Cornelia's Jewels, by James Baldwin It was a bright morning in the old city of Rome many hundred years ago. In a vine-covered summer-house in a beautiful
garden, two boys were standing. They were looking at their mother and her friend, who were walking among the flowers and
trees.
"Did you ever see so pretty a lady as our mother's friend?" asked the younger boy, holding his tall brother's hand. "She looks
like a queen.
"Yet she is not so beautiful as our mother," said the elder boy. "She has a fine dress, it is true; but her face is not noble and
kind. It is our mother who is like a queen."
*That is true,' said the other. There is no woman in Rome so much like a queen as our own dear mother."
Soon Cornelia, their loving and proud mother, came down the walk to speak with them. She was simply dressed in a plain
white robe. Her arms and feet were bare, as was the custom in those days, and no rings nor chains glittered about her hands
and neck. For her only crown, long braids of soft brown hair were coiled about her head; and a tender smile lit up her noble
face as she looked into her sons' proud eyes.
"Boys," she said, "I have something to tell you."
They bowed before her, as Roman lads were taught to do, and said, "What is it, mother?'
"You are to dine with us today, here in the garden; and then our friend is going to show us that wonderful casket of jewels of
which you have heard so much."
The brothers looked shyly at their mother's friend. Was it possible that she had still other rings besides those on her fingers?
Could she have other gems besides those which sparkled in the chains about her neck? When the simple outdoor meal was over, a servant brought the casket from the house. The lady opened it. Ah, how those
jewels dazzled the eyes of the wondering boys! There were ropes of pearls, white as milk, and smooth as satin; heaps of
shining rubies, red as the glowing coals; sapphires as blue as the sky that summer day, and diamonds that flashed and
sparkled like the sunlight.
The brothers looked long at the gems. "Ah!" whispered the younger, "if our mother could only have such beautiful things!"
At last, how-ever, the casket was closed and carried carefully away.
"Is it true, Cornelia, that you have no jewels?" asked her friend. "Is it true, as I have heard it whispered, that you are poor?"
This short story is missing its conclusion. Considering the details readers have of Cornelia, which conclusion is MOST LIKELY?
A)
B)
"No, I am not poor," answered Cornelia, and as she spoke she drew her two
boys to her side; "for here are my jewels. They are worth more than all your
gems."
"No, I am not poor,"answered Cornelia, 'I simply refrain from wearing my
jewels and finery during the days when I am tending to my young sons. I
have great wealth
C) Yes, I am poor. And while I resent your question, I understand that
someone without my grace might not realize it is obvious your inquiry is a
rude, social blunder
D) Yes, I am poor. Perhaps you would consider giving me a few of your many
gems and jewels. Perhaps through your generosity, my sons and I could
enjoy the pleasures of a rich life.

Voluntourism: an opportunity too good to be true a speech to the student body of evergreen high [1] picture this: it's spring break, and you fly off to some country where there's lush rainforests and beautiful, blue coastlines to explore. there's also people in need, so you decide to blend your vacation with volunteering. volunteering as a tourist, or voluntourism, seems like a great way to explore new regions and people at the same time. however, this "volunteer plus travel" experience can actually harm local communities. while many teens might view traveling and volunteering abroad as a worthwhile adventure, there are more genuine and effective ways to make a difference. [2] most would agree that volunteering in general is a worthy use of time. however, what if you found out the children you are "" are actually being kept in poor conditions so voluntourists will spend money to come to the local area? dale rolfe, a supporter of ethical voluntourism, explains the shocking reality that "animal sanctuaries and orphanages are often manufactured for the voluntourist…encouraging a cycle of exploiting the very animals and children the volunteers are trying to ." [3] proponents of the "volunteer plus travel" experience also argue that traveling to new places builds character and is a valuable way to learn about different cultures. with voluntourism, however, participants often pursue experiences that are all about them. for example, they sign up to build a school for a gold star on their resume, but they have no real building skills and take jobs away from local construction workers (schulten). or, they arrive to teach english but instead take selfies with the locals. one world traveler and ethical voluntourist believes voluntourism "can perpetuate small minded views of the world by taking insulated, fake, and structured experiences and selling them as unabridged and eye opening" (carlos). the voluntour experience is a mirage. the voluntourist's eyes are not opened to real life at the destination, and lasting change is not achieved. [4] if you want a genuine experience where you can see a lasting impact, there are better options than voluntourism. you can volunteer in your local community. give an hour every week to your town's animal rescue. serve monthly dinners to the homeless. be a reliable, positive influence on a child who needs a mentor. studies show that volunteering and forming lasting relationships with those you has a positive impact on your physical and emotional health. in fact, blood pressure is reduced, memory is improved, and rates of depression are reduced (michaels). [5] there is another reason to look into alternatives to voluntourism. did you know the average "voluntour" travel package costs $3,400 (rolfe)? could that travel money be better spent? if the world's citizens are your passion, it could go to an international organization. if you care about education, your funds can be used to buy books for students in faraway lands. if you want villagers to have clean water, contribute funds to local efforts to dig wells. if you want to experience a different culture, travel to the country as a guest, and learn from the locals how you can best them after you've returned home. but do not voluntour. [6] in reality, there are better ways to make a difference. voluntourism might appear to be an adventure that blends travel and others, but it does little except provide a costly, superficial experience that might actually do more harm than good. so, volunteer where you are most needed-at home, where you can stay to see the job through and form genuine, lasting relationships. choose a beautiful coastline closer to home and send the travel money you saved to an international organization that will put it to good use. whatever you do, don't turn someone else's hardship into your vacation. which paragraphs address the counterclaim of the argument? paragraphs 1 and 6 paragraphs 2 and 3 paragraphs 3 and 4 paragraphs 4 and 5

4.in those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society. •type of figurative language: •meaning of figurative language: •effect on tone and mood: •effect on audience: choose out of these: hyperbole, irony, historical question, paradox, allusion,metaphor,personification,symbolism and simile

Which words in this excerpt from the count of monte cristo can be used as synonyms to determine the meaning of the word grotto? dant? s entered the second grotto. the second grotto was lower and more gloomy than the first; the air that could only enter by the newly formed opening had the mephitic smell dant? s was surprised not to find in the outer cavern. he waited in order to allow pure air to displace the foul atmosphere, and then went on. 1. air 2. opening 3. mephitic 4. cavern 5. pure 6. atmosphere