In the Engine Room [Nightmare on the Tracks, #3]

What song does the man with the hammer sing to James?

• James’ favorite song about the Engine Room

• James’ Grandfather’s song about Veronica

• James’ favorite song about how fast trains travel

• James’ Grandfather’s song about the railroad

What does James do right after he checks on Veronica to make sure she is safe and still sleeping?

• He finds the locomotive engineer face up on the ground.

• He decides to get up and follow the man from his dream.

• He hears the mystery man singing his Grandfather’s song.

• He considers the pros and cons of following the mystery man.

The mystery man appears to know exactly where he is leading James. What evidence from the text supports this conclusion?

• “James dropped to the floor. ‘Hey! Hey! Are you okay?’ he asked the man frantically, giving him a shake. There was no response. James glanced at the man’s chest and noticed the lettering on his uniform: LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER.”

• “Eventually, the mystery man led James to a door at the end of an empty carriage at the front of the train. A sign hung on the door: ‘Engine Room.’ The mystery man turned around and gave James a meaningful look.”

• “How does this man know my Grandfather’s song? James puzzled over it for a moment, then came to a conclusion: He must be one of Grandfather’s friends from his years working on the railroad.”

• “He was greeted with near silence. The banging noise had stopped. James blinked a few times, getting used to the quiet that now filled his ears and taking in what was in front of him.”

What feeling does the banging sound most likely create for the reader and James?

• a growing feeling of calm and quiet

• a growing feeling of happiness and joy

• a growing feeling of anger and sadness

• a growing feeling of danger and suspense

What is the main idea of this text?

• The mystery man sings James’ Grandfather’s song, which makes James believe this man is his Grandfather’s friend from his years working on the railroad.

• Veronica sleeps through the banging noises that James hears, even though it is very loud and keeps getting louder.

• James is excited to see the train’s control center where there is important machinery that makes sure the train works correctly.

• After James decides to follow the mystery man, he discovers that the train he's on is speeding forward without a driver, putting him in a dangerous situation.

Read the following sentences from the text.

“No longer as fearful, James considered his situation as the banging continued. He couldn’t help but feel that everything was connected—his dream, this man, the banging, and the steady feeling of unease that had been gripping him for the past day. Should he get up, follow this stranger, and potentially discover the source of this awful banging? Or should he play it safe and remain in his seat, with the banging noise filling his ears for the rest of the ride?”

Why does the author include James’ inner thoughts in the passage?

• to show James is feeling completely calm and relaxed on this train trip

• to show the confusion he is feeling about whether or not to follow the man

• to show that James is completely confident in his decision to follow the man

• to show that James doesn’t care about the mystery and is waiting for it to end

What does the mystery man do after James says he is not going to follow him because he is a stranger?

• The mystery man pauses and then sings James’ Grandfather’s song in a loud voice.

• The mystery man introduces himself to James.
• The mystery man threatens James to follow him.
• The mystery man walks away silently.

Read the sentence.

James assumed the room contained the train’s control center and he was excited about seeing the machinery.

Based on the excerpt, what does assumed mean?

• reassured and comforted

• guessed or estimate

• doubted the existence
• relieved and thankful

Why does James decide to follow the mystery man even though he is afraid?

Use evidence from the text to support your answer.