Question

Roller Coaster Realization
1. Taj’s hair blew as the roller coaster roared above. It was so loud he had to hold his hands over his ears to drown out the sound as the breath left his chest.

2. Taj hated roller coasters more than he hated Mondays.

3. “Let’s go!” his best friend, Jack, shouted.

4. “Why don’t we go on the Go-carts instead?” Taj asked. Jack had asked him to go to the fair, but Taj didn’t want to chicken out, so he'd agreed to go on the rides.

5. “You promised,” Jack said.

6. Jack was right. He had promised Jack that he’d go on this twisty, turning, and upside-down roller coaster. What was he thinking?

7. “Come on!” Jack said, sprinting toward the entrance.

8. Taj followed behind his best friend.

9. The line wasn’t too long yet, so Taj and Jack settled in behind the twenty people who poured onto the roller coaster.

10. Hearing the thumping of the coaster makes Taj’s stomach twist and turn like a ride.

11. Taj was so focused on this scary ride that he didn’t notice the young man in front of him walking with a limp until he watched Jack embrace the man.

12. “Taj, this is my Uncle Mark,” Jack said, introducing the man to Taj.

13. The roller coaster roared behind them, causing Taj to jump.

14. “Don’t like the coasters?” Uncle Mark asked Taj.

15. He shrugged, not wanting to appear frightened in front of Jack or Uncle Mark.

16. “I used to be like that too,” Uncle Mark said. “That is until I got cancer.”

17. Taj was stunned that this man, who wasn’t much older than Jack and him, had battled cancer.

18. “Now I don’t waste a moment of life worrying or being scared. What’s the point? I enjoy every moment that I have.” Uncle Mark shrugged before he climbed into the roller coaster.

19. “See you soon, Uncle Mark,” Jack said, waving to his beloved family member.

20. Uncle Mark waved right before the ride jolted to a start. Then it climbed and climbed before whooshing down a steep drop. Taj watched as Uncle Mark waved his arms and smiled ear-to-ear.

21. When it was their turn to board the roller coaster, Taj hopped into the car happily.

22. “Change your mind about coasters?” Jack asked, settling next to him.

23. “Yup,” Taj said as the ride jolted to a start. Although he screamed and his stomach jumped, Taj loved it.

Question
What are the two purposes of the passage? (Select 2)
Responses
A To show Taj's uncomfortable feelings about meeting Jack's Uncle Mark. To show Taj's uncomfortable feelings about meeting Jack's Uncle Mark.
B To show Taj's fear of the roller coaster. To show Taj's fear of the roller coaster.
C To show Taj's friendship with Jack's Uncle Mark. To show Taj's friendship with Jack's Uncle Mark.
D To show how Taj's fear changes after meeting Jack's Uncle Mark. To show how Taj's fear changes after meeting Jack's Uncle Mark.

Answer 1

B and D.

- B: The passage shows Taj's fear of the roller coaster (he hates them, covers his ears, feels his stomach twist).
- D: It also shows how that fear changes after meeting Uncle Mark, who inspires Taj to enjoy the ride.