About
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.
Read one section at a time, then discuss the questions to review understanding. These questions are a starting place for conversation, not a complete test of the chapter.
Chapter 1
Comprehension questions
What warning does Merlin give Uther-Pendragon?
Page 5 — That soon he would become sick and die and that his son would be in great danger.
5
Why did Arthur pull the sword from the stone?
Page 10 — Arthur was squire to Sir Kay and when Sir Kay’s sword broke, he asked Arthur to get another.
10
Chapter 2
Comprehension questions
How does Sir Ector get Sir Kay to tell the truth about the sword?
Page 14 — He asks him to put it back and re-pulls it out.
14
With what truth does Sir Ector surprise Arthur?
Page 17 — The truth that he isn’t really his father.
17
Chapter 3
Comprehension questions
Who tried to remove the sword from the stone?
Page 20 — Many kings and dukes
20
After Arthur pulls the sword from the stone who refuses to acknowledge Arthur as High King?
Page 24 — King Lot, King Urien, and a few bitter dukes.
24
Chapter 4
Comprehension questions
Why does Arthur challenge the Black Knight?
Page 25 — Because he is an evil knight that forbids passage to anyone, leaves many knights for dead, and shows no respect to them.
25
How does Arthur’s sword break into three pieces?
Page 31 — By a fierce blow he struck at the Black Knight.
31
Chapter 5
Comprehension questions
Who saves Arthur from King Pellinore?
Page 35 — Merlin saves him by putting King Pellinore to sleep.
35
After being saved by her doctor Arthur does what to Lady Guinevere?
Page 38 — He pledges allegiance to her and promises to serve her faithfully.
38
Chapter 6
Comprehension questions
What happens to the knights who try to approach Excaliber?
Page 40 — They either sink into the lake or the arm disappears.
40
How does Arthur obtain Excaliber?
Page 44 — By Nymue, The Lady of the Lake’s, help he gets a boat and goes out to the arm where he takes up Excaliber.
44
Chapter 7
Comprehension questions
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
Why does Arthur get angry with Merlin when Merlin tells him that the sheath enables him not to be hurt in battle?
Page 48 — Arthur feels that it’s cheating to use magic and it makes his fights unfair.
48
Chapter 8
Comprehension questions
Why does King Leodegrance need help?
Page 51 — Because King Ryence is demanding that he give him land and Lady Guinevere’s hand in marriage.
51
How do Lady Guinevere and her maid trick Arthur out of his disguise?
Page 57 — Lady Guinevere calls him to her and when he doesn’t take off his cap to show respect she snatches it from him.
57
Chapter 9
Comprehension questions
What did the merchant give King Arthur to use?
Page 60 — Spanish armor, a white shield, a white horse.
60
What did Lady Guinevere give King Arthur as a token?
Page 61 — Her pearl necklace
61
Chapter 10
Comprehension questions
Whose side has more knights?
Page 65 — Duke Ryence’s side has 7 knights, while King Arthur’s side has
65
Who kills who?
Page 68 — King Arthur kills Duke Morgaunt.
68
Chapter 11
Comprehension questions
Who did the gardener’s boy become when he took off his cap?
Page 71 — King Arthur
71
What dowry does Arthur ask of King Leodgrance?
Page 73 — The Round Table
73
Chapter 12
Comprehension questions
On the same day that King Arthur gets married what is established?
Page 76 — The Round Table
76
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
Comprehension questions
How does Morgana get help in her plan to kill King Arthur?
Page 82 — Morgana tells Vivien that she will learn even more than she herself knows if she gets Merlin to fall in love with her.
82
How does Vivien get Merlin to fall in love with her?
Page 84 — By tricking him to put on a magic ring with a red stone.
84
Chapter 14
Comprehension questions
What does Merlin ask Vivien for?
Page 92 — Merlin asks Vivien to help King Arthur
92
What does Vivien do to Merlin?
Page 92 — She puts him in a sealed coffin, puts the coffin under thea slab and then makes the whole castle disappear.
92
Chapter 15
Comprehension questions
What does Queen Morgana La Fay take from King Arthur that she plans on not giving back?
Page 93 — Excalibur
93
Instead of sending Arthur Excalibur what does Queen Morgana La Fay do?
She sends him a fakep. 98
Chapter 16
Comprehension questions
Who gets tricked into fighting each other?
Page 105 — King Arthur and Sir Accalon
105
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
Comprehension questions
What does Queen Morgana La Fay do to Arthur?
Page 110 — She steals the magic sheath from him 109 and throws it into a lake where the Lady of the Lake takes it back.
110
King Arthur makes an enemy of whom when he will do punish his own sister?
Page 111 — Vivien
111
adapted by Lisa Mullarkey
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