The Last Practice
Lexile: 1230 | Grade: 9
Passage
The gym lights buzzed above as Mara tied her shoes for what might be the last time. The basketball court felt colder than usual, emptier. Her teammates had already left, their laughter still echoing faintly down the hallway. She had stayed behind—not to practice, but to think.
She hadn’t made the final cut. After three years on the team, this season would not be hers. The coach said it gently, with that look of apology that never quite made it easier. *You worked hard. It was a tough decision.*
Mara didn’t cry, not at first. She nodded, thanked the coach, and walked off with her shoulders straight. But the weight settled later—in the locker room, in the quiet car ride home, and now, here, on the court that had once felt like home.
She picked up a ball and dribbled slowly. Not for anyone else—no spectators, no teammates, no scout. Just the sound of the ball on the floor, and her breath rising and falling. Each bounce steadied her, reminded her that effort didn’t vanish just because it went unrecognized.
A voice in her head whispered, *Why keep trying if it doesn’t lead to anything?* But another voice—quieter, but stronger—replied, *Because this is where you grew.*
Mara thought about how far she’d come. Not just in skill, but in patience, focus, and how she talked to herself when no one was listening. She remembered the days she pushed through fatigue, helped teammates up, showed up even when she felt invisible.
As she sank one last shot and let the ball roll away, Mara felt something unexpected: pride. Not in winning. Not in making the team. But in staying. In trying. In learning to carry disappointment without letting it define her.
She left the court slowly, not with regret, but with resilience. The kind that doesn’t shout or shine—but stays, quietly, when things get hard.
Printable Comprehension Practice
Visit us at https://readbuddies.com to practice interactively, track your progress, and explore more comprehension passages.
Questions
Q1: What emotional challenge is Mara facing in the story?
- A. She is trying to decide whether to join a new sport
- B. She feels overwhelmed by success and attention
- C. She is coping with the disappointment of not making the team
- D. She is struggling to keep up with school assignments
Q2: How does Mara show emotional resilience?
- A. She ignores her emotions completely
- B. She blames her teammates for not supporting her
- C. She reflects on her growth and keeps showing up despite disappointment
- D. She immediately tries out for a different team
Q3: What is the significance of the line, 'Because this is where you grew'?
- A. It shows that Mara regrets spending time on basketball
- B. It highlights her awareness that personal growth matters more than recognition
- C. It implies she didn’t train enough
- D. It suggests she plans to stop playing sports
Q4: What theme is most clearly conveyed in this passage?
- A. Success is only measured by winning
- B. Giving up is the best way to handle failure
- C. Quiet perseverance builds inner strength
- D. Only the best players deserve to feel proud
Q5: Why does Mara feel pride at the end of the story?
- A. Because she made a winning shot
- B. Because she proved the coach wrong
- C. Because she recognized her effort and growth, even without recognition
- D. Because her teammates celebrated her
Printable Comprehension Practice
Visit us at https://readbuddies.com to practice interactively, track your progress, and explore more comprehension passages.
Answers & Reasoning
Q1: What emotional challenge is Mara facing in the story?
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Reasoning: The story clearly shows Mara dealing with the emotional impact of being cut from the team.
Q2: How does Mara show emotional resilience?
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Reasoning: Rather than giving up or becoming bitter, Mara chooses to reflect on her progress and find strength in her effort.
Q3: What is the significance of the line, 'Because this is where you grew'?
✅ Correct Answer: B
💡 Reasoning: The line reflects Mara’s realization that her efforts helped her grow emotionally and mentally, even without reward.
Q4: What theme is most clearly conveyed in this passage?
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Reasoning: The story centers on Mara’s ability to reflect, persevere, and find meaning even in personal loss.
Q5: Why does Mara feel pride at the end of the story?
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Reasoning: Mara finds pride in her resilience, not in external achievements but in her internal development.
Printable Comprehension Practice
Visit us at https://readbuddies.com to practice interactively, track your progress, and explore more comprehension passages.