ACT Success - Reading Comprehension Practice #3

LITERARY NARRATIVE: This short story, "I Go Along," was written by Richard Peck in 1989.
Anyway, Mrs. Tibbetts comes into the room for second period, so we all see she’s still in school. She’s pregnant, and the smart money says she’ll make it to Easter. After that we’ll have a sub teaching us. Not that we’re too particular about who’s up there at the front of the room, not in this class.
Being juniors, we also figure we know all there is to know about sex. We know things no adult ever heard of. Still, the sight of a pregnant English teacher slows us down some. But she’s married to Roy Tibbetts, a plumber who was in the service and went to jump school, so that’s okay. We see him around town in his truck.
5
And right away Darla Craig’s hand is up. It’s up a lot. She doesn’t know any more English than the rest of us, but she likes to talk. “Hey, Mrs. Tibbetts, how come they get to go and we don’t?”
She means the first-period people, the Advanced English class. Mrs. Tibbetts looks like Darla’s caught her off base. We never hear what a teacher tells us, but we know this. At least Darla does.
“I hadn’t thought.” Mrs. Tibbetts rubs her hand down the small of her back, which may have something to do with being pregnant. So now we’re listening, even here in the back row. “For those of you who haven’t heard,” she says, “I’m taking some members of the—other English class over to the college tonight, for a program.”
10
The college is Bascomb College, a thirty-mile trip over an undivided highway.
“We’re going to hear a poet read from his works.”
15
Somebody says, “Is he living?” And we all get a big bang out of this.
But Mrs. Tibbetts just smiles. “Oh yes, he’s very much alive.” She reaches for her attendance book, but this sudden thought strikes her. “Would anyone in this class like to go too?” She looks up at us, and you see she’s being fair, and nice.
It’s only the second period of the day, so we’re all feeling pretty good. Also it’s a Tuesday, a terrible TV night. Everybody in class puts up their hands. Everybody. Even Marty Crawshaw, who’s already married. And Pink Hohenfield, who’s in class today for the first time this month. I put up mine. I go along.
20
Mrs. Tibbetts has never seen this many hands up in our class. She’s never seen anybody’s hand except Darla’s. Her eyes get wide. Mrs. Tibbetts has great eyes, and she doesn’t put anything on them. Which is something Darla could learn from.
But then she sees we have to be putting her on. So she just says, “Anyone who would like to go, be in the parking lot at five-thirty. And eat first. No eating on the bus.”
25
Mrs. Tibbetts can drive the school bus. Whenever she’s taking the advanced class anywhere, she can use the bus anytime she wants to, unless the coach needs it.
Richard Peck

Question 1

Multiple choice
The scene where Mrs. Tibbetts first announces the trip to Bascomb College primarily serves to:
  • highlight the students' curiosity about poetry.

  • illustrate the general disinterest of the class toward learning.

  • showcase Mrs. Tibbetts' ability to engage her students.

  • demonstrate the different attitudes of students towards extracurricular activities.

Question 2

Multiple choice
It can reasonably be inferred from the passage that the narrator’s feelings toward the poetry reading event change primarily due to:
  • Sharon's unexpected kindness and interest in him.

  • his sudden realization of his love for poetry.

  • Mrs. Tibbetts’ enthusiastic endorsement of the poet.

  • his peers' pressure and encouragement.

Question 3

Multiple choice
The author’s use of the phrase “Being juniors, we also figure we know all there is to know about sex. We know things no adult ever heard of” most likely suggests:
  • the students’ actual advanced knowledge of the subject.

  • the typical arrogance and self-assuredness of teenagers.

  • an educational gap in the school’s curriculum.

  • cultural differences between generations.

Question 4

Multiple choice
According to the passage, the main reason the narrator initially went on the bus to Bascomb College was:
  • his deep interest in poetry.

  • a desire to escape his usual routine.

  • curiosity about the college experience.

  • Sharon's influence and company.

Question 5

Multiple choice
When the narrator states, “Here I am on the school bus for the Gifted with the major goddess girl in school,” it indicates:
  • his recognition of his own academic potential.

