A Man with a Skinny Face

Read the following excerpt from "A Man with a Skinny Face." Choose ONE piece of evidence that best supports the claim that Grace was passionate about her beliefs.

I was rather disappointed. How could I get my brothers to vote for him if he wouldn't take my advice? That night at supper, I read my letter aloud to the family. "But even if Mr. Lincoln doesn't have whiskers," I hollered, "he's still the best candidate." Paw urged the boys to believe me, and he talked again about the evils of slavery. Pounding his fist on the table, Paw declared that Mr. Lincoln just had to get elected -- even if it meant growing two beards.

• I was rather disappointed.

• That night at supper, I read my letter aloud to the family.

• But even if Mr. Lincoln doesn't have whiskers," I hollered, "he's still the best candidate."

• Pounding his fist on the table, Paw declared that Mr. Lincoln just had to get elected -- even if it meant growing two beards

Answer explanation

Think about which sentence she is talking about liking Mr. Lincoln in the MOST.

How does Grace's perspective regarding Abraham Lincoln affect the events in the story?

• Grace thinks Lincoln won't make a good president, so she decides to vote for Stephen Douglas.

• Grace thinks Lincoln looks silly with a beard, so she convinces him to shave it off.

• Grace thinks Lincoln will make a good president, so she gives him advice that she thinks will help him win.

• Grace thinks Lincoln is the only one who can end slavery, so she convinces her mom to vote for him.

Answer explanation

Use process of elimination. Which one of these options BEST fits what happen in the story, and correctly answers the question.

What is the main theme of this passage?

• If you feel strongly about something, speak your mind.

• Voting gets your voice heard.

• A land with slaves is a land without human rights.

• The best way to solve a problem is to work together.

Answer explanation

Which one of these options best fits what the lesson of the story is?

Imagine that the author presented this passage as an oral presentation to the class.

Which TWO questions should students ask to show that they were listening carefully to the presentation but would like more information?

• Did Grace's brothers end up voting for Abraham Lincoln?

• Where did Grace and her family live?

• When did Grace write a letter to Abraham Lincoln?

• Why did Maw call Abraham Lincoln "Honest Abe?"

• Who was running against Abraham Lincoln in the presidential election?

Answer explanation

Oral presentation means the person is speaking and giving a presentation.

Think about the two options that would give you additional information and also goes along with what the story was about.

Imagine you are giving a presentation about Abraham Lincoln's presidency. You would like to add a media component to improve your presentation. Which choice below would be BEST to add to your presentation?

• an audio clip of your friend reading one of President Lincoln's speeches

• a slideshow of President Lincoln's accomplishments

• a picture of President Lincoln as a young child

• a map of the United States at the time President Lincoln was elected

Answer explanation

Which option is a reliable source and would add reliable information to your presentation?

Imagine you are giving a presentation about this passage in which you state your opinion that Grace is confident and outspoken.

Which TWO pieces of evidence from the passage best support your opinion?

• Someone pointed me out to Mr. Lincoln, and I felt myself being gently pushed forward.

• To my way of thinking, he needed some whiskers to make himself seem more distinguished, but what could I do about it?

• I told him that he would look ever so much better with whiskers, and that if he grew them, I would do my best to convince my two brothers to vote for him.

• "But even if Mr. Lincoln doesn't have whiskers," I hollered, "he's still the best candidate."

• I was rather disappointed.

Answer explanation

Remember you are looking for the TWO options that go along with the opinion that Grace is outspoken.

Read the following sentence from the passage.

I suppose he must have thought about my suggestion and decided to listen to my recommendation.

What is the meaning of the word "recommendation" as it is used in this sentence?

• advice to be followed

• an important lesson

• a happy memory

• surprising news

Which would be the BEST source for locating information about how voting laws have changed over the years?

• a newspaper advertisement about where to vote in an upcoming election

• a friend's social media post about the first time she voted

• an article written by a professor about the importance of voting

• a page on an online encyclopedia website about the history of voting rights

Answer explanation

Think about what is the most reliable source AND answers the question correctly.

Imagine that you have written an essay about service dogs. Read the excerpt from your rough draft below. Then click on the TWO transition words or phrases that should be changed in order to make your report flow more smoothly.

Service dogs are becoming an increasingly valuable resource for people with disabilities. As a matter of fact, service dogs are currently being trained to respond to more situations than ever before. In general, most people are familiar with seeing-eye dogs, which are those dogs that assist people who are visually impaired. As a result, did you know service dogs are also trained to assist people with physical disabilities? They are trained to help out with everyday tasks such as opening doors and retrieving items from hard-to-reach places. Additionally, service dogs are now being trained to work with people who have life-threatening allergies. They work to detect the allergens that could cause a reaction in the person they serve. Nevertheless, service dogs are invaluable to their owners.

• As a matter of fact

• In general

• As a result

• Additonally

• Nevertheless

Answer explanation

This is a question that will take you several minutes. Take the time to read through all the options. DO NOT RUSH just because the question is a long one.

Which sentence shows the correct verb tense?

• Tomorrow, Lucas and Ty will playing in a baseball tournament.

• Tomorrow, Lucas and Ty is playing in a baseball tournament.

• Tomorrow, Lucas and Ty will be playing in a baseball tournament.

• Tomorrow, Lucas and Ty played in a baseball tournament.