Світлана Головатюк. Reading Comprehension

9 - 12 You are just beginning the reading habit. Choose interesting books and try to read some English every week.

You will soon get to ‘Bookworm’ level!

Світлана Головатюк

Reading Comprehension Adapted selections from classics of literature Тексти та завдання англійською мовою для читання в 6-7 класах

Кам‟янець - Подільський 2015 52

Рецензенти: Данилко О. Ю., вчитель-методист навчальновиховного комплексу №16 Рибачук Ю.Л., викладач кафедри іноземних мов Хмельницької гуманітарно-педагогічної академії

Now work out your score!

1. a) = 1 point b) = 2 points c) = 3 points 2. a) = 1 point b) = 2 points c) = 3 points 3. a) = 2 points b) = 2 points c) = 1 point 4. 2 points for each answer chosen 5. a) = 3 points b) = 0 points c) = 1 point 6. a) = 1 point b) = 2 points c) = 5 points 7. a) = 0 points b) = 2 points c) = 0 points 8. a) = 3 points b) = 2 points c) = 1 point 9. a) = 1 point b) = 3 points c) = 1 point 10. a) = 3 points b) = 3 points c) = 1 point Now see if you really are a Bookworm!

24 + You are a true Bookworm! You read anything and everything. Now why don’t you try to write a story yourself!

Головатюк С.В.

Reading comprehension. Adapted selections from classics of literature. – Кам’янець-Подільський, 2015. - 52 c.

13 - 23 You like reading and will probably become a Bookworm very soon. You know what you like to read. Keep practicing!

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6. When you read do you… a) read a page then stop b) read a chapter at a time c) read the whole story without stopping!

7. What is the storyline of a book called? a) the plan b) the plot c) the review

Передмова Пропонований посібник призначений для перевірки навчальних досягнень учнів, своєчасного виявлення і усунення прогалин у засвоєнні матеріалу, розвитку творчого та пізнавального потенціалу школяра, а також ефективного

використання

часу

на

уроці.

Надані

матеріали спрямовані на перевірку в учнів умінь читати

8. How fast can you read..? a) very quickly using only your eyes b) quite quickly but you stop at new words c) you follow the words with your finger

тексти з розумінням основного змісту та з повним

9. How do you usually feel when you have read a book? a) happy that you have finished b) you want to read the next one immediately c) you don‟t feel anything

літератури.

Завдання

складності,

що

розумінням змісту та сприятимуть розвитку цього виду мовленнєвої діяльності на кожному етапі навчання. Посібник

містить

уривки різні

дозволяє

за

з

творів

обсягом

вчителеві

класичної і

ступенем

диференціювати

роботу школярів. Посібник стане у нагоді вчителям та зацікавить читачів, які прагнуть до самовдосконалення у вивченні

10. Which is your favourite book character? a) Winnie the Pooh b) Frodo the Hobbit c) Spot the Dog

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англійської мови.

3

Read the story carefully. Then answer the question.

Tom’s Great Idea Adapted from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

Saturday morning came. Every child was happy to be out of school for the day - all except Tom. Aunt Polly had given him work to do.

Tom held a bucket of white paint and a longhandled brush .He looked at the fence - thirty yards of high, board fence. He sat down on a tree box, annoyed and unhappy.

Tom tried to think of a way out of the mess he was in .Then he got a great idea. He picked up his brush and went to work.

Ben Rogers came in sight, hop-skip-and-jumping, happy as could be, eating an apple.

“Hi-yi!” Ben said. “You are in a mess, ain‟t you!”

No answer. Tom looked at his last paint stroke with the eye of an artist. Tom‟s mouth watered for the apple, but he stuck to his work.

Ben said, “Hello, old chap, you gotta work, hey?”

Tom turned suddenly.

4

Are you a bookworm? Try this fun quiz to find out what kind of reader you are!

1. How many books have you read in English? a) 1 – 3 b) 4 – 10 c) more than 11 2. How many books do you read in a month? a) none or 1 b) 2 – 4 c) 5 or more 3. What do you like to read most? a) poems b) stories c) picture books 4. What sort of books do you like to read? a) adventure b) fantasy c) comedy 5. Do you read stories on the web? a) yes – often b) no c) sometimes 49

“A Day of Hunger” Pages 38-43 1. Cold, hungry, tired 2. In the gutter ( near the bakery ) 3. b. the smell of warm bread 4. No, Sara is not a real princess. Sara wants to act the way a princess would act, even though she is a servant.

5. Six 6. One 7. c. sad 8. It is odd because she was supposing how nice it would be to find a coin to buy some buns, and then she really does find a coin near a bakery.

9. Mr. Laurence bought fish for a poor woman to feed her children.

10. Mr. Laurence is like Sara because he bought food for someone who was hungry and poor.

11. Messua feeds Mowgli.

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“Why, it is you, Ben! I hadn‟t noticed you.”

“Say - I am going in a-swimming, I am. Don‟t you wish you could? But of course you‟d rather workwouldn‟t you? Course you would!”

Tom studied the boy a bit, and said: “What do you call work?”

“Why, ain‟t that work?”

“Well maybe it is, and maybe it ain‟t. All I know is - it‟s fun for Tom Sawyer.”

“You don‟t mean to say you like it!”

The paintbrush kept moving.

“Like it?” said Tom. “Well, I don‟t see why I shouldn‟t like it. Does a boy get a chance to whitewash a fence every day?”

That changed the way Ben thought about it. He stopped nibbling his apple and began watching Tom closely, getting more and more interested. Soon he said: “Say, Tom, let me whitewash a little.”

Tom thought about it and was about to agree, but he changed his mind.

“No-no-no-I reckon I better not, Ben. You see,

5

Aunt Polly wants this fence done right. I reckon there ain‟t one boy in a thousand, maybe two thousand, that can do it the way it‟s got to be done.”

“No-is that so? Oh, come, now-lemme just try.

Only just a little. Why, I‟d let you, if you was me, Tom.” “Ben, I‟d like to, honest, but Aunt Polly- well, Jim wanted to do it, but she wouldn‟t let him. Won‟t let Sid, neither. Now, don‟t you see my problem ? If you was to try this fence and anything was to happen to it-“ “Oh, shucks, I‟ll be just as careful. Now, lemme try. Say- I‟ll give you the core of my apple.”

