1. education
2. school

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Copyright © 2014 Edmentum - All rights reserved.
Setting
A Day at the Beach
Lone Cove Beach was Tracy's favorite spot on the island. Each summer when her family vacationed here, the day they spent at
Lone Cove was always the best. So Tracy had high hopes as she and her little brother, Stephen, hauled the picnic basket down the
hill from the car. Their parents followed behind with the rest of their gear. Tracy could already hear the waves gently lapping against
the polished stones along the shore. As her sandaled feet touched the first pebbles of Lone Cove Beach, she felt the worries and
stresses of the past school year slipping away.
Tracy and Stephen set down the basket near a driftwood log, and in moments, had stripped down to their swimsuits and were
racing for the water. The first few steps into the surf felt sun-warmed and toasty on Tracy's feet and legs, but soon she hit the ice cold
waters of Puget Sound. With a happy giggle, she jumped in over her head and came up sputtering. Then she swam back and forth
until she barely felt the chill, as her brother contentedly played in the shallow surf.
With a blissful feeling that all was right with the world, Tracy turned on her back and floated like an otter, letting the waters of
Puget Sound cradle her. Closing her eyes, she felt a grin spread across her face, one she fully expected to stay there all day.
1. Which word best describes the setting?
A. lonely
B. relaxing
C. serious
D. fearful
2. When does this story take place?
A. during the school year
B. on a summer day
C. the winter holidays
D. on Spring Break
3. What is the setting for this story?
A. a cruise ship
B. Tracy's school
C. an ocean beach
D. an island beach
The Machine of the Future
I sat at the kitchen table trying to concentrate on my writing assignment. I squirmed in my chair and eagerly looked out the window
every few minutes. I was much too excited to concentrate on my essay. I was supposed to write about our new president, Woodrow
Wilson. Instead, all I could think about was my dad bringing home a “machine of the future” as he called it. He was out buying a car.
It is 1913, so I’ve seen many cars puttering down the city streets. However, I always thought they were meant for only the rich folks.
I never thought my family would be able to afford one. As I looked around our small three-room home, I couldn’t help but feel that it
looked very humble. Our farmhouse had plain wood floors and simple wood furniture. Curtains, made from scraps of old clothes,
hung over every window. Worn-out pillows and quilts made the living room look old and tired. Overall, it looked plain, but soon, a
shiny, black Model T was going to be parked outside. Everyone in our neighborhood would be impressed and want a ride. I couldn’t
wait to go for my first car ride into town with my family.
4. Why is it important for readers to know that this story takes place in 1913?
A. to explain the many duties of the newly elected president
B. to show how students had to write essays for homework
C. to provide a reason for the narrator's excitement for cars
D. to show why the family was too poor to afford a new car
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5. Which detail from the passage describes the setting?
A. “Everyone in our neighborhood would be impressed and want a ride.”
B. “However, I always thought they were meant for only the rich folks.”
C. “I couldn’t wait to go for my first car ride into town with my family.”
D. :“Our farmhouse had plain wood floors and simple wood furniture.”:“Curtains, made from scraps of old clothes,
hung over every window.”:“Worn-out pillows and quilts made the living room look old and tired.”:
George Washington Carver’s Dream
"I want to learn! I want to learn!" George Washington Carver said these words to himself everyday as he worked on the Carvers'
farm.
George was a sponge, absorbing information from everywhere. However, his greatest dream and secret wish was to go to school.
His aunt Sue taught him new words, but that was not enough for him. He wanted to read, write, and know the names of the flowers
and birds he saw every day. He wanted to learn about writers and painters. His dream was to go to school. He wanted to know
everything!
George could not go to school near his family’s farm, which was on the outskirts of Diamond Grove, Missouri. That school was only
for white children. So, at ten years of age, George decided to leave Diamond Grove.
Early one morning, dressed in his best clothes, George said goodbye to his family. Then, he left the only home he had ever known
and set out, all alone. George knew that in Neosho there was a school that would allow him to attend classes. Neosho was eight miles
away.
He arrived there after the school had already closed for the day, so he had to sleep in a barn near the school. The shuffling of the
horses' feet and the soft sound of their breathing comforted the lonely, frightened child. The following morning, he woke up and was
very hungry.
He left the barn and was discovered by Mariah Watkins, who was going to the barn to collect wood for her stove. She invited
George in for breakfast. Mariah and her husband, Andy, believed in George’s dream of getting an education. They invited him to live
with them.
George went to school in Neosho. When the other kids left for recess, he would stay behind and fix fences, cut the grass, or sweep
and clean until the bell that told the students to come back rang. He gladly did his chores because his dream had come true. He was
in school!
