READING SAMPLE 1: POETRY 10 KCCT P - McDougal Littell · Name ... of dead men rotting in a pile beside ... and sent the white foam scudding by.I carved a massive cake of beeswax into

Grade 10Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc. All rights reserved. 1

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READING SAMPLE 1: POETRY

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In the epic poem the Odyssey, the hero Odysseus journeys to many landsand endures many trials as he is returning home from the Trojan War. InBook XII, he receives information from the Goddess Kirkê about the dangersthat lie ahead, and in this excerpt he meets one of those dangers, theSeirênês (or “Sirens” as we usually call them today).

Read the following excerpt and answer questions 1–7.

from the Odysseyby Homer

translated by Robert Fitzgerald

Then said the Lady Kirkê:

‘So: all those trials are over.Listen with care

to this, now, and a god will arm your mind.Square in your ship’s path are Seirênês, cryingbeauty to bewitch men coasting by; 5woe to the innocent who hears that sound! He will not see his lady nor his childrenin joy, crowding about him, home from sea;the Seirênês will sing his mind away on their sweet meadow lolling.There are bones 10of dead men rotting in a pile beside them and flayed skins shrivel around the spot.

Steer wide;keep well to seaward; plug your oarsmen’s ears with beeswax kneaded soft; none of the rest should hear that song. 15

But if you wish to listen,let the men tie you in the lugger, hand lugger: small, wideand foot, back to the mast, lashed to the mast, sailing shipso you may hear those harpies’ thrilling voices;shout as you will, begging to be untied,your crew must only twist more line around you 20and keep their stroke up, till the singers fade.What then? One of two courses you may take,and you yourself must weigh them. I shall not plan the whole action for you now, but only tell you of both. 25

Ahead are beetling rocks beetling: overhanging and dark blue glancing Amphitritê, surging, Amphitritê: sparklingroars around them. Prowling Rocks, or Drifters, seawaterthe gods in bliss have named them—named them well.Not even birds can pass them by, not eventhe timorous doves that bear ambrosia 30to Father Zeus; caught by downdrafts, they dieon rockwall smooth as ice.

KCCT PRACTICE TEST

Preparing for the KCCT in Reading/English Language ArtsCopyright © McDougal Littell Inc. All rights reserved.2

Each time, the Fatherwafts a new courier to make up his crew.

Still less can ships get searoom of these Drifters,whose boiling surf, under high fiery winds, 35carries tossing wreckage of ships and men.Only one ocean-going craft, the far-famedArgo, made it, sailing from Aiêta;but she, too, would have crashed on the big rocksif Hêra had not pulled her through, for love 40of Iêson, her captain.

A second courselies between headlands. One is a sharp mountain piercing the sky, with stormcloud round the peak dissolving never, not in the brightest summer,to show heaven’s azure there, nor in the fall. 45No mortal man could scale it, nor so much as land there, not with twenty hands and feet,so sheer the cliffs are—as of polished stone.Midway that height, a cavern full of mist opens toward Erebos and evening. Skirting 50 Erebos: land of darknessthis in the lugger, great Odysseus, beneath earthyour master bowman, shooting from the deck,would come short of the cavemouth with his shaft;but that is the den of Skylla, where she yaps abominably, a newborn whelp’s cry, 55though she is huge and monstrous. God or man,no one could look on her in joy. Her legs— and there are twelve—are like great tentacles,unjointed, and upon her serpent necks are borne six heads like nightmares of ferocity, 60with triple serried rows of fangs and deep gullets of black death. Half her length, she sways her heads in air, outside her horrid cleft,hunting the sea around that promontory for dolphins, dogfish, or what bigger game 65thundering Amphitritê feeds in thousands.And no ship’s company can claimto have passed her without loss and grief; she takes,from every ship, one man for every gullet.

The opposite point seems more a tongue of land 70you’d touch with a good bowshot, at the narrows.A great wild fig, a shaggy mass of leaves,grows on it, and Kharybdis lurks belowto swallow down the dark sea tide.Three times from dawn to dusk she spews it up 75and sucks it down again three times a whirling maelstrom: large,maelstrom; if you come upon her then violent whirlpoolthe god who makes earth tremble could not save you.No, hug the cliff of Skylla, take your ship through on a racing stroke. Better to mourn 80six men than lose them all, and the ship, too.’

