Tag Archives: Comprehension Questions

Comprehension Questions – A Wrinkle in Time

A Wrinkle in Time

By Madeleine L’Engle

Grades 4-8; Genre – Science Fiction; GRL W; AR pts: 7.0

Meg Murray, her little brother Charles Wallace, and their mother are having a midnight snack on a dark and stormy night when an unearthly stranger appears at their door. He claims to have been blown off course and goes on to tell them that there is such a thing as a "tesseract," which, if you didn't know, is a wrinkle in time. Meg's father had been experimenting with time-travel when he suddenly disappeared. Will Meg, Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin outwit the forces of evil as they search through space for their father?

Vocabulary Words

Writing Prompts

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Meg. A girl who had twin younger brothers; a younger brother named Charles Wallace who had an uncanny sense of knowing when she was sad and couldn’t sleep; she struggled in school; her father had left and she didn’t know where to; her bedroom’s in the attic; has a wild imagination p.1
  2. Tell me about Charles Wallace. Really smart; doesn’t behave normally in front of other people; He spoke in full sentences when he began to talk; understands Meg and her mom;  doesn’t wiggle like other 5 year old boys p.5
  3. Why did Mrs. Whatsit come to visit them? To tell Mrs. Murray there was such a thing as a tesseract p.12

Chapter 2

  1. What do you think the feeling was that compelled Calvin to go over to the haunted house? listen to your child’s answers; intuitive; 6th sense p.20
  2. Why did Mrs. Who steal Mrs. Buncombe’s sheets? In case they needed ghosts for the charade of the haunted house p.21
  3. What do you think Mrs. Who is talking about when she said Meg’s father needed their help? They are going to need to go and help him from the trouble he is in p.22

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Calvin feel alone and why doesn’t he feel alone anymore? He doesn’t feel like his family cares about him and now that he’s met Meg and her family, he feels accepted and loved. P.27
  2. Describe Meg and Calvin’s relationship? They’re good friends; they may like each other romantically p.30
  3. What’s the story behind Meg’s missing father? He’s a physicist and began to travel doing a job that was classified. He wrote his wife every day, but then the letters stopped and they haven’t heard anything from him in a year. The government says he’s on a dangerous mission, but that he can’t communicate for a while and they’ll give any news as soon as they have it p.31

Chapter 4

  1. Now that you know a little more about the three old women describe each of them. Mrs. Whatsit- is always bundled up to her head and has a hard time keeping it all straight wearing a man’s coat and multicolored scarves and shawls, she’s friendly and jovial, she is plump; Mrs. Who wear white robes and glasses, uses quotes in different languages to speak, she has a hard time coming up with words on her own, also jovial; Mrs. Which is what you think a witch would look like, black robe; black peaked hat; beady eyes; beaked nose; long gray hair; has a broomstick; she talks differently and has a hard time materializing into a solid form p.36
  2. Describe the creature that Mrs. Whatsit transformed into. A beautiful marble white creature with rainbow wings; legs of a horse; upper body of a man p.39
  3. How did the shadow make Meg feel? Dark and dreadful; it chilled her with fear that was beyond shuddering, crying or screaming, beyond the possibility of comfort; p.44

Chapter 5

  1. Find a rope, string, or an object of your choice and demonstrate how Mrs. Who explained how they “tesser” or “wrinkle” through space.  Your child should find an object that can fold and explain that if a small insect were to travel from one end to the other it would take along time, but if the ends were brought together, it would be a shorter and much faster. p.47
  2. Explain to me the different dimensions explained in the book. 1st dimension- a line; 2nd dimension- a flat square (like what you would draw on a paper); 3rd dimension-a full square that wouldn’t be flat and where you could see the bottom, sides and top; 4th dimension- you’d square the square which equals time; 5th dimension- you’d square the fourth dimension which makes a tesseract p.48
  3. Why was The Medium hesitant to show the children the planet earth in the crystal ball? The Dark Shadow was hovering over earth and it is the Powers of Darkness; it’s evil p.54

Chapter 6

  1. How can the Darkness be overcome? Light; a star gave up its life in battle with the Thing p.57
  2. Describe what the children saw as they entered the town on Camazotz? The town was laid out in harsh angular patterns; the outside of the houses were exactly alike; in front of all the houses children were playing, skipping and bouncing in rhythm at the same exact moment; everything was in rhythm, all identical. P.65
  3. Why did the children think the people on this planet could be robots? Because they move jerkily; they have done everything in unison; the men and women going into the building looked straight ahead, paying no attention to the children p.70

Chapter 7

  1. After the children went into the building, how did they get past the empty fourth wall? A man turned them in so he wouldn’t get in trouble p.74
  2. How was the man on platform talking to the children? Through their minds; telepathy p.75
  3. When the man was reciting multiplication problems, why did the children shout out rhyme’s and a speech? So they wouldn’t be hypnotized p.77

Chapter 8

  1. When Charles Wallace was under the influence of the man with the red eyes, what did he tell Meg? To relax, that Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which were wrong; that their troubles are over and that this planet is a wonderful place and is in perfect order; the man with the red eyes is their friend p.86
  2. What are the benefits of living on Camazotz? There is no sickness or deformity; everyone is happy because they are all alike; there are no individuals p.88
  3. Who is IT? The boss of Camazotz; he is who makes everyone of one mind p.89
  4. Why is IT evil? It wants to take away individuality and the freedom to choose p.90

Chapter 9

  1. What happened to Charles Wallace when Calvin recited the Tempest words to him. He started to come out of the trance, but he seemed to get smacked with an invisible hand and was knocked to the ground by it; he sat on the floor whimpering p.93
  2. How did Meg get through the invisible barrier that led to her father? She put on Mrs. Who’s glasses p.94
  3. What were Meg’s faults that she realized were supposed to help save her? Her anger, impatience, stubbornness p.100

Chapter 10

  1. Describe how Meg felt after they had tessered away from IT. Icy cold; couldn’t move; like stone /marble p.107
  2. Why was Meg so angry and accusing to her father and Calvin? The Darkness had a hold of her p.109
  3. Describe the beasts on this world that wanted to Meg away. Very tall; no eyes, just soft indentations; four arms with tentacles for fingers; had heads and faces, but had indentations where the features would be and instead of eyes and ears there were tentacles p.110

Chapter 11

  1. Why did Meg resolve to give in to the beasts and realize they were good? Because of the way they made her feel p.114
  2. How was Meg feeling toward Calvin and her father during breakfast? That she couldn’t trust them; they wouldn’t help her save Charles Wallace p.119
  3. Why couldn’t the beasts on this planet understand what the humans tried to explain to them? The beasts understood things in a different way.  They didn’t have eyes to see or ears to hear, yet they understood things more deeply p.120

Chapter 12

  1. Why did Meg decide to go save Charles Wallace by herself? Only she knew him well enough to help him; she was the only one who could save him p.124
  2. What gifts did Mrs. Whatsit and Who give to Meg this time? Love; a verse from the Bible p.128
  3. Why didn’t Mrs. Which give Meg a gift? Meg needed to find the gift for herself p.128
  4. How did Meg defeat IT and save Charles Wallace? By loving Charles Wallace p.132

Comprehension Questions – Chronicles of Narnia #2 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

By C.S. Lewis

Grades 5-7; Genre – Fantasy; GRL T; AR pts: 6.0

Air-raids over London during WWII compel four siblings – Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy – to be sent away from the city to the house of a kindly but remote Professor “who lived in the heart of the country.” There is much to discover in the country, but the children will soon discover that the Professor’s large house, staffed by three servants, holds even more mystery, including a room which holds nothing but a large wardrobe, which Lucy opens one rainy day, never dreaming that the wardrobe is a passageway into a place called Narnia.

