WEEK 4
DAY
2
Name: _______________________________ Date:__________________
Directions
Read the text and then answer the questions.
SCORE
1.
Y N
2.
Y N
3.
Y N
4.
Y N
5.
Y N
Jared often met his friends after school and on the weekends to play basketball. They
would play until it was time to go home for dinner. But today, Jared wasn’t looking forward
to playing basketball. His mom had insisted that he take his little brother, Max, with him,
and Jared wasn’t happy about it. When he first told Max that he could go along, Max was
so excited that Jared couldn’t stay unhappy about it. But now, on the way to the basketball
court, it was all coming back. What was he going to do with Max while he played basketball?
Jared was so preoccupied that he didn’t even notice when they got to the basketball court.
Then he looked up and couldn’t believe what he saw—there were three other little kids Max’s
age! Jared wasn’t the only kid who had brought his younger sibling along. Now, he wouldn’t
have to worry about what Max would do while he played.
1.
A
B
C
D
___ / 5
Total
2.
A
B
C
D
Why does Jared bring Max to the
basketball court?
4.
His mom insisted that he bring Max.
Max begged to go along.
Jared’s teacher says he should
bring Max.
A
B
C
How is Jared’s problem solved?
D
It starts to rain, so nobody can
play basketball.
5.
Jared’s friends want to meet Max.
Jared decides not to play basketball.
Max decides to go home.
There are other kids Max’s age at the
basketball court.
A
B
C
3.
A
B
C
D
34
Which word is a synonym
for preoccupied?
D
What does the verb insisted tell
you in the sentence: His mom had
insisted that he take his little brother,
Max, with him, and Jared wasn't
happy about it?
She didn’t know where Jared was.
She didn’t notice Max.
She asked Jared if he wanted to
take Max.
She said Jared had to take Max.
What is the meaning of the phrase
it was all coming back?
Jared and Max are going back home.
The basketball court is
going somewhere.
Jared remembers why he
was unhappy.
Jared forgets where he and Max
are going.
sad
joyful
worried
furious
#50927—180 Days of Reading for Sixth Grade
© Shell Education
WEEK 4
DAY
Name: _______________________________ Date:__________________
Directions
3
Read the text and then answer the questions.
SCORE
Jared and his friends played basketball as often as they could. The basketball court they
used had a fence all around it and a solid gate. During the day, the gate was unlocked so
that players could come in and play basketball. At night, the gate was locked for safety.
Today, Jared was bringing his little brother, Max, to the basketball court for the first time.
Some of Jared’s friends had brought their little brothers and sisters, too. When Jared and
Max got to the basketball court, Jared was surprised to see all of his friends outside the
gate. “The gate’s locked,” one of Jared’s friends said. “We can’t get in to play.” Everyone
looked at one another in dismay. It looked as though there would be no basketball that day.
1.
A
B
C
D
2.
A
B
C
D
3.
A
B
C
D
What is the setting of the text?
Jared’s home
the cafeteria
the basketball court
the swimming pool
Which repeated word in the text
indicates the setting?
brothers
gate
court
play
4.
A
B
C
D
5.
A
B
C
D
What does the adjective solid
indicate about the gate?
1.
Y N
2.
Y N
3.
Y N
4.
Y N
5.
Y N
It is strong.
It is locked.
It is easy to open.
It is tall.
Which of these is another way to say
looked as though?
___ / 5
Total
worked at
promised
looked at
seemed that
What does the word dismay tell
readers about the characters?
They are unhappy.
They are excited.
They are jealous.
They are joyful.
© Shell Education
#50927—180 Days of Reading for Sixth Grade
35
WEEK 4
DAYS
4–5
Name: _______________________________ Date:__________________
Little Brother, Big Help!
Jared’s mom had insisted that he bring his little brother, Max, to the basketball court where
Jared planned to meet his friends. Jared was reluctant to bring Max, but he didn’t have a choice,
so he trudged to the basketball court with Max happily skipping at his side. To Jared’s relief, a
few of his friends had brought their little brothers and sisters, too, so at least Max would have
some kids his own age to occupy him during the game. Then, Jared noticed what the others had
already seen: The gate into the basketball court was locked.
For a few minutes, everyone waited helplessly, trying to figure out what to do. Then, from
around the corner strode Mr. Giles, the maintenance manager at the community center where
the basketball court was located. Mr. Giles hastily approached the boys and said apologetically,
“Sorry I’m behind schedule today, guys. I had a flat tire.” He unhooked a bunch of keys from his
belt and reached over to unlock the gate. But instead, Mr. Giles accidentally dropped the keys
on the other side of the fence!
There was a long silence. Then Max piped up, “I can get them.” Everyone ignored him until
he repeated himself, this time more loudly.
When he finally heard Max, Jared snapped,
“How can you possibly help?”
Max simply answered, “Watch what I can
do.” He dropped to the ground and squirmed
underneath the gate. Within a minute, he had
emerged on the opposite side. He grabbed
the keys and passed them through to Jared,
who returned them to Mr. Giles. In seconds,
Mr. Giles had the gate unlocked. The boys
trooped onto the basketball court, calling out
their thanks to Mr. Giles as they surged toward
the net.
Mr. Giles responded, “Don’t thank me. Max
is the one who saved the day. He was the only
one small enough to squeeze under that gate.”
After that, Jared resolved to never again think
of his brother as an inconvenience.
36
#50927—180 Days of Reading for Sixth Grade
© Shell Education
WEEK 4
DAY
Name: _______________________________ Date:__________________
Directions
1.
A
B
C
D
2.
A
B
C
D
3.
A
B
C
D
4.
A
B
C
D
4
Read “Little Brother, Big Help!” and then answer the questions.
Why does Max repeat himself?
Nobody is there at first.
He does not know how to talk.
Everyone ignores him at first.
Jared tells him to be quiet.
What do context clues indicate the
meaning of the word flat in the text?
smooth
level
lacking excitement
not full of air
Which will likely happen the
next time Jared and his friends
play basketball?
Jared will not tell Max he is going to
play basketball.
Jared will bring Max with him.
Jared will not play basketball.
Jared will be very angry with Max.
Which reflects a purpose for reading
this text, based on the title?
I want to learn about helping my
own brother.
I am curious about how the little
brother becomes a big help.
5.
A
B
C
D
6.
A
B
C
D
7.
A
B
C
D
8.
A
B
C
D
SCORE
How does Mr. Giles likely feel about
dropping the keys?
1.
Y N
2.
Y N
3.
Y N
4.
Y N
5.
Y N
6.
Y N
7.
Y N
8.
Y N
excited
curious
proud
embarrassed
What can the reader infer about
the weather?
It is too windy to go outside.
It is snowy and freezing.
It is cold and rainy.
It is warm and sunny.
Which is a theme in this text?
uncertainty
helpfulness
sorrow
jealousy
Which summarizes the problem in
the text?
The gate is locked.
The basketball is missing.
___ / 8
Total
Jared has a broken leg.
The boys are not allowed to
play basketball.
I want to read about a real brother
who helps someone.
I want to find out why brothers do not
get along and help each other.
© Shell Education
#50927—180 Days of Reading for Sixth Grade
37