Reading Strategies

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HAND-DRAWN QUIZ

Show your reading skills in this quiz

START

Read the passage

The Importance of Japan's Cherry Blossoms In the northeastern United States, autumn is particularly colorful. Leaves change from green to red and orange, and many Americans take scenic fall foliage trips. In Japan, a similar phenomenon takes place in the spring. Cherry trees erupt in a shower of pink, and the entire country celebrates the arrival of sakura, or cherry blossoms. Though autumn leaves are admired in the United States, they are seen as just a pretty seasonal display.

Read the passage

In Japan, on the other hand, cherry blossoms have much greater significance; the flowers are deeply rooted in Japan's culture and philosophy. Since as far back as the eighth century, sakura have symbolized change and beauty, new beginnings, and the circle of life. The blossoms have been celebrated in Japanese paintings, poems, and tea ceremonies for centuries.

QUESTION 1 OF 2

What is the main idea of the passage?

Japan's spring cherry blossoms often serve as symbols of change or new beginnings in works of Japanese art or literature.

Americans appreciate the colorful leaves of fall, but the Japanese view the cherry blossoms of spring as part of their culture.

RIGHT!

NEXT QUESTION

Read the passage

The following passage is from The Lightning Thief. In this excerpt, Percy is talking with his friend Annabeth after fighting a tough battle on their quest.

Read the passage

I was pretty much in shock myself. The explosion of bus windows still rang in my ears. But Annabeth kept pulling us along, saying: "Come on! The farther away we get, the better." "All our money was back there," I reminded her. "Our food and clothes. Everything." "Well, maybe if you hadn't decided to jump into the fight—" "What did you want me to do? Let you get killed?" "You didn't need to protect me, Percy. I would've been fine." [ . . . ] We sloshed across mushy ground, through nasty twisted trees that smelled like sour laundry.

Read the passage

After a few minutes, Annabeth fell into line next to me. "Look, I . . ." Her voice faltered. "I appreciate your coming back for us, okay? That was really brave." "We're a team, right?" She was silent for a few more steps. "It's just that if you died . . . aside from the fact that it would really suck for you, it would mean the quest was over. This may be my only chance to see the real world." The thunderstorm had finally let up. The city glow faded behind us, leaving us in almost total darkness. I couldn't see anything of Annabeth except a glint of her blond hair.

Read the passage

"You haven't left Camp Half-Blood since you were seven?" I asked her. "No . . . only short field trips. My dad—" "The history professor." "Yeah. It didn't work out for me living at home. I mean, Camp Half-Blood is my home." She was rushing her words out now, as if she were afraid somebody might try to stop her. "At camp you train and train. And that's all cool and everything, but the real world is where the monsters are. That's where you learn whether you're any good or not." If I didn't know better, I could've sworn I heard doubt in her voice.

From Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief. Copyright 2005 by Rick Riordan

QUESTION 2 OF 2

Which of the following themes is developed in the passage?

Family has an extraordinary influence on who people become.

Facing challenges is an important part of developing one's identity.

A person's response to failure can either lead to further failure or to success.

RIGHT!

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RESULTS

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1 CORRECT

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