B. Jack's words hurt Anna's feelings.
Multiple Choice Question
Read the following sentence.
Jack's words burned Anna and she cried for days.
Which of following best explains what happened when "Jack's words burned Anna"?
A.
Jack yelled at Anna.
B.
Jack's words hurt Anna's feelings.
C.
Jack's words set fire to Anna.
D.
Jack no longer wanted to be friends with Anna
11 answers
L.A.'s Moveable Feast
1
A little after 5:30 p.m., Serena and I hop into Jayson’s car. “Where are we headed?” I ask.
2
“A little place I know downtown. But it’s a surprise, so you’ll just have to wait and see when we get there,” Jayson replies.
3
We live in a part of Los Angeles called Baldwin Hills, tucked between the 405, the 10, and the 110. To get pretty much anywhere, you’ve got to hop onto a freeway. We get onto the parking lot that is the 110 freeway. It’s only a few miles to downtown, but we all settle in for a long ride. Jayson turns up the radio, so we don’t hear the noise of the other cars, and I turn my attention to our traveling companions in the cars next to us.
4
We are all just a few feet from each other, but we are in our own little metal and glass compartments. I can’t help but wonder what is going on in their world. There’s a guy in a black sports car who is clearly texting while driving. You can tell by the way that he looks down toward the bottom of his steering wheel and then looks back up at the traffic ahead of him. There’s a mom driving a minivan, talking to her kids in the back seat and eating fast food. The fast food isn’t making her trip any faster. On the other side, a grandpa sings wildly and plays the drums on the steering wheel. Now that’s a happy man! Does anyone wonder about me, Serena, and Jayson? Can they tell we are on our way to a celebration dinner?
5
As we leave the freeway, I see the tall skyscrapers of downtown L.A. and the bright lights of Staples Center. In front of me, I see more traffic. I am pretty excited because some of L.A.’s hottest restaurants are located just outside of the Staples Center; maybe this is Jayson’s surprise.
6
But soon, we pass the bright, fancy restaurants. I tap Jayson on the shoulder, and he turns down the radio and asks, “What’s up?”
7
“I’m kind of wondering where we’re headed. We just passed up a bunch of nice restaurants.”
8
“Don’t worry. I’m taking you to L.A.’s most popular dining hotspot. You won’t be disappointed.”
9
But the farther we drive, the less promising the streets look. We have left the bright lights behind and are now traveling in an area with strip malls and warehouses, a lot of them abandoned. Serena peers out the window and points at large flat parking lot between two warehouses. “Park there,” she tells Jayson. This doesn’t look promising.
10
We get out of the car, and I am overwhelmed with the aroma of cooking foods. I can’t figure out what I am smelling, but before you know it, Serena, Jayson, and I are walking through massive warehouse doors.
11
I can’t believe my eyes. Inside the warehouse there are hundreds of people from every part of L.A. There are 20 or 30 food trucks, painted with crazy signs advertising Korean tacos, deep fried macaroni and cheese, pizza with curry, fruit smoothies, and homemade cupcakes. The choices are mind boggling. Most people either stand and eat or set up lawn chairs that they brought with them. The live music in the background is like a soundtrack for the laughing, talking, and eating.
12
“How did you know about this?” I ask Jayson.
13
“One of my friends owns the truck called ‘Spicy Q.’ They sell pulled pork, ribs, and smoked chicken. He told me they’d be here tonight.”
14
“Aren’t they always here?”
15
“No. These food trucks go all over the city. People use the Internet or Twitter to find out where they are parked. Most of these guys went to cooking school or business school, but can’t afford a permanent restaurant. “
16
“What are you two waiting for? I’m starving,” Serena interrupts us.
17
“Let’s eat!” I reply, and we head for the long line in front of Spicy Q.
Multiple Choice Question
Read these sentences from paragraph 9.
But the farther we drive, the less promising the streets look. We have left the bright lights behind and are now traveling in an area with strip malls and warehouses, a lot of them abandoned.
