The Lost Queen

Look at the paragraph beginning: Glancing nervously...

Find and copy one word meaning relatives from long ago.

The struggle had been between two rival families...

Which word most closely matches the meaning of the word rival?

• equal

• neighbouring

• important

• competing

Look at page 2.

How can you tell that Maria was very keen to get to the island?

Look at the paragraph beginning: Oliver rowed...

Which word that suggests that the summer afternoon was quiet.

• tranquil

• rushed

• hush

• hustle

...they crossed the glassy surface of the lake.

Give two impressions this gives you of the water

• the water reflects the light

• you could see through the water

• the water rippled ferociously

• the boat cut through the undisturbed water like scissors through paper

Look at the paragraph beginning: The tiny island... to the paragraph ending: ...were cut into it.

What impressions of the island do you get from these two paragraphs?

• loud/ lairy

• bustling town

• overgrown

• uninhabited

What three things that you are told about the oak tree on the island

• it is futuristic

• it is tall

• its branches are twisted

• its branches stretch over the island

Look at the paragraph beginning: Maria led Oliver...

(a)     Why did Oliver find it difficult to read the inscription on the monument?

 What did he have to do in order to read the inscription?

What was revealed at the end of the story?

• Oliver was keeping a secret

• The monument was damaged

• The two families were still enemies

• Maria's family did not win the throne