The Wise Old Woman

The passage below (paragraph 3) suggests that the villagers don’t stand up against their cruel lord mainly because .

“What a dreadful decree! What a cruel and unreasonable lord we have,” the people of the village murmured. But the lord fearfully punished anyone who disobeyed him, and so villagers who turned seventy-one were tearfully carried into the mountains, never to return.

• they generally agree with most of his decisions

• they are afraid of him doing something even crueler

• both choices

• neither choices

Answer explanation

The villagers follow the lord’s decree because they fear being punished for disobeying him.

What event most strongly causes the son to have a change of heart about leaving his mother in the mountains?

• He realizes that she will probably die in the mountains.

• He sees her leaving a trail of twigs so he can find his way back.

• He decides that he wants to teach the cruel young lord a lesson.

• She is the only one who can solve Lord Higa’s first demand.

Answer explanation

When he sees his mother leaving a trail of twigs for him, he is overwhelmed by her goodness and can not bring himself to leave her in the mountains to die.

What is most closely the meaning of the word spare as it is used in the following passage (paragraph 19)?

“Only one thing can spare you,” Lord Higa announced. “Bring me a box containing one thousand ropes of ash and I will spare your village.”

• noun | an identical item that is kept and used in the event another is lost

• verb | to save from punishment or destruction

• verb | to give or lend something without inconvenience

• adjective | additional; beyond what is required for use

Answer explanation

Only one thing can save the villagers from punishment or destruction, according to Lord Higa.

Which of the following most closely identifies the second challenge Lord Higa gives to the village?

• To find a silver chest full of pieces of gold

• To thread a single piece of silk through log holes

• To build a drum that sounds without being beaten

• To find a box containing one thousand ropes of ash

Answer explanation

This is the second challenge Lord Higa gives to the village.

Which of the following most closely identifies the third challenge Lord Higa gives to the village?

• To find a silver chest full of pieces of gold

• To thread a single piece of silk through log holes

• To build a drum that sounds without being beaten

• To find a box containing one thousand ropes of ash

Answer explanation

This is the third challenge Lord Higa gives to the village.

Which passage from the text best supports the correct answer to Question 5?

Which of the following most closely identifies the third challenge Lord Higa gives to the village?

• “This time he sent a log with a small hole that curved and bent seven times through its length, and he demanded that a single piece of silk thread be threaded through the hole.”

• “‘Only one thing can spare you,’ Lord Higa announced. ‘Bring me a box containing one thousand ropes of ash and I will spare your village.’”

• “‘This time you will undoubtedly fail and then I shall conquer your village,’ he threatened. ‘Bring me a drum that sounds without being beaten.’”

• “‘Surely a young man like you cannot be wiser than all my wise men,’ he said. ‘Tell me honestly, who has helped you solve all these difficult problems?’”

Answer explanation

Lord Higa’s third demand is a drum that sounds without being beaten, as this passage makes clear.

What best identifies the lesson the young lord learns at the story’s end?

• To respect one’s elders

• To try to make peace with the surrounding villages

• To hand over his title to someone older and wiser

• All of the above

Answer explanation

The folktale is about a cruel young lord that learns to respect and appreciate the elderly for their wisdom.

Which passage from the text best supports the correct answer to Question 7?

What best identifies the lesson the young lord learns at the story’s end?

• “‘You are far wiser than any of the wise men of the village,’ he said, and he hurried to tell the young lord how to meet Lord Higa’s third demand.”

• “‘Surely a young man like you cannot be wiser than all my wise men,’ he said. ‘Tell me honestly, who has helped you solve all these difficult problems?’”

• “Rather, they will be treated with the respect and honor they deserve and share with us the wisdom of their years.’”

• “‘Even in such a small village there is much wisdom,’ he declared, ‘and its people should be allowed to live in peace.’”

Answer explanation

This quote shows that the young lord finally appreciates the elderly for the “wisdom of their years” and acknowledges they should be treated with respect.