Passage: The Mysterious Island

One afternoon, while walking along the beach during summer vacation, Maya stumbled upon a message in a bottle. It was old, covered in seaweed and sand, but the paper inside was still dry. With trembling hands, she opened it and found a hand-drawn map and a short note that read:

"To the one who finds this: You are meant to uncover the island's secret. Beware the rising tide."

Maya showed it to her best friend, Lucas, and the two set out to find the mysterious island the map hinted at. With the help of a borrowed canoe and a compass app, they paddled toward a cluster of tiny islands visible on the horizon.

As they reached one of the islands marked on the map, they discovered strange symbols carved into the rocks and a trail leading into dense forest. Though hesitant, their curiosity pulled them deeper. After an hour of hiking, they found a small cave, and inside it was an old wooden chest. Inside were books, photographs, and journals from a man who claimed to be a scientist who had lived on the island decades ago while studying rare plants.

The tide began to rise quickly, and they remembered the warning. Grabbing a few journals and pictures, they raced back to the canoe just in time. Back home, Maya and Lucas began reading through the journals, realizing they had found something truly special—and maybe, just the beginning of a much bigger mystery.

Questions

A. Multiple Choice (Choose the correct answer)

1. What did Maya find on the beach?
a) A compass
b) A seashell
c) A message in a bottle
d) A map in a book

2. What warning was written in the note?
a) Don't enter the cave
b) Watch out for wild animals
c) Beware the rising tide
d) Stay on the main path

3. What did Maya and Lucas use to find the island?
a) A guidebook
b) A sailboat
c) A compass app and a canoe
d) A map from a library

What did Maya find on the beach?
- The correct answer is: c) A message in a bottle
- In the passage, it is described that Maya "stumbled upon a message in a bottle" while walking along the beach. This message contained a hand-drawn map and a short note intended for its finder, setting the stage for their adventurous quest.
What warning was written in the note?
- The correct answer is: c) Beware the rising tide
- The passage mentions a clear warning in the note inside the bottle: "Beware the rising tide." This warning becomes crucial later in the story when Maya and Lucas need to hurry back before the tide rises too high.
What did Maya and Lucas use to find the island?
- The correct answer is: c) A compass app and a canoe
- According to the passage, Maya and Lucas used a borrowed canoe and a compass app to navigate towards the cluster of tiny islands described on the hand-drawn map. These tools helped them to embark on their adventure, leading them to the mysterious island.

In summary, Maya discovered a message in a bottle containing a map and a note which sparked an adventure. The warning "Beware the rising tide" was crucial for their safe return. With a compass app and a canoe, Maya and Lucas set out exploring, uncovering elements of a larger mystery on the island. This passage highlights themes of mystery, adventure, and discovery, making it intriguing and engaging for middle school readers.