Student Team Literature
Standardized Reading Practice Test
The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural
(Knopf Paperbacks, 1992)
Sample Test Questions
Reading Vocabulary
DIRECTIONS: Synonyms
Choose the word that means the same, or
about the same, as the underlined word.
Then circle the letter for the answer you have
chosen.
SAMPLE A
To fret means:
A to play
B to whistle
C to worry
D to scream
DIRECTIONS: Multiple-Meaning Words
Read the sentence in the box. Then choose
the answer in which the underlined word is
used in the same way. Circle the letter for
the answer you have chosen.
SAMPLE B
“The monster had me so scared I couldn’t
even play in my own yard. Then one night
I decided to face my monster.”
In which sentence does the word face mean
the same thing as in the sentence above?
F The artist planned for the sculpture to face
the inner courtyard of the school.
G Experienced climbers say that the
northern face of this mountain is the
hardest one to climb.
H I washed my face carefully and combed
my hair before going out.
J I didn’t know how I would face my teacher
if I didn’t turn in my book report.
DIRECTIONS: Context Clues
As you read each sentence, use the other
words in the sentence to help you figure out
what the underlined word means. Then circle
the letter for the answer you have chosen.
SAMPLE C
Dashing forward, I scooped up my little
chick and swerved to keep from plunging
into the monster’s den. Swerved means A turned sharply
B ducked down
C tiptoed quietly
D stepped forward
Reading Comprehension
DIRECTIONS
Read the passage. Then read each question
about the passage. Decide which is the best
answer. Circle the letter for the answer you
have chosen.
SAMPLE D
“The sun had set, but there was a little
light left in the sky. The backyard was
already engulfed by a blanket of darkness,
but I could see the silhouette of the old
chicken shack against the sky.
“I stood on the back porch, a statue of
fear.” (page 152)
The statement “The backyard was already
engulfed by a blanket of darkness” is an
example of
F foreshadowing
G irony
H metaphor
J simile
Talent Development Secondary · Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland · 2012
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Talent Development Secondary · Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland · 2012
Student Team Literature
The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural
Standardized Reading Practice Test: “The Legend of Pin Oak”
Reading Vocabulary
DIRECTIONS: Synonyms
Choose the word that means the same, or
about the same, as the underlined word.
Then circle the letter for the answer you have
chosen.
1. Contemptuous means:
A modern
B scornful
C disgusting
D bitter
2. Plausible means:
F believable
G very impressive
H disturbing
J exciting
3. Speculated means:
A examined
B pointed
C guessed
D decided
DIRECTIONS: Multiple-meaning words
Read the sentence in the box. Then choose
the answer in which the underlined word is
used in the same way. Circle the letter for the
answer you have chosen.
4.
A cave located behind Topps River Falls
was a well-known hiding place used by
the Underground Railroad.
F
My little cousin is just learning to walk, so
she still falls down quite often.
G The meeting of the Student Government
Association falls on Friday this week.
H My grandma is moving to a nursing home
because she has suffered a number of
dangerous falls recently.
J Jermaine took a fantastic picture from
above the falls where the water sprayed
up.
DIRECTIONS: Context Clues
As you read each sentence, use the other
words in the sentence to help you figure out
what the underlined word means. Then circle
the letter for the answer you have chosen.
5. Harper’s jealousy of Henri grew each year
until it dominated his life. Dominated
means A controlled
B faded out of
C brought happiness to
D inspired
6. Harper raced to his study, where he
barricaded himself against the onslaught
of questions.
Barricaded means F calmed
G attacked
H informed
J protected
In which sentence does the word falls mean
the same thing as in the sentence above?
Talent Development Secondary · Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland · 2012
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Reading Comprehension
DIRECTIONS
Read the passage. Then read each question about the passage. Decide which is the best
answer. Circle the letter for the answer you have chosen.
Though Henri saw no point in telling Harper he was a free man, there was another matter
he needed to discuss. “There’s something you should know,” he said with urgency in his
voice. “Pin Oak is in trouble.”
“What kind of trouble?” Harper asked, growing nervous.
“For the past two years the crops haven’t come in healthy - too much rain one year, not
enough the next. Still, Master Amos said if we toed the line, cut a few corners, and brought in
a good crop this year, we could get through these hard times.”
Harper turned his back on Henri. “How dreary. Do what you must to keep the place going.”
But meanwhile, Harper continued to spend Pin Oak’s money, on good whiskey and bad
deals. It wasn’t long before the bank threatened foreclosure.
Driven by years of anger and resentment, Harper met the bank’s demand payment by
selling the most valuable asset he had—Henri.
“You fool!” Mr. Kelsey, a longtime family friend at the bank, shouted when Harper told him.
“Why didn’t you sell the silver? Sell all the furniture? Not Henri. Would a carpenter sell his
saw?”
(pages 9-10)
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Which of the following is not a reason
that contributes to Pin Oak’s financial
problems?
A poor weather conditions
B Harper’s wasteful, selfish spending
habits
C Harper’s lack of business sense
D Henri’s poor farm management skills
8
Henri probably tells Harper that Pin
Oaks is in trouble
F because he blames Harper for the
plantation’s problems.
G because he wants to frighten
Harper.
H because he wants Harper to make
wise decisions.
J because he expects to be leaving the
plantation soon.
9
Mr. Kelsey compares Harper selling
Henri to a carpenter selling his saw.
This is because
A a carpenter needs a saw to make a
living, and Harper needs Henri to
make money from Pin Oaks.
