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Comprehension Questions – Maniac Magee

Maniac Magee

by Jerry Spinelli

Grades 6-12; Genre - Fiction; GRL W; AR pts. 5.0

He wasn't born with the name Maniac Magee. He came into this world named Jeffrey Lionel Magee, but when his parents died and his life changed, so did his name. And Maniac Magee became a legend. Even today kids talk about how fast he could run; about how he hit an inside-the-park "frog" homer; how no knot, no matter how snarled, would stay that way once he began to untie it. But the thing Maniac Magee is best known for is what he did for the kids from the East Side and those from the West Side.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. How does the introduction differ from the first chapter of the story? The introduction describes Maniac Magee, the legend, the first chapter describes who Jeffrey Lionel Magee really was p.1
  2. Why does Jeffrey scream during the performance and run? He’s angry that his aunt and uncle hate each other and that he’s had to live with their selfishness p.7

Chapter 2

  1. Describe Jeffrey. Friendly, 12 years old; homeless; could run far and fast p.8
  2. What unusual behavior did Jeffrey show? He was friendly p.9

Chapter 3

  1. Describe Amanda. Friendly, kind, African American; close to Jeffrey’s age; smart, liked books p.10

Chapter 4

  1. Why were the high school kids in awe? Jeffrey intercepted a football, ran down the field and punted it to the wide receiver all while holding a book in one hand p.14

Chapter 5

  1. How did Jeffrey go against the grain in this chapter? He carried a kid out of a mean neighbor’s backyard and then read his book on the front porch p.18

Chapter 6

  1. How did Jeffrey show bravery in this chapter? He joined a family for dinner without an invitation and he ran on the train rail p.21

Chapter 7

  1. What did the author compare McNab to in this chapter? A shark waiting for his victims to walk the gangplank p.23
  2. How did Jeffrey humble McNab? He hit every ball McNab threw at him; hit a home run with a frog McNab pitched to him p.24

Chapter 8

  1. How did Jeffrey receive the name, “Maniac”? Nobody knew his name, but in awe, they called him a maniac p.28
  2. Where did Jeffrey stay? In the shed at the Elmwood Park Zoo p.29

Chapter 9

  1. Why was it such a big deal for Maniac to cross the boundary from the West End to the East End? People knew that the kids that didn’t belong in one or the other would be treated badly; the people with white skin lived in one and the people with darker skin lived in the other p.32
  2. What didn’t McNab and his buddies realize about Maniac? He’d already been on the East End and was fine p.32

Chapter 10

  1. Summarize this chapter. Maniac got into a challenge with another kid; the kid took his book, Maniac grabbed it back but a page was torn out; a lady stopped the fight with her broom and separated the boys; the kid gave Maniac the page and left; the woman told Maniac she couldn’t always save him and to leave p.34

Chapter 11

  1. Who saved Maniac from Mars Bar and his friends? Amanda p.39

Chapter 12

  1. Describe Maniac’s evening with the Beale family? They played, ate, read stories and they gave Maniac a place to sleep p.42
  2. Why was it important for Maniac to have an address? He didn’t have a home and now someone shared their home with him p.44

Chapter 13

  1. List two ways Maniac was a good addition to the Beale household? He read stories and played with the kids, he helped around the house without being asked, walked (ran) the dog, able to untie knots; kept his room clean, bathed with the kids p.45

Chapter 14

  1. List three ways Maniac enjoyed his life at the Beale’s. His new sneakers; running with the dog; pancake batter hissing while cooking; going to church; Fourth of July block party; the color of the people in the neighborhood; playing with the kids in the neighborhood p.50

Chapter 15

  1. How did hanging out with the other kids influence how Maniac behaved? Give an example from this chapter. He started to behave like them; “trash talking” p.56
  2. What happened when he “trash talked” at home? Mrs. Beale slapped his mouth and he hugged her and told her he loved her p.56

Chapter 16

  1. What couldn’t Maniac see? That people didn’t like him due to the color of his skin p.57
  2. Why didn’t they like him? He was a white boy in a black neighborhood p.58

Chapter 17

  1. Why did Maniac feel like he needed to leave? Someone had written graffiti on their home, telling Maniac to leave; Maniac didn’t want Amanda’s family to get hurt p.63

Chapter 18

  1. Why did Maniac take on the attitude that he didn’t care? He felt rejected and sad p.65

Chapter 19

  1. Describe Amanda’s plan. Maniac should go untie the famous knot at the pizza restaurant and everyone will like him p.69

Chapter 20

  1. Was Maniac able to untie the knot? Explain. Yes, but it took him all day p.70

Chapter 21

  1. What made Maniac decide to leave town for good? Someone went into Amanda’s home and tore up her Encyclopedia A book p.75

Chapter 22

  1. Where was Maniac staying and who found him? In the buffalo pen at the zoo; Grayson the park attendant p.79

Chapter 23

  1. Predict the little worm feeling Grayson has.  Listen to your child’s answer p.86

Chapter 24

  1. Why couldn’t Maniac accept Grayson’s offer? He felt like he had bad luck with parents p.89

Chapter 25

  1. Describe Earl Grayson. Loved baseball; went to play in the minor league and was up for the major leagues when he played poorly while a scout was watching; he was 40 years old when he left baseball and started work at the park p.94

Chapter 26

  1. What school does Maniac go to? His own; he buys books from the library and studies them p.98
  2. What did Grayson ask Maniac to do? Teach him to read p.99

Chapter 27

  1. Summarize this chapter. Maniac taught Grayson how to read p.100

Chapter 28

  1. List two ways Maniac was good to Grayson. Taught him to read; baked for him; hugged him; loved him; invited him to sleep on his mat; praised him p.104

Chapter 29

  1. What holiday did Maniac and Grayson celebrate in this chapter? Thanksgiving p.106
  2. How did they celebrate? Went to a high school football game; ate a feast; danced; and Maniac wrote 101 on the building he lived in p.109

Chapter 30

  1. What does it mean to trim the tree? Decorate a Christmas tree p.111

Chapter 31

  1. What special gifts did Maniac and Grayson give to each other? A homemade book about Grayson’s experience and Grayson’s old baseball mitt p.114
  2. What happened at the end of this chapter? Grayson died p.114

Chapter 32

  1. Was Grayson’s funeral special? Explain. No, only Maniac, the funeral director and the grave diggers were there; everyone was smoking and disrespectful to Maniac and Grayson p.116

Chapter 33

  1. Why was Maniac waiting for death? He was giving up p.123

Chapter 34

  1. What gave Maniac purpose? Taking care of the two little boys that we’re running away p.126
  2. How did Maniac get them back to town? He convinced them with his free pizza coupon p.127
  3. Who came looking for the little boys? McNab p.128

Chapter 35

  1. Describe the McNab household. Dirty; cockroaches everywhere; windows covered with wood; fighting; rough housing; no furniture; Dad brought home hamburgers then left and came back drunk; boys pretending to shoot the people in the East End p.131

Chapter 36

  1. What kind of deals did Maniac make with the boys to keep them in school each week? He first gave them pizza, then he went into Finsterwald’s backyard and knocked on the door p.137

Chapter 37

  1. How did Maniac feel about the challenges the boys gave him? He loved them; he was glad to give the boys the glory; he was happy to do them to make sure the boys were in school p.142
  2. Why did the little boys think going into the East End was such a perilous challenge? They were white and were told that white people shouldn’t cross over into the black neighborhoods p.142

Chapter 38

  1. Why did Maniac regret how he ran the race? He showed off and finished backwards p.147

Chapter 39

  1. Why didn’t Maniac want to hang around McNab’s anymore? They were getting a bazooka ready to shoot the black people from the West End p.152 

Chapter 40

  1. Why did Maniac stay with the McNab’s? He cared about them and knew they needed him p.155
  2. Predict who Maniac’s going to invite to the party. Listen to your child’s answer p.157

Chapter 41

  1. Who did Maniac bring to the party? Why? Mars Bar Thompson; so, the different colored people could see they weren’t different from each other p.158
  2. Why did Maniac take him to the Pickwell’s first? So, Mars Bar could see good white people p.160

