Name Date Class Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question. The Maze Runner Excerpt from Chapter 1 By James Dashner 1 He began his new life standing up, surrounded by cold darkness and stale, dusty air. 2 Metal ground against metal; a lurching shudder shook the floor beneath him. He fell down at the sudden movement and shuffled backward on his hands and feet, drops of sweat beading on his forehead despite the cool air. His back struck a hard metal wall; he slid along it until he hit the corner of the room. Sinking to the floor, he pulled his legs up tight against his body, hoping his eyes would soon adjust to the darkness. 3 With another jolt, the room jerked upward like an old lift in a mine shaft. 4 Harsh sounds of chains and pulleys, like the workings of an ancient steel factory, echoed through the room, bouncing off the walls with a hollow, tinny whine. The lightless elevator swayed back and forth as it ascended, turning the boy's stomach sour with nausea; a smell like burnt oil invaded his senses, making him feel worse. He wanted to cry, but no tears came; he could only sit there, alone, waiting. 5 My name is Thomas, he thought. That... that was the only thing he could remember about his life. 6 He didn't understand how this could be possible. His mind functioned without flaw, trying to calculate his surroundings and predicament. Knowledge flooded his thoughts, facts and images, memories and details of the world and how it works. He pictured snow on trees, running down a leaf-strewn road, eating a hamburger, the moon casting a pale glow on a grassy meadow, swimming in a lake, a busy city square with hundreds of people bustling about their business. 7 And yet he didn't know where he came from, or how he'd gotten inside the dark lift, or who his parents were. He didn't even know his last name. Images of people flashed across his mind, but there was no recognition, their faces replaced with haunted smears of color. He couldn't think of one person he knew, or recall a single conversation. 8 The room continued its ascent, swaying; Thomas grew immune to the ceaseless rattling of the chains that pulled him upward. A long time passed. Minutes stretched into hours, although it was impossible to know for sure because every second seemed an eternity. No. He was smarter than that. Trusting his instincts, he knew he'd been moving for roughly half an hour. 9 Strangely enough, he felt his fear whisked away like a swarm of gnats caught in the wind, replaced by an intense curiosity. He wanted to know where he was and what was happening. 10 With a groan and then a clunk, the rising room halted; the sudden change jolted Thomas from his huddled position and threw him across the hard floor. As he scrambled to his feet, he felt the room sway less and less until it finally stilled. Everything fell silent. Excerpted from THE MAZE RUNNER Copyright 2011 by James Dashner.
1. Read the following sentences from the story. My name is Thomas, he thought. That... that was the only thing he could remember about his life. Why does the author include this part of the story? A To show that Thomas is alone. B To explain why Thomas ended up in the elevator. C To convey why Thomas is eager to find his family. D To explain why Thomas is so confused. 2. The description of the elevator in paragraph 4 helps the reader understand - A the fear Thomas is experiencing. B how the elevator looks. C the recognition Thomas is feeling. D the uncertainty of the situation. 3. In paragraph 6, the word predicament, which is of Latin origin, means - A to contain many elements B a difficult situation C an unplanned decision D having possession 4. The change in emotion Thomas feels in paragraph 9 is most closely associated with which of the following? A unsure to curiosity B fearful to hopeful C scared to interested D apprehensive to sure 5. Read this sentence from the story. like the workings of an ancient steel factory The author uses figurative language in this sentence in order to - A help the reader imagine what Thomas is going through. B emphasize the seriousness of Thomas situation. C establish the importance of Thomas safety. D exaggerate the danger Thomas is in.
