ELPAC Practice: Reading: Literary

Read the story. Answer Numbers 13 through 18.

1 As Jay walked toward the beach that beautiful morning, the sun sparkled across
    the blue water, and the sand already felt warm under his toes. There was a slight
    breeze, but even in shorts and a T-shirt, Jay didn’t feel the least bit cold. Yet despite
    the gorgeous scenery and the perfect temperature, Jay couldn’t help feeling a bit
    disappointed. After all, it was December, and as far as Jay was concerned, this was
    not how December should feel.

2 It had been over six months since Jay’s family had relocated from their small
    mountain town in Colorado to this bustling beach community in southern California.
    It had been a time of adjustments: a new neighborhood, a new school, and new
    friends. Surprisingly, Jay had adapted far better than he would have expected.
    The one thing he had not been able to get used to was the seasons here. He still
    missed the mild spring, the hot summer, the crisp fall, and especially the cold winter
    of Colorado.

3 For Jay, winter had always been the perfect season. He enjoyed hearing boots
    crunch on fresh snow and drinking a mug of hot chocolate when it was freezing
    outside. Then, there was sledding, Jay’s favorite winter activity. He’d eagerly climb
    to the top of the hill. Then, sitting on his wooden sled, he’d push off with his feet,
    flying downhill, steering with the rope, and grinning as he glided through the icy
    snow. Recently, his friends had been sending pictures of their sledding exploits. Jay
    couldn’t help feeling jealous. Living in this mild climate just wasn’t the same.

4 In an attempt to persuade Jay that beach life wasn’t all bad, his friend Miguel
    invited Jay to his first surfing lesson. Miguel was already waiting, standing next to
    two large surfboards and wearing a wet suit.

5 “So, you miss the cold?” Miguel smiled, greeting Jay. “Well, around here, nothing
    compares to a surf in the Pacific.” He tossed a wet suit at Jay. “Better put this on.”

6 As Jay pulled on the wet suit, Miguel quickly went over some basic surfing
    techniques, clearly eager to get straight into the water. Jay scrambled after him.

7 The first time an ocean wave hit Jay, it completely took his breath away. By the
    time he was waist-deep, he could barely feel his toes. His cold fingers struggled to
    grip the surfboard as he pulled himself on top. As another wave crashed over him,
    he could hardly hear Miguel shouting directions to him. Paddling with his arms, he
    turned toward shore as a giant wave approached. Suddenly, he felt the surfboard
    being lifted by the wave, and he was flying toward the beach. He held on tight,
    forgetting Miguel’s instructions about how to stand. Soon, Jay heard a crunch as his
    board hit the shore, and he slid off onto the sand.

8 Although it had been a short ride, Jay felt a rush of excitement. The biting cold, the
    sudden speed, the struggle for control; for a moment, it had felt a lot like sledding,
    but even better.

9 Then, Miguel was standing over him, looking amused.

10 “Hey are you okay?” he asked. “Anytime you want to stop, we can go back to my
      house and have a hot chocolate. It’s the best way to warm up.”

11 “No. I want to give it another try!” Jay sputtered, smiling. Maybe he could learn to
       like it here after all.