Paragraph 5
A week of misery passed. Suddenly, late one night, Mrs. White sat up. "The paw!" she cried desperately. "We have two wishes left! Wish our boy back to life!" Mr. White was horrified. He knew Herbert's body had been crushed. But she forced the paw into his hand. Trembling with fear, Mr. White sighed and whispered, "I wish my son was alive again."
Paragraph 6
The room went cold. For a long time, nothing happened. Then, a soft knock sounded at the front door. *Knock.* Then, another louder knock. *KNOCK!* "It's Herbert!" Mrs. White screamed, running to the door. "Stop!" Mr. White cried, filled with terror. He knew whatever was behind that door would not be his normal son. As his wife struggled with the lock, Mr. White frantically fell to his knees, searching the floor. He found the monkey's paw and whispered his final wish. The knocking stopped instantly. The door opened, revealing only an empty street and cold, dark wind.
5
Annotation Answer
In Paragraph 4, find the sentence explaining how Herbert died. Underline it.
Underlined sentence in Paragraph 4
6
Comprehension Answer
How much money did the company's representative bring to the White family?
Exactly $1,000 (the exact amount of the first wish).
7
Annotation Answer
In Paragraph 5, find and circle the word that describes how Mr. White felt when he held the paw for the second wish.
Circled word: "horrified"
8
Comprehension Answer
What do you believe Mr. White's final wish was?
For his son to go back to his grave and for the terrifying knocking to stop.
Teacher Key Page 2 of 3
Curse of the Paw — Teacher Answer Key Grade 4 ELA
Identify and list the four primary story elements of The Monkey's Paw in your own words.
Characters
Mr. White, Mrs. White, Herbert (their son), Sergeant-Major Morris (the visitor), and the factory representative.
Setting
A warm, cozy parlor inside a small cottage. Outside, the night is cold, wet, and very windy.
Main Conflict
Mr. White uses the cursed monkey's paw to make wishes that interfere with fate, leading to tragic consequences.
Resolution
Mr. White uses his final wish to make his resurrected son go away before Mrs. White opens the door, leaving the street empty.
Exemplar Student Response (Score 4/4):
Student Response: I infer that Mr. White used his last wish to make his son go away because he was deeply afraid of what Herbert would look like. Since Herbert had been crushed in heavy factory machinery and had been dead for a whole week, Mr. White realized that his resurrected son would not be a normal, living human but a terrifying, mangled monster.
Text Evidence Used: The text supports this when it says Mr. White was "horrified" by the idea of wishing him back, and "knew whatever was behind that door would not be his normal son." He was "filled with terror" when the knocking began, which proves he was wishing to stop a scary creature rather than welcoming back his real child.
Rubric: 2 pts for a logical inference; 2 pts for strong text evidence. Total: 4 Points
Teacher Key Page 3 of 3
Paragraph 5
Rainsford knew he had to fight back. He built a clever trap using a fallen log balanced over a pathway. When Zaroff walked by, the log crashed down, striking the General's shoulder! Zaroff laughed, congratulated Rainsford on his skill, and went back to his castle to heal. "I will be back tomorrow!" Zaroff shouted. Rainsford ran deeper into the dark, wet swamp to escape.
Paragraph 6
On the third day, the hunting dogs were howling behind him, and the cliffs of the ocean were directly in front of him. Having nowhere left to run, Rainsford took a desperate, wild leap into the churning sea below. That evening, Zaroff sat down to a peaceful dinner, believing Rainsford was gone. But later that night, as Zaroff entered his bedroom, Rainsford stepped out from behind the heavy curtains. "The game is not over!" Rainsford declared, ready for one final showdown.
5
Annotation Prompt
In Paragraph 4, find the simile Rainsford uses to describe how Zaroff was playing with him. Underline it.
Checked when done
6
Comprehension Check
How did Rainsford manage to injure General Zaroff during the hunt?
7
Annotation Prompt
In Paragraph 6, find and circle the adjective that describes Rainsford's jump into the sea.
Checked when done
8
Comprehension Check
Where did Rainsford hide inside General Zaroff's castle at the end?