6. Read the dictionary entry below. Sour \ˈsau (-!)r\ 1 causing or characterized by one of the four basic taste sensations produced chiefly by acids 2 having an acid taste or smell 3 not up to the usual, expected, or standard quality or pitch 4 containing sulfur compounds, especially of petroleum products Which definition matches the meaning of sour in paragraph 4? A Definition 1 B Definition 2 C Definition 3 D Definition 4 7. Read the final lines of the excerpt. As he scrambled to his feet, he felt the room sway less and less until it finally stilled. Everything fell silent. What is most likely the purpose of this sentence? A to set the final tone B to resolve Thomas problem in the excerpt C to create suspense about what will happen next D to foreshadow an event that will change Thomas perspective 8. What is the best summary of the excerpt? A In complete darkness Thomas feels a lurching shudder shake the floor beneath him. His back struck a hard metal wall; he slid along it until he hit the corner of the room. Terror and fear take control of him as he sinks to the floor, pulls his legs up tight against his body, and hopes his eyes would soon adjust to the darkness. B Thomas didn t understand what was happening. His mind functioned without flaw, trying to calculate his surroundings and knowledge can back to him, facts and images, memories and details of the world and how it works. And yet he didn't know where he came from, or how he'd gotten inside the dark lift, or who his parents were. He didn't even know his last name. Thomas fear then became a curiosity to figure out what was really happening. C Thomas was in a room that continued its ascent. Minutes stretched into hours, although it was impossible to know. Strangely enough, he felt his fear replaced by an intense curiosity. He wanted to know where he was and what was happening. With a sudden jolt, he scrambled to his feet, he felt the room sway less and less until it finally stilled. Everything fell silent. D In confusing darkness Thomas realizes he is trapped in an old metal elevator that is ascending. He can remember general bits of information but can only remember his first name, no faces or family. As he continues to ascend and time passes, his fear begins to change to an intense curiosity as the elevator finally goes still and silent.
9. In paragraph 8, the discussion of how much time has passed was added to show that Thomas - A has a specific knowledge of what is happening B is still able to think rationally C envies the passing of time D wants to figure out what is happening 10. Which theme is best expressed in the excerpt? A war B love C mystery D revenge
Name Date Class Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question. A Fault In Our Stars Excerpt from Chapter 1 By John Green 1 I went to Support Group for the same reason that I'd once allowed nurses with a mere eighteen months of graduate education to poison me with exotically named chemicals: I wanted to make my parents happy. There is only one thing in this world worse than biting it from cancer when you're sixteen, and that's having a kid who bites it from cancer. 2 Mom pulled into the circular driveway behind the church at 4:56. I pretended to fiddle with my oxygen tank for a second just to kill time. "Do you want me to carry it in for you?" "No, it's fine," I said. The cylindrical green tank only weighed a few pounds, and I had this little steel cart to wheel it around behind me. It delivered two liters of oxygen to me each minute through a cannula, a transparent tube that split just beneath my neck, wrapped behind my ears, and then reunited in my nostrils. The contraption was necessary because my lungs sucked at being lungs. 3 "I love you," she said as I got out. "You too, Mom. See you at six." "Make friends!" she said through the rolled-down window as I walked away. 4 I didn't want to take the elevator because taking the elevator is a Last Days kind of activity at Support Group, so I took the stairs. I grabbed a cookie and poured some lemonade into a Dixie cup and then turned around. A boy was staring at me. 5 I was quite sure I'd never seen him before. Long and leanly muscular, he dwarfed the molded plastic elementary school chair he was sitting in. Mahogany hair, straight and short. He looked my age, maybe a year older, and he sat with his tailbone against the edge of the chair, his posture aggressively poor, one hand half in a pocket of dark jeans. 6 I looked away, suddenly conscious of my myriad insufficiencies. I was wearing old jeans, which had once been tight but now sagged in weird places, and a yellow T-shirt advertising a band I didn't even like anymore. Also my hair: I had this pageboy haircut, and I hadn't even bothered to, like, brush it. Furthermore, I had ridiculously fat chipmunked cheeks, a side effect of treatment. I looked like a normally proportioned person with a balloon for a head. This was not even to mention the cankle situation. And yet I cut a glance to him, and his eyes were still on me. It occurred to me why they call it eye contact. 7 I walked into the circle and sat down next to Isaac, two seats away from the boy. I glanced again. He was still watching me. 8 Look, let me just say it: He was hot. A non-hot boy stares at you relentlessly and it is, at best, awkward and, at worst, a form of assault. But a hot boy... well. 9 I pulled out my phone and clicked it so it would display the time: 4:59. The circle filled in with the unlucky twelve-to-eighteens, and then Patrick started us out with the serenity prayer: The guy was still staring at me. I felt rather blushy. 10 Finally, I decided that the proper strategy was to stare back. Boys do not have a monopoly on the Staring Business, after all. So I looked him over and soon it was a staring contest. After a while the boy smiled, and then finally his blue eyes glanced away. When he looked back at me, I flicked my eyebrows up to say, I win. Excerpted from A FAULT IN OUR STARS Copyright 2012 by John Green.