Chapter 42

  1. Did the party end up the way Maniac thought it would? Explain. No; the McNab’s and Mars Bar didn’t learn what Maniac was wanted them to p.166

Chapter 43

  1. Why did Maniac notice the homes and start sleeping in backyards or kitchen? He wanted a home p.168

Chapter 44

  1. How did Maniac respond to Piper’s pleas? He walked away p.173
  2. Predict how you think Russell was saved. Listen to your child’s answer 

Chapter 45

  1. Summarize this chapter. Mars Bar comes to the zoo and finds Maniac; he tells him what happened to the McNab boys, he saved the one and took them home and his mom took care of them and they stayed all day and played games; Mars Bar’s mom wants to know why Maniac doesn’t go to his house; Maniac doesn’t answer but jumps into the buffalo fence p.174
  2. Why is Maniac struggling with going over to Mars Bar’s? He doesn’t want them to get hurt p.179

Chapter 46

  1. What did the author mean when Maniac said, “…at long last, someone was calling him home”? He was so happy to have someone tell him he was their family p.184
  2. List one theme the author tried to get across in this book? All people are the same no matter the color; everyone wants a place to call home; people are good no matter where they come from; love and kindness is key

Comprehension Questions – The Chronicles of Narnia #5 The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

by C.S. Lewis

Grades 5-7; Genre - Fantasy; GRL W; AR pts. 9.0

Lucy, Edmund, and their cousin, Eustace, are magically transported onto the ship, "Dawn Treader", where King Caspian is searching for the seven friends of his father.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Eustace. Doesn't have friends; collects bugs; enjoys reading non-fiction books; doesn't like his cousins the Pevansies; is bossy and a bully p.3
  2. Explain the port side and starboard side of a ship. Port means the left side when looking at the front of the ship; starboard is the right-side p.6
  3. How do the children travel to Narnia in this book? When looking at a painting of a boat driving forward in the sea, it came alive and swept the three children into the ocean p.10

Chapter 2

  1. Where are the voyagers going? To find the lost counselors of the king p.20
  2. What helped Eustace feel better? Lucy’s cordial p.24
  3. What sparked the conflict between Reepicheep and Eustace? Eustace swung Reepicheep around by his tail p.33

Chapter 3

  1. What mishap occurred when the group went to the Lone Islands? They were captured and were going to be sold on the market as slaves p.41
  2. Who purchased Caspian? Lord Bern; one of the Lord’s Caspian’s uncle sent to sea p.46
  3. Why did Lord Bern believe that Caspian was the real King Caspian? His voice, Caspian remembered Lord Bern’s name, Caspian spoke the same as his father p.47

Chapter 4

  1. Why did Pug call Eustace Sulky? Sulky means to be morose, bad-tempered, and resentful, refusing to be cooperative or cheerful. Eustace is all these things p.63
  2. Why does Duke Bern want Caspian to stay? He foresees war from Calormen p.65

Chapter 5

  1. Define what a poop is in this context. The aftermost and highest deck of a ship, especially in a sailing ship where it typically forms the roof of a cabin in the stern p.68
  2. Why was it a bad idea for Eustace to wander away from the group? He got lost p.78
  3. Why did Eustace think the ship would leave him? He thought Caspian and Edmund were out to get rid of him p.81
  4. Is this true? No p.81

Chapter 6

  1. Why is it a bother for Eustace to disappear? Everyone needed to take the time to find him p.89
  2. What made Eustace realize Caspian and Edmund weren’t his enemies? Turning into a dragon made him miss them p.92
  3. How did everyone realize the dragon wasn’t going to hurt them? He tried to communicate with them p.96

Chapter 7

  1. Explain how Eustace became a human again? Aslan came and helped him shed his skin p.107
  2. How did Eustace’s character grow when he was a dragon? He learned how to be helpful and to have a better attitude towards those around him p.112

Chapter 8

  1. Summarize this chapter. The ship was attacked by a sea serpent then landed on an island; after getting water, a group decided to explore; they came upon a lake that turned things to gold; they started getting greedy, but they saw Aslan who helped them come to their senses; they came back to the ship with the realization it was a Narnian Lord who was lost at the bottom of the golden lake p.116

Chapter 9

  1. Why did the invisible people threaten to kill the group who came on land? To get Lucy to read a spell to make them visible again p.141
  2. Why did Lucy need to read the spell? Only the magician or a girl could make the spell work p.141

Chapter 10

  1. List two spells Lucy came across in the magic book. Beautification; how to hear what your friends say about you; how to make things visible; cures for warts, toothaches, cramps p.151
  2. What did Aslan mean when he said he’d been invisible this entire time? He has been there with her, but couldn’t show him to Lucy since she didn’t believe p.159

Chapter 11

  1. Did Lucy need to be afraid of the invisible people when they were made visible? No, they looked like dwarves with one foot p.166
  2. Did the Dufflepuds learn to appreciate who they were? Yes p.173
  3. Name two things the magician did for Caspian and his party? Fed them; gave them a place to rest; fixed the boat; created a map of where they had sailed; gave them treasures when they left p.173

Chapter 12

  1. What happened when Lucy prayed to Aslan for help? A beam of light shined on the ship, an albatross appeared and guided them to the sun; Aslan whispered courage to Lucy and breathed a delicious smell into her face p.186
  2. Was it purposeful to go into the darkness? Why? Yes; to find Lord Rhoop p.188

Chapter 13

  1. Why had the three Lords fallen asleep at the table? They began to fight over what they should do, and someone grabbed the dagger the White Witch used to kill Aslan p.200

Chapter 14

  1. How did Caspian persuade the sailors to sail to the end of the World? He made it sound like it was a privilege and that not everyone could go; by possibly taking away the opportunity they wanted it more and more p.215
  2. Predict what Caspian wanted to talk about with Ramandu’s daughter. Listen to your child’s answer p.217

Chapter 15

  1. Summarize this chapter. The ship sails and Lucy sees sea people; they can drink right from the ocean and can now handle looking at the sun; they don’t need to eat; the ship sailed without wind p228

Chapter 16

  1. Why do the shipmates travel without speaking? The closer they get to Aslan’s land its more sacred and reverent p.234
  2. Why aren’t Lucy and Edmund coming back to Narnia? They’re getting too old p.247

Comprehension Questions – Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3 The Titan’s Curse

The Titan's Curse

by Rick Riordan

Grades 6-9; Genre - Fantasy; GRL W; AR pts: 10.0

When Percy Jackson receives an urgent distress call from his friend Grover, he immediately prepares for battle. He knows he'll need his powerful demigod allies, Annabeth and Thalia, at his side; his trusty bronze sword, Riptide; and ... a ride from his mom. The demigods race to the rescue, to find that Grover has made an important discovery: two new powerful half-bloods whose parentage is unknown. But that's not all that awaits them. The Titan lord, Kronos, has set up his most devious trap yet, and the young heroes have just fallen prey.
Hilarious and action-packed, this third adventure in the series that started with The Lightning Thief finds Percy faced with his most dangerous challenge so far: the chilling prophecy of the Titan's curse.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What is the setting in the first chapter? A school named Westover Hall in Bar Harbor, Maine just before Christmas break p.1
  2. Why did the friends go to the school? To help Grover save and recruit two half-bloods p.7
  3. Describe Thalia. She’s a daughter of Zeus and a leader; is made about her mom p.14

Chapter 2

  1. Why did Percy consider jumping into the ocean with the children? he could protect them due to his strength in the water p.19
  2. How did Annabeth help Percy and the children? She wore her invisible cap and knocked them to the ground p.21
  3. Why was Percy distraught at the end of the chapter? Annabeth had fallen over the cliff with the manticore and he couldn’t go after her p.27

Chapter 3

  1. Why is Annabeth’s disappearance Percy’s fault? He shouldn’t have gone after Dr. Thorn by himself p.33
  2. What opportunity did Artemis give Bianca? To join the Hunters p.40
  3. What oath must Bianca keep now that she swore her allegiance to Artemis? That she will never fall in love, never grow up, and be a maiden eternally p.41

