Practice Test 12

Read the story and answer the question.

Episode 1 — Exposition/Inciting Incident

Maya liked being the “behind-the-scenes” person for Oak Ridge Middle’s morning announcements. She ran the camera, checked the mic, and let other kids talk. On Monday, Ms. Delaney waved Maya over after homeroom. “Maya, our anchor is out sick for the rest of the week. We need a new voice by Friday’s assembly.”

Maya’s throat tightened. Speaking in front of the whole school felt like standing under a spotlight. “I can help with the script,” she said quickly.

Episode 2 — Rising Action Part 1

That afternoon in the media room, Maya tried practicing alone. She read the first line into the mic, but her voice came out thin and shaky. She stopped and stared at the sound levels on the screen. “Why can’t I just do my usual job?” she thought.

Her friend Jordan poked his head in. “Try again,” he said. “Pretend you’re talking to one person.” Maya tried, but when she imagined the assembly crowd, her hands started sweating.

Episode 3 — Rising Action Part 2

The next day, Ms. Delaney asked Maya to read one short announcement to the class as a warm-up. Maya stood, but the words tangled in her mouth. A few kids whispered, not meanly, just curious. Maya sat down fast, cheeks burning.

At lunch, she pushed her carrots around her tray. “I’m not built for this,” she muttered.

Jordan shrugged. “Maybe you’re built for learning it.” He offered a plan: practice in small steps—first to Jordan, then to a few friends, then to the empty auditorium.

Episode 4 — Climax/Turning Point

On Thursday after school, Maya walked onto the empty stage with Jordan holding a phone like a camera. The rows of seats looked like dark waves. Maya’s stomach flipped, and she almost turned around.

Then she remembered how the announcements helped everyone know what was happening. She took a slow breath. “Good morning, Oak Ridge,” she said, louder this time. Her voice echoed back, steady. Jordan grinned and gave a thumbs-up.

Episode 5 — Falling Action/Resolution

By Friday’s assembly, Maya still felt nervous, but she wasn’t frozen. When she stepped to the microphone, she focused on one face—Ms. Delaney’s—and began. The words flowed. A few students even clapped when she finished.

Later, Maya returned to the media room and adjusted the camera like always. Only now, she smiled at the mic instead of avoiding it.

Question: How does Maya change from the beginning to the end of the story as the plot unfolds?

Read the story and answer the question.

Episode 1 — Exposition/Inciting Incident

Ben liked fixing things—loose cabinet knobs, squeaky bike chains, broken toy wheels. When the school announced a “Inventors’ Fair,” Ben signed up right away. He planned to build a simple machine that could pick up litter without bending down.

But when he opened his toolbox, his favorite small screwdriver was missing.

Episode 2 — Rising Action Part 1

That afternoon, Ben searched his room, then the garage. He pulled boxes off shelves until dust made him sneeze. “I can’t build anything without it,” he thought.

His little sister, Wren, watched from the doorway. “Maybe you left it at Grandpa’s,” she said.

Ben frowned. Grandpa lived across town, and the fair was in five days. Still, Ben called. Grandpa said, “I haven’t seen it, but come check.”

Episode 3 — Rising Action Part 2

The next day after school, Ben rode the bus to Grandpa’s. They looked through drawers and jars of nails. No screwdriver.

Ben’s shoulders sagged. “I’m running out of time,” he said.

Grandpa tapped the workbench. “Tools help, but your plan matters more. What else could do the job?”

Ben stared at a butter knife, a coin, and a pair of pliers. An idea sparked. “I could use the coin to tighten the small screws,” he said, testing it.

Episode 4 — Climax/Turning Point

On the night before the fair, Ben’s grabber arm kept slipping. He wanted to throw it in the trash. Instead, he remembered Grandpa’s words.

He adjusted the hinge with the coin, then used pliers to pinch the metal tighter. The arm finally held a soda can without dropping it.

Episode 5 — Falling Action/Resolution

At the fair, Ben demonstrated his invention. The judges asked about his missing tool. Ben smiled. “I learned to improvise,” he said. “I didn’t quit just because one part was gone.”

After the fair, Wren found the screwdriver behind the washing machine. Ben laughed, but he didn’t feel angry. He felt proud.

Question: How does the plot unfold in distinct episodes that build toward the resolution?