1.
In the following excerpt, what does the word scowled mean?
He [Larry] never said he was sorry about anything. Aunt Fay knew it too. She scowled and shook her head.
Correct Answer
C. Frowned
Explanation
In this excerpt, the word "scowled" means that Aunt Fay made a facial expression of displeasure or anger. This is indicated by the fact that she shook her head along with scowling, suggesting that she was not happy with Larry's behavior.
2.
In the following excerpt, what does the word assured mean?
“You don’t have to hurry, Ben,” he [Mr. Graham] assured me as soon as she left. “Like I told my daughter Alice this morning, people today rush everything.”
Correct Answer
B. Told with confidence
Explanation
The word "assured" in this context means to tell someone something with confidence and certainty. Mr. Graham is reassuring Ben that he doesn't need to hurry, and he is emphasizing this by mentioning that he had also told his daughter the same thing earlier. This shows that Mr. Graham is confident in his statement and wants to assure Ben that there is no need to rush.
3.
What is the main idea of the excerpt below?
One of my favorites when I was a kid was Street Knight. He guarded neighborhoods at night, taking out thugs and bullies with his bare hands. Maybe it was the heat or that I was starving, but the next thing I knew, I started picturing myself facing Shamar and Rodney again. Only this time I had Street Knight’s power.
Correct Answer
C. Ben wishes he could face Shamar and Rodney with Street Knight's power.
Explanation
The main idea of the excerpt is that Ben is imagining himself having the power of Street Knight while facing Shamar and Rodney. This is evident from the statement "the next thing I knew, I started picturing myself facing Shamar and Rodney again. Only this time I had Street Knight's power." This suggests that Ben is fantasizing about having the strength and abilities of Street Knight to confront his adversaries.
4.
What is the main idea of the excerpt below?
When I looked in the bathroom mirror before getting into the shower, I noticed my cheek was still a bit swollen, and there was a bruise beneath my right eye. But it didn’t look as bad as the day before. I hoped no one would notice.
Correct Answer
A. Ben is self-conscious about his bruised and swollen face.
Explanation
The excerpt suggests that Ben is self-conscious about his bruised and swollen face. He notices the swelling and bruise in the bathroom mirror and hopes that no one will notice it. This indicates that Ben is concerned about his appearance and does not want others to see his injured face.
5.
What is the main idea of the excerpt below?
The halls were full of students as we walked to class. At one point, we were crammed together, and my shoulder gently bumped Cindy’s. I apologized, and she flashed me the same smile that lit up the hallways over the summer. I couldn’t help but notice the curves of her body in her jeans and tank top. She looked good.
Correct Answer
D. Ben finds Cindy attractive.
Explanation
Ben finds Cindy attractive because the excerpt describes how he notices the curves of her body in her jeans and tank top and mentions that she looks good. This indicates that Ben is physically attracted to Cindy.
6.
What can you conclude from the following excerpt?
If you didn’t know better, you’d think we lived in a perfect house. But it wasn’t real. At one point, I noticed Mom limping. “Yeah, I’m fine,” she said with a forced smile. “I just twisted something at work the other day, that’s all. Don’t tell Aunt Fay. It’s hard enough for her to leave as it is. Let’s not give her something else to worry about.”
Correct Answer
B. Larry probably caused Mom’s limp.
7.
What can you conclude from the following excerpt?
Most kids couldn’t even pronounce it [“Mesopotamia”], but I knew because Aunt Fay taught me. It’s one of the first places people settled, and it’s in Iraq where everyone is fighting. Aunt Fay taught me even older settlements were in Africa—that all the world’s people came from there originally. I started to say this when I noticed kids looking at me. At Lincoln, my friends were used to me speaking up about things I knew, but at Bluford I was too new for that. All I got were stares, so I shut up.
Correct Answer
D. Although he’s intelligent, Ben doesn’t want to be seen as a show-off.
Explanation
The excerpt states that Ben started to say something about what he knew, but stopped when he noticed the other kids looking at him. This suggests that Ben is aware of how he might be perceived by others and doesn't want to come across as a show-off. This implies that although he is intelligent, Ben doesn't want to be seen as someone who shows off his knowledge.
8.
