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Finding a Way/Theme 1
Grade 5
Theme Tests
Part No. 9997-85766-6
Ë|xHSKBPDy587573zv*:+:!:+:!>
ISBN-13: 978-0-15-358757-3ISBN-10: 0-15-358757-1
(Package of 12) 5
www.harcourtschool.com
Copyright © by Harcourt, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
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Printed in the United States of America
ISBN 10 0-15-358757-1ISBN 13 978-0-15-358757-3 (Package of 12)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 022 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 09 08 07
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Possession of this publication in print format does not entitle users to convert this publication, or any portion of it, into electronic format.
Grateful acknowledgment is made to Highlights for Children, Inc., Columbus, Ohio, for permission to reprint “Baseball Smarts” by Bill Wise from Highlights for Children Magazine, April 2004. Text and illustration copyright © 2004 by Highlights for Children, Inc.
Ride the Edge — Theme 1Name Date
Performance Summary
Student ScoreREADING
Reading Comprehension Multiple-Choice Items /18 Short-Response Open-Ended Item /2 Extended-Response Open-Ended Item /4
Robust Vocabulary /10
Total Student Reading Score /34
LANGUAGE ARTS Grammar /10 Spelling /10
WRITING /6
ORAL READING FLUENCY Passage 1 Words Correct Per Minute Passage 2 Words Correct Per Minute
(Bubble in the appropriate performance level.)Reading
Below Basic1–14
Basic (On-Level)15–23
Proficient (On-Level)24–30
Advanced31–34
Language Arts
Below Basic1–8
Basic (On-Level)9–12
Proficient (On-Level)13–16
Advanced17–20
Writing
Below Basic1–2
Basic (On-Level)3–4
Proficient (On-Level)5
Advanced6
Oral Reading Fluency
25th Percentile85 WCPM
50th Percentile110 WCPM
75th Percentile139 WCPM
90th Percentile166 WCPM
Reading Comprehension
Read the story “I Paint: A Personal Narrative” before
answering Numbers 1 through 7.
I Paint: A Personal Narrative
Name
Theme Test
Theme 1
I’m Holly, a sixth grade girl residing in
Iowa, but the aspect of my life I want to talk
about here is that I paint. Why you should
care is a good question, and my answer is
that it may be helpful to hear that I didn’t
always consider myself a painter; I had to
overcome some serious obstacles to begin to
think of myself that way.
I’ll begin with fifth grade. It was an
eventful year for me, a real turning point,
because up until that time, I had been an
extremely shy person. I was one of those
solitary kids, the ones you may have seen
during recess, somewhere off to the side
of everything, choosing to sit alone with a
book.
You might
presume such kids
feel sad or left
out, but I actually
felt quite happy.
. . except when
I was forced to
interact with other
kids, a situation
that did not
arise frequently.
However, when
it did, I felt
overwhelmed, and
one dark day in
fifth grade it came up suddenly. I had no
choice but to make the best of things.
On that day, our teacher, Mr. Lau, said,
“All right class, this morning you will begin
work on a small-group project, a unique oral
presentation that will occupy the next few
days.”
Mr. Lau had selected the groups ahead
of time, and with heaviness in my heart, I
walked over to the corner where my group
was meeting. I didn’t really know anybody,
so I was concentrating on my shoes when a
girl with curly hair introduced herself. “I’m
Simone, and you’re Holly, right?”
“Yes, I am,” I answered, unable to
disguise my
squeaky voice.
“Nice to meet
you,” Simone said.
“This is Max, and
this is Xi.” She
took charge of the
project right from
the beginning,
informing the
rest of us that our
report would be
about life beneath
the ocean.
“Let’s do our
research separately,
© Harcourt • Grade 5
1Reading Comprehension
and then we can talk about how to put it all
together when we meet tomorrow,” Simone
said.
Everyone nodded in agreement with the
plan, mainly because no one dared disagree
with Simone. I went home after school
feeling grouchy and intimidated; I didn’t
want to talk to anyone about life in the
ocean or anywhere else!
The next day, Xi went first in our group,
talking about the kinds of fish at various
depths in the ocean. Max continued next,
telling us how salmon spend some period of
time in the ocean and then swim up rivers
every year to deposit their eggs. Simone
went last, informing us about the way sharks
hunt for their food. I nodded and smiled. I
was the perfect audience, attentive and apart
from the show, but Simone was not going to
let me get away with that.
