Question

bruce burst into the kitchen. \im in trouble,\ he groaned. \tomorrow is the secret gift exchange at school, but im out of money and i dont have a gift!\ becky was icing her lemon cakes. \so make something,\ she suggested. \like what?\ bruce sighed. \theres no time!\ \what about those yummy sugar cookies you made last halloween? ill help,\ becky offered. \i guess i have no choice,\ bruce grumbled, rolling up his sleeves. bruce made a batch of sparkling sugar cookies, and becky helped decorate them. she bit into one. \delicious! just like i thought,\ becky said. based on the passage, compare and contrast bruce and becky. | | bruce | becky | | desperate | | | | good at baking | | | | thoughtful | | |

Explanation:

To compare and contrast Bruce and Becky, we analyze their traits:

• Desperate: Bruce is desperate as he groans about being out of money and without a gift ("I'm in trouble...I'm out of money and I don't have a gift!"). Becky is not desperate; she offers solutions.
• Good at baking: Bruce makes the sugar cookies ("Bruce made a batch of sparkling sugar cookies"), and Becky ices lemon cakes and helps decorate, showing both have baking skills, but Bruce is the one making the cookies here. However, Becky also has baking experience (icing lemon cakes) and knows Bruce's cookies are good.
• Thoughtful: Becky is thoughtful as she suggests a solution (making cookies) and offers to help, and also predicts the cookies will be delicious. Bruce, initially desperate, follows through but the main thoughtful action is Becky's.

Now filling the table:

Trait	Bruce	Becky
Good at baking	Yes (made sugar cookies)	Yes (ices lemon cakes, helps decorate)
Thoughtful	No (initially desperate, follows Becky's lead)	Yes (suggests solution, offers help, predicts taste)

Answer:

Trait	Bruce	Becky
Good at baking	Yes	Yes
Thoughtful	No	Yes