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Step by Step
Thomas Underhill

1Kyle woke up early on Sunday morning and watched a bright sun rising in the sky. Fanning his warm face, he sat down to do his math homework. He would have to do his work early if he wanted to join Uncle Terrence on a walk to Harper's Hill that afternoon.

2Uncle Terrence arrived later to check on Kyle, who was struggling with his math problems. "I always have trouble with math," Kyle said.

3"Whenever I have a tough problem, I stop and think," said Uncle Terrence. "Then I solve the problem step by step." He showed Kyle how to think about the math problems in steps. Kyle followed each step and soon learned how to answer the questions.

4When Kyle was done, Uncle Terrence pulled out a large bag. Inside were strong boots that he handed to Kyle. "You're going to need these," said Uncle Terrence. "I'm bringing some peanut butter sandwiches and big bottles of water too." Kyle was not sure why they needed so many things, but he thanked his uncle and got ready.

5Kyle and Uncle Terrence headed into a forest behind Kyle's house. They found a trail that led to Harper's Hill, the highest hill in town. At the base of the hill they looked up. "Wow! Harper's Hill is so high I can barely see the top!" said Kyle, feeling a little worried.

6Uncle Terrence said they would take one path halfway up the hill. At the end of that path, they would stop to rest and eat lunch. Then they would take another path that led to the very top. "We'll just do this step by step," he said with a calm smile.

7They walked for an hour and then stopped for lunch. Kyle was grateful for the sandwiches and water. The long walk and the warm temperature had made him hungry and thirsty. After they returned to the trail, Uncle Terrence looked a little worried. He admitted he couldn't find the second path.

8"Well, we'll just stop and think about it," said Kyle. "We'll do it step by step!"

9They stopped and looked around, retracing their steps until they found the right path. Then they walked up a rocky trail that made Kyle glad to be wearing strong boots. When they finally reached the top of the hill, the view was amazing! Kyle looked at all the roads and cars in the city below them. "I can see our houses from here!" he said, and Uncle Terrence smiled.

10Kyle knew that climbing Harper's Hill was something he would never forget. He and Uncle Terrence had done something great, and they had done it all step by step!

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About the Author:
Thomas Underhill grew up on a farm. As a child, he loved exploring the hills and woods around his home. Mr. Underhill did well in math but later became a writer. "I like to write short stories and then put them together, step by step, into longer books," he said.
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Which element of the story has the MOST influence on the eventual triumph that Kyle and Uncle Terrance experience?
Responses
A The setting of the woods and the hillThe setting of the woods and the hill
B The dialogue between Kyle and Uncle TerranceThe dialogue between Kyle and Uncle Terrance
C The description of Kyle's math homeworkThe description of Kyle's math homework
D The details of what they packed in their backpacks

Choose two pieces of evidence that establish the setting as an important part of the story.
Responses
A They found a trail that led to Harper's Hill, the highest hill in town. At the base of the hill they looked up. "Wow! Harper's Hill is so high I can barely see the top!" said Kyle, feeling a little worried.They found a trail that led to Harper's Hill, the highest hill in town. At the base of the hill they looked up. "Wow! Harper's Hill is so high I can barely see the top!" said Kyle, feeling a little worried.
B Kyle woke up early on Sunday morning and watched a bright sun rising in the sky. Fanning his warm face, he sat down to do his math homework. He would have to do his work early if he wanted to join Uncle Terrence on a walk to Harper's Hill that afternoon.Kyle woke up early on Sunday morning and watched a bright sun rising in the sky. Fanning his warm face, he sat down to do his math homework. He would have to do his work early if he wanted to join Uncle Terrence on a walk to Harper's Hill that afternoon.
C They walked for an hour and then stopped for lunch. Kyle was grateful for the sandwiches and water.They walked for an hour and then stopped for lunch. Kyle was grateful for the sandwiches and water.
D They walked for an hour and then stopped for lunch. Kyle was grateful for the sandwiches and water. The long walk and the warm temperature had made him hungry and thirsty. After they returned to the trail, Uncle Terrence looked a little worried. He admitted he couldn't find the second path.They walked for an hour and then stopped for lunch. Kyle was grateful for the sandwiches and water. The long walk and the warm temperature had made him hungry and thirsty. After they returned to the trail, Uncle Terrence looked a little worried. He admitted he couldn't find the second path.
E Kyle woke up early on Sunday morning and watched a bright sun rising in the sky. Fanning his warm face, he sat down to do his math homework.Kyle woke up early on Sunday morning and watched a bright sun rising in the sky. Fanning his warm face, he sat down to do his math homework.

1 answer

The element of the story that has the MOST influence on the eventual triumph that Kyle and Uncle Terrence experience is B) the dialogue between Kyle and Uncle Terrence. Uncle Terrence's advice to think and solve problems step by step helps Kyle to succeed in his math homework and also later on in their climb up Harper's Hill.

Two pieces of evidence that establish setting as an important part of the story are:
A) "They found a trail that led to Harper's Hill, the highest hill in town" and "At the base of the hill they looked up. 'Wow! Harper's Hill is so high I can barely see the top!' said Kyle, feeling a little worried."
D) "They walked for an hour and then stopped for lunch. Kyle was grateful for the sandwiches and water. The long walk and the warm temperature had made him hungry and thirsty. After they returned to the trail, Uncle Terrence looked a little worried. He admitted he couldn't find the second path." These pieces of evidence show how the surroundings impact the characters and how they navigate through them.