The document outlines a series of educational activities and excerpts featuring thoughts from author Toni Morrison on writing and inspiration. It presents questions based on various reading passages, assessing comprehension through multiple-choice answers. The text also discusses energy consumption in the U.S. and historical events regarding Viking settlements in Iceland.

1. Reading & Language Arts (Higher Order
Thinking Questions Practice)

2. Instructions
• Split your class into even groups
• A question will appear on the board and we
will read it as a class.
• Each group will be given a chance to
answer the question on a white board or
sheet of paper
– The students will be given only 1 minute to
answer
• If the group gets the question right, they get
a point.
• Group with the most points wins.

3. Though best known for her fiction, including her latest novel,
A Mercy, Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison is also a notable essayist and
reviewer. Below, an excerpt from an interview, Morrison offers her thoughts on
the practice of writing.
My 15-year-old daughter lives to write. What advice do you have for young writers?
The work is the work itself. If she writes a lot, that's good. If she revises a lot, that's even
better. She should not only write about what she knows but about what she doesn't know.
It extends the imagination.
Where do you find your inspiration? Sometimes ideas arrive through reading
contradictory things in history books or newspapers; sometimes it's a response or reaction
to current events. But that only explains where some of the themes come from. I can't
explain inspiration. A writer is either compelled to write or not. And if I waited for
inspiration I wouldn't really be a writer.
Based on the passage, which of the following could be another way to ask the second
question?
A. What motivates you to be inspired?
B. What motivates you to inspire others?
C. How do you find your reactions to events?
D. How do you develop your ideas for writing?

4. ANSWER
D This is the correct answer because in her answer, Ms. Morrison speaks of
inspiration, but also about finding ideas through other ways such as history
books, news papers and current events.
Choice A –This is not the correct answer because Ms. Morrison’s response
states that if she waited around for inspiration she wouldn’t really be a
writer.
Additionally, the word motivation is similar in meaning to the word
inspiration.
Choice B—This is not the correct answer because it is an inaccurate
interpretation of Ms. Morrison’s answer. She speaks of her own inspiration
for writing, not how she inspires others to write.
Choice C –This is not the correct answer because Ms. Morrison speaks of
finding ideas through history books and news events, but also gives her
thoughts on inspiration for writing. This is not the best answer.

5. Toni Morrison (born Chloe Anthony Wofford in 1931)
Though best known for her fiction, including her latest novel,
A Mercy, Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison is also a notable essayist and reviewer.
Below, an excerpt from an interview, Morrison offers her thoughts on the practice of writing.
My 15-year-old daughter lives to write. What advice do you have for young writers?
The work is the work itself. If she writes a lot, that's good. If she revises a lot, that's even
better. She should not only write about what she knows but about what she doesn't know. It
extends the imagination.
Where do you find your inspiration? Sometimes ideas arrive through reading contradictory
things in history books or newspapers; sometimes it's a response or reaction to current events.
But that only explains where some of the themes come from. I can't explain inspiration. A
writer is either compelled to write or not. And if I waited for inspiration I wouldn't really be a
writer.
1. Based on the italicized introduction, what can the reader conclude about Toni Morrison?
A. She prefers to review the work of others.
B. She prefers writing fiction over nonfiction.
C. She writes both fiction and nonfiction books.
D. She writes essays about the works of other writers.

6. Choice C – This is the correct answer. The reader can
draw this conclusion based on details in the passage.
Essays and reviews are nonfiction and in the beginning of
the introduction it says that she is known for her fiction.
Explanation of the correct answer:
Choice A – This is not the correct answer because this
conclusion is not supported by details in the passage. It
states that she is a notable reviewer, but does not elaborate
on her feelings about reviewing.
Choice B –This is not the correct answer because it is a
misinterpretation of the information in the passage. It
states that she has written award winning fiction in
addition to nonfiction works.
Choice D –This is not the correct answer because there is
not enough information in the passage to support this
conclusion.

7. Political cartoons illustrate news
events, political issues or social
messages. These cartoons use
various devices--including
metaphors, symbols, humor and
occasionally text--to explain
complicated situations and
summarize events. This cartoon
about quarreling between the U.S.
Congress and the White House is
one example.
Cartoon: Another Civil War
(Credit: Mike Luckovich The
Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
The example of a political cartoon helps the reader to
better understand that
A. serious events and messages can be represented with
cartoons.
B. the U.S. Congress building is larger than the White
House.
C. cartoons are the best way to represent the news.
D. fighting between political parties is ongoing.

