Tag Archives: Series

Comprehension Questions – Wings of Fire #1 The Dragonet Prophecy

The Dragonet Prophecy

by Tui T. Sutherland

Grades 5-8; Genre - Fantasy; GRL X; AR pts. 10.0

The seven dragon tribes have been at war for generations, locked in an endless battle over an ancient, lost treasure. A secret movement called the Talons of Peace is determined to bring an end to the fighting, with the help of a prophecy, a foretelling that calls for great sacrifice.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe the introduction to the story. Clay is a dragonet learning to fight, but he doesn’t like it. Kestrel is his teacher and wants more out of him. Tsunami is another dragonet who stands up for Clay. She suggests they leave the caves earlier than two years when the prophecy is to take place p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Summarize this chapter. The five dragonets acted out the prophesy, but got in trouble when Kestrel found them; Tsunami shared her desire to escape with the other dragons, except for Sunny since she can’t keep a secret p.12

Chapter 3

  1. Describe how the Minders treat the dragonets and if you’d like to be under their tutelage. Why, or why not?  Angry, mean, bossy, condescending and say rude things to them; listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 4

  1. Summarize Morrowseer’s visit? He wanted to see which of the dragonets were up to the task p.34

Chapter 5

  1. What disturbing information did Clay hear when he spied on the Minders? Morrowseer ordered them to kill Glory by noon the next day p.53

Chapter 6

  1. Describe the plan the dragonets put in place to save Glory? Clay would swim downriver until he was out of the cave; the dragonets in the cave would build a fire so Clay could see where the cave is from the outside; meanwhile Glory would use her dragon skills and camouflage herself to prevent the Minders from finding and killing her p.60

Chapter 7

  1. Summarize this chapter. Clay took to his journey in the river; he was still underground when he came to a stream and a waterfall; he decided to go up the stream, but something stung him and he blacked out p.66

Chapter 8

  1. Who helped Clay? Tsunami p. 74
  2. How did she break free of the chains? Sunny and Fireflight breathed fire on them together p.75

Chapter 9

  1. Why was Clay excited to see dirt? He’s a mud dragon; he’s much more comfortable in the dirt p.84

Chapter 10

  1. Who did the dragonets run into above the surface? Scarlet, the queen of the Sky Wings p.93
  2. Is that good or bad? Why? Bad; she will want to prevent the prophecy and destroy the dragonets p.93

Chapter 11

  1. Describe the interaction Tsunami and Clay had with Scarlet. She wanted to take them with her, but they knew they couldn’t go with her; Tsunami stabbed her tail with a claw and the dragonets flew off p.95

Chapter 12

  1. List a consequence the dragonets will have because they left the cave. Queen Scarlet knows where the secret hideout is; she knows about the 5 dragonets p.109

Chapter 13

  1. Why is Clay surprised Kestrel was willing to give herself up to save the dragonets? Kestrel isn’t loyal to any dragon except her own kind and she hated the dragonets p.114

Chapter 14

  1. Describe the prison cell Clay has. It’s outside, hundreds of feet above the ground; on a spire/column by himself with many other columns around him with dragons on them; high above the arena p.119

Chapter 15

  1. Describe the battle between Peril and Horizon. Peril burned Horizon with her touch, to end the fight, Horizon held onto Peril and died p.132
  2. Predict what will happen the next day. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 16

  1. Describe Peril. She’s the queen’s champion; she’s a Sky Wing dragon; she burned her twin to death in their egg; her mother tried to drop her over a cliff but the queen saved her; she has too much fire, anyone that touches her is burned; needs a friend p.138

Chapter 17

  1. Why did the queen bring the three friends to her? To decide who she should put in the arena with an Ice Wing p.152
  2. Why did both Clay and Tsunami volunteer to fight in the arena? They wanted to protect each other and their friends p.153

