Tag Archives: AR Quizzes

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Haunted Hotel

The Haunted Hotel

By Ron Roy

Grades 2-5; Genre – Fiction; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0

A ghost has checked into the Shangri-la Hotel! It’s almost Halloween, and reports of strange sounds and even stranger sights are coming from Green Lawn’s only hotel. Every day, more and more guests are being scared away. Everyone else is getting scared, too! Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose must figure out what’s going on and catch the ghost – before Green Lawn turns into a ghost town!

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What’s the setting of this story? Dink’s living room on Sunday, in Green Lawn, CT p.1
  2. What did the newspaper claim was haunted? The Shangri-la Hotel in Green Lawn p.2
  3. Why is it the biggest week of the year for the hotel? Many tourists come to see the fall colors p.7

Chapter 2

  1. Where did Mr. Linkletter explain to the kids what’s going on? In his office p.11
  2. Who’s Livvy? The hotel maid p.15
  3. Why did the kids want to help Mr. Linkletter? He’s their friend p.16
  4. What did the kids think they saw when the elevator door opened? The ghost p.16

Chapter 3

  1. Who did the kids meet after they pushed the black button on the elevator and ended up on an unknown floor of the hotel? Mr. and Mrs. Spivets; Mr. Linkletter’s Aunt and Uncle who used to own the hotel p.21
  2. What’s the ghost telling Mr. and Mrs. Spivets? To go away and leave the hotel p.24
  3. Why are the Spivets selling the hotel? There’s a real estate company that’s been wanting to buy it and with the ghosts they don’t feel they have another choice p.25

Chapter 4

  1. What did the kids resolve to do since no one they talked to had seen the ghost? Find someone who had seen it p.30
  2. Who did the kids talk to that saw the ghost? Mr. and Mrs. Jeffers p.32
  3. What did Mr. Spivets want the kids to do that night? Sleep in the hotel so they can solve the mystery and maybe see the ghost p.35

Chapter 5

  1. Who’s the Casper Nate referred to when saying he wanted to see a ghost? Casper is from a cartoon called Casper the Friendly Ghost p.38
  2. Why is Dink able to stay up later than usual? There’s no school the next day p.41
  3. What’s Rose Ruth’s plan to see the ghost? Hang out until midnight p.42

Chapter 6

  1. Where did the kids stake out to see the ghost? In the cleaning closet p.44
  2. What did the ghost call out as it passed each of their family’s rooms? It called each of the kid’s names and said to leave, its dangerous, or go before its too late and to leave now p.46
  3. What clue did Ruth Rose find on the doorframe? A human hair p.50

Chapter 7

  1. What was the yucky smell Josh noticed in the hall the night before? The smell of Halloween make-up p.53
  2. What did Livvy find under the Jeffers bed that she thought was a rat? A wig p.57
  3.  What’s a dumbwaiter? Small elevator shaft used to lift small things up and down from one room to another p.58

Chapter 8

  1. What did the kids and Livvy find while searching the Jeffers’ hotel room? The wig, a tape with spooky music, a sword, Halloween make-up p.63
  2. Where did the kids find the Jeffers? At Ellie’s eating breakfast p.66
  3. How did the Jeffers react when they read the note from Ruth Rose? They waved the kids over to them and admitted it p.69

Chapter 9

  1. Why were the Jeffers wanting to scare the hotel guests away? They’re actors and had been hired by three men to scare them away p.72
  2. Why didn’t the Jeffers realize the hotel was closing? They were told the hotel was being used in a horror movie and that scaring guests away was huge for publicity, and the guests would get their money back and free tickets to the movie; the Jeffers would then have starring roles in the movie p.73
  3. Who hired the Jeffers’? the same men buying the hotel p.74

Chapter 10

  1. How did Eatch, Rail and Roock realize their plan had been found out? The Jeffers went up to them during the signing and asked about the movie. The reporter from the Green Lawn Gazette told them the entire town would learn about their plan to trick the Spivets and Mr. Linkletter p.80
  2. What did Mrs. the businessmen’s names become when Mrs. Spivets rearranged the letters? Cheat, Liar and Crook p.83
  3. What did the kids receive from the Spivets as a thank you for saving the hotel? Three airline tickets to Florida, three tickets to Disneyworld and three $50 bills p.86

Comprehension Questions – The Littles to the Rescue

The Littles to the Rescue

By John Peterson

Grades 2-5; Genre – Fiction; GRL M; AR pts: 1.0

A baby is on the way! Despite an awful storm, Cousin Dinky and Aunt Lily set out in the glider in order to help Mrs. Little. But when the glider arrives, Dinky realizes that something is missing. Aunt Lily!

Comprehension Questions (by Steve)

Chapter 1

  1. What was Mrs. Little worried about? Aunt Lilly had not arrived yet. Pg 1
  2. What did Tom Little make for the new baby? A rattle out of a peanut shell and toothpick. Pg. 6
  3. Why can’t Cousin Dinky fly Aunt Lilly to their house? The snowstorm pg 10
  4. How does Tom want to go get aunt Lilly? He wants to ride Hildy the cat. Pg 10

Chapter 2

  1. Where did Aunt Lilly and Dinky live? In the attic of Dr. Zigger’s house. Pg 13
  2. How did Aunt Lilly learn to be a nurse? From watching Dr Zigger and reading his books. Pg14
  3. What did Aunt Lilly need to take with her? Her nurse’s bag. Pg. 15
  4. Where did Aunt Lilly need to be at 3 am and why? The telephone because the Littles would call. Pg. 16

Chapter 3

  1. Why didn’t Cousin Dinky want to fly his mother? Too dangerous in snowstorm. Pg. 21
  2. Who picked up the call from the Littles? Dr. Zigger. Pg. 23
  3. When Did Dinky want to leave? In the morning. Pg. 25
  4. When did they leave? At night. Pg. 25

Chapter 4

  1. How did Cousin Dinky make a runway? With a snowball. Pg. 28
  2. Flying at night made Dinky realize he flew how? By feeling. Pg. 30
  3. What did Aunt Lilly think the lights below looked like? Halos Pg. 31
  4. What happened when they arrived on the Littles’ roof? Aunt Lilly was missing. Pg 32

Chapter 5

  1. What was on the ground between the 2 houses? The parachute. Pg. 33
  2. Who were they going to ask for help? The Specks, tree tinies. Pg. 36
  3. Who went to search for Aunt Lilly? The men. Pg. 39

Chapter 6

  1. How did Tom get Hildy to come? A secret whistle. Pg. 42
  2. How did Tom get Henry away from Hildy? He let out the parakeet. Pg. 43
  3. Where did Mrs. Bigg put Hildy? In the cellar. Pg. 46

Chapter 7

  1. How did Aunt Lilly get down from her parachute caught in the thornbush? Scissors Pg. 49
  2. Why was the snow warm? It was some kind of chimney underground. Pg. 50
  3. What happened to Aunt Lilly after landing on the ground? She was stuffed into a bag. Pg. 52

Chapter 8

  1. The Specks were independent; how did the Littles live? They took things from the Biggs. Pg.56
  2. Why did they have t hurry with the Specks. Hildy wouldn’t stay long. Pg. 59

Chapter 9

  1. What did the Specks give the House Tinies? Sassafras tea. Pg. 61
  2. What danger was Aunt Lilly in? Ground Tinies. Pg.62
  3. What happened to Hildy? A dog chased her away. Pg. 66
  4. Mr. Speck went looking for whom? Old Skunk. Pg. 67

Chapter 10

  1. Why did old Skunk move so slow? He wasn’t afraid of any animals in the Wood. Pg.69
  2. How did Speck plan to get the Ground Tinies to come out? A stink bomb. Pg. 75

Chapter 11

  1. Who were the Ground Tinies? The Snippets. Pg. 77
  2. Did the Ground Tinies believe there were House Tinies? No. Pg. 78

Chapter 12

  1. Where was the Snippet’s home? A Rabbit Burrow. Pg. 80
  2. What was all the Ground Tinies things were made from?  Maple tree roots? Pg. 81
  3. When did the Ground Tinies get together? Once a month on Meeting Day. Pg. 85

