What an object or a type of character stands for
Grade 8 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence
Circle the best answer.
Read this first
The Red Kite (original story)
[1] Every spring the town held a kite day on Windmill Hill, and Zee had waited all winter to fly a new red kite. [2] When the wind began to pull, Zee wound the string tightly around the wooden spool and clutched it nervously with both fists. [3] The kite hovered just above the grass, bobbing like a bird too nervous to leave its nest. [4] Mr. Abara, who had built kites for forty years, wandered over and studied the tight spool. [5] “A kite that is never allowed to leave your hands only learns to drag,” Mr. Abara said. [6] Then Mr. Abara tied a tiny brass bell to the string, stepped away from the spool, and said nothing more. [7] A gust lifted the kite, the bell chimed, and Zee loosened one finger on the spool.
[8] The string slipped out a few feet, and the red kite climbed higher. [9] Zee let out more line, and then more, until the spool spun freely and the kite looked no bigger than a coin. [10] From the bottom of the hill, Mr. Abara watched quietly and offered no advice at all. [11] By late afternoon the spool swung loose from one finger while the bell rang faintly above the whole town. [12] Zee grinned at the sky and let the kite fly on.
Ari follows the spool. What does it stand for in sentence [2], and what does it stand for by sentence [11]?
- In [2]: trusting the kite to fly. By [11]: keeping control.
- In [2]: keeping control. By [11]: needing Mr. Abara's help to stay up.
- In [2]: keeping control. By [11]: trusting the kite to fly.
- In [2]: keeping control. By [11]: keeping control even more tightly.
Bo looks for the clearest proof that the spool's meaning has changed. Which sentence shows it best?
- In [7], Zee loosens one finger on the spool as the kite lifts.
- In [9], Zee lets out line until the spool spins freely and the kite shrinks to a coin.
- In [2], Zee winds the string tightly and clutches the spool with both fists.
- In [4], Mr. Abara wanders over and studies the tight spool.
Esme thinks about Mr. Abara. Which character type fits Mr. Abara best, and what shows it?
- A reluctant hero: wanders over slowly, unsure about helping, and joins the kite day late.
- A guardian at the threshold: studies the tight spool before letting the kite go up.
- A trickster: ties a bell to the string and slips away without explaining the joke.
- A mentor: gives Zee advice and a small bell, then steps back so Zee can fly the kite alone.
The Scarecrow's Grin (original story)
[1] On Pine Street, the community garden had a tall scarecrow stretched across the gate, with a scowl painted on its burlap face. [2] Mr. Dunn, the caretaker, had built it to warn everyone away from the tomato plants. [3] Neighbors hurried past with their heads down, and the gate stayed shut all summer. [4] Noah was known up and down the street for harmless pranks, and that scowl looked like a puzzle waiting to be solved. [5] One evening Noah tiptoed to the gate with a paper grin and a roll of tape, covered the scowl with a lopsided smile, and slipped home whistling.
[6] In the morning, Mr. Dunn stomped through the garden and grumbled about “that sneaky Noah.” [7] But a small crowd had already gathered at the gate, laughing at the grinning scarecrow. [8] Someone hung a straw hat on its head, and someone else tied a bright scarf around its neck. [9] Mr. Dunn reached up to peel off the grin, then stopped and stared at the crowd. [10] After a long minute, Mr. Dunn left the paper grin in place and unlatched the gate. [11] By Saturday the scarecrow wore three hats, and every neighbor who came through stopped to say hello. [12] Noah watched from across the street, grinning just like the scarecrow.
Jun follows the scarecrow. What does it stand for in sentence [2], and what does it stand for by sentence [11]?
- In [2]: warning people away. By [11]: guarding the tomato plants better.
- In [2]: warning people away. By [11]: warning people away with a sillier face.
- In [2]: warning people away. By [11]: welcoming people in.
- In [2]: welcoming people in. By [11]: warning people away.
Kira looks for the clearest proof that the scarecrow's meaning has changed. Which sentence shows it best?
- In [9], Mr. Dunn reaches up to peel off the grin, then stops and stares.
- In [5], Noah tapes a lopsided paper grin over the scowl and slips home whistling.
- In [11], the scarecrow wears three hats and every neighbor who passes stops to say hello.