Vocabulary Words

Writing Prompts

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why did the children get sent to this big house in the country? It was during WWII and all of the children were sent away from the city to the country for protection p. 3
  2. How did Lucy find the dark snowy world with the lamp post? She went into the wardrobe and kept feeling for the grain of the wood that should have been the back of it and instead she found herself touching branches and cold air with snow falling on her p.8
  3. Describe a Faun to me. A strange person, a little taller than Lucy, from the waist up a man, but his legs were shaped like a goat’s with goat hoofs for feet, he had a tail, pleasant face with pointed beard, curly hair and two horns one on each side of his forehead p.9

Chapter 2

  1. What did it mean when the Faun asked Lucy if she was a Daughter of Eve? If she was a human; Did she come from earth where Adam and Eve were the first parents p.11
  2. What did Mr. Tumnus need to do for the White Witch? If he saw a Daughter of Eve or Son of Adam he needed to hold onto them and give them to her p.19
  3. What happened to Lucy? Mr. Tumnus decided he couldn’t turn her over to the White Witch, so helped her get back to the lamp post and she found her way to the wardrobe p.22

Chapter 3

  1. Why was Lucy so unhappy about her brothers and sister thinking she was making up her story about Narnia? She was an honest person and she didn’t like people to think she was lying p. 26
  2. What happened to Edmund in this chapter? He saw Lucy go into the wardrobe, followed her, and found himself in Narnia. He couldn’t find Lucy, but heard sleigh bells and met a woman on the sleigh who called herself the queen p.28

Chapter 4

  1. Who is the woman on the sledge? The White Witch p.34
  2. What did the queen do to help Edmund feel comfortable? Wrap him in her mantle, gave him a warm drink, gave him Turkish Delight p.42
  3. What do you think made Edmund sick? The Turkish Delight; knowing he was on the side of the White Witch; having to tell his siblings the truth about Narnia p. 43

Chapter 5

  1. Describe to me the part of the story when Peter and Susan go talk to the Professor about Lucy. He listened and then asked, “how do you know your sister’s story isn’t true?”; he gave them a few reasons to help them understand Lucy: she’s lying, she’s mad or she’s telling the truth; he told them all to mind their own business p.51
  2. What made all the children climb into the wardrobe? Mrs. Macready was giving a tour of the house to some visitors and they were supposed to stay out of the way; that was the only place they could hide until the tourists were out of the Wardrobe Room p.53

Chapter 6

  1. When the children got to Mr. Tumnus’ house what did they find? The door torn off the hinges and broken into bits; dishes broken; like it hadn’t been lived in for days; a note saying he had been taken by the queen for treason p.57
  2. What was Edmund’s concern as the children followed the robin? If the robin was helping them or leading them into a trap p.61

Chapter 7

  1. How did the children know the beaver was a friend? he gave them the same white handkerchief to them that Lucy had given to Mr. Tumnus p.67
  2. Who do you think is Aslan? Listen to your child’s answer p.67
  3. Tell me about Edmund. He is grumpy; feels picked on by Peter; is mean and selfish p.70
  4. How do you think the children felt about being in the home of the Beavers’? happy, full, content, safe p.75

Chapter 8

  1. Who is Aslan? The King; the Lord of the whole wood; he’ll take care of the White Witch; the great Lion p.78
  2. Why is it so important for the children to go to the Stone Table and meet Aslan? To begin doing things; to help Mr. Tumnus; to help get rid of the White Witch p.80
  3. Why would Edmund betray them all? He is under the White Witch’s spell; he wants Turkish Delight and to be a King p.85

Chapter 9

  1. Tell me about Edmund’s journey to the White Witch’s castle. It was snowing, cold and the sky grew dark; it was slippery, rocky and he tripped over tree stumps; the snow stopped falling and it got windy, but the moon came out so Edmund could see. He finally made it and didn’t want to go in, but knew he couldn’t’ go back at this point p.88
  2. Why do you think the White Witch turned the creatures in her courtyard to stone?  Listen to your child’s answer; they had displeased her p.96
  3. What did Edmund tell the queen when he was brought to her? His siblings were at the Beaver’s home; Aslan has returned p.99

Chapter 10 

  1. Why was it important for them all to see Father Christmas? What did it mean? That Aslan is on the move; the witch’s magic is weakening p.107
  2. What were the presents Father Christmas shared with the children? Peter a sword and shield; Susan a horn and bow with arrows; Lucy a cordial and dagger p.108
  3. Why didn’t Father Christmas want Susan or Lucy to be a part of the battle? Battles are ugly when women fight p.109

Chapter 11

  1. Why weren’t the wolves able to find the children or the Beavers’ during the night? The scent was cold and snow had covered up their tracks p.113
  2. What happened to the merry party eating a feast when the witch and Edmund rode up in the sledge? The Witch turned them to stone for being traitors p.116
  3. What was happening to the world around them as Edmund, the dwarf and the witch were walking to the Stone Table? It was turning to spring; birds were chirping; flowers were blooming; grass was growing p.120

Chapter 12

  1. Describe to me what the Stone Table looked like. Large slab of gray stone that was supported by four upright stones; it was cut all over with strange lines and figures that might have been letters to an unknown language.125
  2. What made Susan blow her horn? They were being attacked and needed Aslan and Peter to come back p.130
  3. Why were the wolves attacking them? The witch had ordered them to kill the children p.131

Chapter 13

  1. How did the Witch and dwarf escape from Aslans’ rescue party? They turned into a stump and boulder p.138
  2. When the Witch came and spoke with Aslan and the others, what did she demand? That she has a right to have Edmund since he had been a traitor p.142
  3. What do you think Aslan and the Witch spoke about when he asked everyone to back up so he could speak to her alone? Listen to your child p.143

Chapter 14

  1. Why weren’t Susan and Lucy able to sleep at the first of the chapter? They had a horrible feeling p.147
  2. Who was all gathered at the Stone Table that night? Crowd of people; ogres; wolves; bull-headed men and other creatures; the White Witch p.150
  3. Tell me what happened to Aslan at the Stone Table? The White Witch had him tied up and had his mane shaved off; the creatures spit on him, kicked him, hit him, jeered at him; the White Witch killed him p.154

Chapter 15

  1. What did the mice do to help free Aslan from the cords? They chewed them loose p.159
  2. What brought Aslan back to life? A deeper magic than the Witch’s magic; He knew that the spell she cast to kill him meant the Stone Table would crack and death would work backward since he had willingly given up his life p.163
  3. Did you imagine yourself riding on a lion with silent padded feet, going faster than a horse, flying in the wind? What do you think it would be like? Listen to your child’s answers p.165

Chapter 16

  1. How did Aslan bring the statues back to life? He breathed on them p.167
  2. Who was Lucy most excited to see come back to life? Mr. Tumnus p.171
  3. When Aslan reached the battle, who did he attack first? The White Witch p.177

Chapter 17

  1. How did Edmund smash the Witch’s wand? He defeated 3 ogres to get to her and used his sword to smash her wand p.178
  2. What did Lucy’s cordial do for Edmund and others that were wounded from the battle with the Witch’s army? Heal them p.179
  3. Why did Susan feel that she nor Lucy should tell Edmund what Aslan did for him? It would make him feel terrible p.180
  4. How did the children come upon the old lamp post? They were chasing a white stag p.185

Comprehension Questions – #3 Junie B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth

