Cop

yrig

ht ©

Hol

t M

cDou

gal,

a di

visi

on o

f H

ough

ton

Miffl

in H

arco

urt

71

from I KN

OW W

HY THE CAGED BIRD SIN

GS

from I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS

Diagnostic and Selection TestsGrade 9

Assessment File

Selection Test A

Comprehension Read each of the following questions. Then choose the letter of the best answer. (6 points each)

1. Marguerite is ashamed of Momma because Momma

A. goes to church

B. sews clothing

C. uses incorrect grammar

D. works in a store

2. When does Marguerite understand that Momma and Mrs. Flowers are mostly alike?

A. before she hears them gossip at the store

B. when they examine her dress

C. after she visits Mrs. Flowers’s home

D. many years later in her life

3. Mrs. Flowers reminds Marguerite of

A. people on television

B. characters from books

C. her schoolteachers

D. women in Momma’s church

4. What does Mrs. Flowers want Marguerite to do?

A. read aloud

B. help Momma

C. write a short story

D. please her teachers

5. Why is the visit to Mrs. Flowers’s home important to Marguerite?

A. It encourages her to do better in school.

B. It makes her feel liked by someone she respects.

C. It makes her feel superior to her family members.

D. It gives her the opportunity to read more books.

Final Pass PDFTX_L09ASu02_04_Assessment.indd 71TX_L09ASu02_04_Assessment.indd 71 7/10/09 9:12:14 AM7/10/09 9:12:14 AM

Cop

yrig

ht ©

Hol

t M

cDou

gal,

a di

visi

on o

f H

ough

ton

Miffl

in H

arco

urt

72

from

I KN

OW W

HY T

HE C

AGED

BIR

D SI

NGS

SELECTION TEST A, CONTINUED

Diagnostic and Selection TestsGrade 9

Assessment File

Vocabulary Choose the answer that best explains the meaning of each underlined word. (6 points each)

Written Response Short Response Answer the following questions based on your knowledge of the selection. Write a sentence or two on a separate sheet of paper. (10 points each)

11. Which actions of Momma’s embarrass Marguerite? Give at least two examples.

12. Describe how Marguerite responds when Mrs. Flowers reads A Tale of Two Cities to her. Include two details from the selection in your response.

Extended Response Answer the following question based on your knowledge of the selection. Write one or two paragraphs on a separate sheet of paper. (20 points)

13. How does Mrs. Flowers show her respect and friendship for Momma? Include three examples from the selection in your response.

6. What does taut mean?

A. traced around

B. pulled tight

C. buttoned up

D. worn through

7. If a message has clarity , it is

A. clear

B. important

C. true

D. nonsense

8. Someone who leers looks

A. shyly

B. angrily

C. longingly

D. slyly

9. What does homely mean?

A. useless

B. funny

C. false

D. simple

10. Cascading means

A. falling

B. stopping

C. pushing

D. striking

Final Pass PDFTX_L09ASu02_04_Assessment.indd 72TX_L09ASu02_04_Assessment.indd 72 7/10/09 9:12:14 AM7/10/09 9:12:14 AM