From Five Weeks in a Balloon: Pages 1-2

Name______

1. Read this sentence from paragraph 6. 2. “So, Kennedy besought the doctor to tie up his bark for life, having done enough for science, and too much for the gratitude of men.”

A "bark" is a small boat or sailing ship. What does the author most likely mean by "to tie up his bark for life"?

A to put an end to his explorations B to stop traveling by boat C to stop his experiments on transportation D to attach his boat more securely to the dock

3. Read the dialogue in paragraphs 21 through 27 of the excerpt. What does the dialogue reveal 4. about Dick Kennedy?

A He is hurt because the doctor didn't tell him about the plans. B He is outraged because he considers the trip to be dangerous. C He is impatient to get started on the journey. D He is pleased that he will be included on the trip.

5. Which sentence from the selection helps explain why Dick Kennedy is shocked when he reads the newspaper article about Samuel Ferguson's plan?

A "While Dick would be out in pursuit of the tiger and the elephant, Samuel would be in search of plants and insects." B "The Scot talked of the past; the doctor busily prepared for the future." C "The doctor had remained nearly two years without hinting at new explorations D "In the month of January, his friend quitted him to return to London."

6. What central idea is revealed through the descriptions and interactions of Dick Kennedy and Samuel Ferguson?

A True friends are willing to forgive past mistakes. B The best friendships are formed through difficult circumstances. C Friendship is more important than success. D Friends support each other even when they disagree. 7. The ancient Greek poem “The Odyssey” tells of the journey Odysseus makes to return to his home after the Trojan War and the many obstacles he faces and strange worlds he encounters.

Based on the excerpt, how is the universal theme of the journey different in Five Weeks in a Balloon?

A The main character must make the journey alone without help from others. B The main character chooses to leave home and seek out adventure. C The main character does not have a home that he can return to. D The main character's journey will take him to a familiar and popular place.

8. Which of the following best summarizes the selection?

A Dick Kennedy and Samuel Ferguson have long been friends. Kennedy thinks his friend has finally given up his life of adventure, but then he is shocked to discover that his friend plans to cross Africa in a balloon. Kennedy confronts Ferguson, who reveals his plan to take Kennedy along on the journey.

B Dick Kennedy and Samuel Ferguson meet in India when both are serving in the same military regiment. While Kennedy is a great hunter, Ferguson is a scientist who takes pleasure in his study of plants. Ferguson uses his scientific knowledge to do experiments and plan a trip across Africa in a balloon.

C Dick Kennedy and Samuel Ferguson have different qualities and personalities, but they are great friends nonetheless. While Kennedy talks of the past, Ferguson is restless and always looking to the future. Their friendship is tested when Kennedy learns that Ferguson has secretly been planning a trip across Africa by balloon.

D When Dick Kennedy reads in the newspaper that his old friend Samuel Ferguson plans to cross Africa in a balloon, he is shocked. Exasperated, Kennedy rushes to London to discuss the situation with Ferguson. Ferguson assures Kennedy that he was going to tell him of the plan, and Kennedy's mind is put at ease.

Cars Without Gasoline are Here and Are “Green Cars Really all that Green?

Pages 50-53

9. What does the author mean by using the word “hybrid” in "Cars Without Gasoline Are Here"? 10. A The offspring of two different biological beings. B A word that contains elements of two or more languages. C A custom born out of the interaction of two or more cultures. D Something that draws on multiple sources of power. 11. Which of the following statements from "Cars Without Gasoline Are Here" supports the author’s idea that the development of "green" technology is being influenced by forces outside the auto industry? 12. A "So the history of the early automobile is a history of changing technology, and of trying things and seeing if they work." B "Today, technology is changing because political and environmental concerns are forcing manufacturers away from the gasoline engine." C "Ethanol is already added to fuels to reduce the amount of gasoline our cars consume." D "Future road cars will combine many of these technologies to provide maximum efficiency."

