Name __________________________________________ Date ____________________ Period ______
“Zach’s Birthday Surprise”
Practice
by Mona Gedney
Directions: Read the story “Zach’s Birthday Surprise” by Mona Gedney.
Choose the letter that best answers the questions.
1. In paragraph 1, smiling
mischievously at one another
is an indication that Zach’s
parents –
A. know that he wants a
motorized scooter.
B. are eager to have a break
from their children.
C. are keeping a secret from
him.
D. are amused by his desire
to disturb his brother.
2. Which detail is most closely
related to the central conflict
of the story?
A. The departure of Zach’s
parents
B. The empty set of luggage
C. The dust in the carport
D. The napping of Zach’s
brother
3. What is Zach looking for?
A. His birthday present
B. Something his parents
have hidden
C. Dust bunnies
D. Luggage
4. The selection indicated that
Zach’s parents –
A. show little affection.
B. disregard his wishes.
C. know him well.
D. are very strict.
5. Zach becomes upset with his
parents because –
A. he believes they favor his
brother.
B. they deliberately try to
make him unhappy.
C. he thinks they treat him
like a baby.
D. they come home too soon.
6. How does Zach feel after
finishing his search?
A. He thinks his parents
should clean up.
B. He is annoyed with his
brother.
C. He is angry with his
parents.
D. He feels disappointed.
Name __________________________________________ Date ____________________ Period ______
“Zach’s Birthday Surprise”
Practice
7. At the close of the selection,
Zach believes that -A. he is receiving a
motorized scooter.
B. he is not receiving a
tennis racket.
C. his parents are not giving
him a present.
D. his parents expect too
much of him.
8. In the selection, Zach spends
the majority of his time –
A. searching his home.
B. wishing that he could
have what he wants.
C. resenting his parents.
D. trying to keep from
awakening his brother.
by Mona Gedney
9. Why is Zach so quiet when
he searches his parents’
bedroom?
A. His brother is sleeping in
the room next door.
B. He doesn’t want to wake
his sister.
C. It is early in the morning.
D. He doesn’t want his
parents to catch him in
their room.
10.
In this selection, which
point of view does the author
use?
A. First person
B. Third person limited
C. Third person omniscient
D. Third person objective