The Robot Debate

Read the sentences from the passage. Stanley had not comprehended that firewood needed to be dry in order to burn. Max’s stomach rumbled as he helped Dawn hunt for some dry branches to use for the fire. How do the sentences mainly contribute to the development of the plot?

• A. They show that Max is starting to wish he had not come along on the trip.

• B. They hint that Max will soon begin to understand his dad’s point of view.

• C. They signal that Max and Dawn’s treatment of Stanley has not been fair.

• D. They prove that Max knows more about camping than he realizes.

Read the sentences from the passage. Max burrowed deep into his sleeping bag, thankful for its warmth as he drifted to sleep. Later, the rain pounded down in leaden sheets. Before long, its icy, wet fingers seeped into his sleeping bag, waking him suddenly. Which statement best describes how the words in the sentences impact the tone of the passage?

• A. The words shift the tone from content to uncomfortable.

• B. The words shift the tone from curious to bored.

• C. The words shift the tone from humorous to serious.

• D. The words shift the tone from cheerful to angry.

This item has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B. Part A Which sentence states a major theme of the passage?

• A. Machines can do work faster and better than humans can.

• B. Humans should use machines to help them plan for the future.

• C. Machines help humans learn how to do complicated tasks.

• D. Humans should be careful not to rely too much on machines.

Part B: Which sentence from the passage best supports the answer in part A?

• A. When a family member touched the screen, it recognized the person’s fingerprint and displayed that person’s daily schedule.

• B. When Max, Dawn, and Uncle Stephen returned from their excursion, the tents stood beneath a shady oak.

• C. They had programmed Stanley to unpack Max’s belongings in one of the tents, but instead, he had emptied everything out onto the floor of the van.

• D. Uncle Stephen clicked on their electric lantern and surveyed the situation.

Which two sentences from the passage best support the idea that Max likes the prospect of having a robot?

• A. “They can do boring chores, like cleaning the bathroom.”

• B. He was too busy staring at the object packed into the seat next to her: a Worker Robot.

• C. “You can tell him to collect firewood and to unpack our duffel bags too.”

• D. Max and Dawn fetched some logs from Stanley’s sizable stack of firewood to help Uncle Stephen.

• E. Clearly, Max would need to develop some skills of his own.

Choose three sentences from the passage "Water That You Can...Eat" that introduce the idea that the design team is experienced in developing new types of products.

• A. For the last several years, three designers from Imperial College in London, England, have been working to address the problem of plastic water bottles.

• B. This team has a history of creative success.

• C. They have used sealed bags full of empty plastic bottles to help build bridges, arches, and other structures.

• D. They have even invented a robotic suitcase called Hop that can follow its owner around.

• To achieve that goal, these designers have developed a unique product they call Ooho.

How is the idea that some features of Ooho still need to be improved elaborated on in the passage "Water That You Can...Eat"?

• A. by comparing Ooho water bubbles to traditional water bottles

• B. by including examples of what Skipping Rocks Lab has been working on after the money for Ooho was raised

• C. by providing information about the process for making an Ooho water bubble

• D. by pointing out how people reacted when Skipping Rocks Lab first introduced Ooho