Wise Old Woman

The passage below (paragraph 3) suggests that the villagers don’t stand up against their cruel lord mainly because _______.

“What a dreadful decree! What a cruel and unreasonable lord we have,” the people of the village murmured. But the lord fearfully punished anyone who disobeyed him, and so villagers who turned seventy-one were tearfully carried into the mountains, never to return."

• they are afraid of him doing something even crueler

• they generally agree with his decisions

• both of the answers

• none of the answers

What event most strongly causes the son to have a change of heart about leaving his mother in the mountains?

• He sees her leaving a trail of twigs so he can find his way back.

• He realizes that she will probably die in the mountains.

• He decides he wants to teach the cruel lord a lesson.

• She is the only one who can solve Lord Higa's first demand.

What is most closely the meaning of the word spare as it is used in the following passage (paragraph 19)?

“Only one thing can spare you,” Lord Higa announced. “Bring me a box containing one thousand ropes of ash and I will spare your village.”

• (verb) to save from punishment or destruction

• (noun) an identical item that is kept for when another item is lost

• (verb) to give or lend something without inconvenience

• (adjective) additional; beyond what is required for use

Which of the following most closely identifies the second challenge Lord Higa gives to the village?

• To thread a single piece of silk through log holes.

• To find a silver chest full of gold pieces.

• To build a drum that sounds without being beaten.

• To find a box containing one thousand ropes of ash.

Which of the following most closely identifies the third challenge Lord Higa gives to the village?

• To build a drum without being beaten

• To find a silver chest full of pieces of gold

• To find a box containing one thousand ropes of ash

• To thread a single piece of silk through log holes.

Which passage from the text best supports the correct answer to Question 5 (the previous question)?

• “‘This time you will undoubtedly fail and then I shall conquer your village,’ he threatened. ‘Bring me a drum that sounds without being beaten.

• “This time he sent a log with a small hole that curved and bent seven times through its length, and he demanded that a single piece of silk thread be threaded through the hole.”

• “‘Only one thing can spare you,’ Lord Higa announced. ‘Bring me a box containing one thousand ropes of ash and I will spare your village.’”

• “‘Surely a young man like you cannot be wiser than all my wise men,’ he said. ‘Tell me honestly, who has helped you solve all these difficult problems?’”

What best identifies the lesson the young lord learns at the story’s end?

• To respect one’s elders

• To try to make peace with the surrounding villages

• To hand over his title to someone older and wiser

• All of the answers

Which passage from the text best supports the correct answer to Question 7 (the previous question)?

• “Rather, they will be treated with the respect and honor they deserve and share with us the wisdom of their years.’”

• "‘You are far wiser than any of the wise men of the village,’ he said, and he hurried to tell the young lord how to meet Lord Higa’s third demand.”

• “‘Surely a young man like you cannot be wiser than all my wise men,’ he said. ‘Tell me honestly, who has helped you solve all these difficult problems?’”

• “‘Even in such a small village there is much wisdom,’ he declared, ‘and its people should be allowed to live in peace.’”

Who said this?

“‘You are far wiser than any of the wise men of the village,’ he said, and he hurried to tell the young lord how to meet Lord Higa’s third demand.”

• the young farmer

• the young lord

• Lord Higa

• the mother

1. Who said this?

“‘You will always be in my thoughts.’”

• the mother

• the young farmer

• the young lord

• Lord Higa