Tag Archives: grades 3-7

Comprehension Questions – (Fairly) True Tales Series Rump The (Fairly) True Tale of Rumpelstiltskin

Rump

The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstiltskin

by Liesl Shurtliff

Grades 3-7; Genre - Fantasy; GRL S; AR pts. 9.0

This story relates the tale of Rumpelstiltskin's childhood and youth, explaining why his name is so important, how he is able to spin straw into gold, and why a firstborn child is his reward for helping the miller's daughter-turned-queen.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Summarize the introduction of this story. On The Mountain; Rump is the main character; his mom died when he was born and wasn’t able to tell his Gran what his full name is; Rump feels like his name is why he’s short, can’t find gold, and isn’t respected by the people in the village; the village mines for gold and receives extra rations when they give gold to the king p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Why is Rump so concerned about only having half his name? He thinks it limits him; a name is special and is your destiny p.10
  2. Why did the pixies behavior confuse Rump? They acted like they wanted him to use the spinning wheel; he’d heard pixies were only good for finding gold p.15

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Red ask if Rump was made of gold? The pixies swarm and bite him; they won’t leave him alone p.23

Chapter 4

  1. Why were Red’s granny’s words important to Rump? He learned he had to find his destiny to learn his entire name p.28

Chapter 5

  1. What warning do you think of at the end of this chapter that Red’s granny gave Rump? He needed to watch his step and he would cause trouble p.35

Chapter 6

  1. Summarize this chapter. The pixies wake up Rump and he turns straw to gold with the spinning wheel; Rump takes all of the straw out of his mattress and makes gold; morning comes, and he sees Frederick and Bruno looking in the window; he’s worried they saw the gold p.36

Chapter 7

  1. Why is Red nervous about the gold yarn? Magic has consequences; Frederick and Bruno saw it p.46

Chapter 8

  1. What do you think Rump’s dream meant? His mother was at first happy to be able to spin gold, but then it caused so much trouble she was in over her head p.51

Chapter 9

  1. What do you think Gran meant when she said the gold was inside Rump? Listen to your child’s answer; who Rump is inside in the real treasure p.61

Chapter 10

  1. Why was Rump’s house torn apart when he got home from Gran’s funeral? Someone had torn it apart looking for the gold p.68

Chapter 11

  1. Why did the king visit The Mountain? He found out someone in The Village was spinning gold and didn’t share with him p.68
  2. What gave Rump away? The pixies p.72

Chapter 12

  1. Why did Rump think the miller was mad at him? The miller lied for Rump saying it was his daughter who could spin gold; now the miller’s daughter is being taken to the castle to spin for the king; if she doesn’t spin gold she’ll die or go to the dungeon p.76

Chapter 13

  1. What consequence does Rump have if he uses magic? He loses control, his will p.87

Chapter 14

  1. Why did Rump feel like he needed to help Opal? Because he is good and kind and felt like it was his fault she was taken away p.92

Chapter 15

  1. Why did Rump hate gold? He was a prisoner to it and the greed of the king p.110

Chapter 16

  1. Choose a word to describe Opal. Explain why you chose that word. Listen to your child’s answer; selfish, she’s willing to give up her first-born baby to become queen p.113

Chapter 17

  1. Describe Martha. Kind, round woman, fed and took care of Rump after he fell out of the tower p.120

Chapter 18

  1. Summarize this chapter. Rump left the city and headed to Yonder to learn about his mother; he received a message from Red; he was captured by trolls p.130

Chapter 19

  1. Describe the evening Rump had with the trolls. They fed him dinner; told him stories; wrestled and uncovered a hole with objects including a magical harp p.140

Chapter 20

  1. Do you think Rump should have eaten the apple? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 21

  1. Why did trump think he could find answers with the witches? They were magic like his mom and could spin wool into silk and grass into silver; because they had this is common, he hoped they knew of her p.163

Chapter 22

  1. How are Rump and his mom similar? They both can spin gold out of straw; they both lost their power due to the magic; they both were taken advantage of; they both wanted to escape p.173

