The Hidden Message in the Lighthouse

Lexile: 870 | Grade: 5

Passage

Lila had always been fascinated by the old lighthouse on the rocky cliffs near her town. Every summer, she would ride her bike there, sit on the warm stones, and imagine stories about the ships that once relied on its light. But one afternoon, she discovered something unexpected.

As she ran her fingers over the weathered bricks, she noticed a small carving beneath the peeling white paint. The words were faint, but she could make them out: 'Find the star at sunset.' Her heart pounded with excitement.

Lila waited until evening, watching as the golden sun dipped below the horizon. Then, something caught her eye—a single brick at the base of the lighthouse glowed faintly in the fading light. She knelt and pressed against it. To her surprise, it shifted slightly.

With a deep breath, Lila pulled the brick free. Inside the hollow space was a delicate glass bottle. She carefully removed the cork and unrolled the yellowed paper inside. The note read, 'To the one who finds this: Never stop looking for the magic in the world.'

Lila smiled as she held the note close. She didn’t know who had left it there or how long it had been hidden, but she knew one thing—it was a message meant for someone like her, someone who believed in adventure.

Questions

Q1: What is the point of view of the passage?

  • A. First-person
  • B. Second-person
  • C. Third-person limited
  • D. Third-person omniscient

Q2: Which sentence contains an example of figurative language?

  • A. The words were faint, but she could make them out.
  • B. Lila waited until evening, watching as the golden sun dipped below the horizon.
  • C. She carefully removed the cork and unrolled the yellowed paper inside.
  • D. She knelt and pressed against it.

Q3: What caused Lila to find the hidden message?

  • A. She noticed a carving on the lighthouse that gave her a clue.
  • B. She saw a bottle floating in the water.
  • C. She was searching for treasure hidden by pirates.
  • D. Her grandfather told her a story about the lighthouse.

Q4: Which type of conflict does Lila face in the story?

  • A. Man vs. Man
  • B. Man vs. Nature
  • C. Man vs. Self
  • D. Man vs. Society

Q5: What is the best summary of the passage?

  • A. Lila visits a lighthouse and imagines stories about ships.
  • B. Lila finds an old note hidden in a lighthouse and feels inspired by its message.
  • C. Lila’s grandfather tells her a legend about the lighthouse and she decides to explore it.
  • D. Lila and her friends play near the lighthouse and find a mysterious treasure.

Q6: Which sentence from the passage is an opinion?

  • A. Lila had always been fascinated by the old lighthouse.
  • B. She ran her fingers over the weathered bricks.
  • C. She knelt and pressed against it.
  • D. The note read, 'To the one who finds this: Never stop looking for the magic in the world.'

Q7: Which phrase best describes the author's purpose in writing this passage?

  • A. To persuade readers to visit old lighthouses
  • B. To inform readers about the history of lighthouses
  • C. To entertain readers with a story about adventure and discovery
  • D. To explain how lighthouses help ships navigate

Q8: What can you infer about Lila from the passage?

  • A. She is easily scared and avoids adventure.
  • B. She is curious and enjoys solving mysteries.
  • C. She does not like spending time outside.
  • D. She only explores places when she is forced to.

Q9: What is most likely to happen next in the story?

  • A. Lila will ignore the note and leave it behind.
  • B. Lila will search for more hidden messages in the lighthouse.
  • C. The lighthouse will be torn down.
  • D. The note will disappear before Lila can read it.

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Answers & Reasoning

Q1: What is the point of view of the passage?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: The story is told in third person, following Lila’s thoughts and experiences but not revealing the thoughts of other characters.

Q2: Which sentence contains an example of figurative language?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: The phrase ‘the golden sun dipped below the horizon’ is an example of personification, giving the sun human-like qualities.

Q3: What caused Lila to find the hidden message?

✅ Correct Answer: A

💡 Reasoning: The passage states that Lila found a small carving that read ‘Find the star at sunset,’ which led her to search the lighthouse at sunset.

Q4: Which type of conflict does Lila face in the story?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: Lila’s conflict is an internal one—her curiosity and desire for adventure drive her to solve the mystery of the lighthouse.

Q5: What is the best summary of the passage?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: The passage focuses on Lila finding a hidden message in the lighthouse and feeling inspired by its meaning.

Q6: Which sentence from the passage is an opinion?

✅ Correct Answer: A

💡 Reasoning: The phrase ‘Lila had always been fascinated’ expresses a personal feeling, which makes it an opinion.

Q7: Which phrase best describes the author's purpose in writing this passage?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: The passage is a fictional story designed to entertain readers with a sense of mystery and adventure.

Q8: What can you infer about Lila from the passage?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: Lila’s curiosity leads her to examine the lighthouse, follow the hidden message, and uncover the note.

Q9: What is most likely to happen next in the story?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: Lila’s excitement about finding the message suggests that she will continue searching for more clues.