Inference and Prediction Questions
📖 Read the passage carefully, then answer the questions below.
Maya clutched her violin case tightly as she walked into the concert hall. Her hands felt cold and clammy, despite the warmth of the building. She had practised the piece hundreds of times at home, but now, standing backstage, the notes seemed to jumble in her mind. Through a gap in the curtain, she could see the rows and rows of seats filling up with people.
"You'll be brilliant," whispered her teacher, Ms Chen, placing a reassuring hand on Maya's shoulder. Maya managed a small smile but said nothing. The orchestra was tuning their instruments, creating a cacophony of sounds that somehow made Maya feel even more anxious.
As the lights dimmed and the conductor walked onto the stage to thunderous applause, Maya took a deep breath. She thought about all those early morning practice sessions and her family sitting somewhere in that enormous audience. She lifted her violin to her shoulder and positioned her bow, ready for her cue.
1. How is Maya feeling at the beginning of the passage? What clues tell you this?
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2. Why do you think Maya's hands felt "cold and clammy"?
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3. What can you infer about Maya's preparation for this performance?
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4. Why do you think the author mentions Maya seeing "rows and rows of seats"?
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5. What is the relationship between Maya and Ms Chen? How do you know?
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6. Predict what you think will happen when Maya begins to play. Explain your prediction.
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7. What does "positioning her bow, ready for her cue" suggest about what's about to happen?
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