B a saw is dangerous, and Henri is
dangerous to Harper as long as he
stays at Pin Oaks.
C a saw is a valuable tool that can be
sold for a lot of money, and selling
Henri will bring Harper a lot of money.
D Henri does a lot of carpentry work at
Pin Oaks.
10 Which of the following is the main
reason Mr. Kelsey calls Harper a fool?
F Harper does not take an interest in
farming.
G Harper wastes so much money on
whiskey.
H Harper makes bad business deals.
J
4
Harper’s decision to sell Henri will lead
to Pin Oak’s ruin.
Talent Development Secondary · Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland · 2012
Student Team Literature
The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural
Standardized Reading Practice Test: “We Organized”
Reading Vocabulary
DIRECTIONS: Synonyms
Choose the word that means the same, or
about the same, as the underlined word. Then
circle the letter for the answer you have chosen.
1. Vividly means:
A in a colorful, lively way
B angrily
C gently
D in a lazy, bored way
2. Tyranny is the same as:
F kindness
G creativity
H excitement
J cruelty
DIRECTIONS: Multiple-meaning words
Read the sentence in the box. Then choose the
answer in which the underlined word is used in
the same way. Circle the letter for the answer
you have chosen.
3.
I can snap a moth in two
While it’s still on the wing,
Pick a fly off a mule’s ear
And never ruffle a hair.
In which sentence does the word pick mean
the same thing as in the sentence above?
A Jeff uses a small plastic pick to play his
guitar.
B Roseanne took a long time to pick which
dress she would wear to the party.
C Mother sent me out to pick some flowers
from the bush in the back yard.
D We used a pick and a shovel to dig out the
roots of the dead tree in the vacant lot.
4.
Dancing, chanting,
Digging a grave with words…
In which sentence does the word grave mean
the same thing as in the sentence above?
F When the doctor came out, he looked very
grave, and told us that Carlos’ condition
was serious.
G When I heard the President’s historic
speech, I decided to grave his words in my
memory forever.
H The rising cost of gas is a matter of grave
concern to many people.
J In the spring, we planted a rosebush in
front of Grandfather’s grave.
DIRECTIONS: Context Clues
As you read each sentence, use the other
words in the sentence to help you figure out
what the underlined word means. Then circle
the letter for the answer you have chosen.
5. During the Great Depression of the
1930s, government agencies sponsored
programs designed to put people back to
work.
Sponsored means A
B
C
D
criticized
supported
outlawed
discouraged
Talent Development Secondary · Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland · 2012
5
Reading Comprehension
DIRECTIONS
Read each passage. Then read each
question about the passages. Decide which
is the best answer. Circle the letter for the
answer you have chosen.
Selection 1:
… One day Massa say,
“Ajax, see that hornets’ nest over there?
Snatch it off that tree.”
I say, “Naw sir. Not that I can’t do it,
But some things just ain’ wise to do.”
Massa ask,
“Why not?”
I come back with,
“Them hornets be trouble.
They organized.”
(page 21)
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The narrator is
F the Massa.
G Ajax, Massa’s driver.
H a government researcher.
J Corbella, the Congo Woman.
Which of the following can we infer
from this incident?
A Ajax knows he is not good enough
with the whip to bring down the
hornets’ nest successfully.
B Ajax is more thoughtful and sensible
than the Massa.
C Massa thinks that this kind of hornet
does not sting.
D Ajax always does whatever the Massa
tells him to do.
The statement “Them hornets be
trouble” is an example of
F irony.
G implied meaning.
H simile.
J dialect.
9
The story about the hornets’ nest gives
a hint or suggestion about the way the
slaves will gain their freedom. This
kind of hint is called
A irony.
B foreshadowing.
C dialect.
D inference.
Selection 2:
…We pin Massa’s black button to a straw
doll.
Hang it in a sycamore tree.
Spinning, clapping,
Calling the names of the ancestors…
Old names…
Powerful names.
Three days dancing in the dark.
Three days chanting till dawn.
Way in the night Massa hear the music in
his head.
He hear the whispered words
In a long refrain… and he comes
screaming.
“Lawd! Lawd!”
But it’s too late.
Come harvest-time Massa be low sick.
Near ’bout wasted away.
All the mean gone out of him.
Massa calls all us to him.
He free the Congo Woman.
He free everybody—glad to be rid of us!
Wrote out the free papers, right now!
(page 23)
10 What is the main reason the master
freed all of his slaves?
F He heard there was a law that
required him to free them.
G He had a change of heart, and
wanted to do what was right for them.
H He was afraid that they were killing
him by means of magic.
J He was not satisfied with their work.
Talent Development Secondary · Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland · 2012
Student Team Literature
The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural
Standardized Reading Practice Test: “Justice”
Reading Vocabulary
DIRECTIONS: Synonyms
Choose the word that means the same, or
about the same, as the underlined word.
Then circle the letter for the answer you have
chosen.
1. A prominent person is one who is:
A scholarly
B concerned
C well known
D physically fit
2. To verify information is to:
F find out if it is true
G pass it on
H state that it is false
J interpret it
3. A ludicrous idea is:
A very exciting
B very upsetting
C very deep
D very silly
DIRECTIONS: Multiple-meaning words
Read the sentence in the box. Then choose
the answer in which the underlined word is
used in the same way. Circle the letter for the
answer you have chosen.
4.
The chief sent Officer Peterson over to
the hardware store to verify Alvin’s story.
