The Grasshopper and the Bell Cricket

Read the following sentence from paragraph 3 of the story.

The child with the red lantern discarded it as a tasteless object that could be bought at a store.

Which revision of the sentence uses a verb phrase to show a shift in time?

• The child with the red lantern, discarding it as a tasteless object that could be bought at a store.

• The child with the red lantern wanted to discard it as a tasteless object that could be bought at a store.

• The child with the red lantern had discarded it as a tasteless object that could be bought at a store.

• The child with the red lantern discards it as a tasteless object that could be bought at a store.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.1

CCSS.L.9-10.3

CCSS.W.9-10.5

Read paragraph 12. The description of the boy’s actions suggests that the — 

• grasshopper is actually a cricket

• boy has a special feeling about the girl

• boy is going to read his name on the girl’s kimono

• girl is about to show off her superior knowledge of insects

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Read the following sentences from paragraphs 21–22.

By the light of his beautiful many-colored lantern, also held up at eye level, he glanced at the girl’s face.

Oh, I thought. I felt slightly jealous of the boy, and sheepish. How silly of me not to have understood his actions until now!

These sentences give readers a clue about the boy’s motives in ignoring his classmates’ requests for the grasshopper, advancing the theme of —

• following social customs

• creating cultural objects

• budding young love

• making new discoveries

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Read this sentence from paragraph 23.

This chance interplay of red and green—if it was chance or play—neither Fujio nor Kiyoko knew about.

By saying if it was chance, the author is likely implying that —

• the children didn’t realize that their lanterns were magical

• both Fujio and Kiyoko had played the lantern game before

•       the interplay of the children’s names was meant to happen

•       the interplay of the children’s names was meant to happen

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

          Based on context, what is the definition of aperture in paragraph 23?

• An opening such as a hole

•       A tear in a sheet of paper

• A handmade lantern

• The effect of a shadow

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

Examine the literary device the author uses in paragraph 26. Which sentence best explains the meaning of the figurative language?

• Examine the literary device the author uses in paragraph 26. Which sentence best explains the meaning of the figurative language?

• Through simile, the author implies that a man is likely to encounter a common woman he treats like a rare one.

•       Through metaphor, the author implies that rare women may appear to be common unless you look closer.

• Through simile, the author implies that only the wittiest people will know which bushes to look in for rare insects.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which piece of evidence from the story helps you infer that Japanese culture values beautiful, handmade items?

• The children take great pride in the lanterns they create.

• The children make sure that everyone has a lantern to hunt insects.

• The children make sure that everyone has a lantern to hunt insects.

• The lanterns the children make are of various colors, sizes, and shapes.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Which clue best helps readers infer that the narrator is most likely a teacher or an older student?

•       He is alone observing the other characters.

• He is interested in the various sounds of the insects.

• He has knowledge about how to make intricate lanterns.

• He observes and is affected by the motivations of the children.

How do the boy’s actions in paragraphs 7–15 contribute to a theme of the story?

• He isn’t sure he wants to give up the insect, underscoring a theme about making difficult decisions.

• He is holding out on the children to make his offer seem more valuable, underscoring a theme about greed.

• He is deciding whether the insect is a grasshopper or a bell cricket, underscoring a theme about battling indecision.

• He is waiting for the girl he is fond of to come over, underscoring a theme about the first stirrings of romantic love.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.3