“What about you, Holly?” she said.
“What’re you going to talk about?”
“I regret to say that I need a bit more
time,” I said formally.
“Wha-hunh—?” said Max, a sound
of disappointment. I could tell he was
wondering why I couldn’t just be like
everybody else. I was wondering the same
thing.
Simone cut him off, “That’s all right, we
still have another day to get ready.”
I felt ashamed about letting everybody
down, but what could I do? Whenever
I tried to talk to new people, my tongue
seemed to thicken and stick to the roof of
my mouth. That night, I looked through my
library books about ocean life. I found a lot
of good information,
but what I liked
best were the photographs of fish, sharks,
and other sea creatures. All of them were
colorful or strange and so unlike the animals
I had seen on land. As I looked through
the books, I found myself doodling sea
animals in the margins of my notebook, and
suddenly that gave me an idea. The other
kids were all good talkers, but talking wasn’t
everything when it came to a presentation.
Seeing things helped, as well, and I could
help our class actually see the sea animals; I
could create a painting to go with the others’
words. Even as a little kid, I had liked to
draw and doodle, and I had barely used a set
of tempera paints my grandfather had given
me. So I found a clean piece of poster board
and began to paint my sea creations.
The next day, our group met for the final
time, and Max, Xi, and Simone talked about
what order they should go in during the
presentation.
“What about you—have you decided
what to talk about?” asked Xi.
“Well, I have something to show you,”
I said slowly. I went to the classroom closet
and emerged shyly with my painting.
Holding it somehow made it easier for me
to talk. “I don’t know if this is helpful, but
it’s all I have.”
“Wow, that’s really cool,” Max said, in
awe.
Simone said thoughtfully, “I like how
you made the painting connect with each
of our topics. I think this will really liven up
our presentation.”
Name
Theme Test
Theme 1
© Harcourt • Grade 5
2Reading Comprehension
And it must have—our report went
swimmingly. We were the only group that
had what Mr. Lau kept mentioning as “a
remarkably fine visual aid.” And that is how
I came to think of myself as a painter.
Theme Test
Theme 1
Name
3
© Harcourt • Grade 5
Reading Comprehension
Now answer Numbers 1 through 7. Base your answers on the
story “I Paint: A Personal Narrative.”
1. Why did Holly dread working on the presentation?
She disliked having to do research.
She feared interacting with the other kids.
She wanted to create a mural for the class instead.
She thought the topic of life in the ocean was boring.
2. Which of the following BEST describes Simone’s character?
athletic
quiet
artistic
direct
3. How does Holly resolve her problem?
She practices her speech five times.
She tells Mr. Lau about her problem.
She asks Simone for help with research.
She makes a visual aid to help the presentation.
4. How does Max react when he sees what Holly has created for the
presentation?
He seems confused.
He admires her work.
He wonders how long it took her to make it.
He decides to make a sculpture out of clay and wood.
5. Where does MOST of the story take place?
in the ocean
in a lunchroom
in a classroom
on the playground
Name
Theme Test
Theme 1
© Harcourt • Grade 5
4Reading Comprehension
6. Which story element shows that the story is realistic fiction?
The narrator tells a story that could really happen.
The narrator includes three other characters in the story.
The author describes how she learned to interact with others.
The author shows how children talk and act when in the fifth grade.
7. How does Holly change in fifth grade? Use relevant and specific
information from the story to support your answer.READTHINKEXPLAIN
Theme Test
Theme 1
Name
5
© Harcourt • Grade 5
Reading Comprehension
Read the article “Baseball Smarts” before answering Numbers
8 through 14.
Baseball Smarts by Bill Wise
Put yourself in Charlie Waitt’s shoes for a moment.
It’s 1875 and you play big-league baseball for the St. Louis Brown
Stockings. You’re a 21-year-old rookie outfielder who’ll be filling in at first
base for your team’s next game.
The thought of playing first base makes you wince. You’ve played there
twice before, and it’s nothing like playing the outfield. At first base, you’ll
be catching sharply hit ground balls, whistling line drives, and stinging
throws, all from close range. The last time you played first base, your hands
ached for days.
In 1875, baseball is played bare-handed!
