A new life for old school buses

What happens to old school buses when they can no longer safely carry kids to school? Most go to junkyards to be converted to scrap metal. But a few of the old vehicles find new lives—in the center of Africa. Some buses end up on the streets of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Kinshasa buses are that familiar yellow color, which makes them stand out in the city's swirling traffic, but the buses don't look at all as they did in the United States. Their blinking taillights are almost all missing or broken. They don't obey traffic rules and often race around the city at breakneck speeds. The buses vie with honking motorcycles, cars, trucks, and other vehicles for space on the road. They chug and rattle along, packed with people carrying loads of preserved fish, powdered milk, beans, onions, and cassava. Cassava is a starchy, potato-like root vegetable that is popular in many Congolese dishes.

Kinshasa businesspeople love the old, dented yellow buses, which they buy from American companies, because the vehicles are sturdy, reliable, and inexpensive.

The fare to travel across the city is usually the equivalent of 30 U.S. cents. "Transport is a big problem in the city," says passenger Bruce Kingambo. "The yellow buses help regular people get around."

QUESTION: What is the main idea of this text?

A new life for old school buses

What happens to old school buses when they can no longer safely carry kids to school? Most go to junkyards to be converted to scrap metal. But a few of the old vehicles find new lives—in the center of Africa. Some buses end up on the streets of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Kinshasa buses are that familiar yellow color, which makes them stand out in the city's swirling traffic, but the buses don't look at all as they did in the United States. Their blinking taillights are almost all missing or broken. They don't obey traffic rules and often race around the city at breakneck speeds. The buses vie with honking motorcycles, cars, trucks, and other vehicles for space on the road. They chug and rattle along, packed with people carrying loads of preserved fish, powdered milk, beans, onions, and cassava. Cassava is a starchy, potato-like root vegetable that is popular in many Congolese dishes.

Kinshasa businesspeople love the old, dented yellow buses, which they buy from American companies, because the vehicles are sturdy, reliable, and inexpensive.

The fare to travel across the city is usually the equivalent of 30 U.S. cents. "Transport is a big problem in the city," says passenger Bruce Kingambo. "The yellow buses help regular people get around."

QUESTION: Which detail from the passage supports the main idea?

A new life for old school buses

What happens to old school buses when they can no longer safely carry kids to school? Most go to junkyards to be converted to scrap metal. But a few of the old vehicles find new lives—in the center of Africa. Some buses end up on the streets of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Kinshasa buses are that familiar yellow color, which makes them stand out in the city's swirling traffic, but the buses don't look at all as they did in the United States. Their blinking taillights are almost all missing or broken. They don't obey traffic rules and often race around the city at breakneck speeds. The buses vie with honking motorcycles, cars, trucks, and other vehicles for space on the road. They chug and rattle along, packed with people carrying loads of preserved fish, powdered milk, beans, onions, and cassava. Cassava is a starchy, potato-like root vegetable that is popular in many Congolese dishes.

Kinshasa businesspeople love the old, dented yellow buses, which they buy from American companies, because the vehicles are sturdy, reliable, and inexpensive.

The fare to travel across the city is usually the equivalent of 30 U.S. cents. "Transport is a big problem in the city," says passenger Bruce Kingambo. "The yellow buses help regular people get around."

QUESTION: The word vie in paragraph two most closely means:

A new life for old school buses

What happens to old school buses when they can no longer safely carry kids to school? Most go to junkyards to be converted to scrap metal. But a few of the old vehicles find new lives—in the center of Africa. Some buses end up on the streets of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Kinshasa buses are that familiar yellow color, which makes them stand out in the city's swirling traffic, but the buses don't look at all as they did in the United States. Their blinking taillights are almost all missing or broken. They don't obey traffic rules and often race around the city at breakneck speeds. The buses vie with honking motorcycles, cars, trucks, and other vehicles for space on the road. They chug and rattle along, packed with people carrying loads of preserved fish, powdered milk, beans, onions, and cassava. Cassava is a starchy, potato-like root vegetable that is popular in many Congolese dishes.