Chapter 4

  1. Describe Apollo.  He’s Artemis’ brother, the Sun God, he can transport people traveling west, he’s a teenager that sees all and knows all p.48
  2. Why won’t Artemis let Zoe and the other Hunters go with her? It’s too dangerous p.39
  3. How did Thalia feel about driving the sun chariot? She was uncomfortable and didn’t want to p.52

Chapter 5

  1. Why was Thalia upset in this chapter? Annabeth was missing p.65
  2. Why did Poseidon put a water feature in Percy’s cabin? Percy could now contact his family p.66
  3. What gift does Percy have that gives him knowledge about his friends when they’re in trouble? Dreams/nightmares about them p.71

Chapter 6

  1. What was Percy’s dream connected to at the beginning of this chapter? Zoe’s dream p.77
  2. Why was Percy upset when he learned that the Hunters were trying to recruit Annabeth? Because he liked her and didn’t want her to become a Hunter p.78
  3. Why didn’t the Oracle communicate with Percy when he visited it, but yet turned to Zoe in the forest? The Oracle didn’t want to speak to him p.89

Chapter 7

  1. Why did Grover have hope that Pan had been awakened? If the manticore was correct, ancient powers will be waking up p.91
  2. Why didn’t Zoe choose Percy to go on the quest? He was a boy p.100
  3. Explain the dream Percy had at the end of the chapter? The General and Luke had Artemis and Annabeth as prisoners.  Annabeth had been holding up a large dark mass, and Artemis went and took her place.  Kronos wanted Luke to kill Annabeth, but Luke made an excuse to keep her alive p.106

Chapter 8

  1. Describe what Percy saved in this chapter. A baby sea cow; a cow half on the front and serpent bottom half; black fur, big brown eyes, white muzzle p.113
  2. Why isn’t Phoebe able to go on the mission? The Stoll brothers put Centaur’s blood on the inside of her t-shirt and now she’s bedridden with hives p.117
  3. What persuaded Percy to follow the quest? They lost Phoebe and needed 5 people p.119

Chapter 9

  1. Where did Zoe and the others drive to? Washington D.C. p.111
  2. Who did Percy follow in D.C.? Dr. Thorn p.130
  3. Why was Percy worried that the zombies tore off some of his t-shirt? He knew they would hunt him p.137

Chapter 10

  1. Why were the quest members in the Air and Space Museum? They were following Grover’s trail p.139
  2. Why did the freeze-dried space food kill the monster? It choked it p.144
  3. Why did Zoe let Percy be a part of the quest?  Percy proved himself p.147

Chapter 11

  1. How did Percy know that Apollo was the homeless guy who helped them? He said a haiku p.155
  2. Who do you think Percy was in his dream? Listen to your child’s answers p.156

Chapter 12

  1. Why did Bianca join the Hunters? She’s been taking care of Nico her entire life and wanted her own life and friends p.165
  2. Who helped the kids defeat the zombies? A large pig p.170
  3. Who did the kids feel in the air? The Lord of the Wild, Pan p.174

Chapter 13

  1. What did Bianca take from the junkyard and why? A mini statue that Nico didn’t have in his collection p.194
  2. How did Bianca defeat the monster? She went inside of it and made it attack itself and fall apart from the inside out p.197
  3. Why didn’t the companions search for Bianca more than they did? She fulfilled the prophecy by dying p.198

Chapter 14

  1. What was unique about Rachel Elizabeth Dare? She’s human but can see Percy’s sword, the lion coat and the skeletons chasing Percy p.213
  2. Who did Percy see in the elevator? Athena, Annabeth’s mom p.218
  3. How did the angels wake up to save the kids? They prayed to Zeus and Athena p.218

Chapter 15

  1. How did Percy find the Man of the Sea? Went to the docks and could smell the ocean when he passed him p.226
  2. Why is the Ophiotaurus running from the bad people? So he doesn’t get sacrificed p.230
  3. What did Percy learn about Mr. D in this chapter? That he secretly liked Percy because he helped Percy and called him by the right name p.239

Chapter 16

  1. How did the friends get to the Mountain of despair? Annabeth’s dad let them borrow his car p.245
  2. How diff Zoe get them past her sisters? She woke up the dragon p.256
  3. Who is the General? Atlas p.260

Chapter 17

  1. Who can defeat Atlas? Artemis p.268
  2. How did Artemis defeat Atlas? She flung him back to the sky and knocked Percy out of the way p.271
  3. What happened to Luke? He fell over the cliff and died p.272

Chapter 18

  1. Describe what happened to Zoe in this chapter? She died and became a constellation p.278
  2. Where are the friends traveling to? Mt. Olympus p.279
  3. What’s Annabeth’s conclusion of what happened to Luke? He’s not dead, he’s under Kronos’s spell p.282

Chapter 19

  1. Why didn’t the council destroy Percy and Annabeth? They had done well in their quest and their parents stood up for them p.294
  2. What is Percy’s weakness? Personal loyalty to his friends p.298

Chapter 20

  1. How did Nico respond when Percy told him about his sister Bianca? He was angry at Percy and said he hated him p.306
  2. Who is Nico’s and Bianca’s father? Hades p.309
  3. Why didn’t Percy want to tell Chiron that Hades was Nico’s dad? Chiron would need to tell the other gods on Mt. Olympus, and they would kill him p.310

Comprehension Questions – Harry Potter #4 The Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

by J.K. Rowlig

Grades 6-12; Genre - Fantasy; GRL W; AR pts. 32

In this fourth novel of Harry Potter's training as a wizard and his coming of age, Harry wants to be a normal, fourteen-year-old wizard. Unfortunately, he is not normal--even by wizardry standards. In his case, different can be deadly.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Explain why the Riddle house was creepy? 50 years ago, the Riddles consisting of parents and Tom were all suspiciously murdered, the murderer hadn’t been found p.1
  2. How would you describe the boys who taunted Frank? Listen to your child’s answers; mean; disrespectful p.5
  3. Who was in the upper story of the house? Wormtail and Lord Voldemort p.6
  4. Describe what happened to Frank? He saw the light in the window and went upstairs to see what the boys had done and found Wormtail and Lord Voldemort. He overheard what they were saying about Harry Potter and murdering Bertha.  A snake came past him and told the Lord that he was there. The Lord told him to come in and after talking with Frank killed him after he showed himself to him. p.14

Chapter 2

  1. Why was Harry bothered that his scar was hurting him? The last time it hurt, Voldemort was close by p.19
  2. Who did Harry finally realize he could talk to about his scar? Sirius p.22
  3. Why was Harry aloud to keep his wizarding things in his room now? His aunt and uncle found out that Harry had a godfather who was a murderer p.24

Chapter 3

  1. Why was Dudley on a diet? The private school clothes he needs to fit into don’t fit him p.27
  2. Why had Ron’s mom written to Harry’s uncle? She was asking if Harry could go to the Quidditch Cup game and spend the rest of summer vacation with the Weasley’s p.30
  3. Why was Harry so happy at the end of this chapter? He had birthday cake to eat instead of grapefruit, he was going to the World Cup and he was staying at the Weasley’s for the rest of the summer p.37

Chapter 4

  1. Why was it a problem that the Weasley’s traveled to the Dursley’s fireplace using Floo powder? The Dursley’s have an electric fire covering the normal fireplace and they were stuck behind it p.43
  2. How did the Weasley’s get into the house? Mr. Weasley blasted the electric fire p.44
  3. What did Mr. Weasley expect to hear from Uncle Vernon? A good-bye to Harry p.48
  4. What had Fred left for Dudley? An engorgement charm p.49

Chapter 5

  1. What did Ron’s mom find while cleaning his twin brothers’ room?  Order forms for their jokester business p.54
  2. Why was Mrs. Weasley so upset while making dinner? She was still angry at the twins for leaving magic candy for Dudley and was worried that her boys would not amount to anything p.58
  3. Where did the Weasley’s, Hermione and Harry eat dinner that night? Out in the garden p.60