Junie B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth

By Barbara Park

Grades K-4; Genre – Fiction; GRL M; AR pts: 1.0

Junie B.'s having a rough week. First she got punishment for shooting off her mouth in kindergarten and now she's in big trouble again because Monday is "Job Day" and Junie B. told her class that she's got the "bestest" job of all, except she has no idea what it is.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What’s another word for career? A job p.3
  2. What does Junie B. mean when she says she’s going to flunk kindergarten? She won’t pass p.3
  3. How did Junie B. feel when she had to sit at the big table by herself? Sad; embarrassed p.6

Chapter 2

  1. What school rule is Junie B. struggling to follow so far in this book? Raising her hand p.13
  2. What does a policeman do for a living? Protect the community p.14
  3. Who is Dr. Smiley and what is her job? A children’s dentist; helping children have healthy teeth p.16
  4. What is flossing? When you pull a string in between your teeth to clean them p.17

Chapter 3

  1. Is being Mickey Mouse at Disneyland a real job? Yes p.22
  2. What does it mean to be “bashful”? shy; timid p.25
  3. Why was Junie B. feeling sick at the end of the chapter? Jim had humiliated her p.29

Chapter 4

  1. What’s a fib? A lie p.31
  2. Define what “tension” means? nervous p.35

Chapter 5

  1. What do you think Junie B. meant when she talked about her mother possibly “losing her grip”? feeling very stressed; getting angry  p.38
  2. How did Junie B. help her mom? She found the pacifier; washed it with soap and water p.42
  3. What do you think Junie B. is going to be for Job Day? Listen to your child’s ideas p.44

Chapter 6

  1. What did some of the kids on the bus dressed up as for Job Day? Minnie Mouse; superhero; karate guy; artist; policeman p.47

Chapter 7

  1. What was Ricardo dressed up as? A construction worker p.54
  2. Why is being a janitor an important and difficult job? He takes care of the students, teachers and the school; needs to be hard working, reliable and trustworthy p.60

Chapter 8

  1. Who was the last guest to visit Junie B.’s class for Job Day? The janitor of the school p.63
  2. What did she learn about the janitor? He’s from a different country; he’s been a janitor for 14 years; his name p.65
  3. How did Room Nine feel about the janitor after he came to visit? They clapped and clapped for him; they loved him; thought he was great p. 68

Comprehension Questions – #4 Junie B. Jones and Some Sneaky Peeky Spying

Junie B. Jones and Some Sneaky Peeky Spying

By Barbara Park

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

Junie B. Jones takes up “sneaky peeky spying” and lands herself in trouble. Hiding in a hamper, she frightens her grandfather and makes him drop his dentures. Barred from further espionage by her mother, Junie continues her secret activities sub rosa, and this time she apparently catches one of her teacher snaffling grapes in the grocery store.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Junie B.’s teacher Mrs.  Brown hair; long skirts of wool; smile a lot p.2
  2. What does the word “spying” mean? When you are very quietly watching someone through a hole or crack p.2
  3. Tell me about Junie B. spying on her Grandpa? What happened? She hid in his laundry hamper and when he came into the bathroom, she lifted up the lid and peeked his eyes at him He took out his dentures and she popped out of the hamper and yelled at him.  He screamed and ran out of the bathroom p.3

Chapter 2

  1. How does Junie B. behave when she wants to answer a question from her teacher? She shouts it out and doesn’t raise her hand p.14
  2. How did Junie B.’s teacher get her to sit down? She had to hold her hand and walk her to her table p.18

Chapter 3

  1. Why does Junie B. think Mrs. is a “secret mystery guy”? because she wouldn’t answer any of Junie B.’s questions p.19
  2. Would you call Junie B. a good friend? ask for a couple of examples of why your child thinks she is or isn’t a good friend p.20
  3. What type of figurative language is “curiosity killed the cat”? an idiom p.21   What does it mean? It’s a warning of the dangers of unnecessary investigation

Chapter 4

  1. Tell me three of the rules Junie B. has at the grocery store? No yelling the words “I want ice cream!”; not calling her mom “a big meanie”; not opening food and eating it p.25
  2. When Junie B. was sitting down waiting for her stomach to feel better, who did she see come into the store? Her teacher, Mrs. p.33

Chapter 5

  1. What is the real name of the vegetable Junie B. called Sue Keeny? Zucchini p.36
  2. What did Junie B. see Mrs. and the man do that made her cover her eyes? They kissed p.37
  3. Why was Junie B. so upset when she saw Mrs. eat some grapes in the store? Because she hadn’t paid for them yet; that was stealing p.37

Chapter 6

  1. Tell me another idiom used at the beginning of this chapter? Cat got your tongue p.42  What do you think it means? It’s used to try and get someone to speak when they’ve been very quiet
  2. What did Lucille’s brother say would happen if you kept a secret? Pressure would build in your head and it would blow up p.44
  3. Who did Junie B. finally tell her secret to? The principal p.48

Chapter 7

  1. What was Junie B.’s emotion when she talked to Mrs. about what she saw? She was sad and crying p.53
  2. Why did Mrs. eat the grapes at the store? To see if they were sour. The ones she had purchased the week before were too sour and no one in her family would eat them p.55
  3. Was it ok then for Mrs. to test the grapes? No p.55

Chapter 8

  1. Why didn’t Junie B.’s mother want her spying on other people? It can cause trouble and hurt feelings p.59
  2. What did Junie B.’s class do for Grandparents Day? The kids told the grandparents what they do in class; then they had refreshments p.63
  3. What does “being polite” mean? To have manners; be kind; use words like please and thank you p.66

Comprehension Questions – Magic Tree House Fact Tracker Ninjas and Samurai

Magic Tree House Fact Tracker Ninjas and Samurai

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 2-5; Genre - Nonfiction; GRL R; AR pts: 1.0

Worksheets by Chelsea

Chapter 1 Worksheet with Answer Key: Ninjas and Samurai in Ancient Japan

Chapter 2 Worksheet with Answer Key: The Life of a Samurai

Chapter 3 Worksheet with Answer Key: Weapons

Chapter 4 Worksheet with Answer Key: Armor and Battles

Chapter 5 Worksheet with Answer Key: The Shadow Warriors

Chapter 6 Worksheet with Answer Key: The Art of Being Sneaky

Chapter 7 Worksheet with Answer Key: Ninja Fighting

Chapter 8 Worksheet with Answer Key: The End of Ninjas and Samurai

Comprehension Questions – The Sword in the Tree

The Sword in the Tree

by Clyde Robert Bulla

Grades 3-5; Genre - Fantasy; GRL O; AR pts: 2.0

In the days of King Arthur there stood a mighty oak tree within the walls of a castle. Peace reigned in the castle until the fearsome night when Lionel, long lost brother of Lord Weldon, returned to cause trouble and happiness. It was then than Shan, the son of Lord Weldon, took on the duties of a knight and hid the sword in the hollow of the giant oak. The days that followed were filled with adventures that tried the courage of the young boy.

