Excerpt from Cicada Summer NYS Exam

How does paragraph 14 relate to paragraph 4?

• Paragraph 14 explains the effect of the event in paragraph 4.

• Paragraph 14 gives a solution to the problem introduced in paragraph 4.

• Paragraph 14 provides further details that summarize the event in paragraph 4.

• Paragraph 14 provides further details that contrast the information in paragraph 4.

Which sentence from the story best shows how Seema feels about going to America without Raju?

• “I stood near the acacia tree growing at the edge of an abandoned lot and watched Raju’s back as the dust rising from his shoes covered my white blouse and my beige pinafore.” (paragraph 2)

• “Raju was my cousin, and I wanted to tell him that everything would be fine—but how could I?” (paragraph 3)

• “Why had Kaka and Kaki told Uma and Raju, and why had Pappa told me?” (paragraph 21)

• “Raju and I went to school together and were in the same class.” (paragraph 22)

What does paragraph 23 of the story suggest about Seema?

• She does not want to spoil her father’s mood.

• She does not have to convince her mother to stay

• She is upset that her father’s laboratory job keeps him busy

• She is scared to be away from her mother

Which detail would be most important to include in a summary of the story?

• “School was over, and I would never wear this uniform again.” (paragraph 2)

• “I never could understand how Pappa could forget his lunch while working with tiny bugs that he could only see under a microscope.” (paragraph 5)

• “When I went to bed, I wondered how I could leave the rest of my family and go to America.” (paragraph 22)

• “The next morning I was tired and groggy.” (paragraph 24)

Which detail from the story best demonstrates the relationship among all the members of Seema’s family?

• Seema goes to the same school as her cousin.

• Seema spends most of her time with her cousin.

• The members of Seema’s family visit each other.

• The members of Seema’s family live in the same house.

Which sentence best expresses a theme of the story?

• Families often work together to accept change.

• Change provides new opportunities.

• Change can be difficult to accept.

• It is impossible to avoid change.