5.8B Relationships and Conflicts Among the Characters

Jeannie sat down with Ali after school. At recess Ali, her best friend, had left her alone to play hide and go seek with Jamal. "What's wrong?" Ali asked her. "You left me alone at recess," replied Jeannie. "So what? I don't always have to play with you. You're lucky I play with you at all."

What can you tell about the interaction between Jeannie and Ali?

• Jeannie is always kind to Ali.

• Ali is always kind to Jeannie.

• Ali speaks harshly with Jeannie.

• Jeannie speaks harshly with Ali.

Jeannie sat down with Ali after school. At recess Ali, her best friend, had left her alone to play hide and go seek with Jamal. "What's wrong?" Ali asked her. "You left me alone at recess," replied Jeannie. "I'm sorry. I also don't want to hurt Jamal by never playing with him. Maybe we can all play together tomorrow?"

What can you tell about the interaction between Jeannie and Ali?

• Jeannie is a hateful person.

• Ali is a hateful person.

• Jeannie can't be open and honest with Ali.

• Ali cares about her friend's feelings.

Francine looked at herself in the mirror. It would have been nice if someone remembered my birthday! she thought. Francine turned 11 today. She decided to celebrate and eat a brownie from the kitchen cupboard.

Which sentence reveals why Francine is upset?

• Francine looked at herself in the mirror.

• It would have been nice if someone remembered my birthday! she thought.

• Francine turned 11 today.

• She decided to celebrate and eat a brownie from the kitchen cupboard.

"Give it to me Diego!" demanded Mrs. Wilson. I really didn't want to. I knew that inside the note was the plan to surprise Mrs. Wilson for her birthday the next day. She grabbed it from me as I sheepishly handed it over. Mrs. Wilson read the note, and her face turned red.

What sentence reveals why Mrs. Wilson's face turned red?

• "Give it to me Diego!" demanded Mrs. Wilson.

• I really didn't want to.

• I knew that inside the note was the plan to surprise Mrs. Wilson for her birthday the next day.

• Mrs. Wilson read the note, and her face turned red.

"Give it to me Diego!" demanded Mrs. Wilson. I really didn't want to. I knew that inside the note was the plan to surprise Mrs. Wilson for her birthday the next day. She grabbed it from me as I sheepishly handed it over. Mrs. Wilson read the note, and her face turned red.

Why does Mrs. Wilson's face turn red?

• Mrs. Wilson is embarrassed that she got upset with Diego.

• Mrs. Wilson is angry at Diego for not talking with her about the plans.

• Mrs. Wilson is disappointed that Diego is writing a note in class.

• Mrs. Wilson is worried that the students are out of control.

My new little brother is all anyone is talking about. My mom and dad talk about him, my grandparents talk about him, and friends of my parents talk about him. The only time my name is ever mentioned is in reference to being an older brother.

What can the reader conclude about how the narrator of the story is feeling?

• He is happy to be a big brother.

• He is feeling jealous of the attention his brother is receiving.

• He feels disappointed his brother can't talk yet.

• He feels that his parents have become selfish and only care about themselves.

Thanks for calling on me! I thought after Mr. Periwinkle called my name to answer the Math problem. Why does he always call me when I least understand what we are doing? I wondered.

What does the words in italics suggest?

• The narrator is confident in her Mathematical ability.

• The narrator is happy to get called on.

• The narrator is a shy and quiet student.

• The narrator doesn't want to answer the problem.

Where is Judith? I can't believe she is late. I told her to meet me at exactly 5:00. Now we won't have time to change into our costumes and do our hair and make-up. Why did I partner up with someone so irresponsible?

The narrator's thoughts in this paragraph emphasize that she-

• is bored waiting for Judith.

• feels anxious about Judith's actions.

• is patient with her friend Judith.

• feels annoyed that she has to get into costume.

The waiter looked at me with a weird expression, left, and then brought a handful of napkins. I continued to eat my cheeseburger, and then I realized why the waiter reacted that way. My white polo had a big glob of ketchup dripping down my chest. Briskly grabbing for a napkin, I then regretfully knocked my Coke onto the table. I mopped up the Coke with the napkins as much as I could , and yet again the waiter had to come to the table.

The reader can infer the narrator feels which way about the waiter coming back?

• The narrator doesn't want the waiter to return.

• The narrator is angry with the waiter.

• The narrator is embarrassed the waiter needs to help.

• The narrator wants to order more food.

"Don't worry! I'll explain to Ms. Johnson that my dog ate your homework." Juanita told her best friend Paulina. Paulina thought she would be sick. She never missed doing her homework, and now it was in pieces across Juanita's bedroom floor. "Let's pick up the pieces as evidence." Juanita suggested as she gathered up the torn assignment.

How does Juanita contribute to solving Paulina's problem?

• Juanita offers to talk and provide evidence to Paulina's teacher.

• Juanita is disappointed her friend gets so upset.

• Juanita makes it worse by throwing away her homework.

• Juanita doesn't think Paulina should be upset.