Text-Dependent Questions Directions: For the following questions, choose the best answer or respond in complete sentences.
1.
Which of the following best identifies the central idea of the article?
A.
B.
C.
D.
A homeless high school student is motivated to help support her fellow students
get scholarships for college.
The best way to succeed in school is to study hard in and out of the classroom.
Scholarships should be given to homeless high school students who excel both
in and out of the classroom.
A high school student perseveres through the difficulties of homelessness and is
awarded a full college scholarship.
2.
Part A: What does the word “reluctantly” most closely mean as it is used in paragraph 2?
A.
B.
C.
D.
unenthusiastically
patiently
surprisingly
angrily
3.
PART B: Which of the following phrases from the text best supports the answer to Part A?
A.
B.
C.
D.
“The shelter houses up to 300 adults and 500 children” (Paragraph 2)
“I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite place.” (Paragraph 3)
“she would often wake up in the middle of the night” (Paragraph 4)
“Melson says she didn’t keep her homelessness a secret from classmates”
(Paragraph 4)
4.
Which statement best describes Rashema Melson’s plans for college?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Melson wishes that she could go to college, but she is instead planning on
staying at home to support her family.
Melson is attending a college that is far from home because she wants to try to
forget about her rough childhood.
Melson wants to go to college so that she can start a homeless shelter that is
more helpful than the one where she lived.
Melson is attending college with a scholarship and already has plans about what
to do after graduating.
3
5.
How does paragraph 14 contribute to the development of ideas in the article?
4
Discussion Questions
Directions: Brainstorm your answers to the following questions in the space provided. Be prepared to
share your original ideas in a class discussion.
1.
In your opinion, what is the primary reason Rahema succeeded? Cite evidence in your
answer.
2.
Do you believe that our culture tends to expect more or less of people who are
experiencing hardships? Why?
3.
According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, in January 2014, there were
578,424 people experiencing homelessness on any given night in America. Pretend you are
a consultant to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. What is your proposal to reduce
these numbers?
4.
Why do you think Rashema was so driven to excel in school? In general, what is the goal of
education? Cite evidence from this text, your own experience, and other literature, art, or
history in your answer.