The First Day of School Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary

The description of the setting in paragraphs 1–2 shows that —

• A John has enjoyed the long summer days

• B John’s mother likes the routine of school

• C John is reluctant to see the end of summer

• D John’s mother is worried about the passage of time

The main way that readers learn that this day is different from days that have come before is through —

• F John’s actions

• G Audrey’s dress

• H dialogue between John and Audrey

• J dialogue between John and his mother

Which statement expresses a main theme of the story?

• A Things can be broken very easily.

• B You cannot escape from your problems.

• C It is important to overcome fear to take a stand.

• D It is impossible to know what others are thinking.

How does John’s reaction to hearing a rain crow in paragraph 18 contribute to the story?

• F It indicates that the students are up early

• G It highlights the potential danger.

• H It reveals that John is superstitious.

• J It shows that John tends to daydream.

Which phrase helps readers know the meaning of the word stealthily in paragraph 23?

• A she wasn’t asleep

• B bring his parents word

• C the others who had come into town

• D whispering of information

Read the thesaurus entry.

lingered v: remained, dawdled, hung around, remained alive

Which synonym best matches the meaning of the word lingered as it is used in paragraph 25?

• F Remained

• G Dawdled

• H Hung around

• J Remained alive

How does the flashback in paragraphs 27–28 affect the story?

• A It reflects John’s fear of what is to come

• B It explains how Audrey feels toward John.

• C It shows that John’s mother gives wise advice.

• D It explains why John disagrees with his mother

Read the sentence from a student essay about “The First Day of School.

” Not John or Audrey had been to their new school."

How should this sentence be changed?

• F Either John or Audrey had been to their new school.

• G Either John nor Audrey had been to their new school.

• H Neither John or Audrey had been to their new school.

• J Neither John nor Audrey had been to their new school.

Which two conflicts are at the center of “The First Day of School”?

• A John vs. nature

• B John vs. society

• C John vs. Audrey

• D John vs. his fears

• E John vs. his mother

Put the following events from the story in the correct order:

A John talks to his mother about the day.

B John learns that his father has been laid off from work.

C John hears his mother calling to him from the driveway. D John and Audrey fight over whether she will go to

school.