Selection: I-8

I-8

Grade level: 9

Word count: 1716 words

Author: H.H. Munro

Synopsis: The legend about the Cernogratz wolves is just a story -- isn't it? An elderly servant says otherwise.

Excerpt: "Hark! What is that other sound?" asked the startled Baron, as a noise of splitting and crashing was heard.

It was a tree falling in the park.

There was a moment of constrained silence, and then the banker's wife spoke.

"It is the intense cold that is splitting the trees. It is also the cold that has brought the wolves out in such numbers. It is many years since we have had such a cold winter."

The Baroness eagerly agreed that the cold was responsible for these things. It was the cold of the open window, too, which caused the heart failure that made the doctor's ministrations unnecessary for the old Fraulein.

Question: The Baroness and her guests said both the howling wolves and the falling trees were due to

1. the extreme cold.
2. the rise of the full moon.
3. sheer coincidence.
4. bad luck.

Selection: I-8

I-8

Grade level: 9

Word count: 1716 words

Author: H.H. Munro

Synopsis: The legend about the Cernogratz wolves is just a story -- isn't it? An elderly servant says otherwise.

Excerpt: "I dare say her grandfather was a pantry boy or something of the sort in the castle," snickered the Baron, "that part of the story may be true."

The merchant from Hamburg said nothing; he had seen tears in the old woman's eyes when she spoke of guarding her memories -- or, being of an imaginative disposition, he thought he had.

Question: When the Baron and Baroness criticized Amalie after she left the room, why did the merchant from Hamburg say nothing?

1. He thought Amalie was telling the truth, but then he doubted himself.
2. The Baron and Baroness had already voiced what he had been thinking.
3. He was busy reading a book and ignored the entire conversation.
4. The Baron and Baroness did not ask him about his opinion on the matter.

Selection: I-36

I-36

Grade level: 9

Word count: 2302 words

Author: Erica Cirino

Synopsis: Brothers want to see a new pirate film, but they don't have enough money. Will their plan to get the money work out?

Excerpt: Once upstairs we plunked down on my bottom bunk and began to draft our ransom note. I wrote the note while John thought up what we should say, since he was the creative one but had terrible spelling and handwriting. I tried to conceal my identity from Mom and Dad by writing the note while holding the pen in my left hand, since I normally use my right hand.

Question: Why did Jay write the ransom note with his left hand?

1. He did not want his parents to recognize his handwriting.
2. He wanted it to look as if John wrote the note.
3. He was writing the draft with his left hand but would use his right hand for the actual note.
4. He had better handwriting when using his left hand.

Selection: I-35

I-35

Grade level: 9

Word count: 2532 words

Author: Ambrose Bierce

Synopsis: A captain's fear of battle leads to tragic consequences.

Excerpt: Of all the Federal Army on that summer morning none had accepted battle more joyously than Anderton Graffenreid. His spirit was buoyant and his faculties were riotous. He was in a state of mental exaltation and scarcely could endure the enemy's tardiness in advancing to the attack. To him this was opportunity—for the result he cared nothing. Victory or defeat, as God might will; in one or in the other he should prove himself a soldier and a hero; he should vindicate his right to the respect of his men and the companionship of his brother officers—to the consideration of his superiors.

Question: Read this excerpt. Which expression would most likely appear on Captain Graffenreid's face?

1. determination
2. worry
3. sadness
4. embarrassment

Selection: I-38

I-38

Grade level: 9

Word count: 1934 words

Author: Emily Bronte

Synopsis: A tenant visits his new landlord, receiving a cold welcome but gaining some insight into the mysterious owner of Wuthering Heights.

Excerpt: "Mr. Lockwood, your new tenant, sir. I do myself the honor of calling as soon as possible after my arrival, to express the hope that I have not inconvenienced you by my perseverance in soliciting the occupation of Thrushcross Grange: I heard yesterday you had had some thoughts. . ."

Question: Who is the narrator of this selection?

1. Mr. Lockwood
2. Emily Bronte
3. Joseph
4. Mr. Heathcliff

Selection: I-34

I-34

Grade level: 9

Word count: 1729 words

Author: Leo Tolstoy

Synopsis: The learned men in the kingdom are unable to answer the king's questions. Can a wise hermit provide the answers?

Excerpt: No excerpt is available for this question.