READING SAMPLE 1: POETRY continued


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So her advice ran; but I faced her, saying:

‘Only instruct me, goddess, if you will,how, if possible, can I pass Kharybdis,or fight off Skylla when she raids my crew?’ 85

Swiftly that loveliest goddess answered me:

‘Must you have battle in your heart forever?The bloody toil of combat? Old contender,will you not yield to the immortal gods? That nightmare cannot die, being eternal 90evil itself—horror, and pain, and chaos;there is no fighting her, no power can fight her,all that avails is flight.

Lose headway therealong that rockface while you break out arms,and she’ll swoop over you, I fear, once more, 95taking one man again for every gullet.No, no, put all your backs into it, row on;invoke Blind Force, that bore this scourge of men,to keep her from a second strike against you.

Then you will coast Thrinákia, the island 100where Helios’ cattle graze, fine herds, and flocksof goodly sheep.The herds and flocks are seven,with fifty beasts in each.

No lambs are dropped,or calves, and these fat cattle never die.Immortal, too, their cowherds are—their shepherds— 105Phaëthousa and Lampetía, sweetly braidednymphs that divine Neaira boreto the overlord of high noon, Hêlios.These nymphs their gentle mother bred and placedupon Thrinákia, the distant land, 110in care of flocks and cattle for their father.

Now give those kine a wide berth, keep your thoughtsintent upon your course for home,and hard seafaring brings you all to Ithaka.But if you raid the beeves, I see destruction 115for ship and crew.

Rough years then lie betweenyou and your homecoming, alone and old,the one survivor, all companions lost.’As Kirkê spoke, Dawn mounted her golden throne,and on the first rays Kirkê left me, taking 120her way like a great goddess up the island.

I made straight for the ship, roused up the men to get aboard and cast off at the stern.They scrambled to their places by the rowlocks

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and all in line dipped oars in the grey sea. 125But soon an off-shore breeze blew to our liking— a canvas-bellying breeze, a lusty shipmate sent by the singing nymph with sunbright hair.So we made fast the braces, and we rested,letting the wind and steersman work the ship. 130The crew being now silent before me, I addressed them, sore at heart:

‘Dear friends,more than one man, or two, should know those things Kirkê foresaw for us and shared with me,so let me tell her forecast: then we die 135with our eyes open, if we are going to die,or know what death we baffle if we can. Seirênês weaving a haunting song over the sea we are to shun, she said, and their green shore all sweet with clover; yet she urged that I 140alone should listen to their song.Therefore you are to tie me up, tight as a splint,erect along the mast, lashed to the mast,and if I shout and beg to be untied,take more turns of the rope to muffle me.’ 145

I rather dwelt on this part of the forecast,while our good ship made time, bound outward down the wind for the strange island of Seirênês.Then all at once the wind fell, and a calm came over all the sea, as though some power 150lulled the swell.

The crew were on their feet briskly, to furl the sail, and stow it; then,each in place, they poised the smooth oar blades and sent the white foam scudding by. I carved a massive cake of beeswax into bits 155and rolled them in my hands until they softened— no long task, for a burning heat came downfrom Hêlios, lord of high noon. Going forward I carried wax along the line, and laid it thick on their ears.They tied me up, then, plumb 160 plumb: in the exact amidships, back to the mast, lashed to the mast, center of the shipand took themselves again to rowing. Soon,as we came smartly within hailing distance,the two Seirênês, noting our fast ship off their point, made ready, and they sang. 165

This way, oh turn your bows,Akhaia’s glory,

As all the world allows—Moor and be merry.



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Sweet coupled airs we sing. 170No lonely seafarer

Holds clear of enteringOur green mirror.

Pleased by each purling noteLike honey twining 175

From her throat and my throat,Who lies a-pining?

Sea rovers here take joyVoyaging onward,

As from our song of Troy 180Greybeard and rower-boy

Goeth more learned.

All feats on that great fieldIn the long warfare,

Dark days the bright gods willed, 185Wounds you bore there,

Argos’ old soldieryOn Troy beach teeming,

Charmed out of time we see.No life on earth can be 190

Hid from our dreaming.

The lovely voices in ardor appealing over the water made me crave to listen, and I tried to say ‘Untie me!’ to the crew, jerking my brows;but they bent steady to the oars.Then Perimêdês 195got to his feet, he and Eurylokhos,and passed more line about, to hold me still.So all rowed on, until the Seirênêsdropped under the sea rim, and their singing dwindled away. 200

____ 1. When Kirkê tells Odysseus to listen “and a god will arm your mind,” she means

A. she will give him a sword.B. she will give him information.C. she will give him her hand.D. she will give him a spear.