In which sentence does the word store
mean the same thing as in the sentence
above?
F
I had to stop at the corner store on my
way home from school.
G I like to store my CDs in a small zippered
pouch that is easy to carry around.
H My little brother has quite a store of candy
in his dresser drawer, but he never shares
it with anyone.
J Mrs. Phipps sets quite a store by me,
because she thinks of me as her adopted
daughter.
DIRECTIONS: Context Clues
As you read each sentence, use the other
words in the sentence to help you figure out
what the underlined word means. Then circle
the letter for the answer you have chosen.
5. At first Hoop reveled in knowing he’d
presided over a lynching, savoring the
excitement and power he’d felt.
Savoring means A forgetting
B regretting
C enjoying
D denying
6. Stumbling groggily into the kitchen, Hoop
fixed himself a cup of coffee.
Groggily means F alertly
G sleepily
H sneakily
J gracefully
Talent Development Secondary · Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland · 2012
7
Reading Comprehension
DIRECTIONS
Read the passage. Then read each question about the passage. Decide which is the best
answer. Circle the letter for the answer you have chosen.
“It’s Alvin! It’s Alvin!” Hoop pleaded with the chief. “He ain’t dead. He’s come back and is
deviling me… doing stuff.”
“Now, why would Alvin choose to devil you?” Baker chuckled sarcastically.
“Because.” Silence. Hoop looked at his feet.
Chief Baker grabbed Hoop by the collar. “I know that you and them Kluxer maniacs lynched
Alvin Tinsley, who had nothing to do with Holt’s murder. But what’s worse is that I ended up
being forced to cover for the lot of you just to save the mayor’s boy, who was out there with
y’all. But it’s not over. Alvin didn’t kill Holt. The whole thing sticks in my throat like a fish bone,
and I’ve got to hawk it up or choke to death on it. You get my meaning?” Chief Baker released
his hold on Hoop.
“Alvin ain’t dead. He’s back.”
“Oh, I assure you Alvin is very dead. I saw what you did to that poor man. But if the grave
has delivered him up to torment you, he’s got my eternal blessing. Now get out of here. You
sicken me!”
Hoop staggered out of the police station, dreading what awaited him at home. (pages 40-41)
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The main reason that Chief Baker has
not arrested Hoop for the lynching is that
A he is not sure that Hoop is guilty.
B he is a racist and does not care what
happens to black people.
C he is under pressure from the mayor to
keep it quiet.
D he does not have enough officers to
handle the situation.
Which of the following is not a true
statement of Chief Baker’s feelings
about this situation?
F He is ashamed of his own role in
covering up the wrongdoing.
G He is disgusted at Hoop’s cruelty and
dishonesty.
H He is upset about the way Holt’s
murder has been handled.
J He is sorry to hear that Hoop is being
tormented by Alvin’s ghost.
9
Chief Baker’s statement “The whole
thing sticks in my throat like a fish bone”
is an example of
A personification.
B simile.
C
foreshadowing.
D irony.
10 A good title for this section would be
F
“Chief Baker’s Position.”
G “The Ghost Returns.”
H “Corruption in High Places.”
J
“Lynching in the 1930s.”
Talent Development Secondary · Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland · 2012
Student Team Literature
The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural
Standardized Reading Practice Test: “The 11:59”
Reading Vocabulary
DIRECTIONS: Synonyms
Choose the word that means the same, or
about the same, as the underlined word.
Then circle the letter for the answer you
have chosen.
1. Mournful means:
A cheerful
B gloomy
C sleepy
D hard working
2. To supplement something means:
F to divide it up
G to eat it
H to take away from it
J to add to it
3. A restraint is something:
A that must be done over again
B that limits freedom
C that carries people back and forth
D that relaxes people
DIRECTIONS: Multiple-meaning words
Read the sentence in the box. Then choose
the answer in which the underlined word is
used in the same way. Circle the letter for
the answer you have chosen.
4.
Sampson knocked me down getting to
wait on the lady, figuring she was sure
for a big tip.
In which sentence does the word tip mean
the same thing as in the sentence above?
F I pressed down on my pencil so hard
that I broke the tip.
G Dad gave me a really good tip to help
me improve my jump shot.
H I reached out quickly to grab the
wobbling pitcher before it could tip over
and spill water all over the tablecloth.
J Mom left a tip on the table for our
waitress before we left the restaurant.
DIRECTIONS: Context Clues
As you read each sentence, use the other
words in the sentence to help you figure out
what the underlined word means. Then
circle the letter for the answer you have
chosen.
5. George Pullman’s sleeping cars
provided passengers with comfortable
accommodations during an overnight
trip.
Accommodations means A places to stay
B places to eat
C warm clothing
D work spaces
6. Lester took joy in mesmerizing his
young listeners with all the details.
Mesmerizing means F frightening
G boring
H holding the attention of
J confusing
Talent Development Secondary · Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland · 2012
9
Reading Comprehension
DIRECTIONS
Read the passage. Then read each question about the passage. Decide which is the best
answer. Circle the letter for the answer you have chosen.
Then in the fearful silence [Lester] heard a train whistle. His ears strained to identify the
sound, making sure it was a whistle. No mistake. It came again, the same as the night before.
Lester answered it with a groan.
Ticktock, ticktock..
He could hear Time ticking away in his head. Gas leak or not, he had to see his watch.
Striking a match, Lester quickly checked the time. 11:57.
