The Secret Garden of Leo
Leo loved to draw. Every day after school, he would rush home, grab his worn sketchbook, and find a quiet corner. He wasn't very good at drawing people, but his animals were amazing – fluffy cats, soaring eagles, and even a grumpy badger. One sunny afternoon, while exploring the woods behind his house, Leo stumbled upon an old, rusty gate hidden behind a tangle of vines. Curiosity pulled him forward. He pushed the gate open slowly, and it creaked loudly, revealing a small, overgrown garden.
Inside, the garden was a mess of weeds and forgotten flowers. A tiny, dried-up fountain stood in the center. Leo felt a pang of sadness. This beautiful place had been neglected. An idea sparked in his mind. What if he could bring it back to life? Over the next few weeks, Leo spent hours in the garden. He pulled weeds, watered the thirsty plants, and even repaired the fountain, which now gurgled softly. The garden slowly transformed. Bright flowers bloomed, butterflies danced, and birds sang happily.
One evening, his grandmother visited and asked what he had been so busy with. Leo hesitated, wondering if she would think it was silly. But then he decided to share his secret. He led her to the garden. Her eyes widened, and a warm smile spread across her face. "Leo," she whispered, "this is truly magnificent. You have a gardener's heart." Leo felt a burst of pride. He realized that sometimes, the greatest art isn't on paper, but in making the world a little more beautiful. His quiet determination had not only transformed a garden but also filled his own heart with joy.
What character trait best describes Leo at the beginning of the story?
What significant event leads Leo to discover the garden?
What is the main lesson Leo learns by the end of the story?
In the second paragraph, what does the word "neglected" most likely mean?
What motivates Leo to start working on the garden?
Which sentence contains a simile?
Which sentence contains a metaphor?
Which sentence contains personification?
A recipe for making chocolate chip cookies. What is the author's purpose?
An advertisement showing why you should buy a new video game console. What is the author's purpose?
Should students have longer recess? State your opinion and provide 1-2 reasons to support it.
In stories, characters often change and grow over time. Write an essay explaining how characters develop and change throughout a story. What kinds of things might cause a character to change? How do these changes affect the plot or other characters? Use examples from stories you know or general ideas about character development to support your explanation.