The Scent of Memory

What is one theme of “The Scent of Memory”?

• Scientists have proven that smell is an important scent.

• The harvest is an unpleasant time with big rewards.

• Life on a farm is better than life elsewhere.

• Life on a farm is better than life elsewhere.

Which sentence from the “The Scent of Memory” best supports the answer to part A?

• “Scientists say that, more than sight, sound, touch, or taste, the sense of smell can

  trigger memory.”

• “For me, the smell of wood smoke always makes me think of autumn.”

• “On the ride home, I nearly fall asleep, so my dad reaches over and gives me a playful

  punch in the arm.”

• “There are so many shades of orange and red that I can’t possibly record them all, so I

  breathe deep and flood my nose to best recall the memories of this day.”

Select three sentences that should be included in a summary of “The Scent of Memory.”

• A boy describes the many pleasures in his life on a farm.

• Thinking about the smell of wood smoke, a man recalls an autumn day in his youth.

• His best memories are of the barn, the goat, the cat, the dog, and chopping wood.

• His mother and sister stay at home, while he and his father share a harvest

  with neighbors.

• He wakes up early and has breakfast with his family before heading out with his father.

Read this sentence from paragraph 5 of “The Scent of Memory.”

Even with raisins and brown sugar, it’s hard to swallow.

What does the phrase “hard to swallow” suggest about the narrator?

• He has a sore throat.

• He does not like oatmeal.

• He prefers plain oatmeal.

• He is not hungry.

In paragraph 17 of “The Scent of Memory,” why does the narrator most likely say that

he feels “positively mighty”?

• He recognizes that he has grown taller in the past year.

• He believes that his father would not have been able to do the work himself.

• He is pleased that his father recognizes his helpfulness and ability.

• He has accomplished something he thought was impossible.

How does the author develop the narrator’s point of view in “The Scent of Memory”?

• by having the narrator recall a specific day from his childhood

• by having the narrator use only the sense of smell to describe a memory

• by having the narrator alternate between past and present to show the past’s influence

• by having the narrator reflect on how his life has changed a great deal since his youth