Abuela Invents the Zero

Which of the following passages most strongly shows Abuela’s lack of familiarity with New Jersey?

• “Right up to the time when we’re supposed to pick up the old lady at the airport, my mother is telling me stories about how hard times were for la familia on la isla, and how la abuela worked night and day to support them after their father died of a heart attack.”

• “It is January, two feet of snow on the ground, and she’s wearing a shawl over a thick black dress.”

• “It’s like she had a spot picked out for some unknown reason, and although it’s the most inconvenient seat in the house, that’s where she has to sit.”

• “She is praying loud, in Spanish, and singing hymns at the top of her creaky voice.”

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

What does the following exchange reveal about the way Connie's father views his daughter?

“No way,” I say. I go for the car keys on the kitchen table: he usually leaves them there for me on Friday and Saturday night. He beats me to them.

“No way,” he says, pocketing them and grinning at me.

• The father believes the daughter needs to learn to drive more safely.

• The father believes the daughter should be punished for being disagreeable.

• The father believes the daughter should learn to make decisions more quickly.

• The father believes the daughter needs gentle encouragement to do the right thing.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

Which is most strongly a similarity between the narrator and Abuela?

• Both the narrator and Abuela cover their faces with their hands when embarrassed.

• Both the narrator and Abuela wear clothes that make them appear small in stature.

• Both the narrator and Abuela enjoy telling jokes to the family to make them laugh.

• Both the narrator and Abuela walk with small steps to get to the church on Sunday.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Which inference about the narrator’s feelings toward Abuela is best supported by the text?

• She is hoping to show Abuela around the city.

• She is ashamed to be seen with Abuela.

• She is uncertain how to keep Abuela safe.

• She is excited to introduce Abuela to friends.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.5.3

Which of the following best describes how the narrator’s mother feels at the conclusion of the story?

• The mother is upset by the way her daughter has treated Abuela.

• The mother is hopeful that her daughter will get to know Abuela better.

• The mother is confused by the story her daughter tells her about Abuela.

• The mother is grateful to show her daughter photographs of Abuela as a child.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.5.3

Put the events of the story in the correct order.

• Abuela wears a shawl in the middle of an East Coast winter.

• The narrator does not help her abuela when she is lost.

• The narrator learns the meaning of ‘zero’ (as it is used in the title of the story).

• Connie is bribed into taking Abuela to church.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.3

Where is Abuela from?

• Dominican Republic

• Mexico

• Puerto Rico

• Cuba

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.5.9

Match the following sentance to the type of figurative language.

• He is an Einstein in math class.

• Allusion

• His eye were as cold as ice.

• Metaphor

• My heart hammered in my chest.

• Similie

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.5.3