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The Last Lap

6th grade reading

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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". From which point of view is the story told?

    • A. third person, mostly following Ruby's thoughts
    • B. second person
    • C. first person, by Theo
    • D. first person, by Ruby

  2. Question 2

    Read "The Last Lap". Which part of the plot is the moment the leader 'dipped her shoulder and won by a hand's width'?

    • A. the climax
    • B. the exposition
    • C. the falling action
    • D. the resolution

  3. Question 3

    Read "The Last Lap". What is the effect of the short sentences in paragraph 3?

    • A. they slow the story down
    • B. they describe the setting in detail
    • C. they introduce a new character
    • D. they speed up the pace and build excitement

  4. Question 4

    Read "The Last Lap". What does Ruby's action in paragraph 4 show about her?

    • A. She is angry with Theo.
    • B. She is generous and puts her teammate's feelings first.
    • C. She only cares about winning.
    • D. She wants to leave the team.

  5. Question 5

    Read "The Last Lap". Which statement best expresses a theme of the story?

    • A. How we respond to setbacks can matter more than winning.
    • B. Training every morning is boring.
    • C. Relay races are dangerous.
    • D. The fastest runner always wins.

  6. Question 6

    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.

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Answer key: The Last Lap

  1. 1. A. third person, mostly following Ruby's thoughts

    • Point of view is who tells the story and how much they know.
    • The narrator uses 'she' and shares Ruby's feelings, e.g. 'felt her heart sink'.
    • So the answer is: third person, mostly following Ruby's thoughts

  2. 2. A. the climax

    • Text structure is how a writer organises ideas.
    • It is the turning point, where tension is highest.
    • So the answer is: the climax

  3. 3. D. they speed up the pace and build excitement

    • Writers choose words for their connotations and effects.
    • Short, quick sentences mirror the speed and tension of the sprint.
    • So the answer is: they speed up the pace and build excitement

  4. 4. B. She is generous and puts her teammate's feelings first.

    • A character's words and actions reveal what they are like and what they want.
    • She comforts Theo and praises the comeback.
    • So the answer is: She is generous and puts her teammate's feelings first.

  5. 5. A. How we respond to setbacks can matter more than winning.

    • A theme is the message about life that the story explores.
    • The second-place ribbon 'seemed brighter' because of how the team responded.
    • So the answer is: How we respond to setbacks can matter more than winning.

  6. 6. B. It represents the team's effort and kindness, which feel more meaningful.

    • An inference combines clues in the text with what you know.
    • The brightness is symbolic of what the ribbon means to them.
    • So the answer is: It represents the team's effort and kindness, which feel more meaningful.