Although there was no gas explosion, a tiny explosion erupted in his heart.
Ticktock, ticktock.
Just a little more time. The whistle sounded again. Closer than before. Lester struggled to
move, but he felt fastened to the chair. Now he could hear the engine puffing, pulling a heavy
load. It was hard for him to breathe, too, and the pain in his chest weighed heavier and heavier.
Ticktock, ticktock.
Time had run out! Lester reached for an explanation that made sense. But reason failed
when a glowing phantom dressed in the porters’ gray uniform stepped out of the grayness of
Lester’s confusion.
“It’s your time, good brother.” The specter spoke in a thousand familiar voices.
Freed of any restraint now, Lester stood, bathed in a peaceful calm that had its own glow. “Is
that you, Tip?” he asked, squinting to focus on his old friend standing in the strange light.
“It’s me, ol’ partner. Come to remind you that none of us can escape the last ride on the
11:59.”
“I know, I know,” Lester said, chuckling. “But man, I had to try.”
(pages 54-55)
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Which of the following can we conclude
from this passage?
A Lester is in excellent health.
B Lester feels afraid when he sees Tip’s
ghost.
C Lester is happy when he hears the
train whistle.
D Lester already heard the train whistle
the night before this takes place.
Lester decides to strike a match even
though he is afraid of
F starting a fire.
G a gas explosion.
H burning his fingers.
J
10
sitting alone in the dark.
9
This passage suggests that Lester may
have really died of
A a train wreck.
B a brain tumor.
C a heart attack.
D a gas explosion.
10 This story leaves open the question of
whether Lester dies of natural or
supernatural causes. This type of
uncertainty is called
F irony.
G ambiguity.
H personification.
J
suspense.
Talent Development Secondary · Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland · 2012
Student Team Literature
The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural
Standardized Reading Practice Test: “The Sight”
Reading Vocabulary
DIRECTIONS: Synonyms
Choose the word that means the same, or
about the same, as the underlined word.
Then circle the letter for the answer you
have chosen.
1. To probe is to:
A supervise
B question closely
C write a report
D solve a problem
2. An intense feeling is one that is:
F temporary
G gradual
H very strong
J boring
3. Anguish means:
A extreme pain or sorrow
B extreme joy or delight
C minor irritation
D doubt
DIRECTIONS: Multiple-meaning words
Read the sentence in the box. Then choose
the answer in which the underlined word is
used in the same way. Circle the letter for
the answer you have chosen.
4.
Esau wrestled himself free and
continued to charge toward the
burning house.
In which sentence does the word charge
mean the same thing as in the sentence
above?
F I decided to charge my groceries to a
credit card since I was out of cash.
G The suspect is being held on a charge of
auto theft.
H Before she went to work, Momma put
me in charge of my younger brothers.
J The explorers knew they were in trouble
when the elephant turned to charge at
their Land Rover.
DIRECTIONS: Context Clues
As you read each sentence, use the other
words in the sentence to help you figure out
what the underlined word means. Then
circle the letter for the answer you have
chosen.
5. As disgusted as Amanda acted and as
reluctant as Esau was to warm up to
him, within the hour Tall had them
dancing and laughing like puppets on a
string. Reluctant means A unwilling
B excited
C pleased
D tired
6. Esau lay gasping for breath, engulfed in
his own fear.
Engulfed means F comforted
G delighted
H swallowed up
J protected
Talent Development Secondary · Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland · 2012
11
Reading Comprehension
DIRECTIONS
Read the passage. Then read each question about the passage. Decide which is the best
answer. Circle the letter for the answer you have chosen.
When Esau turned down Carpenter Street, he saw volunteer fire fighters with hoses doing
what they could to contain the fire.
Esau stumbled onto the scene like a miscued actor. Turning in confusion, he ran toward
the flaming house. The heat and smoke choked him and his leg hurt, but he still kept
running.
“Daddy! Daddy! Over here!” his children screamed. The smoke billowed out of the broken
windows. Esau tried to run, but someone was holding him back—one of the firemen.
Strengthened by a burst of adrenaline, he wrestled himself free and continued to charge.
“No! No! No!” he heard Charity Rose yell.
A wall of flames towered in front of him. The heat was intense. Suddenly he felt himself
being violently pushed, jerked, and slammed against the ground, rolling and tumbling like a
rag doll. He collapsed in anguish.
When Esau came around, it was just as he’d seen in the vision; he was cold and shivering,
coughing, and sore. But he was surrounded by his family. Charity Rose had covered him with
a warm, dry blanket.
‘Sorry I had to turn the hose on you, Esau,” said one of the firemen. “That was the only way
to stop you from going inside.”
“I thought my family was—”
“We were over here, Daddy,” one of his sons said. “Didn’t you hear us calling?”
“The sight proved to be a blessing to us,” Amanda comforted him. “We’re safe. We’re safe.
You saved us.”
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12
Which of the following is an opinion
based on this passage?
A Esau hears his wife and children
scream.
B Esau keeps running toward the
burning house.
C A fire fighter knocks Esau down with
water from the fire hose.
D It was a mistake for Esau to pay
attention to “the sight.”
We can infer from this passage that
F the fire fighters are not well trained.
G Esau thought his children were
screaming for him to rescue them.
H Esau’s family is trapped inside the
burning house.
J Esau knows exactly what to do when
he arrives at the scene.
The boxes show some things that
happen in the reading selection.
1
Esau hears
his children
scream.
2
3
Esau hears
Charity yell
“No! No!”
