Read Grade-Level Literature Practice Test
•10 QuestionsRead the drama scene, then answer the question.
School office. A poster reads: “Attendance Matters.” MS. HART, the secretary, types. NIA (13) stands with a crumpled late slip.
MS. HART: Name?
NIA: Nia Alvarez.
MS. HART: (without looking up) Again.
NIA: The bus—
MS. HART: The bus is always the villain. (prints a slip) Here.
NIA: (doesn’t take it yet) Can you… not write “tardy” so big?
MS. HART: It’s a form. Forms don’t have feelings.
NIA: People do.
MS. HART pauses, fingers hovering over the keyboard.
MS. HART: Your teacher asked about you.
NIA: (quickly) I’m here.
MS. HART: Mm-hmm.
NIA: I’m not skipping.
MS. HART: I didn’t say you were.
NIA: (smooths the late slip, then crumples it again) Everyone looks at me like I’m doing something wrong.
MS. HART: (finally meets her eyes) Are you?
NIA: (a beat) No.
MS. HART: Then stop carrying it like a backpack.
NIA: (almost smiles) Easy for you to say.
MS. HART: (softens) What time did you leave your house?
NIA: Early.
MS. HART: And you still didn’t make it.
NIA: (shrugs, but her voice is tight) Some mornings are… crowded.
MS. HART: (slides a pen across the counter) Write me a note. Not an excuse. A note.
What can the reader infer about why Nia is often late, based on the dialogue and stage directions?
Read the drama scene, then answer the question.
School office. A poster reads: “Attendance Matters.” MS. HART, the secretary, types. NIA (13) stands with a crumpled late slip.
MS. HART: Name?
NIA: Nia Alvarez.
MS. HART: (without looking up) Again.
NIA: The bus—
MS. HART: The bus is always the villain. (prints a slip) Here.
NIA: (doesn’t take it yet) Can you… not write “tardy” so big?
MS. HART: It’s a form. Forms don’t have feelings.
NIA: People do.
MS. HART pauses, fingers hovering over the keyboard.
MS. HART: Your teacher asked about you.
NIA: (quickly) I’m here.
MS. HART: Mm-hmm.
NIA: I’m not skipping.
MS. HART: I didn’t say you were.
NIA: (smooths the late slip, then crumples it again) Everyone looks at me like I’m doing something wrong.
MS. HART: (finally meets her eyes) Are you?
NIA: (a beat) No.
MS. HART: Then stop carrying it like a backpack.
NIA: (almost smiles) Easy for you to say.
MS. HART: (softens) What time did you leave your house?
NIA: Early.
MS. HART: And you still didn’t make it.
NIA: (shrugs, but her voice is tight) Some mornings are… crowded.
MS. HART: (slides a pen across the counter) Write me a note. Not an excuse. A note.
What can the reader infer about why Nia is often late, based on the dialogue and stage directions?