From Ninth Ward

Which phrase helps the reader understand the meaning of the word fortitude?

• his quiet old self (paragraph 5)

• he says softly (paragraph 5)

• Strength to endure (paragraph 6)

• over and over again (paragraph 8)

How is the setting of Ninth Ward connected to the main conflict?

• The narrator and TaShon are unprepared for how much they miss Mama Ya-Ya.

• The screams from people on their rooftops compel the narrator and TaShon to act.

• The people in the helicopters notice the narrator and TaShon but fail in the attempts to rescue them.

• The narrator and TaShon are stranded on a roof because the Mississippi River is flooding.

Which word best describes the mood in paragraph 20 of Ninth Ward?

No one is coming. All day and all night, we waited. Spot panted, slept. TaShon swatted at mosquitoes and his feet turned itchy red after he left them in the water to cool off. We are both sunburned. Funny, I didn't think black folks sunburned. But all day in the sun, no shade, has made me and TaShon red faced. My cheeks and shoulders hurt like someone touched them with a hot iron.

• tired

• bleak

• bored

• calm

Read this summary a student wrote about Ninth Ward.

The narrator and her friend are stuck on the roof of their house. They are waiting for one to come rescue them from the rising floodwaters. 

How should the summary be revised to correct an error?

• Change her to she

• Change their to his

• Change They to Them

• Change one to someone

I stretch my arms wide, clawing at the water, trying to move the trunk closer. I strain, feeling the pull in my shoulders. Water is lapping, almost to my chin.

I clutch bark. A piece cracks away in my hand.

“Get it, get it,” TaShon screams. His arms are too short. The trunk is floating by.

I inch my body further, my hips and legs still touching the roof. Inhaling, I plunge forward. My arms are around the tree.

Which idea is supported by this information?

• Lanesha has faith that Spot will help them escape.

• Lanesha is determined to save them.

• Lanesha no longer enjoys telling Bible stories.

What is the setting of the story?

• New Orleans, Ninth Ward

• New York

• I have no idea

• New Jersey

Which excerpt best supports as evidence for a bleak or dreary mood?

• No one is coming. All day and all night, we waited.

• TaShon swatted at mosquitoes and his feet turned itchy red . . .

• Funny, I didn’t think black folks sunburned.

• Spot panted, slept.

Which sentence from the text suggests that Lanesha and TaShon want to be rescued?

• The horizon is like none I’ve seen before.

• I see a red car, a Ford, floating.

• I think when there’s light, someone will surely find us.

• “Yes, we did,” I say. “We made it out.”

What is the setting in Ninth Ward?

• All land is covered by murky water and you are in a hurricane.

• You are in an earthquake.

• You are next to a volcano.

• All land is covered by lava and youare in a tornado.

Which excerpt from paragraph 20 of Ninth Ward best supports the answer to Part A?

• No one is coming. All day and all night, we waited.

• TaShon swatted at mosquitoes and his feet turned itchy red . . .

• Funny, I didn’t think black folks sunburned.

• Spot panted, slept.