Smiles to Go

What is the narrator's primary motivation for continuing to visit Jim?

• He wants Jim to ask him to help with experiments.

• He enjoys watching Jim manage several tasks at once.

• He thinks spending time with Jim will make him smarter.

• He likes witnessing the moments when Jim is suprised.

Why is Jim's demonstration with the jawbreaker important to the plot?

• It shows the narrator that many scientific concepts are not complicated.

• It allows the narrator to experience a moment of understanding.

• It encourages the narrator to develop his own scientific theory about protons.

• It gives the narrator an opportunity to help Jim with one of his projects.

Digest-

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

The sensory language from the sentence in paragraph 4

• optimism

• confusion

• excitement

• discomfort

What does the simile in paragraph 3 suggest about Jim?

• He wishes he knew someone who shared his passion.

• He approaches his work with intense focus.

• He is interested in both science and sports.

• He usually makes up experiments as they occur to him.

The setting is important to the plot because it is where the narrator-

• realizes he is good at scientific investigation.

• can study with minimal interruptions.

• has interesting discussions with Jim.

• works with Jim to solve problems.

Which of these is an important idea expressed in the excerpt?

• People must start working toward their goals at a young age to achieve their dreams.

• Honesty and openness allow deep friendships to develop.

• True understanding can take place only through quiet reflection.

• Some people influence the lives of others by introducing them to new ideas.

Sharp, sudden, and very serious

• acute

• respite

• rampart

• quibble

To argue over petty details.

• nominal

• quibble

• pommel

• rampart

Small and insignificant, a token in name only.

• nominal

• quibble

• acute

• fjord