The Umbrella Box
Written by Studio AM.
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The rain started at three. Ren stood at the school door with no umbrella and ten blocks to walk.
Mr. Otis, the janitor, was mopping the hall. He looked at the rain, then at Ren. He took his own umbrella from a hook. "Take it," he said. "Bring it back tomorrow."
Ren brought it back dry the next morning. "Thank you," he said. "Pass the favor on," said Mr. Otis. "That is all the rent I charge."
On Saturday, Ren found two old umbrellas at home. On Monday he set a box by the school door with a sign: TAKE ONE. BRING IT BACK. By spring, the box held nine umbrellas, ready for other students to borrow.
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Questions
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Question 1 of 4
What is this story mainly about?
The answer is A: A janitor's kindness inspires a shared umbrella box for other students.
Ren responds to one helpful loan by creating a way for other students to borrow umbrellas.
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Question 2 of 4
What does Mr. Otis mean by "That is all the rent I charge"?
The answer is C: He wants no payment; passing the favor on is enough.
Mr. Otis asks Ren to help someone else rather than pay him money.
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Question 3 of 4
What does “favor” mean in this passage?
The answer is B: a kind act done to help someone
The favor is the helpful act of lending, rather than the umbrella itself.
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Question 4 of 4
What did the sign on the box say?
The answer is D: TAKE ONE. BRING IT BACK.
The sign says TAKE ONE. BRING IT BACK.
Score: none answered yet.