The Gardener's Time Capsule - Fiction vs. Nonfiction (Grade 7)

What does Boston's dialogue, 'A real treasure hunt! I bet it leads to pirate gold!', reveal about his personality?

• He is greedy and only cares about money.

• He is worried about cleaning the shed.

• He is imaginative and excited about adventure.

• He is knowledgeable about gardening.

Answer explanation

Boston's immediate jump to 'pirate gold' shows his imaginative and adventurous nature, not greed. He is excited by the idea of a treasure hunt, which is a common trope in adventure stories.

What did Anika and Boston find inside the metal box along with the note?

• Pirate gold

• A withered sapling

• A gardening book

• A photograph of their grandfather

Answer explanation

The passage states, 'Instead, they found a tiny, withered sapling, its roots dry and brittle.' This is a direct recall of information from the text.

How does the writing style of the grandfather's note differ from the style of the main story?

• The note is emotional, while the story is boring.

• The note uses complex sentences, while the story uses simple ones.

• The note is fictional, while the story is based on facts.

• The note is factual and objective, while the story is descriptive and emotional.

Answer explanation

This question asks students to compare the two writing styles. The story uses emotional and descriptive language ('wild jungle,' 'heart thumped'), which is characteristic of fiction. The note uses objective labels ('Date:', 'Item:', 'Height:'), which is characteristic of nonfiction.

According to the grandfather's note, what was the stated purpose for burying the box?

• To hide treasure from pirates.

• To keep a record of the garden's layout.

• To measure time.

• To preserve the sapling for future planting.

Answer explanation

The note explicitly states, 'Purpose: To measure time.' This question requires the student to locate a specific fact within the nonfictional part of the text.

What was the height of the Red Oak sapling when the grandfather wrote the note?

• 12 inches

• 10 feet

• 1985 inches

• It was not mentioned.

Answer explanation

This is a direct recall question. The note in the passage clearly states, 'Height: 12 inches.'

Categorize the following phrases from the passage as either 'Fictional Storytelling' (uses emotion, description, or imagination) or 'Factual Information' (states objective facts).

Groups:

(a) Fictional Storytelling

,

(b) Factual Information

• Height: 12 inches.

• Date: May 10, 1985.

• Item: Quercus rubra (Red Oak) sapling.

• The garden was a wild jungle now.

• I bet it leads to pirate gold!

• Anika’s heart thumped with excitement.

Answer explanation

This task requires students to differentiate between the narrative techniques of fiction (emotional language, metaphor, imaginative dialogue) and the objective presentation of facts found in nonfiction. The phrases in 'Fictional Storytelling' describe feelings and use figurative language, while those in 'Factual Information' are taken directly from the log entry format.

Match the text excerpt to the primary purpose it serves in the story.

• Uses figurative language to describe the setting.

• The garden was a wild jungle now.

• Shows a character's realization about growth and the past.

• Purpose: To measure time.

• States a clear, factual goal from a nonfiction element.

• “A real treasure hunt!”

• Reveals a character's excitement and imagination.

• “Wow... He planted this so long ago.”

Answer explanation

Each excerpt serves a specific function. Boston's dialogue reveals his imaginative character. The description of the garden uses a metaphor to set the scene. The line from the note states its objective purpose. Anika's final line shows her understanding of the story's theme.

Compare the tone of the main story's narration with the tone of the grandfather's note. How does the author use these two different styles to explore the theme of 'Time and growth'? Use specific details from both the story and the note to support your answer.

Answer explanation