Unit: Jungle Survival Page 2 of 3
The Most Dangerous Game — After Reading Grade 4 ELA
Identify and list the four primary story elements of The Most Dangerous Game in your own words.
Characters
Setting
Main Conflict
Resolution
At the end of the story, what does Rainsford's decision to surprise Zaroff in his bedroom show about how his perspective on the hunt changed?
Think about how Rainsford felt about hunting and being hunted. Why didn't he just swim away after escaping? Explain your inference and support it with at least one clue from the story.
I infer that...
The story shows...
Unit: Jungle Survival Page 3 of 3
Paragraph 5
Rainsford knew he had to fight back. He built a clever trap using a fallen log balanced over a pathway. When Zaroff walked by, the log crashed down, striking the General's shoulder! Zaroff laughed, congratulated Rainsford on his skill, and went back to his castle to heal. "I will be back tomorrow!" Zaroff shouted. Rainsford ran deeper into the dark, wet swamp to escape.
Paragraph 6
On the third day, the hunting dogs were howling behind him, and the cliffs of the ocean were directly in front of him. Having nowhere left to run, Rainsford took a desperate, wild leap into the churning sea below. That evening, Zaroff sat down to a peaceful dinner, believing Rainsford was gone. But later that night, as Zaroff entered his bedroom, Rainsford stepped out from behind the heavy curtains. "The game is not over!" Rainsford declared, ready for one final showdown.
5
Annotation Answer
In Paragraph 4, find the simile Rainsford uses to describe how Zaroff was playing with him. Underline it.
"playing with him, like a cat with a mouse"
6
Comprehension Answer
How did Rainsford manage to injure General Zaroff during the hunt?
He built a clever trap with a fallen log that fell and hit Zaroff on the shoulder.
7
Annotation Answer
In Paragraph 6, find and circle the adjective that describes Rainsford's jump into the sea.
Circled: "desperate" and "wild"
8
Comprehension Answer
Where did Rainsford hide inside General Zaroff's castle at the end?
He hid behind the heavy curtains in Zaroff's own bedroom.
Teacher Key Page 2 of 3
The Most Dangerous Game — Teacher Answer Key Grade 4 ELA
Identify and list the four primary story elements of The Most Dangerous Game in your own words.
Characters
Sanger Rainsford (a famous hunter who becomes the prey) and General Zaroff (the wealthy castle owner who hunts humans).
Setting
Ship-Trap Island, a spooky place with a massive stone castle, thick dark jungle, and a wet, treacherous swamp.
Main Conflict
Character vs. Character: Rainsford must survive being hunted by General Zaroff for three days in the dangerous jungle.
Resolution
Rainsford leaps into the sea, swims to the castle, hides in Zaroff's bedroom, and surprises him to win the final showdown.
Exemplar Student Response (Score 4/4):
Student Response: I infer that Rainsford's perspective on hunting changed completely because he felt the terrifying horror of being the prey. At the start, he didn't care about the feelings of animals, but being compared to a "mouse" being chased by a "cat" showed him how awful it is. He realized he could not simply run away; he had to turn from the prey back into a hunter to survive and stop General Zaroff permanently.
Text Evidence Used: The text states Rainsford was "horrified" by Zaroff's games and felt "terrible dread." Also, instead of escaping the island after jumping in the sea, he returns and tells Zaroff that "the game is not over!" which shows he changed from escaping to actively confronting the hunter.
Rubric: 2 pts for a logical inference on perspective; 2 pts for strong text evidence. Total: 4 Points
Teacher Key Page 3 of 3
Paragraph 5
"Why did you try to steal from me?" she asked. Roger looked down, embarrassed. "I wanted a pair of blue suede shoes," he admitted. Mrs. Jones did not shout at him. Instead, she looked at him with kind eyes. "I have done things, too, that I am not proud of," she said softly. She didn't ask about his family. Instead, she warmed up sweet ham and cocoa and split her dinner with him.
