The Ravine - Comprehension

Which of the following best describes the main theme of the passage?

• Parents know best and only want to protect their children

• Imagining yourself in another person's position is a rare gift

• Resisting social pressure from friends requires great courage

• Friends who encourage you to face your fears are valuable and rare

What does the following quote reveal about Vinny's character? Pick TWO responses. "She shouldn't make fun that way, Vinny thought. It was dangerous, disrespectful. It was asking for it." (paragraph 73)

• Vinny wishes that he could be as carefree as Starlene.

• Vinny has an even more vivid imagination than Starlene.

• Vinny wants to be respectful toward the death of the boy Butchie

• Vinny believes that Starlene's actions will summon Butchie's ghost

• Vinny fears that Starlene's careless attitude may cause more trouble.

How do paragraphs 1-5 inform the passage?

• They reveal that a boy supposedly drowned in the ravine and suggest that the friends want to honor the boy by going to the ravine.

• They describe the ravine, showing the beauty of Hawaiian nature and setting a peaceful tone throughout the passage.

• They describe what happened to the boy, showing the importance of friendship and setting a mournful tone throughout the passage

• They reveal that a boy supposedly drowned in the ravine and suggest that the friends want to show that they are unbothered by the rumors.

Choose the best piece of text evidence that best shows why Vinny is troubled about going to the ravine.

• "Joe-Boy, hiking down just behind him, laughed. 'Hey, Vinny, just think, that kid walked where you walking.'" (Paragraph 5)

• "Vinny winced. He didn't want to be here. It was too soon, way too soon. Two weeks and one day." (Paragraph 15)

• "Vinny decided he'd better believe in the legend. If he didn't, the goddess might get mad and send him bad luck." (Paragraph 26)

• "Vinny watched, his muddy towel hooked around his neck. Reluctantly, he let it fall, then dove in after them." (Paragraph 33)

What does Starlene's point of view regarding what happened to the dead boy suggest about her?

• She is fanciful and hopeful about the boy's fate.

• She is afraid of discovering the boy in the ravine.

• She is lying to disguise that she is scared of the ledge.

• She is sad and hopeful the goddess will give him back one day.

How does the word choice in the following quote develop the tone of the paragraph? "where there was nothing but mud and a few plants to grab on to if you slipped, plants that would rip right out of the ground, plants that wouldn't stop you if you fell, nothing but your screams between you and the rocks below." (Paragraph 56)

• It conveys an angry tone through phrases like "nothing" and "rip."

• It conveys a mocking tone through phrases like "a few plants" and "slipped."

• It conveys a frightened tone through phrases like "grab," "rip," and "screams."

• It conveys an accepting tone through phrases like "nothing" and "wouldn't stop."

How does Starlene jumping off the high ledge set the plot in motion?

• It impresses Vinny, prompting him and Starlene to become closer friends.

• It upsets Vinny and Joe-Boy, prompting them to leave and later find the missing boy.

• It encourages Joe-Boy to jump off the high ledge, despite Mo and Vinny's pleas to climb back down.

• It encourages the other boys to jump off the high ledge, pressuring Vinny to feel like he must also jump.

What does the word rivulets mean as it is used in paragraph 108?

• baby waterfalls

• small stream

• tall, steep cliffs

• swamps covered with plants

What does the word cascading mean as it is used in paragraph 111?

• moving in a slow, calm flow

• spreading out in all directions

• falling or flowing in large amounts, usually downward

• remaining still and not moving

What does the word penetrated mean as it is used in paragraph 84?

• disappeared into

• became blocked by

• reflected off

• passed through