Passage Comprehension

What is the theme of the passage?

• Time seems to pass quickly when people are enjoying themselves.

• Money can cause people to make poor choices.

• People should make sure that their words match their actions.

• Using teamwork helps people finish jobs quickly.

Which quotation from the passage best supports the answer to Part A?

• 'As soon as they left the palace, Jack began to tell a story. A small story it was, but so funny that the king laughed and asked for another.' (paragraph 21)

• 'What a wise lad you are!' he said. 'You have shortened my journey with words! I will give you a fine medal and as many bags of gold as your horse can carry!' (paragraph 27)

• 'So plain Jack he remained, though never again did hunger pinch his stomach, for the king ordered that there always be ample food for him.' (paragraph 29)

• 'In time a fine new road was built, and also a sturdy new coach, so whenever the king went journeying, he went in comfort.' (paragraph 30)

What is the meaning of the word jolted as it is used in paragraph 2?

• bounced; shook

• glided; slid

• paused; stopped

• raced; zoomed

What does the author mean by the phrase “the bridges were in ruins” in paragraph 11?

• The bridges were bumpy.

• The bridges were hard to find.

• The bridges were falling to pieces.

• The bridges were old and worn out.

Why did the king agree to let Jack join him on the journey?

• Jack asked for only a little money.

• Jack looked hungry and shabby.

• Jack seemed cheerful and interesting.

• Jack had traveled the route before.

Which phrase from paragraph 14 helps the reader understand the meaning of the word shabby?

• “…at this time and in this place…”

• “…clothes full of patches…”

• “…his eyes shone…”

• “…a smile that crept into every corner…”

What kind of stories did Jack tell the king?

• sweet stories of hopes and dreams

• personal stories of family and friends

• exciting stories of amazing and magical things

• important stories of big ideas and new information

What does the author mean by the phrase “stomach pinched with hunger” in paragraph 14?

• Jack had been hurt by something.

• Jack felt like he was going to be sick.

• Jack had lost something very important.

• Jack felt pain from a lack of food.

Which two choices tell how the king’s journey changed in the passage?

• The king’s journey became much easier.

• The king’s journey became very expensive.

• The king’s journey became filled with many people.

• The king’s journey became amusing and entertaining.

• The king’s journey became much slower and steadier.

Read the sentence from paragraph 22. What does the author mean by the phrase “Jack’s stories swirled round them” in the sentence?

• Jack planned his stories before he left on the journey.

• Jack told exciting stories throughout the entire journey.

• Jack made up stories based on what he saw on the journey.

• Jack read stories from books during the long journey.