The Marble Tournament (Fiction Passage)

Start with a minute of talk: What would you do if no one else saw a mistake? Then have students read the story on page 1, about 230 words in 8 short paragraphs. Ask them to notice what the characters say, do and feel. The second page asks five questions. Have students mark the sentence that proves each choice, then write the two responses in complete sentences. Check the work with the answer key.

The Marble Tournament gives 4th grade students a fiction passage of about 230 words about a player at a marble tournament who faces an honest choice, followed by five questions. The questions practice the theme or lesson of the story, vocabulary in context and cause and effect, and the sheet is aligned to Common Core RL.4.2. An answer key is included.

The Marble Tournament is a fiction passage of about 230 words about a player at a marble tournament who faces an honest choice. It is written for 4th grade readers (ages 9-10) and has 8 short paragraphs, so students can read it in one sitting.

Its five questions, three multiple choice and two written, practice how a character feels, the theme or lesson of the story, key details and cause and effect. Questions include "How did Owen feel about what Sofia did" and "Why did Sofia speak up even though it cost her the win". The sheet is aligned to Common Core RL.4.2, and the answer key is included so you can check responses quickly.

Try this conversation starter: What would you do if no one else saw a mistake? Invite students to share a similar experience first, then read to compare. Afterward, ask what the main character learned.

Expect about 20 minutes from first read to last answer. It suits homework, a sub plan or small group reading time, and the answer key makes it quick to check the theme or lesson of the story and vocabulary in context.