Muffin

PART A: Which statement identifies the main theme of the short story?

• Adults often don’t understand the torments that children suffer in school at the hands of bullies.

• It’s important to stand up for yourself and your safety, as others will not always be there to help you.

• It can be reassuring to have a friend on your side to help you through challenges you may encounter.

• Living through a war is a significant experience that can change a person and their views on life.

PART B: Which detail from the text best supports the answer to Part A?

• the bombs sounded closer than ever before — a sequence of huge crashes, louder and louder, shaking the shelter so that the single lighted candle jumped and flickered on the earthen floor.” (Paragraph 26)

• “Daisy stared at him, stunned. Yesterday the old lady had given her tea and digestive biscuits. Today she didn’t exist. It wasn’t possible.” (Paragraph 44)

• “Sometimes she felt angry with herself for doing nothing to combat the maliciousness of Alice Smith. But what was there to do?” (Paragraph 54)

• “Muffin came back to Daisy. He looked up at her, panting, his tongue lolling, and she crouched beside him and fondled his small dirty head. Muffin licked her face.” (Paragraph 67)

How does the setting develop the theme of the short story?

• The story takes place during World War II, revealing how Daisy is confronted with more obstacles than the average child.

• The story takes place at the end of the World War II, emphasizing how eventually all conflicts resolve.

• The story takes place during World War II, drawing parallels between Daisy’s bullies and the violent actions of Germany.

• The story takes place during World War II bombings, stressing the importance of remaining calm during emergencies.

PART B: Which quote from the text best supports the answer to Part A?

• “They didn’t recognize that they were living through World War II; it was just ‘the war.’ It was part of life.” (Paragraph 2)

• “‘Bullies must always be stopped, by any means possible. That’s what this war is all about.’” (Paragraph 23)

• “She pulled on her raincoat over her pajamas, slung her gas-mask over her shoulder, and followed her mother and her sleepy four-year-old brother Mike out to their air-shelter” (Paragraph 24)

• ‘That her dog, is it? England’s full of dogs and cats like that, these days. Lost their people. Shell-shocked, like. Come on then, boy!’” (Paragraph 48)

How does Daisy’s point of view on Alice differ from the majority of the adults in her life?

• Daisy recognizes how harmful Alice’s bullying is to other students, while the adults see it as harmless fun.

• Daisy knows how mean and hurtful Alice is to her and other students, while adults fail to see the bullying and address it.

• Daisy thinks that Alice might be a good person deep down, while the adults think she nothing more than a bad kid.

• Daisy hates Alice because she bullies her, while adults recognize that Alice is acting out because of a difficult home life.

How is Daisy most affected by the loss of the old lady?

• She feels like she doesn’t have someone on her side to support her story of Alice’s bullying.

• She feels more alone than ever without the old lady or her dog to keep her company during school.

• She feels more fearful about the air raids, as they feel much more real and dangerous now.

• She feels anger towards the war, as she is tired of being afraid and losing people that she cares about.

Which of the following describes the children of Cippenham Primary School?

• They struggle to live their lives as war rages on.

• They think it’s normal to live through a war.

• They never grow entirely accustomed to life during war.

• They no longer fear the dangers of war.

When Daisy is bullied by Alice and her gang,

• they get in trouble with their teacher.

• they don’t physically harm Daisy

• Daisy is the one who gets in trouble.

• Daisy refuses to fight back.

Which of the following describes Daisy’s interaction with the old lady?

• The old lady stands up for Daisy when she gets bullied.

• The old lady sends Muffin after the bullies for Daisy.

• The old lady threatens the bullies for hurting Daisy.

• The old lady watches silently as Daisy gets bullied.

Why does Daisy go to the old lady’s house?

• She is hiding from Alice and her gang.

• She doesn’t have any friends to talk to.

• She is hungry and needs a place to rest.

• She hopes the old lady will help her.