Reading Comprehension 1

What does controversial mean in paragraph 1?...What is the oldest university in the United States? Well, that is a somewhat controversial

topic.

• causing an argument

• detailing an agreement

• introducing a selection

• concluding a discussion

Which school claims to be the first research university in America, according

to the information in paragraph 2? Harvard University, established in 1636, has claimed to be the oldest institution of

higher education, and that is generally accepted. However, since the Philippines was a

U.S. territory from 1898 to 1946, the University of Santo Tomas, established in 1611,

was for a time the oldest university in a U.S. territory. The University of Pennsylvania

considers itself the first official university in America, a claim stated on its website.

Johns Hopkins University claims to be the first research university in America: a

differentiation that has been accepted as necessary. The College of William and Mary has

said it is the second oldest institution of higher learning in America.

So is there a difference between a college and a university? The answer is “yes.”

A college tends to be a smaller institution and only offers undergraduate degrees. A

university is usually much larger and offers graduate-level degrees as well. A university

also tends to have more diverse educational opportunities in which students may choose

to participate.

• Harvard University

• Johns Hopkins University

• University of Santo Tomas

• College of William and Mary

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SC.ELA.E1.C.1.1.c

Which central idea develops over the course of the text?

• “The lacemaker’s wrinkled hands are surprisingly agile. This

  seventy-something lady in Prainha, on the northeastern coast of Brazil,

  rapidly maneuvers two dozen wooden bobbins, which make a pleasant

  clicking sound as she works.”

• “Early colonists made lace to pass the time and supplement their families’

  income, making doilies, collars, and tablecloths out of white and colored

  linen threads.”

• “Several factors can influence the price of a lace piece, including the type of

  thread used (cotton, silk, or other materials), the intricacy of the design, and

  the size, which is a measure of the time it takes to complete it.”

• “Whether watching lacemakers at work in the market, at a lace center, or in

  the shade of their own doorways, it’s a pleasure to witness the production of

  such delicate finery, inch by inch.”

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SC.ELA.E1.AOR.2.2

What is the meaning of the word frenetic in paragraph 1?

• relaxed

• active

• fragile

• clumsy

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SC.ELA.E1.AOR.7.1.a

How is paragraph 1 significant to the author’s claims?

• It sets the tone for the rest of the text by explaining the origins of

  lacemaking.

• It emphasizes the lacemaker’s ability to create a wonderful product to sell to

  people.

• It describes the beauty of the art designs used in lacemaking.

• It expresses the level of difficulty involved in lacemaking.

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SC.ELA.E1.AOR.2.2

What is the meaning of laborious based on the sentences below from paragraphs 1

and 2?

“Incongruously, her frenetic movements produce a minuscule lace fragment. In

fact, a full day’s work yields just a few inches of delicate finery.

“The extraordinarily laborious craft of bobbin lace (renda di bilros in Portuguese)

came to Brazil along with Portuguese colonists who claimed its beautiful

northeastern coastline as their own in the seventeenth century.”

• easily performed

• extremely dull

• excessively difficult

• quickly finished

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SC.ELA.E1.AOR.2.2

SC.ELA.E1.AOR.7.1.a

How was the art of lacemaking in the New World viewed differently than it was

viewed in Europe in the seventeenth century?

• Lacemaking was viewed as an everyday task in the New World; in Europe,

  lace was seen as a luxurious fashion accessory.

• Lacemaking was seen as a luxury that pioneers could not afford in the

  New World; in Europe, lace was found on common accessories.

• Lacemaking was seen as strictly women’s work in the New World; in Europe,

  it was seen as a proper way to make a living for both men and women.

• Lacemaking was seen as an art form for only the upper class in the

  New World; in Europe, all classes of people wore and produced lace.

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SC.ELA.E1.C.1.1.c

SC.ELA.E1.OE.3

How does the author advance her purpose in the sentences below from

paragraph 5?

“If you want to see lacemakers in action, take a day trip to the seaside towns of

Iguape or Prainha, both of which boast lacemaking centers where you can watch

women and girls making lace. Ask the lacemakers to indicate which patterns are

most traditional, as each town is known for its own patterns.”

• She encourages everyone to visit Iguape and Prainha to see the authentic

  lacemakers.

• She makes convincing statements about the higher cost of lacemaking in

  Iguape and Prainha.

• She provides information about the historical role Iguape and Prainha played

  in creating the art of lacemaking.

• She shares her feelings about the lacemaking practices in Iguape and

  Prainha that take advantage of women and girls.

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SC.ELA.E1.AOR.5.2

How does the art of making lace represent Brazilian cultural heritage?

• Portuguese colonists were developing the lacemaking market in Brazil during

  the seventeenth century.

• Lacemaking is directly related to the daily tasks performed in the seaside

  colonies of Brazil.

• Lace is considered a luxurious fashion accessory in Brazil.

• Lace has a religious significance to the people of Brazil.

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SC.ELA.E1.OE.3

Which statement from the text supports the author’s claim that making lace is

laborious?

• “Lace can be produced either with a needle and thread (needle lace) or by

  interweaving threads wound on bobbins.”

• “As many as 50 bobbins, each holding an individual thread, might be used to

  work a single pattern.”

• “Ask the lacemakers to indicate which patterns are most traditional, as each

  town is known for its own patterns.”

• “You can pick up small items like napkins for around seven to 15 Brazilian

  reals (just a few dollars).”

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SC.ELA.E4.OE.5