Question

directions: answer each question below.
1
maya stood at the edge of the diving board, her toes curling against the rough surface. below, the pool gleamed like glass. she had practiced for weeks, but every time she climbed up, her courage wavered. today, though, her younger brother watched from below, his small hands cupped around his mouth. “you can do it!” he shouted. maya took a deep breath and leapt.
which choice best summarizes the text?
a a girl who had long struggled with fear on the diving board was finally able to leap after receiving a powerful burst of encouragement from her younger brother.
b maya hesitated because she had not practiced enough, but her intense focus on the diving board allowed her to overcome her physical fear.
c the rough surface of the diving board and the sleek look of the pool combined to make the girl feel nervous about performing her practiced dive.
d a determined athlete focused on her goal and used weeks of practice to successfully perform a difficult stunt for her sibling.
2
during the early 20th century, cities began to replace horse - drawn carriages with electric streetcars. while many viewed this as progress, some critics argued that dependence on electricity would make transportation unreliable. in reality, streetcars reduced pollution and improved travel times, transforming cities into more connected and efficient places to live.
which choice best summarizes the text?
a the transition from carriages to electric streetcars was initially controversial, but the new technology ultimately led to positive changes in urban living.
b critics in the early 20th century correctly predicted that electric streetcars would make city transportation unreliable due to their dependence on electricity.
c the primary reason cities adopted electric streetcars was to reduce pollution, which had become a major problem caused by horse - drawn carriages.
d the replacement of horse - drawn carriages with streetcars was universally accepted as a progressive move that immediately improved travel times across all major cities.

Explanation:

Question 1

The text states Maya struggled with fear every time she climbed the diving board, and her younger brother encouraged her, after which she leaped. Option A matches this core detail, while B (says she didn't practice enough, which contradicts the text), C (focuses on surface/pool, not the key encouragement/fear), and D (frames it as for her sibling, which is incorrect) are inaccurate.

The text notes the shift from horse-drawn carriages to electric streetcars had initial controversy (some saw progress, others criticized reliability), but ultimately led to positive changes (reduced pollution, better travel, more connected cities). Option A captures this full arc, while B (says critics were correct, which is wrong), C (cites pollution as the primary adoption reason, not stated), and D (says it was universally accepted, which contradicts the controversy) are incorrect.

Answer:

A. A girl who had long struggled with fear on the diving board was finally able to leap after receiving a powerful burst of encouragement from her younger brother.

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Question 2