Question

The Mysterious Noise
Every night, as Emma lay in bed, she heard the same strange noise. It wasn’t loud, but it was enough to
keep her awake. The sound came from the direction of her closet—an odd, scratching noise, followed
by a soft thud.
At first, Emma thought it was just the wind or maybe the old wooden house settling. But then she
realized the noise happened even when the air was still. She checked the closet during the day but
found nothing unusual—just clothes, shoes, and a few forgotten toys.
One evening, she decided to investigate. Armed with a flashlight and her trusty stuffed bear, she sat
quietly in her room, waiting for the sound. When it finally came, Emma tiptoed to the closet and shined
her light inside. To her surprise, a pair of tiny eyes blinked back at her.
It was a small gray squirrel, curled up in the corner, nibbling on a leftover cracker she hadn’t seen in
months.
What text evidence supports the inference that the noise is a squirrel?
(2 points)
One evening she decided to investigate.
But then she realized the noise happened even when the air was still.
Emily tiptoed to the closed and shined her light inside.
The sound came from the direction of her closet- an odd scratching noise, followed by a soft thud.

Answer 1

- "The sound came from the direction of her closet—an odd, scratching noise, followed by a soft thud."
- "But then she realized the noise happened even when the air was still."

These show the noise was a scratching sound coming from the closet and not caused by wind, supporting the inference it was an animal (the squirrel).