Look at the dictionary entry below. Which definition matches the word steps as it is used in paragraph 1?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

What is the central message that the author presents in this selection?

• When things get hard, you should give up.

• Math is the hardest subject to learn.

• Telling your parents about bad grades is the right thing to do.

• It is okay to ask for help when you need it.

Read the following sentence from paragraph 1. "I was drowning in a sea of unsolved math problems." The author includes this line to —

• emphasize that narrator is overwhelmed

• describe how the narrator cannot swim

• explain that the math problems cannot be solved

• compare the narrator’s feelings to the other students in the class

What can the reader infer about the narrator’s feelings towards Molly?

• She was glad that she would not have to talk to Molly again.

• She was jealous that Molly was better in math.

• She was grateful for Molly’s help.

• She was afraid Molly would tease her.

In paragraph 4, the word anxious means —

• confused

• nervous

• angry

• confident

The author included paragraph 3 to —

• emphasize the narrator’s successful attempts to learn on her own

• show the narrator’s growing hopelessness

• explain how the narrator studied for her test

• describe why the narrator hated math

Which sentence from the selection best shows that the author is determined?

• I tried to keep up, but it was no use.

• In elementary school, I had done well in math.

• I knew I needed to do something because I needed to pass the test on Friday or else I would fail math.

• The next day at school, math class went the same as always.

What is the best summary of the selection?

• The author was a terrible math student. She determined that she will fail her math class because she is so confused. She decided that she needed to be transferred out of the advanced math class.

• The author struggled in her advanced math class. She finally acknowledged that she needed help and decided to take action. After being tutored by a classmate, she learned that asking questions and practicing can help her overcome obstacles.

• The author failed many tests in school. She was too embarrassed to ask her classmates for help. She studied really hard and passed the test.

• The author didn’t have enough courage to ask the teacher for help in math class. She was afraid she would be punished by her parents if she failed another math test. She was very surprised when she actually passed the math test.

The author includes the phrase “was lost” in paragraph 4 to suggest that the narrator —

• could not find the classroom

• didn’t want Molly’s help

• could not understand how to complete the math problems

• took the wrong bus and couldn’t find the way home

Michael would like to add the following detail to paragraph 2 (sentences 6-9). Getting on the ski lift was not a problem, but getting off of the lift proved to be a challenge. Where should Michael insert this sentence?

• After sentence 6

• After sentence 8

• After sentence 9

• This sentence should not be added to this paragraph.