Show it with sights, sounds and smells

Grade 7 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   Use this

   [1] Tala stepped onto the frozen pond in the gray light. [2] The ice looked smooth, but the far shore seemed very distant.

2. 1.

   Bo adds a sound detail. Which added sentence gives a sound and fits the uneasy mood?

   • Somewhere under Tala's boots, the ice gave a long, low groan.
   • A warm breeze carried the smell of woodsmoke from the cabins.
   • Cheerful skaters laughed and clapped at the far shore.
   • The ice looked pale and smooth under the thin gray sky.

3. Use this

   [1] Milo walked slowly along the edge of the castle courtyard. [2] The sun had not reached the stones yet, and the air felt still.

4. 2.

   Esme adds a touch detail. Which added sentence gives a touch and fits the cold, old mood?

   • The wall was gray and covered with patches of green moss and pale lichen.
   • The wall felt smooth and warm, like a blanket in the sun.
   • The wall felt rough and cold, and grit stuck to Milo's palm.
   • Far away, a church bell rang twice and went quiet.

5. Use this

   [1] The clock above the gym door ticked louder than the whistle. [2] Noah's sneakers squeaked as the ball bounced twice, three times, four. [3] Nobody in the bleachers moved or coughed.

6. 3.

   Jun names the mood. Which choice names the mood and a strong clue for it?

   • Bored, because the ball bounces again and again without anything changing for the crowd.
   • Tense, because the sneakers squeak on the floor while the ball is bouncing.
   • Cheerful, because a crowd has gathered in the gym to watch a game together.
   • Tense, because the loud ticking and the silent crowd show that everyone is waiting.

7. Use this

   [1] Ari ran a thumb over the faded sticker on the old bike frame. [2] The garage smelled of oil and summers long past. [3] The tires were flat, and a spider had spun a web between the handlebars.

8. 4.

   Kira names the mood. Which choice names the mood and a strong clue for it?

   • Excited, because a bike is a fun thing to ride and Ari is touching it again after a long time.
   • Angry, because the flat tires and the spider web show that someone ignored the old bike for years.
   • Wistful, because the faded sticker and long-past summers show Ari missing earlier times.
   • Wistful, because a spider has spun a web between the handlebars and the front wheel of the bike.

9. Use this

   [1] The last paddle stroke left a ripple that slid across the lake. [2] Pia let the canoe drift while the sun climbed over the pines. [3] A loon called once, and the water went still again.

10. 5.

    Luz names the mood. Which choice names the mood and a strong clue for it?

    • Peaceful, because the drifting canoe and the still water show nothing is rushing Pia.
    • Frantic, because the paddle stroke and the climbing sun show that time is short.
    • Tense, because a loon calls once and the water goes still, as if something is wrong.
    • Peaceful, because a loon calls once from somewhere across the lake.
11. 6.

    Milo wants a sentence that shows Luz is nervous without saying it. Which one works?

    • Luz was so nervous that Luz was shaking from head to toe, and Luz's stomach was twisting up tight.
    • Luz felt very nervous about the test, and Luz could not concentrate on a single question.
    • Luz sat at the desk and looked at the page for a while, then at the window, then at the page.
    • Luz's pencil tapped the desk faster than the clock ticked, and the page stayed blank.
12. 7.

    Noah wants a sentence that shows Ren is disappointed without saying it. Which one works?

    • Ren was disappointed that Ren's name was not on the list and felt let down by the result.
    • Ren looked at the list, then held the paper for a moment, then set it down on the desk.
    • Ren read the list twice, folded the paper into a small square and stared at the floor tiles.
    • Ren felt a sad, empty feeling after reading the list and walking slowly away from it.
13. 8.

    Pia wants a sentence that shows Bo is excited without saying it. Which one works?

    • Bo was excited and happy to see the show at the gate and could hardly wait to go inside.
    • Bo stood at the gate and waited for a little while, holding the ticket and looking around.
    • Bo bounced on both heels at the gate, and the ticket crumpled in a tight fist.
    • Bo felt a thrilled, jumpy feeling in the stomach and the legs while standing at the gate.
14. 9.

    [1] The old hound rose slowly from the rug. [2] It ___ across the yard, stopping twice to rest. Ren picks the most precise word. Which word fits the scene?

    • pranced
    • sprinted
    • went
    • shuffled
15. 10.

    [1] Pia had saved the last cookie all afternoon. [2] Pia ___ it in tiny bites, making each one last. Tala picks the most precise word. Which word fits the scene?

    • ate
    • gulped
    • nibbled
    • devoured