"Swimming for Her Life" Practice Quiz

Read the following sentence from paragraph 1. 

“As she powered through the water, the crowd cheered wildly.”

How would the meaning of the sentence change if the author used the word “paddled” instead of “powered?” 

• Yusra’s swimming would seem faster. 

• Yusra’s swimming would seem more slow and leisurely. 

• Yusra’s swimming would seem more impressive. 

• Yusra’s swimming would seem more professional. 

 Read this sentence from paragraph 1: “As she powered through the water, the crowd cheered wildly.” In which word does the suffix –ly have the same meaning as it does in wildly?

• holy

• eventually

• softly

• sisterly

What is most likely the author’s purpose for including the section called “A War Zone”?

• To provide background information about Yusra’s life and the Syrian War.

• To emphasize how hard life is for refugees.

• To encourage readers to never give up on their dreams.

• To show the impact of swimming on Yusra’s life. 

In paragraph 7, which phrase is an example of personification? 

• Home was destroyed

• Sisters’ dreams for the future died

• Neighborhood became a war zone

• Pool where they trained

Why did Yusra leave Damascus?

• She wanted to get a new job in Berlin. 

• Living there was very dangerous.

• The climate was extremely cold there. 

• She wasn’t getting enough attention for her swimming there.

Read paragraph 12: “Maybe I’m going to die on the way,” Yusra said, “but I’m almost dead in my country. I can’t do anything.”

The author includes this quote from Yusra to:

• Show that she has given up hope of reaching her dreams. 

• Illustrate how dangerous the situation in Syria was, and how Yusra had no choice but to leave. 

• Describe how important swimming was to Yusra. 

• Explain why Yusra and her sister decided to stay in Syria despite the horrible conditions. 

Which sentence from the section titled “Dangerous Journey” shows that the sisters were determined to save the other people on their boat? 

• The group hired armed smugglers to help them get to Greece.

• They swam for 3.5 hours, their muscles aching. Salt water stung their eyes, and waves battered their bodies. 

• Worst of all, most of the people on board didn’t know how to swim.

•  The boat was flimsy and built to carry 6 people, but the sisters crammed on with 18 others.

Which words in paragraph 14 convey how small and ill-equipped the boat was? 

• smugglers

• built

• crammed

• flimsy

• refugees

In paragraph 19, why did the author include the sentence, “Although the sisters had money, some businesses refused to sell them food.”

• To illustrate how refugees are often treated unfairly by people throughout the world.

• To explain how Yusra and Sarah were trying to get more money. 

• To describe how the sisters’ dreams died when they left Syria. 

• To show how wealthy Yusra and Sarah were, despite their difficult circumstances.  

Read paragraphs 20 and 21. What is the mood of these paragraphs? 

"Finally—after 1,000 miles and 25 days—the sisters arrived in Germany. Yusra and Sarah were sent to a refugee camp in Berlin. They got special permission from the government to be there. The sisters could finally go to school again.

Even more important, they could live their lives without being in constant danger from guns and bombs"

• relieved

• furious

• casual

• disappointed