Pucker Up/Cherry Very - Paired Passaged

Use “Pucker-up Time in Eau Claire” to answer the questions 1–4.

According to the article, the annual event began when —

• a local family wanted to prove they could win an award

• neighbors gathered at a local fruit farm

• a frost ruined a crop of cherries at a local fruit farm

• people came to the town to seek employment

Look at the dictionary entry.

shot \ ı shät\ noun

1. a throw in an effort to score points in a game

2. a small amount applied at once

3. a try or attempt

4. an effective remark

Which definition best matches the way the word shot is used in paragraph 8?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

Which sentence best states the main idea of the article?

• A truck driver from Chicago was the champion of the pit spit in Eau Claire in 2012.

• The pit spit, which features many eager participants, will be taking place again at the Tree-Mendus Fruit Farm in Eau Claire.

• Although last year’s cold weather kept the cherry harvest small, this year the harvest will be ideal for the pit spit.

• Many members of the Krause family will be participating again this year at the pit spit.

Based on the information in the article, what can the reader infer about the contest?

• Some people travel from places outside the city to participate in the event.

• The contestants are required to grow the cherries that are used in the event.

• The contestants need to have participated in a similar event in the past.

• People from the town enjoyed the event only when it was a small neighborhood gathering.

Use “Cherry Very” to answer questions 5–8.

The reader can tell that the speaker is experienced at spitting cherry pits because she —

• provides several suggestions about the best way to prepare for the activity

• identifies the number of times she has practiced over the summer

• reveals that there is a bowl of cherries in her kitchen

• states that she has spit a pit in her yard

What is one important effect of the rhyme scheme of the poem?

• It focuses the reader on the most important words in the poem.

• It helps the reader visualize the problem the speaker experiences.

• It creates a rhythm that emphasizes the quick actions in the poem.

• It helps explain what spitting a cherry pit sounds like.

Which line from the poem best helps the reader understand the meaning of launch?

• Backbone straight

• One more tip:

• Round you lips

• Aim for the fence

What is most likely the reason the poet compares spitting cherry pits to playing baseball?

• To show that spitting cherry pits is just as much a team sport as baseball

• To help the reader relate a well-known activity to an activity that might be unfamiliar

• To explain that less time is required for spitting cherry pits than for playing baseball

• To show the reader that some activities are more interesting than others

Use BOTH “Pucker-up Time in Eau Claire” and “Cherry Very” to answer questions 9 - 12.

Which message is expressed by both the article and the poem?

• Some activities can be appreciated simply for the fun of them.

• Even if you do not succeed right away, you must keep on trying.

• A great talent is often shared by family members.

• It is important to be a polite and kindhearted winner.

What is one main difference between the event the author describes in the article and the event the speaker describes in the poem?

• The type of cherry pit that is used

• The setting

• The excitement people feel

• The rules that are followed