Main Idea
What is the story mostly about?
Maya, Leo, and their neighbors work together to help a lost cat and enjoy Halloween.
In “the wind whispered through the bare trees,” what does the wind seem to do?
It seems to make a soft sound like a person whispering.
Who found the cat by the garden gate?
Maya and Leo.
What color was the cat?
Orange
How can you tell that it was getting dark?
The porch was growing dim.
Which sentence best states the story’s main idea: Maya and Leo carve a pumpkin, or neighbors work together to help a lost cat and enjoy Halloween?
Neighbors work together to help a lost cat and enjoy Halloween.
Does the wind really whisper? What does that phrase help you imagine?
No. It helps the reader imagine a soft, eerie sound in the trees.
Where did the neighbors move the costume walk?
In Mr. Chen’s living room.
What was Maya hanging on the porch
Paper bats.
Why might the cat’s owner have been worried?
The cat was missing, and its tag was too muddy to read.
How do Maya and Leo help make Halloween special for their neighbors?
They decorate, care for the cat, find its owner, and help the celebration continue.
What does “rain began tapping on the sidewalk” help you picture or hear?
It helps the reader imagine or hear raindrops landing on the sidewalk.
Why did Leo hold a lantern?
The porch was growing dim.
What was wrong with the cat’s name tag?
It was too muddy to read.
What can you infer about Mr. Chen's personality from his invitation to come inside?
He is welcoming and thoughtful.
Which events support the idea that teamwork helps the celebration succeed? Name two.
They clean the tag to find the owner; the owner comes for the cat; neighbors move the walk indoors after the rain begins.
Identify one phrase that gives nature a human action. What effect does it have?
“The wind whispered” or “rain began tapping.” These phrases describe nature with human actions and make the scene more vivid.
What helped Maya and Leo find the cat’s owner?
Maya wiped the name tag so they could read the phone number.
What two treats did the neighbors share indoors?
Candy and warm apple cider.
Why did the neighbors move the costume walk instead of canceling it?
They wanted to keep the celebration going, and Mr. Chen offered a place indoors.
What broader message does the story share about responding when plans change?
People can work together and adapt when plans change.
How does the phrase “the wind whispered” help create a Halloween mood?
It makes the scene feel quiet and mysterious.
How did Mr. Chen and the neighbors respond when it began to rain?
They moved the walk inside and shared candy and warm apple cider.
Put these details in order: the neighbors moved the walk inside; Maya wiped the muddy tag; the cat sat by the gate.
The cat sat by the gate; Maya wiped the muddy tag; the neighbors moved the walk inside.
What does Maya’s smile at the end suggest about how she feels? Use a story clue.
She likely feels happy or pleased because the neighbors worked together and made the celebration special.