• Reading Assessment

  • Read this excerpt from the passage.

    Thankfully, the men dragged out sleeping bags and sodden clothes and hung them in the rigging to dry. 

  • 1. What does the word sodden mean as used in the sentence above?

  • Read this excerpt from the passage.

    The James Caird was the biggest of the ship’s boats. Even so she looked pitifully small to face the great grey seas of the southern ocean. 

  • 2. Which literary device is used in the excerpt above?
  • 3. Based on the map and the italicized introduction, what can the reader conclude about Shackleton and his crew?
  • 4. The mood of this selection would be described as
  • 5. “The spray shot at them like burning arrows” is an example of which of the following literary devices?

  • Copper Kettle Sweetheart

  • 6. Which phrase best describes the narrator’s father?

  • Read the following excerpt from the story.

    When ladies met for quilting they would tease Ma and ask didn’t Ma mind that Papa called her that name instead of pretty words? But Ma always answered she was suited. 

  • 7. What does the word suited mean as used in the sentence above?
  • 8. The narrator in is this story is most likely which of the following:

  • Read this excerpt from the story.

    "-and we listened to him play a lively tune on mouth harp or fiddle."

  • 9. In this sentence, a “mouth harp” is most likely a

  • Read this excerpt from the story.

    "My sister and seven brothers and me sat beside Pa in the evening, like steps on a porch..." 

  • 10. In this sentence the children are being compared to porch steps. This is an example of

  • The Earthmovers

    Read the following excerpt from the story.

    Layers of seasonal secretions in the fishes’ bones show that they were caught in the late spring to fall. 

  • 11. What does the word secretions mean as used in the sentence above?
  • 12. How did the mound builders most likely move the tons of gravel and soil used in making mounds?

  • The Last Frontier of Texas

  • 13. In which section would you find information on finding specialized Indian and Mexican crafts?

  • Read the following excerpt from the story.

    The Chisos Mountains Lodge Dining Room serves up a panoramic view of the mountains, accompanied by a menu of American, Mexican and "Tex-Mex" selections. 

  • 14. What does the word panoramic mean as used in the sentence above?

  •  "Poppa and the Spruce Tree"  

  • 15. Which statement best describes Poppa’s approach to life?

  • Read this excerpt from the passage.

    We saw our spruce, defeated, its cheek on the canvas, our hearts sank.

  • 16. Which literary device is used in the excerpt above?
  • Should be Empty: