Grade 7 Unit 1 Study Guide

Q: What textual evidence suggests that the word cowered means “bent one’s body out of fear”?

23 Darzee and his wife only cowered down in the nest without answering, for from the thick grass at the foot of the bush there came a low hiss—a horrid cold sound that made Rikki-tikki jump back two clear feet. Then inch by inch out of the grass rose up the head and spread hood of Nag, the big black cobra, and he was five feet long from tongue to tail. When he had lifted one-third of himself clear of the ground, he stayed balancing to and fro exactly as a dandelion tuft balances in the wind, and he looked at Rikki-tikki with the wicked snake’s eyes that never change their expression, whatever the snake may be thinking of.

• down in the nest without answering.

• ...jump back two clear feet.

• ...stayed balancing to and fro ...

• … that never change their expression ...

If you did not know what the word tuft meant, what meaning would be most likely, based on context clues in the passage?

When he had lifted one-third of himself clear of the ground, he stayed balancing to and fro exactly as a dandelion tuft balances in the wind, and he looked at Rikki-tikki with the wicked snake’s eyes that never change their expression, whatever the snake may be thinking of.

• a stem

• a root

• a bouquet

• a bunch or cluster of small, soft parts

How does the mother’s love for her son affect her actions in paragraph 37?

37 He went away for a dust bath under the castor-oil bushes, while Teddy's father beat the dead Karait. "What is the use of that?" thought Rikki-tikki. "I have settled it all;" and then Teddy's mother picked him up from the dust and hugged him, crying that he had saved Teddy from death, and Teddy's father said that he was a providence, and Teddy looked on with big scared eyes. Rikki-tikki was rather amused at all the fuss, which, of course, he did not understand. Teddy's mother might just as well have petted Teddy for playing in the dust. Rikki was thoroughly enjoying himself.

• It prompts her to keep her son away from Rikki-tikki.

• It causes a disagreement between her and her husband.

• It makes her show affection towards Rikki-tikki.

• It makes Rikki-tikki feel nervous staying with the family.

What does the dialogue in paragraph 40 suggest about Chuchundra?

"Don't kill me," said Chuchundra, almost weeping. "Rikki-tikki, don't kill me!"

• He is afraid.

• He is easily fooled.

• He is optimistic.

• He loves Rikki-tikki.

A summary should involve which of the following? (choose more than 1)

• who

• what

• when

• where

• why

The change the young lord undergoes in paragraph 45 suggests a theme about which topic?

He trembled as he spoke, for he feared the lord’s displeasure and rage. Surely now the soldiers would be summoned to throw him into the dark dungeon. But when he glanced fearfully at the lord, he saw that the young ruler was not angry at all. Instead, he was silent and thoughtful, for at last he realized how much wisdom and knowledge old people possess.

• hope

• honesty

• inexperience

• fear

Identify the theme that best matches the young lord’s change in paragraph 46.

“I have been very wrong,” he said finally. “And I must ask the forgiveness of your mother and of all my people. Never again will I demand that the old people of our village be sent to the mountains to die. Rather, they will be treated with the respect and honor they deserve and share with us the wisdom of their years.”

• Being a good ruler means being willing to accept when you are wrong and change your behavior.

• Being a good ruler means being able to get people to comply with your wishes and demands.

• People will do good work only when they are afraid.

• Love is a stronger motivator to get work done than fear.

Which answer best describes the connotation of the word jacked as it is used in the first paragraph?

Above all, in the deer, was the stink of fear. Even in that split part of a second, it could be smelled. It could be seen. The doe’s eyes were so wide they seemed to come out of her head. Her mouth was jacked open and her tongue hung out to the side. Her jaw and neck were covered with spit, and she stunk of fear.

• open

• terrified

• strong

• surprised

Which line from the passage supports your answer in Part A? "Terrified"

• The smell excited the dogs and they began to run faster, although continuing down the trail

• . Dogs smell fear at once but I have not always been able to, even when I was afraid.

• Above all, in the deer, was the stink of fear. Even in that split part of a second, it could be smelled. It could be seen.

• Her jaw and neck were covered with spit, and she stunk of fear.

The author’s purpose in using many descriptive and sensory details is to —

It was a grandly beautiful winter morning. The temperature was perhaps ten below, with a bright sun that shone through ice crystals in the air so that everything seemed to sparkle. The dogs were working evenly, the gangline up through the middle of them thrumming with the rhythm it has when they are working in perfect tandem. We skirted the lake, which lay below and to the right. To the left and rising higher were willows and brush, which made something like a wall next to the trail.

• A. describe the scene that morning.

• B. persuade the reader that the outdoors should be enjoyed.

• C. entertain the reader with a scene from nature.

• D. criticize commonly held beliefs about nature.