ELA Formative Assessment

Name ________________________________________________

Giving Yourself
CAST:
Melanie
Melinda
Mrs. Gregg

Tom
Damani
Mr. Jones

Jose
Eduardo

Scene 1
Time: Current day
Place: The library at Morris Middle School
(When the curtain opens, the students and Mrs. Gregg are seated at a round table in the
middle of the stage. Melanie is reading the minutes from the last student council meeting.)
Melanie (reading): Members of the student council discussed fundraisers and community
service projects. At the next meeting, a vote will be taken on both items.
Mrs. Gregg: Does anyone have any ideas about possibilities for community service?
Melinda: Do we have to do community service? Why is that necessary?
Mrs. Gregg: Part of learning to be a good citizen is taking your time to help others.
Eduardo: I know! There are lots of older people who live in my neighborhood. Many of
them need help with things like picking up groceries or cleaning their yards.
Tom: That sounds like a good idea. Maybe we could take turns helping out after school or
on weekends.
Damani: I think my mom would give us a ride to the grocery store or to do other errands.
Melinda: I dont really want to do that. I dont know any of those people. What if they get
mad at us or dont like the way we do things?
Jose: Come on, Melinda. Just give it a try.

Eduardo: Ill ask my mom if she will help me pass out flyers to my neighbors.
Mrs. Gregg: That sounds like a great idea. Ill make a schedule and you can sign up for
times you can work.
(The curtain closes with Mrs. Gregg making a schedule. Melinda is still seated with her arms
crossed and an angry expression on her face.)
Scene 2
Time: The following Saturday
Place: Eduardos house
(When the curtain opens, the students and Mrs. Gregg are standing in Eduardos yard. Mrs.
Gregg is reading from a list.)
Mrs. Gregg: Mr. Grant, who lives across the street, needs someone to walk his dog. Mrs.
Juarez, who lives next door, needs someone to go to the store for her. Mr. Jones, who lives
three doors down, needs someone to plant some flowers in his flowerbed.
Tom: Eduardo and I can walk the dog.
Jose: Damani and I can go to the store.
Melanie: Melinda and I can plant the flowers.
Melinda: Wait a minute! I dont know anything about flowers. Besides, I didnt want to
come anyway. I dont think this is a good idea.
Mrs. Gregg: Boys, why dont you go ahead with your tasks? Ill help the girls get started on
the flowerbed.
(The boys walk off stage. Mrs. Gregg, Melanie and Melinda move to stage left where a
flowerbed is set up. Mr. Jones walks onto the stage.)
Mr. Jones: It is so nice of you girls to help me. I love to see flowers out my window.
Melanie: Do you want them planted in any certain way?
Mr. Jones: No. I would love for you girls to decide.

Melinda: So you trust us to plant the flowers any way that we want?
Mr. Jones: Of course!
(Melanie and Melinda begin planting the flowers. Mrs. Gregg finds a lawn chair for Mr. Jones.
Mr. Jones walks off stage and returns with bottles of water.)
Mr. Jones: Those flowers are beautiful, girls! You have made me so happy. Would you like
some water? Thanks for your hard work.
Melanie: Thanks so much, Mr. Jones. It was fun!
Melinda: Mr. Jones, I learned so much today. I had fun helping you. Im so glad that the
flowers made you happy. I can hardly wait to come back and help again.

1. What evidence in the play supports the following statement?

Melinda's attitude about community service changed.(181796)(TAG) 6.5, Fig 19D

A.

One of the characters in the play commented that Melinda's attitude had
changed.

B.

In the beginning of the play, Melinda was angry about community service. In
the end, she was happy to have helped Mr. Jones.

C.

Melinda didn't want to do a community service project so she didn't show up

on Saturday.

D.

In the beginning, Melinda wanted to do a community service project, but in

the end she was unhappy.

2. Which of the following statement best represents the theme of this

play?(181797)(TAG) 6.3, Fig 19D

A.

To have a friend, you must act like a friend.

B.

Man is always at battle with nature.

C.

Crime does not pay.

D.

Sacrifices and hard work bring reward.

3. In this play, what is the meaning of the word

task
?(181799)(TAG) 6.2B

A.

job

B.

duty

C.

errand

D.

school work

4. What can you infer from reading the following sentence which is included as a stage
direction at the end of Scene 1?

(The curtain closes with Mrs. Gregg making a schedule. Melinda is still seated with her
arms crossed and an angry expression on her face.)(181801)(TAG) 6.3, Fig 19D

A.

Melinda wants to be allowed to make the schedule.

B.

Mrs. Gregg is angry with Melinda.

C.

Melinda is unhappy about doing community service.

D.

Melinda doesn't plan to show up for the project.

5. Read these lines from the play.

Melinda: Wait a minute! I dont know anything about flowers. Besides, I didnt want to
come anyway. I dont think this is a good idea.
What is the most likely purpose of this line?
(191952)(TAG) 6.5

A.

To foreshadow an event that will change Melinda's perspective.

B.

To create a tone of confusion.

C.

To create excitement about what has happened

D.

To resolve Melinda's problem.

6. Why are the stage directions at the end of Scene 1 important?(191955)(TAG) 6.5

A.

They tell the reader that the community service project will not be
successful.

B.

They tell the reader that Melinda is not happy about having to do the project.

C.

They tell the reader that Mrs. Gregg will force Melinda to do the project.

D.

They tell the reader recognize the importance of the project.

7. What causes Melinda to change her mind about the project?(191956)(TAG) Fig 19D

A.

Her classmates convinced her that community service was a good idea.

B.

Mrs. Gregg planned a project that Melinda liked.

C.

Melinda realized that helping others was satisfying.

D.

Melinda decided that yard work was easy.

8. Which statement could be supported by this play?(191962)(TAG) Fig 19D

A.

The community service project was agreed upon by the majority of the
council members.

B.

The community service project was largely unsuccessful.

C.

Not all of the student council members participated in the project.

D.

The student council helped all members of the neighborhood.