Edge Level B Unit 4

Edge Level B Unit 4

Cluster 1 "Curtis Aikens and the American Dream"

1. How was Curtis able to succeed in school without being able to read?

A. His parents helped him with his homework each night. B. He could remember just about everything he heard. C. He watched TV and listened to recordings of famous people. D. He asked his classmates for help with assignments.

LA.910.1.7.4 The correct answer is B.

Options A, C, and D are incorrect because they represent plausible but incorrect distractors.

Option A is incorrect because the reader is never told about anyone helping Curtis with his homework. Option B is correct because he "...had two things going for me" as the reader learns on page 307, "`I remembered stuff--I had pretty much total recall--and I had a likeable personality.'" Remembering information told to him in class helped him to succeed in school. Option C is incorrect because as the reader learns on page 307, "He says he built his vocabulary and charisma by watching TV and listening to recordings of great black entertainers..." This helped him with speaking, but it did not help him learn to read. Option D is incorrect because the reader does not learn that Curtis asked classmates for assistance with his assignments.

2. The author cites examples of Curtis facing obstacles which highlighted his inability to read and write EXCEPT

F. authoring an article about how to pick the perfect fig G. reading the names of the produce included in packing boxes H. feeling upon signing his letter of intent for Southern University I. comprehending invoices for fruits and vegetables

LA.910.1.7.3 The correct answer is F.

Options G, H, and I are incorrect because they represent plausible but incorrect distractors based on the text.

Option F is correct because Curtis wrote the article after he became literate. The reader learns on page 314, "Before he could read, he says, his confidence was just for show. Now it was brimming over, looking for an outlet. Eventually, he sold himself as a food columnist to the editor of the local paper. He wrote his first column on how to pick the perfect fig." Option G is incorrect because he created his own system for "reading" the labels. As the reader learns on page 311, "Curtis even developed a microlanguage of produce to help him deal with crates. He learned to recognize that two Ps meant the box contained apples..." Option H is incorrect because he was not as happy as his family was when he signed his letter of intent. As the reader learns on page 309, "Curtis should have been beaming along with them. `But my face just

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looked like this sheer face of horror: `Oh, no. Here I go again. Four more years of having to fake this.'" Option I is incorrect because Curtis could not read the invoices. As the reader learns on page 311, "He could pretend to read an invoice but ultimately had to believe that it was right."

3. Why did the author write this biography?

A. to show that former football stars can also be good cooks B. to tell an entertaining story about a boy who grew up to help others learn to cook C. to show how selling produce can lead to a job in television on the Food Network D. to tell illiterate people not to feel shame, but to ask for help

LA.910.1.7.2 The correct answer is D.

Options A, B, and C are incorrect because they represent incorrect interpretations of the author's purpose or perspective.

Option A is incorrect because although Curtis was a high school football star and grew up to be a famous chef, this is not the storyline that was the purpose of the biography. Option B is incorrect because the biography is informative, not merely entertaining, and the main idea of the biography is not that Curtis helped others learn to cook or that he has published cookbooks. Option C is incorrect because in Curtis's case, he did sell produce and later became a chef on the Food Network. However, not all produce sellers become TV stars, and not all Food Network stars began their careers as produce sellers. Option D is correct because the author wanted to highlight Curtis's triumph over illiteracy. As the reader learns on pages 315 and 316, "The only reason he (Curtis) wanted to share all of this is because he has a cause: `Illiteracy is a problem that all of America can unite around...This is one thing we can all get together on.'"

4. What changed in the life of Curtis Aikens when he became literate?

F. he could cook delicious food G. he ate chips and watched cooking shows on TV H. he sold fruit and vegetables in California I. he became very self-confident

LA.910.1.7.4 The correct answer is I.

Options F, G, and H are incorrect because they represent incorrect causal relationships based on the text.

Option F is incorrect because Curtis could cook before he learned to read as the reader learns on page 308 in the section titled "The High School Years," "It would have been hard to fail Curtis Aikens: star football player, student council member, winner of a statewide cooking competition..." Option G is incorrect because as the reader learns on page 312, after Curtis' produce business crumbled, he "...was feeling the undertow of his illiteracy....You don't have really have friends to socialize with....So a bag of chips and a Coke and my television were my friends." The reader is not told if Curtis watched cooking shows. Option H is incorrect because after he left college, still illiterate, Curtis headed to California. On page 310 the reader learns that "And the first idea that came to my head was to start a produce company. I wrote the

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number one down. But I never wrote the idea out. I didn't know how in the world to write that." Option I is correct because his confidence grew as he learned to read. The reader learns on page 314, "Before he could read, he says, his confidence was just for show. Now it was brimming over, looking for an outlet."

5. Which of the following best describes the organization of this biography?

A. information presented in order of importance B. information presented in chronological order C. anecdotes from the life of the Aikens family D. explanations of the success of a Food Network star

LA.910.1.7.5 The correct answer is B.

Options A, C, and D are incorrect because they represent incorrect interpretations of text structures/organizational patterns.

Option A is incorrect because the sections in the biography are not presented in order of importance. Option B is correct because the sections in the biography are presented in chronological order: Elementary School Days (pages 306-308), The High School Years (pages 308-309), College and Work (pages 309-311), Reaching Out for Help (pages 312 and 313), Building a New Life (pages 313 and 314), and Helping Others (pages 314-316). Option C is incorrect because there are few anecdotes in the biography. Dictionary. defines anecdote as a short account of a particular incident or event of an interesting or amusing nature, often biographical. The biography is about Curtis Aikens, not the other members of his family. Option D is incorrect because the fact that Curtis Aikens became a Food Network star is mentioned so that the reader can relate to him. As the reader learns in the introduction on page 306, "Now, at age forty-one, he's molded himself into a celebrity chef, with three cookbooks to his name and his own show on the Food Network."

