Carolyn and Tina were hired to organize and paint their neighbor's shed. A great deal of stuff had accumulated in Mrs. Bosco's shed over the years. While Tina talked to Mrs. Bosco, Carolyn began sorting items into two piles: things that worked and things that were garbage."Mrs. Bosco, you're going to love what we're going to do with the shed," Tina was saying. "You won't even recognize it when we're done.""I'm sure it will turn out very nicely, Tina," Mrs. Bosco said.​​​​​​​"I'm thinking of installing a tool rack. What do you think?""Thanks, but that's not necessary.""Have you ever thought about adding a window box?" Tina asked.As they were talking, Carolyn hauled bags of trash to the curb. She took it upon herself to clear out rotten firewood, rusted gadgets, leaves, and dirt."Hey, Carolyn," Tina said. "I'm going to pick up some extra supplies at the hardware store. I'll be back soon."While she was gone, Carolyn found a couple gallons of blue paint and some brushes on a back shelf. The inside of the shed was now clean and organized. Carolyn went to work painting the outside—a peaceful, quiet task. An hour later, she heard Mrs. Bosco in the yard on her cell phone, talking to Tina."Like I said, Tina, we don't need more shelves in the shed. Why don't you come back now?"Sighing, Mrs. Bosco approached Carolyn. "Thank you. You seem to understand that I hired you to get a job done, not come up with add-ons I didn't ask for," she said. "Your sister is nice, but without you, it doesn't seem like anything would ever get done."She paid Carolyn a generous amount, and the painting was nearly finished by the time Tina returned in the afternoon.Which of the following best describes the main theme or lesson of the story?Laziness can have serious consequences.Actions are more valuable than talk.Submit

1The hall closet was always filled with stuff. It was full of old clothes, unused jars and cans, and greeting cards. Unraveling blankets and old toys were spilling off the top shelf. The family could no longer use the closet to store coats, boots, or hats.2One Saturday, Jamie and Jackie's mom and dad asked them to start cleaning out the closet. This seemed like a very big job, so they decided to come up with a plan to make things easier. They would make two piles. One pile would be for things that would be kept and another pile would be for things that would they could no longer use.3Jamie and Jackie sorted through sweaters that no longer fit and baskets with broken handles. As they took out everything from the closet, Jamie realized that the pile of things they could no longer use was growing larger and larger. After Jackie put another old sheet on top of the large pile, Jamie told her to stop.4"What's wrong?" Jackie asked her brother.5"Maybe there's some way we can reuse some of this stuff," he said. "It seems silly to just get rid of all of it."6Jackie looked around at all of the stuff on the hallway floor. There was a lot of stuff they thought they could no longer use. Maybe there was a way to reuse more of these things.7She looked at the pile and had an idea. They could take the old clothes to school to be used as costumes in plays. Jamie thought that was a great idea, and they got a cardboard box to put the clothes in. Their teacher would be happy to use the old hats, coats, and scarves for different shows.8When they finished packing up the clothes, Jamie had an idea about what to do with the old jars and cans in the closet. He told his sister that they could paint them different colors and use them to store things like pencils and markers in their playroom. This would be a great way to keep the room clean and neat.9After that, Jackie looked at the old sheets and blankets and wondered what could be done with them. Then she remembered something that their neighbor had told her. Animal shelters were always taking old blankets and sheets for the cats and dogs waiting to find new homes. She thought it would be a great way to reuse the sheets and blankets and help animals at the same time!10As they finished packing up the sheets and blankets, Jamie and Jackie's mom and dad came into the hallway to see how they were doing. The children explained their plan. Their mom and dad said they would be happy to help them find new uses for all their old things.

Read this extract. What is the writer doing?When the fourth person came to tell her about the clash between Miss Ryan's detention and their plans to go to the cinema, Tina threw her hands over her face and huffed out a scream of frustration."Well, this plan is totally ruined then," she said bitterly.

