1. According to the passage, why is Jim's grandmother initially concerned about leaving him in the garden?
A. Jim doesn't know the way back home.
B. She is worried he will encounter snakes.
C. A bad storm is brewing on the horizon.
D. She hoped Jim would help her cook dinner.
2. As used in line 50, "scarcely" most nearly means
A. not easily.
B. rapidly.
C. with fear.
D. narrowly.
3. The passage most strongly suggests that which of the following is true of the prairie?
A. It reminds Jim of the landscape back in his native Virginia.
B. The snakes and coyotes make the prairie a dangerous place.
C. Growing crops on the prairie is extremely difficult for farmers.
D. It is very easy to get lost because there are few landmarks.
4. Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?
A. Lines 1-2 ("As I looked … sea")
B. Lines 21-24 ("Alone … there")
C. Lines 45-47 ("The road … disappeared")
D. Lines 49-51 ("I sat … pumpkin")
5. What theme does the author communicate through the thoughts and experiences of Jim?
A. Confronting fears allows a person to move forward in life.
B. Nature, though beautiful, can present many hidden dangers.
C. Family relationships can help a person adjust to new places.
D. A natural setting can have a transforming effect on a person.