The Wise Old Woman- first read quiz

The passage below (paragraph 3) suggests that the villagers don’t stand up against their cruel lord mainly because _________.

“What a dreadful decree! What a cruel and unreasonable lord we have,” the people of the village murmured. But the lord fearfully punished anyone who disobeyed him, and so villagers who turned seventy-one were tearfully carried into the mountains, never to return.

• A. they generally agree with most of his decisions

• B. they are afraid of him doing something even crueler

• both A and B

• neither A and B

What event most strongly causes the son to have a change of heart about leaving his mother in the mountains?

• He realizes that she will probably die in the mountains.

• He sees her leaving a trail of twigs so he can find his way back.

  
  

• He decides that he wants to teach the cruel young lord a lesson.

• She is the only one who can solve Lord Higa’s first demand.

What is most closely the meaning of the word spare as it is used in the following passage (paragraph 19)?

“Only one thing can spare you,” Lord Higa announced. “Bring me a box containing one thousand ropes of ash and I will spare your village.”

• noun | an identical item that is kept and used in the event another is lost

• verb | to give or lend something without inconvenience

• verb | to save from punishment or destruction

• adjective | additional; beyond what is required for use

Which of the following most closely identifies the second challenge Lord Higa gives to the village?

• To thread a single piece of silk through log holes

• To find a silver chest full of pieces of gold

• To build a drum that sounds without being beaten

• To find a box containing one thousand ropes of ash

Which of the following most closely identifies the third challenge Lord Higa gives to the village?

• To thread a single piece of silk through log holes

• To find a silver chest full of pieces of gold

• To build a drum that sounds without being beaten

• To find a box containing one thousand ropes of ash

What best identifies the lesson the young lord learns at the story’s end?

• To try to make peace with the surrounding villages

• To hand over his title to someone older and wiser

• To respect one’s elders

• All of the above

Who said it?

“‘Even in such a small village there is much wisdom,’ he declared, ‘and its people should be allowed to live in peace.’”

• the young lord

• Lord Higa

• the mother

• the farmer

Who said it?

“‘How can anyone make a drum sound without beating it?’”

• the people of the village

• the farmer

• the young lord

• the mother

Who said it?

“‘You will always be in my thoughts.’”

• the people of the village

• the mother

• the farmer

• Lord Higa

Who said it?

“‘You are far wiser than any of the wise men of the village,’ he said, and he hurried to tell the young lord how to meet Lord Higa’s third demand.”

• the young lord

• the mother

• the people of the village

• the farmer