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Character Emotions and Relationships

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Character Emotions and Relationships

Read the story carefully. Then answer the questions using clues from the characters’ words, actions and thoughts. There may be more than one reasonable interpretation if you explain your evidence.

The Wobbly Shelf

Kirra and Jai were helping Matilda at the hardware store on Saturday. Matilda had promised to show them how to build a small shelf for the shop’s toy display. Kirra carefully measured the timber while Jai sorted the screws into trays. “Those are the wrong size,” Kirra said when Jai handed her a screw. She spoke sharply. Jai looked down at the trays. “I’m trying to help,” he muttered. Matilda noticed Jai had gone quiet. “Let’s check the label together,” she said. It turned out the screw packet had been placed in the wrong tray. Jai had sorted the screws correctly, but Kirra had picked up the wrong packet. Her cheeks warmed. “Sorry, Jai. I was frustrated with the shelf, not you.” Jai shrugged, but his shoulders relaxed. “It’s okay. We can start that part again.” Together, they attached the shelf brackets. When the shelf wobbled, Kirra frowned. Jai steadied one end while Matilda tightened a screw. They tried again. This time the shelf stood firm. Kirra grinned. “We did it!” Jai smiled back. “Good thing we checked the problem together.” Matilda nodded. “A team works best when people listen as well as lend a hand.”

Read Between the Lines

Use details from the story to support your answers. For questions asking what a character might feel, explain which clue helped you decide.

1.At the beginning, how does Jai most likely feel when Kirra says his screws are the wrong size?

Proud because his work is finished
Hurt or discouraged because he was trying to help
Excited because he wants to build another shelf
Amused because the shelf is wobbly

2.What clue shows that Kirra realises she has spoken unfairly to Jai?

3.Why does Jai’s mood change after Matilda checks the label with him?

4.Choose the best description of Kirra and Jai’s relationship by the end of the story.

They are still blaming each other
They have worked through a misunderstanding and are cooperating
Jai is doing all the work while Kirra watches
They decide they do not want to build the shelf

5.Match each action with the feeling or quality it most strongly suggests.

Kirra’s cheeks warm and she apologises
Jai steadies the shelf while Kirra works
Jai’s shoulders relax

Cooperation
Regret
Relief

6.What does Matilda mean when she says, “A team works best when people listen as well as lend a hand”?

7.True or false: Jai is responsible for putting the wrong screws in the tray. Use a story detail to explain your answer.

8.Complete the sentence with a feeling word and a clue from the story: After the shelf stands firm, Kirra feels because .

9.How does Kirra help repair her relationship with Jai after speaking sharply? Give two things she does or says.

10.Imagine the story continued. Write two or three sentences showing how Kirra and Jai might speak to each other while putting the toy display on the shelf. Include a clue that shows their relationship has improved.