The American Dream
"Henry, have you finished your homework?" called Mother from the kitchen. As Henry entered the room, he saw his sister, Sally, playing at the table. She was pretending to pour and mix ingredients while Mother was preparing dinner.
*Not yet, Mom. I need Dad's heip to finish my math. He always understands and explains it so I can get the right answers," Henry responded.
"It need to help you with your homework tonight. Dad is working late at the factory because one of the machines broke. All of the workers had to stay extra hours to prepare a shipment," Mom explained calmly. "Remember, Dad has taken the day off Friday. We can't afford for him to miss any mare hours of work this week because our rent is due next Monday.*
Mom, why does Dad have to work such long hours at the factory?* Henry asked, disheartened by the time is father's work stole from their time together.
Mother stopped stirring the cornbread batter and ruffled Henry's hair.
Henry, you know how
much Dad loves us. He wants to provide the best he can for you and Sally. Do you remember when Dad explained that he was forced to drop out of school when his father died? He wants you to have the opportunities he never had. Now, bring your math to the table, and let's work on it together. It's important to keep your grades up.
Henry knew what that comment from his mother meant. From his earliest memory, Henry's parents had expressed their desire for him to attend college, yet he could not imagine that they would have the money. These thoughts were often reinforced when Henry would watch his mother count coins at the grocery store. Henry understood how important his education was to his parents, but he doubted he would actually have the opportunity for college
When Friday arrived, Henry and his father craned their necks to see the man on the stage. It was a cold afternoon In mid-January and even the birds were silent. The frosty air was crackling with the energy of the speakers words, and Henry was awestruck. In the distance, he could see the man was handsome with reddish hair that appeared boyish and windswept. The man on the stage had a youthful vitality that Henry's father did not possess even though they were the same age - 43. Not only that, the
man at the podium shared the stage with his wife and two children - one, a daughter, who was the age of Sally. The icy wind was brutal and biting, but Henry hardly noticed the temperature because the wind carried the words of the man straight to his heart.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America wil do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you.
With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of
our deeds, let us
go
forth to lead the land we love, asking his blessing and
his help, but knowing that here on earth
God's work must truly be our own.
The roar of applause that was carried toward Henry and his father was thunderous. However, Henry's praise was the loudest of all. His frigid hands were almost chapped raw from clapping in enthusiastic approval. His mother had warned him to wear his gloves but that would have muffled his appreciation. Menry hoped the man on the stage could hear his applause above that of everyone eise.
As father and son made their way to the car, Henry replayed the speaker' words in his mind - Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans. . ." This President wanted Henry to accomplish his dreams as well as to contribute to the country that allows him to dream. Henry reflected on his father's experiences. He was now more determined to attain his goals in the wake of the young President's words.
Henry peered through the frosted windows of his father's car and noticed the Star-Spangled Banner waving from the inaugural stage. This flag represented the great nation about which the new President of the United States spoke - America, a country where Henry and all its citizens could follow their dreams.
1. The reader can conclude that Henry was
A. inspired by the inaugural speech
B. an example for his younger sister
C. embarrassed by his father's lack of education
D. frustrated by the crowd and the weather
2. Which paragraph expresses the turning point in the story?
A. Paragraph 4
B. Paragraph 5
C. Paragraph 7
D. Paragraph 8
3. The author's choice of third-person limited narrator hips. the reader -
A. realize that Henry is an actual person in history
B. comprehend Henry's influence on his father
C. understand how the author wants Henry to be viewed
D. learn about an important historical event
4. The imagery used in paragraph 10 suggests that the author wants to express a mood of -
A. independence
B. patriotism
C. celebration
D. sympathy
4. Read this sentence from paragraph 7.
The frosty air was crackling with the energy of the speaker's words, and Henry was awestruck.
The author includes this sentence to suggest that the speaker's words are
A. powerful
B. indifferent
C. soothing
D. sophisticated
1. A. inspired by the inaugural speech
2. C. Paragraph 7
3. C. understand how the author wants Henry to be viewed
4. C. celebration
5. A. powerful