The Galaxy Pen - Making Inferences in Literary Text (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
Why does Marissa's voice sound 'flat' when she tells Sara, 'That's too bad'?
She is tired from walking around the book fair.
She is not truly sad for Sara because she is thinking about what she wants to buy.
She is angry that Sara's book is so expensive.
She does not believe Sara will be able to save up for the book later.
Answer explanation
Marissa's flat tone shows her lack of real sympathy. The text says right after, 'the image of the galaxy pen sparkled in my mind,' which shows her thoughts were on her own desires, not her friend's disappointment.
2.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
What two items did Marissa buy at the book fair?
A dragon book and a mystery book
A galaxy pen and a mystery book
A galaxy pen and a dragon book
A bookmark and a pen
Answer explanation
The passage states, 'I walked back to the gadget table and picked up the pen. I also found a seven-dollar mystery book for myself.'
3.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
What did Sara end up leaving the book fair with?
A dragon book
A galaxy pen
A free bookmark
Nothing
Answer explanation
The last sentence of the passage explicitly states, '...watching Sara leave with just a free bookmark felt completely wrong.'
4.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
How much did the dragon book that Sara wanted cost?
Five dollars
Eight dollars
Twelve dollars
Twenty dollars
Answer explanation
The text says that after Sara looked at the price, she said, 'Oh. It's twelve dollars.'
5.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
What does the narrator mean when she says she felt 'a strange mix of happy and heavy'?
The book and pen were heavy to carry.
She was happy about her purchases but sad that the book fair was ending.
She was happy to get what she wanted but felt guilty about being selfish toward Sara.
She was happy for Sara's bookmark but felt heavy because she spent too much money.
Answer explanation
This phrase requires an inference. The 'happy' feeling comes from getting the pen she wanted, while the 'heavy' feeling represents the guilt she felt for not helping her friend, which is supported by the final sentence: 'watching Sara leave... felt completely wrong.'
6.
MATCH QUESTION
1 min • 1 pt
Match each phrase from the passage to the feeling or motivation it reveals about a character.
Avoidance due to guilt
Marissa not looking at Sara at the register
Hopefulness limited by a small budget
Sara's shoulders 'slumping'
A strong, selfish desire
Marissa thinking 'I had to have it'
Sadness and defeat
Sara clutching her five-dollar bill
Answer explanation
Each phrase is a clue to a character's inner state. 'Clutching' her money shows Sara's hope. 'I had to have it' shows Marissa's intense want. 'Slumping' shoulders are a classic sign of sadness. Avoiding eye contact is a common way people act when they feel guilty about something.
7.
CATEGORIZE QUESTION
1 min • 1 pt
Categorize the following details from the story based on whether they show Marissa's Selfishness or Sara's Disappointment.
Groups:
(a) Shows Marissa's Selfishness
,
(b) Shows Sara's Disappointment
I told myself it was my money.
She slowly placed the book back on the shelf.
Her shoulders slumping.
Her face fell.
The image of the galaxy pen sparkled in my mind.
I didn't offer to help.
Answer explanation
The items in 'Shows Marissa's Selfishness' are all thoughts or actions where Marissa prioritizes her own wants. The items in 'Shows Sara's Disappointment' are all physical actions that show Sara's sadness and resignation when she realizes she can't afford the book.
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