Robbed
"Hey, Tony," said Keith as he walked into the locker room.
"Are you ready for the best baseball season ever?" asked Tony.
"You know it, buddy," replied Keith. His good humor disappeared, however, when he noticed that his friend Marshall Schnicky's locker was still empty.
"No word from Marshall yet?" he asked.
"Not yet," Tony replied.
"I don't know what to do," said Keith. "Marshall doesn't have much to say about anything these days. Especially about—you know. Even his parents will barely talk to me when I go over and try to visit him."
"Ever since the robbery, Marshall's been a different person. He never talks to us anymore, and he never seems to get excited about anything. It's just not like him," said Tony.
"He was thrilled last year when he made the baseball team," Keith agreed. "Remember how he called the baseball field his 'dusty diamond'? I hate that he was robbed walking home from a game. Now he constantly expects the robber to show up on the field."
Suddenly, Marshall walked into the locker room. Keith and Tony jumped up to greet their friend, but the sudden movement made Marshall cringe.
"I just came to tell Coach Bronson that I'm quitting the team," he told his friends. "I can't step foot on the field again."
"You can’t quit! Do your parents know about this?" asked Keith.
"All my parents care about is having a normal life," said Marshall angrily. "If I can't be normal, then they just ignore me and hope I'll somehow shape up."
"Why don't you discuss it with Coach Bronson?" Keith suggested. "This team is like his family. He can help you." Marshall shook his head and walked to Coach Bronson's office without another word. Keith and Tony tried to focus on getting ready for practice.
"Boys, can I see you for a minute?" asked Coach Bronson. Keith and Tony quickly followed their coach into the hallway.
"Why is Marshall quitting the team?" the coach asked.
"He hasn't been the same since he was robbed last semester, coach," said Keith.
"What are you talking about?" Coach Bronson asked in shock, a worried crease appearing on his forehead. "This is serious. I'd better call Principal Stewart and the Schnickys. We need to get the police involved right now." As Coach Bronson returned to his office, Keith and Tony shared relieved smiles. It was nice to have the burden off of their shoulders.
"They don't call him ‘Bronson the Bulldog’ for nothing," said Tony. "He will figure out a way to help Marshall."
Passage 2
Still With Me
by Marshall Schnicky
Your harsh voice
"Gimme your wallet!"
Laughter frozen in my throat
Now—only fear in my heart
Because of you
I must quit the dusty diamond I love
Wanting out—OUT!
You are free
But I am jailed
Everywhere I turn
I see you
Still with me.
Their kind eyes
Their friendly smiles
Their constant care
Fear frozen in my throat
Screaming free—FREE!
I am free
Yes, even in the darkness
My friends are
Still with me.
2
Select all the correct answers.
Which statements best describe how both passages portray the character of Marshall?
Both passages show how Marshall feels about Coach Bronson.
Both passages reveal that Marshall feels relieved when his friends demonstrate concern for him.
Both passages provide a reason for Marshall's decision to quit the baseball team.
Both passages describe the effect of the robbery on Marshall's relationship with his parents.
Both passages emphasize Marshall's change in behavior since the robbery.
- Both passages provide a reason for Marshall's decision to quit the baseball team.
- Both passages describe the effect of the robbery on Marshall's relationship with his parents.
- Both passages emphasize Marshall's change in behavior since the robbery.