Birthday Party by Katherine Bosu

In paragraph 3, the word indignant most likely means all of the following except--

• irate
• resentful
• scornful
• repentant

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which sentence from the story best helps the audience visualize the evening with the use of imagery?

• It arrived, in the form of a small but glossy birthday cake, with one pink candle burning in the center. The headwaiter brought it in and placed it before the husband, and meanwhile the violin-and-piano orchestra played “Happy Birthday to You,” and the wife beamed with shy pride over her little surprise, and such few people as there were in the restaurant tried to help out with a pattering of applause.
• They sat on the banquette opposite us in a little narrow restaurant, having dinner.
• Crying quietly and heartbrokenly and hopelessly, all to herself, under the gay big brim of her best hat.
• The man had a round, self-satisfied face, with glasses on it; the woman was fadingly pretty, in a big hat.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Which words from paragraph 2 help the reader understand the meaning of the word conspicuous?

• nothing particularly noticeable
• suddenly became obvious
• the husband's birthday
• a little surprise

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

What does the capitalized O in Occasion in paragraph 2 emphasize? Select all that apply.

• the wife's gesture is genuine and heartfelt
• this celebration is something exciting, and is likely a big deal
• the couple rarely does something as extravagant as this dinner
• the importance of the events that are to follow

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

What does the narrator suggest about the couple in paragraph 1?

• They are comfortable and familiar with one another.
• They are uncomfortable, but familiar with one another.
• They are newlyweds, who are still getting to know one another.
• Their marriage is on the brink of divorce.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

In paragraph 4, the word gay most likely means--

• adjective: sexually or romantically attracted to people of one's own sex (used especially of a man).
• adjective: lighthearted, happy, and carefree
• adjective: foolish, stupid, or unimpressive
• noun: a person who is gay (typically referring to a man).
• adjective: bright, lively

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Read this quote from the passage: I couldn’t bear to look at the woman then, so I stared at my plate and waited for quite a long time. Not long enough, though. Based on the quotation, the reader can infer that the narrator feels-- (Select all that apply.)

• commiseration for the woman at the table
• bitterness toward the husband at the table
• like he is intruding on the couple's private moment
• a shameful desire to know more about the couple and their relationship

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Which quotation BEST suggests that the wife feels completely defeated in her plans for a happy evening?

• It became clear at once that help was needed, because the husband was not pleased.
• Instead, he was hotly embarrassed, and indignant at his wife for embarrassing him.
• She was still crying when I finally glanced over there again.
• Crying quietly and heartbrokenly and hopelessly, all to herself, under the gay big brim of her best hat.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Read the excerpt from paragraph 2: There was nothing conspicuous about them, nothing particularly noticeable, until the end of their meal, when it suddenly became obvious that this was an Occasion... The word conspicuous most likely means--

• attracting notice or attention.
• easy to perceive, understand, or interpret.
• in a position of public prominence.
• able to be recognized or identified from previous encounters or knowledge.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which of the following is NOT a reason describing how paragraphs 3-4 are important to the development of the story's plot?

• They include the climax and turning point of the story, and its mood.
• They provide more in depth indirect characterization of the husband.
• They portray the narrator's impression of the couple and their marriage through his point of view.
• They show that the husband was rude to everyone, including the waitstaff.
• They show the crumbling nature of the couple's marriage.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4