WILL GIVE BRAINLEST A Surprise for Samantha Latterly Croven

Samantha stood up from the computer and stared out the window at the group of boys and girls laughing and talking as they strolled past her house. They carried baseballs, bats, and gloves. Samantha had seen this group playing ball in the park, and she had longed to join them. Ever since her family had arrived in the United States from Mexico, she had been trying to figure out how to make friends.

“If I could play their game, I could join them,” she thought. To pass the time, Samantha decided to take a walk. Maybe if she passed the park, she would have the courage to speak to the ball players this time.

Before Samantha reached the park, she spotted Mr. Hernandez puttering in his garden. Her family had met him shortly after they had moved into their new home. When her parents learned that his wife had died recently, they began to invite him often for dinner. Samantha was eager to get to the park, but she knew that Mr. Hernandez was lonely. She called out a greeting.

“Samantha, it’s good you are here. I think I’ve been in the sun too long without a hat. I feel a little dizzy. Can you help me to the porch?”

Samantha guided him to the porch and brought a glass of water from the house. Mr. Hernandez seemed a little better in the shade but Samantha wanted to make sure, so she stayed awhile and chatted. Mr. Hernandez listened as Samantha poured out her longing to learn how to play baseball so that she could make friends.

By the time Samantha was sure Mr. Hernandez was all right, it was too late to walk past the park. She hurried home to help her mother prepare the evening meal. Then her mother sent her back to get Mr. Hernandez. He was sitting on the porch, with an excited look on his face.

“Imagine what I found in my closet!” he exclaimed.

Beside the chair were a worn baseball bat and glove and a few balls.

“You didn’t know I was a ballplayer in my day, did you?” he asked with a twinkle in his eye.

After supper that night, Samantha began her baseball lessons with Mr. Hernandez, and, within a week, she had become another one of the ballplayers in the park.

Read the passage on the left to answer the following questions:

15)
As the story ends, why does Mr. Hernandez have an excited look on his face?
A) He knew how to help Samantha.
B) He was happy to have a friend.
C) He was having dinner with Samantha.
D) He found his baseball bat and glove.
16)
Which word correctly completes this sentence?

Martha has volunteered to help plan the party; , she's willing to bring refreshments.
A) however
B) although
C) in addition
D) nevertheless