Chapter 18

  1. Who do you think won the fight? Why? Listen to your child’s answer p.161

Chapter 19

  1. Why does Clay think he’s going to make the prophecy fail? Because he thinks he’s weak p.163
  2. Who does Clay think Peril’s mother is? Kestrel p.172

Chapter 20

  1. What’s Kestrel and Peril’s story? Kestrel had the twins and fled, but the queen caught her and told her if she killed one of the dragonets she and the other dragonet could go free; Kestrel killed the one twin, but the queen lied and didn’t free her; Kestrel tried to escape, but was burned when she grabbed Peril; she dropped her and left her to the queen p.180

Chapter 21

  1. Why did Clay feel like they had to escape that night? Queen Burn was coming and she will be ruthless with the dragonets; he was worried one of them would have to fight Peril the next day; he knew he had to save Sunny before Burn took her home p.188

Chapter 22

  1. What’s stopping the dragonets from leaving Peril’s cave? A fire burning from black rocks p.197
  2. Who do you think sprayed Fjord with poison? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter23

  1. Describe Peril’s actions in this chapter. The dragonets thought she was helping them, instead she betrayed them p.209

Chapter 24

  1. How did Clay fulfill a prophecy? He came from a blood red egg and can walk through fire p.212

Chapter 25

  1. Describe the crowd’s attitude toward the fighting in the arena? They like the fight; they wanted death p.221
  2. Compare the relationship the five dragonets have to the rest of the dragons in this world. They care about each other; they are friends and help each other; the other dragons have no care for each other and don’t know how to be real friends p.221

Chapter 26

  1. How did the audience react when Tsunami and Starflight wouldn’t fight? They thought it was sweet p.224
  2. Who showed up at the end of the chapter? Morrowseer p.228

Chapter 27

  1. What did Morrowseer do in this chapter? He saved Starflight and flew away p.231

Chapter 28

  1. What word would you use to describe Clay in this chapter? Why? Noble; loyal; dedicated; listen to your child’s answer p.241

Chapter 29

  1. Do you agree that the dragonets should free Kestrel? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 30

  1. How did Peril grow in this chapter? She realized Clay would be her friend even if she helped free him and his friends p.259

Chapter 31

  1. Why is Glory mad at Clay? He made her feel like she wasn’t wanted p.266

Chapter 32

  1. Describe Clay’s experience as he walked into the Mud Wing domain? They weren’t friendly; no one paid him and Glory any attention; people seemed bothered by them; they were in military groups and only talked with each other p.280

Chapter 33

  1. Why was Clay disappointed after speaking with his mother? She wasn’t happy to see him; she didn’t care about him; he didn’t receive any answers from her about his father; she sold Clay’s egg to the Talons of Peace p.283

Chapter 34

  1. What did Clay find in this chapter? Explain. The answers he’d been looking for; his family; what life would have been like had he been born in the tribe p. 290
  2. Why couldn’t Clay stay with them? He has his own destiny; he didn’t want to tear his sibs apart; his sibs would feel like they had to choose between him and Reed who was their current bigwings p.293

Chapter 35

  1. What did Clay realize at the end of this story? That he was good enough to fulfill the prophecy just the way he was p.300
  2. Why is that important? Listen to your child’s answer

Epilogue
1. What did you learn from reading the epilogue? Morrowseer is evil and has made a deal with Blister; he wants her to be the next queen; Morrowseer gave instructions to Starflight to betray his friends; the dragonets are in danger; he killed Kestrel and are looking for Webs p.301

Comprehension Questions – Magic Tree House #34 Late Lunch with Llamas

Late Lunch with Llamas

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 1-4; Genre - Historical Fiction with Fantastical Elements; GRL M; AR pts. 1.0

The magic tree house whisks Jack and Annie away to South America, where they must climb Machu Picchu to save a baby llama. 

