Level 6 Spotlight Scramble Set Final Spotlight Scramble
Level 6 Assessment
Passage
The setting is the backstage area of the Oakwood Middle School theater. It is five minutes before the final dress rehearsal of the school play, "The Phantom of the Attic."
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LEO: (Checking a clipboard frantically) Where is the candelabra? Sam! I told you it needed to be stage left by 6:45! This rehearsal is a critical milestone for the production.
SAM: (Emerging from behind a pile of old curtains) Relax, Leo. It’s right here. I was just polishing the fake wax. It looks more "haunted" now. I thought a little aesthetic improvement would bolster the mood.
MIA: (Wailing from the dressing room door) Disaster! Absolute catastrophe! My mask—the silver one for the masquerade scene—it’s vanished into thin air!
LEO: (Stopping mid-pace) Mia, you had it in your hand during the vocal warm-ups. I saw you using it as a fan while you were complaining about the heat.
MIA: That was twenty minutes ago! Now it’s gone, and I cannot possibly perform without the proper motivation. A phantom without a mask is just... a girl in a dusty dress! It ruins the entire illusion of the character.
MR. HENDERSON: (Entering from the house) Places, everyone. We start in four minutes. Why does Mia look like she’s just witnessed a real ghost? We need full focus for this run-through.
LEO: Missing mask, Mr. Henderson. I’m on it. Sam, check the prop table again. Mia, retrace your steps to the music room. I’ll check the orchestra pit. We have to be thorough.
SAM: (Whispering to Leo) I think I saw the janitor moving some boxes near the stage door earlier. Maybe he thought it was trash? He was clearing out the hallway for the fire inspector.
LEO: Trash? That mask cost thirty dollars and three rolls of silver tape! Not to mention the hours Mia spent detailing it! Go, go, go!
MIA: (Hurrying back, breathless) I found it! It wasn't in the music room. It was snagged on the lighting rig backstage! I must have set it down when I was helping the tech crew with the gels.
MR. HENDERSON: (Clapping hands) Crisis averted. Now, let's make some theater magic happen. Positions!
Level 6 ELA - Questions 1-5
Name: __________________________
1. Which character is primarily responsible for the organizational and logistical aspects of the rehearsal?
A. Sam
B. Mia
C. Leo
D. Mr. Henderson
2. In line 18, the word illusion most likely means —
A. a false or deceptive appearance or belief.
B. a secret plan to do something harmful.
C. a physical injury caused by an accident.
D. a feeling of intense excitement or joy.
3. Based on the stage directions, how does Leo's physical behavior reflect his state of mind?
A. His wailing suggests he is deeply saddened by the missing mask.
B. His frantic clipboard checking and constant movement show his stress and sense of responsibility.
C. His whispering to Sam shows that he is trying to hide information from Mr. Henderson.
D. His clapping shows that he is happy with the progress of the rehearsal.
4. Which piece of evidence from the text best supports the idea that the mask is valuable to the students?
A. "My mask—the silver one for the masquerade scene—it’s vanished into thin air!"
B. "A phantom without a mask is just... a girl in a dusty dress!"
C. "That mask cost thirty dollars and three rolls of silver tape! Not to mention the hours Mia spent detailing it!"
D. "It was snagged on the lighting rig backstage!"
5. How does the playwright use the character of Sam to contrast with Leo?
A. Sam is more concerned about the fire inspector than the play.
B. Sam is relaxed and focused on artistic details, while Leo is tense and focused on deadlines.
C. Sam is lazy and forgets his duties, while Leo does everything himself.
D. Sam is fearful of Mr. Henderson, while Leo is disrespectful.
Level 6 ELA - Questions 6-10
6. Read the line from the play.
"I cannot possibly perform without the proper motivation."