Chapter 6

  1. How were Ron’s older brothers getting to the Quidditch World Cup? They were teleporting or apparating p.66
  2. Who met up with the Weasley’s group at the portkey? Cedric Diggory and his father p.71
  3. Describe the portkey Harry and the others used to get to the game? A portkey; It was an old boot that everyone just had to touch. At a certain time, they were all pulled very quickly to the location of the game p.73

Chapter 7

  1. Why did Mr. Weasley want to be as Muggle-like as possible? They were on Muggle territory and didn’t want them to get suspicious p.79
  2. Why did the Irish and Bulgarian groups decorate their camps with shamrocks and pictures of Viktor Krum? They were the teams playing in the World Cup p.82
  3. Was Mr. Weasley correct in his worrying about Bertha not returning home from her vacation? Why? Yes, because she had been murdered by the orders of Lord Voldemort p.89

Chapter 8

  1. Why is Winky upset with Dobby? Because he wants to be paid for his work p.98
  2. Who sat in the Weasley party’s observation box? Fudge Cornelius, the Bulgarian minister, the Malfoy’s, Winky waiting for her master p.100
  3. Why did the referee want to remove the mascots off the field? The Bulgarian mascot was distracting to him p.110
  4. How did the game end? Ireland won by 10 points and Krum caught the Snitch p.114
  5. Why were Fred and George happy with the game? they won the bet p.116

Chapter 9

  1. What caused Harry to wake up in the middle of the night? A group of wizards had captured Muggles and had them floating in the air above them as they walked through the camp p.120
  2. Why was it dangerous for Hermione to be spotted? She has Muggle parents p.122
  3. Why did the ministry attack Harry, Ron & Hermione? They thought that one of them had conjured the Dark Mark p.130
  4. Why was everyone upset about the Dark Mark? It was Lord Voldemort and his follower’s signal that would be left if they had murdered anyone p.142

Chapter 10

  1. How did Ron distract Harry from worrying about his nightmare with Lord Voldemort? They played Quidditch p.150
  2. Why was Percy and Mr. Weasley’s office receiving Howlers? People were unhappy with the security at the World Cup, so they would send letters that screamed at them p.151
  3. Why was Ron disgusted with his dress robes? They were second hand and were frilly with lace p.156

Chapter 11

  1. Why did Mrs. Weasley get the kids off to school on her own? An emergency came up with Mad-Eye and Mr. Weasley needed to attend to it p.160
  2. Predict what is happening at Hogwarts this year that people keep dropping hints about. Listen to your child’s answer p.163
  3. How did Draco know about the events happening at Hogwarts? His dad told him p.169

Chapter 12

  1. What happened to Colin Creevey’s brother on the way from the train to Hogwarts? He fell in the lake and was pushed back into the boat by something p.179
  2. Why was Hermione upset there were house elves at Hogwarts? She knew they were not paid for their work, like slaves p.182
  3. What was the exciting event happening at Hogwarts that everyone had kept secret? There was going to be a Triwizard Tournament p.184
  4. Who's the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor? Mad-Eye Moody p.185

Chapter 13

  1. What was Draco taunting Ron about? Ron’s parents p.202
  2. What did Professor Moody do to Draco? Turn him into a white ferret p.204
  3. Why was Professor McGonagall upset with Professor Moody? He wasn’t supposed to use transfiguration spells on students p.206

Chapter 14

  1. Why were the students terrified to see a spider die? Because they saw the pain Professor Moody had already inflicted on the other spiders p.215
  2. What curse killed Harry’s parents? Avada Kedavra p.216
  3. Why did Hermione spend so much time in the library? She was creating S.P.E.W.; Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare p.224
  4. Why was Harry upset afterreading the note from Sirius? He felt he had put Sirius in danger p.226

Chapter 15

  1. Why do you think Professor Moody wanted Harry to learn the death spell? He was trying to protect Harry from Voldemort p.232
  2. How did the competing schools arrive at Hogwarts? Beauxbatons came in a flying carriage; Durmstrang arrived in a ship from a whirlpool in the lake p.246
  3. Name one characteristic Madame Maxime had that reminds you of Hagrid. She’s very tall p.243

Chapter 16

  1. Why did Ron think the girl from Beauxbatons was a veela? She could mesmerize him like the veelas at the quidditch game had p.252
  2. What was the result of Fred and George attempting to age themselves? They were thrown out of the circle and grew white beards p.260
  3. How did Hagrid feel about S.P.E.W.? He felt the elves would be unhappy being free, so he didn’t join p.265
  4. Who were the champions chosen for the tournament? Viktor Krum, the girl Ron liked from Beauxbatons, Cedric Diggory, Harry Potter p.269

Chapter 17

  1. How did Madame Maxime and Karkaroff feel about Harry being chosen to compete? That Hogwarts was cheating and being unfair p.277
  2. Why does Harry think his name was entered into the Goblet of Fire? He thought someone wanted to kill him p.283
  3. How did Ron feel when Harry was chosen to compete in the tournament? He was jealous of him p.286

Chapter 18

  1. How did the Gryffindors respond to Harry being chosen? They thought he entered himself and applauded p.288
  2. How did the rest of the school react? They weren’t impressed p.292
  3. Where did Rita Skeeter interview Harry? In the broom closet p.303
  4. Why wasn’t Harry hanging out with Ron? Ron wasn’t speaking to him p.311

Chapter 19

  1. Describe the article written by Rita Skeeter? It was about Harry, but misrepresented him and didn’t talk about the tournament p.214
  2. Why did Harry regret getting chosen for the tournament? He and Ron were fighting because of it, Rita Skeeter had written the bad article about him and everyone made fun of him p.318
  3. Why did Hagrid take Harry to see the dragons? So Harry would know what his first task was p.328
  4. Who does Sirius think is responsible for putting Harry’s name in the goblet and why? Karkaroff, because he has been a death eater in the past p.334

Chapter 20

  1. Why was Cedric suspicious when Harry told him about the dragons? He thought Harry was trying to trick him into losing p.341
  2. How did Mad-Eye Moody help Harry with the first task? He gave him an idea of how to get passed the dragon p.344
  3. Which dragon did Harry face? The Hungarian horntail p.350
  4. How did Harry defeat it? He summoned his wand, flew away to distract it, then swooped down and retrieved the golden egg p.355

Chapter 21

  1. Why was Harry worried when Rita Skeeter interviewed Hagrid? He knew she would lie about Hagrid and he could lose his job p.371
  2. Why did Hermione take Harry to the kitchens? Dobby was there p.373
  3. Why do the other house elves keep their distance from Dobby? He is untraditional from other elves since he’s free and gets paid to work p.378
  4. Why was Winky so upset? She feels she is a disgrace to her family p.381

Chapter 22

  1. Why did Harry need a dance partner for the Yule Ball? As a champion, he will open the ball with the first dance p.387
  2. Who did Harry first ask to the ball? Cho p.396
  3. Who is she going to go with? Cedric p.397

Chapter 23

  1. Why didn’t Hermione want to tell Harry and Ron who she was going to the ball with? She felt they wouldn’t believe her or would tease her p.411
  2. Why was Ron upset when Hermione went to the ball with Krum? He was jealous p.422
  3. Why was Madam Maxime upset when Hagrid assumed she was a giant? She didn’t want people to think she was a giant p.428
  4. What was the clue Cedric gave to Harry about the golden egg? To take the egg to the bath p.431

Chapter 24

  1. Why is Hagrid in hiding? Rita Skeeter wrote an article about him and he was humiliated p.437
  2. Predict how Rita Skeeter learned of Hagrid’s history. Listen to your child’s answer p.441
  3. Why did Ron think Hermione was going to get a news article published about her? Hermione made Rita Skeeter angry p.451
  4. What helped Hagrid realize he shouldn’t hide anymore? The friends went to see him, and Dumbledore told him not to give up p.453

Chapter 25

  1. How did Moaning Myrtle help Harry figure out the mystery to the egg? She watched Cedric figure it out p.462
  2. Why was Moaning Myrtle sensitive about being dead? Nobody noticed her when she was alive p.465
  3. How did Moody stop Snape from finding Harry? He accused Snape of wanting to kill Harry p.473
  4. Why do you think Moody wants to borrow the Marauder’s Map? Listen to your child’s answer p.476

