Find the Theme

Grade 4 Reading Worksheet

Read the story. Circle the detail from the story that shows what each question says.

1. Read this first

   Diego's Big Solo

   Diego played the drums in the Lincoln Elementary band. For the spring concert, Ms. Okafor gave him eight measures to play alone in the middle of the last song. Diego could hardly sleep that night. He imagined the whole gym cheering just for him.

   Every day after school, Diego practiced his solo in the garage. He made it louder and faster each time. He added extra crashes on the cymbal. His older sister covered her ears and laughed. "The neighbors can hear you on the next street," she said.

   At band practice, though, something went wrong. Diego was so focused on his solo that he stopped paying attention to the rest of the song. He came in too early after the flutes. He drummed so loudly that nobody could hear the trumpets. Twice, Ms. Okafor tapped her music stand to stop the band.

   After practice, Ms. Okafor asked Diego to stay. "Your solo is exciting," she said. "But a drummer's main job is to keep everyone together. If the band falls apart, your solo has nothing to stand on."

   Diego felt his face grow hot. He wanted to argue, but he remembered the flutes trying to find their place. He remembered the trumpet players frowning at him.

   That week, Diego practiced differently. He played along with a recording of the song and counted every measure. He listened for the flutes and the trumpets. He even took out two of the extra cymbal crashes so the solo would fit the music.

   On the night of the concert, the band sounded smooth and steady. When Diego's eight measures came, he played them clearly and confidently. Then he slid right back into the beat. The trumpets came in exactly on time.

   Afterward, a trumpet player named Sung-min gave Diego a high five. "That was the first time we all finished together," he said. Diego grinned. He realized the cheering had been for the whole band, and that felt even better.

2. 1.

   Which detail best shows Diego changing his thinking?

   • He imagined the whole gym cheering just for him.
   • He took out two extra cymbal crashes so the solo would fit.
   • Diego could hardly sleep that night.
   • His older sister covered her ears and laughed.
3. 2.

   Which event near the end supports the theme?

   • Sung-min says the band finished together for the first time.
   • Diego adds extra crashes on the cymbal.
   • Diego's sister says the neighbors can hear him.
   • Ms. Okafor taps her music stand twice.
4. 3.

   Which detail shows that Diego worked hard to fix his mistake?

   • His face grew hot while she talked to him.
   • Ms. Okafor asked him to stay after practice.
   • Every day after school, he practiced his solo in the garage.
   • He played along with a recording and counted every measure.
5. 4.

   Which detail shows that Diego's playing hurt the rest of the band?

   • The band sounded smooth and steady at the concert.
   • Diego played the drums in the Lincoln Elementary band.
   • He drummed so loudly that nobody could hear the trumpets.
   • Ms. Okafor gave him eight measures to play alone in the middle of the last song.