6. How does the setting change from the beginning to the end of the story?
A. The setting changed from George's old school to his new school in the Watkins' barn.
B. The setting changed from the Carvers' farm to the Watkins' farm and George's school.
C. The setting changed from the Watkins' farm in Diamond Grove to the Carver's farm in Neosho.
D. The setting changed from George's elementary school to his high school on the Carver's farm.
7. Which word describes the Watkins' barn?
A. gross
B. frightening
C. safe
D. empty
The Forgotten Shoes
by T. Herlinger
Kurt had been looking forward to Track and Field Day all year, and it was finally here. All around him, the playground and field
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had been completely changed. The gym teacher, Mr. Ferris, had marked off chalk tracks in the gravel for the running races. The high
jump pit stood at the ready with its thick red mat. The sandbox was raked and smooth for the long jump and triple jump. Everything on
the school grounds seemed to be tense and waiting for the competition to begin, as Kurt and the other young athletes burst out the
school doors and made their way toward their events. Kurt was just about to go get warmed up for the long jump, his best event,
when he noticed his little brother, Jeff, sitting on the basketball court crying.
"What's up, buddy?" he asked, sitting down beside him.
"I forgot my gym shoes at home," Jeff whined, and then sniffed loudly. "Mr. Ferris won't let me run in my school shoes. He says I'd
get hurt."
"He's right, you know," Kurt said, and sighed. Then he had an idea. "Hey, when is your race?"
"In about 15 minutes," Jeff answered sadly.
"Well, that's plenty of time for me to get home and back, if I run," Kurt announced and began tightening the laces of his running
shoes.
"But, you'll miss your event! You love the long jump!" Jeff cried.
Kurt shrugged. "There'll be other years, and besides, I'll be back in time for the triple jump. No worries!" he said. And with that, he
ran back inside the building to let the people in the school office know where he was going.
When Mr. Ferris found out what Kurt had done—that he had given up his place in the long jump to help his brother—he was
impressed. He even held off starting the competition until Kurt came back, holding his brother's gym shoes and grinning from ear to
ear.
8. The setting for this story is
A. the inside of a school building.
B. the street where Jeff and Kurt live.
C. a school playground and field.
D. the road from school to Jeff's house.
9. The setting in this story creates a feeling of
A. excitement.
B. confusion.
C. danger.
D. humor.
10. How does the setting contribute to the plot?
A. It explains why Kurt helps his brother.
B. It suggests that Jeff really likes basketball.
C. It helps readers picture Track and Field Day.
D. It suggests that Jeff is being a weak person.
Jerry was a gray and white cat. He was fed twice a day and liked to do pleasant things. The thing he liked most was
chasing his tail. He came close to catching it, but it was always just out of reach.
One day, a kitten named Molly came to live at Jerry’s home. Molly was friendly. She enjoyed watching Jerry chase
his tail.
“You will never catch it,” said Molly. Her words made Jerry really want to catch it. One morning, Jerry caught it! He
decided he would never let it go.
Molly laughed and went to lick Jerry’s ears. It tickled. He wanted her to stop, but he could not speak. He had to put
up with it.
Then, the cats heard food being poured. Molly ran to her bowl. Jerry tried to run but kept falling down.
“You cannot eat with your tail in your mouth,” said Molly. “I will eat your food.”
“No!” said Jerry. His tail popped out of his mouth. He ate his food quickly.
After that, Jerry still liked to chase his tail. If he did catch it, he held it for a second. Then he set it free so that he
could chase it again.
11. What is the setting of this story?
A. the vet's office
B. Molly's room
C. Jerry's house
D. the kennel
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12. Which word best describes the setting of this story?
A. comfortable
B. windy
C. dangerous
D. scary
Last Dance
The auditorium was dark and empty now. It looked so vast without the viewers in their seats. The stage was vacant of sets and
props. There was silence. One dancer remained. Esperanza, still in her costume, took her mark and began her elegant twirling dance,
again. She had given the best performance of her life. The cheering and clapping still echoed in her mind.
I never want to leave this stage, she thought.
Ramon waited and waited by the backstage door. He wanted to congratulate Esperanza on her final dance before her graduation.
She had enchanted the audience that night. No one could take their eyes off her, including him. She was so graceful.
Ramon wondered, Where could she be? It’s getting late. He decided to knock on her dressing room door. There was no answer.
Ramon thought, Where is she? Could she still be on the stage?
13. When does the story take place?
A. at night, after Ramon has left town
B. during the day, before Ramon performs
C. at night, before Esperanza's graduation
D. during the day, on Esperanza's birthday
14. How does the setting contribute to the plot?
A. It suggests that Ramon is a bad friend because he cannot find Esperanza.
B. It shows that the audience will not leave because Esperanza dances so well.
C. It makes the reader think that Esperanza will not dance on a different stage.
D. It helps the reader better understand Esperanza's experience as a dancer.
Moment of Decision
by T. Herlinger
Somehow the roller coaster looked far more dangerous when you were standing right beneath it. That's what Marta was thinking
as she lined up with her friends Charlene and Paul to buy tickets. She stared up into the midday sun and watched the train of cars
whipping around the track, and her palms began to sweat. At that moment, there were a million other things at the state fair that she'd
rather be doing, like eating cotton candy or riding the merry-go-round.
