Fiction · Level 2 · 98 words

The Last Bus

Original passage © Team AM, written for Hone Literacy.

Mara watched the bus pull away from the stop, its red lights shrinking into the dark. She had been three steps too slow. For a moment she just stood there, her bag heavy on her shoulder, the rain starting again. Then she laughed, a small surprised sound. Tomorrow she would have walked the long way home and arrived tired and grumpy. Now she had a reason to call her sister, who lived two blocks away and always kept the kettle warm. She turned up her collar and headed down the side street, almost glad the bus was gone.

Comprehension questions

1. How does Mara feel by the end of the passage?

  • A Quietly pleased about a change of plans
  • B Furious at the bus driver
  • C Frightened of the dark street
  • D Bored and indifferent
Show answer

A. Quietly pleased about a change of plans
She laughs and is 'almost glad the bus was gone' because missing it gives her a reason to visit her sister.

2. Why does Mara decide to go down the side street?

  • A To wait for the next bus
  • B To visit her sister who lives nearby
  • C To get out of the rain at a shop
  • D To find a taxi
Show answer

B. To visit her sister who lives nearby
The text says her sister lives two blocks away and she heads off to call her, turning toward the side street.

3. In this passage, 'grumpy' most nearly means

  • A cheerful
  • B irritable
  • C sleepy
  • D generous
Show answer

B. irritable
She imagines arriving 'tired and grumpy,' meaning bad-tempered or irritable.

Source: Written for Hone Literacy. Original passage © Team AM, written for Hone Literacy.