from "Ninth Ward"

Read this summary a student wrote about Ninth Ward.

"The narrator and her friend are stuck on the roof of their house. They are waiting for one to come rescue them from the rising floodwaters."

How should the summary be revised to correct an error?

• Change "her" to "she"

• Change "their" to his

• Change "They" to "Them"

• Change "one" to "someone"

Read this sentence from paragraph 5 of Ninth Ward.

"For a minute, I think he’s going to be his quiet old self, and pretend to disappear. Then, he says softly, 'Fortitude.'"

Which phrase helps the reader understand the meaning of the word fortitude?

• his quiet old self (paragraph 5)

• he says softly (paragraph 5)

• Strength to endure (paragraph 6)

• over and over again (paragraph 8)

What does "conflict" mean when talking about a story?

• a fight someone has

• the problem the characters are facing

• characters' drama

• where the story takes place

What does "setting" mean when talking about a story?

• where the story takes place

• the problem the characters are facing

• what happens in the story

• the people that are in the story

How is the setting of Ninth Ward connected to the main conflict?

• The narrator and TaShon are unprepared for how much they miss Mama Ya-Ya.

• The screams from people on their rooftops compel the narrator and TaShon to act.

• The people in the helicopters notice the narrator and TaShon but fail in the attempts to rescue them.

• The narrator and TaShon are stranded on a roof because the Mississippi River is flooding.

Part A

Which word best describes the mood in paragraph 20 of Ninth Ward?

• Tired

• Bleak (Hopeless)

• Bored

• Calm

Part B
Which excerpt from paragraph 20 of Ninth Ward best supports the answer to Part A?

• No one is coming. All day and all night, we waited.

• TaShon swatted at mosquitoes and his feet turned itchy red . . .

• Funny, I didn’t think black folks sunburned.

• Spot panted, slept.

Which sentence from the text suggests that Lanesha and TaShon want to be rescued?

• The horizon is like none I’ve seen before.

• I see a red car, a Ford, floating.

• I think when there’s light, someone will surely find us.

• “Yes, we did,” I say. “We made it out.”

In paragraph 2, the narrator says, “Noah hasn’t landed his ark” to —

• introduce another character in the story

• show that the story is set in the time of the Bible

• show that TaShon enjoys Bible stories

• show that the land has been covered by floodwater

Which idea is supported by information at the end of the text?

• Lanesha has faith that Spot will help them escape.

• Lanesha is determined to save them.

• Lanesha no longer enjoys telling Bible stories.

• Lanesha is very certain that they will be rescued.