MTYA Grade 6 Reading Practice Questions - Maine Through Year Assessment Reading - Grade 6 Exam

Read the excerpt from 'The Whispering Pines of Mount Katahdin': 'Leo pulled his fleece jacket tight against the brisk September wind as he stood near the base of Mount Katahdin. The morning mist clung to the granite peaks, muffling the sound of distant streams. His grandfather had handed him an old brass compass before they left camp, advising, "Keep your eyes on the blazes painted on the trees, Leo. In these northern woods, the trail can vanish beneath fallen needles faster than you expect." Leo patted his side pocket to ensure the compass was secure before stepping onto the rocky path. As they climbed higher, Leo wanted to sprint ahead to reach the ridge first, but his grandfather maintained a steady, measured pace. "Mountain climbing isn't a race to the finish, Leo," his grandfather remarked gently. "If you rush, you miss the red spruce scents and the hawk soaring above the valley."' Which statement best expresses a central theme developed in this excerpt?