- In [1], the scarecrow stretches across the gate with a scowl painted on its face.
The Lantern Parade (original story)
[1] Each autumn, the town of Harbor Bend ended its fair with a lantern parade along the river path. [2] The paper lantern at the front hung from a long wooden pole, and the leader carried it past every house. [3] This year the usual leader had a cold, and Mr. Ortiz, who ran the parade, looked straight at Kira. [4] “Not me,” Kira said, backing away with both hands behind the back. [5] “That pole is far too heavy, and I will only ruin everything.” [6] Nobody else stepped forward, and the crowd grew quiet as the sun slid behind the hills.
[7] Kira sighed, took the pole in both hands, and walked to the front of the line. [8] The first few steps wobbled, but the lantern soon steadied and a soft glow spread across the path. [9] Behind Kira, the children began to follow the light in a long, careful line. [10] Where the path dipped toward the water, Kira lifted the pole higher so everyone could see the steps. [11] At the end of the path, Mr. Ortiz started to say thank you, but Kira had already turned around. [12] Kira was holding the lantern high for the last little group still coming down the hill.
Milo follows the lantern. What does it stand for in sentence [5], and what does it stand for by sentence [10]?
- In [5]: a heavy job to dread. By [10]: a heavier job that Kira still dreads.
- In [5]: a heavy job to dread. By [10]: a light that guides others.
- In [5]: a heavy job to dread. By [10]: a prize that Kira has won.
- In [5]: a light that guides others. By [10]: a heavy job to dread.
Noah looks for the clearest proof that the lantern's meaning is changing for Kira. Which sentence shows it best?
- In [5], Kira says the pole is far too heavy and will ruin everything.
- In [10], Kira lifts the pole higher at the dip so everyone can see the steps.
- In [2], the lantern hangs from a long wooden pole and the leader carries it past every house.
- In [8], the lantern steadies and a soft glow spreads across the path.
Pia thinks about Kira. Which character type fits Kira best, and what shows it?
- A trickster: pretends to refuse so the crowd will beg for a turn at the lantern.
- A mentor: hands the lantern to the children and tells them where to walk.
- A reluctant hero: says no at first, then takes the pole when no one else will.
- A guardian at the threshold: stands at the front and tests who may follow.
The Rope of Floats (original story)
[1] At the Maple Street pool, a rope of white floats stretched across the water and split the shallow end from the deep end. [2] For two summers, Ari had stayed on the shallow side and watched the older swimmers duck under the rope without a second thought. [3] A lifeguard named Ms. Vega sat in a tall chair beside the rope and carefully checked each swimmer who asked to pass. [4] “Swim two laps without touching the wall,” Ms. Vega told Ari, “and then we will talk.” [5] Ari swam one lap, grabbed the wall, gasping for breath, and climbed out with a red face. [6] “Not yet,” Ms. Vega said calmly, pointing back toward the shallow end.
[7] All week Ari practiced, breathing steadily and kicking a little harder each day. [8] On Friday Ari finished both laps without touching the wall and looked up at Ms. Vega. [9] Ms. Vega lifted the rope and nodded once. [10] Ari ducked under the rope and floated in the deep end, where the water looked bluer and the pool seemed much bigger. [11] Later a younger swimmer asked about the rope. [12] Ari pointed to the floats and said, “Two laps, and then you're through.”
Ren follows the rope. What does it stand for in sentence [2], and what does it stand for by sentence [12]?
- In [2]: a limit that holds Ari back. By [12]: a limit that Ms. Vega refuses to lift.
- In [2]: a goal that practice can reach. By [12]: a limit that holds Ari back.
- In [2]: a limit that holds Ari back. By [12]: a prize for the fastest swimmer.
- In [2]: a limit that holds Ari back. By [12]: a goal that practice can reach.
Tala looks for the clearest proof that Ari now treats the rope as a goal other swimmers can reach. Which sentence shows it best?
- In [6], Ms. Vega says “Not yet” and points back toward the shallow end.
- In [10], Ari ducks under the rope and floats in the deep end.
- In [12], Ari points to the floats and says, “Two laps, and then you're through.”
- In [7], Ari practices for a week, breathing steadily and kicking harder each day.