Comprehension Questions (by Sylvia)

Chapter 1

  1. When Lady Marion is afraid Shan tells her not to be afraid for what two reasons? King Arthur has beaten all their enemies and that they have the strongest castle in England. P.2
  2. Who is the wounded knight? Shan’s uncle, Uncle Lionel. P.7

Chapter 2

  1. When Uncle Lionel wakes up, what rude name does he call Shan?  A young dog p.9
  2. Uncle Lionel does not apologize to Shan, but tells Shan it was only a what?  A joke p. 9

Chapter 3

  1. When Lionel sees Nappus in the garden what does he want to do to him?  Throw a rock at him. P. 17
  2. Why does Lionel get angry at Shan?  Because Shan will not jerk the reins of his horse around as Lionel is telling him to do. P. 22

Chapter 4

  1. What responsibility does Shan ask his father for?  To take care of his father’s sword. P.25
  2. How does Lionel say his brother died?  Lionel says that Lord Weldon road his horse into quicksand. P. 28

Chapter 5

  1. How did Lionel take over the castle?  Lionel brought his friends and their servants to live in the castle and sent the old servants away. P 32
  2. Where does Shan hide his father’s sword?  In the garden, in the hollow of the oak. P. 34

Chapter 6

  1. What does Nappus tell Shan and Lady Marion? That Lionel killed Lord Weldon in a trap. P42
  2. Because Shan and his mother are in danger what do they do?    They leave the castle quickly. P 43

Chapter 7

  1. When Shan and Lady Marion run away what does Shan take with him? A small purse of money, a tinderbox to make a fire, and string to make a trap. P. 51
  2. What trouble do they run into?  They get robbed of their money and jewels. P. 51

Chapter 8

  1. What does the boy think Shan is doing with his goat?  He thinks Shan is going to steal it. P. 56
  2. With whom do Lady Marion and Shan find shelter?  Adam the herdsman and his wife Phebe. P. 59

Chapter 9

  1. What idea does a lost hunter give Shan?  To go to Camelot and ask King Arthur for help. P. 64
  2. Shan only gets permission to go to Camelot after what happens?  Adam says that Magnus can go with Shan. P. 66

Chapter 10

  1. While on Twigg’s raft what do the boys do?  They fish for dinner. P. 70
  2. What do Magnus and Shan find on the way to Camelot?  A little gray donkey. P. 72

Chapter 11

  1. While the boys wait in Camelot for 6 days what do they do?  Magnus and the donkey get a job carrying firewood and Shan gets a job with a shoemaker. P. 77
  2. To find out if Shan is telling the truth King Arthur send which of his knights to Weldon castle?  Sir Gareth. P 83

Chapter 12

  1. Sir Gareth tells Shan that if his story is true King Arthur might make him a knight.  How does Sir Gareth say that King Arthur turns boys into knights?  First, he finds them young, then he makes them pages and they work in the kitchens and at table, then they become squires to knights and finally, if they have learned their lessons well they become knights. P. 87
  2. What does Lionel say happened to Lady Marion and Shan?  That they went away into the woods and were killed by wolves. P. 89

Chapter 13

  1. How does Shan prove to Sir Gareth that his story is true?  He goes into the garden and retrieves his father’s hidden sword from the hollow of the tree. P. 94
  2. When Sir Gareth sees Shan’s proof, he challenges Lionel to battle. Who wins and who loses?  Sir Gareth wins and Lionel yields. P. 97

Chapter 14

  1. Where does Nappus take Shan?  To the dungeons. P. 99
  2. Who is in the dungeon?  Shan’s father, Lord Weldon. P. 101

Comprehension Questions- Magic Tree House Merlin Missions #24 Soccer on Sunday

Soccer on Sunday

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 2-4; Genre - Historical Fiction with Fantastical Elements; GRL N; AR pts: 2.0

Jack and Annie find themselves in the streets of Mexico where they must find the final secret of greatness for Merlin. There they meet a young soccer player who dreams of one day playing just like his hero, the great Brazilian soccer player, Pele.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. How did Annie know the Magic Tree House was back? She saw a streak of light in the night p.4
  2. What time of day do Jack and Annie go to the tree house? Early morning; dawn p.5
  3. Where was the World Cup going to be? Mexico p.9

Chapter 2

  1. Describe Mexico City.  Hot; many cars honking and tires screeching; busy street; trees; tall buildings; a big city p.12
  2. How did Jack feel about being in Mexico and going to The World Cup? Excited p.15
  3. What’s the metro? Public transportation; like a subway p.18

Chapter 3

  1. When Jack and Annie were lost what did they do? Asked people for help p.25
  2. Why did it take so long for Jack and Annie to get on the train? There were a lot of people and the doors didn’t stay open very long p.27
  3. Why were Jack and Annie unsure which stop to get off the metro? Jack lost the paper with the directions p.29

Chapter 4

  1. Who helped Jack and Annie which stop to get off the train? A Mexican boy; Roberto p.33
  2. Why was Roberto going to the soccer game alone? His parents couldn’t afford it; they gave him the ticket for his birthday; he has 8 brothers and sisters p.35
  3. How did Roberto get to the stadium so quickly if he’d never been there before? He’d practiced it in his mind many times; his father told him what to do p.39

Chapter 5

  1. Where were Jack and Annie’s seats for the game? On the second row, right on the aisle p.44
  2. Where was Roberto’s seat? Up at the top of the stadium p.45
  3. In what way were Annie and Jack generous? They gave Roberto one of their tickets and decided to trade seats at halftime p.47

Chapter 6

  1. Why wasn’t Jack able to trade seats with Annie as they had planned? It took a long time to get down to the right section, but he couldn’t find them in time before half time was over and an official told him to go back to his seat p.55
  2. How was Jack feeling about not being able to find Annie at the end of the game? worried p.56
  3. Why do you think it was hard for Jack to sit so high in the stadium and come down and see Annie and Roberto have a wonderful time? Because he couldn’t see the game p.61

Chapter 7

  1. When the soccer team got on the bus, what was Annie’s solution for finding them? Go to the city and look for them p.65
  2. What did the kids playing soccer in the mud say that made Roberto sad? That they didn’t want him to play soccer with them p.70
  3. What was Annie’s solution to help them all play soccer better? Merlin’s magic mist p.72

Chapter 8

  1. Who made all of the goals on Miguel’s team? Roberto p.80
  2. After the game was over, and somebody asked what the score was, what did the referee say? Who cares? That was amazing! P.82
  3. Why did Jack and Annie think it was a good idea to leave the neighborhood while the magic was still working? They wouldn’t be so light footed and amazing as just their regular selves; it was better for them to run away from the kids chasing them while they still had the magic p.83

Chapter 9

  1. What made the ring explode with light? Roberto’s comment, “enthusiasm is everything” p.89
  2. What did Jack and Annie teach Roberto when he got sad about not being able to play soccer? To have humility, showing hard work, have meaning and purpose in your life & enthusiasm (the four things they’ve learned on Merlin Missions p.92
  3. Why did Jack and Annie think Roberto was such a great kid? He was polite, he was helpful, he was a good friend p.96

Chapter 10

  1. Why were so many people gathered when Jack and Annie got to Camelot? They were all grateful for Jack and Annie p.102
  2. Name three of the people gathered in Camelot? Merlin; Morgan; King Arthur; Teddy; Kathleen p.105
  3. Why did Jack and Annie want to invite their friends over? To play soccer p.111


Comprehension Questions- Ruby Holler

Ruby Holler

by Sharon Creech

Grades 6-8; Genre - Fiction; GRL V ; AR pts: 6.0

"Trouble Twins" Dallas and Florida are orphans who have given up believing there is such a thing as a loving home. Tiller and Sairy are an eccentric older couple who live in the beautiful, mysterious Ruby Holler, but they're restless for one more big adventure. When they invite the twins to join them on their journeys, they first linger in the Holler to prepare for their adventures, and the magic of the place takes over. Two pairs of lives grow closer, and are changed forever.

