Composition: Composing Literary Texts (TEKS.ELA.8.11.A) Practice Test

I thought I knew the gym, but it looked different with everyone watching. Our class had to share short speeches, and mine was about my dad's old guitar. I waited with my note cards, trying to breathe slowly. The microphone squeaked when I stepped up. I said my name and started the story, but the words felt thin. I told how the guitar was scratched and how I learned three chords, and I tried to make a joke. Some people smiled, but I wanted them to really see it. My hands were shaking a little, and I rushed the ending. When I sat down, my friend bumped my shoulder. I nodded, thinking about what I meant to say and didn't. on that bright, humming day.

The washing machines lined the wall like big eyes, but I pretended not to notice them staring. Mom fed quarters while I guarded the rolling cart. A girl from my science class pushed through the door with a bag of clothes. I knew her name was Priya, but we had never talked. She looked at the machines, then at the single empty chair near me. I shifted my backpack to make space. We sat there with the dryers clicking. I wanted to say something about school, or the extra-credit project, but the words didn't shape themselves. She pulled out a book, so I took out my phone. Our socks thumped in the dryers. I wondered what would happen if I tried to speak first today.