Tag Archives: grades 3-7

Comprehension Questions – Goddess Girls #3 Aphrodite the Beauty

Aphrodite the Beauty

Grades 3-7; Genre - Mythology/Folklore; GRL T; AR pts. 3.0

After giving Athena a makeover, Aphrodite becomes jealous of her friend but focuses on figuring out how to help a mortal win a race against Atalanta, which will result in either their marriage or his death.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Summarize the introduction. Aphrodite is tired of the attention she gets from boys; Athena shows interest in receiving attention from boys; Aphrodite wants to give Athena a makeover p.1

Chapter 2

  1. List two ways Athena showed she’s interested in getting a makeover. She took notes; she wanted to learn more about beauty; she seemed excited when Aphrodite was finished p.17

Chapter 3

  1. What’s the definition of “jealousy”? A feeling of unhappiness and anger because someone has something or someone you want.
  2. Explain why Aphrodite was feeling jealous in this chapter. She had made Athena look beautiful and was jealous Ares was giving Athena his attention p.39

Chapter 4

  1. Summarize this chapter. Aphrodite took the dogs out and met Hippomenes; she told him she’d help him beat Atalanta to earn her hand in marriage; she met Hephaestus p.49

Chapter 5

  1. How is Athena a good friend in this chapter? She stands up for Aphrodite; she tries to make Aphrodite feel better p.76

Chapter 6

  1. Did Aphrodite have a reason to be angry at Athena? Why, or why not? No; Athena didn’t tell anyone about the roses p.92

Chapter 7

  1. Is Aphrodite a good friend to Hephaestus? Why, or why not? No, she’s embarrassed to be with him; she doesn’t care about his feelings and is worried more about how she will look if seen with him p.104

Chapter 8

  1. How did Aphrodite set things right with Athena? They talked honestly and were respectful to each other p.117

Chapter 9

  1. Describe how the golden apples helped Hippomenes win the race? He threw them in front of Atalanta one at a time, and she couldn’t resist their beauty, so she picked them up p.133

Chapter 10

  1. Is it ok that Aphrodite wants to start a rumor about someone else? Why, or why not? No; gossiping hurts feelings and is selfish p.143

Chapter 11

  1. Summarize this story. Aphrodite and her friends ordered flowers for Medusa and said they were from Ares; the friends purchased snacks; things were back from to normal and Aphrodite said she’d dance with the centaur p.146

Comprehension Questions – (Fairly) True Tales Series Grump The (Fairly) True Tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves

Grump

The (Fairly) True Tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves

by Liesl Shurtliff

Grades 3-7; Genre - Fables/Fairy Tales; GRL O; AR pts. 10.0

Ever since he was a dwarfling, Borlen (nicknamed "Grump") has dreamed of visiting The Surface, so when opportunity knocks, he leaves his cavern home behind.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Borlen and his background. A dwarf; born underground, but close to The Surface; ate common rocks and minerals instead of gems; named Borlen after the rocks surrounding the area he was born; fearful of going deeper underground and desires to go to The Surface, but his parents don’t want him to p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Summarize this chapter. Borlen’s mother took him to the nursery mines and asked other dwarflings to play with him; one crew did, but they bossed him around; Borlen found a baby bat and took care of it; they explored the caverns looking for a tunnel to the surface; Borlen’s parents signed him up for a crew because he kept trying to escape to The Surface p.10

Chapter 3

  1. Describe the ceremony Borlen and the other dwarflings went through in this chapter. They lined up, received an axe, used the axe to mine their Fate Stone and were given a crew to work with

Chapter 4

  1. How did Rudger treat Borlen and Gilpin? He was mean and teased them p.45

Chapter 5

  1. How is Gilpin a good friend to Borlen? He made him a bed, smiled at him p.56

Chapter 6

  1. Summarize how Borlen made it to The Surface? The crew found they were digging close to The Surface; Borlen suggested he continue digging there while the rest of them dug deeper; Borlen secretly dug upward until he broke through p.63

Chapter 7

  1. Describe how Borlen got in trouble in this chapter. He enjoyed being on The Surface and ran and fell, causing two human children to see him, they chased him, and he got away, the queen came in a carriage and was wearing a ruby on her forehead, Borlen followed the queen into the castle p.73

