Edge Level C Unit 2 Cluster 3 The Freedom Writers Diary 1. The author most likely wrote this collection of diary entries to A. show that the best way to teach writing is by having students create their own diaries B. brag about what a good high school English teacher she is C. relate how selecting readings that students can personally relate to can change lives D. highlight students who became excellent writers and were successful in college LA.910.1.7.2 The correct answer is C. Options A, B, and D are incorrect because they represent incorrect interpretations of the author s purpose or perspective. Option A is incorrect because Ms. Gruwell is only showing that this method of teaching was successful for her and her students. She does not say in the diary that others should also use her method. Option B is incorrect because Ms. Gruwell is relating her feelings and thoughts as well as the reactions of her students, not bragging about her successes. Option C is correct because Ms. Gruwell tells the reader of the books she assigned her students (page 190) and how the students were affected by what they read. The student diary entries provide examples of the students reactions to the literature and experiences arranged by Ms. Gruwell. Option D is incorrect because although the diary entries of students are showcased, it is because of what they had to say not because they wrote eloquently or went on to be outstanding college students. 2. Read the sentence from a diary entry. I immediately decided to throw out my meticulously planned lessons and make tolerance the core of my curriculum. Which word is most opposite in meaning to meticulously? F. thoughtlessly G. conscientiously H. precisely I. painstakingly LA.910.1.6.8 The correct answer is F. Options G, H, and I are incorrect because they represent correct meanings (synonyms) of the assessed word. Definitions are given for root words according to wordwizard.scholastic.com which defines meticulous as carefully attentive to every small detail; painstaking. Option F is correct because thoughtless is opposite in meaning to the assessed word. Thoughtless is defined as showing a lack of thought or attention. Option G is incorrect because conscientious is similar in meaning 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.
to the assessed word. Conscientious is defined as careful; precise. Option H is incorrect because precise is similar in meaning to the assessed word. Precise is defined as no more or no less; exact. Option I is incorrect because painstaking is similar in meaning to the assessed word. Painstaking is defined as involving or using great care and detailed and diligent attention; meticulous. 3. Student 75 was affected by Jim Zwerg in many ways EXCEPT A. he acted on his feelings even though it was dangerous B. he believed in demonstrating for his beliefs nonviolently C. he was on the Freedom Rider bus because he wanted to be there despite its risks D. he wanted to be able to sit in any seat on a public bus in the deep South LA.910.1.7.3 The correct answer is D. Options A, B, and C are incorrect because they represent correct inferences or conclusions based on details found in the text. Option A is incorrect because Jim did act in the face of danger when he was the first to exit the bus. Option B is incorrect because it is true as the student writes on page 199, He felt this was his chance to fight back, nonviolently Option C is incorrect because Jim was on the bus because he wanted to be there. Option D is correct because as a white man he could sit anywhere on a bus. On pages 198-199 the reader learns of Jim s courage and his ability to act on his beliefs. 4. The use of red bold-print words throughout the selection helps to reader to F. easily tell when a student writes an entry and when the teacher responds to the entry G. understand that the diary entries are written by either the teacher or by different students H. identify how many different entries the same Freedom Writer student made before graduation I. know when a new diary entry was going to address another of the assigned readings LA.910.6.1.1 The correct answer is G. Options F, H, and I are incorrect because they represent incorrect analysis and interpretation of text features. Option F is half correct because the red bold-print words do tell when a different student writes; however, the teacher does not respond in writing to the students. Option G is correct because the red-print words identify which student diary entry the reader is seeing as well as entries written by Ms. Gruwell. Option H is incorrect because the selection does not include all student entries leading up to graduation. Option I is incorrect because the red bold-print heading do not relate to the assigned readings. 2 of 6
5. Read the sentence from the Ms. Gruwell s diary. I think they ll be surprised how life mirrors art. Which student statement shows that she was right? A. Like all wars, there is an enemy. B. Neither Gerda nor Anne could lead normal teenage lives. They lost their innocence due to uncontrollable circumstances. C. I did find myself within the pages of the book D. After I stayed in the class and toughed it out, a lot more white students transferred in LA.910.1.7.3 The correct answer is C. Options A, B, and D are incorrect because they represent incorrect inferences or conclusions based on details found in the text. Option A is incorrect because it is written by student 36 on page 194 and does not support the sentiment in Ms. Gruwell s quote. Option B is incorrect because it is written by student 41 on page 197 and does not support the sentiment in Ms. Gruwell s quote. Option C is correct because it shows how life mirrors art by finding oneself inside a book. Option D is incorrect and is written by student 75 on page 198 and, although close, does not fully support the sentiment in Ms. Gruwell s quote. 3 of 6
