Textual Evidence

Jeremy's Toothache

Jeremy had an extremely bad toothache. But he wanted to avoid going to the dentist at all costs. He was scared of the pain that the tooth extraction would cause. So, Jeremy decided to hide his toothache from his parents. He went about his usual business, playing and going to school, and his parents never suspected anything. However, his toothache only grew worse with time. When alone, Jeremy would moan and cry about the horrible pain that was slowly making it difficult for him to eat. Even in school he would silently bear the pain in front of his friends and then sob over it when he was alone. Jeremy knew, at this rate, his parents would find out about what he was hiding and would definitely scold him.

One day, when Jeremy sat down for dinner with his parents, he suddenly cried out. His parents looked at him anxiously, as he dropped the food that he was eating. He clutched at his cheek and howled with pain, not bothering to hide it this time. Both of his parents were taken aback and looked very worried.

"Do you have a toothache, Jeremy?" Mother asked.

Jeremy, in his miserable state, could only nod.

"Why didn't you tell us about this earlier, Jeremy?" asked Jeremy's father sternly.

To which his mother added, "If we had visited the dentist earlier, you wouldn't have to suffer so much now."

Jeremy's parents then took him to the dentist immediately. He was treated for the cavity that caused him the severe toothache. The doctor also gave Jeremy a list of medicine that could prevent the toothache in the future. On his way back home, Jeremy reflected on his folly at hiding his own pain for so long. He apologized to his parents for his mistake and promised to never keep any secrets from them.

Which detail from the passage explains why Jeremy avoided going to the dentist?

• Jeremy paid no attention the toothache as it was not very severe.

• Jeremy wanted to avoid wasting money by going to a dentist.

• Jeremy was scared of the pain that the tooth extraction would cause.

• Jeremy was worried about his parents scolding him for being careless.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

Kirk's New Car

I dragged my feet even though I heard my dad call my name because I had fallen behind. We were at the used car lot trying to find a car for my brother, Kirk. Dad was excited about helping his boy buy his first car. I didn't want to be there. I had to go because my dad wouldn't let me stay home alone like I had wanted. His words still echoed in my head. We can't all have what we want, Tiff.

When I caught up to my family, my dad said, "This is an important day, Tiff. Your brother has been working hard for almost two years to save enough money for a car. You could at least put a smile on your face to show you're happy for him."

I yawned instead. Dad sighed and put his arm around Kirk. "Well, son, I'm proud of you."

"Don't be so sad, Tiffany," Kirk said, smiling. "When I have a car, I can take you to school. Then, you won't have to ride the yellow bus anymore. You'll get dropped off at the front door of the school."

That did sound nice. A smile may have tugged at the corners of my lips.

As Dad continued walking with Kirk, I looked at the cars, too. I tried to decide which car I would want if I got to choose. After all, it was just four more years until I could drive.

When I looked up, Dad and Kirk were standing in front of a shiny, red sports car. Kirk was shaking his head in disbelief.

"Dad! Are you kidding me?" Kirk exclaimed.

"Not this red one," Dad said, pointing. "I mean that red one."

We looked beyond the little sporty car to a boxy red vehicle that looked like it was part tank. Kirk's smile froze and then began to twitch a bit. "OK," he sputtered. "OK. That one looks...safe."

"We can't all have what we want, Kirk," I laughed and patted my brother on his back. "Looks like I'll be riding the red bus to school,"

Which sentence from the story implies that Kirk cares about his sister?

• I tried to decide which car I would want if I got to choose.

• Dad was excited about helping his boy buy his first car.

• "When I have a car, I can take you to school."

• Kirk was shaking his head in disbelief.

Tags

CCSS.RF.5.4C

CCSS.RI.5.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.2

Reality

"Have you ever seen something so beautiful that it seems unreal?" Anna asked Ram as she looked outside the window.

"What do you mean?" Ram responded, shutting his book and looking at his new friend.

"You know—something as if from a dream?" Anna moved from the window and sat close to Ram to look into his eyes as she spoke. "Like you see a beautiful flower in a garden, but it is too far from you." She extended her hands as if she was trying to reach something in her dream. "When you try to pick it up, it seems farther and farther from your grasp. And, when you are just close to reaching it, you wake up?" She explained with a sad face and let her hands fall on her knees.

Ram glanced at the view from the classroom window to understand what Anna meant. He saw the girl's soccer team practicing for the championship game. Then, he remembered Anna had been the star goalie for the team until she had broken her leg last week. He knew his friend was talking about happiness that was in front of Anna—the kind that was out of her reach.

How do the descriptive details support the story?

• They inspire the reader to appreciate friendship.

• They help the reader find out more about happiness.

• They bring out the emotional aspect of the story.

• They support the facts about children's dreams.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.5

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

The Muslim calendar is lunar. It is also known as the Islamic or Hijri calendar. Each month in the calendar begins with a new moon. The twelve-month calendar has 354 or 355 days and is used in many Muslim countries along with the Gregorian calendar. The Islamic weekdays—like Jewish weekdays—begin at sunset.

The Islamic calendar is used to determine the proper day on which to celebrate holy days and festivals. The ninth month, Ramadan, is a sacred month for Muslims. During this month, they do not eat or drink anything between sunrise and sunset. At the end of this fast, the Muslims celebrate with the festival of Eid ul-fitr. The festival is meant to give thanks to Allah for helping through the fast.

Based on the information provided, how can the author make the passage more descriptive?

• by describing the author's opinion on fasting

• by including a dialogue between two Muslims

• by listing other Muslim holidays and festivals

• by discussing the food and clothes in Eid ul-fitr

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.5

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

Michele tried hard to compete but had come up short in making the gymnastics team the past three years. Gymnastics was her passion. Ever since she was 6 years old and watched the Summer Olympics for the first time, she dreamed of conquering the uneven bars. But she just didn't have the athleticism and strength to make it work. Her coach saw her work ethic and guided her to try the beam the next season. Michele practiced, even when the team was resting. She was determined to finally realize her dream and make the high school team. However, her footwork could never account for the small size of the beam. Just when Michele thought her chance to make the team was slipping away, her coach gave her one last opportunity with the floor exercise. Though she felt it was her weakest event, she was confident due to her coach's encouragement. She took one deep breath and unleashed a fury of flips and maneuvers she didn't realize she had in her. After she landed her last tumble, she looked up to notice the entire team clapping. Michele knew she had finally made the team and could not stop smiling.

Which sentence from the passage best supports that Michele is willing to work hard?

• "Michele knew she had finally made the team and could not stop smiling."

• "Though she felt it was her weakest event, she was confident due to her coach's encouragement."

• "But she just didn't have the athleticism and strength to make it work."

• "Michele practiced, even when the team was resting."

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3