Excerpt from: Becoming Kareem

When a question says "Read the article.." you can expect to be reading a text that is ...

• A poem

• An article

• Non-fiction

• Fiction

Answer explanation

Non-fiction = NOT fake. Articles tell us about TRUE EVENTS.

What do the details in paragraphs 5 through 9 mainly reveal about Kareem? (R.3)

• He wishes to visit more museums.

• He prefers listening to Jazz music

• He enjoys playing competitive games.

• He desires to learn more about his heritage.

Answer explanation

Remember; FOCUS on the word "Mainly" - think about the text from paragraphs 5-9. Use process of elimination to cancel out at least two responses.

Which quotation BEST represents the idea that the opinion of classmates can have a major effect on teenagers? (R.9)

• “Size implies maturity. Yes, I was the size of an adult (actually, bigger than most!), but I was still just a kid.” (paragraph 1)

• “As a card-carrying Good Boy, I wanted to meet adults’ expectations and get their praise, but as a Regular Kid, I wanted to be like my peers and get their friendship. . . .” (paragraph 1)

• “Weekends, I hung out with my only close friend le in the projects, Norbert.” (paragraph 5)

• “And back and forth we’d go, trying to one-up the other in a cultural heritage version of rock, paper, scissors.” (paragraph 9)

Which statement BEST describes the importance of Norbert in Kareem's life? (R.6)

• "We would shut ourselves in my room to play chess and talk about our plans for the future." (paragraph 5)

• “. . . both of us had started to take an interest in finding out more about our ethnic origins.” (paragraph 6)

• “And back and forth we’d go, trying to one-up the other in a cultural heritage version of rock, paper, scissors.” (paragraph 9)

• “. . . I had a friend in whom I could confide any thought or feeling, knowing he would never make fun of me.” (paragraph 9)

In paragraph 10, what does Kareem mean when he says, “I didn’t have an aggressive nature”? (R.4)

• He believes he needs to change the way he plays basketball.

• He understands he may not be a strong player because of his age.

• He discovers the other players know more ways to score in basketball.

• He realizes he needs to practice more if he wants to improve as a player.

What does paragraph 14 show about the relationship between Kareem and Coach Donahue? (R.3)

• Kareem and Coach Donahue understand the importance of studying.

• Kareem is beginning to understand and appreciate Coach Donahue’s personality

• Kareem expected Coach Donahue’s decision to have him play varsity

• Kareem is worried that Coach Donahue is disappointed by his performance as a player

Which quotation BEST expresses a central idea in the article? (R.2)

• “The scary thing about being so tall when you’re so young is that people automatically treat you as if you’re older.” (paragraph 1)

• “My refuge from the explosive turmoil outside, and the implosive turmoil I had started to feel inside, was basketball.” (paragraph 4)

• “We even took the subway to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to find out more about Filipino and African cultures.” (paragraph 9)

• “I hurried away on a mission to tell anyone who would listen that I would be playing varsity that aernoon.” (paragraph 15)

How is Kareem and Norbert’s friendship developed in the article? (R.3)

• The authors describe the various interests that Kareem and Norbert have

• The authors use cause and effect to describe how Kareem and Norbert became friends

• The authors present a problem Kareem and Norbert encounter and describe how they solve it.

• The authors compare and contrast the friendship of Kareem and Norbert to the friendships of other students.

When a question says "Read the story.." you can expect to be reading a text that is ...

• Fiction

• a poem

• an essay

• Non-fiction

Answer explanation

On the ELA State test:

"Story" = fiction

Fiction = FAKE/Made up story

Describe the most difficult part of answering these questions today. Explain WHAT did you find difficult.