Answers NY-Common Core ELA 12Purpose and Format in “The Leader in the Mirror”

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Read the passage from "How Should One Read a Book?”Yet few people ask from books what books can give us. Most commonly we come to books with blurred and divided minds, asking of fiction that it shall be true, of poetry that it shall be false, of biography that it shall be flattering, of history that it shall enforce our own prejudices. If we could banish all such preconceptions when we read, that would be an admirable beginning.

biography.

essay.

myth.

play.

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Read the graph from "Career Planning for High Schoolers."

People with less than a high school diploma can expect to earn at least $40,000 per year.

People with a master’s degree can expect to earn over $80,000 per year.

People with doctoral and professional degrees all earn in excess of $120,000 per year.

People with a degree beyond a high school diploma often earn more than $40,000 per year.

Read the passage from "How Should One Read a Book?”Then turn from your blurred and littered pages to the opening pages of some great novelist—Defoe, Jane Austen, Hardy. Now you will be better able to appreciate their mastery.

The author might place Defoe, Austen, and Hardy in a setting on Jupiter.

The author might go into detail about the lives of Defoe, Austen, and Hardy.

The author might write a plot in which Defoe, Austen, and Hardy solve a crime.

The author might include dialogue for the roles of Defoe, Austen, and Hardy.

Read the excerpt from The Fellowship of the Ring.Twelve more years passed. Each year the Bagginses had given very lively combined birthday-parties at Bag End; but now it was understood that something quite exceptional was being planned for that autumn. Bilbo was going to be eleventy-one, 111, a rather curious number, and a very respectable age for a hobbit (the Old Took himself had only reached 130); and Frodo was going to be thirty-three, 33, an important number: the date of his "coming of age”. . .

The Bagginses throw extravagant parties.

Bilbo, a hobbit, is going to be 111.

Frodo is turning 33 years old.

Thirty-three is an important number.

Read the passage from "How Should One Read a Book?”The thirty-two chapters of a novel—if we consider how to read a novel first—are an attempt to make something as formed and controlled as a building: but words are more impalpable than bricks; reading is a longer and more complicated process than seeing.

criticize.

entertain.

inform.

persuade.

Read the paragraph.Kev’s first experience as a babysitter was pure chaos. His four-year-old charge demonstrated karate moves (at the expense of two potted plants), and the toddler’s tantrums were remarkable. When Kev wisely offered lunch as a diversion, the macaroni and cheese could not be contained to the plates or table. Playtime outside was a welcome relief, as was the payment for babysitting when the parents returned home.

to persuade readers to consider babysitting

to entertain readers with an anecdote about babysitting

to inform readers of ways to entertain children

to persuade readers of the benefits of part-time work

Read the excerpt from a letter.Parkour, also known as free running, is becoming a popular sport. The object of parkour is to navigate obstacles using fluid, efficient movement. Athletes run through urban areas using gymnastic-type leaps and jumps to move over and around walls, ledges, and other barricades. The sport’s name originates from parcours du combattant, an obstacle course used to train soldiers in the French army.

to entertain the reader with an interesting story

to provide examples of parkour movements

to educate the reader about a popular sport

to persuade readers that parkour is dangerous

Read the paragraph.The process is simple, but the results could be extraordinary. Fill out an application at Lakeside Park today. Working as a park monitor will provide hours of fun in the sun this summer and a glimpse of a career in forestry. Full- and part-time jobs are now available. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy life at the lake. Seize this opportunity now!

to entertain readers with an anecdote about working at a park

to inform readers about the responsibilities of a park monitor

to inform readers about careers in the forestry industry

to persuade readers to apply for employment at the park

Read the excerpt from The Fellowship of the Ring.Many people from other parts of the Shire were also asked; and there were even a few from outside the borders. Bilbo met the guests (and additions) at the new white gate in person. He gave away presents to all and sundry—the latter were those who went out again by a back way and came in again by the gate. Hobbits give presents to other people on their own birthdays. Not very expensive ones, as a rule, and not so lavishly as on this occasion; but it was not a bad system. Actually in Hobbiton and Bywater every day in the year it was somebody’s birthday, so that every hobbit in those parts had a fair chance of at least one present at least once a week. But they got tired of them.

