Benchmark Unit 4 Week 2 practice

Read the passage. Then answer the questions.

Riding Sunshine

1. With no warning at all, Sunshine’s front legs reared up. Lizbet tried to gain control, but a rabbit that had leapt out of nowhere had spooked the horse. When Sunshine came down, she began bucking and spinning. Lizbet quickly lost her balance, and she fell to the ground like a heavy sack.

2. That was early in the summer of 1869, and during the weeks that followed, Lizbet refused to mount Sunshine again. Every time she approached Sunshine, the horse neighed wildly, upsetting Lizbet. That was fine with Lizbet because she had vowed never to ride Sunshine again.

3. Lizbet’s brother, Joseph, urged her to try again. “You’re just too nervous,” he said, “and horses pick up on that. Be calm when you approach Sunshine, and she will be calm, too.” Lizbet brushed away his advice like cobwebs. She would just ride her father’s mare, Molly, instead.

4. Some weeks later, Lizbet’s parents left early to go to market for the day, and her brother was in the barn stacking hay. Lizbet overslept, and when she hurried downstairs, the kitchen was deserted.

5. Suddenly, Lizbet heard a yell and a loud thump come from the direction of the barn. “Oh, no,” she said as she raced out the door. “Joseph, are you okay?” she cried as she entered the barn. With one look, she knew the answer. Joseph was lying on the floor in obvious pain, having fallen from a haystack, and his arm was bent in a way that was not natural and painful to look at.

6. “Oh, my,” Lizbet said in a panic, trying not to alarm Joseph. “We’re going to need a doctor.” She turned toward the stalls in the barn, and her panic grew. Sunshine was the only horse left in the stable that day. How could she control the horse when she was so upset? Remembering her brother’s words, she whispered to herself, “I can do this.” She stood still and closed her eyes. Then she imagined a lake as smooth as glass, and she took deep breaths. When her heart began beating normally, she walked calmly toward the stall.

7. Sunshine snorted when she saw Lizbet, but the girl stayed calm. She put the bridle on Sunshine, placed the saddle on the horse’s back, and then led Sunshine outside.

8. “I promise you I’ll be back with help as soon as I can!” Lizbet called out. Then she swung up on Sunshine’s back and nudged the horse with her heels, and off they went. The doctor lived two and a half miles away, and the road to his house was a rough one. But Lizbet stayed focused with eyes straight ahead, knowing that Sunshine would get her there soon.

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then answer Part B.

Part A Who is the narrator of this story?

• Lizbet

• Joseph

• Sunshine

• an outside observer

• a horse named Leopard

Tags

CCSS.RL.1.6

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Read the passage. Then answer the questions.

Riding Sunshine

1. With no warning at all, Sunshine’s front legs reared up. Lizbet tried to gain control, but a rabbit that had leapt out of nowhere had spooked the horse. When Sunshine came down, she began bucking and spinning. Lizbet quickly lost her balance, and she fell to the ground like a heavy sack.

2. That was early in the summer of 1869, and during the weeks that followed, Lizbet refused to mount Sunshine again. Every time she approached Sunshine, the horse neighed wildly, upsetting Lizbet. That was fine with Lizbet because she had vowed never to ride Sunshine again.

3. Lizbet’s brother, Joseph, urged her to try again. “You’re just too nervous,” he said, “and horses pick up on that. Be calm when you approach Sunshine, and she will be calm, too.” Lizbet brushed away his advice like cobwebs. She would just ride her father’s mare, Molly, instead.

4. Some weeks later, Lizbet’s parents left early to go to market for the day, and her brother was in the barn stacking hay. Lizbet overslept, and when she hurried downstairs, the kitchen was deserted.

5. Suddenly, Lizbet heard a yell and a loud thump come from the direction of the barn. “Oh, no,” she said as she raced out the door. “Joseph, are you okay?” she cried as she entered the barn. With one look, she knew the answer. Joseph was lying on the floor in obvious pain, having fallen from a haystack, and his arm was bent in a way that was not natural and painful to look at.