In the following excerpt, what does the word surging mean?
I closed my door and felt the surging flames smack against it.
Correct Answer
A. Suddenly increasing
Explanation
The word "surging" in this context means that the flames are suddenly increasing in intensity or strength. The use of the word "smack" suggests a forceful impact, indicating that the flames are rapidly growing and pressing against the door.
9.
In the following excerpt, what does the word defiant mean?
She [Aunt Fay] jutted her jaw at him and put her hands on her hips, standing there defiant in her suit.
Correct Answer
C. Boldly resistant
Explanation
The word "defiant" in this context means that Aunt Fay is standing in a way that shows she is boldly resistant. She is not afraid or hesitant, but rather displaying a strong and defiant attitude by jutting her jaw, putting her hands on her hips, and standing confidently.
10.
What is the main idea of the excerpt below?
“It’s not all his fault, Ben!” Mom said, her voice cracking. “It’s hard on a man’s pride to be out of work. And then he gets to drinking to try to make himself feel better, and he just loses control sometimes. Honestly, he feels as bad about it as you do.”
Correct Answer
B. Mom tries to explain the reasons for Larry’s violence.
Explanation
The excerpt suggests that Mom is trying to explain the reasons for Larry's violence. She mentions that being out of work is hard on a man's pride, which leads him to drink in order to feel better. However, this drinking sometimes causes him to lose control and become violent. Mom also emphasizes that Larry feels just as bad about his behavior as Ben does, indicating that she wants Ben to understand and empathize with Larry's struggles.
11.
What is the main idea of the excerpt below?
One man told me he was Dez’s uncle, a police officer from another district. “Ben,” he said, “can you tell us any more about what happened? We’re real upset about this. Mr. Graham is like everyone’s grandfather. His store’s one of the last places left in this neighborhood where folks can still get real food around here. It’s a shame this happened to him, of all people.” Everyone nodded as he spoke. They shared his anger.
Correct Answer
A. Because they respect Mr. Graham, everyone wants to see his attacker brought to justice.
Explanation
The main idea of the excerpt is that everyone wants to see the attacker of Mr. Graham brought to justice because they respect him. This is evident from the statement made by one man, who expresses his anger and the shared sentiment among the group. The excerpt also mentions that Mr. Graham's store is one of the last groceries in the neighborhood, but this is not the main idea of the passage. Similarly, Dez's uncle being a police officer from another district and Ben knowing who robbed Mr. Graham are not the main focus of the excerpt.
12.
What is the main idea of the excerpt below?
He [Larry] started hitting me then, his fists slamming into my chest and stomach. One punch landed deep in my gut, knocking the air right out of my lungs. Another shot crashed into my ribs. I heard a crunching sound and felt a stab of pain shoot into my side. I put my hands over my head, but I couldn’t stop the rain of punches.
Correct Answer
D. Ben can’t defend himself against Larry’s blows.
Explanation
The excerpt describes Larry physically assaulting the narrator, Ben, with a series of punches to the chest, stomach, and ribs. Ben is unable to protect himself or stop the attack, as indicated by his attempts to cover his head but still being unable to defend against the punches. This suggests that Ben is unable to defend himself against Larry's blows.
13.
What can you can conclude from the following excerpt?
Cindy looked confused for a second. Then I saw her get it. Her jaw dropped. Her eyes opened wide. The smile melted away. “Ohhh,” she said, stepping back. “Uh . . . I . . . gotta go, Ben.” Her face changed then. She stopped looking at me. “See you later,” she said and then hurried off. I felt like a zombie as I walked into the cafeteria and got my tray of scrambled eggs. As hungry as I was, I suddenly lost my appetite.
Correct Answer
A. Ben is embarrassed because Cindy realizes he has come for a free breakfast.
14.
What can you conclude from the following excerpt?
Larry turned on her [Aunt Fay] with an ugly sneer. “Woman, you got no sense. I told you to stay outta my business, but you wouldn’t listen. You deserve what’s coming to you.” He moved toward her, but Aunt Fay didn’t flinch. She stepped directly up to him, her eyes blazing. “Yeah, go on! Hit a woman, you coward! Hit me and add ten more years to your jail time.”
