Plot Elements
Which of the following events occurs first in the story?
A. Harriet's mother announces that Grandfather is entering his squash salad.
B. Harriet jumps up in the garden after finding a solution to her problem.
C. Harriet wants to win a fair ribbon and decides to grow squash near a spring to make salad.
C. Harriet wants to win a fair ribbon and decides to grow squash near a spring to make salad.
In paragraph 5, what does the word 'tended' mean when describing how Harriet cared for her garden?
A. Ignored and left to grow without assistance.
B. Harvested quickly before the crops could spoil.
C. Looked after and cared for carefully over time.
C. Looked after and cared for carefully over time.
How does Harriet get the idea for her fair entry?
A. Her grandfather, who previously shared his delicious golden squash salad recipe with her.
B. Her sister, who suggested making squash salad instead of sewing a dress.
C. Her mother, who insisted Harriet enter a cooking category.
A. Her grandfather, who previously shared his delicious golden squash salad recipe with her.
In paragraph 5, what does the word 'tended' mean when describing how Harriet cared for her garden?
A. Ignored and left to grow without assistance.
B. Harvested quickly before the crops could spoil.
C. Looked after and cared for carefully over time.
C. Looked after and cared for carefully over time.
What is the setting of a story?
A. The main problem in the story
B. Where and when the story takes place
C. The lesson or message of the story
B. Where and when the story takes place
Which sentence best summarizes the complete plot of 'A Blue Ribbon for Harriet'?
A. Harriet decides to join her school's 'Blue Ribbon Winners' club after winning first place with her giant prize squash.
B. Harriet's grandfather visits her farm to show her how to protect squash plants from bad weather and hungry insects.
C. Determined to win a fair ribbon, Harriet grows squash for a recipe, overcomes an unexpected entry conflict with her grandfather, and finds a way for both of them to enter different fair categories.
C. Determined to win a fair ribbon, Harriet grows squash for a recipe, overcomes an unexpected entry conflict with her grandfather, and finds a way for both of them to enter different fair categories.
The author writes that the squash 'glowed like gold in the late afternoon sun.' What effect does this create for the reader?
A. to emphasize the bright, healthy, and valuable appearance of the squash.
B. to show that the squash was blinding to look at.
C. to suggest the squash was made of actual metallic treasure.
A. to emphasize the bright, healthy, and valuable appearance of the squash.
Where does Harriet choose to plant her garden, and how does that location impact the story?
A. In a shaded barn to keep the delicate squash blossoms safe from heat.
B. In a sunny spot near a spring, ensuring her squash received plenty of light and water.
C. In her grandfather's backyard so he could help her care for the crops daily.
B. In a sunny spot near a spring, ensuring her squash received plenty of light and water.
Which quote from paragraph 1 provides text evidence that other members of Harriet's family had already won awards at the fair?
A. "Her sister won for making an original dress."
B. "Harriet had learned to make a golden squash salad that tasted better than anything she’d ever eaten."
C. "Some schoolmates had started a 'Blue Ribbon Winners' club."
A. "Her sister won for making an original dress."
What is a conflict in a story?
A. The happy ending
B. The main problem or challenge the characters face
C. The title of the book
B. The main problem or challenge the characters face
What major conflict arises right before the East Texas Fair begins?
A. An unexpected frost ruins Harriet's giant squash crop the night before judging.
B. Harriet's father accidentally feeds her entry squash to his fair pig.
C. Harriet discovers her grandfather plans to enter the same golden squash salad recipe in the fair.
C. Harriet discovers her grandfather plans to enter the same golden squash salad recipe in the fair.
Why did Harriet sit sadly beside her squash in paragraph 7 after hearing her mother's announcement?
A. She was angry at her mother for inviting Grandfather to visit during fair week.
B. She noticed that insects had destroyed her best squash blossoms overnight.
C. She believed her hard work was wasted because she could no longer enter her planned salad.
C. She believed her hard work was wasted because she could no longer enter her planned salad.
Why did Harriet feel a strong urge to compete and win a blue ribbon at the East Texas Fair?
