Set It Up
When the story opens, the setting is ----
Coach Bellows paced the cement floor by the lockers as he spoke.
“Sure, we’ve lost every basketball game this season, but I know you boys can change that! If you think of yourselves as losers, you will keep losing. You have to think like winners! Now, let’s go have a great second half!”
Huck knew it was no use—the Bears would lose again. He opened his locker to get a sweatband, and sticking out of his school shoes was a white square of paper. It read, “If you want to know how your team can start winning, be at center court at 8 p.m. sharp.” That evening after dinner, Huck came back to the gym and stood at center court.
A lockeroom at halftime
Excerpt from "A New Home For the Family"
Splashing along the dark, smelly tunnel, Harlan hurried home. Once there, he gathered his wife and two daughters around him and announced, “A sewer is no place to raise a family, so we’re moving.” His family groaned. “Pack up your things, and follow me. We’re going to live the good life, in the subway!”
How does the description in paragraph 3 contribute to the setting?
A. It suggests that the rats have lived in the sewer for a long time.
B.It shows that the rats live in a city with many tourists.
C.It shows that the sewer is an unpleasant place to live.
What is C. It shows that the sewer is an unpleasant place to live.
Name That Theme!
Luke is nervous as he stands on a high platform preparing to bungee jump. Even though he feels scared, his friend encourages him. Luke takes a deep breath and jumps, soaring through the air like an eagle. Afterward, he feels proud and realizes he can do hard things if he believes in himself.
A. Don't sweat the small stuff
B. Overcome your fears
C. You can do anything you put your mind to
Both A and C
FREE SQUARE
You automatically get 100 points!
FREE SQUARE!
You automatically get 100 points!
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A.The mountain covered in a blanket of snow, stood majestically against the clear blue sky.
B.The car, painted in a vibrant shade of red, caught everyone's attention as it sped down the street.
C.The river winding its way through the lush valley reflected the colors of the surrounding landscape.
B.The car, painted in a vibrant shade of red, caught everyone's attention as it sped down the street.
The details in paragraph 1 contribute to the setting by ...
1.As soon as Hunter got home from school, he ran downstairs to his Aunt Trina’s workshop. She loved to invent things, and this time, she was working on a giant kite that could carry a person! When he reached the basement, he stepped around all the springs and cables that covered the floor, and Aunt Trina got up to greet him.
A. Showing what Aunt Trina’s work area looks like
B. Hinting that the family shares the workspace
C.Describing how the basement differs from rest of the house
A. Showing what Aunt Trina’s work area looks like
Excerpt from "Legend of the Hidden Cave Falls"
The boys agreed. They would save it for storytelling around a campfire—“The Legend of Hidden Cave Falls”—only they would know it wasn’t a legend at all.
A. Agree not to tell anyone what they found.
B. Are sad that they could not keep the money
C. Cannot wait to tell their friends about their find
What is A. Agree not to tell anyone what they found.
Name That Theme!
Stacia is upset because her friend Tasha keeps taking credit for things they do together. She plans to end their friendship but finally tells Tasha how she feels during Halloween. Tasha is surprised and realizes there is a misunderstanding, so she says they need to talk and listen to each other.
A. Two people may see a situation differently.
B. Always ask someone for help with an important problem.
C. It is difficult to lose an old friendship.
A, B
This research was prompted by the sudden rise in COVID-19 infections.
What is the correct way to write sentence 10?
(8) French Bulldogs do not bark much, but they are always alert. (9) They are playful, adaptable, and downright adorable. (10) Because they are a small breed of dog they are one of the world’s most popular among people who live in the city.
A.Because they are a small breed of dog, they are one of the world’s most popular among people who live in the city.
B. Because they are a small breed of dog, but they are one of the world’s most popular among people who live in the city.
C.Because they are a small breed of dog, they are one of the world’s most popular, among people who live in the city.
A.Because they are a small breed of dog, they are one of the world’s most popular among people who live in the city.
The setting influences the plot by ...
Piya is driving her family through the wilderness to reach a campsite, but her phone suddenly loses signal. She begins to worry because the sun is setting, and it will be harder to drive in the dark. She does not want to wake her husband, who is still asleep, and feels unsure about what to do next.
Her son Shiv remembers that his father downloaded a map on his phone earlier. He quietly hands the phone to his mother and helps her find the directions they need. Piya feels relieved and proud of Shiv for being responsible and helpful, just like he has been in the past.
Using the directions, Piya drives carefully and finally sees the light from the campsite. She feels safe and thankful for her son’s help. The experience shows her that Shiv is growing up and will be able to handle challenges in the future.
A.Reina and Raj sleep through the problems Piya is facing.
