A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned

The narrator’s actions in paragraphs 11 through 16 of the story show that he —

• is determined to achieve his goals

• often gets what he wants without much effort

• knows he should give money away instead of spending it

• relies on others to think of solutions to his problems

What is the meaning of the word withholding in paragraph 5?

• Increasing in amount

• Punishing harshly

• Refusing to give

• Using as one’s property

According to the story, the reason the narrator doesn’t initially have enough money to buy the pencils is that —

• he has damaged someone’s property

• he has spent his money on things he doesn’t need

• school supplies are expensive

• the sales tax is too high

• He will find the money he needs at the drugstore that day.

• He will get the money he needs in an unexpected way.

• He will work at the drugstore after school each day to earn money.

• He will collect money at school before going to the drugstore.

Based on their actions described in the story, the narrator’s parents most likely think it is important to —

• buy gifts to give to neighbors

• find hobbies that require artistic ability

• help children take responsibility for their behavior

• pick up money when it is found on the street

The narrator’s actions in paragraph 13 imply that he will —

• observe his surroundings more closely wherever he goes

• keep all his pennies in his pocket until he has saved enough

• stay at the bench and collect all the pennies people throw away

• try to think of a different way to collect money

Which sentences best help to create suspense in the story?

• “They’d come to $3.22,” she reported. “Shall I ring them up for you?”

• I hurried to the school supply section. The pencils were gone.

• I looked toward the counter. She held up a set of the pencils.

• I dumped the coins out onto the counter. “Just right,” she announced.

• how sad the narrator feels when he can’t afford them

• how much the narrator wants to buy them

• that the colors inspire the narrator with ideas for his comic book

• that the pencils the narrator has are no longer usable

Mrs. Thompson contributes to solving the narrator’s problem mostly by —

• telling the narrator how much money he needs to buy the pencils

• suggesting places that the narrator should search for coins

• giving the narrator a box of chocolate-covered raisins for being a loyal customer

• saving a box of pencils behind the counter until the narrator can afford them