Grandma Kay
Lyle Crabtree

Emily and her younger sister, Claire, flitted about the kitchen like worker bees in a hive while Grandma Kay, the dignified queen, oversaw the operation. Preparing Sunday dinner for their entire family was no easy task, but Grandma Kay always did so much for the girls that they just couldn't say no to helping her. It was their way of showing respect for Grandma Kay, and if they had learned one thing from Grandma Kay, it was to respect their elders.

"Emily, come here, and I'll teach you to knead the dough," said Grandma Kay. Her voice somehow had the authority of an army general and the kindness of a kindergarten teacher.

Emily observed as Grandma Kay folded, pressed, and rolled the dough like a sculptor molding clay. As she watched, Emily thought about how Grandma Kay had shaped her life. Grandma Kay had taught her about honesty, fairness, trust, and hard work.

Grandma Kay paused to inspect Claire's cake batter. "It still has lumps, Claire. You can do better than that. What do I always say?" asked Grandma Kay.

"Do the best job you can, no matter what," said Claire, reciting one of Grandma Kay's favorite phrases and rolling her eyes.

Emily gave her sister a sympathetic smile, but inside, she knew Grandma Kay actually lived by those words. At eighteen, Grandma Kay had immigrated to the United States from Ireland. She had always been independent, but upon her arrival in New York City, she was actually alone. Grandma Kay worked hard to earn a living and pay rent, but city life was too expensive. She soon moved to a much smaller town. For a while, Grandma Kay worked in a dress factory during the day and waited tables at night to make ends meet. Grandma Kay never let her difficult circumstances get the best of her, though. Even on the darkest days, she looked for the silver lining among the clouds. She threw herself into her work and smiled the whole time.

Later that afternoon, Emily, Claire, and Grandma beamed with pride as their family piled into the dining room. Everyone raved about glossy, maple-glazed ham, golden macaroni and cheese, herbed potatoes, and chocolate cake wrapped in swirls of raspberry frosting.

As Emily sat down, she looked at Grandma Kay, who stood with her arms crossed and a dreamy look upon her face. Emily recognized the look—a mix of happiness, satisfaction, and gratitude. It reminded Emily of another important lesson Grandma Kay had taught her: Be grateful for whatever you have. Emily looked at each person in the room and expressed her thanks, but her gaze lingered longest on Grandma Kay.

Read the passage on the left to answer the following questions:
5)
How might it be said that America provides a perfect setting for Grandma Kay's character?
A) America provided Kay with the opportunity to become successful.
B) America gave Kay the idea to become a cook.
C) America taught Kay to use her imagination.
D) America led Kay to have a family.
6)
Which paragraph best summarizes this passage?
A) Grandma Kay asks her granddaughters Emily and Claire to help her prepare Sunday dinner for their family. As Emily follows her grandmother's instructions, she reflects on all the lessons Grandma Kay has taught her over the years and thinks about the rough early life Grandma Kay experiences. When a delicious dinner is served, Emily is grateful for her family and the food before them, but most of all, she is thankful for Grandma Kay.
B) Emily and her younger sister, Claire, flitted about the kitchen like worker bees in a hive while Grandma Kay, the dignified queen, oversaw the operation. Preparing Sunday dinner for their entire family was no easy task, but Grandma Kay always did so much for the girls that they just couldn't say no to helping her. It was their way of showing respect for Grandma Kay, and if they had learned one thing from Grandma Kay, it was to respect their elders.
C) At eighteen, Grandma Kay had immigrated to the United States from Ireland. She had always been independent, but upon her arrival in New York City, she was actually alone. Grandma Kay worked hard to earn a living and pay rent, but city life was too expensive. She soon moved to a much smaller town. For a while, Grandma Kay worked in a dress factory during the day and waited tables at night to make ends meet. Grandma Kay never let her difficult circumstances get the best of her, though. Even on the darkest days, she looked for the silver lining among the clouds. She threw herself into her work and smiled the whole time.
D) Grandma Kay has very strict expectations of her grandchildren when it came to making dinner with her granddaughters. She corrected her granddaughter Emily when she did not do a good job kneading the dough. Grandma Kay made Emily recite the lesson that she always taught her.
7)
Based on the passage, which word best describes Grandma Kay?
A) cowardly
B) nonchalant
C) sinister
D) dignified