Reading Section Quiz

Read the dictionary entry. 

draft \drȧft\ n

1 the act of pulling or hauling 2 a design, plan, or version from which a final work is produced 3 a picking of persons for required military service 4 a flow of cold air 

Which definition best matches the use of the word draft in paragraph 2?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

How do the descriptions in paragraphs 2–10 create suspense in the story as a whole?

• They emphasize the beauty of Mr. Hamel’s formal clothing.

• They foreshadow that the narrator will be kicked out of school.

• They illustrate that the narrator is confused about what is happening.

• They demonstrate that the teacher is a person to be feared by the students.

Read paragraph 13.

“What a thunderclap these words were to me!”

The word “thunderclap” to describe Mr. Hamel’s words shows that they are —

• puzzling and strange

• false and deceitful 

• loud and obnoxious

• shocking and surprising

How is the narrator’s perspective similar to those of the old men sitting in the back of the room?

• They’re all eager to learn German from Mr. Hamel.

• They’re all sorry that they did not go to school more.

• They’re all frightened by the Prussian soldiers drilling.

• They’re all nervous about being called upon by Mr. Hamel.

Read paragraph 18. Which details provide clues to the meaning of reproach as used in the paragraph?

Select TWO correct answers.

• “scold”

• “Every day we have said to ourselves”

• “have the right to say”

• “you are not the worst”

• “a great deal”

Review paragraphs 16–20.

Which paragraph most strongly contributes to the sense of suspense in the story?

• 17

• 18

• 19

• 20

Which excerpts explain Mr. Hamel’s point of view toward the Alsace-Lorraine region and France?

Select TWO correct answers.

• “Not till then, when I had got a little over my fright, did I see that our teacher had on his beautiful green coat, his frilled shirt, and the little black silk cap, all embroidered, that he never wore except on inspection and prize days.” (paragraph 10)

•  “The order has come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine.” (paragraph 12)

• “Every day we have said to ourselves: ‘Bah! I’ve plenty of time. I’ll learn it tomorrow.’” (paragraph 18)

• “That day Mr. Hamel had new copies for us, written in a beautiful round hand: France, Alsace, France, Alsace. They looked like little flags floating everywhere in the schoolroom, hung from the rod at the top of our desks.” (paragraph 21)

• “‘Vive La France!’” (paragraph 26)

Which statements from paragraphs 22-24 create emotional tension at the end of the story?

• “After writing, we had a lesson in history, and then the babies chanted their ba, be, bi, bo, bu."

• “Down there at the back of the room old Hauser had put on his spectacles and, holding his primer in both hands, spelled the letters with them.”

• “You could see that he, too, was crying; his voice trembled with emotion, and it was so funny to hear him that we all wanted to laugh and cry.”

• “Mr. Hamel stood up, very pale, in his chair.”

Read the question carefully. Then enter your answer in the box provided.

Review paragraph 7. Then analyze the use of the word still in the paragraph, including its meaning as used in the paragraph and how it contributes to the suspense of the story.