RL.6.3 Pre-Assessment

Read the story below for Questions 1–5:

The Late Bus

Leah stood by the school doors, arms crossed and eyes scanning the road. The buses had already left—except hers. She had stayed late to get help in math, and now the sky was dimming. Mr. Jenkins, the janitor, noticed her through the glass. “Everything alright?” he asked, holding the door. “My bus still isn’t here,” Leah said, trying to sound calm. “Let me call the office.” Ten minutes passed before the bus finally pulled in. Leah exhaled in relief. As she climbed aboard, the driver nodded, “Sorry, kid. Got delayed.” Leah smiled a little. “It’s okay. I just didn’t want to be left behind. How does Leah respond to the challenge she faces?

• A. She panics and calls her parents

• B. She remains calm and waits patiently

• C. She yells at the janitor

• D. She walks home

Read the story below for Questions 1–5:

The Late Bus

Leah stood by the school doors, arms crossed and eyes scanning the road. The buses had already left—except hers. She had stayed late to get help in math, and now the sky was dimming. Mr. Jenkins, the janitor, noticed her through the glass. “Everything alright?” he asked, holding the door. “My bus still isn’t here,” Leah said, trying to sound calm. “Let me call the office.” Ten minutes passed before the bus finally pulled in. Leah exhaled in relief. As she climbed aboard, the driver nodded, “Sorry, kid. Got delayed.” Leah smiled a little. “It’s okay. I just didn’t want to be left behind.” What does Leah’s response show about her character?

• A. She is shy and afraid

• B. She avoids problems

• C. She is composed and responsible

• D. She doesn’t like school

Read the story below for Questions 1–5:

The Late Bus

Leah stood by the school doors, arms crossed and eyes scanning the road. The buses had already left—except hers. She had stayed late to get help in math, and now the sky was dimming. Mr. Jenkins, the janitor, noticed her through the glass. “Everything alright?” he asked, holding the door. “My bus still isn’t here,” Leah said, trying to sound calm. “Let me call the office.” Ten minutes passed before the bus finally pulled in. Leah exhaled in relief. As she climbed aboard, the driver nodded, “Sorry, kid. Got delayed.” Leah smiled a little. “It’s okay. I just didn’t want to be left behind.

What detail best shows the change in Leah’s mood?

• A. “She had stayed late…”

• B. “Mr. Jenkins, the janitor…”

• C. “Leah exhaled in relief.”

• D. “The sky was dimming…”

Read the story below for Questions 1–5:

The Late Bus

Leah stood by the school doors, arms crossed and eyes scanning the road. The buses had already left—except hers. She had stayed late to get help in math, and now the sky was dimming. Mr. Jenkins, the janitor, noticed her through the glass. “Everything alright?” he asked, holding the door. “My bus still isn’t here,” Leah said, trying to sound calm. “Let me call the office.” Ten minutes passed before the bus finally pulled in. Leah exhaled in relief. As she climbed aboard, the driver nodded, “Sorry, kid. Got delayed.” Leah smiled a little. “It’s okay. I just didn’t want to be left behind.

Which sentence would be most useful in a summary of this story?

• A. “The driver nodded, ‘Sorry, kid.’”

• B. “Leah stayed late for math help…”

• C. “Leah almost missed her bus but stayed calm until it came.”

• D. “Mr. Jenkins was mopping the hallway.”

Read the story below for Questions 1–5:

The Late Bus

Leah stood by the school doors, arms crossed and eyes scanning the road. The buses had already left—except hers. She had stayed late to get help in math, and now the sky was dimming. Mr. Jenkins, the janitor, noticed her through the glass. “Everything alright?” he asked, holding the door. “My bus still isn’t here,” Leah said, trying to sound calm. “Let me call the office.” Ten minutes passed before the bus finally pulled in. Leah exhaled in relief. As she climbed aboard, the driver nodded, “Sorry, kid. Got delayed.” Leah smiled a little. “It’s okay. I just didn’t want to be left behind.

Leah’s actions help move the story forward by:

• causing important events to happen in the plot.

• describing the setting in detail.

• introducing new characters only.

• ending the story abruptly.

Read the story below for Questions 6–10: 

The First Snow 

Jalen woke to silence. No buses rumbling, no neighbors scraping windshields. He opened his curtains and gasped—overnight, the whole neighborhood had turned white. Snow blanketed the ground, the rooftops, even the branches that usually looked bare. 

His little sister Nora ran in. “It’s a snow day!” she shouted, already wearing her boots. But Jalen didn’t cheer. He glanced at his backpack. Today was the day of the science fair. He had spent weeks preparing. 

Their mom confirmed the news—school was closed. “I’m sorry, honey,” she said, seeing his expression. 

After a quiet breakfast, Jalen slipped outside alone. He didn’t throw snowballs or build forts. He sat on the porch and watched snowflakes swirl through the air, each one different, each one disappearing as it touched the ground. 

