Difficulty: Medium

Average Score: 70%

Papa had promised to meet her in the garden and he never disappointed her. She bent over to pick a red bloom, fully opened, and pricked her finger on a vicious thorn. Big pearls of blood pulsed from the tip of her thumb and she automatically thought, “bad luck.” She quickly wrapped her hand in the corner of her apron and dismissed the premonition. Then she cautiously clipped the blown rose that had wounded her. Looking toward the horizon, she saw the last of the sun disappear behind the Sierra Madre. Darkness would settle quickly and a feeling of uneasiness and worry nagged at her. â€”Pam Munoz Ryan, from *Esperanza Rising*

Which of the following statements summarizes the literal meaning of the passage?

Rationale

A girl becomes concerned while she waits for her father in the garden at the end of the day.

The passage describes a girl waiting for her father in the garden, where she experiences a moment of pain and unease as the day turns to night. This summary captures the central action and emotional tone of the scene.

B (After hurting herself on a thorn, a girl realizes that she may have caused something bad to happen.) YOUR ANSWER

While the girl does prick her finger and thinks of "bad luck," the primary focus of the passage revolves around her waiting for her father rather than the notion of causing something bad. The realization of potential bad luck is secondary to her overall concern and the setting.

C (A girl cuts a rose that has hurt her in order to prevent it from causing further harm to those she loves.) YOUR ANSWER

This choice misinterprets the girl's action; she clips the rose despite her injury, but the text does not suggest she is motivated by a desire to protect others. Instead, her actions reflect her personal experience and feelings of unease rather than a protective instinct.

D (After waiting impatiently for her father, a girl recognizes signs that something sinister is about to happen.) YOUR ANSWER

Although the girl does feel unease as darkness falls, the passage does not explicitly state that she recognizes "signs" of something sinister. The emphasis is more on her waiting and the general feeling of worry rather than specific ominous signs.

Conclusion

The passage centers on a girl's emotional state as she waits for her father in the garden, highlighting her concern and the onset of night. The most accurate summary reflects her worry and the context of her situation rather than the consequences of her injury or specific fears. Understanding this allows readers to grasp the thematic elements of anticipation and unease present in the narrative.

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