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Comprehension Exercise7th GradeLevel 2 · Standard

Free 7th Grade The Audition — Reading Comprehension

An original short story about a nervous student whose violin string snaps in the middle of an orchestra audition. Students answer literal questions to check understanding, make inferences about character and feeling from small details, interpret figurative language, and evaluate the character's choice and the story's message, finishing with an extended response supported by evidence.

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Grade
7th Grade
Subject
English
Topic
Reading Comprehension
Difficulty
Level 2 · Standard
Estimated time
30 minutes
Curriculum
Texas grade levels (TEKS)
Questions
16
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practice

  • locating literal information in a narrative
  • inferring a character's feelings from actions and details
  • explaining the effect of similes and short sentences
  • evaluating a character's decision and a story's message with evidence

Curriculum: Texas grade levels (TEKS). We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: The Audition — Reading Comprehension

  1. 1Descriptive Language: Adjectives, Adverbs and Phrases
  2. 2Sentence Editing: Fragments, Run-ons and Variety
  3. 3Adjective or Adverb? Good and Well, Bad and Badly, and Comparisons

How to use this comprehension exercise

  1. Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
  2. Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
  3. Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
  4. Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.

Common questions

Who is this comprehension exercise for?

7th Grade students (typically ages 12–13) working on reading comprehension. It is pitched at level 2 · standard.

Are the answers included?

Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.

How long does it take?

About 30 minutes for 16 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

What should we do next?

Try Descriptive Language: Adjectives, Adverbs and Phrases.

Preview

Success TutoringWorksheets7th Grade · English · Reading Comprehension

The Audition — Reading Comprehension

Name

Date

Score /

Read the story twice. Answer in full sentences and use evidence from the story where you can.

Part A: Right there in the text

The answers to these questions are stated directly in the story.

1.What instrument does Maya play?[1 mark]
  1. Apiano
  2. Bflute
  3. Cviolin
  4. Dcello
2.How long had Maya been practicing the audition piece, and how often?[1 mark] (answer space)
3.Who auditioned just before Maya?[1 mark] (answer space)
4.Which string snapped?[1 mark]
  1. Athe G string
  2. Bthe D string
  3. Cthe A string
  4. Dthe E string
5.In which bar did the string snap?[1 mark] (answer space)
6.What did Maya do so that she could keep playing?[1 mark] (answer space)

Part B: Reading between the lines

Use clues in the story to work out what is not stated directly.

7.Maya holds her violin case "across her knees like a shield". What does this simile suggest about how she feels?[2 marks] (answer space)
8.Why might the music room seem "too big with only three people in it"?[2 marks] (answer space)
9."Maya was not ready. She went in anyway." What do these two short sentences show about Maya's character?[2 marks] (answer space)
10.Why is the single word "Silence." given a paragraph of its own?[2 marks] (answer space)
11.Early in the story Mr. Hollis smiles "in a way that was probably meant to be kind". At the end, Maya can tell Ms. Adeyemi's smile "was real". What has changed?[2 marks] (answer space)
12.What does the final sentence, "her hands had stopped shaking", suggest?[1 mark]
  1. AMaya is cold
  2. BMaya has become calmer and more confident
  3. CMaya is angry about the broken string
  4. DMaya has decided to give up the violin
Free worksheets at worksheets.successtutoring.com · © Success Tutoring · Free for personal and classroom use

Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.

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About this resource

Created by
Success Tutoring
Last reviewed
1 October 2026
How it was made
Written by our team

Free to print and share for personal, classroom and homeschool use. Please don't resell. Spotted an error? Let us know.