EOG Boot Camp RL 8.1, 8.2, 8.4

"The wind howled outside as Mira clutched the photograph of her father, his smiling face frozen in time. He had left for deployment two months ago, but the emptiness he left behind was still fresh. She traced the edges of the frame with her finger, whispering a quiet promise to stay strong."

Which sentence from the passage best supports the idea that Mira is struggling with her father’s absence?

• “The wind howled outside…”

• “He had left for deployment two months ago…”

• “She traced the edges of the frame with her finger…”

• “The emptiness he left behind was still fresh.”

"Leon turned the key slowly, unsure if the door would creak open or remain stuck like always. His grandmother used to say the old house was alive, groaning in protest when disturbed. Today, though, the door swung open without a sound, as if welcoming him back."

What evidence best supports the idea that the house symbolizes more than a physical place to Leon?

• “Leon turned the key slowly…”

• “His grandmother used to say the old house was alive…”

• “The door swung open without a sound…”

• “Unsure if the door would creak open…”

"Every morning, Carla walked past the bookstore on her way to school, her eyes lingering on the dusty display window. Inside sat a leather-bound journal with gold-edged pages. She didn’t know what she’d write, only that she had something to say."

Which sentence best supports the inference that Carla feels inspired by the journal?

• “Every morning, Carla walked past the bookstore…”

• “Her eyes lingering on the dusty display window.”

• “She didn’t know what she’d write…”

• “Only that she had something to say.”

"Jason clenched his fists as he read the list of team members. His name wasn’t there. Coach Davis had said he showed promise, had even nodded during the last practice. Still, here he was, standing on the outside again."

Which line best supports the idea that Jason feels disappointed?

• “Jason clenched his fists…”

• “Coach Davis had said he showed promise…”

• “Had even nodded during the last practice.”

• “Standing on the outside again.”

"Nina studied the mural carefully, noticing how the bold strokes formed wings that reached toward the sky. It had been painted after the storm, when the town needed a reminder that beauty could still grow from loss."

Which sentence best supports the theme of hope after hardship?

• “Nina studied the mural carefully…”

• “The bold strokes formed wings…”

• “It had been painted after the storm…”

• “The town needed a reminder that beauty could still grow from loss.”

"“You’ll never understand,” Max said, turning his back on his brother. The silence that followed was heavier than any words. Sam stared at the floor, unsure how to bridge a gap carved by years of misunderstanding."

Which sentence best supports the idea that the brothers have unresolved tension?

• “Max said, turning his back…”

• “The silence that followed was heavier…”

• “Sam stared at the floor…”

• “You’ll never understand.”

"At the science fair, Tasha stood beside her volcano model, her nerves bubbling as fiercely as the red-dyed vinegar inside. She wasn’t sure her project would impress anyone, but she’d built it with care, and that had to count for something."

What evidence best supports the idea that Tasha is nervous but hopeful?

• “Her nerves bubbling…”

• “Beside her volcano model…”

• “She wasn’t sure her project would impress…”

• “That had to count for something.”

"“You’re just a kid,” the man scoffed. But Mari didn’t flinch. She stepped forward, holding the map high. “Maybe,” she said, “but I know this forest better than you.” The others watched in silence as she led the way."

Which sentence best shows Mari’s determination?

• “You’re just a kid,” the man scoffed.

• “She stepped forward, holding the map high.”

• “But Mari didn’t flinch.”

• “The others watched in silence…”

"There was something comforting in the rhythm of the sewing machine, a click-click-hum that filled the space between Grandma’s stories. Each stitch seemed to weave memory and love into the fabric."

Which line best supports the idea that the sewing machine represents connection to family?

• “Each stitch seemed to weave memory and love…”

• “There was something comforting…”

• “Click-click-hum…”

• “Filled the space between Grandma’s stories.”

"The rain fell in sheets, soaking Darren’s clothes and his spirits. Still, he waited by the statue, eyes fixed on the clock tower. She had said she’d come. He believed her."

Which sentence best supports the idea that Darren is hopeful despite the circumstances?

• “The rain fell in sheets…”

• “Soaking Darren’s clothes…”

• “He believed her.”

• “Still, he waited…”