8. Explanation of the correct answer:
Choice A –This is the correct answer because the caption states that
political cartoons are used to relate serious and often complicated
news. The cartoon is an example of a serious issue being portrayed by
a cartoon.
Choice B—This is not the correct answer because it is a detail in the
cartoon, not the essential message of the cartoon. In addition, the
buildings are not labeled.
Choice C –This is not the correct answer because it is an opinion not a
conclusion that can be drawn from studying the cartoon.
Choice D—This is not the correct answer because it is not an inference
that can be made from the cartoon or caption. There is no evidence to
support this idea.

9. In 2007, about 86% of the energy used in the U.S. came from fossil fuels,
mainly petroleum, natural gas, or coal. The rest came mostly from nuclear
power, and renewable resources such as hydroelectric power, geothermal,
solar, and wind energy. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable sources of energy. That
means the amount of fossil fuel available for use will get used up after many
years. States may soon have problems keeping up with energy demands. Many
states need more power plants because the demand for power is increasing,
partly because of the use of computers, flat screen televisions and other
appliances. Scientists are trying to find more sources of energy that will reduce
pollution and save some of the fossil fuels. People are using several types of
renewable resources. Some of these forms of energy exist in an unlimited
supply.
1. The information in the article would be most useful for a presentation on
A. conserving fossil fuel energy from state to state
B. the unlimited supply of renewable resources
C. energy in the United States
D. renewing fuel sources

10. Explanation of the correct answer:
Choice C – This is the correct answer because the
passage addresses several issues regarding energy in the
United States.
Choice A – This is not the correct answer because conservation of fossil
fuels is mentioned, but not discussed at length in the passage.
Choice B – This is not the correct answer because the amount of
renewable resources available is mentioned, but not discussed at length in
the passage.
Choice D –This is not the correct answer because the passage discusses
more than just renewing fuel sources.

11. In 2007, about 86% of the energy used in the U.S. came from fossil fuels,
mainly petroleum, natural gas, or coal. The rest came mostly from nuclear
power, and renewable resources such as hydroelectric power, geothermal,
solar, and wind energy. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable sources of energy. That
means the amount of fossil fuel available for use will get used up after many
years. States may soon have problems keeping up with energy demands. Many
states need more power plants because the demand for power is increasing,
partly because of the use of computers, flat screen televisions and other
appliances. Scientists are trying to find more sources of energy that will reduce
pollution and save some of the fossil fuels. People are using several types of
renewable resources. Some of these forms of energy exist in an unlimited
supply.
Based on the passage, how does the author support the idea that renewable
energy sources may soon replace fossil fuels?
A. States may soon have problems keeping up with energy demands.
B. People are using several types of renewable resources.
C. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable sources of energy.
D. Scientists are trying to find new energy sources.

12. Choice C –This is the correct answer because fossil fuels cannot be
renewed once they are used up. The passage states that fossil fuels will
get used up in a number of years and will have to be replaced with
renewable resources.
Explanation of the correct answer:
Choice A –This is not the correct answer because it doesn’t contain
any information that would support the concept of nonrenewable fossil
fuels.
Choice B –This is not the correct answer because although renewable
resources are currently used as energy sources, this answer does not
contain enough information.
Choice D—This is not the correct answer because it doesn’t contain
enough information to support the idea that new energy sources will
replace fossil fuel.

13. Read the paragraph and select the best answer.
Are dolphins or sharks the king of the ocean? Here are some facts, you
decide. A dolphin’s skeleton is stiff and made of heavy bone. A dolphin’s nostrils
are located on the top of their head. This “blowhole” makes it necessary for
dolphins to surface to breathe. Dolphins live in open waters from the polar waters
all the way to warm tropical seas.
The shark has a very light, flexible skeleton made out of cartilage.
Sharks breathe through gills and do not need to surface in order to breath.
Sharks can be found in almost any ocean from the North Atlantic to the South
Atlantic.
1. What is one way that sharks and dolphins are similar?
A. They both eat primarily fish.
B. They breathe the same way.
C. They live in the same oceans.
D. Their skeletons are the same.

14. Explanation of the correct answer:
Choice C – This answer is correct because the passage states that
dolphins live from the polar waters to warm tropical seas and sharks
can be found in oceans from the North Atlantic to the South Atlantic,
which are the same.
Choice A – This answer is not correct because the passage does not say
anything about what they eat.
Choice B – This answer is not correct because the passage states that
dolphins breathe through blow holes and sharks use gills to breathe.
Choice D – This answer is not correct because the passage state that
the dolphin’s skeleton is heavy bone and the shark’s is flexible
cartilage.

