CSA RETAKE: Narrative Writing

Read the passage "The Last Piece" and answer the questions. Then, write a continuation of the story based on the given prompt.

Group 1

The Last Piece

Mia’s dad walked into her room, shaking his head at the piles of half-finished puzzles, a lopsided clay vase, and a dusty guitar resting in the corner. “Mia, you have so many unfinished projects in here,” he said. “Maybe it’s time to complete something.”

She shrugged. “I just lose interest.”

Her dad sat on the edge of her bed and handed her a puzzle piece he had picked up from the floor. “You know, finishing things can be really satisfying. Like crossing a finish line.” He gave her a small smile before standing up. “Anyway, your Aunt Jo needs some help today. How about you go spend the afternoon with her?”

Mia sighed but nodded. Aunt Jo always had a project going, and that usually meant work.

When Mia arrived, Aunt Jo greeted her with a warm hug. “Perfect timing! I need an extra pair of hands in the attic.”

The attic was full of boxes, old furniture, and trunks with peeling leather. “We’re looking for my old quilt,” Aunt Jo explained. “I started it years ago but never finished. I think today’s the day.”

Mia followed her to the back of the attic, where they pulled out a heavy trunk. Inside was a bundle of fabric squares stitched together in a colorful pattern. The quilt was nearly complete, except for a small section missing its final piece.

Aunt Jo sighed. “I guess I lost the last square. Oh well, maybe I’ll just leave it unfinished.”

Mia studied the quilt. It was beautiful, even without the missing piece, but something about it felt familiar. She glanced around the attic and spotted a small box on a shelf. She pulled it down and lifted the lid. Inside was a single folded square of fabric, matching the quilt’s colors exactly.

She held it up. “Is this it?”

Aunt Jo’s eyes widened. “I think it is!”

Mia grinned as she handed it over, but then she hesitated. “Would you teach me how to sew it on?”

Aunt Jo smiled. “Of course.”

As Mia stitched the final piece, she felt something new—a quiet kind of pride in finishing something.

That evening, as she walked into her room, her eyes landed on the unfinished puzzles and half-made projects. She picked up the dusty guitar and ran her fingers over the strings.

Maybe finishing things wasn’t so bad after all.

She placed the guitar under her arm and paused, with her hand on the strings. Then, she took a deep breath and began to play…

Group 2

Answer the following multiple choice questions.

Question 2a

Multiple choice

This question has two parts. Answer Part A, and then answer Part B. Part A: Which statement BEST expresses a theme of the story?

  • Being kind to others is its own reward.

  • Growing up is a challenge for everyone.

  • Spending time with others can ease feelings of loneliness.

  • Working hard when faced with difficulties can lead to success.

Question 2b

Multiple choice

Part B: Which sentence from the story BEST supports the answer in Part A?

  • Mia’s dad walked into her room, shaking his head at the piles of half-finished puzzles, a lopsided clay vase, and a dusty guitar resting in the corner

  • She shrugged. “I just lose interest.”

  • As Mia stitched the final piece, she felt something new—a quiet kind of pride in finishing something.

  • Mia grinned as she handed it over, but then she hesitated. “Would you teach me how to sew it on?”

Group 3

Continue the story.

Question 3a

Essay

Mia has just picked up her guitar for the first time in a long while, ready to play again. What happens next?

In your continuation of the story, describe Mia as she starts playing guitar again. Mia should express to her dad the lesson she learned in Aunt Jo's attic.

What can Mia say to her dad to show that she learned the value of finishing a task? What actions can Mia do in the story to show that she has learned this lesson?

-Use details from the passage. Don't bring in too many new ideas/details.
-Write in third-person perspective.
-Be sure to use descriptive language, dialogue, and sensory details to bring your continuation to life!

When you are writing, think about:

-How Mia feels as she begins to play—does she struggle, or does the music come back easily?
-What memories or thoughts go through her mind as she plays?
-Does someone hear her playing and react in an unexpected way?
-How does this moment inspire her to approach her other unfinished projects?

Possible beginnings:

As Mia strummed the guitar with her fingers, she made lots of sounds, but none of them were good. She forgot how to play some guitar notes and couldn’t remember exactly where to put her fingers. She started to get frustrated, but then decided to…

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Mia nervously started to play her guitar, trying to remember how to play her favorite song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. As Mia carefully strummed the first few notes of the song, she made a couple mistakes, but she could hear the song coming together. She frowned, trying to remember the next note, but then—snap! One of the strings broke. Mia sighed, ready to put the guitar back in its case, but then…

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mia slowly remembered how to play “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, her favorite song.

“That’s a good start,” a voice said from the doorway. Mia looked up to see her dad, arms crossed, smiling. “I used to play that song when I was your age.”

Mia blinked. “You… played guitar?”

He nodded. “Want some help?”

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