Many people are invited to the party.

Some hobbits came from faraway.

Hobbiton is a community with deep traditions.

Bilbo purchased gifts for everyone in town.

Read the excerpt from Javier’s research paper about samurai.In the 12th century, the samurai warrior class took control in Japan. The rigorous training for these warriors began in childhood. Trainees studied self-discipline, martial arts, and poetry. They were also expected to follow a guiding code of conduct called Bushido, which translates to "the way of the warrior.” Additionally, young warriors spent hours perfecting their skills in horseback riding and archery. After years of preparation, the warriors were ready for battle. In conflicts, samurai were covered head to toe. They wore heavy iron breastplates to protect their chests, and leather armor to shield their arms, shoulders, thighs, and shins. They wore bulky metal helmets that protected their heads and necks. High-ranking warriors sometimes added feathers, horns, or other decorations to their helmets. Near the end of the 1800s, the samurai lost power to the newly formed national army.

an illustrated diagram of a samurai in full battle gear

a chart showing the time warriors spent in training

a bulleted list itemizing the samurai's codes of conduct

a time line with dates and events leading to the rise of the samurai

Read the excerpt from Pat Mora’s essay "The Leader in the Mirror."I read them my poem "Immigrants.”Immigrantswrap their babies in the American flag,feed them mashed hot dogs and apple pie,name them Bill and Daisy,buy them blonde dolls that blink blueeyes or a football and tiny cleatsbefore the baby can even walk,speak to them in thick English, hallo, babee, hallo,whisper in Spanish or Polishwhen the baby sleeps, whisperin a dark parent bed, that darkparent fear, "Will they likeour boy, our girl, our fine americanboy, our fine american girl?”As a writer, I understand the value and necessity of knowing my past, of keeping that door open.

entertain her audience with stories from her own childhood.

encourage her audience to remember their family history.

educate her audience about life in other countries.

persuade her audience to change political viewpoints.

What is the purpose of transition words in persuasive writing?

to state claims

to link ideas

to cite sources

to offer criticism

Read the excerpt from "Digging."The cold smell of potato mould, the squelch and slapOf soggy peat, the curt cuts of an edgeThrough living roots awaken in my head.

The alliteration makes the poem sound disjointed and choppy.

The alliteration disconnects the speaker from the earth.

The alliteration creates pleasing and interesting sounds.

The alliteration shows that the speaker is a poet.

What are the three main purposes for writing?to informto persuadeto impressto entertainto prevent

to inform

to persuade

to impress

to entertain

to prevent

Read Pat Mora’s poem quoted in "The Leader in the Mirror."Immigrantswrap their babies in the American flag,feed them mashed hot dogs and apple pie,name them Bill and Daisy,buy them blonde dolls that blink blueeyes or a football and tiny cleatsbefore the baby can even walk,speak to them in thick EnglishNow read the excerpt from Mora’s essay "The Leader in the Mirror."My own father was once a paper boy for the newspaper hosting the banquet. I might not have known that fact, nor his long history of hard work, had I not been listening to him with my tape recorder a few years ago. I did not want the students to wait as long as I had to begin preserving the rich inheritance of their family voices. The strength of their heritage would give them the courage to face the future.

In the poem, Mora writes about immigrant families’ desire to fit in. In the essay, she writes about the importance of remembering one’s heritage.

In the poem, Mora writes about her own family heritage. In the essay, she writes about immigrant families in general.

The poem uses flowery language, while the language in the essay is scientific.

The poem is written with a rhyming pattern, while the essay is not written in rhyme.

