West Virginia

What is the primary theme of the story?

• Sharing with others helps develop strong relationships.

• Focusing on work can produce great rewards.

• Role models often have faults.

• Greed can have harmful consequences.

Read these sentences from paragraph 4. "Don't be afraid," said the raven. "I'll pay you in gold for your star fruit, as I did your father." The raven's words in these sentences can best be described as —

• comforting

• mocking

• insincere

• joyful

The actions of the younger brother in paragraph 7 are significant because they show that —

• he is more interested in flying than in growing star fruit

• his relationship with the raven is beneficial only to him

• his attitude toward wealth protects him from harm

• he depends on the raven to show him the best way to help his brother

What is the main problem in the story?

• One brother is left an unusually small inheritance.

• One brother is never satisfied with what he has.

• One brother does not know how to spend money wisely.

• One brother shares his wealth with others who are in need.

Which of the following is the best summary of paragraphs 8 through 10?

• The younger brother invites the older brother to dinner several times. The older brother finally agrees and is surprised when he sees the younger one’s house. After being told the story of the raven, the older brother wants to trade his inheritance for what his brother has. The younger brother refuses.

• One day the older brother goes to the younger brother’s house for dinner and is surprised by what he sees. He likes his brother’s house so much that he offers to trade his inheritance for it. The younger brother does not want to trade, however, and refuses the other’s offer.

• The younger brother repeatedly pleads with the older brother to come over for dinner. When the older brother finally comes over, he asks the younger brother where he got all the fine things in his house. The younger brother then tells his brother about the raven.

• The younger brother repeatedly invites the older brother to dinner. The older brother finally comes over after refusing this request many times. The younger brother tells him about the raven that came to the star fruit tree. The older brother wants to own the tree so that he can meet the raven.

Read the dictionary entry for the word credit. Which definition best matches the way the word credited is used in paragraph 6?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

The map next to paragraph 2 helps the reader better understand the information in the selection because it —

• illustrates how wide Lake Maracaibo is

• provides the names of other countries in South America

• helps the reader understand the causes of the lightning in Venezuela

• shows the reader where the lightning occurs in Venezuela

By stating a main idea and supporting it with specific details in paragraphs 2 through 4, the author is able to —

• offer a vivid picture of what the Catatumbo Lightning looks like to observers

• give a thorough explanation of why the Catatumbo Lightning is unique

• add a sense of drama and suspense regarding the Catatumbo Lightning strikes

• provide scientific reasons for the colorful display during a Catatumbo Lightning storm

The main idea of paragraphs 8 and 9 is that —

• an increase in methane gas in the area may be responsible for the lightning

• there are some theories about what causes the lightning but no definite answer

• the lightning may be caused by warm air from a river and a lake meeting cool mountain air

• when lightning strikes stopped during a drought, scientists studied how weather affects the lightning

Which of these facts from the selection supports the idea that the local people embrace the Catatumbo Lightning?

• This natural phenomenon is called the Relámpago del Catatumbo, or the Catatumbo Lightning.

• The color of the lightning changes depending on the presence of dust, water, and various gases in the air.

• The lightning is mentioned in poetry and songs; the state of Zulia even has a lightning bolt on its flag.

• The mystery of what causes the lightning deepened when, beginning in January 2010, the lightning did not appear for a period of several months.