Comprehension Questions – Stuart Little

Stuart Little

by E.B. White

Grades 4-5; Genre – Fiction; GRL R; AR pts: 3.0

"When Mrs. Frederick C. Little's second son arrived, everybody noticed that he was not much bigger than a mouse. The truth of the matter was, the baby looked very much like a mouse in every way." So begins E.B. White's tale of a sensitive, erudite mouse that is somehow born to a family of humans.

Vocabulary

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Stuart. He is a two-inch tall human boy that has a mouse's sharp nose, whiskers and tail; he's born to a human family p.1
  2. Why is it concerning that Stuart wasn't gaining very much weight? He only gained a third of an ounce and it is important for babies to gain weight to show that they are thriving and growing in healthy ways p.3
  3. How did Stuart serve and help his mom in this chapter? To find her ring p.4
  4. How did the family feel when Stuart recovered the ring? That he was “awfully good” p.6

Chapter 2

  1. How did Stuart help around the house? Retrieving ping-pong balls, sticky piano keys p.7
  2. Give two examples in this chapter that show that Stuart's family protects and loves him. they tear up the nursery rhyme and change "The Night Before Christmas" words p.9

Chapter 3

  1. Define personification. A literary device that gives humans traits, emotions, or actions to non-human entities - such as animals, objects, or abstract ideas.
  2. Gives three examples from this chapter of how the author illustrates this literary device. Stuart exercises and touches his toes 10 times; Stuart turns on the light with a long string and turns on the water faucet; animals don't exhibit these behaviors p.13

Chapter 4

  1. Compare and contrast Stuart and Snowbell. Similarities: They are both part of the Little household, they are both small creatures living in a large human world, interact with humans and have human feelings; Contrast: Stuart is noble, adventurous, helpful; Snowbell is selfish, manipulative, jealous; Stuart is the hero and Snowbell is the villain; Stuart takes responsibility and solves problems and Snowbell causes problems p.18

Chapter 5

  1. What did George want to do to find Stuart? Rip up the floor p.21
  2. What did they end up doing? All called together and waited to hear his answer p.22
  3. Why did George pull down the shades? To respect Stuart who was “dead” p.25

Chapter 6

  1. Why is Stuart taking a risk when he goes outside? He is so small and vulnerable that cats, dogs, cars, etc. put him in danger p.27
  2. How did Stuart step up onto a bus? He held onto a man’s pants p.28
  3. What boat did Stuart want to sail on and beat? The Wasp, The Lillian B. Womarth  p.33

Chapter 7

  1. What accident happened at the beginning of the race? The policeman fell into the water p.38
  2. What did the policeman cause? A big wave pg 39
  3. What caused the crash between the boats? A paper bag p.43
  4. Why did Stuart win? He sailed the Wasp “straight and true” p.45

Chapter 8

  1. How did Stuart catch bronchitis? He got locked in the refrigerator p.47
  2. What did Stuart do for Margalo? Take her temperature p.52
  3. What did Stuart do to Snowbell’s ear? Shoot it with an arrow p.55

Chapter 9

  1. Why did Stuart jump into the garbage can? To avoid the Irish Terrier p.57
  2. Where was the garbage truck going? To dump the load on the scow p.60
  3. Why was Stuart sad that he might die? He would miss his home p.61

Chapter 10

  1. What did the Angora cat tell Snowbell? You have more self-control than me p.69
  2. Who overheard the plot to kill Margalo? The pigeon p.71
  3. What did Margalo do when she read the note? Fly away p.71

Chapter 11

  1. Why did Stuart run away from home? To look for Margalo p.73
  2. Who did he go see for advice? Dr. Carey p.75
  3. Why wouldn’t Stuart’s car attract attention? It was invisible p.79

Chapter 12

  1. Why were the scholars delighted at #7 School? They would have a substitute for Mrs. Gunderson p.87
  2. What would be a fine law? Absolutely no being mean p.94
  3. Is this a realistic law? Why or why not? Explain. Listen to your child's answer

Chapter 13

  1. What is sarsaparilla? It's a drink made from a tropical, woody vine that has medicinal properties and is found in South America, Jamaica, and Mexico p.102
  2. Why did the storekeeper want Stuart to meet Harriet Ames? They were similar size and he thought they would have a lot in common; He thought they might like each other in a romantic way; Hopefully, they could be friends and support each other p.103

Chapter 14

  1. What was the conclusion to the date? Never happened; Stuart was too discouraged that his boat was ruined to go with Harriet, he never saw her again p.124
  2. Have you ever had plans that got ruined by someone else? Explain. Listen to your child's answer

Chapter 15

  1. What is a theme of this story? Example: Stuart Little has many physical limitations, but learns to overcome them
  2. What did you like about this story? Listen to your child's answer