Just then, Paul nudged her with his elbow. "Looks awesome, doesn't it?" He was grinning and pointing up at the cars that had just
zipped straight down from the highest point on the ride. Kids were screaming and yelling as the train sped straight downward.
But Marta wasn't thinking "awesome" at that moment; she was thinking of more like "terrifying."
The shiny metal train had come to a halt just beyond the ticket booth and kids were climbing out, some looking excited and others
looking scared. Marta tried to picture herself getting on the ride, and it only made her feel sick. She and her friends were nearing the
ticket booth now. Marta knew she had to say something, but she was afraid her friends would think she was a chicken. She took a
deep breath.
"Umm, guys," she said finally, staring down at the sawdust around her feet, "I think I'll skip this one, if you don't mind."
Charlene and Paul turned to look at her. Then Charlene laughed. "What a relief!" she said. "This ride is way too scary for me."
Paul chimed in. "Yeah, it looks awesome, but I'd kind of rather watch it than ride it."
"I thought you wanted to ride it!" Charlene said when she heard Paul's comment.
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"Nah, I was only going because you two seemed so excited about it."
"Excited?" Marta laughed. "How about scared to death? C'mon. I can think of something much more fun to do that doesn't involve
dropping from great heights."
And with that, the three friends happily went off to eat their fill of cotton candy.
15. Which word best describes the setting?
A. scary
B. happy
C. relaxed
D. angry
16. How is the setting important to this story?
A. It suggests that Marta hates crowds.
B. It helps explain Marta's fear.
C. It shows how the friends first meet.
D. It creates a mood of mystery.
17. When does this story takes place?
A. first thing in the morning
B. just as the sun is setting
C. in the middle of the day
D. very late at night
Disappointment
Lola sat on the old, lumpy couch crying. She could let it all out here, alone in her mother’s small, quiet apartment in Galesburg,
Illinois. The familiar walls were covered in rose pink wallpaper. Goldie, her mother’s eleventh fish, seemed to stare sympathetically at
Lola through the fishbowl sitting on the counter. The smell of her mother’s vanilla candles comforted her aching heart.
Lola allowed herself to think out loud. “It is so unfair! I am the best person for the job. Instead, my classmates voted for Ricky to be
class president. Ricky is such a clown—always making jokes. What can he offer the school? Now all my plans to improve the school
seem worthless.”
Lola decided to stay home and sulk, rather than attend the football game that night. She wasn’t ready to face Ricky. She was sure
he would have plenty of jokes to make at her expense.
18. How does the setting affect the characters or their actions?
A. The classmates realize they made a mistake by voting for Ricky.
B. Ricky laughs and makes jokes about how he won the election.
C. Lola's mom is sorry that she is not able to comfort her daughter.
D. Lola openly expresses how she feels about the class election.
19. What is the setting of this story?
A. Lola's mother's apartment
B. a high school football game
C. the town square in Galesburg
D. Lola's high school auditorium
Jack's car rumbled through the nighttime forest. The trees seemed to leer back at him with dark, unfriendly eyes. The only light
that he could see was from his headlights.
The road had no signs, no highway markers, and no other cars. He hadn't seen another vehicle since passing an 18-wheeler an
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hour ago. If his car broke down, there would be no place to go.
As if on cue, his headlights dimmed and the engine began winding down. It was as if the battery had died, but he had just
replaced it.
Slowly, the car came to a stop on the side of the road. There was complete silence.
There had to be some sort of wild animals making noises in the underbrush, but there were no sounds except for his pounding
heart.
Jack got out and looked around. Woods surrounded the road on all sides. The shadows of the trees blocked out any view.
"Hello!" Jack shouted loudly. "Anybody there?!"
No one answered. Jack felt uncomfortable that there was no echo to follow his shouts.
The thought of walking down the road alone in the darkness was not appealing. Still, it made better sense to follow the road rather
than to risk the woods. The moonlight would guide him. He thanked the full moon. He smiled, thinking of the silly myth of werewolves.
He stared up at the sky and was disturbed. The moon was gone. There were no stars. It was very strange; there was no visible
light source in the sky, yet he could still see a little in the darkness. Was this an illusion? Where had all the stars and the moon gone?
As fear began to slide over his body, Jack thought he heard something in the woods. It sounded like a bear. Perhaps it had been
attracted by the sound of his shout.
The thing in the bushes was no bear. He could only see it when it moved, and it moved quite slowly, upsetting twigs and branches
in its path. It turned toward him, and Jack could see the only visible feature of its form.
A pair of dark, red eyes.
The eyes looked in his direction. The thing froze. The slitted eyes narrowed. They were looking at him.
Jack heard more rustling. Out of the darkness, more things rose. They continued to stare back at him, studying him, calculating
him.
Jack didn't move. He wanted to scream.
One of the creatures crept forward on all fours. It crawled pass the tree line. It had no features. It moved like a walking shadow.
The thing stood and hissed at Jack. But Jack didn't wait to see what it was. . .he ran!