What other word in the sentences provides the best clue to the meaning of the phrase less promising?
A.
farther
B.
streets
C.
area
D.
abandoned
1
A little after 5:30 p.m., Serena and I hop into Jayson’s car. “Where are we headed?” I ask.
2
“A little place I know downtown. But it’s a surprise, so you’ll just have to wait and see when we get there,” Jayson replies.
3
We live in a part of Los Angeles called Baldwin Hills, tucked between the 405, the 10, and the 110. To get pretty much anywhere, you’ve got to hop onto a freeway. We get onto the parking lot that is the 110 freeway. It’s only a few miles to downtown, but we all settle in for a long ride. Jayson turns up the radio, so we don’t hear the noise of the other cars, and I turn my attention to our traveling companions in the cars next to us.
4
We are all just a few feet from each other, but we are in our own little metal and glass compartments. I can’t help but wonder what is going on in their world. There’s a guy in a black sports car who is clearly texting while driving. You can tell by the way that he looks down toward the bottom of his steering wheel and then looks back up at the traffic ahead of him. There’s a mom driving a minivan, talking to her kids in the back seat and eating fast food. The fast food isn’t making her trip any faster. On the other side, a grandpa sings wildly and plays the drums on the steering wheel. Now that’s a happy man! Does anyone wonder about me, Serena, and Jayson? Can they tell we are on our way to a celebration dinner?
5
As we leave the freeway, I see the tall skyscrapers of downtown L.A. and the bright lights of Staples Center. In front of me, I see more traffic. I am pretty excited because some of L.A.’s hottest restaurants are located just outside of the Staples Center; maybe this is Jayson’s surprise.
6
But soon, we pass the bright, fancy restaurants. I tap Jayson on the shoulder, and he turns down the radio and asks, “What’s up?”
7
“I’m kind of wondering where we’re headed. We just passed up a bunch of nice restaurants.”
8
“Don’t worry. I’m taking you to L.A.’s most popular dining hotspot. You won’t be disappointed.”
9
But the farther we drive, the less promising the streets look. We have left the bright lights behind and are now traveling in an area with strip malls and warehouses, a lot of them abandoned. Serena peers out the window and points at large flat parking lot between two warehouses. “Park there,” she tells Jayson. This doesn’t look promising.
10
We get out of the car, and I am overwhelmed with the aroma of cooking foods. I can’t figure out what I am smelling, but before you know it, Serena, Jayson, and I are walking through massive warehouse doors.
11
I can’t believe my eyes. Inside the warehouse there are hundreds of people from every part of L.A. There are 20 or 30 food trucks, painted with crazy signs advertising Korean tacos, deep fried macaroni and cheese, pizza with curry, fruit smoothies, and homemade cupcakes. The choices are mind boggling. Most people either stand and eat or set up lawn chairs that they brought with them. The live music in the background is like a soundtrack for the laughing, talking, and eating.
12
“How did you know about this?” I ask Jayson.
13
“One of my friends owns the truck called ‘Spicy Q.’ They sell pulled pork, ribs, and smoked chicken. He told me they’d be here tonight.”
14
“Aren’t they always here?”
15
“No. These food trucks go all over the city. People use the Internet or Twitter to find out where they are parked. Most of these guys went to cooking school or business school, but can’t afford a permanent restaurant. “
16
“What are you two waiting for? I’m starving,” Serena interrupts us.
17
“Let’s eat!” I reply, and we head for the long line in front of Spicy Q.
Multiple Choice Question
Read these sentences from paragraph 9.
But the farther we drive, the less promising the streets look. We have left the bright lights behind and are now traveling in an area with strip malls and warehouses, a lot of them abandoned.
What other word in the sentences provides the best clue to the meaning of the phrase less promising?
A.
farther
B.
streets
C.
area
D.
abandoned
D. abandoned
Multiple Choice Question
In which sentence does the underlined word have the most negative connotation?
