Diagnostic CASI assessment (“Stray, CASI Grade 7) administered to Grade 8students in September. This does not go towards the report card.
Question 1. In your own words, summarize the story, “Stray.”
Example 1 (E78).
The Stray is a short story about a family that takes in a small lost puppy. Doris, the daughter, found the puppy as she was shoveling and took it in the house. Although her parents wouldn’t let her keep it, they couldn’t take it to the pound because it was too snowy. As the days went Doris tried to convince her parents, but they refused because they couldn’t afford it. After nine days, Doris’s dad took it to the pound. That night Doris was very sad. She went down to the kitchen to find out that her dad brought it back. The reason was because the pound was not very professional and was cruel to the animals.
Question 2. What is the main idea of the story?
Example 1. (E78)
The main idea of this story is to show that having a good heart is worth everything. If Doris hadn’t picked up that dog, if Mrs. Lacey hadn’t fed him, and if Mr. Lacey had given the dog up to the pound, the puppy would be squished in a cage full of dogs and would of gotten shot in six days. And without all that help from the Lacey’s it would of lasted 2 days.
Example 2. (E78)
I think the main idea of the story is that good things can happen when you least expect them. Because when Doris found the dog, she didn’t expect to keep him but she tried anyway. And when all her hope was lost and she gave up, a miracle happened and she kept the dog she loved.
Question 4. “Stray” is a narrative. List three characteristics that show that this is narrative writing. For each characteristic, give an example from the story to support your answer.
Example 1 (E78)
1. Beginning, middle, end. The beginning is that Doris finds a puppy. Middle she wants to keep the puppy but she can’t. End. She ends up keeping the puppy.
2. Setting. The setting takes place in somewhere cold like maybe Nunavut because it says it is very snowy in the text.
3. Characters. Doris, Mrs. Lacey, Mr. Lacey it says at the beginning of the text that these are the characters.
Example 2 (E78)
“Stray” is a narrative because…
- Setting: The story takes place in January at Mr. Amos Lacey’s property.
- Characters: Mr. and Mrs. Lacey, Doris and the dog.
- Plot: Doris discovers a stray dog and wants to keep it.
Question 7. What did reading this story remind you of? Explain your thinking.
Exemplar from the Publisher
This story reminded me of the many unfortunate children in third world countries. I know there are many people in the world who do not care about them. They care only for themselves. This is why there is always constant struggle to help these people. Doris’ parents sort of represented these people, while Doris herself seemed like those few who are often outnumbered for their wishes to aid those that are less fortunate than themselves. They feel the pain many of these children are forced to endure and are willing to contribute in trying to stop the suffering and pain.
