Setting Worksheet 1 featuring three short stories with questions to identify the setting.

Let’s go through each passage one at a time and find clues about the setting — that means figuring out where and when the story is happening.

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Passage 1: Alex in the library

Clues:
- “Alex shut the lid to his laptop with a loud clap.” → People use laptops today, so this is modern times.
- “Some of the people sitting at the tables near him looked up from their books…” → Tables + books = likely a library or study area.
- “The librarian turned toward him and shushed him loudly…” → Librarians work in libraries! And they ask people to be quiet.
- “Alex put the laptop in his bag and began walking toward the door.” → He’s leaving a public place where you can sit and read/work.

So:
→ Where? A library
→ When? Modern day (because of laptops)

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Passage 2: Vance Powers on a spaceship

Clues:
- “Vance Powers grabbed the control stick.” → Control sticks are used in vehicles like planes or spaceships.
- “Up until now he had been a prisoner on this spaceship…” → It says “spaceship” right there!
- “…navigate through an asteroid belt.” → Asteroid belts are in outer space.
- “laser cuffs”, “magnetic key”, “Boom! The ship skidded off a large asteroid.” → All sci-fi tech and space events.

So:
→ Where? On a spaceship in outer space
→ When? In the future (since we don’t have laser cuffs or real asteroid navigation yet)

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Passage 3: Sir Anders and Toby with horses and armor

Clues:
- “Sir Anders frowned at his squire, Toby.” → “Sir” and “squire” are titles from medieval times (knights and their helpers).
- “put the saddle on myself?” / “grabbed a saddle off the wall” → Horses and saddles were common before cars.
- “white stallion”, “pile of hay”, “remove my armor” → Armor and horses = knights, castles, olden days.
- No mention of phones, cars, or modern stuff → Definitely not today.

So:
→ Where? Probably a stable or castle courtyard (somewhere with horses and armor)
→ When? Medieval times (long ago, when knights existed)

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Final Answer:

1. Where is this story taking place?
A library
How do you know?
Because there are tables, books, a librarian who shushes people, and someone using a laptop — all things you’d find in a library.

2. When is this story taking place?
Modern day (today)
How do you know?
Because Alex is using a laptop, which is a modern device.

3. Where is this story taking place?
On a spaceship in outer space
How do you know?
The text says “spaceship,” mentions navigating an asteroid belt, and uses futuristic items like laser cuffs and magnetic keys.

4. When is this story taking place?
In the future
How do you know?
Because spaceships, laser cuffs, and asteroid belts aren’t real today — they’re part of science fiction set in the future.

*(Note: There was no question #5 or #6 asked for the third passage — but if there were, here’s what it would be:)*

If asked:
Where is this story taking place?
A stable or castle area (medieval setting)
How do you know?
Because there’s a knight (“Sir Anders”), a squire, horses, saddles, armor, and hay — all from medieval times.

When is this story taking place?
Medieval times (long ago)
How do you know?
Knights, squires, horses, and armor weren’t used in modern times — they belonged to the Middle Ages.