A.
Three years later, Carlos and his men returned from the long journey.
B.
Three years later, Carlos and his men returned from the grueling journey.
C.
Three years later, Carlos and his men returned from the brief journey.
D.
Three years later, Carlos and his men returned from the painless journey.
In which sentence does the underlined word have the most negative connotation?
A.
Three years later, Carlos and his men returned from the long journey.
B.
Three years later, Carlos and his men returned from the grueling journey.
C.
Three years later, Carlos and his men returned from the brief journey.
D.
Three years later, Carlos and his men returned from the painless journey.
B. Three years later, Carlos and his men returned from the grueling journey.
J.K. Rowling Makes Her Own Magic
1
In the mid 1990s, J.K. Rowling had a fairly typical life—she was mom to a daughter and was secretary at a human rights organization in London. At times, she struggled to make ends meet. In 1997, when she published her first book in the Harry Potter series, her life changed dramatically.
2
Rowling had been writing stories since she was six years old, but when she first had the idea for a character named Harry Potter in 1990, she knew it was special. While traveling on a London train, Rowling imagined a “scrawny, black-haired, bespectacled boy who didn’t know he was a wizard,” but she did not have a pen to record her thoughts. Looking back, Rowling thinks this was a blessing in disguise because she was forced to sit and think about the boy and other characters for the book. That very night she sat down and began work on the book, although Rowling admits that the few pages she wrote that night do not resemble the finished manuscript.
3
Wherever she went, Rowling was armed with the manuscript. It grew and grew over the next five years, but Rowling wasn’t sure she’d ever finish it. At the time, Rowling was teaching full-time and was a busy single parent, so spare time was at a premium. However, every chance she got, she rushed off to write a few pages. Rowling admits that sometimes she actually hated the book, even while she loved it.
4
Once Rowling finished the book, the next step was to secure a literary agent to help her get the book published. Rowling knew this would be a challenge, stating during an interview that “the difficult thing is going to be to get published. If it’s published, it will be huge.” Rowling was right: it took a year for a publisher to bite. In fact, many publishers turned down Rowling’s book. But, once she received the phone call that a publisher had made an offer, her life was never the same.
5
Rowling says she was unprepared for the book’s wild success. On an American book tour, she couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw a mob of fans screaming with excitement. That day, she signed over 2,000 books. Everywhere she went, people recognized her. Life in the spotlight was challenging for Rowling, but she learned to adjust.
6
The Harry Potter series includes some of the most popular books ever written for children. Even though millions of people around the world immensely enjoy Rowling’s work, she has faced criticism. Some groups have claimed the books are too frightening and dark for young readers. Others have accused Rowling of promoting witchcraft. Rowling understands parents’ concern over what their children read. But, she explains that stories about witches and magic have been told for hundreds of years in many cultures. The topic is appealing for adults and children alike.
7
Rowling never thought she’d become a children’s author, but her readers are certainly glad she did!
Multiple Choice Question
Which sentence best summarizes the text?
A.
It took years for J.K. Rowling to finalize her manuscript for the first Harry Potter book.
B.
Prior to becoming a successful author, J.K. Rowling worked as a secretary and a teacher.
C.
Author J.K. Rowling’s life changed when she published the popular Harry Potter series of books.
D.
Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling began writing stories when she was six years old.
1
In the mid 1990s, J.K. Rowling had a fairly typical life—she was mom to a daughter and was secretary at a human rights organization in London. At times, she struggled to make ends meet. In 1997, when she published her first book in the Harry Potter series, her life changed dramatically.
2
Rowling had been writing stories since she was six years old, but when she first had the idea for a character named Harry Potter in 1990, she knew it was special. While traveling on a London train, Rowling imagined a “scrawny, black-haired, bespectacled boy who didn’t know he was a wizard,” but she did not have a pen to record her thoughts. Looking back, Rowling thinks this was a blessing in disguise because she was forced to sit and think about the boy and other characters for the book. That very night she sat down and began work on the book, although Rowling admits that the few pages she wrote that night do not resemble the finished manuscript.
