text:
The Celebration

Sarah slipped out onto the balcony of her loft.  From the twelfth floor, Chicago was a Lite-Brite cityscape, each building and monument pegged into the grid.  Metered and regular, from what appeared in the streets as a tangle of twisted metal and cement, a careful design emerged.  Sarah enjoyed this view of Chicago.  It didn't make her nervous.  From ground level, the chaos overwhelmed her.  Perhaps she just thought about it too much.

Leaving the building, into the street, Sarah set out down East 21st, headed toward Michigan Avenue.  Her bag held a bottle of wine, a corkscrew, a tube of lipstick, and five crumpled ones.  A napkin from Armadillo Red, tucked into her back right pocket, gave directions to park bench six blocks from her building.

On a bench in Grant Park, a man sat waiting.  He filled out the crossword puzzle from a three-day-old newspaper.  He had been troubled for the last two hours by number 27 across.  A kitchen gadget, 7 letters.  Blender didn't fit, microwave was too long, and he didn't have enough interest in culinary arts to know of any others.  Frustrated, he pulled out his watch, noting that the person he was waiting for had three minutes to arrive.

Sarah, realizing the time, began to walk more briskly.  She turned down Hendricks and kept toward the curb, avoiding those staking out various doorways and dark inlets.  She kept her eyes on the sidewalk, except to occasionally glance ahead at those approaching.  A man, older, dressed for an evening out, turned the corner half a block ahead.  Sarah, startled, pulled the corkscrew from her bag.  She glanced up more frequently as they approached.  Twenty paces. Now fifteen. Now ten.  She gripped the makeshift weapon tightly in her left hand.  As they passed each other on the sidewalk, she shifted her body toward the man.  Swinging forward, she pushed and twisted in one fluid motion, sinking the metal deeply into his chest. Sarah stepped back and watched him crumple.  The man lifted his head.  He saw Sarah, but his expression did not change.  He pulled the stainless steel from between his ribs, and the blood began to rush from his body.  Sarah waited until his eyes were empty, then snapped away from the scene.  She was going to be late.  Picking up the corkscrew, she stepped around the body and down the sidewalk.

As she approached the man on the bench, he suddenly realized that "toaster" was the word he required.  Scribbling it in and wedging the paper between the bench slats, he silently congratulated himself, then focused on the matter at hand.  Sarah was seething.  "Why? Why like that? Why didn't you tell me, bastard!"  He replied, "I thought it would be interesting.  Besides, it's like ripping off a band-aid.  Sometimes it's better when you have to do it quick.  Either way, I see that it's been done."  Sarah was silent for a moment, and then extended her hand.  "Give me the envelope".

He handed her a manila folder.  Sarah sat down on the grass beside the bench, and spread the contents under a streetlight's glow.  Photographs of the man she had just buried her corkscrew in fanned out like a silent film.  He was shown leaving various cafes, trailed by a different escort each time.  There were snapshots of the man entering Porsches and exiting hired cars.   A copy of his passport listed his name as "Victor Bartoshevich", a Belarusian national.  A birth certificate, for one Sarah Yurevich, bore his signature.  A copy of a wire transfer, made twenty-seven years ago, indicated that $50,000 had been drawn from he and his first late wife's joint checking. The recipient was a hitman who helped facilitate "alternatives to divorce" for those in positions of power and influence.  Victor Bartoshevich, a notoriously private man, would have been shocked to see his own paper trail.

Victor left the cafe on Hendricks at precisely 2:30am, as had become his routine over the past few months.  Rochelle always worked on Tuesdays, and she had better tits than money could ever buy.  Victor paid for them by the hour.  After a night of indulgence, Victor would stumble the block back home.  Aging and "out of the business", he had reconciled with the most hostile of his enemies long ago, and had been enjoying retirement his own way.   Namely, walking alone through the streets of Chicago after dark, and ignoring his estranged daughter's attempts at contact.

Sarah placed the envelope into her purse, and pulled out the bottle of Merlot.  Wiping the corkscrew on the newspaper, she then maneuvered it into the cork, using the same push-twist familiar from thirty minutes prior.  Taking a swig from the bottle, she passed it up to the man on the bench.  They drank the wine and finished the crossword together.  Through the trees they could see the flashing blue lights like fireworks, and imagine the sirens as their parade.

title: Flash Fiction: The Celebration

question: Who is the main character?

answer: Sarah Yurevich

answer: Sarah

text: No last name.

answer: Sarah

text: No last name.

answer: The main character is Sarah.

text: No last name.

question: Why does Sarah kill the man she passes?

answer: Sarah kills the man because he is Victor Bartoshevich, a man she believes is responsible for her estranged father's death.

text: Because he was her estranged father who killed her mother.

refinement: Because he was her estranged father who paid a hitman to kill her mother.

answer: She is hired to kill him.

text: Because he was her estranged father who killed her mother.

refinement: Because he was her estranged father who paid a hitman to kill her mother.

answer: He was her father, but he'd ignored her attempts at contact and had her mother killed

answer: Sarah kills the man because he is her father.

text: He also had her mother killed.

refinement: Because he was her estranged father who paid a hitman to kill her mother.

question: Who is Sarah meeting in the park?

answer: Victor Bartoshevich, a Belarusian national.

text: Doesn't say.

refinement: An unnamed man with information on her father

answer: Sarah is meeting Victor Bartoshevich.

text: An unnamed man with information on her father

refinement: An unnamed man with information on her father.

answer: Sarah is meeting Victor Bartoshevich, a man who she later kills with a corkscrew.

text: Doesn't say.

refinement: Doesn't say.An unnamed man with information on her father.

answer: An unnamed man with information on her father

question: How long does it take the emergency services to find the body?

answer: The emergency services find the body within minutes.

text: It's not stated, but sometime while they're still on the bench.

refinement: It's not stated, but sometime while they're still on the bench.

answer: It is unclear how long it takes the emergency services to find the body, but it is likely to be a few hours or more.

text: It's not stated, but sometime while they're still on the bench.

refinement: It's not stated, but sometime while they're still on the bench.

answer: About a half hour

text: It's not stated, but sometime while they're still on the bench.

refinement: It's not stated, but sometime while they're still on the bench.

answer: It is not stated.

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer: Sarah is a hitwoman who is waiting for her target, Victor Bartoshevich, to arrive. She kills him and takes his money. She then meets with Victor's daughter, Sarah Yurevich, who is also a hitwoman. They drink wine and solve a crossword together.

text: Sarah the hitwoman is the same person as Sarah Yurevich. It's unclear whether she was paid to kill her father.

refinement: Sarah is waiting for her target, Victor Bartoshevich, her estranged father to arrive. She kills him and takes his money. She then meets with the man who gave her the information. They drink wine and solve a crossword together.

text: She doesn't take her father's money.

refinement: Sarah is waiting for her target, Victor Bartoshevich, her estranged father to arrive. She kills him. She then meets with the man who gave her the information. They drink wine and solve a crossword together.

text: The man was solving the crossword before she got there. He shows her all the documents proving her victim was her father and that he had her mother killed by a hitman. They drink wine as the ambulance drives by.

refinement: Sarah is waiting for her target, Victor Bartoshevich, her estranged father to arrive. She kills him. She then meets with the man who gave her the information. He shows her the documents proving the victim was her father and that he had her mother murdered by a hitman. They drink wine as the ambulance drives by.

answer: In this short story, a woman kills a man and then meets up with him to share a bottle of wine and complete a crossword puzzle. The man turns out to be a notorious hitman, and the woman has just killed him. The two sit in a park and watch as the police arrive to investigate.

text: She doesn't meet up with the victim, she meets up with a man who has information on the victim to debrief her.

refinement: In this short story, a woman kills a man and then meets up with a man with information and documents to debrief about the killing. The man turns out to be a notorious hitman, and the woman has just killed him. The two sit in a park and watch as the police arrive to investigate.

text: The victim was not a hitman, he was her estranged father who murdered her mother through a hitman.

refinement: In this short story, a woman kills a man and then meets up with a man with information and documents to debrief about the killing. The victim turns out to be her father who hired a hitman and murdered her mother. The two sit in a park and watch as the police arrive to investigate.

text: The two drink wine opened with the murder weapon corkscrew as the police arrive.

refinement: In this short story, a woman kills a man and then meets up with a man with information and documents to debrief about the killing. The victim turns out to be her father who hired a hitman and murdered her mother. The two sit in a park drinking wine opened with the corkscrew that was the murder weapon and watch as the police arrive to investigate.

answer: Sarah is a hitwoman who is hired to kill Victor Bartoshevich, a Belarusian national. She follows him to a cafe and kills him with a corkscrew. She then takes the manila folder he was carrying and leaves.

text: It's unclear whether she's a hitwoman, more likely that this was a crime of passion with no pay.

refinement: Sarah walks to meet her target, Victor Bartoshevich, a Belarusian national. She follows him to a cafe and kills him with a corkscrew. She then takes the manila folder he was carrying and leaves.

text: She kills him on the sidewalk not in a cafe

refinement: Sarah walks to meet her target, Victor Bartoshevich, a Belarusian national. She walks up to him on the sidewalk and kills him with a corkscrew. She then takes the manila folder he was carrying and leaves.

text: She gets the manila folder from the man on the park bench.

refinement: Sarah walks to meet her target, Victor Bartoshevich, a Belarusian national. She walks up to him on the sidewalk and kills him with a corkscrew. She then walks to the park to meet a man with information about the victim, who confirms he was her father who had her mother murdered.

answer: Sarah leaves her apartment to meet a man at a park bench late at night. Along the way, a man passes her, and she kills him with a corkscrew. When she gets to the park bench, the man gives her a folder, which reveals that the man she killed was her father, who had ignored her attempts at contact and had had her mother killed. Sarah and the man drink wine and watch the lights of the emergency services in the distance.


split: train

text:
The September After
Or,
Starting Point

	I can hear Eliza crying again. She’s started to hide it from us – especially after we tried to get her to see a counselor – but I can still tell from the way her bed rocks in the room above us, and the quiet sniffles echo down the stairs. She’s been this way for a few weeks now, ever since the 28th of August. That is, ever since Jacob died.

