We Beat the Street

1. Which of these inferences about George is best supported by the text?

• A. George wants to go to a school that isn't in the "inner city."

• B. George has learned a lot about life and culture in Miss Johnson's class.

• C. George wishes he could be more like his older brother, Garland.

• D. George and his older brother, Garland, attend different schools.

2. What information mainly does this passage convey (paragraph 22)?

• A. Miss Johnson tries to make learning different subjects as interesting as possible.

• B. Miss Johnson's students enjoy going on field trips.

• C. Miss Johnson wants to get through teaching her class about Shakespeare as quickly as possible.

• D. Shakespeare can be taught to classes in many different ways.

3. Which passage from the text best explains why George likes Miss Johnson's class?

• A. "Garland, he noticed, headed off in the other direction, once again skipping classes for the day."

• B. "Miss Johnson made every day an adventure, and George hated to miss school, even on days when he was sick."

• C. "When her students formed the Shakespeare Club, Miss Johnson even helped them get sweaters."

• D. "For the first time, George could see a glimpse of light, a spark of hope and possibility."

4. The following passage (paragraphs 27-29) add to the development of the excerpt mainly by

• A. suggesting that children cannot behave themselves at a concert

• B. proving that old people don't know what they are talking about

• C. showing that certain people think that kids from the inner city are trouble

• D. showing why that Louise Spencer Elementary is the best school in the city

5. With which of the following statements would Miss Johnson most likely agree?

• A. Getting bad grades in school is a sign of laziness.

• B. William Shakespeare could not have written all of his thirty-seven plays without some help.

• C. Doing well in school can provide a path to a better future.

• D. Schools should remain in session all year long.

6. Which quote from Miss Johnson best supports the correct answer to Question 5?

• A. '"Today,' she began, 'we're going to continue talking about the writer named Shakespeare. How long ago did he live?'

  she asked the class."

• B. '"These are students from Louise Spencer Elementary, a public school in the Central Ward."'

• C. "'There will always be people like that, you know,' Miss Johnson explained.

• D. "'Just do your best, keep your nose out of trouble, and one day the doors will open for you."'

7. Which of the following selections best explains the purpose of Miss Johnson's talk with George?

• A. She wants George to think about his future.

• B. She wants George not to trust any strangers.

• C. She wants George to have more friends at school.

• D. She wants George to stand up for himself.

8. Which passage from the text best supports the correct answer to Question 7?

• A. "Every day went quickly in Miss Johnson's class, but she often stayed after school with them to make cookies or build

  projects."

• B. '"Yeah, I know.' George didn't want to admit how much the woman's words had hurt. He changed the subject. 'That was

  a good concert, Miss Johnson. I think it's really cool that you take us to stuff like this."'

• C. "'That's the dumbestthing I ever heard!' Miss Johnson said loudly.

• D. "'It takes four years to complete the first part of college,' she explained. 'At the end of that time, you'll be four years

  older whether you go to college or not, so you might as well go and get as much knowledge in your head as you can."'

9. Arrange the events in the excerpt in the order they occur.

• George talks to his brother Garland.

• George learns about life during Shakespeare’s time.

• An old woman in a mink coat criticizes Louise Spencer Elementary.

• Miss Johnson tells George he should go to college.

10. Match the following dialogue to the person who says it.

• Ritchie

• "Sounds like yo' daddy!"

• Garland

• "It's hard to fit in with your boys if your grades are

  too good."

• Miss Johnson

• Hey, now, look at that one— two bounces and a

  smash!"

• George

• "That's the dumbest thing I ever heard!"