Benchmark - 'Vanessa’s Big Race' & 'Audrey Takes Second'

One way these stories are different is that the events in “Vanessa’s Big Race”

• take place before the events in “Audrey Takes Second.”

• help to solve the problems that are caused by the events in “Audrey Takes Second.”

• take place as a direct result of the events in “Audrey Takes Second.”

• show a character's inner struggle, while the struggle is outside the character in “Audrey Takes Second.”

How are the endings different in “Vanessa’s Big Race” and “Audrey Takes Second”?

• Vanessa vows to run the race again next year, while Audrey does not.

• Audrey feels regretful, while Vanessa does not.

• Vanessa seeks support from her family, while Audrey does not.

• Audrey wins several races, while Vanessa does not.

What are Paragraphs 6 and 7 mainly about?

• Audrey’s grandparents trying to make her feel better

• Audrey hiding her sadness from her grandparents

• Audrey being thankful for her grandmother’s explanations

• Audrey responding to praise from her grandfather

How does the author create suspense in Paragraphs 8 through 10?

• by changing to a different character’s point of view, giving the reader new ideas

• by providing more facts about the race, giving the reader background information

• by separating Audrey’s first sentence from the rest, making the reader wait for more

• by giving a detailed description of the setting, changing the reader’s focus

Which words from Paragraph 1 help the reader to understand the meaning of spindly?

• with long, skinny legs

• chin-length red hair

• the rest of us pinned ours

• my entire body

One way that Audrey and Vanessa are similar in these stories is that they both

• make an attempt to treat each other with respect.

• express delight over beating the other on the track.

• feel that they ran the very best race they could.

• wish they could have the opportunity to apologize.

Based on evidence provided in these stories, how are Vanessa and Audrey’s feelings similar?

• Both girls wish they could become closer friends with each other.

• Both girls believe that the other is truly the better runner.

• Both girls are sometimes nervous to be around each other.

• Both girls become angry over something the other one says.

Which sentence from Paragraph 1 best shows that Vanessa has been planning for a long time to beat Audrey in the 400-meter race?

• The 400-meter run has always been my best race.

• This year I’ve won the 400-meter at every single track meet.

• And last year, in the fifth grade, I won it almost every time, too—except at the state championships, when I lost to Audrey Donohue.

• After she won last season, I promised myself that this year, in middle school, things would be different.