Excerpt from Black Beauty: Breaking in a Horse

Breaking in a horse means...

•  preparing it to work for humans

• taking away its spirit

• making it stronger

• teaching it to be gentle

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CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Which of the following is NOT an opinion Black Beauty expresses about being broken in?

• He finds the bit uncomfortable.

• He does not mind his saddle.

• He feels trapped by the harness.

• He feels constricted by the girths.

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CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

As used in paragraph 2 of the passage, what is the meaning of the word “fast”?

• cheerfully

• securely

• carefully

• quickly

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CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

As used in paragraph 2, which phrase supports the meaning of the word “fast”?

• “cannot think how bad it feels”

• “no way in the world can you get rid of the nasty hard thing”

• “I knew my mother always wore one when she went out”

• “and what with my master’s pats, kind words and gentle ways”

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CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

How does the horse feel about wearing riding gear in the passage?

• The horse dislikes wearing the gear and will never get used to wearing it.

• The horse is displeased with wearing the gear but learns to accept it.

• The horse believes the saddle is the worst part of wearing the gear.

•  The horse wishes to be like his mother and enjoy wearing the gear. 

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CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Which TWO statements support the correct answer to PART A?

The horse is displeased with wearing the gear but learns to accept it.

• A bit is placed in the horse’s mouth and is held by a strap over the head.

• The horse’s mother always wore a bit when she went out.

• The horse complained about how uncomfortable the bit felt in his mouth.

• In the story, the master rides the horse around a meadow.

• The horse enjoys the attention he receives from wearing his saddle.

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CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

Which paragraph is the best summary of the passage?

• The narrator is upset by having to be broken in. Although he eventually lets his master ride him, he never gets 

  used to the feeling of having to wear a bit and bridle.

• The narrator explains what is involved when breaking in a horse and warns that horses must always follow their 

  master’s wishes. He describes how unpleasant it is to wear a bit and bridle. Eventually, he gets used to being 

  broken in and feels proud to be ridden by his master.

• The narrator describes how nice it is to be broken in and to be led around by a rider. As a treat for wearing a 

  bit and bridle, his master gives him oats to eat. Eventually, the narrator begins looking forward to wearing a saddle 

  and being ridden by his master.

• The narrator is thinking about how he was broken in so that his master can ride him. He explains that he had been used to a halter and harness but now he has to wear a bit and bridle. 

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CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Which sentence should be included in the summary in PART A?

The narrator explains what is involved when breaking in a horse and warns that horses must always follow their 

master’s wishes. He describes how unpleasant it is to wear a bit and bridle. Eventually, he gets used to being 

broken in and feels proud to be ridden by his master.

• The narrator explains that having a bit in his mouth feels bad.

• The narrator speaks of how his mother wore a bit.

• The narrator’s master used to lead him about in the fields.

• The narrator’s master slowly allowed him to get used to wearing a saddle.

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CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2