Question: Tolstoy intended for this selection to

1. teach about morality.
2. entertain with humor.
3. instruct about history.
4. persuade with facts.

Selection: I-7

I-7

Grade level: 9

Word count: 1833 words

Author: Charles Dickens

Synopsis: A young orphan, whose life's expectations are dim, meets a strange man while visiting his parents' graves in the village churchyard.

Excerpt: You fail, or you go from my words in any partickler, no matter how small it is, and your heart and your liver shall be tore out, roasted, and ate. Now, I ain't alone, as you may think I am. There's a young man hid with me, in comparison with which young man I am a Angel. That young man hears the words I speak. That young man has a horrible secret way pecooliar to himself, of getting at a boy, and at his heart, and at his liver. It is in wain for a boy to attempt to hide himself from that young man. A boy may lock his door, may be warm in bed, may tuck himself up, may draw the clothes over his head, may think himself comfortable and safe, but that young man will softly creep and creep his way to him and tear him open. I am a keeping that horrible young man from harming of you at the present moment, with great difficulty. I find it wery hard to hold that young man off of your inside. Now, what do you say?"

Question: Based on this excerpt, the old stranger mentions there is a young man with him because

1. Pip might think the old stranger does not look strong enough to carry out his threats.
2. Pip would feel less threatened by a young man and want to be his friend.
3. the stranger would need the help of a young man to cut off the leg iron.
4. a young man would want Pip to bring him more supplies.

Selection: I-35

I-35

Grade level: 9

Word count: 2532 words

Author: Ambrose Bierce

Synopsis: A captain's fear of battle leads to tragic consequences.

Excerpt: Suddenly, from the forest a half-mile in front—apparently from among the upper branches of the trees, but really from the ridge beyond—rose a tall column of white smoke. A moment later came a deep, jarring explosion, followed—almost attended—by a hideous rushing sound that seemed to leap forward across the intervening space with inconceivable rapidity, rising from whisper to roar with too quick a gradation for attention to note the successive stages of its horrible progression! A visible tremor ran along the lines of men; all were startled into motion. Captain Graffenreid dodged and threw up his hands to one side of his head, palms outward.

The enemy's shot was not answered; the officer in command at that exposed part of the line had evidently no desire to provoke a cannonade. For the forbearance Captain Graffenreid was conscious of a sense of gratitude. He had not known that the flight of a projectile was a phenomenon of so appalling character. His conception of war had already undergone a profound change, and he was conscious that his new feeling was manifesting itself in visible perturbation. His blood was boiling in his veins; he had a choking sensation and felt that if he had a command to give it would be inaudible, or at least unintelligible. The hand in which he held his sword trembled; the other moved automatically, clutching at various parts of his clothing. He found a difficulty in standing still and fancied that his men observed it. Was it fear? He feared it was.

Question: Based on this excerpt, in which way does Captain Graffenreid differ from the other men fighting in his troop.

1. He is more nervous during battle.
2. He is braver during battle.
3. He has more fighting experience.
4. He rides a horse during battle.

Selection: I-34

I-34

Grade level: 9

Word count: 1729 words

Author: Leo Tolstoy

Synopsis: The learned men in the kingdom are unable to answer the king's questions. Can a wise hermit provide the answers?

Excerpt: "You are tired," said the King, "let me take the spade and work awhile for you."

"Thanks!" said the hermit, and, giving the spade to the King, he sat down on the ground.

But the King did not give him the spade, and continued to dig. One hour passed, and another.

The King turned round, and saw a bearded man come running out of the wood. The man held his hands pressed against his stomach, and blood was flowing from under them. When he reached the King, he fell fainting on the ground moaning feebly. The King and the hermit loosened the man's clothing. The King washed it as best he could, and bandaged it with his handkerchief and with a towel the hermit had.

The King was very glad to have made peace with his enemy so easily, and to have gained him for a friend, and he not only forgave him, but said he would send his servants and his own physician to attend him, and promised to restore his property.

Question: The King learns the answers to his three questions after he performs three acts of compassion in this selection. What were the three acts?

1. He helped the hermit dig, he cared for the wounded man, and he made peace with the wounded man.
2. He helped the hermit dig, he paid for a doctor for the wounded man, and he fed the guard.
3. He cared for the wounded man, he brought gifts for the hermit's family, and he made peace with the guard.
4. He made peace with the hermit, he helped the wounded man, and he found jobs for the learned men.