ELA- Unit 5 Study Guide

Which reason does Michael give in Selection 1 of “Reaching the Shore” for avoiding the water?

• Classmates had shared stories about shark sightings with Michael. 

• Michael claims to be seasick.

• Michael had encountered a dangerous creature while swimming.

Anxiety and fear began to flood him as quickly as sea water could overtake a ship during a storm.

Which of the following explains the purpose of the above sentence from “Columbus”? 

• to help develop the main character’s feelings

• o provide a new problem for the characters

• o introduce the conflict of the story

One theme found in "Reaching the Shore" is that it is important to face your fears.

Which sentence from the story BEST supports this theme?

• He wanted nothing to do with the water and the dangers that lurked just on the other side of his hotel boundary.

• It was perfect, but he wanted nothing to do with it

• D.

  After listening to his family’s stories, Michael made a decision.

In “Columbus,” why did the ship’s crew beg Columbus to forgive them?

• They had doubted Columbus’s leadership and were demanding to turn around.

• They had broken the ships rules and were hoping to avoid punishment.

• They changed the name of the island from Guanahani to San Salvador without asking the native’s permission.

The growing knot of fear in Columbus’ stomach began to release, and he paced the deck for the remainder of the evening, expectant and full of hope.

How does the phrase growing knot of fear help the reader understand Columbus' emotional well-being?

• 
  Columbus was worried the sailors had not secured the ropes well before he started to feel confident. 

• Columbus had been increasingly anxious over the success of their journey before he started to feel reassured. 

• Columbus was feeling afraid that he would be seasick before he started feeling better.

Which of the following BEST describes how the first paragraph contributes to "Reaching the Shore"? 

• Beginning details help to tie up the story’s loose ends.

• Descriptive details shift the story from the beginning to the most exciting part.

• Vivid details provide imagery that helps the reader visualize the setting. 

Which of the following groups of words from Selection 1 of “Reaching the Shore” BEST emphasizes Michael’s fear of sea creatures?

• “stories about shark sightings”

• “creatures who lurked under the waves”

• "The demons that lurked just below the surface”

And then I realized that 

to be more alive

I had to be

less afraid 

so, I did it

I lost my fear and 

gained my whole life

—Rudy Francisco

How does the poem mirror the emotions felt by Michael in “The Sea” and by Christopher Columbus in "Columbus”?

• The themes are about discovering new things in the world.

• The themes are about being afraid, facing the fear, and being successful.

• The themes are about being brave and helping others to be brave.

In his heart, Columbus knew that despite his fears, he had made the right, and an important, choice in continuing the quest.

Which BEST explains the significance of this sentence from the last paragraph of “Selection 2: Columbus"?

• It supports the theme that planning ahead makes exploration successful. 

• It supports the theme that overcoming something scary can lead to great things

• 
  It shows that the characters are adventurous and curious.

She and the others were ready for their first adventure of the vacation, but the thought made Michael shiver and squirm.

Suppose the author of "The Sea" wanted to replace the words shiver and squirm with synonyms.

Which of the following would be the BEST options?

• panic and startle

• shake and convulse

• shudder and wriggle