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____ 2. According to Kirkê, which of the following is the most difficult toescape?A. the SeirênêsB. SkyllaC. KharybdisD. bees

____ 3. The poet, Homer, uses the words “back to the mast, lashed to themast” twice (lines 17 and 161).Why does Homer repeat thesewords?

A. He wants readers to think Odysseus is forgetful.B. He wants readers to think Kirkê is speaking in both lines.C. He wants to emphasize how tightly Odysseus must be bound.D. He wants to emphasize the beauty of the words.

____ 4. Who is the narrator of the passage from The Odyssey?

A. OdysseusB. HomerC. KirkêD. Skylla

____ 5. When Homer writes that “Dawn mounted her golden throne,” hereally means that

A. a queen sat on the throne of Thrinakia.B. Kirkê sat on her throne.C. the day was about to end.D. another day was beginning.

____ 6. The Seirênês, in describing their song, use the image “like honeytwining/from her throat and my throat” when calling to Odysseus.How do the words “honey” and “twining” effectively evoke theSeirênês’ dangerous purpose?

A. The words suggest that the Seirênês are very sweet.B. The words suggest how the Seirênês’ sweet voices will bind or

tie up men.C. The words suggest that the Seirênês will feed Odysseus sweet

food.D. The words suggest that the Seirênês will use string to tie up

Odysseus.



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7 Certain temptations “call to us,” just as the Seirênês called toOdysseus.

a. Identify an advertisement, musical group, artist, or other ideasthat try to attract teenagers.

b. Explain how the product (or musical group/artist/ideas) offeredmay actually be harmful for teenagers. Use specific details indescribing the advertisement, musical group, artist, or ideas that you choose.


Although the men in The Odyssey were fictitious characters, there are realpeople who undertake great sea adventures.The following article tells aboutseveral women who braved the sea and its hazards to become legends in thesailing world.

Read the article below. Then answer questions 8–14.

Call of the Mermaid: Women Who Have Braved the Sea Alone

In the Odyssey, Odysseus must have himself lashed to the mast and must stuff his crew’s earswith wax so that they are not enchanted by Sirens, mermaids whose irresistible songs luresailors to their deaths.The sea still calls to sailors, inviting and challenging them to cross itsdepths, but not all sailors who take the challenge are men. In the past twenty-five years, severalwomen have set sail—all alone—to answer the mermaid’s call, and all have lived to tell about it.

The First Female Circumnavigators

The first women to set records by circumnavigating, or sailing around the world, alone wereKrystyna Choynowski-Liskiewicz from Poland and Naomi James from England. Choynowski-Liskiewicz was the first woman to sail around the world by herself. She was twenty-nine whenshe finished her 28,696-mile voyage in 1978, after two grueling years at sea. Naomi Jamescompleted her solo journey a few months after Choynowski-Liskiewicz did, but her voyagefollowed a different route. She used the traditional clipper ship route around Cape Horn, acold, treacherous route used for centuries by merchant ships. Not only did James survive theiceberg-infested route that had sunk hundreds of ships, but she also set a record for solo sailingby making the trip in 272 days.

The First American Woman

In 1985, eighteen-year-old Tania Aebi answered an unusual and dangerous dare: to sail aroundthe world by herself.The dare was unusual because it came from her own father, and it wasdangerous because Aebi had relatively little sailing experience.Aebi heard the mermaid’s call,however, and she left New York for a two-year, 27,000-mile adventure with only her courageand her cat,Tarzoon, to see her through.

Her journey took her to exotic places like the Galapagos Islands, Samoa,Australia, Sri Lanka,Malta, and Gibraltar. Like Odysseus,Aebi encountered frightening seas as she survived monsoonwinds, 45-foot waves, snapped masts, torn sails, and broken engines, as well as almost being runover by a giant freighter. She faced unnerving moments with customs agents in foreign lands,and she had to learn different etiquette for different places, especially in countries in which anunveiled, unmarried, and unaccompanied woman like Aebi was not always welcome. Her tripwas not all hardship, however. She met many kind people, such as the poverty-stricken Sudanesewho bought her a soda but refused to accept her payment for the drink. She also met the manwhom she would marry a year after her return to New York in 1987.