Vocabulary Words- Ruby Holler

Comprehension Questions

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What did the silver bird that Dallas saw out the window represent? A good luck charm p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Tell me about the city of Boxton.   Tired town; neglected; old homes and shacks clustered around stores and buildings p.4
  2. Describe Dallas and Florida. They’re twins; oldest children in the children’s home; tall; dark haired; dark-eyed; sturdy frames and looked rough and unkempt  p. 5
  3. Find a simile in this chapter.  Mr. and Mrs. Trepid were middle-aged, cranky and tired, and growing stiff and cold as winter-bound trees p. 5; Mr. Putrid walks like a crab scuttling across the ocean floor; the main building pgs.4-11
  4. What was the Boxton Creek Home for Children? An orphanage p. 8
  5. What did Dallas and Florida plan to do one night to escape? Jump on a freight train and ride out of town p.11

Chapter 3

  1. What do you think of the small gray bird that landed on the railing listening to the couple talk about moving?  It looked as if it were listening; it was the same silver bird Dallas saw out the window p.13

Chapter 4

  1. Why was Florida getting in trouble while eating dinner? She was talking; waving; being sassy p.15
  2. Why does Florida get upset when she thinks about the Hoppers? She felt that she and Dallas had been very bad at their home and would never be in a real family p.19
  3. How did Dallas comfort Florida from her bad dreams? Talked to her about the beautiful place they would go. P.20

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Dallas dream of beautiful green and sunny places? To comfort himself from bad memories p.22
  2. Why did Florida call the woman walking by the children’s home, “mother”? the woman had hair like Florida’s p.23

Chapter 6

  1. Why didn’t Florida want to go to a “foster place”? because they’d had bad experiences and were always brought back p.26
  2. What’s the opportunity Mr. and Mrs. T want to give the twins? One would go to Kangadoon and one would go to Rutabago and split up for three months to be a companion for an older couple p.29

Chapter 7

  1. Why was Florida hesitant to go on vacation to Rutabago? She felt like this couple would be just like every other couple and she didn’t want to be separated from Dallas p.33

Chapter 8

  1. How did Dallas feel about Ruby Holler? So excited; thought it was amazing p.36
  2. Why was Sairy apologetic about the sleeping arrangements? Because Dallas and Florida would have to sleep in the same room/loft p.37
  3. Tell me about Florida’s reaction to the Morey’s and her experience so far at their home? She keeps expecting the worst; being locked in a cupboard, having to dig a well, etc.  p.39

Chapter 9

  1. Why did Tiller want to send the twins back to the children’s home? Because he thought Sairy and he should go on each other’s vacations instead of have the kids go with them p.42

Chapter 10

  1. Why did Florida feel uneasy when Dallas asked her questions about who they were or about their future? She felt as if they had no control over who they were or their future p.44
  2. What happened to the tiny blue egg Florida found outside? She held it too tight and it cracked p.45

Chapter 11

  1. Why was Sairy so full of energy? She was happy to have the kids around p. 49
  2. Why was Tiller grumpy? He hadn’t found a way to tell Sairy he wanted her to come on the trip with him p. 49

Chapter 12

  1. Why was Florida ready to work on the boat day and night to fix it? Tiller was going to pay her $5 an hour p.52
  2. What was Dallas so excited about when he and Sairy started to plan their trip? They were going to buy new stuff p.53

Chapter 13

  1. How did Tiller help Florida feel better about the mistakes she’d made the day before with the varnish? He told her about the day he got red paint on the cat, chicken and pig p.59
  2. How did Florida continue to make Tiller think he’d been tricked? She made him talk about old stuff p.61
  3. Name some of the creative meals the Morey’s made to help them get used to their kids being gone. Getting-over-kid -stew; beat-the-blues broccoli; anti cranky crumpets p.66

Chapter 14

  1. How did Sairy react when Dallas and Florida broke the wooden bird and wooden boat? She said they would fix them later p.70
  2. What does Sairy mean, when said, “we find those just about everywhere. We pick the ones that speak to us”? She and Tiller choose to whittle something out of a stick by just knowing something can be made with it p.71

Chapter 15

  1. Who do you think the man with the gold tooth is that met another man behind the Boxton Creek Home?  Whatever ideas your child comes up with P.74
  2. Who told Sairy that the Trepids call Dallas and Florida trouble twins? A lady named Grace p.76
  3. Why is the valley they’re in called Ruby Holler? In the fall the maple tree leaves turn a scarlet red p.78

Chapter 16

  1. What does it mean to “lose your marbles”? not be thinking straight; going crazy p.81
  2. What two things did Dallas and Florida do that tested Sairy and Tiller’s patience? Chopped down Tiller’s favorite maple tree and chopped a hole in the barn wall p.83
  3. How did Sairy respond to Florida when she said she and Dallas were going to go?  She said they were just surprised and that it had been a long time since someone had done something so thoughtful p.85

Chapter 17

  1. What piece of furniture had Florida never seen before? A rocking chair p.87

Chapter 18

  1. How did the baby respond to Mrs. Trepid? The baby stiffened and stared wide eyed at her p.92
  2. What did Dallas do for Joey when he was sick? Put a cool clothe on his forehead; watched over him; spoke to him; breathed into Joey’s mouth p.94
  3. What had happened to Joey? He died  p.94

Chapter 19

  1. Where do Sairy and Tiller keep their money? They’ve buried them in holes in the ground p.98
  2. After Tiller and Sairy leave to go to their “private banks”, what do Florida and Dallas want to do? Follow them p.100

Chapter 20

  1. When had Tiller and Sairy finally shared with each other where their hiding places for their “banks” were? on their 60th birthdays. P.102

Chapter 21

  1. What did Tiller and Sairy do while they waited for Dallas and Florida to come back? Whittled p. 103
  2. Why didn’t Tiller want Sairy talking about their understone funds? It was too much temptation for kids who had so little p.109
  3. Why did Florida change her mind and not want to know where the money is? She remembered her experience at the Hoppers and that money is trouble p.110
  4. What did Dallas want to do with their money? Bury it as well p.111

Chapter 22

  1. How did the twins feel when Sairy said she needed to go to the children’s home to talk to the Trepids? they didn’t want to go back and were worried about getting thrown into a cobwebby room p.114
  2. What did Dallas and Florida tell Mr. Trepid that they probably should have? They told him about the understone funds p.116
  3. What is a passport? A document that lets you travel out of your country p.118

Chapter 23

  1. When Dallas and Florida were getting ready to catch the train, why did they want to leave money for the Morey’s? because they bought them new things p.121
  2. Why was Sairy concerned about the passport? The birthday didn’t match the day Dallas said his birthday was p.123
  3. What do you think “hit the grit” means? Left them; hit the road p.125

Chapter 24

  1. Where did Sairy go to college? New York City p.130
  2. What made Sairy move back to Ruby Holler when she was in New York City? Tiller wrote a postcard to her every week about the holler and she missed it p. 131
  3. What does Sairy wonder as she looks at a photo of her younger self? Who are you? p.132

Chapter 25

  1. Why do you think the holler felt so dark to Dallas and Florida? They had never been in the holler at night before alone; they also had only been in the city with lights around them at night p.133
  2. Why did Florida and Dallas decide to stop and pull out their sleeping bags and sleep for a few hours? They wanted to wait until there was a tiny bit of light from the sun to help them know where they were. P.138
  3. What nickname does Florida call Dallas all of the time?  Mr. Boss p.142
  4. Why did Dallas and Florida put ants, snakes, spiders and a frog into the Burgerton boys’ beds? Because they were getting blamed for things they hadn’t done and they might as well do something to get blamed p.144

Chapter 26

  1. Who is Z? Someone who worked for Mr. Trepid wanted p.145
  2. What’s the first part of the project Mr. Trepid needed Z to do in the holler? Find out when the Morey’s are leaving p.146