	I still remember how she took the news. The doctors came out of the operating room and we were all so hopeful, after all 80% sounds like such a good chance when they tell you it’s potentially life-saving. What you never think of is the 20%, the chance that things don’t go so well and that your eight-year old son will be rolled out on a gurney, the doctor softly whispering the declaration of death to the orderly behind you as you stare at his face. None of us were expecting that 20%, Eliza the least since she was only eleven. I still remember her screaming as she ripped herself from my arm and went to grab Jacob’s hand, lifting the pale little thing up to her face and crying. We were both in shock – her mother and I, that is – as we watched our little girl, raised seeing House and his crew always succeeding, always curing forever the patient, cry into her brother’s lukewarm palm. We stood there for at least ten minutes before I made a move towards her, putting my hand on her shoulder and wiping the smooth scalp of my son. It had been such a hard two years on him, and it showed. He was as thin as a bone, and barely had any energy thanks to the therapy. I can only remember him smiling a handful of times, our little baby boy becoming more and more melancholy until the chemicals made him unable to even be depressed. On the cart, though, he was smiling. I guess he was finally at peace.

	None of us could keep from crying when we returned home. Eliza took a week off school, my boss gave me a week off from work when he heard the news. My wife had to return to her job after three days. She still wasn’t ready, not at all, but she kept it together at her factory and only fell apart when she came back home, sometimes staying up all hours of the night crying. She was fired four days later, falling asleep on her machine. We tried to not let Eliza find out, but we knew that she understood. I found her passed out over a drawing of her mother’s boss being stabbed by the Devil. I knew that was a bad sign, but honestly, I just put it away and laughed.

	Dinners were silent for some time, with Eliza pushing food around her plate with a fork, rolling beans back and forth with a fork while her mother and I attempted conversation. We stopped paying attention to what we made and what we ate, switching meals from cans with the homemade dinners we had been carefully making to exact specifications. Instead of the lively debate we had had in the past our meals were marked by the low-hanging depression and spirits of the topics we skirted around during the rare occasions we did speak.

	Eliza’s birthday was the Tuesday after her mother had been let go, the event normally marked by her jubilation but instead was a quiet, somber affair. We had balloons and cake, the usual decorations looked over and ignored by our daughter quickly before she went back to her room. It was about then that we tried to get her help; of course we weren’t expecting her to be over the death of her brother, but she showed no signs of rehabilitation either. It had been two weeks, and while her mother and I had begun to recover, she still cried every time she saw someone who reminded her of her brother, be it another child with a similar appearance or her art teacher who was notably bald, who’s class she had to be moved from because of her inability to control herself when she saw him. She refused to speak with any of the therapists we brought her to, curling up with her knees against her face when asked any question. No one could help us since she couldn’t speak to them, so we stopped sending her to doctors after a hard week.

	She has started to recover now, I can see. She’s able, at least, to control herself for long enough so that she can hide her crying from us. She can force a smile when she needs to, and can make herself speak to us while we eat, over our recent attempts at home-cooking again. But then she still cries in her room daily, and whenever someone hears this they ask me how I can think that she’s getting any better. I always tell them that I know she’s not getting over her brother. I know she’s depressed and I know she needs help. However, I know that she’s beginning to open up to us helping her again. As they say, you have to start somewhere.

title: The September After

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

What illness led to Jacob's death?

answer: While this story dees not specify that information, it does mention that the doctors were going to perform a surgery.

answer: There does not seem to be a specific illness or condition mentioned.

answer: The exact illness wasn't mentioned, but the descriptions of the boy (bald, chemicals) all point to some form of cancer.

answer: Jacob died from cancer.

text: The passage only implies this.

refinement: The story implies Jacob died from cancer.

answer: Jacob died due to cancer.

text: The passage only implies this.

refinement: The story implies Jacob died due to cancer.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

What's wrong with Eliza?

answer: She's depressed and can't get over the death of her brother, Jacob.

answer: Eliza is clinically depressed following the death of her brother. She is struggling to recover from his death and has not yet found the ability to work through her grieving process.

answer: She misses her brother and is overwhelmed by sadness.

answer: Eliza has been experiencing depression since the death of her brother two weeks ago. She has sporadically shown signs of improvement, but still regularly cries and has refused all attempts at therapy.

answer: She misses her brother and she is quite depressed.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

What location is this all taking place?

answer: Unclear.

answer: This all takes place at the family's home.

text: This isn't true. Some of the scenes take place in the hospital.

answer: That information can't be found.

answer: That information can’t be found.

answer: This is taking place in the family's home.

text: This is not true. Certain scenes take place in the hospital.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

Why was Eliza's mom let go from work?

answer: Eliza's mom was let go from work because she couldn't control herself and fell asleep while working. This happened four days after Jacob died, and this is what caused Eliza to start acting depressed.

answer: She fell asleep on the machine she had been given duties to do because she was never truly over walking into her son, now deceased, being rolled out of surgery on a gurney.

answer: Unclear.

text: This question is clearly answered in the story.

refinement: Her mother was not performing well at work because she didn't have enough time to mourn her son.

answer: Eliza's mom was let go from work because she was falling asleep at her machine, which made her an unsafe employee. This also had a significant impact on Eliza, who was already dealing with the loss of her brother.

answer: She fell asleep on her machine at the factory.

question: Write a ~5 sentence summary.

answer: Eliza, an eleven-year-old girl, lost her eight-year-old brother suddenly and tragically. Ever since, she has been inconsolable, grieving and crying constantly. She is beginning to show signs of recovery, however, beginning to speak and connect with her family again. She still has a long way to go, but she is getting there.

text: This is not a five-sentence summary.

refinement: Eliza, an eleven-year-old girl, lost her eight-year-old brother suddenly and tragically. Ever since, she has been inconsolable, grieving and crying constantly. Her father has noticed that no matter what they do, she does not respond. She is beginning to show signs of recovery, however, beginning to speak and connect with her family again. She still has a long way to go, but she is getting there.

answer: After the sudden death of her older brother, eleven-year-old Eliza began struggling with depression. Her family tried to get her help, but Eliza refused to cooperate with doctors. Now, two weeks later, she has started to recover slowly but surely. Despite everything, Eliza is beginning to open herself up again, allowing her family to support her.

text: This is not a five-sentence summary.

refinement: After the sudden death of her older brother, eleven-year-old Eliza began struggling with depression. Her family tried to get her help, but Eliza refused to cooperate with doctors. Even during her birthday, she refused to celebrate. Now, two weeks later, she has started to recover slowly but surely. Despite everything, Eliza is beginning to open herself up again, allowing her family to support her.

answer: The narrator asks why his daughter Eliza is still so upset about her brother who passed away more than two months ago, despite their attempts to help her recover. The narrator describes how Eliza took the news of Jacob's passing, and they were all devastated. He reflects on the few weeks after Jacob's passing, noting that their family was all devastated, too. When Eliza turns 11, she doesn't want to speak with a therapist, and they stop bringing her. Her father says that Eliza has started to open up to them again, but she still cries every day.

text: The narrator does not ask his daughter why she is so upset.

refinement: The narrator notices his daughter Eliza is still so upset about her brother who passed away more than two months ago, despite their attempts to help her recover. The narrator describes how Eliza took the news of Jacob's passing, and they were all devastated. He reflects on the few weeks after Jacob's passing, noting that their family was all devastated, too. When Eliza turns 11, she doesn't want to speak with a therapist, and they stop bringing her. Her father says that Eliza has started to open up to them again, but she still cries every day.

answer: The story's narrator and his wife are concerned about Eliza, their eleven year old daughter who is brokenhearted about her brother Jacob's death. Her extreme state of distress also stems from her mother being fired from her job. They make many efforts to get help for Eliza, but she has consistently refused to see any therapists. One day while Eliza is cradling a drawing of her mother's boss, her father tells her that their mother has been fired from her job. Though Eliza cries, she is able to control herself enough to not inform her grief-stricken mother.

answer: When 11-year-old Eliza's younger brother, Jacob, succumbs to illness, she becomes depressed and refuses medical help to get over her loss. Eliza cries every night and every time she sees someone that resembles Jacob. Her parents try everything to make her feel better, but since they are all mourning, nothing really helps. Eliza starts to recover after a time, controlling herself long enough to hide her crying and force a smile when she needs to. She's even talking to her parents now over dinner, which is a good sign.


text:
This American Life recently had an episode featuring superheroes and superpowers. The first story debated the power of flight versus the power of invisibility. Which would you choose if you had the option and why? Between those two options, I choose the power to fly. Invisibility seems creepy to me and reminds me of that Clay Aiken song, Invisible. And yes, one of his lines in that song is, “If I was invisible, then I could just watch you in your room” (www.azlyrics.com). How was that song his one hit wonder? Pre-adolescent girls must fantasize about superhero stalkers using their powers for evil creeping . . .? Anyway, back to discussing the power of flight. I imagine that flying would be the ultimate freeing experience.

