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Character Traits and Events

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Character Traits and Events

Read the story. Then answer each question using details from the story. When you explain an idea, include evidence.

The Missing Eight Counts

The final round of the neighborhood dance competition began in twenty minutes. Gabriela checked the music while Nia and Mateo practiced their turns. Their team had rehearsed for weeks, and they wanted to perform their new routine perfectly. Then the music stopped. The speaker’s power cord had come loose, and the team’s music file would not open on Mateo’s tablet. Nia frowned. “We should do our old routine instead,” she said. “At least we know that one.” Gabriela looked at the empty space where the middle of their dance should be. “We can fix this,” she said, though her hands were shaking. She asked Mateo to check the file while she searched the team’s notes. Nia kept time by tapping a steady beat on her knee. Mateo found a saved copy of the music, but it was missing eight counts in the middle. The team could have skipped that section, but Gabriela had another idea: they would make a short, silent sequence of movements to fill the gap. Nia suggested a series of sharp steps. Mateo added a turn. Gabriela connected their ideas and counted the timing aloud. When their turn came, the music played—and then fell silent for eight counts. The dancers moved together without missing a beat. The audience clapped along. After the performance, Nia admitted, “I thought we should quit changing the routine. I’m glad we tried your plan.” Gabriela smiled. Their routine had not gone exactly as planned, but the team had made the unexpected moment their strongest one.

Trace traits and events

Use the story to support your answers.

1.Which trait best describes Gabriela when she says, “We can fix this,” and begins looking for a solution?

Determined
Careless
Selfish
Impatient

2.What problem interrupts the team’s rehearsal, and what important part of the music is missing?

3.How does Nia respond when the music problem first appears? What does her response suggest about how she feels?

4.Match each character with an action that reveals a trait.

Gabriela
Nia
Mateo

Finds a saved copy of the music
Connects the team’s ideas and counts the timing aloud
Keeps time with a steady beat

5.Because Gabriela is resourceful, she decides to when the music is missing eight counts.

6.True or false: Mateo’s saved copy solves the problem completely, so the dancers do not need to change their routine. Correct the statement if it is false.

TrueFalse

7.Which event is the clearest result of the team working together?

The team performs a silent sequence during the missing eight counts.
Nia asks to use the old routine.
The speaker’s power cord comes loose.
The competition’s final round begins.

8.How does Nia’s attitude change from the beginning of the problem to the end? Use one detail from each part of the story.

9.Explain how Gabriela’s determination and the music problem work together to create the story’s most important event. Include the problem, Gabriela’s choice, and what happens during the performance.