9 Which of the following belongs in Box 2?
A Esau turns down Carpenter Street.
B A fireman holds Esau back.
C A fireman knocks Esau down.
D Esau comes to, cold and shivering.
10 Esau’s family is safely outside the house,
not trapped inside as he thought. This is
an example of –
F foreshadowing.
G a surprise ending.
H figurative language.
J a flashback.
Talent Development Secondary · Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland · 2012
Student Team Literature
The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural
Standardized Reading Practice Test: “The Woman in the Snow”
Reading Vocabulary
DIRECTIONS: Synonyms
Choose the word that means the same, or
about the same, as the underlined word.
Then circle the letter for the answer you
have chosen.
1. Altered means:
A wrote down
B changed
C became old
D fastened with a knot
2. Coaxed means:
F trained
G complained
H insisted
J persuaded
3. Substance is the same as:
A material
B interest
C shape
D desire
DIRECTIONS: Multiple-meaning words
Read the sentence in the box. Then
choose the answer in which the
underlined word is used in the same way.
Circle the letter for the answer you have
chosen.
4.
Exactly one year later, on the
anniversary of the record snowstorm,
Grady was assigned the Hall Street
Express again.
In which sentence does the word record
mean the same thing as in the sentence
above?
F
Many writers keep a notebook in
which they record ideas that come to
them throughout the day.
G Dante ran a record race at the state
track championship last week.
H My teacher says she has no record
that I turned in my homework
assignment last week.
J My grandma made us listen to an old
record she has of Diana Ross and the
Supremes.
DIRECTIONS: Context Clues
As you read each sentence, use the other
words in the sentence to help you figure
out what the underlined word means.
Then circle the letter for the answer you
have chosen.
5. When slick with ice and snow, the
road was even more hazardous.
Hazardous means A scenic
B crowded
C dangerous
D bumpy
6. Although she wore a shawl over her
lightweight jacket and flimsy dress,
her clothing offered little protection
against the elements.
Flimsy means F thin
G sturdy
H woolen
J fashionable
Talent Development Secondary · Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland · 2012
13
Reading Comprehension
DIRECTIONS
Read the passage. Then read each question about the passage. Decide which is the best
answer. Circle the letter for the answer you have chosen.
But parked at the east side loop, staring into the swirling snow mixed with ice, Ray felt
tingly, as if he were dangerously close to an electrical charge. He’d just made up his mind to
close down the route and head back to the garage when he saw her. Every hair on his head
stood on end.
He wished her away, but she kept coming. He tried to think, but his thoughts were jumbled
and confused. He wanted to look away, but curiosity fixed his gaze on the advancing horror.
Just as the old porch stories had described her, Eula Mae Daniels was a small-framed
woman frozen forever in youth. “So young,” Ray whispered. “Could be my cousin Carolyn in a
few more years.” He watched as the ghost came around to the doors. Ray heard the baby
crying. “There but for the grace of God goes one of mine,” he said, compassion overruling his
fear. “Nobody deserves to be left out in this weather. Ghost or not, she deserves better.” And
he swung open the doors.
The woman had form but no substance. Ray could see the snow falling through her. He
pushed fear aside. “Come on, honey, get out of the cold,” Ray said, waving her on board.
Eula Mae stood stony still, looking at Ray with dark questioning eyes. The driver understood.
He’d seen that look before, not from a dead woman but from plenty of his passengers. “It’s
okay. I’m for real. Ray Hammond, the first Negro to drive for Metro. Come on, now, get on,” he
coaxed her gently.
(pages 83-84)
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7
Ray decides to open the doors for Eula
Mae because
A he does not believe in ghosts.
B he has no fear of ghosts.
C she reminds him of his cousin, and he
feels sorry for her.
D he is afraid she will haunt him if he
doesn’t let her on the bus.
8
Which of the following does not
describe Ray’s feelings when he sees
Eula Mae’s ghost?
F fear
G curiosity
H compassion
J pleasure
9
Which of the following can we infer from
this passage?
A Ray Hammond has never heard of
Eula Mae before this night.
B Ray Hammond has never seen Eula
Mae before this night.
C Ray Hammond has been looking
forward to this meeting with Eula
Mae.
D Ray can hear but not see Eula Mae
and her baby.
10 Ray realizes that Eula Mae hesitates to
board the bus because
F she has never seen an AfricanAmerican bus driver before.
G she is afraid that Ray may hurt her.
H she is afraid of the warm gusts of air
on the bus.
J her earlier experience was so bad that
she never wants to ride a bus again.
Talent Development Secondary · Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland · 2012
Student Team Literature
The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural
Standardized Reading Practice Test: “The Conjure Brother”
Reading Vocabulary
DIRECTIONS: Synonyms
Choose the word that means the same, or
about the same, as the underlined word.
Then circle the letter for the answer you
have chosen.
1. Precisely means:
A quietly
B quickly
C exactly
D loudly
2. Vigorously means:
F with great energy
G sleepily
H angrily
J in an unsure manner
3. Confronting means:
A writing down
B challenging
C encouraging
D examining
DIRECTIONS: Multiple-meaning words
Read the sentence in the box. Then
choose the answer in which the
underlined word is used in the same way.
Circle the letter for the answer you have
chosen.
4.
Josie fired off a punch to Adam’s chin,
and he hit her back—hard.
F
Mrs. Tisbet poured the ginger ale and
orange juice into the huge punch bowl.