Chapter 13

  1. What did The Littles hear from the chimney? Help …. Lilly … be killed. Pg. 89
  2. How did the Snippets escape the stink bomb? On rabbits. Pg. 90
  3. What did the rescuers think the Ground Tinnies would do at the Bigg’s House? Attack their family. Pg. 92
  4. Who was the new baby? Betsy Little pg. 94

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries Super Edition #4 Sleepy Hollow Sleepover

Sleepy Hollow Sleepover

By Ron Roy

Grades 2-5; Genre – Fiction; GRL O; AR pts: 1.0

Third graders Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose are spending Halloween in spooky Sleepy Hollow, New York, home of the Headless Horseman. They're going to sleep in an old cabin, take a haunted hayride, and tour the old Dutch church where people claim to have seen the legendary headless horseman. But strange things start happening that don’t seem to be part of the planned Halloween fun. Is there a real Headless Horseman haunting Sleepy Hollow?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What activity were the kids going to be doing that night? A haunted hayride and going to a party p.2
  2. Who’s the Headless Horseman? A fictional character from the story, “the Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” by Washington Irving; the story is about a teacher, Ichabod Crane. He liked a woman named Katrina. Brom Bones liked Katrina as well and didn’t want Ichabod to get her, so dressed up as the headless horseman to drive him out of town. He told people it was a ghost of a soldier who’d lost his head and looked for it at night p.4
  3. Who did Dink step on after watching the mechanical headless horseman? One man wearing cowboy boots with silver toes; his name was Ace p.9

Chapter 2

  1. Where were the kids sleeping? In a cabin Dink’s father rented called the Haunted House p.11
  2. What popped out of the chest when Dink opened it to get a game? A skeleton p.13
  3. Who did the kids see out the window? The Headless Horseman p.17

Chapter 3

  1. What was suspicious about the driver of the wagon? He had a hat, wouldn’t look at the kids, deep voice, he doesn’t talk to the kids, he smacked a tree to make the bats fly out and around the kids p.23
  2. What came out of the grave as the kids passed the cemetery? A zombie p.31
  3. Who did the zombie and wagon driver end up being? Police officers Klevor and Reilly p.34

Chapter 4

  1. What police officer was in charge of the pumpkin bowling? Officer Reilly p.41
  2. What did Dink see as he ran after his pumpkin? Two men wearing masks by the wagons and horses p.44
  3. What happened in the woods where the wagons were parked? A huge fire was started p.48

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Andy think the fire started? Another prank by the police p.52
  2. How did Officer Klevor know the fire was intentional? There were match books on the ground p.54
  3. What happened to the policeman’s car tires? They were flattened p.58

Chapter 6

  1. Why was Dink flustered? He was still bothered about the two men and the flashing shoes he saw just before the fire at the wagons was started p.61
  2. How many police cruisers came to rescue the kids? 4 p.64
  3. Who was out in the field with the burned wagons as Dink and his friends drove away? The police officer dressed up as a spaceman p.66

Chapter 7

  1. What was suspicious about the cabin when the kids were dropped off by Officer Sneke? Dink’s dad said he would wait up until the kids got there, but he wasn’t there. Ice cubes were in the lemonade, Dink’s dad’s book was left opened on the chair p.69
  2. Where was Dink’s dad? Hiding in the closet dressed as a ghost p.72
  3. What did Dink realize the other man could have been who was by the wagons before they were set on fire? It could have been Officer Klevor p.75

Chapter 8

  1. Where did the kids find Officer Klevor? At the bank p.81
  2. What happened to Bonnie at the bank? Two men came to her house, told her to get her coat and took her to the bank to open the vault. She couldn’t open it and the men took money from the teller drawers p.81
  3. What was inside the mechanical horse’s belly? The money that was stolen from the bank p.87

Chapter 9

  1. Who did Ruth Rose call when they got stuck in the back of the truck with the mechanical horse? The police; 911 p.91
  2. Why did Dink want to let money out of the bags while they were driving? People might see it and call the police; the driver may stop, and they could get away p.92
  3. What did the kids feel in the dark of the barn hole? A body tied up p.100

Chapter 10

  1. Who did the children free while in the hole? The man who was originally supposed to go pick up the mechanical horse p.102
  2. Why did Dink think his dad would call the police and come find them? When the bad guys found the kids in the back of the truck, Dink had pushed the green button to the cell phone which would automatically call his dad. Then his dad would have heard the conversation and know the kids were in danger p.104
  3. Why did the kids think Bonnie was in on the bank job? She led the police to think the robbers left at midnight and had an 8 hour lead and she could get the money out after the vault opened at 8 am p.107

Chapter 11

  1. How did Dink reach up and lift the slat that covers the hole? He stood on Hank’s shoulders p.112
  2. Why did Dink want a tin can? To prop open the piece of wood p.116
  3. Why did Dink want Ruth Rose’s knife? To make the tire flat p.116

Chapter 12

  1. How did Josh, Ruth Rose and Hank get out of the hole? Dink had seen a rope when he was on Hank’s shoulders and tied it to the bumper of the truck. Hank climbed out, then he pulled the kids out one by one p.120
  2. Who came to the rescue and helped Dink out of the hole? The police; Officer Klevor p.123
  3. Who ended up being the Headless Horseman the night the kids went to the party? They don’t know; it’s a mystery p.128

Comprehension Questions – #7 Junie B. Jones Loves Handsome Warren

Junie B. Jones Loves Handsome Warren

By Barbara Park

Grades 1-5; Genre – Fiction; GRL M; AR pts: 1.0

There’s a new boy in kindergarten, and guess what? He’s the handsomest guy Junie B. has ever seen! She and Lucille and that Grace all want him for a boyfriend. Only, he thinks Junie B. is a nutball. Just ‘cause she couldn’t stop laughing and rolling. So how is she supposed to get that boy to love her?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. How did Grace and Junie B. try to help their friend Lucille? Lucille was being chased by a boy they’d never met, and Grace and Junie B. pretended to ride their horses and chased him away p.5
  2. Why was Lucille upset her friends had chased the boy away? She wanted him to chase her; he was a new boy at school and she thought he was handsome p.7
  3. How did Grace and Junie B. feel about the boy after looking at him and hearing a little bit about him? They wanted him for a boyfriend as well p.10

Chapter 2

  1. Why did Junie B. want to convince Lucille she was a pig? So Lucille would introduce her to Warren p.14
  2. Where were Junie B. and Grace when they got to finally meet Warren? At the swing set p.20
  3. Why did Warren call Junie B. a nutball? She made a silly joke then rolled on the ground laughing p.21

Chapter 3

  1. Why were Lucille and Grace mad at each other at the beginning of this chapter? Grace said that Warren loves her and that made Lucille mad p.26
  2. Why is Junie B. upset about being called a nutball? Its not a very nice thing to be called p.29
  3. Who did Grace say was the nutball in her family? Her little brother, Jeffie p.30

Chapter 4

  1. Why did Junie B. pick a grown up’s cereal to eat for breakfast? Because she ate the same kind of cereal Grace’s brother ate when he was being a nutball p.34
  2. Why did Junie B. think Warren would love her now? She ate fiber cereal instead of sugar cereal so she’s calm p.36
  3. How does Warren feel about Junie B. once she told him she was calm? He did the cuckoo sign and walked away; still thinks she’s a nutball p.45

Chapter 5

  1. What did Junie B. want to do to get Warren to like her? Buy a princess dress to be like Lucille and buy shoes with lightning bolts like Grace p.46
  2. What advice did Junie B.’s mom give her? You don’t make friends by buying things, you make them by being fun to be with, by being nice, caring about their feelings, and by being honest and not pretending to be someone you’re not p.51
  3. What did Junie B. find that made her feel like a princess? A red velvet bow on Ollie’s teddy bear p.52

Chapter 6

  1. What did Junie B. wear to school? A crown from Dairy Queen, white long princess gloves, a collar for a necklace, the red bow and her mom drew lightning bolts on her sneakers p.55
  2. Who wasn’t Warren talking to? Grace, Lucille or Junie B. p.57
  3. What does “the cat got your tongue” mean? Its an idiom for when someone is speechless, or without words to say p.57