3
Wherever she went, Rowling was armed with the manuscript. It grew and grew over the next five years, but Rowling wasn’t sure she’d ever finish it. At the time, Rowling was teaching full-time and was a busy single parent, so spare time was at a premium. However, every chance she got, she rushed off to write a few pages. Rowling admits that sometimes she actually hated the book, even while she loved it.
4
Once Rowling finished the book, the next step was to secure a literary agent to help her get the book published. Rowling knew this would be a challenge, stating during an interview that “the difficult thing is going to be to get published. If it’s published, it will be huge.” Rowling was right: it took a year for a publisher to bite. In fact, many publishers turned down Rowling’s book. But, once she received the phone call that a publisher had made an offer, her life was never the same.
5
Rowling says she was unprepared for the book’s wild success. On an American book tour, she couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw a mob of fans screaming with excitement. That day, she signed over 2,000 books. Everywhere she went, people recognized her. Life in the spotlight was challenging for Rowling, but she learned to adjust.
6
The Harry Potter series includes some of the most popular books ever written for children. Even though millions of people around the world immensely enjoy Rowling’s work, she has faced criticism. Some groups have claimed the books are too frightening and dark for young readers. Others have accused Rowling of promoting witchcraft. Rowling understands parents’ concern over what their children read. But, she explains that stories about witches and magic have been told for hundreds of years in many cultures. The topic is appealing for adults and children alike.
7
Rowling never thought she’d become a children’s author, but her readers are certainly glad she did!
Multiple Choice Question
Which sentence best summarizes the text?
A.
It took years for J.K. Rowling to finalize her manuscript for the first Harry Potter book.
B.
Prior to becoming a successful author, J.K. Rowling worked as a secretary and a teacher.
C.
Author J.K. Rowling’s life changed when she published the popular Harry Potter series of books.
D.
Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling began writing stories when she was six years old.
C. Author J.K. Rowling’s life changed when she published the popular Harry Potter series of books.
J.K. Rowling Makes Her Own Magic
1
In the mid 1990s, J.K. Rowling had a fairly typical life—she was mom to a daughter and was secretary at a human rights organization in London. At times, she struggled to make ends meet. In 1997, when she published her first book in the Harry Potter series, her life changed dramatically.
2
Rowling had been writing stories since she was six years old, but when she first had the idea for a character named Harry Potter in 1990, she knew it was special. While traveling on a London train, Rowling imagined a “scrawny, black-haired, bespectacled boy who didn’t know he was a wizard,” but she did not have a pen to record her thoughts. Looking back, Rowling thinks this was a blessing in disguise because she was forced to sit and think about the boy and other characters for the book. That very night she sat down and began work on the book, although Rowling admits that the few pages she wrote that night do not resemble the finished manuscript.
3
Wherever she went, Rowling was armed with the manuscript. It grew and grew over the next five years, but Rowling wasn’t sure she’d ever finish it. At the time, Rowling was teaching full-time and was a busy single parent, so spare time was at a premium. However, every chance she got, she rushed off to write a few pages. Rowling admits that sometimes she actually hated the book, even while she loved it.
4
Once Rowling finished the book, the next step was to secure a literary agent to help her get the book published. Rowling knew this would be a challenge, stating during an interview that “the difficult thing is going to be to get published. If it’s published, it will be huge.” Rowling was right: it took a year for a publisher to bite. In fact, many publishers turned down Rowling’s book. But, once she received the phone call that a publisher had made an offer, her life was never the same.
5
Rowling says she was unprepared for the book’s wild success. On an American book tour, she couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw a mob of fans screaming with excitement. That day, she signed over 2,000 books. Everywhere she went, people recognized her. Life in the spotlight was challenging for Rowling, but she learned to adjust.