Chapter 23

  1. What did Rump learn in this chapter? Hi mom got caught in a rumpel; his mom might have named him after the rumpel; her story sounded like his; a rumpel is deep magic p.180

Chapter 24

  1. Summarize Rump and Hadel’s interaction. She asked him to help move the Pixie nests; the pixies covered him; he told Hadel his name is Rump; she said only the entangler can get it untangled p.191

Chapter 25

  1. Explain what’s happening on The Mountain and why Rump feels he’s been selfish and should leave his aunts. They’re hungrier than ever because the king is withholding food, he wants more gold; the miller is looking for Rump; Rump is worried he will lead the miller to his aunts p.199

Chapter 26

  1. Summarize this chapter. The miller’s sons captured Rump; a gnome delivered the message that the queen had her baby; Rump was magically pulled to the kingdom to collect his bargain p.203

Chapter 27

  1. What did Rump learn in this chapter and do you think he’ll spin gold again? Why, or why not? The miller is the merchant who betrayed his mother; listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 28

  1. Why did Rump tell Opal that if she learned his name, it would break their bargain and she could keep her baby? it stopped her from crying p.227

Chapter 29

  1. Predict why Rump wants to take the miller’s sons to a “pile of gold”. The trolls will help Rump p.233

Chapter 30

  1. Why did Rump feel strong and powerful at the end of this chapter? He found his name; he had the power to untangle the rumpel p.243

Chapter 31

  1. Why couldn’t the miller touch the gold? He hadn’t kept his end of the bargain; he hurt Red and he said he said no harm would come to her p.249

Chapter 32

  1. What could Rump now control? The magic p.256
  2. What character development did Rump experience in this story? He found himself and his own power; he wasn’t a prisoner to magic any more

Epilogue

  1. Why was it so important to Rump that the Mountain have a name? Because names are powerful
  2. How did this story differ from the original fairy tale? Rump didn’t want the child; Rump went to the castle to help Opal; he was looking for his name; he only told Opal to guess his name to stop her from crying

Comprehension Questions – Tales from the Odyssey Book #6 The Final Battle

The Final Battle

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 3-7; Genre - Mythology; GRL P; AR pts. 1.0

This sixth book of the series presents an excerpt from Homer's ODYSSEY where Odysseus returns to Ithaca and finds that he must fight to regain control from those who are plaguing his family.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why did Athena give Penelope the gift of sleep? She couldn’t sleep on her own; she was heartbroken for Odysseus and worried the gods would support the killing of Telemachus p.13

Chapter 2

  1. Why was Odysseus broken hearted to see his dog? No one has taken care of him since Odysseus leftp.21

Chapter 3

  1. Summarize this chapter. Athena told Odysseus to beg from each man to learn who was good and who was evil; Telemachus told the suitors to leave and they did; Athena guided the father and son as they moved the weapons to an upstairs room p.23

Chapter 4

  1. What contest was Penelope going to require of the suitors? To string Odysseus’s bow and shoot an arrow through the rings of 12 ax handles p.39
  2. Why did Athena call Odysseus a faithless mortal? He was beginning to doubt in her p.42

Chapter 5

  1. What were the gods trying to tell the men and Odysseus’s family in this chapter? Odysseus would prevail and the suitors would die p.44

Chapter 6

  1. Why was Penelope and the other women told to go to their rooms? To protect them from seeing the battle that was about to ensue p.56
  2. Could Odysseus string the bow and shoot through the ax handles? Yes p.57

Chapter 7

  1. How did Athena help Odysseus in this battle? She sent the enemies spears away from them; gave the enemies a cloud of her shield which meant certain death p.64

Chapter 8

  1. What convinced Penelope she had her husband home? Odysseus’s upset reaction when she told her maid to carry out her bed p.74

Chapter 9

  1. Why didn’t Odysseus fight the suitors' kin? Athena and Zeus told him not to seek their lives and that there was to be peace p.86

Comprehension Questions – Tales from the Odyssey Book #5 Return to Ithaca

Return to Ithaca

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 3-7; Genre - Mythology; GRL P; AR pts. 1.0

