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The Climbing Wall
6th grade reading
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The Climbing Wall
The climbing wall at the leisure centre was twelve metres high, and from the bottom it looked like a mountain covered in brightly coloured sweets. Jaya had watched her older cousin, Ravi, scramble to the top of it a dozen times. Today was her first turn.
The instructor clipped the rope to her harness and checked the knot twice. "Remember," she said, "use your legs, not just your arms. And don't look down until you're ready."
The first few holds were easy. Jaya climbed quickly, buoyed by Ravi's cheers. But halfway up, the holds grew smaller and farther apart. Her arms began to burn. She looked down – and immediately wished she hadn't. The floor seemed impossibly far away, and her legs began to tremble.
"I want to come down," she called.
"You can," the instructor answered calmly. "Or you can rest. Lean back into the harness. The rope's got you."
Jaya didn't believe her. But slowly, she let her weight sink back. The rope held. Her breathing steadied. She looked at the wall in front of her, not at the floor, and noticed a small yellow hold to her right that she hadn't seen before.
Ten minutes later, she slapped the top of the wall. The leisure centre erupted in cheers – or at least Ravi did, which felt like the same thing.
Question 1
Read "The Climbing Wall". The writer says the wall "looked like a mountain covered in brightly coloured sweets". What does this suggest?
- A. The wall is huge but also inviting and fun.
- B. The wall is dangerous and dark.
- C. The wall is very small.
- D. The wall is made of food.
Question 2
Read "The Climbing Wall". What advice does the instructor give at the start?
- A. Use your legs and don't look down until you're ready.
- B. Climb as fast as possible.
- C. Only use your arms.
- D. Look down every few metres.
Question 3
Read "The Climbing Wall". Why did Jaya's legs begin to tremble?
- A. She was cold.
- B. The rope broke.
- C. She was excited to reach the top.
- D. She looked down and became frightened.
Question 4
Read "The Climbing Wall". What changes for Jaya when she leans back into the harness?
- A. She decides to give up.
- B. She calms down and notices a new way up.
- C. She falls to the floor.
- D. She becomes angry with the instructor.
Question 5
Read "The Climbing Wall". Which theme best fits the story?
- A. Staying calm and trusting support can help us overcome fear.
- B. Older cousins are always better at sports.
- C. Climbing is too dangerous for children.
- D. You should never take risks.
Question 6
Read "The Climbing Wall". What is the tone of the final paragraph?
- A. angry
- B. triumphant and lightly humorous
- C. gloomy and regretful
- D. frightening
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