The message of a story

Grade 6 Reading Worksheet

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   The Drum Rehearsal (story)

   [1] Kira volunteered to set a steady beat for the school music gathering. [2] Kira first chose a quick rhythm because it sounded exciting in an empty room, although the rhythm had not yet been tested with other musicians. [3] At rehearsal, the singers rushed the final line and lost the melody. [4] Milo suggested trying a slower beat while the whole group sang together. [5] Kira wrote the new count on paper and asked Milo to tap each measure, so the singers could follow a visible rhythm together. [6] The song sounded clearer, yet one section still ended too soon. [7] Kira listened for the pause and added one quiet beat before the ending. [8] The group finished together during the next rehearsal, with every singer holding the final note for the same length. [9] At the gathering, another music group asked how the pause was counted. [10] Kira showed the marked page and described both rehearsal changes. [11] Milo led the song while Kira helped the other group practice its pause. [12] Both groups kept their rhythms steady throughout the gathering, after practicing the difficult endings several more times.
   Event-and-response strip: 1. The singers rushed the ending → Kira tried Milo’s slower count | 2. One section still ended too soon → Kira added a quiet beat | 3. Another group asked about the pause → Kira explained and helped it practice

2. 1.

   Ari reads the event-and-response strip for the first two rehearsals. Which message does the story’s pattern support?

   • The story is about music rehearsal.
   • A first rhythm never works.
   • A slower beat is always best for a music rehearsal.
   • Testing an idea can show what to change next.
3. 2.

   Ari considers this message: “Testing an idea can show what to change next.” Which event-and-response account best supports it?

   • Kira kept the quick beat after the singers lost the melody, ignoring Milo’s advice.
   • Kira heard the singers rush.
   • Kira wrote a beat count on paper.
   • Kira heard the singers rush; Kira tried a slower beat with the full group.
4. 3.

   Esme reads the event-and-response strip for the ending pause. Which message does the story’s pattern support?

   • The story is about a song ending.
   • Every song needs one quiet beat at the end.
   • One small change can fix every music problem in a school song.
   • Paying attention to a result can guide a precise repair.
5. 4.

   Kira reads the event-and-response strip for the music gathering. Which message does the story’s pattern support?

   • A good group must always finish before other groups at a gathering.
   • The story is about a gathering.
   • Sharing what was learned can help another group succeed.
   • Every group should sing the same song.

6. The First Newsletter (story)

   [1] Ren offered to make a newsletter for the school garden club, which would tell members about activities they might otherwise miss. [2] Ren wrote a lively page about the tallest sunflower near the gate. [3] At a meeting, Luz said the club had also started a seed exchange. [4] Ren asked members how the exchange worked before adding it to the page, rather than guessing about a program Ren had not visited. [5] The first draft said that every student had taken seeds. [6] Luz showed Ren the sign-in sheet, which listed only eight visitors. [7] Ren changed the sentence to say that eight students visited the exchange, making the printed report accurate for future club members. [8] A new member asked where unused seeds should be returned. [9] Ren added that direction beside the exchange dates. [10] Before printing, Ren asked Luz to check the names and dates again, because a mistaken name or date could confuse readers. [11] Club members used the newsletter to find the next exchange table. [12] Ren saved the checked notes for the next issue.
   Event-and-response strip: 1. Luz mentioned an exchange → Ren asked questions and added it | 2. The draft overstated attendance → Ren checked the list and corrected it | 3. A member needed return directions → Ren added them before printing

7. 5.

   Milo reads the event-and-response strip for the seed exchange section. Which message does the story’s pattern support?

   • Every newsletter needs a seed exchange.
   • The story is about a newsletter.
   • Asking questions helps a writer include what readers need.
   • A writer must include every detail a reader mentions in a newsletter.
8. 6.

   Milo considers this message: “Asking questions helps a writer include what readers need.” Which event-and-response account best supports it?

   • Ren ignored the new member’s question about unused seeds and left out the return directions.
   • Ren asked how the exchange worked; Ren later added where unused seeds should go.
   • Ren printed a page about sunflowers and seeds.
   • Ren asked how the exchange worked.
9. 7.

   Pia reads the event-and-response strip for the visitor count. Which message does the story’s pattern support?

   • A lively report about a club can never contain a mistake.
   • Every report should use a sign-in sheet.
   • The story is about eight visitors.
   • Checking a claim can make a report more accurate.
10. 8.

    Pia considers this message: “Checking a claim can make a report more accurate.” Which event-and-response account best supports it?

    • Luz showed the sign-in sheet; Ren replaced “every student” with the count of eight.
    • Ren kept “every student” after seeing the list of eight.
    • Luz showed the sign-in sheet.
    • The sign-in sheet listed eight visitors.
11. 9.

    Tala reads the event-and-response strip for the final newsletter. Which message does the story’s pattern support?

    • The story is about a garden club, a sunflower, and a printed newsletter.
    • Every newsletter should be checked by Luz.
    • Careful revision helps a shared message become useful.
    • Revising always makes a page longer.
12. 10.

    Tala considers this message: “Careful revision helps a shared message become useful.” Which event-and-response account best supports it?

    • Ren printed the first draft without checking names or dates.
    • The newsletter mentioned seeds, flowers, and dates.
    • Ren corrected the count and added return directions; members then used the page to find the exchange.
    • Ren corrected the count and added return directions.