GRADE 7 Spring Break Packet

 ENGL-7 Spring Break Packet [Exam ID:2G1M6F

Read the following passage and answer questions 1 through 8. Touching the Other Shore

1 Diana Nyad once explained that she always ignored the pain and discomfort that came with the goals she set for herself. She said it was important to overcome the barriers she encountered as she pursued new challenges. Nyad’s words summed up a lifetime of success as a long-distance swimmer, journalist, author, and speaker.

2 Born in 1949, she took an early interest in swimming as a sport and was a State High School swimming champion. Like many young athletes, she had Olympic dreams. Nyad wanted to be part of the United States swim team at the 1968 Summer Olympics. A serious illness kept her from competing, however, so she went on to finish college instead.

3 The disappointment of not participating in the Olympics did not stop Nyad, though, from going forward with her swimming. Instead, she became interested in marathon swimming. The sport matched Nyad well. A brilliant athlete, she was well-conditioned for spending long periods of time in the water. Most of all, she was mentally fit for the sport. It takes a special person to tolerate the demands of swimming for miles in rough, cold water. Nyad knew she had the skills to compete with others and win. Now, as a long-distance swimmer, she would compete against herself and the obstacles presented by distance, danger, cold, and fatigue.

4 For ten years Nyad devoted herself to becoming one of the world’s best long- distance swimmers. Her first long-distance swim in 1970 was one of her shortest. She swam a tenmile marathon in Lake Ontario, and, even though she did not finish first, Nyad set the women’s record for the course. After this early success, Nyad took on longer and more difficult swims. In 1972 she set another record by swimming 102.5 miles from an island in to the coast of Florida. She traveled the entire distance without using a shark cage for protection. This feat still stands today as the longest swim of its kind.

5 In 1975 Nyad broke a third record when she swam around Island in . By then, she was well known around the world. People admired her ability to go from one shore to another in long, grueling swims. Her desire for more challenging events took her to almost every continent. She swam in the Nile River, the Suez Canal, the North Sea, the Bay of Naples, and in the waters above the Great Barrier Reef.

6 Nyad attempted to swim the distance between Florida and in 1978. The span of water that separates the United States from Cuba is less than one hundred miles wide, but it is rough and hazardous. For almost two days Nyad battled the treacherous water. Finally, for the sake of her own health and safety, she had to give up. Although she did not finish her swim, this is the swim that made her famous. She impressed the world with her courage and intense desire to succeed. For Nyad her strength of purpose was just as important as reaching Cuba. That is how she defined success. It did not matter that her swim came up short. As long as she faced the task with her best effort, she had touched the other shore.

7 When Nyad ended her career as a swimmer, she continued to try new things. Nyad traveled the globe as a reporter for radio and television networks, and she won awards for her work in broadcasting. Nyad has written books, and she often speaks publicly about her remarkable life. As a reporter and an author, Diana Nyad works to inspire others, just as she did when she swam the waters of the world.

1 Which of these best describes what this article is about? A Diana Nyad’s battle to overcome serious illness Diana Nyad’s determination to do her best at every new B challenge C The challenges of being an Olympic swimmer D The progress in setting long-distance swimming records

2 Read this sentence from the article.

What is the meaning of the word tolerate as it is used in the sentence? F expand G conceal H endure J finish

3 How did Nyad feel after her attempt to swim to Cuba? A Angry with her failure B Glad it was over C Satisfied with her best try D Disappointed that she failed

4 Which question is answered in paragraph 5? F Where was Nyad’s second record set? G How did Nyad become a long-distance swimmer? H When was Nyad’s first long-distance swim? J Why did Nyad travel to almost every continent?

5 “Overcoming a Setback” would be the best heading for paragraph — A 1 B 3 C 5 D 7

6 What external conflict did Nyad experience in her long-distance swims? F Individual vs. nature G Individual vs. society H Individual vs. individual J Individual vs. technology

7 What can the reader conclude from the description of Nyad’s career as an author and reporter? A She attracts large groups of fans wherever she goes. B She tries to be a positive influence on people. C She wants to compete as a long-distance swimmer again. D She prefers public speaking to long-distance swimming.