Chapter 26

  1. Why was Harry so worried about the second task? He didn’t have a spell to help him breathe underwater for one-hour p.485
  2. How did Dobby know what Harry could use for the task? He overheard teachers talking about it p.491
  3. Why was Harry late and out of breath for the second task? He had woken up late and run down to the lake p.493
  4. Summarize what happened during the task. Harry swam to the depth of the lake and found four figures tied up, needing to be saved. He freed Ron, Krum came and freed Hermione, and Cedric freed Cho. The last competitor never arrived to save her younger sister, so Harry freed her and took up his two prizes to the shore. Harry got extra points for saving the little sister and came in second place for the task and tied for first place overall p.506

Chapter 27

  1. Infer what is on Karkaroff’s arm? Listen to your child’s answer; the sign of the Dark Lord p.519
  2. Why did the friends purchase socks for Dobby? Wanted to say thank you for helping Harry with the task p.520
  3. Where did Sirius take the friends to talk? A cave p.521
  4. Why does Sirius want the friends to call him Snuffles? So no one is suspicious of who he really is p.534

Chapter 28

  1. Describe Harry’s watch. It doesn’t work p.543
  2. Why was Ron mad at Harry when he learned what happens to leprechaun gold? He’s poor and Harry is rich p.545
  3. Why did Ron’s mom send a smaller Easter egg to Hermione? Mrs. Weasley had read Rita Skeeter’s article about Hermione and was disappointed in her p.549
  4. Why was Hagrid upset when he found out Harry had spoken to Krum alone? Doesn’t trust Krum p.563

Chapter 29

  1. Predict what mischief Fred and George are up to? Listen to your child’s answer p.567
  2. Give an example that shows that Harry trusts and respects Sirius? He told Sirius he would see Dumbledore when his scar hurt p.578
  3. What is Cornelius Fudge prejudiced about? Giants p.580
  4. Why did Harry go to Dumbledore’s office? He had a dream about Voldemort and his scar hurt p.580 

Chapter 30

  1. Why did Dumbledore leave Harry in his office alone? Dumbledore, Mad-Eye Moody and Fudge went to go see where Mr. Crouch had been seen p.582
  2. What did Harry see in Dumbledore’s Pensieve? Dumbledore’s memories from being in court watching Voldemort’s past supporters on trial p.586
  3. Name three people who were charged with supporting Voldemort. Ludo Bagman, Karkaroff, and Mr. Crouch’s son p.587

Chapter 31

  1. Who came to see Harry during the “family time” before the third task? Mrs. Weasley and Bill p.615
  2. What curse did Krum do on Cedric? The Crucio torture curse p.626
  3. How did Harry travel in the correct direction in the maze? He cast a spell on his wand that pointed north p.628
  4. What deal did Harry and Cedric make when they reached the cup? They would both grab the cup at the same time p.635

Chapter 32

  1. Describe the setting where Harry and Cedric traveled to. A church with a graveyard p.636
  2. What happened to Cedric upon arriving at the graveyard? He was murdered p.638
  3. What did Harry see that helped him realize it was Wormtail who had grabbed him and tied him up? He saw a finger missing on Wormtail’s hand p.639
  4. What did Wormtail sacrifice for the Dark Lord and why? His hand; to raise the Dark Lord p. 642

Chapter 33

  1. How did Voldemort call his followers? Pressed the tattoo on Wormtail’s arm p.645
  2. Who is Voldemort’s true family? His followers p.646
  3. How did Harry contribute to the Dark Lord rising? Wormtail drew blood from Harry’s arm and dripped it into the cauldron p.656
  4. Why did Voldemort arrange for Harry to come to the church? To get his blood and to fight him p.658

Chapter 34

  1. Choose a word that describes Harry during the duel with Voldemort. Why did you choose it? Brave, strong, enduring, didn’t give up p.659
  2. Who came out of Voldemort’s wand during the duel? The people Voldemort had most recently murdered; Bertha Jorkins, Frank, Cedric, and Harry’s parents p.865
  3. What action did the ghosts take to help Harry get back to Hogwarts? Surrounded Voldemort so he couldn’t see what Harry was doing p.668

Chapter 35

  1. Where did Dumbledore want Harry to be when he arrived back at the school? With him p.672
  2. Why did Moody put Harry’s name in the Goblet of Fire? To set Harry up to be sent to the graveyard so Voldemort could come back p.675
  3. How did Dumbledore know the real Mad-Eye Moody was being impersonated? The real Moody wouldn’t have removed Harry when Dumbledore told him to stay p.680
  4. How did Dumbledore get Barty Crouch to tell the truth about everything that had happened and what he had done? truth potion p.683

Chapter 36

  1. Why did Dumbledore want Harry to tell him everything that had happened immediately? He knew it would be less painful than to sleep and tell him later p.695
  2. Why was Dumbledore upset that Fudge had allowed the dementor’s kiss on Barty Crouch? Crouch was the only other witness to Voldemort’s rise besides Harry p.703
  3. Why doesn’t Fudge believe Harry? He’s been reading the articles written by Rita Skeeter p.705
  4. Why didn’t Harry want Ron looking at him at the end of the chapter? He was going to cry or was crying p.714

Chapter 37

  1. What shocking news did Dumbledore tell the students during the Leaving Feast? Voldemort had murdered Cedric p.722
  2. How did Rita Skeeter learn the information for her articles? She can turn into a bug and disguised herself to get close to the students p.727
  3. Who had Fred and George been writing to and why? Ludo Bagman; to get their gold back p.731
  4. What did Harry do with his prize money? Give it to Fred and George with the stipulation they had to purchase Ron some new robes p.733

Comprehension Questions – The Chronicles of Narnia #6 The Silver Chair

The Silver Chair

By C.S. Lewis

Grades 3-8; Genre - Fantasy; GRL W; AR pts. 8.0

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why was Jill crying at the beginning of the book? She was being bullied p.1
  2. How did Jill and Eustace arrive in Narnia? They ran into a doorway away from some bullies and the other side of the door was Narnia p.9
  3. How do you know the kids were in Narnia? Jill saw Aslan p.16

Chapter 2

  1. Why didn’t Jill rush to get a drink from the glade? Aslan was right next to it and she thought he would eat her p.19
  2. What did Aslan want Jill to remember? The four signs he told her to help them in their task p.24
  3. What was Jill’s consequence for making Eustace fall off the edge of the cliff? Eustace doesn’t know the signs and Jill has to remember them herself and tell them to Eustace p.25
  4. How did Jill and Eustace travel to Narnia? On Aslan’s breath p.26

Chapter 3

  1. Who was the old king that got on the ship? Prince Caspian p.39
  2. Why was Eustace so confused about Narnia? He’d never been to the land of Narnia before, only to the sea p.41
  3. Did Eustace and Jill fulfill the first sign Aslan gave them? Why or why not? No, Eustace didn’t recognize the old king and Jill couldn’t get Eustace to understand the sign p.44

Chapter 4

  1. How did Jill and Eustace leave the castle and travel to the tower? The white owl, Glimfeather p.52
  2. Why would Trumpkin forbid the kids to look for the lost prince? Knights, centaurs, good giants, etc.(champions) have tried to find the prince and have never returned p.54
  3. How did Prince Caspian’s wife die? She was poisoned by a serpent while out with the prince p.57
  4. Why did Drinian tell the king he felt he was a traitor and to slay him? He held his tongue when he found out what Rilian was up to p.60

Chapter 5

  1. Where did the kids sleep after the owls dropped them off? In a Marsh-wiggle’s wigwam p.66
  2. Describe Puddleglum. He’s seems to always be negative and hopeless p.70
  3. What type of people live in Ettinsmoor? Giants p.74
  4. What stopped Eustace and Jill from quarreling? Puddleglum stating that all adventures are ready to knife each other at the end of an adventure p.78

Chapter 6

  1. Why did the giants throw rocks at the travelers? They didn’t see the travelers and were playing a game with each other p.82
  2. Who did the children meet after crossing the bridge? A knight and beautiful women p.89
  3. Why did Puddleglum think the knight was suspicious? He didn’t talk p.92
  4. Why was it a problem that Jill didn’t remember to recite the signs Aslan gave her? The signs were to help the children find the prince and if Jill didn’t remember the signs, they wouldn’t know where to go or what to look for p.94

