Question Sheets for CASI 8 Reading Passages 1. Retired 2. Spirit of the West 3. Jean Little: Mine for Keeps 4. Roses Sing on New Snow 5. Should Uniforms be Mandatory in Public Schools? 6. Tennis Champion 7. Homemade Sound Effects 8. Shells 9. Interview with the Potato 10. The Tunnel Retired Name: Date: Read the story, "Retired." When you are finished reading, answer the questions below. 1. In your own words, summarize the story, "Retired." 2. What is the main idea of this story? Explain your thinking. 3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions. a) Explain the use of the colon in the following sentence: Miss Cutcheon and Velma spent several months together like this: eating breakfast together, walking the block, sitting on the front porch, going to bed early. - It is used to indicate a formal greeting in a letter. - It is used to show that dialogue coming up in the sentence. - It is used to replace a comma. - It is used to show that a list is coming in the sentence. b) Why did the author repeat the word "again" so often in the following sentence: Velma started barking again and again and again. - The author wants to introduce readers to the word "again." - The author wants to help the reader remember the word "again." - The author wants to emphasize how much Velma was barking. - The author wants to define the word "again." c) Explain why the author used parentheses in the following sentence: Miss Cutcheon was a very early riser (a habit that could not be broken after forty-three years of meeting children at the schoolhouse door), and she enjoyed big breakfasts. - They are used to indicate an interruption to the author's thinking. - They are used to surround information that the author added as an explanation. - They are used to surround a definition of the term "early riser." - They are used to contain an idea that disagrees with the idea before it. d) Explain the use of dashes in the following sentence: She got used to Miss Cutcheon's slow pace -so unlike the romping of three children - and she got used to Miss Cutcheon's dry dog food. - They are used to introduce items in a list. - They are used to surround clarifying information that has been added to the sentence. - They are used to introduce an important idea that repeats a key word from the sentence. - They are used to introduce an author's change of opinion. 4. "Retired" is a narrative. List three characteristics that show that this is narrative writing. For each characteristic, give an example from the story to support your answer. 5. Read the following sentences from the story. Underline the similes in each sentence and explain what the author meant by each simile. a) Each day Miss Cutcheon would creak out of her bed like a mummy rising from its tomb .... b) ...and the sound changed to something like a hundred bells pealing. 6. From reading this story, we get to know some things about Miss Cutcheon. Name three important characteristics of Miss Cutcheon. Describe something Miss Cutcheon says, thinks, or does to show that she has each characteristic. 7. What did reading this story remind you of? Explain your thinking. 8. Why do you think that the narrator focuses mainly on Miss Cutcheon's perspective when telling this story? Explain your thinking. Spirit of the West Name: Date: Read the article, "Spirit of the West." When you are finished reading, answer the questions below. 1. In your own words, summarize the article, "Spirit of the West." 2. What is the main idea of this article? Explain your thinking. 3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions. a) Explain the use of dashes in the following sentence: Then a Nevada woman named Velma Johnston - who later became known as Wild Horse Annie - came to the horses' rescue. - They are used to introduce items in a list. - They are used to point out a change in the author's opinion. - They are used to surround an explanation that has been inserted into the sentence. - They are used to separate two complete sentences. b) Explain the use of parentheses in the following sentence: The usual coat colour is bay (reddish brown with black mane, tail and lower legs), but black and sorrel (yellowish brown) are also common. - They are used to surround a list of examples. - They are used to surround additional detail that the author has inserted into the sentence. - They are used to surround an idea that disagrees with the idea before it. - They are used to address the reader directly. c) What is the meaning of this underlined phrase from the article? This took a tremendous toll on the mustang population... - had a negative impact - had no impact - had a positive impact - had a slight impact d) What is the meaning of this underlined phrase from the article? Because the horses...have few natural predators, their populations double... - animals that they hunt - humans that take care of them - animals that hunt them - problems 4. "Spirit of the West" is a nonfiction article. List three characteristics that show that this is nonfiction writing. For each characteristic, give an example from the article to support your answer. 5. Why did the author include the "Fast Facts" and "Mighty Mustangs" sections with this article? 