Study Guide (TBTS)

How does this dialogue affect the story’s conflict?

• It sets up Maya’s internal conflict by making her more nervous about performing.

• It adds to the external conflict between Maya and Zoe because Zoe doesn’t believe Maya can do well.

• It hints at Zoe’s internal conflict because she is secretly nervous for Maya.

• It helps Maya face her fear by reminding her of all the effort she put into practicing.

How does the setting affect Maya’s emotions before she performs in The Big Talent Show?

• Maya feels nervous because the bright lights and large audience make her feel overwhelmed.

• Maya is excited to be on stage because she loves performing in front of crowds.

• Maya is unsure about playing the violin because the talent show is taking place at a new school.

• Maya wants to perform perfectly because the talent show winner gets a big prize.

Read the thesaurus entry.

Trembled

v: shook, shivered, quivered, wobbled

ANTONYMS steadied, balanced, calmed, stilled

Which word best fits the opposite of how trembled is used in paragraph 1 of The Big Talent Show?

• steadied

• balanced

• calmed

• stilled

Read these sentences from paragraph 25 of The Big Talent Show:

"I messed up," she groaned to Zoe.

"But you kept going," Zoe said with a grin. "That takes courage."

How do these sentences affect the plot?

• They help the reader understand Maya’s relationship with Zoe through a flashback about their past performances.

• They set up the surprise ending because Maya expects failure but realizes she is proud of herself.

• They create tension by foreshadowing what happens when Maya tells her teacher about her mistake.

• They help develop the conflict that Maya’s parents don’t want her to be in the talent show.

Which word would best replace the word scolded in paragraph 4 of The Big Talent Show?

• reprimanded

• corrected

• encouraged

• warned

What is Maya’s response to the climax in The Big Talent Show?

• She is thankful that she made a mistake so she won’t have to perform again.

• She is angry that she messed up, even though it was just one part of the song.

• She is disappointed in herself for forgetting part of the song.

• She is relieved that Zoe still supports her, even though she didn’t play perfectly.

What inference can you make about Zoe in The Big Talent Show?

• She regrets encouraging Maya to perform in the talent show.

• She feels sympathy for Maya’s mistake but admires her courage.

• She blames herself for not helping Maya practice more.

• She expects Maya to win the talent show and is disappointed when she doesn’t.

How does the talent show setting influence Maya in The Big Talent Show?

• She is upset about performing because most kids have more experience than she does.

• She is nervous because she has never played in front of a big audience before.

• She is unhappy because Zoe is not allowed to sit with her on stage.

• She is excited because she knows she will win first place.

What is the meaning of the word trembled as it is used in this sentence?

• rebelled

• felt fear

• flew away

• expressed joy

Read these sentences from paragraph 4 of The Big Talent Show:

“I messed up,” she groaned to Zoe.

“But you kept going,” Zoe said with a grin. “That takes courage.”

How do these sentences contribute to the story?

• They foreshadow Maya’s embarrassment when she forgets part of the song.

• They show how Zoe’s encouragement helps Maya overcome her nervousness.

• They contrast Zoe’s excitement with Maya’s disappointment.

• They explain why Maya decides to compete in the next talent show.