These two familiar passages were written by the same author, Gary Soto. In both the poem, "Oranges," and the passage "Left Hand, Right Hand," Soto describes a boy without enough money to pay for what he wants. The resolutions turn out very differently, although the boys both start out in the same situation; they don't have enough money to buy what they want. The question you will be answering focuses on a generalization you might find to be true.

Both passages are linked to the book icons below. Check out the question you will be answering to jump-start your brain to be aware of your own response as you read. This gives your reading a purpose and activates your brain cells!

Short Answer Prompt:

The teen in "Oranges" and the first grader in "Left Hand, Right Hand," both face a similar situation, not having enough money to pay for merchandise. Because of the clerk's reaction to the teen who offers an orange as payment for the candy, he leaves the story with his pride intact. The first grader, after facing a clerk who asks for payment and then asks him to leave the store, walks away embarrassed and ashamed.

"Embarrassing situations can be educational" is a generalization that might be made after reading these two selections.

Do you think that an embarrassing situation can ever be educational? (Can a lesson be learned from an embarrassing situation?) Give an example that is different from the situation in the reading selections. Use details from the passages to make a connection between them and your example.

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Don't forget to include all three key elements needed for a solid 2 point response!

1. Your answer to the question: Do you think an embarrassing situation can ever be educational?
2. An example of a possibly embarrassing situation, different from the boys no money to pay situation in the reading selections, that might turn out to be educational.
3. Connection between the passagess and your example (use the text to help explain your example).

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Choose ONE of the following three options for writing your response.

1.		If Microsoft Word is available on your computer, this document allows you to type your answer, use spell check, save, copy/paste text, and/or print the page to turn in. << Click here to open a word form for your response.
2.		This file can be printed, and allows you to use your best penmanship (yes, real writing instead of typing), and turn it in to your teacher. << Click here to open a .pdf file for your response.
3.		If you are a student taking this class through IA, you will need to use this document for your response. Follow directions on your checklist to copy/paste into an e-mail. << Click here for the text.

• evaluates appropriate information and offers opinion
• develops thoughtful interpretations of the educational value of embarrassing situations by providing an original and different example
• makes thoughtful comparisons with sufficient, relevant evidence from passages to connect to the different example

• evaluates limited information and offers basic or superficial opinion
• develops average or simple interpretations of the educational value of embarrassing situations by providing another example
• attempts to use evidence from passages to connect to the different example; support may be limited or irrelevant (not make sense).

• little or no understanding of the boys' situation in the passages and does not offer an opinion regarding lessons to be learned, or the educational value of embarrassing situations
• may answer, "I don't know."
• no example of own and no evidence from passages