G I need to punch holes in these
handouts so I can put them away in
my binder.
H Allan gave me such a hard punch that
I am sure I will have a black eye
tomorrow.
J My dad has to punch in on a time
clock when he arrives at his job.
DIRECTIONS: Context Clues
As you read each sentence, use the other
words in the sentence to help you figure
out what the underlined word means.
Then circle the letter for the answer you
have chosen.
5. In the waning light they saw the
hideously deformed creature with
horrible vampire teeth.
Hideously means A horribly
B slightly
C wonderfully
D gently
6. “I won’t apologize,” Josie said
defiantly.
Defiantly means F soothingly
G helpfully
H cheerfully
J rebelliously
In which sentence does the word punch
mean the same thing as in the sentence
above?
Talent Development Secondary · Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland · 2012
15
Reading Comprehension
DIRECTIONS
Read the passage. Then read each question about the passage. Decide which is the best
answer. Circle the letter for the answer you have chosen.
“But I didn’t ask for an older brother,” [Josie] complained to Madam Zinnia. “I thought my
brother was supposed to be a little baby. What happened?”
The conjure woman stopped weeding her garden, stood, and took off her sunbonnet.
“Ahhh, flowers take time and lots of care to grow so pretty,” she said, wiping her brow. “Okay,
now what’s this about the conjure not working? Did you do exactly as I told you?”
Josie looked down at her feet. “Not quite. I couldn’t stay awake until midnight, so I did it all
at ten o’clock.”
Madam Zinnia shook her head. “Why do people mess with my stuff? That’s what
happened,” she said, snipping roses. “If you had done the conjure at one minute past
midnight, the beginning of a new day, you would have gotten a new life, a baby. But you went
to sleep at ten, so you got a ten-year-old brother. Sorry, but Madam cannot guarantee a
conjure unless it is done properly. I’m afraid you have to live with your big brother.”
Josie helped Madam Zinnia plant a beautiful yellow rosebush. “Yellow roses are my
favorite,” the woman said later, pouring Josie a glass of lemonade. “It takes patience to grow
them, lots and lots of patience.”
(pages 95-96)
7
8
16
Josie went back to see Madam Zinnia
because
A she wanted to see how Madam
Zinnia’s garden was growing.
B she was hot and thirsty.
C she wanted to get her money back.
D she wanted to know why she got an
older brother instead of a baby.
Why does Madam Zinnia say that the
conjure did not work correctly?
F Josie said the wrong words.
G Josie did the conjure in the wrong
place.
H Josie did the conjure at the wrong
time.
J Josie did the conjure with the wrong
attitude.
9
A good subtitle for this section would be
A Big Brothers Are a Pain
B Why Didn’t the Conjure Work?
C Rules for Planting Roses
D Rosebushes and Lemonade
10 In this passage, Madam Zinnia’s yellow
roses are a physical reminder of the
time and patience needed to grow living
things. This is an example of
F suspense.
G foreshadowing.
H symbolism.
J irony.
Talent Development Secondary · Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland · 2012
Student Team Literature
The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural
Standardized Reading Practice Test: “Boo Mama”
Reading Vocabulary
DIRECTIONS: Synonyms
Choose the word that means the same, or
about the same, as the underlined word.
Then circle the letter for the answer you
have chosen.
1. Repulsion is the same as:
A disgust
B attraction
C concern
D anger
2. Someone who is bewildered is:
F very tired
G excited
H upset
J confused
3. To thrive is to:
A do well
B become ill
C have problems
D behave strangely
DIRECTIONS: Multiple-meaning words
Read the sentence in the box. Then
choose the answer in which the
underlined word is used in the same way.
Circle the letter for the answer you have
chosen.
4.
Spring was inching its way up Orchard
Mountain, but Leddy paid no mind to
the flowering dogwoods that laced the
woods.
In which sentence does the word spring
mean the same thing as in the sentence
above?
F The lioness crouched down, ready to
spring on the clueless young goat.
G An underground spring supplied pure,
fresh water to the farm.
H I am so tired of snow that I just can’t
wait until spring arrives.
J The spring on our back door is broken,
so it doesn’t shut by itself any more.
DIRECTIONS: Context Clues
As you read each sentence, use the other
words in the sentence to help you figure
out what the underlined word means.
Then circle the letter for the answer you
have chosen.
5. Rummaging through a box, Leddy
found Nealy’s tattered old brown
teddy bear.
Rummaging means A walking
B discarding
C leaping
D searching
6. The year 1968 was full of conflict and
contradiction, a tumultuous time of
highs and lows.
Tumultuous means F calm
G troubled
H pleasing
J dull
Talent Development Secondary · Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland · 2012
17
Reading Comprehension
DIRECTIONS
Read the passage. Then read each question about the passage. Decide which is the best
answer. Circle the letter for the answer you have chosen.
A hairy creature, big like a bear but with human features, emerged from a clump of bushes
opposite Leddy. Without a single measure of fear or repulsion, Nealy rushed toward the
creature, jabbering in his unknown tongue.
Gently the creature bent to scoop the child in its enormous arms, enveloping him with a
big hug. “Boo Mama!” Nealy squealed happily.
Leddy watched the bizarre reunion with a mixture of fear and surprise. She was bewildered
by the obvious trust and affection Nealy had for the creature. None of it made sense. Stepping
from the safety of her hiding place, she aimed the shotgun at the creature’s head. “Put my
baby down, or I’ll blow you to kingdom come.”
