Directions:
Read the following passage about baseball. Then, answer the questions
at the end of the passage by circling the letter next to the correct
answer.
Marcos held his bat tightly. His heart pounded as he bit his lower lip
in anticipation. "This is it," he said to himself. "This is my last
chance to prove that I can play."
The pitcher glared at Marcos as if to say "you're mine." He had just
struck out the last two players and wanted to do it again. The score
was tied 2 - 2 at the bottom of the 9th inning. This was an opportunity
of a lifetime. The crowd was silent. Nobody dared to breathe.
Marcos had never before been the hero. He wanted to know that feeling
more than anything. Although Marcos had butterflies in his stomach, he
stood ready. The ball took off effortlessly from the pitcher's hand.
The crowd sat still and waited. SMACK! The bat and ball made contact.
The ball flew as if in slow motion. All heads turned to follow as it
sailed through the air and over the fence.
Marcos dropped his bat and ran at top speed. The crowd was on their
feet cheering for Marcos. It seemed louder than any crowd he had ever
heard.
As he stepped on home plate in the 2006 World Series, Marcos
remem¬bered that feeling from so long ago.
Now take the test