English 1: Midterm 24/25

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Part A Which best analyzes President Kennedy’s claim in Selection 1 and a reason he gives to support it?

• Claim: The United States should be a leader in space exploration. Reason: We can only ensure that space will be peaceful if we lead in exploring it.
• Claim: The United States should be a leader in space exploration. Reason: We must protect ourselves from enemy attacks while we explore space.
• Claim: The United States must become the first country to land on the moon. Reason: National security requires us to watch out for threats from space.
• Claim: The United States must become the first country to land on the moon. Reason: History will only remember us if we achieve something great in space.

Part B Which quotation from the text best supports the answer to Part A?

• “ . . . only if the United States occupies a position of pre-eminence can we help decide whether this new ocean will be a sea of peace or a new terrifying theater of war.” (paragraph 1)
• “I do not say that we should or will go unprotected against the hostile misuse of space any more than we go unprotected against the hostile use of land or sea. . . . ” (paragraph 1)
• “Its hazards are hostile to us all. Its conquest deserves the best of all mankind. . . . ” (paragraph 2)
• “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard. . . . ” (paragraph 3)

Part A What counterclaim does President Kennedy address in paragraph 2 of Selection 1?

• The time is not right for friendship with certain nations.
• Going to the moon is not as difficult as some people think.
• There is no good reason for the United States to go to the moon.
• There are not enough qualified scientists available for a space launch.

Part B What is President Kennedy’s rebuttal to the counterclaim identified in Part A?

• People have experienced great loss in attempts to go to the moon.
• People love taking on difficult challenges to achieve something great.
• Other nations are ready to cooperate on a project that changes human history.
• Scientists have been waiting their whole lives for a challenge like the moon landing.

Q3: In paragraph 3 of Selection 1, President Kennedy concedes that—

• it’s hard to organize a team to achieve the goal, but then he tells how he will get the team focused.
• winning the race to the moon won’t be easy, but then he explains why winning is necessary.
• postponing the moon launch isn’t ideal, but then he adds that the project is difficult and requires more time.
• going to the moon won’t be easy, but then he says they choose to do it precisely because it is difficult.

Part A What is one theme of Selection 1?

• Patience is a powerful virtue.
• Practice makes perfect.
• Respect your elders.
• Might makes right.

Part B How is the theme identified in Part A influenced by the setting?

• Emily’s crucial at-bat takes place on the same field where Emily practiced with her mother. This setting triggers memories that the author uses to emphasize the value of patience.
• Emily’s crucial at-bat takes place at the bottom of the ninth when the score is tied. This setting helps the author demonstrate the importance of a powerful swing in winning the game.
• Emily’s crucial at-bat takes place on the same field where Emily practiced with her mother. This setting triggers memories that the author uses to show Emily’s respect for her mother.
• Emily’s crucial at-bat takes place at the bottom of the ninth when the score is tied. This setting helps the author demonstrate the importance of Emily’s years of practice in winning the game.

Q5: From Emily’s action in paragraph 6 of Selection 1, the reader can infer that —

• Emily has been injured and needs to recover.
• Emily is feeling overwhelmed and needs to collect herself.
• Emily has been humiliated and needs to find some privacy.
• Emily is angry and will not continue playing until there is quiet.