Have you ever wanted to give up on something before you even started? That’s how Raja felt as he squinted up at the looming mountain crowned in clouds. Then he looked back at the group of boys behind him. “Are you all ready?” one of their leaders, Max’s dad, shouted.All the boys turned to him and yelled, “Yeah!” Raja yelled too, but inside his stomach turned. He picked up his pack. When he swung it over his shoulder, the weight nearly toppled him to the ground. He looked quickly around to make sure no one had noticed him stumble. He saw several of his friends staggering under the weight of their packs. “It takes some getting used to,” Leon’s dad chuckled, “but by tomorrow you’ll be expert backpackers. Okay, who wants to be first to lead us on the trail? Raja, why don’t you start out as the leader? Here’s the map. We’re following the green trail to the top of the mountain. That’s where we’ll camp for the night.” Raja didn’t want to lead; he wasn’t even sure he could walk with the heavy pack. But he also didn’t want the other boys to think he was weak. “Okay,” he managed, taking the map and turning toward the trail. By noon Raja’s shoulders ached. When they stopped by a small waterfall for lunch, he let his pack fall to the ground and sat down heavily. Raja was so tired that he didn’t even want to eat. But Max and Leon’s dads cheerfully handed out sandwiches and drew the boys into a circle. “Let’s talk about this morning’s hike,” Leon’s dad began. “Who has a comment?” “It was long,” Leon piped up. “It was hard,” Max agreed. I’m tired. Do we have to hike all the way up the mountain?” whined Juan. Raja thought he was the only one whose muscles ached. He smiled to discover that all the boys had similar complaints. “Well, we don’t have to hike all the way up. There’s a campground halfway. Are you all too tired to make it? Should we adjust our goal?” Max’s dad looked around the circle. “I’m tired too,” Raja spoke up quietly, “but I think we can make it to the top. I didn’t think we could this morning, but now I see how far we’ve come.” Raja had never said so much in front of a large group. He didn’t know what gave him the confidence now. “Who agrees with Raja?” Leon’s dad asked. “I do,” Max shrugged. “Yeah, I guess we shouldn’t give up now,” said Felipe. The boys shouldered their packs again. This time Raja didn’t stumble. Somehow, the pack felt lighter. Or was he somehow stronger? Raja wondered this to himself as he followed the others past the waterfall and on up the mountain.
To which sense does the phrase 'squinted up at the looming mountain crowned in clouds' appeal to?
A. sound
B. touch
C. smell
D. sight
D
What is the primary lesson found in the story?
A. You are often stronger than you think.
B. Speaking up can help you make friends.
C. Hiking takes more effort than some may think.
D. You can prove you're tough enough if you try hard enough.
A
Samuel Johnson's quote at the starting of the story encourages readers to
A. achieve their dreams through willpower and determination.
B. go out and challenge themselves to climb a large mountain.
C. exercise on a regular basis to become stronger.
D. realize that most goals are accomplished through sheer power.
A
Read this line from the story.
"Okay," he managed, taking the map and turning towards the trail.
What does the use of the verb "managed" tell you about Raja?
A. He's struggling to cope.
B. He would rather not talk.
C. He's angry about being asked to lead.
D. He's not comfortable talking to Leon's dad.
B? Not sure.
The author infers that the group of climbers
A. is quite capable of reaching the top of the mountain.
B. will turn back when their exhaustion becomes too great.
C. will reach the peak far sooner than expected.
A
A. He's struggling to cope.
I agree with the rest of your answers,
Thank you. I find it kind of odd though that four straight As would be correct; it isn't very common.
The phrase "squinted up at the looming mountain crowned in clouds" appeals to the sense of sight. The word "squinted" suggests that Raja is trying to see the mountain more clearly by narrowing his eyes, and it implies that he is visually perceiving the mountain and the clouds.
The primary lesson found in the story is that "You are often stronger than you think." This lesson is illustrated through Raja's initial doubts and struggles with the heavy backpack, but then realizing that he and his friends can push through and reach their goal. Raja's comment about how far they have come shows that he has discovered his own strength, both physically and mentally.
Samuel Johnson's quote at the beginning of the story encourages readers to "achieve their dreams through willpower and determination." This quote sets the tone for the story and helps to establish the theme of perseverance and overcoming obstacles. It suggests that success comes from being determined and willing to put in the effort.
The use of the verb "managed" in the sentence "Okay, he managed, taking the map and turning towards the trail" tells us that Raja is struggling to cope. The word "managed" implies that Raja is finding it difficult or challenging to take on the task of leading the group. It suggests that he is pushing through his doubts and uncertainties to take on the responsibility despite his struggles.
The author infers that the group of climbers is quite capable of reaching the top of the mountain. This is evidenced by Raja's realization of their progress and his belief that they can make it to the top. The fact that all the boys agree with him and continue hiking suggests that they have the determination and strength to reach their goal. The story does not suggest that they will turn back due to exhaustion or reach the peak sooner than expected.