What is the main idea of “Growing Up: Key Moments”? Question 1 options:

A Unlike our childhood experiences, becoming an adult is difficult and becomes more intense as we get older.

B Growing up doesn’t happen overnight; instead, we grow up gradually and experience significant moments in our lives.

C Making the wrong choices and decisions during important growing-up momentscan have a negative impact on our adult lives.

D In order to learn from our growing-up moments, we need to recognize them as they are happening rather than after the fact.

Question 2 (1 point)

In “Growing Up: Key Moments,” which piece of evidence best supports the author’s idea that challenging moments help people learn as they grow up?

Question 2 options:

A “You might remember a big news story as one of the first times you paid attention to local or world events.”

B “Realizing that not all friends are for life is a huge growing-up moment.”

C “Confronting hard situations teaches us more about the world and about ourselves, and we come out stronger for it.”

D “Either outcome is valuable, as we learn how we work under pressure and how to better care for the people who rely on us.”

Question 3 (1 point)

Author Jessica McBirney wrote “Growing Up: Key Moments” primarily to –

Question 3 options:

A warn young people about the decisions they will face.

B warn young people about the dangers they will face.

C share experiences that most young people will face.

D share experiences that few people will face.

Question 4 (1 point)

In “Growing Up: Key Moments,” what connection does the author make between a person’s actions and “growing-up moments”?

Question 4 options:

A Both the negative and positive decisions we make can result in “growing-up moments.”

B We have control over when and where “growing-up moments” happen.

C Even though we experience growing-up moments, we need to act upon the lessons we learn in order to grow up.

D Making a poor choice or decision in a certain situation can take the value away from an important growing-up moment.

"On Turning Ten" questions

Question 5 (1 point)

Now consider the poem “On Turning Ten” by Billy Collins. Reread lines 5-7: “a kind of measles of the spirit, / a mumps of the psyche, / a disfiguring chicken pox of the soul.”

What does this description reveal about the speaker's attitude, or tone, towards aging?

Question 5 options:

A The speaker feels physically nauseated by age and older people.

B The speaker compares aging to sickness, believing it to be a physically difficult process.

C The speaker fears aging because he associates it with sickness and dying.

D The speaker compares his feelings about growing up to sickness, suggesting that he does not have a positive outlook on it.

Question 6 (1 point)

Which of the following is a theme of the poem, “On Turning Ten”? (Part 1 of 2)

Question 6 options:

A Perseverance is important when facing one of life’s challenges.

B Discovering that your parents have weaknesses is a part of growing up.

C Growing up means letting go of the carefree innocence of childhood.

D Appearances can be deceiving.

Question 7 (1 point)

Which of the following phrases from “On Turning Ten” best supports the theme from question #6? (Part 2 of 2)

Question 7 options:

A “The whole idea of it makes me feel / like I'm coming down with something.” (Lines 1-2)

B “But now I am mostly at the window / watching the late afternoon light.” (Lines 17-18)

C “Back then it never fell so solemnly / against the side of my tree house, / and my bicycle never leaned against the garage / as it does today, / all the dark blue speed drained out of it.” (Lines 19-23)

D “This is the beginning of sadness, I say to myself, / ... It is time to say good-bye to my imaginary friends, / time to turn the first big number.” (Lines 24-27)

"Growing Up: Key Moments" and "On Turning Ten" crossover questions

Question 8 (1 point)

Now consider both “Growing Up: Key Moments” and “On Turning Ten” as you answer the remaining test questions.

What do the author of “Growing Up: Key Moments” and the speaker of “On Turning Ten” have in common?

Question 8 options:

A Neither has had difficulty in the growing up process.

B Both have had difficulty in the growing up process.

C Neither was impacted by the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center.

D Both faced an emotional crisis when turning ten years old.

C “It seems only yesterday I used to believe / there was nothing under my skin but light. / If you cut me I could shine. / But now when I fall upon the sidewalks of life, / I skin my knees. I bleed.”