Cold Read Passages March 31, 2014

Click on the following links to complete today's cold read passages.

Helen Keller: The Story of My Life
http://www.quia.com/quiz/4740381.html

What is Art

http://www.quia.com/quiz/4740382.html

Expository Writing Prompts

Write an expository essay on one of the following topics. You must have 5 paragraphs. You must cite your sources on the bibliography sheet given. You only have to use ONE reference source.

1.There has been a concentrated campaign in your school to curb bullying. While the campaign has been largely successful within schools, bullying has now reared its ugly head in online communities. Describe how online bullying is different from real-life bullying, and what steps can be taken to curb it.

2.What are the qualities of a good leader? What can you learn from the examples of great leaders of the past?

3.What is courage? Explain how courage can be a useful tool life.

March 21, 2014

6th Grade Spelling Test- Week 19

http://www.quia.com/quiz/4728747.html

8th Grade Spelling Test- Week 19

http://www.quia.com/quiz/4728627.html

Excerpt from "The Fuller Brush Man" by Gloria D. Miklowitz

Excerpt from “The Fuller Brush Man”

by Gloria D. Miklowitz

            Purpose: read for clues to make inferences

            #1  flashback(s)

            #2  indications that Donald works

            #3  indications that something is wrong with his mother

1                Donald leaned into the car trunk to find the box holding the giveaways.  He had to pay for each letter opener, shoehorn, and vegetable brush, money out of his own commission, but it was worth it.  Why else would people listen to his sales spiel if it wasn’t because they felt indebted the second they reached for a sample?

2                What a mess, he thought, getting grease on his hand.  Ever since Mom stopped driving.  Ever since she …Well, there was no use dwelling on that.  When he had time he’d try to get rid of some of the junk.  He dropped a dozen plastic shoehorns into his sample case, snapped the lock, and glanced at his watch.

3                Man, he was hungry.  He’d been working steadily since right after school, four hours.  All he’d eaten was a doughnut left in the breadbox at home, running out the door with Ava calling after him to get a glass of milk first.

4                He’d sold enough brushes to call it quits for the day, but maybe he’d work another hour.  If he went home now, even though it would mean a real meal, not McDonald’s, Ava would be there.  Their newest housekeeper, she’d sit there at the kitchen table, arms folded, watching him, and she’d go into her usual song and dance.

5                “Go in to your mother.  Just for a minute.  Say hello.  Say something.”

6                “Later.”

7                “Now.  She’ll be asleep later.”

8                “Why?  She can’t talk.  She probably doesn’t even know who I am.  What difference does it make?”

9                “Donnie, Donnie.  You love her.  I know you do.  Do it for you, if not for her.”

10              “Leave me alone…”

11              He crossed the street and was nearly knocked down by a kid on a two wheeler, shooting out of a driveway, wobbling his way down the road.  When had he learned to ride a bike?  Eight, nine years ago?  Yes.  In the Apperson Street schoolyard, even now, and for a second he felt the same surge of fear and exultation he’d felt then gripping the handlebars.

12              “I can’t!  I can’t!  I’m falling! Mom, Mom!  Help me!”

13              “You can!  You can!  Keep going!  That’s right!  You’re doing it!”

14              Running alongside, face sweating and flushed, red hair flying about her eyes and cheeks, she was laughing with joy.  And when he finally managed to stop she threw her arms around him and cried, “See?  You did it!  I knew you could!”

15              He swallowed a lump in his throat and marched briskly up the walk to the door of a small, wooden house.

1. Which question is NOT answered in paragraphs 2-3?

A  How many shoehorns does Donald have?

B  How long has Donald been working?

C  What did Ava tell him that morning?

D  What is wrong with Donald’s mother?

2. In paragraph 4, what is meant by the phrase “usual song and dance”?

F  the usual music Ava plays in the kitchen

G  Ava’s regular fussing about Donald and his mother

H  the entertaining stories Ava tells Donald about his mother

J  Donald’s sales pitch when he is selling the products

3. The author uses what phrase to relate a feeling of sadness?

A  “no use dwelling on that”

B  “the same surge of fear and exultation”

C  “swallowed a lump in his throat”

D  “threw her arms around him and cried”

4. Based on the information in paragraphs 11-14, the reader can conclude that Donald –

F  cherishes the memories of his mother

G  never learned to ride a bike

H  does not have a father

J  inherited his mother’s red hair

5. What can the reader conclude about Donald in this story?

A  he hired Ava to care for his mother

B  he is working to save money for college

C  he avoids going home as much as he can

D  he wishes he had learned to ride a bike

6. What point of view is used in this passage?

F  first person, Donald

G  first person, Ava

H  third person, Donald

J  third person, Ava

The Gold Cadillac

1. Which of the following is the most likely explanation for 'Lois' mother's refusal to ride in the new Cadillac?
A. She thinks the Mercury is a better looking car.
B. She knows it will get her husband into trouble with the police.
C. She thinks her husband should have saved the money for a house.

D. She thinks it would be showing off to ride in such a fancy car.

2. From which point of view is the selection told?
A. First person
B. Third person, limited
C. Third person, omniscient
D. Second person

3. Which of the following questions is NOT answered in the passage?
A. Where is the family traveling?
B. In what state does the family live?
C. Why does 'Lois clutch a knife as she was trying to sleep?
D. What is ignorance?

4. The initiating event  in the story occurs when
A. 'Lois' mother refuses to ride in the car
B. The husband decides to make a trip alone to the South.
C. The Cadillac helps bring the family closer together.
D. The father brings home a Gold Cadillac.