15. Read the passage and select the best answer.
Earth is warming from the North Pole to the South Pole.
For the entire world, the temperature has already
ascended more than one degree. The effects of warming
temperatures are being inflicted on the Earth and its
inhabitants right now. Globally, ice is melting, especially
at the poles. The sea level is rising faster than previous
rates. In addition, the average rainfall has increased
around the world.
1. What is NOT an effect of the rise in temperature
mentioned in the passage?
A. Animals are losing their habitat.
B. The sea level is rising.
C. Rain is increasing.
D. Ice is melting.

16. Explanation of the correct answer:
Choice A – This answer is correct because the
passage does not mention whether or not animal
habitats are affected by the rising temperatures.
Choice B – This answer is not correct because the
passage says that rainfall has increased.
Choice C – This answer is not correct because the
passage says that sea levels are rising faster than in
the past.
Choice D – This answer is not correct because the
passage says that the ice is melting at the poles.

17. Read this excerpt from the passage.
By the end, they were hungry, dirty, sleep-deprived and
sore from toting around backpacks with 20-pound barbells
inside.
In the sentence above the author lists the condition of the kids
at the end of the experiment in order to
A. show the effects caused by being homeless.
B. describe ways the kids became homeless.
C. make being homeless seem appealing.
D. explain the causes of homelessness.

18. Answer: Choice A
This is the correct answer because the kids experienced being dirty,
tired, and hungry after they lived, homeless, on the streets for 24
hours. Their discomfort was caused by being homeless.
Choice B –This is not the correct answer because the kids volunteered
to experience homelessness. They are not really homeless.
Choice C –This is not the correct answer because the author is
describing homelessness in a negative way. The author makes it clear
that being homeless is not appealing.
Choice D –This is not the correct answer because there aren’t any
details in the passage that explain how a person becomes homeless.

19. In 2007, about 86% of the energy used in the U.S. came from
fossil fuels, mainly petroleum, natural gas, or coal. The rest came
mostly from nuclear power, and renewable resources such as
hydroelectric power, geothermal, solar, and wind energy. Fossil
fuels are nonrenewable sources of energy. That means the
amount of fossil fuel available for use will get used up after many
years. States may soon have problems keeping up with energy
demands. Many states need more power plants because the
demand for power is increasing, partly because of the use of
computers, flat screen televisions and other appliances. Scientists
are trying to find more sources of energy that will reduce
pollution and save some of the fossil fuels. People are using
several types of renewable resources. Some of these forms of
energy exist in an unlimited supply.
The information in the article would be most useful for a
presentation on
A. conserving fossil fuel energy from state to state
B. the unlimited supply of renewable resources
C. energy in the United States
D. renewing fuel source

20. ANSWER: Choice C
This is the correct answer because the passage
addresses several issues regarding energy in the
United States.
Choice A – This is not the correct answer because
conservation of fossil fuels is mentioned, but not
discussed at length in the passage.
Choice B – This is not the correct answer because the
amount of renewable resources available is
mentioned, but not discussed at length in the passage.
Choice D –This is not the correct answer because the
passage discusses more than just renewing fuel
sources.

21. Read the paragraph and select the best answer.
In 874 Viking long ships were beached on a promontory in the southwest
of Iceland, where Reykjavik now stands. They had brought from the
coast of Norway a chieftain, Ingokfuyr Arnarson, together with his
family, dependents and livestock. Arnarson established a settlement,
based on fishing and sheep farming. Other similar groups soon followed,
staking out territories round the coast of the island. Two centuries later
the population of Iceland was already about 75,000 people – a level not
exceeded until the 20th century.
1. What would be a good title for this passage?
A. The Establishment of Reykjavik
B. Arnarson Comes to Iceland
C. The Growth of Iceland
D. Vikings Settle Iceland

22. Explanation of the correct answer:
Choice D – This answer is correct. This article is mostly
about how the Vikings came to Iceland and settled it.
Choice A – This answer is not correct. One of the details is
how Reykjavik was established, but that is not what the
whole passage is about.
Choice B – This answer is not correct. How Arnarson came
to Iceland is one of the details in the passage, but it is not
what the whole passage is about.
Choice C – This answer is not correct. This is not what the
article is about, it is too broad and goes too far beyond the
details.

