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What does the symbol represent?

8th grade (Year 9 in England) · 16 questions · Common Core: RL.8.2, RL.8.4 · England: KS3 Reading (symbolism), GCSE English Literature

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Date

Score/ 16

The Last Lap

Ruby had trained for the school relay every morning since September, running laps of the park while her breath made clouds in the cold air. She was the fastest in her class, and everyone expected her team to win. On the day of the race, the team's second runner, Theo, tripped on the bend and dropped the baton. By the time he scrambled up, two teams were far ahead. Ruby, waiting for the last leg, felt her heart sink. When the baton finally reached her, she ran harder than she ever had. She passed one runner. The finish line rushed towards her. The crowd was roaring. Then, a metre from the tape, the leader dipped her shoulder and won by a hand's width. Theo couldn't look at anyone. Ruby walked over, still panting, and held out the silver ribbon. "Second place," she said, "and that comeback was the best part of the whole race." Later, the team hung the ribbon on the classroom wall, right next to the first-place trophy from the year before. Somehow it seemed brighter.

  1. Question 1

    Read "The Last Lap". Why does the ribbon 'seem brighter' than the trophy?

    • A. It is bigger than the trophy.
    • B. The lights in the classroom are on it.
    • C. It represents the team's effort and kindness, which feel more meaningful.
    • D. It is made of shiny material.

  1. Question 2

    Read the question and choose. After the family argument, a vase that belonged to Grandma lies broken on the floor. What does the broken vase most likely symbolise?

    • A. Grandma's poor eyesight
    • B. the damage done to the family's relationships
    • C. a new beginning
    • D. the family's love of flowers

  2. Question 3

    Is the proposed answer correct? A character who has always worn a mask at school finally takes it off in front of her friends. What does removing the mask most likely symbolise? → showing her true self

    • A. yes, it is correct
    • B. no, it is not correct

The Last Lap

Ruby had trained for the school relay every morning since September, running laps of the park while her breath made clouds in the cold air. She was the fastest in her class, and everyone expected her team to win. On the day of the race, the team's second runner, Theo, tripped on the bend and dropped the baton. By the time he scrambled up, two teams were far ahead. Ruby, waiting for the last leg, felt her heart sink. When the baton finally reached her, she ran harder than she ever had. She passed one runner. The finish line rushed towards her. The crowd was roaring. Then, a metre from the tape, the leader dipped her shoulder and won by a hand's width. Theo couldn't look at anyone. Ruby walked over, still panting, and held out the silver ribbon. "Second place," she said, "and that comeback was the best part of the whole race." Later, the team hung the ribbon on the classroom wall, right next to the first-place trophy from the year before. Somehow it seemed brighter.

  1. Question 4

    Read "The Last Lap". Why does the ribbon 'seem brighter' than the trophy?

    • A. It is bigger than the trophy.
    • B. It represents the team's effort and kindness, which feel more meaningful.
    • C. It is made of shiny material.
    • D. The lights in the classroom are on it.

  1. Question 5

    Read the question and choose. In a story about two rival villages, a bridge between them is rebuilt in the final chapter. What does the bridge most likely symbolise?

    • A. the villages' wealth
    • B. reconciliation between the villages
    • C. better roads for traffic
    • D. the river's danger

  2. Question 6

    Is the proposed answer correct? A girl keeps her late father's compass with her on every journey. What does the compass most likely symbolise? → her wish to be a sailor

    • A. yes, it is correct
    • B. no, it is not correct

The Last Lap

Ruby had trained for the school relay every morning since September, running laps of the park while her breath made clouds in the cold air. She was the fastest in her class, and everyone expected her team to win. On the day of the race, the team's second runner, Theo, tripped on the bend and dropped the baton. By the time he scrambled up, two teams were far ahead. Ruby, waiting for the last leg, felt her heart sink. When the baton finally reached her, she ran harder than she ever had. She passed one runner. The finish line rushed towards her. The crowd was roaring. Then, a metre from the tape, the leader dipped her shoulder and won by a hand's width. Theo couldn't look at anyone. Ruby walked over, still panting, and held out the silver ribbon. "Second place," she said, "and that comeback was the best part of the whole race." Later, the team hung the ribbon on the classroom wall, right next to the first-place trophy from the year before. Somehow it seemed brighter.

  1. Question 7

    Read "The Last Lap". Why does the ribbon 'seem brighter' than the trophy?

    • A. It is bigger than the trophy.
    • B. It represents the team's effort and kindness, which feel more meaningful.
    • C. The lights in the classroom are on it.
    • D. It is made of shiny material.

  1. Question 8

    Read the question and choose. A girl keeps her late father's compass with her on every journey. What does the compass most likely symbolise?

