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Which Detail Set Up the Ending? is a free printable Grade 4 English worksheet on finding the earlier detail a story's ending depends on, aligned to Common Core standard RL.4.1. It prints 8 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two students in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.

Set 18 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.

Which Detail Set Up the Ending?

RL.4.1

NameDate

Read each story, then circle the right answer.

1.Read: "Grandpa wrote the spare-key hiding place on a card in Zoe's backpack. Zoe played the trumpet. Her school was three blocks away. The day Grandpa's bus was late, Zoe read the card and let herself in." Which earlier detail set up the ending?
  • A.Her school was three blocks away.
  • B.Grandpa wrote the spare-key hiding place on a card in Zoe's backpack.
  • C.Zoe played the trumpet.
2.Read: "Ana crossed the old bridge every day on her way to school. She noticed that its railing was loose. The river below was full of fish. A week later, after Ana's letter to the mayor, workers fixed the railing." Which earlier detail set up the ending?
  • A.She noticed that its railing was loose.
  • B.The river below was full of fish.
  • C.Ana crossed the old bridge every day on her way to school.
3.Read: "Mr. Grant planted an acorn on the day his granddaughter was born. He wore a straw hat in summer. His house had a red door. Forty years later, his granddaughter read books in the shade of the huge oak in his yard." Which earlier detail set up the ending?
  • A.He wore a straw hat in summer.
  • B.Mr. Grant planted an acorn on the day his granddaughter was born.
  • C.His house had a red door.
4.Read: "Pia always counted the steps from her house to the corner: forty-two. Her backpack was purple. She liked rainy days. When fog hid the whole street one morning, Pia counted forty-two steps and found the corner." Which earlier detail set up the ending?
  • A.Pia always counted the steps from her house to the corner: forty-two.
  • B.She liked rainy days.
  • C.Her backpack was purple.
5.Read: "The farmer saw the ants carrying their eggs up the hill. The barn needed new paint. Her son was learning to drive. That night the creek flooded the low field, but the ants were safe." Which earlier detail set up the ending?
  • A.The farmer saw the ants carrying their eggs up the hill.
  • B.Her son was learning to drive.
  • C.The barn needed new paint.
6.Read: "Before the camping trip, Dev packed an extra rain jacket. The tent was blue and orange. His sister brought her guitar. On the second night it poured, and Dev's sister borrowed the jacket." Which earlier detail set up the ending?
  • A.His sister brought her guitar.
  • B.Before the camping trip, Dev packed an extra rain jacket.
  • C.The tent was blue and orange.
7.Read: "Tess practiced free throws every evening until dark. Her team wore red. She had two younger brothers. In the final game, Tess made the winning shot from the free-throw line." Which earlier detail set up the ending?
  • A.She had two younger brothers.
  • B.Tess practiced free throws every evening until dark.
  • C.Her team wore red.
8.Read: "The new boy, Sami, carried a sketchbook everywhere. He sat at the back of the bus. He had moved from Ohio in June. When the class needed someone to paint the mural, everyone turned to Sami." Which earlier detail set up the ending?
  • A.He had moved from Ohio in June.
  • B.The new boy, Sami, carried a sketchbook everywhere.
  • C.He sat at the back of the bus.

LessonPrint · RL.4.1 · Set 18 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Which Detail Set Up the Ending?

Set 18. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Grandpa wrote the spare-key hiding place on a card in Zoe's backpack.
  2. 2.She noticed that its railing was loose.
  3. 3.Mr. Grant planted an acorn on the day his granddaughter was born.
  4. 4.Pia always counted the steps from her house to the corner: forty-two.
  5. 5.The farmer saw the ants carrying their eggs up the hill.
  6. 6.Before the camping trip, Dev packed an extra rain jacket.
  7. 7.Tess practiced free throws every evening until dark.
  8. 8.The new boy, Sami, carried a sketchbook everywhere.

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to RL.4.1 of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.