With the help of the gray-eyed goddess, Athena, Odysseus and Telemachus must set out to regain control of Ithaca.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Summarize how this story begins. Odysseus survived the storm and is sleeping on an island hoping to get home; Penelope is heart-broken that her son and husband are gone and in danger; Telemachus is trying to decide if he go search for his father or go home to help his mother; Athena is going to help them p.9

Chapter 2

  1. How is Athena helping Odysseus in this chapter? She sent the daughter of the king down to the beach where Odysseus is sleeping p.21

Chapter 3

  1. How did Odysseus make it to the palace without being noticed? Athena put a mist around him and made him invisible p.28

Chapter 4

  1. What did Odysseus do in this chapter to betray who he was? Wept openly twice p.40

Chapter 5

  1. Describe how the sailors treated Odysseus. They put a blanket over him to sleep and let him sleep the entire way home; they carried him onto his island and left him with the gifts p.47

Chapter 6

  1. What word describes Odysseus’s relationship with Athena? He has faith in her; loyal; trust; listen to your child’s answer
  2. How would you answer Odysseus if you were Athena? Why did you take away his son? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 7

  1. How do you know the swine herd is a good servant to Odysseus? He loves him; is respectful and protective when talking about him and his family; he longs for him to return home; he cares about his swine and went into the storm to watch them through the night p.63

Chapter 8

  1. What instructions did Athena give Telemachus? Set sail for home immediately; don’t sail close to the shore in the strait; send your men on the ship to the harbor, but Telemachus go to his father’s swine herd p.71
  2. Why did Athena direct Telemachus to go to the swine herd? That’s where his father is p.76

Chapter 9

  1. Explain what this phrase on page 86 means: “it is easy for the gods to cast a man down and then raise him up again”. Gods have power to humble and help men p.86

Chapter 10

  1. Why did Telemachus believe they would win against the suitors? They would have the gods, Zeus and Athena, helping them fight p.90
  2. What’s Odysseus’s plan? Telemachus will go to the palace; Odysseus will dress as a beggar and go to the palace later; when Athena gives the word, Telemachus is to take most of the weapons to an upstairs room p.92

Comprehension Questions – Tales from the Odyssey Book #4 The Gray-Eyed Goddess

The Gray-Eyed Goddess

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 3-7; Genre - Mythology; GRL P; AR pts. 1.0

For nearly twenty years, Odysseus has fought terrifying giants and monsters, weathered the loss of his men, and angered gods and goddesses. Now he is trapped on the island of the alluring sea goddess, Calypso. Back in Ithaca, his wife, Penelope, and their son, Telemachus, are desperately warding off the suitors who want to marry Penelope in order to take control of Odysseus's island. Then a visit from a mysterious stranger gives Telemachus the courage to confront the suitors, and to head off in search of his long-lost father. Could the stranger be the gray-eyed warrior goddess, Athena?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. How does this story begin? Odysseus has been captive on Calypso’s island for 7 years; the story turns to what’s happening at Odysseus’s home with his family p.13

Chapter 2

  1. Explain what Mentor commanded Telemachus to do? Get rid of the suitors, go in search of his father, make a name for himself, have strength and courage p.30

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Telemachus think Athena came to him? Mentor’s spear was like hers, his sandals were like hers, his gray eyes shone like her eyes, she had favored Odysseus before p.41

Chapter 4

  1. How did Athena help Telemachus in this chapter? Find a crew for the ship; put everyone to sleep at his home so they wouldn’t know what he was doing; sailed on the ship with him p.52

Chapter 5

  1. What’s causing Telemachus to look like a god? His presence and confidence p.67
  2. Why is Telemachus traveling to see King Menelaus? He was the last to arrive home after the Trojan War and might have seen or heard what happened to Odysseus p.64

Chapter 6

  1. What does it mean to “hold fast”? Hold on tight and not let go p.80
  2. Predict what Telemachus is going to do. Listen to your child’s answer p.81

