"Search For Safety" Chapters 1-3
Ben is a young boy who is living with his mother in the ghetto. Ben has to survive an abusive home thanks to his stepdad and bullying in school. In chapter 1-3 of the search for safety, we get to understand that life isn’t smooth for other people and before we give them a hard time, we should be mindful of what they go through. Take this test and review these chapters.
Questions and Answers
- 1.
In the following excerpt, what does the word impact mean? "I got to the first step when Larry kicked me with his heavy black work boot. The impact slammed against the back of my leg, and I spilled forward on my face, smashing my arms against the hard wooden stairs."
- A.
Harsh word
- B.
Force
- C.
Agreement
- D.
Gentle touch
Correct Answer
B. ForceExplanation
The word "impact" in the given excerpt means a strong force or collision. It describes the powerful blow that the narrator received from Larry's kick, causing them to fall forward and hit their arms against the stairs.Rate this question:
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- 2.
In the following excerpt, what does the word weariness mean? "I knew Mom was tired. The weariness in her voice told me she’d had another long day at the daycare center. Maybe someone called out sick, or the kids were acting up again, or a parent got upset about something."
- A.
Excitement
- B.
Peacefulness
- C.
Curiosity
- D.
Tiredness
Correct Answer
D. TirednessExplanation
The word weariness in this context means tiredness. The narrator describes their mom as tired and mentions the weariness in her voice, indicating that she had a long day at work and is physically and mentally exhausted.Rate this question:
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- 3.
What is the main idea of the excerpt below? "We entered a small room with a cracked window that faced out onto busy Union Street. The walls were a faded blue, streaked in some places with brown water stains from leaks in the ceiling. A larger back room was empty except for a rusty attic fan mounted in the window. It made a clicking noise when I turned it on and worked only at slow speed."
- A.
The small room faces out ont a busy street.
- B.
The room is depressing.
- C.
The celing leaks in the small room.
- D.
The fan makes a clicking noise.
Correct Answer
B. The room is depressing.Explanation
The excerpt describes a small room with a cracked window, faded blue walls, and brown water stains from ceiling leaks. These details create a gloomy and depressing atmosphere in the room. The mention of a larger back room being empty further emphasizes the desolation of the place. The description of the rusty attic fan making a clicking noise adds to the overall sense of sadness and neglect in the room.Rate this question:
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- 4.
What is the main idea of the excerpt below? "Aunt Fay drove for about five minutes before we turned into a parking lot next to a giant brick and cinderblock school building. Bluford High School. I’d gone past it a few times, but never seen it this close. It was as big as Lincoln, but it also had a full-size outside track and its own football field surrounded by metal bleachers. There was even a sign next to the field. Welcome to Bluford High School. Home of the Buccaneers, it read."
- A.
Bluford High is a giant brick and cinderblock building, about the same size as Lincoln.
- B.
Bluford High has a full-size outside track and its own football field.
- C.
Bluford High looks impressive.
- D.
Bluford High is close to Ben's new home.
Correct Answer
C. Bluford High looks impressive.Explanation
The excerpt describes the narrator's first impression of Bluford High School, highlighting its size, outside track, football field, and metal bleachers. The narrator mentions that they had seen the school from a distance before but had never seen it up close. The description of the school's features and the narrator's awe suggest that Bluford High looks impressive.Rate this question:
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- 5.
What is the main idea of the excerpt below? “I don’t know what we’re gonna do, baby,” Mom had said. I was only six years old, but I remember being hungry all the time, and the refrigerator was always empty. Then one day the power company shut off our lights. We were living in an apartment without electricity and getting our meals from a food bank when Aunt Fay finally rescued us.
- A.
Aunt Fay rescued Ben and his mom from a bad situation.
- B.
Ben was only six years old when the power company shut off the lights in his and Mom's apartment.
- C.
Mom failed to provide her son with enough food.
- D.
Aunt Fay was angry with Mom for living like that.
Correct Answer
A. Aunt Fay rescued Ben and his mom from a bad situation.Explanation
Aunt Fay rescued Ben and his mom from a bad situation.Rate this question:
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- 6.
What can you conclude from the following excerpt? "Our neighbor Jackie knew Larry from high school. I’d overheard her telling Aunt Fay about him one night back in July. She said people used to call Larry “The Big Hurt” for all the fights he’d gotten into at school. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he did time somewhere, the things he and his friends used to do,” Jackie admitted after seeing him pick up my mom one night. “But that was fifteen long years ago, Fay. People change,” she had said. Aunt Fay just grunted. They didn’t know I was listening."
- A.
Larry probably has changed since his high school days.
- B.
Jackie is jealous of the fact that Ben's mom and Larry are dating.
- C.
Ben often listens to other people's conversations.
- D.
Aunt Fay doubts that Larry has changed since high school.
Correct Answer
D. Aunt Fay doubts that Larry has changed since high school.Explanation
The excerpt mentions that Aunt Fay grunted when Jackie said that people change. This suggests that Aunt Fay does not believe that Larry has changed since his high school days.Rate this question:
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- 7.
