Fiction: Ben's Gift & Hide and Seek Beads

In Ben's Gift, who would BEST be described as the central character, or protagonist?

• Mom

• Ben

• Maria

• none of these

Which of these BEST describes the central conflict of this story?

• A girl has a brother who teases her all of the time.

• A boy becomes upset because he can't participate in his school play.

• A mother has two children who do not get along well with each other.

• A boy and girl cannot decide what to name their pet fish.

What is the initiating event of this story?

• Ben asks his sister to look at his costume for the school play.

• Ben wakes up feeling ill and his mom orders him to stay home from school.

• Ben offers to give Maria her bear collection when she come home from school.

• Maria brings Ben guppies after school.

What would best be described as the climax of the story?

• Ben offers to let Maria help him clean the fish tank.

• Maria returns from school to find that Ben has her bear collection.

• Ben collapses crying because he realizes he'll miss the play.

• Maria offers to help Ben name the guppies.

"As Ben recited a long list of possible names, Maria couldn't get a word in." These lines are from the....

• exposition of the story.

• initiating event of the story.

• rising action of the story.

• resolution of the story.

What genre of fiction would this story be considered?

• realistic fiction

• folktale

• fantasy

• science fiction

Ben feels disappointed and depressed when he realizes he will miss the play. What causes him to cheer up and focus on something positive?

• His classmates send him cards and stuffed animals to make him feel better.

• The drama teacher tells him they will postpone the play performance until he's feeling better.

• His sister uses her allowance money to buy him guppies for his fish tank.

• Nothing cheers Ben up.

In lines 12-14 of the story, as Maria walks to school, she thinks of her brother Ben "lying on the couch, thermometer protruding (sticking out) from his mouth." What effect does this have on Maria?

• It makes her feel happy, because he annoys her and she feels he deserves to be miserable.

• It makes her feel angry, because she wants to stay home from school too, but can't.

• It makes her feel excited and inspired to do something to cheer him up.

• It makes her feel sorry for him, but also relieved, since her walk is more peaceful.

Which of these happens first?

• Ben visits the doctor.

• Maria notices that Ben is looking very pale.

• Ben tells Maria he has the flu.

• Ben offers to let Maria help name the guppies.

Which of these could be a possible theme of the story?

• Forgiveness

• You should rest when you are unwell.

• Don't annoy your siblings.

• Treating others with kindness can be very satisfying.