Write a story with a clear point of view

Grade 7 Reading Worksheet

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   The Red Kite (story draft)

   [1] Esme carried the red kite to the top of Windy Hill, where the tall grass bent in long green waves under the bright morning sky. [2] Noah followed with the spool and checked the string carefully for knots while the breeze tugged at Noah's sleeves. [3] Esme said that the wind was perfect and asked Noah to start running.

   [4] Noah ran down the long slope, feeling the string hum in Noah's fingers as the kite climbed steadily above the hill. [5] Then the string snapped. [6] Noah watched the red kite drift slowly over the distant trees and wondered whether Noah had pulled too hard.

   [7] Esme hurried down the hill and found Noah standing very still at the bottom of the slope, staring at the loose string. [8] Noah was embarrassed and secretly hoped that Esme would not be angry. [9] Esme picked up the empty spool and said that a new string could be tied tomorrow morning.

2. 1.

   Jun wants sentence [3] of the kite story to use dialogue that shows what is happening. Which version should replace it?

   • "I think I left my lunch at home," Esme said, pointing at the bending grass.
   • Esme explained that the wind was perfect and asked Noah to begin running down the long slope.
   • "The wind is perfect," Esme called, pointing at the bending grass. "Start running, Noah!"
   • "I am so excited and happy about this wonderful wind!" Esme shouted happily to Noah.
3. 2.

   Kira wants to slow down the turning point in sentence [5], told from Noah's view. Which version slows the moment?

   • The string went slack in Noah's fingers, and the kite shuddered, spun once, and drifted away.
   • The string snapped, and Noah felt shocked and sad about losing the kite for a long time.
   • The string snapped suddenly, and that was the end of the kite flying for the morning.
   • The string snapped, a bird burst from the trees, and a dog began barking at the bottom of the hill.
4. 3.

   Luz sees that sentence [8] of the kite story slips out of Esme's point of view. Which sentence should replace it?

   • Noah felt ashamed and wished that Esme would not be angry about the broken string.
   • Noah's cheeks burned with shame while Noah wondered what Esme was thinking.
   • Noah stared at the grass and rubbed the back of Noah's neck without looking up.
   • Far away, the red kite landed in a tree beside the road, tangled in the branches.

5. The Science Fair Volcano (story draft)

   [1] Pia set the clay volcano on the folding table and smoothed its brown sides until the paint stopped shining in the lights. [2] Ari measured baking soda into a small cup, humming quietly, while the judges stopped at the booth next door to study another project. [3] Pia told Ari that it was time to start the experiment and asked for the vinegar.

   [4] Ari poured the vinegar into the crater and leaned close to watch the mixture settle. [5] Then the foam came out. [6] Ari saw the foam climb the clay slope and wondered whether the table would be covered before the judges arrived.

   [7] Pia grabbed a stack of paper towels and wiped the foam from the edge of the table. [8] Ari felt proud and relieved and quietly thought that the experiment had worked. [9] The judges walked over, and Pia pointed to the foam and began to explain the chemical reaction that made it.

6. 4.

   Milo wants sentence [3] of the volcano story to use dialogue that shows what is happening. Which version should replace it?

   • "I think I left my jacket in the car," Pia said, tapping the edge of the folding table.
   • "I am nervous and excited and ready!" Pia said in a nervous and excited voice to Ari.
   • Pia told Ari that it was time to start the experiment and asked for the vinegar to begin.
   • "Ready for the vinegar?" Pia asked, tapping the edge of the table. "The judges are two booths away."
7. 5.

   Noah wants to slow down the turning point in sentence [5], told from Ari's view. Which version slows the moment?

   • The mixture hissed, bubbled over the crater, and slid down the clay in a thick white stream.
   • The foam came out, the lights flickered, and a loud bell rang down the hall outside the room.
   • The foam came out quickly, and the experiment began just as planned that afternoon.
   • The foam came out, and Ari felt amazed and nervous at the same time about the whole thing.
8. 6.

   Ren sees that sentence [8] of the volcano story slips out of Pia's point of view. Which sentence should replace it?

   • Ari's hands felt sticky while Ari wondered whether Pia was pleased with the foam.
   • Across the hall, a judge was already writing a score on a clipboard.
   • Ari wiped Ari's hands on a towel and smiled at the foam-streaked table.
   • Ari felt proud and relieved and quietly thought that the experiment had worked.

9. The Book Sale (story draft)

   [1] Bo stacked the donated paperbacks on the long table and tied a paper sign to the front that read fifty cents each. [2] Luz arranged the picture books by color and stepped back to see how the display looked from the doorway. [3] Bo told Luz that people were arriving and that the sale should open now.

   [4] Luz opened the cash box and counted the coins while a long line of customers formed at the end of the table. [5] Then the box tipped. [6] Luz watched the coins roll under the table and wondered how many would be lost before the line began to move again.

   [7] Bo dropped to the floor and gathered the coins into a neat pile beside the leg of the table while the line waited patiently. [8] Luz was ashamed and secretly wished that nobody had noticed the spill. [9] Bo counted the pile twice and announced that every coin had been found.

10. 7.

    Tala wants sentence [3] of the book sale story to use dialogue that shows what is happening. Which version should replace it?

    • "I feel nervous and thrilled about our book sale!" Bo said in a thrilled voice.
    • Bo told Luz that people were arriving and that the sale should open now.
    • "Did you see the weather today?" Bo asked, straightening the sign.
    • "The doors are open," Bo said, straightening the sign. "Let's start the sale!"
11. 8.

    Zee wants to slow down the turning point in sentence [5], told from Luz's view. Which version slows the moment?

    • The box tipped suddenly, and the coins went everywhere across the floor of the room.
    • The box tipped, and Luz felt embarrassed and upset about the mess on the floor.
    • The cash box slid off the edge, and its lid popped open as coins scattered in a bright jingle.
    • The box tipped, a stack of books fell over, and the lights in the room flickered twice above the tables.

12. Feeding Time (story draft)

    [1] Kira lifted the lid of the class aquarium and sprinkled a few turtle pellets onto the warm water. [2] Zee read the feeding chart on the wall and checked the clock to see whether the schedule was still right for today. [3] Kira said that the turtle looked hungry today and asked Zee to bring more water.

    [4] Zee filled the pitcher at the sink and carried it carefully across the crowded room, watching each step. [5] Then the pitcher tipped. [6] Zee felt cold water splash over Zee's shoes and wondered how the floor would dry before the bell rang.

    [7] Kira ran to the supply closet and came back quickly with a mop and a stack of towels. [8] Zee was upset and quietly decided that it had been a clumsy mistake. [9] Kira handed Zee a towel and said that the turtle was safe and the floor would be dry in a minute or two.

13. 9.

    Bo wants sentence [3] of the turtle story to use dialogue that shows what is happening. Which version should replace it?

    • Kira said that the turtle looked hungry today and asked Zee to bring some more water from the sink.
    • "I am worried and sad that the turtle is hungry today!" Kira said in a worried voice.
    • "The turtle is swimming right to the pellets," Kira said, tapping the glass. "Can you bring more water?"
    • "I think my shoes are the same color as the sky," Kira said, tapping the glass.
14. 10.

    Pia sees that sentence [8] of the turtle story slips out of Kira's point of view. Which sentence should replace it?

    • Down the hall, another class was lining up for lunch in the cafeteria by the doors.
    • Zee was upset and quietly decided that it had been a clumsy mistake from the start.
    • Zee's stomach twisted with worry while Zee wondered what Kira would say about the mess.
    • Zee kept both eyes on the wet floor and pressed Zee's lips together without speaking.