B. Wordsworth Reading Comprehension

Which of these inferences about the boy’s mother is best supported by the text?

• She is an excessively cruel and bitter person.

• She is generous but strict.

• She trusts B. Wordsworth after she gets to know him.

• She wants to pay B. Wordsworth to tutor the boy.

What is most likely the author's main purpose for including the following passage in the story (paragraphs 71-73)? "He would say to me, 'Now, how about having some ice cream?' And when I said, yes, he would grow very serious and say, 'Now, which café shall we patronize?' As though it were a very important thing. He would think for some time about it, and finally say, 'I think I will go and negotiate the purchase with that shop.' The world became a most exciting place."

• To show that Wordsworth was much kinder than the boy’s mother

• To illustrate how Wordsworth made life more exciting for the boy

• To demonstrate that Wordsworth was well educated

• To compare Wordsworth with the rest of the people in their neighborhood

What is most closely the meaning of keenly as it is used in the passage below (paragraph 109)? And then—I felt it so keenly, it was as though I had been slapped by my mother. I could see it clearly on his face. It was there for everyone to see. Death on the shrinking face.

• enthusiastically

• intelligently

• cheaply

• intensely

Which of these descriptions of B. Wordsworth is best supported by the text as a whole?

• B. Wordsworth was an inconsiderate man because he often lied to the boy.

• B. Wordsworth was a kind man who was a good friend to the boy.

• B. Wordsworth was a foolish man because he never managed to sell his poems.

• B. Wordsworth was a lazy man because he only worked a few months of the year.

Which of these inferences about the boy’s first impression of B. Wordsworth is best supported by the passage below (paragraph 39-45)?

• The boy is disdainful of and annoyed by B. Wordsworth.

• The boy is wary of and disinterested in B. Wordsworth.

• The boy is confused by and worried about B. Wordsworth.

• The boy is curious about and fond of B. Wordsworth.

Which of these sentences from the passage best supports the correct answer to Question 5?

• Is a funny way to go round selling poetry like that. Only calypsonians do that sort of thing.

• But why you does keep on going round, then?

• You really think I is a poet?

• And when B. Wordsworth left, I prayed I would see him again.

Which of these inferences is best supported by the passage below (paragraphs 55-58)?

• A. B. Wordsworth believes nature can help people solve their problems.

• B. The boy doesn’t understand B. Wordsworth’s suggestions.

• C. B. Wordsworth believes that if the boy’s mother keeps beating him, he should run away from home.

• D. B. Wordsworth believes that peace is more powerful than violence.

Which of these sentences from the text best supports the correct answer to Question 7?

• A. “B. Wordsworth said, ‘Stop crying, and we will go for a walk.’”

• B. “I stopped crying, but I was breathing short.”

• C. “B. Wordsworth said, ‘Now, let us lie on the grass and look up at the sky, and I want you to think how far those stars are from us.’”

• D. “I forgot all my anger and all my tears and all the blows.”

What is Ms. Brent's favorite color?

• Blue

• Red

• White