"Ball Hawk" Review

The word cryptic comes from the Greek word kryptos, meaning “hidden.” Based on this information, what does cryptic mean as it is used in paragraph 2?

• Unclear

• Secret

• Buried

• Forbidden

Tags

CCSS.L.7.4A

CCSS.L.7.4B

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

How does the first-person point of view affect readers’ understanding of Mitchell’s mother?

• It reveals how different people view her.

• It limits readers to Mitchell’s perceptions of her.

• It gives readers direct access to her thoughts and feelings.

• It prevents Mitchell from revealing anything about her past.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.6

How does the setting of the baseball field contribute to Mitchell’s conflict in the story?

• It makes him feel insecure about his athletic abilities.

• It forces him to consider his role as the team’s center fielder.

• It upsets him to be the reason his team loses almost every game.

• It flusters him to be on the field knowing his father cannot see him play.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.3

Based on paragraphs 19–20, what can the reader infer about Uncle Tommy?

• He likes baseball better than the other sports Mitchell plays.

• He came to the game because Mitchell asked him to.

• He is dedicated to supporting Mitchell like a parent.

• He is trying to learn more about Mitchell and his mom.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.1

Which sentence from the selection uses Mitchell’s point of view to reveal how his mother is feeling?

• My mother had gotten it into her head that being an Indian I should of course not just play baseball but excel at it. (paragraph 6)

• But try to explain to an eager German immigrant mother about stereotyping and American Indians being used as mascots. (paragraph 7)

• My mom was smiling and nodding at me, even though she had both fists clenched around her soda can so hard that it looked like an hourglass. (paragraph 14)

• It might have been my mom who encouraged Uncle Tommy to stay around and wait for me. (paragraph 20)

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.6

What conflict does Mitchell struggle with through most of the story?

• The lack of connection to his late father

• The need to have others admire him

• The interference of his mother

• The need to be the best player

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.W.7.9A

In which two ways does the hawk contribute to the plot?

• It teaches a lesson Mitchell can apply to baseball.

• It represents the memories of Mitchell’s home run.

• It catches Mitchell’s ball during the baseball game.

• It interferes with Mitchell’s training plans.

• It shows how Mitchell learns about his roots.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.W.7.9A

What does Mitchell realize that leads to the story’s resolution?

• Baseball is important to him because it helps him make friends.

• Baseball is important to him because it connects him to his father.

• He wants to become a better baseball player to represent his culture.

• He wants to become a better baseball player to make his mom happy.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.W.7.9A

Which sentence from the selection is an example of foreshadowing?

• Instead of the usual heavy feeling of hopeless despair, I was feeling sick to my stomach.

• Robbie almost cracked my ribs when he came running out from shortstop to hug me.

• 
  Whenever I threw up in the locker room before I went out on the mat to wrestle, I usually ended up doing good.

• I swear I could even see that there was smudge of green from the turf on the ball's lacing as it rotated toward me.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.W.7.9A

Which of the following sentences is written in first person?

• He was the best baseball player ever

• My mom wanted me to play baseball.

• His Uncle Tommy rescued hawks

• "Don't see anything except that ball getting bigger."