During my walks I like to watch the ravens tease one another with small prey they capture in their talons. They flip, turn and free-fall along the cliff side, and it just seems in that moment that their worries fall away as they whole-heartedly play. Of course, the poor mouse that is repeatedly dropped in the sport is probably not describing the experience as playful or fun. But just think! Flying would save me money on gas, airfare and wasted time sitting in frustrating Bay Area traffic. It would provide me with the exhilarating sensation that I feel when running. That sensation that nothing is holding you back, and you can go it alone and be all right. Many of the interviewees on This American Life stated that they would not want to use their power of flight or invisibility to help others. I sheepishly admit that rescuing people was not the first idea that popped into my mind when I pictured myself capable of flying to Hawaii (for free) on a whim. However, I had a recent experience leave me with a different superpower that I would use for the aid of others.

First, I need to preface this story with a few important details. I have extremely limited knowledge about automobiles. My capabilities when it comes to fixing or addressing issues with my car include putting gas in the fuel tank and refilling the windshield washer fluid. Yes, it’s sad but true. I almost helped change a flat tire on my car, but then it turned out that my wheel lock key was missing. You pretty much get the idea that I'm a dunce when it comes to resolving automobile issues on my own. I drive a Honda Element for work, and one morning a light came on the dashboard. I went to the user manual to decipher the hieroglyphic looking symbol, and it turned out that this particular symbol indicates low tire pressure through the tire pressure monitoring system. Well, I addressed the problem like I do most of my automobile issues: I ignored it hoping that it would go away.

A few days passed by and the damn low tire pressure light was still lit on the dashboard. I made the executive decision to stop ignoring the problem and face it. I turned to my phone and looked up how to put air into a tire. I encourage you to laugh at me, because putting air in a tire is about as basic as refilling the windshield washer fluid. But I had never done it before, and I feared the tire exploding in my face. I did know through my law class that gas stations were ordered to provide air for free, so I knew that it wouldn't cost me anything. Well, I bought a tire pressure gauge and went around to all the tires trying to figure out which one was low. Before you judge me for not just using my eyes, I did look at the tires, and they all looked fine to me. So, I took my new tire pressure gauge and checked all the tires. Sure enough the driver’s side rear tire was low and you could not tell just by looking at it. Great! I successfully determined which tire was low, and now all I had to do was fill it up with some air. Sounds easy enough, but of course being a novice this task was daunting.

I pulled the hose for the air and squeezed the lever to emit the pressurized air. Nothing. I kept squeezing, because like the “door close” elevator button, the more you try the faster it will work . . . Still nothing. Then, I decided to read the directions. Clearly stated on the front of the machine it says that to use the air you just need to go inside to the front counter. I went inside and the nice gentleman turned the air on for me, and naturally when I returned outside it actually sounded like it was on. I squeezed the lever and a shot of air came out. After removing the cap, I held the end of the hose to the nozzle on the tire and squeezed air into the tire. I began panicking though, because I was worried that air wasn’t actually going into the tire, and I was just deflating the tire. I held the end on tighter and squeezed. Paranoid about exploding tires in my face, I stopped and decided to check the pressure with my gauge. Victory! I had successfully inflated the tire to the recommended tire pressure as per the user manual guidelines.

I felt invigorated! I stood a little taller and walked with my palms face out wearing my grease proudly. However, I knew that the real testament to my success depended on that little light on the dash. I turned the car on, the low tire pressure light came on and I started to drive away. Suddenly, the light turned off! At that moment, I was unstoppable. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. As I drove on, I noticed that I began obsessively focusing on every driver’s tires. Custom paint job, imported rims, 16 cylinder 1200 horsepower Bugatti Veyron Vitesse? Nah man, check out those properly inflated tires! Throughout the day I stared at every tire I walked past, and I began feeling the urge to check the tire’s pressure. I resisted the temptation, because I didn’t feel like being arrested. Then, I would have to explain to my arresting officer that I was not trying to steal the car’s wheels; “I swear officer I was only checking the tire pressure.” It did give me an idea though. In order to avoid conflicts with law enforcement I would have to choose the life of a vigilante. I could call myself the Psi Equalizer and rescue citizen’s cars from potential flat tires by warning them about the dangerous villain, low tire pressure. My other adversaries would include broken glass, latent nail and the always conniving, pothole. Flight might not instill a sense of humanitarianism, but my new, real super power has. Fear not humankind the Psi Equalizer is here to save the day!

title: The Psi Equalizer

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

To what does the title refer?

answer: The title refers to the power to be able to fill a tire with air.

text: It is omitted that Psi Equalizer is a superhero name.

refinement: The title refers to the name of the superhero with the power to be able to fill a tire with air.

text: "Be able to" may be removed for clarity.

refinement: The title refers to the name of the superhero with the power to fill a tire with air.

answer: 'The Psi Equalizer' is the vigilante superhero name the narrator has chosen for themselves.

answer: To the story's narrator being ignorant when it comes to the inner workings of a combustion-driven internal combustion engine and having gotten so incredibly frustrated with certain things with the automobile that he decided to cultivate his new super power to resolve the industrial issues that novice automobile owners must deal with.

text: The response is long and winding and fails to answer the question.

text: Empty response

refinement: The Psi Equalizer is the superhero who helps people fix flat tires.

answer: It refers to psi powers

text: The response is inaccurate. It is a superhero name. It says in the text: "I could call myself the Psi Equalizer and rescue citizen’s cars from potential flat tires by warning them about the dangerous villain, low tire pressure."

refinement: It refers to the superhero who helps people fix flat tires.

answer: The title refers to the power of flying.

text: The response is inaccurate. It is a superhero name. It says in the text: "I could call myself the Psi Equalizer and rescue citizen’s cars from potential flat tires by warning them about the dangerous villain, low tire pressure."

refinement: The title refers to the superhero who helps people fix flat tires.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

What is the narrator's superpower?

answer: Making sure other people have good gas-air levels in their tires.

answer: The narrator's superpower is that they are auto-savvy - able to

text: The sentence is incomplete. "Auto-savy" is also not specific.  The superpower is to inflate flat tires.

refinement: The narrator's superpower is being able to fix other people's deflated tires.

answer: The narrator's superpower is the power to inflate tires. The narrator recognizes that, though simple, this ability has immense potential to help people. Rather than using their power of flight or invisibility to better themselves or benefit themselves, the narrator uses their newfound power for the benefit of others.

text: The last sentence is inaccurate. In the essay, the author did not compare the superpower to inflate tires to the power of flight or invisibility.

refinement: The narrator's superpower is the power to inflate tires. The narrator recognizes that, though simple, this ability has immense potential to help people.

answer: The narrator's superpower is the ability to solve automobile issues.

text: "Automobile issues" is too broad. To be specific, the superpower is to inflate flat tires.

refinement: The narrator's superpower is the ability to inflate flat tires.

answer: The ability to determine if the tires on a care have low pressure and therefore need to be refilled with air.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

What are the benefits of invisibility?

answer: The only benefits mentioned here is the creepy ability to watch people without them knowing.

answer: The benefits of invisibility are that it can help protect someone from being seen when they are up to mischief or conducting espionage. The power of invisibility would also allow a person to spy without being seen and avoid dangers such as getting caught in traffic or encounters with law enforcement. While the power of flight can allow for exhilaration, invisibility could also provide a sense of security.

text: The question only asks about the benefits of invisibility. There is no need to include anything about the power of flight.

refinement: The benefits of invisibility are that it can help protect someone from being seen when they are up to mischief or conducting espionage. The power of invisibility would also allow a person to spy without being seen and avoid dangers such as getting caught in traffic or encounters with law enforcement.

text: The second sentence may be removed for two reasons. First, it's already expressed in the first sentence that the power of invisibility allows a person to spy on others. Second, although a valid point, the essay did not mention anything about using invisibility to avoid traffic or get away with traffic violations.

refinement: The benefits of invisibility are that it can help protect someone from being seen when they are up to mischief or conducting espionage.

text: It should be singular form "benefit" as there is only one mentioned.

refinement: The benefit of invisibility is that it can help protect someone from being seen when they are up to mischief or conducting espionage.

answer: The primary benefit of invisibility is that it removes the worry of being seen. This would provide a sense of freedom, as there would be no need to worry about being judged by others. Additionally, invisibility could be useful in avoiding detection and confrontation with law enforcement or other harmful beings. Invisibility could also be advantageous in both work and personal situations where close observation might be inappropriate. The main drawback of invisibility is that it could provide the opportunity for stalking and evil deeds.

text: The first sentence is enough to answer the question. All else is either unnecessary or inaccurate details.

refinement: The primary benefit of invisibility is that it removes the worry of being seen.

answer: The ability to see without being seen.

answer: The ability to spy on people

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

What are the benefits of being able to fly?

answer: The narrator is not sure other than not having to deal with traffic, not wasting time sitting, and not having to pay for tickets to Hawaii.

text: "Wasting time sitting" and "having to deal with traffic" are related. They may be merged for simplicity and clarity.

refinement: The narrator is not sure other than not having to waste time sitting in traffic and not having to pay for tickets to Hawaii.

text: "The narrator is not sure" is extraneous.

refinement: The benefits are not having to waste time sitting in traffic and not having to pay for tickets to Hawaii.

answer: The narrator immediately thinks of saving money on trips, meaning cheap holidays to places like Hawaii and easier commutes that avoid traffic.

answer: The benefits of being able to fly include being able to travel long distances quickly, being able to get to difficult places and avoiding traffic. Being able to fly allows for an exhilarating sense of freedom, and should also help avoid situations where proper car maintenance may be neglected.

text: "And should also help avoid situations where proper car maintenance may be neglected" is unnecessary detail.

refinement: The benefits of being able to fly include being able to travel long distances quickly, being able to get to difficult places and avoiding traffic. Being able to fly allows for an exhilarating sense of freedom.

answer: It would save on money on gas, airfare, and wasted time in traffic.

