The River Stone - Symbolism in literary texts (Grade 6)
Passage
•
English
•
6th Grade
•
Practice Problem
•
Hard
Angela Lock
FREE Resource
8 questions
Show all answers
1.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
At the beginning of the story, what does the smooth stone symbolize to Maya?
A memory of her old home
Her feeling of being plain and lonely
The power of the river
Hope for making new friends
Answer explanation
The passage says, 'It seemed plain and lonely, just like she felt in this new place.' This shows the stone initially symbolized her own feelings of loneliness.
2.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
What object does Maya find by the river?
A smooth, grey stone
A piece of glass
A jagged piece of rock
A leaf from an oak tree
Answer explanation
The passage states in the second paragraph, 'It was a grey stone, worn so smooth it felt like glass.' This is the object she finds.
3.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
By the end of the story, what does the stone come to symbolize for Maya?
Her sadness about moving
The danger of the river
Her old friends she left behind
The promise of becoming stronger through change
Answer explanation
In the final paragraph, Maya thinks the changes might be 'making her stronger' and the stone 'felt like a promise.' This shows the symbol's meaning changed to represent hope and strength.
4.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
According to the passage, what did Maya realize about how the stone became smooth?
It was made smooth by the sun.
It was always a smooth stone.
The river's constant flow shaped it over time.
She polished it with her hands every day.
Answer explanation
Paragraph four explicitly states, 'The river, with its constant changing and flowing, had shaped it. The water tumbled it over and over, smoothing its sharp edges.'
5.
CATEGORIZE QUESTION
1 min • 1 pt
Categorize Maya's thoughts and feelings about the stone as they are described in the passage.
Groups:
(a) Initial Feelings about the Stone
,
(b) Later Understanding of the Stone
It is a boring, grey rock.
It represents becoming stronger.
It is a simple, plain object.
It feels like a promise.
It was shaped by a difficult journey.
It seems plain and lonely.
Answer explanation
The items are sorted based on Maya's perspective before and after her realization. Initially, she sees the stone as lonely and boring, mirroring her own feelings. Later, she understands it as a symbol of strength and promise shaped by change.
6.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
Why was the solid weight of the stone 'comforting' to Maya?
Because it was steady while everything else felt like it was changing.
Because it was a pretty color that cheered her up.
Because it reminded her of a toy she used to have.
Because she thought it might be valuable.
Answer explanation
The passage states that while the river was 'never the same,' the stone 'was always the same: smooth and steady.' This contrast is what made the unchanging stone comforting to her.
7.
MATCH QUESTION
1 min • 1 pt
Match each element from the story to the idea it symbolizes.
The constant and powerful nature of change
The stone's original jagged shape
Maya before facing the challenge of moving
The final smooth stone
Maya's initial feelings of being lonely and plain
The flowing river
Maya after adapting and becoming stronger
The initially 'boring' stone
Answer explanation
The river symbolizes the force of change. The stone at first symbolizes Maya's loneliness. The idea of its original jagged shape symbolizes her state before being 'smoothed' by new experiences. The final smooth stone symbolizes her potential to become stronger through adaptation.
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