I can't believe I made the track team. After all, I have never been very athletic. In fact, my parents call me a couch potato. My coach, Mrs. Lopez, is very supportive and reminds me that if I work very hard I will be running at breakneck speed in no time.

What is the meaning of the underlined idiom?

clumsily
quickly
dangerously
lazily

11 answers

The idiom "at breakneck speed" means to run or move very quickly. So the correct meaning from your options is quickly.

Her daughters would seek her out at night when she seemed to have a moment to talk to them: they were having trouble at school or they wanted her to persuade their father to give them permission to go into the city or to a shopping mall or a movie – in broad daylight, Mami! Laura would wave them out of her room. "The problem with you girls . . ." The problem boiled down to the fact that they wanted to become Americans and their father – and their mother, too, at first – would have none of it.

–“Daughter of Invention,”
Julia Alvarez

What can you conclude about the daughters, based on the passage? Check all that apply.

They struggle to fit in.
They feel supported by their mother.
They value their mother’s advice.
They embrace American culture.
They want to leave New York.

Based on the passage, we can conclude the following about the daughters:

  1. They struggle to fit in. - This is evident from their desire to become Americans while facing resistance from their parents.
  2. They feel supported by their mother. - Although there is tension regarding cultural differences, the daughters seek out their mother for advice, indicating they feel she is a source of support.
  3. They value their mother’s advice. - The fact that they seek her out to discuss their problems suggests they respect her opinions and view her guidance as important.
  4. They embrace American culture. - Their desire to go into the city, shopping malls, or movies reflects their interest in American culture and lifestyle.
  5. They want to leave New York. - There is no indication in the passage that they wish to leave New York; rather, they want to engage more with the culture around them.

So, the correct conclusions are:

  • They struggle to fit in.
  • They feel supported by their mother.
  • They value their mother’s advice.
  • They embrace American culture.
wrong remove one

Apologies for the oversight. Based on the passage, the following conclusions can be drawn about the daughters:

  1. They struggle to fit in.
  2. They feel supported by their mother.
  3. They value their mother’s advice.
  4. They embrace American culture.

However, we should remove "They feel supported by their mother." While they seek her out, the context suggests some disconnect regarding their desires and their parents' resistance to those desires.

So the revised conclusions are:

  • They struggle to fit in.
  • They value their mother’s advice.
  • They embrace American culture.

Thank you for your patience!

ut she always pretended they were at fault. "What did you do to provoke them? It takes two to tangle, you know."

–“Daughter of Invention,”
Julia Alvarez

Read the passage. In it, the mother misuses the English idiom “It takes two to tango.” What does her language show about her as a character?

She has picked up expressions and uses them like a native English speaker.
She is at ease in her new home.
She is embarrassed to speak.
She has trouble communicating clearly in English.

The mother's misuse of the English idiom "It takes two to tango" suggests that she has trouble communicating clearly in English. This indicates that while she may have picked up some expressions, she does not fully understand their correct usage, reflecting a struggle with fluency or comprehension in the language.

“Ay, Yoyo, you are going to be the one to bring our name to the headlights in this country! That is a beautiful, beautiful speech I want for your father to hear it before he goes to sleep. Then I will type it for you, all right?”

–“Daughter of Invention,”
Julia Alvarez

What can be inferred about the character who is speaking in this passage, based on her nonstandard English speech?

She is not educated.
She does not speak any English.
She only speaks English to her daughter.
English is not her first language.

Based on her nonstandard English speech, it can be inferred that English is not her first language. This suggests that she may be still learning the language, which is reflected in her choice of words and structure, despite her supportive and enthusiastic nature toward her daughter.

Identify the type of conflict revealed in each statement.

It would be impossible to reach the airport in time with the storm pressing down on the city.

In her frustration, she longs for a world that appreciates the intelligence of women.

I want to go to the movies on Saturday night, but my parents won’t allow it.

Her selfishness prevents her from helping a friend in need.

Here are the types of conflict revealed in each statement:

  1. It would be impossible to reach the airport in time with the storm pressing down on the city.
    Type of Conflict: External Conflict (Person vs. Nature) – This conflict arises from the external circumstance of the storm interfering with travel plans.

  2. In her frustration, she longs for a world that appreciates the intelligence of women.
    Type of Conflict: Internal Conflict (Person vs. Self) – This reflects her internal struggle and desire for societal change regarding the treatment and recognition of women's intelligence.

  3. I want to go to the movies on Saturday night, but my parents won’t allow it.
    Type of Conflict: External Conflict (Person vs. Society/Authority) – This conflict arises from the character's desires being challenged by the authority of her parents.

  4. Her selfishness prevents her from helping a friend in need.
    Type of Conflict: Internal Conflict (Person vs. Self) – This highlights an internal struggle where her selfish desires conflict with her moral obligation to help a friend.