Context Clues
The word "precision" appears in paragraph 2. What do the surrounding sentences suggest it means?
What is being exact or careful?
What character trait does Maya show when she offers to help the younger student?
What is kind/helpful/compassionate?
The mood of paragraph 1 is best described as: frustrated, peaceful, joyful, or excited?
What is frustrated?
Which theme fits the story?
A) Perfection is more important than progress
B) Helping others can change your perspective
C) Mistakes ruin everything
What is B?
Where does the story take place?
What is a music school/lesson space?
In paragraph 3, the word “wobbled” is used to describe the boy with the cello. What clue helps you understand the meaning?
What is he almost “topples over,” showing he is unsteady or shaky?
Which line best shows Maya is overly self-critical?
What is “The mistake echoed in her mind louder than the music itself.”?
The tone toward Maya in paragraph 2 is: encouraging, harsh, disappointed, or neutral?
What is encouraging/neutral — Mr. Hale isn’t harsh, just serious?
What lesson does Maya learn by the end of the story?
What is growth takes time; mistakes don’t define you?
What caused Maya’s negative mood at the beginning?
What is she made one mistake and fixated on it?
Which type of context clue helps you understand “relief spreading across his face like sunshine breaking through clouds”?
What is an Illustration/example clue?
What does Mr. Hale’s raised eyebrow suggest about his expectations?
What is he expects precision / high standards?
Which sentence creates a hopeful mood?
What is "Her fingers moved with a gentler determination..."?
Which event BEST supports the theme that patience is necessary for improvement?
What is the younger boy saying Mr. Hale told him he “just needs time”?
What does the boy’s “crooked but sincere grin” help the reader understand?
What is he's genuine, grateful, and optimistic?
Use context clues to define “determination” in paragraph 7.
What is a steady or firm effort to keep going?
How does Maya’s interaction with the younger boy help develop her character?
What is it helps her realize mistakes are normal and growth takes time?
How does the author shift the mood between paragraphs 1 and 7?
What is it moves from frustrated → calm/hopeful?
Write one theme statement based on Maya’s character change.
What is things like: "People improve when they give themselves grace"?
What turning point helps Maya shift her mindset?
What is hearing the younger boy talk about needing time?
Create your own context-based definition of “echoed” from paragraph 1.
What is repeated or replayed in her mind?
What inference can you make about Maya’s usual attitude toward mistakes? Support with evidence.
What is she is very hard on herself; she focuses on the one mistake rather than the whole piece?
Identify a phrase that best contributes to the tone of support and growth.
What is “It didn’t seem like a disaster, only a moment"?
Compare the beginning and end of the story to show how the theme develops.
What is she begins frustrated and focused on her mistake → ends patient, accepting, and willing to try again?
Infer why Maya returns to the piano after helping the boy.
What is she feels encouraged and ready to try again without pressure?