Author's Purpose
What is the author’s main purpose in "Digging Up the Truth"?
A. To inform readers about lost‑and‑found procedures at a library
B. To entertain by showing a character learning a lesson about jumping to conclusions
C. To persuade readers to always trust librarians
D. To describe how to fix a torn backpack
B. To entertain by showing a character learning a lesson about jumping to conclusions
Which detail from the text best supports the idea that the book Space Ride is popular?
A. Ms. Chen says, “This book is very popular. The library even has a waiting list for it.”
B. Nelson had space travel on his mind from this great book he’s reading.
C. Lucia reads the book at the library before camp.
D. Nelson finds the book in his torn backpack.
A. Ms. Chen says, “This book is very popular. The library even has a waiting list for it.”
What is the main idea of "Digging Up the Truth"?
A. How to join a waiting list at the library
B. A child learns not to jump to conclusions when something goes missing
C. The best way to repair a torn backpack
D. Why writing camp is fun
B. A child learns not to jump to conclusions when something goes missing
What change does Nelson undergo by the story’s end?
A. He decides never to read again.
B. He learns to check the facts first and intends to apologize to Lucia and Ms. Chen.
C. He blames Ms. Chen for the missing book.
D. He replaces Lucia as the librarian.
B. He learns to check the facts first and intends to apologize to Lucia and Ms. Chen.
What does the word assume mean in line 32?
F. Suggest a different solution
G. Realize something is missing
H. Wonder about a problem
J. Believe something without proof
J. Believe something without proof
What message does the story primarily convey?
A. Always buy books from the bookstore to avoid confusion
B. Parents should always search their child’s backpack for lost items
C. Reading is better than writing camp
D. Don’t accuse others or assume the worst without checking the facts first
D. Don’t accuse others or assume the worst without checking the facts first
Which detail from the story best explains why Nelson felt embarrassed at the end?
A. Ms. Chen offers to help look for the book tomorrow.
B. Nelson finds the book in a torn pocket of his backpack.
C. Matt says Writing Camp is pretty cool.
D. Lucia closes the book and holds it to her chest.
B. Nelson finds the book in a torn pocket of his backpack.
Which statement summarizes the main idea about Nelson’s growth by the end of the story?
A. Nelson plans to read more books at writing camp.
B. Nelson realizes his mistake, decides to apologize, and learns to check facts first.
C. Nelson throws away his torn backpack.
D. Nelson blames Lucia again the next day.
B. Nelson realizes his mistake, decides to apologize, and learns to check facts first.
Which detail best shows Lucia’s interaction is honest and unchanged throughout the story?
A. Lucia hides the book under the table.
B. Lucia says she bought the book at the bookstore and is already on page 134.
C. Lucia refuses to speak to Nelson.
D. Lucia admits she took Nelson’s book.
B. Lucia says she bought the book at the bookstore and is already on page 134.
Read line 25. NELSON:
Hi, Lucia. Where’d you get that book? What is the most likely reason Nelson asks Lucia this question?
A. To learn where he can buy the same book
B. To find out if she picked up his book in the library
C. To get suggestions from her about where to look for his book
D. To see if there is another copy of the book in the library
B. To find out if she picked up his book in the library
Which event best supports the author’s message about checking facts before blaming someone?
A. Ms. Chen telling Nelson to look again tomorrow
B. Lucia saying she bought the book at the bookstore and is on page 134
C. Nelson discovering the book in the torn pocket of his backpack
D. Matt pointing out Lucia reading the same book
C. Nelson discovering the book in the torn pocket of his backpack
Which sentence from the story best supports the idea that Nelson was quick to assume Lucia took his book?
A. “Feel free to look around, Nelson.”
B. “Hey, Nelson, look at that.”
C. “You’re not the only person who likes this book, Nelson.”
D. “But Ms. Chen, I lost this same book yesterday, and today Lucia is reading it.”
D. “But Ms. Chen, I lost this same book yesterday, and today Lucia is reading it.”
Which event best shows the main idea that checking facts is important before blaming others?
A. Nelson running back into the library to look for his book
B. Nelson discovering the book inside his torn backpack pocket
C. Ms. Chen offering to help look the next day
D. Matt pointing out Lucia reading the same book
B. Nelson discovering the book inside his torn backpack pocket
Which interaction shows Ms. Chen’s role in influencing Nelson’s actions?
