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American History

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 15mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

In "American History," why is Elena so happy on the day of President Kennedy's death?

a)

She receives and A on an exam.

b)

Her family buys a house in Clifton.

c)

Eugene tells her that he likes her a lot.

d)

She is going to study at Eugene's house.

2.

In "American History," Elena's mother and Eugene's mother have a similar concern about their children. From the details in the story, choose the statement that best describes the viewpoint they share.

a)

Both mothers worry about their children's continual failing grades in their classes.

b)

Both mothers wish their children to avoid mixing with members of another ethnic group.

c)

Both mothers want their children to study hard, graduate on time, and go to college.

d)

Both mothers are eager to protect their children from the influence of troublemakers.

3.

The 1960s, when "American History" is set, was a time of great social change and reform. Which of the following issues of the time is most relevant to Elena's experiences in the story?

a)

discrimination against African Americans

b)

American involvement in wars overseas

c)

strong ethnic divisions in urban areas

d)

the struggle for equal rights for women

4.

If I anticipate a birthday party this year, I...

a)

expect it to happen

b)

will hate going to it

c)

talk to my siblings about it

d)

am sad with it

5.

If a person is said to be enthralled by a story, which of the following must be true?

a)

The person is quite repelled by the story

b)

The person is mildly suspicious of the story

c)

The person is mildly interested in the story

d)

The person is quite fascinated by the story

6.

How would you describe Elena's life at school?

a)

She is one of the best athletes

b)

She is a top student

c)

She is an outsider

d)

She is popular

7.

What can you infer about Elena's parents?

a)

They work hard and make sacrifices for Elena's future

b)

They don't spend much time caring for Elena

c)

They are quite wealthy

d)

They have not adjusted to American life

8.

How is Elena's first interaction with Eugene different from what she expected?

a)

She expects rejection, but he welcomes her

b)

She expects friendliness, but he is needy

c)

She expects snobbery, but he is shy and friendly

d)

She expects shyness, but he is talkative and outgoing

9.

Toward the end of “American History,” Eugene’s mother tells Elena, “I am truly sorry if he told you you could come over. He cannot study with you. It’s nothing personal. You understand?” What is it that Eugene’s mother most likely wants Elena to “understand”?

a)

Eugene's family will be moving soon, so studying together is unnecessary.

b)

Eugene's mother does not want Eugene to socialize with someone of Elena's background.

c)

Eugene's feelings will be hurt if it turns out that Elena is smarter than Eugene.

d)

Eugene's mother does not want Eugene exposed to the bad influences in El Building.

10.

Which one of the following is an internal conflict?

a)

I should tell my brother I broke his mouse, but I'm ashamed

b)

I need to go to the grocery store, because we're out of milk

c)

I liked her before I met her, because she read books

d)

I was yelled at by Mom, because she didn't know where I was

11.

Cognates are words in different languages that are similar in origin and meaning. For example, telephone in English is teléfono in Spanish. Given your knowledge of the English word evacuate, choose the most likely definition of the Spanish cognate evacuar.

a)

to live in one town while working in another

b)

to leave home in response to a threat

c)

to travel across a large body of water

d)

to rent for a fixed amount of time

12.

English and Spanish contain many cognates—words that are similar in origin and meaning. For example, palace in English is palacio in Spanish. Given your knowledge of the English word clarity, choose the most likely definition of the Spanish cognate claridad.

a)

cleverness

b)

darkness

c)

clearness

d)

happiness

13.

Which of the following best describes the underlined prepositional phrase in the sentence below?


During the Cold War, President John F. Kennedy gave a famous speech about freedom and democracy in West Berlin, near the wall that divided the city.

a)

It is an adverb phrase identifying the era when the speech was given.

b)

It is an adverb phrase identifying where the speech was given.

c)

It is an adjective phrase explaining which U.S. president gave the speech.

d)

It is an adjective phrase describing what kind of speech the President gave.

14.

Which of the following best describes the underlined prepositional phrase in this sentence?


The Caribbean island of Puerto Rico became a commonwealth of the United States in 1952.

a)

It is an adverb phrase identifying where the island of Puerto Rico is.

b)

It is an adjective phrase describing what kind of island Puerto Rico is.

c)

It is an adverb phrase identifying when the island became a commonwealth.

d)

It is an adjective phrase identifying which island became a commonwealth.

15.

Which of these sentences correctly uses the word impulse?

a)

I don't feel well, and I have a strong impulse to go home today.

b)

My impulse is beating very quickly because I'm nervous.

c)

I impulse the rest of the class during 7th hour.

d)

My dirty, impulse, and smelly car needs to be washed.