What can you conclude from the following excerpt? "That was the day we moved in for good, and it was the first time I can remember feeling safe. Now those days were gone—and Aunt Fay would be gone too. “I’m sorry I have to go, but I know you understand,” Aunt Fay said, breaking the sad silence that suddenly filled her car. “I do,” I said, nodding my head. There were no tears on my face, but inside I was crying."
- A.
Ben fears what will happen to him without Aunt Fay around.
- B.
Ben realizes that he will probably never see Aunt Fay again.
- C.
Aunt Fay is secretly happy to leave Ben.
- D.
Ben is secretly happy that Aunt Fay is leaving.
Correct Answer
A. Ben fears what will happen to him without Aunt Fay around.Explanation
Based on the given excerpt, Ben says that he understands Aunt Fay has to go, but inside he is crying. This indicates that Ben is feeling sad and fearful about what will happen to him without Aunt Fay around. Therefore, the correct answer is that Ben fears what will happen to him without Aunt Fay around.Rate this question:
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- 8.
In the following excerpt, what does the word municipal mean? "Two weeks later, she made me dress up with a shirt and tie like we were going to church. Instead, we went down to the municipal building and got in a line with a bunch of other people. Then an old judge called us into a stuffy conference room, and my mom and Larry were married."
- A.
Capitol
- B.
Local government
- C.
Rundown
- D.
Meeting
Correct Answer
B. Local governmentExplanation
The word "municipal" in this excerpt refers to the local government. The narrator mentions going to the municipal building and being in a line with other people, which suggests that they are participating in a government process. Additionally, the mention of an old judge and a conference room further supports the idea that this is a government-related event.Rate this question:
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- 9.
What type of figurative language is the following excerpt an example of? "His arms were solid like the black metal pipes in Aunt Fay's basement."
- A.
Personification
- B.
Alliteration
- C.
Metaphor
- D.
Simile
Correct Answer
D. SimileExplanation
The given excerpt is an example of a simile. Similes are figures of speech that compare two unlike things using the words "like" or "as." In this case, the narrator is comparing the solidity of the person's arms to the solidity of black metal pipes in Aunt Fay's basement.Rate this question:
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- 10.
What type of figurative language is the following excerpt an example of? "They were like the bars of a cage."
- A.
Simile
- B.
Personification
- C.
Metaphor
- D.
Hyperbole
Correct Answer
A. SimileExplanation
The given excerpt compares "they" to "the bars of a cage" using the word "like," indicating a similarity between the two. This comparison is a simile, a type of figurative language that uses "like" or "as" to compare two unlike things.Rate this question:
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- 11.
What type of figurative language is included in the following excerpt? "Whap! Larry cuffed me hard in the jaw with the back of his hand, snapping my head back and splitting my lip."
- A.
Hyperbole
- B.
Metaphor
- C.
Onomatopeia
- D.
Alliteration
Correct Answer
C. OnomatopeiaExplanation
The correct answer is onomatopoeia. Onomatopoeia is a figure of speech in which words imitate or suggest the sound of the action or object they describe. In the given excerpt, the word "Whap!" is an example of onomatopoeia as it imitates the sound of the physical action of Larry cuffing the speaker in the jaw.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Is the following excerpt an example of flashback or foreshadowing? "Our neighbor Jackie knew Larry from high school. I'd overheard her telling Aunt Fay about him one night back in July. She said people used to call Larry "The Big Hurt" for all the fights he'd gotten into at school. 'I wouldn't be surprised if he did time somewhere, the things he and his friends used to do,' Jackie admitted after seeing him pick up my mom one night. 'But that was fifteen long years ago, Fay. People change,' she had said. Aunt Fay just grunted. They didn't know I was listening."
Correct Answer
flashbackExplanation
This excerpt is an example of flashback because it takes the reader back to a previous time when the narrator overheard their neighbor Jackie talking about Larry. The narrator recalls the conversation in which Jackie mentions Larry's past, including his reputation for getting into fights in high school. The use of past tense and the mention of events that occurred fifteen years ago indicate that this is a flashback.Rate this question:
- 13.
Is the following excerpt an example of flashback or foreshadowing? "By the time I'd crossed the six blocks to Cat's, I'd passed groups of kids my age sitting on corners watching me pass. I'd been in the city all my life and knew how to carry myslf, but I was a stranger in this new neighborhood. A target."
Correct Answer
foreshadowingExplanation
The excerpt is an example of foreshadowing because it hints at a potential future event or outcome. The narrator mentions feeling like a target in the new neighborhood, implying that something dangerous or negative may happen to them later on. This creates suspense and anticipation for the reader, as they wonder what might occur and how it will affect the narrator.Rate this question:
- 14.
Is the following excerpt an example of flashback or foreshadowing? "God put a head on your shoulders. It's your job to use it," Grandma would say all the time. "Grandma's right," Aunt Fay always hcimed in. "The reason I'm a teacher is because I got an education and made something of myself. That's what you're gonna do too, Ben."