6. “Oh, my,” Lizbet said in a panic, trying not to alarm Joseph. “We’re going to need a doctor.” She turned toward the stalls in the barn, and her panic grew. Sunshine was the only horse left in the stable that day. How could she control the horse when she was so upset? Remembering her brother’s words, she whispered to herself, “I can do this.” She stood still and closed her eyes. Then she imagined a lake as smooth as glass, and she took deep breaths. When her heart began beating normally, she walked calmly toward the stall.

7. Sunshine snorted when she saw Lizbet, but the girl stayed calm. She put the bridle on Sunshine, placed the saddle on the horse’s back, and then led Sunshine outside.

8. “I promise you I’ll be back with help as soon as I can!” Lizbet called out. Then she swung up on Sunshine’s back and nudged the horse with her heels, and off they went. The doctor lived two and a half miles away, and the road to his house was a rough one. But Lizbet stayed focused with eyes straight ahead, knowing that Sunshine would get her there soon.

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then answer Part B.

Part A Who is the narrator of this story? an outside observer

Part B Choose two sentences from the passage that support the answer to Part A.

• “Lizbet quickly lost her balance, and she fell to the ground like a heavy sack.”

• “‘Be calm when you approach Sunshine, and she will be calm, too.’”

• “Sunshine was the only horse left in the stable that day.”

• “Remembering her brother’s words, she whispered to herself, ‘I can do this.’”

• “‘I promise you I’ll be back with help as soon as I can!’”

  “‘The doctor lived two and a half miles away, and the road to his house was a rough one.”

Tags

CCSS.RL.1.6

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Read the passage. Then answer the questions.

Riding Sunshine

1. With no warning at all, Sunshine’s front legs reared up. Lizbet tried to gain control, but a rabbit that had leapt out of nowhere had spooked the horse. When Sunshine came down, she began bucking and spinning. Lizbet quickly lost her balance, and she fell to the ground like a heavy sack.

2. That was early in the summer of 1869, and during the weeks that followed, Lizbet refused to mount Sunshine again. Every time she approached Sunshine, the horse neighed wildly, upsetting Lizbet. That was fine with Lizbet because she had vowed never to ride Sunshine again.

3. Lizbet’s brother, Joseph, urged her to try again. “You’re just too nervous,” he said, “and horses pick up on that. Be calm when you approach Sunshine, and she will be calm, too.” Lizbet brushed away his advice like cobwebs. She would just ride her father’s mare, Molly, instead.

4. Some weeks later, Lizbet’s parents left early to go to market for the day, and her brother was in the barn stacking hay. Lizbet overslept, and when she hurried downstairs, the kitchen was deserted.

5. Suddenly, Lizbet heard a yell and a loud thump come from the direction of the barn. “Oh, no,” she said as she raced out the door. “Joseph, are you okay?” she cried as she entered the barn. With one look, she knew the answer. Joseph was lying on the floor in obvious pain, having fallen from a haystack, and his arm was bent in a way that was not natural and painful to look at.

6. “Oh, my,” Lizbet said in a panic, trying not to alarm Joseph. “We’re going to need a doctor.” She turned toward the stalls in the barn, and her panic grew. Sunshine was the only horse left in the stable that day. How could she control the horse when she was so upset? Remembering her brother’s words, she whispered to herself, “I can do this.” She stood still and closed her eyes. Then she imagined a lake as smooth as glass, and she took deep breaths. When her heart began beating normally, she walked calmly toward the stall.

7. Sunshine snorted when she saw Lizbet, but the girl stayed calm. She put the bridle on Sunshine, placed the saddle on the horse’s back, and then led Sunshine outside.

8. “I promise you I’ll be back with help as soon as I can!” Lizbet called out. Then she swung up on Sunshine’s back and nudged the horse with her heels, and off they went. The doctor lived two and a half miles away, and the road to his house was a rough one. But Lizbet stayed focused with eyes straight ahead, knowing that Sunshine would get her there soon.

