Benchmark Black Beauty

PART A: Which of the following text evidence conveys Sewell's main point in the text?

• “Every one may not know what breaking in is, therefore I will describe it.”

• “But now I was to have a bit and bridle”

• “Next came the saddle”

• “He may neither jump for joy nor lie down for weariness.”

Part A: Which paragraph is the best summary of the passage from Black Beauty: The Autobiography of a Horse?

• The narrator is upset by having to be broken in. Although he eventually lets his master ride him, he never gets used to the feeling of having to wear a bit and bridle.

• The narrator explains what is involved when breaking in a horse and warns that horses must always follow their master’s wishes. He describes how unpleasant it is to wear a bit and bridle. Eventually, he gets used to being broken in and feels proud to be ridden by his master

• The narrator describes how nice it is to be broken in and to be led around by a rider. As a treat for wearing a bit and bridle, his master gives him oats to eat. Eventually, the narrator begins looking forward to wearing a saddle and being ridden by his master.

• The narrator is thinking about how he was broken in so that his master can ride him. He explains that he had been used to a halter and harness but now he has to wear a bit bridle.

Part B: Which sentence should be included in the summary in Part A?

• The narrator explains that having a bit in his mouth feels bad.

• The narrator speaks of how his mother wore a bit.

• The narrator’s master used to lead him about in the fields.

• The narrator’s master slowly allowed him to get used to wearing a saddle.

Which evidence from the text shows the inner conflict of the horse?

• “Those who have never had a bit in their mouths cannot think how bad it feels…”

• “I had of course been used to a halter and a headstall…”

• "My master gave me some oats as usual…”

• “A great piece of cold hard steel as thick as a man’s finger to be pushed into one’s mouth, between one’s teeth, and over one’s tongue, with the ends coming out at the corner of your mouth…”

PART A: As used in paragraph 2 of the passage from Black Beauty: The Autobiography of a Horse, what is the meaning of the word “fast”?

• cheerfully

• securely

• carefully

• quickly

PART B: As used in paragraph 2, which phrase supports the meaning of the word “fast”?

• “cannot think how bad it feels”

• “no way in the world can you get rid of the nasty hard thing”

• “I knew my mother always wore one when she went out”

• “and what with my master’s pats, kind words, and gentle ways”

Which is the best evidence from the text that captures the theme “you have to endure hardships to enjoy the ending?”

• “...but the worst of all is, when the harness is once on…”

• “I knew my mother always wore one when she went out, and all horses did when they were grown up.”

• “Next came the saddle, but that was not half so bad; my master put it on my back very gently…”

• “But I must say I felt rather proud to carry my master, and as he continued to ride me a little every day I soon became accustomed to it.”

How does the horse feel about wearing riding gear in the passage from Black Beauty: The Autobiography of a Horse?

• The horse dislikes wearing the gear and will never get used to wearing it.

• The horse is displeased with wearing the gear but learns to accept it.

• The horse believes the saddle is the worst part of wearing the gear.

• The horse wishes to be like his mother and enjoy wearing the gear.

Part B: Which Two statements support the correct answer to part A?

• Being broken in means to carry a man, woman, or child on his back.

• A bit is placed in the horse's mouth and is held by a strap over the head.

• The horse's mother always wore a bit when she went out.

• The horse complained about how uncomfortable the bit felt in his mouth.

• The horse enjoys the attention he receives from wearing his saddle.

What is the tone the author is trying to capture in paragraph 1 from “Excerpt from Black Beauty: The Autobiography of a Horse?” Use text evidence to support your answer.