1.
What can the reader conclude from the following excerpt?"I'll miss you, man," Darrell said, his voice wavering.
Correct Answer
C. Darrell is unhappy because he has to leave his best friend.
Explanation
Darrell's voice wavers, which lets the reader know that he is feeling some kind of emotion. Add that knowledge to the words of the text and the reader can conclude that he is unhappy about leaving.
2.
The word wavering means the same thing as:
Correct Answer
A. Hesitating
Explanation
The word "wavering" means to be uncertain or indecisive, which is synonymous with "hesitating". It implies a lack of firmness or stability in making a decision or taking action. The other options, "steadying", "lowering", and "raising", do not convey the same meaning as "wavering" and are therefore incorrect.
3.
The reader can infer that Darrell's neighborhood is not one of Philadelphia's best because:
Correct Answer
D. All of the above.
Explanation
The correct answer is "all of the above" because the passage mentions multiple reasons that suggest Darrell's neighborhood is not one of Philadelphia's best. The description of old and decaying buildings, graffiti-covered buildings, and abandoned cars rusting along the streets all indicate a lack of upkeep and maintenance in the neighborhood. Additionally, the mention of local newscasts running stories about city crime and featuring his neighborhood as an example further supports the inference that it is not a desirable or safe area.
4.
Why was Darrell afraid to start at Franklin High School in Philadelphia?
Correct Answer
B. He was short and skinny for his age.
Explanation
The correct answer is "He was short and skinny for his age." This suggests that Darrell was afraid to start at Franklin High School because he felt insecure about his physical appearance. Being shorter and skinnier than his peers may have made him feel vulnerable and potentially a target for bullying or ridicule.
5.
Darrell was okay once he started at Franklin High School because:
Correct Answer
C. His friends were right there with him, so if anyone picked on him they had the other guys to deal with too.
Explanation
Darrell felt okay once he started at Franklin High School because his friends were there to support him. He knew that if anyone picked on him, his friends would have his back and stand up for him. This sense of camaraderie made him feel safe and protected in his new school environment.
6.
In the following excerpt, what does the word abandoned mean?"Abandoned cars rusted along many streets, and occasionally local newscasts would run a story about city crime and feature this area as an example."
Correct Answer
A. Forgotten
Explanation
The word "abandoned" in this context means forgotten. The excerpt describes how cars that have been left behind and are now rusted can be seen along the streets. This suggests that these cars have been neglected and no longer cared for, indicating that they have been forgotten or left behind.
7.
What can the reader conclude from the following excerpt: "Every storefront was painful for Darrell to see, He knew he would not be back to the old neighborhood again, at least not for a long time. He glanced across the street at the old grocery store. Today it looked warm and inviting, even though the owners charged too much for meats, and the fruits and vegetables were not always fresh."
Correct Answer
C. Darrell will miss his old neighborhood.
Explanation
From the given excerpt, the reader can conclude that Darrell will miss his old neighborhood. This can be inferred from the statement "He knew he would not be back to the old neighborhood again, at least not for a long time." This indicates that Darrell has a sense of nostalgia and will miss his old neighborhood. The other options, such as Darrell not liking the neighborhood he lives in or living in a very rich neighborhood, cannot be concluded from the given information. Also, there is no mention of bad memories associated with his old neighborhood.
8.
Why does Darrell no longer consider the apartment he lives in to be his "home"?
Correct Answer
A. The apartment was empty and was filled with boxes in the middle of the floor, packed for the move to California.
Explanation
Darrell no longer considers the apartment he lives in to be his "home" because it is empty and filled with boxes, indicating that he and his mom are planning to move to California. This suggests that they are in the process of leaving the apartment, which means it no longer holds the familiarity and sense of belonging that a home should have.
9.
Why is Darrell embarrassed when he tells Malik goodbye?
Correct Answer
D. He begins to cry.
Explanation
Darrell is embarrassed when he tells Malik goodbye because he begins to cry. This emotional response in front of Malik causes embarrassment for Darrell as it may be seen as a sign of weakness or vulnerability. Crying in front of someone can often be seen as a loss of control over one's emotions, which can be embarrassing for many people.
10.
What can the reader infer from the following excerpt: "You been a real brother to me," Darrell said. "I . . . I love you, man," Darrell blurted. . . .