23. A Book
By Emily Dickinson
There is no frigate like a book
To take us lands away,
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry.
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears a human soul!
What literary device does the
author use in the poem above?
A. onomatopoeia, using words that
imitate sounds
B. irony, showing the
unexpectedness of books
C. simile, comparing a book to a
frigate (ship)
D. imagery, creating a vivid image
of book

24. ANSWER: Choice C
This is the correct answer. In the first line of the poem the
author compares a book to a frigate—both can take you on
a journey.
Choice A –This is not the correct answer because there
aren’t any words in the poem that evoke sound when read.
Choice B—This is not the correct answer because there is
nothing presented in the poem about books that could be
considered unexpected.
Choice D—This is not the correct answer because the
reader does not use vivid language that evokes the senses

25. PANDORA'S BOX
A Story From Ancient Greece retold by Jan McPherson
A box was hidden away in a back room of Pandora's house. Pandora had been
told never to open it or touch it. Only the great god Zeus knew what was inside. Each day as she swept
the room, Pandora could see the box, high on a shelf. It looked old and mysterious, and there were
strange patterns carved on the outside. One day, as she was sweeping and cleaning, Pandora took a
chair and climbed up onto it to get a better look at the box.
"I'm just cleaning the box," Pandora said to herself, "not really touching it.”
She lifted the box down and blew dust off the lid. Strange--a faint humming noise seemed to be coming
from inside the box. When Pandora put her ear to the lid, the humming grew louder, like little high
voices.
"Pandora, Pandora, open the box!" sang the little humming voices .Pandora
was frightened. Quickly she put the box back on the shelf and ran outside. However, each day after
that, as she swept and cleaned, Pandora looked up at the box and wondered what strange humming
things were inside. Then one day, when Pandora was home by herself, she took down the box and
opened it--just a crack...
"Aaaah!" cried Pandora as a cloud of ugly creatures buzzed about the room,
fighting and screeching and screaming. Hate, greed, anger, sickness and lies! The creatures turned and
headed for the door. All the ugly, screaming creatures were flying out into the world. All except one. "I
am Hope," said the tiny, bright-winged creature. "Wherever they go, I follow." From the box opened
by Pandora, trouble and worry and unhappiness first entered the world, but Hope came, too.
What is Pandora’s problem in the beginning of the story?
A. The voices kept calling her name every day.
B. She thought cleaning the box wouldn’t hurt anything.
C. She was intrigued by the noises coming from inside the box.
D. She thought the creatures making the noise inside really wanted to get out

26. ANSWER: Choice C
This is the correct answer because in the passage it states that Pandora
wondered what was inside the box making the noise. She is so curious
that she eventually opens the box.
Choice A –This is not the correct answer because it is unclear if the
voices continued to call her name or if it was just when she took it
down from the shelf the first time.
Choice B – This is not the correct answer because it is a detail from the
passage that lets the reader know what Pandora is thinking.
Choice D –This is not the correct answer because this is not supported
by the information in the passage

27. A Book
By Emily Dickinson
There is no frigate like a book
To take us lands away,
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry.
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears a human soul!
What is the author’s tone in the poem above?
A. confused about which book to read
B. melancholy about the sad stories she reads in books
C. enthusiastic about the trip a good book can take you on
D. frustrated by how complicated poetry can be for the reader

28. Answer - Choice C
This is the correct answer because the author says there’s nothing like
a book or poem to take you on trip to lands away and that even the
poorest may read a book and travel far away
Choice A –This is not the correct answer because the reader can
conclude that the author would probably know exactly what books she
wanted to read. Furthermore, there aren’t any details in the poem to
support the idea that she is confused.
Choice B – This is not the correct answer because the author does not
use any words that would suggest that she is sad.
Choice D –This is not the correct answer because there are no details
in the poem to support that idea that she thinks poetry is confusing.

29. A Book
By Emily Dickinson
There is no frigate like a book
To take us lands away,
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry.
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears a human soul!
The author uses symbolism in the poem through
A. The comparison of a frigate to a book
B. The chariot representing the journey readers take
C. The prancing poetry does to give it human qualities
D. The repetition of the sound in the words between lines 3 and 4

