Soft Rain: Chapter 16, "The White Children"

1. Read the following sentence: "Food is scarce. Our group and some others are going to follow a different trail where there may still be game - turkey or deer." (pg. 98) What does the word scarce mean?

• available; a lot

• rotten, no longer edible

• in short supply; difficult to find

• I have not idea

2. Read the following sentence: "Instead of leading the line, Father then rode at the back, helping stragglers." (pg. 99) Using context clues, what does the word stragglers mean?

• old and sick people

• those walking slowly behind

• strangers who will soon become friends

• I have no idea.

Read the following sentence: "The girl held an apple in her outstretched hand." (pg. 100) Using context clues, what does the word outstretched mean?

• extended out

• reaching up

• to wave hello

• I have no idea.

What news did the white farmer bring father?

• Grandmother had died.

• The soldiers were coming.

• There were deer nearby.

• I have no idea.

What did the white girl give to Soft Rain?

• A lump of coal.

• An apple.

• deermeat

• Corn bread for their stew.

What does the gift of the apple tell you about the white children?

• They were mean.

• They didn't like the Cherokee.

• They were kind.

• They were afraid of them.

What was the other gift the white girl gave to Soft Rain and Hawk Boy?

• shoes

• nothing

• coats

• stew

Why were Soft Rain and Hawk Boy scared at the end of the chapter?

• They heard wild animals.

• They were afraid of the soldiers.

• They had to find their way back.

• No one was at the fire when they returned.

What surprised the white children about Soft Rain and Hawk Boy?

• They were the same age.

• They spoke English.

• They were nice.

• They didn't need anything.

10. "I don't even know her name, Soft Rain thought." (pg. 102) Who is this phrase referring to?  

• The woman with the dead babies.

• The soldier's wife.

• The girl who gave the apple.

• I have no idea, actually.