Although Aebi is known as the first American woman and the youngest person ever tocircumnavigate the world alone, she is not recognized in official record books because at onepoint during her voyage she allowed a friend on board for a ride, not realizing that hergenerosity jeopardized her chance at official recognition.

READING SAMPLE 2: INFORMATION


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READING SAMPLE 2: INFORMATION continued

The Woman Who Raced Around the World

In 1991, Frenchwoman Isabelle Autissier accomplished something plenty of men had done butthat no woman had ever achieved. She became the first woman to complete the grueling solocircumnavigation race known as the “Around Alone Challenge.” In a race that has claimed twolives and has been so treacherous that fewer than half of the competitors have ever completedthe race,Autissier’s achievement is remarkable.Autissier did not stop there, however. She hascontinued to race, but not without some close calls.After leading the race in 1994,Autissier wasoverwhelmed by a gigantic wave that wrecked her boat, leaving her stranded in the IndianOcean 1,000 miles from Australia. She survived four days before being rescued by an Australiannavy ship. In the 1999 race,Autissier again came close to death when her boat capsized inisolated waters.Technology came to her rescue, however;Autissier activated a radio beacon thathelped others to locate her position, and she was finally rescued by a fellow competitor.

The Most Recent Woman to Go to Sea Alone

Horrible weather, frightening storms, overwhelming mechanical problems—none of theseobstacles has kept women from continuing to break records as they sail around the world.Most recently,American Karen Thorndike heeded the mermaid’s call to become the first officialAmerican woman to sail solo around the globe. She came up against the same problemsencountered by other sailors, but it was a serious case of the flu that almost jeopardized hermission.When she became ill,Thorndike activated a distress signal that was detected by theBritish Royal Navy off the Falkland Islands. Her radio was too weak to communicate with thenavy directly, so she e-mailed a friend in the United States, who then spoke by phone to thenavy vessel HMS Norfolk. The Norfolk eventually reached Thorndike and got her the medicalattention she needed to continue the journey later. On August 18, 1998, she completed the firstsolo circumnavigation around the five Great Capes by an American woman.

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____ 8. According to the map, which American woman sailed nearest toEurope?

A. Naomi JamesB. Karen ThorndikeC. Krystyna Chownowski-LiskiewiczD. Tania Aebi

____ 9. Under which heading would you most likely find information aboutthe “Around Alone” race?

A. “The First Female Circumnavigators”B. “The First American Woman”C. “The Woman Who Raced Around the World”D. “The Most Recent Woman to Go to Sea Alone”

____ 10. Which pattern below best describes how the article is organized?

A. sequenceB. comparison and contrastC. cause and effectD. generalizations

____ 11. In the article, to what does “call of the mermaid” refer?

A. radio transmissionsB. e-mailC. a woman’s singingD. a deep desire to sail the ocean

____ 12. Which of the following was most instrumental in assuring therescues of both Isabelle Autissier and Karen Thorndike?

A. food and medical suppliesB. life preserversC. communications technologyD. tear-proof sails

____ 13. Which American woman did not gain official recognition for hersolo circumnavigation?

A. Isabelle AutissierB. Karen ThorndikeC. Naomi JamesD. Tania Aebi




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The following question asks you to use information from both the Odyssey and “Callof the Mermaid.”

14. In both the Odyssey and “Call of the Mermaid” the sailors face manydangers and challenges. Compare and contrast the experiences ofthe women sailors with those of Odysseus and his crew. Use at leasttwo specific examples from the poem and the article to explain youranswer.

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READING SAMPLE 3: FICTION

In Robinson Crusoe, an adventure novel by Daniel Defoe (1660–1731), thetitle character takes up a life at sea, against his parents’ wishes.After severalclose calls, he is caught in a violent storm and shipwrecked, alone, on anuninhabited island.

Read his account of the shipwreck, and then answer questions 15–21.

from Robinson Crusoeby Daniel Defoe

In this distress, the wind still blowing very hard, one of our men, early in the morning, criedout,“Land!” and we had no sooner run out of the cabin to look out, in hopes of seeingwhereabouts in the world we were, but the ship struck upon a sand, and in a moment, hermotion being so stopped, the sea broke over her in such a manner, that we expected weshould all have perished immediately; and we were immediately driven into our close quarters,to shelter us from the very foam and spray of the sea.

