UST Middle School Reading Challenge
Week 9 — Literary Analysis
Grades 6–8 • Focus: Character, Conflict, Theme & Figurative Language
This Week’s Reading
Character, Conflict, Theme & Figurative Language
Reading 1 — The Last Practice
Reading 2 — The Light in Apartment 4B
Each passage includes 5 comprehension and analysis questions.
Read → Cite Evidence → Infer → Explain
Reading 1 — The Last Practice
Part 1 of 2
Jordan had missed the final shot three practices in a row. Each time, Coach Ramirez reset the drill and said the same thing: “Again.”��By Thursday, Jordan was tired of hearing it. “I know how to do this,” he muttered.
Reading 1 — The Last Practice
Part 2 of 2
Coach Ramirez rolled the ball back. “Knowing and doing are cousins, not twins.”��Jordan frowned but returned to the line. This time he noticed that when he rushed, his feet landed too close together. He tried again, slowing his first step. The shot still missed, but only by a little.
Questions — The Last Practice
Character, Conflict, Theme & Figurative Language
1. What is the central idea of the passage?
2. Which detail best supports the central idea?
3. What does an important word or phrase mean in context?
4. What can the reader infer?
5. How is the passage organized, or what is the author’s purpose?
Answer Guide — The Last Practice
How to Solve
1. Suggested approach: Identify the idea developed across most or all paragraphs, not one isolated fact.
2. Suggested approach: Choose a concrete fact or event that directly strengthens the central idea.
3. Suggested approach: Use nearby words, examples, contrasts, and the paragraph topic.
4. Suggested approach: Combine a text clue with logical reasoning; the inference must be supported by the passage.
5. Suggested approach: Look for structure such as cause/effect, compare/contrast, sequence, problem/solution, or argument.
Reading 2 — The Light in Apartment 4B
Part 1 of 2
Every evening at exactly 7:15, a yellow light appeared in the window of Apartment 4B. From her desk across the courtyard, Leila could see the shadow of an old man sitting beside the lamp.��One stormy night, 7:15 passed and the window remained dark. At 7:30, Leila was still looking across the courtyard. She told herself the man had probably gone out, but rain hammered the windows and the sidewalks were empty.
Reading 2 — The Light in Apartment 4B
Part 2 of 2
Leila mentioned it to her father. Together they called the building manager, who checked the apartment. The old man had slipped earlier that evening and could not reach his phone. He was shaken but not seriously hurt.��The next night, the yellow light returned. Leila raised her hand toward the window even though she did not know whether the man could see her. A moment later, his shadow lifted an arm in reply.
Questions — The Light in Apartment 4B
Character, Conflict, Theme & Figurative Language
1. What is the central idea of the passage?
2. Which detail best supports the central idea?
3. What does an important word or phrase mean in context?
4. What can the reader infer?
5. How is the passage organized, or what is the author’s purpose?
Answer Guide — The Light in Apartment 4B
How to Solve
1. Suggested approach: Identify the idea developed across most or all paragraphs, not one isolated fact.
2. Suggested approach: Choose a concrete fact or event that directly strengthens the central idea.
3. Suggested approach: Use nearby words, examples, contrasts, and the paragraph topic.
4. Suggested approach: Combine a text clue with logical reasoning; the inference must be supported by the passage.
5. Suggested approach: Look for structure such as cause/effect, compare/contrast, sequence, problem/solution, or argument.
Think Deeper
Optional written response
Choose one passage. Write 4–6 sentences explaining one important idea from the text. Use at least two details as evidence.
Goal: Make a clear claim, cite evidence, and explain how the evidence supports your thinking.