Name Date The Hare and the Tortoise The Choppers and the Wrecks
Today you will read two passages. Read these sources carefully to gather information to answer questions and write an essay. Aesop s The Hare and the Tortoise adapted by Ann Weil 1 The hare was a boastful animal. He was always bragging to the other animals about how fast he could go. I challenge anyone here to race with me, he said to the other animals. 2 For a moment, none of the animals spoke. Then the tortoise broke the silence. I accept your challenge, he said quietly. 3 The hare laughed out loud. That is the funniest joke I have ever heard, he said. You can t be serious. 4 But tortoise was serious. I accept your challenge, the tortoise repeated. And, I expect to win the race. 5 The hare was laughing so hard that he began to choke. After a moment he caught his breath and could speak again. I could beat you with one leg tied behind my back. The hare demonstrated how fast he could hop on only one foot. I could dance round you all the way. I could-- 6 Keep your boasting till after you ve won, interrupted the tortoise. I m ready when you are. Shall we begin? 7 The other animals stared at tortoise in amazement. Everyone knew that tortoises are among the slowest animals. What was tortoise thinking? The tortoise might be able to win a race against a snail, but surely not against a speedy hare. Still, all the other animals helped create a racecourse for this unusual contest. A raccoon scratched a starting line into the dirt of the forest floor. Other animals positioned themselves along the route to watch. Finally, it was time for the race to begin. On your mark. Get set. Go! shouted the robin, flapping her wings to officially start the race. 1 of 12
8 The hare sprinted from the starting line and was almost out of sight at once. After about a minute, he stopped to get a drink of water from a nearby stream. Then he began to nibble on an especially tasty twig. It was a hot summer day, so the hare decided to finish his snack in the shade of an oak tree. 9 Aren t you supposed to be racing? asked a butterfly perched on a blade of grass. bk That slow tortoise is probably less than a foot from the starting line, answered the hare. I have time for a nap. And with that, the hare settled down comfortably next to the tree and fell asleep. bl Meanwhile, the tortoise kept walking. He did not stop for a drink. He did not stop for a snack. He did not stop for a nap. He plodded on and on. He passed the sleeping hare. Then, without looking back, he continued on toward the finish line. bm When the hare finally awoke from his nap, he saw the tortoise near the finish line. The hare jumped up and ran like Mercury, but he was too late. The tortoise crossed the finish line ahead of the hare. Slow and steady wins the race. 2 of 12
1. Part A On the basis of the text, which of the following is the most likely reason the tortoise agreed to race the hare? A Tortoise did not like the hare s bragging. B Tortoise was more serious than the hare. C Tortoise knew he was faster than the hare. D Tortoise was showing off for the other animals. Which sentence from the text best supports the correct answer to Part A? A I accept your challenge, the tortoise repeated. B The other animals stared at tortoise in amazement. C Everyone knows that tortoises are among the slowest animals. D Keep your boasting till after you ve won, interrupted the tortoise. 2. Part A What type of story is The Hare and the Tortoise? A fable a story that teaches a lesson, often using animal characters that behave like people B fairy tale a story with characters that have magical powers C nonfiction a story about something that really happened D realistic fiction a story about something that could have happened in real life Which detail from the story best supports the correct answer to Part A? A Tortoises are slow animals. B Animals act and talk like people. C The hare stops for a drink of water. D Many animals live in the same place. 3 of 12
3. Which three details from the story help create the setting? A The hare was laughing so hard that he began to choke. B A raccoon scratched a starting line into the dirt of the forest floor. C I challenge any-one here to race with me, he said to the other animals. D After about a minute, he stopped to get a drink of water from a nearby stream. The tortoise might be able to win a race against a snail, but surely not against a speedy hare. E It was a hot summer day, so the hare decided to finish his snack in the shade of an oak tree. 4. Part A What does the author mean by saying that the hare ran like Mercury? A very slow B very fast C very clever D very strong Who was Mercury? A the messenger who was very speedy B someone who carried the world on his shoulders C someone who had good luck D someone who keeps time E someone who was very strong 4 of 12
Characters: Narrator Jacob Lisa Michelle James Mary Jane Moore The Choppers and the Wrecks adapted by Ann Weil Jacob and his sister, Michelle, were used to getting what they wanted. So when Jacob received an expensive new bicycle for his tenth birthday, he was excited, but not too surprised. Look, Michelle! This Chopper 500 is just like the one I saw on the Internet. Let s go for a ride so I can try it out. Michelle: I ll get my bike. We can ride to the soccer field. Practice starts in an hour. Just then James and Lisa, also brother and sister, turned the corner. They stopped when they saw Jacob and Michelle. James: Hi, Jacob. Hi, Michelle. Lisa: Nice bikes! Yours looks new, Jacob. Is it a Chopper? Yeah, it s a Chopper 500, actually. They re incredibly fast. How about a race? First team to get to the soccer field buys the other team a soda and candy bar from the vending machine. James: Sure! Lisa: All right! And the race was on... 5 of 12