It is not easy for any one who has not been in the like condition to describe or conceivethe consternation of men in such circumstances: we knew nothing of where we were, or uponwhat land it was we were driven, whether an island or the main, whether inhabited or notinhabited; and as the rage of the wind was still great, though rather less than at first, we couldnot so much as hope to have the ship hold many minutes without breaking in pieces, unlessthe winds, by a kind of miracle, should turn immediately about. In a word, we sat looking oneupon another, and expecting death every moment, and every man, acting accordingly, aspreparing for another world; for there was little or nothing more for us to do in this; that whichwas our present comfort, and all the comfort we had, was that, contrary to our expectation, theship did not break yet, and that the master said the wind began to abate.

Now, though we thought that the wind did a little abate, yet the ship having thus struckupon the sand, and sticking too fast for us to expect her getting off, we were in a dreadfulcondition indeed, and had nothing to do but to think of saving our lives as well as we could. . . .We had another boat on board, but how to get her off into the sea was a doubtful thing;however, there was no room for debate, for we fancied the ship would break in pieces everyminute, and some told us she was actually broken already.

In this distress, the mate of our vessel lays hold of the boat, and with the help of the rest ofthe men, they got her slung over the ship’s side; and getting all into her, let go, and committedourselves, being eleven in number, to God’s mercy and the wild sea. . . .

And now our case was very dismal indeed; for we all saw plainly that the sea went so highthat the boat could not live, and that we should be inevitably drowned.As to making sail, wehad none, nor, if we had, could we have done anything with it; so we worked at the oartowards the land, though with heavy hearts, like men going to execution; for we all knew thatwhen the boat came nearer the shore she would be dashed in a thousand pieces by the breachof the sea. However, we committed our souls to God in the most earnest manner; and the winddriving us towards the shore, we hastened our destruction with our own hands, pulling as wellas we could towards land.

What the shore was, whether rock or sand, whether steep or shoal, we knew not: the onlyhope that could rationally give us the least shadow of expectation, was, if we might happeninto some bay or gulf, or the mouth of some river, where by great chance we might have runour boat in. . . . [B]ut as we made nearer and nearer the shore, the land looked more frightfulthan the sea.

Grade 10Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc. All rights reserved.

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READING SAMPLE 3: FICTION continued

After we had rowed or rather driven about a league and a half, as we reckoned it, a ragingwave, mountain-like, . . . took us with such a fury, that it overset the boat at once; and separatingus, as well from the boat as from one another, gave us not time hardly to say,“O God!” for wewere all swallowed up in a moment.

Nothing can describe the confusion of thought which I felt when I sank into the water; forthough I swam very well, yet I could not deliver myself from the waves so as to draw breath,till that a wave having driven me, or rather carried me, a vast way on towards the shore, andhaving spent itself, went back, and left me on land almost dry, but half dead with the water Itook in. I had so much presence of mind, as well as breath left, that, seeing myself nearer themain land than I expected, I got upon my feet, and endeavoured to make on towards the landas fast as I could, before another wave should return and take me up again. But I soon found itwas impossible to avoid it; for I saw the sea come after me as high as a great hill, and as furiousas an enemy, which I had no means or strength to contend with: my business was to hold mybreath, and raise myself upon the water, if I could; and so, by swimming, to preserve mybreathing and pilot myself towards the shore, if possible: my greatest concern now being, thatthe sea, as it would carry me a great way towards the shore when it came on, might not carryme back again with it when it gave back towards the sea.

The wave that came upon me again buried me at once 20 or 30 feet in its own body, and Icould feel myself carried with a mighty force and swiftness towards the shore a very great way;but I held my breath, and assisted myself to swim still forward with all my might. I was ready toburst with holding my breath, when as I felt myself rising up, so, to my immediate relief, I foundmy head and hands shoot out above the surface of the water; and though it was not two secondsof time that I could keep myself so, yet it relieved me greatly, gave me breath and new courage.

I was covered again with water a good while, but not so long but I held it out; and, findingthe water had spent itself and began to return, I struck forward against the return of the waves,and felt ground again with my feet. I stood still a few moments to recover breath and till thewater went from me, and then took to my heels and ran, with what strength I had, farthertowards the shore. . . .[T]wice more I was lifted up by the waves and carried forward as before,the shore being very flat.

