Question

16 after she left, i lay there reminiscing about all the games of mine she’d sat through. my sister had play important role in what made baseball so fun, before it got too serious. i knew what i needed to do.
17 i went to my sister’s softball game, after all; instead of taking my script to practice my lines like i’d planned, sat next to my dad, anxiously waiting for some meaningful communication. at the close of the second inning, after we’d only exchanged a few casual bits of conversation, i trekked over to the concession stand, returning with a heaping plate of nachos for him, with extra jalapenos on the side, just like he liked it. i extended the plate like an olive branch.
18 seeing his favorite game time snack, my father grinned sheepishly. he seemed genuinely surprised at first, but graciously accepted the nachos. soon we were talking and laughing, just as we used to. my mom soon joined in, and, after the game, my sister did, too. any time they started making comments about her stats or anything serious, i gently steered the conversation to lighter fare. it felt so good to be with my family again. i didn’t miss playing baseball, but i missed the good times with my family.
19 later that night, i was putting some school papers on my mom’s desk when something caught my eye: three tickets for the opening night of my school play.
9.v.1.3

1. read the sentence from paragraph 6.

“my whole family was invested, as well; they’d all attend my games, and we’d ecstatically recount each exciting play on the ride home.”
which word could replace ecstatically without changing the meaning of the sentence?
a. appreciatively
b. enthusiastically
c. fondly
d. serenely
9.r.1.1

1. how does the author use the softball game setting in paragraph 17 to enhance the story’s resolution?

a. by showing how the game allows the narrator to rebuild connections with his family
b. by reminding the narrator of all the sacrifices he made while playing baseball
c. by creating an energetic atmosphere that helps ease lingering family tensions
d. by highlighting the narrator’s regret over quitting a sport he once enjoyed

Explanation:

Question 1

To solve this, we analyze the meaning of "ecstatically" (with great joy/excitement) and compare with options:

• A. appreciatively: shows gratitude, not excitement. Eliminate.
• B. enthusiastically: means with great excitement/enthusiasm, matches "ecstatically".
• C. fondly: shows affection, not excitement. Eliminate.
• D. serenely: means calmly, opposite of excited. Eliminate.

Analyze the softball game scene (paragraph 17): The narrator brings nachos, interacts with dad, then mom/sister join. The game setting helps them reconnect (talk, laugh, ease tensions).

• A: The game is for reconnecting, not just "rebuild connections" wording, and focus is on bonding, not just "allows" (the action of bringing nachos/initiating is key). Eliminate.
• B: The story doesn't mention sacrifices in baseball. Eliminate.
• C: The game setting (casual, shared activity) creates a positive atmosphere to ease tensions (from earlier seriousness in baseball). Correct.
• D: The narrator misses good times, not regrets quitting. Eliminate.

Answer:

B. enthusiastically

Question 2