Charlie knows that fielding a baseball without a glove is tricky. Players
hold their hands in the shape of a box to keep the ball from hitting their
palms. This works well for outfielders; by the time the ball has traveled
that far, it usually has slowed down quite a bit.
Infielders and catchers, however, aren’t so
lucky. They often get cuts, bruises, and even
broken bones from the hard-hit balls.
Players think the banged-up fingers
and hands are just a part of the game. But
Charlie Waitt decides to do something
about it.
Waitt takes an ordinary leather glove
and cuts off the fingers. He hopes that the
leather will reduce the sting of the ball.
Other players and the fans watching the
game don’t like Waitt’s idea. They think
wearing a glove is a sign of weakness. But
Waitt finds that the glove does make a
difference, and he continues to wear it in
other games.
Name
Theme Test
Theme 1
© Harcourt • Grade 5
6Reading Comprehension
Eventually, other players begin to wear gloves, too. Albert
Spalding, a star pitcher for the Boston Red Stockings, asked
Waitt about his glove.
“Waitt confessed that he was ashamed to
wear it, but he said he had it on to save his hand,”
Spalding later wrote. “He also admitted that he
had chosen a color as inconspicuous as possible
because he didn’t care to attract attention.”
Waitt’s invention made a lasting impression
on Spalding. Later, after becoming a first
baseman, Spalding began wearing a glove. But he
went one step further and added a thin layer of
padding inside the glove for more protection.
Spalding was highly respected, and his use of
the glove convinced others that it was all right
to wear one. Some players even began to wear
gloves on both hands.
This new Spalding-style glove worked fine for everyone except the
catchers. They needed more protection. Recognizing this need, former
player Harry Decker designed a heavily padded mitt in 1890. It wasn’t
nearly as big as today’s catcher’s mitts, but it was a big improvement over
the thin gloves worn by the rest of the fielders.
Name
Theme Test
Theme 1
7
© Harcourt • Grade 5
Reading Comprehension
By 1896, every big-league player was using a glove. There
were far fewer injuries and errors as a result.
Albert Spalding went on to found the Spalding Sporting Goods
Company. But what about Charlie Waitt?
Charlie played in 113 professional games from 1875 to 1883, never
spending more than one season with any team. He was what baseball folks
call a journeyman ballplayer.
A newspaper article in 1882 declared that “a more honest and harder-
working player than Charles Waitt would be hard to find.”
It would also be hard to find a player who did more to change the way
a baseball is fielded.
Name
Theme Test
Theme 1
© Harcourt • Grade 5
8Reading Comprehension
Now answer Numbers 8 through 14. Base your answers on the
article “Baseball Smarts.”
8. Which of the following is a main idea of the article?
Playing first base is harder than being a pitcher.
Charlie Waitt’s idea changed the way baseball is played.
Baseball players should wear gloves on both hands.
Charlie Waitt was one of the greatest early baseball players.
9. Why did Charlie Waitt start wearing a glove during baseball games?
He wanted to look tough.
He wanted to attract attention.
He wanted to change baseball.
He wanted to protect his hand.
10. Which of the following events occurred first?
Albert Spalding becomes a first baseman.
Charlie Waitt fills in at first base.
Harry Decker designs a catcher’s mitt.
Every big-league player uses a glove.
11. Why did some baseball players start wearing gloves after Albert
Spalding started wearing one?
Albert Spalding was the team captain.
Albert Spalding gave gloves to other players.
Albert Spalding was a journeyman ballplayer.
Albert Spalding was a well respected player.
Theme Test
Theme 1
Name
9
© Harcourt • Grade 5
Reading Comprehension
12. How was the glove that Harry Decker invented DIFFERENT
from other gloves worn by players at the time?
It was more heavily padded.
It was worn on the right hand.
It had holes for each of the fingers.
It was made of brightly colored leather.
13. Read the following sentence from the story?
“He also admitted that he had chosen a color as
inconspicuous as possible because he didn’t care to attract
attention.”
What does inconspicuous mean?
large
not noticeable
especially bright
visible
Name
Theme Test
Theme 1
© Harcourt • Grade 5
10Reading Comprehension
14. Describe how Charlie Waitt, Albert Spalding, and Henry Decker
contributed to the way baseball is played today. Use relevant and specific
information from the article in your answer.READTHINKEXPLAIN
Theme Test
Theme 1
Name
11
© Harcourt • Grade 5
Reading Comprehension
Read the article “Matthew Henson, Arctic Pioneer” before
answering Numbers 15 through 20.