In this context, motivation refers to —
A. a reward given for a good performance.
B. the reason or stimulus that drives a character's actions.
C. the physical strength needed to move props.
D. a set of instructions written by the director.
7. Which theme is most clearly developed throughout the play?
A. Friendship is more important than achieving goals.
B. Overcoming obstacles requires teamwork and persistence.
C. Technology is a distraction in the creative process.
D. It is better to work alone than in a group.
8. What is the primary purpose of Mr. Henderson's character in this scene?
A. To serve as the antagonist who prevents the rehearsal from starting.
B. To provide comic relief with his misunderstanding of Mia's distress.
C. To represent authority and emphasize the time pressure facing the students.
D. To help Mia find her mask in the music room.
9. The setting of the "backstage area" contributes to the mood of the play by —
A. creating a sense of isolation and quiet reflection.
B. emphasizing the chaotic and fast-paced environment of a theater production.
C. showing the contrast between the school environment and the outside world.
D. highlighting the lack of resources available to the students.
10. Explain how the interactions between the characters during the "crisis" reveal their different priorities. Use specific evidence from the play to support your answer.
Level 4 Spotlight Scramble Set Final Spotlight Scramble
Level 4 Assessment
Passage
The play takes place behind the stage at a school. It is almost time for the big show.
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LEO: (Looking at his list) Sam, where is the candle holder? I need it on the left side of the stage now! The show starts very soon.
SAM: (Walking out from the curtains) Don't worry, Leo. I have it. I was just cleaning it. It looks very spooky now. I wanted it to look perfect for the ghost scene.
MIA: (Shouting from her door) Oh no! This is terrible! My silver mask is gone! I cannot find it anywhere!
LEO: Mia, you had it a few minutes ago. I saw you playing with it during the vocal warm-ups.
MIA: Well, it is gone now! I cannot be the Ghost if I do not have my mask. I will just be a girl in an old dress! The whole play will be ruined.
MR. HENDERSON: (Walking in) Get ready, everyone. We start in four minutes. Why is Mia so upset? We need to be ready to go.
LEO: She lost her mask, Mr. Henderson. Sam, look on the prop table. Mia, go back to the music room. I will look under the stage. We must be quick.
SAM: I saw the janitor with some boxes earlier. Maybe he took it by mistake? He was moving things out of the hallway.
LEO: We need that mask! It took us a long time to make it. Hurry up and look!
MIA: (Running back) I found it! It was stuck to the back of the curtain. I must have dropped it when I was helping Sam. I'm so relieved!
MR. HENDERSON: Good job, everyone. Now, let's get into our spots. It's time for the show!
Level 4 ELA - Questions 1-5
Name: __________________________
1. What is the main problem in the play?
A. Sam lost the candle holder.
B. Mia cannot find her silver mask.
C. Mr. Henderson is angry at the kids.
D. The janitor threw away the props.
2. Based on the play, what is Leo's job backstage?
A. He is the main actor.
B. He is the teacher in charge.
C. He is organizing the props and the stage.
D. He is the school janitor.
3. Why did Sam have the candle holder?
A. He was hiding it from Leo.
B. He was cleaning it to make it look spooky.
Level 3 Spotlight Scramble Set Final Spotlight Scramble
Level 3 Assessment
Passage
This story is about a school play. The kids are getting ready to start the show.
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LEO: Sam, where is the candle? I need it for the stage right now.
SAM: I have it right here, Leo. I was making it look clean and shiny for the show.
MIA: Help! I lost my silver mask! I looked everywhere, but it is gone!
LEO: Mia, you had it in your hand before. Where did you put it?
MIA: I do not know! I need that mask to be in the play. I cannot be a ghost without it.
MR. HENDERSON: It is time to start. Why are you all talking? We need to get in our spots.
LEO: Mia lost her mask. We are trying to find it. Sam, look on the big table. Mia, look in your room. I will look by the chairs.
SAM: Maybe the janitor put it in a box? I saw him cleaning earlier in the hallway.
LEO: We must find it fast! The show starts in three minutes!
MIA: (Pointing) Wait! Look! It is peeking out from behind the curtain!
SAM: I see it! I will go grab it for you, Mia. Don't worry.
MR. HENDERSON: Great work. Now, let's go out and do our best. Good luck!
