Question 1: What are parentheses used for in the passage? Provide one example from the text.

Answer: Parentheses are used to add extra information or details, such as '(especially during the fall when the leaves turned vivid shades of red and gold)'.

Question 2: Identify the sentence that contains a pair of parentheses.

Answer: Sarah carried a small backpack filled with essentials—water, a map, and a notebook—to record her observations.

Question 3: Explain why parentheses are appropriate in the phrase '(some of which were new to her)'.

Answer: They provide additional information about the plants that Sarah discovered, clarifying that some were new to her.

Question 4: Choose the sentence that correctly uses parentheses.

Answer:

Question 5: Rewrite the following sentence by correctly inserting parentheses: 'Sarah found a trail that was hidden by overgrown bushes'.

Answer: Sarah found a trail (that was hidden by overgrown bushes).

Question 6: Identify the incorrect use of parentheses in the following sentences and correct it: 'She packed her supplies (water, notebook, and map).'

Answer: It should be: 'She packed her supplies (water, notebook, and map).' (No correction needed; the original is correct.)

Question 7: Describe a scenario when you would use parentheses in your writing.

Answer: Answers will vary; students may describe adding extra information, clarifications, or asides in their writing using parentheses.

Question 8: Identify and explain the function of parentheses in the sentence: 'The concert (which was scheduled for Saturday) was postponed due to rain.'

Answer: Parentheses enclose extra information about the concert, explaining that it was scheduled for Saturday.