The last time of these two had well-near been fatal to me; for the sea having hurried mealong, as before, landed me, or rather dashed me, against a piece of rock, and that with suchforce, as it left me senseless, and indeed helpless, as to my own deliverance; for the blow takingmy side and breast, beat the breath, as it were, quite out of my body; and had it returned againimmediately, I must have been strangled in the water; but I recovered a little before the returnof the waves, and seeing I should be covered again with the water, I resolved to hold fast by apiece of the rock, and so to hold my breath, if possible, until the wave went back. . . . [Being]near land, I held my hold till the wave abated, and then fetched another run, which brought meso near the shore, that the next wave, though it went over me, yet did not so swallow me up asto carry me away; and the next run I took, I got to the mainland, where, to my great comfort, Iclambered up the cliffs of the shore, and sat me down upon the grass, free from danger andquite out of the reach of the water.

I was now landed, and safe on shore, and began to look up and thank God that my life wassaved. . . .

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I walked about on the shore lifting up my hands, and my whole being, as I may say, wraptup in the contemplation of my deliverance; making a thousand gestures and motions, which Icannot describe, reflecting upon all my comrades that were drowned, and that there should notbe one soul saved but myself; for, as for them, I never saw them afterwards, or any sign of them,except three of their hats, one cap, and two shoes that were not fellows.

I cast my eyes to the stranded vessel, when, the breach and froth of the sea being so big, Icould hardly see it, it lay so far off; and considered,“Lord! how was it possible I could get onshore!”

____ 15. Crusoe and his crewmates row for shore “with heavy hearts, likemen going to execution”; he then says that they “hastened [their]destruction.” Since the sailors want very much to live, Defoe is usingthe literary device called

A. irony to increase the drama of the scene.B. personification to increase the drama of the scene.C. exaggeration to increase the drama of the scene.D. alliteration to increase the drama of the scene.

____ 16. As the crew frantically tries every possible method of escape, theygenerally believe that

A. they will survive the storm.B. they will save the ship and its cargo.C. they will almost certainly drown.D. Crusoe will save them from drowning.

____ 17. Which trait of this excerpt most typifies adventure novels?

A. It is told in the first person.B. It uses no contractions, such as don’t and wouldn’t.C. It narrates events as they occur, without flashbacks or

flashforwards.D. It is packed with exciting details and life-threatening moments.

____ 18. Which of the following is not a reason that Crusoe survives theshipwreck?

A. He continues to walk and swim toward high shore.B. The waves lift him toward the shore each time they lift him up.C. His crewmates help him fight his way to shore.D. He keeps his presence of mind and does not panic.



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____ 19. When the huge wave throws the crew from the lifeboat, Crusoe saysthat the suddenness of the event “gave us not time hardly to say,‘OGod!’” before they were cast overboard. Defoe goes against standardgrammar rules and uses the double negative “not hardly” in order to

A. show Crusoe’s ignorance of proper grammar.B. emphasize the dire and dreadful circumstances in which the

crew finds itself.C. let readers know that Crusoe alone will survive the shipwreck.D. confuse readers about what is happening at that point in the

plot.

20. Throughout the excerpt, Crusoe personifies the sea again and again.

A. Identify at least two ways that sea is personified.B. Explain how the personification changes the conflict of the

narrative.

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21. From Crusoe’s recounting of his experiences, we learn a good dealabout him and what kind of man he is. Identify three traits thatcharacterize Crusoe; and for each trait, explain what event, speech,or thought pointed this trait out to you.



READING SAMPLE 4: PERSUASIVE

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Waterways—lakes, rivers, oceans—give humans so much and ask of us verylittle.They provide beauty, recreation, water reserves, and more; but we mustdo our part to preserve them. One environmental program that monitors thewet environments of our nation is Frogwatch.

Read the persuasive essay about Frogwatch, and then answer questions 22–28.

It might seem that large environmental problems occur far away—chemical dumping indeserts, waste disposal in the oceans and oil spills in the Arctic. But problems in theenvironment are happening, not just in far-off deserts or oceans on the other side of the globe,but right where you live. Fortunately everyday, ordinary people like you are making a differenceand helping to guard the planet.You can participate in a way that is fun, takes very little time,and contributes to your community’s environmental health.You can take part in Frogwatch USA!

It’s just what it sounds like: you learn to watch frogs in your area. Frogwatch is run by theUnited States Geological Survey but manned extensively by volunteers all around the country.Why watch frogs and other amphibians? Frogs are “barometer animals.” By observing them andrecording their habitat growth or loss, and their population gains or declines, scientists get asense of how the wet environments of our country are faring in a time of increased agriculturaland industrial growth and ever-quickening commercial development.What the frogs suffer,humans will eventually have to deal with as well.

