Dear Future

1. At the beginning of the story, James notices that his mom is blocking the aisle as she reads. He says, “I am relieved that she has lost herself completely in her book.” From this line, you can infer that

• A. James is glad his mom isn’t paying attention to him because he wants to sneak out of the sale.

• B. James’s mom has trouble concentrating.

• C. James worries about his mom and is glad to see her doing something she enjoys.

• D. James doesn’t like the same kinds of books that his mom likes.

2. The story James tells about reading “The Night” in class helps the reader understand that _______. Choose TWO.

• A. James is concerned that he has reached the end of his childhood

• B. James does not enjoy reading fiction

• C. James has had a lot on his mind lately and often gets lost in his thoughts

• D. James loves to read

3. Which line helps develop the idea that James often becomes lost in thought?

• A. “Quietly, I turn away from Bradbury and look at my bag. It is almost filled, although I don’t remember putting anything in it. I let out a sigh.”

• B. “I put down my bag and start reading.”

• C. “My phone buzzes in my pocket, but I ignore it and continue reading.”

• D. “I want to tell her everything I’m worried about.”

4. How does reading Annie’s journal and then talking to Annie affect James? Choose TWO.

• A. It makes him realize that his problems aren’t all that serious.

• B. It makes him even more worried about the future than he already was.

• C. It gives him hope that his life won’t always be as challenging as it is now.

• D. It comforts him to know that someone else went through an experience similar to what he is going through.

5. Which of the following is NOT a theme of this story?

• A. Hard times are a normal part of life.

• B. Life gets easier once you’re an adult.

• C. Our relationships with others bring meaning to our lives.

• D. There’s often something valuable in difficult experiences.

6. What is the purpose of “How to Keep a Journal”?

• A. to convince readers to keep a journal

• B. to provide practical advice for readers who are interested in keeping a journal

• C. to persuade readers to begin their journal entries with “Dear Future” and sign them “The Past”

• D. to help readers understand why Annie kept a journal when she was 13

I blanch as everything comes flooding back. A few weeks ago in class, I tried to say something insightful about "The Night," the Bradburry story we'd been discussing. Which is the best meaning of the word blanch as used in the story?

• A. flinch or grow pale from shock, fear, or embarassment

• B. cooking process in which a food, usually a vegetable or fruit, is scalded in boiling water

• C. to be very small

• D. to search for something

I have room in my bag for one more book. Then it will be time to detach mom from her phone. What can you infer the narrator's mom is doing?

• A. She is searching for books about phones

• B. She is putting cellphones into her bag.

• C. She is talking on the phone.

• D. She is connected to her phone with a usb.

The future is bright. That's what mom is always saying. But it doesn't seem particularly bright right now, in this cold, musty church basement. What is the best meaning for the word musty as it is used in the story?

• A. Freezing

• B. Bad odor caused by lack of fresh air.

• C. old and fragile

• D. like new, but needs modifications

10. Some books, when I pick them up, disintegrate in my hands. Spines crack, brittle pages fall out. What can you infer about the books based on these sentences?

• A. They are books about cooking brittle

• B. They are books about the human anatomy

• C. They are books about breaking up.

• D. The books are so old and deplorable that they are falling apart