FORMATIVE MINI ASSESSMENTS
First Grading Period 2010-11
October 18-2
STUDENT NAME ______________________________________________________
DATE ______________
Reading – Grade 6
Read this selection. Then answer the questions that follow it.
Sweet Ride
1
Trey Martin watched dirt bike races on television every
day. He was amazed at how they flew into the air as if they
were weightless. He got to the point where he was
determined to earn enough money to buy his own 2005
Yamaha TT-R90E® with an electric start. It was what he
had always wanted. He searched everywhere for someone
who would pay a 12-year-old to do some work. Finally, he
found a man working at the Yamaha® Motor Sports store
who was willing to give Trey a job helping around the shop.
His job was to make sure all of the vehicles were clean and
in perfect condition.
2
Trey was surprised by the amount of money Mr. Harper
paid him. He earned two hundred dollars every other week.
He went to the Yamaha® shop almost every day after school
for six weeks. One day Mr. Harper had some bad news.
Mr. Harper’s boss had told him that Trey could no longer
earn money at the store. The boss had explained that it was
not legal for a minor to work in the store because of
insurance and employment rules.
3
Trey received his final check from Mr. Harper and sadly
rode his bike home. He needed to think of another way to
make money. An idea that seemed to make sense came to
him. Maybe his mother would give him the rest of the
money for his birthday, which was only a few weeks away.
4
He walked up to his mom. To increase his chances, he
was more polite than ever. He noticed that his mom was
busy paying bills, and he was not sure if this was the best
time to ask. Sometimes she was in a bad mood when she
paid bills. “Mom, isn’t it great how I have saved up so
much money in the past few months?” he asked.
5
His mom peered over the bills she was trying to pay and
gave him a knowing look. It was the look that said she knew
exactly what he was up to. She sighed, closed her
checkbook, and said, “You know I am always proud of your
determination. I also know that you are disappointed that
you can no longer work at the shop.”
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6
“I was just thinking that maybe you could pay for the
rest of the bike for my birthday.” After the words were said,
Trey was mad at himself for just blurting them out. He had
practiced saying this much differently. The words he had
practiced in his head sounded like the great lawyers from
television. What came out of his mouth sounded like a
desperate kid.
7
For a few seconds there was nothing but silence, and
Trey could hardly stand it. He felt like he was going to
explode if words did not spill from her mouth soon. Then
the moment came, and she said that she would have to look
into it. “Trey, we will have to see how much you have
already saved and see if we can somehow work it out. I
know you have worked hard, but I also know that dirt bikes
cost a lot of money.”
8
Trey hugged his mom because she did not immediately
say no. He had learned that this was a good sign. He then
ran to count all of the money he had earned at the Yamaha®
shop. He even counted his money down to the piles of
pennies he had found throughout the house. He also
searched in all of the crevices in the couch for change that
may have dropped out of pockets and slipped silently into
the hidden, narrow folds behind the cushions.
9
He had exactly $648. He knew from working at the shop
that this was a little less than half of the money he needed.
He could only hope that his mom would be able to afford the
rest. He would do anything to get the bike.
10
The two weeks before his birthday seemed to go by in
complete slow motion. Trey helped neighbors unload
groceries, offered to wash cars, and found other odd jobs.
He took every $5, $10, and $20 bill to his mom. He tried to
get his mother to confirm that she was going to get the bike.
Her answer was always the same: “I do not know yet, Trey.
It is an awful lot of money.”
11
Finally, the weeks passed, and the day he had waited for
arrived. Trey jumped out of bed, threw his sweatshirt on,
and headed downstairs. When he got to the foot of the
stairs, he was completely surprised to see a chocolate cake
on the dining room table. This was the first time that Trey
could ever remember having a birthday cake for breakfast!
12
After everyone ate cake and sang, Trey’s mom
approached with a little black box and placed it in his hands.
He slowly opened the container. His attention was grabbed
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by a little key with Yamaha® engraved in the metal.
Underneath the key was a note that said to go look in the
garage. He ran out the back door. There in the garage was a
brand new blue and white Yamaha TT-R 90E® and helmet!
13
Even though he was in his baggy pajama pants, he
jumped on the bike to take a test spin. Trey put the key in
the ignition and powerfully kicked down on the kick start.
The engine started and purred with life. His mom insisted
on giving the safety, responsibility, and cautionary advice
that was expected. While working at the Yamaha® store,
Trey had taken a safety class, so he felt ready to drive the
gleaming bike. He pulled his helmet into place and switched
the gears from neutral into first. The bike lunged forward
with a surge that must have looked like a swimmer jumping
from the platform at the sound of the starting gun.