20. How does the setting add to the plot?
A. It helps the reader understand that Jack is crazy.
B. It lets the reader know that Jack will be alright.
C. It makes the story suspenseful and scary.
D. It tells the reader that Jack is just having a nightmare.
21. What is the setting of this story?
A. a strange, dark forest
B. a friendly jungle
C. a calm stream
D. a peaceful meadow
An Orange Story
(a tall tale)
There was once a little girl who lived in a forest. The forest was big, and it had many kinds of trees. The little girl played with the
squirrels and sang with the birds.
One spring, the grass was green and the flowers were blooming. As the little girl was playing in the forest, she found an orange
tree. There was a bird pecking on an orange with its beak. The little girl thought the orange must be tasty. So, she plucked a small
orange from the tree. Now, she did not know how to eat the orange. She ate the skin and the seeds, too. The orange did not taste
good at all.
The little girl grew bored and took a nap under the tree. She was in a deep sleep when she felt something crawling out of her ears.
It was a leaf. This woke her up. Then, she saw a long branch come out of her nose. The little girl was scared. A tree was growing
inside her stomach! She prayed that the leaf and the branch would go away. The leaf and the branch went back into her stomach and
became a seed again.
Since then, people do not eat the seeds of an orange.
22. How does the setting contribute to the plot?
A. It tells the reader how to grow an orange tree in one's stomach.
B. It makes the reader want to sing along with the birds.
C. It helps the reader better picture the events of the story.
D. It shows the reader how little girls act when living in the forest.
23. What is the setting of this story?
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A. a branch
B. a zoo
C. a forest
D. a house
Waiting
John had strict instructions from his parents. He was told to get on the 8:15 a.m. train to St. Louis, where his
grandmother lived, and to watch his sister Marley. So far, John and Marley had made their way through the station, a
large building crowded with travelers. Five ticket booths stood along one wall, with long lines stretching from each
booth. The wall at the other end of the building was made completely of windows, with a set of double doors in the
middle. Outside the doors was the platform, where people stood to wait for their train.
John carried their tickets in his pocket and held Marley's hand tightly. He led her to a set of benches near the
windows and sat down. Marley pulled a coloring book and crayons from her bag and began to color quietly. John looked
around at the other people in the train station. When he glanced back toward Marley, she was not sitting next to him.
John leapt out of his seat and looked all around. It was impossible to see very well with so many people moving
around. John called Marley's name, but he could barely hear himself. He ran toward the wall of windows, darting around
travelers and trying to see. Just before he reached the wall, John saw Marley bending down to pick up one of her
crayons.
"Hi, John!" she called to him, waving. She held up the crayon. "It rolled away from me!"
John was relieved to find Marley, and he held her hand as they walked back to their seats. Just as they reached their
bags, John heard the announcement that their train had arrived.
24. What does the setting tell us about John?
A. He takes the responsibility for his sister seriously.
B. He is not old enough to travel to St. Louis alone.
C. He has never visited his grandmother in St. Louis.
D. He does not want to be lost at the train station.
25. How does the setting contribute to the plot?
A. It helps the reader visualize the events in the story.
B. It makes the reader not want to travel far alone.
C. It helps the reader know how to buy a train ticket.
D. It makes the reader want to take a trip on a train.
26. Where does the passage take place?
A. in a grocery store
B. at John's house
C. at Grandma's house
D. at a train station
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The sound of the alarm knocked Roger Wilco awake from his nap in the storage closet. It was followed by intercom message,
something about the Arcada being boarded by alien intruders. The message ended abruptly.
Cautiously, Roger cracked the storage closet open and discovered a scary sight. Several alien intruders marched by, their laser
guns at the ready. Roger snapped the closet shut and briefly wondered about making a break to the escape ship. He had no weapon,
and thus no way to defend himself from the aliens. How would he survive?
The intercom came on again. Roger recognized the voice of Captain Quirk, the ship's commander. "Attention! The Star Generator
is under attack! Repeat, the Star Generator is—" The message was cut off by what sounded like a loud explosion.
The Star Generator, of course, was the high-tech piece of technology on board the Arcada. It was capable of turning any planet
into a small star. Of course, the Star Generator could be a deadly weapon if it fell into the wrong hands.
It was up to Roger Wilco, the janitor, to stop the aliens' plot. He grabbed his broom and went out into the hallway.
27. What is the setting of this story?
A. a prison
B. a meadow in a distant land
C. outer space
D. the Old West
The Selfish Giant
by Oscar Wilde
Every afternoon, as they were coming from school, the children used to go and play in the Giant's garden.
It was a large lovely garden, with soft green grass. Here and there over the grass stood flowers like stars. There were twelve
peach-trees that in the spring-time broke out into soft blossoms of pink and pearl. In the autumn, it bore rich fruit. The birds sat on the
trees and sang so sweetly that the children used to stop their games in order to listen to them. "How happy we are here!" they cried to
each other.
28. Which words best describe the setting of this story?
A. beautiful, lush, enchanting
B. dark, gloomy, frightening
C. strict, quiet, proper
D. dry, boring, plain
29.
