6th Curiosities of Medicine

1.Based on the information in paragraph 1, what inference can be drawn about Helen's parents?

• A.

  They were not wealthy enough to make sure she received an education.  

• B.

  They grew impatient with her reactions to specific types of foods.  

• C.

  They were hesitant to decide on the best way to educate Helen.  

• D.

  They compared her unfairly to other children of a similar age. 

For each claim, indicate whether the author does or does not support the claim with evidence.

Because of her acute power of comprehension, Helen’s mind and senses of taste and smell were more finely developed than most children’s.

• Does support the claim

• Does NOT support the claim

For each claim, indicate whether the author does or does not support the claim with evidence.

"she forms judgments of character by this sight.”

• Does support the claim

• Does NOT support the claim

For each claim, indicate whether the author does or does not support the claim with evidence.

Miss Keller grasped the idea at once

• Does support the claim

• Does NOT support the claim

Which quotation best supports the idea that Helen Keller's teachers understood that repetition was key to learning a skill completely?

• A.

  "Miss Sullivan was familiar with various methods of teaching the blind, but she knew nothing about instructing deaf students."  (paragraph 3)

• B.

  ". . . she produced the sound so accurately that it sounded like an echo." (paragraph 4)

• C.

  "'. . . For the next three or four days, eleven similar lessons were taught, until Miss Keller had acquired all of the elements of speech.'"  (paragraph 5)

• D.

  "Six years later, she could converse quite fluently with people by placing a couple of fingers on the speaker's lips." (paragraph 5)

How does the author introduce the idea of Helen’s understanding of people and objects in her surroundings?

• A.

  by describing the length of her early childhood illness

• B.

  by contrasting her ability to smell food with her ability to taste food

• C.

  by explaining her determination to be taught to speak 

• D.

  by giving specific details about actions which reflected her abilities

Helen Keller received an education from teachers who _____.

• argued with Helen's mother about what Helen should learn

• worked with Helen to choose food because of its smell

• lived with Helen's family to help her recognize different places

• concentrated on helping Helen to learn through touching

These abilities became so acute for her that, by placing her hand upon a piano’s frame, she could make fine distinctions between notes not more than half a tone apart.

What does the word acute mean as it is used in the sentence?

• delightful      

• develope

• exciting

• natural

Which phrase from paragraph 6 helps to clarify the meaning of acute?

• ". . . successfully taught Miss Keller to sing."

• ". . . able to follow notes. . . ."

• ". . . placing her hand upon a piano's frame. . . ."

• ". . . could make fine distinctions between notes. . . . "

By placing her hands on a visitor’s face, she could detect shades of emotion that the normal eye could not distinguish.

How does this sentence contribute to the development of ideas in the passage? 

• A.

  It shows the confidence Helen placed in receiving quality instruction.

• B.

  It reveals why Helen’s teachers hoped to teach her to appreciate music.

• C.

  It indicates Helen's frustration with traditional teaching methods.

• D.

  It suggests Helen's readiness to learn more communication skills