Chapter 8

  1. Summarize this chapter. Borlen watches as the queen and her advisor talk about the kingdom and her plans; she finds out her advisor betrays her so she turns him into a weasel; she looks into her mirror and sees Borlen p.78

Chapter 9

  1. Using descriptive words, compare the queen in chapters 8 and 9. 8: mean, harsh, impatient.

9: kind, warm, friendly p.85

Chapter 10

  1. How did the queen convince Borlen to stay above ground? He’s not happy underground and he’s valued on The Surface p.102

Chapter 11

  1. How did the queen trick Borlen? She cried and acted sad until he offered to let her use his mirror p.109

Chapter 12

  1. Is the queen a good person? Why, or why not? No, she throws innocent girls into the dungeons and planted a poisonous apple tree; she’s manipulative p.115

Chapter 13

  1. Summarize what happened at the ball. Borlen sat next to the queen in Snow White’s seat; Borlen received rubies as gifts and ate them all feeling euphoric; he sang then started to tell the queen about humans who grab dwarves by the beard; he spies on Snow White; Borlen told the queen Snow White is the prettiest human he’d ever seen p.120

Chapter 14

  1. Why is Borlen horrified at the end of this chapter? The queen grabbed him by the beard and now he’s bound to do everything she commands p.135

Chapter 15

  1. Why is Borlen nervous Snow White is in the tunnel?  A human inside the dwarf caverns will make the other dwarves unhappy and scared p.146

Chapter 16

  1. Summarize this chapter. Snow White wanders to the dwarves sleeping quarters and Borlen follows; he looks in the mirror and sees the huntsman giving the queen the boar heart; Snow White and Borlen fall asleep p.147

Chapter 17

  1. How did the dwarves find themselves on The Surface? Snow hit the ceiling of the cave with the axe and it was starting to collapse, so they escaped to The Surface p.159

Chapter 18

  1. Why did the dwarves decide to let Snow and Borlen stay with them? They had compassion on Snow; didn’t know how to get back into the caverns and now Snow knew where the caverns were p.169

Chapter 19

  1. Describe the evening with Snow White. She was bossy regarding the cottage and food; she didn’t like food that was prepared so Borlen went to find her some; she still didn’t like the food; she took their beds, and they slept on the floor p.173

Chapter 20

  1. Why didn’t Borlen want the ruby Snow White offered him? The queen had used rubies to get him to do what she wanted, and he didn’t want to be manipulated again p.196

Chapter 21

  1. Describe how Snow White is a good friend. She’s kind; likes Borlen for who he is; a good listener; ready to give her life for Borlen; is humble p.202

Chapter 22

  1. Was it wise for Borlen to not tell the prince or Snow White about each other? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p.211
  2. Predict what you think will happen now that the queen sees Borlen in the mirror. Listen to your child’s answer p.219

Chapter 23

  1. Summarize this chapter. Borlen’s stone showed the queen where Snow was; Snow was sick and Borlen tried to help her feel better; they played a game and the queen disguised as an old woman arrived at the cottage p.30

Chapter 24

  1. Explain why Borlen’s heart was “in the deepest depths of despair“. He felt at fault for killing Snow White p.232
  2. Do you agree with him? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 25

  1. Summarize this chapter. Borlen lived in a cavern by himself during the winter; taking care of Leaf kept Borlen alive; someone left gems for Borlen; the trolls escaped the queen and found him, bringing him his fate stone p.234

Chapter 26

  1. Predict Borlen’s plan. Listen to your child’s answer; ask about the queen and what new beginnings might happen for Borlen p.249

Chapter 27

  1. How did Borlen find the prince and convince him to help him? A young maiden grabbed him by the beard and commanded her take a message to Florian; people then told him where to find him; Borlen told Florian someone brave and strong needed to help Snow White and that she spoke highly of him p.256

Chapter 28

  1. Describe Florian. He’s a prince, is a good friend to Snow White, wants to be brave and courageous, but is afraid; his father banished him from home since he’s not very brave; is a worrier
  2. Do you think Snow will wake up now that Florian kissed her? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 29

  1. Why is Florian surprised when Snow woke up? She was grumpy and hungry; she didn’t seem pleased at all p.272

Chapter 30

  1. How did Borlen save Snow White? The ruby he threw at the apple is what kept her alive when she bit into the apple; it was his idea to make the queen turn herself into a rat p.284

Epilogue

  1. What did you like about this story. Explain.  Listen to your child’s answer

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