Luke Baldwin's Vow

Read the sentence from paragraph 1 on pg. 543.

"He's so wonderfully practical. He takes care of everything in a sensible, easy way."

What is the meaning of the phrase wonderfully practical as it is used in the passage?

• task oriented and efficient

• filled with emotion

• likely to procrastinate

• lazy and undependable

What is the meaning of the word trail as it is used in the following sentence?

Luke used to trail around after Uncle Henry.

• stream along

• follow behind

• drag heavily

• track closely

Read the following sentence from pg. 544.

One Sunday during Luke's summer holidays when they had returned from church and had had their lunch, they had all moved out to the veranda where the collie was sleeping.

What is the meaning of the word veranda ?

• dog house

• front yard

• front porch

• neighbor's house

The author uses figurative language throughout the passage. What impact does the simile, "The collie suddenly drifted up slowly like a water-soaked log" found on pg. 547 have on the text?

• creates suspense about whether the dog will live

• describes how the dog saves itself

• illustrates the relationship between the dog and Luke

• describes Luke as a hero who saves the dog

Read the following sentence from pg. 550.

"All right, keep the dog," but he was ashamed of being so weak and sentimental."

What does the word sentimental mean?

• efficient and driven

• unkind to other

• unwilling to work

• filled with emotion

Which of the following best expresses a theme of the story?

• Money can not buy happiness.

• Value can't be determined by age.

• Things that are valuable are not always practical.

• It is important to fulfill a vow.

On pg. 543 Uncle Henry teaches Luke the importance of being practical. Select TWO pieces of evidence from the text that support the idea that being practical is necessary to be successful.

• "If you've got the facts, you know what's useful and what isn't useful, and no one can fool you" said Uncle Henry.

• He (Uncle Henry) showed Luke that nothing was ever wasted around the mill.

• He (Uncle Henry) knew that Luke needed good, serviceable clothes.

• But of course he (Luke) couldn't always be watching and learning from Uncle Henry.

• Sometimes Uncle Henry would stop and explain to Luke about a piece of timber.

How does the author reveal the theme in the last paragraph?

• Luke vows to save Dan no matter the cost.

• Luke makes a vow to protect what is truly valuable from the practical people.

• Luke makes a vow to be practical in order to be successful

• Luke vows to continue to learn from Uncle Henry.

How does the conflict between Luke and Uncle Henry contribute to the development of the theme?

• Uncle Henry's practical nature influences the value he places on Luke's beloved dog Dan.

• Uncle Henry's need to be right led him to try to drown Dan and Luke couldn't forgive him.

• Uncle Henry became a father figure for Luke but Luke still missed his father and turned to Dan for comfort.

• Luke tried to live up to Uncle Henry's expectations but was unable to be as practical as Uncle Henry.