Question

The Storm Before Practice

By the time Lena reached the edge of the soccer complex, the afternoon light had dulled to a gray haze. Wind pushed against her as she dismounted her bike, and the distant sky seemed heavy, as though it were holding something back. The parking lot was nearly empty. Coach said practice was still happening, she reminded herself, though the uneasy feeling in her chest refused to fade.

Only Jordan was already on the field, tapping the ball back and forth near the goal.

“Looks like it might miss us,” he said when Lena approached.

Before she could respond, thunder rolled low and slow across the sky. The sound stirred an old memory—standing soaked on a field the year before, wishing she had spoken when the warning signs were obvious. She pushed the thought aside but could not shake its weight.

Coach Ramirez arrived moments later, pausing longer than usual before setting down his equipment. “We’ll start warm-ups,” he said, scanning the horizon. “But stay alert.”

As the team stretched, the wind strengthened, rattling the fence and bending the trees beyond the field. Lena’s attention drifted repeatedly to the sky. She felt caught between wanting to appear dependable and knowing when persistence could become recklessness.

A sudden flash of lightning cut through the clouds.

Lena inhaled sharply and stepped forward. “Coach,” she said, surprised by the steadiness of her own voice, “this doesn’t feel safe.”

Silence followed—brief but heavy—until thunder cracked overhead, closer now.

Coach nodded. “That’s enough for today.”

As the team hurried indoors and the rain finally broke loose, Lena realized that the real test had not been the weather, but whether she trusted her judgment enough to speak.
Part A: What does Lena’s decision to address Coach Ramirez reveal about her development as a character?(1 point)
Responses

A. She has become more confident in her athletic abilities.
A. She has become more confident in her athletic abilities.

B. She reacts emotionally when situations feel out of her control.
B. She reacts emotionally when situations feel out of her control.

C. She prioritizes personal responsibility over approval.
C. She prioritizes personal responsibility over approval.

D. She relies on past authority figures to guide her actions.

Answer 1

C. She prioritizes personal responsibility over approval.

Explanation: By speaking up about the unsafe conditions—despite the coach and teammates being present—Lena shows growth in trusting her own judgment and putting safety/responsibility above seeking approval.