About
In Prydain, a young Assistant Pig-Keeper achieves honor in a quest to destroy the evil Black Cauldron.
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
Summarize this introduction.
Page 1 — Taran is reunited with his friends; a council is held in Caer Dallben; Prince Gwydion shares what is happening; Arawn is killing innocent people to put in the Black Cauldron to raise them from the dead and become His servants; Gwydion‘s plan is to destroy the cauldron
1
Chapter 2
Comprehension questions
Describe Ellidyr.
Page 21 — Prince from the Northern Lands who is the youngest of his brothers without much inheritance; arrogant; only has his name and sword; prideful; disdainful towards Taran and calls him a pig-boy
21
Chapter 3
Comprehension questions
Describe Adaon.
Page 42 — He has knowledge and experience in many areas; trustworthy; humble; kind; has dreams during the night that are symbolic and can tell the future
42
Chapter 4
Comprehension questions
Why is it a problem the cauldron has been taken?
Page 52 — It could have been placed into different evil hands
52
Chapter 5
Comprehension questions
Why didn’t Taran and his group want to kill the huntsman?
Page 58 — If one dies, the rest get stronger
58
Chapter 6
Comprehension questions
Describe Wystyl.
Page 64 — Of the Fair Folk; guard at the way station; sickly; tall for a dwarf and thin with droopy facial features; wrinkled forehead; ragged clothing; not wanting to help the band
64
Chapter 7
Comprehension questions
Do you agree with Taran’s decision at the end of this chapter? Why or why not? Explain.
Listen to your child’s answer
Chapter 8
Comprehension questions
Why did Adaon ask Taran to be the charger of his horse, herbs and brooch if something happened to him?
Page 93 — He knew he was going to die
93
Chapter 9
Comprehension questions
What gave Adaon his gift of knowledge and foresight?
Page 105 — The brooch from his fiancé; it is magical
105
Chapter 10
Comprehension questions
Describe what the companions found when they arrived at the cottage.
Page 118 — It was empty; broken pieces of crockery; rusted weapons; heaped up and disorderly
118
Predict who is talking to the companions at the end of the chapter.
Listen to your child’s answer
Chapter 11
Comprehension questions
Was your prediction correct? Explain.
Listen to your child’s answer
What is one word you would use to describe the three women in this chapter?
Page 120 — Witches; magical; etc.
120
Chapter 12
Comprehension questions
Summarize this chapter.
Page 129 — The women know Dallben and have the black cauldron; they won’t give it to the companions
129
Chapter 13
Comprehension questions
Summarize how the companions found the cauldron.
Page 144 — Gurgi went into the hen house to get straw to sleep in for the night and found it under the straw
144
Chapter 14
Comprehension questions
Predict how the companions get the cauldron.
Listen to your child’s answer
Chapter 15
Comprehension questions
What does the word “sacrifice” mean?
a loss or something you give up, usually for the sake of a better cause.
Why were Taran’s friends willing to sacrifice their most precious items?
Page 162 — So, he wouldn’t have to give up the brooch
162
Chapter 16
Comprehension questions
Describe how Taran is feeling trying to get the cauldron to Caer Dallben.
Page 173 — Frustrated, tired, hopeless
173
Chapter 17
Comprehension questions
Explain why Ellidyr attacked Taran?
Page 193 — He sees Taran as a threat and doesn’t believe he’ll keep his word
193
Chapter 18
Comprehension questions
Summarize this chapter.
Page 195 — King Morgant finds Taran and his companions and takes them to his camp; they find Ellidyr tied and beat up; Morgant binds the companions; they are now his prisoners
195
Chapter 19
Comprehension questions
Describe King Morgant.
Page 207 — Evil; pretended to heed Gwydion’s command to get the cauldron for his own doing
207
Summarize Taran and Ellidyr’s conversation at the end of this chapter.
Page 216 — Ellidyr realizes the black beast over him and admits it to Taran; he apologizes and explains he wouldn’t have used the cauldron for evil; Taran believes him
216
Chapter 20
Comprehension questions
Summarize the conclusion to this story.
Page 217 — Doli is invisible and unties the companions; Ellidyr runs to the cauldron and jumps in, sacrificing himself to destroy it; King Smoit rides in and kills the king; Gwydion also arrives; King Morgant, Ellidyr and King Smoit’s men are all buried and honored; Taran and his companions return to Caer Dallben
217
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Worksheets
Practice sheets with space to write your answers.
Download one reading section
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