"Four Skinny Trees"

How does Esperanza feel about the trees? PACE METHOD SCR=Short Constructed Response

• Esperanza says: "When I am too sad and too skinny to keep keeping, when I am a tiny thing against so many bricks, then it is I look at trees" (Paragraph 4).

  This shows that when Esperanza feels down, she looks at the trees and they help her and encourage her.

  
  

• Esperanza feels that the trees encourage her to keep going. In the text, Esperanza says:

  "They are the only ones who understand me. I am the only one who understands them" (Paragraph 1). This shows that Esperanza sees herself in the trees.

  
  

• Esperanza thinks that the trees are hardworking and never give up: "Four who grew despite concrete. Four who reach and do not forget to reach. Four whose only reason is to be and be" (Paragraph 4). This shows that Esperanza thinks the trees are special because they keep growing even when it is difficult, and she learns from their strength.

Which is a lesson the reader can learn from "Four Skinny Trees?"

• A. It is important to be strong.

• B. Working hard leads to success.

• C. Trees are weak and easily broken.

• D. People should take care of nature.

What do the following lines show about Esperanza?

"They are the only ones who understand me. I am the only one who understands them." (Paragraph 1)

• A. She wishes she were a tree.

• B. She feels like she knows the trees.

• C. She is tall and skinny like the trees.

• D. She and the trees do not have any friends.

What is the meaning of "appreciate" as it is used in paragraph 1?

• A. to take care of

• B. to be grateful for

• C. to realize something

• D. to grow in importance

Which of the following best describes the meaning of "keep" as used by Esperanza in the sentence "Keep, keep, keep, trees say when I sleep"? (Paragraph 3)

• A. save something for later

• B. stop or hold back

• C. go on strongly

• D. take care of