Marble Champ�Unit 1 Lesson 2

Story Questions

1. What is Lupe’s main problem in the story?

• Lupe is not good at sports.
• Lupe’s thumb is as weak as a new born chicken’s neck.
• The wind blows dust into Lupe’s eyes when she is playing in the final match against Miss Baseball Cap.

2. How does Lupe begin to solve her problem?

• She decides to compete in the coming playground marble championship.
• She does exercises to strengthen her wrists and thumb.
• She practices for hours everyday after school.

3. Which sentence from the story most helps the reader form an opinion about Lupe’s character?

• She took off her mittens and everyone stared at her thumb. Someone asked, “How can you play with a broken thumb?” Lupe smiled and said nothing.
• That night the family went out for pizza and set the two trophies on the table for everyone in the restaurant to see. People came up to congratulate Lupe, and she felt a little embarrassed, but her father said the trophies belonged there.
• Everyone clapped except Miss Baseball Cap, who made a face and stared at the ground. Lupe told her she was a great player, and they shook hands.

4. Which of the underlined words in the sentence is used incorrectly? �“The father had been planning to play racquetball with a friend Saturday, but he said he would be their.”

a. planning

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b. would

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c. their

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• What is the best way to combine these sentences?�“This girl seemed dead serious. She never even looked at Lupe.”

• This girl seemed dead serious but she never even looked at Lupe.
• This girl seemed dead serious although she never even looked at Lupe.
• This girl seemed dead serious because she never even looked at Lupe.

6. Which statement is a theme of this story?

• Exercise will make you stronger and more athletic.
• If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again.
• Everyone is good at something.

7. In the beginning of the story, you can infer that Lupe

a. Has no confidence in herself

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b. Is smart but not a good athlete

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c. Has nothing she is good at

8. How are marbles described in the story?

• Rich glass treasures
• Fragile glass insects
• Small and colorful stars

9. What does Lupe do to get into shape for playing marbles?

• She runs two miles every day.
• She does push-ups on her fingertips and squeezes a rubber eraser.
• She eats a strict diet of cheese and grains.

10. What tips does Lupe’s brother give her?

• He tells her to get low, aim with one eye, and place her knuckle on the ground.
• He tells her how to trick the other player into making errors.
• He tells her to exercise everyday and eat right.

11. Why does Lupe invite Rachel to join the group at the championship?

• So that Rachel can be on Lupe’s side and cheer for her.
• Lupe is lonely and wants a friend to be with her.
• Lupe invites Rachel to join the group because she is alone.

12. What makes things difficult for Lupe when she plays marbles with Miss Baseball Cap?

• The wind blows dust into Lupe’s eyes and she can’t see very well.
• Miss Baseball Cap tries to cheat.
• Miss Baseball Cap begins to call Lupe names.

• How did Lupe’s family celebrate Lupe’s victory?

• They called her grandparent to come over for dinner.
• They went out for pizza and put Lupe’s trophies on the table for everyone to see.
• They had a big party for her and her friends at home in her honor.

14. Why is Lupe so happy at the end of the story?

• She finally realizes she is good in school, but not in sports.
• Her kick helps to win the soccer game for her team.
• She has finally won an honor in sports.

15. What is true about Lupe’s last girl opponent?

• She is determined to win.
• She feels she is lucky to be there.
• She is angry at Lupe.

16. Whom did Lupe play after she defeated Miss Baseball Cap?

• The champion of last year’s game
• The winner of the boy’s division
• The president of the marble club

The New Kid

• This poem is mainly about:

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a. A baseball team

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b. A girl baseball player

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c. How good the new baseball player is

• Read this line from the poem:��“The kid never muffs a grounder or fly no matter how hard it’s hit or how high.”��Which word is a synonym for muffs as used in the line above?

• fumbles
• throws
• blocks