14
Memory of the time and energy spent planning, working,
and waiting for this moment stayed behind in the driveway
that morning. As he carefully sped forward, only an intense
feeling of freedom and a deep love for his mother, who
knew how much the bike meant to him, rode along with
Trey.
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1
Read the diagram of information from the story.
PROBLEM
SOLUTION
Trey asks for money
as a birthday gift.
What belongs in the box labeled “Problem”?
A Trey is unable to find any work to earn money.
B Trey prefers to watch television instead of working.
C Trey does not want anyone to forget his birthday.
D Trey is unable to earn enough money on his own.
2
How does Trey earn money for the dirt bike?
F
4
Working on dirt bikes
F
®
3
Why is Trey being extra polite in paragraph 4?
His mother is in a bad mood.
G Working at Yamaha Motor Sports
G He believes he must use perfect manners.
H Mowing grass on the weekends
H His mother is stressed over the bills.
J
J
Working at the grocery store
Why can Mr. Harper no longer pay money to
Trey?
5
He wants to improve his odds of getting the
money.
Why does Trey become angry with himself in
paragraph 6?
A He is not doing a good job.
A He just blurts the words out.
B The shop is not bringing in enough money.
B His mother does not say yes.
C There are problems with employment rules.
C The lawyer trick does not work.
D Trey’s mother does not want him working.
D He does not have enough money.
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6
What can the reader conclude from
paragraphs 5-7 of the story?
F
Trey annoys his mother.
8 Which sentence from the story shows that the
mother understands the dangers of dirt bikes?
F
G Trey is a spoiled child.
H The family does not have extra money.
J
Trey and his mother do not get along.
While working at the Yamaha® store, Trey
had taken a safety class, so he felt ready to
drive the gleaming bike.
G He tried to get his mother to confirm that
she was going to get the bike.
H He pulled his helmet into place and
switched the gears from neutral to first.
J
His mom insisted on giving the safety,
responsibility, and cautionary advice that
was expected.
7 In paragraph 8, which phrase helps the reader
know what the word crevices means?
A piles of pennies
B hidden, narrow folds
C throughout the house
D out of pockets
9 Paragraph 14 is important to the story because it
helps the reader understand—
A
why Trey appreciates his birthday gift
B
why Trey wants to experience freedom
C
how much Trey likes dirt bikes
D
how hard Trey worked for Mr. Harper
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Read this selection. Then answer the questions that follow it.
Teen Speak
July 2005
Vol. 2
Issue 3
A Magazine for Teens
Fast Food Language
By Alana Corey, Staff Writer
1
2
3
Most
people
who
choose to pull up to a
drive-thru microphone and
order a burger, a burrito, or
other fast meal do so
because it is quick. The
same is true of Netspeak.
Netspeak is the fast food
language
of
instant
communication. This type of rapid response is
used for cyber conversations that occur when
using a computer. Such quick conversations
are required in chat rooms and while using
handheld devices. It would not be healthy to
eat fast food all of the time. Likewise, if all a
person ever used was Netspeak, his or her
ability to communicate in standard language
forms might suffer.
Experts have explained that Netspeak is a
blend between how we speak and how we
write, but it is closer to speech than writing.
Netspeak uses short responses that are sent
back and forth like a tennis ball over a net.
Imagine someone playing a game of tennis
using a bowling ball. It would be, of course,
too heavy. Complete words and sentences are
too heavy for a cyber conversation.
During some instant conversations, people
communicate with many others at one
time.
This is a complex
exercise in multi-tasking. The
shortened language allows the
conversation to continue as if
the people talking are in the
same room. Thousands of
standard
acronyms
and
symbols are used as part of the
Netspeak language.
For
people that are not familiar with it, it must
seem like a foreign language. The chart below
shows some popular Netspeak examples.
Netspeak
Acronyms/Symbols
TLK2UL8R
<g>
<bg>
<vbg>
B4
K
CUL8R
H&K
ROTFL
TIOLI
CYA
BTW
LOL
BFN
Meaning
Talk to you later
Grin
Big grin
Very big grin
Before
Okay
See you later
Hugs and kisses
Rolling on the floor
laughing
Take it or leave it
See you
By the way
Laughing out loud
Bye for now
Continued on page 2
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Continued from page 1
4
5
Some teachers, parents, editors, and
others believe that the large number of
people that are currently using Netspeak
may be harming the standard of the
English
language
and
effective
communication. However, a panel of
experts on language has recently shared
that the popularity of this “digital
dialect” may actually be doing more
good than harm.