Chapter 7

  1. Describe the weather the children traveled in to Harfang? Blizzard p.98
  2. How did the giant react to the travelers? He let them in and introduced them to the king p.108
  3. What did the giant give Puddleglum to drink? Liquor p.110

Chapter 8

  1. Why did Jill begin to cry when they stood before the king and queen? She was cold, tired, hungry and scared p.115
  2. Describe Jill’s dream. Aslan came to her and asked her to repeat the signs, but she couldn’t. He carried her to the window sill. As she looked out, she saw “under me” written in the sky p.119
  3. How did the children mess up the third sign? They walked through the ruined city in the storm and passed it. Now they’re stuck in the giant’s home.123
  4. Why was it important that Jill got permission to run around the castle? The children could explore and find the best way to escape and wouldn’t look suspicious when they were outside of their rooms while escaping p.128

Chapter 9

  1. Why did Puddleglum warn the children to stop eating the venison? The venison was from a talking beast p.132
  2. Why was Jill alarmed after reading two recipes in the cookbook? There was a recipe for man and another one for Marsh-wiggle p.135
  3. Where did the travelers go to hide from the hounds and giants? A hole in a giant stair p.140

Chapter 10

  1. What type of people lived underground? Gnomes p.146
  2. What human did the travelers get taken to? The quiet Knight p.158
  3. How does the knight feel about his queen? That she can do no wrong p.158

Chapter 11

  1. What enchantment does the queen save the knight from? He turns into a serpent a certain time every night p.164
  2. Why did the Knight want the children and Puddleglum to watch over him as he was tied to the silver chair? To comfort him p.168
  3. Why did they let the Knight go? He gave the fourth sign; he’s the prince p.176

Chapter 12

  1. What did the queen do after Rilian asked her to let them go peacefully? She threw green powder into the fireplace and played a stringed instrument p.181
  2. What did Jill remember while fighting the witch’s enchantment? Aslan p.187
  3. What did Puddleglum do to stop the enchantment? Stamped out the fire p.189
  4. What did the witch turn into? A serpent p.192

Chapter 13

  1. What was the result of the queen’s death? Her magic ended and the Underworld was getting destroyed by flood and volcano p.198
  2. What figure was on Rilian’s shield? an image of the Lion p.202
  3. Who was following the travelers as they rode through the city to escape? Gnomes p.204
  4. How did the gnome respond when the Prince told him the queen was dead? He was happy and said Rilian was a friend p.209

Chapter 14

  1. What had the witch done to the gnomes?  She had put an enchantment on them so they would be her slaves p.210
  2. What made the gnomes wake up? Rilian, Eustace, and Puddleglum killing the queen p.212
  3. Why were the gnomes acting like they were going to war? They didn’t know the queen was dead and were ready to fight so they could go back home p.213
  4. Why did the gnomes fling themselves into the chasm? Down the chasm is their real home and it was closing. They would have been stuck up in the city p.220

Chapter 15

  1. Where did the hole lead that Jill and Eustace climbed out of? Narnia p.231
  2. Why did Eustace come out of the hole fighting? He couldn’t see very well, snow fell on him from the cliff above, Narnian creatures were running toward him, and he thought enemies had taken Jill p.235
  3. Where do the Narnians think the witch was from?  The north p. 240

Chapter 16

  1. Where did the children fin Prince Rilian? On the green waiting for his father’s ship p.248
  2. What happened to the king after being carried off the ship? He died p.249
  3. Why did Aslan want Eustace to poke his paw? The blood from his paw dropped into the stream over Caspian’s body and brought him back to life (resurrection) p.262
  4. How did Aslan and Caspian help Jill and Eustace in their world? The kids that were bullying Jill saw the back of Aslan and the other three chased down the bullies p.256 

Comprehension Questions – Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2 The Sea of Monsters

The Sea of Monsters

by Rick Riordan

Grades 7-9; Genre - Fantasy; GRL W; AR pts: 9.0

In this highly anticipated sequel to The Lightning Thief, a magical tree protecting the borders of Camp Half-Blood is poisoned. Thirteen-year-old Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase, and their new friend Tyson set out to find the one item that can save the camp. The trio must survive Cyclopes, man-eating sheep, Sirens, and giant cannibals for Camp Half-Blood to have any chance at a future.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What was Percy’s dream about? Grover in trouble and running away from a monster p.1
  2. Why did Percy keep Anaklusmos under his pillow while he slept? In case he needed it for protection during the night p.3
  3. What’s going on with Camp Half-Blood and how does it affect Percy? There’s been some problems and it’s not safe for Percy to be there p.6

Chapter 2

  1. Describe Tyson and how Percy’s a good friend to him.  He’s over 6 feet tall; has a misshapen and brutal looking face; homeless and abandoned by his parents; crooked teeth; talks funny and with a deep voice; the other kids pick on him and Percy stands up for him p.9
  2. What was unusual about Sloan’s friends? There were more of them than usual and they had strange names on their name tags p. 13
  3. How did Percy figure out he was playing dodge ball with monsters? They smelled funny, called him Perseus and were growing in size right in front of him p.16

Chapter 3

  1. How did the kids travel to Camp Half-Blood? A taxi driven by three witches that shared one eye p.29
  2. What made Tyson feel like he was going to throw up? Car sickness p.32
  3. What location did Percy receive from the sisters? Four numbers p.36

Chapter 4

  1. What did Percy, Annabeth and Tyson help defeat when they arrived to Camp Half-Blood? 2 bulls p.38
  2. What did Percy learn about Tyson? He’s a cyclops and is immune to fire p.45
  3. Why were the bulls able to enter Camp Half-Blood? Thalia’s tree has been poisoned that protects the border p.47

Chapter 5

  1. Why is Chiron leaving Camp Half-Blood? He’s been fired since Mr. D thinks he poisoned Thalia’s tree p.51
  2. What’s Tantalus’ curse? He can’t eat or drink p.59
  3. Who’s Tyson’s father? Poseidon p.64

Chapter 6

  1. How did Percy feel about Tyson now that he knew he was his brother? He was embarrassed and ashamed of him p.66
  2. Who did Percy build his chariot and race with? Tyson p.71
  3. Describe Percy’s dream. Grover used an empathy link to reach Percy and tell him he was in danger and needed to be saved from Polyphemus p.73
  4. How did Percy and Annabeth defeat the pigeons or Stymphalian birds? By playing Chiron’s music p.83

Chapter 7

  1. Why would saving Grover help Thalia’s tree? Grover found the Golden Fleece and that heals nature p.87
  2. Who did Tantalus choose as champion to go on the quest? Clarisse p.92
  3. Who’s the stranger that spoke with Percy on the beach and what did he want? Hermes; to encourage Percy to go on the quest even though he wasn’t chosen p.101
  4. What gifts did Hermes give Percy? A thermos that’s a compass and carries the wind from four corners of the earth; vitamins to help him feel better if he needs it p.103

Chapter 8

  1. How did Percy and his friends get to the cruise ship? His father sent Hippocampi p.109
  2. What was wrong with the tourists on board the ship? They were all in a trance p.119
  3. Why did Percy and Annabeth decide to stay on the ship? Luke was there and they knew they needed to figure out what he was up to p.120

Chapter 9

  1. How did Annabeth and Percy know what Luke and his friends were saying in the stateroom? Tyson could hear them and recount what they were saying in their voices p.123
  2. What was in the sarcophagus? Pieces of Kronos the titan lord p.130
  3. How did Percy and his friends escape Luke and his team of monsters? They attacked them, jumped into a lifeboat and dropped to the water below, using the cannister of wind to propel them away from the boat p.132

Chapter 10

  1. Why did Percy get weak when they entered fresh water? only salt-water gives him strength p.137
  2. Why was Annabeth worried about the donut shop? It was a monster donut shop in the middle of the wilderness p.141
  3. What attacked the friends and who saved them? a hydra; Clarisse p.143