Kinshasa businesspeople love the old, dented yellow buses, which they buy from American companies, because the vehicles are sturdy, reliable, and inexpensive.

The fare to travel across the city is usually the equivalent of 30 U.S. cents. "Transport is a big problem in the city," says passenger Bruce Kingambo. "The yellow buses help regular people get around."

QUESTION: The word "converted" in paragraph 1 most likely means:

A new life for old school buses

What happens to old school buses when they can no longer safely carry kids to school? Most go to junkyards to be converted to scrap metal. But a few of the old vehicles find new lives—in the center of Africa. Some buses end up on the streets of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Kinshasa buses are that familiar yellow color, which makes them stand out in the city's swirling traffic, but the buses don't look at all as they did in the United States. Their blinking taillights are almost all missing or broken. They don't obey traffic rules and often race around the city at breakneck speeds. The buses vie with honking motorcycles, cars, trucks, and other vehicles for space on the road. They chug and rattle along, packed with people carrying loads of preserved fish, powdered milk, beans, onions, and cassava. Cassava is a starchy, potato-like root vegetable that is popular in many Congolese dishes.

Kinshasa businesspeople love the old, dented yellow buses, which they buy from American companies, because the vehicles are sturdy, reliable, and inexpensive.

The fare to travel across the city is usually the equivalent of 30 U.S. cents. "Transport is a big problem in the city," says passenger Bruce Kingambo. "The yellow buses help regular people get around."

QUESTION: The word "reliable" in paragraph 3 most closely means:

A new life for old school buses

What happens to old school buses when they can no longer safely carry kids to school? Most go to junkyards to be converted to scrap metal. But a few of the old vehicles find new lives—in the center of Africa. Some buses end up on the streets of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Kinshasa buses are that familiar yellow color, which makes them stand out in the city's swirling traffic, but the buses don't look at all as they did in the United States. Their blinking taillights are almost all missing or broken. They don't obey traffic rules and often race around the city at breakneck speeds. The buses vie with honking motorcycles, cars, trucks, and other vehicles for space on the road. They chug and rattle along, packed with people carrying loads of preserved fish, powdered milk, beans, onions, and cassava. Cassava is a starchy, potato-like root vegetable that is popular in many Congolese dishes.

Kinshasa businesspeople love the old, dented yellow buses, which they buy from American companies, because the vehicles are sturdy, reliable, and inexpensive.

The fare to travel across the city is usually the equivalent of 30 U.S. cents. "Transport is a big problem in the city," says passenger Bruce Kingambo. "The yellow buses help regular people get around."

QUESTION: Which of the following is a theme of this text?

A new life for old school buses

What happens to old school buses when they can no longer safely carry kids to school? Most go to junkyards to be converted to scrap metal. But a few of the old vehicles find new lives—in the center of Africa. Some buses end up on the streets of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Kinshasa buses are that familiar yellow color, which makes them stand out in the city's swirling traffic, but the buses don't look at all as they did in the United States. Their blinking taillights are almost all missing or broken. They don't obey traffic rules and often race around the city at breakneck speeds. The buses vie with honking motorcycles, cars, trucks, and other vehicles for space on the road. They chug and rattle along, packed with people carrying loads of preserved fish, powdered milk, beans, onions, and cassava. Cassava is a starchy, potato-like root vegetable that is popular in many Congolese dishes.

Kinshasa businesspeople love the old, dented yellow buses, which they buy from American companies, because the vehicles are sturdy, reliable, and inexpensive.

The fare to travel across the city is usually the equivalent of 30 U.S. cents. "Transport is a big problem in the city," says passenger Bruce Kingambo. "The yellow buses help regular people get around."

QUESTION: Which statement below best supports the theme of "creative problem-solving"?

A new life for old school buses

What happens to old school buses when they can no longer safely carry kids to school? Most go to junkyards to be converted to scrap metal. But a few of the old vehicles find new lives—in the center of Africa. Some buses end up on the streets of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Kinshasa buses are that familiar yellow color, which makes them stand out in the city's swirling traffic, but the buses don't look at all as they did in the United States. Their blinking taillights are almost all missing or broken. They don't obey traffic rules and often race around the city at breakneck speeds. The buses vie with honking motorcycles, cars, trucks, and other vehicles for space on the road. They chug and rattle along, packed with people carrying loads of preserved fish, powdered milk, beans, onions, and cassava. Cassava is a starchy, potato-like root vegetable that is popular in many Congolese dishes.

