Context Clues
The cabin is described as “weathered.” What does this word suggest about the cabin?
A. It was recently built
B. It had been affected by time/weather
C. It was carefully decorated
D. It was made of stone
B. It had been affected by time/weather
Which detail best supports the theme of discovery?
A. Ethan puts on his winter boots
B. The sky is gray and moody
C. Ethan finds items in the abandoned cabin
D. The trees are covered in heavy snow
C. Ethan finds items in the abandoned cabin
Why does Ethan decide to follow the footprints?
A. He is looking for his grandfather
B. He is curious about who made them
C. He wants to avoid going home
D. He already knows where they lead
B. He is curious about who made them
Which sentence is the best example of analysis?
A. Ethan is in a forest with footprints and a cabin.
B. Ethan's decision shows that he can put safety before curiosity, demonstrating that he is becoming more responsible.
C. The story says Ethan returns home to tell his grandfather what he found.
D. The cabin has a map that shows a mystery about the town of Pinebrook.
B. Ethan's decision shows that he can put safety before curiosity, demonstrating that he is becoming more responsible.
Who can be described as a "static character" in the story?
A. Ethan
B. The grandfather
C. The cabin owners daughter
D. The cabin owner
D. The cabin owner
Ethan feels a “mixture of nervousness and excitement.” What does the word “mixture” mean in this sentence?
A. A combination of feelings
B. A sudden change in setting
C. A combination of ingredients
D. A memory from the past
A. A combination of feelings
Which description best explains the setting of the story?
A. A busy city
B. A snowy forest near a town
C. A school during the winter
D. A hotel during a storm
B. A snowy forest near a town
What can the reader infer from the fresh marks inside the cabin?
A. The cabin may have been visited recently
B. The cabin was built that morning
C. The family still lives there
D. The footprints were made by an animal
A. The cabin may have been visited recently
Why should a student include a citation after using evidence from the story?
A. To make the sentence/paragraph longer
B. To show where the evidence came from
C. To avoid explaining the answer
D. To replace the student's own thinking
B. To show where the evidence came from
The cabin has “thick vines” climbing its walls and a roof that “sagged beneath the snow.” How do these descriptions affect the reader's impression of the cabin?
A. They make it seem lively and cheerful
B. They make it seem neglected and unsettling
C. They make it seem new and well cared for
D. They make it seem crowded and noisy
B. They make it seem neglected and possibly unsettling
Ethan discovers “yellowed photographs.” What can the reader infer about the photographs?
A. They were submerged underwater
B. They were printed that morning
C. They were very old
D. They were painted by hand
C. They were very old
What event begins the main mystery of the story?
A. Ethan discovers strange footprints in the snow
B. Ethan visits his grandfather
C. Ethan finds a map of Pinebrook
D. Ethan packs a backpack for his adventures
A. Ethan discovers strange footprints in the snow
What is the most likely reason the author ends the story with Ethan beginning another expedition?
A. To show that Ethan can't solve the mystery alone
B. To explain every secret about the cabin will be revealed
C. To create suspense and suggest another adventure is coming
D. To introduce a new character that will be in the story's next chapter
C. To create suspense and suggest another adventure is coming
Which sentence would work best as a transition or concluding sentence?
A. Ethan finds a compass in the chest.
B. The story takes place in Pinebrook, a town with secrets.
C. Ultimately, Ethan's experience shows that being adventurous also means knowing when to make safe choices.
D. The cabin has old photographs, so Ethan knows that there is a mystery.
C. Ultimately, Ethan's experience shows that being adventurous also means knowing when to make safe choices.
Which word has the most positive connotation when describing Ethan's interest in the mystery?
A. Nosy
B. Curious
C. Intrusive
D. Meddlesome
B.Curious
The cabin is described as “abandoned.” What does this word mean?
A. A family lives there
B. Left behind and no longer used
C. Recently repaired
D. Hidden underground
B. Left behind and no longer used
Which event is part of the rising action?
A. Ethan learns about the cabin’s history and finds a map
B. Ethan finishes his investigation about the missing lake
C. The town celebrates Ethans discovery
D. Ethan gives the compass to his grandfather
A. Ethan learns about the cabin’s history and finds a map
What does Ethan's decision to return with his grandfather reveal about him?
A. He is unwilling to learn new things
B. He can be curious while still making careful decisions
C. He does not trust the maps directions to the lake
D. He has lost interest in the cabin and only cares about the lake
B. He can be curious while still making careful decisions
What is the main purpose of the story's opening paragraphs?
A. To explain where the end of the story will take place
B. To introduce Ethan, the setting, and the beginning of a mystery
C. To describe every character in the story
D. To solve the mystery immediately
B. To introduce Ethan, the setting, and the beginning of a mystery
What character is the best example of a "dynamic character" in the story?
A. The grandfather
B. The cabin owner
C. Ethan
D. The cabin owners daughter
C. Ethan
In the sentence, “the edges were still sharp in the fresh snow,” what does the word “sharp” most likely mean?
A. Pointed or clearly defined
B. Dangerous to touch
C. Very cold
D. Difficult to see
A. Pointed or clearly defined
What is the main theme of the story?
A. Winter is the most dangerous season
B. People should avoid exploring new places
C. Curiosity and learning about the past can lead to discovery
D. Old objects are always valuable to adventure
C. Curiosity and learning about the past can lead to discovery
Why does Ethan decide to leave the cabin instead of following the second set of footprints?
A. He loses the map
B. He becomes stumped trying to solve the mystery
C. He recognizes the footprints
D. He understands that the weather and fading daylight make it safer to return home
D. He understands that the weather and fading daylight make it safer to return home
Which sentence correctly embeds a direct quotation?
A. Ethan is curious “he decided to follow the tracks”
B. The story states, “Curious about who might be wandering through the forest on such a cold morning, Ethan decided to follow the tracks”
C. “Ethan is curious” because he follows the tracks.
D. Ethan decided to follow the tracks, (paragraph 4).
B. The story states, “Curious about who might be wandering through the forest on such a cold morning, Ethan decided to follow the tracks.”
Ethan discovers a “mysterious” set of footprints. What feeling does the word “mysterious” create?
A. Certainty
B. Curiosity
C. Relief
D. Disappointment
B. Curiosity