Paragraph 6
When they finished eating, Mrs. Jones stood up and handed Roger ten dollars. "Now, buy yourself those blue suede shoes," she said, leading him to the door. "And do not steal pocketbooks again." Roger wanted to say something more than just "Thank you, m'am," but as he looked at her standing in the door frame under the soft street light, his voice failed. He could only look back and wave before she shut the door. He never saw her again.
5
Annotation Prompt
In Paragraph 3 (on Page 1), locate the woman's full name. Underline it.
Checked when done
6
Comprehension Check
What choice did Roger make when Mrs. Jones told him to wash his face?
7
Annotation Prompt
In Paragraph 5, find what Roger wanted to buy. Circle the exact words.
Checked when done
8
Comprehension Check
How much money did Mrs. Jones give Roger, and what was it for?
Unit: Power of Empathy Page 2 of 3
Thank You, M'am — After Reading Grade 4 ELA
Identify and list the four primary story elements of Thank You, M'am in your own words.
Characters
Setting
Main Conflict
Resolution
Why did Mrs. Jones choose to take Roger home, wash his face, feed him, and give him money instead of calling the police?
Think deeply about Mrs. Jones’ life experiences and how she viewed Roger. Explain your inference and support it with at least one concrete clue from the story.
I infer that Mrs. Jones...
The text says...
Unit: Power of Empathy Page 3 of 3
Paragraph 5
"Why did you try to steal from me?" she asked. Roger looked down, embarrassed. "I wanted a pair of blue suede shoes," he admitted. Mrs. Jones did not shout at him. Instead, she looked at him with kind eyes. "I have done things, too, that I am not proud of," she said softly. She didn't ask about his family. Instead, she warmed up sweet ham and cocoa and split her dinner with him.
Paragraph 6
When they finished eating, Mrs. Jones stood up and handed Roger ten dollars. "Now, buy yourself those blue suede shoes," she said, leading him to the door. "And do not steal pocketbooks again." Roger wanted to say something more than just "Thank you, m'am," but as he looked at her standing in the door frame under the soft street light, his voice failed. He could only look back and wave before she shut the door. He never saw her again.
5
Annotation Answer
In Paragraph 3 (on Page 1), locate the woman's full name. Underline it.
Underlined: "Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones"
6
Comprehension Answer
What choice did Roger make when Mrs. Jones told him to wash his face?
He chose to walk to the sink, wash his face, and remain in the house to prove he could be trusted.
7
Annotation Answer
In Paragraph 5, find what Roger wanted to buy. Circle the exact words.
Circled: "blue suede shoes" in Paragraph 5
8
Comprehension Answer
How much money did Mrs. Jones give Roger, and what was it for?
She gave him ten dollars so he could buy himself the blue suede shoes.
Teacher Key Page 2 of 3
Thank You, M'am — Teacher Answer Key Grade 4 ELA
Identify and list the four primary story elements of Thank You, M'am in your own words.
Characters
Roger (a frail 14-year-old boy with a dirty face) and Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones (a strong, larger woman with a kind heart).
Setting
New York city streets at 11:00 PM (nighttime), and inside Mrs. Jones' cozy apartment kitchenette.
Main Conflict
Roger tries to steal Mrs. Jones' purse on the street to buy blue suede shoes, causing a struggle between the two.
Resolution
Mrs. Jones takes him home, washes his face, feeds him, and gifts him $10 for the shoes, showing him unexpected trust and care.
Exemplar Student Response (Score 4/4):
Student Response: I infer that Mrs. Jones chose to help Roger instead of calling the police because she felt empathy for him and understood his situation. She recognized that Roger was young, had no one at home to care for him (with his dirty face), and was making desperate choices. She wanted to show him that someone cared about him and could trust him, hoping this would set him on a better path in life.
Text Evidence Used: The text supports this when Mrs. Jones says, "I have done things, too, that I am not proud of," showing she also made mistakes when she was young. Instead of punishing him, she cooks him a meal, does not lock him up, and gives him the exact ten dollars he wanted for the "blue suede shoes," proving she chose compassion over punishment.
Rubric: 2 pts for logical inference on her motives; 2 pts for strong text evidence. Total: 4 Points
Teacher Key Page 3 of 3