Frogs and other amphibians do seem to be on the decline these days, for many reasons,including our influence on their native habitat. Frogwatch USA asks its volunteers to helpcollect data which scientists can analyze in hopes of studying and reversing the decline.

Here’s what you would need to do: first, learn about the frogs and toads in your area.Kentucky watchers are on the lookout for twenty-one different species. If you are unsure of the different types of frogs and toads, the USGS has a Web site that links you to pictures of eachspecies.You can click and listen to recordings of each frog’s call until you become familiar with it.

Once you know the frogs of your neighborhood, the USGS will help you select a wetenvironment where you can listen for frogs, perhaps a lake or river or even pond in your area.You’ll receive instructions on what time of the evening frogs are out, and whether the season is right for frog sightings (breeding season is most active).You’ll also get data sheets to fill outand send in—on-line or by mail—to the scientists at the USGS.

You may be thinking that this sounds like a lot of work. It’s not, really, once you get started.You frogwatch when and where you can—twice weekly during breeding season would beideal, but even a few visits a year are helpful.And you can spend as little as five minuteslistening for frogs at your site, though you may want to stay longer to enjoy the evening’sperformance.

This activity benefits frogs, the environment—and you.You will gain an appreciation forthese little creatures, learn about how humans interact with wet environments, and know that,in a small way, you are helping your world.Taking a younger sibling, cousin, or friend with youcan make your frogwatching even more fun, as you become a teacher and open the world to achild’s young mind.


Consider frogwatching! You can find more information on the program at this Web site:http://www.mp2-pwrc.usgs.gov/FrogWatch/. Don’t wait—get a jump on this opportunitytoday!

____ 22. This essay’s main purpose is

A. to convince you that the environment is in a bad condition.B. to convince you to help gather data on frogs for a nationwide

study.C. to convince you that frog populations are declining in your area.D. to convince you to teach younger children about frogwatching.

____ 23. From the writer’s tone and choice of information, you can tell that

A. the writer thinks that frogwatching might be fun but is probably a waste of time.

B. the writer thinks that frogwatching is a tedious task but needs to be done.

C. the writer thinks that frogwatching is a task that trained field scientists do best.

D. the writer thinks that frogwatching is interesting, educational,and helpful.

____ 24. The light-hearted tone of the essay appeals to young peoplebecause

A. young people insist on being entertained at all times.B. young people don’t want to know about serious, discouraging

problems in their world.C. young people are not capable of following a serious argument.D. young people are more likely to try a new activity if they think it

will be fun as well as worthwhile.

____ 25. The most important reason the essay gives to frogwatch is

A. that it gives people a chance to learn about frogs and other amphibians.

B. that it is a national, government-sponsored effort to study frogs.C. that frogs are “barometer animals” whose health indicates the

health of their environment.D. that young people may be able to use what they learn to clean

the deserts.

READING SAMPLE 4: PERSUASIVE continued


Name ______________________________________________________ Date ____________________

READING SAMPLE 4: PERSUASIVE continued

____ 26. The essay in general assumes that

A. readers are not very interested in environmental issues.B. readers are interested in environmental issues and would like

to help.C. readers cause problems in their environments.D. readers like frogs.

____ 27. The essay’s persuasive tone could best be described as

A. straightforward and matter-of-fact.B. rigorously scientific.C. serious and alarming.D. light-hearted and funny.

28. The author of this essay is trying to be persuasive.

A. Identify three points the author uses to convince the reader tofrog watch.

B. Explain why those points were effective or ineffective.

Use information from the speech to support your discussion.

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Kirkê advised Odysseus about the dangers he faced on his voyage.Fortunately, recreational boaters don’t face monsters and whirlpools!Although most boating adventures don’t span the globe, problems can cropup even on a simple fishing trip.

Read the following brochure to learn about boating safety, and thenanswer questions 29–35.

READING SAMPLE 5: PRACTICAL/WORKPLACE

BOATING!TIPS AND TOOLS FOR A TERRIFIC TRIP

Take this stuff to be safe and ready for any trouble—

❍ personal flotation devices for every boater

❍ signal flares

❍ something to bail water with

❍ bright flashlights with extra batteries

❍ first aid kit

❍ sun protection

❍ extra dry clothes

❍ drinking water

❍ rope

Remember these tips to prevent problems—

❍ Always wear a PFD.