Chapter 27

  1. When Florida and Dallas climbed out of the sleeping bags, what did they smell? Bacon p.149
  2. Why do you think Sairy and Tiller were out cooking bacon over a fire in the morning? They found Florida and Dallas sleeping out trying to run away and came to them with the compliment of what a good idea it was to try out the equipment before their trips. P.151
  3. What was Tiller worried the kids had snuck out to get? Their money p.155

Chapter 28

  1. When the twins were babies, why were they never placed in a home? Mrs. Trepid would always keep them hidden and when someone saw them, she told them they were already taken, because she wanted them for herself p.158
  2. What made Mrs. Trepid change her mind about the twins? They would howl and squirm; she didn’t have patience for them p. 159
  3. How was Mrs. Trepid feeling about children now? She didn’t know she could live through more children p.160

Chapter 29

  1. What’s the promise Dallas and Florida made to each other? To never split up p.163

Chapter 30

  1. What was this chapter about? The nightmares Dallas, Florida, Tiller and Sairy had about their trips p.168

Chapter 31

  1. What was Sairy’s bad-dream medicine? Homemade peach ice cream on waffles p.169
  2. What is a rehearsal? To practice something to make sure you get it right p.170

Chapter 32

  1. Why is the river called Hidden River? It’s not on any maps p.173
  2. Why are there no mosquitos in the holler? The bats eat them p.175
  3. Did Dallas or Sairy know if they were different without Florida or Tiller? Not yet p.178

Chapter 33

  1. What does Mr. Trepid want Z to find? Any special stones p.180
  2. Why was Mrs. Trepid so happy to get away from children’s home? She’s tired of children p.183

Chapter 34

  1. How did Sairy respond to the way Mr. Dreep treated Dallas and Florida? She said it was criminal p.185

Chapter 35

  1. How is Tiller different from Dallas? Tiller complains a lot like Florida p.189
  2. What were Tiller and Sairy both starting to talk to the kids about as they were on their trips? The different families they were with and how they treated them. P.191

Chapter 36

  1. What do you think, would it be harder to miss a mother you had loved, or miss a mother you had never known? Listen to your child’s ideas P.194

Chapter 37

  1. Why do you think it is good that Dallas is dreamy? He can dream up a really nice future for them and helps make things positive when they’re scary and dark p.196

Chapter 38

  1. Why do you think Z wanted to stall Trepid? He didn’t want to hurt the Morey’s p.197

Chapter 39

  1. Tell me the times Dallas had cried. After Joey died; sometimes at night at the home p.200
  2. Tell me the story of the piece of wood that Sairy and Tiller both grabbed at the same time. Sairy wanted it but let Tiller have it. He put it on their dresser since he couldn’t decide what to make with it.  He gave her permission to use it but couldn’t get herself to whittle with it. It’s still there now P.201
  3. Why did Sairy and Dallas call themselves worrywarts? They were worrying Tiller and Florida miss them p.205

Chapter 40

  1. How did Florida and Dallas get their names? The box they were in on the porch of the orphanage had travel pamphlets in it and Florida was on one that said “Fly to Florida” and Dallas was on the one that said “Destination: Dallas” p.210
  2. What helped Florida be able to whittle? Not paying any attention to what she was whittling p.211

Chapter 41

  1. Explain what putting something on layaway means. Have the store hold it for you, then you pay a little each month until it’s all paid for, then you get to take it home. P.214
  2. Why do you think Mr. Trepid was in the dealership looking at cars? He wanted to buy one  P.217
  3. What was this chapter about? Mr. and  Mrs. Trepid thinking about the investments Mr. Trepid was going to receive and what they could do with the money. P.217

Chapter 42

  1. Why was Dallas mad if the Trepids didn’t tell him when his real birthday was? A person should know when their birthday was p.219

Chapter 43

  1. Why doesn’t Tiller get mad when Florida goofs up? He’s too old to get mad or what she considers goofs aren’t what he considers goofs p.222
  2. What do you think Tiller meant when he said it was interesting having Dallas and Florida in Ruby Holler?  Good or bad- let your child give their opinion. P.223

Chapter 44

  1. Was Mr. Trepid happy with the report Z gave him? No, because Z said he wasn’t done yet p.225

Chapter 45

  1. Tell me what happened when the boat hit the rock? It tipped over and Tiller and Florida went in the water and got pushed under. P.228

Chapter 46

  1. What did Z put into his sack? Sairy’s bank box p.230
  2. If he can also find Tiller’s box, what do you think he’s going to do with them? Listen to your child’s ideas P.230

Chapter 47

  1. How did Dallas know that Florida was in trouble? He had a bad feeling inside p.231

Chapter 48

  1. What were the Trepids doing in the jewelry store? Looking at a necklace and watch they would like p.232

Chapter 49

  1. Why was Tiller regretting that he and Florida weren’t wearing their life jackets? She couldn’t swim and they would have been keeping them afloat at that time instead of being pushed under the water. P.239

Chapter 50

  1. Who helped Sairy and Dallas find their way out of the woods? Two boys hunting a deer p.245
  2. Do you think it was a good idea for Sairy and Dallas to leave their backpacks with the two boys? No, they might steal their stuff p.246

Chapter 51

  1. Who lived in the cabin at the far side of the holler? Z p.247
  2. What two confessions did he need to make to Sairy? He was the one who got Dallas’s passport & that the twins could be his kids p.249
  3. What was the form Z read that told him the twins could be his? Hospital record p.249

Chapter 52

  1. What happened to Florida in this chapter? She found a log and was able to stay afloat as she called out for Tiller p.252

Chapter 53

  1. When Sairy and Dallas couldn’t find the diner the boys pointed them to, what did they realize and do? They realized the boys lied and stole their packs and decided to keep hiking to find a town p.253
  2. What did Dallas finally spot? A farm p.256

Chapter 54

  1. Why was Tiller holding his chest? It felt tight p.256
  2. What did Tiller think about as he was underwater? Rose his daughter and Sairy p.258

Chapter 55

  1. What did Z end up doing with the understone funds? He kept them for safe keeping p.261
  2. What did the person who went to Kangadoon get? Malaria p.263

Chapter 56

  1. Why do you think Florida was mad at Tiller for not saving her from the river? Because he was supposed to protect her and keep her safe p.265
  2. How did Florida save Tiller? Tied a rope to a tree and held on to it as she walked out to where he was p.265
  3. What does Florida mean instead of “artificial perspiration”? Artificial Respiration p.266
  4. What do you think Tiller means when he says he has a “soggy heart”? He’s having a heart attack p.267

Chapter 57

  1. Why did Z feel when Dallas asked him when the doctors were going to tell them about Tiller? Responsible, important p.269

Chapter 58

  1. Who do you think the be-nice-to-orphans brownies are for? Mr. Trepid p.272
  2. What was Mr. Trepid going to do with the Ruby Holler treasure map? Try and find Sairy and Tiller’s understone funds p.274

Chapter 59

  1. How did Mrs. Trepid feel about Mr. Trepid leaving her alone with the kids for the day?  Unhappy; mad; p.275

Chapter 60

  1. What did Sairy and Tiller discuss in this chapter? Boxton Creek Home; all of the families Dallas and Florida went to; what Z wanted to talk to Tiller about; the Trepid’s coming p.278

Chapter 61

  1. What did Mr. Trepid take with him to Ruby Holler? Shovel, trowel, sack, map p.283
  2. What are some things Mr. Trepid found while digging? Brownies; lizards; mash blackberries; stinging nettles; mousetrap; leaves & berries; etc. p.284

Chapter 62

  1. Where was Mr. Trepid going to take the gems to be appraised? The jeweler he went to look at the watch p.289

Chapter 63

  1. What does it mean to get pictures developed? Get them printed so you have the actual picture p.292
  2. How much did the jewels cost that Mr. Trepid found? $1.99 p.292
  3. What was Florida worried about at the end of the chapter? That Sairy and Tiller were going to get rid of them p.293

