The Wise Old Woman Comprehension Quiz

Why does the farmer hide his mother in a room under the kitchen?

• He does not want her to be banished from the village.

• He refuses to obey his enemy, the young lord.

• He breaks any law that he feels is unfair.

What was the first challenge Lord Higa gave the town's people?

• To bring the wise old woman

• To bring 1,000 ropes of ash

• To sing a song together

How did the townspeople manage to solve the second challenge (silk thread on the log)?

• They placed sugar at the end of the thread.

• They asked their elders to do it.

• They asked the wise old woman to thread the silk.

Why does Lord Higa finally stop threatening to attack the village?

• He is impressed by the people's peaceful nature.

• The small village has demonstrated much wisdom.

• He is annoyed that the people have solved the riddles.

What makes Lord Higa less believable as a real person but acceptable as a folk tale character?

• He doesn't follow up on his threats to attack the village.

• He bases his attack on whether the villagers can solve riddles.

• He confronts the young lord numerous times.

Why doesn't the woman in "The Wise Old Woman" have a name?

• The author wants to protect her identity.

• The old woman represents the wisdom of older people.

• The old woman is not a real person.

What does the author use the characters to do in "The Wise Old Woman"?

• teach a valuable lesson.

• record a culture's history.

• entertain people with riddles.

What could the theme be for "The Wise Old Woman"?

• Respect your elders.

• Be intelligent to solve puzzles.

• You should respect authority.