6. Use information from the article to explain how the mustang population was protected. 7. In the article, it states that "After politicians started receiving thousands of letters, they began to take notice." Use information from the article and your own ideas to explain why the politicians began to take notice after receiving these letters. 8. How successful is the author in presenting an unbiased perspective about the wild mustangs? Explain your thinking. Jean Little: Mine for Keeps Name: Date: Read the biography, "Jean Little: Mine for Keeps." When you are finished reading, answer the questions below. 1. In your own words, summarize the biography, "Jean Little: Mine for Keeps." 2. What is the main idea of this biography? Explain your thinking. 3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions. a) Explain the use of the comma in the following sentence: Soon, she began writing poetry. - It is used to separate items in a list. - It is used to act like a period at the end of a line of dialogue. - It is used to tell the reader to pause so that the sentence reads more clearly. - It is used to separate the explaining words from the quotation. b) Explain the use of the comma in the following sentence: He told Jean, "This is only your first book. " - It is used to act like a period at the end of a line of dialogue. - It is used to separate items in a list. - It is used to separate the quotation from the rest of the sentence. - It is used to show that Jean is a proper noun. c) Explain the use of quotation marks in the following sentence: When she was older, children called her "cross-eyed, "... - They are used to indicate a line of dialogue. - They are used to specify the name that children called her. - They are used to surround the title of a story. - They are used to indicate words that will appear in a glossary. d) Explain the use of parentheses in the following sentence: She calls her computer SAM (for synthesized audio microcomputer). - They are used to surround a list of examples. - They are used to surround an explanation that the author has inserted into the sentence. - They are used to surround an idea that disagrees with the idea before it. - They are used to address the reader directly. 4. "Jean Little: Mine for Keeps" is a biography. List three characteristics that show that this is biographical writing. For each characteristic, give an example from the biography to support your answer. 5. The author used two different kinds of print fonts in the biography. Explain why the author used different kinds of print fonts. 6. From reading this biography, we get to know some things about Jean Little. Name three important characteristics of Jean. Describe something Jean says, thinks, or does to show that she has each characteristic. 7. Use information from the biography and your own ideas to explain why people like Jean Little and Rosemary Sutcliffe could be considered to be role models for all children, whether the children have disabilities or not. 8. How might Jean Little feel when she reads this biography? Explain your thinking. Roses Sing on New Snow Name: Date: Read the story, "Roses Sing on New Snow." When you are finished reading, answer the questions below. 1. In your own words, summarize the story, "Roses Sing on New Snow." 2. What is the main idea of this story? Explain your thinking. 3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions. a) Explain the use of the ellipsis in the following sentence: "Why...why, there is one spice not here, " he stuttered. - It is used to indicate a pause in a line of dialogue. - It is used to indicate that words have been left out of the quotation. - It is used to indicate an unfinished thought or quote. - It is used to make a sentence longer. b) Explain the use of commas in the following sentence: Seven days a week, every week of the year, Maylin cooked in her father's restaurant. - They are used to indicate that the words 'week' and 'year' are nouns. - They are used to separate dialogue from the rest of the sentence. - They are used to separate phrases in a sentence. - They are used to separate items in a list. c) What is the meaning of this underlined phrase from the story? So Maylin worked to renew their spirits... - make good food - re-energize them - feed them - talk to the spirits d) What is the meaning of this underlined phrase from the story? Maylin's father ordered her to spare no expense... - buy what she felt like - buy the most expensive items, even if they weren't the best items - buy what she needed no matter what it cost - buy only what she could afford 4. "Roses Sing on New Snow" is a narrative. List three characteristics that show that this is narrative writing. For each characteristic, give an example from the story to support your answer. 5. The author begins the story with this paragraph: "Seven days a week, every week of the year, Maylin cooked in her father's restaurant. It was a spot well known throughout the New World for its fine food. " Is this an effective beginning for the story? Yes No (Circle one.) Explain your thinking. 6. From reading this story, we get to know some things about Maylin. Name three important characteristics of Maylin. Describe something Maylin says, thinks, or does to show that she has each characteristic. 