Reading Standards for Literature > Comparing Stories Within the Same Genre (CCSS.RL.5.9) Practice Test

Story A (Mystery): When the school's championship trophy disappeared from the display case, Jada, who ran the newspaper's Clue Crew, called an emergency meeting. Instead of guessing wildly, she assigned roles: Marco checked the sign-out sheets for visitors, Lina interviewed the custodian, and Jada reviewed the security camera times. They met by lunch to compare notes. Marco found that the debate team had toured the hallway. Lina learned the custodian had propped the door open during a spill. Jada noticed a gap in the video when a poster covered the lens. Piece by piece, they built a timeline and realized the "thief" was a prankster who had moved the trophy to the library as a joke. Together, they returned it before dismissal.

Story B (Mystery): That same morning, twins Malik and Soraya discovered muddy pawprints circling their neighbor's porch. Mr. Ortiz's new spaniel was missing, and he was worried. The twins split up: Malik followed the prints to the alley, while Soraya canvassed the block, asking if anyone had seen the dog. Malik noticed the tracks stopped at a broken gate near the community garden. Soraya learned from the florist that a brown-eared pup had chased butterflies there. Reuniting, they compared clues and searched the garden beds together, calling softly. They found the spaniel tangled in a vine trellis. Malik calmed the pup with a biscuit, and Soraya gently freed its collar. They returned the wagging dog to a grateful Mr. Ortiz.

Story A (Adventure): As storm clouds stacked above Timber Ridge, Leo and his aunt realized they had strayed from the main trail. A narrow snow bridge spanned a rocky gap. Leo's stomach flipped, but he breathed slowly and studied the edges. He tested each step with his trekking pole, tied a rope around his waist, and clipped into his aunt's carabiner. They counted together—one, two—moving when the wind calmed. Halfway across, a sheet of crust cracked. Leo dropped to his knees, spread his weight, and inched forward until his boots met rock. Only when they were safe did he look back, shivering, proud that careful planning had carried them across.

Story B (Adventure): When a canoe capsized near the river bend, Maya spotted a little boy clinging to the overturned hull as the current tugged hard. Lifeguards were a minute away. Without thinking long, Maya kicked off her shoes, dove from the dock, and arrowed toward him. She called, "Hold on!" and shoved the canoe toward the reeds with her shoulder. The boy's fingers slipped; Maya grabbed his life vest and hauled him to the shallow shelf, coughing, shaking, and laughing with relief. Later, her brother said he hadn't known she could move that fast. Maya hadn't either—she just knew waiting wasn't an option.