1. How does the main character respond at first to the boy staring at her? A She decides to stare back. B She tells the boy to stop. C She encourages him by smiling. D She begins to feel self-conscious. 2. Why is the main character s Mother most likely in favor of her going to support group? A She hopes her daughter can make friends. B She wants her daughter to become more independent. C She thinks her daughter longs for adventure. D She believes it will help her daughter not be sick. 3. Which sentence best reveals how the main character really feels about going to support group? A I didn't want to take the elevator. B "You too, Mom. See you at six." C I wanted to make my parents happy. D I felt rather blushy. 4. In paragraph 2, the word cannula, means - A a syringe for fluid B a small reed C a way to breathe oxygen D a thin tube you breathe through 5. Which sentence best summarizes paragraphs 6 through 7? A The boy staring at her was good looking, tall and muscular; maybe one year older than her. B The main character is self-conscious of her appearance, due to her clothing, hair, and treatment side effects, as the boy stares at her while she takes her seat. C The main character is wearing old jeans, a yellow T-shirt and has ridiculously fat chipmunked cheeks, a side effect of treatment. D The main character looked at the boy; his eyes were still on her and it occurred to her why they call it eye contact.
6. The author suggests that the main character has - A cancer B anger issues C uncertainty D discovered love 7. The main purpose of paragraph 10 is to A suggest the main character likes the boy B highlight the main character s confidence C show that life can be difficult D give examples of the things the main character likes 8. How does the girl s thinking change as the boy continues to stare at her? A She becomes more confident. B She becomes more self-conscious. C She becomes happier. D She becomes angry. 9. The conversation between the girl and her mother is important because it A establishes how the girl feels about the situation B explains why she feels so self-conscious C shows that the support group is important D illustrates the strong relationship they have 10. Read the following sentences. After a while the boy smiled, and then finally his blue eyes glanced away. When he looked back at me, I flicked my eyebrows up to say, I win. The sentence was most likely used to help the reader infer that the - A boy feels defeated B boy will continue to stare at the girl C boy is happy the girl decided to stare back D boy was angry about how the girl responded
Name Date Class Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question. Hush Hush Excerpt from Chapter 2 By Becca Fitzpatrick 1 My Mom and I live in a drafty Eighteenth-century farmhouse on the outskirts of Coldwater. It's the only house on Hawthorne Lane, and the nearest neighbors are almost a mile away. I sometimes wonder if the original builder realized that out of all the plots of land available, he chose to construct the house in the eye of a mysterious atmospheric inversion that seems to suck all the fog off Maine's coast and transplant it into our yard. The house was at this moment veiled by gloom that resembled escaped and wandering spirits. I spent the evening planted on a stool in the kitchen in the company of algebra homework and Dorothea, our housekeeper. 2 My mom works for the Hugo Renaldi Auction Company, coordinating estate and antique auctions all along the East Coast. This week she was in upstate New York. Her job required a lot of travel, and she paid Dorothea to cook and clean, but I was pretty sure the fine print on Dorothea's job description included keeping a watchful, parental eye on me. 3 "How was school?" Dorothea asked with a slight German accent. She stood at the sink, scrubbing over baked lasagna off a casserole dish. "I have a new biology partner." "This is a good thing or a bad thing?" "Vee was my old partner." "Humph." More vigorous scrubbing and the flesh on Dorothea's upper arm jiggled. "A bad thing, then." I sighed in agreement. "Tell me about the new partner. This girl, what is she like?" "He's tall, dark, and annoying." And eerily closed off. Patch's eyes were black orbs. Taking in everything and giving away nothing. Not that I wanted to know more about Patch. Since I hadn't liked what I'd seen on the surface, I doubted I'd like what was lurking deep inside. Only, this wasn't exactly true. I'd liked a lot of what I'd seen. I was in an uneasy alliance with myself, trying to ignore what had started to feel irresistible. 4 At nine o'clock Dorothea finished for the evening and locked up on her way out. I flashed the porch lights twice to say goodbye; they must have penetrated the fog because she answered with a honk. I was alone. I took inventory of the feelings playing out inside me. I wasn't hungry. I wasn't tired. I wasn't even all that lonely. But I was a little bit restless about my biology assignment. I'd told Patch I wouldn't call, and six hours ago I'd meant it. 5 All I could think now was that I didn't want to fail. Biology was my toughest subject. My grade tottered problematically between A and B. In my mind, that was the difference between a full and half scholarship in my future. 6 I went to the kitchen and picked up the phone. I looked at what was left of the seven numbers still tattooed on my hand. Secretly I hoped Patch didn't answer my call. If he was unavailable or uncooperative on assignments, it was evidence I could use against him to convince Coach to undo the seating chart. Feeling hopeful, I keyed in his number. Patch answered on the third ring. "What's up?" In a matter-of-fact tone I said, "I'm calling to see if we can meet tonight. I know you said you're busy, but-" "Nora." Patch said my name like it was the punch line to a joke. "Thought you weren't going to call. Ever." I hated that I was eating my words. I hated Patch for rubbing it in. I hated Coach and his deranged assignments. I opened my mouth,
