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The Extended Holiday
by J. Blue Spicer
The noisy plaza was bustling as people gathered around the store's
display. It was after the holidays, but the oldest toy store in the city
always decorated their enormous storefront at the beginning of each new
year. The tradition began with the store's original owner, Margot Thistle,
in her hope of keeping the youthful wonder and majesty of the holidays
alive.
It was a jovial tradition passed down to her daughter. But she only
saw the display as a financial boon, and soon the costly practice became
a miserly experiment. The storefront was once lavishly decorated
,
making everyone feel childlike for a few weeks longer. However,
Margot's daughter began to skimp on costs. She cheaply placed the
hottest toys of the season on display as nothing more than a tactic to get
kids to harass their parents for the toys they didn't receive during the
holidays. The store lost business, fell into disrepair, and people began
going to chain stores for toys.
Margot eventually took back control of the store. With the help of her
grandson, Andre, they rebuilt the toy store into a fantastical delight. It
took time to get the crowds to return, but nostalgia had a powerful allure
that the townspeople could not ignore. It was a ragtag operation between
Margot and Andre, but their love for the store and the city gave them the
means to be creative despite having to be frugal. It began by using a
black curtain to hide the display being set up. Even in the age of
technology and rumor, that little black curtain became the talk of the
town.
For the past five years, the displays had grown to be as great as they
were in Margot's heyday, but this year Andre-having had a son of his
own-was more excited than ever to make this the biggest event
yet
. As
the sun set and became an orange spotlight on the town square, Margot
and Andre prepared to pull back the curtain. And with one mighty tug, the
new displays beamed out to the overcrowded square. Flashbulbs went
off, social media began buzzing, and the two toy store owners smiled
from ear-to-ear While some, Including Margot's daughter, called the
spectacle immature, Margot and Andre saw it as an opportunity to
remind the town that no matter what, they were still a community looking
to experience a bit of their innocence for just a little while longer,
Select ALL the correct answers.
Which two sentences from the passage best convey a tone of wonder?
00
With the help of her grandson, Andre, they rebuilt the toy store into a fantastical delight.
It was a jovial tradition passed down to her daughter.
However, Margot's daughter began to skimp on costs.
And with one mighty tug, the new displays beamed out to the overcrowded square.
Flashbulbs went off, social media began buzzing, and the two toy store owners smiled from ear-
to-ear
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