Chapter 7

  1. What was in Handsome Warren’s hair? A tiny piece of Kleenex p.62
  2. Why was Warren angry? His dad made him move and change schools and he had to leave his friends p.64
  3. What did Junie B. do to make Warren feel better? She told him knock knock jokes p.66

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Jaguar’s Jewel

The Jaguar’s Jewel

By Ron Roy

Grades 2-5; Genre – Fiction; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0

When the kids visit Dink’s uncle in New York City, they’re dazzled by his museum’s latest treasure – a statue of a gold jaguar with a precious emerald between its paws. But when the jewel is swapped for a fake, the police name Dink’s uncle as a suspect! It’s up to Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose to uncover the real crook. Who stole the jaguar’s jewel?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe the setting of this story. New York City also called the Big Apple; very crowded, loud, and the feeling that everyone is rushing p.4
  2. What does Uncle Warren do for a living and what is he expecting? He owns a museum; A shipment from South America that is made of priceless gold p.8
  3. Who are Uncle Warren’s friends? Jean-Paul and his wife Yvonne p.10

Chapter 2

  1. What did Uncle Warren pull out of the crate? Several gold items; A golden drinking cup made by the Incas in the 1500’s and a golden jaguar with an emerald between its paws p.16
  2. Why did Uncle Warren put the golden items back in the crate and nail it closed? Dr. Pitts was going to be coming by the next day to check out the items and make sure they were in good order, so Uncle Warren wanted to keep everything safe and together p.18
  3. Who’s Roger? Uncle Warren’s apartment building doorman. He opens doors for tenants and whistles for taxis p.18

Chapter 3

  1. Where did Uncle Warren take the kids for dinner? A Chinese restaurant called the Panda Palace p.21
  2. Why did Uncle Warren and the kids throw money into a saxophone case? A man was playing the saxophone on the street and you throw money in if you like his playing p.23
  3. What was wrong with the jaguar? The emerald stone was a fake p.32

Chapter 4

  1. How did Dr. Pitts know the jewel was a fake? The light didn’t penetrate into the jewel it just bounced off of it p.35
  2. Why did Dr. Pitts look at the lock on the door and write something on a small pad of paper? He noticed something about the lock; that it hadn’t been forced open p.37
  3. Who are the suspects for the missing jewel? Jean-Paul, James Pride and Uncle Warren p.40

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Uncle Warren remind Dink to remember his cookie? His fortune cookie said his eyes would play tricks on him p.42
  2. What did Yvonne make for the kids while Uncle Warren was at the police station? Hot chocolate p.43
  3. What strange things happened in this chapter? Yvonne slipped through a door that disappeared into the wall; Ms. Wu went back to Uncle Warren’s office and left again; Dink remembered what his uncle said and found the key to the office in his pocket p.44

Chapter 6

  1. What was strange about the wall in Dr. Price’s office? It didn’t have any pictures or anything against it, it was just bare; it had hidden seams on it p.53
  2. What did Dink think was hidden in the wall? A secret door p.54
  3. Were the kids able to make the door open or find anything else? No p.56

Chapter 7

  1. What did Ruth Rose find in the fish tank? A glowing jewel stone; the emerald that’s supposed to be with the jaguar p.59
  2. What was the buzzing noise the kids heard? A VCR hidden in a secret compartment of the bookshelves p.62
  3. What was the conclusion after watching the tape? That Uncle Warren was the thief p.67

Chapter 8

  1. What did Josh realize happened to the letter opener? Before the lights went out it was facing the window; after the lights came back on, it was facing the other direction; someone had moved it p.69
  2. Who came into the office while the kids were there? Dr. Pitts p.72
  3. Where did the kids hide? In James’ office p.72

Chapter 9

  1. Who saved the kids when Dr. Pitts was coming into James’ office and where did she take them? Yvonne; to her restaurant through the secret passage p.76
  2. What did Josh realize would be on the letter opener? Dr. Pitts’ fingerprints p.77
  3. What did Yvonne want to do when she realized Ruth Rose had the jewel? Call the police p.78

Chapter 10

  1. Who was the real crook? Dr. Pitts p.79
  2. Why is there a secret passage between the office and Yvonne’s restaurant? It used to be a home and the servants would use it as a back-stairway p.82
  3. Who all played a part in solving the mystery? The kids, James with the camera, Yvonne saving the kids, Uncle Warren for giving the key to Dink and reminding him to remember his fortune cookie p.83

Comprehension Questions – Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1 The Lightning Thief

The Lightning Thief

By Rick Riordan

Grades 6-8; Genre – Fantasy; GRL W; AR pts: 13.0

Mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking out of the pages of twelve-year-old Percy Jackson's textbooks and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus's master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect. Now, he and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus's stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Percy Jackson. Percy’s 12 years old, in 6th grade, has a rough life, went to a boarding school in upstate New York, is a half-blood, always gets in trouble on field trips, smart, knows a lot about mythology, he has dyslexia and attention deficit disorder p.1
  2. Who's Percy's Latin teacher? Mr. Brunner p.2
  3. Who's Percy's best friend? Grover p.3
  4. Describe what happened when Mrs. Dodds took Percy into the museum alone. She told him to confess and he would suffer less pain, then she turned into a hag with bat wings, claws and a mouth full of yellow fangs. She attacked Percy, but he fought back and killed her with a pen that turned into a sword from Mr. Brunner p.12
  5. How did everyone react when Percy went out of the museum and asked where Mrs. Dodds was? They didn’t know who he was talking about and that there wasn’t a Mrs. Dodds at the school p.14

Chapter 2

  1. Why did Percy go down to Mr. Brunner’s office and what did he hear? He wanted help studying for the Latin test; Mr. Brunner and Grover talking about Percy, the incident at the museum and how Percy was in danger p.19
  2. Why did Percy think it was ironic when Grover said he had to protect him? All year long he’d been fighting bullies for Grover and here Grover was supposed to protect him p.24
  3. What did Grover think the snipping of the yarn meant? That Percy was going to die p.28

Chapter 3

  1. Describe Percy’s mom. Her name is Sally Jackson; her parents died when she was 5 years old; her uncle raised her; she saved money to go to a good writing program at college, but her uncle got sick and she had to quit work and high school take care of him; with no money left and no degree, she met Percy’s dad; they weren’t married, but he got lost at sea; she worked hard to get her high school diploma; worked at a candy shop in Grand Central station p.29
  2. What does Percy know about his father? Kind; tall, handsome, powerful and gentle; black hair like Percy’s p.38
  3. Why did Percy’s mom send him away for school? She thought it would be far enough away to keep him safe; he’s been in danger at every school he’s gone to p.40
  4. Why did Grover get after Percy’s mom at the cabin? She shouldn’t have taken Percy to the cabin, but didn’t know what had happened to Percy at school to know what danger he was in p.42

Chapter 4

  1. What type of creature is Grover? A satyr p.45
  2. Describe the creature after Percy? A Minotaur at least 7 feet tall; arms and legs were big with muscles; wore no clothes but white underwear; course brown hair started at his belly and got thicker as it reached his shoulders; his neck a mass of muscle with fur leading up to his enormous head; had a snout as long as Percy’s arm; snotty nostrils with a gleaming brass ring; cruel black eyes and sharp black and white horns p.50
  3. What happened to Percy’s mother as the Minotaur grabbed her? He squeezed her around her neck and she turned into a shimmering golden form and vanished in a flash of light p.53
  4. How did Percy defeat the monster? He jumped onto his head and held onto his horns; he pulled back on one of the horns and snapped it off; he was on the ground and as the Minotaur ran by Percy stabbed him in the side with the horn and the monster disintegrated like crumbling sand and blew away in the wind p.54

Chapter 5

  1. How long had Percy been unconscious from the fight with the Minotaur? 2 days p.59
  2. What did the drink with a straw and umbrella taste like and how did it make Percy feel? Percy’s mom’s chocolate chip cookies; like he could throw Nancy Bobofit 100 yards; he was full of energy p.60
  3. Why did Mr. Brunner or Chiron go to Yancy Academy? Grover had found Percy and thought he was special, so he went to see for himself and he taught him p.64
  4. What did Mr. D and Chiron explain to Percy while playing pinochle? The Greek Gods and everything in Greek mythology is real p.68
  5. What type of creature is Mr. Brunner? A centaur p.74

