📚 Part 1: Read and Analyze

The Last Lantern

By late afternoon, the mountain town of Pine Hollow was covered in thick snow. Maya stood outside the community center, where the town’s only lantern festival was supposed to begin at sunset. The wind had knocked out the electricity, and the festival lights would not turn on.

Maya wanted the festival to continue because her grandfather had built the main lantern display before he became too ill to attend. Although Maya was nervous about climbing the snowy hill to the old lookout tower, she remembered his advice: “A small light can guide many people.”

She gathered her friend Luis and several neighbors. Together, they carried candles to the tower. Maya climbed the icy steps and lit the large lantern at the top. Its glow guided everyone safely to the festival, where the townspeople celebrated beneath the snow-filled sky.

✏️ Part 2: Plot-Impact Organizer and Response

Complete the organizer. Explain how each plot element affects what happens in the story.

✅ Answer Key

1. A snowy mountain town near sunset.

2. Answers may include brave, determined, caring, or responsible. Students should support the trait with evidence, such as Maya climbing the icy tower steps or gathering neighbors to help.

3. She wants to honor her grandfather and his lantern display.

4. The electricity is out, so the festival lights will not turn on.

5. The snow, wind, darkness, and icy tower steps make it harder and more dangerous for Maya to light the lantern.

6. The snowy mountain town, stormy weather, and approaching sunset create a difficult situation and make the festival’s lights necessary.

7. Maya wants to honor her grandfather, so she gathers help and climbs the tower to light the lantern.

8. Maya and the neighbors carry candles to the tower, and Maya lights the large lantern. Its glow guides people safely to the festival.

9. Answers will vary. A strong response explains that the snowy, dark setting creates the problem; Maya’s motivation gives her a reason to act; and the conflict leads her to light the lantern, which resolves the problem and allows the festival to continue.