“Well, here… No, Ben, I can‟t. I‟m afraid-“ “I‟ll give you all of it!”

Tom gave up the brush, acting like he didn‟t want to stop painting, but knowing that his plan had worked just right. And while Ben worked and sweated in the sun, Tom sat on a barrel in the shade close by, munched his apple, and planned how he could trap some more kids. He didn‟t have to wait long. Boys stopped by every little while. They came to laugh at Tom, but stayed to paint the fence.

6

10.

Example answers: Blank eyes show that the person does not understand. Blank eyes show the person has no feelings 11. Jo

“The Village” 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Pages 32-37 a. The Wolf Pack sends him away. c. rude Messua human language Possible answers: Mowgli does not know human language. Mowgli has long hair.

Mowgli has lived in the jungle. Mowgli has never worn shoes. Mowgli has a wolf for a brother. a wolf b. send away from the Pack Grey Brother thinks the humans will also send Mowgli away.

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6.

Gee! Means go to the right.

Haw! Means go to the left.

Mush! Means go forward fast.

7. c. gold dust 8. a. bragged 9.

No, John Thornton loves Buck very much. He has a special bond with him.

10.

The sled pull. It is 100 yards. Tom‟s fence is 30 yards.

“Rebecca’s Punishment” 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Pages 25-31 The Cobbs‟ home wet paint Aunt Miranda b. small umbrella The Cobbs praise Rebecca‟s poem. Rebecca gives herself a punishment for getting paint on her best dress.

Mr. Cobb, Aunt Jane d. Mr. Flagg a. stern d. rushing 46

By the time Ben was tired out, Tom had traded the next chance to Billy Fisher for a kite. When he gave up, Johnny Miller traded for a dead rat and a string to swing it with - and so it went, hour after hour. And when the middle of the afternoon came, Tom was rich, for he also had twelve marbles, part of a harmonica, a piece of blue bottle - glass to look through, a piece of a red chalk, a key that wouldn‟t unlock anything, a tin soldier, a couple of tadpoles, a spool, six firecrackers, a kitten, a brass doorknob, a dog collar (but no dog), the handle of a knife, and four pieces of orange peel.

He had fun the whole time, and the fence had three coats of whitewash on it! If he hadn‟t run out of paint he would have emptied the pockets of every boy in the village.

Tom had figured out that in order to make a man or a boy want something, all you had to do was make the thing hard to get. He thought about his good luck and went back inside the house.

7

Answer the questions. Refer back to the story as needed.

1. The story takes place on what day of the week?____________________________________ 2. What are two words from the story that tell how Tom really feel about painting the fence?____________________________________ 3. Why does Tom tell Ben that painting is fun?______________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ ________________________________________ 4. What does Ben trade for a chance to paint the fence?____________________________________ 5. How long is the fence that Tom must paint?____________________________________ 6. How many boards high is the fence?____________________________________ 7. How many coats of whitewash go onto the fence?____________________________________ ________________________________________ 8. Which of these things does Tom NOT trade for? a. red chalk 8

“Enjoy Your Blessing” 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Pages 10-16 Amy, Beth, Jo, Meg Possible answers: fine shoes, fine clothes Possible answers: freedom to write, read, run, ride Possible answers: music lessons, fine piano Possible answers: handsome nose, perfect face d. parrot Beth is not a bee. She is busy like a bee.

Worker bees stay busy all day and night.

Susie had a red ring that Amy liked. c. good lesson

“The Sled Pull” Pages 17-24 1. one thousand dollars 3 twenty 4 c. 100 yards 5 Yes. He said his dog could pull 700 pounds.

6 d. Buck is playful.

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Answer Pages Note: Some answers may vary depending upon your own thoughts about each story. Example answers serve as guides.

“Tom’s Great Idea” pages 4-9 1. Saturday 2. annoyed, unhappy 3. example answer: So Ben would want to paint the fence 4. apple 5. 30 yards 6. eleven 7. three 8. b. gym 9. c. set of two 10. Example answers: Yes, it was a good idea because Tom got other people to do his work, and he even got paid for it.

No, it was not a good idea because it was sort of a sneaky thing to do.

11. example answers: clever, funny, lazy, smart, tricky, sly, lucky 44

b. gym c. kitten d. kite

Words in context 9. Tom trades for “a couple of tadpoles”. What do you think “a couple” means? a. glass jar b. handful c. set of two d. pile

Your thoughts 10. Do you think Tom‟s plan was a good idea?

Why or why not?______________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ 11.Write three words you would use to describe Tom Sawyer, based on this story. __________________________________________ ________________________________________

9

Read the story carefully. Then answer the questions.

Enjoy Your Blessings Adapted from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

All four girls in the March home were in a grumpy mood that morning.

“Oh, dear. It is so hard to go back to our duties,” sighed Meg, the oldest. She was sixteen and had been to a party the night before.

“I wish we were on holiday all year long. Wouldn‟t it be fun?” answered Jo, who was fifteen.

“It does seem so nice to go to parties and read and rest and not work,” said Meg. Beth, age thirteen, had a headache. She lay on the sofa with the cat and three kittens. Amy, age twelve, was upset because she had not learned her school lessons, and she couldn‟t find her boots.

Jo made a great racket getting ready to leave for work. “Come on, Meg,” she called.

Jo and Meg left together for their jobs. They looked back at the corner, for their mother was always waving at the window.

Meg went down the road to the Kings‟ house.

10

Words in Context 7. Sara sees a little girl who “looked even more forlorn than Sara.” What is the best meaning for “forlorn” here? a. scared c. sad b. sleppy d. thirsty

Your Thoughts 8. The story says “an odd thing happened to Sara” when she finds the coin. How was it odd? ________________________________________ ________________________________________

Compare and Connect 9. In the story called “Enjoy Your Blessings,” Beth says that she saw Mr. Laurence in the fish shop.

What did he do?_____________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ 10. How is Mr. Laurence like Sara?_____________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ 11. Name a person in another story in this workbook who feeds a hungry child._____________ __________________________________________ 43

Answer the questions. Refer back to the story as needed.