Chapter 6

  1. Why was Grover getting chewed out by Mr. D? He was supposed to be a protector, but Percy saved him from the Minotaur and it didn’t look like he had much courage p.76
  2. Describe Camp Half Blood. Large area with strawberry fields, a canoeing lake, stables, large barn, lots of cabins, javelin range, a sing-along amphitheater, archery range, and an arena where there are sword and spear fights p.79
  3. What did the twelve cabins represent? Each of the 12 gods p.80
  4. What was Annabeth’s explanation for Percy’s dyslexia and ADHD? He was meant to read Ancient Greek; he’s impulsive and wasn’t meant to sit for a long time because he has battlefield reflexes; his attention problems are because he sees too much, his senses are better than regular mortals p.88
  5. What did Percy do in response to Clarisse trying to shove his face into the toilet? He made the water shoot out of the toilets and showers and push her and her friends out of the bathroom p.91

Chapter 7

  1. Why do half-bloods live at the camp and how long do they stay? For safety, depending on their parent-god; monsters may chase and kill them; they stay depending on if it’s safe to out into the world p.96
  2. Where is Olympus located? Empire State Building on the 600th floor p.99
  3. Define the word prophecy and explain why Annabeth is so intent on finding “the one”. Prophecy: a prediction; Chiron was told by the Oracle that she wouldn’t be able to go on a quest until someone special came to the camp p.102
  4. Why did Percy change his drink to a blue cherry coke? In honor of his mother, since she made food blue for him p.104

Chapter 8

  1. How did Percy receive strength to knock the blade out of Luke’s hand? He poured water over his head; the water made him stronger and his senses keener p.110
  2. Tell Thalia’s story. She was a daughter of Zeus, but he’d broken an oath to not have any more children, but Hades found out and sent his worst monsters after her. She almost made it to the camp, but had her keeper take the other two half-bloods and save them while she tried to fight the monsters p.114
  3. Describe the interaction between Percy and Clarisse and her gang during Capture the Flag? They ganged up on Percy; she electrocuted him with her spear and one of her gang sliced his arm with their sword and pushed him into the water; Percy received strength and he defeated Clarisse and her house mates p.121
  4. Who is Percy’s father? Poseidon the Sea God p.126

Chapter 9

  1. Describe Percy’s dream and what type of figurative language is it an example of? He was running to stop two gods from fighting, but the wind kept pushing him back, there were palm trees and buildings different from New York, the ground shook and evil laughter coming from beneath the ground said “Come down, little hero. Come down.”, the ground split and Percy fell in; foreshadowing p.130
  2. What are Poseidon and Zeus fighting over? a lightning bolt; Zeus’ master bolt; Zeus is blaming Poseidon for stealing it p.135
  3. Why does Zeus think Poseidon had Percy steal his lightning bolt? Poseidon and Zeus were fighting at winter council and the places where the bolts are created is in the ocean; Poseidon just revealed that Percy was his son and Percy was in New York City during the winter solstice p.136
  4. What did the Oracle tell Percy? You shall go west and face the god who has turned; You shall find what was stole, and see it safely returned; You shall be betrayed by one who calls you friend; and you shall fail to save what matters most, in the end p.141
  5. How is Annabeth appearing out of thin air? She has a magic baseball cap she wears to make her invisible p.148

Chapter 10

  1. What was the gift Luke had given to Percy for his quest and why did he give them to Grover? Luke’s flying shoes from his dad; Percy shouldn’t take to the air since Zeus had control of the air p.151
  2. What gift did Mr. Brunner give to Percy and where had he gotten it from? The pen sword called Riptide; he got it from Poseidon to give to his child p.153
  3. Why did Percy’s mom marry and stay with Gabe? To protect Percy; Gabe smelled so human it covered up Percy’s half-blood smell and protected him from the monsters p.158
  4. Explain the interaction between Percy, Grover, Annabeth and the Furies on the bus. They were all on the bus, the furies started to go to the back of the bus, Percy put on Annabeth’s magic hat and crept up and hid in a seat while the Furies passed; Percy got to the front of the bus, but the Furies were after Annabeth and Grover since he’d disappeared; Percy grabbed the steering wheel and made the bus crash into a tree; he took of the hat and the Furies came after him; he pulled out Riptide and defeated two of them; Mrs. Dodds was left and the kids were able to get away with lightning striking the bus and the kids running into the woods p.163

Chapter 11

  1. What was the business the three characters came to as they exited the woods and how did Grover feel about it? Aunty Em’s Garden Gnome Emporium; a strange business that had a forest of statues on the front lawn; he thought it was strange and smelled monsters p.171
  2. Why wasn’t Percy anxious to leave the shop like Annabeth and Grover? His food had made him sleepy p.176
  3. What creature was Aunty Em and describe her? Medusa; she had a head of snakes and she turned people to stone when they look her in the eyes p.180
  4. What did Percy send to Olympus and why? Medusa’s head; because he was angry at them p.186

Chapter 12

  1. What did the Furies say that confused Grover and Annabeth? Instead of saying where is he, they said where is it? P.192
  2. What was Percy’s dream in this chapter? Percy stood in a dark cavern before a large pit; spirits of the dead tried to pull him back, but Percy felt compelled to walk to the very edge of the chasm; the pit was black and seemed bottomless, but Percy could feel something huge and evil trying to rise from the abyss; a voice spoke to him calling him a little hero and that he was too weak and young, but would do; it also said he’s been mislead and to barter with it and he would give Percy what he wanted and he saw his mother before she died; the voice told Percy to help him rise and to bring him the bolt to strike a blow against the gods; the spirits of the dead whispered around him to wake up; Percy felt the thing in the pit wasn’t trying to pull him down, but was using him to pull itself out p.194
  3. What did Grover find to help them travel west? A poodle they could return to its family to get the reward money to pay for train tickets p.195

Chapter 13

  1. Why did Annabeth run away from home? Her dad and stepmom treated her like a freak and wouldn’t let her play with their mortal children, if anything dangerous happened with monsters they would look at her like, “how dare you put our family to risk” p.201
  2. Describe a time Athena and Poseidon worked together? Athena invented chariots and Poseidon created horses out of the crest of waves p.202
  3. Describe the creature the chihuahua turned into. He turned into a Chimera: a rabid, fire-breathing, poisonous creature with a head of a lion and the body and hooves of a goat, a serpent for a tail with a ten-foot long diamondback growing out of its behind p.207
  4. Why did Percy jump from the arch into the river? To escape the Chimera; Echidna tempted him to do it; he was hoping the water would help him heal and that he would find his sword p.210

Chapter 14

  1. What did Percy realize as he was underwater in the river? He could breathe and he was dry p.213
  2. What did the messenger tell Percy? His dad wanted him to go to the beach in Santa Monica before going to the Underworld; to not trust the gifts; his father believes in him p.214
  3. Why is Percy wanted by the police and being talked about on the news? He is being accused of hurting his mom, hurting the three old women on the bus, and for causing the damage to the arch p.217

Chapter 15

  1. How did Annabeth call Half-Blood Hill from Denver? They created a rainbow and threw a Drachma in to the goddess of rainbows, who carries messages for the gods, and asked to be connected p.220
  2. Who came to eat dinner with Percy, Annabeth and Grover and why? Ares; he wanted Percy to get his shield at a waterpark p.227
  3. Why didn’t Ares want to retrieve his shield himself? It was a trap Hephaestus made to make Ares and Aphrodite look like fools p.236
  4. How did Percy and Annabeth survive the prank? Percy made water come through the pipes and take their boat on the ride; they then jumped to safety with Grover trying to slow their fall p.238

