1. Read this sentence from the story. Edge Level B Unit 3 Cluster 1 The Sword in the Stone Lessons were suspended so that he and Kay could join the men out in the fields. Which word is most opposite in meaning to suspended? A. halted B. continued C. deferred D. postponed LA.910.1.6.8 The correct answer is B. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because they represent words/phrases that mean the same as the identified word. Definitions are from dictionary.reference.com which defines suspend as it is used in the excerpt as to come to a stop, usually temporarily; cease from operation for a time. Option A is incorrect because halt is similar in meaning to the identified word. Halt is defined as to cause to stop temporarily or permanently; bring to a stop. Option B is correct because continued is most opposite in meaning to the identified word. Continue is defined as to go on after suspension or interruption. Option C is incorrect because defer is similar in meaning to the identified word. Defer is defined as to put off (action, consideration, etc.) to a future time. Option D is incorrect because postpone is similar in meaning to the identified word. Postpone is defined as to put off to a later time; defer. 2. What do the illustrations on pages 201, 203, and 210 have in common? F. the presence of large, rocky cliffs in the countryside G. an indication of the size and weight of the sword H. the use of light making the scenes dramatic I. images of challenges that Arthur faced as England s king LA.910.6.1.1 The correct answer is H. Options F, G, and I are incorrect because they represent facts, details, or other information drawn from the text features but unrelated to the question being tested. Option F is incorrect because the illustration on page 201 does not show any rocky cliffs in the countryside, but the illustrations on pages 203 and 210 do show them. Option G is incorrect because the sword is not shown in the illustration on page 203, but it is the main feature in the illustration on page 203 and is worn by King Arthur in the illustration on page 210. Option H is Copyright 2010 The Hampton-Brown Company, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of The National Geographic Society, publishing under the imprints National Geographic School Publishing and Hampton-Brown. Teachers are authorized to reproduce this material in limited quantities and solely for use in their own classrooms.
correct because the lighting creates drama in the illustrations. The lighting in the illustration on page 201 highlights the left-side of the sword, the lighting makes the dragon look even more fierce and huge in the illustration on page 203, and the lighting on King Arthur in the illustration on page 210 makes it look as though he is standing in a spotlight from the heavens. Option I is incorrect because the illustrations do not show images of challenges King Arthur faced as King of England. The sword in the anvil was the challenge that enabled him to become king. As King, he may or may not have slain dragons like the one shown in the illustration on page 203. The illustration on page 210 shows King Arthur with his crown which is not a challenge. 3. What information did the author provide to tell the reader about Arthur s character? A. He is strong, helpful, and is a good horseman. B. He is a faithful son, a kind brother, and a trustworthy knight. C. He is religious, a defender of the crown, and an excellent swordsman. D. He is a hard worker, loyal to his family, and an honest person. LA.910.2.1.5 The correct answer is D. Options A, B, and C are incorrect because they represent plausible but incorrect distractors based on the text. Option A is incorrect because although Arthur grows stronger as he gets older, the reader is not told that he is strong. Arthur is helpful; however, the reader is not told of Arthur s skill as a horseman. Option B is incorrect because Sir Ector is not Arthur s real father, and Kay is not his real brother. Arthur is not a knight. Option C is incorrect because the reader does not know if Arthur is religious; he is never in a position to defend the crown, and the reader is not informed of Arthur s skills as a swordsman. Option D is correct because the reader learns that Arthur is a hard worker when reading about the harvest on page 202 and on page 203, Of course I will, said Arthur, who was always willing to help other people. The reader learns about Arthur s loyalty on page 204, Arthur was to ride with them (Kay and Sir Ector) so he could act as Sir Kay s squire. Arthur s honest was shown when on page 206 he tells Sir Ector how he pulled the sword out of the anvil. 4. What is the central conflict in this story? F. the battle between the knights guarding the sword and the local townspeople G. the heated contest between England s best knights at the Candlemas and Easter tournaments H. the rivalry between Arthur and Kay to be the most favored and successful knight in Sir Ector s party I. the older knights did not believe that an unknown, youthful knight could remove the sword from the rock LA.910.2.1.5 The correct answer is I. Options F, G, and H are incorrect because they represent inaccurate interpretations of conflict. Option F is incorrect because there is no conflict between the knights guarding the sword and the local townspeople. Option G is incorrect because these gatherings were not contests. As the Hampton Brown Edge Level B, Unit 3, Cluster 1 2 of 6
