Polar Express Comprehension

As the boy lay in his bed, what did he hear?

• pencils and picture frames falling to the floor

• a man shouting the boy's name

• the crunching steps of a polar bear on hard snow

• hissing steam and squeaking metal

What did the conductor ask when the boy ran up to him?

• "Have you been naughty or nice this year?"

• "How old are you?"

• "Well, are you coming?"

• "Do your parents know where you are?"

All the other children on the train were---.

• staring quietly out the windows

• chatting excitedly with the elves

• sleeping soundly

• Wearing their pajamas and nightgowns

What did the Polar Express cross before it reached the North Pole?

• a pasture that was filled with hundreds of reindeer

• a barren desert of ice called the Great Polar Ice Cap

• a deep, yawning valley known as the Grand Canyon of the North

• a sparkling stream that looked like a river of diamonds

When the conductor pointed out the North Pole, it looked like---.

• a village constructed completely out of hides, logs and whale bones

• the lights of a strange ocean liner sailing on a frozen sea

• a brightly colored garden blooming on the ice

• the boy's town of building blocks, perfectly sized for elves and children

The elves were gathering at the center of the city to ---.

• watch the lighting of the Christmas tree in the town square

• see Santa give the first gift of Christmas

• eat the Christmas feast that Mrs. Claus was serving

• feed and water Santa's reindeer before their long journey

When Santa asked what he would like for Christmas, what did the boy say?

• two warm slippers, just like the elves wore

• a flight with Santa on his sleigh that night

• one silver bell from Santa's sleigh

• a toy train, just like the Polar Express

On the Polar Express, what happened when the boy reaching into his pcoket?

• there was a burst of the most beautiful music ever

• he pulled out silver bells for all the children

• he found a handful of sand in his pocket

• he felt nothing but the hole in his pocket

What did the note with the last small box say?

• "I needed to use this for the night."

• "Found this on the seat of my sleigh."

• "Have this golden bell, with my love."

• "See you next year!"

Where did the boy learn about the bell as the years passed?

• Only those who truly believed could hear it ring.

• On Christmas Eve, it would disappear from its hiding place.

• Animals calm and quiet when it rang.

• It was made of a metal that never became dirty and never rusted.