The creature pivoted and lowered Nealy to the ground. The boy clung to its legs.
“Come to me, Nealy,” Leddy ordered in her no-nonsense voice, holding out her arm.
Nealy was confused and looked to the creature for permission.
It nodded. “Mama.” The boy walked toward Leddy, looking back to make sure his friend
was still there.
“Who? What are you?” Leddy asked. “What have you done to my child?”
The creature remained motionless, gazing at the gun with wondering red eyes.
Leddy studied the creature cautiously. “You’re not a bear or an ape,” she reasoned.
No response. “Look,” Leddy said, “if you can understand me, please say something… do
something to show me you don’t want to hurt Nealy and me.”
Still no response. “Look at my son’s eyes!” she screamed. “Look at his back! He’s changing
into—what?” Hot tears stung Leddy’s face. She pushed Nealy behind her. “Please tell me what’s
going on. What have you done to him? Try to understand. Nealy is all I have in the world.”
The creature sighed. “I know.” The voice was thick and raspy but clearly female. Speaking
slowly, she said, “I brought him back to you.”
Nealy slipped from around his mother and rushed toward the creature. “Boo Mama!”
(pp. 121-123)
7
8
18
What are Leddy’s feelings toward the
hairy creature?
A trust and affection
B pity and concern
C excitement and curiosity
D fear and distrust
We can infer from this passage that
F Leddy was hiding as she waited to see
what would happen.
G Leddy has never used a gun before.
H Nealy has never seen the creature
before.
J The hairy creature does not
understand English.
9 Which of the following is not a sign of
Nealy’s relationship with the creature?
A Nealy rushes toward it, talking in his
strange language.
B The creature scoops him up in a big hug.
C Nealy looks to it for permission to go
back to Leddy.
D The creature does not answer most of
Leddy’s questions.
10 The hairy creature in this story
F is a kind of bear.
G is a female.
H frightens Nealy.
J wants to hurt Leddy.
Talent Development Secondary · Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland · 2012
Student Team Literature
The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural
Standardized Reading Practice Test: “The Gingi”
Reading Vocabulary
DIRECTIONS: Synonyms
Choose the word that means the same, or
about the same, as the underlined word.
Then circle the letter for the answer you
have chosen.
1. Arrogance means:
A pride
B anger
C enthusiasm
D pleasure
2. Universal means:
F thrilling
G sneaky
H worldwide
J state-of-the-art
3. Outrageous means:
A woodsy
B shocking
C very angry
D very bright
DIRECTIONS: Multiple-meaning words
Read the sentence in the box. Then choose
the answer in which the underlined word is
used in the same way. Circle the letter for
the answer you have chosen.
4.
“Wait,” Mrs. Aswadi called, all of her
cool reserve melting away.
In which sentence does the word reserve
mean the same thing as in the sentence
above?
F
Once a month, my cousin Ben drills with
his military reserve unit.
G Please reserve me a seat at lunch, since
I will be arriving late.
H Little Sarah was very shy at first, but she
soon lost her reserve and joined in her
classmates’ games.
J I decided to reserve judgment on
Khamari’s picture until he finished
painting it.
DIRECTIONS: Context Clues
As you read each sentence, use the other
words in the sentence to help you figure out
what the underlined word means. Then
circle the letter for the answer you have
chosen.
5. Right away, Laura attacked the drab
walls with bright paint and colorful
wallpaper.
Drab means A weakened
B dull; plain
C high
D damaged
6. Laura accused the cat of the mischief
and banished him to the basement.
Banished him means F entrusted him
G attracted him
H invited him
J sent him away
Talent Development Secondary · Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland · 2012
19
Reading Comprehension
DIRECTIONS
Read the passage. Then read each question about the passage. Decide which is the best
answer. Circle the letter for the answer you have chosen.
“How much is this piece?” Laura asked.
Mrs. Aswadi looked confused, almost startled. “I—I don’t know. In fact, I’ve never seen it
before. Where’d you find it?”
Laura pointed to the window display.
“That’s strange,” the woman said. “This is definitely not an Asante design. And all my
pieces are Asante.” She studied the sculpture more carefully. “It looks Yoruban to me.”
Worry lines creased Mrs. Aswadi’s forehead as she turned the figure over and over in her
hand. Her eyes fluttered, and she whispered something in a language Laura didn’t recognize.
Then shifting to English, Mrs. Aswadi said, “I feel this is a wicked thing—very old and very
powerful.” She paused. “Among the Yoruba there are terrible spirits known as the Dabobo.
The Dabobo disguise themselves and wait to be taken into a home—their evil nature is
awakened by this invitation.”
Laura laughed. “I don’t believe in such things. This is just a piece of wood.”
“No,” Mrs. Aswadi insisted. “That is what the spirit wants you to think. Once you willingly
take it into your home, you unlock its rage. You and your family could be in grave danger.”
“Oh, please,” Laura protested. “You can’t expect me to believe something so outrageous.
Are you going to sell me the piece or not?”
Mrs. Aswadi stiffened. “You African Americans have forgotten so much of Africa.” She
sighed, then pulled herself tall. “Fifty dollars.”
The price was too high and they both knew it. Laura decided it was time to leave. But when
she touched the figure again, tracing its shape with her fingers, she realized she had to have
it. Resigning herself, she paid twenty dollars more than it was worth.
(pages 128-130)
7 Mrs Aswadi does not want to sell Laura
the statue because
A it has sentimental value for her.
