Why Characters Act
Grade 4 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence
Read the text. Circle the reason for what the character does.
Read this first
Kenji's Secret Song
Every morning that week, Kenji's alarm rang at six o'clock, a whole hour before he needed to get up. He tiptoed to the old piano in the living room. Then he played very softly, with the music book open in front of him.
He was learning a song called "Sakura." It is a song about cherry blossoms. His grandmother, Obaachan, used to sing it when she was a girl in Japan. Kenji had often heard her humming it while she watered the plants on the balcony.
The song was hard. His left hand kept playing the wrong notes. On Wednesday, he almost gave up. Then he looked at the calendar on the fridge. Saturday was circled in red, with the words "Obaachan's 80th birthday."
Kenji practiced the tricky part ten more times. By Friday, his fingers knew the way.
At the party on Saturday, the family sat down to cake and tea. Kenji walked to the piano and began to play. At the first notes, Obaachan put down her teacup. By the second line, she was singing along in a soft, clear voice. Her eyes were shining.
When the song ended, she hugged Kenji tightly. "How did you know?" she asked.
Kenji smiled. "I've been listening," he said.
Why does Kenji get up early every morning that week?
- to practice a song for his grandmother
- to finish his homework before school
- to water the plants on the balcony
Why did Kenji choose the song "Sakura"?
- It was the easiest song in the book.
- His piano teacher gave it to him.
- His grandmother sang it as a girl.
What made Kenji keep going when he almost gave up?
- His parents told him to keep trying.
- He saw the birthday on the calendar.
- He heard Obaachan humming the song.
Why did Kenji practice the tricky part ten more times?
- He wanted the song ready by Saturday.
- He wanted to stop piano lessons soon.
- He wanted to play faster than anyone.