Kinshasa businesspeople love the old, dented yellow buses, which they buy from American companies, because the vehicles are sturdy, reliable, and inexpensive.

The fare to travel across the city is usually the equivalent of 30 U.S. cents. "Transport is a big problem in the city," says passenger Bruce Kingambo. "The yellow buses help regular people get around."

FACT OR OPINION: Some buses end up on the streets of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

A new life for old school buses

What happens to old school buses when they can no longer safely carry kids to school? Most go to junkyards to be converted to scrap metal. But a few of the old vehicles find new lives—in the center of Africa. Some buses end up on the streets of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Kinshasa buses are that familiar yellow color, which makes them stand out in the city's swirling traffic, but the buses don't look at all as they did in the United States. Their blinking taillights are almost all missing or broken. They don't obey traffic rules and often race around the city at breakneck speeds. The buses vie with honking motorcycles, cars, trucks, and other vehicles for space on the road. They chug and rattle along, packed with people carrying loads of preserved fish, powdered milk, beans, onions, and cassava. Cassava is a starchy, potato-like root vegetable that is popular in many Congolese dishes.

Kinshasa businesspeople love the old, dented yellow buses, which they buy from American companies, because the vehicles are sturdy, reliable, and inexpensive.

The fare to travel across the city is usually the equivalent of 30 U.S. cents. "Transport is a big problem in the city," says passenger Bruce Kingambo. "The yellow buses help regular people get around."

FACT OR OPINION: Transport is a big problem in the city.

The Surprise Encounter

Grady slung his backpack over his shoulder and slammed the door of the car shut.

“This is going to be a really long week,” he said to no one in particular. He looked around at the campground. Blue-green fir trees, some as tall as church spires, covered the mountainside. It was nearly 8:30. The sun would be setting soon. Then, Grady thought, maybe the heat wouldn’t feel like a coat. Even up here in the mountains, the hot stickiness of July clung to him.

Grady hated camping, but it was something his family insisted on every summer. His father liked cooking over an open fire, telling stories about how to survive things like bear attacks and swarms of bees. His mother and Jared liked to hike and take pictures of animals. Jared was his seven-year-old brother. He had a collection of bug pictures that he’d taped to the walls in his half of their room. Bugs on leaves, bugs on tree trunks, bugs crawling in dirt. Grady thought they were just plain creepy and considered them proof that Jared was weird.

They set up camp—two tents, one for his parents and one for himself and Jared. While everyone else got busy setting out cooking tools, Grady set off to check out the nearby stream. It was supposed to be deep enough to swim in a few places.

As he neared the stream, something caught his eye. There was an adorable black bear cub—a small creature, no more than two feet tall. It seemed to be playing at the edge of the water. Grady moved closer to get a better look. Then Grady heard a rustling behind him. He remembered that the cub could not be alone. He looked up and saw its mother.

Should he run? Should he hide? Should he try to climb a tree?

He remembered the stories his dad told. Carefully, he slipped his back back off his back and lay it on the ground. Then he walked slowly away. The mother bear pawed at the bag, sniffing it curiously, but did not follow Grady.

Back at the campsite, Jared had caught a bug. “Grady, Grady! Look what I found!”

“Where’s your backpack, son?” Grady’s father asked.

“Have I got a story for you…” began Grady.

QUESTION: What is the climax of this story?

The Surprise Encounter

Grady slung his backpack over his shoulder and slammed the door of the car shut.

“This is going to be a really long week,” he said to no one in particular. He looked around at the campground. Blue-green fir trees, some as tall as church spires, covered the mountainside. It was nearly 8:30. The sun would be setting soon. Then, Grady thought, maybe the heat wouldn’t feel like a coat. Even up here in the mountains, the hot stickiness of July clung to him.

