ELA Smarter Balance Questions

Read the sentence from the text.

“The only area that escaped incineration was the Victor’s Village.”



What does the word incineration most likely mean?

• place to escape

• layer of coal

• reduced to ashes

• safe from harm

From what point of view is the story told?

• 1st person

• 3rd person limited

• 3rd person omniscient

• 2nd person

What inference can be made about what happened to Katniss' home?

• her home was sold by the capitol

• her home was taken over by government officials

• her home was left alone and no one bothered it until she returned

• her home was bombed and burned to the ground

Read paragraph 5 from the text.

what words does the author use to show the narrators' confusion?

• concussion

• pain

• ruin

• hallucinating

• control

This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B.

Which best expresses the purpose of the memory flashback in this story?

• It shows the reader that she is in present time.

• It suggests that the author is looking for the family she loves.

• It explains the narrator’s own confusion as she pieces together what has happened.

• It tells what the narrator is going to do about the bombing.

Part B:

Select a sentence from the passage that shows how Katniss was confused about what was happening.

• How else could I orient myself in this sea of gray?

• The authorities in District 13 were against my coming back.

• The memories swirl as I try to figure out what's true and what is false.

• The list begins to roll in my head...

How does the setting influence the plot of the story?

• The hospital introduces where Katniss came from

• The ruins of District 12, her home, contribute to the conflict Katniss is experiencing.

• The Capitol provides the explanation of what is happening.

• The Victor’s Village introduces the supporting characters.

Read the sentence from the text.

Almost nothing remains of District 12. A month ago, the Capitol’s firebombs obliterated the poor coal miner’s house in the seam, the shops in the town, even the Justice Building.

What does the word obliterated suggest? Select two options

• utterly destroyed

• washed away

• blown up

• got rid of it all

• changed

Summarize what happens while Katniss returns to District 12.

• Katniss was a girl from District 12 who volunteered for her sister in the Hunger games. She fought and won, saved Peeta, and managed to anger the Capitol.

• Katniss felt as though returning to District 12 after it was destroyed by the capitol would give her some clarity, but it has only added to her confusion. So Katniss has to hold on to was what was known to be true; who she really is.

• District twelve is now in ruins after it was bombed by the capitol when Katniss escaped the 75th Hunger Games. Katniss revisits her old home looking for survivors.

• Peeta has been captured by the capitol. Katniss returns to the ashes of District 12 to see hf she can find anything that could help her get Peeta back.

A theme expressed in the story centers on -

• helping those who are in need.

• making the best of a bad situation.

• hiding your anger from others.

• forget the past and move on.