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Where is Jack and Annie going in this book? Peru p.7
  2. What continent is Peru on? South America 

Chapter 2

  1. Why is the boy so upset in this chapter? His baby llama was stolen p.19

Chapter 3

  1. Why are Jack and Annie afraid to cross the bridge? It’s made of rope and hangs between two mountains p.25
  2. Why are Jack and Annie determined to cross the bridge? Their mission is to go across and save the llama p.27

Chapter 4

  1. Why did Jack and Annie feel sick while hiking up the mountain? They didn’t have water and they needed to slow down to let their bodies get used to the high altitude p.35

Chapter 5

  1. How did Jack and Annie know they were taken back hundreds of years into the past? Topa and his grandparents called Machu Picchu the Secret City p.40

Chapter 6

  1. Where did Jack and Annie find drinking water? In one of the many springs in the city p.47

Chapter 7

  1. How will the legend help Jack and Annie? The llama will speak and tell the Emperor what it wants p.61

Chapter 8

  1. Name one thing that was scary for Jack in this chapter? The Emperor wouldn’t believe them; the trail to the rope bridge was on a cliff; condors were flying overhead p.62

Chapter 9

  1. How did Jack keep Cria safe from the condors? He remembered the legend and asked the condors to tell the constellations to keep Cria safe p.74

Chapter 10

  1. What’s Annie’s explanation of “the secret of the brave”? People can’t be brave unless they’re afraid first p.85

Comprehension Questions – Magic Tree House #33 Narwhal on a Sunny Night

Narwhal on a Sunny Night

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 1-4; Genre - Historical Fiction with Fantastical Elements; GRL M; AR pts. 1.0

The magic tree house whisks Jack and Annie to Greenland, where their mission is to save a narwhal.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What do you know about Greenland from this first chapter? It’s cold, by the Arctic Circle, can’t have a lot of grass and trees, icebergs and reindeer p.5

Chapter 2

  1. Name one fact you found interesting in this chapter. The earth is warming causing the polar caps to melt; 56,000 people live there with most of them Inuits; there are three kinds of seals and 15 kinds of whales that live there p.12

Chapter 3

  1. Why were Jack and Annie worried about the orcas swimming toward the narwhals? Orcas will kill and eat narwhals p.22

Chapter 4

  1. How did Annie convince the boy not to kill the narwhal for its horn? She told him they’re special and mysteries of nature; they know secrets humans will never know and hear things in ways we’ll never hear; they talk in a language we’ll never understand p.28

Chapter 5

  1. Describe how the kids free the narwhal? Leveraged a spear into the ice to break it p.34

Chapter 6

  1. Describe what you know about Erikson and his family. They’re seafarers; came from Iceland 8 years ago p.40

Chapter 7

  1. Describe the village Erikson lives in. His dad is the chief; long wooden house; thatched huts; barns; dogs; families live there: shocked to see Jack and Annie p.48

Chapter 8

  1. Why are Jack and Annie wanting to sneak away from Leif’s house? His family is under the impression they have a ship and want to take the entire village to see it in the morning p.62

Chapter 9

  1. What gift did Jack and Annie give Leif? Their map of Greenland p.69

Chapter 10

  1. Why do you think “thanks” is the special word Jack and Annie saw glow? Listen to your child’s answer p.79

Chapter 11

  1. Who can you thank? Make sure to write them a note or tell them! P.84

Comprehension Questions – The Chronicles of Narnia #7 The Last Battle

The Last Battle

by C.S. Lewis

Grades 5-7; Genre - Fantasy; GRL W; AR pts. 7.0

Jill and Eustace join Prince Tirian as he tries to defeat the evil that has infested Narnia.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Shift. An ape; bosses Puzzle around; manipulative; gets what he wants; not a good friend; makes Puzzle feel guilty for telling him “no” p.3
  2. Why didn’t Puzzle want to wear the lion skin? He felt it would be wrong and disrespectful to Aslan p.9
  3. Why did Shift want Puzzle to wear the lion skin? To pretend to be Aslan so he could get what he wants p.14
  4. Do you think it’s a good idea? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 2