9. Study the graphic organizer below that classifies some of the information in "Cars Without Gasoline Are Here"

Technology Environment Uses / Drawbacks Solutions ELECTRIC Clean Short –range (about Develop plug-in hybrids 100 miles); long charge Electric motors and up time battery packs Clean Best for short trips and Pumping stations in COMPRESSED AIR city driving urban areas

Compressed air system

HYDROGEN Clean; emits only water; Storing and providing is Compressed tanks or abundant a challenge combine with cutting- Hydrogen fuel edge materials

Which statement is supported by the graphic organizer?

A The writer focuses on how the technologies are different and avoids discussing potential problems. B The writer omits a great deal of information so that no reasonable comparisons can be made. C The writer provides adequate information about each technology for the reader to begin evaluating the options. D The writer compares the technologies in terms of their problems but does not give enough information about their benefits.

10. In "Cars Without Gasoline Are Here", which detail is irrelevant to the author’s claim that new technologies are changing the way modern automobiles are fueled? 11. A Some early cars ran on gunpowder and coal gas. B Biogas powers cars and does not pollute as much as gasoline. C The fully electric car is powered only by electric motors and battery packs. D Hydrogen can be combined with oxygen from the air to power a car.

12. What information from "Cars Without Gasoline Are Here" best supports the author’s claim that the limited range of the electric car can be overcome? 13. A A fully electric car is very useful for city driving. B Electric vehicles keep people within the speed limit. C A plug-in electric hybrid could use gas for longer trips. D Electric vehicles can take several hours to recharge.

14. In paragraph 5 of "Are ‘Green’ Cars Really All That Green?” How is the opening sentence supported by those that follow? 15. A The following sentences provide examples of how the production of biofuels currently poses many problems. B The following sentences offer the author's solutions to the problems associated with biofuel production. C The following sentences argue that the production of biofuels will lead to widespread hunger. D The following sentences" present alternatives to biofuels that are less dangerous and less expensive.

16. In “Are ‘Green’ Cars Really All That Green?” which of the following facts is least relevant to the writer's argument that electric cars have and cause problems?

A Landfills are overfilled with waste from people's homes and businesses. B An electric car doesn't use fossil fuels directly, but it does use them indirectly. C The mining operations that provide the metals used in batteries are major polluters. D The chemicals in batteries are too dangerous to be disposed of in landfills.

17. Based upon the sentences below, what does "extracted" mean? 18. “Creating hydrogen separated from these compounds is not economically practical, or even scientifically possible in some cases. This means that much of the hydrogen used today for fuel is extracted from fossil fuels, the stuff we're trying to avoid in the first place.”

A created from B given to C created for D taken out of

19. How does the writer of “Are ‘Green’ Cars Really All That Green?" counter the argument that 20. the biological origin of biofuels make them a suitable replacement for fossil fuels? 21. A by noting that biofuels come from vegetables such as corn and sugar beets B by pointing "out that biofuels still pollute like fossil fuels C by proving that biofuels are not really made from biological material D by explaining that biofuels are dangerous and expensive

22. Which of the following best explains how the writer of "Are ‘Green’ Cars Really All That 23. Green?” responds to information that might conflict with his point of view? 24. A The writer ignores any points that might conflict with his or her viewpoint. B The writer addresses these conflicts and provides factual information, but with some critical comments about the opposing ideas. C The writer comments negatively on the people who support ideas that conflict with his or hers, suggesting they are not informed. D The writer considers conflicting comments and is often forced to change his or her viewpoint in the middle of a paragraph.

25. Which best describes the author’s point of view in "Are ‘Green’ Cars Really All That Green?" 26. 27. A The writer is hopeful and mentions many different technologies that could solve environmental problems. B The writer is sarcastic and makes fun of alternatives like biofuels and hydrogen. C The writer is informative and makes no judgments, instead presenting only facts about the technologies. D The writer is doubtful and points out ways in which alternative technologies are not working.

28. Which of the following best describes the writer's evidence to support the main point "Are ‘Green’ Cars Really All That Green?"

A The author provides many examples of alternative-energy cars that won't work to prove that there will never be a better energy source than gasoline. B The author provides glowing praise for people investigating alternative cars but is not hopeful about the results. C The author clearly lays out the negatives of alternative cars and points out that the environmental issues go deeper than energy sources. D The author is unsure about the techniques used to make green cars and therefore feels plastic cars would be a better choice.

