Reading Worksheets | Eighth Grade Reading Worksheets - Free Printable

Worksheet Analysis and Solution

The provided passage is an excerpt from *The Adventures of Tom Sawyer* by Mark Twain. The task involves reading comprehension, focusing on identifying the main idea, supporting sentences, and summarizing the passage.

---

#### 1. What is the main idea of the passage?

The main idea of the passage is Tom's restless impatience as he waits for night to pass so he can sneak out and meet Huck Finn for an adventure.

Explanation:
- The passage describes Tom's struggle to fall asleep due to his eagerness to leave his bed and join Huck Finn.
- It highlights his anxiety and fear as he listens to various eerie noises in the house and outside, which heighten his anticipation.
- Eventually, Tom manages to slip out of the house and meets Huck Finn, confirming his desire to embark on an adventure.

---

#### 2. Underline five sentences in the passage that support the idea.

Here are five sentences that support the main idea:

1. "Tom lay awake and waited in restless impatience."
- This sentence directly shows Tom's restlessness and eagerness to leave.

2. "When it seemed to him that it must be nearly daylight, he heard the clock strike ten! This was despair."
- Tom's reaction to the clock striking ten emphasizes his frustration and impatience.

3. "He would have tossed and fidgeted, as his nerves demanded, but he was afraid he might wake Sid. So he lay still and stared up into the dark."
- This sentence shows Tom's internal conflict between his desire to move and his fear of waking Sid.

4. "Next the ghastly ticking of a death-watch in the wall at the bed’s head made Tom shudder—it meant that somebody’s days were numbered."
- The eerie sounds add to Tom's tension and highlight his heightened senses as he waits for night to pass.

5. "At last he was satisfied that time has ceased and eternity begun; he began to doze in spite of himself, the clock chimed eleven, but he did not hear it, and then there came, mingling with his half-formed dreams, a most melancholy caterwauling."
- This sentence shows Tom's near-sleep state but his continued awareness, emphasizing his focus on waiting for the right moment to escape.

---

#### 3. Write a summary. Tell what is the most important.

Summary:
The passage describes Tom Sawyer's restless night as he lies awake, unable to sleep due to his eagerness to meet Huck Finn for an adventure. Despite the eerie noises around him, such as the ticking clock, creaking stairs, and mysterious sounds, Tom remains alert and anxious. His impatience grows as he listens to Aunt Polly's snoring and the distant howls of dogs. Finally, when he hears a crash in the woodshed, he seizes the opportunity to sneak out of the house. He climbs out the window, jumps to the roof of the woodshed, and meets Huck Finn, who is already waiting with a dead cat. Together, they set off into the darkness toward their planned adventure.

Most Important Aspect:
The most important aspect of the passage is Tom's restless impatience and determination to leave his bed and join Huck Finn for an adventure. This showcases Tom's adventurous spirit and his ability to overcome fear and discomfort in pursuit of excitement.

---

Final Answer:

1. Main Idea: Tom's restless impatience as he waits for night to pass so he can sneak out and meet Huck Finn for an adventure.
2. Supporting Sentences:
- "Tom lay awake and waited in restless impatience."
- "When it seemed to him that it must be nearly daylight, he heard the clock strike ten! This was despair."
- "He would have tossed and fidgeted, as his nerves demanded, but he was afraid he might wake Sid. So he lay still and stared up into the dark."
- "Next the ghastly ticking of a death-watch in the wall at the bed’s head made Tom shudder—it meant that somebody’s days were numbered."
- "At last he was satisfied that time has ceased and eternity begun; he began to doze in spite of himself, the clock chimed eleven, but he did not hear it, and then there came, mingling with his half-formed dreams, a most melancholy caterwauling."
3. Summary: The passage details Tom's restless night as he waits anxiously to sneak out and meet Huck Finn for an adventure. Despite the eerie noises, he finally escapes and joins Huck, highlighting his adventurous nature.

Boxed Final Answer:
\boxed{
\text{1. Main Idea: Tom's restless impatience as he waits for night to pass so he can sneak out and meet Huck Finn for an adventure.}
}
\boxed{
\text{2. Supporting Sentences: (See above)}
}
\boxed{
\text{3. Summary: (See above)}
}