Question

reading skills: understanding cultural differences (15 points)
on the line provided, write the letter of the best answer to the following item.
__13. although mr. obi believes the path is a nuisance, the priest points out that its most important function is to —
a usher in children who are being born
b provide an alternate route to the cemetery
c give elderly people a safe place to walk
d pay tribute to the village’s first ruler

vocabulary development (20 points; 4 points each)
on the line provided, write the vocabulary word that best completes the sentence. you will use one word twice.
zeal denigration eradicate superannuated

1. my first computer seemed advanced when i got it, but it quickly became ________.
2. i admire the ________ with which you pursue your goals.
3. when you wash the car, please be sure to ________ all traces of bugs and dirt.
4. is it right to stand by and watch the ________ of a friend by malicious people?
5. the school budget committee must ________ unneeded items from the budget.

constructed response (25 points)

1. summarize the conflict between mr. obi and the village. what could either side have done differently to avert the disaster? support your ideas with evidence from the story. write your response on a separate piece of paper.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze Q13 context

This refers to the conflict in Dead Men's Path: the priest states the path's core cultural function is welcoming new life.

Step2: Match Q14 vocabulary

"superannuated" means outdated, fitting an old computer.

Step3: Match Q15 vocabulary

"zeal" means passionate dedication, fitting goal pursuit.

Step4: Match Q16 vocabulary

"eradicate" means remove completely, fitting cleaning bugs/dirt.

Step5: Match Q17 vocabulary

"denigration" means malicious criticism, fitting the scenario.

Step6: Match Q18 vocabulary

"eradicate" means eliminate, fitting cutting unneeded budget items.

Step7: Address Q19 constructed response

Summarize the core conflict, then outline actionable changes for both sides with text evidence.

Answer:

1. A. usher in children who are being born
2. superannuated
3. zeal
4. eradicate
5. denigration
6. eradicate

19.

Conflict Summary:

In Dead Men's Path, Michael Obi, the progressive new headmaster of Ndume Central School, blocks a centuries-old village footpath that cuts through the school grounds. The path is culturally sacred to the villagers: it is used to carry the dead to the cemetery and is believed to usher newborns into the world. Obi sees the path as a primitive nuisance that undermines his goal of modernizing the school, while the villagers view his actions as an attack on their ancestral traditions. The conflict escalates when the villagers destroy the school's flower beds and one of its buildings after a village woman dies in childbirth, which they blame on Obi blocking the path.

Alternative Actions to Avert Disaster:

• For Mr. Obi: Instead of unilaterally blocking the path, he could have consulted with the village elders and priest first to understand the path's cultural significance. He could have proposed a compromise, such as building a small footbridge over the school grounds to preserve the path while keeping school grounds separate. This would have shown respect for the village's traditions while still allowing him to maintain the school's appearance.
• For the Villagers: Instead of resorting to violence, the villagers could have organized a formal meeting with Obi to explain the path's importance, possibly bringing in local leaders or education officials to mediate. They could have offered to help maintain the path area on school grounds to address Obi's concerns about the school's appearance, fostering collaboration rather than confrontation.