Reading Diagnostic

Name:_____________________ “The Dignity of Work” Reading Diagnostic Scor e C

Questions

S

2) In the first paragraph of this essay, the author lists a number of things. Why do you think the author begins this way? _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

S/ID

3) How would you describe the tone of the essay (the author’s attitude toward his subject matter)? Provide a short quotation from the essay that you think is the best example of this tone. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

S/I

4) In paragraph three, the author calls attention to his greasy overalls and dented pickup truck right before he describes the picture on the card. Why do you think he does this? a. to show that he’s poor b. to provide contrast c. to give a sense of setting d. to demonstrate his strong work ethic

V

5) Define the word “callousness” as used in paragraph 4. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

1) Before reading this essay, respond to the following question: What kind of a job would you be proud to have? Would kind of a job would you not be proud to have? What is the biggest difference between the two? _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

C

6) What connections can you make between the experience that the author describes in paragraph 5 and your own life, something else you’ve read, or something you’ve seen? _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

I

7) In your own words, why do you think the card bothers the author so much? _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

I

8) In paragraph 5 why does the author look away as he gives money to the homeless person? _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

V

9) Define the word “classism” as used in paragraph 6. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

S

10) Describe how and why the author uses the quotation in paragraph 6. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

CL

11) In paragraph 7, Finn writes, “The assumption is if you sit at a computer you’re more useful than if you mix cement for a living.” Who is making this assumption? What, if anything, does this reveal about the author’s bias? _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

C/A

12) Do you agree with the author’s main point in paragraph 8? Explain your answer. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

I

13) Who do you think is responsible for sending the message Finn writes about in paragraph 9? _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

I

14) Why does Finn tell his partner he had a good day? _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

A/ID

15) What is Finn’s main argument in your own words? Provide two specific examples of how he supports his argument (Underline these on the page and write “support” beside each example). _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

A

16) Did you find the author’s argument effective? Explain your answer. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

PK

17) Did answering the first question help you understand the essay? If so, how? _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

Score Category Code Level Making C Connections Using Prior Knowledge

PK

Making Inferences

I

Analysis

A

Reading for Information

ID

Knowledge of Form and Style Vocabulary

S

Critical Literacy

CL

V

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