1. List three words that would describe Sara at the beginning of the story._____________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ 2. Where does Sara see the fourpenny piece? _________________________________________ 3. What makes Sara feel faint? a. the cold rain b. the smell of warm bread c. finding the coin d. her heavy basket 4. Sara says to herself, “A princess always shares with others.” Do you think Sara is a real princess? Why does she say this?____________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ 5. How many buns does the baker- woman put in the bag for Sara?__________________________ ________________________________________ 6. How many buns does Sara eat?_____________ ________________________________________ 42

Meg taught lessons to the four Kings‟ boys. It was hard to tend to the young boys while their older sisters walked about the house in pretty clothes. Meg could hear them talk about concerts, and parties, and fancy dinners. Oh, how Meg wished she had fine shoes and clothes!

Jo went off to tend old Aunt March needed someone to attend to her. Aunt March had money to pay, so she hired Jo to come help her and read to her.

Jo did not at all enjoy the grouchy old lady, but she did like her library of fine books. Oh, how Jo wanted her freedom to write and read and run and ride as much as she liked!

Beth was too bashful to go to school, so she did her lessons at home. She was not lonely, for her world was filled with dolls , and she was by nature a busy bee. But she longed very much to take music lessons and have a fine piano.

Amy was very hard to please. She had a talent for drawing, and could play music well. But she simply hated her nose! She drew pages and pages of handsome noses and dreamed of having the perfect face.

11

As the girls sat sewing that evening, Meg said, „‟ Has anybody got anything to tell? It‟s been such a gloomy day‟‟ „‟I had a hard time with Aunt today,‟‟ began Jo. „‟She is always so cross, and never lets herself have any fun. What a pleasant life she might have if only she chose! I would not want to be her, even if had her money.‟‟ Meg said, „‟ At the Kings‟ today everybody was in a flurry. I‟m glad I don‟t have any wild, brothers!‟‟ „‟Susie Perkins came to school today with a lovely red ring ,‟‟ said Amy. ‟‟I envied her so much. Till she got in trouble for drawing a picture of the teacher. I didn‟t envy her then.‟‟ Beth said, „‟I saw Mr. Laurence in the fish shop, but he didn‟t see me. He bought some fish for a poor woman who did not have any dinner for her children. Wasn‟t it good of him?‟‟ “Tell a story, Mother – one with a moral to it,‟‟ said Jo. Mrs. March smiled and began at once. „‟ Once upon a time, there were four girls. They had enough to eat drink and wear. They had kind friends

fifth.

The little street beggar was still gulping down the bread when Sara turned and walked home.

At that moment the baker – woman looked out of her shop window.

“Well!” she exclaimed. “That poor, ragged girl went and gave her buns to a beggar child! And she was hungry herself!”

The woman went to the door.

“Are you still hunger?” she asked the beggar child.

“I‟m always hungry,” was the answer, “but it ain‟t as bad as it was.”

“Come in here,” said the women.

The child got up and shuffled in.

“Get yourself warm,” said the woman, pointing to a fire in the back room. “And when you‟re hungry, you can come in here. I‟ll give you bread.”

Sara found some comfort in her one remaining bun. As she walked along she broke off small pieces and ate them slowly to make them last longer.

She went into the school, lugging her heavy basket and feeling shaky from cold and hunger.

12

41

It won‟t be enough, but it will be better than nothing.”

She went into the warm shop. “Four penny buns, if you please.”

The baker - woman put six in a paper bag.

“I said four, if you please,” Sara explained. “I have only fourpence.”

“I‟ll throw in two extra,” said the woman. “You look hungry enough to eat them”.

Sara thanked her and went out. The beggar girl was still huddled on the step, rubbing away tears with her dirty hand.

Sara took out one of the buns. “See”, she said, putting the bun in the ragged lap, “this is nice and hot.”

The child snatched up the bun. Her mouth became too full to say thanks.

Sara took out three more buns for the girl.

“She is hungrier than I am,” Sara reminded herself. “ She‟s starving.”

But Sara‟s hand trembled when she put down the fourth bun. “ I‟m not starving,” Sara said – and she put down the

and parents who loved them dearly. But they were not happy. They would say, „If only we had this,‟ or „ If we could only do that.‟ They were always forgetting how much they already had, and how many things they actually could do. So they asked an old woman what spell they could use to make them happy. „‟The old woman said, „When you feel unhappy, think over your blessings, and be grateful.‟ So they agreed to stop complaining. They promised to enjoy their blessings. And I believe they were glad they took the old woman‟s advice.‟‟ The four March girls smiled at their mother.

40

13

Answer the questions. Refer back to the story as needed.

1. What are the names of the four March girls?

Write the names from youngest to oldest._______________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ 2. What is something Meg wishes she had?________________________________________ __________________________________________ 3. What is something Jo wishes she had?________________________________________ _____________________________________________ 4. What is something Beth wishes she had?________________________________________ _____________________________________________ 5.

What is something Amy wishes she had?________________________________________ _ 6. What kind of pet does Aunt March have? a. cat b. kitten 14

something shining in the gutter. It was a silver coin.

It was not quite a sixpence, but the next thing to it – a fourpenny piece.

“Oh!” she gasped. “It is true! It is true!”

She was outside a baker‟s shop, and a kind – looking woman was just then taking out a tray of hot buns. The smell of warm bread made Sara feel almost faint.

She started up the shop steps. Then she stopped. A little girl huddled there. She looked even more forlorn than Sara. She was dressed in rags and had bare, muddy feet. Her dirty face peeped out from under tangled hair.

Sara clutched her fourpenny piece. Then she asked, “ Are you hungry?”

The child looked up. “Oh, yes.”

“When did you eat ?” asked Sara.

“Never got nothing to eat today.”

Though she was hungry and sick at heart, Sara was thinking to herself, “A princess always shares with others – even a poor and hungry princess. If she meets someone poorer and hungrier, she must share.

This girl is hungrier than me. Buns are a penny each.

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Read the story carefully. Then answer the questions.