    • A. her interest in maths
    • B. getting lost
    • C. her father's continuing guidance
    • D. her wish to be a sailor

  2. Question 9

    Is the proposed answer correct? A girl keeps her late father's compass with her on every journey. What does the compass most likely symbolise? → her father's continuing guidance

    • A. yes, it is correct
    • B. no, it is not correct

The Last Lap

Ruby had trained for the school relay every morning since September, running laps of the park while her breath made clouds in the cold air. She was the fastest in her class, and everyone expected her team to win. On the day of the race, the team's second runner, Theo, tripped on the bend and dropped the baton. By the time he scrambled up, two teams were far ahead. Ruby, waiting for the last leg, felt her heart sink. When the baton finally reached her, she ran harder than she ever had. She passed one runner. The finish line rushed towards her. The crowd was roaring. Then, a metre from the tape, the leader dipped her shoulder and won by a hand's width. Theo couldn't look at anyone. Ruby walked over, still panting, and held out the silver ribbon. "Second place," she said, "and that comeback was the best part of the whole race." Later, the team hung the ribbon on the classroom wall, right next to the first-place trophy from the year before. Somehow it seemed brighter.

  1. Question 10

    Read "The Last Lap". Why does the ribbon 'seem brighter' than the trophy?

    • A. The lights in the classroom are on it.
    • B. It represents the team's effort and kindness, which feel more meaningful.
    • C. It is bigger than the trophy.
    • D. It is made of shiny material.

  1. Question 11

    Read the question and choose. In a story about two rival villages, a bridge between them is rebuilt in the final chapter. What does the bridge most likely symbolise?

    • A. the villages' wealth
    • B. better roads for traffic
    • C. the river's danger
    • D. reconciliation between the villages

  2. Question 12

    Is the proposed answer correct? Each time Leo lies to his friends, the storm outside grows stronger. What does the storm most likely symbolise? → his love of nature

    • A. yes, it is correct
    • B. no, it is not correct

The Last Lap

Ruby had trained for the school relay every morning since September, running laps of the park while her breath made clouds in the cold air. She was the fastest in her class, and everyone expected her team to win. On the day of the race, the team's second runner, Theo, tripped on the bend and dropped the baton. By the time he scrambled up, two teams were far ahead. Ruby, waiting for the last leg, felt her heart sink. When the baton finally reached her, she ran harder than she ever had. She passed one runner. The finish line rushed towards her. The crowd was roaring. Then, a metre from the tape, the leader dipped her shoulder and won by a hand's width. Theo couldn't look at anyone. Ruby walked over, still panting, and held out the silver ribbon. "Second place," she said, "and that comeback was the best part of the whole race." Later, the team hung the ribbon on the classroom wall, right next to the first-place trophy from the year before. Somehow it seemed brighter.

  1. Question 13

    Read "The Last Lap". Why does the ribbon 'seem brighter' than the trophy?

    • A. It represents the team's effort and kindness, which feel more meaningful.
    • B. It is bigger than the trophy.
    • C. The lights in the classroom are on it.
    • D. It is made of shiny material.

  1. Question 14

    Read the question and choose. Each time Leo lies to his friends, the storm outside grows stronger. What does the storm most likely symbolise?

    • A. the end of summer
    • B. his love of nature
    • C. the weather forecast
    • D. his growing guilt and the trouble his lies are causing

  2. Question 15

    Is the proposed answer correct? In the story, the lights of the city go out one by one as the old cinema closes forever. What do the fading lights most likely symbolise? → an electrical fault

    • A. yes, it is correct
    • B. no, it is not correct

The Last Lap

Ruby had trained for the school relay every morning since September, running laps of the park while her breath made clouds in the cold air. She was the fastest in her class, and everyone expected her team to win. On the day of the race, the team's second runner, Theo, tripped on the bend and dropped the baton. By the time he scrambled up, two teams were far ahead. Ruby, waiting for the last leg, felt her heart sink. When the baton finally reached her, she ran harder than she ever had. She passed one runner. The finish line rushed towards her. The crowd was roaring. Then, a metre from the tape, the leader dipped her shoulder and won by a hand's width. Theo couldn't look at anyone. Ruby walked over, still panting, and held out the silver ribbon. "Second place," she said, "and that comeback was the best part of the whole race." Later, the team hung the ribbon on the classroom wall, right next to the first-place trophy from the year before. Somehow it seemed brighter.

  1. Question 16

    Read "The Last Lap". Why does the ribbon 'seem brighter' than the trophy?

    • A. It is bigger than the trophy.
    • B. It is made of shiny material.
    • C. It represents the team's effort and kindness, which feel more meaningful.
    • D. The lights in the classroom are on it.

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All done? Check your answers
  1. It represents the team's effort and kindness, which feel more meaningful.
  2. the damage done to the family's relationships
  3. yes, it is correct
  4. It represents the team's effort and kindness, which feel more meaningful.
  5. reconciliation between the villages
  6. no, it is not correct
  7. It represents the team's effort and kindness, which feel more meaningful.
  8. her father's continuing guidance
  9. yes, it is correct
  10. It represents the team's effort and kindness, which feel more meaningful.
  11. reconciliation between the villages
  12. no, it is not correct
  13. It represents the team's effort and kindness, which feel more meaningful.
  14. his growing guilt and the trouble his lies are causing
  15. no, it is not correct
  16. It represents the team's effort and kindness, which feel more meaningful.