19. With which statement from "Are ‘Green’ Cars Really All That Green?" would the writer of "Cars Without Gasoline Are Here" most strongly disagree?

A "Today, alternative energy is the buzzword of the nation."

B "Although it is nice to think that we can save the planet by driving ‘green’ cars, that simply isn't true."

C "Gasoline is a fossil fuel, the product of thousands of years of decaying vegetation."

D "An electric car doesn't directly use any fossil fuels, but that energy has to come from somewhere." The Ballad of John Henry and John Henry: Man vs. Machine Pages 118-121

20. What is the impact of the metaphor of John Henry's hammer "catching wind" in the excerpt below?

But John Henry said, "Captain, just you stand aside- it's nothing but my hammer catching wind, Lord, Lord, It's nothing but my hammer catching wind."

A It calls to mind a cooling breeze B It gives the reader a mental image of the hammer C It suggests the pace of John Henry's hammering D It helps the reader imagine the coolness of the metal hammer

21. Which stanza from "The Ballad of John Henry" best illustrates the idea that beating the steel 22. drill is John Henry's destiny? 23. 24. A the first 25. B the sixth 26. C the eighth 27. D the ninth

28. Based on the stanza below, what does the word "shaker" mean? 29. John Henry said to his shaker, Shaker, boy, you better start to pray, ‘Cause if my twelve-pound hammer miss that little piece of steel, Tomorrow'll be your burying day, Lord, Lord, Tomorrow’ll be your burying day."

A A container used for holding loose items B A person whose job is to hold a tool I C A machine that drives steel nails D A person who is shivering uncontrollably

30. What best describes the central idea of "The Ballad of John Henry"? 31. A People should not try to do work that can be done by machines. B. The human spirit is stronger than any machine. C Inner strength is more important than outer strength. D Remarkable people are unaware of the qualities that make them great. 32. What is the impact of the author creating a connection between John Henry’s hammer 33. and his death before he battles the steam drill? 34. A It confuses the reader, because the reader does not know whether his word is trustworthy or not. B It lessens the suspense for the reader by revealing exactly what will happen to John Henry. C It annoys the reader, because the reader thinks John Henry should have been able to avoid his death. D It gives the reader an anxious feeling by making John Henry's downfall seem fated from the beginning.

35. Which of the following descriptions of heroes in classic stories is most similar to the character 36. of John Henry in "The Ballad of John Henry"?

A He grows up being trained to confront an enemy and is hesitant as an adult, but knows there is no one who can take his place. B He travels far away from home to take on a seemingly unbeatable foe, saving his people from harm. C He takes on a seemingly impossible task, completes it using every ‘bit of his strength, and dies at the end. D He comes from humble beginnings, but through a twist of fate his life changes and he finds his true calling.

37. What does the sentence below reveal about John Henry's character? 38. “But you gotta promise, if I win, you'll keep all the men working until the Big Bend Tunnel is finished."

A He wants to show that he is stronger than any machine. B He cares deeply about his fellow workers. C He thinks his boss is probably a dishonest man. D He wants the tunnel finished more than anything else.

39. Which quotation from "John Henry: Man vs. Machine" shows that the story is probably 40. exaggerated, if not altogether made-up?" 41. A "One and a quarter miles long, it would cut through a mountain and become the longest railroad tunnel in America." B "They bought John a new 20-pound hammer and gave Lucy a flapjack turner big-enough to flip hotcakes the size of wagon wheels." C ”But you gotta promise, if I win, you'll keep all the men working until the Big Bend Tunnel is finished.'" D "The next day, the man-giant and the steam drill lined up side by side, near the end of the tunnel, while a big crowd gathered inside." 42. The narrator of "John Henry: Man vs. Machine" does not tell the reader Lucy's feelings during and after the contest. What effect does this have on the reader's experience? 43. A It allows the image of Lucy's falling tears to show us how intensely she feels. B It creates a tense feeling that is not resolved even when the story has ended. C It frustrates the reader's need to know Lucy's reaction to John Henry's death. D it shows how both Lucy and John Henry will be a part of railroad myths forever.

