Category Archives: Emily Rodda

Comprehension Questions – Deltora Quest #8 Return to Del

Return to Del

by Emily Rodda

Grades 3-7; Genre - Fantasy; GRL R; AR pts. 4.0

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why did Lief tell the Torans about the belt? They saw it before they changed back, and he knew he could trust them
  2. Why did Lief tell Doom and Dain about the belt? The Torans encouraged there to be no more secrets among friends, trust only
  3. What did Lief plan on using to spy on Fallow? The Dreaming Spring water

Chapter 2

  1. What creature was Fallow? An Ol
  2. Why does the Shadow Lord want to keep Lief’s parents alive? To use them against him
  3. How do the companions know that there is a spy in the Resistance? The Shadow Lord knew who Lief and Barda were

Chapter 3

  1. Explain what happened as the companions reached the exit to the valley and saw Steven’s caravan there? They tried to sneak by, but Steven’s brother thought they were a threat and started to transform out of Steven. Doom came and calmed him down
  2. How did Doom feel about Dain knowing Deltora history? He was surprised
  3. What did Dain think need to be united? The seven tribes

Chapter 4

  1. What needed to happen to renew the oath to Deltora? One person from each tribe needed to put their hands on the belt 
  2. How did the group know a person from the seven tribes? They had met them along their journey
  3. Why did the Torans allow decoys to be made of the travelers? It was a time of sacrifice for everyone

Chapter 5

  1. Summarize what happened in this chapter. Messages were being sent to the different tribes
  2. What do Steven’s songs entail? The news
  3. How did the companions travel to Del? In Steven’s caravan

Chapter 6

  1. Explain what happened to the companions when they entered the Gripper field. Man-eating plants attacked them
  2. Why did the companions need to run when Nevets attacked the Grey Guards? He would have attacked the companions as well
  3. What did Lief and Jasmine find in the stone cabin? Two adult skeletons and one baby skeleton; Endon, Sharn and their baby; the heir to the throne

Chapter 7

  1. Describe Withick Mire. Full of garbage; a place the resistance is hiding out; stinky, scavengers live there; a place the people of Del went for refuge
  2. What did Glock give to Jasmine to help stop the bleeding to wounds given by the Grippers? A grey paste
  3. Why wasn’t Barda worried about the note? He thought it was fake

Chapter 8

  1. Why did Lief always feel a pang whenever Dain and Jasmine interacted? He was jealous 
  2. Why did Barda think the note was a fake? The handwriting was the same as the last fake note; Endon didn’t have his seal with him when he fled; that is why the guards were making a roadblock at that location, to steer the companions to the hut
  3. Why does Lief think Barda is going to die? Barda isn’t stirring as frequently
  4. How many of the tribes are gathered at this point in the story? 7

Chapter 9

  1. Who is the royal heir? Dain
  2. Who took Dain? Ichabod
  3. Where was he taking him? To Del

Chapter 10

  1. Why did Steven and Barda decide to change the plan? They thought it would be better to go into with just the companions; there is a possibly spy in the group and the original plan may be spoiled
  2. What’s the new plan? The companions go in Steven’s caravan and try and get the belt to Dain 
  3. Why do you think the belt helped Barda heal? Listen to your child’s answers

Chapter 11

  1. Who had the guards captured? The resistance waiting outside the walls of the city
  2. Who do the companions think the traitor is? Doom
  3. What’s the companions plan to save Dain? Steven will let Nevets out, Lief will grab Dain and Jasmine and Barda will protect them

Chapter 12 

  1. Who betrayed the party? Dain
  2. Who is Dain? An Ol
  3. How did Lief defeat the Ol? Put the Belt of Deltora on it

Chapter 13

  1. Who does Lief think the heir to Deltora is? Jasmine
  2. Who is Doom? Her father
  3. What happened when Jasmine wore the belt? Nothing

Chapter 14

  1. Why wasn’t Lief kidnapped with Jasmine, Doom, and Barda? He’d gone to his bedroom and laid on his bed
  2. How had Fallow convinced the townspeople that the people from the different tribes were evil? They looked different and he said they were invading Del
  3. Why did Lief rearrange the gems in the belt? He knew the true power came from them being in the correct order; the order where the first letter of each gem spells Deltora