A Day of Hunger Adapted from A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The winter was a bad one. Sara tramped through snow or mud when she was sent out to fetch things for the school. She once was a student, but now she was a servant. She was given very little foot, and her clothes were not warm enough for the cold weather.

One cold, rainy day, Sara was sent out on errands again and again. Her shabby clothes became wet, and her worn – out shoes were full of water. She had had no dinner. She was cold and hungry and tired.

“Suppose I had dry clothes,” she thought.

“Suppose I had good shoes and a thick coat. And suppose – just suppose – that just when I was near a bakery where they sold hot buns I would find a sixpence coin. If I did , I would go into the shop and buy six of the hottest buns and eat them all without stopping.”

Some very odd things happen in this world sometimes. And an odd thing happened to Sara.

As the muddy water seeped into her broken shoes, she looked down to avoid the heavy mud. She saw 38

c. dog d. parrot 7. The author says that Beth is a “busy bee”. Is Beth an insect? What does the author mean?_______________________________________ _____________________________________________ __________________________________________ 8. Amy says, “I envied her so much” about Susie Perkins.

Why?_______________________________________ _____________________________________________ __________________________________________

Words in context 9. Jo asks Mother to tell a story with a „‟ moral „‟ to it. After reading Mother‟s story, what do you think „‟moral‟‟ means? a. old woman b. happy ending c. good lesson d. magic spel Your Thoughts 15

10. Do you think this story took place ten years ago or more than a hundred years ago? What makes you think so? ________________________ __________________________________________ _____________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________

Words in Context 7. Mowgli says “I will always remember that I have been cast out of the Pack”. What is the best meaning for “cast out of the Pack” here? a. selected from the Pack b. sent away from the Pack c. made out of the Pack d. moved away from the Pack

Your Thoughts 8. When Grey Brother says, “And you may be cast out of another pack,” what does he mean? __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________

16

37

Answer the questions. Refer back to the story as needed.

1. a. b. c. d.

2.

Why does Mowgli leave the jungle?

He is hungry.

The Wolf Pack sends him away.

He wants to life with people.

He gets lost.

When Mowgli first meets the village people, he thinks they are: a. scared b. angry c. rude d. strange 3. Who takes Mowgli to her home? _________________________________________ 4. What does Mowgli mean by “man‟s talk”? __________________________________________ 5. Mowgli is different from the villagers in many ways.

List two.___________________________________ _____________________________________ 6. What kind of animal is Grey Brother?________________________________ 36

Read the story carefully. Then answer the questions.

The Sled Pull Adapted from The Call of Wild by Jack London

Buck was one of the finest sled dogs in Alaska.

His strength and his special bond with his owner, John Thornton , were well known. Other dog owners bragged about their own dogs, but there was no dog quite like Buck.

One night in town, a man in the saloon stated that his dog could pull a sled with five hundred pounds.

A second man bragged six hundred for his dog. A third, a man named Matthewson, boasted that his dog could pull seven hundred. „‟Hah!‟‟ said John Thornton. „‟Buck can pull a thousand pounds‟‟. „‟And break it out of the snow, and walk off with it for a hundred yards?” demanded Matthewson. „‟And break it out, and walk off with it for a hundred yards,‟‟ replied John Thornton. „‟Well,‟‟ Matthewson said slowly, „‟I‟ve got a thousand dollars that says he can‟t. And there it is.‟‟ 17

He slammed a small sack of gold dust down upon the table.

Nobody spoke. Thornton could feel his face grow warm. He did not know whether Buck could pull a thousand pounds. Half a ton! He had great faith in Buck‟s strength, but how could he put Buck up to such a task? Plus, he didn‟t have a thousand dollars.

The eyes of a dozen men fixed upon him, silent and waiting.

“I‟ve got a sled standing outside right now with twenty fifty-pound sacks of flour on it,” Matthewson went on. “We can put your dog to the test any time.”

Thornton did not know what to say. He looked over at this old friend, Jim O‟Brien. “Can you lend me a thousand?” he asked Jim, almost in a whisper.

“Sure”, answered O‟Brien, thumping down a sack of gold dust. “Though I don‟t think, John, that the dog can do the trick.”

The men went out the street. Several hundred gathered to watch. Matthewson‟s sled, loaded with a thousand pounds of flour, had been standing for a couple of hours. The sled-runners were frozen into 18

Mowgli was happy to see his brother, and he hugged him.

Grey Brother said, “ You will not forget that you are a wolf, will you? Men will not make you forget ?”

“Never,” said Mowgli. “I will always remember that I love you and all in our cave. But also will always remember that I have been cast out of the Pack.”

“And you may be cast out of another pack,” said Grey Brother, looking toward the village. “Men are only men, Little Brother. They talk like the frogs in a pond. I will not forget you. I will come to see you again and bring you news from the Jungle.”

35

shoes. But you are very like my Nathoo, and you shall be my son.”

Mowgli was uneasy . He had never beet under a root before. He felt foolish for he did not know man‟s talk. Mowgli had learned to sound just like the wolves, the birds, the wild pigs, and other animals in the Jungle. I must learn man‟s talk, he thought. So, when Messua said a word . Mowgli would try to make the same sound. Before dark he had learned the names of many things in the hut.

At bedtime, Mowgli could not sleep in a closedin place. And when they shut the door, he went through the window.

“Let him have his way,” said Messua‟s husband.

“Remember, he has never slept on a bed. He will not run away.”

Mowgli stretched himself in some long, clean grass near the field. Just as he was closing his eyes , a soft gray nose poked him under the chin.

“Ugh!” said Grey Brother. “I have followed you twenty miles. Ugh – you smell like wood – smoke and cattle . You‟re like a man already. Wake up, Little Brother.”

the hard-packed snow. Not a man believed the dog could even budge the sled, and they all bet against Buck.

Thornton looked at the sled. The task looked impossible.

Buck was harnessed into the sled. He felt the excitement in the air. He felt that in some way he must do a great thing for John Thornton. The men took note of this splendid animal. He was in perfect condition, with one hundred and fifty pounds of pure muscle and grit. His furry coat shone and every hair seemed to be alive.

The crowd fell silent.

Thornton knelt down by Buck‟s side. He took the dog‟s head in his hands and whispered in his ear, „‟As you love me, Buck. As you love me‟‟.

