Ball Hawk by Joseph Bruchac - Selection Test

What does the word cryptic mean in this sentence? Indians invented baseball. It was one of his typically cryptic remarks and, as usual, it started me thinking.

• Unclear

• Secret

• Buried

• Forbidden

How does a first-person point of view affect the reader's way of understanding other characters, other than the protagonist?

• It reveals how different people view them

• It limits readers to the protagonist’s perceptions of them.

• It gives readers direct access to character's thoughts and feelings.

• It prevents the protagonist from revealing anything about their past.

True or false? Pathetic means pitiful.

• True

• False

What is the affect of the setting of a baseball field with Mitchell's inner conflict?

• It makes him feel insecure about his athletic abilities.

• It forces him to consider his role as the team’s center fielder.

• It upsets him to be the reason his team loses almost every game.

• It flusters him to be on the field knowing his father cannot see him play.

Why does Uncle Tommy come to watch Mitchell play baseball?

• He likes baseball better than the other sports Mitchell plays.

• He came to the game because Mitchell asked him to.

• He is dedicated to supporting Mitchell like a parent.

• He is trying to learn more about Mitchell and his mom.

Which sentence from the story shows how Mitchell's mother is feeling when Mitchell is up to bat?

• My mother had gotten it into her head that being an Indian I should of course not just play baseball but excel at it.

• But try to explain to an eager German immigrant mother about stereotyping and American Indians being used as mascots.

• My mom was smiling and nodding at me, even though she had both fists clenched around her soda can so hard that it looked like an hourglass.

• It might have been my mom who encouraged Uncle Tommy to stay around and wait for me.

What is Mitchell's internal conflict?

• The lack of connection to his late father

• The need to have others admire him

• The interference of his mother

• The need to be the best player

What is the significance of the hawk? Choose 2.

• It teaches a lesson Mitchell can apply to baseball.

• It represents the memories of Mitchell’s home run.

• It catches Mitchell’s ball during the baseball game.

• It interferes with Mitchell’s training plans.

• It shows how Mitchell learns about his roots.

What does Mitchell realize at the end of the story?

• Baseball is important to him because it helps him make friends.

• Baseball is important to him because it connects him to his father.

• He wants to become a better baseball player to represent his culture.

• He wants to become a better baseball player to make his mom happy.

Part A: The main conflict throughout much of the selection occurs between —

• Mitchell and himself

• Mitchell and his mother

• Mitchell and his teammates

• Mitchell and Uncle Tommy