Theme
Making Inferences
Character Analysis
Conflict
Vocabulary
100
What does the word THEME mean?
Message, moral, or lesson in a story.
100
What does it mean to make an inference?
Answer may vary.
To make an inference means to take what we know (our schema) and what we find in the text (evidence) and reach a conclusion about something that is happening in a story.
100
Why do we analyze characters in a text?
To determine how they change over time.
100
What is a synonym for the CONFLICT in a story?
PROBLEM
Answer may vary.
100
What does the root AQU mean?
Water
200
What theme (or message) can be identified from Nicholas's experience at the boarding school?
Answer Choices:
A) Change can be difficult but may lead to new opportunities.
B) All schools are the same.
C) Friends are not important.
D) It's best to avoid new experiences.
A) Change can be difficult but may lead to new opportunities.
200
Question: What does Nicholas’s decision to pack his colorful swimsuit suggest about his feelings?
Answer Choices:
A) He is ready for a vacation.
B) He is unsure about what to expect.
C) He plans to swim right away.
D) He doesn’t care about school.
B) He is unsure about what to expect.
200
Question: How does Nicholas feel about moving to the boarding school at the beginning of the story?
Answer Choices:
A) Excited and happy
B) Angry and frustrated
C) Curious and eager
D) Confused and indifferent
B) Angry and frustrated
200
Question: Which of the following best describes Nicholas' internal conflict throughout the story?
Answer choices:
A) He is unsure whether he should stay at boarding school or return home.
B) He is conflicted about whether to follow his brother's advice or ignore it.
C) He struggles to decide whether to join the swim team or focus on academics.
D) He is torn between his anger over leaving his old school and his curiosity about what boarding school might offer.
D) He is torn between his anger over leaving his old school and his curiosity about what boarding school might offer.
200
What does the root BIO mean?
Life
300
Which statement best summarizes the theme, moral, or lesson of the text?
Answer choices:
A. It is helpful to prepare ahead for an unlikely event just to be sure.
B. It is okay to be angry as long as you let people know how you feel.
C. It is easier to stick with what is familiar to you than to try something new.
D. It is important to always give something a try before making a decision about it.
D. It is important to always give something a try before making a decision about it.
300
Question: Why do you think Nicholas feels uneasy about approaching other students?
Answer Choices:
A) He is too busy unpacking.
B) He prefers to be alone.
C) He is worried they won’t like him.
D) He has already made friends.
C) He is worried they won’t like him.
300
Question: What can we infer about Richard's character based on his comments to Nicholas?
Answer Choices:
A) He is unsupportive and rude.
B) He is caring and wants to help.
C) He is indifferent to Nicholas's feelings.
D) He is jealous of Nicholas.
B) He is caring and wants to help.
300
Question: What is the main conflict that Nicholas faces in the story?
Answer Choices:
A) He struggles with his anger and acceptance of change.
B) He is trying to win a race.
C) He wants to leave the boarding school.
D) He is afraid of swimming.
A) He struggles with his anger and acceptance of change.
300
What is the meaning of COLD as it is used in the sentence? "He knew how its lack of feeling made him feel dull and cold."
Answer choices:
A. unemotional
B. chilly
C. sick
D. annoyed
A. unemotional
400
Fable: The Tortoise and the Hare
Once upon a time, in a lush green forest, there lived a speedy hare and a slow tortoise. The hare was so proud of his speed that he often teased the tortoise, saying, "You'll never win a race against me!"
One day, the tortoise grew tired of the hare's boasting and challenged him to a race. The hare laughed, thinking it would be an easy victory. They set off, and the hare sprinted ahead, leaving the tortoise far behind. Confident of his win, the hare decided to take a nap.
Meanwhile, the tortoise kept moving slowly but steadily. While the hare slept, the tortoise passed him and continued toward the finish line. When the hare finally woke up, he dashed toward the finish line, but it was too late! The tortoise had won the race.
Question: What is the moral of the fable?
A) Speed is more important than determination.
B) It's better to be slow and steady than fast and careless.
C) Tortoises are better than hares.
D) Winning isn't important.
B) It's better to be slow and steady than fast and careless.
400
Which sentence from the text best shows the sense of touch?
A) "The weepy ivy plant's leaves hung over the ledge of Nicholas's window."
B) "He was sure the walls had not been repainted since the hall was built over one hundred years ago."
C) "Nicholas sighed and muttered the first words he had spoken in days."
D) "He knew about the brick buildings, the quiet halls, and the students in their bland uniforms.
B) "He was sure the walls had not been repainted since the hall was built over one hundred years ago."
400
Question: What causes Nicholas’ attitude about boarding school to shift by the end of the story?
Answer choices:
A) Learning that the school has a competitive swim team and an Olympic-sized pool.
B) Realizing that the walls haven't been painted in over 100 years.
C) Seeing his brother Richard’s enthusiasm about boarding school.
D) Deciding to ignore Marcus and stay in his room.
A) Learning that the school has a competitive swim team and an Olympic-sized pool.
400
QUESTION: Which statements best describe how Nicholas's interactions with other characters affect him in the text? Select TWO that are correct.
Answer choices:
A) The other characters try to help Nicholas see new possibilities.
B) The other characters make Nicholas even angrier than before.
C) The other characters show Nicholas that others want to help him.
D) The other characters give Nicholas more reasons to feel hopeless in his situation.
E) The other characters try to make Nicholas talk about his feelings.
A) The other characters try to help Nicholas see new possibilities.
C) The other characters show Nicholas that others want to help him.
400
What does the word "gloomier" mean as used in the passage?
Answer Choices:
A) Cheerful and bright
B) Darker and more depressing
C) More colorful
D) More interesting
B) Darker and more depressing
500
Fable: The Lion and the Mouse
Once upon a time, a mighty lion was taking a nap in the forest. A tiny mouse accidentally ran across the lion's nose, waking him up. Enraged, the lion caught the mouse with his huge paw and was about to eat him. The mouse pleaded, “Please let me go! I may be small, but someday I could help you!”
The lion laughed at the idea but decided to let the mouse go. A few days later, the lion found himself trapped in a hunter's net. He roared in frustration. The mouse, hearing the lion's cries, hurried to help. Using his sharp teeth, the mouse gnawed at the ropes until the lion was free.
The lion was grateful and said, “I didn’t believe a small creature like you could help me. Thank you!”
Question: What is the moral of the fable?
A) Big animals are always stronger than small ones.
B) Even the smallest creatures can be of help.
C) It's best to sleep during the day.
D) Lions are the kings of the jungle.
B) Even the smallest creatures can be of help.
500
What inference can be made about this picture? 
Answers will vary.
500
What is one character trait you would use to describe Nicholas?
Answers will vary.
500
Question: What is the main conflict Nicholas is facing in the story?
A) He is excited to join a new swim team.
B) He is angry about moving to a new boarding school.
C) He doesn't know how to make new friends.
D) He is worried about his clothes not fitting in.
B) He is angry about moving to a new boarding school.
500
Based on the context, what is the meaning of the prefex RE as used in the word repainted?
"As he laid on his bed and looked at them, he was sure the walls had not been repainted since the hall was built over one hundred years ago."
Answer choices:
A. not
B. again
C. full of
D. against
B. again