Jasmine sat at her usual table in the library during lunch, her nose buried in a thick novel. Around her, conversations buzzed, but she remained a silent observer. She didn’t mind being alone—it gave her space to think, to read, to breathe.
Then one day, a new student, Mateo, wandered into the library looking lost. He scanned the room and hesitated before walking over to her table. 'Mind if I sit here?' he asked.
Jasmine looked up, surprised. 'Sure,' she replied, moving her bag aside. They sat in silence at first, Jasmine reading, Mateo sketching in a notebook. But gradually, small conversations began to fill the quiet space. Mateo asked about the book she was reading; Jasmine asked about his drawings.
Over the next few weeks, their lunchtime ritual became routine. Word spread, and others started joining their table—first a shy poetry enthusiast, then a girl who composed music on her phone, then a boy who coded video games. Their table, once silent, now hummed with creativity and acceptance.
Jasmine realized something unexpected: by allowing someone in, she hadn’t lost her solitude—she had expanded it to include others who had been invisible, just like she once was.
Q1: How does Jasmine's perspective on solitude change throughout the story?
Q2: What is the main connection between the two passages?
Q3: Which quote from the fictional passage best illustrates the theme of inclusion?
Q4: What does the word 'dismantle' most likely mean in the nonfiction passage?
Q5: What central message do both passages communicate about social behavior in school settings?
Printable Comprehension Practice
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Q1: How does Jasmine's perspective on solitude change throughout the story?
✅ Correct Answer: B
💡 Reasoning: Jasmine initially values her solitude but finds that sharing it with others doesn't take away from her peace—it enhances it.
Q2: What is the main connection between the two passages?
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Reasoning: Both passages emphasize how small actions—like letting someone sit with you or starting a conversation—can lead to a more inclusive environment.
Q3: Which quote from the fictional passage best illustrates the theme of inclusion?
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Reasoning: This line shows how the once-isolated space became a welcoming place for a diverse group of students.
Q4: What does the word 'dismantle' most likely mean in the nonfiction passage?
✅ Correct Answer: B
💡 Reasoning: In context, 'dismantle the invisible barriers' means to remove or take apart the things that separate people.
Q5: What central message do both passages communicate about social behavior in school settings?
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Reasoning: The theme in both texts is that inclusion can begin with one person and ripple out to positively affect a whole group.