7. What did reading this story remind you of? Explain your thinking. 8. Whose voice or opinion is missing from this text? What might this voice want to say? Explain your thinking. Should Uniforms be Mandatory in Public Schools Name: Date: Read the essay, "Should Uniforms be Mandatory in Public Schools?" When you are finished reading, answer the questions below. 1. In your own words, summarize the essay, "Should Uniforms be Mandatory in Public Schools?" 2. What is the main idea of this essay? Explain your thinking. 3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions. a) Explain the use of quotation marks in the following sentence: These students aren't "children" that still play with He-man and Barbie dolls. - They are used to indicate dialogue. - They are used to surround a term that is being debated. - They are used to surround the title of a story. - They are used to indicate a nickname. b) Explain the use of the comma in the following sentence: In no way are we all the same, so why should we try to be? - It is used to separate dialogue from the rest of the sentence. - It is used to separate a statement from a question. - It is used to separate items in a list. - It is used to follow the greeting in a friendly letter. c) What is the meaning of this underlined phrase from the essay? The bottom line is that students should be allowed to choose... - theory - popular opinion - whole point - story d) What is the meaning of this underlined phrase from the essay? ...some T-shirts are too explicit for young children. - really interesting - overly specific - overly graphic - really funny 4. "Should Uniforms be Mandatory in Public Schools?" is an essay. List three characteristics that show that this is essay writing. For each characteristic, give an example from the essay to support your answer. 5. The author begins the essay with this question, "Ever since I was born, I always wanted to be like everyone else, didn't you?" is this an effective beginning for this essay? Yes No (Circle one.) Explain your thinking. 6. Use information from the essay to explain why some people think wearing uniforms is a good idea. 7. The author of the essay states that if students wore uniforms they would, "...lose every aspect of diversity, individuality, and creativity. " Use information from the essay and your own ideas to support or oppose this statement. 8. Whose voice or opinion is missing from this text? What might this voice have to say? Explain your thinking. Tennis Champion Name: Date: Read the story, "Tennis Champion." When you are finished reading, answer the questions below. 1. In your own words, summarize the story, "Tennis Champion." 2. What is the main idea of this story? Explain your thinking. 3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions. a) Explain the use of commas in the following sentence: Then he stood, as he had seen Nicolas stand, behind the serving area... - They are used to surround information that has been inserted into a sentence. - They are used to act like a period at the end of a line of dialogue. - They are used to follow a greeting in a friendly letter. - They are used to separate items in a list. b) Explain the use of the comma in the following sentence: "Why, I'll bet they need another tennis court. " - It is used to separate items in a list. - It is used to separate phrases in a sentence. - It is used to separate a mild interjection from the rest of the sentence. - It is used to replace a question mark. c) Explain the use of dashes in the following sentence: Marc never would have applied to play in the provincial Junior championships if someone - anyone - in Lac Vert, Quebec, had picked up that second racquet... - They are used to introduce items in a list. - They are used to surround information that the author wants to emphasize. - They are used to create compound words. - They are used to separate two completely unrelated ideas. d) Explain why the author repeated the name "Lac Vert," 6 times in the first 8 sentences of the story. - The author uses repetition to clarify that Lac Vert is not an English name. - The author uses repetition to emphasize the setting of the story. - The author uses repetition to make the story longer. - The author uses repetition to introduce new vocabulary. 4. "Tennis Champion" is a narrative. List three characteristics that show that this is narrative writing. For each characteristic, give an example from the story to support your answer. 5. The story ends with this paragraph: "He was right. Lac Vert, Quebec, did need another tennis court. Marc Bouchard wanted to build rockets and needed a place to launch them." Is this an effective ending for the story? Yes No (Circle one.) Explain your thinking. 6. From reading this story we get to know some things about Marc. Name three important characteristics of Marc. Describe something Marc says, thinks, or does to show that he has each characteristic. 7. What did reading this story remind you of? Explain your thinking. 8. How might the government employee whose idea it was to put another tennis court in Lac Vert feel after reading this passage? Explain your thinking. Homemade Sound Effects Name: Date: Read the article, "Homemade Sound Effects." When you are finished reading, answer the questions below. 