The Dragon on the Playground

Which words from stanza 1 help the reader understand the meaning of the word descended? (Choose TWO)

• took us by surprise

• swooped down

• on the school yard

• from the skies

• there's a dragon

What does the word converted mean in the 4th stanza?

• stretched

• changed

• bent

• smothered

What does the word incinerate mean in line 8?

• crash into

• jump on

• burn up

• slide down

Which words from the poem help you understand the meaning of the word incinerate?

• flames and lava

• bounding stride

• lept across

• the slide

Stanza 5 says, "He headed for our class." Who is he?

• the narrator

• a dragon

• the teacher

• a pet

What do you think might happen in the classroom if he does get there?

At the end of the poem, why does the narrator say, "I doubt we'll soon be rid of him"? Why do they think the dragon will be around for awhile?

Which lines from each stanza rhyme?

• the first and third lines

• the first and last lines

• the second and fourth lines

• all 4 lines rhyme

Reread stanza 3. How does the poets imagery help you understand the poem better?

• It describes what the children heard.

• It describes what the children felt.

• It describes what the children saw.

• It describes what the students smelled.