Correct Answer
C. Darrell and Malik have a very close relationship.
Explanation
The reader can infer that Darrell and Malik have a very close relationship based on Darrell's statement that Malik has been a real brother to him and his declaration of love for Malik. These statements suggest a deep bond and affection between the two individuals.
11.
What is the main idea of the excerpt below?"Inside the rundown homes that lined Darrell’s block, there were always people to turn to in times of trouble. Across the street was old Mr. Corbitt, who sat on his porch each day and waved at everyone who passed by. And in the corner house was Mrs. Morton. She made sweet-potato pie for people in the neighborhood, especially Darrell and his mother."
Correct Answer
A. There were always people to turn to in the neighborhood.
Explanation
The main idea of the excerpt is that there were always people in the neighborhood who were willing to help and support others in times of trouble. This is evident from the description of Mr. Corbitt, who would wave at everyone passing by, and Mrs. Morton, who made sweet-potato pies for people in the neighborhood, including Darrell and his mother. The excerpt suggests a sense of community and support among the neighbors.
12.
How can the reader tell that Darrell is scared about moving?
Correct Answer
B. The days ahead stretched out before him like a dark road filled with dangerous shadows.
Explanation
The author's use of the simile "like a dark road filled with dangerous shadows" infers that Darrell is afraid.
13.
Jermaine pushed Darrell into the lake, dropped worms into Darrell's ice cream, and put laxative in Darrell's pudding, making him sick for two days. The best word to describe Jermaine is
Correct Answer
D. Cruel
Explanation
The word "cruel" best describes Jermaine because his actions of pushing Darrell into the lake, dropping worms into his ice cream, and putting laxative in his pudding show a lack of empathy and a deliberate intention to cause harm and suffering to Darrell. This behavior is not consistent with someone who is caring, kind, or a king.
14.
When Jermaine tortured Darrell, Darrell felt
Correct Answer
D. All of the above.
Explanation
The correct answer is "all of the above" because the statement mentions that Darrell felt afraid, scared, and ashamed. Darrell felt afraid because he knew he couldn't win a fight against Jermaine. He felt scared because he was aware that if he told an adult, Jermaine would take revenge when no one was around. Additionally, Darrell felt ashamed because he felt helpless in the situation.
15.
In the following excerpt, what does pathetic mean?"At least if he kept everything to himself, no one else would know how pathetic he was."
Correct Answer
B. Weak
Explanation
In this excerpt, the word "pathetic" is used to describe the person's self-perception. The phrase "no one else would know how pathetic he was" suggests that the person views themselves as lacking strength or ability, which aligns with the definition of "weak."
16.
Darrell's father died in a car accident. How does this affect his family?
Correct Answer
C. Darrell's mom got a job and they moved to the apartment.
17.
What can the reader infer from the following excerpt?"His mother talked non-stop in a nervous monologue. Darrell paid little attention."
Correct Answer
B. Darrell's mother is feeling anxious about the move.
Explanation
From the given excerpt, the reader can infer that Darrell's mother is feeling anxious about the move. This can be deduced from the fact that she is talking non-stop in a nervous monologue, indicating her restlessness and worry about the upcoming move. Darrell's lack of attention suggests that he is not engaged or interested in his mother's talk, possibly because he is not experiencing the same level of anxiety or excitement about the move.
18.
What does resolved mean in the following excerpt?"Darrell closed his eyes and resolved to hate California no matter what anybody said."
Correct Answer
A. Decided
Explanation
In this context, "resolved" means that Darrell made a firm decision or commitment. He closed his eyes and made up his mind to hate California, regardless of what anyone else said. The word "resolved" implies determination and a strong conviction in his decision.
19.
Why didn't Darrell explain his concerns about starting a new school to his mom?
Correct Answer
D. He didn't want to make her worry about him even more.
Explanation
Darrell chose not to explain his concerns about starting a new school to his mom because he didn't want to make her worry about him even more.
20.
What does eliminated mean in the following excerpt?"To save money, the company eliminated her job along with hundreds of others."
Correct Answer
A. Got rid of
Explanation
The word "eliminated" in the given excerpt means "got rid of". It implies that the company removed or terminated the job of the person mentioned, along with many others, as a cost-saving measure.