Comprehension Questions- Calico Illustrated Classics: King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table

 King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table

adapted by Lisa Mullarkey

Grades 3-5; Genre - Fantasy; GRL P; AR pts: 2.0

Howard Pyle's classic tale of magic, bravery, and honor tells of the adventures of King Arthur. From the time young Arthur pulled the fabled sword from the stone, he was a just king. As the head of the Round Table, King Arthur led the most gallant men and brought peace to the land. King Arthur's most dramatic struggles are retold in the Calico Illustrated Classics adaptation of Pyle's King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What warning does Merlin give Uther-Pendragon?   That soon he would become sick and die and that his son would be in great danger. p. 5
  2. Why did Arthur pull the sword from the stone?   Arthur was squire to Sir Kay and when Sir Kay’s sword broke, he asked Arthur to get another. p. 10.

Chapter 2

  1. How does Sir Ector get Sir Kay to tell the truth about the sword?  He asks him to put it back and re-pulls it out. p. 14.
  2. With what truth does Sir Ector surprise Arthur?   The truth that he isn’t really his father. p.17

Chapter 3

  1. Who tried to remove the sword from the stone?   Many kings and dukes p 20
  2. After Arthur pulls the sword from the stone who refuses to acknowledge Arthur as High King?   King Lot, King Urien, and a few bitter dukes. p. 24

Chapter 4

  1. Why does Arthur challenge the Black Knight?   Because he is an evil knight that forbids passage to anyone, leaves many knights for dead, and shows no respect to them. P. 25   
  2. How does Arthur’s sword break into three pieces?   By a fierce blow he struck at the Black Knight. P. 31.

Chapter 5

  1. Who saves Arthur from King Pellinore? Merlin saves him by putting King Pellinore to sleep. P 35
  2. After being saved by her doctor Arthur does what to Lady Guinevere?   He pledges allegiance to her and promises to serve her faithfully. P. 38

Chapter 6

  1. What happens to the knights who try to approach Excaliber?  They either sink into the lake or the arm disappears. P 40.
  2. How does Arthur obtain Excaliber?   By Nymue, The Lady of the Lake’s, help he gets a boat and goes out to the arm where he takes up Excaliber. P44

Chapter 7

  1. King Arthur not only spares King Pellinores life, but does what for him?   He gives him back his power, gives him back his lands, and makes his two oldest sons knights. P 46 + 47
  2. Why does Arthur get angry with Merlin when Merlin tells him that the sheath enables him not to be hurt in battle?   Arthur feels that it’s cheating to use magic and it makes his fights unfair. P 48.

Chapter 8

  1. Why does King Leodegrance need help?   Because King Ryence is demanding that he give him land and Lady Guinevere’s hand in marriage. p 51.
  2. How do Lady Guinevere and her maid trick Arthur out of his disguise?Lady Guinevere calls him to her and when he doesn’t take off his cap to show respect she snatches it from him. P. 57

Chapter 9

  1. What did the merchant give King Arthur to use?  Spanish armor, a white shield, a white horse. P. 60
  2. What did Lady Guinevere give King Arthur as a token?   Her pearl necklace p.61

Chapter 10

  1. Whose side has more knights?   Duke Ryence’s side has 7 knights, while King Arthur’s side has p. 65
  2. Who kills who?  King Arthur kills Duke Morgaunt. P. 68

Chapter 11

  1. Who did the gardener’s boy become when he took off his cap?   King Arthur p. 71
  2. What dowry does Arthur ask of King Leodgrance?  The Round Table p. 73

Chapter 12

  1. On the same day that King Arthur gets married what is established?   The Round Table p. 76
  2. How many knights can sit at the Round Table and how many knights does King Arthur start with?    The Round Table seats 50 p. 73 and King Arthur starts with 32 knights.

Chapter 13

  1. How does Morgana get help in her plan to kill King Arthur?   Morgana tells Vivien that she will learn even more than she herself knows if she gets Merlin to fall in love with her. p.82
  2. How does Vivien get Merlin to fall in love with her?    By tricking him to put on a magic ring with a red stone. P. 84.

Chapter 14

  1. What does Merlin ask Vivien for?   Merlin asks Vivien to help King Arthur p. 92
  2. What does Vivien do to Merlin?   She puts him in a sealed coffin, puts the coffin under thea slab and then makes the whole castle disappear. P.92

Chapter 15

  1. What does Queen Morgana La Fay take from King Arthur that she plans on not giving back?    Excalibur p. 93
  2. Instead of sending Arthur Excalibur what does Queen Morgana La Fay do?  She sends him a fakep. 98

Chapter 16

  1. Who gets tricked into fighting each other?   King Arthur and Sir Accalon p. 105
  2. Who gets hurt and who wins the battle?   Both King Arthur and Sir Accalon get hurt, but Vivien heals King Arthur and Sir Accalon dies.

Chapter 17

  1. What does Queen Morgana La Fay do to Arthur?   She steals the magic sheath from him 109 and throws it into a lake where the Lady of the Lake takes it back. P. 110
  2. King Arthur makes an enemy of whom when he will do punish his own sister?  Vivien p.111