Avery's Gift/ Chicken of the Sea

19. Which phrase from paragraph 16 of the story “Avery’s Gift” shows that Avery’s melody expresses a mixture of emotions?

• A. full of light and shadows

• B. filled the room

• C. final haunting chord

• D. hung in the air

Answer explanation

Mixture is of different things, and light and dark are also different.

20. Read this information about the word agitate.

from Latin agitatus, meaning “to put in constant or violent motion”

Based on this information, what is a synonym for the word agitated as it is used in paragraph 2 of the story “Avery’s Gift”?

• A. Threatened

• B. Handled

• C. Bothered

• D. Served

Answer explanation

If you go back to that paragraph, Avery is clearly bothered by the thoughts that her gift isn't good enough.

21. Which line of dialogue from the story “Avery’s Gift” supports the theme that success sometimes comes from being willing to take a risk?

• A. “What’s in the envelope anyway?” (paragraph 3)

• B. “It’s something I wrote for Mrs. Vadakin.” (paragraph 4)

• C. “Something you wrote, like an essay?” (paragraph 5)

• D. “May I play this right now?” (paragraph 15)

Answer explanation

This shows that Avery writing something for Mrs. Vadakin was taking a risk.

In D, Avery wasn't the one speaking, so it doesn't show her acting bravely.

22. In paragraph 2 of the story “Avery’s Gift,” the most likely reason the author uses the metaphor “a viper in her hand” is to —

• A. emphasize the strength of Avery’s fear

• B. suggest that Avery’s concern is legitimate

• C. call attention to the unusual nature of Avery’s gift

• D. suggest that Avery’s gift may have a shocking result

23. Read this paragraph about the article “Chicken of the Sea Is So Wacky—Of Course It Was Created by Kids.”

Inspired by Thi Bui, the illustrator of one of his favorite books, four-year-old Ellison Nguyen decided to write his own book titled Chicken of the Sea. The book is about three chickens who go on an adventure. Ellison’s father helped him write the story, and Thi Bui helped her son Hien draw the pictures.

Which idea should be included in this paragraph to create a complete summary of the article?

• A. Hien’s mom gave him advice on how to draw pictures during the weekends.

• B. Viet Nguyen enjoyed working with his son on the book.

• C. Ellison said his story idea just came to him after he met Thi Bui.

• D. While the book had no particular message for the reader, it included a happy ending.

Answer explanation

A, B, & C all were already mentioned in some way in the paragraph. D was new info.

24. What is the most likely reason the author includes the details in paragraph 2 of the article “Chicken of the Sea Is So Wacky—Of Course It Was Created by Kids”?

• A. To provide information about the book the author is discussing

• B. To show the reason why many people contributed to the book

• C. To support the illustrations that are shown from the book

• D. To emphasize that the writer of the book is a young boy

Answer explanation

You needed to go back and read paragraph 2 in order to get this answer. It explained what the picture book Ellison wrote was about.

25. Which conclusion about the creative process in the article “Chicken of the Sea Is So Wacky—Of Course It Was Created by Kids” is DIFFERENT from the conclusion about the creative process in the story “Avery’s Gift”?

• A. Children are proud after they finish a project.

• B. Adults provide professional help with a project.

• C. Children are less likely to overthink ideas than adults are.

• D. Adults appreciate the work of children.

Answer explanation

Avery's Gift didn't mention this idea that adults don't use enough imagination or playfulness like children.

26. The story “Avery’s Gift” and the article “Chicken of the Sea Is So Wacky—Of Course It Was Created by Kids” are SIMILAR because —

• A. they both demonstrate the benefits of working together as a team

• B. they both show that adult guidance is critical for children to succeed

• C. they both explain why artists are sometimes reluctant to share their work

• D. they both reveal that children and adults generally think in similar ways

Answer explanation

In Avery's Gift, Avery worked with her dad to write the piano music. In Chicken of the Sea, 4 people worked on the book.

27. Which sentence best describes how the tone in the story “Avery’s Gift” DIFFERS from the tone in the article “Chicken of the Sea Is So Wacky—Of Course It Was Created by Kids”?

• A. The tone of the story is disapproving, while the tone of the article is admiring.

• B. The tone of the story is comforting, while the tone of the article is humorous.

• C. The tone of the story is curious, while the tone of the article is thoughtful.

• D. The tone of the story is anxious, while the tone of the article is positive.

Answer explanation

As a reader, we felt anxious reading Avery's Gift and we felt positive reading the article about Chicken of the Sea.