Chapter 15

  1. Why is Fallow shocked to see Doom when the hood was pulled off? He thought it would be Lief
  2. What did the Shadow Lord do when he saw Lief jump and try to give Jasmine the belt? He tried to strike Lief with lightning
  3. What does Lief realize when he puts on the belt? That he is the heir

Chapter 16

  1. Who are Lief’s parents? The real King Endon and Queen Sharn
  2. Why was it important for Lief to not know who he really was? He was safer
  3. How did Lief get Jasmine to stay? He told her she was needed

Comprehension Questions – Deltora Quest #7 The Valley of the Lost

The Valley of the Lost

by Emily Rodda

Grades 3-7; Genre - Fantasy; GRL S; AR pts. 4.0

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why did the companions travel by night? To not catch the eye of the enemy
  2. Why couldn’t the companions cross King’s Bridge? Ols surrounded it disguised as goats and birds
  3. During his watch at the end of this chapter, why did Lief reach for the amethyst? The amethyst calms emotions

Chapter 2

  1. Why wasn’t Lief happy to know that Nak, Milne, and Finn died screaming? He felt enough suffering had happened
  2. Who was in the grove of trees the companions came upon?  The pirates who kidnapped Dain
  3. Where is Dain now?  On the boat

Chapter 3

  1. How did the companions reach the pirate ship? The pirates’ rowboat
  2. Who was on the boat with Dain? Chett the polypan
  3. Name two things the polypan did when he went crazy with the pirates’ mistreatment? He started the ship on fire and left the companions behind as he jumped off the boat

Chapter 4

  1. Where did the companions wake up? In the boat, in a lake by Tora
  2. How did the companions feel as they entered the archway to Tora? A tingling chill
  3. Why did Dain look hopeless while looking at the stone? The stone was cracked which meant that the people of Tora weren’t loyal to the royal house anymore

Chapter 5

  1. What did Barda find in the box? Scrolls with writing
  2. What did the torn scrolls say? It was a message from the king and queen of Del asking for help
  3. What reaction is Dain having to the cracked stone? He’s trembling, pale, visibly upset

Chapter 6

  1. Why do you think Dain was so upset to learn about the city? Listen to your child’s answers
  2. Why did Doom lie to Dain? To give him hope
  3. What test did Lief want Doom and Neridah to take? To make sure they weren’t evil by going into Tora

Chapter 7

  1. What did Tora’s magic, do to Doom? Take away his anger, bitterness, and hatred; he was weak and vulnerable
  2. Where did Doom get his name from? The man who healed him after escaping the Shadowlands
  3. What information did Doom give the companions about the Valley of the Lost? It contains the diamond and a creature, and all who enter wish they never had

Chapter 8

  1. What did Doom give Jasmine? A wool cap to cover her hair
  2. Why was Lief suspicious of Neridah? She had been deceitful in the past and she had pretended to not be listening when she really was
  3. How did the companions free themselves of her? They snuck away while she was sleeping

Chapter 9

  1. Why didn’t Jasmine want her animal friends to go into the Valley?  The mist would kill them
  2. Who was the fourth member of their party? Neridah
  3. What is the name of the man in the mists? The Guardian

Chapter 10

  1. Why did Neridah follow the companions? She wanted the diamond
  2. What are the names of The Guardian’s pets? Hate, Pride, Envy, Greed
  3. What voice do you think talked The Guardian into embracing the Dark? Listen to your child’s answers; The Shadow Lord

Chapter 11

  1. Explain the game The Guardian wanted to play with the companions? If they could match his wit, they could enter the room and retrieve the diamond
  2. What was the consequence if the companions didn’t win the game? They would be the Guardian’s forever
  3. What will open the door to the diamond? Saying The Guardian’s true name

Chapter 12

  1. What would happen to the travelers if they stole the diamond? It would bring ill upon them
  2. Where did Barda find the first clue? Written in the mirror
  3. Why couldn’t Lief use the topaz in the belt to help them solve the puzzle? There was no moon

Chapter 13

  1. How many letters are in the Guardian’s name? 5
  2. What will happened when the candle burns out? The Guardian will win
  3. What helped the companions figure out the third letter in the Guardian’s name? Barda remembered formations as a palace guard

Chapter 14

  1. How did the companions figure out what Pride’s fault was? They remembered what The Guardian had told them when they first met the beasts
  2. Why do Barda and Jasmine want to break the window to the room? They are panicking since the candle is almost burned out
  3. How did they figure out what the last letters in the name were? They saw the hermits in the rug and counted the differences between them

