The Sword in the Tree
About
In the days of King Arthur there stood a mighty oak tree within the walls of a castle. Peace reigned in the castle until the fearsome night when Lionel, long lost brother of Lord Weldon, returned to cause trouble and happiness. It was then than Shan, the son of Lord Weldon, took on the duties of a knight and hid the sword in the hollow of the giant oak. The days that followed were filled with adventures that tried the courage of the young boy.
Comprehension Questions (by Sylvia)
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
When Lady Marion is afraid Shan tells her not to be afraid for what two reasons?
Page 2 — King Arthur has beaten all their enemies and that they have the strongest castle in England.
2
Who is the wounded knight?
Page 7 — Shan’s uncle, Uncle Lionel.
7
Chapter 2
Comprehension questions
When Uncle Lionel wakes up, what rude name does he call Shan?
Page 9 — A young dog
9
Uncle Lionel does not apologize to Shan, but tells Shan it was only a what?
Page 9 — A joke
9
Chapter 3
Comprehension questions
When Lionel sees Nappus in the garden what does he want to do to him?
Page 17 — Throw a rock at him.
17
Why does Lionel get angry at Shan?
Page 22 — Because Shan will not jerk the reins of his horse around as Lionel is telling him to do.
22
Chapter 4
Comprehension questions
What responsibility does Shan ask his father for?
Page 25 — To take care of his father’s sword.
25
How does Lionel say his brother died?
Page 28 — Lionel says that Lord Weldon road his horse into quicksand.
28
Chapter 5
Comprehension questions
How did Lionel take over the castle?
Page 32 — Lionel brought his friends and their servants to live in the castle and sent the old servants away.
32
Where does Shan hide his father’s sword?
Page 34 — In the garden, in the hollow of the oak.
34
Chapter 6
Comprehension questions
What does Nappus tell Shan and Lady Marion?
Page 42 — That Lionel killed Lord Weldon in a trap.
42
Because Shan and his mother are in danger what do they do?
Page 43 — They leave the castle quickly.
43
Chapter 7
Comprehension questions
When Shan and Lady Marion run away what does Shan take with him?
Page 51 — A small purse of money, a tinderbox to make a fire, and string to make a trap.
51
What trouble do they run into?
Page 51 — They get robbed of their money and jewels.
51
Chapter 8
Comprehension questions
What does the boy think Shan is doing with his goat?
Page 56 — He thinks Shan is going to steal it.
56
With whom do Lady Marion and Shan find shelter?
Page 59 — Adam the herdsman and his wife Phebe.
59
Chapter 9
Comprehension questions
What idea does a lost hunter give Shan?
Page 64 — To go to Camelot and ask King Arthur for help.
64
Shan only gets permission to go to Camelot after what happens?
Page 66 — Adam says that Magnus can go with Shan.
66
Chapter 10
Comprehension questions
While on Twigg’s raft what do the boys do?
Page 70 — They fish for dinner.
70
What do Magnus and Shan find on the way to Camelot?
Page 72 — A little gray donkey.
72
Chapter 11
Comprehension questions
While the boys wait in Camelot for 6 days what do they do?
Page 77 — Magnus and the donkey get a job carrying firewood and Shan gets a job with a shoemaker.
77
To find out if Shan is telling the truth King Arthur send which of his knights to Weldon castle?
Page 83 — Sir Gareth.
83
Chapter 12
Comprehension questions
Sir Gareth tells Shan that if his story is true King Arthur might make him a knight. How does Sir Gareth say that King Arthur turns boys into knights?
Page 87 — First, he finds them young, then he makes them pages and they work in the kitchens and at table, then they become squires to knights and finally, if they have learned their lessons well they become knights.
87
What does Lionel say happened to Lady Marion and Shan?
Page 89 — That they went away into the woods and were killed by wolves.
89
Chapter 13
Comprehension questions
How does Shan prove to Sir Gareth that his story is true?
Page 94 — He goes into the garden and retrieves his father’s hidden sword from the hollow of the tree.
94
When Sir Gareth sees Shan’s proof, he challenges Lionel to battle. Who wins and who loses?
Page 97 — Sir Gareth wins and Lionel yields.
97
Chapter 14
Comprehension questions
Where does Nappus take Shan?
Page 99 — To the dungeons.
99
Who is in the dungeon?
Page 101 — Shan’s father, Lord Weldon.
101
Downloads
All the book’s resources, or just the ones you need, ready to read or print.
Worksheets
Practice sheets with space to write your answers.
Download one reading section
A small printout with all the resources for the selected section.