Visiting the orchard was a yearly tradition. The trees stood in neat rows, stretching out across two acres. The tree branches
were heavy with large red apples, and a ladder leaned against each tree trunk. Christopher and Mark could not wait to get out of the
car and start picking apples.
They gathered baskets and hurried into the orchard. Mark scrambled up the ladder into a tree and peered for a moment through
the bright green leaves. He picked ripe apples with both hands and dropped them into the basket Christopher held as he balanced on
the ladder. Once that tree had been harvested, the boys switched roles. Christopher climbed up into the next tree to pick the ripest,
shiniest apples.
When the boys had filled three baskets, they carried the apples to a small building at the edge of the orchard. A clerk there moved
the apples into paper bags and sent the boys on their way. Christopher and Mark could not wait to sample all of the wonderful foods
the apples would make.
Where does this story take place?
A. in a dense forest
B. at an apple orchard
C. in a brick building
D. at a peach orchard
Nikita pedaled fast to build some speed. Then, she relaxed and coasted. The cement trail was lined with oak trees and wild plants.
North Texas had received plenty of rain that spring and the results were remarkable. The vegetation had grown thick and tall since the
winter months. The warm sunlight found its way through the vivid green leaves of trees and plants. Nikita deeply inhaled the fragrance
of wildflowers. It was a sweet and heavy perfume. Butterflies rested on the many blossoms. Nikita smiled as bright red cardinals flew
across the path in front of her. They sang joyful greetings to her as she passed. Rabbits hopped around and stopped to munch on
grass. Nikita was happy to be alive. She continued to pedal until she saw the strangest sight she had ever seen.
A coyote with a squirrel riding on its back was walking down the path. Nikita was astonished. She slowed her bike to follow along
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behind the strange animals. The squirrel turned to look at her.
“What are you staring at?” the squirrel asked gruffly.
Nikita nearly fell off her bike. She looked around hoping to find another witness to this unusual happening.
“I’m talking to you, lady! It’s not only rude to stare, but it’s also rude to not answer when you’re spoken to!” the squirrel scolded.
“I’m sorry. I’ve never seen a talking squirrel riding on a coyote before,” Nikita said, bewildered.
The coyote did not seem to mind Nikita’s presence. He just kept walking and looking straight ahead.
30. How does the setting affect the story's plot?
A. It makes the story more unbelievable because a talking squirrel would more likely be found on a busy street in a
large city.
B. It draws attention to Nikita's bike riding skills which she must use to follow the two animals on the trail at a safe
distance.
C. It adds to the element of fantasy, because it is easy to imagine something strange happening on a forest trail
full of wildlife.
D. It creates a feeling of sympathy towards the animals because their natural forest home is being invaded by
humans.
31. What is the best way to describe the setting?
A. a sunny day on a trail surrounded by trees
B. a quiet night on a path through a garden
C. a stormy night in a forest full of wild animals
D. a cold, rainy day in a North Texas city park
Hedo focused on every stroke. He had to keep rowing. He was so close to the finish line. Stroke! Stroke! Stroke! This was the only
word repeating in his mind. He did not notice the cold air, the cloudy sky, the strong wind, and chilling brown water. He did not hear
the frantic yelling of the crowd. He did not see the waves rushing towards him. This was his victory! The nose of Hedo’s boat crossed
the finish line first! In fact, his entire boat swept past the finish line before any of the others even started to cross it. He had won the
rowing championship! The crowd was standing at the shoreline cheering. He rose and climbed onto the dock.
32. The author uses the setting to
A. compare Hedo's reactions to the weather with those of the other racers.
B. compare the loudness of the crowd to the sound of Hedo's mighty rowing.
C. contrast the crowd's desire for Hedo to win with the water's calmness.
D. contrast Hedo's focus on winning the race to all of the chaos around him.
33. Where does this story take place?
A. outdoors, in the middle of the ocean
B. outdoors, on and near a body of water
C. indoors, in an arena with a large pool
D. indoors, in a large arena over a lake
Vacation
It had been raining for days, and Sarah almost believed that the water was now seeping through the walls and the floor. The
centuries-old castle belonged to Sarah's aunt and uncle. She had been sent to stay with them while her parents cruised around the
Mediterranean Sea for the summer, and Sarah had quickly grown tired of the grey, cold weather in northern Scotland. Still, Sarah
enjoyed looking out her bedroom window at the emerald meadows that stretched for miles toward the nearby lake.
Sarah got up from her window seat and went downstairs. In the kitchen, she smelled breakfast being cooked. Sarah's Aunt Lana
looked up at her with a smile and wiped her hands on a dishtowel. Lana asked if Sarah had read anything good lately, and Sarah
shook her head.
"When we moved here, all I wanted to do was read," Lana said. "So whenever I had free time, I would go down to the rocks on the
lakeshore and read for hours."
