Houdini - Milestones Test Prep

What is the structure of the text?

• sequential 

• description  

• cause and effect

• compare and contrast

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CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Reorder the following sentences to create a summary paragraph.

• In the end, despite the accusations of deception, Houdini remained popular with the American public and used his talent, strength, and resourcefulness, without any trickery.

• He began his career as a circus entertainer performing trapeze acts.

• Houdini had a great talent for picking locks, and that led to other feats—escapes from trunks, straightjackets, and even coffins.

• Harry Houdini was born Erik Weisz in Budapest, Hungary, and immigrated to the United States.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Which paragraph best states the central idea of the text?

• Paragraph 1

• Paragraph 2

• Paragraph 5

• Paragraph 3

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CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Read the sentences from “Houdini.” They accused him of deceit, stating that he cheated with trap doors or only appeared to be nailed in a box or locked in chains. 

Which word does NOT define the word “deceit”?

• to defraud

• to cheat  

• to lie 

• to be honest

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CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Read the sentences from “Houdini.” He had a smattering of success in vaudeville, but eventually found his way into escape performances. It seemed that he had a great talent for picking locks, and that led to other feats—escapes from trunks, straightjackets, and even coffins. 

What does the word “smattering” mean?

• to have all of something 

• to have nothing

• a large amount of something

• a small amount of something.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Read the sentences from “Houdini.” He had a smattering of success in vaudeville, but eventually found his way into escape performances. It seemed that he had a great talent for picking locks, and that led to other feats—escapes from trunks, straightjackets, and even coffins. 

What does the word “feats” mean?

• an achievement that requires great courage, skill, or strength

• an act that requires minimal skill

• an act of bravery

• to be defeated or fail

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which detail from the passage indicates that Houdini is not a trickster?

• The phrase “They do it with mirrors” was applied to Houdini many times.

• They stated that he cheated with trap doors or only appeared to be nailed in a box or locked in chains.

• The unglamorous truth was that Houdini was a superb physical being with some enormous talents.

• No matter what people believed about him, he always escaped in the most straightforward way.

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CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Read the sentence from Houdini.  However, the unglamorous truth was that Houdini was a superb physical being with some enormous talents.

In what way is the truth “unglamorous?”

• Houdini always escaped in the most straightforward way despite what people believed.

• Houdini was a trickster and flawed.

• People thought Houdini escaped with mirrors.

• Houdini would free himself, and he did it without mirrors or any other kind of magic.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Why did Houdini remain popular with the American public?

• He was an amazing circus entertainer performing trapeze acts.

• He made a 10,000 pound elephant disappear.

• He was a superb physical being.

• He kept dreaming up more dangerous stunts.

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CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which sentences from the story BEST supports: He kept dreaming up more dangerous stunts.

• He later became a circus entertainer performing trapeze acts. However, when the circus traveled to New York City, he knew it to be the right place for a performer.

•  As a spotlight beamed down upon them, the man raised his arm high in the air, a popping sound was heard, and in a flash, Jennie, the 10,000-pound elephant, suddenly disappeared. 

•  However, the unglamorous truth was that Houdini was a superb physical being with some enormous talents. For instance, he could hold his breath for an extraordinary amount of time.

• He continued to dream up more and more dangerous stunts, and people flocked to see them. No matter what people believed about him, he always escaped in the most straightforward way.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2