Name:_________________________Date:__________________

RL.12.1 Plot and Theme

Juan's class was going outside for recess, and he looked around for his best
friend Thomas. When he did not see him, he remembered that Thomas was
not at school that day. He wished that he did not have to go to recess at all.
He and Thomas always raced each other down the big silver slide. "I miss
Thomas," he moaned as he walked onto the playground. All of the other
boys were playing a game of kickball. He could see that no one was racing
on the big slide today, and it made him feel even lonelier. Then, a boy
named Roger walked up to Juan. "Hello, Juan," Roger said. "I am sorry
that Thomas is sick today. I know you and Thomas are best friends. Would
you like to play kickball with us?" Juan smiled and ran to play with Roger
and the other boys.
1. Why does Juan smile when Roger asks him to play kickball?
A. because Juan is happy that Roger wants to play with him
B. because Juan remembered a funny thing Thomas said
C. because Roger is very funny and makes Juan laugh a lot
D. because Juan thinks that kickball is a funny game to play
2. Why does Juan wish that he did not have to go to recess?
A. because his friends are all playing kickball.
B. because his friend is not there to play with him
C. because it is too hot on the playground
D. because it is raining outside on the playground
3. Why does Juan go to play kickball?
A. It is too far to walk to the slide.
B. He wants to make Thomas feel better.
C. Kickball is his most favorite game.
D. He wants to play with someone at recess.

4. What is Juan's problem?

A. His best friend is home sick today.
B. He feels too sick to play outside.
C. His best friend hates to play kickball.
D. He feels like Roger is being mean.
5. Why does Roger ask Juan to play kickball?
A. because he knows Juan is lonely
B. because he is best friends with Juan
C. because he thinks Juan is a good player
D. because he likes to play kickball
In a lonely lighthouse, far from city and town, far from the comfort of
friends, lived a kind hearted cat named Pandora. She had been living in this
lighthouse all alone for four long years, and it was beginning to wear. She
found herself sighing long, deep, lonely sighs. She sat on the rocks
overlooking the waves far too long. Sometimes her nose got a sun burn.
And at night, when she tried to read by the lantern light, her mind
wandered and she would think for hours on her childhood when she had
friends and company. Why did Pandora accept this lonely lighthouse life?
Because a lighthouse had once saved her.
6. Who is the main character in the story?
A. Lighthouse
B. Pandora

C. Friends
D. Night

7. According to the exposition of the story, what is the setting?

A. A lighthouse
B. A city
C. A town
D. A house

8. What reason does the resolution give for Pandora living in the
lighthouse?
A. She had many friends near there.
B. She loved the quietness of the area.
C. The lighthouse had saved her.
D. The area was very sunny.
The plant had been tossed and turned under the fury of the hurricane.
Then it had bent completely. But finally when the hurricane ended, it
sighed and stood upright again.
9. What happened to the small tree after the hurricane came?
A.
It was destroyed.
B.
It was tossed to the sea.
C.
It was covered with water.
D.
It bent, but stood up again.

A.
B.
C.
D.

10.
Where is the denouement of a story?
The beginning of the story.
The middle of the story.
The end of the story.
None of the above.
Alexs Discovery

Alex was eating his breakfast one morning. Outside, his dog, Tiki,
began to bark. Alexs mom looked up from the sink, where she was doing
dishes. Alex, please go see what Tiki is barking at.
Sure, mom, Alex said. He went outside.
The little brown dog was barking at a bush. Alex knelt down. What is
it, Tiki? he asked. Is there a squirrel in there? The bush began to rustle.
Alex walked up to it. He saw something move behind the bush. He pushed
the branches aside.
A tiny little man stood there. He wore a silver space suit. He had a
big, round head. He had green skin. His nose was shaped like a horn.
Please do not hurt me, the little man said. Okay, said Alex. For some
reason, he did not feel afraid. Are you from outer space? The man
nodded. Yes. My name is Bort. I come from another planet. My space ship
is out of fuel. I need help.

What kind of fuel do you need? Alex asked. Bort took a little bottle
from the pocket of his space suit. There was pink liquid inside. This, he
said. You have lots of it here on Earth. I believe you call it lemonade. He
gave the bottle to Alex. He opened the top and sniffed. It was lemonade, all
right. How much do you need? Alex asked. About ten thousand gallons,
said Bort. It is a very big ship.
11. This passage is
a. nonfiction.
b. a poem
c. fiction.
d. a fairy tale.
12. The main problem in this passage is:
a. there is something in the bush.
b. Alex is scared of Bort.
c. Bort needs fuel for his space ship.
d. the dog is barking.
13. Which of the following details supports the problem?
a. Alex saw something move behind the bush.
b. Alex asks his mom for some lemonade.
c. Alex runs away screaming.
d. Alex asks Bort what kind and how much fuel he needs.
14. Alex seems
a. mad.
b. curious.
c. sad.
d. scared.
15. The author did not write a solution to this story. What is a possible
solution?
a. Alex
b. Alex
c. Alex
d. Alex

will
will
will
will

make Bort go away.

try to help Bort get enough lemonade.
tell his mom he didnt see what Tikki was barking at.
hurt Bort.