Grady hated camping, but it was something his family insisted on every summer. His father liked cooking over an open fire, telling stories about how to survive things like bear attacks and swarms of bees. His mother and Jared liked to hike and take pictures of animals. Jared was his seven-year-old brother. He had a collection of bug pictures that he’d taped to the walls in his half of their room. Bugs on leaves, bugs on tree trunks, bugs crawling in dirt. Grady thought they were just plain creepy and considered them proof that Jared was weird.

They set up camp—two tents, one for his parents and one for himself and Jared. While everyone else got busy setting out cooking tools, Grady set off to check out the nearby stream. It was supposed to be deep enough to swim in a few places.

As he neared the stream, something caught his eye. There was an adorable black bear cub—a small creature, no more than two feet tall. It seemed to be playing at the edge of the water. Grady moved closer to get a better look. Then Grady heard a rustling behind him. He remembered that the cub could not be alone. He looked up and saw its mother.

Should he run? Should he hide? Should he try to climb a tree?

He remembered the stories his dad told. Carefully, he slipped his back back off his back and lay it on the ground. Then he walked slowly away. The mother bear pawed at the bag, sniffing it curiously, but did not follow Grady.

Back at the campsite, Jared had caught a bug. “Grady, Grady! Look what I found!”

“Where’s your backpack, son?” Grady’s father asked.

“Have I got a story for you…” began Grady.

QUESTION: During the _______ of the story, we meet Grady and find out he does not like camping.

The Surprise Encounter

Grady slung his backpack over his shoulder and slammed the door of the car shut.

“This is going to be a really long week,” he said to no one in particular. He looked around at the campground. Blue-green fir trees, some as tall as church spires, covered the mountainside. It was nearly 8:30. The sun would be setting soon. Then, Grady thought, maybe the heat wouldn’t feel like a coat. Even up here in the mountains, the hot stickiness of July clung to him.

Grady hated camping, but it was something his family insisted on every summer. His father liked cooking over an open fire, telling stories about how to survive things like bear attacks and swarms of bees. His mother and Jared liked to hike and take pictures of animals. Jared was his seven-year-old brother. He had a collection of bug pictures that he’d taped to the walls in his half of their room. Bugs on leaves, bugs on tree trunks, bugs crawling in dirt. Grady thought they were just plain creepy and considered them proof that Jared was weird.

They set up camp—two tents, one for his parents and one for himself and Jared. While everyone else got busy setting out cooking tools, Grady set off to check out the nearby stream. It was supposed to be deep enough to swim in a few places.

As he neared the stream, something caught his eye. There was an adorable black bear cub—a small creature, no more than two feet tall. It seemed to be playing at the edge of the water. Grady moved closer to get a better look. Then Grady heard a rustling behind him. He remembered that the cub could not be alone. He looked up and saw its mother.

Should he run? Should he hide? Should he try to climb a tree?

He remembered the stories his dad told. Carefully, he slipped his back back off his back and lay it on the ground. Then he walked slowly away. The mother bear pawed at the bag, sniffing it curiously, but did not follow Grady.

Back at the campsite, Jared had caught a bug. “Grady, Grady! Look what I found!”

“Where’s your backpack, son?” Grady’s father asked.

“Have I got a story for you…” began Grady.

QUESTION: During the _____, Grady tells his family that he has a story for them.

The Surprise Encounter

Grady slung his backpack over his shoulder and slammed the door of the car shut.

“This is going to be a really long week,” he said to no one in particular. He looked around at the campground. Blue-green fir trees, some as tall as church spires, covered the mountainside. It was nearly 8:30. The sun would be setting soon. Then, Grady thought, maybe the heat wouldn’t feel like a coat. Even up here in the mountains, the hot stickiness of July clung to him.

Grady hated camping, but it was something his family insisted on every summer. His father liked cooking over an open fire, telling stories about how to survive things like bear attacks and swarms of bees. His mother and Jared liked to hike and take pictures of animals. Jared was his seven-year-old brother. He had a collection of bug pictures that he’d taped to the walls in his half of their room. Bugs on leaves, bugs on tree trunks, bugs crawling in dirt. Grady thought they were just plain creepy and considered them proof that Jared was weird.

