A Simple Act

In “A Simple Act,” how do Laura and Maurice first meet?

• Maurice is begging on the street.
• Maurice is playing music on a corner.
• Maurice is running and bumps into Laura.
• Maurice lives on the same block as Laura.

What is the “invisible thread” mentioned in “A Simple Act”?

• an important family tie
• the course of a person’s life
• an adult’s responsibility to a child
• the connection between two people

In “A Simple Act,” who at first seems to be the only other person besides Laura who believes that Maurice can better himself?

• his mother
• his teacher
• a panhandler
• Laura's sister

In “A Simple Act,” what happens after Laura’s friends suggest that she write a book about her experiences with Maurice?

• She writes the book right away.
• She eventually writes a best seller.
• She writes a magazine article instead.
• She writes the book but does not publish it.

In “A Simple Act,” what does Maurice’s time with Laura most clearly add to his life? Choose three options.

• hope
• security
• new experiences
• obedience
• intelligence

In “A Simple Act,” what does sharing food most likely represent to Maurice?

• wealth and privilege
• being pitied by others
• an accepting family bond
• exchanging unusual ideas

Which statement best describes Laura’s relationship with the grown Maurice and his family, according to “A Simple Act”?

• They have drifted apart and rarely speak.
• They have started a business partnership.
• She has become like one of his relatives.
• She still serves as an inspirational example.

According to “A Simple Act,” in what way has Laura gained the most from her relationship with Maurice?

• She feels that her existence has mattered.
• She has become welcoming to strangers.
• She has found someone who trusts her.
• She has become an admired celebrity.

Which of the following quotations from “A Simple Act” best shows that Jackson’s point of view is more subjective than objective?

• As they talked over their lunch, Laura learned about the boy’s life.
• They arranged to meet again the next Monday.
• Today, Maurice works in construction.
• He repaid her trust by giving her life more meaning than her success at work ever did.

Read this excerpt from “A Simple Act.”

The two continued sharing dinner every Monday, and a close bond formed between them. … Maurice became almost like the child Laura had always wanted. One day, she offered to make lunch for Maurice and leave it with her doorman for him to pick up on his way to school. He asked her if she could put the lunch in a brown paper bag, because then the other kids would know that someone cared about him.

Which phrases from the excerpt are most likely to have a strong emotional effect? Choose three options.

• a close bond
• like the child Laura had always wanted
• know that someone cared about him
• sharing dinner
• offered to make lunch