Question

reading progress check
the summer job
by b. mcswain

on tuesday, blake entered the rec center with a bounce in his step because this was going to be the best after - school job in the history of after - school jobs for teens. two days a week he would check in kids, direct them to their activities, and then sit back and talk to josh while little kids played indoor soccer. but then, bob, the centers director, approached him to inquire what sports he had played.
blake proudly heralded, “football, baseball, basketball, cross - country, soccer, and broom hockey.”
“well,” said bob, “thats good because the new soccer coach for the pre - k group cant make it today, so i need you to sub for him. and we want to teach them a value each week to build character,” he added, offering a small notebook. “its all in here. this week is initiative, and theyll be here in... oh! here they come now.”
blake took the notebook, stammering for the kids to follow him. the next 45 minutes blurred past blake as he attempted to direct a flock of five - year - olds who kept tripping over the soccer ball and running into each other. afterward, blake sat everyone down for the character lesson.
“this week youll learn about initiative,” he began, fumbling with the pages in the notebook.
“whats in - she - tive?”
“well, its when you want to do something... and... ”
“i want to go home,” said matthew.
“me too. i want to in - she - tive now,” said claire.
“no, thats not what i meant,” said blake, but the more he tried to explain, the explanation escalated to complete confusion, until the final buzzer sounded, and he dismissed the team. little sierra tugged hard on blakes shirt like she was ringing a steeple bell, and he looked down at her upturned, dauntless face.
“i still dont know what in - she - tive is.”
on thursday, blake learned that the new soccer coach wouldnt be coming after all, so he asked bob if he could coach the team. bob agreed.
“i appreciate you taking the initiative to do this, blake,” said bob. blake smiled, happy with a new approach for explaining in - she - tive to his team.

5
what is a theme in the passage?
a. hard work is its own reward.
b. it is never a good idea to take the easy way out.
c. challenging work is more satisfying than easy work.
d. expect the surprises from a hard job.

Explanation:

To determine the theme, analyze each option:

• Option A: The story focuses on Blake's experience with a challenging job (coaching kids) and finding satisfaction in taking initiative (hard work-like action) rather than hard work being its own reward. Eliminate A.
• Option B: The passage doesn't emphasize avoiding the easy way out; instead, it shows Blake embracing a challenging task (coaching) and finding satisfaction. Eliminate B.
• Option C: Blake initially thought the job would be easy (checking kids, talking), but it became challenging (coaching, explaining initiative). He later took initiative to coach and felt satisfied. This matches "Challenging work is more satisfying than easy work."
• Option D: The "surprises" from the job aren't the main theme; the focus is on the satisfaction of challenging work. Eliminate D.

Answer:

C. Challenging work is more satisfying than easy work.