Which are common elements of fantasy? Select 3 options.true-to-life settingsimagined worlds everyday events mythical creatures the supernatural

true-to-life settings

imagined worlds

everyday events

mythical creatures

the supernatural

Read the excerpt from "Digging."Till his straining rump among the flowerbedsBends low, comes up twenty years awayStooping in rhythm through potato drillsWhere he was digging.

that the work in the flowerbeds is quick and easy

that the father is working very hard in the flowerbeds

that the father passed away 20 years ago

that the father finds the digging enjoyable

Read the excerpt from "Digging"Till his straining rump among the flowerbedsBends low, comes up twenty years awayStooping in rhythm through potato drillsWhere he was digging.Read the haiku by Bashō. On the way to the outhouse—the white of the moonflower by torchlight.How does the structure of these poems differ?

“Digging” attempts to capture a moment in the distant past, while Bashō's haiku speculates about the future.

“Digging” jumps from the present time to the past, while Bashō's haiku captures a single moment in time.

“Digging” describes a moment in the present time, while Bashō's haiku jumps back in time.

“Digging” speculates about the future, while Bashō's haiku commemorates a time from the distant past.

Read the chart from "Career Planning for High Schoolers."

Majors in social sciences lead to above-average starting salaries

Majors in education lead to above-average starting salaries.

Majors in humanities lead to above-average starting salaries.

Majors in engineering and tech lead to above-average starting salaries.

inferretellexplainquestion

infer

retell

explain

question

Read the excerpt from a letter.Dear Ann,The funniest thing happened during my ski lesson! I tried a new ski run and I was doing very well. The sun was shining and the snow was fresh. My instructor encouraged me to bring my skis closer together so I could gain a little speed. I don’t know exactly what happened next, but suddenly my skis had criss-crossed and I was skiing backward!

to entertain the reader with a humorous story

to provide practical ski instruction tips

to educate the reader about skiing techniques

to persuade a friend to try a new winter sport

Read the excerpt from "Digging."The coarse boot nestled on the lug, the shaft Against the inside knee was levered firmly.He rooted out tall tops, buried the bright edge deepTo scatter new potatoes that we picked,Loving their cool hardness in our hands.Read the haiku by Bashō. Early fall—the sea and the rice fields all one green.Which sentence best explains the similarities between the excerpt from "Digging” and the haiku?

Both are concerned with the topic of writing.

Both are concerned with the topic of seasons.

Both are concerned with the topic of farming.

Both are concerned with the topic of working.

Which phrases contain an example of assonance? Check all that apply.a cup of coffeethe stars in the darkgloves and a globelike the lightride along the riverthumb through the numbers

a cup of coffee

the stars in the dark

gloves and a globe

like the light

ride along the river

thumb through the numbers

Which excerpt from "Ghost House" uses both alliteration and assonance to add emphasis?

Who share the unlit place with me—

Doubtless bear names that the mosses mar.

Though two, close-keeping, are lass and lad,—

As sweet companions as might be had.

Which are common elements of fantasy? Select 3 options.true-to-life settingsimagined worlds everyday events mythical creatures the supernatural

true-to-life settings

imagined worlds

everyday events

mythical creatures

the supernatural

fearhappinesshopelonging

fear

happiness

hope

longing

Which excerpt from The Fellowship of the Ring shows an element of fantasy?

It was driven by outlandish folk, singing strange songs: dwarves with long beards and deep hoods.

He wore a tall pointed blue hat, a long grey cloak, and a silver scarf.

At Bilbo’s front door the old man began to unload: there were great bundles of fireworks of all sorts of shapes

His real business was far more difficult and dangerous, but the Shire-folk knew nothing about it.

Based on the passage, what are the best ways to describe Tom Sawyer’s character? Select 3 options.

amusing

cunning

mischievous

naive

stupid

vicious

fearhappinesshopelonging

fear

happiness

hope

longing

Read the excerpt from "Ghost House."The whippoorwill is coming to shoutAnd hush and cluck and flutter about

to point out important ideas in the first line.

to create pleasing sounds in the second line.

to place emphasis on the word “shout” in the first line.

to link “coming” in the first line with “cluck” in the second line.

Which excerpt from "Ghost House" uses both alliteration and assonance to add emphasis?

Who share the unlit place with me—

Doubtless bear names that the mosses mar.

Though two, close-keeping, are lass and lad,—

As sweet companions as might be had.

