The Little Brown Beetle and the Big Grey Rat

What did the little brown beetle's mother teach her about boasting?

• To always boast about her own accomplishments

• To never boast but to show what she could do

• To boast only when she wins a race

• To boast about her speed to everyone

What did the big grey rat suggest as a prize for the winner of the race?

• A new shiny coat

• A large sum of money

• A feast with the other animals

• A crown made of leaves

What was the little brown beetle's reaction to the idea of racing to win a new coat?

• She was excited and wanted to start the race immediately

• She declined because she could already fly

• She was confident she would win because of her speed

• She was worried she might not be fast enough

What did the big grey rat do after hearing the little voice in his heart?

• He continued to run as fast as he could

• He stopped running and gave up

• He slowed down and eventually stopped

• He decided to cheat in the race

According to the parrot, what should one never judge by?

• The color of one's coat

• The speed at which one runs

• Appearances alone

• The ability to fly

What is the best summary of the story?

• A rat runs out of a hole in a wall and meets a beetle. The rat shows the beetle how quickly he can run and makes fun of the beetle for walking slowly. A parrot who has heard the conversation flies up to them and suggests the rat and beetle have a race.

• A green and gold parrot sees a rat and a beetle having a conversation by a wall. The parrot flies over to them and suggests that the rat and beetle race to determine who is faster. The beetle flies to the top of a cliff and beats the rat, who is tired from running so far and fast.

• A rat brags about his speed to a beetle he sees crawling along a wall. A parrot hears them talking and suggests the rat and beetle compete to win a gorgeous coat, so the two animals race to the top of a cliff. Because she can fly, the beetle wins the race and earns the prize.

• A rat and a beetle meet a green and gold parrot. The parrot tells them the tailor bird will make a beautiful coat for whoever wins a race to a palm tree on a cliff. The beetle beats the rat in the race, and the parrot asks the beetle what colors she wants her coat to be.

In what way do the parrot's actions in paragraph 6 affect the rising action of the story?

• They give the beetle a reason to want a new coat.

• They present a tempting challenge to the rat and beetle.

• They encourage the rat and the beetle to trust the parrot.

• They indicate that the rat will learn a lesson from the parrot.

Which sentence best shows that the rat overestimates his abilities?

• One day a little brown beetle was crawling along a wall when a big grey rat ran out of a hole in the wall and looked down scornfully at the little beetle.

• The big grey rat ran to the end of the wall, wheeled around, and came back to the place where the little beetle was slowly crawling along at only a tiny distance from where the rat had left her.

• "Why, you talk just as if you thought you had a chance to win the race," he said, when he could speak.

• Then he started to run more slowly but every time his heart beat it said, "Hurry up! Hurry up!"

What is the main message the author conveys in this story?

• Appearances can often be deceiving.

• Everyone should understand his or her limitations.

• Rewards can inspire greatness.

• It is impossible to always please everyone.