Edge Level C Unit 2 Cluster 3 Strength, Courage, and Wisdom 6. Read the song lyric. Behind my pride there lives a me that knows humility. Which word is most similar in meaning to humility? F. modesty G. arrogance H. self-importance I. conceit LA.910.1.6.8 The correct answer is F. Options G, H, and I are incorrect because they represent words that are most opposite in meaning to the word being assessed. Definitions are from wordwizard.scholastic.com which defines humility as the quality or state of being humble; modesty about one's status or accomplishments. Option F is correct because modesty is similar in meaning to the word being assessed. Modesty is defined as the quality of being modest; lack of vanity or pretense. Option G is incorrect because arrogance is opposite in meaning to the word being assessed. Arrogance is defined as the condition or quality of being arrogant, belief in one's superiority, or excessive pride. Option H is incorrect because selfimportance is opposite in meaning to the word being assessed. Self-importance is defined as having an unrealistically high opinion of one's influence or importance. Option I is incorrect because conceit is opposite in meaning to the word being assessed. Conceit is defined as an exaggerated opinion of oneself. 7. Read the lyric from the song. Inside my head there lives a dream that I want to see in the sun. Who in Freedom Writers Diary might have spoken those words? A. Erin Gruwell as she began her teaching career at Wilson High School. B. Gerda Seifer when she talked to an audience about the Holocaust. C. Sharaud when he entered his English class at Wilson High School for the first time. D. Ten-year-old Zlata Filipović in Sarajevo in 1990. LA.910.2.1.5 The correct answer is A. Options B, C, and D are incorrect because they represent inaccurate interpretations of character, point of view, plot development, setting, conflict, or theme. 4 of 6
Option A is correct because Erin Gruwell had high aspirations for her students as she writes on page 189. Option B is incorrect because Gerda Seifer was the Holocaust survivor who spoke to the high schools students about her experiences. Option C is incorrect because when Sharaud first entered his Wilson High English class he was a disciplinary transfer not a dreamer. Option D is incorrect because ten-year-old Zlata was a normal child it wasn t until 1991 that her city erupted in war. 8. The use of words in italics throughout the song helps the reader to F. identify the various parts of the song. G. understand the author s meaning. H. know when to repeat a verse. I. learn the words to the song s chorus. LA.910.6.1.1 The correct answer is F. Options G, H, and I are incorrect because they represent incorrect analysis and interpretation of text features. Option F is correct because the words in italics (Verse 1, Pre-Chorus, Chorus, Verse 2, Repeat Pre-Chorus, Repeat Chorus, Bridge) label the different parts of the song. Option G is incorrect because the words in italics have nothing to do with the meaning/interpretation of the song s lyrics. Option H is incorrect because only the Pre-Chorus and Chorus are repeated, the verses are not repeated. Option I is incorrect because the words in italics simply label the sections of the song, they do not identify any song lyrics. 9. The students in The Freedom Writers Diary and India Arie write for many reasons EXCEPT A. to express the thoughts and feelings they have inside B. to share self-doubts and fears they feel C. to complete tasks they have been assigned D. to explore new realizations about their lives LA.910.1.7.3 The correct answer is C. Options A, B, and D are incorrect because they represent correct inferences or conclusions based on details found in the texts. Option A is incorrect because it expresses the reasons why the students and India Aire write from the heart. Option B is incorrect because it expresses the reasons why the students and India Aire write from the heart. Option C is correct because India Arie does not write to complete an assignment. Option D is incorrect because it expresses the reasons why the students and India Aire write from the heart. 5 of 6
10. According to The Freedom Writers Diary and Strength, Courage, and Wisdom, what do Erin Gruwell and India Aire have in common? F. Erin Gruwell works hard to write meticulous, thorough lesson plans for her classes, and India Aire struggles to write lyrics that rhyme and still tell an interesting story. G. Erin Gruwell promotes the personal growth of her audience, her students, with her text selections, and India Aire promotes the personal growth of her audience, those that hear her songs, with her moving and thought-provoking lyrics. H. Erin Gruwell instructs her students in writing how to best express themselves using words that will emotionally affect their readers so they can win writing contests, and India Aire writes words and music that are unique and special so that she can win Grammy awards. I. Erin Gruwell wants her students to learn about intolerance and brutality so that they will be accepting and not prejudiced, and India Aire also writes to promote fair and tolerant treatment for all. LA.910.1.7.7 The correct answer is G. Options F, H, and I are incorrect because they represent incorrect comparisons. Option F is incorrect because The Freedom Writers Diary is not about Gruwell s lesson plans and Aire s lyrics do not tell a story. Option G is correct because Gruwell carefully selects texts that students will relate to because of their age and life experiences; Aire s lyrics are universal as they talk about the self-doubt we all feel at one time or another. Option H is incorrect because neither selection is about winning awards for writing. Option I is incorrect because Gruwell s lessons on intolerance are so that the students will relate to characters from other times and realize that they are not alone in the way they feel, and in this song, Aire is not addressing tolerance, but is expressing feelings about herself. 6 of 6