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Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Lucky Lottery

The Lucky Lottery

by Ron Roy

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

Lucky O'Leary has never been very lucky - until his grandfather sends him a lottery ticket that turns out to be a million-dollar winner! But before Lucky can cash it in, someone sneaks into his house and steals it. Now it's up to Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose to track down the thief and return the ticket - before Lucky loses out!

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What’s the setting of this story and what are the main characters doing? In Ruth Rose’s yard having a snowball fight during Christmas break p.1
  2. Why did Lucky want to talk to Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose? Someone stole the lottery tickets his grandfather had sent them for Christmas p.7
  3. Why was it so important for Lucky to find the lottery tickets? His grandfather enjoys having his grandkids open the card with the tickets each Christmas morning; his grandfather called and said his lottery ticket won and it’s worth $7 million p.10

Chapter 2

  1. What did the kids find as they followed the footprints behind Lucky’s home? A small piece of tinfoil twisted into a bow p.14
  2. Where did the kids go to think about the unsolved mystery? Ellie’s p.16
  3. What was Dink going to do with his quarter? Use a pay phone to call Lucky p.18

Chapter 3

  1. Why did the kids go to the elderly-housing building? To talk to Lucky’s grandfather p.19
  2. What’s an atrium? a building that feels like a tropical rain forest: warm, moist, plants all over with birds p.21
  3. Who had Lucky’s grandfather told about the tickets? Everyone in the assisted living home p.25

Chapter 4

  1. Why did the kids disagree that Zelda could have been the thief? She would have a hard time tromping out in the snow behind Lucky’s house p.28
  2. Where did the kids decide to investigate and why? The supermarket; that’s where Hector bought the tickets p.29
  3. Describe Dorothy. She was the cashier that sold the tickets to Hector; people call her Dot; she chewed gum and blew bubbles; she was helpful and remembered the man who looked suspicious behind Hector p.33

Chapter 5

  1. What did Josh do as Dot described Joe? He drew a picture of him p.38
  2. Who did the kids go see after talking to Dot? Officer Fallen p.41
  3. Why did the kids want to find proof for Officer Fallen? So the thief couldn’t cash in the lottery ticket p.44

Chapter 6

  1. What information did the kids realize they may have to find Joe? The video camera at the supermarket may have a shot of his jacket with his bowling team name p.47
  2. Where did the tinfoil bowtie in Ruth Rose’s soup come from? Blue Boy put it in her hair at the Atrium p.49
  3. How were the kids going to get around town with all the snow? Cross-country skis p.51

Chapter 7

  1. Where did the kids go to see if they could find anyone who had seen or knew Joe? The fitness center/bowling alley p.53
  2. What did everyone say when Josh showed them the picture of Joe? That he looked familiar p.56
  3. Who does the picture look like? Josh, but with a mustache p.59

Chapter 8

  1. What did Pal find in the pile Eric was sweeping together at the supermarket? Tinfoil bowties just like the other ones the kids had found p.64
  2. What did the kids realize about Dot? She was the thief and made up the story about Joe to throw them off her trail p.65
  3. Why did the kids find a tinfoil bowtie at the Atrium? Dot had been there to ask where Hector’s grandkids lived p.65

Chapter 9

  1. What evidence did Dink realize they could gather if they caught Dot turning in the lottery ticket? Hector’s fingerprints to prove he bought the ticket p.72
  2. Why did the kids leave so early to the lottery headquarters? In case it was open, and Dot tried to turn the ticket in early p.72
  3. How did the kids get there? On their skis p.74

Chapter 10

  1. How did the kids know it was Dot’s car parked in front of the lottery headquarters? There were tinfoil gum wrappers twisted into a bowtie in it p.80
  2. What was Dot’s disguise? A man; she wore a wig, hat, mustache and big coat p.81
  3. What did Dot start to admit when the kids were accusing her of stealing the ticket? That she wore gloves to take the card, so her fingerprints won’t be on the mantle p.83