Why does Lizbet want her heart “beating normally” in paragraph 6?

• She doesn’t want to appear upset and frighten Joseph.

• She doesn’t want to appear upset and frighten Sunshine.

• She doesn’t want to appear upset and frighten Molly.

• She doesn’t want to appear upset and frighten the doctor.

• She doesn’t want to appear upset and frighten Mr. Fuertis so she turned her camera off and does not participate.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.4.4

Read the passage. Then answer the questions.

Riding Sunshine

1. With no warning at all, Sunshine’s front legs reared up. Lizbet tried to gain control, but a rabbit that had leapt out of nowhere had spooked the horse. When Sunshine came down, she began bucking and spinning. Lizbet quickly lost her balance, and she fell to the ground like a heavy sack.

2. That was early in the summer of 1869, and during the weeks that followed, Lizbet refused to mount Sunshine again. Every time she approached Sunshine, the horse neighed wildly, upsetting Lizbet. That was fine with Lizbet because she had vowed never to ride Sunshine again.

3. Lizbet’s brother, Joseph, urged her to try again. “You’re just too nervous,” he said, “and horses pick up on that. Be calm when you approach Sunshine, and she will be calm, too.” Lizbet brushed away his advice like cobwebs. She would just ride her father’s mare, Molly, instead.

4. Some weeks later, Lizbet’s parents left early to go to market for the day, and her brother was in the barn stacking hay. Lizbet overslept, and when she hurried downstairs, the kitchen was deserted.

5. Suddenly, Lizbet heard a yell and a loud thump come from the direction of the barn. “Oh, no,” she said as she raced out the door. “Joseph, are you okay?” she cried as she entered the barn. With one look, she knew the answer. Joseph was lying on the floor in obvious pain, having fallen from a haystack, and his arm was bent in a way that was not natural and painful to look at.

6. “Oh, my,” Lizbet said in a panic, trying not to alarm Joseph. “We’re going to need a doctor.” She turned toward the stalls in the barn, and her panic grew. Sunshine was the only horse left in the stable that day. How could she control the horse when she was so upset? Remembering her brother’s words, she whispered to herself, “I can do this.” She stood still and closed her eyes. Then she imagined a lake as smooth as glass, and she took deep breaths. When her heart began beating normally, she walked calmly toward the stall.

7. Sunshine snorted when she saw Lizbet, but the girl stayed calm. She put the bridle on Sunshine, placed the saddle on the horse’s back, and then led Sunshine outside.

8. “I promise you I’ll be back with help as soon as I can!” Lizbet called out. Then she swung up on Sunshine’s back and nudged the horse with her heels, and off they went. The doctor lived two and a half miles away, and the road to his house was a rough one. But Lizbet stayed focused with eyes straight ahead, knowing that Sunshine would get her there soon.

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then answer Part B.

Part A Why does Lizbet decide that she will only ride her father’s mare, Molly?

• She loves Molly the most.

• She wants to annoy Joseph.

• She is frightened of Sunshine.

• She wants to impress the doctor.

• She is not happy with distant learning so she shuts off her camera and leaves class early.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.3.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

Read the passage. Then answer the questions.

Riding Sunshine

1. With no warning at all, Sunshine’s front legs reared up. Lizbet tried to gain control, but a rabbit that had leapt out of nowhere had spooked the horse. When Sunshine came down, she began bucking and spinning. Lizbet quickly lost her balance, and she fell to the ground like a heavy sack.

2. That was early in the summer of 1869, and during the weeks that followed, Lizbet refused to mount Sunshine again. Every time she approached Sunshine, the horse neighed wildly, upsetting Lizbet. That was fine with Lizbet because she had vowed never to ride Sunshine again.