5 of 105 of 10 ItemsNext03:52PauseFeatureCleaning the ClosetTerri Roberts1The hall closet was always filled with stuff. It was full of old clothes, unused jars and cans, and greeting cards. Unraveling blankets and old toys were spilling off the top shelf. The family could no longer use the closet to store coats, boots, or hats.2One Saturday, Jamie and Jackie's mom and dad asked them to start cleaning out the closet. This seemed like a very big job, so they decided to come up with a plan to make things easier. They would make two piles. One pile would be for things that would be kept and another pile would be for things that would they could no longer use.3Jamie and Jackie sorted through sweaters that no longer fit and baskets with broken handles. As they took out everything from the closet, Jamie realized that the pile of things they could no longer use was growing larger and larger. After Jackie put another old sheet on top of the large pile, Jamie told her to stop.4"What's wrong?" Jackie asked her brother.5"Maybe there's some way we can reuse some of this stuff," he said. "It seems silly to just get rid of all of it."6Jackie looked around at all of the stuff on the hallway floor. There was a lot of stuff they thought they could no longer use. Maybe there was a way to reuse more of these things.7She looked at the pile and had an idea. They could take the old clothes to school to be used as costumes in plays. Jamie thought that was a great idea, and they got a cardboard box to put the clothes in. Their teacher would be happy to use the old hats, coats, and scarves for different shows.8When they finished packing up the clothes, Jamie had an idea about what to do with the old jars and cans in the closet. He told his sister that they could paint them different colors and use them to store things like pencils and markers in their playroom. This would be a great way to keep the room clean and neat.9After that, Jackie looked at the old sheets and blankets and wondered what could be done with them. Then she remembered something that their neighbor had told her. Animal shelters were always taking old blankets and sheets for the cats and dogs waiting to find new homes. She thought it would be a great way to reuse the sheets and blankets and help animals at the same time!10As they finished packing up the sheets and blankets, Jamie and Jackie's mom and dad came into the hallway to see how they were doing. The children explained their plan. Their mom and dad said they would be happy to help them find new uses for all their old things.QuestionHow is the central theme of this passage developed?ResponsesA through the parents learning a lesson from their children's ingenuitythrough the parents learning a lesson from their children's ingenuityB through listing "useless" items that Jackie and Jamie find new uses forthrough listing "useless" items that Jackie and Jamie find new uses forC through Jackie and Jamie getting a lecture from their parents on usefulnessthrough Jackie and Jamie getting a lecture from their parents on usefulnessD through having Jackie and Jamie announce what they've learned to their parentsthrough having Jackie and Jamie announce what they've learned to their parents

Select the quotation from the story that most strongly suggests that the theme is Actions are more valuable than talk.The inside of the shed was now clean and organized."Your sister is nice, but without you, it doesn't seem like anything would ever get done."Submit

“I am giving away all these items that I once adored. I hope your foundation can make good use of them,” said Farah, looking attentively at Greer, who stood with an unconvinced expression on her sweet careworn face. Greer finally muttered, “You mean all of this.” She motioned with her finger that donned a bright red nail polish. “Hmm,” Farah countered with a reassuring nod. She was standing in the center of a pile of exquisite clothes, shoes, and handbags. Neatly set out in the corner were her golf clubs, skating shoes, ski boots, and ski poles. “What… I mean why…,” spoke Greer, bewildered and irritated at her failure to get inside Farah’s head.  “Why?” probed Farah, “I thought you’d be pleased.” Greer drew a deep breath before articulating, “What purpose could your riches possibly serve the poor and the sick? Besides, rich people do not give away their expensive belongings for nothing.” She spoke doggedly and even scrunched up her nose a little. “GIVE AWAY FOR NOTHING?” an astonished Farah asked, stressing Greer’s words of her choice.  “I will be candid with you,” explained Greer eloquently, ignoring Farah’s bewilderment. “Poor people would rather have food in their bellies and decent clothes on their backs than own these fancy things. I should’ve known before hauling up my big truck here.” Shaking her head with disenchantment, she picked up one of Farah’s luxurious bags and held it up, at once admiringly and disapprovingly.  “Well, I am sorry to hear that,” continued Farah, bitterness evident in her tone. “I wanted you to auction these and use the money for the little kids.”  Now it was Greer’s turn to be dumbfounded. “Oh… that’s what you meant on the phone?”  “Of course,” said Farah. She sounded relieved. “That’s exactly what I meant when I said, ‘you could make good use of these for I plan to venture out.’” Farah resumed, uninterrupted by Greer, “I wish to wander around with open arms and a non-judgmental mind, explore places, meet people, and at the same time benefit others as much as I can.” “My dear,” stated Greer in a calculated voice.  “We don’t do auctions. We don’t transfer one man’s treasure to another. You better contact auctioneers or such.”  Farah motioned Greer onto a large off-white couch. She explained how she had searched charities high and low and decided on theirs because they serve sick children.  “I can truly empathize with the little kids that you work with. I want to return the favor that was once showed to me,” spoke Farah gently, her demure hands folded in her lap showed an old scar from surgery. Greer could see it in Farah’s eyes as if she were reliving the pain.“I think arranging for an auction shouldn’t be a problem,” stated Greer, wiping away the beads of sweat collected on her brow. “I will open the hatch of the truck.”  Farah beamed a bright smile, half in response to Greer and half anticipating the excitement of the coming days.QuestionHow does the interaction between Farah and Greer develop the theme of the story?ResponsesA It shows Farah’s character as nervous and cautious.It shows Farah’s character as nervous and cautious.B It describes that Farah is not an adventurous person.It describes that Farah is not an adventurous person.C It demonstrates how Farah is going to help Greer.It demonstrates how Farah is going to help Greer.D It explains why Greer is optimistic at the beginning.It explains why Greer is optimistic at the beginning.