"The Price" by Niel Gaiman

What is the relationship described in the tramps/vagabonds and cats analogy mentioned in the beginning of the story?

• They both leave marks to indicate which homes are hospitable to visit.
• They both are lost souls.
• They both are unwelcomed wherever they go.
• They both need professional caretakers to help them find a safe home.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

How did the family end up with the Black Cat?

• The adopted him from an animal shelter when Princess was hit by a car.
• They found him hurt by the side of the road, nurtured him back to health, and he just stayed.
• The Black Cat turned up at their house like all the other strays that just show up.
• The Black Cat was found in the garage caught in an old badminton net.

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CCSS.RI.1.1

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

What is the setting of the story and how does it contribute to the mood?

• The country: its remoteness helps build a mood of suspense.
• The city: its hustle and bustle creates a mood of excitement.
• The country: its peacefulness helps create a mood of happiness and calm.
• The city: its ordinariness helps build a mood of familiarity and connection.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

What does the family owning so many stray cats say about their character?

• They are selfish and too lazy to take them to the animal shelter.
• They are naive and easily taken advantage of because people know they can just dump their cats there.
• They are kind hearted & understanding bc they take them to the vet & let them roam as they please.
• They are very anxious and worried about their kids being scratched by feral cats which is why they feel obligated to care for them.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Why did the family believe that the Black Cat belonged to a neighboring farmer or household when it first arrived?

• It had a collar.
• It looked too well-fed to be stray and was friendly.
• It would leave for long periods of time and return occasionally.
• A neighbor came by asking about a missing cat that matched its description.

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CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.1.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

What is the narrator's occupation?

• Teacher
• Veterniarian
• Photographer
• Writer

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CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

How many days did the family keep the Black Cat in the basement?

• 2
• 4
• 8
• 3

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CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

The days the Black Cat stayed in the basement, what were the things that happened to the family?

• The mother lost her job, the baby go sick, the son lost a game, the daughter broke up with her boyfriend, and the father was in a car accident 333

• There was a break in at their home, the father lost his job, mother was in a car accident, the baby fell out of the crib, the son lost a bet, and the daughter failed a test

• The baby slipped in the bath and almost drowned, the father’s project that he had worked on was no longer going to happen, the daughter was homesick at summer camp, the son had a fight with his best friend, and the mother hit a deer with her car

• There was a fire at the family’s home, the car broke down, the mother got sick, the daughter fell at school, and the son failed his reading class

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CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

What made the narrator stay up late and sit in front of the window one night? 

• He wanted to discover what kind of animal was coming to their house and attacking the Black Cat 
• He wanted to gaze at the stars
• He wanted a moment to himself; peace and quiet from his hectic everyday life 
• He wanted to photograph the rich blacks and blues of the night and the twilight sky 

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CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which statement best indicates that the Black Cat is a noble and brave character?  

• He looked like a small panther.
• He wanted to leave the basement even though he was not fully healed to protect the family.
• He looked up at the night sky as the devil flew away. 
• He would sleep on the porch all day while the family was inside or working. 

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3