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Sarah remembered what her aunt had said. After breakfast, she carried a book down the path to the lake. She found a flat spot in
the rocks to sit. After a while, Sarah looked out over the water, calm and covered with a thin layer of mist. Suddenly, Sarah was struck
with the urge to write. She picked up her book and ran back to the house, searching for a pen and notebook.
For the next several weeks, Sarah spent every morning between breakfast and lunch at her new spot on the lakeshore. Something
about the cool air and the calm water made her feel very creative. She wrote about everything. Sarah described the land around her,
the castle, and the people she met. She wrote letters to her parents about helping Aunt Lana cook.
At the end of the summer, Sarah felt torn. She was excited to see her friends again, but she wondered if she would be able to write
so freely back home. Sarah grabbed her notebook from her luggage as she headed back home. She knew she wanted to keep writing
down everything she could.
34. Where does this story mostly take place?
A. on a cattle ranch
B. on a ship in the ocean
C. near a lake in Scotland
D. in a house in the city
35. How does the setting affect the characters or their actions?
A. Sarah can help Lana with her problems.
B. Sarah becomes comfortable with being alone.
C. Sarah's uncle learns how to maintain a castle.
D. Sarah can express herself through writing.
36. Which of the following lines from the passage uses setting to help reveal characterization?
A. Sarah had quickly grown tired of the grey, cold weather in northern Scotland.
B. Lana asked if Sarah had read anything good lately, and Sarah shook her head.
C. Sarah grabbed her notebook from her luggage as she headed back home.
D. Sarah described the land around her, the castle, and the people she met.
Disappointment
Lola sat on the old, lumpy couch crying. She could let it all out here, alone in her mother’s small, quiet apartment in Galesburg,
Illinois. The familiar walls were covered in rose pink wallpaper. Goldie, her mother’s eleventh fish, seemed to stare sympathetically at
Lola through the fishbowl sitting on the counter. The smell of her mother’s vanilla candles comforted her aching heart.
Lola allowed herself to think out loud. “It is so unfair! I am the best person for the job. Instead, my classmates voted for Ricky to be
class president. Ricky is such a clown—always making jokes. What can he offer the school? Now all my plans to improve the school
seem worthless.”
Lola decided to stay home and sulk, rather than attend the football game that night. She wasn’t ready to face Ricky. She was sure
he would have plenty of jokes to make at her expense.
37. How does the setting affect the characters or their actions?
A. Lola's mom is sorry that she is not able to comfort her daughter.
B. Ricky laughs and makes jokes about how he won the election.
C. The classmates realize they made a mistake by voting for Ricky.
D. Lola openly expresses how she feels about the class election.
38. What is the setting of this story?
A. the town square in Galesburg
B. Lola's high school auditorium
C. Lola's mother's apartment
D. a high school football game
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Jack's car rumbled through the nighttime forest. The trees seemed to leer back at him with dark, unfriendly eyes. The only light
that he could see was from his headlights.
The road had no signs, no highway markers, and no other cars. He hadn't seen another vehicle since passing an 18-wheeler an
hour ago. If his car broke down, there would be no place to go.
As if on cue, his headlights dimmed and the engine began winding down. It was as if the battery had died, but he had just
replaced it.
Slowly, the car came to a stop on the side of the road. There was complete silence.
There had to be some sort of wild animals making noises in the underbrush, but there were no sounds except for his pounding
heart.
Jack got out and looked around. Woods surrounded the road on all sides. The shadows of the trees blocked out any view.
"Hello!" Jack shouted loudly. "Anybody there?!"
No one answered. Jack felt uncomfortable that there was no echo to follow his shouts.
The thought of walking down the road alone in the darkness was not appealing. Still, it made better sense to follow the road rather
than to risk the woods. The moonlight would guide him. He thanked the full moon. He smiled, thinking of the silly myth of werewolves.
He stared up at the sky and was disturbed. The moon was gone. There were no stars. It was very strange; there was no visible
light source in the sky, yet he could still see a little in the darkness. Was this an illusion? Where had all the stars and the moon gone?
As fear began to slide over his body, Jack thought he heard something in the woods. It sounded like a bear. Perhaps it had been
attracted by the sound of his shout.
The thing in the bushes was no bear. He could only see it when it moved, and it moved quite slowly, upsetting twigs and branches
in its path. It turned toward him, and Jack could see the only visible feature of its form.
A pair of dark, red eyes.
The eyes looked in his direction. The thing froze. The slitted eyes narrowed. They were looking at him.
Jack heard more rustling. Out of the darkness, more things rose. They continued to stare back at him, studying him, calculating
him.
Jack didn't move. He wanted to scream.
One of the creatures crept forward on all fours. It crawled pass the tree line. It had no features. It moved like a walking shadow.
The thing stood and hissed at Jack. But Jack didn't wait to see what it was. . .he ran!