Edge Level B Unit 4

Cluster 1 "Go For It!"

6. Curtis Aikens and Magic Johnson have many similarities EXCEPT

F. do charitable things to help others G. were athletes in high school and college H. attended but did not graduate from college I. have their own show on television

LA.910.1.7.7 The correct answer is I.

Options F, G, and H are incorrect because they represent similarities drawn from the text.

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Option F is incorrect because both men are charitable. As the reader learns in the caption on page 315, "Aikens donates part of the profits from his cookbook sales to literacy programs across the country." As the reader learns in the box on page 321, "But Johnson gives back to the community through his charity, The Magic Johnson Foundation. He provides scholarships and develops community centers and technology training centers." Option G is incorrect because Curtis Aikens was a high school football star and after signing a letter of intent, attended Southern University to play football. As the reader learns in the box on page 321, "Earvin "Magic" Johnson got his nickname in high school after a local sportswriter saw him in action on the basketball court. Johnson went on to play basketball for two years at Michigan State University..." Option H is incorrect because both men attended college, but did not graduate. As the reader learns about Curtis Aikens on page 309, "He barely made it through his first year at Southern, and halfway through his sophomore year, he dropped out." As the reader learns about Magic Johnson in the box on page 321, "Johnson went on to play basketball for two years at Michigan State University in East Lansing. Then in 1979, he was drafted by the NBA to play for the Los Angeles Lakers." Option I is correct because only Curtis Aikens has his own show on television. It is on the Food Network.

7. Why does the reader learn more about what Magic Johnson thinks and feels by reading "Go For It!" than what Curtis Aikens thinks and feels by reading "Curtis Aikens and the American Dream"?

A. Dan Rather wrote "Curtis Aikens and the American Dream" after interviewing Curtis. B. As the author of "Go For It!" Magic Johnson knows more about himself than anyone else. C. Magic Johnson is more famous than Curtis Aikens, and, therefore, people want to know more

about him. D. Curtis Aikens learned at a young age how to keep secrets about how he felt about himself.

LA.910.1.7.3 The correct answer is B.

Options A, C, and D are incorrect because they represent incorrect inferences or conclusions based on details found in the text.

Option A is incorrect because as a biography, "Curtis Aikens and the American Dream" is about Curtis's life before and after he learned to read written by a newsman. "Go For It!" is written about Magic Johnson by Magic Johnson. When the author is writing about himself, more personal thoughts and feelings can easily be included in the selection. Option B is correct because although "Go For It!" is considered an opinion essay, Magic Johnson is writing about himself. Obviously, he is the expert on Magic Johnson's life. Option C is incorrect because the issue of who is more famous to which audience is not a concern. The relationship of the author to the subject is the concern. A writer writing about himself will naturally share more feelings and thoughts than an interviewer writing about someone else. Option D is incorrect because the fact that as a child Curtis Aikens learned how to hide his illiteracy is irrelevant to the question.

8. What message does Magic Johnson want to give to young people?

F. practice your sport G. work hard in school

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H. do what everyone else does I. mind your teachers

LA.910.1.7.3 The correct answer is G.

Options F, H, and I are incorrect because they represent incorrect interpretations of the main idea.

The opinion essay can be summarized: Basketball star Magic Johnson encourages readers of this essay to complete school and go to college. He advises young people to pursue a variety of professions that are beneficial to society and not just to focus on a career in the NBA. Option F is incorrect because rather than telling young people to practice their sport, on page 320 Magic Johnson uses statistics to point out that the chance of playing on a major league sports team is very slight. "You have to understand that your chances of playing basketball for a living are miniscule." Option G is correct because as Magic says on page 322, "Growing up today is hard." On pages 320 and 321 Magic writes, "If you can possibly go to college, go! I know it's hard. I know that some kids you know will discourage you. If you're ambitious, if you study hard, if your goals are high, some people may tell you you're `acting white.' Stay away from these people!" Option H is incorrect because Magic does not advocate acting or thinking one way just because that is what everyone else is doing. As the reader learns on page 321 Magic says, "If the people around you aren't going anywhere, if their dreams are no bigger than hanging out on the corner, or if they're dragging you down, get rid of them." Option I is incorrect because Magic does not tell young people to mind their teachers. His message is stated on page 323, "You're the only one who can make the difference." He says not to rely on anyone else; you are responsible for your own future.

9. Why did the author select the title, "Go For It!"?

A. Magic thinks all students have a chance to play professional sports if they practice hard enough.

B. Magic believes that negative people around you make you stronger and more focused. C. Magic wants to provide computer access to everyone at Michigan State University. D. Magic feels that you must keep your eye on your goal and work hard to reach it.

LA.910.1.7.2 The correct answer is D.

Options A and B are incorrect because they represent facts and details that do not support the author's purpose or represent the author's perspective. Option C is incorrect because it represents information not in the text.

Option A is incorrect because Magic thinks that very, very few students can make it in the big leagues. The reader learns on page 320 Magic uses statistics to prove that the likelihood of a student's "...chances of playing basketball for a living are miniscule." Option B is incorrect because Magic feels that negative people around you harm you. As he says on page 321, "Negative people can sap your energy so fast, and they can take your dreams from you, too." Option C is incorrect because as the reader learns on page 321, Magic's foundation provides funding for technology training centers. His efforts are not focused on Michigan State University. Option D is correct because as Magic says on page 322, "We've got to quit making excuses....Work hard....Whatever your dream is, go for it."

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