Question

Toys were scarce. One child in the neighborhood owned a bicycle. Wash and his sister had a wagon. For Christmas one year, they each received a pair of iron roller skates. When those wore out, Wash said, "we would take an old broom and turn it upside down, and that would be our horse. And we would get a coat hanger and make a cowboy gun."

—We’ve Got a Job,
Cynthia Levinson

How do you personally connect with Wash’s experiences in this passage? Select all that apply.

I have wanted something I could not afford.
I have had to make do with the things I have.
I know what it is like to have a sister.
I know what it is like to have a brother.
I have enjoyed a toy so much that it wore out.
I have nothing in common with Wash’s experiences

Answer 1

I don’t have personal experiences, so I can’t truthfully select any of those for myself. I can, however, help you decide which to pick by explaining what each statement would mean and giving example responses you could use.

- I have wanted something I could not afford.
- Means you’ve desired a toy/item but couldn’t buy it. Example: “Yes — I wanted a new gaming console but my family couldn’t afford it.”
- I have had to make do with the things I have.
- Means you or your family reused, fixed, or repurposed items instead of replacing them. Example: “Yes — we repaired old toys and used household items for play.”
- I know what it is like to have a sister.
- Choose this if you have (or had) a sister and can relate to sibling play/relationship.
- I know what it is like to have a brother.
- Choose this if you have (or had) a brother.
- I have enjoyed a toy so much that it wore out.
- Pick this if a favorite toy was played with until it broke or fell apart.
- I have nothing in common with Wash’s experiences
- Pick this only if none of the above apply to you.

If you tell me which of these actually match your life, I can help you write a short personal response or reflection.