So long, suckers! Jacob and Michelle shot off like rockets pedaling as fast as their legs would go. James and Lisa pushed off the curb as they had countless times before, riding along at a nice steady pace on their worn, but sturdy bikes. Lisa and James pedaled slowly and steadily down the street. Jacob and Michelle were blocks ahead of them, speeding down the roads and darting through the alleys. When they got to First and Main, they had to stop because the traffic light was red. Michelle: Hey, Jacob, isn t that Mary Jane Moore over there at the bus stop? That s her all right. We ve got a really big lead on those two losers. I think we can at least stop and say hi. Jacob and Michelle crossed the street when the light turned green and parked in front of the bus stop to talk to Mary Jane. Mary Jane: Hi, Jacob. Is that a new Chopper 500? Yeah, my parents gave it to me this morning for my birthday. Mary Jane: Where are you two riding to so fast? We re racing Lisa and James to the soccer field. It ll take them all afternoon to get there on those wrecks they ride. Where are you going? Mary Jane: I m on my way to soccer practice. Would you mind giving me a ride? Coach will freak if I m late again. That fancy new seat looks like it s big enough for both of us. 6 of 12
Sure! Hop on. Michelle: Jacob! What about the race? No problem. I could ride to the soccer field and back twice before Jacob and Michelle show up even with Mary Jane on the back. Besides they re nowhere in sight. One of their old bikes probably fell apart or got a flat tire. Meanwhile, a few streets behind, pedaling steadily... James: Lisa, do you really think we can beat Jacob and Michelle? They were really flying at the start of the race. Lisa: Those two are always bragging about something. They ll do something stupid; they always do. Carrying a passenger was much more difficult than Jacob had expected, and he was slowing down. James: (yawning) Hey, what took you guys so long? Did you stop for lunch or something? All this waiting around has made me hungry. I think I d like a root beer and a nice big chocolate bar. Lisa: You can get me a cream soda and a super-sized almond bar. And please hurry. Soccer practice will be starting in a few minutes. Michelle: Come on, Jacob. Let s get this whole embarrassing moment over with. Whatever. And so it was that James and Lisa proved, once again, that slow and steady really does win the race! 7 of 12
5. Part A What is the main lesson of the story? A Slow and steady wins the race. B Those who have plenty want more, so they lose all they have. C The true leader proves himself by his qualities. D There is a time for work and a time for play. Which two events best support the correct main lesson from Part A? A Jacob and Michelle were used to getting what they wanted. B Lisa and James pedaled slowly and steadily down the street. C James and Lisa proved that slow and steady really does win the race. D Carrying a passenger was much more difficult than Jacob had expected. E James and Lisa did not have new bikes. 6. Part A Why does Jacob give Mary Jane a ride? A Jacob wants to quit the race. B Michelle tells him to give Mary Jane a ride. C Mary Jane asks him for a ride to soccer practice. D The Chopper 500 has a seat big enough for two people. What happens as a direct result of giving Mary Jane a ride? A Jacob slows down. B Michelle is mad at Jacob. C James and Lisa make fun of him. D Mary Jane is late to soccer practice. 8 of 12
7. Part A Which two characteristics describe Jacob? A boastful B paces himself C spoiled D unsure Which two pieces of evidence support the correct characteristics of Jacob from Part A? A Hey Jacob, isn t that Mary Jane Moore over there at the bus stop? B pedaled slowly and steadily C used to getting what he wanted D Lisa, do you really think we can beat Jacob and Michelle? E Jacob and Michelle shot off like rockets pedaling as fast as their legs would go. F I could ride to the soccer field and back twice before Jacob and Michelle show up even with Mary Jane on the back. 8. Part A Which two characteristics describe James? A boastful B paces himself C spoiled D unsure Which two pieces of evidence support the correct characteristics of James from Part A? A I could ride to the soccer field and back twice before Jacob and Michelle show up even with Mary Jane on the back. B Jacob and Michelle shot off like rockets pedaling as fast as their legs would go. C used to getting what he wanted D Lisa, do you really think we can beat Jacob and Michelle? E pedaled slowly and steadily F Hey Jacob, isn t that Mary Jane Moore over there at the bus stop? 9. Which character in this play is most like the hare? A Jacob B Michelle C James D Lisa 9 of 12
10. What are the major differences between the structures used to tell each story? List two ways the text structures are different in each story. Support your response with examples of structural elements from both texts. 10 of 12
11. Compare and contrast The Hare and the Tortoise and The Choppers and the Wrecks by explaining two ways the themes and plots of the two texts are similar and two ways they are different. Include details from both texts to support your ideas. 11 of 12
: Answer Sheet 1. Part A 2. Part A 3. E 4. Part A E 5. Part A E 6. Part A 7. Part A E F 8. Part A E F 9. 10. Constructed Response 11. Constructed Response 12 of 12