  1. Has Aslan shown himself in the land? No, it’s Puzzle in the lion skin p.17
  2. What tidings did Roonwit bring the king? There’s evil that hangs over Narnia p.19
  3. How did the king act rash in this chapter? He raced in with Jewel and killed the Calormenes instead of waiting for his army p.27

Chapter 3

  1. Why is everyone believing Puzzle is Aslan? That’s what Shift is telling them; They’ve never seen Aslan before; they don’t know what he looks like or what his nature is p.30
  2. What’s Shift doing in this chapter? Lying to the Talking Beasts to make them go along with his plan; being deceitful p.37

Chapter 4

  1. Compare Puzzle to the real Aslan? Stiff in stature; Shift speaks to the people for him; Aslan always shows himself and speaks for himself when he wants and he wouldn’t kill the trees or enslave the animals p.48
  2. What shoes Tirian do in this chapter? Calls out for help to Aslan and to the children/friends of Narnia p.50

Chapter 5

  1. Who’s sitting at the table Tirian saw? The Professor, Aunt Polly, Eustace, Jill, Peter, Lucy, Edmund p.57
  2. Where did Tirian take the children? The battlements p.60

Chapter 6

  1. Where had Jill gone and what did she find? To the stable; Puzzle in the lion skin p.74
  2. Why didn’t the group feel the need to whisper anymore? They had the false Aslan and could prove to everyone they had been tricked p.76

Chapter 7

  1. How did the dwarfs react when Tirian saved them and cheered for Aslan? They didn’t believe in Aslan and didn’t want a king anymore p.83
  2. Summarize the conversation Poggin overheard. The Cat and the Calormene Captain agreed to use the Ape to their advantage to make Narnia a Calormene province p.90

Chapter 8

  1. What news did the Eagle bring to Tirian and the others? Calormene ships attacked Cair Paravel and the dying Roonwit sent a message with Farsight that all worlds draw to an end p.103

Chapter 9

  1. How was the king’s plan ruined? Shift told the Beasts that a donkey had dressed up as Aslan, so now the Beasts want to kill Puzzle p.116

Chapter 10

  1. Summarize this chapter. The Ape challenged Narnians to go into the stable; the Cat goes in and comes out unable to talk; a Calormene soldier goes in, but a different soldier comes out dead; the Ape threatens a Boar to go in and Tirian and his group come out with their weapons; Tirian invites the Narnians to stand at his side and fight the Calormenes p.117

Chapter 11

  1. Name something discouraging that happened in this chapter. The dwarfs shot and killed the Talking Horses; the Calormenes reinforced the enemy army; many Narnian Animals left and wouldn’t help fight; Narnians joined the enemy p.134

Chapter 12

  1. What did Tirian find inside the stable? Tash took Rishda away and 7 kings and queens stood before him, the same as in the dream he had when he called to them p.150

Chapter 13

  1. Why couldn’t the dwarfs be helped? They didn’t want to be p.169
  2. Who appeared in the stable? Aslan p.169

Chapter 14

  1. Summarize this chapter. The animals of the world all had to face Aslan; the world of Narnia ended; Emeth the Calormene was sitting against a tree p.174

Chapter 15

  1. Why was Emeth able to see Aslan? He believed in him p.188

Chapter 16

  1. What had happened to the children and their parents? There was a railway accident and they all died p.210

Comprehension Questions – #2 Isadora Moon Goes Camping

Isadora Moon Goes Camping

by Harriet Muncaster

Grades 1-4; Genre - Fantasy; Lexile 520L; AR pts. 1.0

When Isadora Moon and her family go on a camping trip to the beach, they're just like everybody else. They roast marshmallows and build sand castles and sleep in a tent But in a magical family, anything can happen. And when Isadora goes on a nighttime adventure, she makes an unusual friend under the sea. . . .

