Elves and the Shoemaker

Part A: Which of the following BEST describes a theme of the story, "The Elves and the Shoemaker?"

• People who are not successful need to receive all the help they can get from others.

• A great way to show your appreciation for what you have is to do kind things for others.

• The best way to measure one's happiness is by how much money they have.

• Hard work is only worth it if it leads to riches.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

PART B: Which phrase from the story best supports the answer to Part A?

• "Once upon a time there was an honest shoemaker who was very poor. He worked as hard as he could, and still he could not earn enough to keep himself and his wife." (Paragraph 1)

• "But the first customer who came was so pleased with the beautiful shoes that he bought them, and paid so much that the shoemaker was able to buy leather enough for two pairs." (Paragraph 2)

• "No one ever worked so fast as they. In almost no time all the shoes were stitched and finished." (Paragraph 6)

• "They were so happy.…They never came back any more, but from that day they gave the shoemaker and his wife good luck, so that they never needed any more help." (Paragraph 13)

Tags

CCSS.RL.1.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.K.5

How does the following phrase help develop the plot of the story: "They hopped upon the bench; but when they saw the little clothes there, they laughed and danced for joy" (Paragraph 13)?

• It shows that the elves were very excited to see that shoemaker and his wife returned their favor

• It shows that the elves only helped the shoemaker because they were hoping that he would make them clothes.

• It proves that the elves were poor themselves, and they helped the shoemaker because they know what it's like to have bad luck.

• It makes it clear that the elves would have preferred to receive two pairs of shoes instead of the clothes.

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.1

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

Which phrase best describes the reactions of the shoemaker and his wife when they learned what the elves were doing?

• angry that the elves entered their home without permission

• surprised yet grateful and wanting to repay the elves

• happy that someone else was doing their work so they could relax

• greedy and excited that they could sell the shoes for more than they were worth

Tags

CCSS.RL.1.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.K.5

What do the events of the story tell us about the shoemaker as a person? Is he hard-working or lazy? Grateful or ungrateful?

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

In "The Elves and the Shoemaker," the elves never interact directly with the couple they help, and yet they are still willing to offer their assistance. In the context of this story, what is good and how do we know? Cite evidence from this text, your own experience, and other literature, art, or history in your answer.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2