Question

read this paragraph.

tara emerged from the school bus into the warm spring air toting her flute case and backpack for the short walk home. as she walked, she contemplated tomorrows testing in band class. last month, tara had failed to prepare her piece for testing, and she made three careless mistakes. as a result, she had surrendered first chair flute to leigh, a less experienced musician. tara lengthened her stride and began to whistle a mozart concerto as her home came into view.

which of these predictions is best supported by the information provided?

• i think tara will tutor leigh because tara is a more experienced flutist.
• i think tara will play outside before practicing because the weather is warm.
• i think tara will write a new concerto because she is whistling mozart.
• i think tara will practice for her test because she realizes her mistake.

Explanation:

Analyze the text and character actions

The passage describes Tara walking home with her flute case, thinking about tomorrow's testing in band class. It notes that last month she failed to prepare, made three careless mistakes, and lost her first-chair position to Leigh. As her home comes into view, she "lengthened her stride and began to whistle a Mozart concerto."

Evaluate the predictions against textual evidence

• Prediction 1 (Tara tutoring Leigh): There is no indication that Tara wants to or will tutor Leigh; Leigh is her rival who took her first-chair spot.
• Prediction 2 (Tara playing outside): Although the weather is warm, her focus is on the upcoming test and her past failure, and lengthening her stride toward home suggests purpose rather than playing outside.
• Prediction 3 (Tara writing a new concerto): Whistling a Mozart concerto does not imply she will write a new one; she is simply whistling an existing classical piece.
• Prediction 4 (Tara practicing for her test): Tara is thinking about tomorrow's test, remembers her past failure due to lack of preparation, and quickens her pace ("lengthened her stride") as she approaches her house. This strongly supports the prediction that she is eager to get home and practice to avoid repeating her past mistake.

Answer:

• I think Tara will tutor Leigh because Tara is a more experienced flutist.
• I think Tara will play outside before practicing because the weather is warm.
• I think Tara will write a new concerto because she is whistling Mozart.
• I think Tara will practice for her test because she realizes her mistake. (Correct answer)