The crowd watched. This was odd - a man whispering to a dog.

As Thornton got to his feet, Buck lovingly bit down on the man‟s hand. Thornton stepped well back. “Now, Buck,” he said.

Buck pulled. The sled did not move.

“Gee!” Thornton‟s voice rang out sharply.

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19

Buck swung to the right with all his might. The load moved. The sled runners cracked in the icy snow.

“Haw!” Thornton commanded.

Buck pulled this time to the left. Snap! The sled broke out of the ice! Every man was holding his breath.

“Now, MUSH!‟ Buck threw himself forward. His whole body - and every muscle – went into the effort. His great chest was low to the ground, his head forward and down.

His claws dug into the hard - packed snow.

The sled swayed slightly. One of Buck‟s feet slipped, and one man groaned aloud. The sled jerked ahead… half an inch… an inch… two inches… The jerks became fewer until the sled was moving ahead slowly, slowly, steadily…

Men gasped and began to breathe again. As Buck neared the pile of firewood that marked the end of the hundred yards, a cheer began to grow and grow.

It burst into a roar as Buck passed the firewood.

Every man began to jump with joy and wonder – even Matthewson. Hats and mittens were flying in the air. Men were shaking hands and bubbling over

„‟Look at the marks on his arms and legs. They are the bites of wolves. He is a wolf – child who has run away from the Jungle‟‟.

“Ah! Ah! Said two or three women together. “ Poor child! He is a handsome boy. He has eyes like red fire. Come see, Messua. He looks like your little boy who was taken by the tiger.”

“Let me look,” said a woman with big copper bracelets. She looked closely at Mowgli . “Indeed he is not. He is thinner, but he has the very look of my boy.‟‟ The priest looked up at the sky for a minute and said, “What the Jungle has taken, the Jungle has given back. Take the boy into your house” “Well, said Mowgli to himself, “if I am a man , a man I must become.”

So the woman took Mowgli to her hut. She gave him a long drink of milk and some bread. Then she laid her hand on his head and looked into his eyes.

“Nathoo? Are you my Nathoo who was taken by the tiger?” Mowgli did not reply. “Do you remember the day I gave you my shoes?” She touched his foot.

“No,” she sad sadly, “those feet have never worn

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33

Read the story carefully. Then answer the questions.

The Village Adapted from The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

Mowgli had been raised by wolves in a jungle of India, but the Pack had now sent him away. With a heavy heart, Mowgli left the only life he knew. He walked until he came out of the jungle and saw a village. Outside the village were boys tending cattle and buffaloes. When the boys saw Mowgli, they shouted and ran away.

Mowgli was hungry. He came to the village gate and sat down. When a man came out, Mowgli stood up and opened his mouth to show that he wanted food. The man looked startled. He ran into the village and shouted to the priest. The priest, along with a hundred others, came to the gate. They stared and talked and shouted and pointed at Mowgli.

Mowgli said to himself, ”They have no manners, these Men Folk. Only the gray ape would behave as they do. “So he threw back his long hair and frowned at the crowd. „‟What is there to be afraid of?‟‟ said the priest.

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in excitement.

But Thornton fell on his knees beside Buck, head to head. Those close by heard him growling words at Buck, softly and lovingly. “ You old rascal. You old rascal!”

“I‟ll give you a thousand dollars for him, sir, a thousand, sir!” exclaimed one man.

Thornton rose to his feet. His eyes were wet. The tears were streaming down his cheeks. “”Sir,” he said, “no, sir. You can forget it, sir.”

Buck took Thornton‟s hand in his teeth. Thornton shook him back and forth. Man and dog romped, alone within their special love for each other, while all the men looked on in wonder.

21

Answer the questions. Refer back to the story as needed.

1.

How much is the bet on the sled pull?___________________________________________ _____________________________________________ 2.

How many sacks of flour are loaded on the sled?___________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 3. How far does Buck need to pull the sled? a. 100 feet b. 1000 feet c. 100 yards d. 50 yards 4. Does Matthewson have his own sled dogs? How do you know? ____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ 5. What does it mean when Buck bites on John Thornton‟s hand? a. Buck is angry. b. Buck is hungry. c. Buck is scared d. Buck is playful.

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Your Thoughts 10. Aunt Miranda looks at Rebecca “with blank eyes”. What do you think this means? _______________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Compare and Connect 11. Rebecca likes to write poems. Which one of the March girls also likes to write? _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________

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_______________________________________________ _____________________________________________ 7. Who finds the parasol in the well? a.

Aunt Miranda b.

Aunt Jane c.

Rebecca d.

Mr. Flagg 8. What word best describes Aunt Miranda at the end of the story. a. stern b. kind c. amused d. furious

6 Based on what happens, what do these commands from John Thornton mean: Gee!___________________________________________ ____________________________________________ Haw!__________________________________________ ____________________________________________ Mush!_________________________________________ _____________________________________________ 7 What does Matthewson use to pay his bet? a. gold coins b. dollar bills c. gold dust d. check

Words in Context

Words in Context

9 Rebecca stops to look at ”the dashing waterfall beneath .” What is the best meaning for “dashing” in this sentence? a. handsome b. loud c. sparkling d. rushing

8. One man “boasted that his dog would pull seven hundred.”

What is the best meaning for “boasted”? a. bragged b. lied c. joked d. yelled

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23

Answer the questions. Refer back to the story as needed.

Your Thoughts 9. Do you think John Thornton would ever sell Buck?

Why or why not?____________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ Compare and Connect 10. Which is longer ( in yards ): Tom Sawyer‟s fence or Buck‟s sled pull? ____________________________________________ ___________________________________________

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1. Where does Rebecca go to have tea? ______________________________________________ _____________________________________________ 2. What does she get on her new dress on the way there?__________________________________________ _____________________________________________ 3. Who scolds Rebecca? _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ 4. What is Rebecca‟s “dearest thing in life”? a. pink hat b. small umbrella c. best dress d. book of poems 5. What two happenings in the story give Rebecca a happy heart?________________________________ _______________________________________________ _____________________________________________ 6. Name two people who feel sorry for Rebecca. _______________________________________________ _____________________________________________ 29

eyes?