3. Lizbet’s brother, Joseph, urged her to try again. “You’re just too nervous,” he said, “and horses pick up on that. Be calm when you approach Sunshine, and she will be calm, too.” Lizbet brushed away his advice like cobwebs. She would just ride her father’s mare, Molly, instead.

4. Some weeks later, Lizbet’s parents left early to go to market for the day, and her brother was in the barn stacking hay. Lizbet overslept, and when she hurried downstairs, the kitchen was deserted.

5. Suddenly, Lizbet heard a yell and a loud thump come from the direction of the barn. “Oh, no,” she said as she raced out the door. “Joseph, are you okay?” she cried as she entered the barn. With one look, she knew the answer. Joseph was lying on the floor in obvious pain, having fallen from a haystack, and his arm was bent in a way that was not natural and painful to look at.

6. “Oh, my,” Lizbet said in a panic, trying not to alarm Joseph. “We’re going to need a doctor.” She turned toward the stalls in the barn, and her panic grew. Sunshine was the only horse left in the stable that day. How could she control the horse when she was so upset? Remembering her brother’s words, she whispered to herself, “I can do this.” She stood still and closed her eyes. Then she imagined a lake as smooth as glass, and she took deep breaths. When her heart began beating normally, she walked calmly toward the stall.

7. Sunshine snorted when she saw Lizbet, but the girl stayed calm. She put the bridle on Sunshine, placed the saddle on the horse’s back, and then led Sunshine outside.

8. “I promise you I’ll be back with help as soon as I can!” Lizbet called out. Then she swung up on Sunshine’s back and nudged the horse with her heels, and off they went. The doctor lived two and a half miles away, and the road to his house was a rough one. But Lizbet stayed focused with eyes straight ahead, knowing that Sunshine would get her there soon.

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then answer Part B.

Part A Why does Lizbet decide that she will only ride her father’s mare, Molly? She is frightened of Sunshine.

Part B Which sentence from the passage best supports the answer in Part A?

• “Every time she approached Sunshine, the horse neighed wildly, upsetting Lizbet.”

• “‘I promise you I’ll be back with help as soon as I can!’”

• “That was fine with Lizbet because she had vowed never to ride

  Sunshine again.”

• “But Lizbet stayed focused with eyes straight ahead, knowing

  that Sunshine would get her there soon.”

• “‘I promise you I’ will will turn my camera on during google meets as soon as I can!’”

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.1

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RF.4.4C

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

Read the passage. Then answer the questions.

Riding Sunshine

1. With no warning at all, Sunshine’s front legs reared up. Lizbet tried to gain control, but a rabbit that had leapt out of nowhere had spooked the horse. When Sunshine came down, she began bucking and spinning. Lizbet quickly lost her balance, and she fell to the ground like a heavy sack.

2. That was early in the summer of 1869, and during the weeks that followed, Lizbet refused to mount Sunshine again. Every time she approached Sunshine, the horse neighed wildly, upsetting Lizbet. That was fine with Lizbet because she had vowed never to ride Sunshine again.

3. Lizbet’s brother, Joseph, urged her to try again. “You’re just too nervous,” he said, “and horses pick up on that. Be calm when you approach Sunshine, and she will be calm, too.” Lizbet brushed away his advice like cobwebs. She would just ride her father’s mare, Molly, instead.

4. Some weeks later, Lizbet’s parents left early to go to market for the day, and her brother was in the barn stacking hay. Lizbet overslept, and when she hurried downstairs, the kitchen was deserted.

5. Suddenly, Lizbet heard a yell and a loud thump come from the direction of the barn. “Oh, no,” she said as she raced out the door. “Joseph, are you okay?” she cried as she entered the barn. With one look, she knew the answer. Joseph was lying on the floor in obvious pain, having fallen from a haystack, and his arm was bent in a way that was not natural and painful to look at.

