Thanks, Coach!
Clark Benson

Josh helped one of the last guests to arrive to their seat at the banquet. He had taken the lead in organizing the whole event in honor of Coach Wilkins. Josh and the other players on the basketball team wanted to recognize Coach Wilkins for both his athletic achievements and his teaching accomplishments.

2Besides being Josh’s coach, Coach Wilkins was also his English teacher. Josh thought Coach Wilkins was a great teacher and basketball coach. In class, Coach Wilkins always used different techniques to make class interesting. For instance, Coach once told students to relate the books they read in class to their own lives. Thanks to Coach Wilkins, Josh was enthusiastic about reading; Josh’s shelves at home were filled with books.

3Coach supported each player and always had advice to give on the basketball court. Although Coach sometimes had to correct a player’s moves, he was never negative or belittling—Coach made everyone feel at ease.

The students and other teachers tried to make the school auditorium look as good as possible for the event. The cafeteria workers made the food for the occasion, and a large group of students worked to help make the banquet even more special.

5Josh and the other basketball players, who had just won the state championships, presented Coach with a special plaque. Josh admired the way the gold writing glistened under the lights. As nice as the plaque was, Josh was more eager to present Coach with a special card he had made. Each team member had written a personal message to their coach. Josh felt the card would be more meaningful to Coach because it was coming from his team and was filled with their own words.

6Principal Edwards agreed to be the head speaker and to introduce Coach Wilkins. The principal gave a very good speech about how Coach Wilkins had sacrificed his own free time to give more time to the school. He mentioned the sensational after-school tutoring program Coach Wilkins had started to help struggling students.

Finally, the big moment came and the principal introduced Coach Wilkins. The guests stood to show their appreciation for the teacher. They applauded as Coach Wilkins went to stage. He smiled and waved back to show how honored he was. Coach gave his thanks and spoke of the things which inspired him to be a teacher and coach. As he listened, Josh thought of what he had written on the card. There weren’t enough words to truly show how much Coach Wilkins had meant to him as both a teacher and coach. And so on the card, Josh had simply written,

“Thanks coach!” - Josh
How does the author create such a heartwarming feeling in this story?

A) by revealing the thoughts and actions of Josh
B) by revealing the thoughts and actions of Coach Wilkins
C) by revealing the thoughts and actions of Principal Edwards
D) by revealing the thoughts and actions of the cafeteria staff