Understanding Mitchell's Story

The word cryptic comes from the Greek word kryptos, meaning “hidden.” Based on this information, what does cryptic mean as it is used in paragraph 2?

• Unclear

• Secret

• Buried

• Forbidden

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

How does the first-person point of view affect readers’ understanding of Mitchell’s mother?

• It reveals how different people view her.

• It limits readers to Mitchell’s perceptions of her.

• It gives readers direct access to her thoughts and feelings.

• It prevents Mitchell from revealing anything about her past.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

How does the setting of the baseball field contribute to Mitchell’s conflict in the story?

• It makes him feel insecure about his athletic abilities.

• It forces him to consider his role as the team’s center fielder.

• It upsets him to be the reason his team loses almost every game.

• It flusters him to be on the field knowing his father cannot see him play.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Based on paragraphs 19–20, what can the reader infer about Uncle Tommy?

• He likes baseball better than the other sports Mitchell plays.

• He came to the game because Mitchell asked him to.

• He is dedicated to supporting Mitchell like a parent.

• He is trying to learn more about Mitchell and his mom.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

Which sentence from the story uses Mitchell’s point of view to reveal how his mother is feeling?

• My mother had gotten it into her head that being an Indian I should of course not just play baseball but excel at it.

• But try to explain to an eager German immigrant mother about stereotyping and American Indians being used as mascots.

• My mom was smiling and nodding at me, even though she had both fists clenched around her soda can so hard that it looked like an hourglass.

• It might have been my mom who encouraged Uncle Tommy to stay around and wait for me.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

What conflict does Mitchell struggle with through most of the story?

• The lack of connection to his late father

• The need to have others admire him

• The interference of his mother

• The need to be the best player

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

In which two ways does the hawk contribute to the story?

• It teaches a lesson Mitchell can apply to baseball.

• It represents the memories of Mitchell’s home run.

• It catches Mitchell’s ball during the baseball game.

• It interferes with Mitchell’s training plans.

• It shows how Mitchell learns about his roots.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

What does Mitchell realize that leads to the story’s resolution?

• Baseball is important to him because it helps him make friends.

• Baseball is important to him because it connects him to his father.

• He wants to become a better baseball player to represent his culture.

• He wants to become a better baseball player to make his mom happy.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

The main conflict throughout much of the selection occurs between —

• Mitchell and himself

• Mitchell and his mother

• Mitchell and his teammates

• Mitchell and Uncle Tommy

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Which quote from the selection best supports the conflict of Ball Hawk ?

• My mother had gotten it into her head that being an Indian I should of course not just play baseball but excel at it.

• The Hurleytown pitcher smiled when he saw me come up to the plate.

• “Because the other guys won’t let me quit. No . . . because my mom wants so bad for me to play baseball.”

• “Mitchell, maybe your mind is getting clear now, but you still need to train your eye,” he said as we pulled in the drive.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3