Understanding Folktales and Poetry

What is a folktale?

• A non-fiction story.

• A recipe book.

• A short story passed from person to person in a culture

• A mystery novel.

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Which of the following best describes a fable?

• Has talking animals

• Has only a problem but no solution

• Is usually very long in length.

• Doesn’t have a moral learned at the end.

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What does a folktale usually have?

• A message, moral or lesson

• Diagrams

• A character sleeping

• No problems

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What structure is poetry written in?

• Sentences & paragraphs

• Sentences & stanzas

• Lines & paragraphs

• Lines & stanzas

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What is a group of lines in poetry called?

• simile

• line

• stanza

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What is the main purpose of a fable?

• To entertain with humor

• To provide scientific facts

• To teach a moral lesson

• To describe historical events

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What is a common feature of poetry?

• Use of rhyming words

• Detailed scientific explanations

• Long chapters

• Complex mathematical equations

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What is the primary purpose of poetry?

• To provide factual information

• To evoke emotions and imagination

• To solve mathematical problems

• To outline historical timelines

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The Road to Happiness: A European Folktale

Read this passage. Then answer the questions.

1

One day, many, many years ago, two brothers set off from

their small and humble village to search for happiness. As

they strolled along the road, an old man with a flowing beard approached them.

2

“Where are you two lads headed?” he asked, offering a

friendly smile.

3

“We seek happiness, sir, and we intend to wander these roads

until we discover it,” they answered him.

4

“Perhaps I can help you,” the old man said, taking a handful

of golden coins from his pocket. “Which of you fine young men would like these?” he asked, jingling the coins in his palm.

5

“I want them, sir,” the older brother answered quickly, before his younger brother could even begin to open his mouth. The old man complied, handing him the bright golden coins.

6

The older brother quickly shoved the coins in his pouch

without offering to share them. The brothers continued on their way, and at the next town, the older brother promptly bought himself a new hat.

7

The next morning, the two brothers continued on their

journey. Along the way, the old man found them again. This

time, he reached into his second pocket, pulled out a gem, and asked, “Who would like this gemstone?”

8

“I want it, sir,” the older brother replied hastily, before his

younger brother could utter a word. Again, the old man did as asked, giving him the glittering gem.

9

The older brother put the gem in his pouch. At the next town, he promptly bought himself a new suit that looked very well with his new hat.

10

The following day, the old man appeared on their path yet

again, but this time he was lugging a sack. “Which of you would help me and carry my load to the next town?” he asked.

11

The older brother was silent, but the younger brother pulled up his sleeves and lifted the old man’s heavy sack onto his back. When they reached the town, the old man smiled and said, “Please young fellow, I want you to take my sack and all that it contains.”

12

“But, sir, the sack is not mine,” the younger brother

answered honestly.

13

“It is my gift to you for your kind heart,” the old man said.

14

The younger brother opened the sack and was astonished to find that it was filled with gems. But when the happy lad looked up to thank him, the old man had already disappeared.

3.This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then answer Part B.

Part A Which word best describes the older brother in the story?

• kind

• clever

• selfish

• cruel

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