Chapter 7

  1. How did Calypso help Odysseus prepare for his journey? She gave him a bronze ax; gave him linen cloth for a sail; gave food for the journey; told him what stars to follow; blew a fair warm breeze out to sea p.91

Chapter 8

  1. How did Odysseus survive swimming in the ocean for three days? He had a veil from the white goddess and Athens kept the winds calm p99
  2. How has Athena answered Odysseus’s prayer? She’s sending Telemachus to find him; she helped him get to shore, helped him sleep and took away his sorrow and pain p.103

Comprehension Questions – Tales from the Odyssey Book #3 Sirens and Sea Monsters

Sirens and Sea Monsters

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 3-7; Genre - Mythology; GRL P; AR pts. 1.0

Retells a part of the Odyssey in which Odysseus and his men, returning from the Land of the Dead determined to sail home to Ithaca, encounter Scylla, the six-headed monster, and Charybdis, the deadly whirlpool.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Summarize how this story begins. Odysseus and his men return to Circe’s island; she feeds them and they rest; Odysseus shares who he talked with at the Land of the Dead p.13

Chapter 2

  1. List the warnings Circe gave Odysseus. He was going to pass the sirens, he needed to make sure his men put beeswax in their ears or they will die; he is to pass the sea monster Scylla but not fight her, if he fights more men will die, only 6 men will die if they hurry past her; he’ll reach the sun god’s island and he is not to touch the animals or his men will die and he’ll have trouble when he arrives home p.23

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Odysseus want to tell his men about the dangerous voyage ahead of them? So, they could be prepared and know what to expect p.37
  2. Describe the experience Odysseus and his sailors had while passing the sirens. The wind stopped blowing; Odysseus prepared the beeswax and his men put it in their ears; they tied Odysseus to the mast; the men rowed past the island; the sirens sang and Odysseus desired to throw himself into the water, but his men wouldn’t untie him; they got past the island, and they were all safe p.39

Chapter 4

  1. What does it mean to defy something? openly resist or refuse to obey p.51
  2. Why did Odysseus defy Circe’s counsel? He didn’t want any of his men to die p.51

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Odysseus understand Circe’s words at the end of the chapter? He saw that there was no way he could fight Scylla and that the best thing he could do was to hurry past her p.56

Chapter 6

  1. Why was Odysseus worried about Eurylochus’s plan? He knew that this plan could still go wrong and that circumstances might make his men want to eat the sheep and cattle of the sun god p.63

Chapter 7

  1. How did the plan go wrong? Zeus caused a storm to rage on the island for so long that they ran out of provisions and found less and less to eat, so his men were hungry p.66

Chapter 8

  1. Summarize this chapter. The men killed the sun god’s animals; Odysseus was angered; they sailed away, and a horrible storm hit and all of the men but Odysseus were killed p.73

Chapter 9

  1. What word would you use to describe how Odysseus was feeling at the end of this chapter? Betrayed by his gods; alone; devastated 

Chapter 10

  1. Who did Odysseus meet and how did she help him? Calypso; she sang to him which helped him feel comforted and at peace p.89

Describe how Odysseus felt at the end of this story. He was broken (heart and body); worried about his family; but relieved to find peace and safety after all the troubles he and his men have been through p.91

Comprehension Questions – The Hardy Boys #6 The Shore Road Mystery

The Shore Road Mystery

by Franklin W. Dixon

Grades 3-7; Genre - Fiction; GRL Q; AR pts. 5.0

Frank and Joe Hardy encounter a perplexing set of mysteries when they agree to help their friend Jack Dodd and his father locate a family treasure.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What mysterious happenings went on in this chapter? Someone was stealing cars; Jack’s boat hit something in the water that caused a hole; Jack said he had a 300 year old mystery his family wanted help with; their friend’s car was also stolen p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Define what a pun is. The usually humorous use of a word in such a way as to suggest two or more of its meanings or the meaning of another word similar in sound p.13
  2. What was the emergency at Jack’s farm? Jack and his dad were being accused of stealing the cars p.18
  3. What evidence did the police have? The car was on their property, they police received a “tip-off” that they were the ashore Road thieves; Jack’s fishing pole was in the trunk of the car p.18