They set up camp—two tents, one for his parents and one for himself and Jared. While everyone else got busy setting out cooking tools, Grady set off to check out the nearby stream. It was supposed to be deep enough to swim in a few places.

As he neared the stream, something caught his eye. There was an adorable black bear cub—a small creature, no more than two feet tall. It seemed to be playing at the edge of the water. Grady moved closer to get a better look. Then Grady heard a rustling behind him. He remembered that the cub could not be alone. He looked up and saw its mother.

Should he run? Should he hide? Should he try to climb a tree?

He remembered the stories his dad told. Carefully, he slipped his back back off his back and lay it on the ground. Then he walked slowly away. The mother bear pawed at the bag, sniffing it curiously, but did not follow Grady.

Back at the campsite, Jared had caught a bug. “Grady, Grady! Look what I found!”

“Where’s your backpack, son?” Grady’s father asked.

“Have I got a story for you…” began Grady.

QUESTION: During the rising action, ____.

The Surprise Encounter

Grady slung his backpack over his shoulder and slammed the door of the car shut.

“This is going to be a really long week,” he said to no one in particular. He looked around at the campground. Blue-green fir trees, some as tall as church spires, covered the mountainside. It was nearly 8:30. The sun would be setting soon. Then, Grady thought, maybe the heat wouldn’t feel like a coat. Even up here in the mountains, the hot stickiness of July clung to him.

Grady hated camping, but it was something his family insisted on every summer. His father liked cooking over an open fire, telling stories about how to survive things like bear attacks and swarms of bees. His mother and Jared liked to hike and take pictures of animals. Jared was his seven-year-old brother. He had a collection of bug pictures that he’d taped to the walls in his half of their room. Bugs on leaves, bugs on tree trunks, bugs crawling in dirt. Grady thought they were just plain creepy and considered them proof that Jared was weird.

They set up camp—two tents, one for his parents and one for himself and Jared. While everyone else got busy setting out cooking tools, Grady set off to check out the nearby stream. It was supposed to be deep enough to swim in a few places.

As he neared the stream, something caught his eye. There was an adorable black bear cub—a small creature, no more than two feet tall. It seemed to be playing at the edge of the water. Grady moved closer to get a better look. Then Grady heard a rustling behind him. He remembered that the cub could not be alone. He looked up and saw its mother.

Should he run? Should he hide? Should he try to climb a tree?

He remembered the stories his dad told. Carefully, he slipped his back back off his back and lay it on the ground. Then he walked slowly away. The mother bear pawed at the bag, sniffing it curiously, but did not follow Grady.

Back at the campsite, Jared had caught a bug. “Grady, Grady! Look what I found!”

“Where’s your backpack, son?” Grady’s father asked.

“Have I got a story for you…” began Grady.

QUESTION: During the falling action, ____.

The Surprise Encounter

Grady slung his backpack over his shoulder and slammed the door of the car shut.

“This is going to be a really long week,” he said to no one in particular. He looked around at the campground. Blue-green fir trees, some as tall as church spires, covered the mountainside. It was nearly 8:30. The sun would be setting soon. Then, Grady thought, maybe the heat wouldn’t feel like a coat. Even up here in the mountains, the hot stickiness of July clung to him.

Grady hated camping, but it was something his family insisted on every summer. His father liked cooking over an open fire, telling stories about how to survive things like bear attacks and swarms of bees. His mother and Jared liked to hike and take pictures of animals. Jared was his seven-year-old brother. He had a collection of bug pictures that he’d taped to the walls in his half of their room. Bugs on leaves, bugs on tree trunks, bugs crawling in dirt. Grady thought they were just plain creepy and considered them proof that Jared was weird.

They set up camp—two tents, one for his parents and one for himself and Jared. While everyone else got busy setting out cooking tools, Grady set off to check out the nearby stream. It was supposed to be deep enough to swim in a few places.

