From David and the Phoenix

What does David think about the mountain?

• It is kind.

• It is alive

• It is haunted.

• It is dangerous.

Which example of figurative language from the story best supports what David thinks about the mountain?

• "And the really wonderful thing about the mountain was the way it looked at him."

• "He was certain that it was smiling at him, like an old friend who had been waiting for years to see him again."

• "And when he closed his eyes, he seemed to hear a voice, which whispered, 'Come along, then, and climb.'"

• "Already the evening sun was throwing shadows across the side of the mountain and touching its peak with a ruddy blaze."

Read the sentence. Then answer the question.

"It swept upward from the valley floor, beautifully shaped and soaring, so tall that its misty blue peak could surely talk face to face with the stars."

What mood is the author trying to create by using the personification talk face to face with the stars?

• awe

• coldness

• fear

• suspense

• loneliness

Read the sentence from paragraph 1.

"But David walked slowly into the backyard with his eyes fixed on the ground."

What does the word fixed mean as it is used in the sentence?

• tied

• installed

• repaired

• focused

Which detail from the story provides the best clue for the meaning of the word fixed as used in the sentence below?

"But David walked slowly into the backyard with his eyes fixed on the ground."

• "...David had saved this moment for himself, ..."

• "...not daring to look up."

• "...clenched his hands tightly,..."

• "...and lifted his head."

Read the sentence and the directions that follow. *You may refer to paragraph 6 in the text for further support.

"When David finally got a chance to sneak out for a breathing spell, he felt his heart sink."

Choose the sentence that best helps you understand the meaning of the phrase sneak out for a breathing spell.

• "When the ironing board was finally located, Mother had something for him to do."

• "And when he was finished with that, Dad called for his help."

• "So the afternoon wore on without letup--and also without any signs of progress in their moving."

• "Already the evening sun was throwing shadows across the side of the mountain and touching its peak with a ruddy blaze."