Jennifer’s Trick – Sara’s Treat
Get the passage & questions on one printable PDF.
Jennifer wants to get even with Sara for the trick she played on her last year. She devises a plan to get Sara to ask a boy out under the pretense that he likes her. After reading the story, students will respond to questions on the characters, the plot, and the language.
Topic(s): Realistic Fiction. Skill(s): Summary, Character Traits, Context Clues. Genre(s): Prose
Jennifer thought and thought. How could she get even with Sara for the trick Sara played on her last year? I know, she thought. I’ll tell Sara that Mark likes her. I know she has a crush on him.
The next morning Jennifer met Sara on the way to school. “Sara, I forgot to tell you yesterday, but I heard Mark likes you.”
Sara’s eyes opened wide. “No way. He does not. Who told you? How could you forget to tell me something like that?”
Jennifer tried hard to keep a straight face. “I heard the girl who sits next to him in home room tell her friend that Mark was writing your name in his book.”
Sara grabbed Jennifer’s arm. “Do you think it’s true. I really like Mark. I didn’t think he even noticed me.”
“Oh, yeah,” said Jennifer. “I think I saw him looking at you yesterday. Can’t be sure, but I think so. There’s only one thing to do. Ask him out.”
Sara froze. “What?! Are you crazy? I can’t ask him out!”
“Suit yourself,” said Jennifer. “But if he likes you, and he doesn’t know you like him, he’ll never ask you out.”
In school, Jennifer knew Sara would be thinking about whether she should ask Mark or not. At lunch, the girls sat together. “Okay, I’ll ask Mark out,” whispered Sara. “You’re right. I should let him know I like him.”
“Perfect,” said Jennifer. “He just walked into the cafeteria. Ask him now.”
Sara got up, but hesitated. “I don’t know if I should.” But before Sara could sit back down, Jennifer pushed her into Mark as he passed by.
“Excuse me,” said Mark. “Are you okay?”
Sara blushed. “Yes . . . yes I’m fine. Uh, can I ask you something?”
“Sure,” said Mark. “You’re in my English and Algebra classes, right?”
“Uh, yeah. I just wanted to know if you’d like to get together after school one day. Or maybe on the weekend.”
Mark took a step back with a surprised look on his face. “Whoa. Are you asking me out?”
Sara glanced over at Jennifer and saw her laughing. “Oh, no. I’m sorry. My friend told me you liked me. She thought she was being funny. This is so embarrassing. I’m sorry.” Sara shook her head and was about to turn away.
Mark put his hand on Sara’s shoulder to stop her. “Wait. You just caught me by surprise. The funny thing is I do like you. I didn’t think you even knew I existed. I’d really like to get together after school today, if it’s okay with you.”
“Absolutely!” said Sara.
As Jennifer watched Sara and Mark make plans, her face drooped. “Ugh, the plan backfired,” she whispered to herself. “My trick turned out to be a treat.”
Get the passage & questions on one printable PDF.