Literary Evidence in Writing

Question 1

Read the passage: "When Sam saw the spilled milk on the floor, he quickly grabbed a towel and cleaned it up before anyone else noticed." Which statement best explains what Sam's actions reveal about his character, using evidence from the passage?

Accepted Answer

Sam is helpful and responsible, because he cleaned up the spill right away.

Answer

Sam is careless, because he ignored the mess.

Answer

Sam is shy, because he didn't tell anyone about the spill.

Answer

Sam is lazy, because he waited until later to clean it.

Question 2

Read the two short excerpts below. Excerpt A – “Luna’s Space Adventure”: Luna looks at the dark sky and says, "Even if I'm scared, I will launch the rocket." She steps onto the launch pad. Excerpt B – “Tommy’s Treehouse”: Tommy hears a loud thunderstorm and whispers, "I won't hide; I will stay until the rain stops," even though the wind shakes the treehouse. Which statement best compares how the two texts treat the theme of courage, using quotations from both excerpts as evidence?

Accepted Answer

Both Luna and Tommy demonstrate courage by choosing to face their fears; Luna says, "Even if I'm scared, I will launch the rocket," while Tommy declares, "I won't hide; I will stay until the rain stops."

Answer

Only Luna shows courage because she launches the rocket, but Tommy is scared, as shown by his whisper about the storm.

Answer

Both characters are brave because they are in dangerous places; Luna is in space and Tommy is in a tree.

Answer

The theme is friendship, because Luna and Tommy both think about helping each other.

Question 3

Read the short passage below: When the school bell rang, Maya saw a younger student fumbling with his locker. She hurried over, knelt down, and said, "Let me help you, it's not fair to be stuck." Then she lifted the heavy lock with both hands and opened it for him. Which statement best explains how Maya's actions and dialogue reveal her motivation?

Accepted Answer

By stepping in to assist the younger student and saying, "Let me help you," Maya demonstrates that she values fairness and wants to support others.

Answer

Maya's quick help and caring words show she is motivated by a desire to be praised by teachers.

Answer

Maya's lifting the lock shows she enjoys physical challenges, indicating she is motivated by wanting to test her strength.

Answer

Maya's statement "It's not fair" suggests she is angry, so her motivation is to express frustration.

Try three questions

Read the passage: "When Sam saw the spilled milk on the floor, he quickly grabbed a towel and cleaned it up before anyone else noticed." Which statement best explains what Sam's actions reveal about his character, using evidence from the passage?

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