Cold-Read Task

Read the chapter “Superboy and Me” from More Stories Julian Tells by Ann Cameron. Then answer the questions.

1. Part A

Read paragraph 1 of “Superboy and Me.”

I could hardly see Huey. Huey could hardly see.

What is the meaning of the word hardly as it is used in this paragraph?

a. too difficult to finish

b. almost not at all

c. being in pain

d. being in trouble

Part B

Which detail from the story helps the reader understand the meaning of the word hardly?

a. “He had a washcloth full of ice against his face.” (paragraph 2)

b. “We were standing in front of my father and mother.” (paragraph 3)

c. “‘So, what did you do Huey?’ my father asked, sounding like a judge.” (paragraph 4)

d. “And right then he started crying.” (paragraph 8)

Grade 3: Stories Julian Tells

2. Part A

Read this sentence from paragraph 2 of “Superboy and Me.”

Every now and then he moved the washcloth and an ice cube fell to the floor, rattling like a marble.

What is the meaning of the word rattling as it is used in this sentence?

a. shining

b. shaking

c. making a sound

d. moving slowly

Part B

Which phrase from the story best helps the reader understand the meaning of the word rattling?

a. “could hardly see”

b. “full of ice”

c. “against his face”

d. “fell to the floor”

3. Part A

Read these sentences from paragraph 5 of “Superboy and Me.”

“I—I wanted to be strong,” Huey said. “I—I wanted to be Superboy.”

What does Huey’s repeating of the word I in these lines most show about him?

a. Huey wants sympathy.

b. Huey wants to be the best.

c. Huey is getting upset.

d. Huey is bragging.

Grade 3: Stories Julian Tells Part B

What evidence from the story best supports the answer to part A?

a. “‘I did situps. I did pushups.’” (paragraph 5)

b. “‘And you’re all banged up and you didn’t even cry,’ my mother said.” (paragraph 6)

c. “‘Superboy doesn’t cry,’ Huey said.” (paragraph 7)

d. “And right then he started crying.” (paragraph 8)

4. Part A

What is the reason Huey wants to become Superboy?

a. to prove that he can be brave

b. to show how unusual he is

c. to get his parents’ attention

d. to become very good at something

Part B

Which detail from the story best supports the answer to part A?

a. “‘I ate broccoli.’” (paragraph 5)

b. “‘Then I practiced falling out of the top bunk. Once.’” (paragraph 5)

c. “‘I am never going to cry again.’” (paragraph 7)

d. “‘Julian called me a scaredycat.’” (paragraph 13)

Grade 3: Stories Julian Tells 5. Part A

How does Julian feel about Huey’s accident?

a. proud that Huey didn’t cry

b. sorry for calling his brother a name

c. angry that Huey tattled to their parents

d. happy about playing with his brother

Part B

Which detail from the story best supports the answer to Part A?

a. “‘I really didn’t mean it. I was wrong.’” (paragraph 15)

b. “Pretty soon I had told my side, about the swing and the sandpile.” (paragraph 20)

c. “I waited to hear how I was careless and how I got Huey in trouble.” (paragraph 22)

d. “I helped Huey to grow up and took good care of him.” (paragraph 24)

6. Part A

How does Julian feel after the talk with his father?

a. worried about the future

b. happy about the unexpected response

c. angry about causing an accident

d. disappointed about getting caught

Grade 3: Stories Julian Tells Part B

Which detail from the story best supports the answer to Part A?

a. “Huey gets me angry when he acts like a baby.” (paragraph 20)

b. “‘But there are some things you need to think about.’” (paragraph 21)

c. “And I waited to hear what punishment I was going to get.” (paragraph 22)

d. “And then he said the most surprising thing of all.” (paragraph 28)

Read the chapter “Huey Makes the Leap” from More Stories Julian Tells by Ann Cameron. Then answer the questions.

7. Part A

How does Huey feel at the beginning of “Huey Makes the Leap”?

a. sad

b. very strong

c. a little scared

d. proud

Part B

Which detail from the passage best supports the answer to Part A?

a. “Huey had on his lucky Tshirt.” (paragraph 3)

b. “For a second he floated.” (paragraph 5)

c. “He had his eyes shut tight.” (paragraph 5)

d. “In a second he had landed.” (paragraph 6)

Grade 3: Stories Julian Tells 8. Part A

How do the drawings of Julian and Gloria in the chapter “Huey Makes the Leap” help in understanding what is described in the story?

a. They show how worried Julian and Gloria are for Huey’s safety.

b. They show how happy Julian and Gloria are to see Huey jump.

c. They show how Julian and Gloria are crying because Huey is hurt.

d. They show how Julian and Gloria are impatient for their turn to play on the swing.

Part B

Which details from the illustration best support the answer to Part A?

a. Julian and Gloria are waving their arms and frowning.

b. Julian and Gloria are smiling and have their thumbs up.

c. Julian and Gloria have tears in their eyes and are holding hands.

d. Julian and Gloria are holding up their fists and screaming at Huey to stop.

9. Part A

Read this sentence from paragraph 12 of “Huey Makes the Leap.”

Huey was in his Superboy pose.

What is the meaning of the word pose as it is used in this sentence?

a. to pretend to be someone else

b. to kick or stomp on something

c. to explain why something happens

d. to stand or sit in a certain way

Grade 3: Stories Julian Tells Part B

Which detail from the story best helps in understanding the meaning of the word pose?

a. “‘How did you do it, Huey?’” (paragraph 11)

b. “his shoulders back and his thumbs hooked in his belt.” (paragraph 12)

c. “‘What’s your secret?’” (paragraph 13)

d. “Huey scuffed his tennis shoes in the sand.” (paragraph 14)

10. The phrase makes the leap in the title “Huey Makes the Leap” can mean more than one thing. Think about two ways that Huey makes the leap.

● Part A Write two different meanings of makes the leap into the correct boxes in the chart.

● Part B Then write into the box under each meaning two details from the story that best support the meanings.

meaning of Makes the Leap meaning of Makes the Leap

Two details from the story that support answer Two details from the story that support answer

Answer choices:

Part A

Jump; move off the ground Trust; move past a problem Be surprised; move quickly

Part B

Grade 3: Stories Julian Tells

“He had on his baseball cap.” “More fun than falling out of bed!” “‘Really?’ Huey said. ‘It was fun!”

“Huey was in his Superboy pose.” “Huey pushed off the swing.” “For a second he floated.”

11. Write a multiparagraph response that explains how and why Julian changes from “Superboy and Me” to “Huey Makes the Leap.” Cite evidence from More Stories Julian Tells to support your response. Be sure to observe the conventions of standard English.

Grade 3: Stories Julian Tells