Story Elements

At some point in the story, there is a turning point when the problem begins to be resolved. This is called the_____________

• climax

• plot

• conflict

• resolution

Read the story and the questions that follow. Then circle the letter of the best answer(s) to each questions.

The river at the bottom of the canyon had been rising after the weekend storm. Mrs. Vernon and her two teenage daughters had been backpacking in the canyon since Thursday. Forced higher and higher to escape the rising water, they were trapped now on a narrow ledge.

Mrs. Vernon did all she could to comfort the girls. At least they had plenty of food and water. Suddenly, above the roar of the water, the oldest daughter heard something.

“Mom, listen! Isn’t that a helicopter? Maybe they’re searching for us!” Just then a helicopter broke through the low-lying clouds across the canyon.

“Here we are! Over here!” the trio yelled and waved frantically. The pilot saw them at once and started in their direction.

“The worst is over, girls,” said Mrs. Vernon as she hugged them both. “We’re saved!”

Who are the story’s main characters?

• Mrs. Vernon and the pilot

• Mrs. Vernon and her two daughters

• the river and the canyon

The river at the bottom of the canyon had been rising after the weekend storm. Mrs. Vernon and her two teenage daughters had been backpacking in the canyon since Thursday. Forced higher and higher to escape the rising water, they were trapped now on a narrow ledge.

Mrs. Vernon did all she could to comfort the girls. At least they had plenty of food and water. Suddenly, above the roar of the water, the oldest daughter heard something.

“Mom, listen! Isn’t that a helicopter? Maybe they’re searching for us!” Just then a helicopter broke through the low-lying clouds across the canyon.

“Here we are! Over here!” the trio yelled and waved frantically. The pilot saw them at once and started in their direction.

“The worst is over, girls,” said Mrs. Vernon as she hugged them both. “We’re saved!”

When and where does the story take place?

• in the present in a canyon

• 100 years ago on a hiking trail

• 100 years from now on Mars

The river at the bottom of the canyon had been rising after the weekend storm. Mrs. Vernon and her two teenage daughters had been backpacking in the canyon since Thursday. Forced higher and higher to escape the rising water, they were trapped now on a narrow ledge.

Mrs. Vernon did all she could to comfort the girls. At least they had plenty of food and water. Suddenly, above the roar of the water, the oldest daughter heard something.

“Mom, listen! Isn’t that a helicopter? Maybe they’re searching for us!” Just then a helicopter broke through the low-lying clouds across the canyon.

“Here we are! Over here!” the trio yelled and waved frantically. The pilot saw them at once and started in their direction.

“The worst is over, girls,” said Mrs. Vernon as she hugged them both. “We’re saved!”

What is the story’s main problem?

5) Which event leads to solving the problem?

A. the Vernons doing all they can to make themselves comfortable

B. the helicopter pilot spotting the Vernons

• how the pilot will find the Vernons

• how the Vernons will get out of the canyon

• how the Vernons will make themselves comfortable on the ledge

The river at the bottom of the canyon had been rising after the weekend storm. Mrs. Vernon and her two teenage daughters had been backpacking in the canyon since Thursday. Forced higher and higher to escape the rising water, they were trapped now on a narrow ledge.

Mrs. Vernon did all she could to comfort the girls. At least they had plenty of food and water. Suddenly, above the roar of the water, the oldest daughter heard something.

“Mom, listen! Isn’t that a helicopter? Maybe they’re searching for us!” Just then a helicopter broke through the low-lying clouds across the canyon.

“Here we are! Over here!” the trio yelled and waved frantically. The pilot saw them at once and started in their direction.

“The worst is over, girls,” said Mrs. Vernon as she hugged them both. “We’re saved!”

Which event leads to solving the problem?

• the Vernons doing all they can to make themselves comfortable

• the helicopter pilot spotting the Vernons

The Trip to Town

Sally and her sister Amanda sat in the back of the wagon as it bumped along the road. "I can't wait to

get to go to the general store," Sally said. “Ma said we could buy fabric to make new dresses. What color will

you choose?"