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Predict what Isadora did during summer break. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 2

  1. How does Isadora’s dad’s feel about camping? He didn’t want to; doesn’t like it p.11
  2. Where did her family go for their vacation? Camping at the beach p.22

Chapter 3

  1. How did Isadora figure out her dad was in the bathroom? There was a long line of people waiting to get in p.31

Chapter 4

  1. How was the special comb lost? Isadora put it on top of her sandcastle; the tide came in and washed it away p.46
  2. Why didn’t Isadora tell her dad what happened to it? She was too scared at first, but then he wouldn’t talk to her when she tried p.48

Chapter 5

  1. Who did Isadora meet on the beach? A mermaid p.60
  2. Should the mermaid princess give back the comb? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 6

  1. How did Isadora get the comb back? She asked the princess and agreed to stay for a tea party p.75

Chapter 7

  1. What did Isadora do to Princess Delphina’s stuffed mer-bear? Why? Brought it to life; she was lonely p.83
  2. What did Isadora’s dad learn? He shouldn’t have brought his comb to the beach; spending time with his family is more important than a comb p.91

Comprehension Questions – #1 Isadora Moon Goes to School

Isadora Moon Goes to School

by Harriet Muncaster

Grades 1-4; Genre - Fantasy; Lexile 520L; AR pts. 1.0

Isadora Moon loves sunshine — and nighttime. She loves her magic wand — and her black tutu. She loves spooky bats — and Pink Rabbit. Isadora is half-fairy, half-vampire, and she’s special because she is different! Now Isadora’s parents want her to start school, but she’s not sure where she belongs — fairy school or vampire school?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Isadora. Half vampire, half fairy; has a vampire dad, fairy mom, and a little sister like her; her pink stuffed rabbit is alive; lives in the top tower of her large home p.2

Chapter 2

  1. What decision is Isadora trying to make in this chapter? What school to go to p.16

Chapter 3

  1. Why is Isadora embarrassed in this chapter? She was practicing her wand skills and instead of a carrot cake, a carrot appeared that grew to a great size and flew out the window p.32

Chapter 4

  1. What happened on Isadora’s first day at fairy school? She couldn’t use a wand; she couldn’t dance like the other fairies because she couldn’t wear her black tutu; she didn’t know she shouldn’t pick toadstools from a fairy ring and she got red spots from the toadstools p.43

Chapter 5

  1. Why isn’t Isadora prepared for vampire school? She wasn’t able to sleep all day and will be tired p.60

Chapter 6

  1. What did Isadora learn about herself in this chapter? That her wings flap and she doesn’t zoom and glide like other vampires p.68

Chapter 7

  1. How did Pink Rabbit get banned from vampire school? He opened the window and let all the bats out p.84

Chapter 8

  1. What did Isadora like about herself in this chapter? Her wild hair p.91

Chapter 9

  1. What made Isadora feel happy? She felt proud to be who she was; the human kids accepted her for who she was p.103

Chapter 10

  1. How did Isadora convince her parents to let her go to regular human school? Humans are all different, just like her; she really wanted to go p.114

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

The Final Battle

by Mary Pope Osborne

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

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

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

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

Chapter 2

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

Chapter 3

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

Chapter 4

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

Chapter 5

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

Chapter 6

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

Chapter 7

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

Chapter 8

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

Chapter 9

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

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

Return to Ithaca

by Mary Pope Osborne

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

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

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

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

Chapter 2

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

Chapter 3

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

Chapter 4

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

Chapter 5

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

Chapter 6

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

Chapter 7

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

Chapter 8

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

Chapter 9

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

Chapter 10

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

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

The Gray-Eyed Goddess

by Mary Pope Osborne

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

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

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

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

Chapter 2

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

Chapter 3

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

Chapter 4

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

Chapter 5

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

Chapter 6

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

Chapter 7

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

Chapter 8

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

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

Sirens and Sea Monsters

by Mary Pope Osborne

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

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

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

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

Chapter 2

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

Chapter 3

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

Chapter 4

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

Chapter 5

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

Chapter 6

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

Chapter 7

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

Chapter 8

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

Chapter 9

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

Chapter 10

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

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