The Orb

Which statement best expresses a theme of the story?

• It is dangerous to take risks.

• Keeping track of time is important.

• Always tell the truth to your family.

• Be true to yourself, no matter what.

Which detail from the text gives the reader the best clue that Margie's world is not like ours?

• "Her mother exhaled quietly, slipped her hand out of Margie's, and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze." (Paragraph 7)

• "First Minister Chao pressed her palm against a sensor on the Orb's surface." (Paragraph 8)

• "Margie shook her head and hoped nobody could hear her heart pounding." (Paragraph 11)

• "He'd made it in his workshop with his own hands, with both their names engraved on the underside." (Paragraph 11)

Reread this sentence from paragraph 13: "When her mother had stepped out to let her finish changing in private, the almost inaudible ticking proved too much of a temptation." In this sentence, "temptation" suggests that Margie is —

• excited to enter the Orb.

• going to take her father's watch.

• upset that her mother is so strict.

• determined to tell time correctly.

Which character trait describes both Margie and her father in the story?

• free-thinking

• thoughtful

• honest

• timid

In the story, the Watch determines peoples' destiny when they turn twelve.

• True

• False

Science fiction writers often write stories because they want us to think about our own world and what we value.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Which answer BEST explains how the setting affects Margie?

• The setting instills doubt about the Orb’s judgment.

• The setting introduces tension about what Margie’s future will be.

• The setting creates stress in Margie’s relationship with her mother.

• The setting causes sadness regarding Margie’s memories of her father.

Read the list of sentences from the story.

1. He'd made it in his workshop with his own hands, with both their names engraved on the underside. She hadn't taken it off since the day he'd died.

2. But the steady, almost imperceptible tick-tick-tick against her belly was the only thing making her brave enough to keep from running.

3. “Your mother was right. There's a lot of your father in you.”

4. “Your father was a good man. His innovations have helped shape the future. He'd have been proud of you, Margie Callahan.”

WHICH TWO SENTENCES TAKEN TOGETHER PROVIDE THE BEST EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE IDEA THAT MARGIE FINDS STRENGTH IN REMEMBERING HER FATHER?

• 1 AND 2

• 1 AND 3

• 2 AND 4

• 3 AND 4

Read the two selections from the story.

1. Her mother had checked her wrist to be sure she hadn't put it back on again, and been satisfied. 2. Her mother, for all her good work in the assembly room, never seemed truly happy. Which of the following inferences can the reader make, based on these selections?

• Margie’s mother is jealous of Margie’s relationship with her father.

• Margie’s mother wants Margie to work with her in the assembly room.

• Margie’s mother values following the rules, but it does not make her happy.

• Margie’s mother has always wanted a different job, but she is too afraid to ask for one.

Which answer BEST describes how Margie responds to the first minister’s command to keep her experience in the Orb a secret?

• Margie is afraid of the first minister, so she decides to follow the first minister’s command.

• Margie is strong, so she will make her own choice about whether to follow the first minister’s command.

• Margie is worried about protecting her mother, so she agrees to follow the first minister’s command.

• Margie is uncertain about her future, so she doesn’t know whether she can follow the first minister’s command.