44. John Henry: Man vs. Machine" shares central idea with which of the following myths? 45. A Like Achilles, who perished because of his one small weakness, John Henry died because he didn't truly know himself. B Like Icarus, who flew too close to the sun and fell to his death, John Henry died because his pride was too strong. C Like David, who defeated the giant Goliath, John Henry learned that being big does not mean being unbeatable. D Like Theseus, who cleverly found his way out of the Labyrinth, John Henry understood that brains beat strength.

46. Which of the following states a similarity and a difference between how the two texts address 47. the end of John Henry's life? 48. 49. A Both show that John Henry was carried out of the tunnel, but only one tells how tall 50. he was. 51. B Both center on the reactions of John Henry's wife, but only one describes what time of 52. year he died. 53. C Both explain how John Henry became a legend, but only one actually says that he beat 54. the steam drill. 55. D Both use imagery to describe John Henry's death, but only one records the final moments of his life 56.

57. Which statement best describes a difference between the styles of "The Ballad of John Henry" and

58. "John Henry: Man vs. Machine"?

60. A The narrative is in chronological order, while the poem does not follow a particular sequence.

61. B The poems rhyme scheme lends it a playful tone, while the narrative's language is very

62. formal.

63. C The narrative centers on the solution to a problem, while the poem centers on Henry's

64. relationships.

65. D The poem focuses on brief parts of the story, while the narrative supplies much more

66. detail. 67.

Five Weeks in a Balloon

Questio Answer Standar Explanation n d 1 A RL. 8.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone. 2 B RL 8.3 Determine how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character or provoke a decision. 3 C RL. 8.1 Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. 4 D RL 8.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot. Provide an objective summary of the text. 5 B RL 8.9 Analyze how a modern work of fiction draws on themes, patterns of events, or character types from myths, traditional stories, or religious works such as the Bible, including describing how the material is rendered new. 6 A RL 8.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot. Provide an objective summary of the text. Green Cars Debate (Persuasive Dual Texts)

Questio Answer Standar Explanation n d 1 D RI 8.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts. 2 B RI 8.1 Cite textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. 3 C RI 8.3 Analyze how a text makes connections among and distinctions between individuals, ideas, or events (e.g., through comparisons, analogies, or categories.) 4 A RI 8.8 Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced. 5 C RI 8.8 Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced. 6 A RI 8.5 Analyze in detail the structure of a specific paragraph in a text, including the role of particular sentences in developing and refining a key concept. 7 A RI 8.8 Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced. 8 D L 8.5b Use the relationship between particular words to better understand each of the words. 9 B RI 8.8 Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced. 10 B RI 8.6 Determine the author’s point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author acknowledges and responds to conflicting evidence or viewpoints. 11 D RI 8.6 Determine the author’s point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author acknowledges and responds to conflicting evidence or viewpoints. 12 C RI 8.2 Determine the central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to supporting ideas; provide an objective summary of the text. 13 B RI 8.9 Analyze a case in which two or more texts provide conflicting information on the same topic and identify where the texts disagree on matters of fact and interpretation. The Ballad of John Henry (Dual Text Comparison)

Questio Answer Standar Explanation n d 1 C RL 8.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone. 2 A RL 8.1 Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. 3 B RL 8.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone. 4 B RL 8.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot. Provide an objective summary of the text. 5 D RL 8.6 Analyze how differences in points of view of the characters and the audience/reader create such effects as suspense or humor. 6 C RL 8.9 Analyze how a modern work of fiction draws on themes, patterns of events, or character types from myths, traditional stories, or religious works such as the Bible, including describing how the material is rendered new. 7 B RL 8.3 Determine how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character or provoke a decision. 8 B RL 8.1 Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. 9 A RL 8.6 Analyze how differences in points of view of the characters and the audience/reader create such effects as suspense or humor. 10 B RL 8.9 Analyze how a modern work of fiction draws on themes, patterns of events, or character types from myths, traditional stories, or religious works such as the Bible, including describing how the material is rendered new. 11 D RL 8.5 Compare and contrast the structure of two or more texts and analyze how the differing structure of each text contributes to its meaning 12 D RL 8.5 Compare and contrast the structure of two or more texts and analyze how the differing structure of each text contributes to its meaning