Slowly, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the small invention he had made for the fair. He turned it over in his hands, smiled, and whispered, “Next time.” 

How does the setting affect the plot of the story?

• The snow causes the fair to be canceled, changing Jalen’s plans

• The snow makes Jalen more excited

• The snow ruins Jalen’s project

• The snow gives Nora a cold

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

Read the story below for Questions 6–10: 

The First Snow 

Jalen woke to silence. No buses rumbling, no neighbors scraping windshields. He opened his curtains and gasped—overnight, the whole neighborhood had turned white. Snow blanketed the ground, the rooftops, even the branches that usually looked bare. 

His little sister Nora ran in. “It’s a snow day!” she shouted, already wearing her boots. But Jalen didn’t cheer. He glanced at his backpack. Today was the day of the science fair. He had spent weeks preparing. 

Their mom confirmed the news—school was closed. “I’m sorry, honey,” she said, seeing his expression. 

After a quiet breakfast, Jalen slipped outside alone. He didn’t throw snowballs or build forts. He sat on the porch and watched snowflakes swirl through the air, each one different, each one disappearing as it touched the ground. 

Slowly, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the small invention he had made for the fair. He turned it over in his hands, smiled, and whispered, “Next time.” 

What is revealed about Jalen’s character through his reaction?

• He is selfish and angry

• He is thoughtful and reflective

• He is cheerful and playful

• He is afraid of snow

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Read the story below for Questions 6–10: 

The First Snow 

Jalen woke to silence. No buses rumbling, no neighbors scraping windshields. He opened his curtains and gasped—overnight, the whole neighborhood had turned white. Snow blanketed the ground, the rooftops, even the branches that usually looked bare. 

His little sister Nora ran in. “It’s a snow day!” she shouted, already wearing her boots. But Jalen didn’t cheer. He glanced at his backpack. Today was the day of the science fair. He had spent weeks preparing. 

Their mom confirmed the news—school was closed. “I’m sorry, honey,” she said, seeing his expression. 

After a quiet breakfast, Jalen slipped outside alone. He didn’t throw snowballs or build forts. He sat on the porch and watched snowflakes swirl through the air, each one different, each one disappearing as it touched the ground. 

Slowly, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the small invention he had made for the fair. He turned it over in his hands, smiled, and whispered, “Next time.” 

What plot detail shows the shift in Jalen’s emotional state?

• He gasped at the snow…

• He watched snowflakes swirl…

• He pulled out his invention and whispered, ‘Next time.’

• His little sister ran in…

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.5.5

Read the story below for Questions 6–10: 

The First Snow 

Jalen woke to silence. No buses rumbling, no neighbors scraping windshields. He opened his curtains and gasped—overnight, the whole neighborhood had turned white. Snow blanketed the ground, the rooftops, even the branches that usually looked bare. 

His little sister Nora ran in. “It’s a snow day!” she shouted, already wearing her boots. But Jalen didn’t cheer. He glanced at his backpack. Today was the day of the science fair. He had spent weeks preparing. 

Their mom confirmed the news—school was closed. “I’m sorry, honey,” she said, seeing his expression. 

After a quiet breakfast, Jalen slipped outside alone. He didn’t throw snowballs or build forts. He sat on the porch and watched snowflakes swirl through the air, each one different, each one disappearing as it touched the ground. 

Slowly, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the small invention he had made for the fair. He turned it over in his hands, smiled, and whispered, “Next time.” 

Jalen’s feelings about the snow change from the beginning to the end of the story in which way?

• He starts out disliking the snow but ends up enjoying it.

• He loves the snow at first but grows tired of it.

• He is afraid of the snow at first but becomes indifferent.

• He feels the same about the snow throughout the story.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

Read the story below for Questions 6–10: 

The First Snow 

Jalen woke to silence. No buses rumbling, no neighbors scraping windshields. He opened his curtains and gasped—overnight, the whole neighborhood had turned white. Snow blanketed the ground, the rooftops, even the branches that usually looked bare. 

His little sister Nora ran in. “It’s a snow day!” she shouted, already wearing her boots. But Jalen didn’t cheer. He glanced at his backpack. Today was the day of the science fair. He had spent weeks preparing. 

Their mom confirmed the news—school was closed. “I’m sorry, honey,” she said, seeing his expression. 

After a quiet breakfast, Jalen slipped outside alone. He didn’t throw snowballs or build forts. He sat on the porch and watched snowflakes swirl through the air, each one different, each one disappearing as it touched the ground. 

Slowly, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the small invention he had made for the fair. He turned it over in his hands, smiled, and whispered, “Next time.” 

The setting, plot, and character interact in a story to:

• develop the story’s message or theme.

• describe only the physical location.

• focus solely on character appearance.

• ignore the story’s message or theme.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.4.3