Compare Stories in Same Genre Practice Test
•8 QuestionsRead the two mystery story excerpts, then answer the question.
Story 1: “Case of the Vanishing Snacks”
Sofia opened the class pantry and stared. The box of granola bars for the field trip was half empty. The teacher’s note still said: DO NOT TOUCH UNTIL FRIDAY.
Sofia took a slow breath and began listing facts in her notebook. The pantry door squeaked. Someone had tried to hide it with a folded paper towel. A few crumbs sat on the bottom shelf.
She didn’t accuse anyone. Instead, she asked, “Who was in the room during recess?” Her classmates shrugged.
During cleanup, Sofia noticed a trail of tiny crumbs leading to the recycling bin. Inside, she found a wrapper with a neat tear and a smudge of purple marker.
Only one person used purple marker for everything: Chen.
Sofia walked over and spoke quietly. “If it was you, we can fix it,” she said.
Chen’s face turned red. “I took some,” he admitted. “I was hungry. I’ll replace them.”
Story 2: “The Secret Shortcut”
Amir volunteered to help set up the school fair. When he arrived early, the supply closet was already unlocked. A stack of tickets was missing.
Amir’s heart raced. He wanted to tell the principal right away, but he remembered last year’s rumor that blamed the wrong kid.
He checked the lock. No scratches. He checked the floor. No dust was disturbed. Then he looked up.
A ceiling tile was slightly tilted. Amir dragged a chair over, climbed carefully, and found the tickets tucked above the tile with a note: BORROWED FOR COUNTING.
Later, he saw Ms. Patel, the office helper, carrying a calculator.
Amir asked calmly, “Did you move the tickets?”
Ms. Patel sighed. “Yes. I should have told someone. Thank you for asking first.”
Story 1 and Story 2 both address how truth is uncovered in a mystery. What is the main difference in how the investigators solve the problem?
Read the two mystery story excerpts, then answer the question.
Story 1: “Case of the Vanishing Snacks”
Sofia opened the class pantry and stared. The box of granola bars for the field trip was half empty. The teacher’s note still said: DO NOT TOUCH UNTIL FRIDAY.
Sofia took a slow breath and began listing facts in her notebook. The pantry door squeaked. Someone had tried to hide it with a folded paper towel. A few crumbs sat on the bottom shelf.
She didn’t accuse anyone. Instead, she asked, “Who was in the room during recess?” Her classmates shrugged.
During cleanup, Sofia noticed a trail of tiny crumbs leading to the recycling bin. Inside, she found a wrapper with a neat tear and a smudge of purple marker.
Only one person used purple marker for everything: Chen.
Sofia walked over and spoke quietly. “If it was you, we can fix it,” she said.
Chen’s face turned red. “I took some,” he admitted. “I was hungry. I’ll replace them.”
Story 2: “The Secret Shortcut”
Amir volunteered to help set up the school fair. When he arrived early, the supply closet was already unlocked. A stack of tickets was missing.
Amir’s heart raced. He wanted to tell the principal right away, but he remembered last year’s rumor that blamed the wrong kid.
He checked the lock. No scratches. He checked the floor. No dust was disturbed. Then he looked up.
A ceiling tile was slightly tilted. Amir dragged a chair over, climbed carefully, and found the tickets tucked above the tile with a note: BORROWED FOR COUNTING.
Later, he saw Ms. Patel, the office helper, carrying a calculator.
Amir asked calmly, “Did you move the tickets?”
Ms. Patel sighed. “Yes. I should have told someone. Thank you for asking first.”
Story 1 and Story 2 both address how truth is uncovered in a mystery. What is the main difference in how the investigators solve the problem?