  • his sense of being out of place among the advanced students.

  • his indifference to social hierarchies.

  • his excitement about joining an elite group.

Question 6

Multiple choice
The narrator’s description of the coach’s potential need for the bus implies that:
  • extracurricular activities are highly prioritized in the school.

  • athletics often take precedence over academic trips.

  • the school has limited transportation resources.

  • the coach and Mrs. Tibbetts have a scheduling conflict.

Question 7

Multiple choice
The purpose of the poet’s final poem, “High School,” can be most accurately inferred to:
  • provide a nostalgic view of his own teenage years.

  • critique the pressures and difficulties faced by high school students.

  • highlight the academic rigor of his high school experience.

  • celebrate the accomplishments of high school athletes.

Question 8

Multiple choice
Why does the narrator feel the need to “flinch” when Sharon Willis sits next to him on the bus?
  • He is shocked by her sudden appearance.

  • He was concentrating on something else.

  • He is uncomfortable with her attention and presence.

  • He feels guilty about leaving his friends behind.

Question 9

Multiple choice
What does the interaction between Michelle Burkholder and Sharon Willis on the bus suggest about their social dynamics?
  • Sharon is somewhat independent from her peer group.

  • Michelle is the leader of the group, commanding everyone's actions.

  • Sharon is unpopular and often left out by her friends.

  • Michelle and Sharon have a conflictual relationship.

Question 10

Multiple choice
The narrator's visualization of his environment during the poetry reading reveals his:
  • longing for a return to familiar settings.

  • distraction by the physical settings of the gym.

  • realization of being out of his comfort zone.

  • excitement about being part of a unique experience.

Teach with AI superpowers

Why teachers love Class Companion

Import assignments to get started in no time.

Create your own rubric to customize the AI feedback to your liking.

Overrule the AI feedback if a student disputes.

Other English / ELA Assignments

10. Telling lies or hiding the truth is acceptable for the right reasons.10th Grade Unit 2 Essay11th Grade Dystopian Unit Final Assessment11. True love can conquer all problems.12. Love is a decision you make, not something that happens to you.13. You should always listen to the advice of people more experienced than you.14. Our choices determine our destinies.15. The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.1963 The Year that Changed Everything1984 - Tone Analysis Practice CER(ER)1. Our lives are controlled by fate.2018 AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE FREE-RESPONSE QUESTION 2 - Albright2:26 Persuasion Quick Write2-28 Improve PSTAAR ECR(2) Compare “On Civil Disobedience” with The Crucible2. Love is only worthwhile if it is difficult.3/1/24: The Impact of Emmett Till's Murder on 1955 America3-22 Failure SCR#35 TT/EAT Paragraph "A Kenyan Teen's Discovery"#37: TT/EAT "The Day I Saved a Life"3. You should only date people with a similar background to yours.4-3 Legacy ECR4. Love should always be defended.4th Cultural Landscape of South Africa in Trevor Noah's 'Born a Crime'4th Grade CMAS Practice- Writing5. Parents should have a say in who you date.6. It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.7.3 L7 Mastery Check7.3 L9 Mastery Check7th ELA STAAR Blitz Day 10 SCR7th ELA STAAR Blitz Day 1 SCR7th ELA STAAR Blitz Day 8 SCR7th ELA STAAR Blitz Day 9 SCR7. You must always stand up for what you believe in, no matter how hard it is.8. Teenagers can’t understand what true love really is.8. Teenagers can’t understand what true love really is.8th ELA Day 8 STAAR Blitz SCR8th ELA SB Unit 4 Embedded Assessment: Writing an Analysis of a Humorous Text8th ELA STAAR Blitz Day 10 SCR8th ELA STAAR Blitz Day 1 SCR8th ELA STAAR Blitz Day 4 SCR8th ELA STAAR Blitz Day 6 ECR8th ELA STAAR Blitz Day 7 SCR Writing8th ELA STAAR Blitz Day 9 SCR9. Love at first sight is real.9th Spring Benchmark 9-Week Book Literary AnalysisAbstract 1Abstract contentAbstract - Content