First Day of School

The description of the setting in paragraphs 1–2 shows that —

•   John has enjoyed the long summer days

•   John’s mother likes the routine of school

•   John is reluctant to see the end of summer

•   John’s mother is worried about the passage of time

The main way that readers learn that this day is different from days that have come before is through —

•   John’s actions

•   Audrey’s dress

•   dialogue between John and Audrey

•   dialogue between John and his mother

Which statement expresses a main theme of the story?

•   Things can be broken very easily.

•   You cannot escape from your problems.

•   It is important to overcome fear to take a stand.

•   It is impossible to know what others are thinking.

How does John’s reaction to hearing a rain crow in paragraph 18 contribute to the story?

•   It indicates that the students are up early.

•   It highlights the potential danger.

•   It reveals that John is superstitious

•   It shows that John tends to daydream.

Which phrase helps readers know the meaning of the word stealthily in paragraph 23?

•   she wasn’t asleep

•   bring his parents word

•   the others who had come into town

•   whispering of information

Read the thesaurus entry.

lingered v: remained, dawdled, hung around, remained alive

Which synonym best matches the meaning of the word lingered as it is used in paragraph 25?

• Remained

• Dawdled

•   Hung around

•   Remained alive

How does the flashback in paragraphs 27–28 affect the story?

•   It reflects John’s fear of what is to come.

•   It explains how Audrey feels toward John.

•   It shows that John’s mother gives wise advice.

•   It explains why John disagrees with his mother.

Read the sentence from a student essay about “The First Day of School.”

Not John or Audrey had been to their new school.

How should this sentence be changed?

•   Either John or Audrey had been to their new school.

•   Either John nor Audrey had been to their new school.

•   Neither John or Audrey had been to their new school.

•   Neither John nor Audrey had been to their new school.

Which two conflicts are at the center of “The First Day of School”?

•   John vs. nature

•   John vs. society

•   John vs. Audrey

•   John vs. his fears

•   John vs. his mother