Chapter 15

  1. Who is the Guardian? King Endon
  2. What was the name of the other person who figured out the true name of the Guardian? Doom
  3. Who has the real diamond from the Belt of Deltora? Neridah

Chapter 16

  1. Why was Neridah dead in the stream? She stole the diamond and suffered from an ill fate
  2. What happened to Endon’s subjects when Lief put the last gen into the belt? They turned into humans again
  3. Who were those subjects? The people of Tora
  4. Why did The Guardian say his name was Endon? It was the will of the Shadow Lord

Comprehension Questions – Deltora Quest #6 The Maze of the Beast

The Maze of the Beast

by Emily Rodda

Grades 3-5; Genre - Fantasy; GRL S; AR pts: 4.0

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Where are the companions traveling to next? The Maze of the Beast
  2. Why were they hesitant to help when they heard screaming? They knew it could be a trap
  3. Why did the boy shoot Ida with an arrow? She was an Ol

Chapter 2

  1. Why did Barda need warmth after being attacked by the Ol? Ol attacks chill to the bone and he was wet and cold from the river
  2. What did Dain give Barda to help him feel better? A scoop of honey
  3. Whose side is Dain on? The Resistance

Chapter 3

  1. Describe the three different grades of Ols. The first grade can shapeshift and do not eat and drink; Grade two can pretend to eat and drink, create body heat and hold a form for more than three full days; Grade three can hold their shape and become whatever they want, it’s very difficult to identify them; the mark of the Shadow Lord is on all of them
  2. What injuries did Dain receive from Lief attacking him? Sprained arm and broken ribs
  3. How did the companions know they had reached the stronghold? Dain had told them the signs to look for and Lief found a paper with a clue

Chapter 4

  1. What was the password to get into the resistance’s hideout? Weapons
  2. What perception does Jinks have of Bard? That he is a coward for running away from the palace when the Shadow Lord struck
  3. Why was Bard worried that Jinks would gossip about him? He wanted to keep his history a secret

Chapter 5

  1. Who arrived at the hold in this chapter? Doom
  2. Why did Lief think Doom wanted to keep the travelers for three days? To keep them close to him so they would tell him what they were up to
  3. Who freed the companions and why? Dain, because he felt Doom was wrong in keeping them

Chapter 6

  1. Why did Dain want the travelers to take him to Tora? That is where he is from 
  2. Who is Dain? Someone Doom found and is protecting
  3. Why did Jasmine separate from the other travelers? To keep the enemy off their trail

Chapter 7

  1. Why didn’t the Ols attack Lief, Barda and Dain? They weren’t looking for them, only a man, a boy, a wild girl and her black bird 
  2. What did Jasmine leave on the ground? A message 
  3. What did the message say? That she had been in that city the day before/ that she was ahead one day of the rest of the group

Chapter 8

  1. Who is Steven? A peddler that sells to the Resistance 
  2. What did he sell to Barda, Lief and Dain? A belt, toffee, and a small cooking pot
  3. Where was Steven’s brother? Within Steven

Chapter 9

  1. Why did Barda purchase the belt? To give to Lief to put over the Belt of Deltora
  2. Why were the companions so anxious when they saw the river boat?  They wanted to get out of the mud
  3. Why were they skeptical about the Polypan?  Polypans are thieves

Chapter 10

  1. Why couldn’t Dain go to Tora? The captain wouldn’t take him
  2. What will the captain do to Ols? Throw them overboard
  3. Who was the lady with the parasol? Jasmine

Chapter 11

  1. Who attacked the boat? Pirates
  2. Describe what happened to Barda while fighting the pirate. He fell overboard
  3. What did the pirates take from Lief? The Deltora Belt

Chapter 12

  1. Who saved Jasmine and Lief from the Ol? The captain of the boat
  2. Why was Lief upset? The pirates stole the belt
  3. What did Barda find on the pirate that washed ashore? A map to the maze of the beast

Chapter 13

  1. How was Barda acting strangely? He was calm, patient, quiet, walked with his head down
  2. Why was Lief upset when they found the box made of pearl shell? The pirates had taken the gem
  3. Who told Finn to get the gem? Doom