❍ Tell friends or family, where you are going and when you plan to be back.

❍ Don’t overload the boat! Read the capacity plate before you load.

❍ Don’t tie up against buoys or other navigational aids.

❍ Steer well clear of larger vessels and their wakes.

❍ If heavy weather comes up, steer against the wind and approach the waves at a 45° angle. Stay low in the boat.

❍ If someone falls into the water, follow these steps: REACH to the person with an oar, or other long object. Let the person grab the object; then pull the person in. If this doesn’t work, attach a flotation device to a rope and THROW it to the person.Again, let the person grab the device; then pull them in. Do not jump in after the person unless you are are a strong swimmer and have training in life saving. Otherwise, two people will be in trouble in the water instead of one!

PFDS—DON’T LEAVE THE DOCK WITHOUT ONE

Why Do I Need a PFD?

Accidents happen.You never know when you may be knocked out of a boat.A PFD will keep youafloat until help arrives. Even excellent swimmers can grow tired treading water or swimming toshore, and a PFD ensures that you will not have to work hard to stay above water. If you areknocked unconscious, most PFDs will keep your head above water.

When Should I Wear a PFD?

Any time you are on a boat that is moving you are at risk for drowning.The U.S. Coast Guard rec-ommends wearing PFDs while on moving boats and during skiing, rafting, kayaking, and sailboard-ing.Again, you never know when you may be knocked unconscious, and without a PFD on, you’llsink.You may think you’ll have time to slip one on during an accident, but chances are you’ll betoo frantic to do so, or your boat could be overturned, making it impossible for you to reach a PFD.

Who Should Wear a PFD?

Everyone on the boat should wear one, but state laws vary.Always check with local boating offi-cials. Children, especially, need to wear PFDs at all times, and the PFD must be the right size. Checkthe PFD’s label for weight recommendations, and make sure a child has on a PFD that will hold hisor her weight.

How Do I Wear a PFD?

A PFD is no good if it doesn’t fit properly. It should be designed for your weight and fit snuglyaround you.A PFD that is too big will slip off, and one that is too small may not hold you up.TheU.S. Coast Guard recommends the Type I PFD, or off-shore life jacket, as being the most buoyant forall types of water and the best designed to float unconscious people in a face-upward position.Here’s how a PFD should be worn:

PFD fits snugly under the arms PFD belt is tight around

the waist and around thebottom

Correct Way to Wear a Type I PFD


Name ______________________________________________________ Date ____________________

READING SAMPLE 5: PRACTICAL/WORKPLACE continued

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PFD fits snugly below theneck but does not choke



____ 29. The information included in the brochure implies that

A. boaters out fishing rarely encounter any trouble.B. trouble can come quickly and without warning, and boaters must

be prepared.C. trouble is bound to happen on any fishing trip.D. fishing is a dangerous pastime.

____ 30. One of the tips mentions the capacity plate. Given the context, thecapacity plate must be

A. a device that keeps you from adding too much fuel to the gas tank.B. information affixed to a boat that tells how many people may

safely board.C. a reminder in the owner’s manual about how to stow cargo safely.D. a law passed by the state of Kentucky limiting the number of

passengers.

____ 31. The brochure’s content and design tell you that its most importantpoint is

A. to get and use correctly appropriate PFDs.B. to file a float plan before leaving.C. to carry first aid equipment in case of injury.D. to pack enough food and water.

____ 32. According to the brochure, the correct way to wear a PFD is

A. very loose.B. tight at the top and loose at the bottom.C. very tight.D. tight at the bottom and loose at the top.

____ 33. A child who falls off a boat wearing an adult PFD will most likely

A. float on the water’s surface.B. sink to the bottom.C. float on his or her back.D. slip out of the PFD.


Name ______________________________________________________ Date ____________________


34. The information in the brochure is organized to convey importantideas.

a. What are three main recommendations in the brochure?b. Explain the significance of the recommendations and why they

are important.

35. Draw material from the brochure and make a “things to do” list for aboating trip. List each thing that you need to do in the order that itneeds to be done. Use transitional words such as first, next, andfinally to organize your checklist.

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Documents

READING SAMPLE 1: POETRY 10 KCCT P - McDougal Littell · Name ... of dead men rotting in a pile beside ... and sent the white foam scudding by.I carved a massive cake of beeswax into