The Spider and the Fly

1. The author probably wrote this story to –

• a. explain to readers that flies are not intelligent insects 

  
  

• b. entertain readers with a scary story about spiders 

  
  

• c. convince readers to stay away from spiders because they’re ugly 

  
  

• d. inform readers that there are dishonest people that will try to trap them.

  
  

2. How does the Fly feel when she first hears the Spider inviting her into his parlor? 

• a. She wants to see his house.

• b. She does not want to go up there because she knows she won’t come down again. 

  
  

• c. She is hungry and eager to find some food. 

  
  

• d. She is happy that he invited her into his parlor.

  
  

3. What does the word pantry mean?

• a. secret library

  
  

• b. small bedroom

   

  
  

•  c. place where food is stored

   

  
  

•  d. small kitchen

  
  

4. How did the Fly’s feelings change about the Spider when she came back? 

• a. She felt sorry for him because he was lonely. 

  
  

• b. She began to trust him because he was charming. 

  
  

• c. She was happy that he invited her into his house. 

  
  

• d. She was scared that he would eat her.

5. From what the reader learns about the Spider, which of the following would be a true statement about him? 

• a. He is lonely and wants a wife to keep him company

• b. He loves to cook.

• c. He will do whatever it takes to get what he wants. 

  
  

• d. He cares about what happens to the Fly and wants to help her.

  
  

6. What is the similarity between this poem and the world we live in today? 

• a. People should learn to trust people. 

  
  

• b. There will always be dishonest people that are trying to trap other people. 

  
  

• c. We should not believe people that offer compliments.

• d. There have always been kind-hearted people that offer people food from their pantry

  
  

7. The reader can tell this poem is written in narrative form because it – 

• a. tells about spiders

• b. has a short line length

• c. has a rhyming pattern

• d. tells a story with characters and a series of events 

  
  

8. Which sentence from the poem tells the reader that the Spider tried to convince the Fly that he cared for her?

• a. “Dear friend, what can I do to prove the warm affection I’ve always felt for you?” 

  
  

• b. “Will you walk into my parlor?”

• c. So he wove a subtle web in a little corner sly. 

  
  

• d. “ Sweet creature! “ said the Spider, “you’re witty and you’re wise.”

  
  

9. What can you infer about the “ghost” insects throughout the story? 

• a. The illustrator forgot to color them in. 

  
  

• b. There are other insects in the house, too.

• c. They are victims of the Spider and want to warn her. 

  
  

• d. They are teaching the Spider how to cook.

  
  

10. Which word best describes the Spider’s feelings at the end of the story? 

• a. satisfied

• b. excited

• c. disappointed 

  
  

• d. puzzled