"You hoodlums stay off my grass!" Mario looked in the direction of the scolding voice, which came from Mario's new next-door neighbor. Mr. Acosta was standing on his front porch glaring at Mario and his friends, Cody and Victor, who were tossing a football in Mario's yard.
"We won't come into your yard, and we're not destructive," Mario said matter-of-factly.
"You young people don't have any respect for others!" said Mr. Acosta sharply.
Mario felt his face redden with anger.
"Let's go inside," Mario said to his friends, and the trio filed into Mario's house. After Cody and Victor left, Mario sat on his bed and thought about what Mr. Acosta had said, especially the hoodlum part. Mario felt his anger rise again and wondered how Mr. Acosta could make such a judgment with no evidence. For a few seconds, Mario had a vision of stomping all over Mr. Acosta's front yard.
Then he remembered that when Victor was a new student at Mario's school, Mario had believed Victor was snobbish until he had learned that Victor was just shy and didn't like being the new kid in school. He also knew that getting even only makes a bad situation worse.
Mario went to the kitchen and put some of his mother's homemade cookies in a small bag. He went to Mr. Acosta's house. When he got to the front door, he took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. Mr. Acosta opened the door and scowled at Mario.
"What do you want?" he demanded.
"I brought some cookies," answered Mario. Mr. Acosta looked at the bag of cookies and then at Mario. Even through the screen door, Mario could see a glimmer of regret and maybe even sadness in Mr. Acosta's eyes. Mr. Acosta took the cookies.
Mario turned to leave. He was halfway down the sidewalk when he heard Mr.
Acosta say in a soft voice, "Thank you."
1. Which sentence states the main idea?
A. A teenage boy works to overcome his neighbor's prejudice.
B. Sometimes neighbors behave in unexpected ways.
C. Three friends plot against an elderly neighbor.
D. A new neighbor is eager to get to know Mario and his family.
2. How does Mario attempt to solve the problem with his neighbor?
A. He stays away from Mr. Acosta to avoid trouble.
B. He and his friends make cookies for
Mr. Acosta.
C. He makes a kind gesture towards
Mr. Acosta.
D. He stomps on Mr. Acosta's yard.
3. What is the most likely reason for Mr. Acosta's behavior?
A. He is trying to be playful.
B. He wants Mario to bring him some cookies.
C. He knows that talking tough will earn the boys' respect.
D. He has been disrespected by teenagers in the past.
4. What is the theme of the story?
A. Differences between older people and younger people cannot be overcome.
B. Conflicts can be resolved when people act with kindness and understanding.
C. Teenagers are mischievous and not to be trusted.
D. People who do not want to form friendships should not be forced to.
1. A. A teenage boy works to overcome his neighbor's prejudice.
2. C. He makes a kind gesture towards Mr. Acosta.
3. D. He has been disrespected by teenagers in the past.
4. B. Conflicts can be resolved when people act with kindness and understanding.
1. The main idea is A. A teenage boy works to overcome his neighbor's prejudice.
2. Mario attempts to solve the problem with his neighbor by C. making a kind gesture towards Mr. Acosta.
3. The most likely reason for Mr. Acosta's behavior is D. he has been disrespected by teenagers in the past.
4. The theme of the story is B. Conflicts can be resolved when people act with kindness and understanding.