As he neared the stream, something caught his eye. There was an adorable black bear cub—a small creature, no more than two feet tall. It seemed to be playing at the edge of the water. Grady moved closer to get a better look. Then Grady heard a rustling behind him. He remembered that the cub could not be alone. He looked up and saw its mother.

Should he run? Should he hide? Should he try to climb a tree?

He remembered the stories his dad told. Carefully, he slipped his back back off his back and lay it on the ground. Then he walked slowly away. The mother bear pawed at the bag, sniffing it curiously, but did not follow Grady.

Back at the campsite, Jared had caught a bug. “Grady, Grady! Look what I found!”

“Where’s your backpack, son?” Grady’s father asked.

“Have I got a story for you…” began Grady.

QUESTION: The main idea of this story is:

The Surprise Encounter

Grady slung his backpack over his shoulder and slammed the door of the car shut.

“This is going to be a really long week,” he said to no one in particular. He looked around at the campground. Blue-green fir trees, some as tall as church spires, covered the mountainside. It was nearly 8:30. The sun would be setting soon. Then, Grady thought, maybe the heat wouldn’t feel like a coat. Even up here in the mountains, the hot stickiness of July clung to him.

Grady hated camping, but it was something his family insisted on every summer. His father liked cooking over an open fire, telling stories about how to survive things like bear attacks and swarms of bees. His mother and Jared liked to hike and take pictures of animals. Jared was his seven-year-old brother. He had a collection of bug pictures that he’d taped to the walls in his half of their room. Bugs on leaves, bugs on tree trunks, bugs crawling in dirt. Grady thought they were just plain creepy and considered them proof that Jared was weird.

They set up camp—two tents, one for his parents and one for himself and Jared. While everyone else got busy setting out cooking tools, Grady set off to check out the nearby stream. It was supposed to be deep enough to swim in a few places.

As he neared the stream, something caught his eye. There was an adorable black bear cub—a small creature, no more than two feet tall. It seemed to be playing at the edge of the water. Grady moved closer to get a better look. Then Grady heard a rustling behind him. He remembered that the cub could not be alone. He looked up and saw its mother.

Should he run? Should he hide? Should he try to climb a tree?

He remembered the stories his dad told. Carefully, he slipped his back back off his back and lay it on the ground. Then he walked slowly away. The mother bear pawed at the bag, sniffing it curiously, but did not follow Grady.

Back at the campsite, Jared had caught a bug. “Grady, Grady! Look what I found!”

“Where’s your backpack, son?” Grady’s father asked.

“Have I got a story for you…” began Grady.

QUESTION: Which of the following is a theme of this story?

The Surprise Encounter

Grady slung his backpack over his shoulder and slammed the door of the car shut.

“This is going to be a really long week,” he said to no one in particular. He looked around at the campground. Blue-green fir trees, some as tall as church spires, covered the mountainside. It was nearly 8:30. The sun would be setting soon. Then, Grady thought, maybe the heat wouldn’t feel like a coat. Even up here in the mountains, the hot stickiness of July clung to him.

Grady hated camping, but it was something his family insisted on every summer. His father liked cooking over an open fire, telling stories about how to survive things like bear attacks and swarms of bees. His mother and Jared liked to hike and take pictures of animals. Jared was his seven-year-old brother. He had a collection of bug pictures that he’d taped to the walls in his half of their room. Bugs on leaves, bugs on tree trunks, bugs crawling in dirt. Grady thought they were just plain creepy and considered them proof that Jared was weird.

They set up camp—two tents, one for his parents and one for himself and Jared. While everyone else got busy setting out cooking tools, Grady set off to check out the nearby stream. It was supposed to be deep enough to swim in a few places.

As he neared the stream, something caught his eye. There was an adorable black bear cub—a small creature, no more than two feet tall. It seemed to be playing at the edge of the water. Grady moved closer to get a better look. Then Grady heard a rustling behind him. He remembered that the cub could not be alone. He looked up and saw its mother.

Should he run? Should he hide? Should he try to climb a tree?