B. Not being able to see the campfire adds to Piya's worry
C. Creating a challenge in the wilderness without a phone signal, which leads to Shiv helping.
C. Creating a challenge in the wilderness without a phone signal, which leads to Shiv helping.
How does paragraph 2 contribute to the plot?
Anna Rodriguez worked downtown, on the first floor of the Bank of Madison. The 15-foot snowdrifts meant that all Anna could see when she looked out the window was a wall of white, instead of people and cars passing by. Gazing out that window was the only thing that kept her sane with all the numbers swimming in her head. With no view out the window, her little office felt like a prison cell. Why did I ever take this job? she wondered as she added up another column. I’m terrible with numbers!
A. The description of the prison-like atmosphere shows her being punished.
B.The description of Anna’s view helps show her inner conflict.
C. The details of her thoughts show how little Anna thinks of herself in general.
B.The description of Anna’s view helps show her inner conflict.
Name That Theme!
Damien feels frustrated after a basketball tryout because he thinks he did poorly. He worries that he will not make the team and begins to cry. When he talks to his coach, he learns that he has strong skills but needs more practice in certain areas. The coach encourages him to be patient and keep working hard.
A. Frustration smothers out the desire to act.
B. People tend to seek help from others when they need it.
C. Effort and hope go hand in hand.
C, B
How does the historical and geographical context of the Arizona desert in 1885 impact the development of the story?
A. It creates a setting of isolation and difficulty, emphasizing James's struggle to survive.
B. It introduces modern technology to help James navigate the vast desert.
C.It highlights the abundance of water sources that aid James’s journey.
A.It creates a setting of isolation and difficulty, emphasizing James's struggle to survive.
Using context clues, what does the word "boundless" mean in the paragraph?
4. “I’ll be right there,” Sabrina said. A year ago, Sabrina loved dance class. It was where she could release her boundless energy and hang out with her friends. But that was before Sabrina played basketball. Now, there was nothing she’d rather do.
A.unlimited
B.less than
C.weak
A. unlimited
What is the effect of the setting on the plot?
Tom had always broken or lost things, and he felt his family still treated him like a baby. One Saturday, he decided to prove he was a big kid by fixing everything, starting with making pancakes in the kitchen.
He began in the pantry, grabbing pancake mix and a big bowl. Powder flew everywhere, making him cough, but Tom thought he could clean it later. Next came the eggs, which were slippery and kept cracking, some even rolling onto the floor.
Covered in flour and egg, Tom tried to mix the batter, but it was lumpy and thick. He washed his eyes at the sink, leaving more mess behind, yet he still hoped he could fix everything—even if it meant cleaning it all up afterward.
A.Because the story takes place in the summer, it shows Tom having free time at home
B.Because Tom is in the kitchen, he makes a mess while trying to make breakfast
C.Because the story shows a boy waking up in the morning, the story shows him eating breakfast
B. Because Tom is in the kitchen, he makes a mess while trying to make breakfast
What is the impact of the main character's personality on the plot?
“Jackpot!” Sharee exclaimed, scooping a wallet up off the busy sidewalk. She couldn’t believe her luck. She opened the wallet and saw that it was stuffed with cash. Looking to see if anybody noticed, she crammed it in her pocket.
She counted the money in her bedroom. Twenty-five dollars in one-dollar bills inside had only looked like $1,000. Still, it would get her to the water park.
Before throwing the wallet under her bed and forgetting about it forever, she decided to see what else was in it. She found it odd that the wallet contained a magazine subscription card, and then she turned it around and saw hand-written notes about medication dosages and a list of books.
Why did she have to be reminded that the wallet belonged to somebody? Then, the worst part was an ID with the picture of a tiny, aged man on it. His glasses were almost as big as his head. His name was Cecil. He was a real person, and she was holding his wallet. She sighed, bummed that she would miss the trip to the water park, but not nearly as bummed as Cecil must have been about losing his wallet.
A. By having a personality that is so easily changed, Sharee's sympathy for Cecil seems less believable.
B. By becoming a more thoughtful person, Sharee considers Cecil's feelings instead of keeping the money for the water park.
C. When she decides to look through the wallet because she is ashamed of herself, Sharee shows how she has become a changed person.
B. By becoming a more thoughtful person, Sharee considers Cecil's feelings instead of keeping the money for the water park.
DAILY DOUBLE
In a story, the theme is defined as the __________, ___________, or ___________ of the story.
In a story, the theme is defined as the message, moral, or lesson of the story.
Context and Background
How does the historical context of the 1950s impact the characters' perceptions of technology in the story?
Norman Levine whistled as he walked home from work. It was New Year's Eve, 1957. He wanted to bring home something special for his family to celebrate. Passing an electronics store, Norman saw a shiny new television set in the window.
