ENGL.6
2015-2016 Reading 6 SGA #
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Read the following passage and answer questions 1 through 12.
Picture Pefect
Every now and then, school seemed like an impossible task for Ben. Without
fail, he would inevitably end up with orange juice on the shirt and khakis his
mother had painstakingly ironed, He usually longed for snow days, even in the
spring. Although she would probably never admit it, his mother did too-she
never knew in what condition he would return home. She finally stopped asking
Ben how he was able to get so messy, realizing he was a force beyond her
control.
Ben was anxious on regular school days, but picture day was the worst kind of
tofture for him. There was so much pressure to look his finest. If there were
any imperfections in his appearance, the school yearbook would forever
immortalize them. On his first picture day in kindergatten, Ben's mom carefully
buttoned his shirt and placed his tie exactly down the center of his chest. She
carefully slicked his hair back, making Sure every strand was in place. However,
by the time he made it to the auditorium to face the flashing bulbs of the
photographer, he was completely disheveled. His hair stood on end, his shitt
was no longer tucked in, and he had dribbled purple grape juice down his crisp,
white shirt. Basically, a tornado hit him on picture day,
For a while, Ben's mom always asked, "How did you look for your picture?" He
always grinned and answered, "Great!" After four years of disastrous picture
days, his mom simply rolled her eyes in response.
Undoubtedly, five weeks later, the teacher handed him that "great" picture. Ben
slowly trudged home with his head hung low, reluctantly handing the picture
packet over to his mom when he arrived. It took her four years of picture
retakes to realize there was no point. She eventually realized he would never
have a perfect picture and stopped putting him through the tofture of two
picture days each year.
With these failures fresh in his mind, the day Ben assumed would be the worst
day of his school career finally arrived-his last picture day as a middle school
student. Because Jefferson Middle School fed into different high schools, this
photograph would be the one that his peers, who would be going to a different
school, would look back on to remember him. The pressure to look his best was
weighing heavily on him. At this point in his life, his mom had given up on
picture day. He picked out his own outfit and combed his hair, leaving the tie at
home.
with gracefulness that day. Perhaps it was just sheer luck. He
entered the cafeteria to grab a bagel with cream cheese, and as he spun around,
He was blessed
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he came face-to-face with Josie, a classmate whose reputation for clumsiness
was greater than his own. Her shoulder banged against his tray and the bagel
leaped into the air, It was on course to land on his shift, cream cheese side
down, but with the reflexes of a cat, he jumped backward. It hit the floor
instead and rolled harmlessly away.
He made it through first and second periods without any issues. However, he
dreaded third period science. He had managed to ruin exactly three million Tshirts in science class so far this year, He began to sweat, They were working
with iodine, With fifteen minutes left in class, Mr, Riker called for cleanup,
Could it be? Did he make it to fourth period still looking incredible? He decided
to quietly celebrate by spinning on his lab stool when Josie, carrying a bottle of
bright red iodine, bounced into him again. He assumed that this was the end of
his outfit, but he was wrong, As if in slow motion, Ben spun his stool to the left.
The feeling of something cold and wet hit his leg. Yes, Josie did spill iodine
down his leg. Luckily, his leg would not be in the picture. Knowing that it was
time for the picture to be taken, he sprinted to the door, down the long
corridor, and into the auditorium as soon as the bell rang. He was determined
to be in line first before anything else could happen. For the first time in his
school career, Ben had survived picture day.
Ben's pictures arrived exactly five weeks later, giving him the confidence he
needed to attempt the not-so-impossible task of asking Josie to the movies. To
commemorate the special occasion, Ben's mother took a picture of Ben and
Josie after their date in front of the movie theater, Even though Ben survived
school picture day without getting something spilled on his shirt, date night with
Josie was another story!
1
Read the dictionary entry.
long flfawng, long] adp n.Having ransldetable dunaticn in tinre.
?. futendlng, [asiingn cr tctaling a number nf sp*e:ified units.
adv.3" At a pcint sf time far distant fionr dre time [*dicaie.d.
u. 4.T* }:ave an earnest or strcreg desine or craving.
What is the meaning of longed in paragraph 1?
A1
B2
C3
D4
Based on paragraph 2, the word disheveled means
A handsome
B concerned
C
D
messy
neat
-
3
How does the arrival of Ben's pictures give him the confidence to ask Josie to the
movies?
