1. Read the passage and answer the question. Farida chuckled. "This game is not known to you, cousin?" She tucked a stray hair back under her hijab. "All Zazibari start learning to play bao when they're toddlers." "We have a game like this in the U.S.," Aisha said, running her fingers over the smooth hollows of the wooden board. "But it's called mancala. It's simpler." "You like things simple in America, I think," said Farida, setting up the board and placing large white seeds—game pieces—into the hollows. "Simple dramas on TV. Simple food." Aisha bit back a salty reply and instead said carefully, "Cousin, I think we are far more complex than you expect. Is this square hollow my home base?" "Yes. We call that the nyumba, the home. Shall we play the bao la kujifunza, the simplified game, for my simple American cousin?" "No, Farida. Let's play the regular version,” Aisha insisted. “I know how to lose graciously." Farida smiled a shark's smile and explained more of the rules. She beat Aisha soundly: once, twice. But Aisha lost the third game so narrowly that Farida stopped mocking her—and the fourth game, Aisha won outright. To celebrate Aisha’s win, Farida bought her cousin some mishkaki, barbecue skewers, from a street vendor. Aisha took a bite, and the flavors transported her home—to Missouri, where her father had taught her to cook traditional Zanzibari food. Which of these best states a theme of the passage? (2 points) Responses A. Winning is the most important outcome of an exchange between two cultures. A. Winning is the most important outcome of an exchange between two cultures. B. Humility and grace are weaknesses when engaged in cultural conflict. B. Humility and grace are weaknesses when engaged in cultural conflict. C. It takes patience and respect to navigate someone else's culture. C. It takes patience and respect to navigate someone else's culture. Engagement in another culture's practices rarely results in genuine connections. Engagement in another culture's practices rarely results in genuine connections. Question 2 2. Reading the passage and answer the question Kayla had grown tired of online games. The trash talk, the irritating memes, the constant taunts to "git, gud, noob." It grated on a person. The time for team games was over. "Mom?" she said. "Did they have computer games before the internet?" Her mother rolled her eyes. "Of course," she said. "Let me show you!" She directed Kayla to an online collection of old games from the 90s, remastered so they'd work on her phone. "I was playing these games when I was your age," she said. Kayla looked at the titles skeptically. "When? In the age of the dinosaurs?" "Yes, honey. When the Earth was young." Kayla booted up one of the games—a point-and-click, single-player adventure game. It wasn't terribly immersive: by today's standards, the graphics were awful. But the writing was funny and, after an hour or so, even the pixel art started to look cool. She made it through the first five puzzles and then called her mother into the room. "I'm stuck. How do I figure out the password to get into the secret pirate club?" "You have to trick the doorman," her mom said. "Run through that dialogue again. Let's see if he drops any clues." In her next conversation with the doorman, his tendency to rhyme made the answer obvious: the password was door-hinge, the only conceivable rhyme for orange. Kayla was in! Maybe when dinosaurs roamed the earth, the games actually weren’t that bad. A student identified this theme of the story: There is value in exploring the past. Which evidence from the passage best supports this theme? (2 points) Responses A. "It wasn't terribly immersive: by today's standards, the graphics were awful" A. "It wasn't terribly immersive: by today's standards, the graphics were awful" B. "The trash talk, the irritating memes, the constant taunts to "git, gud, noob." B. "The trash talk, the irritating memes, the constant taunts to "git, gud, noob." C. "Maybe when dinosaurs roamed the earth, the games actually weren’t that bad." C. "Maybe when dinosaurs roamed the earth, the games actually weren’t that bad." D. "Mom?" she said. "Did they have computer games before the internet?" D. "Mom?" she said. "Did they have computer games before the internet?" Question 3 3. Read the following passage and answer the question: In the quiet town of Millbrook, Sarah spent every afternoon helping at the local animal shelter despite her busy schedule. Though her friends teased her about missing social events, she knew the abandoned animals needed her care. Over time, her dedication inspired others to volunteer too. What is the main theme of this passage? (2 points) Responses A. Friendship is more important than hobbies A. Friendship is more important than hobbies B. Self-sacrifice and compassion lead to positive change B. Self-sacrifice and compassion lead to positive change C. Animals make better companions than people C. Animals make better companions than people D. Small towns provide better volunteering opportunities D. Small towns provide better volunteering opportunities Question 4 5. Read the following passage: After losing his phone, Jake realized he spent more time talking with his family and enjoying outdoor activities. What seemed like a disaster became an unexpected blessing. What theme does this passage convey? (2 points) Responses A. Technology is harmful to relationships A. Technology is harmful to relationships B. Outdoor activities are better than indoor ones B. Outdoor activities are better than indoor ones C. Sometimes loss leads to unexpected benefits C. Sometimes loss leads to unexpected benefits D. Family time should be scheduled daily D. Family time should be scheduled daily

1 answer

Here are the answers to the questions based on the passages provided:

Question 1: What is the main theme of the passage about Farida and Aisha?
Answer: C. It takes patience and respect to navigate someone else's culture.
(Explanation: The passage highlights the interaction between two cousins from different cultures, where Aisha learns about Farida's cultural game and ultimately celebrates a shared experience despite differences.)


Question 2: Which evidence from the passage best supports the theme "There is value in exploring the past"?
Answer: C. "Maybe when dinosaurs roamed the earth, the games actually weren’t that bad."
(Explanation: This statement reflects Kayla's newfound appreciation for the older games and implies that exploring the past can yield unexpected value.)


Question 3: What is the main theme of the passage about Sarah and her work at the animal shelter?
Answer: B. Self-sacrifice and compassion lead to positive change.
(Explanation: Sarah's dedication to the animal shelter, despite losing social time, illustrates that her compassion and sacrifices can inspire others to make a difference.)


Question 4: What theme does the passage convey about Jake losing his phone?
Answer: C. Sometimes loss leads to unexpected benefits.
(Explanation: Jake's realization that he is spending more time with family and enjoying outdoor activities suggests that the loss of his phone had a positive impact on his life.)


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