Which excerpt from Tom Sawyer allows the reader to infer the time of year?

She did not finish, for by this time she was bending down and punching under the bed with the broom, and so she needed breath to punctuate the punches with.

She went to the open door and stood in it and looked out among the tomato vines and “jimpson” weeds that constituted the garden.

“It’s mighty hard to make him work Saturdays, when all the boys is having holiday, but he hates work more than he hates anything else, and I've got to do some of my duty by him, or I'll be the ruination of the child.”

While Tom was eating his supper, and stealing sugar as opportunity offered, Aunt Polly asked him questions that were full of guile, and very deep—for she wanted to trap him into damaging revealments.

Based on the passage, what are the best ways to describe Tom Sawyer’s character? Select 3 options.

amusing

cunning

mischievous

naive

stupid

vicious

creedssufficedharborenergy

creeds

sufficed

harbor

energy

Read the excerpt from "Ghost House."The whippoorwill is coming to shoutAnd hush and cluck and flutter about

to point out important ideas in the first line.

to create pleasing sounds in the second line.

to place emphasis on the word “shout” in the first line.

to link “coming” in the first line with “cluck” in the second line.

Which excerpt from "How Should One Read a Book?” best states the author’s purpose?

Most commonly we come to books with blurred and divided minds, asking of fiction that it shall be true, of poetry that it shall be false, of biography that it shall be flattering, of history that it shall enforce our own prejudices.

But if you open your mind as widely as possible, then signs and hints of almost imperceptible fineness, from the twist and turn of the first sentences, will bring you into the presence of a human being unlike any other.

Thus to go from one great novelist to another—from Jane Austen to Hardy, from Peacock to Trollope, from Scott to Meredith—is to be wrenched and uprooted; to be thrown this way and then that.

But a glance at the heterogeneous company on the shelf will show you that writers are very seldom “great artists”; far more often a book makes no claim to be a work of art at all.

Which excerpt from Tom Sawyer allows the reader to infer the time of year?

She did not finish, for by this time she was bending down and punching under the bed with the broom, and so she needed breath to punctuate the punches with.

She went to the open door and stood in it and looked out among the tomato vines and “jimpson” weeds that constituted the garden.

compassionleadership skillspatiencephysical stamina

compassion

leadership skills

patience

physical stamina

creedssufficedharborenergy

creeds

sufficed

harbor

energy

Which excerpt from "How Should One Read a Book?” best states the author’s purpose?

Thus to go from one great novelist to another—from Jane Austen to Hardy, from Peacock to Trollope, from Scott to Meredith—is to be wrenched and uprooted; to be thrown this way and then that.

But a glance at the heterogeneous company on the shelf will show you that writers are very seldom “great artists”; far more often a book makes no claim to be a work of art at all.

Read the passage from "Physicians and Surgeons.”EducationMost applicants to medical school have at least a bachelor's degree, and many have advanced degrees. Although no specific major is required, all students must complete undergraduate work in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and English. Students also take courses in the humanities and social sciences. Some students volunteer at local hospitals or clinics to gain experience in a healthcare setting.

She should take science courses and do extracurricular science activities.

She should study a variety of disciplines and do healthcare volunteer work.

She should round out her schedule by adding several liberal arts classes.

She should obtain a job working in the healthcare industry after school.

compassionleadership skillspatiencephysical stamina

compassion

leadership skills

patience

physical stamina

Read the subheadings from "Physicians and Surgeons.”Important QualitiesCommunication skills.Compassion.Detail oriented.Dexterity.Leadership skills.Organizational skills.Patience.Physical stamina.Problem-solving skills.

focusing mainly on developing strong mental abilities.

having great sympathy and understanding for patients.

having a blend of physical, mental, and emotional skills.

developing physical coordination, endurance, and strength.

Read a list of the headings from "Physicians and Surgeons.”How to Become a Physician or a SurgeonImportant QualitiesTrainingLicenses, Certifications, and Registrations

How to Become a Physician or a Surgeon

Important Qualities

Training

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

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