Secret Garden Comprehension

How do Mary's mother and father treat her?

• a. They spoil her by bringing her countless toys, games, and treats.

• b. They expect her to behave like an adult, and scold her often.

• c.They rarely see her and tell their servants to keep her out of sight.

• d.They tell her stories of their friends and relatives and teach her many things.

How does Mary treat others? Select all of the answers that apply.

• a.She calls the servants names, and beats and kicks them when she is angry.

• b. She doesn't care much for anyone.

• c.She teases other children.

• d.She tells lies and plays tricks on everyone she meets whenever she can.

What happens to Mary when the cholera breaks out?

• a.She is purposely left behind in the bungalow.

• b.She is forgotten in the confusion.

• c. Her parents send her to Misselthwaite Manor.

• d.Colonel McGrew tells her to hide in the nursery until everyone gets well.

Which of the following best describes Mrs. Medlock?

• a.Mrs. Medlock is Mary's warm-hearted, gentle governess.

• b.Mrs. Medlock is Mary's maid. She is very clever, and quite a chatterbox.

• c.Mrs. Medlock is the no-nonsense housekeeper of Misselthwaite Manor.

• d.Mrs. Medlock is Mary's grandmother. She is as contrary and disagreeable as Mary.

How is Mary treated when she arrives at Misselthwaite Manor?

• a.Mr. Pitcher and Mr. Craven have supper with Mary.

• b.Mary is brought to her rooms and told to stay there.

• c.Mrs. Medlock shows Mary around Misselthwaite Manor and then shows her to her rooms.

• d.Mr. Craven meets Mary at the door and shows her around Misselthwaite Manor.

How is the housemaid, Martha, different from the servants Mary lived with in India?

• a.Martha is afraid of Mary, and stays away from her as much as possible.

• b.Martha is timid and quiet, while the servants in India were always laughing and telling stories.

• c.Martha loves Mary like a sister, while the servants in India were not fond of Mary at all.

• d.Martha speaks plainly and directly and expects Mary to do things for herself.

Which of the following descriptions are appropriate for Ben Weatherstaff? Select all that apply.

• a. He can be as surly and contrary as Mary.

• b. He is an old gardener at Misselthwaite Manor.

• c. He can be warmhearted and kind.

• d. He is an old cook who lives in a cottage on the moor.

Mary finds the robin's behavior surprising in many ways. What does she find the most astonishing?

• a.He seems to act and communicate like a person.

• b.He perches in a tree in a garden to which Mary cannot find a door.

• c.He comes when Ben Weatherstaff whistles for him.

• d.He wants to be Mary's friend.

Why did Mr. Craven bury the key to the door of one of the gardens and forbid anyone to enter it?

• a.It is a garden he wants to keep only for his own use.

• b.His wife died as a result of a fall she had in the garden.

• c.He and his wife were married in the rose garden.

• d.Mr. Craven is also friendly with the robin, and wants the bird to have a peaceful place to live.

What gift does Susan Sowerby, Martha's mother, give to Mary and why?

• a.Mrs. Sowerby gives Mary a spade so that she can dig in the garden.

• a.Mrs. Sowerbygbives Mary a packet of seeds to plant in the secret garden.

• c.Mrs. Sowerby gives Mary a jump-rope to exercise and play with.

• d.Mrs. Sowerby gives Mary a dough-cake made with sugar to have with her supper.