answer: The benefits of being able to fly include many things such as the ability to travel freely, decreased traffic and high perceptions of freedom and exhilaration. Being able to fly also enables the user to rescue others from potential automobile-related issues such as low tire pressure.

text: The second sentence is inaccurate. It's not expressed in the text the being able to fly can help people fix car issues.

refinement: The benefits of being able to fly include many things such as the ability to travel freely, decreased traffic and high perceptions of freedom and exhilaration.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: This essay argues that flying would be the better super power to have because it would provide exhilaration and a sense of freedom. Flying would also allow one to solve everyday automobile problems. This superhero would use their power to help people with properly inflated tires.

text: The flying superpower is unrelated to the power to fix flat tires. The author did not say that flying would "solve everyday automobile problems."

refinement: This essay argues that flying would be the better super power to have because it would provide exhilaration and a sense of freedom. This superhero will use their power to help people with properly inflated tires.

text: It is omitted that the author shares that they want to be a superhero called the Psi Equalizer. As quoted in the passage, the author said: "I could call myself the Psi Equalizer and rescue citizen’s cars from potential flat tires by warning them about the dangerous villain, low tire pressure."

refinement: This essay argues that flying would be the better super power to have because it would provide exhilaration and a sense of freedom. They also share that they want to be a superhero called the Psi Equalizer. This superhero will use their power to help people with properly inflated tires.

text: "To help people with properly inflated tires" is inaccurate. The Psi Equalizer would help people with deflated tires.

refinement: This essay argues that flying would be the better super power to have because it would provide exhilaration and a sense of freedom. They also share that they want to be a superhero called the Psi Equalizer. This superhero will use their power to help people inflate flat tires.

text: It is omitted that the author was to choose between flying superpower and invisibility.

refinement: This essay argues that flying would be a better super power than invisibility because it would provide exhilaration and a sense of freedom. They also share that they want to be a superhero called the Psi Equalizer. This superhero will use their power to help people inflate flat tires.

text: The last two sentences may be merged to shorten the summary.

refinement: This essay argues that flying would be a better super power than invisibility because it would provide exhilaration and a sense of freedom. They also share that they want to be a superhero called the Psi Equalizer to help people inflate flat tires.

answer: The text is about superhero powers; the narrator contemplates if they would choose the power of flight or the power of invisibility and goes in depth about how they chose the power of flight to use for good to aid others, rather than flying to Hawaii or avoiding ever being noticed.

text: "Rather than flying to Hawaii or avoiding ever being noticed" does not make sense and is best removed.

refinement: The text is about superhero powers; the narrator contemplates if they would choose the power of flight or the power of invisibility and goes in depth about how they chose the power of flight to use for good to aid others.

text: It is omitted that the author also wants to be a superhero called the Psi Equalizer to help those who need their tires inflated. As quoted in the passage, the author said: "I could call myself the Psi Equalizer and rescue citizen’s cars from potential flat tires by warning them about the dangerous villain, low tire pressure."

refinement: The text is about superhero powers; the narrator contemplates if they would choose the power of flight or the power of invisibility and goes in depth about how they chose the power of flight to use for good to aid others. They also share that they want to be a superhero called the Psi Equalizer to help people inflate flat tires.

answer: The text is about the author's experience and the advantages and disadvantages of flying, as opposed to using the powers of invisibility.

text: It is omitted that the author wants to be a superhero called the Psi Equalizer to help those who need their tires inflated. As quoted in the passage, the narrator said: "I could call myself the Psi Equalizer and rescue citizen’s cars from potential flat tires by warning them about the dangerous villain, low tire pressure."

refinement: The text is about the author's experience and the advantages and disadvantages of flying, as opposed to using the powers of invisibility. They also want to be a superhero called the Psi Equalizer to help people inflate flat tires.

text: It is unclear what is being referred to as "the author's experience." It is best to remove it from the summary.

refinement: The text is about the author explaining the advantages and disadvantages of flying, as opposed to using the powers of invisibility. They also want to be a superhero called the Psi Equalizer to help people inflate flat tires.

answer: The author argues that the power of flight would be preferable to invisibility because it provides thrilling and freeing sensation. The author also recounts how they learned how to change a flat tire and resolved a tire pressure issue on their car. The author concludes that their newfound superpower, checking tire pressure, makes them feel benevolent.

text: The summary is too long. The third sentence may be removed as it's the least important detail.

refinement: The author argues that the power of flight would be preferable to invisibility because it provides thrilling and freeing sensation. The author also recounts how they learned how to change a flat tire and resolved a tire pressure issue on their car.

answer: After weighing the pros and cons of human flight and invisibility, the narrator considers taking on the superhero mantle of 'The Psi Equalizer' upon discovering the ability to read low tire pressure with a pressure gauge.

text: It is a bit confusing because it is omitted from the summary that the author chooses human flight over invisibility. The author wanting to become the Psi Equalizer is a different matter.

refinement: After weighing the pros and cons of human flight and invisibility, the narrator chooses human flight. He also considers taking on the superhero mantle of 'The Psi Equalizer' upon discovering the ability to read low tire pressure with a pressure gauge.


text:
    We were enjoying the cool night air. I lit a cigarette and took a quick harsh drag. My friend sat next me, quiet. He wouldn’t admit his thoughts, but I could see them on his face. I sat with the cigarette between fingers, slowly burning down, quickly giving me a buzz, relieving my stress. He was waiting for a text. I was waiting for anything. That night I wore shorts and a sweater: comfortably chilled. I can’t remember, but it is possible that we had been drinking.
    From the vantage point of my friend’s porch we could see them approach her building and stand just outside her door. She was anxious. He, as always, was calm and cool.
    I turned to my friend, “Do you see this?” I took a drag, eager for what happened next.
    They stood there. Talking. His jeans loose, hems on the concrete, striped hoody, and backwards flat-billed baseball cap, all synonymous with his profile. She wore a skirt, netted leggings underneath, large boots coming half way up her calf, a low cut shirt and a half buttoned up purple cardigan sweater, her sunset red hair kept neat under a black beret. These two friends stood talking in the dark of night; thinking that they were alone in this moment. That for a few minutes the world was theirs. I watched on, ignorant to my friend’s presence and text chimes. In my mind I saw and heard their conversation. She was thanking him for being a good guy to walk her home. He said it was nothing and that he was happy to do it; “No problem.” One of them checked their phone, probably he did. He motioned to go. She asked him to wait. She stepped in for a hug and embraced him. He wasn’t reluctant, he didn’t stop to think about the implications, and he did not consider his girlfriend hundreds of miles away. He didn’t think about how much his girlfriend meant to him, and he didn’t consider how much this girl holding him right now wanted to be more than friends. He held her tight in his arms. And he released first. She held a second longer, understanding that now, given the circumstances, and his obligations, that he could not be with her. She turned to unlock her door; she pulled it open and stood there, holding it. One hand on the door, the other hanging at her side. They said goodbye, he turned and walked away. But she didn’t turn in. She stood there.
    I was fixated on her. I wanted to walk over to her and tell her I’m sorry it wouldn’t work out with him. I wanted to run after him and tell him what he’s doing to her. But I couldn’t. I watched her. This image is cast in my mind like stone. The yellow lights on the wall above her emitting their soft enveloping glow. The way she held most of her weight on one foot. Her head cocked slightly to one side and inclined towards his fleeting presence. And my friend reclined on next to me. Cigarette smoke drifting before my face in the breeze.
     To me this moment only lasted about fifteen seconds. She watched after him. I saw in her body language how she registered the ramifications of their conversation and interactions. Her body slouched. Her hand fell off the door letting it swing in, stopping against her shoulder. She loosened her firm stance and stepped one foot back to turn, but she couldn’t yet. She had to watch him a few seconds longer; she had to hope that he’d changed; that maybe he did feel the same way for her. Hoped that maybe he’d turn back for her. I could only imagine how long this felt for her, the emotions she felt as he went farther away, without looking back: the impact of his words tonight, the realizations within that hug, the disappointment and despondency of that brief moment. She finally turned in—sad, lonely, defeated. I felt sorry for her. I felt guilty that I had intruded on this moment; that I watched something that was supposed to be private and within only her world.
   I finished my cigarette, crushed the butt, and threw it away.

title: A Goodbye (ws please)

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

Who is the narrator with?

answer: The narrator is with her friend.

text: There is no evidence of whether the narrator is a man or a woman.

answer: Their friend.

answer: The narrator is with their friend who is waiting for a text from his girlfriend.

text: There is no evidence that the narrator's friend was waiting for a text from his girlfriend.

refinement: The narrator is with their friend who is waiting for a text.

answer: A friend is with the narrator.

answer: The narrator is with a friend.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

Whose building was being approached?

answer: A neighbor they were snooping on.

answer: The woman's.

answer: He seems to be her boyfriend's, which would explain why the author seemed so fixated on seeing the hug occur.

text: It is incorrect that the building being approached was the boyfriend's

refinement: The building being approached was the girl's.

answer: The building of the girl the man was saying goodbye to was being approached.

answer: The building being approached belonged to the girl.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

Who is the narrator?

answer: The narrator is the friend who is watching the interaction between the two people.

answer: The narrator is the second person sitting with a friend on the porch watching the other couple say goodbye.

answer: Probably a neighbor.

text: It is incorrectly stated that the narrator is the neighbor.

refinement: The narrator is the one sitting with his friend on the porch watching the couple say goodbye.

answer: An observer of this romance on the verge of breaking.

answer: Information can't be found.

text: It is omitted that the narrator is the person watching the couple bid farewell.

refinement: Information can't be found. All the story states is that the narrator is the person watching the couple say goodbye.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

Why could they not be together?

answer: It isn't stated.

text: It is incorrect that this information is not stated.

refinement: The two friends could not be together because the guy had a girlfriend.

