Reading Standards for Literature > Connecting Story Elements (CCSS.RL.7.3) Practice Test

1 The gym smelled like rubber and hot lights. 2 A banner read RIVER COUNTY ROBOTICS FINALS. 3 Ari rubbed a bent copper gear on his keychain, a lucky charm from last year. 4 "Two minutes to inspection," a judge called, pointing to the giant countdown clock. 5 Jessa bounced beside him, twisting a screwdriver. 6 "We could tighten that wheel after inspection," she said. 7 "No," Ari said, reading the posted rule again. 8 "Once inspected, no changes before your first match." 9 He glanced at the pit gate, already chained for the round. 10 The toolbox they'd left in the van might as well have been on the moon. 11 Their robot, Finch, wobbled when it turned. 12 A screw that held the left wheel squeaked loose every time. 13 "It's good enough," Jessa said. 14 The crowd roared for a team across the floor. 15 Ari's stomach tightened with the chant, but he pictured Finch circling helplessly. 16 "One minute," the judge called. 17 Ari scanned the table for a spare screw. 18 There were none. 19 He tapped the copper gear against the table, a nervous rhythm. 20 The gear's hole was just a bit larger than the missing screw. 21 He lifted it, the metal warm from his hand. 22 "Don't even think about it," Jessa said, eyes wide. 23 "That's your lucky thing." 24 The clock hit thirty seconds. 25 Ari read another sign: STUDENTS ONLY IN PIT; NO OUTSIDE PARTS DURING MATCH. 26 The judge started toward them with a clipboard. 27 Ari took a breath and slid the gear onto the axle. 28 He tightened it with Jessa's screwdriver until Finch sat steady. 29 "Luck can change shape," he said. 30 The judge arrived. 31 "Are you ready for inspection?" she asked. 32 "Ready," Ari said, his heart pounding like the drums in the stands. 33 Jessa stared at the wheel, then at him. 34 She grinned. 35 "If we win, that keychain gets a new charm," she said. 36 Across the gym, a buzzer sounded for the first match. 37 Ari lifted Finch and felt its weight settle even in his arms. 38 The chain on the gate rattled as the attendant unlocked it for their turn. 39 He squeezed the empty ring where the gear had been. 40 "Let's see if the gym likes our kind of luck," he whispered.

1 Set: City Library reading room. 2 Afternoon thunder drums against tall windows. 3 A sign on the desk reads NO PHOTOGRAPHY OF RARE MATERIALS. 4 Lina enters, her backpack damp, carrying a wrinkled field guide. 5 Theo sits at a table with pencils and a ruler. 6 Lina: (whispering) I only need a copy of the estuary map. 7 Theo: (without looking up) Then copy it. 8 Lina: The copier is off-limits for the archives. 9 Theo: That's why pencils exist. 10 Lina glances at the wall clock. 11 Librarian's Voice: (over speaker) Attention: Due to flooding downtown, the library will close in fifteen minutes. 12 Lina: Fifteen? I walked all the way here. 13 (She pulls a folded request slip from her pocket.) 14 Lina: I can read it, right? 15 Librarian: (entering with a flat box) Quiet voices, please. 16 Yes, but you must handle it with these. 17 (She sets down cotton gloves and opens the box to reveal a faded map.) 18 Lina: It's beautiful. 19 Theo watches from across the table. 20 The rain hits harder. 21 Librarian: Remember, no photographs, and the room will close early. 22 Lina: (to herself) I can't trace it in time. 23 Theo: You can, if you draw only the shorelines and notes. 24 Lina: Why would you help me? 25 Theo: Because the causeway closes at high tide. Your bus route goes over it. 26 Lina looks at the window, imagining water cutting off the road. 27 Lina: If I miss that bus, I can't get my brother from daycare. 28 Librarian's Voice: Ten minutes until closing. 29 Theo slides half his pencils toward her. 30 Theo: I'll label; you sketch. 31 Lina: But no photos. 32 Theo: Pencils aren't photos. 33 Lina pulls on the gloves, nods, and sets the map between them. 34 Rainwater drips from her umbrella onto the mat by the door. 35 Librarian: Two responsible researchers. Good. 36 Lina and Theo work in quick, neat lines. 37 The clock ticks louder in their minds than on the wall. 38 Lina: (softly) Thank you. 39 Theo: Just draw. 40 Librarian's Voice: Five minutes. 41 Lina darkens the last shoreline and gathers the pencils. 42 She glances at the exit, where a yellow caution sign reflects in the wet floor. 43 Lina: We can make it.