6. “Oh, my,” Lizbet said in a panic, trying not to alarm Joseph. “We’re going to need a doctor.” She turned toward the stalls in the barn, and her panic grew. Sunshine was the only horse left in the stable that day. How could she control the horse when she was so upset? Remembering her brother’s words, she whispered to herself, “I can do this.” She stood still and closed her eyes. Then she imagined a lake as smooth as glass, and she took deep breaths. When her heart began beating normally, she walked calmly toward the stall.

7. Sunshine snorted when she saw Lizbet, but the girl stayed calm. She put the bridle on Sunshine, placed the saddle on the horse’s back, and then led Sunshine outside.

8. “I promise you I’ll be back with help as soon as I can!” Lizbet called out. Then she swung up on Sunshine’s back and nudged the horse with her heels, and off they went. The doctor lived two and a half miles away, and the road to his house was a rough one. But Lizbet stayed focused with eyes straight ahead, knowing that Sunshine would get her there soon.

In paragraph 3, the letters oa in approach are pronounced like the--

• o in horse.

• ow in knowing

• ow in downstairs

• ou in house.

• ou in mouse.

Tags

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.3.3C

CCSS.RF.3.3D

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

Read the passage. Then answer the questions.

Riding Sunshine

1. With no warning at all, Sunshine’s front legs reared up. Lizbet tried to gain control, but a rabbit that had leapt out of nowhere had spooked the horse. When Sunshine came down, she began bucking and spinning. Lizbet quickly lost her balance, and she fell to the ground like a heavy sack.

2. That was early in the summer of 1869, and during the weeks that followed, Lizbet refused to mount Sunshine again. Every time she approached Sunshine, the horse neighed wildly, upsetting Lizbet. That was fine with Lizbet because she had vowed never to ride Sunshine again.

3. Lizbet’s brother, Joseph, urged her to try again. “You’re just too nervous,” he said, “and horses pick up on that. Be calm when you approach Sunshine, and she will be calm, too.” Lizbet brushed away his advice like cobwebs. She would just ride her father’s mare, Molly, instead.

4. Some weeks later, Lizbet’s parents left early to go to market for the day, and her brother was in the barn stacking hay. Lizbet overslept, and when she hurried downstairs, the kitchen was deserted.

5. Suddenly, Lizbet heard a yell and a loud thump come from the direction of the barn. “Oh, no,” she said as she raced out the door. “Joseph, are you okay?” she cried as she entered the barn. With one look, she knew the answer. Joseph was lying on the floor in obvious pain, having fallen from a haystack, and his arm was bent in a way that was not natural and painful to look at.

6. “Oh, my,” Lizbet said in a panic, trying not to alarm Joseph. “We’re going to need a doctor.” She turned toward the stalls in the barn, and her panic grew. Sunshine was the only horse left in the stable that day. How could she control the horse when she was so upset? Remembering her brother’s words, she whispered to herself, “I can do this.” She stood still and closed her eyes. Then she imagined a lake as smooth as glass, and she took deep breaths. When her heart began beating normally, she walked calmly toward the stall.

7. Sunshine snorted when she saw Lizbet, but the girl stayed calm. She put the bridle on Sunshine, placed the saddle on the horse’s back, and then led Sunshine outside.

8. “I promise you I’ll be back with help as soon as I can!” Lizbet called out. Then she swung up on Sunshine’s back and nudged the horse with her heels, and off they went. The doctor lived two and a half miles away, and the road to his house was a rough one. But Lizbet stayed focused with eyes straight ahead, knowing that Sunshine would get her there soon.

In paragraph 3, the letters oa in approach are pronounced like the--

• o in horse.

• ow in growing

• ow in downtown

• ou in blouse.

• ou in mouse.

Tags

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.3.3C

CCSS.RF.3.3D

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

Read the passage. Then answer the questions.

Riding Sunshine

1. With no warning at all, Sunshine’s front legs reared up. Lizbet tried to gain control, but a rabbit that had leapt out of nowhere had spooked the horse. When Sunshine came down, she began bucking and spinning. Lizbet quickly lost her balance, and she fell to the ground like a heavy sack.

