Dance Contest Comprehension Worksheet
The Dance Contest
Reading Passage • Close Reading Packet
Name:
Date:
Score: / 10
Story Cast Sam & Pam: Dancers • Kip: Coach • Nan & Bats: The Bat Band • Zeke & Steve: Last Winners
The Shed
The Dance Contest
Read carefully before continuing to the questions
It was the eve of the big dance contest. Sam said to Pam, "We have to win this time! Zeke and Steve got the prize again last time."
"We need to change up our moves to win," he said.
"These are the only moves we know," Pam said.
"That is why I asked Kip to help us," Sam said. "He will be here soon."
Nan said, "We will go get some fresh air while you practice." The bats left.
Just then, Kip came into the shed.
"Who wants to try some new dance moves?" he said to Pam and Sam.
Sam said, "We are glad you are here. You and Kim have the best dance moves. We want to win the contest."
Kip said, "I will show you how to do a side-by-side leap. Then I will show you how to do a lift."
"No one has done leaps or lifts in the contest," said Sam. "If we can complete those moves, we should win."
"There is no theme in the contest, so we can do any moves we want," Pam said.
Kip said, "Great! To do this move, you run two steps and jump into the air like this. You try it."
Kip said, "If you can do these leaps, you will do well in the contest." In no time, Pam and Sam could do side-by-side leaps.
Kip said, "Now for the lift. Pam, you will run to Sam, and he will lift you above him."
"When Pam runs to you," said Kip, "bend down a bit, put your hands on her hips, and lift. Pam, your job is to stay as stiff as you can and look up!"
Pam and Kip did the lift many times. The bats came back into the shed. Sam said to the bats, "We have two new moves to show you!"
"Sounds like you need the Bat Band to play!" said Nan.
Kip said, "Pam and Sam can show us the dance in their dance outfits!"
Reader's Strategy: All 10 multiple choice questions on Pages 2 and 3 are text-explicit. Look back at this page to locate and verify the exact sentences before choosing your answer!
The Dance Contest • Reading Passage Turn to Page 2 for Questions 1–5 → • Page 1 of 3
The Dance Contest • Comprehension Questions
Part 1: Questions 1 to 5
Student Name:
Directions: Read each question carefully. Circle the letter (A, B, C, or D) for the best answer based on the story.
1 When does the story take place?
A. On the morning after the dance contest
B. On the eve of the big dance contest
C. During the final round of the contest
D. Two weeks before rehearsals started
2 Who got the prize in the dance contest last time?
A. Kip and Kim
B. Nan and the bats
C. Zeke and Steve
D. Sam and Pam
3 Why did Sam ask Kip to help them?
A. Kip plays drums in the Bat Band
B. Kip and Kim have the best dance moves
C. Kip is the judge of the contest
D. Kip can sew their dance outfits
4 Where does Kip meet Pam and Sam to practice?
A. In the shed
B. In the school auditorium
C. In an outdoor park
D. At the contest stage
5 Why do Nan and the bats leave the shed?
A. To go search for Kip
B. To purchase their dance outfits
C. To get some fresh air while they practice
D. To pack up their musical instruments
The Dance Contest • Questions 1–5 Turn to Page 3 for Questions 6–10 → • Page 2 of 3
The Dance Contest • Comprehension Questions
Part 2: Questions 6 to 10
Student Name:
6 What is the first dance move that Kip teaches Pam and Sam?
A. A backward flip
B. A side-by-side leap
C. A spinning jump
D. A high lift
7 Why can Pam and Sam perform any dance moves they want?
A. There is no theme in the contest
B. They received a special rule exemption
C. Kip created the official rules
D. They were last year's champions
8 How does Kip tell Pam and Sam to perform the leap?
A. Spin around twice and touch the ground
B. Run two steps and jump into the air
C. Hop on one foot and clap hands
D. Slide to the left and kick high
9 What is Pam's job during the lift?
A. Keep her arms loose and bend her knees
B. Close her eyes and balance on Sam's shoulders
C. Stay as stiff as she can and look up
D. Wave both hands toward the audience
10 What does Nan say Sam and Pam need after they learn the two moves?
A. A set of matching dance shoes
B. More rest before the competition
C. The Bat Band to play
D. A third dancer to join their routine
Text Evidence Bonus: Write the exact sentence from Page 1 that gave you the answer to Question 10.
The Dance Contest • Questions 6–10 End of Assessment • Page 3 of 3
Dance Contest Answer Key
The Dance Contest • Teacher Answer Key
Text-Explicit Multiple Choice Assessment • 10 Questions
Grade Level: Early Reader / Grade 1–2
Quick Key
1: B 2: C 3: B 4: A 5: C 6: B 7: A 8: B 9: C 10: C
Q1: When does story take place? Key: B
Answer: On the eve of the big dance contest
Evidence: "It was the eve of the big dance contest." (Par. 1)
Q2: Who got the prize last time? Key: C
Answer: Zeke and Steve
Evidence: "Zeke and Steve got the prize again last time." (Par. 1)
Q3: Why ask Kip to help? Key: B
Answer: Kip and Kim have best dance moves
Evidence: "You and Kim have the best dance moves." (Par. 8)
Q4: Where do they practice? Key: A
Answer: In the shed
Evidence: "Just then, Kip came into the shed." (Par. 6)
Q5: Why do Nan and bats leave? Key: C
Answer: To get fresh air while they practice
Evidence: "We will go get some fresh air while you practice." (Par. 5)
Q6: First dance move taught? Key: B
Answer: A side-by-side leap
Evidence: "I will show you how to do a side-by-side leap." (Par. 9)
Q7: Why any moves allowed? Key: A
Answer: There is no theme in the contest
Evidence: "There is no theme in the contest..." (Par. 11)
Q8: How to perform the leap? Key: B
Answer: Run two steps and jump into air
Evidence: "To do this move, you run two steps and jump..." (Par. 12)
Q9: Pam's job during lift? Key: C
Answer: Stay as stiff as she can and look up
Evidence: "Pam, your job is to stay as stiff as you can and look up!" (Par. 15)
Q10: What does Nan say they need? Key: C
Answer: The Bat Band to play
Evidence: "'Sounds like you need the Bat Band to play!' said Nan." (Par. 17)
Teaching Tip • Literal Comprehension: All 10 questions are text-explicit ("right-there") questions. Have students underline or highlight the exact sentence in the passage on Page 1 before choosing their answer to reinforce text-evidence retrieval skills.
The Dance Contest • Teacher Answer Key Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.1 / RL.2.1 • Page 1 of 1
