Use “Public Speaking Is Easier When a Cute Dog Is Listening” and “Assembly” to answer the following question.

Read lines 16–19 from the poem “Assembly.”

Which sentences from the selection “Public Speaking Is Easier When a Cute Dog Is Listening” best express a SIMILAR feeling?

• He was nervous to speak in front of a large group of people. He needed help. (paragraph 2)

• Dexter seems to like his volunteer job. His excitement might have something to do with the bag of treats. (paragraph 6)

• It doesn’t matter if students mess up. The dogs won’t know if they do. (paragraph 8)

• She will be speaking in front of about 4,000 people on graduation day. But, today she is only giving a speech to one audience member, and it is a dog named Noche. (paragraph 14)

Use “Public Speaking Is Easier When a Cute Dog Is Listening” and “Assembly” to answer the following question.

In what way does the audience in the poem “Assembly” DIFFER from the audience dog in the selection “Public Speaking Is Easier When a Cute Dog Is Listening”?

• Only the audience in the poem encourages students to prepare for the performance.

• Only the audience in the poem listens during the performance.

• Only the audience in the poem is given a reward for listening to the performance.

• Only the audience in the poem shows disruptive behavior before the performance begins.

Use “Public Speaking Is Easier When a Cute Dog Is Listening” and “Assembly” to answer the following question.

Which statement describes a DIFFERENCE between the selection “Public Speaking Is Easier When a Cute Dog Is Listening” and the poem “Assembly”?

• The selection tells how some people get ready to perform, but the poem tells how someone feels during a performance.

• The selection focuses more on the people who will do the performing, but the poem focuses only on the people in the audience.

• The selection suggests that people must have a special talent in order to perform, but the poem suggests that anyone can do it.

• The selection describes people who are experienced presenters, but the poem describes someone who has never performed for a large audience.

Use “Public Speaking Is Easier When a Cute Dog Is Listening” and “Assembly” to answer the following question.

What message is found in BOTH the selection “Public Speaking Is Easier When a Cute Dog Is Listening” and the poem “Assembly”?

• People should perform only when they feel prepared.

• Picturing animals helps people feel relaxed when performing.

• It takes effort to perform in front of others.

• It is normal to need more practice when trying something new.