“Bad Boy”

1. “Bad Boy” Assessment Practice 3.4

2. 1. What can the reader infer about the setting of the story? • The story takes place in the country. • The story takes place in a city. • The story takes place in present day. • The story takes place during the 1980s.

3. B. The story takes place in a city. • Since the narrator has other young kids to play with, he can walk to and from school, and there are multiple schools in the area, we can infer that the story takes place in the city and not the country. The details about the furniture, sporting games and Jackie Robinson are signals that this is not present day. There is nothing to infer that the story takes place in the 1980s.

4. 2. Jason is writing an analytical paragraph examining Walter’s character. Read the topic sentence and supporting textual evidence for his paragraph. Walter is a mischievous young man. For example, when Walter was walking behind Mr. Lasher, he decided he wanted to make the other students laugh by pretending to kick the teacher.Which sentence of commentary would be the BEST to add to this paragraph to further the writer’s analysis? • Walter obviously likes to be the class clown. • Walter’s actions show that he does not like Mr. Lasher. • Walter’s actions prove that he is afraid of getting in trouble. • Walter begs Mr. Lasher to forgive him for the accident.

5. A. Walter obviously likes to be the class clown. The fact that Walter wanted to make the other students laugh implies that he likes to joke around and would be appropriate commentary. Since Walter did not really intend to kick Mr. Lasher, it doesn’t make sense to state that he disliked him or feared getting in trouble. Walter did not beg for forgiveness from the teacher.

6. 3.Read this portion of dialogue.“You’re in my class for a reason,” he said as I sat at the side of hisdesk. “Do you know what the reason is?” “Because I was promoted to the sixth grade?” I asked. “Because you have a history of fighting your teachers,” he said. “And I’m telling you right now, I won’t tolerate any fighting in myclass for any reason. Do you understand that?” “Yes.” “You’re a bright boy, and that’s what you’re going to be in thisclass.”Which of these statements describes how the narrator’s voice relates to his audience and purpose in this memoir? • The narrator’s confused voice suggests that no one had spoken to him this way in the past. • The narrator’s hesitant voice communicates that he is frightened of the new teacher. • The narrator’s mature voice tells readers to not disappoint their teachers; they want you to enjoy new things. • The reader’s cheerful voice conveys the message to not be afraid of new people.

7. A. The narrator’s confused voice suggests that no one had spoken to him this way in the past. As the narrator speaks with his teacher, he is not certain why he is in Mr. Lasher’s class except that he is in sixth grade. The narrator’s voice shows confusion to allow the audience to realize that Mr. Lasher’s expectations were new to the narrator.

8. Read the dialogue from the passage: “And if you’re going to sit back here and read, you might as well read something worthwhile,” she snapped.What can the reader infer from the teacher’s diction in this statement? • She is explaining her anger with Walter. • She is explaining her opinion of his behavior. • She is telling Walter not to bother her with questions. • She is telling Walter that reading comic books are a waste of time.

9. D. She is telling Walter reading comic books is a waste of time. • At this point in the story, Walter was reading a comic book while he was supposed to be punished for his behavior. Mrs. Conway’s diction implies that what he was reading (a comic book) was not a good use of his time.

10. Read the sentence from the text:Mama was sitting on the park bench across from our house when came down the street with Mr. Lasher firmly holding my hand.Which adverb could BEST replace the word firmly? • hard • tightly • barely • secure

11. B. tightly • A and D are adjectives, not adverbs. It doesn’t make sense that Mr. Lasher would barely be holding onto Walter. Tightly is the best replacement for firmly.

12. Read the closing of a letter that Mr. Lasher wrote to Walter to congratulate him for earning good grades in school. Working hard in school is important, and I am so proud of you, son. Keep up the good work. Sincerely, Mr. LasherIn Mr. Lasher’s diction, which word BEST helps the reader understand how the teacher’s voice relates to his audience and purpose? • “proud” • “hard” • “important” • “work”

13. A. proud By saying that he is proud of Walter, Mr. Lasher’s voice is relaying his purpose and connecting with his audience (Walter).

14. Read the personal letter Walter wrote to his teacher.Dear Mrs. Conway, Thank you for allowing me to borrow the book from our classroom library and take it to my house over the weekend. P.J Lynchs novel East o’ the Sun and West o’ the Moon is a great book. I read the entire thing in a day. I loved it! Sincerely, WalterWhich of these is the correct way to write the underlined sentence? • P.J. Lynch’s novel East o’the Sun and West o’the Moon is a great book. • P.J. Lynchs novel East o’the Sun and West o’the Moon is a great book. • P.J. Lynch’s novel East o’the Sun and West o’the Moon is a great book. • P.J. Lynch’s novel “East o’the Sun and West o’the Moon” is a great book.

15. C. P.J. Lynch’s novel East o’the Sun and West o’the Moon is a great book. • The writer’s name needs an apostrophe to show possession. The book title should be in italics (or underlined) to show that it is a longer work.