FCAT prep #1: The Miraculous Phonograph

1.

1 point

THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS RELATE TO PASSAGE #1 ("The Miraculous Phonograph Record")

Read the following dictionary entry.

fix \ fiks\ v 1. to stabilize 2. to capture the attention of 3. to get ready for 4. to repair or mend

Which definition best matches the use of the word fixed in paragraph 8?

Definition 1

Definition 2

Definition 3

Definition 4

2.

1 point

At first Mrs. Saroyan is upset about her son’s purchase because —

she is distrustful of new inventions

she thinks he took time away from his job to shop

she does not have time to listen to music

she believes it is a foolish investment

3.

1 point

Paragraph 7 is mainly about —

the varying weights and sizes of fig packs

the different dried-fruit packinghouses that offer work

the effect of the length of the fig season on Mrs. Saroyan

the fluctuations in how much Mrs. Saroyan earns at work

4.

1 point

When Mrs. Saroyan requests a second record, she asks Willie to —

get a better deal than he got on his first purchase

make sure that the songs on it are wonderful

return the first record he purchased

choose a record with banjo music

5.

1 point

The historical context of this story is important because it establishes that —

ten dollars was a significant amount of money

many immigrants were living in Fresno in 1921

the phonograph was invented in 1920

bicycles were the primary mode of transportation

6.

1 point

Which line from the story serves as an example of sarcasm?

“Did you find the ten dollars in the street perhaps?”

“Play it again, I beg of you.”

“Well, there’s another song on the other side.”

“What is the meaning of that—‘Cho-Cho-San’?”

7.

1 point

Mrs. Saroyan’s statement about her son at the end of the story conveys —

how her understanding of her son has changed

how she secretly wishes that Willie will become a musician

why she is dissatisfied with the way Willie manages his money

why she loses her temper so easily

8.

1 point

In the first sentence of paragraph 8, the author states that Mrs. Saroyan’s look suggested “an eight-ounce day.” The author uses this description to —

imply that Mrs. Saroyan should begin looking for a new job

expose the unhealthy conditions of Mrs. Saroyan’s workplace

establish the basis for a conflict between Willie and his mother

foreshadow that the Saroyans will soon experience financial difficulties

9.

1 point

Mrs. Saroyan is thankful that her son is not a businessman because —

the business community would probably reject him

she has grown to appreciate Willie’s values

she wants him to choose a career in music

there are enough businessmen in the family already

10.

1 point

What tone does the author establish in
paragraph 22?

Mysterious

Humorou

Fearful

Sentimental

11.

1 point

The author uses Mrs. Saroyan’s questions in
paragraphs 9 through 19 to —

portray her as a hardworking woman

illustrate her confusion about Willie’s actions

emphasize her displeasure with Willie’s purchase

characterize her as a bitter person

12.

1 point

Willie cherishes the record throughout his life because it —

reflects the immigrant experience in America

symbolizes his mother’s recognition of what is important to him

marks the beginning of his own love for music

reminds him of his first job as a Postal Telegraph messenger

13.

1 point

THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS RELATE TO PASSAGE #2 ("The Letter That Changed My Life)

In paragraph 2, the word calumny means —

anecdote

compliment

disappointment

slander

14.

1 point

Before the publication of his letter, what had Smith written?

A biographical essay on Yeats

Reviews for the New York Times Book Review

Poems, short stories, and part of a novel

Report from Engine Co. 82

15.

1 point

Which of these is the best summary of the article?

A best-selling author is interested in the poetry of William Butler Yeats. Although this author has little confidence in his own ability, he writes a book titled Report from Engine Co. 82 and a memoir called A Song for Mary: An Irish-American Memory. He is surprised by his own success.

A firefighter disagrees with an article he reads about his favorite Irish writer. His strong feelings prompt him to write a response that captures the attention of the publishing industry. He credits his eventual success as a writer to the force of emotion that drove him to write the letter.

A firefighter working at the South Bronx’s Engine Co. 82 is distracted by the amount of fires in his neighborhood. He attempts to read the newspaper and write letters, but the constant alarms make concentration impossible. He is finally able to find time to write and becomes a best-selling author.

A writer of Irish ancestry believes that William Butler Yeats is one of the finest poets who has ever lived. He is convinced that the Irish poet’s reputation should be defended, so he writes a letter to the New York Times stating his position. The writer is excited when his letter is eventually published in the newspaper.

16.

1 point

What angers Smith when he reads the article about Yeats?

The notion that Yeats did not deserve the Nobel Prize

The presumption that firefighters cannot appreciate the poetry of Yeats

The belief that James Joyce was a better writer than Yeats

The idea that Yeats is no longer considered primarily an Irish poet

17.

1 point

In paragraph 8, the author uses a simile to describe —

the excitement he feels when he addresses his letter

the fear he feels when sliding down the brass pole

the relief he feels after writing the letter

the sickness he feels upon hearing the alarm

18.

1 point

It is clear from paragraphs 5 and 6 that Smith wrote his letter —

effortlessly

thoughtlessly

cautiously

impulsively

19.

1 point

In what way is this selection ironic?

Smith shares the same Irish heritage as William Butler Yeats.

Firefighters now have a literary figure they can admire.

The editor publishes Smith’s letter only because it is on official stationery.

Smith’s letter defending another writer is the start of his own writing career.

20.

1 point

Smith believes that his philosophy about writing —

can be applied to any pursuit

can be replaced by education

comes from his Irish background

helps others appreciate poetry

21.

1 point

In paragraph 18, what does Smith mean when he advises his children to “measure the heat of the fire there”?

They should compare their own goals to those of their father.

They should use writing as a tool to change lives.

They should pay attention to the intensity of their feelings.

They should be inspired by their father’s love.

22.

1 point

The reason the author alludes to the greatness of Homer and Shakespeare in paragraph 9 is to —

protect Yeats’s reputation

boast about his knowledge of poetry

apologize for Irish writing

link Yeats to other famous writers

23.

1 point

Which line from the selection best explains the effect that the four-paragraph letter had on Smith’s life?

I wrote often to better control my writing skills, to master them.

That’s what I learned the day I stood up for Ireland’s greatest poet.

It was as if I was suddenly thrust into being someone whose views mattered.

I’d like to think, though, that the editor silently agreed with my thesis.

24.

1 point

THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS RELATE TO BOTH PASSAGES

The transformations of Mrs. Saroyan and Dennis Smith occur because of —

their conflicts with family members

their intense responses to art

their willingness to change careers

their strong ties to their heritage

25.

1 point

“The Miraculous Phonograph Record” and “Letter That Changed My Life” both use a first-person point of view. In this way —

the description of the conflicts is biased

the reader has a clearer understanding of the complex dialogue

the reader is able to establish a close connection to the events

details are omitted from the selections