Those who regularly use Netspeak agree
that people still have to be taught the rules of
standard language to be able to succeed in our
competitive society. Traditional forms of
reading, writing, and speaking are not being
replaced.
Netspeak is simply adding an
additional layer of communication possibilities
in a creative way. It offers the fast food of
language and gives a necessary rhythm to
typed conversations.
6
First of all, more individuals are
going to the public library in order to use
computers to access the Internet.
Personal web logs, referred to as blogs,
are bringing back the art of diary or
journal writing. For many years now,
fewer people had been using this type of
writing. Likewise, many believed when
the Internet first became popular that
people would be isolated from one
another. Instead, the social nature of the
chat rooms, blogs, and instant messages
has brought people closer together.
People who live thousands of miles away
from
friends
and
family
can
communicate in an instant through
instant messaging online or text
messaging on their cell phones.
Whether you love or hate fast food, a quick
meal can be found on almost every corner in a
large city. Some people choose to drive on by
and eat a nutritious meal at home. The fast
pace of others’ lives provides a need for dinner
on the go. The same is true of Netspeak.
Some may choose to never shorten their words
or ideas. But those communicating “on the
go” will not hesitate to press “SEND” with a
message that is informal and nonstandard.
Since it is not going away any time soon,
individuals must decide to TIOLI (Take it or
leave it). KWIM (Know what I mean)?
7
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10 What is paragraph 1 mainly about?
F Ordering fast food through a microphone
G The similarities between fast food and
Netspeak
13 Which sentence from the article supports the
idea that Netspeak is doing more good than
harm?
H How Netspeak blends writing and speaking
A Experts have explained that Netspeak is a
blend between how we speak and how we
write, but it is closer to speech than writing.
J The low nutritional value of fast food
B This is a complex exercise in multi-tasking.
C Complete words and sentences are too
heavy for a cyber conversation.
11 The author organizes this article by—
D Instead, the social nature of the chat rooms,
blogs, and instant messages has brought
people closer together.
A explaining the advantages and
disadvantages of fast food
B telling the meanings of the most common
Netspeak terms
14 According to the article, people can
communicate quickly because they—
C describing the origins and uses of Netspeak
D comparing the types of people who use
Netspeak most often
F
use instant messaging on the Internet
G are writing journals and diaries
H are living closer together
J
are familiar with ordering meals at fast food
restaurants
12 What type of writing is Netspeak bringing back
into popularity?
F
Instant messaging
G Persuasive essays
15 From the information in the article, what can the
reader infer about the author’s attitude regarding
Netspeak?
H Standard English composition
J
Diary or journal writing
A The author feels Netspeak is lowering the
standards of language.
B The author believes that Netspeak is needed
to get a job.
C The author recognizes that Netspeak serves
an important role in society.
D The author feels Netspeak is only for young
teenagers to have fun.
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Read the next two selections. Then answer the questions that follow them.
Texas Facts for Teens
August 2005
Vol. 1
Issue 3
A Magazine for Teens
Survivors of the Alamo
By Chris Weeks, Staff Writer
1
2
No one will ever
really
know
what
happened inside the
Alamo during what has
become known as the
“13 days of glory.” From
February 23, 1836 to
March 6, 1836, 189 men
under the command of
Colonel William B.
Travis and Jim Bowie
bravely defended the
Alamo to their deaths.
General Antonio de
Santa Anna surrounded this mission,
which still stands today in San Antonio,
Texas, with approximately 5,000 soldiers
to battle the men fighting for the freedom
of Texas from Mexico.
Near the end of the battle, Santa Anna
became convinced that he could win
because the men inside the Alamo were
low on ammunition and supplies. Santa
Anna and his men surrounded the mission
and warned the Texans that they would
show no mercy. The Texans fought
courageously. When they ran out of
ammunition, they used their muskets as
clubs until there was no one left to fight.
The battle lasted only 30 minutes.
Not all the people in
the Alamo were killed in
the massacre. Several of
the survivors were sent on
a mission to inform other
Texans of the soldiers’ fate.
Some of the survivors are
well-known, and others
are just names in history
books.
3
Among
the
most
memorable of the survivors
were Susanna Dickinson
and her 15-month-old
daughter, Angelina Elizabeth. Susanna took
refuge at the Alamo when her husband,
Almaron Dickinson, volunteered to help
defend the Alamo. However, he abandoned
them when the Mexican troops began
climbing over the walls of the famous
mission. Susanna hid in the chapel and did
not see the actual battle.
4
Following the Alamo’s defeat, Susanna
was held and taken to Santa Anna for
interrogation. After questioning her, Santa
Anna gave Susanna a blanket and two silver
dollars before releasing her and the baby.