8 Look at the chart about the article.

Which information belongs in the empty box? F Manhattan Island G The Suez Canal H The Great Barrier Reef J Cuba to Florida

Read the following passage and answer questions 9 through 20. A Gift From Dad

1 Travis laughed as he tore at the wrapping paper on his birthday present. He was so excited that he could hardly stand it! Finally, he would have the coolest pair of namebrand shoes on the planet. He had dropped virtually a million hints about the exact brand and color, and now he was eager to try on his new shoes and go play basketball.

2 Currently, all the guys on his basketball team were wearing the name-brand shoes of a popular basketball player, Chuck Hart. Although he was a great player, Hart was criticized in the press for his poor sportsmanship. Even his teammates occasionally complained about his bad attitude. In fact, Hart had been fined thousands of dollars because of his notorious behavior. Travis wasn’t thinking about Hart’s behavior; he had only anticipated seeing Hart’s name on the side of the box. The first indication that something was wrong came as he ripped away the last remnants of paper. The name on the side of the box in his hands was not Hart’s. His new shoes were the name-brand model of another player, Robert Ryann. Ryann played for a different team and was known for his work in the community.

3 “Ryann is an amazing player, isn’t he?” asked Travis’s dad. “He’s always been one of my favorites.”

4 Travis’s hands froze; his heart stopped. It wasn’t that the Ryann shoes weren’t nice, but what would his friends think? Travis was a valuable member of the team; he could dribble quickly and pass well. He was a solid outside shooter and got along okay with his teammates. Still, he sometimes didn’t fit in with the other guys on the team and had hoped that the Hart shoes would help.

5 “Well, come on, Travis. Open the box!” his dad said. “I got them on my last run down into Texas.”

6 So that was it. His dad, a long-distance truck driver, had been misinformed by a salesman in Texas. Who knows? Maybe in Texas those shoes were really considered cool, but not here in Virginia. No, not here. They were the wrong shoes and he would be teased by the other players if he wore them. When he looked up into his dad’s eyes, however, Travis knew he couldn’t tell him.

7 What a dilemma, Travis thought. Wear the shoes and get laughed at by the guys, or don’t wear the shoes and hurt Dad’s feelings?

8 “Thanks, Dad. I was really hoping for shoes,” Travis said as he pulled the shoes out of the box.

9 Before he knew it, Monday morning found Travis in the car while his dad drove him to school. He noticed that his dad was uncharacteristically silent, staring straight ahead instead of jabbering away or singing a song. Travis was too worried about what the other players would think to spend much time figuring out his dad’s unusual behavior.

10 When they pulled up in front of his school, the situation was worse than Travis thought. His dad said, “Well, looks like all your buds are here. I’ll just drop you off.”

11 Travis nodded, trying to think of what to do. Seeing no alternative, he slowly opened the car door. Just then, his dad stopped him. “Hey, Travis, wait a minute, okay?” Travis slumped back in the seat and looked at his dad with expectant eyes.

12 “Look . . . ” his dad said hesitantly. “Travis, I know those aren’t the shoes you had hoped for, but I saw the name of the guy on the shoes that you wanted and made a choice. The guy whose name is on those shoes,” he said, pointing down at Travis’s feet, “is someone I admire, unlike the guy whose shoes you wanted. Do you know how often Ryann has found himself in trouble?”

13 “No,” Travis said.

14 “Never. He’s never talked back to his coach or started a fight, and he’s rarely even drawn a technical foul. He’s always one of the top scorers in the league and he’s a team player. You could’ve acted like a baby when you didn’t get the shoes you wanted, Travis, but you were polite and made the best of it. You have honor, Son—like the guy whose name is on these shoes. I’m hoping that someday, your name will be on the coolest pair of shoes I’ll ever see.”

15 When Travis looked down at his feet, he saw the shoes differently. His dad had used his mind and heart to give his son a thoughtful gift.

16 Would the guys laugh when they saw his shoes? Yes, they probably would, but now he felt like he was wearing shoes that stood for something. He nodded and opened the door. “Thanks, Dad. I’ll see you soon.”

17 As Travis headed toward his teammates, he felt comfortable in his new basketball shoes.

9 In paragraph 7, the word dilemma means — A an opposing viewpoint B a great opportunity C an original idea D a difficult problem

10 Which of the following is the best summary of paragraph 14? F Travis’s father explains why he chose the Ryann shoes. Travis’s father reveals the number of times Ryann has G been in trouble. Travis’s father is proud of the traits that Ryann and Hart H have in common. J Travis’s father tells why he admires Hart as a player.

11 Travis thinks having Chuck Hart basketball shoes will — A improve his game B impress his coach C protect his feet D help him fit in

12 Travis is disappointed with his shoes because they are the wrong — F color G brand H size J design

13 Chuck Hart is most admired for his — A good sportsmanship B community work C basketball skills D team spirit

14 Travis’s dad believes that — F athletes are unimportant as role models G athletes should receive special treatment H sportsmanship should not be criticized J character means more than style

15 Which event begins the conflict in this story? A Travis wants to play basketball. B Travis laughs at his friend. C Travis is opening a present. D Travis is talking to his dad.

16 Dad thinks Travis and Robert Ryann are alike because — F Travis wants to be popular with his teammates Travis behaves respectfully even though he is G disappointed H Travis worries that his teammates will laugh at him J Travis becomes angry when he receives the wrong shoes

17 The reader may best conclude that Travis’s dad — A did not know which shoes Travis wanted B does not approve of Hart’s behavior C believes the Ryann shoes will help Travis play better D thinks the Ryann shoe is a better made shoe

18 Which of these is the main conflict in this story? F Individual vs. individual G Individual vs. nature H Individual vs. technology J Individual vs. self

19 Which word from this story has a prefix meaning “not”? A considered B instead C unusual D expectant

20 Which phrase is an example of a hyperbole? F dropped virtually a million hints G name-brand shoes of a popular basketball player H he sometimes didn’t fit in J those shoes were really considered cool

Read the following passage and answer questions 21 through 29.

21 Which is the best summary of paragraph 1? At the kite celebration, you will be able to build different A types of kites and receive tips on how to fly kites. If you like to build box kites or diamond-shaped kites, B you should come to the kite celebration. At the kite celebration, you can stay as long as you like C and may build as many kites as you like. If you want to receive some good advice on how to fly D kites, you should come to the kite celebration and talk to an expert.

22 In “Kites Throughout History,” ingenious means — F strange G brillant H entertaining J spirited

23 Based on “Kites Throughout History,” the reader may best conclude that— A Dr. Lehrman will present detailed information about kites B kites are more popular in China than in any other country C kites were used to carry people across Europe Dr. Lehrman is most interested in kites that are made by D scientists

24 Which of these would be the best heading for paragraph 2? F Build a Kite G Take a Break H Support the PTO J Join the Fun

25 Which times are most important for someone interested in participating in kite contests? A 10:00 A.M. and 11:00 A.M. B 12:00 P.M. and 2:00 P.M. C 1:00 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. D 2:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M.

26 How does the flier highlight the events that will take place? F By printing in capital letters G By listing activities in bold print H By including bulleted lists of participants J By placing the schedule in a box

27 Which statement from the flier contains an opinion? A Take a break from kite flying and drink some lemonade! All materials are supplied for both simple and complex B kites. The results of the day’s judging will be announced, with C awards such as Best of Show, Most Artistic, Highest Flyer, and others. Under the direction of Assistant Principal O’Conner, D everyone flies kites at the same time, creating a remarkable sight for all to enjoy.

28 With which statement would the author most likely agree? The kite celebration is a day filled with enjoyable and F educational events. The best reason to go to the kite celebration is to fly a G kite in the contest. The kite celebration will give people a chance to see kites H from around the world. The main reason to attend the kite celebration is to learn J about the history of kites.

29 Read these notes a student made about part of the schedule.

Which note shows that the student misunderstood the order of the events? A Watch kite-flying demonstrations B Participate in kite-flying competitions C Listen to a presentation about kites D Learn how to build a box kite