Question

do not write on!
a definition 1
b definition 2
c definition 3
d definition 4

1. in what way does the plot of each selection develop a similar universal theme?

a each plot includes descriptions of ways to die, reinforcing the universal
theme “we cannot escape the inevitability of death.”
b each plot takes place in the past, reinforcing the universal theme “we
must understand history in order to understand ourselves.”
c each plot involves people playing or working together, reinforcing the
universal theme “we are defined in all ways by our relationships with
others.”
d each plot explores the past from the point of view of a relatable
character, reinforcing the universal theme “we can understand any
human experience or event.”

1. how does the cultural setting of “pacal’s birthday” most clearly influence how

pacal experiences the world?
a pacal decides to play tlachtli on his birthday because mayans pressured
children to compete.
b pacal views human sacrifice as necessary because mayans believed that
it pleased the gods.
c pacal gives thanks to his ancestors because mayans believed that gods
punished the ungrateful.
d pacal receives a new ball on his birthday because mayans valued fun
and leisure over work.

1. read these sentences from paragraph 2 of “pacal’s birthday.”

players were forbidden from touching the ball with their hands. instead,
they had to bounce it off leather shields attached to their arms, legs,
and chest. points were earned by hitting the ball into a stone hoop
placed about 23 feet high.
which is the best paraphrase of these sentences?
a players could not touch the ball with their hands. a player could use
his arms, legs, chest, or a shield. players tried to bounce the ball about
23 feet into the air.
b players used their hands, arms, legs, and chest, which were protected
from the ball by leather shields. they earned points by getting the ball
into a large hoop.
c players used leather shields instead of hands and also used their arms,
legs, and chests. the players earned points by hitting the ball into a hoop

Explanation:

Question 10

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The plot likely doesn't focus on descriptions of ways to die for the theme of death inevitability.
• Option B: Not all plots being in the past would reinforce understanding self via history.
• Option C: If plots involve people working/playing together, relationships define us is a common theme about human connections.
• Option D: Exploring past from a relatable character doesn't directly mean understanding any human experience. So C is more logical.

Analyze Mayan cultural beliefs:

• Option A: Mayans didn't pressure children to compete in tlachtli out of pressure, it was a cultural game.
• Option B: Mayans believed human sacrifice pleased gods, so Pacal (in Mayan culture) would view it as necessary.
• Option C: Mayans gave thanks to ancestors, but the reason about gods punishing ungrateful is less accurate.
• Option D: Mayans valued work and religion, not fun over work. So B is correct.

Paraphrase the original sentences:

• Original: Players forbidden to touch ball with hands, use leather shields on arms/legs/chest to bounce, score by hitting into 23 - foot hoop.
• Option A: Incorrectly says bounce ball 23 feet into air (original is hoop height).
• Option B: Says players used hands (original forbids hands).
• Option C: Correctly states players used shields instead of hands, used arms/legs/chest, and scored by hitting into hoop (captures original details).

Answer:

C. Each plot involves people playing or working together, reinforcing the universal theme "We are defined in all ways by our relationships with others."

Question 11