hoping something smart would come out. "Well? Can we meet or not?" "As it turns out, I can't." "Can't, or won't?" "I'm in the middle of a pool game." I heard the smile in his voice. "An important pool game." From the background noise I heard on his end, I believed he was telling the truth about the pool game. Whether it was more important than my assignment was up for debate. "Where are you?" I asked. "Bo's Arcade. It's not your kind of hangout." "Then let's do the interview over the phone. I've got a list of questions right-" He hung up on me. 7 I stared at the phone in disbelief, then ripped a clean sheet of paper from my notebook. I scribbled Jerk on the first line. On the line beneath it I added, Smokes cigars. Will die of lung cancer. Hopefully soon. Excellent physical shape. I immediately scribbled over the last observation until it was illegible. 8 The microwave clock blinked to 9:05. As I saw it, I had two choices. Either I fabricated my interview with Patch or I drove to Bo's Arcade. The first option might have been tempting if I could just block out Coach's voice warning that he'd check all answers for authenticity. I didn't know enough about Patch to bluff my way through a whole interview. And the second option? Not even remotely tempting. 9 I delayed making a decision long enough to call my mom. Part of our agreement for her working and traveling so much was that I act responsibly and not be the kind of daughter who required constant supervision. I liked my freedom, and I didn't want to do anything to give my mom a reason to take a pay cut and get a local job to keep an eye on me. On the fourth ring, her voicemail picked up. "It's me," I said. "Just checking in. I've got some biology homework to finish up, then I'm going to bed. Call me at lunch tomorrow, if you want. Love you." 10 After I hung up, I found a quarter in the kitchen drawer. Best to leave complicated decisions to fate. "Heads I go," I told George Washington's profile, "tails I stay." I flipped the quarter in the air, flattened it to the back of my palm, and dared a peek. My heart squeezed out an extra beat, and I told myself I wasn't sure what it meant. "It's out of my hands now," I said. Determined to get this over with as quickly as possible, I grabbed a map off the fridge, snagged my keys, and backed down the driveway. Excerpted from HUSH HUSH Copyright 2009 by Becca Fitzpatrick 1. Why did Nora finally decide to go see Patch? A Nora promised her mother she would get good grades and didn t want to fail the assignment. B Nora wanted a good grade and was secretly interested in learning more about Patch. C Nora decides that she really is interested in Patch and is excited to see him again. D Nora is angry at how rude Patch is and decides to go confront him. 2. In paragraph 1 through 3, we can infer that Nora s A family is different from other families B housekeeper is like a mother to her C Mom is too overprotective D Dad is not around
3. Which of the following words most closely match the meaning of the word vigorous, in paragraph 3? A moderate B sluggish C forceful D efficient 4. Why does Nora call her mother? A Nora calls to get her mother s advice. B Nora calls because she is home alone. C Nora calls to put off making a decision about Patch. D Nora calls to tell her mom about her day. 5. Which best summarizes paragraph 7 through 10? A Nora stared at the phone in disbelief, then ripped a clean sheet of paper from her notebook. She scribbled Jerk, Smokes cigars, will die of lung cancer, hopefully soon, and excellent physical shape. She immediately scribbled over the last observation until it was illegible. She would just have to go confront him. Grabbing her keys she took off down the driveway. B Nora can t believe Patch hung up on her and realizes she has two choices, make up the assignment or go confront Patch. Delaying her decision she leaves her mom a voicemail. Then she decides to flip a coin. She flipped the quarter in the air. It was out of her hands now so she grabbed her keys and backed down the driveway. C Nora had two choices. Either she lies about her interview with Patch or she drives to Bo's Arcade. The first option might have been tempting if she could just block out her teacher s voice warning that he'd check all answers for authenticity. That wasn t going to work she didn't know enough about Patch. And the second option was not even remotely tempting. D Nora delayed making a decision long enough to call her mom. She liked her freedom and didn't want to do anything to give her mom a reason to take a pay cut and get a local job to keep an eye on her. On the fourth ring, her voicemail picked up. After she hung up, she flipped a coin, grabbed a map off the fridge, snagged her keys, and backed down the driveway. 6. We can infer from the following line that when Nora flips the quarter it lands on heads. A My heart squeezed B I told myself I wasn't sure what it meant C snagged my keys and backed down the driveway D I flipped the quarter in the air
7. Which sentence best expresses the main conflict of the excerpt? A Nora s worry about getting a bad grade on her Biology project. B Nora s mother's concern about Nora s safety at home alone. C Nora s argument over the phone with Patch. D Nora s internal struggle with her torn feelings about her Biology partner. 8. Which words from paragraph 3 help the reader know what doubted means? A this wasn't exactly true B I hadn't liked what I'd seen C I'd liked a lot of what I'd seen D I was in an uneasy alliance 9. The phone conversation in paragraph 6 between Nora and Patch is included in the chapter to help the reader understand A Nora s frustration with Patch B Nora s feelings about being home alone C Nora s change in opinion D Nora s fear of going to Bo's Arcade 10. Which sentence foreshadows that Nora will end up contacting Patch about the assignment? A I went to the kitchen and picked up the phone. B I'd told Patch I wouldn't call, and six hours ago I'd meant it. C Biology was my toughest subject. D Secretly I hoped Patch didn't answer my call.