6
The Harry Potter series includes some of the most popular books ever written for children. Even though millions of people around the world immensely enjoy Rowling’s work, she has faced criticism. Some groups have claimed the books are too frightening and dark for young readers. Others have accused Rowling of promoting witchcraft. Rowling understands parents’ concern over what their children read. But, she explains that stories about witches and magic have been told for hundreds of years in many cultures. The topic is appealing for adults and children alike.
7
Rowling never thought she’d become a children’s author, but her readers are certainly glad she did!
Multiple Choice Question
Read this sentence from paragraph 3.
At the time, Rowling was teaching full-time and was a busy single parent, so spare time was at a premium.
What does the phrase at a premium indicate about Rowling’s spare time?
A.
It was social.
B.
It was relaxing.
C.
It was valuable.
D.
It was enjoyable.
1
In the mid 1990s, J.K. Rowling had a fairly typical life—she was mom to a daughter and was secretary at a human rights organization in London. At times, she struggled to make ends meet. In 1997, when she published her first book in the Harry Potter series, her life changed dramatically.
2
Rowling had been writing stories since she was six years old, but when she first had the idea for a character named Harry Potter in 1990, she knew it was special. While traveling on a London train, Rowling imagined a “scrawny, black-haired, bespectacled boy who didn’t know he was a wizard,” but she did not have a pen to record her thoughts. Looking back, Rowling thinks this was a blessing in disguise because she was forced to sit and think about the boy and other characters for the book. That very night she sat down and began work on the book, although Rowling admits that the few pages she wrote that night do not resemble the finished manuscript.
3
Wherever she went, Rowling was armed with the manuscript. It grew and grew over the next five years, but Rowling wasn’t sure she’d ever finish it. At the time, Rowling was teaching full-time and was a busy single parent, so spare time was at a premium. However, every chance she got, she rushed off to write a few pages. Rowling admits that sometimes she actually hated the book, even while she loved it.
4
Once Rowling finished the book, the next step was to secure a literary agent to help her get the book published. Rowling knew this would be a challenge, stating during an interview that “the difficult thing is going to be to get published. If it’s published, it will be huge.” Rowling was right: it took a year for a publisher to bite. In fact, many publishers turned down Rowling’s book. But, once she received the phone call that a publisher had made an offer, her life was never the same.
5
Rowling says she was unprepared for the book’s wild success. On an American book tour, she couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw a mob of fans screaming with excitement. That day, she signed over 2,000 books. Everywhere she went, people recognized her. Life in the spotlight was challenging for Rowling, but she learned to adjust.
6
The Harry Potter series includes some of the most popular books ever written for children. Even though millions of people around the world immensely enjoy Rowling’s work, she has faced criticism. Some groups have claimed the books are too frightening and dark for young readers. Others have accused Rowling of promoting witchcraft. Rowling understands parents’ concern over what their children read. But, she explains that stories about witches and magic have been told for hundreds of years in many cultures. The topic is appealing for adults and children alike.
7
Rowling never thought she’d become a children’s author, but her readers are certainly glad she did!
Multiple Choice Question
Read this sentence from paragraph 3.
At the time, Rowling was teaching full-time and was a busy single parent, so spare time was at a premium.
What does the phrase at a premium indicate about Rowling’s spare time?
A.
It was social.
B.
It was relaxing.
C.
It was valuable.
D.
It was enjoyable.
C. It was valuable.
Why Young People Should Tune Out
1
Walk into the average American home and chances are good that it will contain at least one television. Stop by at the right time, and there may be one or more people sitting close to it, staring at the flickering images on the screen. When it comes to television, it’s not only adults who are watching the programs that are broadcast to towns and cities throughout the country. Children and teens are tuning in, too. Parents and many experts are concerned about young people’s television viewing habits, and they are right to be troubled.
