The Land Mildred Taylor

Read the excerpt from The Land.

It was some three days later when Mitchell and I were brushing down the horses in the stalls my daddy was renting, Mitchell said to me, "That man from Alabama, one wanted you to ride for him, he come askin' me 'bout you. Came to the stables earlier."

This dialogue advances the plot by telling the reader that Paul

• may have an opportunity to ride Sutcliffe’s horse.

• may have a conflict with Mitchell.

• will not have the chance to ride Sutcliffe’s horse.

• will soon be participating in a race.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Read the excerpt from The Land, Part 2.

In the late afternoon I did the same, but all the time I was on the stallion, I was aware that Mitchell was watching me. He had appeared on the edge of the woods and had just stood there watching Ghost Wind and me as we went round and round the meadow. Finally, on one of our turns past him, he said: "S'pose you thinkin' you a real somebody 'cause you can ride that stallion."

Based on this excerpt, which is a reasonable prediction?

• Paul will forbid Mitchell from every riding Ghost Wind.

• Paul and Mitchell will have a conflict about Ghost Wind.

• Mitchell will successfully ride Ghost Wind with Paul’s help.

• Paul and Mitchell will come to an understanding about Ghost Wind.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Read this excerpt from The Land, Part 4.

"If it makes no difference," I said, "then just go ahead and mess up and end up not going. You figure you want to go, though, then you treat those horses like you always do, and you keep your temper, even around your daddy." Mitchell didn't say anything. He just gave me a look and walked away, but I knew I'd gotten to him.

How does Mitchell ensure that he is invited on the trip with Paul and Paul’s father?

• by doing extra work with Paul’s father’s horses

• by talking to Paul’s father about the trip

• by convincing Paul to ask him to go with them

• by keeping his temper in check in front of Paul’s father

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

Which situation gives an example of intrinsic motivation?

• A student writes an essay to get a scholarship.

• A student writes an essay to explain his feelings.

• A student writes an essay to win a free trip.

• A student writes an essay to receive prize money.

The post–Civil War setting of The Land tells the reader that, as sharecroppers, Mitchell’s family has

• the same amount of power as Paul’s family.

• a different type of power than Paul’s family.

• less power than Paul’s family.

• more power than Paul’s family.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Read the excerpt from The Land.

I gave him one. "He's got no hold," I said. Mitchell looked at me, then kept on with what he was doing.

Ray Sutcliffe smiled. "Well, you ride for me today, and I'll make it worth your while."

I glanced at Mitchell and took my time before I asked, "Mister Sutcliffe, what're you figuring as worth my while?"

This dialogue advances the plot of the story by showing that Sutcliffe

• will pay Paul to ride his horse.

• is suspicious of Paul’s motives.

• will offer Mitchell money to ride his horse

• is not willing to negotiate with Paul.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Read the excerpt from The Land.

"Well, Mister Sutcliffe, I know what a rider's pay is around here, and it's not worth losing my job because of it. My boss told me not to ride a horse that's not his, so I know I'd be in real trouble with him if I did. No, sir, I thank you for your offer, but I don't figure to risk my job for just rider's pay."

This dialogue advances the plot of the story by showing that Paul

• does not tell Sutcliffe that Mr. Logan is his father.

• is intimidated by Sutcliffe’s actions.

• is concerned that Sutcliffe will contact his father.

• does not want to ride Sutcliffe’s horse in the race.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Read the excerpt from The Land.

Ray Sutcliffe looked me up and down, and I knew he hadn't liked what he'd heard from me. But he gave me the leeway. "You just make sure you win. We've got less than two hours before that start."

This dialogue advances the plot of the story by telling the reader that Paul

• is confident that he will win the race.

• can take his time in preparing for the race.

• will not be ready when the race begins.

• has very little time to prepare for the race.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Read the dialogue between Mitchell and Paul from The Land.

"You know, you could be lookin' for a broken neck."

"You sounding like my daddy now."

Mitchell almost smiled. "Well, don't want that. Thing is, though, Paul, this here's a dangerous-looking animal."

What does this dialogue reveal about Mitchell?

• He is envious of Paul’s ability to ride.

• He is excited about Paul’s decision.

• He is angry that Paul is defying his father.

• He is concerned for Paul’s safety.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Read the excerpt from The Land.

We looked at each other then. We both knew there was little our daddy ever changed his mind about. We knew, too, our daddy figured sending us off to school was what was best; still I couldn't help but feel something was being wedged between Robert and me.

This narration reveals that Paul thinks being sent to a different school than Robert will

• change their relationship.

• ruin their relationship with their father.

• be beneficial for both of them.

• be difficult for Robert.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.3