The Code Switch

Lexile: 970 | Grade: 8

Passage

Every Friday after school, Aisha met up with her friends at the community center’s computer lab. Most kids played games or watched videos, but Aisha had other plans—she was building an app to help her classmates organize group projects.

Her idea was simple: students could log in, assign tasks, and track progress. The issue? No one seemed interested. When she brought it up to her friends, they nodded politely, then changed the subject.

She began to wonder if it was worth continuing. That changed the day Mr. Carson, the IT volunteer, stopped by. 'What are you working on?' he asked, peering over her shoulder.

'Just a project,' Aisha replied, downplaying it.

He read through her notes. 'This could be useful. Mind if I show it to some folks at the school board?'

Aisha hesitated, then nodded. A week later, the principal called her into the office—not for trouble, but to ask if she could present her app to the student council. Word spread. Her peers who once ignored her idea now wanted to help test and expand it.

Aisha didn’t need to change who she was—she just needed to find the right time to speak up and the right person to listen.

Questions

Q1: What internal conflict does Aisha experience in the story?

  • A. She doesn't understand how to build an app.
  • B. She feels her idea is not valued by her peers.
  • C. She is afraid the school will ban her project.
  • D. She wants to play games instead of coding.

Q2: How does Mr. Carson influence the outcome of the story?

  • A. He teaches Aisha how to write better code.
  • B. He criticizes her for not working in a group.
  • C. He connects Aisha’s idea with people who can support it.
  • D. He advises her to stop working on the project.

Q3: What theme is common to both passages?

  • A. People should always work in groups to succeed.
  • B. Technology is the best path to popularity.
  • C. Staying committed to your ideas can eventually lead to success.
  • D. Only adults can recognize innovation in students.

Q4: What does the phrase 'the right person to listen' suggest in the story?

  • A. Aisha needed someone to fix her app.
  • B. Her idea was too advanced for her peers.
  • C. Sometimes success depends on who hears your idea, not just how good it is.
  • D. Aisha was talking too loudly in the computer lab.

Q5: What evidence from the nonfiction passage supports Aisha’s experience?

  • A. 'Students who work in teams always do better than those who work alone.'
  • B. 'The key is not giving up.'
  • C. 'Only inventors and entrepreneurs face rejection.'
  • D. 'Creativity matters more than effort.'

Printable Comprehension Practice

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Answers & Reasoning

Q1: What internal conflict does Aisha experience in the story?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: Aisha begins to doubt the value of her project because her peers show little interest, creating an internal struggle.

Q2: How does Mr. Carson influence the outcome of the story?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: Mr. Carson recognizes the value of Aisha’s idea and introduces it to the school board, opening new opportunities for her.

Q3: What theme is common to both passages?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: Both texts highlight how perseverance and belief in your own ideas—even when ignored at first—can eventually lead to recognition and impact.

Q4: What does the phrase 'the right person to listen' suggest in the story?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: The phrase suggests that ideas need the right audience to gain recognition, as shown by Mr. Carson’s support.

Q5: What evidence from the nonfiction passage supports Aisha’s experience?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: Aisha’s story reflects the idea that perseverance is essential, especially when initial reactions are discouraging.