The Burden
1
Lee climbed the steps to his apartment slowly. His head was bowed, and his shoulders slumped as if he were carrying a sack of rocks instead of his schoolbooks. As he turned his key in the lock, he could hear Grandfather in the kitchen, preparing his snack. Lee sighed and opened the door, forcing his face into a smile.
2
“Hello, Grandfather,” he said, putting his books down on the kitchen table.
3
“Sit, sit,” Grandfather said, beaming at him. “First eat, then study.”
4
It was the same routine every day. Most of the time, Lee did not mind it very much. He wanted to make his grandfather proud. But some days, like today, he felt overwhelmed. It was a sunny spring day, and although his friends from school were now playing ball in the park down the block, Lee had to come straight home to do his homework.
5
Although they rarely talked about it, Lee knew how his grandparents had struggled and saved for years to come to this country. And he knew that his parents worked long hours so that he and his sister, May Lin, could have the education they never had. Each “A” on Lee's report card was a small reward for the sacrifices his parents and grandparents had made.
6
Lee began to eat his toasted sesame cakes, then noticed Grandfather looking at him with concern. Although he did not speak fluent English, Grandfather could always express his thoughts clearly.
7
“You are bent over,” Grandfather said, “like a man who carries his whole family on his back.”
8
He has seen right through me, Lee thought guiltily, staring at his plate. What happened next, however, surprised him. Grandfather touched Lee’s shoulders with both hands, then clasped his hands together as if holding something precious.
9
“I will hold your burden for a little while,” Grandfather said. “Go outside and play. Your books and I will wait for you.”
10
Lee stood up straight and hugged his grandfather. “I will be back in an hour,” he said. And he was The following question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
Part A:
Read the sentence from paragraph 6.
“Well,” he said, “It’s too many hours for me that’s certain; must be a mighty long hole; however, I ain’t got no time to fool around here, I got to tend to business.”
Which word is closest in meaning to the word business?
A
situation
B
work
C
craft
D
concern
Part B:
Which sentence or phrase from the text BEST describes the business the bird is referring to?
A
He cocked his eye at the hole again and took a long look; raised up and shook his head; (paragraph 6)
B
The way he hove acorns into that hole for about two hours and a half was the most exciting and astonishing sights. . . .(paragraph 7)
C
If you’ll believe me, when his head come up again he was pale with rage. (paragraph 8)
D
He couldn’t seem to make it out, so he raised a yell, and three more jays come. (paragraph 10)
1 answer
Part A:
The word closest in meaning to "business" is:
B - work
Part B:
The sentence or phrase from the text that BEST describes the business the bird is referring to is:
B - The way he hove acorns into that hole for about two hours and a half was the most exciting and astonishing sights. . . .(paragraph 7)
