Read The Passage Below And Answer The Questions That Follow

Read The Passage Below And Answer the Questions That Followcourag

Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow. Courage to Speak “Any volunteers?†Ms. Chavez scanned the class. Ming slouched farther down in her seat. “Come on now, you’ll all have to interview someone sometime this year. No one wants to go first? Okay, I’ll just have to choose someone.†I am an ant, she won’t notice me, Ming thought. “Ming, why don’t you go first? Come on up and pick a name out of a hat.†Ms. Chavez shook the slips of paper around in the hat. Ming dragged herself up to the front of the room. She drew out a slip of paper. “Mrs. Russo,†Ming whispered hoarsely. “Great, the librarian! You’ll have a fine time interviewing her. Now just remember to ask her the questions we came up with, record her answers, and then you can present them next week.†Ms. Chavez cheered as Ming quickly returned to her seat. Ming knew Mrs. Russo was very nice. She had helped Ming use the computer to find science articles last week. Ming knew she could interview Mrs. Russo. It was the class presentation afterward that she dreaded. Even back home in China, Ming had hated speaking in front of the class. Here in the United States, it was worse. She spoke slowly and with a thick accent. Ming sighed and packed up her books. She had a free period next, so she might as well get the interview part completed. Ming found Mrs. Russo in the reference section of the library. “Hi, Ming!†Mrs. Russo said cheerfully. “Need more articles on chimpanzees this week?†“No, I need to interview you,†Ming said quietly. She suddenly felt shy. Why had Mrs. Chavez given this assignment? “Oh, an interview for what? The school paper?†Mrs. Russo asked. “No. For Mrs. Chavez’s ESL class,†Ming whispered. “Sure, ask away! I’ll just keep stacking these books if you don’t mind,†Mrs. Russo replied, turning to the shelves. Ming felt relieved. It was much easier to interview Mrs. Russo’s back. “Are you American?†Ming asked. “Yes… I mean, I was born in Argentina, but I moved here when I was 25. I became an American citizen. Most of my family still lives in Argentina. My husband and our children live here. I am like all Americans, multicultural,†Mrs. Russo laughed. “Is English your first language?†Ming asked. “No, Spanish is,†Mrs. Russo replied. “What does the American Dream mean to you?†Ming asked. “In Argentina, my husband and I couldn’t make enough money to support our family. We knew that we could in the United States. We also knew we’d have to give up being near our family. The American Dream is not perfect. It takes courage and sacrifices, but it is worth it.†Mrs. Russo turned to Ming. Ming smiled. It takes courage not to act like an ant. She understood why Ms. Chavez had given this assignment. She could find the courage to share what she had learned about Mrs. Russo in front of the class.

Paper For Above instruction

The passage explores themes of courage, cultural identity, and the immigrant experience through the story of Ming, a young girl navigating language barriers and school assignments in the United States. The story emphasizes the importance of bravery in overcoming fears and the value of understanding different cultural backgrounds to foster empathy and personal growth.

Initially, Ming exhibits nervousness and reluctance, exemplified by her slouching and feelings of shyness as she prepares to interview Mrs. Russo. This hesitation highlights her internal struggle with public speaking and adjusting to a new cultural environment. The metaphor “I am an ant” signifies her awareness of smallness and perhaps insignificance in her environment, yet it also reflects her recognition of the courage required to speak out and share her voice.

The narrative underscores the significance of support and kindness through Mrs. Russo’s cheerful and approachable demeanor. Her background as an immigrant from Argentina enriches the story, illustrating the multicultural fabric of American society. Mrs. Russo’s explanation of the American Dream signifies hope and aspiration, acknowledging that achieving success involves challenges, sacrifices, and bravery. Her journey from Argentina to America exemplifies the courage necessary to pursue better opportunities.

Ming’s realization that it takes courage not to act like “an ant” demonstrates her understanding that facing fears and stepping out of comfort zones are vital in personal development. Her decision to interview Mrs. Russo, despite her initial discomfort, symbolizes her growing confidence. The story highlights how overcoming fears and embracing cultural diversity can empower individuals to succeed and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

The story ultimately promotes resilience, the importance of cultural understanding, and the power of courage in confronting challenges. Ming’s experience encapsulates the universal lesson that bravery transforms ordinary individuals into extraordinary contributors, enriching their lives and those of others around them.

References

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