Reading ~ Explicit Facts and Inferences (RL 5.1) FICTION

The days crawled by like sap creeping down a tree trunk. I kept waiting for the tickets to arrive. Every day, I'd run to the mailbox thinking they would be there waiting for me. I would watch the white postal truck make its way down our property from the main road. I would think to myself, Please be there; please be there!

I had ordered tickets to the concert five weeks and two days ago. The ad said that I would receive the tickets in four to six weeks. At the four-week mark, I almost jumped out of my skin when I saw a small blue box in the mail. It turned out to be replacement checks for my mom. I wanted to kick the mailbox over when I realized it wasn't for me.

How does the narrator feel at the very end of the passage?

• lonely

• angry

• excited

• playful

The days crawled by like sap creeping down a tree trunk. I kept waiting for the tickets to arrive. Every day, I'd run to the mailbox thinking they would be there waiting for me. I would watch the white postal truck make its way down our property from the main road. I would think to myself, Please be there; please be there!

I had ordered tickets to the concert five weeks and two days ago. The ad said that I would receive the tickets in four to six weeks. At the four-week mark, I almost jumped out of my skin when I saw a small blue box in the mail. It turned out to be replacement checks for my mom. I wanted to kick the mailbox over when I realized it wasn't for me.

What is inside the blue box in the mail?

• checks

• food ads

• tree sap

• tickets

The Violin Player

Richmond wanted to become a violin player. His mother wanted to encourage him, but she could not afford to pay for lessons. She placed Richmond in violin classes at his school. In the first class, he learned how to hold the bow and violin correctly. Later, his class learned to play notes and chords. Richmond's teacher said that he was talented. She told him to practice more over the summer.

His mother found a student at the local music academy who agreed to teach Richmond more about the violin in exchange for home-cooked food. Richmond enjoyed working with the student and learned to play some of his favorite songs. He played the violin well and wanted to spend more time studying it.

Richmond wanted to go to a summer camp for violin players. His mother came up with ways to raise money to send him to camp. She held a bake sale at their house. The next week the family had a garage sale. By this time, Richmond and his mom almost had enough money. Richmond's mom decided to have a concert where Richmond would play. The concert was a success, and they raised enough money to send Richmond to camp.

Richmond had a lot of fun at the summer camp and went to a performing arts school to learn more about the violin. After he went to college, he became a teacher to help students who loved music just like him. His great talent made others love music, too. In fact, Richmond's little sister learned to love music from watching him play the violin.

What did Richmond learn from his first violin class?

• how to hold the violin correctly

• how to play his favorite songs

• how to teach students to play

• how to go to a summer camp

The Violin Player

Richmond wanted to become a violin player. His mother wanted to encourage him, but she could not afford to pay for lessons. She placed Richmond in violin classes at his school. In the first class, he learned how to hold the bow and violin correctly. Later, his class learned to play notes and chords. Richmond's teacher said that he was talented. She told him to practice more over the summer.

His mother found a student at the local music academy who agreed to teach Richmond more about the violin in exchange for home-cooked food. Richmond enjoyed working with the student and learned to play some of his favorite songs. He played the violin well and wanted to spend more time studying it.

Richmond wanted to go to a summer camp for violin players. His mother came up with ways to raise money to send him to camp. She held a bake sale at their house. The next week the family had a garage sale. By this time, Richmond and his mom almost had enough money. Richmond's mom decided to have a concert where Richmond would play. The concert was a success, and they raised enough money to send Richmond to camp.

Richmond had a lot of fun at the summer camp and went to a performing arts school to learn more about the violin. After he went to college, he became a teacher to help students who loved music just like him. His great talent made others love music, too. In fact, Richmond's little sister learned to love music from watching him play the violin.

Which of the following things did Richmond's mother do first?

• She had a concert for Richmond.

• She held a bake sale at her home.

• She had a student help Richmond.

• She put Richmond in violin classes.

The Violin Player

Richmond wanted to become a violin player. His mother wanted to encourage him, but she could not afford to pay for lessons. She placed Richmond in violin classes at his school. In the first class, he learned how to hold the bow and violin correctly. Later, his class learned to play notes and chords. Richmond's teacher said that he was talented. She told him to practice more over the summer.

His mother found a student at the local music academy who agreed to teach Richmond more about the violin in exchange for home-cooked food. Richmond enjoyed working with the student and learned to play some of his favorite songs. He played the violin well and wanted to spend more time studying it.

Richmond wanted to go to a summer camp for violin players. His mother came up with ways to raise money to send him to camp. She held a bake sale at their house. The next week the family had a garage sale. By this time, Richmond and his mom almost had enough money. Richmond's mom decided to have a concert where Richmond would play. The concert was a success, and they raised enough money to send Richmond to camp.

Richmond had a lot of fun at the summer camp and went to a performing arts school to learn more about the violin. After he went to college, he became a teacher to help students who loved music just like him. His great talent made others love music, too. In fact, Richmond's little sister learned to love music from watching him play the violin.

Who did Richmond teach to love music?

• his friends

• his sister

• his teacher

• his mother

Dear Diary:

Today was my first day at Sleepaway Camp. When we arrived, Jen, my counselor, was waiting for my parents and me. She was very friendly. She took us to my cabin and showed my parents where I'd be sleeping. My parents helped me start unpacking, and then they were on their way.

After I finished unpacking, Jen introduced me to my bunkmates. There were 9 other girls in my bunk. They all seemed nice. Jen told us that we would have a schedule for each day, but since this was our first day, she wanted to show us around the camp. She said that we should change into our swimsuits in case we decided to go swimming.

