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?

• Laura's sister

• a panhandler

• Maurice's teacher

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.

• obedience

• intelligence

• common sense

• new experiences

Which of the following is the best definition for connects?

• meets at a pre-selected time and place

• speaks to an unknown person

• establishes a relationship

• removes a covering

What usually happens when two people influence each other?

• They affect each other.

• They ignore each other.

• They make fun of each other.

• They compete with each other.

If Ashley encouraged Bob, which of these remarks did she most likely make?

• "You'll never be able do it, Bob."

• "I'm sorry I can't be there for you."

• "You're invited to my birthday party."

• "Come on, Bob, you're going to be great."

Read this excerpt from "A Simple Act." 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. 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 strongly emotional effect?

• sharing dinner

• a close bond

• leave it with her doorman

• offered to make lunch

• like the child Laura had always wanted

Read this excerpt from "A Simple Act." The boy lived in a single room in a welfare hotel with his mother and numerous other relatives. It was only two blocks away from Laura's home, but it might as well have been a different planet. As they talked over their lunch, Laura learned about the boy's life. She herself had not had an easy childhood, but what she heard shocked her.... What commentary does Jackson make about the boy's situation?

• He thinks the boy's living conditions are extremely bad.

• He considers the boy's relatives unsupportive.

• He thinks living in the boy's hotel would be exciting.

• He considers the boy's situation ordinary.