Chapter 3

  1. How did the Dodd’s get out of prison? Mr. Hardy helped them post bail p.21
  2. Summarize the other mystery the Dodd’s need helped with. The Pilgrim mystery; their ancestor left the Plymouth Colony with his family in a boat in search of a horseshoe-shaped inlet ((Barmet Bay); there was a storm and a bottle with a message; they want to find out what happened to their ancestor, if he made it to the inlet and/or if he perished in the storm; there’s a treasure chest of gems and journals p.22

Chapter 4

  1. Why do the boys think that the Dodd’s might have been kidnapped? They were planning on being at the trial the next day; the boys were going to go over to the farm and discuss the Pilgrim mystery p.29
  2. Why wouldn’t the boys allow the New York businessman to talk? They didn’t want to be pulled into a scam; they didn’t believe him p.35
  3. Describe what happened at the boat house. The boys were attacked p.37

Chapter 5

  1. How does the beginning of this chapter remind you of what Mr. Hardy is working on? The boys were gassed, and their father is also studying gasses p.39
  2. What are the three mysteries the boys are solving and why do they think they’re all connected? The Dodd’s missing, the stolen cars, the Pilgrim mystery; the thieves could have kidnapped the Dodd’s because of the Pilgrim treasure p.44
  3. What’s happens in this chapter to conclude that things are getting dangerous? The boys receive letters from people complaining they’re support for the Dodd’s and a grenade was thrown into their clubhouse window p.42

Chapter 6

  1. What do you think the brown flecks of paint are? The paint from the car p.53
  2. Why do you think there is a crash? Listen to your child’s answer p.53

Chapter 7

  1. How is Chet’s study of plants coming in handy in this chapter? Hopefully Chet can identify the leaf in the Pilgrim mystery p.57
  2. Explain what getting “a birds-eye view” means. Flying in an airplane and seeing the ground as a bird sees it p.61
  3. Why did the boys think the last car in chapter 7 could be “a bite”? The car was racing wildly p.65

Chapter 8

  1. Why is George Birnham suspicious? He blocked the boys two different times from being able to chase a car; he said he didn’t have a phone, but is in the phone book; his car was the first one stolen; his land was given to him by a member of the Dodd family p.70
  2. Why is it a good thing that the boys checked out the fire before reporting it? Scratch was knocked unconscious in the middle of the fire and would have died if they had called the police first p.73

Chapter 9

  1. What happened in this chapter? The boys took some friends swimming in a cove; one of the girls dove under the water and someone underwater threw a net around her; Frank saved her; that night two boys watched the intersection while two others went onto the Birnham farm; Slagel came and talked to the farmer and left; the farmer climbed into his big tractor and drive it at the boys camping in the field p.77

Chapter 10

  1. Name two strange things that happened in this chapter. Slagel threatened the boys with a blade on the bottom of his cane; the boys found a note Slagel had telegraphed; the boys saw the spider human climbing a net; there was a fine steel-wire net string across the road the boys ran into p.89

Chapter 11

  1. What’s a concussion? A brain injury caused by a blow to the head p.94
  2. Did the boys find anything strange as they took their boat out on the water? They found rope netting; Tony saw a spider-man on the same cliff as the boys; heard a strange scraping noise under their boat; saw Carlton Melliman looking at them through binoculars p.99

Chapter 12

  1. Who did the boys meet in the chapter? Martin Dobb, Jack’s uncle p.106
  2. Why was he sneaking around and why did he keep himself disguised? So, he could go unnoticed while he figured out the Pilgrim’s clue p.107

Chapter 13

  1. What was Chet’s job in this chapter and what did he find? To reconnaissance Birnham’s produce truck; he found tire tracks in the back of the truck and heard that Slagel was going to finish off the Hardy boys p.115