Chapter 16

  1. What information about Percy’s mother did Ares tell him? That she’s not dead, but being held hostage p.244
  2. How did Percy, Annabeth and Grover travel to Las Vegas? In a big semi with animals in the back p.245
  3. What did Percy dream of in this chapter? At first, he was in school in a straight jacket trying to take a test with Thalia next to him in the same situation. The straight jacket melted off Percy and he went to give Hades a piece of his mind. He found the same voice talking to someone else about him and the bolt. The voice realized Percy was there with them and gave him a dream of his quest and he saw his mother frozen in golden light and he was turning into a skeleton p.252
  4. What casino did the kids go in and what happened to them in there? The Lotus Hotel and Casino; they were given a room and card with unlimited money and then showered and ate; they enjoyed all of the cool things and perks of the casino and Percy started talking to people and realized they didn’t know how long they’d been there and wasted 5 days in there p.258

Chapter 17

  1. What was Annabeth’s piece of evidence that they were on the right track by going to the Underworld? Percy saw spirits of the dead in his dream p.269
  2. Who did Percy talk to in the sea at Santa Monica and what did she tell him? The same messenger he met in the Mississippi River, a Nereid; She told him that they’ve been watching him grow up with interest and that Poseidon can’t play favoritism to him so can’t help Percy directly; she gave him three pearls to use in times of great need and gave advice on how to beat Hades p.271
  3. What happened in Crusty’s Waterbed Palace? Crusty is the owner and put Annabeth and Grover on a bed. The bed had ropes come out and tie them down. Then more ropes came out grabbed them and began to stretch them out to fit 6 feet long. Percy distracted Crusty and tricked him into lying onto one of the beds and gave the word to make the ropes tie him up, then he loped off his head p.277
  4. How did Percy and his friends find the location of DOA Recording Studio? On a billboard coming out of the waterbed store p.282

Chapter 18

  1. How did the kids get past Charon? Percy bribed him with a lot of Drachmas p.286
  2. As the kids traveled in the elevator on the way to the Underworld, how did the spirits of the dead and Charon change? The spirits of the dead went from wearing normal clothes to gray hooded robes and Charon transitioned to wearing a black robe, his eye sockets were black empty sockets and the flesh of his face became transparent p.288
  3. Who is Cerberus and what was the “plan” to get past him? The creature/dog guarding the Underworld; to throw a stick and hope he plays fetch to leave the entrance p.293
  4. When the plan didn’t work what did Annabeth do? She found a red ball she’d gotten from the water park and told the creature to sit and threw it to him. Grover and Percy got through, then she threw it again and the three heads fought over it, so she could sneak through as well p.295
  5. Why did Annabeth shed tears? It reminded her of her own dog and taking him to obedience school; She was sad about Cerberus and that she couldn’t help him p.298

Chapter 19

  1. Describe the Field of Asphodel. A huge area with a million people whispering and milling around, standing on black grass with clumps of black poplars, a light moist swampy breeze p.300
  2. Why did Annabeth and Percy have to chase Grover? His shoes started flying on their own and he sped ahead of them p.303
  3. Where did the shoes lead them to? A huge dark cavern with a chasm that was in Percy’s dream p.304
  4. Why did Hades send the Furies after Percy? Hades thought Percy had stolen his magic helm p.312
  5. Why had Hades taken Percy’s mother? To barter with Percy to get his helm back p.315

Chapter 20 

  1. What god did the kids run into after arriving on the beach? Ares p.321
  2. Who stole the lightning bolt and helm and why? Ares; to start a war between the three gods p.322
  3. How did Percy win and what happened to Ares? Percy was able to stab Ares in the heal and make him bleed Ichor, his godly blood, an evil came and stopped Ares from killing Percy, then he disappeared in a flash p.330
  4. How did Percy get the helm to Hades like he promised? He gave it to Mrs. Dodds since she works for Hades p.331

Chapter 21

  1. How did Percy convince the guard at the Empire State Building to let him see Zeus? Showed him the lightning bolt p.336
  2. Who was sitting on their thrones as Percy reached Olympus? Poseidon and Zeus p.339
  3. Who’s in the pit that’s been in Percy’s dreams? Kronos p.344
  4. What was on Percy’s bed and what did he decide to do with it? Medusa’s head; leave it for his mom as a weapon to turn Gabe into a statue if needed p.350

Chapter 22

  1. What did the letter from Percy’s mom say? She made Gabe a statue and sold him to an art gallery; got a new apartment and is going to go to school the next semester; she had put a down payment down for a good private school in NYC if Percy wants to go p.355
  2. Where was Grover heading? On a quest to look for the god Pan p.357
  3. Who is the friend that has betrayed Percy? Luke p.365
  4. Where did Annabeth and Percy decide to live during the winter? At their homes with their families p.374

Comprehension Questions – The Chronicles of Narnia #4 Prince Caspian

Prince Caspian

By C.S. Lewis

Grades 3-8; Genre – Fantasy; GRL T; AR pts: 7.0

Narnia…the land between the lamp-post and the castle of Cair Paravel, where animals talk, where magical things happen… and where the adventure begins. Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy are returning to boarding school when they are summoned from the dreary train station (by Susan’s own magic horn) to return to the land of Narnia—the land where they had ruled as kings and queens and where their help is desperately needed.

Vocabulary

Writing Prompts

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What happened to the children at the train station and where did they find themselves? They felt a pulling and realized magic was at work; the train station disappeared and they found themselves in a thicket. They worked their way out and found a beach p.4
  2. Where did the children find a stream they could drink from? More than halfway around the island on the beach p.9
  3. What did the children find after drinking out of the stream? Apples trees and a wall with an arch leading into a large open area p.11

Chapter 2

  1. What did Susan find by the well and what did it remind her of? A gold chess piece; Being a queen in Narnia and playing chess with the fauns and giants of Narnia p.19
  2. Where were the children? At their castle in Narnia in Cair Paravel p.20
  3. What did the children find in the treasure room? Suits of armor, rings, bowls, dishes, necklaces, gems, big padlocked chests, and their gifts from Aslan p.25
  4. Describe the children’s gifts from Aslan. Lucy was a small diamond bottle full of a healing cordial; Susan’s was a bow, arrows and a horn that calls and sends for help; Peter’s is a sword and shield; Edmund didn’t get one p.27

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Susan shoot an arrow? Two soldiers were going to throw a tied-up dwarf into the water p.33
  2. Why did the soldiers want to kill the dwarf? He said he was a criminal p.36
  3. Who is the dwarf? King Caspian’s messenger p.39

Chapter 4

  1. What were the stories Caspian’s nurse told him about that his uncle didn’t like? Stories of old Narnia p.43
  2. Describe Doctor Cornelius. He was very short and fat; very old, ugly and kind with a twinkle in his eyes; knew about old Narnia and taught Caspian p.46
  3. Why did Doctor Cornelius take Caspian to the tower in the middle of the night? To show him two stars; to tell him about Narnia, the tower is the only place they should ever talk about it p.51
  4. Why is there a belief that ghosts live in the woods? The Telmarines don’t want their people to go to the sea since Aslan is from across the sea, so they let the wood grow and told them there were ghosts in it p.55

Chapter 5

  1. When did Doctor Cornelius awake Caspian in this chapter and why? In the middle of the night; because he knew Miraz was going to kill Caspian, so he helped pack food, a sword and clothing so Caspian could escape p.57
  2. Why does Miraz want to kill Caspian? Caspian is the real king. Miraz’s wife had a son so if Caspian is dead, his son will become king p.60
  3. Find a metaphor on page 61. “You must fly at once.”
  4. Where was Caspian after waking up from hitting his head while riding his horse? In a cave on a bed of heather being nourished by a badger and two dwarves p.67

Chapter 6

  1. How did the animals feel when Trufflehunter introduced Caspian to the animals of old Narnia? Excited; happy; kissed him p.73
  2. What gifts did the dwarves give to Caspian, Trumpkin and Nikabrik? Mail shirts, helmet and swords p.76
  3. How did the Fauns respond to the news of King Caspian? They were merry; danced and played their music around him p.82

Chapter 7

  1. How did Doctor Cornelius find the war council and why? He used magic; he knew Caspian had been found out and needed to tell him his life and all of Old Narnia’s was in danger p.88
  2. What’s Aslan’s How and why was it a good place to stay during a war? It’s a cave of tunnels built around a magical stone to the Narnian’s with lots of room for stores and people when needing to retreat p.91
  3. Why was the Giant Wimbleweather so sad? He ruined a battle by attacking at the wrong time and place p.93
  4. What missions were Pattertwig and Trumpkin sent on? Caspian was going to blow Susan’s horn and they were sent to different places where help would come. Pattertwig was sent to Lantern-hill and Trumpkin sent to the mouth of the river where the castle Cair Paravel is p.97