Chapter 64

  1. Where did Mr. Trepid test drive the new Cadillac to? The jewelry store p.295
  2. How did the salesman react toward Mr. Trepid when he saw the fake gems on the counter? Polite; stared at them and cleared his throat; asked if he could talk to his manager; chewed on his lip p.297

Chapter 65

  1. Why did Dallas begin packing up his things? He thought Sairy and Tiller were going to take them back to the home p.300
  2. How did Florida feel about leaving now? She didn’t want to; she wanted to say good-bye p.301
  3. Why was Sairy hesitant to keep the twins? She didn’t know if staying in the holler was the best thing for them p.303

Chapter 66

  1. Why didn’t Florida want to leave Ruby Holler? She liked it there; The Morey’s were the nicest couple so far; who would help out with things around the farm while Tiller was getting back his strength. P.307
  2. What were Dallas and Florida hoping would happen when they fell asleep in the fort made by trees? That Sairy and Tiller would find them like last time. P.309
  3. How did Dallas and Florida know that Sairy and Tiller found them? When they woke up, they smelled bacon p.310

Comprehension Questions- The Tiger Rising

The Tiger Rising

by Kate DiCamillo

Grades 5-7; Genre - Fiction; GRL T; AR pts: 3.0

Walking through the misty Florida woods one morning, twelve-year-old Rob Horton is stunned to encounter a tiger — a real-life, very large tiger — pacing back and forth in a cage. What's more, on the same extraordinary day, he meets Sistine Bailey, a girl who shows her feelings as readily as Rob hides his. As they learn to trust each other, and ultimately, to be friends, Rob and Sistine prove that some things — like memories, and heartaches, and tigers — can't be locked up forever.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. How did Rob's dad rip his clothes?  slapping Rob to make him stop crying  p.3
  2. Name two of Rob's "not-thoughts".  his mom's death, rash, the Threemonger brothers) p.3

Chapter 2

  1. Describe Billy and Norton.  boys who ride the bus with Rob; they were bullies to Rob; had bad breath;  p.5
  2. What does Mr. Nelson, the bus driver, do as Billy and Norton bully Rob?  nothing; whistles a tuneless song ignoring the situation p.6
  3. What gives Rob the strength to not-cry when the boys bully him on the bus? He had the extra power of the tiger with him  p.6

Chapter 3

  1. What did Rob think of Sistine?  she's strange p.8
  2. Where did the name "Sistine" come from? a chapel  p.9
  3. Describe Sistine.  wore pink lacy dress; gravelly, deep, clipped, sharp voice; sharp nose and chin; black black eyes; didn't seem bothered by the boys; confident  p.9

Chapter 4

  1. Why does Rob want to whittle the tiger? his mother taught him how to whittle and it makes stuff come alive  p.12
  2. What is Sistine's attitude toward Robert? hate's him p.12

Chapter 5

  1. Why is Mr. Phelmer, the principal, worried about Rob's legs?  parents of the other students think his rash might be contagious  p. 15
  2. Why is Rob's heart singing when the principal tells him he should stay home for a few days for the medicine to work?  he doesn't have to go to school; he can see the tiger; he can begin to whittle the tiger into wood  p.17

Chapter 6

  1. Why didn't Rob yell at Sistine to run when kids were throwing objects at her?  he knew if he did he would get bullied as well  p.19
  2. Why did Rob feel a thrill when the children were chasing him after he stopped them from ganging up on Sistine? he was saving Sistine p.21

Chapter 7

  1. What type of figurative language is this an example of? "He opened his mouth and the words fell out, one on top of the other, like gold coins."  simile  p.23
  2. Why did Sistine put her hand on Rob's leg, then rub her hand up and down her own legs?  so she would get the rash and not have to go to school  p.24

Chapter 8

  1. Will anyone catch Rob's sickness?  no p.26
  2. What will Rob do when he is out of school? work with his dad p.27
  3. How did Rob's dad feel about him missing school?  he was ok with it; thought a break from the bullies would do him good; thought it would be good to have Rob help him around the motel  p.27

Chapter 9

  1. Why does Rob not like sunshine? it reminds him of his mom's funeral p.33

Chapter 10

  1. What did Willie May say to Rob that would help him be cured of his rashes?  let the sadness from his mom's death rise up to his heart, not go down to his legs  p.37
  2. What certificate does Rob's principal not have? sense certificate  p.37

Chapter 11

  1. When Sistine had brought Rob his homework the first time, why were her clothes dirty and her knuckles bloody?  she'd been fighting at school  p.40
  2. When Rob told Sistine about the tiger, how did he know he told the right person? The only question she asked was, "where?"  p.41

Chapter 12

  1. Who was the sculptor that painted the Sistine Chapel?  Michelangelo  p.43
  2. How did Rob feel when Sistine called him an artist?  joyful and embarrassed p.43

Chapter 13

  1. How does Sistine get Rob to tell her about his mother? starts to leave and walks away from him p.48

Chapter 14

  1. Why is Sistine upset about the tiger being caged in Florida? it was not running free  p.50-51
  2. Why didn't Rob want to do what Sistine wanted to do and let the tiger free?  It wasn't his tiger to let go p.51
  3. What emotion did Rob feel when he grabbed Sistine's hand and ran away from the car approaching them and the tiger?  happiness  p.52
  4. Why had Rob started to feel happiness again?  he had a friend  p.52

Chapter 15

  1. Why was Rob scolding himself for leaving open his "suitcase"?  now his words, feelings and emotions were out   p.55

Chapter 16

  1. How did Sistine's parents meet?  they were both looking up at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and ran into each other.  p.57
  2. Why doesn't Sistine listen to, or respect her mother? she feels like she's a liar  p.60

Chapter 17

  1. What is Willie May's opinion on caged animals?  she wants to let them go p.64
  2. Tell me about the parakeet Willie May got for her birthday.  called him Cricket because he sang all the time; could feel his heart beating in her hand when she held him; let him go since she couldn't stand him being locked up; her dad beat her  p.62

Chapter 18

  1. What special job does Beauchamp want to give Rob?  taking care of the tiger  p.67
  2. What do you think the bloody meat in Beachamp's jeep is for?  to feed the tiger p.68

Chapter 19

  1. How did Beauchamp come into possession of the tiger? a fellow owed him some money and paid him with a tiger  p.70
  2. Why did Beauchamp give the entire set of keys to the tiger cage to Rob? Beauchamp trusted him not to open the door  p.71
  3. What does Rob have that will set the tiger free?  the keys p.73

Chapter 20

  1. When Sistine presses Rob into letting the tiger go, why does he resist? the tiger won't be safe  p.76
  2. Why does Sistine break down crying when Rob won't let the tiger go?  she wants to go live with her dad; she hates it in Florida; she wants to let the tiger go  p.77
  3. How does Rob comfort Sistine when she breaks down crying? put his hand on her neck like his mother used to do to him; told her to cry and that he had a good hold on her p.77

Chapter 21

  1. What does Willie May compare Sistine's anger to?  lightning that was snapping out of her  p.81
  2. What was the advice that Willie May gave to Sistine? no one was going to rescue her; she had to rescue herself  p.82

Chapter 22

  1. When Rob's dad found the rotten meat under his bed, what's a word that would describe how his dad felt? inadequate; frustrated; angry p.83
  2. Why did Rob's father stare at the gun and crack his knuckles after finding the meat?  he was thinking about using it on Beauchamp p.84
  3. What did Rob carve? Willie May's bird, Cricket  p.85

