Song of the Lark Benchmark Questions

Which quotation from the excerpt shows that Thea's room serves as a place for reflection?

• It was the end room of the wing, and was not plastered, but was snugly lined with soft pine. (paragraph 2)

• She was not allowed to take a lamp upstairs, so Ray Kennedy gave her a railroad lantern by which she could read at night. (paragraph 2)

• It was one of the most important things that ever happened to her. (paragraph 5)

• In the end of the wing, separated from the other upstairs sleeping-rooms by a long, cold, unfinished lumber room, her mind worked better. (paragraph 5)

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

Read this quotation from paragraph 3.

In winter this loft room of Thea's was bitterly cold, but against her mother's advice--and Tillie's--she always left her window open a little way.

The author includes the detail about leaving the window open most likely to develop the idea that Thea -

• is dedicated to becoming a successful vocalist

• has a stubborn streak that resists authority

• thinks that her family is often overprotective

• manages to find a way to partly satisfy everyone

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

Read this quotation from paragraph 3.

The boys, who would never heat bricks for themselves, sometimes carried off Thea's, and thought it a good joke to get ahead of her.

Based on the quotation, the reader can best infer that the boys are -

• ambitious

• mischievous

• jealous

• malicious

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

Part A

The description of Thea in paragraph 6 supports a theme about the need to -

• escape the bonds of childhood

• occasionally mislead others

• find time to be alone

• ignore unreasonable demands

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

Part B

Which quotation from paragraph 6 best supports the answer to Part A?

• to live a double life

• full of tasks

• a different person

• no one to nag her

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.2.6

Read this paragraph.

Thea uses the money she earns as a piano teacher to fix up her room. Her family helps Thea furnish it and make it as livable as possible. Thea loves her new space despite its shabby furnishings and the frigid night air. She looks forward to the nights and weekends she spends there reading and thinking.

Which idea should be included in this paragraph to create a complete summary of the excerpt?

• Thea receives an isolated room on the top floor of the house.

• Tillie helps Thea paper the room with flowered wallpaper.

• Thea's mother provides her with a dresser with a broken mirror.

• Dr. Archie tells Thea that a singer needs to get plenty of fresh air.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

Read this quotation from paragraph 4.

The author's use of figurative language in this quotation suggests that Thea -

• tends to deny the consequences of her decisions

• uses her imagination to escape hardship

• is often disturbed by her inhospitable surroundings

• chooses to make the best of her situation

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.2.6

Which aspect of the setting most contributes to the portrayal of Thea as a reflective young artist?

• The references to nineteenth-century household items

• The characterization of her room as a refuge

• The frequent interactions with family members

• The atmosphere of her small, rural town in Colorado

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3