A Competition Onstage

Ever since Lisa auditioned for the musical Annie in the third grade, she had been seriously interested in musical theater. She loves to sing, dance, and act. She performs in two or three shows in her city each year.

This year, Lisa was excited to audition for the school musical. She was thrilled to get the part of the funny kid sister. She came to the first rehearsal in her tights and T-shirt, ready to dance. When she entered the auditorium, she scanned the groups of students, looking for a familiar face. She was surprised to see no one from her grade. Everyone looked older, and no one was wearing dance clothes.

A group of girls turned toward Lisa. One girl began to point and giggle. Lisa took a seat near the piano. Her cheeks burned. She tugged on her T-shirt, trying to make it longer, but it was no use. Finally, the music director arrived to lead the students through vocal warm-ups. Lisa forgot the giggling girl and began singing loudly.

After warm-ups, the director split the students into groups. Lisa’s stomach ached when she saw that she was in the group with Michelle, the giggling girl.

“Michelle, go ahead and lead your group in scales,” the director said turning to the other group.

“You know, you don’t have to sing so loud,” Michelle said to Lisa after the group sang their first scale.

Lisa looked down. Her eyes stung as she blinked back tears.

“Aw, leave her alone, Michelle. She’s young,” said a tall boy.

“Too young to be in the show,” countered Michelle. Lisa could feel the others’ eyes boring holes into the top of her head.

“Let’s just stick to the scales, okay?” another girl piped up. The students began singing again. Lisa barely opened her mouth. Then she felt someone nudge her in the side.

“She’s just jealous. She wanted your part,” whispered a smiling girl with dark curls.

“Oh. Thanks,” Lisa smiled back. The music director joined them and began teaching them the first song. Michelle had a solo.

“Nice work, Michelle,” the director praised. “You have quite a voice.” Michelle beamed. Then she looked at Lisa and smirked. Lisa sighed and looked down at her music.

The second song they learned had Lisa’s solo in it. She sang in the funny, high-pitched voice of a little kid. The others began to laugh.

“Great, Lisa! Just what that song needs – some comic relief,” the director said, grinning at her. Lisa smiled, but didn’t dare look at Michelle.

After rehearsal, Lisa stood outside the school, waiting for her bus. Someone came up behind her.

“Uh, good job.” Lisa turned to see Michelle standing awkwardly before her.

“Thanks. You too,” Lisa said cautiously. “You sure can hit those high notes. I can barely sing above C.”

“Thanks,” Michelle said, and this time her smirk turned into a genuine smile.

Read these lines from the story.

“She’s just jealous. She wanted your part,” whispered a smiling girl with dark curls.

How do these lines affect the reader’s understanding of the story?

It proves to the reader that Lisa is the best singer.
It helps the reader realize Michelle’s motivation.
It demonstrates to the reader some characters are kind.
It clues the reader to how the story is going to end.

Read the sentence from the story.

"’Michelle, go ahead and lead your group in scales,’ the director said turning to the other group."

What does the word scales mean as used in this sentence?

musical notes
wooden ruler
balanced moves
careful dance steps

Who is the key character in the story’s climax?

The director
Michelle
The girl with curly hair
The tall boy


Which sentence from the passage indicates Michelle’s real reason for being unkind to Lisa?

“You know, you don’t have to sing so loud,” Michelle said to Lisa after the group sang their first scale.
“Too young to be in the show,” countered Michelle.
“She’s just jealous. She wanted your part,” whispered a smiling girl with dark curls.
“You sure can hit those high notes. I can barely sing above C.”

my answers are
b
a
b
c

.

It would also help if you numbered the questions and your answers.

1.

Read these lines from the story.

“She’s just jealous. She wanted your part,” whispered a smiling girl with dark curls.

How do these lines affect the reader’s understanding of the story? (1 point)

It proves to the reader that Lisa is the best singer.
It helps the reader realize Michelle’s motivation.
It demonstrates to the reader some characters are kind.
It clues the reader to how the story is going to end.

2.
What is the internal conflict in the story? (1 point)

Lisa feels embarrassed.
Lisa sings a solo.
Michelle criticizes Lisa.
The director praises Michelle.

3.
Read the sentence from the story.

"’Michelle, go ahead and lead your group in scales,’ the director said turning to the other group."

What does the word scales mean as used in this sentence? (1 point)

musical notes
wooden ruler
balanced moves
careful dance steps

4.
Who is the key character in the story’s climax? (1 point)

The director
Michelle
The girl with curly hair
The tall boy

5.
Which sentence from the passage indicates Michelle’s real reason for being unkind to Lisa? (1 point)

“You know, you don’t have to sing so loud,” Michelle said to Lisa after the group sang their first scale.
“Too young to be in the show,” countered Michelle.
“She’s just jealous. She wanted your part,” whispered a smiling girl with dark curls.
“You sure can hit those high notes. I can barely sing above C.”

my answers 1.b
3.a
4.b
5.c

I agree with your answers.

What about 2?

sorry 2 is a

Right.

Your answers are correct!

In the first question, the line "She's just jealous. She wanted your part," whispered a smiling girl with dark curls, helps the reader understand Michelle's motivation for being unkind to Lisa. It shows that Michelle was envious of the part Lisa got and suggests why she may be acting out.

In the second question, the word "scales" means musical notes. In this context, the director is instructing Michelle to lead her group in singing the musical scale as a vocal warm-up exercise.

In the third question, the key character in the story's climax is Michelle. She plays a significant role in creating tension and conflict for Lisa, making her the key character during the climax.

Lastly, in the fourth question, the sentence that indicates Michelle's real reason for being unkind to Lisa is "She's just jealous. She wanted your part," whispered a smiling girl with dark curls. This line reveals the true motive behind Michelle's actions towards Lisa.