The infant became known as the “Babe of
the Alamo.”
5
Continued on page 2
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Continued from page 1
6
William Travis’s freed slave, Joe, was
also a survivor. Santa Anna sent Susanna
and Joe to Sam Houston, the President of
the Republic of Texas, with a letter of
warning. Along with them, he sent Ben, a
black member of the Mexican army. Ben
had served as Santa Anna’s personal cook.
7
Miraculously, another mother and her
children were also spared. Anna Salazar de
Esparza and her four children hid in the
chapel inside the Alamo while her
husband, Gregorio, manned a cannon just
outside the chapel. The four children
survived with their mother. Gregorio died
from multiple wounds.
8
Enrique, Anna’s oldest child, was
interviewed many times about the events
of the battle. He explained, “It is burned
into my brain and is indelibly seared there.
Neither age nor infirmity could make me
forget, for the scene was one of such
horror that it could never be forgotten.”
Two sisters, Gertrudis Navarro, 15, and
JuAnna Navarro Alsbury, 28, sought refuge
in the Alamo when the Mexican army
arrived in San Antonio. They hid in a small
room on the west side of the fort during the
assault. Gertrudis begged soldiers who were
looking for loot not to shoot them, and they
were spared.
9
Like Angelina Dickenson, Alejo Perez,
Jr. was another infant brought into the
Alamo by his mother. He survived the battle
and grew up to be a policeman in San
Antonio. The last living survivor, he died on
October 19, 1918.
10
Although there are countless stories and
legends that surround this important battle in
the fight for Texas’s independence, these
survivors were the only ones who knew the
truth.
Their documented bravery and
suffering serve to help us “Remember the
Alamo!”*
11
*This was the battle cry of Sam Houston’s army at the
Battle of San Jacinto when, more than a month after
the loss at the Alamo, they soundly defeated Santa
Anna’s troops and thus ended the war.
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San Antonio Surprise
1
Every year close to eight million visitors delight in the
discovery of San Antonio’s charm. Well, this year, I was
one of those lucky people, but I didn’t want to be. When my
mom announced that we were driving there for our family
vacation, I couldn’t hide my disappointment. Last year we
had rented a cool beach house in Galveston and stayed there
for a week. I had already packed my beach stuff when this
unexpected news rocked my world.
2
“I don’t want to go to San Antonio!” I complained.
“There’s nothing to do there that’s fun. I want to go to the
beach like we always do.”
3
“Just give it a chance, Julia,” Mom calmly replied. “You
might actually like it.”
4
Despite my protests, the next day we loaded up the
Explorer and headed to San Antonio, Texas. The only thing
I knew about the place was that there wasn’t a beach in
sight.
5
The first day, my parents announced that the Misión San
Antonio de Valero, now known as the Alamo, was at the top
of our tour list. I remember studying about the Alamo in
Texas History class, so this seemed like a school field trip,
not a family vacation. I missed the squawking of hungry
seagulls and the roar of ocean waves.
6
As we walked toward the historical mission, which was
located in the heart of the city, I was amazed when I finally
spied the famous site. It was bizarre to see this old building
sitting alone in the middle of modern day office buildings
and shops. While the guide talked about the brave Texans
who were massacred on this very spot while fighting for
Texas’s independence, I found myself fascinated by his
words. Standing at the Alamo made the story come alive. I
could almost see Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie ready for
battle and Colonel Travis drawing a line in the sand,
challenging anyone who was willing to die to cross the line.
I had to admit, this spot in San Antonio was interesting. It
had not seemed quite so real in class.
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7
After the Alamo experience, we decided to look for food
on what my parents called the Paseo del Rio, or the
Riverwalk. I’d much rather have been on the ocean than a
river, but I was hungry and ready to go. We had to walk
down steps below street level to get to the Riverwalk, which
borders both sides of the San Antonio River. I couldn’t
believe what I saw. This jewel of San Antonio was full of
restaurants, cafés, hotels, and specialty shops for every age,
and it was all tucked away under the streets of San Antonio.
8
We sat down at an outside café. Everywhere I looked
was excitement, beauty, and an unexplainable hum of
energy. Sparkling white lights decorated the trees, colorful
flowers and tropical plants lined the walkway, and festive
music filled the air. The Riverwalk was definitely another
great place to visit in San Antonio. I was thinking less and
less about sand and seagulls.
9
Later that night, I reflected on the day and realized that
San Antonio, much to my surprise, was a great place to visit.
