WorksheetsExcerpt from Fly for Your Life/Excerpt from River of Dreams
Total questions: 14
Worksheet time: 7mins
1. Paragraphs 1 through 4 reveal that Alan is
discouraged after several of his ideas fail
overwhelmed and dismayed by his environment
adventurous and enjoying the current challenge
focused even in a life and death situation
2. In paragraph 4, what is the effect of the simile "with tools as brittle as glass"?
It affects the plot by explaining that the tools were hard to see.
It creates suspense by showing that the tools were missing some pieces.
It adds to the setting by suggesting that the tools were reflecting the light off the snow.
It increases danger by emphasizing that the tools were breakable in the cold.
3. Why does Alan use the compressed nitrogen?
the nitrogen's energy will propel him toward the base before he runs out of air.
the nitrogen is used for emergencies when astronauts become stranded.
the nitrogen will stay liquid in the atmosphere.
the nitrogen's cable can be cut and it will continue to work.
4. What quotation best reveals Alan's character?
"As Alan glided toward the base, he flapped more often, watching the height-above-surface and distance-to-target displays."
"He could see details on the surface more clearly now, because he was flying so low.'
"Alan forced himself to stay calm. Panic would mean disaster."
"His descent rate began to slow, but the muscles in his arms burned with pain."
5. In paragraph 9, "appendages" refers to something that
calms a person
is attached
slows things down
is lightweight
6. The main way the point of view affects the story is by making it
formal
lighthearted
humorous
suspenseful
7. Which sentence would be most important to include in a summary of the story?
A cable connects space suits to a power source for spacewalks
The power from the nitrogen blast allows Alan to travel farther and faster.
Alan soars away from his target during part of his flight.
The weather on Titan is cold and hazy.
8. As used in paragraph 2, what does the phrase "fading into the background" mean?
disappearing from view
losing its importance in people's minds
moving farther and farther from the city
remaining important only to those who value nature
9. Which claim from the article is least supported?
"New York didn't seem to need the river anymore, except as a sewer. And that's what it became."
"Industry on the river had made some New Yorkers filthy rich."
"But it had just made the river filthy."
"But now there were other dreamers in the valley, with their own dreams of wealth."
10. What is the role of paragraph 7 in the organization of the article?
It compares the two groups of dreamers.
It concludes the part of the article about industry.
It introduces the part of the article about activists.
It transitions to the part of the article where change occurs.
11. What does "unblemished" mean as used in paragraph 11?
unaware
unknown
unharmed
unstable
12. How does the idea expressed in paragraph 15 relate to the article?
There are two main ways that the river can be fixed.
The river is able to move in two different directions
People who benefit from the river must also protect it.
Opposing groups can each get what they want from the river.
13. Which sentence is most important to include in a summary of the article?
One company colored the river red and yellow with excess car paint.
The Hudson River became polluted in the effort to gain wealth.
The Mahicans have a saying about taking care of the river.
The author has dreamed of returning to the Hudson River for fifty years.
14. Which quotation best expresses the author's point of view in the article?
"In less than 300 years it had grown from a tiny Dutch outpost in the wilderness to the business capital of the world."
"In 1963, Con Edison, NYC's power company, proposed a plan for constructing the largest hydroelectric pumping station ever built."
"More and more people joined the movement as they realized how much difference each of us can make."
"It's now my turn to help in keeping the river of dreams flowing, for all those dreamers yet to come."