A. Ms. Chen sits quietly and does nothing while Nelson searches.
B. Ms. Chen tells Nelson there’s no reason to assume Lucia has his book and suggests trusting Lucia.
C. Ms. Chen sells Nelson a new book.
D. Ms. Chen hides the book to teach Nelson a lesson.
B. Ms. Chen tells Nelson there’s no reason to assume Lucia has his book and suggests trusting Lucia.
Read line 45. MR. LUND:
Well, tomorrow is a new day. What does this line suggest?
F. Nelson can improve the situation with Lucia and Ms. Chen.
G. Lucia will notice that Nelson is being nice to her.
H. Mr. Lund will help Nelson look for a new backpack.
J. Nelson should return to writing camp with Matt.
F. Nelson can improve the situation with Lucia and Ms. Chen.
Which line or action shows Nelson has learned his lesson by the end of the story?
A. Nelson telling Matt about Writing Camp
B. Mr. Lund suggesting Nelson check his room
C. Nelson planning to show his backpack to Lucia and Ms. Chen and apologizing
D. Ms. Chen saying the book is popular and has a waiting list
C. Nelson planning to show his backpack to Lucia and Ms. Chen and apologizing
Which line from the play best supports the idea that Nelson realizes he made a mistake?
A. NELSON: Are you sure you didn’t find it here? (line 27)
B. NELSON: Don’t you think that’s strange? (line 33)
C. NELSON: Poor Lucia was telling the truth all along. (line 44)
D. NELSON: But now I have another plan. (line 48)
C. NELSON: Poor Lucia was telling the truth all along. (line 44)
Which sentence best states the story’s main idea?
A. “Feel free to look around, Nelson.”
B. “I’ll show the backpack to Lucia and Ms. Chen… I hope they’ll understand and accept my apology.”
C. Nelson and Matt wait for the bus.
D. Lucia says she bought the book at the bookstore.
B. “I’ll show the backpack to Lucia and Ms. Chen… I hope they’ll understand and accept my apology.”
How does Nelson’s behavior toward Lucia change from the beginning to the end of the story?
A. He becomes more suspicious of her.
B. He remains convinced she stole the book.
C. He goes from accusing her to planning to apologize.
D. He ignores her completely.
C. He goes from accusing her to planning to apologize.
Which line from the play best supports the idea that Nelson realizes he made a mistake?
A. NELSON: Are you sure you didn’t find it here? (line 27)
B. NELSON: Don’t you think that’s strange? (line 33)
C. NELSON: Poor Lucia was telling the truth all along. (line 44)
D. NELSON: But now I have another plan. (line 48)
C. NELSON: Poor Lucia was telling the truth all along. (line 44)
Which best describes the author’s tone in this story?
A. Humorous and lighthearted with a gentle moral lesson
B. Angry and judgmental
C. Scientific and formal
D. Mysterious and frightening
A. Humorous and lighthearted with a gentle moral lesson
Which piece of text evidence best supports the conclusion that Lucia did not steal Nelson’s book?
A. Lucia says she bought the book at the bookstore and is on page 134.
B. Ms. Chen says the library has a waiting list for the book.
C. Nelson tells his dad he looked in his backpack “a hundred times.”
D. Mr. Lund nods his head when Nelson says he will apologize.
A. Lucia says she bought the book at the bookstore and is on page 134.
Which detail most directly supports the main idea that Nelson jumped to conclusions?
A. Ms. Chen says the library has a waiting list for the book.
B. Nelson finds the book in the torn pocket of his backpack.
C. Matt says Writing Camp is pretty cool.
D. Lucia is reading Space Ride at the next table.
D. Lucia is reading Space Ride at the next table.
How does Mr. Lund’s interaction with Nelson help bring about a change?
A. He accuses Lucia and encourages Nelson to confront her.
B. He helps Nelson search the house, which leads Nelson to find the book and realize his mistake.
C. He takes Nelson to the bookstore to buy a new copy.
D. He tells Nelson to stop going to writing camp.
B. He helps Nelson search the house, which leads Nelson to find the book and realize his mistake.
Read this stage direction from line 30.
LUCIA: [Closing the book and holding it to her chest.]
What does this stage direction suggest about Lucia?
A. She wants to be sure to take the book when she leaves.
B. She wants to read the book before Nelson does.
C. She is upset that Nelson plans to write about the book.
D. She realizes that Nelson thinks the book belongs to him.
D. She realizes that Nelson thinks the book belongs to him.