The Pedlar of Swaffham

Read the sentence from paragraph 1.

The pedlar had a cottage, a small yard with a big oak tree, and a loyal dog as his constant companion.

What do the words "loyal" and "constant" suggest about the pedlars' dog?

• that he is a brave little dog

• that he has learned many tricks

• that he is quiet and well-behaved

• that he goes everywhere with the pedlar

Read the sentence from paragraph 7

But London is so far away, the pedlar thought.

What does this sentence tell the reader about the pedlar?

• He wants an excuse not to obey the voice in the dream.

• He thinks that going to London will make his fortune.

• He knows that he must do whatever the voice tell him.

• He is so ujpset by the dreams that he cannot fall asleep.

Read this sentence from paragraph 7

He sorted through his pack, which still held plenty of goods.

Based on the story, what are the "goods" in his pack?

• things to eat along the journey

• extra clothes and shoes

• gifts for friends in the village

• things like ribbons, pins, and spoons

Part A

Which words best describe the pedlar?

• generous and kind

• clever and smart

• impatient and in a hurry

• proud and vain

Part B

Which of the following best supports the answer to Part A?

• "What do you need? he would shout. I have gloves, ribbons, pins, needles, thread, necklaces, and wooden spoons."

• "But as poor as he was, the pedlar always made certain that his dog was well fed and that he had a few coins to give his church every week."

• "For three nights straight, I dreamed that if I came and stood on London Bridge, I would hear good news."

• "When they arrived home three days later, the pedlar pulled out his shovel and began to dig around the big oak tree."

What does the word exhaustion mean as it is used in paragraph 8?

• confusion

• cold

• tiredness

• boredom

Read these sentences from the last paragraph.

But the pedlar didn't forget to share his wealth with his beloved village. His church had been crumbling into ruins for many years, so he paid to have it restored to its proper glory.

What do these sentences show about the pedlar?

• He is not too proud or greedy even after he becomes rich.

• He cares more about the village than about himself.

• He still lives in the same house that he lived in when he was poor.

• He used up all his money on the church and has nothing left.

Read this sentence from paragraph 19.

"Can you imagine if I were to walk all the way to this Swaffham place, jsut because of some foolish dream? Of course not!" the shopkeeper bellowed.

What does the word bellowed tell the reader about the shopkeeper?

• that he is kind

• that he is shouting

• that he is curious

• that he is laughing

How does the last picture help the reader understand the story?

• It shows how the dog helped the pedlar dig up the treasure.

• It shows the exact number of gold coins that were buried in the ground.

• It shows how excited the pedlar was when he found the treasure.

• It shows the shopkeeper's dream about the village of Swaffham.

Which is the best summary of the story?

• A pedlar and a shopkeeper realize that their lives will soon change completely. The pedlar becomes rich, even though he was poor before. The shopkeeper becomes poor because he didn't believe the dream he had. At the end, the pedlar gives all his money to the church.

• A poor bedlar tries very hard to make money but is not successful. The people in the village like him, and he makes sure to give money to the church. He finally decides to go to London after having the same dream three times. While in London, his luck changes.

• A pedlar meets a shopkeeper on a bridge in London, They talk about the dreams they both had. The shopkeeper thinks the pedlar is foolish, and the pedlar goes back to his village along with his little dog. There he lives happily ever after.

• A poor pedlar has a dream that he should go to London to hear good news. When he goes there, a shopkeeper tells him that he had a dream about a treasure, when the pedlar goes home, he finds the treasure right where the shopkeeper said it would be.