He brought home his surprise and set it up in the living room. He put the antenna on top and plugged in the set while his wife and kids gathered around. In a few seconds, a picture of a dark-haired man came on.
"Why are there no colors, Dad?" his son Mark asked.
"This is a black-and-white television set," he answered.
"I like that you can see the person talking and hear him at the same time," Connie said.
"Well, I still prefer the radio," Norman's wife, Carol, said. "Everyone's getting TV sets now," Norman called after her. "They say by 1960, television will have replaced radio." By the end of the evening, Carol agreed to give it another try, and the family sat and watched a comedy show together.
A. It shows that the family preferred old-fashioned entertainment, such as the radio, over new technology.
B. It highlights the novelty of the television, as it was still a new invention that not everyone had.
C.It shows the family's resistance to change, especially when it comes to technological advancements.
B. It highlights the novelty of the television, as it was still a new invention that not everyone had.
What does the word impaired mean as it is used in paragraph 1? Choose two meanings.
An audiobook is a book that you can listen to. You can listen to it in the car, on the computer, on the phone, or through a special device. Audiobooks aren’t just for passing the time while traveling. Audiobooks can be lifesavers. These serve many purposes. These may mean the world to those who are visually impaired, temporarily blind, unable to hold a book, or more. For the visually impaired who can’t yet read Braille but have a strong desire to learn, an audiobook is a perfect solution.
A.Imperfect
B.Temporary
C.Weakened
D.Able
C.Weakened & A.Imperfect
Paragraph 4 helps to shape the setting by showing that the—
1.The horizon stretched on forever as James rode slowly across the Arizona desert. It was 1885, and there were few people living out here, just cacti and an occasional tumbleweed. James wiped the sweat from his face and urged his horse, Sage, onward. The cruel sun was straight above him, and he longed to rest, but he didn’t have time. His water supply was running out.
A.Buildings are further away than they look
B.Town of Tombstone is not far away
C.Buildings are in James’s imagination
C.Buildings are in James’s imagination
How is the main character shaped by the setting in the story?
“Jackpot!” Sharee exclaimed, scooping a wallet up off the busy sidewalk. She couldn’t believe her luck. She opened the wallet and saw that it was stuffed with cash. Looking to see if anybody noticed, she crammed it in her pocket.
She counted the money in her bedroom. Twenty-five dollars in one-dollar bills inside had only looked like $1,000. Still, it would get her to the water park.
Before throwing the wallet under her bed and forgetting about it forever, she decided to see what else was in it. She found it odd that the wallet contained a magazine subscription card, and then she turned it around and saw hand-written notes about medication dosages and a list of books.
Why did she have to be reminded that the wallet belonged to somebody? Then, the worst part was an ID with the picture of a tiny, aged man on it. His glasses were almost as big as his head. His name was Cecil. He was a real person, and she was holding his wallet. She sighed, bummed that she would miss the trip to the water park, but not nearly as bummed as Cecil must have been about losing his wallet.
A. Being around people makes Sharee act responsibly.
B. Being away from her parents brings out Sharee's dishonesty.
C. Being alone helps Sharee think things through clearly.
C. Being alone helps Sharee think things through clearly.
When looking for theme, you can look at the setting, ________, and symbolism to determine the author's message, lesson, or moral they want to express.
Conflict
Select two ways the author uses structure or features to build meaning and emotion in the story.
The storm rolled in faster than anyone expected. Thick clouds twisted above Silver Bay, turning the sky to ink. Elena pressed her forehead to the cabin window, watching boats bob wildly on the water. Her dad had gone out that morning to check the fishing nets hours ago. Now, the dock was empty except for the windblown ropes that slapped the wooden posts like warning flags.
She opened the door and stepped outside, clutching her raincoat against the growing wind. “Don’t,” her grandma called from inside, her voice trembling like the glass in the kitchen cupboards. But Elena couldn’t wait. The lighthouse at the edge of the cliff had always been her dad’s favorite place—he called it “the anchor in any storm.” She just had to check.
As she reached the winding trail that led to the lighthouse, rain pelted her face, and her heart thundered like the waves below. The storm roared louder, but in the distance, she spotted a faint light flickering in the lighthouse window. Elena knew it had to be him. She smiled, knowing the beacon had guided both of them back home again.
1.Ending the story with the light in the window
2. Creating short paragraphs to speed up the action
3. Opening with dialogue between Elena and her dad
4. Using a flashback to explain Elena's childhood
Both 1 and 2
Choose the two sentences that are capitalized correctly.
1.What is your favorite part of The Lion King?
2.Karen's mom has a magazine subscription to Better Homes And Gardens.
3.As a child, Shawn's favorite book was Green Eggs and Ham.