Lesson 7 Cold Read Test & Skill

MAKING FRIENDS

Molly walked home alone from the corner store. Her best friend Sharon was away at camp. Molly’s mother was always pushing her to meet new people and make new friends. She didn’t understand that it was hard for someone like her.

Molly was tall. Not just “tall for her age,” but super tall. She was the size of an adult, but she had just finished 6th grade. She didn’t like makeup and malls. She didn’t like sports. She didn’t like much of anything that other people organized. Molly knew she didn’t fit in with the kids in her school. Why try to force it?

Molly walked home slowly, kicking at pebbles and grass. Suddenly, a piece of notebook paper blew into her path. It wasn’t crumpled up like trash. Molly picked it up. It was a beautiful sketch of horses running through the ocean. Someone had lost this. No one would ever throw something so amazing away. The picture almost seemed to come alive and leave the page.

“Hey! That’s mine. Sorry.” A girl about her age came trotting over. She was short and round, and her hair fell over her face. The girl held out her hand for the drawing, but kept her head down like she was afraid to raise her face. She hid her eyes under her hair, like a shy sheepdog. Molly got the feeling she was scared to look at her.

“Here,” Molly handed it to the girl. “That’s really cool. Like, really beautiful. I wish I could draw, even half that well,” Molly mumbled, suddenly uncomfortable. Why had she talked so much? All she had to do was simply hand back the piece of paper. Feeling embarrassed at her unusual display of chattiness, she began to turn away.

“Wow! Thanks. It’s the only thing I’m good at,” the girl laughed nervously and Molly turned.

“That’s me and writing. I write poems. Well, maybe I’m not good at them, but I like them. My parents say they’re good, but...”

“Sometimes you wonder if they say that just because you’re their kid? It’s like the parents’ code of duty to say your poetry is good, or your drawings aren’t lame.”

Molly smiled and looked up in time to catch the girl doing the same thing.

“Exactly. I’m Molly.”

“I’m Lynn. I just moved into town.”

“Nice. Just so you know, from a non-parent, your drawings are not lame. They are

pure awesome. At least this one is. I would have to see others before I could say they were all that great.”

“My portfolio is on the front porch. If you want to see,” Lynn pointed across the street.

Molly realized they were practically neighbors. They were only a couple of houses apart. “I’d like that.” Molly grinned. Maybe this summer wouldn’t be so bad after all.

• I have read the story above

• I did not read the story above

What situation sets up the events that

happen to Molly in the passage?

• Her parents move to a new town.

• Her best friend goes to summer camp.

• Her family buys a new house.

What does Molly think about herself that makes her sure she won’t fit in?

• She’s too sensitive.

• She’s too girly.

• She’s less mature than people her age

• She’s very tall for her age.

Which of the following describes the

drawing Molly found on the ground?

• a poorly drawn picture of her best friend

• a cartoon drawing of a horse

• a simple picture of her pet dog

• a beautiful nature scene with horses

Which of the following does Molly not use to describe Lynn when she first meets her?

• very tall for her age

• short and round

• hair falling over her eyes

• shy expression

Which of the following quotes shows how insecure Molly is?

• "Molly was tall"

• "Why had she talked so much?"

• "That's me and writing. I write poems"

• "Maybe this summer wouldn't be so bad after all"

What unique talent does Molly share with Lynn?

• She's an avid writer

• She's a talented singer

• She's amazing at sports

• She's also good at drawing

why do Molly and Lynn not take the feedback that their parents five seriously?

• Their parents typically lie about things.

• Their parents don't know what good stuff looks like

• Their parents have never actually seen their work.

• They feel like their parents have to say good things about their work

How do you know Lynn is shy?

• She talks to Molly

• She kept her head down

• She has never had a friend before

• She doesn't know how to talk to people

How do Molly and Lynn get past their shyness?

• They work up to talking from texting

• They talk by drawing pictures

• They meet a girl they both don't like

• They have a lot in common because they are both girls with creative hobbies.