The message of a poem

Grade 6 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   A Chair at the Table (original poem)

   Stanza 1: [1] One chair stands close beside the crowded table. [2] Bo sets a stack of paper by the door. [3] A classmate waits, still holding colored pencils. [4] The narrow corner has no space for more. Stanza 2: [5] Bo slides the chair and moves the paper over. [6] The classmate finds a place to draw a tree. [7] The table has not grown an inch wider. [8] Yet now two sets of elbows both feel free. Stanza 3: [9] At closing time, Bo leaves a space beside it. [10] The next new artist smiles and pulls a chair. [11] A room can welcome more than one bright picture [12] When someone stops to notice who is there.
   Annotations: stanza 1 = opening; stanza 2 = response; stanza 3 = result.

2. 1.

   Bo marks the lines beside the poem. Which marked lines show Bo noticing a need and responding?

   • [1] One chair stands close beside the crowded table. + [2] Bo sets a stack of paper by the door.
   • [3] A classmate waits, still holding colored pencils. + [10] The next new artist smiles and pulls a chair.
   • [3] A classmate waits, still holding colored pencils. + [5] Bo slides the chair and moves the paper over.
   • [3] A classmate waits, still holding colored pencils. + [1] One chair stands close beside the crowded table.
3. 2.

   Bo marks the lines in the poem. Which message grows from the middle change?

   • The poem is about sharing a crowded craft space.
   • The classmate draws after finding a chair.
   • Making a small change can help another person take part.
   • Every group can share space without planning.
4. 3.

   Bo marks the lines beside the poem. Which marked lines show the result of Bo’s change?

   • [6] The classmate finds a place to draw a tree. + [8] Yet now two sets of elbows both feel free.
   • [1] One chair stands close beside the crowded table. + [2] Bo sets a stack of paper by the door.
   • [6] The classmate finds a place to draw a tree. + [9] At closing time, Bo leaves a space beside it.
   • [6] The classmate finds a place to draw a tree. + [1] One chair stands close beside the crowded table.
5. 4.

   Bo marks the lines in the poem. Which message is supported by the ending?

   • Any room becomes welcoming when one chair moves.
   • Bo leaves a space near the table.
   • Welcome grows when people leave room for someone new.
   • The poem is about chairs, paper, and colored pencils on a table.
6. 5.

   Bo marks the lines beside the poem. Which marked lines show the welcome continuing?

   • [9] At closing time, Bo leaves a space beside it. + [2] Bo sets a stack of paper by the door.
   • [1] One chair stands close beside the crowded table. + [2] Bo sets a stack of paper by the door.
   • [9] At closing time, Bo leaves a space beside it. + [10] The next new artist smiles and pulls a chair.
   • [9] At closing time, Bo leaves a space beside it. + [11] A room can welcome more than one bright picture

7. The Paper Bridge (original poem)

   Stanza 1: [1] Pia folds a bridge from one wide sheet of paper. [2] It bends beneath a little wooden block. [3] Pia could hide the fold that failed the first test. [4] Instead, Pia marks the place with chalk. Stanza 2: [5] The next fold makes a ridge above the center. [6] A second block can rest upon the span. [7] Pia writes the change beside the first quick drawing. [8] A classmate tries the fold and makes a plan. Stanza 3: [9] The bridge is more than paper on a tabletop. [10] The crossed-out sketch still shows where trouble lay. [11] A failed first try can point toward a stronger one [12] When someone looks at what it has to say.
   Annotations: stanza 1 = opening; stanza 2 = response; stanza 3 = result.

8. 6.

   Pia marks the lines in the poem. Which message fits the whole poem?

   • The poem is about testing a paper bridge with wooden blocks.
   • A ridge holds a second block.
   • A careful note makes every later test work.
   • A failed test can guide a stronger next attempt.
9. 7.

   Pia marks the lines beside the poem. Which marked lines show Pia using a failed test?

   • [1] Pia folds a bridge from one wide sheet of paper. + [10] The crossed-out sketch still shows where trouble lay.
   • [2] It bends beneath a little wooden block. + [4] Instead, Pia marks the place with chalk.
   • [2] It bends beneath a little wooden block. + [6] A second block can rest upon the span.
   • [2] It bends beneath a little wooden block. + [1] Pia folds a bridge from one wide sheet of paper.
10. 8.

    Pia marks the lines in the poem. Which message grows from the middle change?

    • Pia notices one weak fold.
    • The poem is about chalk marks on paper.
    • A failed bridge always needs one more ridge.
    • Honest notes about a mistake can help others improve a plan.
11. 9.

    Pia marks the lines beside the poem. Which marked lines show a change and result?

    • [1] Pia folds a bridge from one wide sheet of paper. + [10] The crossed-out sketch still shows where trouble lay.
    • [5] The next fold makes a ridge above the center. + [7] Pia writes the change beside the first quick drawing.
    • [5] The next fold makes a ridge above the center. + [1] Pia folds a bridge from one wide sheet of paper.
    • [5] The next fold makes a ridge above the center. + [6] A second block can rest upon the span.
12. 10.

    Pia marks the lines beside the poem. Which marked lines show that the mistake helps someone else?

    • [7] Pia writes the change beside the first quick drawing. + [10] The crossed-out sketch still shows where trouble lay.
    • [9] The bridge is more than paper on a tabletop. + [10] The crossed-out sketch still shows where trouble lay.
    • [7] Pia writes the change beside the first quick drawing. + [8] A classmate tries the fold and makes a plan.
    • [7] Pia writes the change beside the first quick drawing. + [1] Pia folds a bridge from one wide sheet of paper.