Word Meanings and Word Choice in Literary Texts: Grade 8 Form A

She found that with some concentration, she could relax the tail so that it dragged behind her on the floor like the train of a royal gown, and by this means, she was able to exit her bedroom door and parade grandly down the hall with poise and majesty to greet her subjects.

Based on the analogy in the last sentence of paragraph 1 in the story, how are Nia and a queen alike?

• Both like to give orders to friends and family.

• Both serve as the leaders of large kingdoms.

• Both appear dignified and worthy of respect.

• Both are usually dressed in elegant clothing.

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CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.W.8.9A

Select four underlined phrases in the sentence from paragraph 1 that help create the analogy in Part A

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CCSS.L.8.5A

CCSS.RL.8.4

Drag each group of words to the correct box to show how the author uses specific examples of figurative language to provide meaning about Nia’s tail.

• The tail creates a bit of a mess

• simile: "like the debris of a pillow fight"

• The tail makes Nia feels protected

• metaphor: "a sheltering umbrella"

• The tail responds to Nia's moods

• Personification: "its purple eyes blinked open"

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CCSS.L.8.5A

CCSS.RL.8.4

How does the phrase “grinned and hummed” in paragraph 3 impact the tone at the beginning of the story?

• It creates a mocking tone.

• It creates a tone of wonder.

• It creates a tone of suspense.

• It creates a carefree tone.

• It creates a humorous tone.

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CCSS.RL.8.4

Binder uses the descriptive word “peppered” in the first sentence of paragraph 5 to​ ​ (a)   the actual​ ​ (b)   of the situation, despite the tone of Captain Barstow's transmissions to his colonel.

• highlight
• danger
• safety
• dismiss 

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CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

Read this sentence from paragraph 11 of the story.

He stared at the unexpected discovery, as amazed as if it were a fire-breathing dragon out of legend.

Select the statement that best explains why the author compares the object to a fire-breathing dragon.

• The author wants the reader to understand how terrified the narrator is.

• The author wants the reader to know that the narrator is in disbelief.

• The author wants the reader to understand how big the object is.

• The author wants the reader to know this object is imaginary.

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CCSS.L.8.5A

CCSS.RL.8.4

As the summer sun sent scattered rays through the maple and oak leaves overhead, the young deer stood frozen, making it almost impossible for the hikers to see her. In the above passage, the word “frozen” means _______

• A. very cold

• B. visible

• C. not moving

• D. not melted

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CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.RL.8.4

1. In the sentence "My sisters voice wafts over the kitchen, past the smell of hair and oil and flame..." wafts most likely means _​ .​ ​ (a)  

• floats
• creates
• shouts
• smells
• echoes

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CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

What is the figurative meaning of the phrase "a mountain of work" in the sentence: "She had a mountain of work to complete before the deadline"?

• A literal mountain made of work

• A small amount of work

• An overwhelming amount of work

• An easy task

Tags

DOK Level 1: Recall

CCSS.RL.8.4

Determine the meaning of the phrase "time is a thief" in the context of the sentence: "As she looked back on her youth, she realized that time is a thief."

• Time literally steals objects.

• Time takes away moments and experiences.

• Time gives back lost moments.

• Time is a friend.

Tags

DOK Level 1: Recall

CCSS.RL.8.4