2. That was early in the summer of 1869, and during the weeks that followed, Lizbet refused to mount Sunshine again. Every time she approached Sunshine, the horse neighed wildly, upsetting Lizbet. That was fine with Lizbet because she had vowed never to ride Sunshine again.

3. Lizbet’s brother, Joseph, urged her to try again. “You’re just too nervous,” he said, “and horses pick up on that. Be calm when you approach Sunshine, and she will be calm, too.” Lizbet brushed away his advice like cobwebs. She would just ride her father’s mare, Molly, instead.

4. Some weeks later, Lizbet’s parents left early to go to market for the day, and her brother was in the barn stacking hay. Lizbet overslept, and when she hurried downstairs, the kitchen was deserted.

5. Suddenly, Lizbet heard a yell and a loud thump come from the direction of the barn. “Oh, no,” she said as she raced out the door. “Joseph, are you okay?” she cried as she entered the barn. With one look, she knew the answer. Joseph was lying on the floor in obvious pain, having fallen from a haystack, and his arm was bent in a way that was not natural and painful to look at.

6. “Oh, my,” Lizbet said in a panic, trying not to alarm Joseph. “We’re going to need a doctor.” She turned toward the stalls in the barn, and her panic grew. Sunshine was the only horse left in the stable that day. How could she control the horse when she was so upset? Remembering her brother’s words, she whispered to herself, “I can do this.” She stood still and closed her eyes. Then she imagined a lake as smooth as glass, and she took deep breaths. When her heart began beating normally, she walked calmly toward the stall.

7. Sunshine snorted when she saw Lizbet, but the girl stayed calm. She put the bridle on Sunshine, placed the saddle on the horse’s back, and then led Sunshine outside.

8. “I promise you I’ll be back with help as soon as I can!” Lizbet called out. Then she swung up on Sunshine’s back and nudged the horse with her heels, and off they went. The doctor lived two and a half miles away, and the road to his house was a rough one. But Lizbet stayed focused with eyes straight ahead, knowing that Sunshine would get her there soon.

In paragraph 3, the letters oa in approach are pronounced like the--

• o in morse.

• ow in glowing

• ow in town

• ou in grouse.

• ou in spouse.

Tags

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.3.3C

CCSS.RF.3.3D

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

Read the passage. Then answer the questions.

Riding Sunshine

1. With no warning at all, Sunshine’s front legs reared up. Lizbet tried to gain control, but a rabbit that had leapt out of nowhere had spooked the horse. When Sunshine came down, she began bucking and spinning. Lizbet quickly lost her balance, and she fell to the ground like a heavy sack.

2. That was early in the summer of 1869, and during the weeks that followed, Lizbet refused to mount Sunshine again. Every time she approached Sunshine, the horse neighed wildly, upsetting Lizbet. That was fine with Lizbet because she had vowed never to ride Sunshine again.

3. Lizbet’s brother, Joseph, urged her to try again. “You’re just too nervous,” he said, “and horses pick up on that. Be calm when you approach Sunshine, and she will be calm, too.” Lizbet brushed away his advice like cobwebs. She would just ride her father’s mare, Molly, instead.

4. Some weeks later, Lizbet’s parents left early to go to market for the day, and her brother was in the barn stacking hay. Lizbet overslept, and when she hurried downstairs, the kitchen was deserted.

5. Suddenly, Lizbet heard a yell and a loud thump come from the direction of the barn. “Oh, no,” she said as she raced out the door. “Joseph, are you okay?” she cried as she entered the barn. With one look, she knew the answer. Joseph was lying on the floor in obvious pain, having fallen from a haystack, and his arm was bent in a way that was not natural and painful to look at.

6. “Oh, my,” Lizbet said in a panic, trying not to alarm Joseph. “We’re going to need a doctor.” She turned toward the stalls in the barn, and her panic grew. Sunshine was the only horse left in the stable that day. How could she control the horse when she was so upset? Remembering her brother’s words, she whispered to herself, “I can do this.” She stood still and closed her eyes. Then she imagined a lake as smooth as glass, and she took deep breaths. When her heart began beating normally, she walked calmly toward the stall.

