Citations from Text
CITATIONS FROM TEXT are quotes taken from written matter. They can be used to
answer or infer the answer to a question.
Read the story, and then give citations to answer the questions.
The New Teacher
When we returned from winter break I was disappointed to find we had a new teacher,
Mr. Dale. He seemed a little strange. Little did I know how different he would be.
It didn’t bode well, on the next Monday he was late. His lame excuse was, “The weekend
was absolutely the most hectic I’ve ever had. I was activated to fight for the home team. It
was quite a battle. The aliens almost won. I admit I am not prepared to teach, so, just read
whatever..”
As the semester progressed lessons were frequently canceled and replaced with
“whatever.” The class completed assignments but they were seldom graded and returned to
us.
As we got ready for spring break, we still did not have a grade for English. “Sorry class,”
our teacher said, “all of my spare time has been consumed with the battle for supremacy.”
We figured Mr. Dale must be the ultimate game geek. While it had made the year easier
without having copious writing assignments, a grade was needed to get credit or we were all
in danger of meeting again in summer school.
“When will you have time to figure out our grades?” I inquired.
“Hum, I am not certain, so many battles to fight. I’ll try to get some grading in, but I
can’t promise,” Mr. Dale answered.
After the break Mr. Dale greeted the class with a smile from ear to ear. “Good news
class, the battle for Earth is over. The alien issue has been resolved”
“Does that mean you have our grades?” I asked.
“Not yet,” responded Mr. Dale. “But, you can definitely expect some changes. Your
grades will no longer be of concern to you.”
Mr. Dale was absent the next two days. On Thursday, when we arrived at school, there
was a gigantic silver cylinder in the middle of the soccer field. The students gathered around
as a hatch opened and Mr. Dale emerged!
“My dear students,” Mr. Dale addressed us. “You have been such splendid specimens
that you have been spared.” Just then a multitude of creatures poured out of the hatch and
encircled all of us.
“Wait, I thought you were a gamer,” I stammered. “The battles were real? Still, you said
that the alien issue was resolved. So why are these creatures here?”
Mr. Dale chuckled and retorted, “Yes, the alien issue was resolved. We won! We have
overcome the inferior Earthlings. You and all your pitiful cronies will do our bidding. Each
of you deemed worthy will serve us. As for me, I will once again be allowed to return
home. I so miss the regal purple skies.”
1. Is teaching English important to Mr. Dale? How do you know?
2. What did the students think Mr. Dale did on the weekends?? How do you know?
3. What is one way Mr. Dale’s home planet is different from Earth? How do you know?