Pecos Bill

What is the theme of this passage?

• A strong person never needs help to get a job done.

• We all need help sometimes, even to do an easy job.

• A strong person always offers to help with a difficult job.

• You need to find the right person to help with a difficult job.

Read this excerpt from the passage.

Once he rode a wild, twisting tornado, clinging on despite the twister’s wrath. In its fury, the tornado rained itself out.

Which word in the excerpt helps the reader understand what wrath means?

• fury

• rained

• twisting

• wild

Read this excerpt from the passage.

Now it seemed to him that the wall was refusing its cooperation in his project of rescuing the ring. “If you won’t help me,” Bill told the wall as he made a huge fist, “I’m prepared to smash you to pieces!”

What does cooperation mean in the excerpt above?

• assistance

• frustration

• strength

• work

Read this excerpt from the passage.

Startled, Bill froze before his fist hit that stubborn old wall. A gray mouse was regarding him from a spot on the floor near the obstinate crack.

The crack is described as obstinate because it is

• refusing to help.

• too small to see.

• watching closely

• too angry to listen.

Which event in the passage best supports the theme?

• The mouse promises to keep Bill’s secret.

• Bill asks the mouse to retrieve Sue’s ring.

• The mouse warns Bill not to smash the wall.

• Bill assures Sue that he can solve any problem.

Read this excerpt from the passage.

With the mouse watching patiently, Bill tried to coax the ring from the crack. He proceeded to spend the rest of the day at it, but the ring remained indifferent to his efforts.

What does indifferent to mean in the excerpt above?

• aware of

• angry about

• uncaring about

• concerned about

Read this sentence from the passage.

“Mouse,” he admitted in a low voice, “I’ve got to entrust you with my Sue’s ring.”

The prefix en- can mean “put in,” or “make.” When people entrust you with something, they

• put their trust in you.

• want you to trust them.

• question whether to trust you.

• create a reason not to trust you.

Read this excerpt from the passage.

That rain formed the Grand Canyon, by the way. So it is no surprise Bill reckoned himself equal to any challenge the wide world could throw his way.

This excerpt supports the theme because it explains why Bill

• is willing to accept help from a tiny mouse.

• offers to help Slue-Foot Sue with her problem

• believes he can solve any problem without help

• is too big to fit his fingers into the crack in the wall.

Read this sentence from the passage.

“As long as you helped bring a smile back to my beloved Sue’s face, I won’t be ashamed to admit that a little mouse succeeded where I failed.”

What does this sentence tell you about the lesson Pecos Bill has learned?

• He is embarrassed that his strength failed him.

• He is willing to honor his promise to the mouse.

• He understands that even he needs help sometimes.

• He knows that the mouse is as strong and tough as he is.

How are Bill and the mouse alike in this passage?

• They both love Slue-Foot Sue.

• They are both tough and rowdy.

• They are both kindly and humble.

• They both want to solve problems.