Brothers - Comprehension Quiz

What has caused Philip's mother to worry at the beginning of the text?

• Philip has broken his arm.

• Joseph has stayed out past curfew.

• Joseph has fought with his mother.

• Joseph has run away.

What main problem does Joseph face in this story?

• Joseph does not want to play baseball.

• Joseph disappoints his father.

• Joseph hates living at home.

• Joseph breaks his arm.

Joseph thinks his family's town is holding him back from achieving his dreams and goals. What evidence from the text best supports this conclusion?

• 'I'm an old soul,' he would sing to their mother whenever she asked him to clean the dishes or put away his laundry. 'I can't be tethered.'

• 'Philip had smiled, agreeing. He wasn't sure what Joseph meant by 'two-star' but he knew that Joseph wanted life to move fast and hard.'

• 'Joseph...had nudged him, then squeezed his shoulder. 'Don't sweat it, kid,' he had said. 'There's always something better out there.'

• 'Someday, I'm gonna wipe the stain of this town from my boots, and really make it. You know, see the world, get famous, make money.'

Based on the information in the text, how does Philip feel about his brother Joseph?

• Philip cares for Joseph and looks up to him.

• Philip is annoyed by Joseph's behavior.

• Philip is disappointed in Joseph.

• Philip thinks that Joseph is a troublemaker.

What is the main idea of the text?

• Philip wants to join the swim team but is forced to play baseball.

• Philip's 'troublemaker' brother Joseph has run away.

• Philip catches a fly ball during a baseball game.

• Philip's father is disappointed that he is not good at baseball.

The author of the text first writes that Joseph has run away. Then the author goes back in time to the previous summer and writes about the day Philip broke his arm, and the conversation the two brothers had. Then the author returns to the day Joseph has run away from home. Why might the author have included the part of the story about the day Philip broke his arm and the conversation the two brothers had?

• to show the reader that Philip does not want to disappoint his brother Joseph

• to show the reader how Philip may feel about Joseph running away

• to explain why Joseph's mother thought he was a troublemaker

• to make the plot more confusing by jumping between time periods

Choose the answer that best completes the sentence. Philip asks his brother if he will say goodbye before he leaves town; Joseph simply laughs and does not answer the question.

• for instance

• however

• therefore

• especially

When Joseph tells Philip he plans to leave town someday, what does Philip ask?

• Philip asks Joseph if he can have his room.

• Philip asks Joseph if he can have his car.

• Philip asks Joseph if he will say goodbye before he goes.

• Philip asks Joseph if he can go with him.

How does Joseph help his brother Philip? Give at least one example from the text to support your answer.

• Joseph helps Philip with his baseball skills.

• Joseph takes Philip out for ice cream after he breaks his arm.

• Joseph teaches Philip how to run away from home.

• Joseph encourages Philip to join the swim team.

Is Joseph a good older brother to Philip? Support your argument with evidence from the text.

• Yes, Joseph is a good brother because he always listens to his parents.

• No, Joseph is not a good brother because he wants to leave town without saying goodbye.

• No, Joseph is not a good brother because he is a troublemaker.

• Yes, Joseph is a good brother because he takes care of Philip when he is hurt.