The Unexpected Visitor — Passage

This simple passage titled "The Unexpected Visitor" helps 5th grade students master the crucial skill of quoting accurately from text when explaining both explicit statements and inferences as outlined in CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.1. The narrative depicts Ethan being visited by a neighborhood cat that has apparently been coming to his room regularly, despite his mother's rule against pets. Students must identify the precise quotation "You again," Ethan whispered with relief" as textual evidence proving the cat has visited before. The passage requires students to connect multiple details including "Mom would never allow pets" to make the inference about why Ethan keeps these visits secret. This story effectively teaches students to distinguish between information directly stated in the text and conclusions they can draw by synthesizing various textual clues. The questions guide students to return to the text for specific evidence, reinforcing the standard's emphasis on using accurate quotations to support comprehension. The relatable theme of keeping an innocent secret and bonding with an animal creates an emotionally engaging context that motivates students to analyze the text thoroughly for both explicit content and implied meaning.