Inferences
The bookstore was empty except for a single man at the counter. His coat dripped rain onto the floor. He fumbled with a small stack of books, checking his watch twice before speaking in a hushed voice to the clerk. What can you infer about the man’s feelings?
He is nervous and in a hurry.
"Why does the author include the detail that the honey smear ‘looked fresh’? How does that help Benny (and the reader) understand the timeline of events?"
It shows the jar was taken recently, which means Benny can still catch the culprit. This creates urgency and keeps the mystery active.
When Benny sees the honey smear near the maze entrance, what is the MOST logical prediction about where the jar might be?
It will be found inside the maze.
Why does the author end the story with the line, ‘Sometimes the sweetest prize isn’t honey—it’s helping your friends’?
To clearly state the lesson learned from the story.
How many days do you have to take your test?
2
Liam pushed his plate away. The macaroni had grown cold and clumpy. He stared out the window where his friends’ laughter floated in from the playground. His math paper sat crumpled in his pocket. What is the most likely reason Liam isn’t eating his lunch?
He’s upset about not being able to join his friends.
"What detail from the story shows that Benny was excited about the festival before the mystery began?"
“The morning air smelled sweet as Benny skipped to the clearing where the festival was held.”
When Benny hears Jake say Dana carried something shiny toward the river, what would be the BEST prediction
Dana is the one who took the honey jar.
Which sentence BEST supports the theme of friendship?
They carried the jar back together, just in time for the contest.
Which character did Benny NOT suspect of taking the prize jar at any point in the story?
Sally
"Benny muttered, ‘Aha! Honey,’ when he saw the golden smear. What can you infer about Benny from this reaction?"
He is determined to solve problems.
Which detail in the section "Clue #2" BEST supports the idea that Benny was determined to solve the mystery?
"Benny hurried out of the maze and looked toward the tall oak tree where Jake usually perched."
Before Benny reaches Beaver Ben, who is the MOST likely suspect and why?
Bluejay Jake, because a blue feather was stuck to honey.
Which statement best describes the theme of this story?
Helping friends is more important than winning.
Why do you think Benny did not immediately accuse anyone of stealing the prize jar?
He wanted to gather clues and understand what really happened.
At the science fair, Ella stared at the blue ribbon hanging on Mason’s volcano project. Her own solar system display sat untouched on the table. She forced a smile when Mason waved, but her hands stayed clenched behind her back. How does Ella probably feel about Mason winning?
Jealous and disappointed
What detail from the text shows that Benny learned something important at the end?
“Benny thought, ‘Sometimes the sweetest prize isn’t honey—it’s helping your friends.’”
Before Benny learns the truth from Beaver Ben, what could a reader predict about why Ben might have the jar?
He was protecting it from getting broken.
How does Benny’s understanding of what is important change from the beginning to the end of the story?
At first, he only wanted to win, but he learned that helping friends is more important.
After Benny finds three clues (honey smear, feather, hoofprints), what prediction makes the MOST sense before reading the ending?
One of Benny’s friends took it for a reason.
The hallway smelled faintly of bleach, and the sound of squeaky shoes echoed down the corridor. Maya held her backpack tightly and avoided looking at the closed door with the red sign. Her teacher walked ahead, speaking softly to the nurse. Why is Maya likely at the nurse’s office?
She is feeling sick or hurt.
What evidence from the text suggests that the jar was safe the entire time?
“Ben said, ‘I thought the podium looked wobbly, so I brought the jar here to keep it safe.’”
At the beginning of the story, when Benny says, ‘This is going to be the best day ever!’ what can the reader predict?
Something unexpected will happen to change his plans.
What message does the author want readers to understand from Benny’s experience?
Sometimes the best rewards aren’t things—they’re friendships.
Put these events in the order they happened in the story:
3, 1, 4, 2