B she considers it dangerous.
C she doesn’t think Laura has the artistic
knowledge to appreciate it.
D she is saving it for another customer.
Look at the T-chart below.
Laura
Mrs. Aswadi
American
African
shopkeeper
customer
X
believes in the spirit world
8 What belongs in the space marked X ?
F teacher
G well-to-do
H believes in things she can understand
J courteous
20
9 Mrs. Aswadi sets the price for the statue
twenty dollars too high because
A she hopes Laura will give up the idea
of buying it.
B she wants to make a good profit.
C she doesn’t know its real value.
D she doesn’t understand American
money very well.
10 Which of the following is not true?
F Mrs. Aswadi believes the statue will
put Laura and her family in danger.
G Mrs. Aswadi believes the statue
contains an evil spirit in disguise.
H Mrs. Aswadi believes the statue is of
Yoruban origin.
J Mrs. Aswadi believes the statue is
just a piece of wood.
Talent Development Secondary · Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland · 2012
Student Team Literature
The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural
Standardized Reading Practice Test: “The Chicken-Coop Monster”
Reading Vocabulary
DIRECTIONS: Synonyms
Choose the word that means the same, or
about the same, as the underlined word.
Then circle the letter for the answer you
have chosen.
1. Quavered means:
A became quiet
B shook
C frightened
D frowned
2. Dreaded means:
F disbelieved
G read aloud
H prepared
J feared
3. Devoured means:
A worried
B stared at
C ate quickly
D threatened
DIRECTIONS: Multiple-meaning words
Read the sentence in each box. Then
choose the answer in which the underlined
word is used in the same way. Circle the
letter for the answer you have chosen.
4.
Obviously this monster had fourth-level
power, because it had put a spell on Ma
Franky.
In which sentence does the word spell
mean the same thing as in the sentence
above?
F
I need to learn how to spell these words
before the test on Friday.
G We had a terrible spell of hot weather
the last three weeks of July.
H Will the Green Fairy reverse the spell
cast by the evil witch?
J I need to rest for a short spell before I
can go back in the game.
5.
“I imagine the monster has two big yellow
eyes that glow in the dark, razor-sharp
scales, and three-fingered claw hands
and claw feet.”
In which sentence does the word scales
mean the same thing as in the sentence
above?
A The fish was covered with beautiful
overlapping scales in a rainbow of
colors.
B The butcher put the meat on the scales
to weigh it before he wrapped it up.
C Each contestant scales the climbing
wall using the handholds provided.
D Jerome had to learn to play seven major
and minor scales before his audition for
the city orchestra.
DIRECTIONS: Context Clues
As you read the sentence, use the other
words in the sentence to help you figure out
what the underlined word means. Then
circle the letter for the answer you have
chosen.
6. Mustering my courage, I hugged Ma
Franky and Daddy James, just in case I
didn’t get back.
Mustering means F ignoring
G in spite of
H gathering
J denying
Talent Development Secondary · Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland · 2012
21
Reading Comprehension
DIRECTIONS
Read the passage. Then read each question about the passage. Decide which is the best
answer. Circle the letter for the answer you have chosen.
For a while [Daddy James and I] walked in silence. “Missy,” he said at last. “Tell me about
the monster in your grandmama’s chicken coop.”
What? Was my very own grandfather a believer? I tested him. “Ma Franky doesn’t think it
exists.”
“I know. But monsters are sneaky like that,” he said. “They want people not to believe in
them.”
How lucky could a kid get? My grandfather knew about monster tricks. He listened while I
talked about Jay, the MWA, and all ten monster rules.
“I’ve never really seen the thing in the coop, but I can feel it. And once this summer I saw
its shadow. It was big! Since it lives in a chicken coop, I bet it looks a lot like a big chicken.”
“Makes sense.”
“I imagine it’s got two big yellow eyes that glow in the dark, razor-sharp scales, and threefingered claw hands and claw feet. It stinks like a sewer.”
“That sounds like a pretty powerful monster,” he said, chuckling softly. “It was a long, long
time ago, but a monster like that lived in the crawlspace under my house.”
“Really?”
“The thing had me so scared I couldn’t even play in my own yard. Then one night I decided
to face my monster.”
“You broke monster rule one?”
Daddy James laughed. “Is that the rule that says you shouldn’t face a monster alone?” I
nodded. He went on. “’Spec I did. But to keep that ol’ slinky, slimy thing from beatin’ me down, I
had to take it on face to face.”
(pages 162-163)
7 Daddy James asks Melissa to describe
the monster in the chicken coop for all
of the following reasons except:
A He knows she needs to talk about
her fears to get them out in the open.
B He wants her to trust him.
C He is worried about what the
monster might do to the chickens.
D He wants to find out exactly what she
is afraid of.
8 Which of the following pieces of
information does Melissa not give her
grandfather?
F what the monster looks like
G the sound the monster makes
H the smell of the monster
J what Ma Franky thinks of the
monster
22
9 Most readers can probably guess that
Melissa’s monster does not really
exist. This is an example of A an unreliable narrator.
B verbal irony.
C foreshadowing.
D a flashback.
10 What is Daddy James’ purpose in
telling Melissa about the monster he
feared when he was a boy?
F He wants to show Melissa that he
knows more about monsters than
she and her friends do.
G He wants to show that he is braver
than Melissa.
H He just likes to talk about old times.
J He wants to encourage Melissa to
face and overcome her fear.
Talent Development Secondary · Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland · 2012