📖 Reading Literature: Small Talk (Grade 11)

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Read the story. Then answer using details from the text.

Small Talk

"How are you?" the cashier asked, and I said, "Fine," the way everyone does, the way you hand over exact change without thinking.

But she looked at me — really looked — and said, "No, I mean it. You look like it’s been a day."

It had been a day. It had been a month. My mother was in the hospital, I had failed a calculus test and my car was making a noise I could not afford to diagnose. I hadn’t told anyone because no one had asked in a way that wanted the answer.

I told her about the hospital. Just that. She nodded, rang up my coffee and slid a chocolate bar across the counter. "On me," she said. It was a small thing. I have forgotten the calculus test. I have not forgotten her.

1. How does the narrator first answer the cashier?

2. What makes the cashier’s question different?

3. Why hadn’t the narrator told anyone?

4. What is the effect of the final two sentences?

Theme: State the theme and explain how it develops over the text.

Answer key: 1) "Fine," automatically · 2) she genuinely wants to know and notices the narrator’s state · 3) no one asked in a way that truly wanted the answer · 4) they contrast forgettable stress with lasting memory of kindness · Theme: Small acts of genuine attention can have a lasting impact.

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Worksheets › Grade 11 English › Reading Literature › Reading Literature

Grade 11 (ages 16–17)Reading comprehensionFree printable PDF

About this grade 11 worksheet

Free Grade 11 English worksheet (Common Core RL.11-12.1): read "Small Talk" and answer questions about key details, characters and theme. Skill: Key ideas and details in literature. Level: Grade 11 — also suits Year 12 (UK).

For teachers: skills & standards

CCSS RL.11-12.1: Key ideas and details in literature
CCSS RL.11-12.2: Key ideas and details in literature
CCSS RL.11-12.3: Key ideas and details in literature
Works as a morning-work page, a centre/station activity, homework or an early-finisher task.

Frequently asked questions

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What age is it for?

It is designed for Grade 11 (ages 16–17), but use it with any child who is ready.

What skills does it build?

Key ideas and details in literature.

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More “Reading Literature” printables (rl.11-12.1–3: key ideas and details in literature)

Reading Literature: The Inheritance of Silence (Grade 11) · Reading Literature: Overtime (Grade 11) · Reading Literature: The Portrait (Grade 11) · Reading Literature: The Census Taker (Grade 11)

All 5 reading literature sheets → · Grade 11 English: all 10 skills → · All Common Core grades

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