Just as Amanda opened her mouth to answer, the wagon jerked to a stop. The horses tossed their

heads, unable to pull the wagon any farther.

Pa climbed down and looked at the back left wheel. "It's stuck," he explained. "Everybody climb down

and help me unload these sacks of grain. Unless we work quickly, we won't have time to go to the general

store."

The family began lifting a dozen sacks of grain from the wagon. Pa needed to sell the grain at the market in

town. While they worked, Sally hoped she didn't have to wait for next week's trip to get the fabric for her new

dress.

When the wagon was finally empty, Pa helped Ma into the driver's seat. Ma picked up the reins. Then

Pa slowly lifted the back of the wagon while Ma snapped the reigns gently. The wagon lurched, then rolled

easily forward. They reloaded the grain and soon they were on their way again.

At midmorning, they reached the edge of town. Sally saw people strolling along the wooden sidewalks. "Is

there time to go to the general store, Pa?" she asked. The she held her breath.

Pa reached into his pocket and pulled out a watch. He smiled as she answered, " I suppose we can

spare a few minutes." Soon Sally was standing in front of the racks of brightly colored fabrics. She immediately

saw the green fabric she wanted. Before she knew it she was back in the wagon, rolling and bumping toward

home.

Who is the main character in this story?

• Pa

• Ma

• Amanda

• Sally

The Trip to Town

Sally and her sister Amanda sat in the back of the wagon as it bumped along the road. "I can't wait to

get to go to the general store," Sally said. “Ma said we could buy fabric to make new dresses. What color will

you choose?"

Just as Amanda opened her mouth to answer, the wagon jerked to a stop. The horses tossed their

heads, unable to pull the wagon any farther.

Pa climbed down and looked at the back left wheel. "It's stuck," he explained. "Everybody climb down

and help me unload these sacks of grain. Unless we work quickly, we won't have time to go to the general

store."

The family began lifting a dozen sacks of grain from the wagon. Pa needed to sell the grain at the market in

town. While they worked, Sally hoped she didn't have to wait for next week's trip to get the fabric for her new

dress.

When the wagon was finally empty, Pa helped Ma into the driver's seat. Ma picked up the reins. Then

Pa slowly lifted the back of the wagon while Ma snapped the reigns gently. The wagon lurched, then rolled

easily forward. They reloaded the grain and soon they were on their way again.

At midmorning, they reached the edge of town. Sally saw people strolling along the wooden sidewalks. "Is

there time to go to the general store, Pa?" she asked. The she held her breath.

Pa reached into his pocket and pulled out a watch. He smiled as she answered, " I suppose we can

spare a few minutes." Soon Sally was standing in front of the racks of brightly colored fabrics. She immediately

saw the green fabric she wanted. Before she knew it she was back in the wagon, rolling and bumping toward

home.

Where does most of the story take place?

• at the family home

• in the general store

• on the road to town

• at the market

The Trip to Town

Sally and her sister Amanda sat in the back of the wagon as it bumped along the road. "I can't wait to

get to go to the general store," Sally said. “Ma said we could buy fabric to make new dresses. What color will

you choose?"

Just as Amanda opened her mouth to answer, the wagon jerked to a stop. The horses tossed their

heads, unable to pull the wagon any farther.

Pa climbed down and looked at the back left wheel. "It's stuck," he explained. "Everybody climb down

and help me unload these sacks of grain. Unless we work quickly, we won't have time to go to the general

store."

The family began lifting a dozen sacks of grain from the wagon. Pa needed to sell the grain at the market in

town. While they worked, Sally hoped she didn't have to wait for next week's trip to get the fabric for her new

dress.

When the wagon was finally empty, Pa helped Ma into the driver's seat. Ma picked up the reins. Then

Pa slowly lifted the back of the wagon while Ma snapped the reigns gently. The wagon lurched, then rolled

easily forward. They reloaded the grain and soon they were on their way again.