Chapter 23

  1. When Rob put the wooden carving into Willie May's hand, what was her response?  she didn't want to open her eyes for fear she would frighten the wooden bird away; she knew what it was with her eyes closed; soothed her heart  p.88
  2. Why doesn't Willie May have to dream of Cricket anymore?  now she had Rob's carving of her Cricket  p.88

Chapter 24

  1. Why does Rob like Sistine so much?  her voice changes when she sees something beautiful  p.92
  2. When Rob and Sistine first told Willie May about the tiger, what was her reaction?  surprised; shocked; wanted to see the tiger  p.93

Chapter 25

  1. What does Sistine always say when she gets sad, frustrated or doesn't get her way?  she can't wait until her father comes to get her and that he'll set the tiger free; puts the blame on other people by calling them liars  p.95
  2. After Willie May told Rob that she would like to see the tiger "rise on up out of his cage", Rob realized what he had to do.  What do you predict he'll do?  p.97

Chapter 26

  1. When Beauchamp drives up in his jeep toward Sistine and Rob, what does Sistine do that surprises Rob?  smile and sweetly say "Sissy" to Beauchamp  p.100
  2. What is the truth that Rob and Sistine learn about Beauchamp and the tiger?  Beauchamp is scared of the tiger  p.101

Chapter 27

  1. When Rob unlocks the tiger cage, why do they rock it?  so the tiger will leave  p.103
  2. What did the author compare the tiger running away from Rob and Sistine to? he looked like the sun, rising, setting again and again

Chapter 28

  1. What happens to the tiger after the kids let him go?  Rob's dad shoots it p.106
  2. What was a positive outcome to Rob's dad shooting the tiger?  Rob was able to finally tell his father how he feels about his mother being gone and they could talk and cry together  p.106
  3. Why do you think it was important to touch the tiger after Rob's dad had shot it?  helps you mourn, say good-bye and accept what has happened  p.109

Chapter 29

  1. What attended both Rob's mother's and the tiger's funeral?  the sun  p.111
  2. On the way back to the motel after the funeral, Rob felt lighter, as if he had put something heavy down and walked away from it.  Why?  he and his dad had talked; he was able to cry; he felt good about his decision to let the tiger go  p.112

Chapter 30

  1. Why does Rob feel all right about going to school now? Sistine is there p.114
  2. What will Rob carve for Sistine? a tiger  p.116

Comprehension Questions- I Survived The Attacks of September 11, 2001

I Survived The Attacks of September 11, 2001

by Lauren Tarshis

Grades 4-6; Genre - Historical Fiction; GRL R; AR pts: 1.0

The only thing Lucas loves more than football is his Uncle Benny, his dad's best friend at the fire department where they both work. Benny taught Lucas everything about football. So when Lucas's parents decide the sport is too dangerous and he needs to quit, Lucas has to talk to his biggest fan.  So the next morning, Lucas takes the train to the city instead of the bus to school. It's a bright, beautiful day in New York. But just as Lucas arrives at his uncle's firehouse, everything changes — and nothing will ever be the same again.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Tell me the setting of this story.  New York City, New York; Tuesday, September 11, 2001; 8:46 am; streets busy with taxis, cars & buses  p.1
  2. What's the definition of "careened"?  (verb)  to lean, sway, or tip to one side while in motion p.2
  3. Describe the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.  two silver and glass buildings next to each other; rose a quarter of a mile high in New York City

Chapter 2

  1. The author introduced this story by beginning in the first chapter with the events of September 11th unfolding in New York City. In the second chapter, the author shifted the sequence of the story by going back in time. Explain why you think the author used this style of writing.  To get the audience’s attention; interesting way to introduce Lucas and the events of September 11th.  p.4
  2. Why was Lucas the happiest when playing football with his team?  he felt he belonged  p.5
  3. How did Lucas feel about football when Uncle Benny took him to his first practice?  didn't like it; didn't feel like he could play  p. 9

Chapter 3

  1. What's a "concussion"?  (noun) injury to the brain or spinal cord due to jarring from a blow or fall  p.12
  2. What did Lucas' dad do for a living?  fire fighter  p. 15
  3. What are two consequences of Lucas' dad being burned in the warehouse fire?  arms that are still scarred; made him quiet; far away look in his eye   p.16

Chapter 4

  1. Why did Lucas’ mom take him to the doctor? To get him checked out before he could play football again  p.18
  2. The doctor showed Lucas pictures of football players. What did they all have in common? They all died from concussions  p.21
  3. Why did the doctor suggest that Lucas never play football again? 3 concussions in 2 years is too many for an 11 year old boy  p.22

Chapter 5

  1. How do you know the firefighters were fond of Lucas?  they hugged him; rubbed his head; said they missed him; said he was growing like a weed  p.30
  2. Who told Lucas' mom about Dr. Barrett?  Uncle Benny  p. 32
  3. What was flying overhead when Uncle Benny was talking to Lucas about quitting football?  an airplane  p. 33

Chapter 6

  1. What is the definition of "hypnotized"? (verb) being frightened or startled so that movement is impossible  p.37
  2. what did the plane crash into when it was flying low over the city?  one of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center  p.38
  3. How would you feel if you saw an airplane flying low in a city and crashing into a building? Sad; scared; panicked; terrified  p.38

Chapter 7

  1. How big was every floor of the Twin Towers?  About the size of a football field  p.42
  2. Why was it important for Lucas to call his mom and leave a message about where he was after the airplane hit the tower? She didn’t know where he was and would be worried p.45
  3. What did Uncle Benny’s words mean, “we’ll do what we always do”?  they’ll fight fires and save lives  p.45

Chapter 8

  1. Why did Benny feel like he needed a job after all of the fire fighters disappeared to the twin tower? He wanted to help   p.47
  2. What job did Benny choose to do to help? Clean up the breakfast dishes  p.47
  3. When Benny was washing dishes and watching the news in the firehouse, what made him drop the skillet into the sink, shattering plates and glasses? Another plane crashed into the second tower  p.49

Chapter 9

  1. Why couldn’t Lucas get a hold of his parents when he tried to call them? There were too many people using the phones and all of the circuits were busy  p.52
  2. Lucas didn’t want to be alone after the second airplane hit. Where did he go?  Down south to the crash site  p.56
  3. Who came out of the crowd and grabbed Lucas and held him tight? His dad  p.58

Chapter 10

  1. What did Lucas' dad mean when he said they weren’t going to be able to put out the fires, but that it was a rescue operation now? Save all of the people they can  p.60
  2. What do you think made the roaring noise, the ground tremble and felt like a boiling hot tornado hit in New York City? One of the buildings fell down  p.66
  3. Why did Lucas feel like the world had ended and that he was the only person left? There was silence and he couldn’t see anything when he opened his eyes  p.66

Chapter 11

  1. Describe how the dust felt that coated Lucas. Made it hard to breathe; it was everywhere- between his teeth, stuck to his tongue and the back of his throat; grains were jagged with bits of ground glass; cut into his skin as he tried to brush himself off  p.68
  2. When dad turned on his flashlight to gather everyone together in the convenience store, what did Lucas compare it to? The moon on a foggy night p.68
  3. What type of figurative language is this an example of? Simile  p.68
  4. What had happened to one of the towers? It had completely collapsed  p.72

Chapter 12

  1. What was Uncle Benny's outcome? He made it out carrying a man a minute before the second tower collapsed; he sought shelter under an engine truck  p.81
  2. Write a paragraph of 35 words or more- What was one good thing that Lucas had realized had come out of that day? How can going through a catastrophe help people and their relationships become stronger?