Prince Patrick and A Wintry Welcome

Based on paragraphs 7 and 8 of the story, what can the reader infer about Patrick?

• He thinks he can entertain the girls by styling their hair.

• He believes he is a good babysitter.

• He does not get along with his sister and cousin.

• He would prefer to do as little work as possible.

Patrick’s feelings about babysitting begin to become more positive when he….

• plans to entertain the girls with a movie

• sits at a tiny table

• braids the girls' hair

• hits an imaginary dragon with a spatula

What is the best summary of paragraphs 12 through 16?

• Patrick chooses to play a game with the girls he is babysitting. He pretends to battle an imaginary dragon while the girls act like princesses. He pretends to open a gate and then tells the imaginary dragon to stay away from the princesses. Patrick's mother watches the children as they play.

• Patrick decides to use his imagination and play with the girls to make them happy. He pretends to fight an imaginary dragon to rescue the girls, who are acting like princesses in trouble. The girls thank him for rescuing them. Patrick's mother watches and thanks him for helping her, too.

• Patrick uses an apron, a broom, and a spatula in order to play a game. He pretends to battle an imaginary dragon while the girls act like princesses. The girls are grateful for Patrick rescuing them from an imaginary dragon. Patrick's mother hears the girls thank Patrick.

• Patrick imagines he is a prince fighting with a dragon as he gallops across the room. The girls hide behind a chair while he swings at the imaginary dragon with his spatula and pretends to defeat it. The girls, who are pretending to be princesses, thank him. They say he is their hero for rescuing them.

Read the sentence from paragraph 10:

“He attempted to work with the girls’ locks of hair but found the hair to be as slippery as a handful of wet noodles.”

The author uses the simile in this sentence to show that Patrick…

• thinks the girls have gotten food in their hair

• thinks that the girls' hair is too wet to make proper braids

• would prefer to be cooking dinner rather than braiding hair

• finds it very difficult to make braids in the girls' hair

How can the reader tell that Emily enjoyed living in Texas?

• She goes ice-skating with two of her new neighbors.

• She brought a cactus with her to plant at her new home.

• She learned to roller-skate before moving to her new home.

• She notices that the weather is different between the two states.

The word tentative comes from the Latin word tentare, which means “to feel or try”. What does tentative mean in paragraph 12?

• Cautious

• Exciting

• Multiple

• Enjoyable

What is hidden from the reader as a result of the story being told from the first-person point of view?

• Emily's reason for bringing Charlie with her from Texas

• The actions of Emily with Kyle and Kristin

• Kyle and Kristin's thoughts about Emily

• The dialogue between Kyle and Kristin

Read this sentence from paragraph 8:

“The untouched snow bordering the pond glittered in the sun as if a million diamonds were sprinkled across its surface.”

What does the author’s use of imagery in this sentence emphasize?

• Emily believes that the icy pond will be hard if she falls.

• Emily realizes the value of learning how to ice-skate.

• Emily thinks the snow is beautiful.

• Emily thinks the snow is too bright.

What is one similarity in the way the main characters work through their conflicts?

• Both main characters adopt a new attitude that leads to a resolution.

• Both main characters make a mistake that adds to their problems.

• Both main characters perform a task that leads to recognition from others.

• Both main characters resolve their concerns by focusing on the needs of others.

Read these sentences from both stories:

Prince Patrick

“What was I thinking?” Patrick muttered as the girls dumped out a bag filled with brushes, barrettes, and ribbons.” (paragraph 8)

A Wintry Welcome

“Planting Charlie outside clearly wasn't going to happen anytime soon.” (paragraph 3)

What do these sentences show about the main character of each story?

• They both rely on friends for support.

• They both are used to taking care of others.

• They both have accepted a big responsibility.

• They both realize their situation is not going as planned.