Question

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 little kids, direct them to their activities, and then sit back and talk to josh while while check in plays indoor soccer. but then, bob, the center’s director, approached him to inquire what sports he had played.

blake proudly heralded, “football, baseball, basketball, cross - country, soccer, and i made all - county in track last year.”

“wonderful! that’s good because the new soccer coach for the pre - k group can’t 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. “it’s all in here. this week is initiative, and they’ll 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 to talk about initiative.

“this week you’ll learn about initiative,” he began, fumbling with the pages in the notebook.

“what’s in - she - tive?”

“well, it’s 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.

“me three!” yelled another. blake, 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 blake’s shirt like she was ringing a dismissal bell, and he looked down at her upturned, dauntless face.

“i still don’t know what in - she - tive is.”

on thursday, blake learned that the new soccer coach wouldn’t 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.

3
what is a theme in the passage?
a. hard work is its own reward.
b. challenging work is more satisfying than easy work.
c. expect the surprises from a hard job.
d. it is never a good idea to take the easy way out.

Explanation:

To determine the theme, analyze each option:

• Option A: Blake initially struggles with his job but through taking initiative (like offering to coach when the new coach doesn't come), he finds satisfaction. His hard work (dealing with kids, taking on coaching) rewards him with a better understanding and a positive outcome, so "Hard work is its own reward" fits.
• Option B: The passage doesn't compare challenging and easy work; it focuses on Blake's growth through initiative and hard work, not a comparison of work types.
• Option C: The "surprises" (new coach not coming) lead to Blake taking initiative, but the theme is more about hard work/initiative being rewarding, not just expecting surprises.
• Option D: The passage shows Blake taking initiative (not the easy way) and being rewarded, but the theme isn't about avoiding the easy way, but about the reward of hard work/initiative.

Answer:

A. Hard work is its own reward.