Latin vale- = farewell
dict- = to say
Based on the Latin roots in the words valediction and valedictory, what is the MOST LIKELY definition for these words as used in the passage?
A) a speech or statement made to say goodbye
B) a salutation to end a letter or written message
C) a proclamation of the end of a specified period of time
D) a closing statement to wrap up a meeting or other event
2)
What is the meaning of alma mater in the first paragraph of the passage?
A) graduate
B) journey
C) school
D) valedictorian
3)
What is the primary reason that the author contrasts the speaker's informal language with his large vocabulary?
A) to foreshadow future events
B) to convey the conflict of the story
C) to serve as a means of characterization
D) to make the reader condemn the speaker
4)
What is the main idea throughout Conrad's essay?
A) his obsession with being the Valedictorian
B) his disappointment at not graduating on time
C) his awareness of exactly who he is, what he's done, and what he will become in life
D) his mother making a poor choice in choosing 'Mr. Johnnie' as his father's replacement
5)
Which of these details reveals that the narrator did learn something in school?
A) Let's just say I liked Latin but Latin didn't much care for me.
B) Then, maybe I would have gone to those Physical Science study halls.
C) They certainly don't have a clue that it's a combination of two latinaic roots, 'sopho' and 'more,' meaning 'wise fool.'
D) I've seen the fear in the eyes of four score and seven more of those classmates of mine that don't have a rat's chance of knowing what they are going to be.
6)
Which statement best conveys the irony of the speaker's situation in paragraph 4?
A) I could've been the valedictorian somewhere.
B) My retorts were always something cleverly snide as well.
C) I would've shown everyone how determined I can truly be. As it turned out, I showed 'em anyway. Counselors were shown that I didn't have to graduate with my class, like they so earnestly wished for me to.
D) [H]alf the sophomores around here don't even know how to spell s-o-p-h-o-m-o-r-e...they leave out the 'o' on all their cheesy, self-absorbed class election posters, and they certainly don't have a clue that it's a combination of two latinaic roots, 'sopho' and 'more,' meaning 'wise fool.'
7)
In paragraph 1, why does the speaker say he graduated from "Melancholy High"?
A) That was the name of his high school.
B) He really disliked going to this high school.
C) He is supposed to mention his background education.
D) He is so sad to be graduating after thirteen years.
8)
The author uses hyperbole
A) to create humor.
B) to thank his teachers.
C) to brag about himself.
D) to celebrate his accomplishments.