Analyzing Textual Evidence Quiz

Read the following excerpt from a literary text: *"He glanced at the clock, its hands crawling toward midnight, and wondered if she would ever return."* Which sentence best cites textual evidence to support the inference that the character is anxious?

• The character is looking at the clock because he is bored.

• The character is watching the clock and wondering if she will return, which shows he is anxious.

• The character is waiting for someone to arrive.

• The character is thinking about the time.

After reading a passage, a student claims that the main character is uncertain about their future. Which of the following is the strongest textual evidence to support this claim?

• The character says, "I don't know what tomorrow will bring."

• The character walks to school every day.

• The character enjoys reading books.

• The character has many friends.

In a story, the narrator describes a setting as "the fog hung low, blurring the edges of the familiar street." What does this description suggest, and which textual evidence supports your answer?

• The setting is clear and easy to see.

• The setting is mysterious and uncertain, as shown by "the fog hung low, blurring the edges."

• The setting is noisy and crowded.

• The setting is bright and sunny.

Which of the following best demonstrates the use of strong and thorough textual evidence to support an analysis of a character’s motivation?

• The character is motivated because he is hungry.

• The character says, "I haven't eaten in days, and my stomach aches," which shows hunger motivates his actions.

• The character is motivated by love.

• The character is motivated by fear.

A student reads a passage where the protagonist hesitates before entering a dark room. Which textual evidence best supports the inference that the protagonist is afraid?

• The protagonist quickly enters the room.

• The protagonist hesitates before entering the dark room.

• The protagonist turns on the light.

• The protagonist laughs as he enters.

A story ends with the line: "She closed the door softly, leaving the question unspoken between them." What inference can be drawn from this ending, and what textual evidence supports it?

• The characters resolved their conflict.

• The story leaves matters uncertain, as shown by "leaving the question unspoken between them."

• The characters are happy.

• The story is about a celebration.

Given the following excerpt: "He stared at the empty chair, his hands trembling." What can you infer about the character’s emotional state, and what evidence supports your inference?

• He is calm, as shown by his steady hands.

• He is nervous or upset, as shown by "his hands trembling."

• He is excited to see someone.

• He is tired from working.

Read the following passage: *"The letter remained unopened on the table, its presence a silent accusation."* Which analysis is best supported by the textual evidence?

• The letter is unimportant to the character.

• The unopened letter suggests the character is avoiding something, as shown by "its presence a silent accusation."

• The character is excited to read the letter.

• The letter is from a friend.

A passage describes a character who "paused at the threshold, uncertain whether to step forward or retreat." What does this suggest about the character, and what textual evidence supports your answer?

• The character is confident.

• The character is indecisive, as shown by "uncertain whether to step forward or retreat."

• The character is angry.

• The character is in a hurry.

After reading a story, a student claims that the author intentionally leaves the ending ambiguous. Which textual evidence best supports this claim?

• The story ends with a clear resolution.

• The story ends with, "No one knew what would happen next, and perhaps they never would."

• The main character gets married.

• The villain is defeated.