Matthew Henson, Arctic Pioneer
Name
Theme Test
Theme 1
Matthew Alexander Henson, one of the
first people to reach the North Pole, was a
groundbreaking explorer. However, before
he achieved this goal, he overcame many
difficulties.
Born in Maryland in August of 1866,
Matthew Henson was the son of free black
parents. When he was only eleven years
old, he became an orphan. Soon afterward
he began working on a ship as a cabin
attendant. While working on this ship, he
learned how to read and write from the
ship’s captain.
In 1887, while working as a store clerk
in Washington D.C., Matthew Henson
met the explorer Robert Peary. Peary was
impressed with Matthew Henson. Peary
hired him to accompany an expedition to
Nicaragua.
From 1891 to 1909, Robert Peary and
Matthew Henson made seven trips to the
Arctic. On dogsleds, they crossed thousands
of miles of ice and snow. They crossed the
northern parts of Canada and Greenland. In
May of 1900, they reached the farthest point
north that anyone had ever reached. They
beat their own record again a few years later.
Throughout these journeys, Matthew
Henson’s ability to speak the Inuit language
was invaluable. This was the language of the
people of the Arctic. Many Inuit worked on
the expeditions. Hundreds of Inuit men and
women laid the trails and loaded the sleds.
They cared for the dogs that pulled the
supply sleds. They also did other work for
the trips to the North Pole.
Many things were needed to survive in
the cold Arctic. They included tons of whale
meat for food, tons of coal for warmth, and
hunting gear. The Inuit admired Matthew
Henson’s hunting skills and his ability to
drive the dogsleds.
Robert Peary and Matthew Henson
wanted to be the first people to reach the
North Pole. However, many things kept
them from being successful on their first
attempts. Drifting pack ice blocked their
way, and fierce snow storms and cracking
ice sheets forced them to turn back. On the
seventh try, they reached their goal. After
much hardship, Matthew Henson, Robert
Peary, and four Inuit men became the first
people to reach the North Pole in 1909.
In 1912, Matthew Henson wrote a book
about the expedition, and in 1913, President
William Taft made Henson a clerk in the
U.S. Customs House in New York City.
Henson
worked
there until
he retired
in 1936. In
1944, he
and other
© Harcourt • Grade 5
12Reading Comprehension
members of the expedition received the
Congressional Medal.
In addition, in 1906, Robert Peary
received the Hubbard Medal for “distinction
in exploration, discovery, and research.”
However, Matthew Henson was not
awarded the Hubbard Medal until 2000.
In that year, Matthew Henson’s great-
niece, Audrey Mebane, accepted the award
recognizing Henson’s place in history as a
pioneering explorer.
Theme Test
Theme 1
Name
13
© Harcourt • Grade 5
Reading Comprehension
Name
Theme Test
Theme 1Now answer Numbers 15 through 20. Base your answers on
the article “Matthew Henson, Arctic Pioneer.”
15. Why did Matthew Henson make so many trips to the Arctic?
He wanted to learn how to race dogsleds.
He wanted to write a book about his experiences.
He wanted to learn how to speak the Inuit language.
He wanted to be the first person to reach the North Pole.
16. Why was it important for Matthew Henson to know how to speak the
Inuit language?
because most Canadians speak the Inuit language
because the Inuit chose who could go to the Arctic
because Robert Peary left the expedition from time to time
because many Inuit people helped the expeditions
17. Which of the following BEST describes Matthew Henson’s character?
lazy
unfriendly
courageous
inconsistent
18. Which of the following MOST strongly suggests that Matthew Henson
was a great explorer?
He worked as a clerk in the U.S. Customs House.
He was awarded the Hubbard Medal in 2000.
A skipper taught him to read when he was 11 years old.
Henson was able to speak the Inuit language.
Name
Theme Test
Theme 1
© Harcourt • Grade 5
14Reading Comprehension
© Harcourt • Grade 5
14Reading Comprehension
19. If this had been a made-up story about one of Matthew
Henson’s adventures, then the genre would have been
myth
fable
historical fiction
realistic fiction
20. Read the following sentence from the article.
Throughout these journeys, Matthew Henson’s ability to
speak the Inuit language was invaluable.
