Experts Incorporated

What is the essential question of the story?

• How do your actions affect others?

• What is the best way to write a creative essay?

• Why do cucumbers make the protagonist burp?

• How can you avoid getting an F in class?

Answer explanation

The essential question of the story is 'How do your actions affect others?'. This question is central to the narrative and is the key theme that the story explores. The other options, while potentially relevant in different contexts, do not directly address the core question of the story.

What did Rodney not do for the assignment?

• Finish his essay

• Hand in his paper

• Attend the pizza party

• Choose a profession

Answer explanation

The question asks about what Rodney did not do for the assignment. Among the given options, 'Finish his essay', 'Hand in his paper', 'Attend the pizza party', and 'Choose a profession', the correct answer is 'Finish his essay'. This implies that Rodney did not complete his essay for the assignment.

What did Rodney want to be when he grew up?

• A scientist

• A truck driver

• A name expert

• A star pitcher

Answer explanation

The question asks about Rodney's childhood aspiration. Among the given options, being a scientist, a truck driver, a star pitcher, and a name expert, the correct answer is that Rodney wanted to be a name expert. This indicates that Rodney had a unique interest in names and their meanings from a young age.

Why did Rodney want to be a name expert?

• To advise people on what to name their kids

• To become famous

• To make a lot of money

• To avoid getting teased

Answer explanation

The question asks why Rodney wanted to become a name expert. The correct answer is that Rodney wanted to advise people on what to name their kids. This implies that Rodney had a keen interest in names and their meanings, and he wanted to use this knowledge to help others make informed decisions about naming their children.

What did Rodney's friend Lucas want to be?

• A doctor

• A truck driver

• A name expert

• A baseball player

Answer explanation

The question asks about the career aspiration of Lucas, who is a friend of Rodney. Among the given options, the correct answer is that Lucas wanted to be a baseball player. This is highlighted in the correct choice, indicating Lucas's interest in sports, particularly baseball.

Why did Rodney think a name expert was needed?

• To help parents choose good names for their kids

• To prevent kids from getting teased

• To make money by advising people

• To become famous

Answer explanation

Rodney believed a name expert was necessary to prevent children from being teased. The question implies that Rodney was concerned about the potential negative impact of certain names on children. He thought that an expert could help avoid names that might lead to teasing, hence the correct answer is 'To prevent kids from getting teased'.

What did Rodney and Lucas think about hyphenated names?

• They thought they were cool

• They thought they were unnecessary

• They thought they were confusing

• They thought they were funny

Answer explanation

Rodney and Lucas thought that hyphenated names were confusing. This is evident from the correct choice, which states that they found such names to be perplexing. The other options, such as thinking they were cool, unnecessary, or funny, do not accurately represent their opinion on hyphenated names.

What did Rodney and Lucas think about the name 'Jessica Peppermints'?

• They thought it was a good name

• They thought it was a bad name

• They thought it was a funny name

• They thought it was a musical name

Answer explanation

Rodney and Lucas thought the name 'Jessica Peppermints' was a bad name. The other options, such as a good, funny, or musical name, do not accurately describe their opinion on the name. Their reaction was negative, making the correct choice the option stating they thought it was a bad name.

What did Rodney and Lucas think about the idea of being name experts?

• They thought it was a dumb idea

• They thought it was a brilliant idea

• They thought it was a boring idea

• They thought it was an impossible idea

Answer explanation

Rodney and Lucas thought the idea of being name experts was brilliant because they saw potential in it and believed it could be an interesting and rewarding endeavor. The other options, such as dumb, boring, or impossible, do not accurately describe their feelings towards the idea.

What did Rodney and Lucas think about the possibility of being partners?

• They thought it was a bad idea

• They thought it was a good idea

• They thought it was a silly idea

• They thought it was an unnecessary idea

Answer explanation

Rodney and Lucas considered the possibility of being partners and concluded that it was a good idea. This option aligns with their positive outlook on the partnership and demonstrates their belief in the potential benefits of working together.