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Before the Bus Leaves

Analyze an original play about a lost phone on a field trip, trace its developing theme, and write an objective summary.

Grade 7ELAInteractive · Printable

Aligned toRL.7.2

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What’s included

Single worksheet
Auto-graded online
1 Common Core standard
Printable answer key
13 questions
Classroom-ready

Details

Format: Interactive · Printable
Grade: Grade 7
Subject: ELA
Question types: Multiple choice, Circle the answer, Sorting, Short answer

About this worksheet

What students practice

Students identify a theme and trace its development through characters’ choices.
Students select relevant evidence and write an objective summary of a short play.

How to use

Have students read the play independently or assign speaking roles. Then have them complete the evidence pairs and write a summary using key events.

Curriculum

Common Core standard covered

RL.7.2

Find a theme or central idea, trace how it develops across the text, and write an objective summary.

Preview

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Name Date

Before the Bus Leaves

Trace a theme through an original short play and write an objective summary.

Read the play

Notice how Saira’s choices change from the beginning to the ending. Bracketed text gives stage directions.

Before the Bus Leaves

1[A local radio station, near the end of a school field trip. Students gather by the exit. Saira checks her jacket, then checks it again. Her friend Tomas waits beside a poster showing a microphone.]

2TOMAS: Looking for your phone? SAIRA: It was here before the recording demonstration. TOMAS: Tell Ms. Bell. SAIRA: After I promised I could keep track of it? She’ll remember this every time I ask to bring it anywhere. [She pulls her sleeves over her hands.]

3MS. BELL: We leave in ten minutes. Please check that you have everything. SAIRA: I could slip back through the recording rooms. TOMAS: We’re supposed to stay together. SAIRA: Then I’ll say I need the restroom. [She looks toward the hallway but does not move.]

4TOMAS: What if someone finds it after we leave? SAIRA: They won’t know whose it is. The screen is locked. TOMAS: The station staff could help if they knew. [Saira opens her empty pocket once more. She takes a breath and walks toward Ms. Bell.]

5SAIRA: I lost my phone, and I waited to tell you because I was embarrassed. MS. BELL: Thank you for telling me. Where did you last use it? SAIRA: The sound-effects room. I took a picture of the equipment. [Ms. Bell asks the station guide to check that room while she stays with the class.]

6[The guide returns carrying a phone.] GUIDE: It was on the shelf beneath the headphones. SAIRA: That’s mine. Thank you. MS. BELL: We have time, but next time tell me sooner. Keep it zipped away until we’re back at school. [Saira closes the zipper carefully.]

7[On the bus, Tomas slides into the seat beside Saira. The station grows smaller through the window.] TOMAS: That went better than your hallway plan. SAIRA: I thought telling her would make me look careless. TOMAS: You did lose it. SAIRA: I know. Hiding that wasn’t going to get it back.

8[At school, Ms. Bell asks whether everyone has checked their seats. Saira reaches for her jacket, then pauses.] SAIRA: Before we go, I also need to tell you I left my permission-slip folder in the station lobby. [She keeps her eyes on Ms. Bell instead of looking at Tomas.] MS. BELL: All right. Let’s call the front desk.

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