He remembered the stories his dad told. Carefully, he slipped his back back off his back and lay it on the ground. Then he walked slowly away. The mother bear pawed at the bag, sniffing it curiously, but did not follow Grady.

Back at the campsite, Jared had caught a bug. “Grady, Grady! Look what I found!”

“Where’s your backpack, son?” Grady’s father asked.

“Have I got a story for you…” began Grady.

QUESTION: The word "encounter" in the title most closely means?

The Surprise Encounter

Grady slung his backpack over his shoulder and slammed the door of the car shut.

“This is going to be a really long week,” he said to no one in particular. He looked around at the campground. Blue-green fir trees, some as tall as church spires, covered the mountainside. It was nearly 8:30. The sun would be setting soon. Then, Grady thought, maybe the heat wouldn’t feel like a coat. Even up here in the mountains, the hot stickiness of July clung to him.

Grady hated camping, but it was something his family insisted on every summer. His father liked cooking over an open fire, telling stories about how to survive things like bear attacks and swarms of bees. His mother and Jared liked to hike and take pictures of animals. Jared was his seven-year-old brother. He had a collection of bug pictures that he’d taped to the walls in his half of their room. Bugs on leaves, bugs on tree trunks, bugs crawling in dirt. Grady thought they were just plain creepy and considered them proof that Jared was weird.

They set up camp—two tents, one for his parents and one for himself and Jared. While everyone else got busy setting out cooking tools, Grady set off to check out the nearby stream. It was supposed to be deep enough to swim in a few places.

As he neared the stream, something caught his eye. There was an adorable black bear cub—a small creature, no more than two feet tall. It seemed to be playing at the edge of the water. Grady moved closer to get a better look. Then Grady heard a rustling behind him. He remembered that the cub could not be alone. He looked up and saw its mother.

Should he run? Should he hide? Should he try to climb a tree?

He remembered the stories his dad told. Carefully, he slipped his back back off his back and lay it on the ground. Then he walked slowly away. The mother bear pawed at the bag, sniffing it curiously, but did not follow Grady.

Back at the campsite, Jared had caught a bug. “Grady, Grady! Look what I found!”

“Where’s your backpack, son?” Grady’s father asked.

“Have I got a story for you…” began Grady.

QUESTION: The word "spires" in paragraph 2 probably means:

The Surprise Encounter

Grady slung his backpack over his shoulder and slammed the door of the car shut.

“This is going to be a really long week,” he said to no one in particular. He looked around at the campground. Blue-green fir trees, some as tall as church spires, covered the mountainside. It was nearly 8:30. The sun would be setting soon. Then, Grady thought, maybe the heat wouldn’t feel like a coat. Even up here in the mountains, the hot stickiness of July clung to him.

Grady hated camping, but it was something his family insisted on every summer. His father liked cooking over an open fire, telling stories about how to survive things like bear attacks and swarms of bees. His mother and Jared liked to hike and take pictures of animals. Jared was his seven-year-old brother. He had a collection of bug pictures that he’d taped to the walls in his half of their room. Bugs on leaves, bugs on tree trunks, bugs crawling in dirt. Grady thought they were just plain creepy and considered them proof that Jared was weird.

They set up camp—two tents, one for his parents and one for himself and Jared. While everyone else got busy setting out cooking tools, Grady set off to check out the nearby stream. It was supposed to be deep enough to swim in a few places.

As he neared the stream, something caught his eye. There was an adorable black bear cub—a small creature, no more than two feet tall. It seemed to be playing at the edge of the water. Grady moved closer to get a better look. Then Grady heard a rustling behind him. He remembered that the cub could not be alone. He looked up and saw its mother.

Should he run? Should he hide? Should he try to climb a tree?

He remembered the stories his dad told. Carefully, he slipped his back back off his back and lay it on the ground. Then he walked slowly away. The mother bear pawed at the bag, sniffing it curiously, but did not follow Grady.

Back at the campsite, Jared had caught a bug. “Grady, Grady! Look what I found!”

“Where’s your backpack, son?” Grady’s father asked.

“Have I got a story for you…” began Grady.

QUESTION: Based on this passage, we can infer that Grady is ____: