Question
Two thousand keys stood between Blythe and the treasure inside the locked box. The keys were weighing down the feather-light sand, each of them slightly different from the next. The merman had said that only one key would open the treasure box. All the other keys were only put there to test Blythe’s patience.
The midday sun caused beads of sweat to dribble down her face as she tried each key. Her arms became tired from picking up one heavy brass key after another and twisting it in the lock without progress. As she was about to give up, the merman, with his body that was half man and half fish, appeared on the sand.
“You have disappointed me, Blythe,” he scolded in a voice that rushed like the waves. “I gave you the treasure box because I thought you would endure and be the one to open it. Do you know how many people on this planet would like to be given this opportunity?”
Sighing and ignoring the merman’s question, Blythe asked a question of her own. “Why did you think that I would be the one to endure?”
“Because I saw you take care of your baby sister when she was sick with a fever.” The merman pointed to a beach cottage in the distance. “You stayed in that cottage with her every day until she was healed. You did not play in the sun even though the weather sparkled each day that she was sick.”
Feeling guilty for nearly giving up, Blythe tried 100 more keys, none of which turned the lock. She paused for a few sips of water and then tried 200 more. At last, a key opened the lock, revealing a box filled with turquoise gems and sea scrolls from the ancient world.
Questions
Which sentence best summarizes the story?
Blythe’s sister catches a fever, so Blythe patiently takes care of her for days at a beach cottage until she is healed.
Blythe and a merman join forces to try and open a mysterious treasure box.
Blythe’s patience is tested as she tries to open a treasure box, but she finally finds the right key by persevering.
A merman mysteriously asks Blythe to open a treasure box in order to heal her baby sister.
The midday sun caused beads of sweat to dribble down her face as she tried each key. Her arms became tired from picking up one heavy brass key after another and twisting it in the lock without progress. As she was about to give up, the merman, with his body that was half man and half fish, appeared on the sand.
“You have disappointed me, Blythe,” he scolded in a voice that rushed like the waves. “I gave you the treasure box because I thought you would endure and be the one to open it. Do you know how many people on this planet would like to be given this opportunity?”
Sighing and ignoring the merman’s question, Blythe asked a question of her own. “Why did you think that I would be the one to endure?”
“Because I saw you take care of your baby sister when she was sick with a fever.” The merman pointed to a beach cottage in the distance. “You stayed in that cottage with her every day until she was healed. You did not play in the sun even though the weather sparkled each day that she was sick.”
Feeling guilty for nearly giving up, Blythe tried 100 more keys, none of which turned the lock. She paused for a few sips of water and then tried 200 more. At last, a key opened the lock, revealing a box filled with turquoise gems and sea scrolls from the ancient world.
Questions
Which sentence best summarizes the story?
Blythe’s sister catches a fever, so Blythe patiently takes care of her for days at a beach cottage until she is healed.
Blythe and a merman join forces to try and open a mysterious treasure box.
Blythe’s patience is tested as she tries to open a treasure box, but she finally finds the right key by persevering.
A merman mysteriously asks Blythe to open a treasure box in order to heal her baby sister.
Answers
GPT-5 mini
Blythe’s patience is tested as she tries to open a treasure box, but she finally finds the right key by persevering.
(This best captures the main event and theme: Blythe endures trying many keys and succeeds through perseverance.)
(This best captures the main event and theme: Blythe endures trying many keys and succeeds through perseverance.)