“Now, see here, Rebecca,” said Aunt Miranda.

“When you think you are not punished enough, just tell me. I‟ll come up with something more. Whatever it is, it‟ll be something that won‟t punish the whole family, and make them drink wood chips and pink silk rags with their water!”

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Read the story carefully. Then answer the questions.

Rebecca’s Punishment Adapted from Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Wiggin

Rebecca had been sent to stay with her two old aunts, and she tried very hard to please them. She stayed out of trouble, and therefore suffered no punishments. However, one event – one sad accident – made her decide to punish herself.

Rebecca had gone have tea with the Cobbs . She had worn her best dress. While crossing the bridge, she stopped to look at the beauty of the river. She leaned over the rail to enjoy the dashing waterfall beneath.

Resting her elbows on the topmost board, she stood there dreaming.

What she did not know was that the bridge had just been painted.

“Oh! It‟s all over my best dress!” she said. “What will Aunt Miranda say? Surely Mrs. Cobb can help me!” And she flew up the crying.

Mrs. Cobb calmly said she would wash the dress. She gave Rebecca one of her blue robes to wear 25

while they had their meal. After the meal, Rebecca read one of her poems to the Cobbs. Oh, the praises they gave her! Rebecca‟s heart was Happy – until they went to check on the dress.

Oh, no! The paint was washed out, but the colors of the dress had run and streaked!

Rebecca gave one look and sighed a deep sigh.

“Well, goodnight. If I‟ve got to have a scolding, I want it quick, and get it over,” she said bravely. Then she left to go face her Aunt Miranda.

“Poor little unlucky thing!” said Mr. Cobb. “I know she gets dreamy and all… but I‟d let her slop paint all over the house before I could scold her.”

Aunt Miranda did scold Rebecca. “You will still wear it,” she said firmly. “There will be no new dress.”

Aunt Jane, who felt sorry for Rebecca, made her an apron to hide the streaks.

After Rebecca went to her room, she began to think of a way to punish herself. She must give up something, she decided. But she had very little to give. As he sat by the window, she looked about the room. There was hardly anything but her beloved

parasol. Her eyes moved from the parasol… to outside the window… and down to the water well.

That would do. She would fling her “dearest thing in life” into the depths of the water!

She slipped out the front door, lifted the cover of the well, gave one sad sigh, and flung the little pink treasure down.

Rebecca felt good the next morning. She had punished herself, and her little soul was uplifted.

With a happy heart, she went to school.

Meanwhile, Aunt Miranda tried to pump water from the well after breakfast - with no luck. She called in Mr. Flagg for help. He lifted the cover, explored a bit, and found the problem. A wooden “hook” had caught in the chains. It was a little parasol handle. He also had to clear out a bent and twisted pink parasol that had somehow opened and jammed in the well.

When Rebecca tried to explain why she had thrown her beloved pink parasol into Aunt Miranda‟s well, she indeed sounded ridiculous-even to her own ears.

How could she explain to a person who closed her lips into a thin line and looked at her with blank

26

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eyes?

“Now, see here, Rebecca,” said Aunt Miranda.

“When you think you are not punished enough, just tell me. I‟ll come up with something more. Whatever it is, it‟ll be something that won‟t punish the whole family, and make them drink wood chips and pink silk rags with their water!”

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Answer the questions. Refer back to the story as needed.

7. Where does Rebecca go to have tea? ______________________________________________ _____________________________________________ 8. What does she get on her new dress on the way there?_______________________________ ___________ _____________________________________________ 9. Who scolds Rebecca? _____________________________________________ 10.What is Rebecca‟s “dearest thing in life”? e. pink hat f. small umbrella g. best dress h. book of poems 11.What two happenings in the story give Rebecca a happy heart?_______________________________ _ _______________________________________________ _____________________________________________ 12.Name two people who feel for Rebecca. _______________________________________________

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_______________________________________________ _____________________________________________ 13. Who finds the parasol in the well? e.

Aunt Miranda f.

Aunt Jane g.

Rebecca h.

Mr. Flagg 14.What word best describes Aunt Miranda at the end of the story.

15. stern 16. kind 17. amused 18. furious

Words in Context 19.Rebecca stops to look at ”the dashing waterfall beneath .” What is the best meaning for “dashing” in this sentence?

20.handsome 21.loud 22.sparkling 23.rushing

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Your Thoughts 24.Aunt Miranda looks at Rebecca “with blank eyes�. What do you think this means? _______________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Compare and Connect 25.Rebecca likes to write poems. Which one of the March girls also likes to write? _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________

„‟What is there to be afraid of?‟‟ said the priest.

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Read the story carefully. Then answer the questions.

The Village Adapted from The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

Mowgli had been raised by wolves in a jungle of India, but the Pack had now sent him away. With a heavy heart, Mowgli left the only life he knew. He walked until he came out of the jungle and saw a village. Outside the village were boys tending cattle and buffaloes. When the boys saw Mowgli, they shouted and ran away.

Mowgli was hungry. He came to the village gate and sat down. When a man came out, Mowgli stood up and opened his mouth to show that he wanted food. The man looked startled. He ran into the village and shouted to the priest. The priest, along with a hundred others, came to the gate. They stared and talked and shouted and pointed at Mowgli.

Mowgli said to himself, ”They have no manners, these Men Folk. Only the gray ape would behave as they do. “So he threw back his long hair and frowned at the crowd.

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„‟Look at the marks on his arms and legs. They are the bites of wolves. He is a wolf – child who has run away from the Jungle‟‟.

“Ah! Ah! Said two or three women together. “ Poor child! He is a handsome boy. He has eyes like red fire. Come see, Messua. He looks like your little boy who was taken by the tiger.”

“Let me look,” said a woman with big copper bracelets. She looked closely at Mowgli . “Indeed he is not. He is thinner, but he has the very look of my boy.‟‟ The priest looked up at the sky for a minute and said, “What the Jungle has taken, the Jungle has given back. Take the boy into your house” “Well, said Mowgli to himself, “if I am a man , a man I must become.”

So the woman took Mowgli to her hut. She gave him a long drink of milk and some bread. Then she laid her hand on his head and looked into his eyes.

