Read the passage and answer the questions that follow on the basis of the…

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow on the basis of the information provided in the passage.

It all started at the beginning of fifth grade. At first, Carmen wasn’t really sure what was happening. In class, she had to squint to see the blackboard clearly. She had to do the same thing when she read street signs, or when she watched a movie. As the fuzziness got worse, she became more and more worried. It was important for her to see the notes and homework assignments the teacher put on the board.

It wasn’t long before Carmen found herself squinting all the time, but she didn’t want anyone to know that she was having a problem seeing. In class, she asked for a desk that was closer to the blackboard. One day, her teacher said, ‘Carmen, are you all right? I’ve noticed you squinting a lot. Are you having trouble seeing the board?’

Carmen shook her head. ‘I’m fine, Mrs. Cruz,’ she said, but she knew she couldn’t pretend much longer. At home, she had to sit closer and closer to the television in order to see the picture. Her mother noticed her squinting as she watched her favorite shows, and she began to get suspicious.

‘Tomorrow I’m calling the eye doctor to set up an appointment for you,’ she said firmly. Carmen protested, but her mother’s mind was made up.

Three days later, Carmen had new glasses and instructions from her doctor to wear them all the time. Carmen frowned in the car the whole way home. ‘All of the kids at school will think I’m a nerd,’ she said. Her mother smiled and shook her head. ‘You look just as beautiful with those glasses on as you do without them,’ she said. But Carmen didn’t believe her. The next day, Carmen kept the glasses in her pocket as she walked into the schoolyard. She avoided her friends and stood alone, feeling miserable. Suddenly, she heard her friend Theresa shout. Carmen ran over to the other girls. ‘What’s wrong?’ she asked. ‘My silver ring is gone!’ Theresa cried. ‘My sister sent it to me from California. It’s very special and I can’t lose it!’

Carmen could tell that Theresa was very upset. They all looked for the ring in the grassy area of the playground.

Carmen realized that she could search better if she could see better. She took the glasses out of her pocket and put them on. The objects and people around her came into sharp focus. She caught her breath. Everything looked so different! So clear! She looked down at the ground and a glimmer of silver caught her eye. It was the ring. ‘Here it is,’ she shouted. ‘I’ve found it!’ She handed it to Theresa, and Theresa slipped the ring back on her finger.

‘Thanks Carmen,’ she said. ‘I never thought we'd find it.’ She paused. ‘Hey, I didn’t know you wore glasses. They look great!’ Carmen had forgotten that she was wearing the new glasses. ‘Thanks,’ she replied shyly. As they walked back toward the school building, two more girls from her class complimented her glasses. Carmen smiled. ‘Maybe wearing glasses won’t be so bad after all,’ she thought.

Before Carmen got glasses she