The Big Test

Liana nervously bit her nails while she waited for the exam to arrive. She shifted uncomfortably in her

chair, wondering why the seat had to be so hard if she was going to be sitting in it all day. She looked around

the room; hundreds of other law students sat in rows staring anxiously at the tables in front of them. Just as she

began to take a deep breath to calm her anxiety, a proctor placed an exam booklet in front of her. This was the

moment she had been anticipating ever since she began law school three years ago. She picked up her pencil,

and opened to the first page of the bar exam, a necessary test for all students wanting to become licensed

lawyers.

Liana never thought she would want to become a lawyer. Her parents were both artistsher father, a

music teacher, and her mother, a curator for a famous art gallery in New York Cityso law was something she

had not been exposed to as a child. But art made for a tumultuous careerboth of her parents had struggled

when they were younger to find jobs in the area of their passion. Even though they had both emerged successful

and happy, Liana wanted something different. During university, she was attracted to the powerful world of

politics as well as to the complex study of medicine. She liked how everything in science was clear-cutfacts

were facts, and also there was the opportunity to care for people, to help save lives. Yet what she missed in this

field was room for debate; she loved to argue and try to sway her opponents opinion. She was the anchor on

her high school debate team, and consistently impressed her competitors with her analytical thinking. Never

argue with Ms. Lakes, her teachers would say. So she chose to major in politics, knowing that she could never

stray far from a good dispute. Plus, not spending eight years in medical school sounded pretty good to her.

But the path she chose also led to a decent amount of schoolingonce she graduated with a bachelors

degree, she applied to numerous law schools and finally accepted a place at a prestigious university in the city

where her mom worked. She easily convinced herself that it was all worth it; in her mind, she pictured herself in

a New York City courtroom dressed in an expensive suit, with papers in her hand, waving at the jury in an

impassioned speech on human rights. She knew if she just continued to work hard and study late into the night,

she could get there.

all be worth it? Did I study enough? Her thoughts raced through her mind. On the first page of the exam

booklet were seven paragraphs detailing a situation involving the will and testament of a hypothetical character

who had recently passed away. The story gave many details about the writing of the will, about who had been

appointed its executorthe person who carries out the terms of the willand who had been given what by the

testator, or writer of the will. The paragraphs were followed by a series of questions that Liana and her fellow

test-takers all had to answer in a well-organized essay. The first question asked if the will was admitted to

probate. The question is asking if the will has been proven official and acceptable... Liana thought as she

scanned through the essay once more to pick up any important details. She arrived at the answer of yes, and she

quickly scribbled down an explanation before moving onto the next question. The next few hours went like this,

and Liana struggled to stay focused as the clock ticked closer and closer to the lunch hour.

At 12:00 p.m. sharp, a buzzer sounded and everyone was told to put down their pencils and proceed out

the doors for an hour-long lunch break. Liana searched for her friend from law school, Kevin, with whom she

had developed a close relationship after spending so many days and nights in the library studying together. She

finally spotted him in a throng of exhausted students, wandering toward the cafeteria in a daze.

Kevin! she yelled out. He spun around and smiled at her. Howd it go? she asked.

To be honest, I have no idea, I just kept writing, he said.

Liana laughed and said she felt the same way. They joined the congregation that had lined up for food,

and found a couple of seats in the massive crowd.

Hey, hows it going? Im Tara, and this is Brandon, said the girl sitting next to Liana once they had

taken their seats, pointing to her friend across the table.

Good, thanks; Im Liana, and this is Kevin, she replied.

several friends in common.

Its a small world, isnt it, Tara said with a smile.

Once they all had finished lunch, they took a stroll outside to warm up from the chilly air conditioning

inside.

So what made you do all this? Liana asked Tara, wondering about why she had chosen to become a

lawyer.

Good question, she said, staring at the ground, then continued after a short pause. My parents got

divorced when I was young, and my moms lawyer was awful at her job, so I ended up being shuttled back and

forth between my two parents in the most inconvenient way. I figured I could become a lawyer and make some

kids life a lot easier, she explained.

Liana nodded her head and smiled. They both walked in silence for a bit, with Brandon and Kevin

following close behind. Brandon checked his watch, noticing that it was almost 1:00 p.m.

Hey guys, we have to go back in, he said.

The four groaned, then exchanged words of encouragement. They strolled back into the exam center a

bit more refreshed.

As Liana sat down in her uncomfortable chair once again, she thought of Taras comments. She

wondered about how many of the surrounding test-takers were in it for reasons like Taras, and how many of

them wanted to become lawyers for the money and prestige. She opened her booklet once again. It doesnt

matter, she thought. She knew that she wanted to do good. Liana finished the second half of the exam that day

with a bit more confidence than what she started with in the morning.
Answer the following questions:

1. What is the meaning of the underlined word, proctor?

A. Test B. Test Administrator

C. Student D. Liana

2. Who is the main character in the story?

A. Tara B. Kevin

C. Liana D. Ms. Lakes

3. What is the meaning of the underlined word, tumultuous?

A. Difficult B. Easy

C. Loud D. Bad

4. What is the meaning of the underlined word, shuttled?

A. Torn B. Moved

C. Changed D. Sad

5. What is the setting of this story?

A. School B. Lawyers Office

C. Park D. Teachers Office

6. What is the conflict in this story?

A. Lianas parents got a divorce B. Kevin was startled by Liana

C. Liana is nervous about taking her final exam,