agreed that Tansen’s reputation must be tarnished in front of the emperor.

What does the word "tarnished" mean in the above passage?

• celebrated

• renewed

• improved

• ruined

Tags

CCSS.L.7.4A

CCSS.RL.7.4

Read the following excerpt from "Tansen's Gift":

One morning, they approached the emperor, voicing doubts about the beauty of Tansen’s music. They suggested that if he was indeed as good as they had heard, he should sing Deepak Raga for the court — if this song was sung to perfection, it was said that lamps would alight, and the singer’s body would be consumed by fire and turn to ash.

The emperor faced a dilemma: if he dismissed his other advisers’ proposals, they would spread rumors of his weakness; if he accepted their suggestion, it could forever destroy the beauty of Tansen’s gift. Nevertheless, Emperor Akbar approached Tansen and ordered that he sing Deepak Raga. Tansen protested, but the emperor held up his hand, silencing Tansen’s protests, and told him that he must accept the challenge.

What does the passage reveal about Emperor Akbar?

• It shows that Akbar values his reputation over Tansen.

• It shows that Akbar values Tansen over his reputation.

• It shows that Tansen is ready to take on a challenge.

• It shows that Tansen is arrogant about his singing talents.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

Which detail from the passage best supports the idea that Tansen is clever?

• "As Tansen grew older, his father brought many tutors to the house, hoping his son might learn to read and write."

• "His compelling voice drifted between the boughs of the trees like a gentle wind into the ears and hearts of its listeners."

• "At last, he saw how he could be saved. Perhaps someone could accompany him by singing Megh Raga, which would bring the rain…"

• "Tansen's glory spread faster than the fiery power of Deepak Raga. Accounts of Tansen swiftly spread down the valleys and across the hilltops to other kingdoms."

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.W.7.9A

Read the following excerpt from "Tansen's Gift":

Rupa grew nervous. Her voice was but a whisper. She looked worriedly at Tansen. His voice had grown red like the sandstone of the palace and dripped with sweat. It drenched his clothes and made a puddle around him. Rupa gathered her courage and began to sing Megh Raga. Her voice grew stronger as she sang, and it soared through the thick, warm air, over the rooftops to the sky above, which darkened. Heavy, gray clouds swelled. Then the rains came, their cool drops refreshing the audience, filling the fountains, and awakening the drooping flowers.

After reading the remainder of the passage, which of the following sentences BEST describes the main theme of the text?

• Music is a powerful gift and tool.

• Jealousy destroys close friendships.

• Music is how people show one another love.

• Animals can communicate with humans through song.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.2

Choose the BEST sentence to help the reader visualize the setting of the passage.

• "The enraged, ferocious tiger tried to escape its attackers. Its strong, powerful jaw opened to display its large, sharp teeth."

• "His kingdom spanned all of northern India, and he lived in a red sandstone palace along a craggy ridge, which came to be called Fatehpur Sikri."

• "As Tansen grew older, his father brought many tutors to the house, hoping his son might learn to read and write."

• "One day, while hunting in a nearby forest, Emperor Akbar spotted a Bengal tiger, whose reddish-orange fur stood out against the tall, green blades of grass."

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.W.7.3D

Which of the following sentences contains vivid details or sensory language?

• The parachute ride made me feel happy.

• Once I was on the parachute ride, I began to feel energetic.

• I felt happy as rode the parachute.

• Riding the parachute was like winning the lottery over and over again, and I felt tingly and energetic all over.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.5D

CCSS.W.7.3D

Which of the following BEST describes the effect created by the italicized, parenthetical stage directions within the lines of a play?

• They are showing what the characters are doing or thinking.

• They give details for set and costume design.

• They foreshadow what will happen next in the play.

• They constantly keep the action of the plot moving forward.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.3

Which of the following BEST describes the complete subject of the following sentence?

The brown, leather bag is an expensive Gucci satchel.

• expensive Gucci satchel

• satchel

• bag

• The brown, leather bag