answer: The two friends could not be together because there was another person in the friend's life. The friend had a girlfriend who was away from him and the girl they were watching was interested in being more than friends.

answer: Because the man who walked her home has a girlfriend.

answer: The two friends were not together because the girl's relationship with her partner prevented the possibility. Rather than consider the consequences of their actions, they embraced without thinking and parted ways with sadness.

text: It is incorrect that the girl's relationship with her partner prevented the possibility.

refinement: The two friends were not together because the boy's relationship with his partner prevented the possibility. Rather than consider the consequences of their actions, they embraced without thinking and parted ways with sadness.

answer: Unclear, but it's apparent he has a girlfriend.

text: It is incorrect that it is unclear.

refinement: It's apparent the boy has a girlfriend and that stopped the two from being together.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: The narrator, along with his friend, watches a woman being walked home by a man she is hopelessly in love with. Unfortunately, her love is not reciprocated. The narrator feels bad for intruding on their moment.

answer: The narrator is sitting with his friend on a porch, smoking a cigarette as they watch a couple in the building where the narrator lives. They watch the man give the woman a hug and walk away when she turns to go into the building. The narrator watches her and lamented that she was unsure if the man that walked away from her loved her or not.

text: It is incorrect that the couple walks into the building where the narrator stays.

refinement: The narrator is sitting with his friend on a porch, smoking a cigarette as they watch a couple in the building opposite the narrator's friend's porch. They watch the man give the woman a hug and walk away when she turns to go into the building. The narrator watches her and lamented that she was unsure if the man that walked away from her loved her or not.

text: The fact that the man has a girlfriend and at the same time didn't think about the implications is evidence that it is rather confusing whether he loves this woman or not.

answer: The narrator recounts a night several months ago when he and a friend watched a girl say goodbye to her friend. The two friends embraced tightly before the boy walked away. The girl was sad and lonely after realizing the boy could not be with her. The narrator realized he had intruded on a private moment and finished his cigarette.

text: It is incorrect that the narrator is recounting a night several months ago.

refinement: The narrator is sitting on his friend's porch watching a girl say goodbye to her friend. The two friends embraced tightly before the boy walked away. The girl was sad and lonely after realizing the boy could not be with her. The narrator realized he had intruded on a private moment and finished his cigarette.

answer: Two friends watch a woman interact with the man she likes as the moonlight shines on them. The narrator feels guilty that he is intruding, and thinks about going to her to say the man was using her then leaving. He just watches her sadly as she turns away from the guy as if she had just been sure he would come back to her.

text: It is incorrect that she was sure he would come back.

refinement: Two friends watch a woman interact with the man she likes as the moonlight shines on them. The narrator feels guilty that he is intruding, and thinks about going to her to say the man was using her then leaving. He just watches her sadly as she turns away from the guy as if she had just been sure he would never come back to her.

answer: The protagonist sits with their friend and watches as his long-time friend walks the girl home. The friend says goodbye, the girl watches after him for a few seconds as he leaves. The protagonist feels guilt for intruding on the moment. The girl seems sad and defeated, and can't yet turn away.

text: It is incorrect that the protagonist's long-time friend walks the girl home.

refinement: The protagonist sits with their friend and watches as a man walks a girl home. The guy says goodbye, the girl watches after him for a few seconds as he leaves. The protagonist feels guilt for intruding on the moment. The girl seems sad and defeated, and can't yet turn away.

text: Grammatical error - "the narrator feels guilt for intruding"

refinement: The protagonist sits with their friend and watches as a man walks a girl home. The guy says goodbye, the girl watches after him for a few seconds as he leaves. The protagonist feels guilty for intruding on the moment. The girl seems sad and defeated, and can't yet turn away.

text: "Her body slouched. Her hand fell off the door letting it swing in, stopping against her shoulder. She loosened her firm stance and stepped one foot back to turn" is evidence that the girl felt defeated.


text:
BIG DATA INSIGHTS INTO LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP

eHarmony and Netflix match you up with compatible people or
mystery movies based on how you answer their questions. You too can use modern
technologies and methods to find love and friendship.

1.
GO ONLINE. _MORE
THAN A THIRD OF NEW MARRIAGES BEGIN ONLINE, AND COUPLES WHO MEET ONLINE REPORT HIGHER
MARRIAGE SATISFACTION, ACCORDING TO A STUDY BY THE PEW RESEARCH CENTER._
It’s an effective way to clarify what you’re looking for in a partner and meet
more singles.

2.
PERSONALIZE YOUR GOALS. Families come in many different shapes today.
You may want to marry and have children early in life. You may find happiness
in other arrangements.

3.
SEEK COMPANIONSHIP. As adults live longer, many men and women place
a higher value on companionship. _BEING ABLE TO TALK WITH SOMEONE IS LIKELY TO
MATTER MORE THAN THEIR PHYSICAL APPEARANCE OR FINANCIAL STATUS._

4.
MAKE NEW FRIENDS. Longer life spans may also mean that you’ll
need to keep making friends in your later years. It may require more effort
than it did when you are were a student or new parent, but the rewards are
worth it.

5.
COVER LONG DISTANCES. On the other hand, you can hang onto your old
friends even if you live on opposite sides of the world. Schedule regular video
calls or plan your vacations together.

6.
BOND AT WORK. If your career plays a large part in your life,
you may enjoy participating in professional associations and socializing with
your colleagues. Whatever you do for a living, office friendships can add to
your job satisfaction.

7.
EXPLORE SHARED INTERESTS. Maybe your passions have more to do with your
leisure interests. Browse Meetup or start a group who will want to join you for
weekend hikes or local theater performances.

APPLYING PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS TO LOVE AND
FRIENDSHIP

Companies use big data to predict what their customers will
buy next or what product features they want. You can usually figure out what
your future will look like based on your behavior today.

1.
PRACTICE KINDNESS. _BEING THOUGHTFUL AND COMPASSIONATE WILL DRAW PEOPLE TO YOU._ It’s impossible to predict when you will run
into someone you want to know better, so stay in practice.

2.
GIVE GENEROUSLY. Look for ways to brighten someone else’s day.
You’ll feel happier, and experience fewer conflicts. Ask a co-worker how you
can help them meet a proposal deadline. Shovel the snow off the sidewalk for an
elderly neighbor.

3.
COMMUNICATE OPENLY. Strong communication skills will make your
relationships run more smoothly. Speak directly and tactfully. Listen attentively.
Express your appreciation and offer constructive feedback.

4.
TAKE RISKS. Welcoming love and friendship into your life requires you to be vulnerable
at times. You may sometimes feel rejected or hesitant to reveal your true
thoughts. _REMIND YOURSELF THAT YOU ARE WORTHY OF LOVE, AND FOCUS ON WHAT YOU HAVE
TO GAIN._

Even in a rapidly changing world, some things remain the
same. Big data and technology offer new ways to enhance your love life and
broaden your social circle. At the same time, you can still attract your next
dinner date or best friend by cultivating a loving heart.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

What are the conclusions of big data on enhancing our love lives and making more friends?

answer: Big data shows that online dating and online networking can lead to a higher rate of successful relationships and friendships. Communication skills, kindness, generosity, and taking risks are important qualities that will build stronger relationships. All of these characteristics can help bring love and friendship into our lives.

answer: Big data reveals that kindness, generosity, and communication skills can have positive effects on our relationships and allow us to make new friends. In order to effectively navigate this changing landscape, we should remain open to taking risks and welcoming love and friendship into our lives.

answer: Just like companies use computer analytics to figure out what their customers want to buy next, some firms are using the same technology to figure out how to help people find love and broaden their base of friendships. According to analytics, to enhance our love lives, we ought to try and brighten someone else's day, speak tactfully and listen attentively. Also practicing kindness and being vulnerable goes a long way to making people trust us.

answer: Data shows that practicing kindness, giving generously, and communicating openly are all effective ways towards gaining love and making more friends.

answer: It involves some way or another being nice to others.

text: The response given is vague and doesn't fully answer the question.

refinement: Data analytics show that online dating and networking can lead to a higher chance of developing successful relationships and friendships. Communication skills, kindness, generosity, and taking risks are essential qualities that will build stronger relationships. All of these characteristics can help bring love and friendship into our lives.


text:
Resume: In a world overtaken by an evil dictator, a young girl discovers that no one can be trusted.

Something in the Rain

The silent drops of rain made the asphalt smell in the characteristic way which Dawn always associated with riding bikes and skipping ropes late summer evenings as a child, and how her life used to be, back before everything began falling apart. A faint squeeze in her hand broke her train of thought and she looked into a pair of hazel eyes, which shifted it’s gaze quickly. “Keep your eyes on the road,” Jeffery said in a muted voice “you never know when a car comes.” Jeffery and Dawn were walking right in the middle of a pitch black, broad avenue, and they both knew that there wouldn’t be any cars driving the street until the factory workers woke at 6:30 am, and they were both perfectly aware that it was mindless to be be on the street at this hour, who knew if one of Xavier’s informants were hiding behind the tall oak trees. But they still said it, as, one of many, ways to keep calm despite the curfew, bans and other restrictions made under their new leader Xavier’s regime. Being with Jeffery kept Dawn sane at the moment, her entire life had been turned upside down when Xavier came to power, Jeffery was her rock. And it that moment he said under his breath; “You know I got my letter this morning.” Dawn clenched his hand, it couldn’t be already, could it? “No.” was all she managed to say, her nails still digging into the fair skin on his hand. Ever since Xavier infiltrated and took over the government, he had ruled the country with an iron fist, and as the rebels grew numerous, he had ordered every man and boy over the age of, and those who were to turn 18 to fight in his army. And were anyone to refuse, they were doomed to leave the country forever, in rare cases they were used as the informants, protecting their own lives, by spying on a suspected family member. Most of these lived as outcast, or rebels. And now it was Jeffery’s turn. Dawn didn’t know which fate was worse, to fight alongside Xavier’s army of killing machines, or the equally bloodthirsty rebels. She had already lost her father’s sanity, to this war when he fought for Xavier. Dawn’s father had been an honourable soldier the first years of the war, but had now retired. The only thing he cared about now, was to enforce Xavier’s word, Jeffery could either end his life this way, or living with the rebels in the desert. “No,” she repeated, her voice shaking, the lump in her throat growing bigger by the second “you can’t do it.” Jeffery looked in every other direction than Dawn’s, “My mother was crying the entire morning” he finally said, his voice shaking. “Then let us run away! Cross the border,” Dawn said before she had time to think it trough. Jeffery stopped walking and let go of Dawns hand, his gaze locked on something in the distance “Do you think we would be able to do it?” Jeffery stared at his shoes, kicking a tiny pebble all the way down the now slightly more illuminated avenue, and out of sight. “Anything is better than the war,” Dawn whispered and took both of his hands in hers and squeezed them “think about it, but we have get going, it’s getting lighter” Jeffery embraced Dawn, and she heard a faint “Thank you” in her ear. She turned around and ran the last few blocks home.

