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Rookie: by Jerry B. Jenkins

The document summarizes a short story about a boy named Elgin trying out for a baseball team. During the timed running drill, Elgin completes the bases in an extremely fast time that surprises the timers. They are reluctant to report his actual time because they do not believe a boy his age could possibly run that quickly. When Elgin runs the drill a second time, all the other players and coaches watch in amazement at his incredible speed.

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143 views4 pages

Rookie: by Jerry B. Jenkins

The document summarizes a short story about a boy named Elgin trying out for a baseball team. During the timed running drill, Elgin completes the bases in an extremely fast time that surprises the timers. They are reluctant to report his actual time because they do not believe a boy his age could possibly run that quickly. When Elgin runs the drill a second time, all the other players and coaches watch in amazement at his incredible speed.

Uploaded by

Jeff
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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North Carolina Testing Program

EOG Grade 7 Reading Sample Items

Rookie
by Jerry B. Jenkins
The kids were lined up at home plate1
and asked to stand in the batters box, one at a
time, with a bat. They were to swing and drop
the bat and run all the way around the bases,
touching each one. They were timed from the
plate to the plate.
Most of the kids swung, set the bat
down, then ran. They ran in a huge circle,
touching each base and ranging almost into
right field on their way to second and into left
on their way to third. Several slid into home.
Most slowed and jumped on the plate with
both feet.
When Elgins turn came, he stepped
quickly into the box. He stood in left-handed
to give himself an edge toward first.
When youre ready, said one of the two
men with a stopwatch. You a lefty or are you
just tryin for an advantage?
Switch-hitter,2 sir.
Sure you are. Which hand you throw
with?
Right.
Bat righty for this.
Elgins face burned. He moved to the
third base side of the plate, stepped and swung
hard. He was moving before he dropped the
bat, and within three strides was at top speed.
The other hopefuls stared and punched each
other. Whoa, look at that kid!
Elgin was hardly two feet out of the base
10
paths all the way around, digging, charging,
flying around the infield in what seemed the
shortest distance possible. Everyone watched
in silence as he got ahead of himself on the
way to the plate and almost stumbled, then
righted himself and sped across the plate.
Man!
Wow!
1

home plate: the main base in baseball where the


runner starts and the points are scored
2

switch-hitter: a player who can bat right-handed or


left-handed

Page 1

Elgin smiled self-consciously and stole a


peek at his mother in the bleachers. She
raised a fist and smiled.
The timers looked at their watches and
then at each other. They showed each other
the times they had clocked. Cant be right,
one said.
The watch doesnt lie. He looked pretty
quick.
He didnt look this quick. I dont think
a fourteen-year-old has run this time. I think
maybe I was late punching in at the start.
Me too? We were both off?
Couldve been. He got out of the box
fast.
The time recorder approached with a
clipboard. Time?
Were not sure.
What do you mean?
Both displayed their watch faces.
You want me to write that down? Or
should I just note that both clockers think
theyre funny? Cmon, whats the time? I
expected him to have the fastest time, but
faster even than the big kids, and by more
than a second? Are we sure this kids only
eleven?
Hes ten.
Sure he is.
Woodell!
Sir?
When you catch your breath, get back
in line. We need to be sure of your time.
Elgin looked at his mother with a shrug,
as if to say, When I catch my breath? He was
hardly panting.
Twenty minutes later, when Elgin was
up again, it seemed word had spread across all
the diamonds. Kids and coaches from all three
tryout areas watched the big ten-year-old who
ran like no kid they had ever seen. Elgin was
aware of all the attention, and if anything, it
made him faster.

Published March 2008. May reproduce for instructional and


educational purposes only; not for personal or financial gain.

North Carolina Testing Program

1.

2.

EOG Grade 7 Reading Sample Items

Who is narrating this selection?

4.

Elgin

How do the kids and coaches react as


they watch Elgin run around the
bases?

the baseball coach

They are jealous.

one of the clockers

They are proud.

an unnamed person

They are impressed.

They are worried.

Why did the man ask Elgin to bat


righty?

5.

3.

He knew that batting left-handed


was against the rules.

He wanted to see which way


made Elgin a better batter.

He suspected Elgin was trying to


get in a better starting position.

He did not like Elgin and was


trying to make things difficult for
him.

What feeling is expressed in most of


the clockers dialogue?
A

doubt

excitement

pleasure

unhappiness

In paragraph 10, it says that Elgin,


righted himself and sped across the
plate. What does righted himself
mean?
A

got his balance

made a right turn

almost fell over

changed direction

Page 2

Published March 2008. May reproduce for instructional and


educational purposes only; not for personal or financial gain.

North Carolina Testing Program

6.

EOG Grade 7 Reading Sample Items

Why are the timers reluctant to report


Elgins time?
A

They suspect that he has been


cheating.

They cannot believe that he can


run so fast.

They have been having difficulty


with their watches.

They were not paying attention


while he was running.

7.

Which word best describes Elgin at


the end of the selection?
A

concerned

confident

defiant

embarrassed

End of Set
In compliance with federal law, including the provisions of
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the
Department of Public Instruction does not discriminate on
the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic
origin, age, disability, or military service in its policies,
programs, activities, admissions or employment.

Page 3

Published March 2008. May reproduce for instructional and


educational purposes only; not for personal or financial gain.

EOG Grade 7 Reading Sample Items


Question
Number

Correct
Answer

Thinking Skill

Objective
Number

Rookie

Knowledge

1.02

Rookie

Analyzing

1.02

Rookie

Analyzing

6.01

Rookie

Generating

1.02

Rookie

Analyzing

1.02

Rookie

Analyzing

1.02

Rookie

Integrating

1.02

Selection Title

Page 1

Published March 2008. May reproduce for instructional and


educational purposes only; not for personal or financial gain.

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