Chapter 14

  1. What was pretending to be Barda? An Ol
  2. Who captured the companions? The pirates who attacked them before
  3. Why are Finn and Nak afraid of Doom? They knew he would hunt them down for betraying the Resistance

Chapter 15

  1. How did Lief get the Belt of Deltora back? Chett had taken it from the pirates for a treat
  2. Describe the beast in the maze? Its name is Glus; gigantic, slug-like, sickly pale, spine tipped tail, tiny eyes on stalks on the end of its head
  3. How did Lief know how to escape the beast? He felt the topaz and it cleared his mind

Chapter 16

  1. Why did the companions fear sleep while in the maze? An ooze was dripping down the walls and if they lingered too long, it would bind them
  2. What did Jasmine have that would keep the companions together? A ball of yellow wool
  3. Where did Lief find the gem? In the stone pillar

Chapter 17

  1. Why did the Glus cover up the hole the companions went through? He wanted to keep his cave secure
  2. What saved the companions from the pirates? The blowhole
  3. What had happened to Dain? He was taken by the pirates

Comprehension Questions- Deltora Quest #4 The Shifting Sands

The Shifting Sands

By Emily Rodda

Grades 3-5; Genre - Fantasy; GRL S; AR pts: 4.0

Lief, Jasmine and Barda head to toward the Shifting Sands anxious to get the next gem for the Belt of Deltora.  On their way they come to Rithmere, a city where the annual Games are held.  The companions enter into the Games and do well, but are betrayed when the lady who is supposedly taking care of them tricks them and they become prisoner to the Grey Guards. Continue reading →

Comprehension Questions- Deltora Quest #3 City of the Rats

 City of the Rats

By Emily Rodda

Grades 3-5; Genre - Fantasy; GRL S; AR pts: 4.0

Lief, Barda and Jasmine are on their next quest to find the third gem that will help restore Del from the evil Shadow Lord.  They must enter the City of the Rats, but on their way they find a city where the corrupt leaders serve the Shadow Lord.  Continue reading →

Comprehension Questions- Deltora Quest #5 Dread Mountain

Dread Mountain

by Emily Rodda

Grades 3-5; Genre - Fantasy; GRL T; AR pts: 4.0

Lief, Barda and Jasmine are on to their next quest in restoring the Belt of Deltora.  So far, they have recovered the topaz, ruby, opal and the lapis lazuli.  Luckily, they meet some friends that help them on their journey to Dread Mountain to retrieve the fifth gem, the emerald. Continue reading →

Comprehension Questions – Deltora Quest #2 The Lake of Tears

The Lake of Tears

By Emily Rodda

Grades 3-7; Genre - Fantasy; GRL S; AR pts: 4.0

Lief, Barda and Jasmine are on their next mission trying to find another gem to fit inside the belt of Deltora.  They find a Ralad man and save him from the Grey Guards and he in turn is willing to sacrifice himself to the monster of the Lake of Tears. Continue reading →

Comprehension Questions- Rowan of Rin #2 Rowan and the Travelers

Rowan and the Travelers

by Emily Rodda

Grades 6-8; Genre - Fantasy; GRL T; AR pts: 4.0

Rowan and the other villagers are suspicious as the Travelers appear so soon since their last visit.  A strange sleep comes over the entire village except for Rowan and Allun, the Travelers disappear, and the two friends know evil is in the air.  Rowan saves the village as he figures out Sheba's riddle and stops the evil that is lurking.  Continue reading →

Comprehension Questions – Deltora Quest #1 The Forest of Silence

The Forest of Silence

by Emily Rodda

Grades 4-7; Genre - Fantasy; GRL S; AR pts: 4.0

The Shadow Lord has crept out of hiding and taken over the vulnerable land of Deltora.  The only defence to the Shadow Lord is the Belt of Deltora which has been destroyed.  Lief and Barda set out on a journey to retrieve the seven stones that will complete the belt. The Forest of Silence is where they search to find the first stone. Continue reading →

Comprehension Questions- Rowan of Rin #1 Rowan of Rin

 Rowan of Rin

by Emily Rodda

Grades 6-8; Genre - Fantasy; GRL T; AR pts: 5.0

Rowan is a shy boy who gets sent on a journey up the mountain to see why the spring has dried up.  He finds his courage as others from his village abandon the task and he's left to carry on. Continue reading →