Correct Answer
D. Aunt Fay is not afraid of Larry.
Explanation
Aunt Fay's response to Larry's threat shows that she is not afraid of him. She confronts him directly and challenges him to hit her, even warning him that it would result in more jail time for him. This indicates that Aunt Fay is not intimidated by Larry and is willing to stand up to him.
15.
One of the lessons Ben learns by the end of the story is that
Correct Answer
D. It takes more than one person to handle certain situations.
Explanation
The correct answer is "it takes more than one person to handle certain situations." This is because throughout the story, Ben realizes that he cannot handle everything on his own and that he needs the support and help of others to overcome challenges and difficult situations. He learns the importance of teamwork and collaboration, understanding that sometimes it is necessary to rely on others for assistance and guidance.
16.
Ben accuses Cindy of treating him like a charity case after she
Correct Answer
A. Invites her to accompany him to Jamee’s party.
17.
Ben’s “dangerous game” is to
Correct Answer
C. Threaten Larry that he might tell the cops who robbed Graham’s store.
18.
Based upon what Mr. Graham tells Ben in the hospital, we can conclude that Mr. Graham
Correct Answer
C. Knows that Ben is being abused at home and wants him to report the abuse.
Explanation
Based on the information given, Mr. Graham tells Ben something in the hospital. This suggests that Mr. Graham has knowledge about a certain situation involving Ben. The answer states that Mr. Graham knows that Ben is being abused at home and wants him to report the abuse. This conclusion can be drawn from the given information as it aligns with Mr. Graham's concern for Ben's well-being and his desire for him to take action against the abuse.
19.
By the end of the book, you can conclude that
Correct Answer
A. Ben and Mom will again be close to Aunt Fay.
Explanation
Based on the information given, it can be concluded that Ben and Mom will again be close to Aunt Fay. This conclusion can be drawn because the other options are not supported by any evidence or information provided in the question.
20.
Why is Mr. Graham reluctant to hire Ben to work for him at his store? Who does Ben remind Mr. Graham of, and why?
21.
In Chapter 4, how do Dez Hodden and his brother Cooper stick up for Ben?
22.
What happens to Ben and his mother on the Monday after the Labor Day party? Afterward, what does Mom refuse to let him do? What reasons does she give for refusing?
23.
What bad news does Mom tell Ben about Larry’s job? How does Ben react to this news?
24.
What does Mr. Graham invite Ben to do after work on Saturday? How is this a change for Ben?
25.
One Monday morning, Ben is extremely hungry and decides to do something that he’s never done before. What does he do? Who sees him doing it? What is Ben’s reaction to being seen by these people?
26.
What happens at the store on the day that Ben works an extra hour? How does Ben react to what happens?
27.
What two things prompt Aunt Fay to return from North Carolina? What does she do when she again sees Ben?
28.
Is the following excerpt an example of foreshadowing or flashback?
"But worse that the smell was a tense feeling in the house, like the air before a bad storm."
Correct Answer
A. Foreshadowing
Explanation
The given excerpt is an example of foreshadowing. Foreshadowing is a literary technique where the author hints or suggests future events or outcomes in a story. In this case, the tense feeling in the house and the comparison to the air before a bad storm suggests that something negative or dangerous is about to happen in the future. This creates suspense and anticipation for the reader, making them curious about what will occur next.
29.
Is the following excerpt an example of foreshadowing or flashback?
As he dashed out the door, I caught a brief glimpse of his dark eyes. For a split second, I almost thought I recognized them from somewhere.
Correct Answer
A. Foreshadowing
Explanation
The excerpt is an example of foreshadowing because it hints at something that may happen in the future. The mention of the protagonist recognizing the dark eyes suggests that this detail will become significant later on in the story.
30.
Is the following excerpt an example of foreshadowing or flashback?
I was getting clothes for the night when I hear something that stopped me cold. A familiar metal thud. I knew the sound. Larry's Dodge.
Correct Answer
A. Foreshadowing
Explanation
The given excerpt is an example of foreshadowing because it hints at something that will happen in the future. The sound of Larry's Dodge is familiar to the speaker, suggesting that Larry's presence or involvement will play a significant role later on in the story. This creates anticipation and builds suspense for the reader, making them curious about what will happen next.