39. How does the setting add to the plot?
A. It makes the story suspenseful and scary.
B. It lets the reader know that Jack will be alright.
C. It helps the reader understand that Jack is crazy.
D. It tells the reader that Jack is just having a nightmare.
40. What is the setting of this story?
A. a peaceful meadow
B. a friendly jungle
C. a calm stream
D. a strange, dark forest
An Orange Story
(a tall tale)
There was once a little girl who lived in a forest. The forest was big, and it had many kinds of trees. The little girl played with the
squirrels and sang with the birds.
One spring, the grass was green and the flowers were blooming. As the little girl was playing in the forest, she found an orange
tree. There was a bird pecking on an orange with its beak. The little girl thought the orange must be tasty. So, she plucked a small
orange from the tree. Now, she did not know how to eat the orange. She ate the skin and the seeds, too. The orange did not taste
good at all.
The little girl grew bored and took a nap under the tree. She was in a deep sleep when she felt something crawling out of her ears.
It was a leaf. This woke her up. Then, she saw a long branch come out of her nose. The little girl was scared. A tree was growing
inside her stomach! She prayed that the leaf and the branch would go away. The leaf and the branch went back into her stomach and
became a seed again.
Since then, people do not eat the seeds of an orange.
41. How does the setting contribute to the plot?
A. It tells the reader how to grow an orange tree in one's stomach.
B. It shows the reader how little girls act when living in the forest.
C. It helps the reader better picture the events of the story.
D. It makes the reader want to sing along with the birds.
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Answers
1. B
2. B
3. D
4. C
5. D
6. B
7. C
8. C
9. A
10. C
11. C
12. A
13. C
14. D
15. A
16. B
17. C
18. D
19. A
20. C
21. A
22. C
23. C
24. A
25. A
26. D
27. C
28. A
29. B
30. C
31. A
32. D
33. B
34. C
35. D
36. A
37. D
38. C
39. A
40. D
41. C
Explanations
1. In this story, all the details having to do with the setting (where the story takes place) make it sound relaxing. The
waves are "gently lapping," Tracy's brother plays "contentedly" in the surf, and Tracy feels "cradled" by the water.
These images in the story help create a setting that is calm and peaceful.
2. The story says that the family goes to the island every summer. It also says that Tracy's worries from "the past
school" year are slipping away. These give you clues to the setting (when and where the story happens). They tell
you that the story is set on a summer's day.
3. The first line of the story says that Lone Cove Beach is Tracy's favorite place on the island. That sentence tells you
that the setting (where the story takes place) is a beach and that it is on an island.
4. The setting tells when and where a story takes place. It is important for the reader to know the setting is in 1913.
Cars were still new in 1913, so the narrator is very excited about getting a car. He says, "I couldn't wait to go for my
first car ride into town with my family." If the story took place in a more current year, the narrator probably would
not be as excited because he would have ridden in cars his whole life.
5. The setting tells when and where a story takes place. This story takes place in a farmhouse. The narrator
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describes the farmhouse in the second paragraph. The correct answer gives details about how the farmhouse looked.
6. The setting tells when and where a story takes place. The first part of the story takes place on George's family
farm. He was doing chores and studying with his aunt. Then, George "left the only home he had known and set out,
all alone." He arrived at the Watkins' farm and was able to live with Mariah and Andy Watkins, and then attended
school.
7. The setting tells when and where a story takes place. The author describes the setting using safe images. The
story says that the "shuffling of the horses' feet and the soft sound of their breathing comforted the lonely, frightened
child." George must have felt safe in the barn with the horses because he slept well that night. The author does not
describe the barn as empty, gross, or frightening.
8. To figure out the setting, ask yourself where this story takes place. The setting for the story is the playground and
field described in the second sentence. That is where most of the events of the story happen.
9. Look at the words that are used to describe the setting of this story (where it takes place). The high jump pit
"stood at the ready," and everything was "tense and waiting" for the events to begin. These descriptions give the
story's setting a feeling of excitement.
10. The setting is the place and time of a story. In this case, the setting is a special school day when kids compete in
track and field events. Details such as the red high jump mat and the chalk lines help readers imagine what the
playground looks like on that day.
11. The setting tells when and where a story takes place. The first line of paragraph two states, "One day, a fluffy
white kitten came to live at Jerry's home."
12. The setting tells when and where a story takes place. The author describes the setting with comfortable images.
Jerry eats twice a day, likes to do pleasant things, and chases his tail. These images are not dangerous, scary, or
windy.
13. The setting tells when and where a story takes place. The story takes place at night after Esperanza's final
performance before she graduates. The passage states that Ramon ". . . wanted to congratulate Esperanza on her
final dance before her graduation. She had enchanted the audience that night."
14. The setting contributes the plot by helping the reader relate to Esparanza's experience as a dancer. The story
takes place in an auditorium where Esperanza has just performed. The author describes the auditorium as "empty,"
"dark," "vast," and "silent." Esperanza stays on the stage and continues to dance regardless of the emptiness. This
shows that Esperanza does not want to leave the place where she has just given her best performance. The reader
can imagine what Esperanza is experiencing.