Chapter 11

  1. What did Percy and his friends have to go through to get into the Sea of Monsters? An island with the monster Scylla and a storm called Charybdis; they’re sisters p.156
  2. How was Tyson able to help with the engine on the ship? He could handle heat p.160
  3. Where was Percy when the ship exploded? In the air falling after freeing himself from being taken away by Scylla p.163
  4. How did Percy feel about Tyson dying? Wished he could drown p.164

Chapter 12

  1. What’s the prophecy Chiron didn’t want Percy to know about? A half-blood child of the big 3 will be a dangerous weapon at the age of 16 and decide the fate of Olympus, whether it fall or be saved p.167
  2. How did C.C. trick Percy and what was the consequence? She made him feel like he wasn’t good enough, so she persuaded him to drink a shake and it turned him into a guinea pig p.175
  3. How did Hermes vitamins come in handy? They made Annabeth immune to C.C.’s magic and turned Percy back into a human p.182
  4. How did Percy and Annabeth get off the island? They took Blackbeard’s boat, Percy could magically command it p.184

Chapter 13

  1. How was Percy immune to the Sirens? He put candlewax in his ears p.192
  2. What scenario had Annabeth created when she was effected by the Sirens? Having a picnic with her dad, Athena and Luke at Central Park in NYC p.196
  3. How did Percy break the spell the Sirens had on Annabeth? Kept her underwater and created a bubble for her to breathe p.197
  4. What’s Annabeth’s fatal flow? Deadly pride; thinking you can do things better than anyone else p.199

Chapter 14

  1. What did Annabeth and Percy compare Polyphemus monster sheep to? Piranhas p.203
  2. Who told Polyphemus his bride was Grover? Clarisse p.206
  3. How did Percy and Annabeth get into the Cyclops’ cave? Annabeth wore her invisibility cap and Percy rode in hanging on to the bottom of the sheep p.210
  4. How did Annabeth get Polyphemus out of the cave? She treated him like Odysseus had and he chased her p.211

Chapter 15

  1. Why didn’t Percy kill Polyphemus? He had compassion on him since he was also a son of Poseidon p.219
  2. Who saved Percy from Polyphemus? Tyson p.220
  3. How did Annabeth heal so quickly from her wounds? Percy put the fleece on her p.222
  4.  What danger were the kids in as they swam for the ship? Polyphemus was in the water and coming toward them carrying boulders in each hand p.224

Chapter 16

  1. Who was Polyphemus call a traitor and why? Tyson; for helping humans p.225
  2. Why did the Queen Anne sink? Clarisse taunted Polyphemus and he through a boulder through the hull p.229
  3. Why was Percy indebted to the gods? He prayed for the fleece to heal Annabeth and it did p.231

Chapter 17

  1. Why did Percy send Clarisse to the airport with the fleece? So she could fulfill the prophecy; he was being nice to her p.235
  2. After Clarisse left, who captured Percy and his friends? Luke p.236
  3. Why did Luke need the fleece? To heal Kronos p.239
  4. How did Percy arrange for everyone at Camp Half-Blood to listen to Luke’s confession? He created an Iris-message p.240

Chapter 18

  1. Why did Percy challenge Luke to fight? To distract him so Clarisse could get away with the fleece p.242
  2. Who came to Percy’s rescue? Chiron and his centaur relatives p.245
  3. Why don’t Mr. D and others trust Chiron? His father is Kronos p.253

Chapter 19

  1. Why did Hermes visit Percy? To see if he’d talked some sense into Luke; to deliver a package p.257
  2. Predict what Poseidon meant in his letter to Percy? Listen to your child’s answers p.261
  3. Why did Tyson pray for Percy to come into his life? He was an orphan on the streets and would get beat up by monsters. He needed someone to take care of him p.263
  4. How did the watch Tyson made help Percy and Annabeth win the race? It turned into a large shield p.267

Chapter 20

  1. How did Chiron help Percy get out of trouble with the police? he used mist to convince the school that the furnace caused the explosion p.271
  2. Where was Tyson going for the rest of the summer? Underwater to learn how to work the Cyclopes forges p.273
  3. What did Poseidon mean when he told Percy to brace himself? Thalia had turned back into a human and woken up; it’s all part of Kronos’ plan hoping Thalia will be the one to fulfill the prophecy and destroy Olympus p.279

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

The Lightning Thief

By Rick Riordan

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

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

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

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

Chapter 2

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

Chapter 3

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

Chapter 4

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

Chapter 5

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

Chapter 6

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

Chapter 7

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

Chapter 8

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

Chapter 9

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

Chapter 10

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

Chapter 11

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

Chapter 12

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

Chapter 13

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

Chapter 14

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

Chapter 15

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

Chapter 16

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

Chapter 17

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

Chapter 18

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

Chapter 19

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

Chapter 20 

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

Chapter 21

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

Chapter 22

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

Comprehension Questions – Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

By Mildred D. Taylor

Grades 6-9; Genre – Fiction; GRL W; AR pts: 10.0

The land is all-important to the Logan family. But it takes a while for Cassie and her three brothers to understand just how lucky they are to have it. They must learn the hard way that having a place they can call their own in rural Mississippi permits the Logans the luxuries of pride and courage that their poor black sharecropper neighbors can't afford.

Vocabulary

Writing Prompts

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe the setting of this story. 1933 in Mississippi, autumn time, it was morning as the main characters were walking to school on a dirt road, passing the white kids school, then in the school for black kids p.24
  2. Who are the Logan children? Little Man, Cassie, Christopher-John and Stacey; children who are a family who live in Mississippi with their mama, papa, and Big Ma; children who are the descendents of slaves p.2
  3. Define racism and give an example from this chapter. A belief that one group of persons is superior to another, usually with color of skin. Ex. Berry’s getting burned by some white men p.6; White kids on a bus, where our characters can’t ride the bus p.8; Jeremy getting beat up because he walks with the main characters to school p.9; white kids go to one school our main characters have to go to another p.10; they got all of the old used books the white kids had used and what the books called them p.17
  4. Why were most of the children at the Great Faith school have such thread worn clothes and shoes that were too small to wear? They were all so poor; they worked on plantations and didn’t make very much money p.11
  5. Why didn’t Cassie and Little Man want the books the school was giving them? Because of what the books called them p.18

Chapter 2

  1. Why did Papa bring home Mr. Morrison? He lost his job and he was going to work as a hired hand at the Logan’s farm p.27
  2. Explain in your own words what happened to the Berry’s. they stopped at a gas station for gas and Henrietta heard some white men talk about the men she was with. John Henry left without getting gas and after dropping her off to her home, the white men drove up behind them and rammed into their car. He stopped at his uncle’s house for fear he was going to run out of gas and the men came and dragged him, Beacon and his uncle out of the house and set them all on fire p.29
  3. Why did Cassie’s dad tell them all not to go the Wallace’s store? There was drinking, dancing and smoking and he felt there was going to be trouble one day for those kids who went p.30

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Big Ma use the term “ignorant white folks” when talking to Little Man about getting dirty by the school bus each day? Ignorant means lacking knowledge or comprehension of something, so she understands that the white people don’t understand that black people should be treated similarly p.33
  2. How did Big Ma show Little Man tough love when they were talking about the bus issue? Didn’t feel sorry for him and told him to stop fretting over it; told him to study hard in school and get a good education and he’d be ok; told him he could buy a car when he grew up to drive himself where he wanted to go p.33
  3. What was Stacey’s plan to stop the bus from splashing them to and from school? To dig into the road to make it look like it was washed out p.38
  4. When the bus fell into the deep ditch, why was Mama and Big Ma happy? Now the white kids will have to walk to school just like their kids do every day; now there’s no special privilege for white kids p.42
  5. Why do you think the men in the cars with the headlights came to Cassie’s home that night? To punish the children for digging the ditch; to capture Mr. Morrison p.50