7. Sunshine snorted when she saw Lizbet, but the girl stayed calm. She put the bridle on Sunshine, placed the saddle on the horse’s back, and then led Sunshine outside.

8. “I promise you I’ll be back with help as soon as I can!” Lizbet called out. Then she swung up on Sunshine’s back and nudged the horse with her heels, and off they went. The doctor lived two and a half miles away, and the road to his house was a rough one. But Lizbet stayed focused with eyes straight ahead, knowing that Sunshine would get her there soon.

Read this sentence from paragraph 1.

Lizbet quickly lost her balance, and she fell to the ground like a heavy sack.

What does this sentence suggest about Lizbet’s fall from the horse?

• She rolled on the ground like a ball.

• She spun on the ground like a top.

• She hit the ground very hard.

• She drifted to the ground gently.

• She drifted out during pear deck and shut her camera off.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.1

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RF.4.4C

CCSS.RL.3.1

CCSS.RF.5.4C

Read the passage. Then answer the questions.

Riding Sunshine

1. With no warning at all, Sunshine’s front legs reared up. Lizbet tried to gain control, but a rabbit that had leapt out of nowhere had spooked the horse. When Sunshine came down, she began bucking and spinning. Lizbet quickly lost her balance, and she fell to the ground like a heavy sack.

2. That was early in the summer of 1869, and during the weeks that followed, Lizbet refused to mount Sunshine again. Every time she approached Sunshine, the horse neighed wildly, upsetting Lizbet. That was fine with Lizbet because she had vowed never to ride Sunshine again.

3. Lizbet’s brother, Joseph, urged her to try again. “You’re just too nervous,” he said, “and horses pick up on that. Be calm when you approach Sunshine, and she will be calm, too.” Lizbet brushed away his advice like cobwebs. She would just ride her father’s mare, Molly, instead.

4. Some weeks later, Lizbet’s parents left early to go to market for the day, and her brother was in the barn stacking hay. Lizbet overslept, and when she hurried downstairs, the kitchen was deserted.

5. Suddenly, Lizbet heard a yell and a loud thump come from the direction of the barn. “Oh, no,” she said as she raced out the door. “Joseph, are you okay?” she cried as she entered the barn. With one look, she knew the answer. Joseph was lying on the floor in obvious pain, having fallen from a haystack, and his arm was bent in a way that was not natural and painful to look at.

6. “Oh, my,” Lizbet said in a panic, trying not to alarm Joseph. “We’re going to need a doctor.” She turned toward the stalls in the barn, and her panic grew. Sunshine was the only horse left in the stable that day. How could she control the horse when she was so upset? Remembering her brother’s words, she whispered to herself, “I can do this.” She stood still and closed her eyes. Then she imagined a lake as smooth as glass, and she took deep breaths. When her heart began beating normally, she walked calmly toward the stall.

7. Sunshine snorted when she saw Lizbet, but the girl stayed calm. She put the bridle on Sunshine, placed the saddle on the horse’s back, and then led Sunshine outside.

8. “I promise you I’ll be back with help as soon as I can!” Lizbet called out. Then she swung up on Sunshine’s back and nudged the horse with her heels, and off they went. The doctor lived two and a half miles away, and the road to his house was a rough one. But Lizbet stayed focused with eyes straight ahead, knowing that Sunshine would get her there soon.

Read this sentence from paragraph 1.

Lizbet quickly lost her balance, and she fell to the ground like a heavy sack.

Based on story details, choose two inferences the reader can make about Joseph.

• Joseph will never ride horses again.

• Joseph is a better rider than Lizbet.

• Joseph wants to help his sister.

• Joseph is clumsier than Lizbet.

• Joseph breaks his arm when he falls.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.1

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RI.5.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.6.1