Level 3 ELA - Questions 1-5
Name: __________________________
1. What is the main problem in this story?
A. Sam lost the shiny candle.
B. Mia lost her silver mask.
C. Mr. Henderson is late for the play.
D. The janitor is angry at the kids.
2. Who is looking for the candle at the start of the play?
A. Sam
B. Leo
C. Mia
D. Mr. Henderson
3. Why does Mia need her mask?
A. To look like a shiny star
B. To be a ghost in the play
C. To hide from the janitor
D. To help Sam clean the stage
4. What does the word shiny mean in this story?
A. Very dark and scary
B. Bright and reflecting light
C. Heavy and hard to move
D. Old and dusty
5. How does Mr. Henderson help the kids?
Level 2 Spotlight Scramble Set Final Spotlight Scramble
Level 2 Assessment
Passage
The kids are in a school play. They are backstage. The show will start very soon.
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LEO: Sam, I need the candle. Where is it? We need it for the stage.
SAM: Here it is. It looks very good now. I cleaned it for you.
MIA: Oh no! My mask is gone! I cannot find my silver mask.
LEO: You had it before, Mia. Did you drop it on the floor?
MIA: I do not know! I need it for the show. I want to look like a ghost.
MR. HENDERSON: It is time to go. Is everyone ready? We must start the play.
LEO: No. Mia lost her mask. We have to find it now.
SAM: Look in the box. Look on the table. We must hurry!
MIA: (Running back) I found it! It was behind the curtain. Let's go!
MR. HENDERSON: Great! Let's get in our spots. Good luck!
Level 2 ELA - Questions 1-5
Name: __________________________
1. Where does this story take place?
A. At a park
B. Backstage at a school play
C. In a ghost house
2. Which character is looking for a candle?
A. Leo
B. Sam
C. Mia
3. Why is Mia upset?
A. She is scared of ghosts.
B. She lost her silver mask.
C. She does not want to be in the play.
4. Who tells the kids it is "time to go"?
A. Sam
B. Leo
C. Mr. Henderson
5. What does the word hurry mean in this story?
A. To walk very slowly
B. To move or act quickly
C. To stop and take a nap
Level 2 ELA - Questions 6-10
6. Where did Mia find her mask?
A. In a box
B. On the table
C. Behind the curtain
7. Which character helps Leo by looking in the box?
A. Sam
B. Mia
C. Mr. Henderson
8. What is the play about?
A. A park with birds
B. A ghost in a school
C. A cleaning day
9. How do the kids solve the problem?
Spotlight Scramble Teacher Guide Updated final Spotlight Scramble: Teacher Guide
Differentiated ELA Assessments (10 Questions Each) | Focus: MA ELA Strands
Level 2 Answer Key
(2nd Grade Readability)
1. B (Backstage)
6. C (Behind curtain)
2. A (Leo)
7. A (Sam)
3. B (Lost mask)
8. B (Ghost in school)
4. C (Mr. Henderson)
9. A (Working together)
5. B (Move quickly)
(Prop: Candle or Mask)
Level 3 Answer Key
(3rd Grade Readability)
1. B (Lost mask)
6. C (Behind curtain)
2. B (Leo)
7. C (Leo)
3. B (Ghost in play)
8. B (Working together)
4. B (Bright/Light)
9. B (Cooperation)
5. B (Reminds of time)
(3 mins until show)
Level 4 Answer Key
(4th Grade Readability)
1. B (Lost mask)
6. C (Back of curtain)
2. C (Organizing stage)
7. C (Mia)
3. B (Cleaning it)
8. B (Acts and feels)
4. A (Reason)
9. B (Working together)
5. B (Focused on time)
(Leo gives roles; Sam suggests)
Level 6 Answer Key
(6th Grade Readability)
1. C (Leo)
6. B (Stimulus for action)
2. A (False appearance)
7. B (Teamwork/Persistence)
3. B (Clipboard/Stress)
8. C (Time pressure)
4. C ($30/Details/Time)
9. B (Chaotic environment)
5. B (Relaxed vs Tense)
(Mia=Art; Leo=Deadline; Sam=Aesthetic)