“Nathoo? Are you my Nathoo who was taken by the tiger?” Mowgli did not reply. “Do you remember the day I gave you my shoes?” She touched his foot.

“No,” she sad sadly, “those feet have never worn 33

shoes. But you are very like my Nathoo, and you shall be my son.”

Mowgli was uneasy . He had never beet under a root before. He felt foolish for he did not know man‟s talk. Mowgli had learned to sound just like the wolves, the birds, the wild pigs, and other animals in the Jungle. I must learn man‟s talk, he thought. So, when Messua said a word . Mowgli would try to make the same sound. Before dark he had learned the names of many things in the hut.

At bedtime, Mowgli could not sleep in a closedin place. And when they shut the door, he went through the window.

“Let him have his way,” said Messua‟s husband.

“Remember, he has never slept on a bed. He will not run away.”

Mowgli stretched himself in some long, clean grass near the field. Just as he was closing his eyes , a soft gray nose poked him under the chin.

“Ugh!” said Grey Brother. “I have followed you twenty miles. Ugh – you smell like wood – smoke and cattle . You‟re like a man already. Wake up, Little Brother.”

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Mowgli was happy to see his brother, and he hugged him.

Grey Brother said, “ You will not forget that you are a wolf, will you? Men will not make you forget ?”

“Never,” said Mowgli. “I will always remember that I love you and all in our cave. But also will always remember that I have been cast out of the Pack.”

“And you may be cast out of another pack,” said Grey Brother, looking toward the village. “Men are only men, Little Brother. They talk like the frogs in a pond. I will not forget you. I will come to see you again and bring you news from the Jungle.”

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Answer the questions. Refer back to the story as needed.

26.Why does Mowgli leave the jungle? e. He is hungry. f. The Wolf Pack sends him away. g. He wants to life with people. h. He gets lost.

27.When Mowgli first meets the village people, he thinks they are: e. scared f. angry g. rude h. strange 28.Who takes Mowgli to her home? _________________________________________ 29.What does Mowgli mean by “man‟s talk”? __________________________________________ 30.Mowgli is different from the villagers in many ways.

List two.___________________________ ________________________________________ _________________________________________

31.What kind of animal is Grey Brother?_____________________________ _____ 36

Words in Context

e. f. g. h.

32.Mowgli says “I will always remember that I have been cast out of the Pack”.

What is the best meaning for “cast out of the Pack” here? selected from the Pack sent away from the Pack made out of the Pack moved away from the Pack

Your Thoughts 33.When Grey Brother says, “And you may be cast out of another pack,” what does he mean? __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________

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Read the story carefully. Then answer the questions.

A Day of Hunger Adapted from A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The winter was a bad one. Sara tramped through snow or mud when she was sent out to fetch things for the school. She once was a student, but now she was a servant. She was given very little foot, and her clothes were not warm enough for the cold weather.

One cold, rainy day, Sara was sent out on errands again and again. Her shabby clothes became wet, and her worn – out shoes were full of water. She had had no dinner. She was cold and hungry and tired.

“Suppose I had dry clothes,” she thought.

“Suppose I had good shoes and a thick coat. And suppose – just suppose – that just when I was near a bakery where they sold hot buns I would find a sixpence coin. If I did , I would go into the shop and

buy six of the hottest buns and eat them all without stopping.”

Some very odd things happen in this world sometimes. And an odd thing happened to Sara.

As the muddy water seeped into her broken shoes, she looked down to avoid the heavy mud. She saw 38

something shining in the gutter. It was a silver coin.

It was not quite a sixpence, but the next thing to it – a fourpenny piece.

“Oh!” she gasped. “It is true! It is true!”

She was outside a baker‟s shop, and a kind – looking woman was just then taking out a tray of hot buns. The smell of warm bread made Sara feel almost faint.

She started up the shop steps. Then she stopped. A little girl huddled there. She looked even more forlorn than Sara. She was dressed in rags and had bare, muddy feet. Her dirty face peeped out from under tangled hair.

Sara clutched her fourpenny piece. Then she asked, “ Are you hungry?”

The child looked up. “Oh, yes.”

“When did you eat ?” asked Sara.

“Never got nothing to eat today.”

Though she was hungry and sick at heart, Sara was thinking to herself, “A princess always shares with others – even a poor and hungry princess. If she meets someone poorer and hungrier, she must share.

This girl is hungrier than me. Buns are a penny each.

“She is hungrier than I am,” Sara reminded herself. “ She‟s starving.”

But Sara‟s hand trembled when she put down the fourth bun. “ I‟m not starving,” Sara said – and she put down the

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40

It won‟t be enough, but it will be better than nothing.”

She went into the warm shop. “Four penny buns, if you please.”

The baker - woman put six in a paper bag.

“I said four, if you please,” Sara explained. “I have only fourpence.”

“I‟ll throw in two extra,” said the woman. “You look hungry enough to eat them”.

Sara thanked her and went out. The beggar girl was still huddled on the step, rubbing away tears with her dirty hand.

Sara took out one of the buns. “See”, she said, putting the bun in the ragged lap, “this is nice and hot.”

The child snatched up the bun. Her mouth became too full to say thanks.

Sara took out three more buns for the girl.

fifth.

The little street beggar was still gulping down the bread when Sara turned and walked home.

At that moment the baker – woman looked out of her shop window.

“Well!” she exclaimed. “That poor, ragged girl went and gave her buns to a beggar child! And she was hungry herself!”

The woman went to the door.

“Are you still hunger?” she asked the beggar child.

“I‟m always hungry,” was the answer, “but it ain‟t as bad as it was.”

“Come in here,” said the women.

The child got up and shuffled in.

“Get yourself warm,” said the woman, pointing to a fire in the back room. “And when you‟re hungry, you can come in here. I‟ll give you bread.”

Sara found some comfort in her one remaining bun. As she walked along she broke off small pieces and ate them slowly to make them last longer.

She went into the school, lugging her heavy basket and feeling shaky from cold and hunger.

41

Answer the questions. Refer back to the story as needed.