Chapter 4

  1. Why did Mama and Big Ma suspect something was wrong with the children? They were listless, didn’t eat or sleep well p.53
  2. Why were the children relieved after talking to TJ and hearing about the man who got tarred and feathered? They learned it wasn’t because of their prank to stop the bus p.57
  3. Why did Papa bring Mr. Morrison to live near his family? To protect them p.59
  4. Why did Stacey get whipped in school? TJ handed him his cheat notes and the teacher saw p.61
  5. Why did Stacey decide to tell his Mama about fighting at the Wallace’s store? Mr. Morrison helped him understand he needed to. Stacey respected Mr. Morrison and wanted to do what he said p.66
  6. Explain why Mr. Granger wants to buy their land? He just wants it to own it, he doesn’t need it; to take away their privilege of having land; it was his before the ward, but his family had to sell it since they didn’t have any money p.67

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Big Ma park the wagon at the back of the field on market day? Only the white people’s wagons could park near the entrance p.80
  2. How was Cassie supposed to act in the store while Mr. Barnette was helping everyone else before them? Patient, wait until he’s ready to help; helps everyone who’s white before helping her p.85
  3. How had Cassie been insulted when in town? Mr. Barnette yelled at her for having no manners and expecting to be helped in proper order at the store and Lillian Jean made her apologize for bumping into her and expected Cassie to walk in the road p.86

Chapter 6

  1. How did Uncle Hammer react when Cassie told him what happened in Strawberry? He was angry and wanted to get revenge on Mr. Simms so got into his car to go to Mr. Simms home p.93
  2. How did Cassie’s mama explain the reason for Lillian Jean’s treatment? She explained that people are still stuck thinking that white people are better than black people even though slavery had ended decades before p.95
  3. What did Uncle Hammer give Stacey on the way to church and why did he give it to him then instead of at Christmas? A new coat because his was worn and too small p.101
  4. When Uncle Hammer persisted across the bridge to make the other car stop and wait for them, why was Mama so worried as she said, “one day we’ll pay.” Uncle Hammer’s actions will cause the Wallace’s to take offense and cause the Logan family to have issues because of it p.105

Chapter 7

  1. What did Stacey do to the coat Uncle Hammer gave to him and what was his uncle’s reaction when he found out? Gave it to TJ; Uncle Hammer told him not to got get it, but got after him for doing whatever TJ wanted him to do and told him he needed to stick up for himself and not be influenced easily p.107
  2. Summarize Mr. Morrison’s story about the night men. His little town got attacked by them since a woman complained some boys had hurt her. The night men came, started the town on fire, and killed women, children and men. His sisters died and his mother threw him out of the house so he wouldn’t get hurt and she fought next to his dad. They both died that night p.112
  3. What did the children get for Christmas? Books, clothes and candy/food p.116
  4. What did Mr. Jamison propose to Papa and Uncle Hammer? That he’ll back the credit for people to shop at the store in Vicksburg p.122
  5. Why did Mr. Granger come to visit the Logan’s? to tell them not to go to Vicksburg for the groceries or he would cause them to lose their land p.122

Chapter 8

  1. Describe the advice Cassie’s papa gave her about the incident with Lillian Jean? She has Uncle Hammer’s temper and she has to consider what is worse, the hurt you receive or the hurt your family would receive if they reacted the way they wanted to, but you can’t back down at some things or theya eat you alive ; he told her not to be mad, but she needed to decide how she was going to respond this treatment p.133
  2. Why was Cassie so kind to Lillian Jean and being her “pet”? to get her to trust her and tell her things, so when she beat her up and made her apologize, she had leverage to keep Lillian Jean from telling anyone what she had done p.137
  3. Explain why Mama lost her job as a schoolteacher? Mr. Granger came to her class and she admitted to not teaching everything in the book that the school board provided because it wasn’t true p.140
  4. What did TJ say that got their Mama fired?  That she wasn’t a good teacher and destroyed school property by covering the books with paper and that she was the one who told everyone not to go to the Wallace’s store p.143
  5. What’s a consequence of TJ talking to Kaleb Wallace about Ms. Logan and getting her fired? Nobody will talk to him at school p.146
  6. Predict what’s going to happen to TJ and how his actions are going to affect his relationship with the Logan’s.  He’s going to side more with the white people and help them ruin the Logan’s p.147

Chapter 9

  1. What’s the problem with TJ hanging out with Jeremy’s brothers who are 18 & 19? They’re much older than him; could be a bad influence; don’t treat him well when he’s not with them p.150
  2. What’s a chain gang? A group of men who have been arrested or convicts that are forced to working on road construction, ditch digging or farming while chained together p.155
  3. Describe the example Papa used when answering Cassie’s question if they were going to give up. He used a fig tree growing in an area with lots of trees overshadowing it. That fig tree keeps on growing and doesn’t give up. It has a right to be in the yard too. They aren’t giving up either p.156
  4. What had happened to Stacey, Mr. Morrison and Papa on their way back from Vicksburg in the rain? Someone had loosened the wheels on the cart, they came off and while the men were putting the wheels on a car came from behind and someone shot Papa. Jack the mule got scared and the cart rolled and ran over Papa. Mr. Morrison went after the men and stopped them from hurting any of them. The men left and they brought Papa home with a broken leg and his head wrapped from the shot p.162

Chapter 10

  1. Why were Cassie’s parents worried about money? Because her papa couldn’t work on the railroad to get the mortgage payments and her mom lost her teaching job p.166
  2. What did Mr. Morrison do when Kaleb Wallace blocked the road with his truck? He picked up each end of the truck and moved it p.170
  3. When Jeremy came to the pond and trees to see the Logan children, what did he tell them about TJ? That he was hanging around with white boys and stealing stuff from people p.173
  4. What does it mean that the bank called up the note? The bank wanted the Logan’s to pay for the debt on the land immediately p.175
  5. What did Uncle Hammer do to get the money to pay the debt at the bank? Sold his nice car and other things as well as borrowed some money p.178
  6. Why did TJ come to the revival? To show off his new friends to his old friends and boast about his new clothes and friends and how they’d give him anything he wanted p.182

Chapter 11

  1. Explain what happened at the Barnette’s store with TJ, R.W. and Melvin. TJ, M.W. and Melvin went to the store to get the pistol, but the store was closed. TJ climbed into the window and opened the door for the other boys. Once in they got the gun and were trying to get the metal case with money, but the Barnette’s came down the stairs. Mr. Barnette tried to stop them but got knocked in the head by the flat part of the ax and Mrs. Barnette fell and hit her head on the stove. The older boys beat up TJ since he said he was going to tell. They ran to do some business and TJ got a ride with a farmer close to the Logan’s home p.187
  2. What will be the consequence of Stacey taking TJ home instead of telling his parents? The children all saw the Avery family with TJ get pulled out of their home. TJ was accused of breaking into the store p.191
  3. Who came and tried to help the Avery family and TJ from getting hurt? Mr. Jamison p.193
  4. Why did Cassie and her brothers need to run and tell Papa and Mr. Morrison about the events at the Avery home? To warn them and protect them from Kaleb Wallace and the Simms since they want to hang them both as well as TJ p.195

Chapter 12

  1. Why was Mama so worried about Papa taking a gun to find Stacey and help TJ? She knew if he fired at the men he would be hung p.197
  2. What started the fire on their cotton? Lightning p.199
  3. What did Papa and Mr. Granger do to stop the fire? Dig a trench p.202
  4. What had happened to TJ? He got taken into Strawberry to jail so he could be tried for breaking into the mercantile store and hurting/killing the Barnette’s p.205
  5. How did Papa stop the hangings that night? He started a fire which caused Mr. Granger to stop focusing on TJ and instead putting out the fire on his fields p.208
  6. Why did Cassie cry at the end of the story? She mourned what would happen to TJ; she cried for the things that happened in the night, but what would not pass; for the land p.210

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 – The Phantom Tollbooth

The Phantom Tollbooth

By Norton Juster

Grades 5-8; Genre - Fantasy; GRL W; AR pts: 7.0

Milo is a boy who seems unhappy in everything he's doing.  He gets a special delivery which turns out to be a magical tollbooth.  He gets in his little car and decides to try out the phantom tollbooth.  He ends up in a strange land with many strange creatures and ends up trying to help them by saving two princesses that have been banished. Continue reading →