Questions based on the passage

Which statement from the passage reveals the narrator’s point of view about the sinkhole?

• “A mysterious feeling hung suspended in the air as I slipped on my sandals and padded silently through the woods, drawn somewhere, but I did not know where.” (paragraph 1)

• “The sky had vanished, aside from the few sparkly stars poking out through the thick leaves over my head.” (paragraph 2)

• “As I drew near the small knoll overlooking the clearing where my friend Kate and I frequently play, I reflected on the fun she and I have had in these woods.” (paragraph 2)

• “But our beloved clearing with its many memories now felt unsafe, even sinister.” (paragraph 4)

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'But our beloved clearing with its many memories now felt unsafe, even sinister.' from paragraph 4, reveals the narrator's negative point of view about the sinkhole.

Which two statements describe how the setting in the passage affects the narrator?

• The changing landscape gives the narrator a sense of nostalgia.

• The sight of the hole in the clearing makes the narrator angry.

• The narrator moves more quickly through the woods when the sky vanishes.

• The narrator grows fearful when the sky is hidden from view by the thick forest.

• The imagery used to describe the woods creates a sense of suspense for the narrator.

Answer explanation

The narrator grows fearful when the sky is hidden from view by the thick forest. The imagery used to describe the woods creates a sense of suspense for the narrator.

What does the author mean by the phrase "zeroed in"?

• heard

• looked

• smelled

• located

Answer explanation

The author means 'looked' by the phrase 'zeroed in', indicating a focused or concentrated visual attention towards something.

What can you infer about the setting of the passage?

• The temperature is usually hot and uncomfortable.

• The house is located in a remote, rural area.

• Nights are too bright and noisy for restful sleep.

• The trees in the area keep the nights cool.

Answer explanation

The house is located in a remote, rural area.

Which sentence from paragraph 1 best supports the inference about the setting of the passage?

• Something awoke me from a deep sleep, but I didn’t know what it was.

• The moon was bright, and its light spilled across the trees.

• Everywhere I looked, nothing but trees and more trees stretched before me.

• I wasn’t afraid because I knew these woods as well as I knew the inside of the house where I’d lived my entire life.

Answer explanation

The sentence 'Everywhere I looked, nothing but trees and more trees stretched before me.' best supports the inference about the setting of the passage as it describes the abundance of trees in the surroundings.

Which statement best describes the theme of the passage?

• Sometimes dreams reflect reality.

• Things are not always as they seem.

• Danger can lurk in unexpected places.

• Wooded areas are always full of mystery.

Answer explanation

The theme of the passage is that things are not always as they seem, as it explores the idea of perception versus reality.

Which central idea is expressed in the passage from "Little Women"?

• People should stay in groups if they are in dangerous situations.

• People should not listen to someone’s advice unless they trust the person.

• People can be angry and selfish, even with family members.

• People can have skating accidents if they aren’t paying close attention.

Answer explanation

The central idea expressed in the passage from 'Little Women' is that people should stay in groups if they are in dangerous situations.

Which sentence from the passage supports the central idea that people should stay in groups in dangerous situations?

• Amy heard the clash of skates, and looked out with an impatient exclamation.

• Jo heard Amy panting after her run, stamping her feet and blowing on her fingers as she tried to put her skates on, but Jo never turned and went slowly zigzagging down the river, taking a bitter, unhappy sort of satisfaction in her sister’s troubles.

• For a minute Jo stood still with a strange feeling in her heart, then she resolved to go on, but something held and turned her round, just in time to see Amy throw up her hands and go down, with a sudden crash of rotten ice.

• How she did it, she never knew, but for the next few minutes she worked as if possessed, blindly obeying Laurie, who was quite self-possessed, and lying flat, held Amy up by her arm and hockey stick till Jo dragged a rail from the fence, and together they got the child out, more frightened than hurt.

Answer explanation

The sentence describes how the characters worked together to rescue Amy, highlighting the importance of staying in groups in dangerous situations.

How do the characters influence the plot of the passage?

• Amy’s acceptance of Jo’s anger introduces the main action of the plot.

• Jo’s remorsefulness about the accident keeps the plot from advancing.

• Amy’s unawareness of the danger she is in resolves the conflict in the plot.

• Jo’s concern for Amy’s safety brings a change of direction in the plot.

Answer explanation

Amy’s acceptance of Jo’s anger introduces the main action of the plot.

What does the word bitter mean as it is used in the passage?

• tasting sour

• looking away

• cold and windy

• harsh and angry

Answer explanation

The word bitter means harsh and angry as it is used in the passage, indicating a negative and resentful emotion.