Chapter 14

  1. Why do you think the boys got sleepy? Listen to your child’s answer p.125

Chapter 15

  1. What decoy were the boys going to use to trick Slagel? They were going to buy a car p.130
  2. What happened to the boys in this chapter? They followed the barge in their boat; Frank jumped out and swam to the barge; when he got there, someone hit him over the head, and he fell back into the water; Joe was there and got him back to their boat; someone in a diving suit came aboard their boat and knocked Chet out; Joe was ready to fight him at the end of the chapter p.132

Chapter 16

  1. Why were the boys relieved when Tony swam back up to the surface after looking at the Dodd’s boat? They were worried the Dodd’s had been in the boat when it sank, but they weren’t p.137
  2. Why are the boys leaving to Harpertown? Slagel threatened them and told them to leave town for 5 days; they’re going to purchase a car p.138

Chapter 17

  1. How many tries did it take to get Slagel to steal the car? Why? Two; the first time the car wouldn’t start p.147

Chapter 18

  1. Did the Trojan horse plan work? How? Yes; it got the boys to the hide out; they found the Dodd’s and figured out the operation p.156

Chapter 19

  1. Did Chet come to the rescue with the police? Why, or why not? No, he was captured before he could get them p.165

Chapter 20

  1. Did the car mystery have any correlation to the Pilgrim mystery? No p.174
  2. How did solving the car mystery help them solve the Pilgrim mystery? After solving the car mystery, they were in the right place to find the mysterious leaf and the treasure chest full of jewels and journals p.175

Comprehension Questions – Tales from the Odyssey Book #2 The Land of the Dead

The Land of the Dead

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 3-7; Genre - Mythology; GRL P; AR pts. 1.0

A retelling of part of the Odyssey in which Odysseus and his fleet continue their journey and encounter giant cannibals, a beautiful witch, and the Land of the Dead.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What’s a vision? the act or power of seeing p.12
  2. What caused Odysseus to anchor his ship away from the others? He had a bad feeling p.14
  3. How did listening to his feelings save him? The other men were destroyed by the giants p.18

Chapter 2

  1. What gave Odysseus’s men hope in this chapter? The gods provided a large deer for food and Odysseus spoke encouraging to them p.25

Chapter 3

  1. What did Odysseus mean when he told his men to “harness their fears”? Control their fears and not panic p.29
  2. Why were the men following Eurylochus so anxious and frightened? They were terrified to come upon monsters p.30
  3. Describe Eurylochus’s adventure. He and his men came to a stone wall and went through the gate; they came upon wolves and lions that didn’t attack but were like pets; they came to the inner courtyard of a palace and heard a woman singing and saw her weaving at a loom in the window; she beckoned the men to come in and they all went in except for Eurylochus; she turned those men into pigs p.34

Chapter 4

  1. What responsibility did Odysseus feel toward the men that were pigs? They were his men, and he knew he needed to save them p.41
  2. Define courage. mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty p.43
  3. Describe the strange man and how he helped Odysseus. The god Hermes; he gave Odysseus an herb and told him how to protect himself from Circe the enchantress p.43

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Circe finally free Odysseus’s men? He demanded it p.53
  2. What softened Circe and persuaded her to host all of Odysseus’s men? The brotherly love the men had for him and each other p.54
  3. What did Odysseus decide at the end of this chapter? To linger with Circe until he and his men were strong enough to travel p.58

Chapter 6

  1. Why was Odysseus unhappy with Circe’s explanation of how to get home? He needed to go see Tiresias on the land of the dead p.62
  2. How did Circe assist Odysseus and his men at the end of this chapter? She filled the sails with wind and sent the boat flying over the waves p.67

Chapter 7

  1. Why was Odysseus horrified to see his mother in the land of the dead? If she was there, it meant she had died p.72

Chapter 8

  1. What instructions did Tiresias give to Odysseus? How to get home; they can’t touch any sheep or cattle as they come to an island, or they will perish p.76
  2. Describe Odysseus’s conversation with his mother? It was sad for him; he learned of her death from a broken heart and the status of his other family members p.81

