reading

: Melanie heard her father's voice as if from far away. She struggled through layers of sleep, forced her eyes open, and saw him in the doorway of her bedroom, lit from behind by the light in the hall. She bolted upright. "Time for what? What time is it?" Melanie's father _____ her.

• missed

• corrected

• woke

• promised

Michelle was walking on air when she left the classroom. She rushed to find Randy to share the good news. She spotted him walking down the hall and shouted to him. He stopped and waited for her to catch up. Michelle couldn't control her _____ .

• excitement

• anger

• sorrow

• fear

: Richard cooked him his favorite foods. He kept the house clean and mowed the lawn. He fixed the broken boards on the back porch. Richard was _____ .

• funny

• busy

• lucky

• sleepy

John couldn't stand to watch the boy climb. He turned and started to walk away. He had wanted to talk with the boy but was too frightened to chase him any farther. He was afraid of mountains, and even small hills. He was afraid of bleachers in the gym. He is afraid of _____ places.

• high

• warm

• old

• sad

People who do not have basic skills can learn them. They can go to school. They can learn from people who have these skills. They can practice skills at home. People who improve their basic skills often find better jobs. Basic skills are _____ .

• trouble

• useful

• bought

• suprising

"What's to get ready?" asked Amelia Bedelia. "Food!" said Mr. Rogers. "Now, Mr. Rogers," said Amelia Bedelia, "my folks know about parties. They will bring the food." "But Amelia Bedelia," said Mrs. Rogers, "will there be enough food for everybody?" They wanted to be _____ .

• happy

• liked

• lucky

• prepared

The quiet ways of the place seemed to calm Holly's mind for a while. She liked to sit in her spot among the rocks and watch the people moving slowly around. She watched them smile at each other. She saw them do their work. People helping each other. The place was _____ .

• strange

• famous

• pleasant

• messy

Now I heard it again. Heavy footsteps in the hallway right outside my room. Padding softly toward my door. Beads of sweat sprang out on my forehead and started rolling down my face. Sweat broke out on my back and under my arms. This person was _____ .

• tired

• afraid

• wise

• happy

Jonathan turned to the journalism teacher. "Ms. Rubio," he began, "I'm really glad to be chosen. But I don't really understand why you picked me. I mean, surely my story couldn't have been that much better than Eric's. And he does have more experience than I do." Mrs. Rubio's decision is _____ .

• clear

• simple

• terrible

• curious

: We walk past a store that sells baked goods and ice cream. A sweet-smelling breeze reaches through the screen door. I look in my wallet. New guitar strings can wait. I want to buy a _____ .

• game

• book

• treat

• painint