Literary Comprehension and Analysis

In The Mysterious Shining Egg, how does the author show that the main character wants to do something kind?

• The main character explains in a monologue that she values kindness.

• The passage is written in first person and shows the main character is determined to bring her sister a gift.

• The passage is written in third person and the narrator says that the main character is determined to bring her sister a gift.

• The author shows another character talking about how kind the main character is.

What theme do these stories share?

• nature

• the thrill of discovery

• war

• family

What is similar about both stories?

• The main characters make their discoveries by accident.

• The dog finds the egg at the fair.

• The stories take place in the woods.

• The boy and the girl are both being chased.

In The Machine in the Woods, Hiro spoke to his dog soothingly. Based on the text, what could the word soothingly mean?

• calmingly or gently

• laughingly

• roughly

• hoarsely

In The Mysterious Shining Egg, where was the World’s Fair?

• in the woods

• New York City

• Chicago

• Columbia

In The Machine in the Woods, why are Hiro and Rocket running through the woods?

• They are running in a race.

• They are late getting home from Hiro’s friend’s house.

• Something or someone is chasing them.

• Hiro loves to run.

What is the author’s purpose in writing A Fiery Memory?

• to describe how the space program contributes to American culture

• to persuade the reader that the space program should be continued

• to inform the reader about Christa McAuliffe’s life

• to entertain with stories about space

What information does A Fiery Memory include that is not provided in WNTP News Flash?

• the financial cost of the event

• a time line of the event

• the emotional impact of the event

• more details about the space shuttle

Which answer best summarizes A Fiery Memory?

• A witness remembers the Challenger disaster and argues the space program should be continued.

• The Challenger carried more than just seven astronauts.

• The Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff.

• High school teacher Christa McAuliffe joined the space program in the 1980s and her influence is still felt today.

In A Fiery Memory, the author writes, “We watched it break into pieces and plummet to Earth.” What is the meaning of the word plummet?

• rise

• float

• fall

• return