Chapter 9

  1. Summarize what happens in this chapter? Odysseus allowed other spirits to drink from the trench and he saw and talked to great men of the past; then he went back to his ship and sailed for home p.83
  2. Describe two spirits Odysseus saw. Agamemnon-high king of the Greek forces during the Trojan war; Achilles-bravest of all Greeks; Tantalus-a king whose great pride shared the gods; Sisyphus-a cruel king whom the gods had condemned to forever roll a huge rock uphill; Heracles-a great warrior p.83
  3. Why was Odysseus grateful when he left the land of the dead? That he was still among the living p.92

Comprehension Questions – Deltora Quest #8 Return to Del

Return to Del

by Emily Rodda

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

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

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

Chapter 2

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

Chapter 3

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

Chapter 4

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

Chapter 5

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

Chapter 6

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

Chapter 7

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

Chapter 8

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

Chapter 9

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

Chapter 10

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

Chapter 11

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

Chapter 12 

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

Chapter 13

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

Chapter 14

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

Chapter 15

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

Chapter 16

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

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

The Valley of the Lost

by Emily Rodda

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

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

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

Chapter 2

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

Chapter 3

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

Chapter 4

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

Chapter 5

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

Chapter 6

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

Chapter 7

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

Chapter 8

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

Chapter 9

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

Chapter 10

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

Chapter 11

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

Chapter 12

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

Chapter 13

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

Chapter 14

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

Chapter 15

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

Chapter 16

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

Comprehension Questions – Bud, Not Buddy

Bud, Not Buddy

by Christopher Paul Curtis

Grades 3-7; Genre - Fiction; GRL U; AR pts: 8.0

It's 1936, in Flint, Michigan. Ten-year-old Bud may be a motherless boy on the run, but he's on a mission. His momma never told him who his father was, but she left a clue: posters of Herman E. Calloway and his famous band, the Dusky Devastators of the Depression! Bud's got an idea that those posters will lead to his father. Once he decides to hit the road and find this mystery man, nothing can stop him.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What’s the setting at the beginning of this story? In an orphanage during the depression in Flint, Michigan
  2. Describe Bud. 10 years old, living in an orphanage because his mom died, been to foster homes, but always comes back, can’t cry anymore, thinks his dad is a musician
  3. How was Bud a good friend to Jerry? He comforted him and helped him feel better about going to his foster home

Chapter 2

  1. What provoked Bud to punch Todd? Todd had woken him up in the night sticking a pencil up his nose
  2. Why is Todd’s mother calling Bud ungrateful and sending him back to the Home? It looked like he was picking on Todd
  3. What’s the name of the book Bud’s writing? Bud Caldwell’s Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourself

Chapter 3

  1. How did Bugs get his nickname? He’d gotten a bug stuck in his ear
  2. What was the “vampire bat” hanging on the ceiling of the shed? A hornet’s nest
  3. Why was Bud angry after he got out of the shed? He was angry at the Amos’s for treating him the way they had; and himself for believing Todd when he said there was a vampire bat in the shed and for getting into a situation where there wasn’t anyone who cared what happened to him

Chapter 4

  1. Why didn’t Bud want to use the gun as revenge? Guns are too dangerous
  2. Where did Bud put the gun? Out on the porch
  3. How did Bud get his revenge with Todd? Made him wet the bed

Chapter 5

  1. After seeing he couldn’t sleep in the library basement, where did Bud find shelter? Under the Christmas trees by the library
  2. Why did his mom name him Bud and not Buddy? Buddy is a dog’s name; Bud is a flower-to-be, a flower-in-waiting, waiting for just the right warmth and care to open it up
  3. What does the phrase mean, “when one door closes in life, another door opens”? When one opportunity ends, another one is offered to you

Chapter 6

  1. Why was Bud late for breakfast? He slept in
  2. Why was Bud able to eat? A man pretended Bud was his son
  3. Why did Bud’s pretend mom and dad keep hitting him on the head? To help others think he really was their child; to keep him in line

Chapter 7

  1. Find an example at the beginning of this chapter that tells you Bud loves the library. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to smell the unique library smell
  2. What bad news did the librarian tell Bud? Miss Hill got married and moved away
  3. Why couldn’t Bud go back to the Home? It was getting crowded

