"Safety of Numbers" by Lucy Tan

1. In paragraphs 19-29, how does the conversation with her dad affect the narrator?

• A. It causes the narrator to wonder why her mother became an activist.

• B. It causes the narrator to wonder how her mother lost her fearless nature.

• C. It causes the narrator to challenge her dad's description of her mother as fearless.

• D. It causes the narrator to believe that she will never live up to her mother's standards.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

2. In paragraphs 49-56, what causes the conflict between the narrator and her mother? D. The mother disapproves of the narrator spending her time watching television.

• A. The mother realizes the narrator uses post-it notes to cheat.

• B. The mother disapproves of the narrator's relationship with Cat.

• C. The mother blames Cat for the narrator's reluctance to study for the SAT.

• D. The mother disapproves of the narrator spending her time watching television.

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CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.1.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

3. How does the repetition of "I will" in paragraph 78 contribute to the development of the story?

• A. It shows the narrator's rejection of what her mother wants.

• B. It shows that the narrator has given up on being her own person.

• C. It shows the narrator's willingness to go along with what her mother wants.

• D. It shows that the narrator's one true desire is to go to college and be successful.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.2.6

4. Which detail from the story best demonstrates how the mother has affected the narrator?

• A. "I feel bad for Dad. I picture him sitting there, one hand cupping a mug of Lipton tea, the other working the worry out of Mom's fingers." (Paragraph 71)

• B. "Mom nods and reaches over to give my arm a squeeze. In that moment, she suddenly looks at me differently" (Paragraph 74)

• C. "There will be no one there except for Cat, waiting at the curb, spinning one bike pedal with her foot. 'Get in front,' I'll tell her, even though I'm blind with sunshine. 'I'll drive.'" (Paragraph 79)

• D. "Cat keeps reminding me how much trouble I'll be in when we get back, but I'm not scared of getting in trouble. What I'm scared of is growing up to be scared." (Paragraph 82)

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CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

5. In paragraphs 77-82, the resolution of the story emphasizes the theme that preparing for the future is important, but taking risks is also an essential part of growing up.

• True

• False

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.8.2