Name Date Class Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question. Ender s Game Dialog from Third By Orson Scott Card " 1 Speaker 1: I've watched through his eyes, I've listened through his ears, and I tell you he's the one. Or at least as close as we're going to get. 2 Speaker 2: That's what you said about the brother. 3 Speaker 1: The brother tested out impossible. For other reasons. Nothing to do with his ability. 4 Speaker 2: Same with the sister. And there are doubts about him. He's too malleable. Too willing to submerge himself to someone else's will. 5 Speaker 1: Not if the other person is his enemy. 6 Speaker 2: So what do we do? Surround him with enemies all the time? 7 Speaker 1: If we have to. 8 Speaker 2: I thought you said you liked this kid. 9 Speaker 1: If the buggers get him, they'll make me look like his favorite uncle. 10 Speaker 2: All right. We're saving the world, after all. Take him. Dialog from ENDER S GAME Copyright 1985 by Orson Scott Card "" 1. Why does Speaker 2 not believe Speaker 1 when he says, he's the one? A He does not believe because the boy is too nice. B He does not believe because the boy s brother and sister didn t seem to work out. C He does not believe because they are enemies and don t trust each other. D He does not believe because the boy does not have the ability. 2. What is the overall tone of the dialog? A Quarrelsome B Enthusiastic C Bitter D Hateful
3. In line 4, the word malleable, means - A to stand strong B shape without breaking C easily influenced D to make into two different shapes 4. In line 9, we can infer buggers are A important B helpful C unknown D bad 5. In the end, both Speaker 1 and Speaker 2 agree that A most of the boy s family did not work out B taking the boy would not be in his best interest C the boy might be worth taking a chance on D there is too much danger to take the risk 6. Read the following sentence. If the buggers get him, they'll make me look like his favorite uncle. The author uses the comparison to help the reader understand - A the impossible task ahead of them and its seriousness B how the buggers are even more dangerous than him C that trying to use the boy is in everyone s best interest D if they take this risk on the boy they will no longer be family 7. Which sentence(s) best summarizes the dialog? A The speakers agree that the boy is the one and worth taking a risk on to save the world. B Speaker 2 believes the boy is the one, even if his other family members did not end well. All things aside, the boy had to be the one and worth a try. C Speaker 1 explains how the boy is not the one since his brother and sister did not end up having what it takes. D The speakers disagree if the boy is the one or not since his brother and sister did not work out; however in the end they decide they have no choice. There is too much on the line so they must try.
8. Read the dictionary entry below for the word submerge. Submerge [suh b-murj] 1. to put or sink below the surface of water 2. to cover or overflow with water 3. to cover or bury 4. to make yourself fully involved in an activity or interest Which definition represents the meaning of submerge as it is used in line 4. A Definition 1 B Definition 2 C Definition 3 D Definition 4 9. What emotion is the author most likely intending to evoke in the reader? A Curiosity about the importance of the boy B Concern for the boy s well-being C Awe at the importance of their decision D Disappointment in the final verdict 10. The author uses figurative language in line 1 to help the reader understand A that he and the boy think alike. B that he knows the boy. C that it is important for them to be of one mind. D that he will later listen to the boy. " "