The arrival of the pictures reminds Ben that before he
A asks Josie to the movies that he needs to work on his
personal hygiene.
Looking at the pictures reminds Ben that his mother is
D
LD
always right.
(- The arrival of the pictures reminds Ben of the success of
picture day and that all things are possible.
The pictures remind Ben that he has not seen a movie in
a while and that Josie is available for a date,
'
4
Read the sentence.
He had managed to ruin exactly three million T-shirts in science class so far this
year.
The author uses hyperbole to A demonstrate that Ben has ruined many shirts
B explain it is not Ben's fault he ruins clothes
C show that the teacher purposefully creates messy lessons
illustrate the importance of bringing a change of clothes
n
D to
school
5
Read the sentence.
Ben slowly trudged home with his head hung low, reluctantly handing the picture
packet over to his mom when he arrived.
The author most likely includes this sentence to show
A knows that he will be punished when he arrives home
B is unconcerned with how the pictures look
C is really tired after an emotional day
D does not want to show the pictures to his mom
that Ben -
6
Read the sentences from paragraph 7.
He made it through first and second periods without any issues. However, he
dreaded third period science.
The word However signals which organizational pattern?
A generalization
B compare and contrast
C problem and solution
D chronological
What is the main idea of paragraph 5?
A Ben's mom refuses to help him,
B
C
D
8
Ben wants his picture to turn out well this year,
Ben might go to a new school next year,
Ben narrowly avoids an incident with Josie.
Directions: Click and drag the answers to the correct box.
Complete the flow
chart.
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auditorium to have
his picture taken.
Ben avoids
smeaflng cream
cheese on his shirt.
Ben has iodine
spilled on his leg
by Josie.
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Ben gets ready for
picture day at his
middle school.
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9
Josie is most likely included in the story to
A help Ben reach his goal
B provide complications for Ben
-
C create a contrast to Ben
D resolve Ben's conflict
10 In paragraph 4, the author most likety refers to the pictures as "great" to create
a
sense of
-
A happiness
B mystery
C approval
D sarcasm
11 What causes Ben's mom to roll her eyes in paragraph 3?
A She does not believe Ben's pictures will turn out well.
B She realizes that her son is growing up.
has decided she will make him have his picture
(^ She
retaken.
D She is hopeful
the pictures will turn out well.
12 Based on paragraph 2, the reader can best conclude that
-
o Ben is the only person at his school who has problems
being neat
B Ben purposefully ruins his clothes to annoy his mother
C Ben's mom thinks picture day is unimportant
D Ben's mom is concerned about his appearance
Read the following passage and answer questions 13 through 24.
King of the Keys
Most seven-year-olds know what it is like when their parents want them to do
something they do not want to do. It does not matter what they argue, or how
much they complain; the end is the same. Parents get their way. Few people
would admit that their parents were right, It is obvious that the parents of a
ceftain seven-year-old really did know best. Most people agree that Edward
Kennedy Ellington's parents knew what they were doing. They forced their son
to take piano lessons even though he really wanted to play baseball.
Born in washington, D.c., on April 29, 1899, Ellington was the son of James
Edward and Daisy Ellington, Both of his parents were piano players. Ellington,
later nicknamed Duke, did not share an interest in the piano with his parents as
a young boy. Later, he said he probably missed more lessons than he attended,
He eventually quit taking them altogether. Surprisingly, at this time Ellington felt
he was not talented at playing the piano, Years later, he heard someone playing
ragtime on the piano. Ragtime is a lively Wpe of music designed for dancing.
Fascinated by the sound, he tried to teach himself how to play so he could
create his own ragtime. From then on, learning how to play the "pearlies"
became his passion, He was performing at pafties, pool halls, and country clubs
at the age of 19. He even created his own band, called the Washingtonians. The
band moved from Washington to Harlem in New York City,
Ellington's road to fame continued in Harlem. He earned a permanent job at the
Cotton Club in 1927, a famous club in New York, The band grew and changed
its name to Duke Ellington and His Orchestra. His music was also played on the
radio. This allowed him to reach a wide audience, In 1939, he teamed up with
Billy Strayhorn, Together, they wrote and composed original music. Rather than
refer to his music as jazz, he called it "the music of my people" and "American
music." He felt his music celebrated the heritage of African people in the United
States. His musical suite, Black, Brown, and Beige, outlined the highs and lows
of African Americans'experiences. This included slavery to the fight for equal
rights, He performed this suite, a group of songs considered as one, at Carnegie
Hall.