15. In this story, the setting (where it takes place) is the area of an amusement park near the roller coaster. The
description of the roller coaster as a scary ride is the most important part of the setting. Without it, the plot would not
make sense.
16. The setting of this story (where it takes place) is an area near a roller coaster at a state fair. Details about the
setting include the screaming kids and the train cars plunging down a steep track. This setting helps show readers
why Marta feels so much fear about getting on the ride. As it turns out, she is not alone—her friends feel the same
way!
17. If you read the first paragraph carefully, you will see that Marta "stared up into the midday sun." That tells you
that the story is happening in the middle of the day. When and where a story takes place is called the setting.
18. The story states, "She could let it all out here, alone in her mother's small, quiet apartment in Galesburg, Illinois.
Lola allowed herself to think out loud." These sentences tell the reader that Lola is comfortable with showing her
emotions when she is alone in her mother's apartment. If the story was set in public, Lola probably would not be so
open with her feelings about the election.
19. The setting tells when and where a story takes place. The passage states that Lola is "alone in her mother's small,
quiet apartment in Galesburg, Illinois."
20. The setting is very suspenseful and unnerving. Imagine how you would feel if you were transported into Jack's
situation.
21. The story is set in a weird forest where there is no moon and no stars, where strange, dark creatures seem to
live amongst the trees.
22. The setting can be the most important part of a story. This story is about a girl who lives in a forest and eats the
seeds of an orange. In a tall tale like this, the setting of a forest helps the reader picture the events more clearly.
23. Usually, the setting is shown at the beginning of the story. The first paragraph reads: "There was once a little girl
who lived in a forest." All of the events in the story take place in the forest.
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24. The passage says that John "held Marley's hand tightly." It also says that he searches for Marley when she leaves
her seat. From these events, the reader can tell that John's responsibility is important to him.
25. This story is about a brother getting separated from his sister. The description of the crowded place helps readers
understand how the siblings become separated and explains how John finds his sister.
26. The first paragraph of the passage says that John and Marley "made their way through the station." The sentence
before this says that John and Marley will be getting on a train.
27. You can tell this science fiction story is set in outer space because of all the references to planets, stars, and
spaceships.
28. The writer describes many things about the Giant's garden. He says that the garden has "soft green grass" and
"flowers like stars." "Beautiful," "lush," and "enchanting" are the only choices that match the writer's description.
29. The first sentence in the passage says, "visiting the orchard was a yearly tradition." The apple trees are also
described in this paragraph. This is how the reader can tell the story's setting.
30. The setting adds to the fantasy of this story. The description of the lush forest full of plants and animals gives the
story a magical feeling. It seems that everything around Nikita is cheerful—the sweet perfume of the flowers, the
singing cardinals, the rabbits munching the grass, and the butterflies resting on blossoms.
31. The setting of a story is when and where the story takes place. The passages states, "The cement trail was lined
with oak trees and wild plants." This sentence describes a trail surrounded by trees and plants. The setting of the
story is a sunny day because the passage tells about "warm sunlight."
32. The author uses the setting to contrast Hedo's focus on winning to the chaos around him. The passage states
that the crowd is yelling frantically, waves are rushing towards Hedo, and a strong wind is blowing. These details tell
the reader that there is chaos in the setting. However, Hedo does not notice what is going on around him. He is only
thinking about rowing and winning the race.
33. The setting of this story takes place outdoors on and near a body of water. The reader can tell that the setting is
outdoors by the sentence, "He did not notice the cold air, the cloudy sky, and chilling brown water." The sentence,
"The crowd was standing at the shoreline and cheering" also shows that the story is taking place outdoors, near a
body of water.
34. The passage says that Sarah "spent every morning between breakfast and lunch at her new spot on the
lakeshore." This sentence shows that the story mostly takes place near the lake. The story also talks about the rocks
along the shore where Sarah writes.
35. The passage says, "Something about the cool air and the calm water made her (Sarah) feel very creative. She
wrote about everything." This tells the reader that the setting of the Scottish estate makes Sarah want to write.
36. This story takes place in Scotland, which is often cold and rainy. By saying that Sarah was "tired of the grey, cold
weather," the passage shows that she does not enjoy the rain and probably prefers warmer weather.
37. The story states, "She could let it all out here, alone in her mother's small, quiet apartment in Galesburg, Illinois.
Lola allowed herself to think out loud." These sentences tell the reader that Lola is comfortable with showing her
emotions when she is alone in her mother's apartment. If the story was set in public, Lola probably would not be so
open with her feelings about the election.
38. The setting tells when and where a story takes place. The passage states that Lola is "alone in her mother's small,
quiet apartment in Galesburg, Illinois."
39. The setting is very suspenseful and unnerving. Imagine how you would feel if you were transported into Jack's
situation.
40. The story is set in a weird forest where there is no moon and no stars, where strange, dark creatures seem to
live amongst the trees.
41. The setting can be the most important part of a story. This story is about a girl who lives in a forest and eats the
seeds of an orange. In a tall tale like this, the setting of a forest helps the reader picture the events more clearly.
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