Final Shot

Lexile: 880 | Grade: 6

Passage

The gym buzzed with noise. The championship basketball game had come down to the final 10 seconds. The score was tied, and Mia stood at the free-throw line, her palms sweaty.

She had practiced this shot a thousand times. But now, with the crowd shouting and the lights glaring down, it felt different. Everyone’s eyes were on her.

Coach Thompson gave her a quick nod from the sidelines. Mia looked over at her teammates, who were watching with silent hope. She remembered the long hours they had all spent running drills, pushing through soreness, and encouraging each other after tough losses.

She bounced the ball once. Twice. In her mind, she was back in the driveway at home, her dad cheering her on.

The first shot hit the rim… and rolled in. Cheers erupted. Mia closed her eyes for a second and took a deep breath.

She shot again. This time, it swished through the net cleanly.

The buzzer sounded. They had won.

Her teammates rushed the court, shouting her name. But Mia shook her head. “We did it,” she said. “We all did it.”

Questions

Q1: What is the main theme of the story?

  • A. Winning is more important than teamwork.
  • B. Pressure makes it impossible to succeed.
  • C. Practicing alone is better than working with others.
  • D. Confidence and teamwork help overcome tough challenges.

Q2: How does Mia stay calm during the final moments of the game?

  • A. She listens to the crowd and tries to impress them.
  • B. She imagines being back at home practicing with her dad.
  • C. She asks the coach to take her out of the game.
  • D. She tells herself the points don’t matter.

Q3: What do Mia’s words at the end of the story show about her character?

  • A. She is proud but gives credit to her team.
  • B. She is unsure of her performance.
  • C. She is upset the game was so close.
  • D. She wants to play alone next time.

Q4: What does the phrase 'her palms sweaty' help show the reader?

  • A. Mia had been running around the gym.
  • B. She was tired of holding the basketball.
  • C. She was nervous and feeling pressure.
  • D. She didn’t want to be at the game.

Q5: How does the author build suspense in the story?

  • A. By describing the crowd and counting down the final seconds
  • B. By telling us who wins in the first paragraph
  • C. By skipping the game and jumping to the celebration
  • D. By only showing the coach’s point of view

Printable Comprehension Practice

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Answers & Reasoning

Q1: What is the main theme of the story?

✅ Correct Answer: D

💡 Reasoning: Mia's ability to stay focused under pressure and her recognition of her team’s role show the importance of teamwork and perseverance.

Q2: How does Mia stay calm during the final moments of the game?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: The passage says she mentally places herself in a familiar, comforting setting to focus on the shot.

Q3: What do Mia’s words at the end of the story show about her character?

✅ Correct Answer: A

💡 Reasoning: By saying 'We all did it,' Mia shows humility and appreciation for her teammates' support.

Q4: What does the phrase 'her palms sweaty' help show the reader?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: Sweaty palms are a physical sign of nervousness, showing how much pressure she felt in that moment.

Q5: How does the author build suspense in the story?

✅ Correct Answer: A

💡 Reasoning: The author focuses on the tension of the final seconds and Mia’s thoughts to create suspense.