+
By the end of his career, he had created
at least 1,000 original songs. Some
people estimate the number to be as high as 5,000, He is still remembered as
giving American music its own sound and for his skill with different styles. He
was known to play a single song in so many different ways, that no one knew it
was actually the same song. He traveled to many places such as Europe, Latin
America, the Middle East, and Asia. He gave over 20,000 peformances. He
received awards that honored his skills as a composer, player, and band leader.
rn 1966, he was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. rn 1969,
he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in America, This was
followed by the Legion of Honor by France in 1973. These two awards are the
highest given to non-military members in both countries. Both Howard and
Yale universities awarded him honorary doctorates, Additionally, in 1999,
Ellington was awarded with the Pulitzer Prize Special Citation.
Ellington passed away a month after his 75th bifthday on May 24, t974. He
suffered from lung cancer and pneumonia. His funeral is proof of his popularity
and talent. It was attended by over 12,000 people, including other musical
greats such as Ella Fitzgerald. At the funeral, Fitzgerald is quoted as saying, "It's
a very sad day. A genius has passed away," His legacy continues to live on.
Even 30 years later, Ellington is thought to be a genius of lazz and an
inspiration to many.
13
Before reading the passag€, ? student makes several predictions based on the title.
Which prediction is confirmed in the passage?
A Someone named King found his car keys.
B King refers to a famous piano player.
C King owns a locksmith shop.
D A king is a good piano player.
L4 In paragra ph 2, the "pearlies" are most likely
A piano keys
B a card game
C
D
-
white teeth
baseball plays
15 The organizational pattern of paragraphs 2 and 3 is best described as
-
A
B
C
D
compare/contrast
generalization
cause and effect
chronological
16 Which question is answered in paragraph 2?
A What was Ellington's most famous composition?
B Why did Ellington's band move to New York?
C What type of music interested Ellington?
D Hl*ly Ellinston's parents think when he quit piano
L7 Read the sentence from paragraph 2.
Surprisingly, at this time Ellington felt he was not talented at playing the piano.
Why does the author most likely use the word "surprisingly"?
A Ellington had always wanted to play the piano.
B Ellington is known as a gifted piano player.
C Most people think they are more talented than they are.
D He had received positive feedback from his teacher.
18 Based on the passage, Ellington is best described as
-
A arrogant
B spoiled
C disrespectful
D skillful
19 Which sentence from the passage is an opinion?
o In 1966, he was awarded the Grammy Lifetime
B
c
n
t'
Achievement Award.
By the end of his career, he had created at least 1,000
ongtnal songs,
It is obvious that the parents of a certain seven-year-old
really did know best.
Ellington passed away a month after his 75th bifthday on
May 24,7974.
20
Directions: Click on the corect
answ:ers.
:.
:'
,
,,
The passage is most likely titled "King of the Keys" because Ellington was
-
a leqacy in the music indu
born in Washinqton, D.C.
a member of the royal famil
famous for making demands
an expert prano p
at the aqe of 19
2l
Which statement best supports the idea that Ellington is still an inspiration to many
today?
o
B
Marcel Ellington kept Duke Ellington's music alive until
Marcel's death.
Presently, the works of Ellington are peformed by many
mustctans.
Ellington was nominated for a Pulitzer prize in 1965.
C
D l|;lfl:T
won a scholarship to the Pratt Institute, but
22 The main purpose of this passage is to
-
A explain the history of a specific type of music
B persuade the reader to learn to play the piano
C inform the reader about the career of a famous musician
D inspire the reader with a story about overcoming
impossible odds
23 According to the passage, Ellington wanted his music to
-
A inspire others to atlend college
B become extremely popular
C tell the story of his heritage
D pay tribute to his parents
24 Why does the author most likely include paragraph 4?
establish the importance of Ellington's childhood
A To
expenences
B To demonstrate Ellington's success as a musician
C To show the influences on Ellington's music
D To provide details about Ellington's musical training