Question

1
Anthony kicked a pile of slushy snow on the sidewalk. He missed the warm weather of his hometown, but homesickness was the least of his concerns right then. Anthony needed some inspiration—fast—for Friday's class. They were studying different ways that people honor or remember their family's history. Each student was required to make a presentation.

2
Anthony heard his mother's sewing machine as he strolled into the living room. He paused and soaked in the familiar scene—the hum and whir of the machine, the brightly colored strips of cloth, and the distinct smell of hot oil used to keep the machine running efficiently. Maybe she would know what to do.

3
Anthony slumped down in the old easy chair and explained his predicament. He watched curiously as she walked to the quilt rack made by his grandfather, all the while describing her idea. An old quilt blanket? Really? He wondered, how could an old, musty blanket be a way to remember his family? Anthony listened as his mother described what they were looking at. He watched in dismay as his mother carefully folded the quilt and placed it in a large box. This was going to be a disaster.

4
Friday morning came. Anthony nervously walked into class holding the box. What if this was a bad idea? Too late now.

5
He walked to the front of the class, quietly laid the box on a table, and then carefully lifted out the quilt. Tim, one of his classmates, called out, "Nice blanket, Anthony! Does it remember to keep your family warm?"

6
Some of the students giggled as Anthony took a deep breath and spread out the quilt. Different colored fabric pieces cut in circles, triangles, and squares had been sewn together in elaborate designs. The colors exploded across the table.

7
"It may not look special," said Anthony, "but this is a story quilt. Story quilts do just that—they tell a story. This one is about my family."

8
He pointed to the different bits of fabric. In his family, people always found a new purpose for worn-out clothing or fabrics. Each piece was a bit of Anthony's family history. There were fragments of baby clothing that Anthony, his brother, and even his father had worn. There were pieces of his grandmother's favorite aprons she wore while cooking. Pieces of quilts that belonged to his great-grandparents were stitched between pieces of green fabric with lace from the dress his mother had worn when she first met his father. Some fabric pieces had spidery writing where friends and family had written their names. Then, each signature was sewn over with thread, preserving it. Each old piece had a new purpose and a story to tell.

9
"So, story quilts don't just keep you warm," Anthony concluded, making eye contact with Tim. "This quilt shares my family history, and each stitch holds together our memories."

10
The class gathered around the table to examine the quilt more closely. "Very cool, Anthony," said Tim. Anthony smiled and could not wait to tell his mother.

4Question 4
How does Anthony's mother contribute to the development of the story?

A.
She suggests that he take a family quilt for his presentation.
B.
She shows him how to create a quilt about his own life.
C.
She reminds him that his homesickness will not last forever.
D.
She describes her sewing project to inspire his own ideas.

Answer 1

A. She suggests that he take a family quilt for his presentation.

Explanation: She points out the quilt, describes her idea, and puts it in a box for Anthony to use, giving him the inspiration he needs.