The Secret of the Old Oak Tree

Lexile: 850 | Grade: 5

Passage

Emma loved exploring the woods behind her house. Every afternoon, she would take her dog, Rusty, and wander through the trees, listening to the birds and watching the squirrels leap from branch to branch. But there was one tree that always caught her attention—the massive old oak at the heart of the forest.

One day, Emma noticed something unusual. At the base of the oak, beneath a tangle of roots, a small wooden box peeked out from the soil. Her heart raced with excitement as she knelt down and carefully pulled it free. The box was carved with delicate patterns, and it had a tiny brass lock.

Emma ran home, eager to show the box to her grandfather, who knew everything about the forest. When she placed it on the kitchen table, his eyes widened in surprise. 'I haven't seen this in years!' he said, turning the box over in his hands. 'This belonged to my father. He used to hide little treasures in the woods when he was a boy.'

With a soft click, the lock released, and Emma opened the box. Inside, she found a bundle of yellowed papers tied with a ribbon. They were letters—old, faded, but full of adventure. Her great-grandfather had written about his childhood explorations, the animals he encountered, and even a hidden spot where he once found an arrowhead.

Emma smiled as she read the stories. She felt connected to the past, as if she had uncovered a piece of her family's history. From that day forward, she kept the letters in her room, and every time she explored the woods, she imagined what other secrets might be waiting beneath the roots of the old oak tree.

Questions

Q1: What is the main idea of the passage?

  • A. Emma finds a treasure chest full of gold.
  • B. Emma enjoys playing with her dog in the woods.
  • C. Emma discovers a box that connects her to her family's history.
  • D. Emma's grandfather tells her stories about the forest.

Q2: Why does Emma's grandfather recognize the box?

  • A. He buried the box when he was a child.
  • B. The box belonged to his father, who hid treasures in the woods.
  • C. He found the box in the woods years ago but lost it.
  • D. He carved the box himself as a gift for Emma.

Q3: What does the word 'bundle' most likely mean in the sentence: 'Inside, she found a bundle of yellowed papers tied with a ribbon'?

  • A. A small pile of papers tied together
  • B. A single piece of paper folded neatly
  • C. A box full of books and letters
  • D. A long scroll of handwritten notes

Q4: What can you infer about Emma based on the passage?

  • A. She is adventurous and curious.
  • B. She is afraid of the woods.
  • C. She dislikes old objects and history.
  • D. She prefers to stay indoors and read books.

Q5: Why does Emma decide to keep the letters in her room?

  • A. She wants to sell them to a museum.
  • B. She wants to keep them safe and read about her family's history.
  • C. She thinks they contain a secret map.
  • D. She plans to return them to the old oak tree.

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Answers & Reasoning

Q1: What is the main idea of the passage?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: The passage focuses on Emma's discovery of a hidden box containing her great-grandfather's letters, which help her feel connected to her family's past.

Q2: Why does Emma's grandfather recognize the box?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: Emma’s grandfather explains that the box belonged to his father, who used to hide little treasures in the forest.

Q3: What does the word 'bundle' most likely mean in the sentence: 'Inside, she found a bundle of yellowed papers tied with a ribbon'?

✅ Correct Answer: A

💡 Reasoning: The context suggests that the letters were grouped together and tied with a ribbon, which fits the meaning of 'bundle' as a small collection of items wrapped or fastened together.

Q4: What can you infer about Emma based on the passage?

✅ Correct Answer: A

💡 Reasoning: Emma enjoys exploring the forest and is excited when she finds the mysterious box, showing that she is curious and adventurous.

Q5: Why does Emma decide to keep the letters in her room?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: Emma feels connected to her great-grandfather’s stories and keeps the letters as a way to remember the past and learn more about her family's history.