1. In your own words, summarize the article, "Homemade Sound Effects." 2. What is the main idea of this article? Explain your thinking. 3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions. a) Explain the use of quotation marks in the following sentence: ...and you've created a "soundscape" of a lonely cowboy's campfire. - They are used to indicate a made-up word. - They are used to indicate dialogue. - They are used to indicate that the author does not agree with the term. - They are used to indicate the title of a story. b) Explain the use of the dash in the following sentence: A well-stocked sound-effects kit often looks like a box full of junk left over from a rummage sale - and sometimes that's where sound-effects "props"...come from! - It is used to introduce items in a list. - It is used to introduce additional information that has been added to a sentence. - It is used to create a compound word. - It is used to introduce an author's change of opinion. c) Explain the use of parentheses in the following sentence: ...that's where sound-effects "props" (short for "properties") come from! - They are used to surround a list of examples. - They are used to surround an idea that disagrees with the information before it. - They are used to surround an explanation that the author has inserted into a sentence. - They are used to show dialogue. d) Explain the use of the colon in the following sentence: You'll have done what thousands of men and women do every day in radio, T, and film: you'll have fooled someone with a "sound effect. " - It is used to indicate a format greeting in a letter. - It is used to shoe that dialogue is coming up in the sentence. - It is used to replace a comma. - It is used to separate two complete sentences where the second sentence summarizes or explains the first. 4. "Homemade Sound Effects" is a nonfiction article. List three characteristics that show that this is nonfiction writing. For each characteristic, give an example from the article to support your answer. 5. What is the purpose of the underlined words, such as "Door (A)," and why are they written in a lighter colour? 6. From reading this article, we get to know some things about people who create sound effects. Name three important characteristics of these people. Describe something they say or do to show they have these characteristics. 7. Use information from the article and your own ideas to explain why sound effects are an important part of radio, television, movies, and video games. 8. What information might a modern sound-effects producer working in the film industry wants to add to this article? Explain your thinking. Shells Name: Date: Read the story, "Shells." When you are finished reading, answer the questions below. 1. In your own words, summarize the story, "Shells." 2. What is the main idea of this story? Explain your thinking. 3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions. a) Explain the use of the dash in the following sentence: Michael's parents had died and only Esther could take him in - or, only she had offered to. - It is used to introduce a clarification of an idea that appears earlier in the sentence. - It is used to create a compound word. - It is used to introduce items in a list. - It is used to indicate that a speaker is stuttering. b) Explain the use of parentheses in the following sentence: ...arranged it with gravel and sticks (as well as the plastic scuba diver Aunt Esther insisted on buying) and assisted her in loading it up... - They are used to address the reader directly. - They are used to surround additional information that the author has inserted into the sentence. - They are used to surround an idea that disagrees with the information before it. - They are used to surround a list of examples. c) Explain the use of italics in the following sentence:- "Oh, what would your mother think, Michael, if she could see this mess... - They are used show that this word will appear in a glossary. - They are used to show which word the speaker emphasized. - They are used to introduce new vocabulary to the reader. - They are used to indicate dialogue. d) Explain why the author repeated "(like her)" in the following sentence: Most of the area's residents were older (like her) and afraid of the world they lived in (like her). - The author uses repetition to make the sentence longer. - The author uses repetition to emphasize important details about Aunt Esther. - The author uses repetition to avoid using difficult words. - The author uses repetition to help readers remember new vocabulary. 4. "Shells" is a narrative. List three characteristics that show that this is narrative writing. For each characteristic, give an example from the story to support your answer. 5. Is "Shells" a good title for the story? Yes No (Circle one.) Explain your thinking. 6. From reading this story we get to know some things about Michael. Name three important characteristics of Michael. Describe something Michael says, thinks, or does to show that he has each characteristic. 