Activity 3.11

Assessment Practice

Read the sentence from Holes.“He tried to jam it into the earth, but the blade banged against the ground and bounced off without making a dent.”

What verb would BEST replace the word banged while still expressing a vivid action?

A. clangB. thumpedC. hitD. hard

B. thumped

Thumped is the best answer because it is a vivid verb that means nearly the same as banged. Clang and hard do not make sense in this sentence. Hit is not as vivid as thumped.

Read this portion of dialogue.“I’m finished,” Stanley said putting his blood spotted cap back on his head.“All right!” said Mr. Pendanski, raising his hand for a high five, but Stanley ignored it. He didn’t have

the strength.Mr. Pendanski lowered his hand and looked down at Stanley’s hole. “Well done,” he said. “You want

a ride back?”Stanley shook his head. “I’ll walk.”

Which of these statements describes how the narrator’s voice relates to his audience and purpose?

A. The narrator’s friendly voice suggests that Stanley is anxious to make friends with Mr. Pendanski.

B. The narrator’s worried voice communicates that Stanley is afraid of yellow spotted lizards

C. The narrator’s somber voice is used to show how exhausted Stanley is.

D. The narrator’s cheerful voice conveys the message to be proud of your accomplishments.

C. The narrator’s somber voice is used to show how exhausted Stanley is.

The fact that Stanley is too tired to give the high five is reflected in the somber (serious) voice used to narrate this section. It should be easy to eliminate cheerful and friendly from the choices. At this point, Stanley is too tired to worry about the lizards, too.

Read the paragraph from the passage.“After leaving Myra’s house, Elya wandered aimlessly through the town, until he found himself down by the wharf. He sat on the edge of a pier and stared down into the cold, black water.”

Which word(s) BEST help the reader understand what wharf means?

A. Myra’s houseB. wandered aimlesslyC. stared downD. cold, black water

d. cold, black water

• By using context clues, it is helpful to know that a wharf is near water. These words help the reader understand that a wharf is like a dock by the ocean.

Which would be the BEST thesis statement for a literary analysis essay about characters whochange in this story?

A. Young Stanley grew up quickly.B. Elya realized that true love was based on

more than beauty alone.C. Madame Zeroni did not get to drink from the

stream.D. Magnet was nice to Stanley.

B. Elya realized that true love was based on more than beauty alone.

B is the best choice because it states a specific way that Elya changed.

Which statement BEST shows that Stanley’s self perception is starting to change?

A. Stanley wondered if his shovel was defective.B. Stanley had to move his dirt pile twice to

finish the hole.C. Stanley thought about quitting.D. Stanley feels proud of himself for digging his

first hole.

D. Stanley feels proud of himself for digging his first hole.

Stanley’s pride signals that he can accomplish things and feel good about himself. This is a new feeling for Stanley.

Read the paragraph from the narrative.“He thought about quitting. He wondered what they would do to him. What could they do to him?”

What adjective BEST describes how Stanley feels internally?

A. confidentB. embarrassedC. excitedD. defeated

d. defeated

Stanley must be feeling pretty low to think of quitting and consider what the punishments could be.

What detail from the passage BEST helps create the story’s setting?

A. “He saw a cloud of dust moving across the wasteland and noticed the other boys had stopped digging and were watching it, too.”

B. “He had a baloney sandwich, potato chips, and a large chocolate chip cookie.”

C. “His cap was stained with blood from his own hands. He felt like he was digging his own grave.”

D. “He grimaced as he sliced off a chunk of dirt, then raised it up and flung it onto a pile.”

A. “He saw a cloud of dust moving across the wasteland and noticed the other boys had

stopped digging and were watching it, too.”

• From the choices listed, this has the most specific description of the surroundings and atmosphere at Camp Green Lake.