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Cold Reads Practice

November 17-21, 2025

📖 Directions: Read the selection carefully and answer the questions that follow. Click on your answer choice for each question.

The School Talent Show

Realistic Fiction

Emma had been practicing her piano piece for weeks. The school talent show was tomorrow, and she wanted to play 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star' perfectly. She had learned it from her grandmother, who had taught her to play piano every Saturday morning.

25

The day of the talent show arrived. Emma sat backstage, listening to other students perform. There was a magician, a singer, and even a dance group. Emma's hands started to shake. What if she made a mistake? What if everyone laughed at her?

92

When it was her turn, Emma walked onto the stage and sat at the piano. The lights felt bright and hot. She took a deep breath and began to play. At first, her fingers felt stiff, but then she remembered her grandmother's words: 'Music comes from the heart, not just the fingers.'

161

Emma closed her eyes and let the music flow. When she finished, the audience clapped loudly. Emma's grandmother was in the front row, beaming with pride. Emma realized that sharing something she loved with others was worth facing her fears.

239

That night, Emma thanked her grandmother for teaching her not just how to play piano, but how to be brave. The talent show trophy sat on her dresser, but the memory of playing for her grandmother was even more precious.

302
1 What was Emma practicing?
AA dance routine
BA magic trick
CA piano piece called 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star'
DA song
2 How did Emma feel before performing?
AExcited and confident
BNervous - her hands started to shake
CAngry
DHappy
3 What did Emma's grandmother tell her?
ATo practice more
BThat music comes from the heart, not just the fingers
CTo quit if she was scared
DTo play a different song
4 What did Emma realize?
AThat she was not good at piano
BThat sharing something she loved with others was worth facing her fears
CThat talent shows are scary
DThat she should never perform again
🎉 Great Job!
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