Chapter 8

  1. Why did Trumpkin feel like the horn didn’t work? It called children not warriors to help them p.102
  2. Why did the children have competitions with Trumpkin? To show him they were more than children p.107
  3. What did Lucy do for Trumpkin? Used her cordial to cure his wound p.108
  4. What did the children call Trumpkin? DLF: Dear Little Friend p.111

Chapter 9

  1. What did Lucy do when she couldn’t sleep? She got up, walked around, and spoke to the trees, trying to wake them p.116
  2. How did Trumpkin protect Lucy? He shot a bear that was sneaking up on her p.121
  3. Why did the children think they were lost? The river they came to was far below them in a gorge and they remember the river being different p.124
  4. Why was Lucy crying bitterly at the end of the chapter? She had seen Aslan and knew he wanted her to follow them, but no one would believe her p.128

Chapter 10

  1. What shot at the children and dwarf as they could see the Great River and where they fought the Battle of Beruna and why? Arrows; Miraz has an outpost in that area and they saw the traveling party p.133
  2. What were the trees doing when Lucy woke up and saw them? dancing, moving around p.138
  3. Who had called to Lucy while she was sleeping and why? Aslan; she was to wake to the others and tell them to follow her p.143
  4. How did Lucy have the strength to wake to the others and do what Aslan asked her to? Aslan gave it to her; she put her face in his mane and she could feel lion strength going into her p.143  

Chapter 11

  1. How did the children feel about following Lucy and doing what she said? Edward was the only one fully supportive of her since she’d been right before; Susan didn’t want to follow at all, but because Peter did, they all followed p.147
  2. Why did it take so long for Susan and the Dwarf to see Aslan? They didn’t believe; bad attitude p.152
  3. How did Aslan make friends with the Dwarf? Aslan called him to him, threw him in the air after grabbing him with his teeth and asked if they could be friends p.154
  4. How did Aslan call the Narnians? By roaring p.156

Chapter 12

  1. When Peter, Edmund and Trumpkin went into the Mound, what did they hear the King, Nikabrik, Doctor Cornelius and the others talking about? That the horn didn’t work and Nikabrik spoke of another way to win the battle p.163
  2. Who were the visitors that came to the war council? Nikabrik’s friends; they know black magic p.165
  3. Who did Nikabrik want to bring back so they could have power? The White Witch p.168
  4. Who died from the fight in the council room? Nikabrik, the Hag and the Wer-Wolf p.172

Chapter 13

  1. What was Peter’s strategy to winning the war? He was going to challenge Miraz to single combat (a duel) p.175
  2. Who was chosen to go with Edward to deliver the message to Miraz? Glenstorm and the Giant Wimbleweather p.178
  3. Explain what Sopespian and Glozelle spoke of as they realized Edward was bringing a challenge to Miraz. If Miraz won the challenge the war would be over, but if he died, he wouldn’t be their king anymore p.180
  4. How did these two convince Miraz to accept the challenge? They suggested he would be a coward and have no honor if he didn’t accept since Peter and Edward look so dangerous p.182

Chapter 14

  1. Who caused the first blood to be drawn in the duel and how? Peter stabbed Miraz in the armpit p.191
  2. How was Peter hurt? his wrist got sprained from the shield driving into it p.192
  3. How did the duel turn into a full battle? Spespian and Glozelle interrupted the battle when MIraz wa face down from tripping and shouted out the King Peter had killed him while he was lying down. Then Glozelle stabbed Miraz and the battle ensued p.194
  4. How did the chains loosen from the river god? Bacchus and his people made vines grow all over the bridge and it collapsed p.198
  5. Who was the old woman Aslan healed while she was in her bed? Caspian’s old nurse p.204

Chapter 15

  1. What did Lucy do for Reepicheep? He was almost dead when the other mice brought him before Aslan. He asked Lucy to heal his wounds. He revived but was still missing his tail that had been cut off p.207
  2. How did Reepicheep convince Aslan he needed his tail? Because mice have been made small, so they have to prove their honor and dignity; all of the other mice had their swords drawn to cut off their own tails; because of the love the mice have for each other and for the kindness the mice showed to Aslan long ago when they chewed the cords when the White Witch killed him p.209
  3. How did the food appear for the great feast? Wherever Bacchus, Silenus and the Maenads danced it appeared p.211
  4. Where are the Telmar’s originally from? The same world (our world) that Peter, Susan, Edward and Lucy came from p.216
  5. How did the children and Telmarines get back to their original homes? A magical doorway p.218

Comprehension Questions – The Sign of the Beaver

The Sign of the Beaver

By Elizabeth George Speare

Grades 3-5; Genre – Historical Fiction; GRL T; AR pts: 5.0

Until the day his father returns to their cabin in the Maine wilderness, 12-year-old Matt must try to survive on his own. During an attack by swarming bees, Matt is rescued by an Indian chief and his grandson. A Newbery Honor Book.

Vocabulary

Writing Prompts

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe the setting of this story? In Maine during summer of 1768 at brand new township; Matt and his father had built the first cabin p.2
  2. Why did Matthew’s father leave him alone at the cabin? He went back to their home in Quincy, MA to get Matthew’s mom, sister and new baby and bring them to the new cabin p.2
  3. What two things did Matthew’s father give him before he left and how will that help Matthew while he’s away? A watch- it will keep him company while he’s gone; a rifle- for protection p.4
  4. How old is Matt when his father leaves him? 12 years old p.6

Chapter 2

  1. How was Matthew feeling about living alone in the wilderness? He liked it; could do the chores and other tasks as he pleased and when he pleased; he filled his days up quickly p.7
  2. How did Matthew feed himself? He shot rabbits and ducks; caught fish; had flour to make cakes p.8
  3. What’s the advice Matt’s dad gave him about the Indians? Be polite if you should ever meet one p.9
  4. Why was Matt uneasy about the Indians? He could feel one was watching and around, but never got to see him p.10

Chapter 3

  1. Describe Ben and what happened in the town he left? Heavyset, stomach bulging, wearing a ragged blue army coat, tangled reddish whiskers, said the town was after him and he decided to go get some beaver pelts and live with the Indians p.11
  2. Why was Matt uneasy with Ben? He didn’t know how long he’d stay at the cabin, he didn’t know if he could trust him, didn’t’ know if he was dangerous p.17
  3. What was the consequence of Ben seeing the gun and Matt falling asleep? Ben stole the gun p.18

Chapter 4

  1. How had Matt been careless in this chapter? He didn’t bar the door well enough and a bear got in and scattered the flour and ate the molasses p.20
  2. How was Matt going to have to survive without flour, salt and molasses? On fish as long as he had a fishing line p.21

Chapter 5

  1. Why was Matt so anxious to get some honey from the bees? He was tired of plain fish and wanted something tasty p.22
  2. What’s Matt’s consequence for disturbing the bees? He got stung all over p.23
  3. Who saved him and how? Two Indians; they got him out of the water and pulled out the poisonous needles from the stings; carried him home and gave him medicine p.26

Chapter 6

  1. How did Saknis help Matt when he saw he was awake? Checked his ankle to see if it was broken, left delicious food for him; gave him a crutch and moccasins to wear since Matt lost one of his boots p.27
  2. How did Attean respond to Matt? He looked like he despised him and the cabin along with everything in it; seemed to inwardly laugh at Matt p.28
  3. What did Matt give to repay Saknis for the kindness his gave him? A book; Robinson Crusoe p.29
  4. What are the signs Saknis is talking about? The writing in the book p.30
  5. Why did Saknis want Matt to teach Attean to read? So he could understand what the white man writes; the white man has fooled the Indians because the Indians haven’t understood their writing p.31

Chapter 7

  1. Why did Matt call Attean a savage? Indians were considered savages when the colonists first came to America; the colonists didn’t realize how intellectual and kind the Indians were p.32
  2. Find a simile on page 33. As rigid as a cedar post p.33
  3. Describe how the first reading lesson went. Attean could pick out the letter “a”, but got impatient and left p.35