Chapter 8

  1. Describe Bud’s experience in Hooverville. He got fed, kissed a girl and had a place to sleep with hope of going west
  2. Explain what happened when Bud and the others tried to catch the train. The police were there trying to stop them, but Bud and the rest ran. Bugs made it on, but Bud slowed down to catch his blue flyer and missed the train. Bugs threw his suitcase off
  3. What did Bud and the others find when they went back to Hooverville? The police had gone in and were breaking it up by burning the buildings and ruining the pots and pans

Chapter 9

  1. What was the special something the librarian had for Bud? A large history book about the Civil War
  2. What does the main character compare the idea of his dad to? A seed growing into a maple tree
  3. Why did Bud think the things in his suitcase were his momma’s treasures? Why else would she keep them

Chapter 10

  1. Why was the man nervous when talking to Bud on the side of the road? The city they were outside of wasn’t very kind to people with darker skin
  2. What convinced Bud to go with the man? He had food and would take him to Grand Rapids
  3. Why did Bud think the man was a vampire? Bud saw a box with the label, “Urgent, contains human blood”

Chapter 11

  1. How did Bud end up back in Flint? Mr. Lewis drove him there to drop off the blood
  2. Name three words that describe the Sleet family. Kind, generous, fun, warm, loving, accepting, giving, sharing
  3. Why did Bud have a hard time eating and talking with the Sleet’s during the breakfast? At the Home he had to be silent during meals and at the Sleet home they were asking him questions and expecting him to respond

Chapter 12

  1. Why was Bud worried when the policeman pulled them over? he thought the police were after him
  2. How is Lefty involved with the labor organizers? He’s helping deliver fliers to the railroad workers in Grand Rapids
  3. Why didn’t Bud want Lefty to into the Log Cabin with him? Herman Calloway didn’t know who Bud was and Lefty would have found out the truth

Chapter 13

  1. What deal did Mr. Jimmy make to get Bud to tell him the truth? He promised him dinner at a restaurant
  2. Choose a word to describe Thug and explain why? Mean, untrustworthy; giving him advice that would get him in trouble
  3. Why did Bud like Steady Eddie? He watched out for him; was good to him

Chapter 14

  1. What did Bud compare Miss Thomas’s humming to?  Walking on a railway and feeling the train getting closer and closer under your feet
  2. Why did Bud start crying after dinner? He was so happy and felt like he was home
  3. Find a word that describes Miss Thomas. Kind, warm, friendly, loving, accepting

Chapter 15

  1. Why did Mr. Calloway lock the closets in the room Bud was sleeping in? to keep Bud from stealing anything and getting into it
  2. What gave Bud the thought to steal from Mr. Calloway? Calloway threatened him
  3. What helped Bud go to sleep? A blanket around his head, imaging his mom telling him stories

Chapter 16

  1. What was Miss Thomas’ plan for Bud? If they got permission from the people in Flint, they were going to keep him
  2. Why did Steady Eddie give Bud a saxophone case? to carry his mother’s things in; his suitcase is too old and ratty to travel with the band
  3. What was Bud’s new name and how did he feel about it? Sleepy LaBone; he loved it

Chapter 17

  1. What was Bud pretending his mop and bucket were? Captain Nemo and the sea
  2. What did Miss Thomas’s singing and Steady Eddie’s saxophone sound like together? Like a conversation they were having with one another

Chapter 18

  1. How long has Bud been with the band at this point in the book? 7 days
  2. What was in Herman’s glovebox? Rocks with writing on them, just like Bud’s
  3. When Bud told Herman his mother’s name, why did Herman run into the house? Because it was his daughter’s name

Chapter 19

  1. How did Buddy prove his mother was Herman’s daughter? He had a picture from when she was a young girl
  2. Why did Bud’s mother run away from home? Her father was really hard on her and wanted her to become a teacher, but she didn’t want to
  3. Why was Herman so upset? He had just found out his daughter died
  4. What gift did the band give Bud? An alto saxophone