The puppies tripped over themselves when the gate opened. Everyone laughed, watching them roll over each other in their effort to reach the food dish.

The owner means, "They are a clumsy mess." The comment about the puppies being "very coordinated" is likely a humorous understatement given the context of them tripping over themselves and rolling over each other.

Once, there was a great mystery in our town. Every lawn on the main street turned brown overnight. There’d been no strange weather, no unseasonable chill nor oddities in rainfall. The neighborhood was abuzz with rumors. Some thought it was just an odd case of bad luck, but others believed it was an intentional act.

The town called on a local detective to investigate. At the town meeting, there were hours of citizens sharing their thoughts, suspicions, and ideas. At the end of the meeting, a citizen asked the detective what she knew based on all the testimony.

“If there’s one thing I know, it’s that I know nothing,” she said.

There was some grumbling at that. Almost everyone in the room but the detective seemed to be pretty sure they knew what had happened. But a week later, the detective determined that the issue was the result of an underground pipe break. No one had guessed that.

Question
Use the story to answer the question.

How does the paradox function in the story?

(1 point)
Responses

It introduces humor by showing that the detective is the least knowledgeable person in the room.
It introduces humor by showing that the detective is the least knowledgeable person in the room.

It challenges the reader’s idea about what it means to think you know something.
It challenges the reader’s idea about what it means to think you know something.

It proves that knowing something is less important than acting.
It proves that knowing something is less important than acting.

It demonstrates how illogical the people in town are being with their theories.

The paradox functions in the story by challenging the reader’s idea about what it means to think you know something. The detective's admission that she knows nothing contrasts with the confident theories of the townspeople, highlighting the complexity of knowledge and understanding.

Use the sentence to answer the question.

The old mountains had none of the glitz and glam boasted of by the towering Rockies out west, but these rugged hills had a worn, ancient secrecy about them.
What effect does the language have on the historic setting?

(1 point)
Responses

The word choice reflects the time period.
The word choice reflects the time period.

Items from the past reveal the time period.
Items from the past reveal the time period.

Imagery helps engage the reader’s senses.
Imagery helps engage the reader’s senses.

Location-specific details indicate a specific region.

The effect of the language on the historic setting is that **imagery helps engage the reader’s senses.** The use of phrases like "worn," "ancient secrecy," and the comparison to "glitz and glam" creates a vivid picture that evokes a sense of history and depth in the description of the mountains.

Use the paragraph to answer the question.Kade and Lula took slow, careful steps. All around them, the moonlight kissed the red ivy. The ivy stretched out, strangling the garden bench, the fountain, and the gate—taunting them with its omnipresence. How could they possibly get around without touching it? A few droplets of chilly rain splattered down. Each icy drop seemed to say, “Hurry, hurry. You don’t have long.”In 3–5 sentences, explain how the author used figurative language to create a specific effect. Make sure to explain what kind of figurative language the author used and the effect it had. Provide samples from the text to support your answer.(4 points)

The author employs personification and imagery to create a tense and foreboding atmosphere in the scene. The phrase "the moonlight kissed the red ivy" uses personification to suggest a gentle, almost loving relationship between the moonlight and the ivy, contrasting with the sinister image of the ivy "strangling" the garden bench, fountain, and gate. This creates a sense that the ivy is alive and threatening, enhancing the tension as Kade and Lula navigate their environment. Additionally, the drops of rain are described as if they are urging the characters to hurry—"each icy drop seemed to say, 'Hurry, hurry. You don’t have long.'" This personification heightens the urgency of their situation, making the reader feel the pressure alongside the characters.

In 3–5 sentences, explain an object to someone who is unfamiliar with the object using an analogy that clarifies the object’s function or makes the explanation easier to understand.(4 points)

A smartphone is like a Swiss Army knife for the modern world. Just as a Swiss Army knife combines multiple tools—like a knife, screwdriver, and scissors—into one compact design, a smartphone integrates various functions like calling, texting, browsing the internet, and taking photos all in one device. Its screen can be likened to a mini computer display, allowing users to access information and communicate with others, just as the tools in the Swiss Army knife help in different situations. With a smartphone, you can manage your day, stay connected with friends, and access a vast array of entertainment, making it an essential gadget for daily life.