"Sometimes a Dream Needs a Push" by Walter D. Myers

The reader can tell that this story is realistic fiction because —.

• it is based on the lives of real people and actual events.

• it is written to teach readers a lesson about hardships.

• it is about characters and events that could exist in real life.

• it is written to inform readers about the life of an important figure.

Based on paragraphs 10 and 11 of the story, the reader can infer that —.

• Chris does not think his team plays basketball very well.

• Chris wants to convince his mother to let him play basketball.

• Chris values the opinion of his father about basketball.

• Chris is not confident in his ability to play basketball.

In paragraphs 12–17, Chris and Sarah have a conversation. Which two sentences are inferences the reader can make about each character?

• Chris finds Nicky intimidating.

• Sarah wants to seem as though she is not nosy.

• Chris believes he has not been chosen for the team.

• Chris is patient with people and their faults.

• The whole school knows that Chris wants to play basketball.

Which sentence explains the conflict that Chris faces in paragraph 22?

• He believes that he is not good enough to play basketball.

• He thinks that his father will try to coach the basketball team.

• He worries about how he will balance schoolwork and basketball.

• He fears that his father will not let him play on the basketball team.

How would the story change if it were told from the point of view of Chris’s father?

• The reader would understand why basketball is important to Chris.

• The reader might learn more about how Chris’s father feels.

• The reader would be more sympathetic toward Chris.

• The reader might learn more about how Chris’s mother feels.

The author wants to add a sentence at the end of paragraph 30. Which sentence is the correct verb tense?

• I would have doubted that he would come.

• I had my doubts that he would come.

• I doubt that he will come.

• I have doubts that he will come.

Which phrase from paragraph 49 helps the reader understand the meaning of the word collision in paragraph 50?

• When you learn to move

• have a big advantage

• without running into each other

• trying to keep up with you

In paragraph 63, the author briefly shifts to the present tense. What is the effect of this shift?

• A It adds excitement as it brings the reader to the present day.

• It shows that Chris’s father only comes to practice occasionally.

• It describes how Chris feels about his father’s coaching in a more realistic way.

• It reminds the reader that the story is taking place in the present day.

Which phrase helps the reader understand the meaning of the word congestion in paragraph 65?

• all fired up

• we ran a few plays

• along the baseline

• more like bumper cars

Which statement best explains why this story is an example of realistic fiction?

• The characters are people whom the author knows.

• The author includes details about an actual sport.

• The conflict in the story is one that happens to everyone.

• The author included only details that really happened.