30. ANSWER: CHOICE B
The chariot symbolizes (represents) the
journey reading or a book takes a
reader.

31. PANDORA'S BOX
A Story From Ancient Greece retold by Jan McPherson
A box was hidden away in a back room of Pandora's house. Pandora had been told never to
open it or touch it. Only the great god Zeus knew what was inside. Each day as she swept the room,
Pandora could see the box, high on a shelf. It looked old and mysterious, and there were strange
patterns carved on the outside. One day, as she was sweeping and cleaning, Pandora took a chair and
climbed up onto it to get a better look at the box.
"I'm just cleaning the box," Pandora said to herself, "not really touching it.” She lifted the
box down and blew dust off the lid. Strange--a faint humming noise seemed to be coming from inside
the box. When Pandora put her ear to the lid, the humming grew louder, like little high voices.
"Pandora, Pandora, open the box!" sang the little humming voices .Pandora was
frightened. Quickly she put the box back on the shelf and ran outside. However, each day after that, as
she swept and cleaned, Pandora looked up at the box and wondered what strange humming things were
inside. Then one day, when Pandora was home by herself, she took down the box and opened it--just a
crack...
"Aaaah!" cried Pandora as a cloud of ugly creatures buzzed about the room,
fighting and screeching and screaming. Hate, greed, anger, sickness and lies! The creatures turned and
headed for the door. All the ugly, screaming creatures were flying out into the world. All except one. "I
am Hope," said the tiny, bright-winged creature. "Wherever they go, I follow." From the box opened
by Pandora, trouble and worry and unhappiness first entered the world, but Hope came, too.
What is the theme of this ancient story?
A. Be careful what you wish for.
B. Don’t listen to voices that call you.
C. Never underestimate the power of hope.
D. Your curiosity can get you into big trouble.

32. ANSWER: Choice D
This is the correct answer because throughout the passage Pandora is
struggling with her curiosity about the box even though she had been
warned not to touch it.
Choice A –This is not the correct answer because Pandora is not
wishing for anything in the passage.
Choice B—This is not the correct answer because it wasn’t the voices
calling Pandora that caused the trouble, it was her curiosity about
what was in the box.
Choice C –This is not the correct answer because hope is only a detail
from the passage, it is not the theme.

33. Read the following sentence.
The pageant contestants considered wearing white after
Labor Day an utter faux pas. If a beauty queen was caught
dead in white she was shunned for the next year.
What does the word faux pas mean as used in the sentence
above?
a) Taboo
b) Triumph
c) Anomaly
d) Trend

34. ANSWER: CHOICE A
Taboo means something that is outside the
norms of a culture or unacceptable. Faux
pas has the same meaning.

35. Read the following sentence:
The cast of characters in Molly’s play were taken aback
when the audience screamed, “Encore!”
In which sentence does the word “cast” have the same
meaning as in the excerpt above.
a. The foundation the statue was cast with wasn’t strong.
b. I didn’t want to audition for the cast of “Romeo and Juliet”
due to my lack of confidence.
c. When I broke my leg, I hated wearing a cast.
d. Little slivers of light cast through my window disturbing my
afternoon nap.

36. B

37. Read the paragraph and select the best answer.
I found my friend’s behavior to be contemptible. He
lied about where he had been last night, and he got into a
fight with one of my other friends. When we got to
school he was rude to his teachers, and refused to help
me in math class.
1. What does the word contemptible mean as used in the
paragraph above?
A. usual
B. disgraceful
C. natural
D. dishonest

38. Explanation of the correct answer:
Choice B – This answer is correct because the statement that follows
contemptible describes several bad things his friend had done like
lying, fighting, being rude and refusing help. All of these things
describe disgraceful behavior.
Choice A – This answer is not correct because nothing in the paragraph
suggests that this is his usual behavior.
Choice C – This answer is not correct because nothing in the paragraph
suggests that this is natural behavior.
Choice D – This answer is not correct because even though his friend lied,
which is dishonest, the other behavior that is described such as fighting,
being rude and refusing help are not dishonest.

39. Read the following sentence.
Bobby was always reprimanded for his lack of participation
and laconic answers.
The word laconic derives from the Roman region of Laconia,
known for their abrupt speech. Based on this information,
what quality does the character possess?
a) Melancholy
b) Volubility
c) Terseness
d) Joviality

40. ANSWER: CHOICE C
Laconic means brief or succinct in speech.
Terse means the same thing.

41. Which pair of words best describes the photo above?
a. destructive, melancholy
b. authoritative, classic
c. humorous, ironic
d. heroic, commanding

42. C

43. Read the paragraph and select the best answer.
Recently in the news there was a story about a fire company that was
called out on a fire call. When they arrived at the location, they found
out that it was a false alarm. After surveying the building to insure
that there was no fire they were ready to leave the scene. Just as they
started back to the station they received a new call. The address was
familiar to the driver. He realized that it was the address of the station
house. When they arrived back at the house, they discovered that
someone had forgotten to turn off the burner on the stove under the
dinner they had been preparing.
1. The above paragraph is an example of what kind of descriptive
language?
A. hyperbole
B. metaphor
C. symbolism
D. irony

44. Explanation of the correct answer:
Choice D – This answer is correct. This is an example of a
situation that turns out differently than you would expect.
Choice A – This answer is not correct. This story is not an
exaggeration.
Choice B – This answer is not correct. This is not a
comparison of two unlike things saying that one thing is the
other thing.
Choice C – This answer is not correct. This is not a reference
to something well known to the reader.