Grade 7, WHAT DO FISH HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING?

What can be inferred about Mrs. Markham‟s character from her actions in the beginning of the story?

• She is open-minded and curious about others

• She is protective and possibly fearful of the unknown

• She is indifferent to her surroundings

• She is impatient with her son

In the phrase “His matted, streaky gray hair hung like a ragged curtain over a dirty face,” the word “matted” most nearly means

• clean and shiny

• tangled and clumped together

• long and flowing

• short and trimmed

Why does the author describe the man in such detail?

• To show Willie‟s curiosity and growing awareness of hardship.

• To criticize people who live on the streets

• To make readers sympathize only with Mrs. Markham

• To shift the focus away from Willie and his mother.

Which line from the passage best supports the idea that Mrs. Markham tries to shield Willie from unpleasant realities?

• “Every day Mrs. Markham waited for her son, Willie, to come out of school when it was over.”

• “They walked home together.”

• She suddenly tugged at Willie. „Don‟t look that way,‟ she said.”

• Willie stole a look back over his shoulder.”

What reason does Mrs. Markham give for not wanting Willie to look at the homeless man?

• She believes the man is rude and disrespectful

• She says the man is sick and unhappy, and looking at him is impolite

• She thinks Willie might recognize the man from school.

• She doesn‟t want to stop and give him money

What does Mrs. Markham‟s behavior with the cake reveal about her personality?

• She is careless and disorganized

• She is loving but controlling and focused on appearances

• She is generous and open-minded

• She doesn‟t care about Willie‟s needs

In the sentence “A half-inch piece is a portion and a portion contains the following nutrients,” the word nutrients most nearly means:

• vitamins and substances needed for growth and health

• rules that people must follow

• sweet ingredients that make food tasty

• unnecessary details printed on labels

What can be inferred about Mrs. Markham‟s attitude toward science from her comment about the nutrition box?

• She respects scientific information and uses it to sound knowledgeable

• She doubts what scientists say about food.

• She believes scientists are wrong most of the time.

• She wants Willie to stop eating sweets altogether.

The author‟s tone in describing Mrs. Markham‟s careful actions with the cake is best described as:

• Admiring and respectful

• Critical yet realistic

• Amused and slightly ironic

• Cold and distant

In the sentence “He took care to wipe the crumbs off his face as well as to blot the milk moustache with the napkin,” the word blot most nearly means

• smear or spread

• dry or dab lightly

• remove completely

• ignore or overlook