First, Jen took us to the "mess hall." This was where we would eat. Then, she took us to the infirmary where we would go if we were sick. Next, we went to the lake. There were many things to do. We could swim, canoe, sail, or fish. Since it was quite warm, Jen asked if we wanted to go for a swim. We all shouted, "Yes!" After swimming for a while, we rested and talked about our lives at home. It was fun getting to know everyone. Then, Jen led us back to the bunk so we could get some rest before dinner. So far, it looks like I am going to have a really fun summer. I can't wait for tomorrow. Maybe I'll get to canoe for the first time!

Talk to you later,

Annie

How did Annie feel at the end of her first day at camp?

• excited

• scared

• worried

• sad

Dear Diary:

Today was my first day at Sleepaway Camp. When we arrived, Jen, my counselor, was waiting for my parents and me. She was very friendly. She took us to my cabin and showed my parents where I'd be sleeping. My parents helped me start unpacking, and then they were on their way.

After I finished unpacking, Jen introduced me to my bunkmates. There were 9 other girls in my bunk. They all seemed nice. Jen told us that we would have a schedule for each day, but since this was our first day, she wanted to show us around the camp. She said that we should change into our swimsuits in case we decided to go swimming.

First, Jen took us to the "mess hall." This was where we would eat. Then, she took us to the infirmary where we would go if we were sick. Next, we went to the lake. There were many things to do. We could swim, canoe, sail, or fish. Since it was quite warm, Jen asked if we wanted to go for a swim. We all shouted, "Yes!" After swimming for a while, we rested and talked about our lives at home. It was fun getting to know everyone. Then, Jen led us back to the bunk so we could get some rest before dinner. So far, it looks like I am going to have a really fun summer. I can't wait for tomorrow. Maybe I'll get to canoe for the first time!

Talk to you later,

Annie

What was the last thing the new campers did for their first day at camp?

• archery

• swam

• rested

• went canoeing

Dear Diary:

Today was my first day at Sleepaway Camp. When we arrived, Jen, my counselor, was waiting for my parents and me. She was very friendly. She took us to my cabin and showed my parents where I'd be sleeping. My parents helped me start unpacking, and then they were on their way.

After I finished unpacking, Jen introduced me to my bunkmates. There were 9 other girls in my bunk. They all seemed nice. Jen told us that we would have a schedule for each day, but since this was our first day, she wanted to show us around the camp. She said that we should change into our swimsuits in case we decided to go swimming.

First, Jen took us to the "mess hall." This was where we would eat. Then, she took us to the infirmary where we would go if we were sick. Next, we went to the lake. There were many things to do. We could swim, canoe, sail, or fish. Since it was quite warm, Jen asked if we wanted to go for a swim. We all shouted, "Yes!" After swimming for a while, we rested and talked about our lives at home. It was fun getting to know everyone. Then, Jen led us back to the bunk so we could get some rest before dinner. So far, it looks like I am going to have a really fun summer. I can't wait for tomorrow. Maybe I'll get to canoe for the first time!

Talk to you later,

Annie

Where was the first place that Jen took her campers?

• to the mess hall

• to the lake

• to the infirmary

• to the nature center

Dear Diary:

Today was my first day at Sleepaway Camp. When we arrived, Jen, my counselor, was waiting for my parents and me. She was very friendly. She took us to my cabin and showed my parents where I'd be sleeping. My parents helped me start unpacking, and then they were on their way.

After I finished unpacking, Jen introduced me to my bunkmates. There were 9 other girls in my bunk. They all seemed nice. Jen told us that we would have a schedule for each day, but since this was our first day, she wanted to show us around the camp. She said that we should change into our swimsuits in case we decided to go swimming.

First, Jen took us to the "mess hall." This was where we would eat. Then, she took us to the infirmary where we would go if we were sick. Next, we went to the lake. There were many things to do. We could swim, canoe, sail, or fish. Since it was quite warm, Jen asked if we wanted to go for a swim. We all shouted, "Yes!" After swimming for a while, we rested and talked about our lives at home. It was fun getting to know everyone. Then, Jen led us back to the bunk so we could get some rest before dinner. So far, it looks like I am going to have a really fun summer. I can't wait for tomorrow. Maybe I'll get to canoe for the first time!

Talk to you later,

Annie

What was the first thing Jen did when Annie and her parents arrived at camp?

• She showed them where Annie would be staying.

• She showed them the lake.

• She introduced them to Annie’s bunkmates.

• She showed them the infirmary.

The Consequence

"Jamie, this is the last time I'm telling you that you are not going to the sleepover," said my mother angrily. My pleading had no effect on my mom. I could feel my eyes welling up with tears.

I had not turned in my science project on time. I wanted to complete it, but after coming home from Shaun's birthday party, I felt too tired to work on it. I had promised myself I'd wake up early the next morning and complete it. When I woke up, I was already late for school. My science teacher sent an email to my parents and now they were very upset.

I realized my mistake, and in a low voice, I said, "Mom, you're right. It was my fault for not completing the assignment. I will work on it now. And I also promise that I will study hard and finish my assignments on time." Mom hugged me tightly. I was happy that she had forgiven me. With a smile on my face, I sat down to finish my project.

Select all the correct answers.

Which two things might happen if Jamie does not keep her promise to finish her homework on time?

• Jamie may learn to manage her time better.

• Jamie will not understand why she got into trouble.

• Jamie may miss out on fun activities.

• Jamie's parents will feel let down.

• Jamie's mother will not be quick to forgive her.