reader learns on page 208, the nobles gathered at Candlemas and though all nobles tried their hardest to draw the sword, none of them could move it. Also on page 208 the reader learns that at Easter, they made another trial, but none of them could move the sword Option H is incorrect because there was no rivalry between Arthur and Kay. As the reader learns on page 204, Kay became a knight and Arthur served as his squire. Option I is correct because as the reader learns on page 206, Sir Ector is astonished that Arthur could pull out the sword. As the reader learns on page 208, when only Arthur could remove the sword, The great nobles and knights refused to agree that this unknown youth should be king over them. At Candlemas and at Easter, again, only Arthur could remove the sword. 5. Which event in the story leads the reader to predict that Arthur will be a fair and honest king? A. Arthur serves as a squire for his brother, Kay. B. Arthur tied the hay into sheaves and stacked them up. C. Arthur was given to Ector by Merlin. D. Arthur told the truth about how he got the sword. LA.910.1.7.3 The correct answer is D. Options A, B, and C are incorrect because they represent incorrect inferences or conclusions based on details found in the text. Option A is incorrect because although this is an event in the story (page 204), it does not predict how he will be as king. Option B is incorrect because although this is an event from Arthur s childhood (pages 202 and 203), it does not predict how he will be as king. Option C is incorrect because the author reveals on page 207 that Merlin brought you to me when you were a tiny baby, wrapped in a cloth of gold. I knew you were of noble blood, but I had no idea that you were born to be King. This revelation does not predict how he would be as king. Option D is correct because his honesty as a squire when he told Sir Ector that he was the one who pulled the sword from the anvil, predicts his honesty as a king as shown on page 209, when Arthur ordered that all lands and properties should be returned to their rightful owners and that everyone should respect the right of others. Edge Level B Unit 3 Cluster 1 Was There a Real King Arthur? 6. Look at the timeline on pages 214 and 215. Which of these events could the author have included on the red line? F. Empress Suiko becomes the first Japanese woman to be chosen to accede to the throne in 592. G. King Alfred the Great of England founds Athelney Abey in thanksgiving for his triumph over the Vikings in 888. Hampton Brown Edge Level B, Unit 3, Cluster 1 3 of 6
H. Eric the Red begins the Viking exploration of Greenland in 982. I. The Domesday Book is completed in England in 1086. LA.910.6.1.1 The correct answer is G. Options F, H, and I are incorrect because they represent incorrect analysis of text features. Option F is incorrect because the red line shows events that occurred in Britain. This option about Enpress Suiko is a world event that occurred in Japan and could have been included on the green line. Option G is correct because events that occurred in Britain between 390 C.E. and 1066 are on the red line. The founding of Athelney Abey is is an event that occurred in Britain within the dates reflected in the timeline. Option H is incorrect because this option about Eric the Red is a world event and would have to be shown on the green timeline. Option I is incorrect because although this is an event that occurred in Britain and, therefore, would be on the red line, it occurred in 1086 which is twenty years beyond the end of the timeline. 7. These authors wrote about British history EXCEPT A. British monk Saint Gildas B. Ethiopian monks C. Welsh monk Nennius D. Geoffrey of Monmouth LA.910.1.7.3 The correct answer is B. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because they represent details that support the information asked for in the question. Option A is incorrect because as the reader learns in the red section (Britain) of the timeline on page 214, in c. 547 The monk Gildas mentions Ambrosius in The Overthrow of Britain and on page 216 on the map 500 C.E. St. Gildas describes Ambrosius. Option B is correct because as the reader learns in the green section (The World) of the timeline on page 214, c. 540 Ethiopian monks translate the Bible. Option C is incorrect because as the reader learns in the red section (Britain) of the timeline on page 215, in c. 870 Nennius names King Arthur as the hero of the Battle of Mt. Badon in his History of the Britans. and on page 216 on the map 800 C.E. Nennius writes about Arthur. Option D is incorrect because as the reader learns on page 218, Geoffrey of Monmouth, an author of the 1100s, said that Tintagel in Cornwall was Arthur s birthplace, and there is even a suitable ruined castle perched on a cliff there. In addition, this information is restated in the caption under the photographs on page 219, Geoffrey of Monmouth claimed that Tintagel Castle was Arthur s birthplace. 