The Audition

Lexile: 920 | Grade: 7

Passage

Elena stared at the sign-up sheet posted outside the drama room. Her name was the last one on the list. In shaky handwriting, it read: 'Elena M.'

She could still erase it. The pencil was in her hand. No one had seen her yet.

Ever since she was little, Elena loved performing for her family—making them laugh with silly impressions or narrating stories with dramatic flair. But that was at home. This was different. This was the school play, in front of classmates who had never heard her voice louder than a whisper.

The role of Juliet was open to anyone. But everyone knew who would get it—Danielle. She was popular, confident, and had played leading roles since fifth grade.

Elena’s stomach twisted. 'Why am I even doing this?' she muttered.

The truth was, she didn’t expect to be Juliet. She didn’t even expect to get a part. What she wanted—more than anything—was to try. To stand in front of a group of people and speak clearly without her voice trembling.

The day of the audition arrived too fast. The drama room was buzzing. Students practiced lines, laughed nervously, and eyed one another. Elena sat in a corner, holding her script with both hands like it might fly away.

When her name was called, she stood up, legs heavy as stone. The director gave her a small nod.

She began. Her voice was quiet at first, shaky and uncertain. But something shifted in the middle of the scene. She wasn’t Elena anymore—she was Juliet, filled with emotion, pleading for understanding. Her words grew louder, more confident. When she finished, the room was silent for a moment. Then the director said, 'Thank you.'

No one clapped. No one laughed. But no one sneered either.

The next day, the cast list went up. Danielle got Juliet. Elena was cast as the nurse—a smaller part, but one with funny lines and real depth.

As she read her name on the list, Elena smiled. Not because she had won, but because—for once—she hadn’t let fear decide who she could be.

Questions

Q1: Which theme is most clearly expressed in this passage?

A. Performing on stage is easier than it seems.
B. People should never audition unless they plan to win.
C. Taking a risk can be more important than getting the best result.
D. Popular students always get what they want.

Q2: What internal conflict does Elena experience in the story?

A. She is unsure whether she should audition or help backstage.
B. She is torn between impressing her parents or her classmates.
C. She struggles between her desire to perform and her fear of being judged.
D. She wants to beat Danielle to prove she is better.

Q3: How does the author build tension leading up to the audition?

A. By describing the competition between Danielle and Elena.
B. By focusing on Elena’s inner thoughts and fears as the day approaches.
C. By comparing the different characters in the play.
D. By showing how Elena rehearses for hours at home.

Q4: What does Elena's reaction to getting a smaller role reveal about her character growth?

A. She is disappointed but pretends to be happy.
B. She doesn’t care about the play anymore.
C. She is genuinely proud of herself for facing her fears.
D. She is angry and refuses to participate.

Q5: What does the phrase 'legs heavy as stone' suggest about Elena as she walks to audition?

A. She is tired from standing too long.
B. She feels nervous and weighed down by fear.
C. She forgot how to act the scene.
D. Her legs are sore from running.

Q6: Why is the silence after Elena’s audition significant?

A. It shows no one liked her performance.
B. It suggests her acting was so powerful it left others speechless.
C. It means the director forgot to respond.
D. It shows her classmates were not paying attention.

Q7: How does Elena’s perception of success change by the end of the story?

A. She realizes success means getting the lead role.
B. She learns that success includes facing fears and growing.
C. She decides she will never audition again.
D. She becomes more interested in popularity.

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Answers & Reasoning

Q1: Which theme is most clearly expressed in this passage?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: Elena’s decision to audition and her growth through the experience highlight the theme of personal courage and the value of trying, regardless of the outcome.

Q2: What internal conflict does Elena experience in the story?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: Elena loves performing but fears embarrassment and self-doubt, especially in front of her peers.

Q3: How does the author build tension leading up to the audition?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: Most of the passage focuses on Elena’s fear, hesitation, and emotional preparation, which builds suspense about how she’ll perform.

Q4: What does Elena's reaction to getting a smaller role reveal about her character growth?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: Elena smiles at seeing her name on the cast list because she’s proud she followed through, not because of the size of the role.

Q5: What does the phrase 'legs heavy as stone' suggest about Elena as she walks to audition?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: This figurative phrase reflects Elena’s fear and anxiety in that moment.

Q6: Why is the silence after Elena’s audition significant?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: The silence was not negative; it reflects surprise and respect for her unexpected performance.

Q7: How does Elena’s perception of success change by the end of the story?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: At the end, Elena values her bravery over the result and redefines success as courage and personal growth.