This excerpt is from Children Of The Land, a memoir by award-winning poet Marcelo Hernandez Castillo.

Question

No matter how much I wrote, it never felt like I got enough done, or anything done at all. The only way I've ever understood work was when my body was tired, when I ached, so I walked to make up for it. When I was building houses back in California, I could see what we produced at the end of the day. There was no denying that I had gotten something done because the proof was right in front of me—a new wall, a new roof, a window. I could see my progress. But in that small college town, I felt like I was running out of time every day, and I would have nothing to show for it. I thought I would get left behind and couldn't allow myself even an hour of idleness. What was a poem compared to a house? I worked myself to death writing as many poems as I could to stave off the anxiety and guilt I felt for being comfortable while knowing that Ama and the rest of my family toiled just to make ends meet.

What is the central idea of the excerpt?

(2 points)
Responses

A. Hernandez Castillo felt he wouldn't be a real poet until he had published his work.
A. Hernandez Castillo felt he wouldn't be a real poet until he had published his work.

B. Hernandez Castillo felt that building houses was taking time away from his "real" work: writing poetry.
B. Hernandez Castillo felt that building houses was taking time away from his "real" work: writing poetry.

C. Hernandez Castillo felt guilty about his success as a poet, despite how much money he sent to his family.
C. Hernandez Castillo felt guilty about his success as a poet, despite how much money he sent to his family.

D. Hernandez Castillo felt that, as a form of work, writing poetry felt less "real" than building houses.
D. Hernandez Castillo felt that, as a form of work, writing poetry felt less "real" than building houses.
Question 2
2. Read the following passage and answer the question: In recent years, scientists have discovered that sleep plays multiple vital roles in our lives. Sleep helps consolidate memories from the day, allowing our brains to process and store information more effectively. Additionally, during sleep, our bodies repair damaged cells and strengthen our immune system. Research has also shown that consistent quality sleep improves mood and emotional regulation.

Which two central ideas are developed in this passage?

(2 points)
Responses

A. Sleep helps with memory and physical health
A. Sleep helps with memory and physical health

B. Sleep makes us happy and helps us study
B. Sleep makes us happy and helps us study

C. Sleep is important for students and adults
C. Sleep is important for students and adults

D. Sleep affects brain function and exercise
D. Sleep affects brain function and exercise
Question 3
3. Read the following passage: Deforestation impacts our planet in multiple significant ways. The most immediate effect is the loss of habitat for millions of species, leading to a decrease in biodiversity. Furthermore, since trees absorb carbon dioxide, their removal contributes to climate change by allowing more greenhouse gases to remain in the atmosphere.

What two central ideas are being developed throughout this passage?

(2 points)
Responses

A. Trees are important and animals need homes
A. Trees are important and animals need homes

B. Environmental damage and climate effects
B. Environmental damage and climate effects

C. Deforestation kills animals and plants
C. Deforestation kills animals and plants

D. Carbon dioxide and wildlife preservation
D. Carbon dioxide and wildlife preservation
Question 4
4. Read the following passage: Social media has transformed how teenagers interact with one another. While it enables instant communication and connection with friends, it has also led to increased anxiety and depression among young people. Many teens report feeling pressure to maintain a perfect online image and fear missing out on social activities.

Which central ideas are developed in this passage?

(2 points)
Responses

A. Social media helps and hurts teenagers
A. Social media helps and hurts teenagers

B. Teenagers use phones too much
B. Teenagers use phones too much

C. Communication benefits and mental health challenges
C. Communication benefits and mental health challenges

D. Social media causes depression and loneliness
D. Social media causes depression and loneliness
Question 5
5. Read the following passage: The Great Depression affected American society in profound ways. Economically, millions lost their jobs and savings when banks failed. Socially, families were forced to adapt, with many moving to different states in search of work and living together in multi-generational households to save money.

What two central ideas are developed?

(2 points)
Responses

A. Banks failed and people moved away
A. Banks failed and people moved away

B. Economic impact and social changes
B. Economic impact and social changes

C. The Depression was sad and difficult
C. The Depression was sad and difficult

D. Jobs were lost and families struggled
D. Jobs were lost and families struggled
Skip to navigation

Answer 1

Question 1: The central idea of the excerpt from "Children Of The Land" is:

D. Hernandez Castillo felt that, as a form of work, writing poetry felt less "real" than building houses.

---

Question 2: The two central ideas developed in the passage about sleep are:

A. Sleep helps with memory and physical health.

---

Question 3: The two central ideas being developed throughout the passage on deforestation are:

B. Environmental damage and climate effects.

---

Question 4: The central ideas developed in the passage on social media are:

A. Social media helps and hurts teenagers.

---

Question 5: The two central ideas developed regarding the Great Depression are:

B. Economic impact and social changes.