The old, battered door into the staircase gave a slight creak as she opened it, luckily no one used to be up this early anyway. But already when she shoved the key in the door to the flat she shared with her father, she knew something was wrong. She heard her fathers armchair squeak from the other side of the door, “Dawn Hobson!” she heard her father’s rusty voice call, “you better get in here right this second!” his slippers dragged slowly across the carpet, and he was near the door. Dawn knew, that did she open that door, she was certain to spend the rest of her teenage years in the juvenile detention centre. He had caught her before, twice, and had sworn, that did she break the leader’s rules once again, he wouldn’t acknowledge her as his daughter anymore. She turned around on the balls of her feet, and ran swiftly down the stairs. She reached the street just when she heard footsteps resonate in the staircase. It was too early to be out still, but the street was now so light, that she had to move as quickly as possible, to not be seen. The only place she could go at this time was to Jeffery’s. It was a long run, but it was the only option. Dawn reached Jeffery’s house, panting and out of breath, she crept around the house into the garden and tapped lightly on his window. Dawn was sure he was in his bed, sleepless, because of the arrival of his letter earlier in the day, and she was right. His face was filled with shock as he rose from his bed and quickly opened the window. “What are you doing here?” he barely managed to stutter before Dawn was through the window. “We have to flee,” she gasped, “I have to, he is going to find me, and he is going to kill me.” A terrified emotion crossed Jeffery’s face before his eyes returned to their familiar calming shape, but what was it, why didn’t they seem as reliable as they used to?. “Just… relax,” he hesitated, “no matter what, we’ll have to wait, I’ll get you some water.” He said absentminded as Dawn dropped confused on the bed. Through the walls to the kitchen, she heard faint voices, what was happening? “Probably nothing” she thought to herself as her eyes shut of exhaustion for a moment.

She was awoken what felt like seconds later, by the sound of heavy marching boots in the tiny bedroom. A jolt of terror hit her entire body as she saw Xavier’s silver tiger on the chest of the uniformed men. She couldn’t focus on anything but Jeffery’s emotionless face in the background as the soldiers lifted her by the arms, from the bed and through the room. Her ears was ringing, but she could still make out the words Jeffery mouthed before he turned his back at her for the last time, “I’m sorry”.

The asphalt was cold and wet on her bare arms, the rain still falling, feeling chilly through her soaked top, but the warmth was spreading from the tingling graze on her cheek. She couldn’t see anything but the boots surrounding her, and the red sticky fluid slowly oozing from her mouth. Her life really had been turned upside down the last few years. A shiny leather boot lifted of the ground, nearing her face, and she inhaled one last breath of the scent of the asphalt as she closed her eyes and reminisced the warm summer days, which usually didn’t end this way.

title: Something in the Rain - By me- criticism welcome!

question: Who is the main character?

answer: Dawn Hobson

answer: The main character is Dawn Hobson.

answer: The main character of the story is Dawn, a young girl who is struggling to survive in a world ruled by an evil dictator.

text: No last name.

refinement: The main character of the story is Dawn Hobson, a young girl who is struggling to survive in a world ruled by an evil dictator.

answer: Dawn

text: No last name.

question: What does Dawn want from Jeffrey?

answer: Dawn wants Jeffery to run away with her.

text: Avoiding the draft he's been called to.

refinement: Dawn wants Jeffery to avoid the draft he's been called to and run away with her.

answer: She wants him to refuse to fight in Xavier's army and run away with her.

answer: Dawn wants Jeffery to run away with her, away from the war and the violence. She wants to escape the country and start a new life elsewhere.

answer: She wants him to run away with her.

text: Avoiding the draft he's been called to.

refinement: She wants him to run away with her foregoing the draft to fight in Xavier's armies.

question: Why is Jeffrey sorry?

answer: Jeffrey is sorry because he has to leave Dawn behind.

text: He's sorry because he called Xavier's footmen on Dawn turning her in.

refinement: He's sorry because he called Xavier's footmen on Dawn turning her in.

answer: He doesn't hide her from the soldiers.

text: He's sorry because he called Xavier's footmen on Dawn turning her in.

refinement: He's sorry because he called Xavier's footmen on Dawn turning her in.

answer: Jeffrey is sorry because he has betrayed his friend, Dawn, by informing on her to the government. This has led to her capture and likely execution.

answer: He is sorry because he has betrayed Dawn by informing on her to the government.

question: Who is Xavier?

answer: He is a dictator.

text: He's violent.

text: Who has taken over the government and impressed young men into his army.

refinement: He is a violent dictator who has taken over the government and is impressing young men into his army.

answer: Xavier is the evil dictator who has taken over the country and is forcing all men and boys over the age of 18 to fight in his army.

answer: He is the evil dictator who has taken over the government.

text: And is impressing young men into his army.

refinement: He is the evil dictator who has taken over the government.

text: Doesn't mention drafting young men into his army.

refinement: He is the evil dictator who has taken over the government and is impressing young men into his army.

answer: Xavier is the evil dictator who has taken over the government.

text: And is impressing young men into his armies.

refinement: Xavier is the evil dictator who has taken over the government and is impressing young men into his armies.

question: Write a ~5 sentence summary.

answer: Dawn and Jeffrey are walking in the middle of a pitch black, broad avenue. They are aware that there won't be any cars driving the street until the factory workers wake at 6:30 am. They are also aware that it is mindless to be on the street at this hour. They are trying to keep calm despite the curfew, bans, and other restrictions made under their new leader, Xavier's regime. Jeffrey tells Dawn that he got his letter this morning. He is going to be forced to fight in the war. Dawn suggests they run away, but Jeffrey says it's too late.

text: Wastes space setting the scene.

refinement: Dawn and Jeffrey are walking in the middle of a pitch black, broad avenue late at night during the curfew. They are trying to keep calm despite the curfew, bans, and other restrictions made under their new leader, Xavier's regime. Jeffrey tells Dawn that he got his letter this morning. He is going to be forced to fight in the war. Dawn suggests they run away, but Jeffrey says it's too late.

text: Doesn't mention Dawn's sneaking into Jeffrey's room and being betrayed by him.

refinement: Dawn and Jeffrey are walking in the middle of a pitch black, broad avenue late at night during the curfew. They are trying to keep calm despite the curfew, bans, and other restrictions made under their new leader, Xavier's regime. Jeffrey tells Dawn that he got his letter this morning, that he is going to be forced to fight in the war. Dawn suggests they run away, but Jeffrey says it's too late. Later that night, Dawn sneaks into Jeffrey's bedroom to convince him to run away with her; she fall asleep and wakes to armed soldiers bearing Xavier's emblem, Jeffery mouths "I'm sorry" as she's carried away.

answer: In a world overtaken by an evil dictator, a young girl discovers that no one can be trusted.

text: Doesn't mention the impetus for their wanting to run away, his getting a letter inscribing him into the army.

refinement: Dawn and Jeffrey are walking in the middle of a pitch black, broad avenue late at night during the curfew. They are trying to keep calm despite the curfew, bans, and other restrictions made under their new leader, Xavier's regime. Jeffrey tells Dawn that he got his letter this morning, that he is going to be forced to fight in the war.

text: Doesn't mention Dawn's reaction to the news.

refinement: Dawn and Jeffrey are walking in the middle of a pitch black, broad avenue late at night during the curfew. They are trying to keep calm despite the curfew, bans, and other restrictions made under their new leader, Xavier's regime. Jeffrey tells Dawn that he got his letter this morning, that he is going to be forced to fight in the war. Dawn suggests they run away, but Jeffrey says it's too late.

text: Doesn't mention her trying to run away with him and his betrayal of her

refinement: Dawn and Jeffrey are walking in the middle of a pitch black, broad avenue late at night during the curfew. They are trying to keep calm despite the curfew, bans, and other restrictions made under their new leader, Xavier's regime. Jeffrey tells Dawn that he got his letter this morning, that he is going to be forced to fight in the war. Dawn suggests they run away, but Jeffrey says it's too late. Later that night, Dawn sneaks into Jeffrey's bedroom to convince him to run away with her; she fall asleep and wakes to armed soldiers bearing Xavier's emblem, Jeffery mouths "I'm sorry" as she's carried away.

answer: Dawn is breaking curfew with her friend Jeffrey, who was just ordered to join Xavier's army. Xavier is a dictator who's been fighting an insurgency for years. Dawn doesn't want Jeffrey to lose his life in the war. She gets home and her father (a supporter of Xavier) turns her in to the soldiers. She runs away but is captured at Jeffrey's house and presumably killed.