The next day, we visited the Plaza Theater of Wax and the
San Jose Mission. Later in the week, I saw Shamu at Sea
World and experienced the outrageous speed and thrill of the
many roller coasters at Fiesta Texas. I never knew a place
like San Antonio could keep someone like me entertained.
With all of these great spots, who needed a beach anyway?
My notes about what I am
reading
San Jose Mission, San Antonio, Texas
Weekly Mass is still held here with live
Mariachi music.
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Use “Survivors of the Alamo” (pp. 9-10)
to answer questions 16-21.
18 Which words in paragraph 5 help the reader
know what interrogation means?
16 What is this article mainly about?
F A description of the battle of the Alamo
G Susanna Dickinson’s amazing tale of
survival
H The many survivors of the Alamo, some
famous and some unknown
J
F was held and taken
G before releasing her
H After questioning her
J Following the Alamo’s defeat
The leadership of the Mexican army under
General Santa Anna
17 Look at the diagram of information from the
selection.
Almaron
Dickinson
volunteers
at the
Alamo.
19 What can the reader conclude about Enrique
from his quote in paragraph 8?
A He was strongly affected by the brutality of
the battle.
Santa Anna
questions
Susanna.
B He became a historian, sharing his story
with many others.
C He did not like discussing the battle with
anyone.
D He had difficulty remembering details from
the battle.
Which event belongs in the empty box?
A Angelina Elizabeth Dickinson is born.
B Santa Anna releases Susanna with two
silver dollars and a blanket.
C Angelina becomes known as the “Babe of
the Alamo.”
D Susanna and her daughter hide in the chapel
during the battle.
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20 Why does Santa Anna spare the lives of
Susanna Dickinson and Joe?
F To employ them as his personal servants
21 From information in the article about the battle
at the Alamo, what can the reader conclude
about the Texans?
A They were not skilled soldiers.
G To serve as messengers to his enemy, Sam
Houston
B They did not care about their families.
H To retell the horrors of the battle
C They were incredibly brave.
J
D They were too young to fight.
To show that he is merciful
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Use “San Antonio Surprise” (pp. 11-12)
to answer questions 22-24.
22 Which is the best summary of this story?
F Upon finding out that her family’s
traditional vacation plans have been
changed, a young girl is disappointed. She
complains, but her mother tells her to give
San Antonio a chance. A visit to the
Alamo seems boring at first, but turns out
to be an exciting experience that allows a
previous Texas History lesson to come
alive.
G
After complaining without desired results,
a young girl visits the Alamo and
remembers studying about it in Texas
History class. When she sees this famous
historical landmark, the girl is amazed to
discover that a modern city has built up
around the historic site. Standing where
the brave Texans were massacred makes
her previous history lesson seem to come
alive.
H A young girl becomes disappointed when
she finds out that instead of going to
Galveston for their vacation, she and her
family will be visiting San Antonio. By
the end of the first day she begins to
change her mind because of an interesting
visit to the Alamo and, later that first day,
to the Riverwalk. She is surprised to learn
that San Antonio offers many fun and
exciting possibilities for people of all ages.
J A surprised young girl reflects on the
events of a day that she expected to be a
disappointment. She discovers that San
Antonio is full of attractions for people of
all ages and looks forward to the rest of the
vacation. She especially looks forward to
seeing Shamu at Sea World and riding the
roller coaster at Fiesta Texas. She never
dreamed that San Antonio could be a
satisfactory replacement for a much loved
beach vacation.
23 Paragraph 8 is important because it—
A reveals the story’s theme
B provides details about the setting
C gives the conclusion of the conflict
D talks about the origin of San Antonio’s
Riverwalk
24 Read the following dictionary entry for the word
charm.
charm \chärm\ n 1. a particular quality that
attracts 2. a small ornament worn on a bracelet
3. a magic word or verse 4. an item worn for its
supposed magical benefits to ward off evil
spirits
Which definition best matches the meaning of the
word charm as it is used in paragraph 1 of the
story?
F Definition 1
G Definition 2
H Definition 3
J
Definition 4
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Use “Survivors of the Alamo” and “San Antonio Surprise”
to answer questions 25-26.
25 How is the organization of “Survivors of the
Alamo” different from that of “San Antonio
Surprise”?
A In “Survivors of the Alamo” the author
presents the information through compare
and contrast.
B The information in “Survivors of the
Alamo” is presented from the narrator’s
point of view.
26 In both selections, the author’s choice of words
when speaking about the events associated with
the Alamo creates a general tone of—
F
anger
G respect
H happiness
J
disbelief
C The information in “San Antonio Surprise”
is presented chronologically.
D The information in “San Antonio Surprise”
is presented in flashbacks.
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