New Mexico Spring 2005 Core. Standard Tested: Order Up

Transcription

1 New Mexico Spring 2005 ore Grade: 08 ontent: R Form: ore Position: Standard Tested: Order Up Tessa, it s time. You ve been working here for two weeks now. I told you, we don t serve beverages in glass containers on the deck, and we don t give people water in the fancy plastic cups. Those cups cost money, you know, Mariana snapped. I stared hard at my feet as I listened to Mariana s latest round of criticism. She hadn t bothered to commend me for covering all of Jesse s tables during a busy lunch rush. I was beginning to regret my decision to accept this job instead of the one at my dentist s office filing papers and maintaining the computer database three days a week. The night before, Jesse had been hinting around that he d found another job. Even though I had only worked at the ozy omfort afé for ten days, I had already seen three employees come and go. Waiting tables wasn t what I had anticipated. I dropped a check off at a booth as I made my way to a table that needed clearing. The last time I had seen the busgirl, she was chatting away with the line cook in the kitchen. I found my tip two crumpled dollars wedged under a plate smeared with ketchup and dill pickle juice. To my surprise, the busgirl approached the table just as I started to stack the plates. I ll take care of it, she said airily. I nodded my head and made my way to another table that needed to be cleaned off. After the rush, the dining room looked like a war zone; every table was littered with empty plates, broken crayons, wadded napkins, and half-empty glasses. The room seemed to ooze grease and steam like a hot spring. I resolved to have all of my tables cleared by two o clock, with or without help from the busgirl. Miss! Miss! I became vaguely aware that someone was trying to get my attention. It was table 16, a group of four seated at the corner booth on the deck. Quickly, I made my way toward the table. There s a problem with our bill, began the man as his wire-rimmed glasses slid down to the tip of his nose. We ordered three soft drinks, not four. I had water, so you owe us $1.25. I accepted the bill from his outstretched hand, and unfortunately, he was right. I m sorry, you re right. I made a mistake. I ll have this taken care of immediately, I said, smiling politely as I walked away. See, you really have to watch these places. They try to sneak in extra charges wherever they can, I heard him whisper smugly to his friend. Reject

2 Standard Tested: The thought of asking Mariana to change the bill was about as appealing as having my tonsils removed, but I had no other option. To my surprise, she was too busy poring over some supply sheets to scold me harshly. She handed me the corrected check without a word, barely acknowledging that I was alive. Table 16 paid their check and promptly left, and I began the task of clearing once again. I hesitated when I saw a newspaper folded up in the corner of the booth, the heading Help Wanted screaming at me in thirty-point black type. I casually folded and slipped the newspaper section into my apron pocket and resumed my task, feeling more energized now that I had selected my reading material for the evening.

3 Standard Tested: IIIB Read the following sentence from the story and then answer the question. After the rush, the dining room looked like a war zone; every table was littered with empty plates, broken crayons, wadded napkins, and halfempty glasses. The words the author chooses to describe the dining room contribute meaning to the story by A B D showing how glad Tessa was that she did not have to clear the tables showing the reader that the busgirl was busy clearing tables telling the reader what people used while they were dining at the restaurant giving the reader a sense of what Tessa is experiencing

4 Standard Tested: IIIB Which phrase from the story is an example of figurative language? A B D... wedged under a plate smeared with ketchup and dill pickle juice.... seemed to ooze grease and steam like a hot spring.... too busy poring over some supply sheets to scold me harshly.... feeling more energized now that I had selected my reading material for the evening.

5 Standard Tested: I List two feelings that describe how Tessa was feeling at work that day. Be sure to write your response in your answer document.

6 Standard Tested: IIIB What is Tessa s main conflict in this story? A B D She realizes she does not like being a waitress. She thinks her boss is cruel and uncaring. She is angry that she has to cover extra shifts at her new job. She feels that she works harder at the café than most of the other employees.

7 Standard Tested: IIIB If Tessa had to write an essay about her job at the ozy omfort afé, which of the following titles would not indicate a stereotype or bias? A B D Why Bosses Act Mean ustomers Are Rude The Joy of Waiting Tables How to Excel as a Server

8 Standard Tested: I Name two lessons that Tessa learned about working in a restaurant. Be sure to write your response in your answer document.

9 Standard Tested: IB1A Which word best describes Tessa? A B D Determined Restless Frightened Deceived

10 Standard Tested: IIIB Which event best represents the resolution of the story? A B D Tessa gets the incorrect bill fixed. Tessa realizes Mariana isn t going to scold her. Tessa knows she will have her tables cleared by two o clock. Tessa decides to look in the newspaper for a new job.

11 Standard Tested: IIIB Identify the conflict, the rising action, and the resolution in this story. How does the narrator handle herself when faced with conflict? Discuss her attitude toward conflict and how this affects the outcome. Use specific examples from the story in your answer. Be sure to write your response in your answer document.