Correct Answer
flashbackExplanation
The given excerpt is an example of flashback because it includes a statement from Grandma and Aunt Fay that refers to the past. The use of the phrase "Grandma would say all the time" indicates that Grandma's statement is a recurring one, suggesting that it is a memory from the past. Additionally, Aunt Fay's statement about being a teacher and making something of herself also implies that she is reflecting on her past experiences and offering advice based on them.Rate this question:
- 15.
Is the following excerpt an example of flashback or foreshadowing? "I thought you should meet each other before . . . the start of the school year." For a second Aunt Fay looked as if something was bothering her, but then it passed.
Correct Answer
foreshadowingExplanation
The excerpt suggests that something significant is going to happen at the start of the school year that Aunt Fay may be concerned about. This hints at future events and creates anticipation for what is to come, indicating that it is an example of foreshadowing.Rate this question:
- 16.
Is the following excerpt an example of flashback or foreshadowing? "During the whole time, Larry hardly said a word to me when he came to pick up my mother. A few times, he gave me a quick handshake, but only when Aunt Fay was watching."
Correct Answer
foreshadowingExplanation
This excerpt is an example of foreshadowing because it hints at a future event or outcome. The fact that Larry hardly speaks to the narrator and only gives a quick handshake when Aunt Fay is watching suggests that there may be some tension or conflict between Larry and the narrator in the future. This foreshadows a potential conflict or strained relationship between them later on in the story.Rate this question:
- 17.
What type of figurative language is included in the following excerpt? "I nodded. We need you to stay, I wanted to tell her, yet my mouth was suddenly frozen shut."
- A.
Onomatopeia
- B.
Alliteration
- C.
Hyperbole
- D.
Metaphor
Correct Answer
C. HyperboleExplanation
The correct answer is hyperbole. Hyperbole is a type of figurative language that involves exaggeration for emphasis or dramatic effect. In the given excerpt, the speaker's mouth being "suddenly frozen shut" is an exaggerated statement, emphasizing the speaker's inability to speak.Rate this question:
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- 18.
Which of the following pairs of words best characterizes Larry?
- A.
Angry and abusive
- B.
Quiet and shy
- C.
Friendly and funny
- D.
Loud and nice
Correct Answer
A. Angry and abusiveExplanation
Larry is best characterized as angry and abusive because these words indicate that he has a tendency to become easily angered and behaves in a physically or verbally aggressive manner towards others. This suggests that Larry has a volatile and aggressive personality, which is different from the other options provided.Rate this question:
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- 19.
Based on what you've read so far, what can you conclude about Geneva?
- A.
She is basically a strong woman who's just going through a rough patch.
- B.
She will leave Larry once she sees for herself what he's doing to Ben.
- C.
She will do anything to ensure the well-being of her child.
- D.
She is not confident enough to save her child from an abusive spouse.
Correct Answer
D. She is not confident enough to save her child from an abusive spouse.Explanation
The answer can be concluded based on the information provided in the passage. It states that Geneva is not confident enough to save her child from an abusive spouse. This suggests that she may lack the courage or belief in herself to protect her child from harm.Rate this question:
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- 20.
In the following excerpt, what does the word seeped mean? "She seemed so tired, not just on the outside, but on the inside too. Like it had seeped into her bones somehow."
- A.
Flowed gradually
- B.
Left out of
- C.
Disappeared
- D.
Looked
Correct Answer
A. Flowed graduallyExplanation
The word "seeped" in this context means that tiredness gradually flowed or spread into the person's bones. It suggests that the tiredness was not only evident on the surface, but it had also deeply affected the person's inner state.Rate this question:
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- 21.
Soon after Ben and his mom move in with Larry, Larry tells Ben that he should try to get a part-time job to help the family.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Larry did not tell Ben to get a part-time job to help the family.Rate this question:
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- 22.
The first time Aunt Fay helped Ben was the day that she brought Ben and his mom to live with her after their electricity was turned off.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The given statement implies that Aunt Fay helped Ben and his mom by providing them a place to live when their electricity was turned off. This suggests that Aunt Fay's assistance was crucial in a time of need, indicating that the statement is true.Rate this question:
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- 23.
When Aunt Fay asked Ben about his split lip, he said he banged into a door frame when he was moving.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The given statement suggests that Ben claimed to have injured his lip by accidentally hitting it on a door frame while he was moving. The answer "True" indicates that this statement is correct and implies that Ben provided this explanation to Aunt Fay when she inquired about his split lip.Rate this question:
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- 24.
When Ben went to the sandwich shop to pick up food for Larry, Larry said he didn't get enough chips and beat Ben up.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
The statement suggests that Larry beat up Ben because he didn't get enough chips. However, this explanation seems unlikely and irrational. It is not reasonable for someone to physically assault another person over a trivial matter like not getting enough chips. Therefore, the correct answer is False.Rate this question:
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- 25.
Ben gets jumped by other kids when they notice that his face is already bruised.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
The statement implies that Ben's face is already bruised before he gets jumped by other kids. However, the correct answer is false because the statement does not provide any information about the reason for Ben getting jumped. It is possible that his face was already bruised before the incident, but the statement does not explicitly state this. Therefore, we cannot determine the accuracy of the statement based on the given information.Rate this question:
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