📖 Reading Literature: Commencement (Grade 12)

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

Commencement

The valedictorian was supposed to talk about the future. Instead, Daniel stood at the podium and read the names of every custodian, cafeteria worker, bus driver and secretary in the school.

It took four minutes. At first the audience shifted, confused. Then, one by one, the people whose names he read began to stand — in the back rows, by the doors, in the kitchen doorway still wearing aprons — and the graduates turned to look at them.

"These people knew our names," Daniel said when he finished. "They knew who forgot lunch and who was having a bad week. They kept this place running so that we could learn in it. Whatever we become, we are partly theirs."

Then he sat down. It was the shortest graduation speech in the school’s history, and the only one anyone remembered.

1. What did Daniel do instead of the expected speech?

2. How did the audience react?

3. What point does Daniel make?

4. Why was the speech remembered?

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

Answer key: 1) read the names of all the school’s support staff · 2) at first confused, then the staff stood and graduates turned to look · 3) support staff cared for students and made learning possible · 4) it honored overlooked people in a surprising, sincere way · Theme: Recognizing those whose work is often invisible is a meaningful form of gratitude.

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Worksheets › Grade 12 English › Reading Literature › Reading Literature

Grade 12 (ages 17–18)Reading comprehensionFree printable PDF

About this grade 12 worksheet

Free Grade 12 English worksheet (Common Core RL.11-12.1): read "Commencement" and answer questions about key details, characters and theme. Skill: Key ideas and details in literature. Level: Grade 12 — also suits Year 13 (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 12 (ages 17–18), 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: Sonnet 18 (Grade 12) · Reading Literature: Exit Interview (Grade 12) · Reading Literature: The Translator’s Dilemma (Grade 12) · Reading Literature: The Clockwork Bird (Grade 12)

All 5 reading literature sheets → · Grade 12 English: all 10 skills → · All Common Core grades

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