How a plot builds, with flashbacks and hints
Grade 7 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence
Circle the best answer.
Read this first
The Gray Clouds (story)
[1] On the morning of the class picnic, Ari noticed a stack of gray clouds building over the hills behind the school. [2] The weather report on the radio promised sunshine, so most of the class packed sandwiches and left their jackets at home. [3] Ari set the picnic basket on a table near the covered shelter at the edge of the field.
[4] Ari remembered a field trip from last April, when the class had set out under a bright blue sky. [5] Halfway through the walk, rain had poured down without warning, and every sandwich had turned to mush. [6] Ari had stood shivering under a single tree, wishing that someone had found a roof.
[7] Back at the picnic, the clouds rolled over the field just after the class unpacked lunch. [8] The first raindrops landed on the blankets, and the other students looked around in confusion. [9] Ari grabbed the basket and waved everyone toward the covered shelter, which was only a few steps away. [10] The class ate lunch under the shelter roof while the rain drummed against the tin.
Bo marks the strip. Which sentences are the flashback, the part that jumps back to an earlier time?
- Sentences 3 to 6, from setting the basket to the rainy field trip.
- Sentences 7 to 10, where the clouds roll in and Ari leads the class to the shelter.
- Sentences 4 and 5, the rain and the soaked sandwiches.
- Sentences 4 to 6, where Ari remembers the rainy field trip.
Esme looks for the time signal. Which words tell the reader the story jumps back to an earlier time?
- Back at the picnic
- On the morning of the class picnic
- behind the school
- remembered a field trip from last April
The Wobbly Wheel (story)
[1] On race morning, Jun rolled the old red bike out of the garage and heard a faint rattle from the front wheel. [2] Jun shrugged, tightened the helmet strap, and pedaled down the street toward the park. [3] At the park, Jun lined up at the start and rested both hands on the old red handlebars.
[4] Two summers ago, Grandpa had taught Jun to ride on this same bike, running beside it down the empty driveway. [5] That afternoon, Grandpa had pressed a small wrench into Jun's hand and said that every rider should carry one. [6] Jun had laughed, but the wrench had gone into the seat bag and stayed there ever since.
[7] Back at the starting line, the whistle blew, and Jun pushed off with the rest of the riders. [8] Halfway around the track, the rattle in the front wheel became a loud clatter, and the wheel began to wobble. [9] Jun rolled to the side of the track, took out the little wrench, and tightened the loose nut in less than a minute. [10] Jun rejoined the race in the middle of the pack and crossed the finish line smiling.
Kira looks for the time signal. Which words tell the reader the story jumps back to an earlier time?
- Two summers ago
- Back at the starting line
- At the park
- On race morning
Luz looks for foreshadowing. Which sentence is a hint that trouble will come later in the story?
- [2] Jun shrugged, tightened the helmet strap, and pedaled down the street toward the park.
- [8] Halfway around the track, the rattle in the front wheel became a loud clatter, and the wheel began to wobble.
- [1] On race morning, Jun rolled the old red bike out of the garage and heard a faint rattle from the front wheel.
- [3] At the park, Jun lined up at the start and rested both hands on the old red handlebars.
The Spare Key (story)
[1] On the walk home from school, Esme hummed a tune and swung a backpack from one shoulder. [2] The ring that held the house key had been opening a little wider each week, but Esme never found time to squeeze it shut. [3] At the corner, Esme stopped to pat a neighbor's dog and then hurried on toward the house.
[4] Two winters earlier, Grandma had pressed a small spare key into Esme's palm and tucked a matching one under the porch flowerpot. [5] Grandma had said that a smart family keeps a spare where only the family knows. [6] Esme had nodded and forgotten about it until now.
[7] Now, on the front step, Esme reached into a coat pocket and found only the empty ring. [8] The key had slipped off somewhere along the sidewalk, and the door was locked tight. [9] Esme stood still for a moment, then lifted the flowerpot and found Grandma's spare key waiting there. [10] Esme unlocked the door and later that evening tied the key onto a sturdy new ring.
Milo marks the strip. Which sentences are the flashback, the part that jumps back to an earlier time?
- Sentences 3 to 6, from the neighbor's dog to Grandma's spare key.
- Sentences 7 to 10, where Esme finds the empty ring and the spare key.
- Sentences 4 and 5, where Grandma gives the key and speaks.
- Sentences 4 to 6, where Esme remembers Grandma's spare key.
Noah looks for the time signal. Which words tell the reader the story jumps back to an earlier time?
- On the walk home from school
- Two winters earlier
- Now, on the front step
- At the corner
Pia looks for foreshadowing. Which sentence is a hint that trouble will come later in the story?
- [1] On the walk home from school, Esme hummed a tune and swung a backpack from one shoulder.
- [8] The key had slipped off somewhere along the sidewalk, and the door was locked tight.
- [3] At the corner, Esme stopped to pat a neighbor's dog and then hurried on toward the house.
- [2] The ring that held the house key had been opening a little wider each week, but Esme never found time to squeeze it shut.
The Camp Tent (story)
[1] For the first night of the campout, Bo and the troop leader pitched a green tent beside the lake. [2] Bo counted the tent stakes twice and found only five of the six that the box promised. [3] The leader said that five would probably be enough, and the group went off to gather firewood.
[4] While carrying sticks, Bo remembered a camping trip two summers ago, when a gust of wind had lifted a loosely staked tent. [5] The whole group had chased that tent across the field, laughing and tripping over their own feet. [6] Bo had learned that day that a tent needs a heavy rock at each corner when the wind picks up.
[7] Back at the lakeshore, Bo felt the breeze strengthen and saw the tent flap at the corner with the missing stake. [8] Bo hurried over, rolled a large stone onto that corner, and pressed two more rocks around the edges. [9] The wind howled over the lake all evening, but the tent stayed still. [10] At bedtime, the leader looked at the stones and said that Bo had saved everyone from a long chase.
Ren marks the strip. Which sentences are the flashback, the part that jumps back to an earlier time?
- Sentences 4 and 5, the gust and the chase.
- Sentences 7 to 10, where the wind rises and Bo adds rocks.
- Sentences 4 to 6, where Bo remembers the tent that blew away.
- Sentences 3 to 6, from the leader's answer to the tent that blew away.
Tala looks for the time signal. Which words tell the reader the story jumps back to an earlier time?
- beside the lake
- Back at the lakeshore
- remembered a camping trip two summers ago
- For the first night of the campout
Zee looks for foreshadowing. Which sentence is a hint that trouble will come later in the story?
- [7] Back at the lakeshore, Bo felt the breeze strengthen and saw the tent flap at the corner with the missing stake.
- [1] For the first night of the campout, Bo and the troop leader pitched a green tent beside the lake.
- [3] The leader said that five would probably be enough, and the group went off to gather firewood.
- [2] Bo counted the tent stakes twice and found only five of the six that the box promised.