At midmorning, they reached the edge of town. Sally saw people strolling along the wooden sidewalks. "Is

there time to go to the general store, Pa?" she asked. The she held her breath.

Pa reached into his pocket and pulled out a watch. He smiled as she answered, " I suppose we can

spare a few minutes." Soon Sally was standing in front of the racks of brightly colored fabrics. She immediately

saw the green fabric she wanted. Before she knew it she was back in the wagon, rolling and bumping toward

home.

What is the problem in the story?

• Pa has to sell a dozen sacks of grain.

• The wagon gets stuck

• The horses toss their heads nervously

• There is not enough fabric for two dresses

Trip to Town

Sally and her sister Amanda sat in the back of the wagon as it bumped along the road. "I can't wait to

get to go to the general store," Sally said. “Ma said we could buy fabric to make new dresses. What color will

you choose?"

Just as Amanda opened her mouth to answer, the wagon jerked to a stop. The horses tossed their

heads, unable to pull the wagon any farther.

Pa climbed down and looked at the back left wheel. "It's stuck," he explained. "Everybody climb down

and help me unload these sacks of grain. Unless we work quickly, we won't have time to go to the general

store."

The family began lifting a dozen sacks of grain from the wagon. Pa needed to sell the grain at the market in

town. While they worked, Sally hoped she didn't have to wait for next week's trip to get the fabric for her new

dress.

When the wagon was finally empty, Pa helped Ma into the driver's seat. Ma picked up the reins. Then

Pa slowly lifted the back of the wagon while Ma snapped the reigns gently. The wagon lurched, then rolled

easily forward. They reloaded the grain and soon they were on their way again.

At midmorning, they reached the edge of town. Sally saw people strolling along the wooden sidewalks. "Is

there time to go to the general store, Pa?" she asked. The she held her breath.

Pa reached into his pocket and pulled out a watch. He smiled as she answered, " I suppose we can

spare a few minutes." Soon Sally was standing in front of the racks of brightly colored fabrics. She immediately

saw the green fabric she wanted. Before she knew it she was back in the wagon, rolling and bumping toward

home.

What is one of the steps that helps to solve the problem?

• Pa takes a watch out of his pocket

• Amanda opens her mouth to speak

• Sally chooses a green fabric

• The family unloads the grain

Trip to Town

Sally and her sister Amanda sat in the back of the wagon as it bumped along the road. "I can't wait to

get to go to the general store," Sally said. “Ma said we could buy fabric to make new dresses. What color will

you choose?"

Just as Amanda opened her mouth to answer, the wagon jerked to a stop. The horses tossed their

heads, unable to pull the wagon any farther.

Pa climbed down and looked at the back left wheel. "It's stuck," he explained. "Everybody climb down

and help me unload these sacks of grain. Unless we work quickly, we won't have time to go to the general

store."

The family began lifting a dozen sacks of grain from the wagon. Pa needed to sell the grain at the market in

town. While they worked, Sally hoped she didn't have to wait for next week's trip to get the fabric for her new

dress.

When the wagon was finally empty, Pa helped Ma into the driver's seat. Ma picked up the reins. Then

Pa slowly lifted the back of the wagon while Ma snapped the reigns gently. The wagon lurched, then rolled

easily forward. They reloaded the grain and soon they were on their way again.

At midmorning, they reached the edge of town. Sally saw people strolling along the wooden sidewalks. "Is

there time to go to the general store, Pa?" she asked. The she held her breath.

Pa reached into his pocket and pulled out a watch. He smiled as she answered, " I suppose we can

spare a few minutes." Soon Sally was standing in front of the racks of brightly colored fabrics. She immediately

saw the green fabric she wanted. Before she knew it she was back in the wagon, rolling and bumping toward

home.

What is the most important reason that the family needs to get to town?

• Pa needs to sell the sacks of grain.

• They need to get the wagon wheel fixed.

• The girls need to buy fabric.

• Pa needs to get a new watch.