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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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Score/ 16

  1. Question 1

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

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 2

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

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

  1. Question 3

    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

  2. Question 4

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

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 5

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

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

  1. Question 6

    Is the proposed answer correct? After the family argument, a vase that belonged to Grandma lies broken on the floor. What does the broken vase most likely symbolise? → the family's love of flowers

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

  2. Question 7

    Read the question and choose. 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?

    • A. an electrical fault
    • B. the end of an era
    • C. a celebration
    • D. bedtime

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 8

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

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

  1. Question 9

    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? → a celebration

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

  2. Question 10

    Read the question and choose. Throughout the story, a caged bird sings by the window of a girl who is not allowed to leave her house. What does the caged bird most likely symbolise?

    • A. the family's wealth
    • B. the arrival of spring
    • C. the girl's love of music
    • D. the girl's lack of freedom

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 11

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

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

  1. Question 12

    Is the proposed answer correct? Throughout the story, a caged bird sings by the window of a girl who is not allowed to leave her house. What does the caged bird most likely symbolise? → the girl's lack of freedom

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

  2. Question 13

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

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 14

    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 made of shiny material.
    • C. It is bigger than the trophy.
    • D. The lights in the classroom are on it.

  1. 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

  2. Question 16

    Read the question and choose. At the end of the story, after a long winter of grief, Ana notices the first green shoots in the garden. What do the shoots most likely symbolise?

    • A. the end of the family
    • B. danger approaching
    • C. hope and a fresh start
    • D. the need to do gardening

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Answer key: What does the symbol represent?

  1. 1. A. the damage done to the family's relationships

  2. 2. D. It represents the team's effort and kindness, which feel more meaningful.

  3. 3. A. yes, it is correct

  4. 4. A. the damage done to the family's relationships

  5. 5. C. It represents the team's effort and kindness, which feel more meaningful.

  6. 6. B. no, it is not correct

  7. 7. B. the end of an era

  8. 8. D. It represents the team's effort and kindness, which feel more meaningful.

  9. 9. B. no, it is not correct

  10. 10. D. the girl's lack of freedom

  11. 11. D. It represents the team's effort and kindness, which feel more meaningful.

  12. 12. A. yes, it is correct

  13. 13. D. the damage done to the family's relationships

  14. 14. A. It represents the team's effort and kindness, which feel more meaningful.

  15. 15. B. no, it is not correct

  16. 16. C. hope and a fresh start