Leo's Big Talent
Today is the school talent show. Every student in the class has a special talent to share.
Mia can sing a loud, happy song. Ben can dance and spin on his toes.
Sam can spell long words fast. Lily can throw a ball high into the air and catch it.
Omar can bake a cake with sweet pink frosting. Even Leo's big sister can make pizza with warm cheese.
Leo sits at his desk and sighs. He cannot sing or dance well. He drops the ball when he tries to catch it. What is his talent?
At lunch, Omar brings in his cake, and Leo's sister brings the hot pizza. Everyone is hungry, but there is nowhere to sit together.
Leo gets an idea. He pushes three small tables together. He puts a clean red cloth on top. Then he folds paper napkins into neat little boats.
He gives each friend a plate and a cup of cold water. He helps Mia find her seat and hands Ben a slice of pizza.
Miss Bell smiles at the bright table. "Look at this," she says. "Leo has a great talent, too! He knows how to bring friends together and make everyone feel welcome."
Leo grins from ear to ear. Sharing kindness is a wonderful talent to have.
- talent:
- A special skill or something a person is very good at doing.
- frosting:
- A sweet, creamy topping spread on top of a cake.
- sighs:
- Lets out a long, deep breath when feeling sad or tired.
- welcome:
- Happy and cared for as part of a group.
- grins:
- Smiles in a big, happy way.
One passage, many ways to practice
Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.
Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Vocabulary
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Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What special event is happening at school today?
- 2What are Mia and Ben's special talents?
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About this short story passage for Lower Elementary
“Leo's Big Talent” is a short story reading passage about Special Talents, written for Lower Elementary. It takes about 1 minute to read (216 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.