The Horned Toad Selection Test

Which of the following best expresses one implicit theme of the story?

• People should always obey their elders without question.

• Family bonds can grow stronger through shared experiences.

• Children should not be involved in adult decisions.

• Moving to a new place always brings happiness.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is another implicit theme developed throughout the story?

• Respecting one’s heritage helps preserve family identity.

• Animals are more loyal than people.

• Silence is the best way to avoid conflict.

• City life is better than country life.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

How are both themes—family bonds and heritage—developed in the story?

• Through the narrator’s school experiences and friendships.

• Through Grandma’s cooking and gardening skills.

• Through the narrator’s changing relationship with Grandma and the burial of the horned toad.

• Through the family's decision to move to Bakersfield.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Read this sentence from the story: “The verdancy of the garden reminded Grandma of the ranch.” What does the word verdancy most likely mean?

• Dryness

• Greenness

• Sadness

• Emptiness

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

Read this sentence: “Grandma’s voice was raspy, but her words were deliberate and firm.” What does the word deliberate most likely mean in this sentence?

• Accidental

• Careful and intentional

• Quiet and unsure

• Fast and careless

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.6.4

Read this sentence: “The horned toad was a relic of the past, something Grandma cherished deeply.” What does the word relic most likely mean in this sentence?

• A dangerous animal

• A modern invention

• An object from the past

• A type of plant

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

“The narrator was bewildered by Grandma’s sudden tenderness.” What does the word bewildered most likely mean?

• Confused

• Excited

• Angry

• Relieved

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Read this excerpt: “I don’t know if it was the shock of hearing her speak English for the first time, or the way she had denied me a piece of candy, but I suddenly felt tears warm my cheeks.” What is the best characterization of the narrator’s voice in this sentence?

• Bitter and sarcastic

• Reflective and emotional

• Formal and distant

• Humorous and playful

Tags

CCSS.RL.1.6

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

How does the setting of the garden and the ranch help develop the theme of respecting one’s heritage and family bonds?

• It shows that Grandma prefers city life over rural traditions.

• It symbolizes the narrator’s desire to escape his family.

• It connects Grandma’s past to the present, helping the narrator understand her values.

• It proves that the narrator is better at gardening than Grandma.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Throughout “The Horned Toad,” the narrator and Grandma view family and tradition differently. Based on their actions and dialogue, how do their perspectives differ, and what does this reveal about their values?

• The narrator values independence and modern life, while Grandma values obedience and strict discipline.

• The narrator initially misunderstands Grandma’s traditions, while Grandma consistently honors her cultural values, revealing a generational gap that is bridged through shared experiences.

• Both the narrator and Grandma reject family traditions, showing their desire to move forward without the past.

• The narrator and Grandma both view family as a burden, which causes conflict throughout the story.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3