Queen Minbe and the Cricket

Part A: What is the theme of this passage?

• It is helpful for one to find humor even in difficult situations.

• An unexpected event can help one learn something new about oneself.

• A person may face consequences if he or she does not think before acting

• sometimes music that was thought to be unpleasant can turn out to be quite lovely

Part B: Which quotation from the passage BEST supports the answer to Part A?

• "Dropping his spear and windmilling his arms fiercely, he fell into the pond, shattering its glassy surface." Paragraph 7

• "Queen Minbe couldn't help herself. She laughed and laughed at the palace guard, who sat in the pond frowning as frogs hopped on his head." Paragraph 9

• "All this Merriment has chased my headache away. If I can stand this much noise, I guess I won't be needing cotton for my headaches anymore." Paragraph 10

• "Walking back to the palace, with her soggy bodyguard sneezing and splashing behind, Queen Minbe hummed a happy little tune to the moon, like Cricket." Paragraph 11

Read the sentence from Paragraph 1:

No matter how much cotton she stuffed into them, the whisper of a single leaf drifting to earth echoed like temple bells in her enormous ears.

What does the author mean by the simile in this sentence?

• Even quiet noises sounded loud to Queen Minbe

• Some sounds were more enjoyable than others to Queen Minbe

• Queen Minbe was unable to hear soft noises over the bells in the palace.

• Queen Minbe liked listening to the sound of leaves falling outside the palace

Which choice tells how paragraphs 1-2 contribute to the overall structure of the passage?

• The paragraphs tell how the main character learns an important lesson.

• The paragraphs describe how the main character solves the problem

• The paragraphs explain conflicts that the main character faced in the past.

• The paragraphs provide background information about the main character

Which TWO choices can the reader infer about Queen Minbe based on paragraph 2?

• She kept her walks a secret from others.

• she was usually very busy.

• she felt most relaxed in her garden.

• she wanted to stop being queen.

How did Queen Minbe and Chun-So react differently to the events in the garden?

• Queen Minbe thought the situation was quite funny, but Chun-so was not amused

• Queen Minbe was pleased with Chun-So's actions, but Chun-So was embarrassed

• Queen Minbe appreciated that her headache was gone, but Chun-So was in pain

• Queen Minbe was delighted by Chun-So's behavior, but Chun-So was not proud of himself

How does the narrator's point of view influence how events are described?

• It allows the reader to understand Queen Minbe's thoughts and feelings regarding how Chun-So unsuccessfully handled the cricket in the garden.

• It allows the reader to understand Queen Minbe's weariness in being unable to find the peace and quiet she desired.

• It allows the reader to understand the reasons why Queen Minbe chose to have

  Chun-So accompany her on her nightly walks to seek peace.

• It allows the reader to understand the actions and feelings of Queen Minbe and the other characters as Queen Minbe tried to enjoy the quiet of her garden.

Which quotation from the passage supports what is seen in the illustration?

• "In fact, on hot summer days the queen would flap her ears faster than the bee's wings to cool the palace. Having such giant flappers wasn't always good." (Paragraph 1)

• "Queen Minbe suffered such terrible headaches from the noises of the palace that it was difficult for her to think and rule wisely at times." (Paragraph 1)

• "One summer evening, Queen Minbe tiptoed along the garden path, escaping queenly duties. She was alone but for her royal bodyguard, Chun-So, a noiseless shadow." (Paragraph 2)

• "Not a pot or pan rattled in the loyal kitchen announcing some festival for the next day." (Paragraph 2)