Plot Power
What shows people don’t think the storm is serious?
Kids stand around watching the sky like it’s a show.
How does Lena feel at the end of the passage?
Lena feels worried about the storm.
What shows adults try to keep kids safe?
The bus driver warns kids to go home early.
What is an example of a simile in the story?
The wind tugged at her braid like an impatient child.
What does “heavy air” mean in the passage?
“The air felt heavy” means the weather felt tense and uncomfortable.
What clue tells us the weather is getting worse?
The sky turns a strange green color.
What detail shows Lena isn’t imagining the danger?
She feels better when the bus driver looks concerned too.
What shows people sometimes ignore danger?
Kids laugh and watch the wind blow papers around.
How does the simile help the reader feel the storm’s mood?
The simile makes the wind seem alive and pushy.
Describe what a spectacle is.
A word that means “a big, impressive sight.”
What event shows the storm is becoming dangerous?
The bus driver says students might need to go home early.
How does living on Willow Street her whole life help her notice something is wrong?
She knows the sky doesn’t usually look like this.
What shows people feel safer when others understand their feelings?
Lena feels relieved when someone else is worried too.
What phrase makes the weather feel tense?
The air felt heavy, like the world was holding its breath.
How does the author use unsettling.
The author uses it to describe the strange, swirling weather.
What detail adds suspense to the story?
Leaves spin in circles on the ground.
Which character doesn’t seem worried at first?
Mr. Alvarez waters his tomato plants calmly.
What shows the theme of being aware and careful?
Lena pays attention to the storm instead of pretending it’s nothing.
How does the author use personification in the passage?
The author makes the storm seem alive.
How does the author use the word rumble?
It is used to describe a low, deep sound in the distance.
What is “the low rumble in the distance that makes the air feel tense”?
This moment shows the storm is becoming a real threat, even though most people still don’t notice.
What is “Lena noticing the wind pulling at her braid and feeling uneasy about it”?
This detail shows that Lena is paying close attention to the storm even when others are not.
What is “Lena deciding the storm feels different from any she’s seen before”?
This detail supports the idea that people should trust their instincts when something feels wrong.
Why would the author say “the world was holding its breath”?
This phrase makes the weather feel alive and helps the reader imagine the storm building.
What is “omen”
A word that means “a warning sign that something bad might happen soon.”