Chapter 8

  1. What did Matt decide to do for the next reading lesson? He wanted to get Attean interested in learning to read, so he read a portion of Robinson Crusoe p.37
  2. How did Attean respond? He didn’t look at all interested but ended up making comments about the story p.37

Chapter 9

  1. What did Attean teach Matt to do? Make a snare to catch a rabbit p.40
  2. Give some examples of the offerings Attean would bring Matt. Meat, nuts, cakes p.41
  3. How did Attean feel about the passage Matt read to him? He said it wasn’t right; the Indian would never say he was a slave to a white man p.43

Chapter 10

  1. Explain how Attean taught Matt how to fish. Made a spear, got in the water and threw it at a fish p.46
  2. Why did Matt decide to fish his usual way? He made a fool of himself and thought Attean was mocking him p.47
  3. What else did Attean teach him after Matt lost his hook? How to make a hook out of a twig, how to make fire with a rock and how to cook the fish they caught p.48

Chapter 11

  1. What did Attean say when he saw Matt pulling weeds and what does it mean? “Squaw work”, the women do that work p.52
  2. Describe Attean’s dog. Mangy tail, thin, coat of coarse brown hair, whitish patches on his face that made him look like a clown, pointed nose with bumps and bristles, ears were beat up like they’d won lots of battles p.52
  3. Where did Attean take Matt? To a part of the woods he’d never been to; to a beaver dam p.55
  4. What will help Matt find his way to where he wants to go and not get lost? Making signs like the Indians p.57

Chapter 12

  1. Why did Matt want to make a bow? He was tired of eating fish and wanted something to shoot birds and other animals p.59
  2. Describe how Attean and Matt made a bow. Got a thick branch, took off the bark, used a stone to smooth it and shape it; used roots to make the string p.60

Chapter 13

  1. Why couldn’t Attean and Matt have the fox or let it go? It was on the Turtle Clan territory and the Beaver clan don’t take animals on the Turtle Clan territory p.64
  2. Why was Matt so confused and angry about leaving the fox? He couldn’t understand the Indian code that makes an animal suffer just because of a mark on a tree p.65
  3. What had Attean learned from Matt in the time they spent together? He could speak English more easily and picked up some slang words and phrases p.67

Chapter 14

  1. Why is Attean disappointed that Matt’s finished reading Robinson Crusoe to him? He likes to tell the adventures he hears to his brothers p.68
  2. What did Matt read from to share more stories with Attean? The Bible p.68
  3. What story did Attean tell Matt? A similar one to Noah building the ark and the rain flooding the earth p.69
  4. Who’s Gluskabe? A mighty hunter that came from the north who was very strong. He made the wind blow and made thunder. He made all animals and Indians p.70

Chapter 15

  1. What did Matt and Attean run into on the way to the beaver dam? A bear and her cub p.72
  2. Describe what happened between the boys and the bear. The bear looked angry, Matt threw a rabbit he had just shot at the bear and hit her in the nose. Attean then had time to shoot the bear two times and stab her with a knife. Matt stabbed too, but she was already dead p.72
  3. What did Attean say to the bear? That he was sorry he had to kill her, he didn’t want to p.74
  4. What will Matt have to show his father that he helped kill a bear? Attean’s praise that he moved fast like an Indian p.75

Chapter 16

  1. Where did Attean take Matt the evening they killed the bear? To his home to participate in the bear feast p.77
  2. How did Matt feel around the children and other tribe members after being alone so long at his cabin? Confused from all the noise; overwhelmed p.79
  3. How did Matt feel as he danced with the Indians? Happy, excited, relaxed, like he was one of them p.81
  4. Attean said he wouldn’t eat this dinner since he had killed it. Why? It’s their tradition to not eat what you kill; there was a pride there; he might not get another bear p.82

Chapter 17

  1. Where had all the men gone and why hadn’t Attean gone with them? Hunting; He couldn’t go because he didn’t have a gun p.86
  2. Why didn’t Attean’s grandmother want Matt to come to the feast? She doesn’t like white man; they shot Attean’s mother. Then Attean’s father went to find the man who killed his mother and never came back p.87
  3. What was Attean’s response when Matt said that Indians did the same thing to white settlers and that the white women were afraid to come out of their cabins? Attean asked why the white settlers built their cabins on the Indians’ hunting grounds p.88
  4. Why had Saknis invited Matt to the feast when his wife was opposed to it? Out of kindness or fairness since Matt had helped to kill the bear p.89

Chapter 18

  1. What did Matt find in a trap on the Turtle clan territory? Attean’s dog p.92
  2. How did Matt get into to see Attean’s grandmother? He spoke with authority to the girls who came out of the stockade p.94
  3. What did Attean’s grandmother do for Matt’s hand? She washed it and put a salve with a bandage on it p.96
  4. How did Matt get the dog out of the trap? He had gone for help at Attean’s home; Attean’s sister Marie came with Matt; she put a blanket over the dog’s head and Matt was able to get the trap open p.97

Chapter 19

  1. Why was Matt so curious and interested while watching the squaws work? He was interested to see how they did things since he had to do the same work at his cabin p.100
  2. What activities did the Indian boys let Matt participate in? A gambling game of sticks, a game of hitting the ball with sticks and putting it in the goal, swimming p.100
  3. How did Matt lose his shirt? By losing at the gambling game p.101
  4. Why didn’t Matt feel alone in the forest anymore? He had made a positive bond with the tribe p.105

Chapter 20

  1. What’s a manitou? A spirit that comes in a dream; all Indian boys need to have one p.107
  2. How was Attean supposed find his manitou? He had to make special preparations: bath himself carefully, take special medicine to make him clean inside and out, go far into the forest and build himself a wigwam of branches, he would stay alone for many days and wouldn’t eat anything, he could drink a little bit of water from the brook at night, sing sacred songs, repeat the ancient prayers of his people, and wait faithfully, then when he received it he could go back to his people p.108
  3. Why was it so important for Attean to find his manitou? He couldn’t hunt with the men until he received it p.109

Chapter 21

  1. Why did Saknis come with Attean to visit Matt? To ask him to come with the Indians up north on the hunt so he wouldn’t be alone during the winter p.111
  2. Why couldn’t Matt go with them on the hunt? He had to wait in case his father and family came; he was entrusted with taking care of the cabin p.112
  3. Why do you suppose Attean didn’t say good-bye? He was too proud; he would come back to see Matt before leaving p.114

Chapter 22

  1. What did Matt do to finally earn Attean’s respect? Stay at the cabin and wait for his father instead of going with Attean and Saknis p.115
  2. What gifts to Saknis and Attean give to Matt before leaving? Snowshoes, a small basket of maple sugar and the dog p.116
  3. What gift did Matt give to Attean? The watch his father left with him p.118

Chapter 23

  1. What did Matt do with one of the blankets from his bed and why? He made pants because it was cold outside p.122
  2. How did Matt make his fur hat? He made a deadfall trap, caught an animal, scraped the skin clean, washed it, rubbed and stretched it smooth, then sewed it p.124
  3. What did Matt make for his family as he waited for them? new dishes for his mom, a cradle for the baby, a cornhusk doll with silk hair for Sarah p.125

Chapter 24

  1. How did Matt know it was going to snow? The clouds were dark gray, feeling in the air p.127
  2. What helped Matt feel free and happy with the winter ahead and why? The snowshoes; they gave him a freedom to move about the snow p.129

Chapter 25

  1. Who showed up at the cabin? Matt’s family p.130
  2. What had taken them so long to get there? They all got sick with typhus and were all too weak and sick to travelp.131
  3. Why was the baby with Matt’s family? It only lived five days and then died p.132
  4. Was Saknis right about more white men coming? Explain. Yes.  Matt’s mother heard from another couple that they were settling 5 miles from their cabin and three other families were coming and were going to set up a mill; they would have a town and maybe a school p.135

Comprehension Questions – Magic Tree House #32 To the Future, Ben Franklin!

To the Future, Ben Franklin!

By Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 1-4; Genre – Historical Fiction with Fantastical Elements; AR pts: 1.0

Jack and Annie know all about Ben Franklin. He was a Founding Father, a journalist, and a famous inventor! When the magic tree house whisks them back to meet the man himself, they're not sure what their mission is. But Ben Franklin has a mission of his own. Intrigued by Jack and Annie, he's curious to learn more about where they came from. And very curious about their tree house…

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What did Annie see that gave her a clue the tree house might be there? A flash of lightning p.4
  2. Who do you think Dr. Ben is? Benjamin Franklin p.6
  3. Where were Jack and Annie supposed to travel this time? Old Philadelphia in 1787 p.9

Chapter 2

  1. In what way did Jack and Annie serve the gardener so they could meet Dr. Ben? They offered to take his lunch to him p.13
  2. How did the gardener describe Dr. Ben? He stole lightning bolts out of the clouds; an inventor and scientist; a diplomat and writer; a scholar and businessman p.15
  3. Why wasn’t Jack impressed with Old Philadelphia? Blue flies buzzing around his head; it was stinky from crowded horse stables; garbage on the ground p.18

Chapter 3

  1. Who answered the door to the state house? a soldier p.20
  2. Why was it a soldier? To keep people out; Dr. Ben was in a meeting with others and they needed it guarded to protect them and what they were saying p.21
  3. What was the meeting about? The men all gathered were writing the Constitution for the United States of America p. 26
  4. What’s the Constitution of the United States of America? A very important document that contains basic laws that define how the American government works p.26

Chapter 4

  1. Describe what George Washington did in the meeting? He was in charge p.29
  2. Did George Washington recognize them? Yes, but he didn’t’ think it was them. He said the kids he met would have been older since that was 11 years ago p.32
  3. What was Dr. Ben’s reaction when Jack and Annie said they were from the press and with the Gazette? He was panicked and hurried them out of the back of the state house to talk p.33

Chapter 5

  1. What newspaper did Annie say they were from to help Dr. Ben feel better? The Frog Creek News p.38
  2. What’s a lightning rod and who invented it? a rod with a wire attached that lightning hits and goes through the wire to the earth; Benjamin Franklin p.41
  3. How are lightning rods useful? They direct the lightning to the ground to prevent it from hitting the house and causing a fire p.42

Chapter 6

  1. Why did Benjamin Franklin only go to school for two years? He was one of fifteen children and they were very poor, so he had to go to work to help his family p.44
  2. List two inventions Benjamin Franklin invented. Your child should list two of the following: Lightning rods, bifocals, new kind of ship’s anchor, candle that makes a bright white light and lasts longer than other candles p.45
  3. How does Benjamin Franklin feel about the document he’s working on with the other delegates? He doesn’t know if it will ever be ready; they can’t agree on what to put in it; he doesn’t know if he wants to sign it p.47

Chapter 7

  1. What’s Ben Franklin’s biggest concern for America? He knows they need to end slavery p.50
  2. What’s the big secret Annie told Ben? She told him about the magic tree house p.53
  3. Why did Annie tell him about the tree house? so she and Jack could take him to their own time in Frog Creek woods; he needs to see a hope for America so that he signs the Constitution p.52
  4. What did Ben first think about the magic tree house? that Jack and Annie were pretending and that it was a game p.57

Chapter 8

  1. How did Ben react to traveling to the future? Confused and perplexed at first, but accepted it and became excited to see how things were p.59
  2. Name two things Ben thought were amazing in Frog Creek. Smooth black paved road, a car, sprinkler system, power lines and telephone lines, an airplane p.61

Chapter 9

  1. After seeing the airplane, what did Ben Franklin want to do and why? He wanted to go home; he was overwhelmed by the technology p.68
  2. What did Annie want to show Ben before he went back home and why did Jack say that it was a brilliant idea? The public library; Ben respects books and opened the first library in Philadelphia p.70
  3. How did Ben Franklin respond when Jack and Annie told him America has free schooling that goes for 12 years and is for all boys and girls? He got teary eyed p.74

Chapter 10

  1. What did Jack look up on the computer to show Ben Franklin? Information on the United States of America p.77
  2. Ben Franklin said it is so important for the people of America to come together as one. Why? We’re all different, but we need to learn to work together, be kind to each other and listen to each other p.78
  3. What did Ben realize about the Constitution and why he needed to sign it? That it’s only the first step to this country and that even though he doesn’t agree with everything in it, the delegates first need to come together to be one country p.80
  4. What did Jack and Annie promise Ben Franklin? That they would never take the wondrous things of their world for granted p.83

Comprehension Questions – #6 Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim’s Birthday

Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim’s Birthday

By Barbara Park

Grades 1-5; Genre – Fiction; GRL M; AR pts: 1.0

That meanie Jim has invited everyone in Room Nine to his birthday party on Saturday — except Junie B.! Should she have her own birthday party six months early and not invite Jim? Or should she move to "It's a Small World After All" in Disneyland?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What did Junie B. do with the chocolate birthday cakes when she told Lucille she’d throw them in the trash? She snuck behind the trash can and ate them p.2
  2. What made Lucille so angry at Junie B.? Junie B. was showing her how to eat her ice cream and some fell in Lucille’s lap p.5
  3. What does “laying low” mean? It means stay out of the way and to not draw attention to yourself p.7

Chapter 2

  1. What’s the name of Jim’s birthday party for this year? Old MacDonald’s Farm p.11
  2. Who was Jim inviting to his birthday party? Everyone in their class but Junie B. p.13
  3. How did Junie B. feel about being left out of Jim’s party? Very sad p.15

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Junie B. have to wait to rock on her grandma’s lap and when could she get a turn? Her brother was already in her lap and she had to wait for him to go to sleep p.17
  2. Where did Junie B. go to say the things she didn’t like? Under her covers p.19
  3. What did Grandma mean when she told Junie B., “you’ve got to stop worrying about that boy’s party. He’s just trying to get your goat?” Jim’s just trying to make Junie B. sad and mad p.21

Chapter 4

  1. What advice did Junie B.’s parents give her deal with not getting invited to Jim’s party? Pretend she doesn’t care that she’s not invited to the party p.29
  2. Where did Junie B. decide to move to? Disneyland’s It’s a Small World After All ride p.29
  3. How is Grampa Frank Miller helping Junie B. deal with her problem? He invited her over to do odd jobs on Saturday p.31

Chapter 5

  1. How did Junie B. react when her mother tried to help her dress for school? She said she was moving and didn’t need to wear school clothes and made her body stiff p.36
  2. How did Junie B. get an invitation to the party when she first got to school? She took it from William p.41
  3. What creature did she act like to get the invitation? A bee p.41
  4. Who made sure William got the invitation back? Mrs. p.45

Chapter 6

  1. Why did Junie B. want to be twins with Lucille? Junie B.’s thinks twins do everything the same and so if Junie B. doesn’t go to the party, Lucille can’t go to the party either p.50
  2. Why was Junie B. sent to the principal’s office? She made Jim turn his head around p.51
  3. Why didn’t Junie B. want to go to the principal’s office? Her mother told her not to be sent there again p.54

Chapter 7

  1. Who did the principal call on the phone? Junie B.’s mom p.58
  2. What did the principal put over Junie B. so others wouldn’t see her on the naughty chair? A big paper bag p.60
  3. Why was Jim in the principal’s office? The principal was talking to him about being mean to Junie B. and made him apologize to her; Jim then gave her an invitation because his mother told him to give one to everyone in his class p.64

Chapter 8

  1. Where did Junie B. go with her mother Saturday morning? To the store to buy Jim a birthday present p.67
  2. What did Junie B. want to buy for Jim? A tool belt p.69
  3. Why was Junie B.’s mother worried to buy the tool belt? Junie B. loved it so much she might want to keep it for herself p.71
  4. Why did Junie B. nail her door shut? So her mom wouldn’t come and get her to take a bath and wrap the tool belt for the party p.75

Chapter 9

  1. How was Jim ruining Junie B.’s Saturday? She had to go shopping; take a bath and get clean and give away the tool belt p.79
  2. How did Junie B.’s parents help her see that being the “only one” is ok? They told her the good ways it is to be the only one p.80
  3. What happened to the tool belt? It got returned to the store p.82