What does invaluable mean?
difficult
worthless
important
ineffective
Name
Theme Test
Theme 1
15
© Harcourt • Grade 5
Reading Comprehension
Robust Vocabulary
Choose the best word to complete each sentence for Numbers
21 through 30.
21. Thunder boomed, and lightning flashed across the sky.
desperately
indignantly
dramatically
urgently
22. When the coach lost control of his players, confusion on
the field.
sneered
coaxed
reigned
crusaded
23. Always smiling and happy to chat, Mr. Hirsch is a neighbor.
conceited
sincere
sneered
genial
24. After a morning swim, I feel and eager to start my day.
exhilarated
mortified
disheartened
infuriated
25. The holiday crowd was amazed by the fireworks display.
hesitating
spectacular
stricken
impassable
Name
Theme Test
Theme 1
© Harcourt • Grade 5
16Robust Vocabulary
26. Ryan has a science test today but it does not him
since he studied yesterday.
restrain
overcome
faze
protest
27. Jamal hated taking out the trash and always did it .
grudgingly
feverishly
conceited
exhilarated
28. I know my hairdo is silly, so please take that off your face.
prognostication
smirk
faze
maven
29. The team had trained hard and had high for a winning season.
fringes
humiliations
protests
expectations
30. Moira grabbed a screwdriver and open the paint can.
relented
flopped
pried
designated
Name
Theme Test
Theme 1
17
© Harcourt • Grade 5
Robust Vocabulary
Grammar
Read and answer Numbers 31 though 40.
31. Which of the following is a declarative sentence?
He wasn’t sure which path to take.
Shall I read the story out loud?
Please state your reasons more clearly.
What a crazy movie that was!
32. Which of the following is an incomplete sentence?
Go just as quickly as you can.
Even if it starts to rain or snow.
Anytime is just fine with me.
Even Jess likes walking in the rain.
33. Which sentence is an interrogative sentence?
Please answer the telephone?
Hop out of that bed and get dressed!
Which of these notebooks is mine?
Wow, I love these muffins!
34. Read this sentence.
The drive to the public beach usually takes about an hour.
What is the complete subject of this sentence?
The drive
the public beach
The drive to the public beach
drive
Name
Theme Test
Theme 1
© Harcourt • Grade 5
18Grammar
35. Read this sentence.
Miho happily shared his homemade soup with his
neighbors at the lunch table.
What is the simple predicate of this sentence?
shared his homemade soup
shared
Miho happily shared
happily shared
36. Which sentence contains an interjection?
Hold my seat while I get more popcorn.
Mom, it really wasn’t my fault.
We often stroll in the evening, but not always.
Oh no, I left my homework on the bus.
37. Read this sentence.
The proud father carefully lifted the squirming baby from
the crib.
What is the complete predicate of this sentence?
lifted
carefully lifted
carefully lifted the squirming baby
carefully lifted the squirming baby from the crib
38. Which sentence is correctly punctuated?
What a strange idea this is?
What a great idea for a vacation!
I think your plan needs some more work?
Do you think this is going to work!
Name
Theme Test
Theme 1
19
© Harcourt • Grade 5
Grammar
39. Which of the following is a complete sentence?
Because the one I have now is broken.
Which is why I always take my umbrella.
Take off your shoes in the hallway.
For his essay on whales got Terrance an A.
40. Read this sentence.
The eerie, high-pitched whistling got louder and louder as
we neared the empty house.
What is the simple subject of this sentence?
got louder and louder
whistling
The eerie, high-pitched whistling
we
Name
Theme Test
Theme 1
© Harcourt • Grade 5
20Grammar
Spelling
For Numbers 41 through 50, read each sentence. Choose the
sentence that has the underlined word misspelled. If none of
the underlined words are misspelled, choose the answer “No
mistake.”
41. We sat in the cool shade of the awning.
The neighbors finally settled their fewd.
This picture was drawn by a talented young artist.
No mistake
42. Let’s put everything back in the toy chest.
When baking cookies, always mesure carefully.
Darkening clouds signaled the threat of rain.
No mistake
43. The Coast Guard cutter raced to the rescue.
Panda bears love to munch on bamboo shoots.
Cecilia spent the morning doing laundry.
No mistake
44. Darnell jotted his phone number on a scrap of paper.
The movie was a surprise smash hit.
Clean the cut well before putting on the bandaige.
