Name:_____________________

“The Dignity of Work”

Reading Diagnostic

Scor Questions
e
C 1) Before reading this essay, respond to the following question: What kind of a job
would you be proud to have? Would kind of a job would you not be proud to
have? What is the biggest difference between the two?
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S 2) In the first paragraph of this essay, the author lists a number of things. Why do
you think the author begins this way?
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S/ID 3) How would you describe the tone of the essay (the author’s attitude toward his
subject matter)? Provide a short quotation from the essay that you think is the
best example of this tone.
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S/I 4) In paragraph three, the author calls attention to his greasy overalls and dented
pickup truck right before he describes the picture on the card. Why do you think
he does this?
a. to show that he’s poor
b. to provide contrast
c. to give a sense of setting
d. to demonstrate his strong work ethic

V 5) Define the word “callousness” as used in paragraph 4.

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C 6) What connections can you make between the experience that the author
describes in paragraph 5 and your own life, something else you’ve read, or
something you’ve seen?
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I 7) In your own words, why do you think the card bothers the author so much?
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I 8) In paragraph 5 why does the author look away as he gives money to the
homeless person?
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V 9) Define the word “classism” as used in paragraph 6.

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S 10) Describe how and why the author uses the quotation in paragraph 6.
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CL 11) In paragraph 7, Finn writes, “The assumption is if you sit at a computer you’re
more useful than if you mix cement for a living.” Who is making this assumption?
What, if anything, does this reveal about the author’s bias?
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C/A 12) Do you agree with the author’s main point in paragraph 8? Explain your
answer.
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I 13) Who do you think is responsible for sending the message Finn writes about in
paragraph 9?
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I 14) Why does Finn tell his partner he had a good day?
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A/ID 15) What is Finn’s main argument in your own words? Provide two specific
examples of how he supports his argument (Underline these on the page and
write “support” beside each example).
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A 16) Did you find the author’s argument effective? Explain your answer.
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PK 17) Did answering the first question help you understand the essay? If so, how?
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Score

Category Code Level Comments

Making C
Connections

Using Prior PK
Knowledge

Making I
Inferences

Analysis A

Reading for ID
Information

Knowledge S
of Form and
Style
Vocabulary V

Critical CL
Literacy