A. She felt left out because her family members and schoolmates had all won ribbons.
B. Her mother commanded her to enter the contest to keep up a family tradition.
C. She wanted to prove to her grandfather that her salad recipe was superior to his.
A. She felt left out because her family members and schoolmates had all won ribbons.
Which sentence from paragraph 5 provides the best text evidence that Harriet worked hard to care for her squash plants?
A. "She protected the plants in cold and hot weather."
B. "They had grown huge and glowed like gold in the late afternoon sun."
C. "Harriet would select the very best squash, make the delicious salad, and win this year’s fair."
A. "She protected the plants in cold and hot weather."
What is the resolution of a story?
A. How the main problem gets solved
B. The first sentence of the story
C. The location where the characters live
A. How the main problem gets solved
Which event impacts the story by leading to the resolution?
A. Harriet realizes she can enter her largest squash in the contest and share smaller ones with Grandfather.
B. Harriet picks off bugs from her plants during the hot summer days.
C. Harriet visits her grandfather.
A. Harriet realizes she can enter her largest squash in the contest and share smaller ones with Grandfather.
In paragraph 3, why does Harriet's motherWhen Mother advises her to 'get started early?'
A. Grandfather was already on his way, so Harriet needed to hurry up.
B. She knows winning a blue ribbon takes hard work and preparation.
C. Vegetables grow best if seeds are planted before sunrise each day.
B. She knows winning a blue ribbon takes hard work and preparation.
What do Harriet's actions in paragraph 5 (protecting plants and picking off bugs) reveal about her personality?
A. She is dedicated, hardworking, and willing to put in long-term effort.
B. She easily gives up when tasks become physically demanding.
C. She prefers to let her family members complete her chores for her.
A. She is dedicated, hardworking, and willing to put in long-term effort.
What visual detail from paragraph 7 emphasizes that Harriet's crop was exceptionally healthy and successful?
A. The squash plants were covered in bright green insects.
B. The squash had grown huge and glowed like gold in the sun.
C. The squash blossoms had just begun to open in the late afternoon.
B. The squash had grown huge and glowed like gold in the sun.
What is the theme of a story?
A. The list of all the characters
B. The big lesson or main message the author wants you to learn
C. The reason why a character gets angry
B. The big lesson or main message the author wants you to learn
Why are paragraphs 4 and 5 important to the story?
A. They prove that golden squash is the easiest crop to cultivate on an East Texas farm.
B. They show that growing vegetables is too difficult for young children without adult help.
C. They demonstrate Harriet's strong commitment and explain why her harvest meant so much to her.
C. They demonstrate Harriet's strong commitment and explain why her harvest meant so much to her.
Which statement best expresses the theme of the story?
A. Winning first place is the only true measure of personal success.
B. Creative thinking and generosity can turn an unexpected problem into a win for everyone.
C. Family members should avoid entering the same fair competitions.
B. Creative thinking and generosity can turn an unexpected problem into a win for everyone.
What does Harriet's decision to share her smaller squash reveal about her relationship with her grandfather?
A. She feels distant from him and wants to avoid spending time with him at the fair.
B. She fears competing against him because she thinks his cooking is far superior.
C. She loves and respects him, valuing their relationship over winning a ribbon.
C. She loves and respects him, valuing their relationship over winning a ribbon.
Which feature confirms that 'A Blue Ribbon for Harriet' is written in third-person point of view?
A. The narrator addresses the reader directly using 'you' and 'your'.
B. Harriet tells her story directly to the reader using 'I' and 'my'.
C. The narrator uses pronouns like 'she' and 'her' to describe Harriet and her actions.
C. The narrator uses pronouns like 'she' and 'her' to describe Harriet and her actions.
What is point of view?
A. How long it takes to read the book
B. The perspective or angle from which the story is told (like 1st person or 3rd person)
C. The exact location where the story ends
B. The perspective or angle from which the story is told (like 1st person or 3rd person)