text: Doesn't mention Dawn's bringing up the solution of running away.

refinement: Dawn is breaking curfew with her friend Jeffrey, who was just ordered to join Xavier's army. Xavier is a dictator who's been fighting an insurgency for years. Dawn doesn't want Jeffrey to lose his life in the war so she suggests the two run away. She gets home and her father (a supporter of Xavier) turns her in to the soldiers. She runs away but is captured at Jeffrey's house and presumably killed.

text: Her father doesn't turn her in, but he has threatened to.

refinement: Dawn is breaking curfew with her friend Jeffrey, who was just ordered to join Xavier's army. Xavier is a dictator who's been fighting an insurgency for years. Dawn doesn't want Jeffrey to lose his life in the war so she suggests the two run away. She gets home and her father (a supporter of Xavier) is angry at her being so late, he had previously threatened turning her in if she did it again. She runs away but is captured at Jeffrey's house and presumably killed.

text: She runs to Jeffery's house where she falls asleep and is awakened to soldiers bearing Xavier's emblem carrying her away.

refinement: Dawn is breaking curfew with her friend Jeffrey, who was just ordered to join Xavier's army. Xavier is a dictator who's been fighting an insurgency for years. Dawn doesn't want Jeffrey to lose his life in the war so she suggests the two run away. She gets home and her father (a supporter of Xavier) is angry at her being so late, he had previously threatened turning her in if she did it again. She runs to Jeffery's house and sneaks in through the window, falls asleep and wakens to soldiers bearing Xavier's emblem carrying her away; Jeffery mouths "I'm sorry."

answer: In a world where an evil dictator has taken over, the protagonist, a young girl, is caught breaking the rules and is sentenced to death. She is executed, but not before reflecting on happier times before the war.

text: We don't know if she's sentenced to death or executed.

refinement: In a world where an evil dictator has taken over, the protagonist, a young girl, is caught breaking the rules.

text: Doesn't mention Jeffery receiving orders to report for duty in Xavier's army.

refinement: In a world where an evil dictator has taken over, the protagonist, a young girl, learns that her friend/romantic interest received orders to report for duty in Xavier's army.

text: Doesn't mention her suggestion that they run away.

refinement: In a world where an evil dictator has taken over, the protagonist, a young girl, learns that her friend/romantic interest received orders to report for duty in Xavier's army. Afraid that he'll lose his life in the war, she suggests that they run away together.

text: Doesn't mention that they're breaking curfew.

refinement: In a world where an evil dictator has taken over, the protagonist, a young girl, breaks curfew out late at night and learns that her friend/romantic interest received orders to report for duty in Xavier's army. Afraid that he'll lose his life in the war, she suggests that they run away together.

text: Doesn't mention going home to find her father, an Xavier supporter, awake and waiting for her; he had previously threatened to turn her in if she did it again.

refinement: In a world where an evil dictator has taken over, the protagonist, a young girl, breaks curfew out late at night and learns that her friend/romantic interest received orders to report for duty in Xavier's army. Afraid that he'll lose his life in the war, she suggests that they run away together. She goes home to find her father, an Xavier supporter, awake and waiting for her; he had previously threatened to turn her in if she did it again.

text: Doesn't mention her going to Jeffery's to convince him to run away with her.

refinement: In a world where an evil dictator has taken over, the protagonist, a young girl, breaks curfew out late at night and learns that her friend/romantic interest received orders to report for duty in Xavier's army. Afraid that he'll lose his life in the war, she suggests that they run away together. She goes home to find her father, an Xavier supporter, awake and waiting for her; he had previously threatened to turn her in if she did it again. She runs to Jeffery's home, wakes him, and sneaks in through his window to reiterate her plan that they run away together.

text: Doesn't mention Jeffery betraying her.

refinement: In a world where an evil dictator has taken over, the protagonist, a young girl, breaks curfew out late at night and learns that her friend/romantic interest received orders to report for duty in Xavier's army. Afraid that he'll lose his life in the war, she suggests that they run away together. She goes home to find her father, an Xavier supporter, awake and waiting for her; he had previously threatened to turn her in if she did it again. She runs to Jeffery's home, wakes him, and sneaks in through his window to reiterate her plan that they run away together. She falls asleep and wakens to soldiers bearing Xavier's emblem carrying her away; Jeffery mouths "I'm sorry."


text:
IGOR VALENTINOVICH VARLAMOV (; born 12 August 1971) is a former Russian professional footballer.

Club career

He made his debut in the Russian Premier League in 1992 for FC Dynamo Moscow. He played 4 games in the UEFA Cup 1992–93 for FC Dynamo Moscow

Honours

-   Russian Premier League bronze: 1992, 1993.

title: Igor Varlamov

question: Who was Igor Valentinovich Varlamov?

answer: He was a Russian professional footballer.

text: Missing answer.

refinement: Igor is a former Russian professional footballer.

answer: He was a professional football player from Russia.

question: Which club did Varlamov play for?

answer: Varlamov played for Dynamo Moscow.

answer: According to the passage, Varlamov played for FC Dynamo Moscow.

answer: Varlamov played for FC Dynamo Moscow.

question: Which leagues did he play in?

answer: The Russian Premier League and the UEFA Cup.

answer: He played in the Russian Premier League in 1992 and played 4 games in the UEFA Cup 1992-93.

answer: Igor Varlamov played in the Russian Premier League and the UEFA Cup.

question: Has he won any titles/ awards?

answer: Yes, Varlamov has won two Russian Premier League bronze titles in 1992 and 1993.

answer: He won a bronze at the Russian Premier League in 1992 and 1993.

answer: Yes, Igor Varlamov has won two Russian Premier League bronze medals.

text: The years of the medals have been omitted.

refinement: Yes, Igor Varlamov has won two Russian Premier League bronze medals in 1992 and 1993.

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer: Varlamov was a Russian professional footballer. He debuted in the Russian Premier League 1992 and played 4 games in the UEFA Cup 1992-93. Both the times representing FC Dynamo Moscow. Varlamov won a bronze at the Russian Premier League of 1992 and 1993.

answer: Igor Varlamov was a Russian football player during the 1990s and early 2000s, playing for Dynamo Moscow. He won the Russian Premier League twice and was a part of the team that contested the 1992-1993 UEFA Cup.

text: There is no evidence to support that he played in the early 2000s.

refinement: Igor Varlamov was a Russian football player during the 1990s, playing for Dynamo Moscow. He won the Russian Premier League twice and was a part of the team that contested the 1992-1993 UEFA Cup.

answer: Igor Varlamov is a Russian football player who first played in the Russian Premier League in 1992. He is most notably recognised by winning two bronze medals for Dynamo Moscow in 1992 and 1993.

text: There is no evidence that he is "most notably recognised" for winning two bronze medals.

refinement: Igor Varlamov is a Russian football player who first played in the Russian Premier League in 1992. He has won two bronze medals for Dynamo Moscow in 1992 and 1993.

answer: Igor Varlamov was a professional footballer who played in the Russian Premier League throughout the 1990s. He was a member of Dynamo Moscow who won two Russian Premier League bronze medals.

answer: Igor Varlamov was a successful Russian football player who played for the team Dynamo Moscow. He won two bronze medals in the Russian Premier League, and participated in the UEFA Cup 1992-1993.

answer: Igor Varlamov is a former professional footballer who played mainly for Dynamo Moscow, and won two bronze medals in Russia's Premier League.


text:
  There isn’t much to be said about a rain drop.  Falling from the sky, hurtling towards an inevitable end, oblivious to its own grim eventuality.  It ends much like it began. Silently, swiftly, with no fuss or clamor.  Pitter patter, pitter patter- we hardly notice the death rattle of millions.
It’s raining in the desert.  The ground is so dry that it resists the water,  so dense that it cannot seep down into the earth. Rather it floods over it, running in wild streams, carving gullies across the sand.  It pools and puddles in basins and on the plain, growing larger as it is fed by the runoff and its cousins falling directly to it from the sky.  The falling droplets make ripples across the surface- by this the volume of rainfall may be seen.
The ripples slide smoothly outwards from the point of impact.  The first is largest, the following lessen. Ring after ring glide out, until they turn from faint to finished.  As they expand they roll over ripples from neighboring points of impact. Gently, they roll over each other, skewing their course.  They are quickly lost from sight, buried beneath the waves of later generations.
The desert won’t remember the rain. In a day’s time, it will again be dry, the wind and sand will hide the gorges the water ran through.  The air will be parched, the sky clear.  Innumerable storms have swept across the sandy expanse.  But one would never know, looking out on it.  None of them left a legend.  Every droplet failed to make an impression.  For a time, they stood united in great pools and winding rivulets, snaking across the sand, shaping the landscape.  But as quickly as the rain came did the desert reclaim the sand.
Man is the rain.  Man’s end is also a quiet ripple. His passing is noticed by those closest to him, their lives are changed and their own ripples turned aside slightly by his.  And then his ring expires, written over by new waves, new ripples and new stories.  Those who knew him pass, those who knew them follow; the desert drinks up all memories thirstily and erases any trace of any being there.
So lives are measured.  Not in years or in virtue, but in impact.  The violence of man’s expiration is the ultimate tribute to his existence.  If his substance is to be lost amidst the mass of millions, joining together into one indiscriminate mass of fluid, marked only by a quiet plopping and subtle splash, so be it.  Such an end is chosen every instant by the individual to whom it represents.  They chose timidity over boldness.  They are just part of the storm.
That’s all man is.  A storm of feeling and thought.  There is chaos in every human heart.  From the collective soul echoes such pandemonium that may shake the world to pieces.  Fully expressed, man will be the hurricane.  The typhoon.  Man is a force of nature like no other.
Alone man is no howling wind.  His rage today is not expressed even as a gentle breeze.  Man has allowed himself to become but wisps of warm air- stirring ever so slightly the leaves of trees as he moves along.  Man’s raindrops fall slowly to the ground, fat and tear shaped, splatting gently against some surface infinitely more resolute than he.
But not all men.  Some refuse to be a party to a complacent demise.  Some men’s wind will blow their rain sideways.  They will sting the skin and their heated fury will turn the rain to steam.  No faint drizzle, their droplet will be the herald of a downpour.
The hate that drives them is the hate of the gentle rain. They hate the soft, white clouds that litter the sky, occasionally precipitating some minor rainfall, failing to even mark the day as overcast.  How can a man or woman consign themselves to such a fate?  Are they so filled with apathy that they simply accept the world, allowing gravity to pull them down, directly?  Where is the resistance?
	It’s lost, and they’ve sworn to find it.  Their only drive is to effect this change.  They find the air to be stale, the water stagnant.  In the wake of the hurricane the world will be scrubbed clean.

