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Unit 1: Collection 3

Selection Test

The Storyteller Saki

COMPREHENSION Circle the letter of the best answer to each of the following items.

1. The aunt is best described as—A) poor and mistreatedB) ordinary and unimaginativeC) creative but overworkedD) clever and determined

2. All of the following factors make the train ride unbearable except for—A) sorrowB) lack of things to doC) boredomD) humidity and heat

3. The children consider the aunt’s story unsatisfactory because the—A) girl is dreadfully wickedB) story is too longC) story teaches a moral lessonD) children have heard the same type of story

before

4. After the bachelor tells the story about Bertha, his mood is best described as—A) self-satisfiedB) apologeticC) thrilledD) unhappy

5. Why did the aunt object to the bachelor’s story?A) It was more interesting than her story.B) It was about pigs instead of flowers.C) It would give the children nightmares.D) It showed that good was not rewarded.

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Unit 1: Collection 3, Selection Test continued

VOCABULARY SKILL Circle the word in parentheses that is the best meaning for the underlined word in each sentence. Look for context clues in the sentence to help you determine the word’s meaning.

6. The children groaned and moved listlessly toward the aunt’s end of the carriage. (quickly, tiredly, angrily, soothingly)

7. The aunt covered her mouth and suppressed a gasp. (lifted, yawned, revealed, concealed)

8. Bertha saw the wolf and saw that it was slowly stealing toward her. (hopping, rolling, moving stealthily, running)

9. The aunt bristled in instant defense at this unexpected attack. (laughed, became angry, spat, cried)

10. It was a beautiful park, and no children were ever allowed in it, so it was a great honor for Bertha to be allowed to go there. (privilege, laughter, insult, tease)

11. Define the word PERSISTENT:______________________________________

12. Define the word SCOWLED:________________________________________

13. Define the word UNDERMINED:____________________________________

LITERARY FOCUS Circle the letter of the best answer to each of the following items.

14. Judging from the descriptions of the aunt’s attempts to control the children and make them interested in her story, which statement best conveys the narrator’s attitude toward her?A) She is sympathetic.B) She is overbearing.

C) She is incompetent.D) She is too harsh.

15.Which sentence illustrates what is meant by an omniscient narrator?A) The Prince loved the garden,

but Bertha was undecided.B) Bertha hid in the myrtle bush.

C) “The wolf will never see me now,” I thought.

D) The moon illuminated the garden.

Unit 1: Collection 3, Selection Test continued

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16. The most important thing an omniscient narrator can reveal about a character is his or her—A) appearanceB) motivation

C) nameD) home

READING FOCUS Circle the letter of the best answer to each of the following items.

17. The narrator’s attitude toward the aunt in the story is—A) positiveB) sorrowful

C) full of pityD) disapproving

18. The point the bachelor is making in his story is—A) sentimental stories are boringB) trains are good places to tell

stories

C) children must be good as often as they can

D) wolves are dangerous

19. Saki’s purpose for writing this story might be—A) to persuade the reader to take

trainsB) to explain how to build the

perfect garden

C) to satirize people who tell overly sentimental stories

D) to convince the audience that people should get medals for being good

The Open Window – by Saki

COMPREHENSION Circle the letter of the best answer to each of the following items.

20. Mr. Nuttal is best described as—

A) a tired old man

B) a man afraid of hunting dogs

C) a nervous person

D) someone who hates children

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21. “Romance at short notice was her speciality.” This statement describes Vera as

A) A person who fell in love instantly

B) A person who could easily fabricate wild tales

C) A person who was a good matchmaker

D) A person who could get ready for a date quickly

22. Which sentence from the passage shows Mrs. Sappleton’s view of Mr. Nuttal?

A) “My husband and brothers will be home directly from shooting, and they always come in this way.”

B) She rattled on cheerfully about the shooting and the scarcity of birds.

C) "No?" said Mrs. Sappleton, in a voice which only replaced a yawn at the last moment.

D) "Here they are at last!" she cried.

23. Who was killed in a tragic hunting accident?

A) Mr. Sappleton and two sons

B) Mr. Sappleton and the dog

C) Mr. Sappleton, his brother-in-law, and the dog

D) No one

24. Why did Mr. Nuttal run frantically from the house?

A) He thought he had seen a ghost.

B) He was afraid of the dog.

C) He was afraid of the hunters.

D) He had forgotten about an appointment elsewhere.

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VOCABULARY SKILL Circle the word in parentheses that is the best meaning for the underlined word in each sentence. Look for context clues in the sentence to help you determine the word’s meaning.

25. Framton Nuttel endeavored to say the correct something which should duly flatter the niece. (hurried / stopped / attempted )

26. Framton shivered slightly and turned towards the niece with a look intended to convey sympathetic comprehension. (express / undermine / illuminate)

27. He made the last statement in a tone of distinct regret. ( confused / unfortunate / clear )

28. An undefinable something about the room seemed to suggest masculine habitation. ( manly / rural / natural )

READING FOCUS Circle the letter of the best answer to each of the following items.

29. Privately he doubted more than ever whether these formal visits on a succession of total strangers would do much towards helping the nerve cure which he was supposed to be undergoing. This passage from the story shows

A) external conflict

B) author’s purpose

C) internal conflict

D) conflict of man vs. society

30. The passage from the story that best shows the author’s tone voice creating the mood he intended is

A) Framton wondered whether Mrs. Sappleton, the lady to whom he was presenting one of the letters of introduction, came into the nice division.

B) “It had been that dreadful wet summer, you know, and places that were safe in other years gave way suddenly without warning.”

C) "Only her name and address," admitted the caller. He was wondering whether Mrs. Sappleton was in the married or widowed state.

D) "I hope Vera has been amusing you?" she said.

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