7. What did reading this story remind you of? Explain your thinking. 8. Why do you think that the author chose to tell this story from Michael's perspective? Explain your thinking. Interview with the Potato Name: Date: Read the radio script, "Interview with the Potato." When you are finished reading, answer the questions below. 1. In your own words, summarize the script, "Interview with the Potato." 2. What is the main idea of this script? Explain your thinking. 3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions. a) Explain the use of parentheses in the following sentence: But maybe we shouldn't go into that now... (sounding sad). - They are used to address the reader directly. - They are used to surround an idea that disagrees with the information before it. - They are used to surround a list of examples. - They are used to give directions to the actor or reader. b) Explain the use of the colon after each speaker in the script, for example "Host:." - It is used to replace a comma. - It is used to indicate a formal greeting in a letter. - It is used to indicate that dialogue will follow. - It is used to introduce a list. c) Explain the use of the dash in the following sentence: There's one more thing I want to ask you but please don't be offended. - It is used to introduce additional information to the sentence. - It is used to create a compound word. - It is used to introduce items in a list. - It is used to separate two related clauses. d) Explain the use of the ellipsis in the following sentence: But maybe we shouldn't go into that now... - It is used to indicate that a speaker is stuttering. - It is used to indicate an unfinished thought. - It is used to indicate that words have been left out of the middle of a quotation. - It is used to make the sentence longer. 4. "Interview with the Potato" is a radio script. List three characteristics that show that this is written as a radio script. For each characteristic, give an example from the script to support your answer. 5. Is a radio script an effective way to learn information about the potato? Yes No (Circle one.) Explain your thinking. 6. Use information from the script to explain what might have caused the Irish potato famine. 7. Use information from the script and your own ideas to explain why potatoes are so popular. 8. Why do you think that the author chose to have an actual potato share his perspective? Explain your thinking. The Tunnel Name: Date: Read the story, "The Tunnel." When you are finished reading, answer the questions below. 1. In your own words, summarize the story, "The Tunnel." 2. What is the main idea of this story? Explain your thinking. 3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions. a) Explain the use of parentheses in the following sentence: Then her dad or her mom or her gran (who is not really her gran but the mother of her dad's ex-wife) takes over. - They are used to address the reader directly. - They are used to surround an idea that disagrees with the information before it. - They are used to surround a list of examples. - They are used to indicate dialogue. b) Explain the use of capital letters in the words "The Look" in the following sentence: Ib gives me "The Look. " - They are used to capitalize the title of the story. - They are used to indicate that a proper name has been given to Ib's look. - They are used to indicate an important historical event. - They are used to capitalize the first word in a sentence. c) Explain the use of the hyphen in the following sentence: Workplace - appropriate hair! - It is used to separate two complete phrases. - It is used to indicate that the speaker is stuttering. - It is used to separate the words "workplace" and "appropriate." - It is used to join two words that work together as an adjective. d) Explain why the author used so many short phrases followed by exclamation marks in the following paragraph: I didn't know that by the time I was sixteen it would be the global economy and there would be no summer jobs, even though you did your life-skills analysis as recommended by the guidance counselor at school. Motivated! Energetic! Computer literate! Shows initiative! Workplace-appropriate hair! - They are used to make the story easier to read for struggling readers. - They are used to list the qualities that the narrator would like to possess. - They are used to make these skills stand out for the reader. - They are used to make the story longer. 4. "The Tunnel" is a fantasy narrative. List three characteristics that show that this is a fantasy narrative. For each characteristic, give an example from the story to support your answer. 5. Explain the use of foreshadowing in the following sentences: Above the roaring in my ears, I heard a high snatch of song. Two notes with no words. Calling. I pushed against the concrete and screamed without a sound. 6. From reading this story, we get to know some things about Ken. Name three important characteristics of Ken. Describe something Ken says, thinks, or does to show that he has each characteristic. 7. What did reading this story remind you of? Explain your thinking. 8. Why do you think that the author choose to tell this story from Ken's perspective? Explain your thinking.