title: For all the Sheep out there.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

Summarize the mood that this text depicts.

answer: The mood that this text depicts is one of contemplation. The narrator seems to be wondering about the nature of man and how to live life. They seem to be pondering the idea of what it means to be a man and whether or not we are living up to that standard. They also seem to be wondering if we as a species have lost sight of what it means to be a man. The narrator seems to be looking for a challenge to overcome.

text: "we" - replace with "people"

refinement: The mood that this text depicts is one of contemplation. The narrator seems to be wondering about the nature of man and how to live life. They seem to be pondering the idea of what it means to be a man and whether or not people are living up to that standard. They also seem to be wondering if we as a species have lost sight of what it means to be a man. The narrator seems to be looking for a challenge to overcome.

text: "we" - replace with "the readers"

refinement: The mood that this text depicts is one of contemplation. The narrator seems to be wondering about the nature of man and how to live life. They seem to be pondering the idea of what it means to be a man and whether or not people are living up to that standard. They also seem to be wondering if the readers as a species have lost sight of what it means to be a man. The narrator seems to be looking for a challenge to overcome.

answer: The narrator thinks that life is just a series of raindrops: one does not think about all the raindrops that end up in a puddle, which implies endings. The person believes in the integrity of an individual: his or her perception of the world is influenced by their actions, which is all that matters. The narrator also thinks that life is short and having effect matters more than time. Life is war, one with oneself and with everyone else. Man has wilted due to his many battles. They believe that the only way to repent is to effect change in the world.

text: The response didn't answer the question.

refinement: The narrator thinks that life is just a series of raindrops: one does not think about all the raindrops that end up in a puddle, which implies endings. The person believes in the integrity of an individual: his or her perception of the world is influenced by their actions, which is all that matters. The narrator also thinks that life is short and having effect matters more than time. Life is war, one with oneself and with everyone else. Man has wilted due to his many battles. They believe that the only way to repent is to effect change in the world. Therefore, the mood of the story is dark and ominous.

answer: The author seems to be trying to convey the idea that a person's life is measured in terms of impact and that their death is an inevitable end. The author also seems to be trying to convey the idea that a person's life is chaotic and that people should be more in control of their emotions and not be complacent.

text: The response failed to answer the question.

refinement: The author seems to be trying to convey the idea that a person's life is measured in terms of impact and that their death is an inevitable end. The author also seems to be trying to convey the idea that a person's life is chaotic and that people should be more in control of their emotions and not be complacent. The mood of the story is dark and ominous.

answer: The mood that this text depicts is one of contemplation. The narrator seems to be wondering about the nature of man and how to live life. They seem to be pondering the idea of what it means to be a man and whether or not we are living up to that standard. They also seem to be wondering if we as a species have lost sight of what it means to be a man.

answer: The narrator thinks that humans are no different from raindrops that fall down in buckets, slowly and silently because individuals are accustomed to being unnoticed. The person believes in the integrity of an individual: his or her perception of the world is influenced by their actions, which is all that matters. The narrator also thinks that life is short and having effect matters more than time. Man has wilted due to his many battles. They believe that the only way to repent is to effect change in the world.

text: While the response is ok, it didn't really answer the question.

refinement: The narrator thinks that humans are no different from raindrops that fall down in buckets, slowly and silently because individuals are accustomed to being unnoticed. The person believes in the integrity of an individual: his or her perception of the world is influenced by their actions, which is all that matters. The narrator also thinks that life is short and having effect matters more than time. Man has wilted due to his many battles. They believe that the only way to repent is to effect change in the world. The mood of the story is dark and ominous.

answer: It seems a fairly positive message. The narrator seems to be saying that there is power in influencing and changing the world.

text: The response is incorrect. The message is not positive and the mood is dark and ominous. The text says that men are like raindrops falling from the sky on the hot desert sand. There is no stopping the inevitable and the desert obliterates all traces of the raindrops.

refinement: The mood is dark and ominous. The narrator seems to be saying that there is power in influencing and changing the world, but it's all going to be scrubbed clean anyway by the relentless desert.


text: Uday's cheek was pressed against the hard dirt floor of his family’s adobe hut. It didn't hurt anymore, and he was no longer afraid. The afternoon sun was shining directly into the common area. It shone through at the spot where the wall should have met the ceiling. Uday breathed short, shallow breaths, and he thought of playing soccer with his older brother. He remembered the way the stray dogs would sit and watch them play, and how they would never interfere. They were good dogs, Uday thought. He also remembered when he had fallen and cut his ankle open on the  dirt; which had been baked almost to concrete by the sun. He remembered the way his brother Aban had put his shoulder under the pit of his arm to help him walk home, and how he had told him not to cry. He smiled a weak, childly smile, thinking of how he had kept strong; and held the tears back until he limped through the door, and saw his mother. He felt something warm in his gut, remembering how she had taken him into her arms, and kissed his black hair. Laying in the dirt, in the sunlight, he thought about his mother. He thought of seeing her very soon. Uday blinked, and he thought that his blinking felt very slow. It felt as if his eyes lids were moving through heavy liquid. He felt a soft hum in his chest, directly beneath his heart. As he fell asleep, he could feel the dirt caked against the corner of his mouth. When he awoke it was later in the evening, and the sun no longer shone into the house. He lifted his head from the ground and sat up. It was nearing dusk, and he could smell his mother’s kubbah cooking over a fire. Over by the doorway, he saw his brother, and his brother was smiling and spinning a soccer ball between his fingers. Uday jumped to his feet, and as he and his brother went for the door, their mother called to them, telling them to be back in an hour for supper.

title: Dirt Floor

question: Why is Uday's cheek pressed against the dirt floor?

answer: He is sleeping.

answer: Possibly because of his ankle injury, but this is unclear.

answer: Uday's cheek is pressed against the dirt floor because he is sleeping.

answer: Uday is sleeping because he is exhausted. The dirt floor is hard and uncomfortable, but it is the only place he has to rest.

question: Who are the major characters in this story?

answer: The major characters in this story are Uday, his brother Aban, and their mother.

answer: Uday, his brother Aban, and their mother

answer: Uday, his mother, and Aban (his brother).

answer: The major characters in this story are Uday, Aban, and their mother.

question: What is the central conflict of this story?

answer: Uday injured himself the last time he went to play soccer with his brither, sustaining a cut to his ankle.

text: Spelling of brother

refinement: Uday injured himself the last time he went to play soccer with his brother, sustaining a cut to his ankle.

text: He was not playing soccer

refinement: Uday injured himself the last time he went to play with his brother, sustaining a cut to his ankle.

answer: The central conflict of this story is the struggle between life and death. Uday is dying, and he knows it. He is content to lay in the dirt floor of his family's hut, reflecting on his life and the people he loves.

text: Completely off-base

refinement: Uday hurt his ankle, and he is debating whether to go out and play soccer with his brother.

answer: Uday is dying.

text: Uday is not dying, he is thinking about his life.

refinement: Uday was injured the last time he was playing, and he is thinking about playing soccer with his brother.

answer: The central conflict of this story is that Uday is dying.

text: Uday is not dying, he is sleeping

refinement: The central conflict of this story is that Uday is debating whether to keep sleeping or go outside and play after he hurt his ankle.

question: Where does Uday go at the end of the story?

answer: Uday goes back home to eat dinner with his family.

text: Uday goes out to play Soccer with Aban

refinement: He goes to play soccer with his brother, Aban.

answer: Uday goes to his mother's house.

text: Uday goes out to play Soccer with Aban

refinement: He goes to play soccer with his brother, Aban.

answer: He goes to his mother's house for supper.

text: Uday goes out to play Soccer with Aban

refinement: He goes to play soccer with his brother, Aban.

answer: He goes to play soccer with his brother, Aban.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: Uday is lying on the dirt floor of his family's hut. He reflects on playing soccer with his brother, Aban, and remembers injuring his ankle and how his mother comforted him afterwards. After falling asleep, he wakes up to find his brother standing in the doorway, and the two of them head out to play soccer.

answer: Uday is a young boy who is playing in the dirt floor of his family's adobe hut. He falls asleep and dreams of his mother and his brother.

answer: The protagonist of the story is a young boy who spends his time lying on the dirt floor of his family's adobe hut. He reminisces about his childhood, remembering playing soccer with his older brother and the time he cut his ankle on the hard ground. As he falls asleep, he dreams of seeing his mother soon.

answer: Uday is lying on the dirt floor of his family's adobe hut. He thinks about his mother and his brother, and he falls asleep. When he wakes up, it is later in the evening, and he can smell his mother's kubbah cooking over a fire.