The narrow alley provided scant room for anything besides our bulky carriage. I
needed almost constant reassurance that our driver wouldn't wedge us between the
decaying building facades. I noticed one urchin pressing himself against the wall of
the brick building as our carriage passed. I was taken by the gentle smile he wore,
despite his uncomfortable position.
Which is the effect of using the word urchin instead of boy, child, or scamp in the
passage?
It helps the reader understand why the child is smiling.
It causes the reader to see the child as poor and ragged.
It creates a strong, hopeful feeling in the reader.
It causes the reader to see the child as poor and ragged.
A student wants to read about the private life and thoughts of painter Vincent van
Gogh.
Which source would probably be most reliable?
a biography on a poster shop's Web site
Van Gogh's diary entries and letters
a historical novel about Van Gogh's life
Van Gogh's diary entries and letters
During her visit to South Korea, Catherine attended classes at her friend Sun-
Hee's school. One afternoon on the subway, a seated passenger reached for
Catherine's book bag as the train started. Startled and unsure of what was
happening, Catherine swung around to investigate. Sun-Hee explained that the
passenger's purpose was only to relieve Catherine of her burden. In Korea, she
said, seated passengers frequently extended this courtesy to those who had to
stand.
How does the setting affect Catherine's reaction?
Catherine is tired after a day at school and so she startles more easily.
The crowded nature of the subway makes Catherine nervous and suspicious.
Korean customs are unfamiliar to Catherine so she reacts with surprise.
Korean customs are unfamiliar to Catherine so she reacts with surprise.
Everyone should rush to theaters this weekend to view the new film, Lost in
Lincoln. The main character is Benjamin Farrow, an eighth-grade student who
devours everything published about Abraham Lincoln. While visiting the Lincoln
Memorial, Benjamin has an experience that causes him to see life through Lincoln's
eyes. This fascinating film will be the topic on everyone's lips on Monday morning.
Will you be part of the discussion?
Why does the author end with a question?
to show uncertainty about who will see the film
to emphasize the need for discussion
to involve the reader personally
to involve the reader personally
When the single-hulled Exxon Valdez oil tanker struck an Alaskan reef in 1989, it
triggered an environmental catastrophe. It also triggered a revolution in ship design. Now
all oil tankers operating in U.S. waters are double hulled. They are not indestructible
however; many have corroded and spilled millions of gallons of oil. The design of these
modern ships has actually accelerated dangerous corrosion due to a phenomenon
known as super rust. Fortunately, designers have developed specialized materials to
overcome this corrosion, but it is costly to change. Some shortsighted shipbuilders
haven't made the transformation. It may take another Valdez to open their eyes.
What is the author's purpose in stating that "it may take another Valdez to open their
eyes"?
to suggest that it will take another environmental disaster to compel shipbuilders to invest in more durable oil tankers
to illustrate that U.S ship designers are lagging behind other nations and have not yet solved the problems that doomed the Valdez
to offer the perspective that the increased cost of specialized materials is not worth the benefit they would bring to the environment