1 The author's choice of third–person narrator helps the reader —

A understand how the team, as a whole, felt about playing softball

B comprehend how difficult playing on a team is

C learn how the rest of the team felt about Sofie

D realize that the other members of the team were not very dedicated

2 Which sentence expresses the falling action in the story?

F Sofie and her team were picked by their softball league to represent their community at the All Star tournaments

that occurred during the summer.

G Before leaving the field, the girls received their trophies and took pictures.

H The other team was tough and had many good players, but the Explosion won.

J The coach dumped the cooler of watery ice onto the team.

3 What is the best summary of the selection?

A Sofie's softball team was asked to play in a summer softball tournament representing their league. It was a very hot summer, so their coach wasconcerned about the girls drinking enough water. The first game was hard for them because the opposing team played well, but they ended upwinning and advancing to the Nationals. At Nationals, they advanced to the championship game. The game was a nail-bitter; the score was neckand neck most of the game. Ultimately, Sofie's team lost.

B Sofie's softball team was asked to play in a softball tournament in Louisiana during the summer. She was upset because she was not be able to playand relax like her classmates even though it is summertime, because she has to train every day for competing in the tournament. Even after theteam's first pool game, the coach and parents did not allow the girls to play outside since they needed to conserve their energy. Sofie is upsetthat she is not having a normal summer like everyone else.

C Sofie's softball team, the Explosion, was invited to represent their league at an All Star tournament over the summer. They trained very hard, andplayed difficult teams in the first round of the tournament, putting them in the loser's bracket meaning they would play a greater number of games to qualify for nationals. After playing several difficult teams, they placed seventh, barely making it tothe Nationals. Even though they lost the pool game, they won the nail-biting championship game!

D Sofie's softball team, the Explosion, was asked to play at a summer softball tournament for their league. Even though the team is not very good,they agree to play. After their first pool game, or game that is only for practice, Sofie's team did not play very well. Her teammates want to goback to the campground where they are staying and play games outside, but their parents will only allow them to watch movies. Sofie thinks thatwatching movies is boring.

4 What can the reader conclude (decide) about Sofie and her team?

F They were determined to do their best.

G They thought it was not about winning.

H They were very upset when they did not win.

J They failed to do what their coach asked.

5 Why might the coach have dumped the cooler of water on the team after they won?

A He was very excited that the girls won the tournament.

B He thought that they might have dirt, from the field, in their eyes.

C He wanted to make sure that the girls were hydrated.

D He was upset with them because they almost lost the game.

6 Read the following sentences from paragraph 7.

Based on these sentences, the reader can conclude that —

F the team's members were too hot and needed a break to cool down

G the team felt like they were not good enough to play in the National Championships

H some of the team's members were not strong softball players

J the team was nervous about playing in the National Championships

7 In paragraph 3, the word advisable means —

A Efficient (well-organized)

B recommended

C imprudent (foolish)

D improper

8 In paragraph 8, the author uses the phrase "all of a sudden – SPLASH" to —

F mimic sounds of the players jumping into a pool of water

G show that the players were upset at their coach for dumping watery ice over them

H emphasize the importance of the act of the coach dumping watery ice

J illustrate the players' surprise and the sound the watery ice made

9 Read the following sentences from story.

These sentences help illustrate Sofie's —

A determination

B patience

C frustration

D consistency

If You Want To Change The World is part of a speech given by Naval Admiral William H. McRaven at a graduation ceremony at The University of Texas at Austin on May 17, 2014. Naval Admiral McRaven is the ninth commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command.

Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question. Then fill in the answer on your answer document.

If You Want To Change The World

10 In paragraph 9, the word unceremoniously means —

F formally

G hastily

H graciously

J judiciously

11 Which sentence from the selection helps the reader understand that Admiral McRaven's message is intended to inspire his audience?

A Every morning in basic SEAL training, my instructors, who at the time were all Vietnam veterans, would show up in my barracks room and the firstthing they would inspect was your bed.

B Everyone must exert equal effort or the boat will turn against the wave and be unceremoniously tossed back on the beach.

C But, if every one of you changed the lives of just 10 people — and each one of those folks changed the lives of another 10 people — just 10 — then infive generations — 125 years — the class of 2014 will have changed the lives of 800 million people.

D Not your color, not your ethnic background, not your education and not your social status.

12 Why did Admiral McRaven use the examples from training in paragraphs 9-11?

F To impress the listeners with his ability to make good decisions

G To illustrate the need for teamwork when trying to bring about change

H To emphasize that his lessons were learned under life-and-death circumstances

J To describe types of situations where the lessons should be learned

13 What is the best summary of the selection?

A Admiral McRaven was in the Navy where he was inspected daily for the way he made his bed. During his training, it was important that everyonein the boat paddle together. It was also important that everyone's flippers fit well. Finally, he was in a training group where a group of smallerNavy SEALS were the best on the team.

These events helped him realize that changing the world for the better was very important for graduates to understand.

B Admiral McRaven's adventures in the Navy are used as illustrations to help the new graduates understand the need for public service and reachingout to at least 10 people in their life. If each student can change the world for at least 10 people, over 800 million people will eventually be changed.According to Admiral McRaven, if we want to make positive change, we should start everyday by making our bed.

C Admiral McRaven's speech is a set of lessons he learned while he was a Navy SEAL. His experiences in combat provide the new graduates withexamples they can use as they move to the next stage in life. He shares with the audience that they should try to impact the lives of at least 10people. Each of his illustrations should inspire the audience to want to change the world.

D Admiral McRaven wants to impress on new graduates that they must be willing to change the world. He illustrates how to create change by tellingstories from his trainig as a Navy SEAL. Through these stories, he offers three pieces of advice for creating change: start off by making your bed,find someone to help you paddle, and measure someone by the size of their heart, not the size of their flippers. He encourages the graduates thatif they do these things, they will have changed the world for the better.

14 Read this sentence from the selection.