2
Perhaps what is most worrisome about young people and television is the quantity of time they devote to viewing programs. One foundation states that the average young person between the ages of eight and eighteen spends roughly four hours a day watching television, an amount which most people would likely agree is excessive.
3
The time young people spend watching television each and every week is time that is wasted. Just think of what they could be doing instead! Completing homework, volunteering with a local charity, playing sports, or just sitting and talking with family members are all better ways to fill free hours.
4
According to one organization that works with children and families, young people who are regular television watchers read fewer books than those who are not. This suggests that television cuts down on reading time or even discourages the practice. This makes sense. Reading challenges the imagination, as the reader must invent images with each turn of the page. When someone watches a television show, this work is done for the viewer. Naturally, many young people will opt for the form of entertainment that requires less effort.
5
Television is a method of transmitting information, and a lot of the messages young people are receiving are negative and out of line with reality. A growing number of shows are violent, for example. Actors in many series are beautiful people with perfect bodies. Young people may be portrayed disrespecting or bullying others. Over time, adolescents may come to believe that they should look and act like the characters they see on television.
6
It’s unlikely that television will disappear from American society anytime soon, but that does not mean people cannot take action in their own homes. Television has virtually no benefits for young people, so the best thing families can do is to keep their televisions turned off most of the time, cancel their cable subscriptions, or, better yet, get rid of these devices entirely.
Multiple Choice Question
In paragraph 4 of Why Young People Should Tune Out, what MAIN connection does the author make between television and reading?
A.
Having a television in the home leads to young people being less able to use their imaginations.
B.
Watching television draws young people away from reading because they can get the same information in less time.
C.
Watching television draws young people away from reading because it requires less thought and effort.
D.
Having a television in the home leads to young people having fewer books to read.
1
Walk into the average American home and chances are good that it will contain at least one television. Stop by at the right time, and there may be one or more people sitting close to it, staring at the flickering images on the screen. When it comes to television, it’s not only adults who are watching the programs that are broadcast to towns and cities throughout the country. Children and teens are tuning in, too. Parents and many experts are concerned about young people’s television viewing habits, and they are right to be troubled.
2
Perhaps what is most worrisome about young people and television is the quantity of time they devote to viewing programs. One foundation states that the average young person between the ages of eight and eighteen spends roughly four hours a day watching television, an amount which most people would likely agree is excessive.
3
The time young people spend watching television each and every week is time that is wasted. Just think of what they could be doing instead! Completing homework, volunteering with a local charity, playing sports, or just sitting and talking with family members are all better ways to fill free hours.
4
According to one organization that works with children and families, young people who are regular television watchers read fewer books than those who are not. This suggests that television cuts down on reading time or even discourages the practice. This makes sense. Reading challenges the imagination, as the reader must invent images with each turn of the page. When someone watches a television show, this work is done for the viewer. Naturally, many young people will opt for the form of entertainment that requires less effort.
5
Television is a method of transmitting information, and a lot of the messages young people are receiving are negative and out of line with reality. A growing number of shows are violent, for example. Actors in many series are beautiful people with perfect bodies. Young people may be portrayed disrespecting or bullying others. Over time, adolescents may come to believe that they should look and act like the characters they see on television.
6
It’s unlikely that television will disappear from American society anytime soon, but that does not mean people cannot take action in their own homes. Television has virtually no benefits for young people, so the best thing families can do is to keep their televisions turned off most of the time, cancel their cable subscriptions, or, better yet, get rid of these devices entirely.
Multiple Choice Question
In paragraph 4 of Why Young People Should Tune Out, what MAIN connection does the author make between television and reading?
A.
Having a television in the home leads to young people being less able to use their imaginations.
B.
Watching television draws young people away from reading because they can get the same information in less time.
C.
Watching television draws young people away from reading because it requires less thought and effort.
D.
Having a television in the home leads to young people having fewer books to read.
C. Watching television draws young people away from reading because it requires less thought and effort.
1 answer