Celeste and Lonnie had been next-door neighbors since the two had come home from the same hospital as infants. They played together as toddlers, went to the same preschool, and
even played in Little League together. Then, Celeste moved to California.
(2) At first, they kept up their friendship via email. Over time, though, the emails grew more brief
and less frequent. Finally, they stopped altogether. Life took over, with new friends and
activities crowding out the past.
Then, one day when the two were juniors in high school, Lonnie received an email from
Celeste. Celeste wrote to say that she would be coming north to Portland by train for an
interview at the university that she expected to attend. “I’m looking forward to meeting you
again, Lonnie!” she added. Lonnie, however, was hesitant about seeing her. Did they really
have anything in common anymore? He dreaded having to pretend to be interested in a
person who was now a virtual stranger. Didn’t she realize years had passed, that he was no
longer the little boy she had once known? Why did she assume they were still friends?
(4) Nevertheless, Lonnie offered to pick Celeste up at the train station. How could he refuse
without seeming rude? When he arrived, his anxiety heightened. What did she think they
would have to talk about—the cartoons they used to watch together? He realized he didn’t
even know what she looked like now—he and Celeste had never exchanged photos.
(5) When a lovely young woman got off the train and walked up to him, right where he said he
would be standing, he had no idea at first who she was. “Lonnie?” she inquired. And then:
“Lonnie, it is you! How wonderful to see you!” She hugged him fiercely and gave him a light
kiss on the cheek. He stood stunned for a moment, but then he slowly smiled. He had been
trying to persuade his parents to send him east for college. Suddenly, he found himself
wondering whether it would be easier after all to go to school in Portland.

Part A Which is the best justified inference you can make from events after
Celeste steps off the train?
a. In spite of the time that has passed, Celeste has not changed since Lonnie
last saw her.
b. For several minutes, Lonnie does not realize who is speaking to him.
c. Lonnie is disturbed and put off by Celeste’s friendliness.
d. Lonnie discovers he likes Celeste and is glad he decided to meet her again.

Part B Which excerpts from paragraph 5 best support the answer to Part A?
Choose two options.
a. When a lovely young woman got off the train and walked up to him, . . .
he had no idea at first who she was.
b. She hugged him fiercely and gave him a light kiss on the cheek.
c. He stood stunned for a moment, but then he slowly smiled.
d. Suddenly, he found himself wondering whether it would be easier after all
to go to school in Portland.