No mistake
45. We parked the car and carried the groceries inside.
Granola is often made with dried fruit.
Katya went to the picnic, but I staid home.
No mistake
Name
Theme Test
Theme 1
21
© Harcourt • Grade 5
Spelling
46. Lee took a seat, careful not to creese his pants.
The stairway was dark, narrow, and steep.
The children were eager to begin the treasure hunt.
No mistake
47. Yoko and Misha hurried to catch the departing bus.
We stood on the bridge and dropped pebbles into the brook.
We greeted the cast of the play with cheers and wild claping.
No mistake
48. Hold still while I put ointment on your scratch.
This king-sized bed is fit for royalty.
Brad coaxed Winona to try the raw oisters.
No mistake
49. Press the buzzer twice, and I’ll know it’s you.
The players had learned to respect their coach.
At first, we thought the fog was smoke.
No mistake
50. My dad got a new job on the night shiff.
Is Amelia always so timid and quiet?
Sometimes, I like to let my thoughts drift.
No mistake
Name
Theme Test
Theme 1
© Harcourt • Grade 5
22Spelling
Writing to a Prompt
Many of us have taught someone how to do something.
Think about a time you taught someone how to do something.
Now write a story about a time you taught someone how to do something.
Planning Page
Use this space to make your notes before you begin writing. The writing
on this page will NOT be scored.
Name
Theme Test
Theme 1
23
© Harcourt • Grade 5
Writing to a Prompt
Begin writing here. The writing on this page and the next
WILL be scored.
Name
Theme Test
Theme 1
© Harcourt • Grade 5
24Writing to a Prompt
Name
Theme Test
Theme 1
25
© Harcourt • Grade 5
Writing to a Prompt
Oral Reading Fluency
Perhaps you’ve heard of Dr. Jane Goodall, the world-famous scientist
who spent 45 years studying chimpanzees in Africa. How, you may
wonder, did she develop such an unusual interest?
Born in London, England in 1934, Jane Goodall moved to a small
town on the southern coast when she was five. On one of her birthdays,
she received a unique gift, a stuffed toy chimpanzee. She loved it
immediately, and for many years she carried it with her whenever she
traveled. Today, her toy chimpanzee is seated on a chair in her home.
Jane Goodall’s favorite books included The Story of Dr. Dolittle and
the Tarzan stories. These are both fictitious accounts about how animals
and humans communicate. Goodall says that for as long as she could
remember, she was dreaming of going to Africa to observe animals in
their native habitat.
When Jane Goodall finished school, she got a job as a secretary.
She later accepted a job with a film company in London, but was soon
invited by a friend to travel to Kenya, a country in Africa. She worked
hard to save the money to make the trip. When she finally got to Africa,
Jane Goodall’s career as a scientist blossomed and grew. Just think—it all
began with toys and books.
Name
Theme Test
Theme 1
© Harcourt • Grade 5
26Oral Reading Fluency
Name
Theme Test
Theme 1
“I can’t do this!” Benjamin shouted at the mirror, realizing his band
concert was scheduled to begin in one hour. The band director had
announced that, to participate, each boy must wear a tie. Benjamin’s
parents were at work, his older brother was at basketball practice, and
he didn’t know where his grandfather was right now. Benjamin had
himself to rely on to get dressed, which he could easily do if a tie were
not required.
Benjamin’s father had demonstrated to him, once, how to tie the
intricate knot properly. Now he couldn’t remember the steps. He tried
repeatedly, failing again and again. He wanted to strangle that tie with
its own knot!
Benjamin’s mother had always advised him that when a problem
could not be resolved, he should take a walk. So, Benjamin decided to
walk down the hallway of their apartment building. As he rounded the
corner near the elevator, he almost bumped into his grandfather. What
a relief! His grandfather greeted him with a slightly bewildered smile, as
Benjamin held the tie out as if it were a writhing snake.
Grandpa took the tie, encircling his own neck, tied the intricate knot
and then loosened it. He lifted the circle of cloth up and over his gray
haired head, and then slipped it over Benjamin’s darker one. “When you
get to that concert,” he said, “just pull this end tight.”
“Thanks, grandpa!” Benjamin called behind him as he dashed into
their apartment. He grabbed his trumpet and made for the stairs, the tie
flapping against his crisp white shirt.
© Harcourt • Grade 5
27Oral Reading Fluency