4. List three words that would describe Sara at the beginning of the story._____________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ 5. Where does Sara see the fourpenny piece? _________________________________________ 6. What makes Sara feel faint?

7. the cold rain 8. the smell of warm bread 9. finding the coin 10.her heavy basket 11.Sara says to herself, “A princess always shares with others.� Do you think Sara is a real princess?

Why does she say this?____________

________________________________________ ________________________________________ 12.How many buns does the baker- woman put in the bag for Sara?__________________________ ________________________________________ 13.How many buns does Sara eat?_____________ ________________________________________ 42

Words in Context 14.Sara sees a little girl who “looked even more forlorn than Sara.” What is the best meaning for “forlorn” here?

15.scared c. sad 16.sleppy d. thirsty

Your Thoughts 17.The story says “an odd thing happened to Sara” when she finds the coin. How was it odd? ________________________________________ ________________________________________

Compare and Connect

18.In the story called “Enjoy Your Blessings,” Beth says that she saw Mr. Laurence in the fish shop.

What did he do?_____________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ 19. How is Mr. Laurence like Sara?_____________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ 11. Name a person in another story in this workbook who feeds a hungry child.___________ __________________________________________ 43

Answer Pages Note: Some answers may vary depending upon your own thoughts about each story. Example answers serve as guides.

“Tom’s Great Idea” pages 4-9 12.Saturday 13.annoyed, unhappy 14.example answer: So Ben would want to paint the fence

15.apple 16.30 yards 17.eleven 18.three 19.b. gym 20.c. set of two 21. example answers: Yes, it was a good idea because Tom got other people to do his work, and he even got paid for it.

No, it was not a good idea because it was sort of a sneaky thing to do.

22. example answers: clever, funny, lazy, smart, tricky, sly, lucky 44

“Enjoy Your Blessing�

Pages 10-16 10.Amy, Beth, Jo, Meg 11.Possible answers: fine shoes, fine clothes 12.Possible answers: freedom to write, read, run, ride 13.Possible answers: music lessons, fine piano 14.Possible answers: handsome nose, perfect face 15.d. parrot

16.Beth is not a bee. She is busy like a bee.

Worker bees stay busy all day and night.

17.Susie had a red ring that Amy liked.

18.c. good lesson

“The Sled Pull” Pages 17-24 20.one thousand dollars 21.twenty 22.c. 100 yards 23.Yes. He said his dog could pull 700 pounds.

24.d. Buck is playful.

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25.Gee! Means go to the right.

Haw! Means go to the left.

Mush! Means go forward fast.

26.c. gold dust 27.a. bragged 28.No, John Thornton loves Buck very much.

He has a special bond with him.

29. The sled pull. It is 100 yards. Tom‟s fence is 30 yards.

“Rebecca’s Punishment”

Pages 25-31 10.The Cobbs‟ home 11.wet paint 12.Aunt Miranda 13.b. small umbrella 14.The Cobbs praise Rebecca‟s poem. Rebecca gives herself a punishment for getting paint on her best dress.

15.Mr. Cobb, Aunt Jane 16.d. Mr. Flagg 17.a. stern 18.d. rushing 46

19. Example answers: Blank eyes show that the person does not understand. Blank eyes show the person has no feelings 20. Jo

“The Village�

Pages 32-37 30.a. The Wolf Pack sends him away.

31.c. rude 32.Messua 33.human language 34.Possible answers: Mowgli does not know human language. Mowgli has long hair.

Mowgli has lived in the jungle. Mowgli has

never worn shoes. Mowgli has a wolf for a brother.

35.a wolf 36.b. send away from the Pack 37.Grey Brother thinks the humans will also send Mowgli away.

some buns, and then she really does find a coin near a bakery.

20.Mr. Laurence bought fish for a poor woman to feed her children.

21. Mr. Laurence is like Sara because he bought food for someone who was hungry and poor.

22. Messua feeds Mowgli.

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“A Day of Hunger�

Pages 38-43 12.Cold, hungry, tired 13.In the gutter ( near the bakery ) 14.b. the smell of warm bread 15.No, Sara is not a real princess. Sara wants to act the way a princess would act, even though she is a servant.

16.Six 17.One 18.c. sad 19.It is odd because she was supposing how nice it would be to find a coin to buy

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Quiz yourself!

Are you a bookworm? Try this fun quiz to find out what kind of reader you are!

1. How many books have you read in English? a) 1 – 3 b) 4 – 10 c) more than 11 2. How many books do you read in a month? a) none or 1 b) 2 – 4 c) 5 or more 3. What do you like to read most? a) poems

b) stories c) picture books 4. What sort of books do you like to read? a) adventure b) fantasy c) comedy 5. Do you read stories on the web? a) yes – often b) no c) sometimes 49

6. When you read do you… a) read a page then stop b) read a chapter at a time c) read the whole story without stopping!

7. What is the storyline of a book called? a) the plan b) the plot c) the review 8. How fast can you read..? a) very quickly using only your eyes b) quite quickly but you stop at new words c) you follow the words with your finger

9. How do you usually feel when you have read a book? a) happy that you have finished b) you want to read the next one immediately c) you don‟t feel anything 10. Which is your favourite book character? a) Winnie the Pooh b) Frodo the Hobbit c) Spot the Dog

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Now work out your score!

1. a) = 1 point b) = 2 points c) = 3 points 2. a) = 1 point b) = 2 points c) = 3 points 3. a) = 2 points b) = 2 points c) = 1 point 4. 2 points for each answer chosen 5. a) = 3 points b) = 0 points c) = 1 point 6. a) = 1 point b) = 2 points c) = 5 points 7. a) = 0 points b) = 2 points c) = 0 points 8. a) = 3 points b) = 2 points c) = 1 point 9. a) = 1 point b) = 3 points c) = 1 point 10. a) = 3 points b) = 3 points c) = 1 point Now see if you really are a Bookworm!

24 + You are a true Bookworm! You read anything and everything. Now why don’t you try to write a story yourself!

13 - 23 You like reading and will probably become a Bookworm very soon. You know what you like to read. Keep practicing!

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9 - 12 You are just beginning the reading habit. Choose interesting books and try to read some English every week.

You will soon get to ‘Bookworm’ level!

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