Appendix C -- Sample Items, continued

"The death of the hired man"
Sample Questions -- Grade 12

  1. Mary does not criticize Silas' offer to help on the farm the way Warren does because

    1. she knows Silas is only attempting to save his self-respect.*
    2. she believes that Warren really needs his help with haying.
    3. she wants Silas to please his brother.
    4. she does not want Silas to think she is rude.

  2. What are two types of relationships that Robert Frost explored in the poem?

  3. Mary meets Warren at the door and tells him that Silas is back so that

    1. they can go to the market for some tobacco.
    2. Warren can count on Silas' help to ditch the meadow.
    3. they can call Silas' brother to pick Silas up.
    4. Warren will be careful about what he said.*

  4. Warren defined "home" as "the place where, when you have to go there, They have to take you in." Explain why you agree or disagree with Warren.

  5. Why does Mary listen to Warren complain about Silas?

  6. What is really bothering Warren about Silas' return?

    1. He does not have the money to pay Silas' salary.
    2. He does not like to get in arguments with Silas.
    3. He believes Silas will leave again.*
    4. Silas does not work hard enough to suit him.

  7. What kind of relationship did Silas have with his brother?

  8. How did Silas view formal education?

    1. He said it was necessary in order to be self-assured.
    2. He valued it as a way to learn farming.
    3. He thought it was impractical and a waste of time.*
    4. He felt it caused people to argue too much.

  9. From your experience, do you think that most people would do what Mary did for Silas? Explain why or why not.

  10. How does Robert Frost use the relationship between Mary and Warren to help explain the character of Mary? Support your answer with evidence from the poem.

  11. What does Warren mean when he says, "I'm done"?

  12. What does Mary mean when she says that home is "Something you somehow haven't to deserve"?

    1. You have to work hard to be part of a family.
    2. It is a place where people merely tolerate you.
    3. You do not have to be related to someone to be accepted.
    4. It is something you do not have to earn.*

*Denotes correct answer.

Previous Contents Appendix C Continued

Reading Framework for the National Assessment of Educational Progress: 1992-2000