8. What is the main idea of the article Was There a Real King Arthur? F. Although people want to believe Arthur was real, there is no actual proof that he existed. G. Bards in Wales and France entertained people with stories of a hero named Arthur. H. There is an enormous oaken round table hanging in the Great Hall of Winchester Castle which could be Arthur s Round Table. Hampton Brown Edge Level B, Unit 3, Cluster 1 4 of 6
I. Other countries have legends of sleeping leaders waiting to be awakened so they can return to help their people. LA.910.1.7.3 The correct answer is F. Options G, H, and I are incorrect because they represent incorrect interpretations of the main idea. Option F is correct because this historical analysis can be summarized: This article examines whether King Arthur really existed. Although stories make reference to him and researchers have discovered objects possibly linked to his existence, the truth remains a mystery. Still, people want to believe Arthur was real. Option G is incorrect because this is only a detail in the article, not the main idea. The reader is told on page 216 that At the same time, bards in Wales and Brittany, in France, were entertaining their hosts with stories of a hero named Arthur. Option H is incorrect because this is only a detail in the article, not the main idea. The reader is told on page 217 that in the city of Winchester in southern England. Hanging there, in the Great Hall of Winchester Castle, is an enormous round table-top. It is made of solid oak, is eighteen feet in diameter Option I is incorrect because this information is just a detail in the article, not the main idea. The reader is told on page 220 And the idea of a once and future king, sleeping somewhere, awaiting his time to return, is not unique to the Arthur story. The legend exists in Denmark, Spain, and Germany. 9. How does Robert Stewart organize this article? A. by discussing scientific examinations of possible historical evidence that has been unearthed and analyzed B. by following a timeline of the major accomplishments during Arthur s reign as King of England C. by relating historical anecdotes of the adventures of King Arthur s Knights of the Round Table D. by providing sequential information written by British historians to document the life of King Arthur LA.910.1.7.5 The correct answer is A. Options B and D are incorrect because they represent incorrect interpretations of text structures/organizational patterns. Option C is incorrect because it represents incorrect details drawn from the text. Option A is correct because the historical analysis is presented as a discussion of scientific examinations of possible historical evidence that King Arthur existed. Option B is incorrect because there is not a timeline of King Arthur s reign because it has not been proved that there was a King Arthur. Option C is incorrect because there is no proof that there was a King Arthur or Knights of the Round Table. Option D is incorrect because there is no proof found by British historians that King Arthur existed. Hampton Brown Edge Level B, Unit 3, Cluster 1 5 of 6
10. Why did the author write the article Was There a Real King Arthur? F. to glorify the legend of the famous, brave, but dangerous Knights of the Round Table of Britain G. to try to help solve the mystery surrounding the legend of King Arthur H. to tell how Arthur pulled the sword from the rock to become king I. to inform readers about the various castles in Britain that are believed to have played a part in the life of King Arthur LA.910.1.7.2 The correct answer is G. Option F is incorrect because it represents incorrect interpretations of the author s purpose of perspective. Option H is incorrect because it represents plausible but incorrect distractors based on the text. Option I is incorrect because it represents facts and details that do not support the author s purpose or represent the author s perspective. Option F is incorrect because the historical analysis was written to examine evidence that has been produced to prove that King Arthur existed not to research the Knights of the Round Table. Option G is correct because people are interested in the legend of King Arthur and want to know if it is true. Option H is incorrect because the historical analysis does not discuss any historical evidence of the legend that Arthur pulled the sword from the rock to become king. Option I is incorrect because although various British castles are mentioned in the historical analysis, they are included for reference purposes and are not the reason why the author wrote this article. Hampton Brown Edge Level B, Unit 3, Cluster 1 6 of 6